She was beginning to realize that time passed way different when you were actually in the story than just watching the movies. In the movies, the two children who rode in to tell the King about the coming orc army showed up like the day of the funeral for the Kings son. But the funeral came and went… and then three more weeks passed and Anna was getting antsy. She filled her days with weapons training, which now included shooting a bow since they were able to find one that fit her, and rides across the plains with Eowyn. Her nights consisted of exploring Eomer's room and all the things he'd left behind. There wasn't much; a few trinkets, a couple daggers that looked more ornamental than usable, and books. She was ecstatic to learn that she could read the common tongue and so her nights were spent reading Eomer's library. It was mostly old journals dictating the goings on of the past March warden's; battle tactics, strategy and the like. It made Anna smile fondly to think of Eomer studying the words in order to become the best March warden he could possibly be. They were interesting enough to keep her busy for most of her nights but she was quickly running out of books to read and they weren't exciting enough to read twice.
But then the children finally showed up on the morning of the fourth week. As Eowyn bustled them in and got them settled by the fire with food, the King and her companions discussed how to prepare for the impending orc army. Obviously the King advocated for Helms Deep, much to the frustrations of Gandalf and Aragorn. Anna watched everything quietly making sure to keep her face neutral as they argued back and forth. Everything culminated to Théoden saying his snotty 'last I checked I was King of Rohan not you' line before stomping out.
There was a moment of silence before Gandalf looked to her and asked, "What do you think Lady Anna?"
She knew why he was asking her, but Eowyn was clearly surprised at the question as her head shot up from where she tended the children, watching with barely concealed interest. Obviously the council of a woman wasn't something commonly sought after in this place.
"I think His Majesty is trying to do what is best for his people. I think that there is not much we can do to change his mind." After battling with herself and her initial decision to not attempt to sway the people here in one direction or the other she finally added, "I also think that you should act upon the decision you are already contemplating Gandalf."
She met the old wizard's eyes and after a moment he smiled. With a twinkle in his eye he dipped his head, "Thank you Lady Anna. I shall do so immediately." Turning, he gestured for Aragorn to follow him, "Come my friend and walk with me to the stables."
The two of them left and Anna smiled after them. Maybe gentle nudges to confirm what her friends were already thinking of doing would be something she could do. She didn't feel right about coming right out and telling them what they were supposed to do. It felt like cheating them out of living their lives. Besides, they all made the right choices in the end. Even if she did nothing the entire time she was here, they would still accomplish their goals and go on to live happy lives.
"Where is Gandalf going?"
Legolas was the one to answer Eowyn's question, "I believe he is going for the riders of Rohan."
The fair lady watched in shock as the elf turned to Gimli and said, "Come, there is much to do before we leave for Helms Deep."
As they headed for the doors, a sudden thought occurred to Anna. Going with her gut she called out, "Legolas." He paused and looked back at her and she said, "Perhaps a message should be sent to Lady Galadriel."
A slow smile spread across his face. Crossing his arm across his chest Legolas dipped his head, "An excellent suggestion. I will send a raven immediately."
As the door closed behind them, Anna turned to Eowyn and asked, "What can I do to help prepare us to leave?"
The woman clearly had questions but she didn't ask any as she directed her and the maids on what to begin packing. It took them another two weeks before they started out for the fortress in the mountains. Anna was glad to be on the move again. It was incredibly frustrating to wait for the events of the story to unfold at the snail's pace it seemed to be going at. She missed Eomer.
After over a week of walking she turned to Eowyn and asked, "How much further of travel do we have?"
She hummed for a moment, "We should be close. Another two days or so."
It took all Anna's self-control not to swear angrily. For heaven's sake! Why did this world have to be so big!?
Eowyn must have seen the frustrated look on her face because she laughed and said, "I know. I'm ready to be done walking as well. Though, I am less excited for what is to come after we arrive."
The mood dipped at her words and there was a moment of silence before Aragorn spoke, "All will be well My Lady."
Anna watched in amusement as her friend blushed and murmured a quiet, "Thank you."
That night Anna sat around a fire beside Aragorn as they ate a modest dinner of bread and cheese. Gimli, Legolas and Eowyn were around the fire beside them, laughing at the story Gimli was telling. Aragorn chuckled softly as King Théoden roared with laughter along with the others.
"Gimli can always be counted to lighten the hearts of his companions when it is needed."
Aragorn smiled over at her and nodded, "It is the nature of the dwarves I have found."
Anna leaned over to rest her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes wearily. She had forgotten in her time in Rohan how exhausting it was to travel in this world.
"We're almost there Anna. Just a bit further now."
"I know but things will only get more difficult once we're there."
There was a moment of silence before Aragorn softly asked, "Will we successfully hold Helms Deep?"
