Guess what, I was able to finish the next chapter sooner as expected. I just cannot stop myself to at least write a few parts each day.

Here is it what you will find this time:

(From nearly every person a bit)

Content of Aragorn, then one of Éowyn; one of Calemireth; a short one of Boromir; Faramir will follow; at the end a very short one of Éomer

Hope you will like this chapter as well. (Yes, I agree, this chapter is a "story filler". Can´t wait to write about the parts to follow and to post them.)

Enjoy.

Where we are now

Aragorn reaches the stalls and Brego greets him with a neigh. He smiles and caresses the horse. A lucky man he was. Blessed with true companions, a fine steed and the love of Arwen. Then he pauses for a moment. Mithrandir passed the Orthanc-stone to him that morning. To use it would help to draw the attention of Sauron away from Frodo and Sam. His presence would then be revealed to the enemy. Aragorn took the palantír from his pockets and regards it. An evil thing. Only used to watch over folk and to control them, to gain power. However, it looks innocent from the outside. Not to forget that it calls to people. To be honest, he ponders since it was found if it could be used to their advantage. True, the journey of Aragorn and his companions could be harsh but it would always be like this. Of course, it was a wrong thing but Estel is the heir of Isildur. He would be able to prevail. Before he could overthink it again, the cover was removed and a cold ran through his veins. Still, Estel was stronger. "You see me. The king returned. Soon the power of yours will be no more. I will guarantee that," he declares voice not faltering. Afterwards, he broke the connection on his one and veils the palantír. Then Aragorn took a deep breath. Brego regarded him the whole time. Now the horse neighs again and tosses his head. Estel pats the neck of his horse. "Cin are foeir nin mellon. Anand na glenn-," he said and lead Brego outside. Then the Dúnedain mounted and went to unite with his companions and the Grey Company. However, Faramir has not been there yet and mounted his horse when Aragorn passed the young ranger. "I informed King Théoden about our early departure but he gave word to follow," the younger one states. Estel nods absently. Sauron was not able to get through to him. Still, it exhausted him mentally. "The palantír?" asks Faramir. "Yes, I used it to draw the attention of him on me," he answers. The younger one regarded him for a moment, then turned away. A good man and no less worth than Boromir. Both lead their horses outside and he saw that indeed his company just waited for the two of them. Legolas viewed him, knowing exactly what he has done but kept quiet. Behind his friend, Gimli was seated and one could tell that the dwarf still doesn't enjoy it to could not ride on his own. He gestures Brego to stop at their right side. Halbarad bows his head to let him know that the men are ready. It was as Arwen said. There was something the men had to offer. Something the enemy did not own at all. The defence was built out of friendship and love for the country. Hard times lay ahead but in the end the men of the West will prevail. Aragorn gave the sign to head towards Dunharrow. The safe haven of the women and children of Rohan.

Éowyn went to collect some water, from a nearby fountain. She has found a new friend in Éadwyn. Days had passed and nothing mentionable happened. However, it was nice to talk to the girl. Éadwyn described her two brothers, called Éloden and Élden. Both had been assigned to join the battle at Helm's Deep. Éowyn lifts her head and views the land. Her country that she loved and what was worth fighting for lay in front her. Then she rose and went back to her tent. Two women passed her. Dunharrow was now occupied by female citizens of Rohan. A few children and elderly men that could not join the battle, were the only ones left to their care. Éowyn entered her tent, placed the bowel with water on the ground and put the streak of hair behind her ear. Then she sat down and reaches for the book used as diary and else. Éowyn received it from her cousin when she turned twenty-two. Till now, it was not completely filled. Years passed faster than she could recall and brought only sadness. The shieldmaiden stroke it's cover and opens it. Thèodred's inscription was still on the first page: May this book complete your life, Éowyn. Every time she reads the lines of him, a smile forms on her face and each time she closes the book afterwards. The entries that were inside came from a happier time. When she received it as a gift and Rohan had seen better days. A time her family was together. Now, they were divided. Théodred will never return to her and her uncle and Éomer were out of reach. Unable to write something, again, she put it back. Maybe at another time and place.

