Chapter 23 On the Road to War

Gods when it rains it pours. First Georgian, far too curious for his own good, could not leave the stupid glowy stone thing alone. Why is it that people always wanted to touch the glowy things? Did no one realize it was a BAD sign when things were glowy? Especially in a world where magic existed and electricity did not?

So of course the glowy stone happened to be a direct connection to the big bad. Sort of like a telephone only worse. Thankfully for all George is curious he is a tight lipped little brat. Of the two Fred is more likely to spill his guts. Still, Gandalf was worried enough to head out, dragging George with him, to Gondor, Boromir's home town.

And also Aragorn's apparent Kingdom, but they were not supposed to mention that. He got all broody if you did. The dork.

Of course he was still anxious thinking the enemy would attack said city sooner. Which he very well could. Though he did not have the amount of forces he could, there were supposedly a great number of Orcs in Mordor and several clans of Men from the east that had come to throw down. So Aragorn went into full on worried-broody mode, and even had it out with King Theoden when the man refused to call his army up right away to go fight.

She seriously considered whacking him upside the head to get him to chill out. He had to know Rohan's people were still recovering from their own losses. Still, she understood his feelings. Even though she'd never lived in Atlantis she would have done all she could to protect the city and the people there.

It was a moot point now as not even three weeks later the beacons were lit and they were moving out. Thankfully this time they were leaving most of the civilians behind. Some came to help with the supplies and cooking, but not many. Sadly, Eowyn was joining them. The girl was still in her teens and itching to prove herself.

Even had this been her own world Percia likely wouldn't have encouraged her. Eowyn was not a demi god nor formally trained. What swordsmanship she knew was basic and not the best against an enemy better equipped. She was also a bit too hotheaded like several of her cousins. While Percia felt for her having to live in such a patriarchal society, stifling as it was, the girl really had no business trying to force her way into fighting.

So Percia was not going to encourage the girl. She also wouldn't discourage her. Eowyn had to make her own decisions and accept those consequences.

It took some time to make it to the camp ground at Dunharrow. Several encampments had popped up showing that Rohan had far more fighters than she originally thought. They likely came from regions that had been too far from Helms Deep to make it to the old Keep. Percia had a feeling that the Aries kids would be thrilled, but those from Mars would be wincing at how unorganized the camp was. The Roman campers loved their organization and discipline.

They made their way up a mountain trail to a cliff overlooking everything. Why they chose to set the King's camp up here seemed a bit too risky, but she supposed it did offer some natural defenses. Then again, there was something clearly WRONG about the pass further into the mountains. The horses refused to go near it, most practically trampling their riders just to get away from it.

Never a good sign.

"The horses are restless," Legolas murmured from where he was unsaddling his own mount. No really Blonde? You don't say… "And the men are quiet?"

She perked up at that looking to the soldiers, Sure enough they were abnormally quiet. Usually they were pretty boisterous. She'd even learned some really good jokes from them.

"They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain," Eomer informed them his own eyes glancing to the deep sinister looking crevice.

"Okay, there's got to be some story of a curse or something then" Percia stated blandly. "Even trapped in Helm's Deep before a big fight they weren't this nervous."

"It is the road to the Dimholt" Eomer explained, nodding towards said sinister area. "None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil," he hissed the last part.

"Well that's not good," Percia looked to Gimli and Legolas. "Why are we camped right beside an 'evil' mountain? Did we not learn about evil mountainy places in Moria?"

"Moria was overtaken by orcs and a Belrog" Gimli huffed. "Whatever that is, is not natural."

"Because a Belrog is natural," she deadpanned rolling her eyes. "At least tell me we're not going that way?"

"Indeed not, my lady," Eomer jumped to assure her. "We will be joining the main army and making our way southeast towards Minas Tirith. There is nothing to fear as long as you stay close to the encampment. We will protect you."

Okay… first she wasn't afraid so much as cautious. Second, she could protect herself just fine thank you. Somehow she managed to bite her tongue, before correcting him in a rather harsh manner. No need to squash his ego before a big battle. He'd need that overconfidence to survive the coming conflict. Though if any of the Hunters had been here the man would be missing several parts by now for such words.

Rolling her eyes she stopped short seeing Aragorn staring at the evil crevice. His full attention focused on something no one else seemed to be able to see, though the horses sure were vocal about not liking this place. Yet her brother seemed fixated in a way that could not bode well, only to be broken out of it when Gimli demanded they go find food. Typical dwarf.

