Sorry, this took so long to write and seems a bit shorter compared to the other chapters. I was having major writer's block. Hope to have the next chapter up soon. Thank you so much for all the love and support for this book!
The couple dispersed quickly and quietly to their tents to gather the few things they would need for the journey ahead. They did not know what they would face in the mountain, but they knew they had to go, this was something only they could do, and they would not expect anyone to understand nor would they subject anyone to the dangers they were to encounter.
Amdiriel had just about finished packing up Rohal when she saw a woman with blond hair and a white and brown dress glance at her and then walked away quickly. She knew it was Eowyn, Amdiriel let out a heavy sighed knowing she had gone to find Aragorn who was just a couple of tents away. "Ready Rohal?" Amdiriel questioned her horse earning a clicking noise in return as she grabbed the reins and began to lead him in the direction of Aragorn's tent.
Not a second later Eomer appeared at her side. "So it is true? The queen has come forth and a dangerous rode she will take?" he asked. Amdiriel offered him a small smile "You know I must." She replied. "As much as it worries me to see my dear friend go at such an hour, I also know you would not leave us unless it was absolutely necessary." Eomer told her. Amdiriel nodded before she spoke again. "Do not let the men be discouraged by our absence. We go to bring more aid, not because we want to but because we must." Eomer nodded "I promise. I do believe it will be our burden not to destroy all the orcs until you arrive." Eomer joked causing a chuckle to fall from Amdiriel's lips. "I believe it will be the struggle for you, your men, Elladan and Elrohir." "I find great comfort knowing they go ahead of us and that they are to join alongside us." Amdiriel nodded but muttering that she must go. Eomer pulled Amdiriel in for a quick hug muttering that he would see her in Gondor. Amdiriel nodded as they pulled away before bowing to each other. "My Lady." "My Lord Eomer." and with that, the two went their separate ways.
Amdiriel saw could hear Eowyn speaking with who she assumed to be Aragorn as she slowly approached the tent.
Aragorn had been preparing his horse when Eowyn had suddenly approached him. "Why are you doing this?" she demanded to know, Aragorn turning to look at her curiously. "The war lies to the East. You can not leave on the eve of battle. You can not abandon the men." She told him. Aragorn sighed as he walked around her to adjust the reins "Eowyn." he said. He knew he had no time to explain his task to her nor did he think that she would understand. "We need you here." she told him.
"Why have you come?" Aragorn asked her. Eowyn hesitated for a moment but spoke in a softer tone "Do you not know?" she asked just as Aragorn had finished with his horse. Aragorn sighed as he looked at the ground before meeting the blond woman's eyes that were filled with hope that he returned her feelings. Aragorn did not want to hurt the lady but he could not lie to her nor to himself and lead her on, so he spoke as kindly as he could. "It is but a shadow and a thought that you love." Aragorn told her causing Eowyn's expression to falter into one of sadness and heartbreak. "I can not give you what you seek." Eowyn's eyes glossed over with unshed tears as she took a few steps back away from the man. Aragorn sighed knowing he hurt her but stepped forward to Eowyn. "I wished you joy since first I saw you but it is not with me." Aragorn then let his fingertips touch her face softly. "I am sorry." he told her. Eowyn could see the sincerity of his apology in his eyes but it did not make the rejection hurt any less as he turned to leave. Eowyn heartbrokenly watched as Aragorn walked away, soon joined by Amdiriel and her horse.
What she did not see was Aragorn lace his fingers with Amdiriel's. Once they were out of sight Aragorn pressed his lips to Amdiriel's, he knew she had heard of the conversation between him and the lady of Rohan. He knew that Amdiriel trusted him but he also knew of Amdiriel's insecurities. "I love you." he muttered to her meaning every word with all that he was. He felt bad for Eowyn, she was beautiful, young, innocent, and a beauty to the ugly world they lived in. But the woman in front of him was the queen of his heart and she would rule over it for all eternity, she had been his light in the dark even when they were separated, she lived on through his dream, comforting and encouraging him. Now that he had her he knew he could never let her go.
"I love you too." Amdiriel whispered back. Amdiriel's heart ached for Eowyn, she knew what it was like to be heartbroken and she wished no ill will on the woman despite her prior jealousy of the lady. But Amdiriel could not deny the flutter in her heart or the great joy she felt when Aragorn kissed her. She knew it was to reassure her that he loved her and only her but she could not deny that she was grateful for it and for him.
"Are you ready?" Aragorn asked her. Amdiriel knew he not only asked about being ready to leave but if she was ready for the journey ahead and whatever may come when they would arrive at Gondor. "I am if you are." she replied. Aragorn brought Amdiriel's knuckles to his lips, placing a chaste kiss on them. Then with hands linked, they walked through the camp towards the dimholt road.
The couple barely recognized Gimli sitting on the side of the tent as they walked by until he stood to his feet. "Just where do you think you two are off to?" he asks. The two stop and look at their friend. "Not this time Gimli." Amdiriel told him. "She is right. This time you must stay Gimli." Aragorn said. "Hmmmm." Gimli said as if he was thinking about his options.