Calemireth prepares dinner together with her mother. This evening, her father and granny will join them. She places four plates on the table, when her granny entered. "Jewel mine," the woman said and embraces her. "Granny, as always you came just right," Calemireth replies. A few minutes later, they all sat together. "How was your patrol, father?" she asks. "We had luck. Our borders are not in danger. However, we heard that the rest of Gondor and Rohan are under attack," her father responds. Indeed, it did not sound very good. "When will my Jewel receive her sword?" questions granny. "Do not support her mother," her father replies and thought the matter was settled. "She would be a good soldier. Calemireth should not wait for her prince to defend herself," granny pauses. "Either you will get her one or I will," the woman finishes. "Threat received," her father counters. He exchanged looks with her mother, then continues," Tomorrow, eight o' clock, outside." Never would she have thought that this day will come. Calemireth rushes to her father and kisses his temple. "I will be there," she promises and went back to her seat. Finally, she would learn how to defend the ones she loved.

A short halt, with these words Gandalf accepted Boromir's request. The older one knew that time was short. However, Pippin needed it, a rest from their ride. The more they left Edoras behind, the more the hobbit clung onto his arms. Pippin misses Merry as he did Faramir. Currently, the hobbit sat on the ground while Boromir pats Thunderstruck. It was as the horse understood him and knew for his thoughts because the black steed pointed in Pippin's direction. "You are right. I should go to him," he says and went to kneel in front of the hobbit. "He will be alright, won't he?" the little one asks him. Boromir nods and took Pippin's hand. Then he heard a neigh of Thunderstruck and when he turned around, Gandalf mounted already. The Captain General helped Pippin up, then the hobbit was lifted on the black steed. Once Boromir mounted as well, the ride continued. Soon, they will be reunited with their companions. The older one with his brother and the little one with Merry.

Faramir rode next to the man who had greeted Aragorn with a nod. An assumption of him was that the man was the second in command of the Dúnedain company and Aragorn its Chieftain. He did hope that Mablung won't be made responsible for the request he made to let Frodo and Sam pass. The Captain would see to it that if there was a punishment, he will receive it. Rohan was indeed wonderful. He has not seen very much of the land till now. Even when they arrived here, he was not able to witness its beauty, because of his injury. He had to pass his healing stone to Boromir. In case his brother will be engaged with some enemy and he could not be at the older ones left side. So, Aragorn used the palantír to reveal himself. A brave act that ensures the eyes of the enemy will follow Estel every step. Attention now lays on the king and its company. Soon, they will reach Dunharrow and then leave for the paths of the dead. Faramir already wonders how it would be. In fact, the younger one read about them before. As it was described by Legolas, the one's that reside there once broke an oath to come to Gondor's aid. Afterwards, they were cursed to remain on earth till the oath was fulfilled. Still, it sounded not like a comfortable place to stay. Courage was needed. An ability his brother holds. However, Estel was with them and they would follow his call. Besides, the history of the paths there was another detail mentioned as well. Once inside, one would find a spirit of a person who is already dead. In his case that could be either his mother or grandfather who both died when Faramir was very young. His grandfather passed when he was only one years old. The Grey company and the rest of their Fellowship urged their horses forward. So, it comes none of them could exchange words. Time was running against them. Sacrifices were not a rare thing when in war. Faramir would be able to breath easily once the peace was restored. He would be one of the guardians to let it last as long as possible. Their children should not go through the same as they did. Unfortunately, the hard times were still to come. When Faramir thought about what lays in front them all, only a bad feeling was what he felt. However, there was no chance to evade that what comes. Much to the younger one´s displeasure.

Éomer was with his king and uncle. Rohan knows that bad times lay ahead. Albeit, they gave a promise to come to Gondor's aid. So, Rohan gathers its forces together. They will fight to the very last man if it has to be. The marshal will participate in the final battle and he would fight for the sake of his dear cousin. No longer will the enemy threaten his land and people. A bright future will be ensured for Rohan and its ally Gondor.

Aragorn to Brego: A: You are right me friend. Time to go.