Still, she did not like the way he kept glancing back towards the mountain. Searching herself, she thought she saw the barest hint of an outline, almost like a ghost. Gods, if only Nico were here, he'd be able to tell her what was happening… Or bring her some McDonalds to deal with the dead guys…

Spinning on her foot she followed after the boys, hoping for a meal and then some down time. They would not have much time before they moved out.

XXXX

Dream:

A large white city built impossibly into the side of a mountain stood before her. She looked down seeing level after level or homes and buildings. Yet instead of a bustling metropolis the streets were mostly empty aside from soldiers running back and forth. Men armed the walls, siege machines prepped and ready. A few citizens ran to and from where they needed to go.

Clearly this city was preparing for war.

Suddenly she found herself near the very top, where a large courtyard looked out over the city and the valley below. Lines upon lines of orcs and goblins seemed to blacken the land outside the city. Larger forms of what she assumed were ogres or trolls stood out in the mass, pushing large catapults and siege weapons.

Movement to her left captured her attention. She looked to see Boromir standing alone watching the massing army below, a deep frown on his features. Still, considering he was near dead the last time she saw him, he looked much better. The small figure of George stood next to him, dressed in clothes that looked suspiciously similar to the guards she'd seen on the walls.

"Do you think Rohan will come," he asked Boromir, nerves clear in his tone. She was reminded that before this trip neither George or Fred had ever experienced true war. The few skirmishes they'd seen so far had also not even come close to such fighting as they were preparing for now. It sucked how the horrors of the world ultimately scarred the innocent.

"Aragorn will make sure they do," Boromir assured him, though Percia could detect a slight hint of doubt. Not that she blamed him. Seemed there was some bad blood between the two regions, never a good thing when situations like this arose. "No one would let this evil stand."

The sound of foot falls caused both of them to turn. Percia smiled as she saw Gandalf making his way towards them, even if he was frowning heavily. A young man, similar in looks to Boromir was hurrying after him. Must be Faramir, the little brother of Boromir. He seemed to be of an age with Eowyn. Maybe she should introduce them when this was over.

"Denethor is being most obstinate in his views of this battle," the wizard grumped. "Boromir, surely you could talk some sense into your father!"

"Not without a blow to the head," the other countered, equally frustrated. "I know not what has gotten into his mind, but he no longer even listens to my council."

"He is calling for a legion to ride out and face the army head on," Faramir informed his brother, eyes wide with disbelief. "He wants me to lead it…"

"You will do no such thing," Boromir hissed angrily. "Nor will anyone else. We will defend out home properly. I will not allow such foolish tactics!" He marched off with Faramir following closely with him.

George turned to Gandalf. "Can we make it through this?"

The wizard turned aged eyes onto the hobbit. "That is the question on everyone's mind. But we must have hope. Hope that Aragorn and the others are coming with an army. Hope that Bilbo will make it to Mt. Doom and destroy the ring. We must have faith and hope in each other, that is all anyone can do in these times."

Suddenly a pull dragged her away.

Xxx

Percia whirled onwards, slightly north, over mountains to a dark path in the mountains. It was sharp and narrow, going up, up, up at an angle that even she would think twice of traversing. The air seemed heavy and thick with heat and soot. She could almost taste it, though she knew she was dreaming. The darkness reminded her greatly of Tartarus and she almost lost her mind to the memories.

Thankfully movement above her captured her attention before such thoughts could continue. Soon she found herself hovering near the ledge where Bilbo was clearly making his way up the trail, slowly but surely. He poor friend looked so tired and worn. He'd certainly lost quite a bit of weight from this journey.

Ahead of him another being moved, with far more ease than her hobbit. This creature, for she could not think of it as a hobbit, man or any other being she had seen, looked sickly and twisted. His eyes bulged and he coughed constantly, a strange Gollum, Gollum sound. Percia's instincts warned her about this being, telling her not to trust it. She wanted to yell out the same to Bilbo, yet she could not get the words out.

Without warning her body moved again.

Xxx

This time she was not so far from where she had last been, though clearly further down the path than before. There was actual grass, brown and over grown as it was. It looked like a marsh, with strange glowing lights dotted here and there.

Gods why were there always glowy lights in the bad places! Why not just place a sign, 'Bad things ahead', 'Stay away!'. No, the people of this world have to be all mysterious and magical with their glowy bad things and foggy atmospheres!

Damn dramatic bastards.

The sound of boot, far heavier than those of men, yet nit the same as the Orcs caught her attention. She turned to see two forms moving steadily, neither speaking.

Moving closer she was surprised to find Thorin and Dwalin of all people making their way towards the mountain pass where Bilbo was. How in Hades did he know to come here? Why did he come here? Did Dis throw him out of the mountain? She'd totally believe that.