A heartbeat of silence, then she whispered, "Yes but it will be a long night and it will come at a cost."
He sighed, "War always does."
They sat in more silence before he murmured, "You should sleep Anna. Once we get to the fortress there won't be much time for rest."
She didn't move, merely hummed in response. She knew that, and yet she still couldn't bring herself to move and lay down. She knew what was coming better than anyone and the thought of it all made her stomach roll. His presence was comforting and the physical touch calmed her nerves. Aragorn never made her move and in this way they passed the night with both fazing in and out of shallow sleep until the sun was rising and it was time to move again.
They had just finished breaking for lunch and had only been walking for an hour when the scouts came racing over the hill shouting about warg riders. Anna swore, this time aloud and began frantically looking for Aragorn. She had forgotten about this part of the journey! Did he free the horse like he was supposed to? Would he have a way to return to Helms Deep? She had to find out!
Searching the sea of frantic people she finally spotted him helping Gimli mount up behind Legolas.
"Aragorn!" she shouted his name above the noise, running to his side as he mounted his horse.
"ARAGORN!"
This time he looked up and searched for her. Turning his horse, he met her halfway across the field she had been running on towards him.
"Go with the others! Protect their backs as they run. You've trained well; if some should escape us you can protect them. You are strong Anna. Go now."
"Aragorn! Wait!" she reached up and grabbed his arm frantically, "Did you free the horse? Théoden's sons horse! Did you free him?"
His furrowed his brow and looked up to where the other soldiers were riding towards the danger, "We don't have time for,"
"Answer the damn question Strider!"
His eyes shot back down to hers and in the next breath said, "Yes I freed the animal."
"Thank god. He will help you when you need it. Please Aragorn, do what you must to return to me." She pulled his hand down and placed a kiss to his palm before stepping back, "Go now. And be careful!"
She watched him gallop off after the others before turning to help the women and children race towards Helms Deep. Anna supposed that the only plus side of being chased by orcs on man eating wolves was that you got to your destination a lot quicker. Unfortunately, she didn't feel any safer behind the massive walls of Helms Deep. If anything, she felt trapped. She helped people get settled as much as possible, following Eowyn as she had no idea how to find anything in this rock maze. When the horns sounded that the warriors were arriving, she dropped the pile of blankets she'd been carrying into the arms of the nearest guard and raced to the gates.
She knew. She knew he wouldn't be riding in beside Gimli and Legolas. She knew that he was probably currently floating down the river. She knew this, but she still looked for him in the crowd and her heart still dropped when he wasn't there. Eowyn was suddenly at her side but her gasp of horror at Théoden's shake of head pulled Anna out of her daze. Without skipping a beat she was running to Legolas and Gimli. Throwing herself at them she gasped out as loudly as she dared, "He's not dead." Grabbing both their hands and pulling them closer she urgently whispered, "He's not dead. He fell into the river. He will return. I promise."
Gimli sniffed. His voice was hoarse from crying as he asked, "Are you sure lass?"
"I'm positive." She smiled and squeezed their hands. "He's alive. He'll return."
Legolas's shoulders slumped slightly as he muttered to himself in elvish before reaching out and brushing a strand of hair out of Anna's face.
"Thank you telerin."
She shook her head as a tear escaped down her cheek, "I'm so sorry. I forgot about the warg riders. I should have," her voice broke and she took a shaky breath before whispering, "I could have warned you and this might have been avoided."
"Oh lass," Gimli reached out and pulled her into a hug, "We don't expect you to remember every little thing that happens in the future. It is not your responsibility."
She gave him a big squeeze back and murmured, "Thank you Gimli." Pulling away she reached for Legolas and he pulled her into a hug as well.
"Come telerin. Let us go find a place to rest for a moment."
The next several hours passed in a blur for Anna. She took a few moments to rest with Legolas and Gimli while they shared some cheese and potatoes. After that, they split up and began helping the Rohan people ready for war. Anna had a difficult time focusing fully though as she continually detoured to pass by the front gates in the hopes of seeing Aragorn coming riding through. She had no idea how much time had really passed between him falling off the cliff with the warg and him getting back to Helms Deep. For all she knew, it could be days before they saw him again. She prayed to whatever being that was above the Voice in purgatory that that wasn't the case; she didn't think her heart could take that sort of strain.
The day passed however with no sign of the rangers return. Legolas tried to insist that she join them for dinner but Anna honestly couldn't imagine trying to eat anything. Her stomach was tied in knots and the thought of food made her want to throw up. Instead, she climbed the stone stairs to the top of the wall and joined the Rohan guards that overlooked the path up to Helms Deep. No one spoke to her and Anna didn't know how much time passed as they watched the light slowly fade to night. It was just as the last bit of light was disappearing that one of the guards next to her spoke.