Suddenly Legolas appeared on the other side on Amdiriel his horse all ready to go as well as himself. "Have you both learned nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?" asked the elf. "You might as well accept it. We're going with you lovies." said the dwarf. A smile overtaking both Aragorn and Amdiriel's lips. It provided them comfort to know that their friends who had been with them since the beginning would continue to be there with them every step of the way.
"You know what my love?" Amdiriel asked "Hm?" Aragorn questioned. "I think I have come to the conclusion that the stubbornness of elves rivals that of dwarves." Amdiriel replied. "What would make you say such a thing?" Legolas asked, pretending to be offended. "Have you met yourself?" Amdiriel chuckled, causing a smile to grace everyone's lips.
Just a moment later, the four friends were riding out of through the camp, towards the road that led in between the mountains, Aragorn leading them followed by Amdiriel and then Legolas and Gimli who continued to ride together. Whispers arose among the soldiers, questioning what they were doing. "What's happening, where is he going?" asked one man "I don't understand." said another as all watched as they disappeared into the cleft between the rocks and into the darkness of the night. "Lord Aragorn! Lady Amdiriel!" someone else called out. "Why do they leave on the eve of battle?" asked a different soldier. Gambling turns to his men. "They leave because there is no hope."
"They leave because they must." said Theoden as he joined his men, Eomer at his side. "Too few have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor." stated Gamling. Theoden shook his head "No, we can not but we will meet them in battle nonetheless."With that as his final word to his men, Theoden made his way back to his tent. Eomer looked at the defeated faces of the men around him. "Men, you know that they would not leave in what may be our darkest hour unless it was absolutely necessary. Know they would not give up on us. So let us not give up on them, when they need us to hope the most. We may not be able to defeat Mordor but we will sure give them one hell of a fight if is to be our end especially after all they have takes from us." Eomer finished his little speech. The men around him rose their heads, knowing what their leader said was true. That night they would sleep and wake with a new type of courage, rage, and hope to end evil.
The four riders rode on through the night and into the morning. Not much was said between them as an eerie feeling kept them all on edge as they ventured on through the barren canyon.
"What kind of army would linger in such a place?" Gimli asked curiously. "One that is cursed." Legolas replied. "Long ago the men of the mountains swore an oath to the last King and Queen of Gondor to come to their aid, to fight. But when the time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled vanishing into the darkness of the mountain. And so Isildur cursed them, never to rest until they had fulfilled their pledge." Legolas concluded the story. It was one the people of Gondor would tell when they were sitting around the campfire to scare the younger children. The company rode on a little further before Legolas spoke again. "Whom shall call them from the grey twilight, the forgotten people? The heir of him to whom the oath they swore. From the North shall he come, alongside him his queen, need shall drive them. They shall pass the Door to the Paths of the Dead." a shiver was sent down all their spines as they continued on but not before Amdiriel spoke up.
"Legolas, you know that I love elvish writing but can you not recite creepy poems when the feeling of scary, eerie, creepy, or the sense of impending doom is in the air?" Before anyone could respond with anything more than a chuckle they arrived at their destination.
Everyone dismounted the horses and walked through the narrow walkway. The doorway was opened, covered in darkness, the outer walls holding skulls. Above it, ancient hieroglyphics. The very warmth of my blood seems stolen away." Gimli stated. Aragorn had his sword drawn as everyone looked up at the writings but it was Legolas who read them. "'The way is shut, it was made by those who are dead and the dead keep it. The way is shut.'" Amdiriel was about to make a smart remark to Legolas about creepy poetry again to try and break the tension but all thought of it vanished when a gust of air blew from the cave. It was like a breath of air but it was cold, and an eerie noise followed it, spooking the horses except Amdiriel's.
"Brego!" Aragorn called out but it was too late the horse had bolted. Roha however remained calm but stomped his hooves. Amdiriel brought her forehead down to Rohal's nose. "Find them. Take them to Minas Tirith. We will find you there." She whispered. Rohal neighed in what seemed like deficiency but Amdiriel just shook her head "Go!" she then ordered her steed. Rohal neighed again but turned to run off back into the shadows of the mountain.
She then turned back to her companions who all looked back at the entrance of the cave as the wind seemed to pick up. Amdiriel pulled out her sword with one hand and used her free one to grab onto Aragorn's free hand, giving it a squeeze to let him know she was ready. Aragorn glared at the entrance and spoke. "We do not fear death." Without both fear and hesitation, the two entered the cave, disappearing into the darkness. Gimli and Legolas watched, the fear evident in the dwarf's eyes. Legolas looked at the entrance for a moment before he too followed after his two friends.
"Well, this is a thing unheard of. An elf will go underground, where a dwarf dare not." Gimli said as he stood there before looking at the ground. "Oh. Oh, I'd never hear the end of it." he said as he then jogged into the cave and after his friends and into the unknown.