Suddenly Thorin stopped, pulling something from his pocket. It looked like a stone, except it glowed softly, though only on one side, like a magical GPS. Huh, maybe not all glowy things were bad. But that begged the question… where'd he get it?

Once again the pull occurred. Can she say she was really tired of being pulled around by whatever this was?

Xxx

This time she was in the Valley between the Lonely Mountain and Dale. Both seemed to be thriving from what she could see. Not that she had time to look around as she found herself staring at a meeting of Dwarves, Men and Elves. Thranduil looked regal as always. Someone had given Bard a bit of a makeover, though he clearly refused to wear any of the ridiculous pageantry most other kings enjoyed. Good for him. Fili and Kili sat there, looking like proper dwarf rulers for once.

"As far as my scouts can tell the army moving from the north is not nearly the numbers I suspect the enemy was hoping for," Thranduil stated plainly. "It seems they have focused most of their forces at Minas Tirith."

"Likely only because the Battle of Five Armies was not so long past. It would take much longer to bolster their forces," Fili sighed heavily, his eyes studying the map laid out on the table before them. "Still, we need to be vigilant of possible hidden forces, as they tried last time."

"I've had men patrol the mountain sides along with some of your soldiers," Bard informed them. "They are checking for any tremors or signs of mining. Bofur has even sent some of the Miners' guild to assist as they know the signs better."

"Right so we will need to…"

The words started to fade as Percia recognized she was waking.

Xxxx

Percia gasped awake, shaking off the linger feelings that always occurred with such dreams. At least now they had an idea of what was happening. Rolling out of her sleep mat she made her way to the main command tent, sure someone would be there.

Though she certainly was not expecting the group she found. Aragorn stood at the main table with Elrohir, Elledan and Halbarad as well as King Theoden and Eomer. Their conversation stopped upon her entry.

"Princess," Halbarad greeted jovially as he swept her up into a hug. She chuckled and returned the gesture, glad to see the man. If he was here then other Rangers had likely joined as well.

"Good to see you too Hal," she greeted, nodding to the others when he placed her on her feet. "Sorry to interrupt but I had a 'dream'."

"What did you see," Aragorn demanded, knowing well what she meant.

She explained everything, focusing especially on what she saw outside the walls of Minas Tirith, given that was what they could affect at this time. While King Theoden and his men questioned her accuracy, Aragorn knew better.

"Percia has special abilities that allow her to do things many of us cannot," he explained. "I have no doubt the army is as large and stationed as she has stated. Thankfully they do not have as many elephants from the East as expected. Those beasts can be very difficult to battle. They carry men on their back, giving them the high ground. However, if you can get to the legs you can bring them down…"

Soon the group devolved into strategy and tactics that would be needed. Several plans were made, as all of them knew that most plans did not survive the first assault. Still, anyway you looked at it, the enemy had greater numbers. The army of Gondor would not be as helpful since they were stuck behind the walls. The fleet of corsairs coming up from the south was also not good.

"If the Orcs were not sending an army from the north onto the Lonely mountain and Dale we might have been able to get more men, but as it stands I cannot think of anyone else we can call on," Percia sighed heavily. "Unless someone has an army in their pocket."

When the new arrivals all looked to Aragorn, whose face had definitely taken on a grim demeanor she paused. "DO you have an army in your pocket? Cause that'd be useful right about now."

He frowned at her, the two having a stare off as silence descended.

"There are those who dwell in the mountain," Elrohir finally answered for him, his voice ominous.

"Okay, and we have not asked them why?" She turned to them and Halbarad only to be met with grim looks.

"Murders, traitors," Aragorn spat, his face twisted with rage. "They believe in nothing and they answer to no-one."

Suddenly Elledan pulled up next to Aragorn forcing him to face him. "They will answer to the King of Gondor," he declared, pulling out a sword Percia had not seen before.

She knew it was Elven in make, from what she had seen over the years. It was really well made too. The pommel looked familiar but she couldn't quite place it. The air seemed to thrum with 'something', kind of like right before the oracle gave a prophecy.

"Anduril, flame of the West," he explained to his foster brother. "Forged from the shards of Narsil."

She had to bite her lip to keep from commenting. It just didn't seem like the time, but she was dying of curiosity.

"The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon an army to him more deadly than any that walks this earth," Elrohir added as he joined his brother before Aragorn.

Elledan grabbed Aragorn by the shoulders. "Put aside the Ranger, become who you were born to be."

"Take the Dimholt road," Elrohir urged.

Percia wanted to groan when the look of determination stole over Aragorn's face. Gods they were taken the damned cursed path!

XOXOXO