Pointing out over the wall he said quietly, "Hark. A horse approaches."
Throwing herself up so that she could perch with her stomach on the stone wall, her feet dangling off the ground, she leaned out to try and get a glimpse of the rider.
"Please Aragorn. Please let it be you."
She didn't care if the guards thought she was crazy to be praying for his return. The news of his fall had been spread about the people like wild fire and everyone assumed him to be dead.
In the minutes it took for the horse to get close enough to identify, the silence was suffocating. And then the same guard who had first seen the horse gasped and exclaimed, "Why! That looks like Prince Theodred's horse!"
"It's him!" throwing herself from the wall, Anna teared down the stairs bellowing, "OPEN THE GATES!"
She didn't even wait until they were fully open before slipping thru them and racing for all she was worth towards the horse and rider. As she got closer, she could see that Aragorn seemed to be mostly ok and the knot in her stomach began to unravel. It seemed that this part of the story would be the same. Thank god.
"Aragorn! Thank the gods you're ok. I've been so worried for… Aragorn!" As she had drawn closer, he had begun leaning dangerously to the left before sliding off the side of the horse. She lunged, throwing herself under him so that she could cushion his head. Both of them groaned when they hit the ground.
"Fuck… that hurt." Leaning up slightly she brushed his hair from his face and asked, "Are you ok?"
He coughed and muttered, "Next time you ask me an odd question at an odd time I think I'll stop and insist on more details… that was not a pleasant experience."
Anna couldn't help but let out a choked laugh as tears spilled down her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry Aragorn. I had completely forgotten about the warg riders and I,"
He reached up and placed a finger wearily on her lips to silence her.
"Hush Anna, you did nothing wrong." He wiped a tear from her cheek, "And I'm fine. Weary and hungry, but otherwise well."
She reached up and pressed his hand to her cheek and asked, "Do you think you can stand?"
"With your help, yes."
"Come on then," Anna pulled herself to a crouch and helped him get his arm around her shoulders. Using all the strength she had, she pulled him to his feet. He groaned and said something in elvish that she assumed was not nice. Looking over her shoulder at the horse who had been standing nearby she said, "Thank you for bringing him safely to me. You can either come with us or have your freedom. The choice is yours."
She then turned them and began the slow trek up to the gates; pleasantly surprised when the horse followed them.
"I think he likes you."
Aragorn gave a tired chuckle, "I am grateful to him."
"As am I."
They limped together in silence for a moment before he murmured, "Anna, may I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"I… there is…" he paused to take a deep breath and Anna had to bite her lip to suppress a giggle from bubbling out. She'd never seen Aragorn flustered but it was decidedly cute. "Do you know of an elf woman called Arwen?"
"I do. She's a beautiful, kind elf. It was easy to see why you fell in love with her."
"Does she leave across the sea safely?"
"No."
He froze and they almost tumbled to the ground since she wasn't expecting it.
"Aragorn!" she poked his side and chided, "You're heavy enough as it is, let's not make this journey to the gates any more difficult. You don't need to worry. Arwen never leaves across the sea in the first place. She sees a vision of your life together and the son you bring into the world and she chooses to stay. She loves you and your child more than eternal life." Anna turned as much as she could to meet Aragorn's tear filled eyes and smiles, "You will see her again, when this is all over."
He sagged a bit and pressed his forehead to her own, "I am truly a selfish man for that to bring me as much joy as it does."
She scoffed, "Nonsense. Longing to spend the rest of your life with the one you love is not selfish."
"She is giving up so much…"
Anna reached up and cupped his cheek, "Eternal life only sounds like a wonderful thing if you're able to spend it with the people you love. Otherwise it would be hell. I know that if I was in Arwen's place, the choice to stay with the man I love would be an easy one. Do not worry about what you think she is sacrificing; she is choosing what will bring her the most joy. She is choosing you."
A broken sob broke from his lips and Anna turned fully to wrap him up in a tight hug. "You deserve to be happy Aragorn."
"ARAGORN!"
She looked up from their embrace to see Legolas and Gimli sprinting down the path towards them. Legolas arrived first and didn't bother to wait until they had broken their hug; merely wrapped his arms around them both tightly speaking elvish to Aragorn in a way that made Anna sure she was chiding him.
"Aragorn! You gave us a right good scare you did. We thought for sure you'd been lost until Anna here said otherwise."
Aragorn laughed and turned to give Gimli a side hug, "Forgive me friends. It was not my intent I assure you."
"Come," Legolas helped adjust Aragorn's arm so that he was supporting his weight, taking the burden from Anna, "Let us get you to safety. You need food and rest before the battle that is to come."