Miles away from Minas Tirith, King Theoden along with Aragorn, Legolas , Gimli, Kopa , Vitani ,Ioreth and the Rohirrims of Edoras finally arrived at Dunharrow where all Riders of Rohan were supposed to gather before beginning their journey to Gondor. When the group arrived, they were greeted by thousands of Rohirrim Soldiers , already forming a campsite.

As the King of Rohan made his way through the crowd, everyone stepped away from his path while welcoming their liege. Noticing the attention he was receiving, Theoden threw his hand up as a sign of greeting before asking to one of them " Grimbold ! How many ?" The Man, who was now known as Grimbold bowed to his king before responding "I bring five hundred men from the Westfold, my Lord !"

Then a familiar man stepped forward : it was Gamling "We have three hundred more from Fenmarch !" he told his King who then asked with a frown "Where are the riders from Snowbourn ?" Gamling took a deep breath before answering "None have come, my Lord..."Nodding to his men, Theoden and his group resumed their ride toward a campsite at the foot of a mountain where we could see a zigzagging path going up to its side.

Later, after the group reached the campsite, Kopa was enjoying a sunbath , resting on a rock while eying from the corner of his eyes his mate and Ioreth who were chatting with Eowyn. Around him, the Soldiers were doing various activities and didn't minded having Lions among them much to his relief as he remembered the fear he saw in their eyes before.

However his attention quickly turned away when he heard footsteps behind him and he turned his head to see his friend and comrade Aragorn stepping toward Theoden who was standing at the edge of a cliff looking down at his army. Curious, he glanced one last time toward Ioreth and Vitani before approaching the King of Rohan and his comrade who, upon seeing him, bowed his head with a soft smile which he returned respectfully. Then the Brown Maned Lion glanced down below at the enormous campsite where thousands of Rohan Warriors and their horses could be seen as more soldiers kept coming.

Kopa had to admit it was an impressive sight and glanced at Aragorn… who was shaking his head with a disappointed look on his face. The Prince of the Pridelands frowned and was about to ask his friend when Theoden spoke "Six thousand spears... Less than half of what I'd hoped for..." to which Aragorn replied by saying "Six thousand will not be enough to break the lines of Mordor… "

Hearing this, the King of Rohan turned his head to face the Heir of Isildur " More will come..." Theoden said in encouragement but it didn't seemed to work on Aragorn as he retorted in a calm but worried tone "Every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat... We have till dawn... Then we must ride..."

Theoden didn't respond but nod in acknowledgement, agreeing with the Ranger. Kopa , for his part, sighed deeply as he gazed up at the distance toward where the Pridelands was situated and his sigh caught the attention of Aragorn who looked at his comrade with concern "You okay Kopa ?" The Brown Maned Lion turned his head to look at him " I wish there is a way to contact my father… So we could have reinforcement…"

Aragorn putted a hand on the young Lion's shoulder in a comforting manner and Kopa smiled in appreciation, nodding his head in a thankful manner. But then , the terrified cries of horses caught their attention, along with Theoden's , who all turned their heads to see a few Horses rearing back in terror. Some Rohirrim Soldiers tried to calm them down but it was hard. Then Kopa noticed that some Soldiers seemed to be wary of something and the expression on their faces told him that they would be anywhere by here.

But why ? Looking around, the Brown Maned Lion saw nothing except Rohirrims and Horses. But then the familiar voice of a certain Blond Elf caused him to look back at him " The horses are restless...and the men are quiet…" As if he was called, Eomer suddenly appeared out of nowhere explaining in a calm but uneasy tone while glancing around suspiciously " They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain..."

Kopa frowned as he glanced at the mountain who was dwarfing them all. It was just a mountain nothing special about it… right ? Then his ear twitched when Gimli spoke for the first time " That road there...Where does that lead ?" Kopa looked at his Dwarf friend before following his gaze… to see what seemed like a narrow path passing through the mountain, between two cliffs.

"It is the road to the Dimholt...the door under the the mountain..." Legolas responded while still looking at the path with a serious frown. "Yes and ? Its just a path...nothing special about it..." Kopa inquired with a shrug of indifference. However, the words next spoken by Eomer caused him to become serious again "None who venture there ever return... That mountain is evil..."

Then the King's nephew walked away ,leaving them alone. "Orcs, Uruk-hai, Evil Wizards, Talking Trees, and now an Evil Mountain… What next ? Flying Horse ?" Kopa muttered out-loud , half-joking half-exasperated. Those words didn't fell in deaf-ears and those who heard it snorted in amusement. The Brown Maned Lion then began to walk away to join his mate but then he remarked that Aragorn was approaching the path as if he was mesmerized by it.

Frowning, Kopa approached his friend and was about to ask him what was going on when something caught his attention : a green shadow-like figure was standing not too far away, in the middle of the path. The greenish ghost seemed to stare back at them. The Prince of the Pridelands looked at the sight with disbelief but then someone called out for them "Aragorn ! Kopa !"

The voice caught the two of guard and knocked them out of their trance-like state as they turned their heads to see Gimli "Aragorn… Kopa... let's find some food !" the Dwarf inquired them as he then walked away without waiting for an answer. The Ranger and the Lion looked at each other before looking back toward the path… only to see that the ghostly figure was gone.

Without a word, the two of them followed after Gimli in hope to forget what they just saw. However, Kopa then stopped dead in his track before glancing at the Mountain towering them. The sight shivered him to the core but he hastily went after his friends , keeping as much distance as possible between him and the path.

"Maybe I shouldn't mention this to Vitani… She wouldn't believe me anyway..." The Brown Maned Lion thought to himself as he followed Aragorn.

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It was the night at Dunharrow and the camp was mostly silent except for the soldiers still outside their tents. Vitani had her body pressed against her mate Kopa who was looking at her with pure love as the two of them nuzzled each other, purring with affection. In the Lioness's forepaws was the sleeping form of Ioreth who looked really cute at the moment.

The two Lions then looked down at the sleeping human child with a loving smile on their faces until they saw their friend Merry, who was now wearing a Rohirrim armor, bursting out of a tent followed by Eowyn who was urging him to go somewhere. Sadly, they were to far to hear anything when Eowyn started to talk with her brother Eomer who was sitting with Gamling. Soon they saw Eomer standing up to face his sister and the two siblings seemed to argue about something.

Vitani frowned and was about get up when Kopa stopped her by placing a paw on her shoulder "No… You will wake Ioreth… Stay here..." he inquired her as he got up before slowly making his way toward the two. "Is everything alright ?" he asked the duo who turned their heads to face him. "Yes its nothing…" Eowyn inquired sternly as she glared one last time at her brother before walking toward where Merry went.

Kopa watched her go before looking back at her brother with a raise-brow. Eomer sighed deeply and muttered loud enough for the young Lion to hear " My sister cannot understand that War is not for Women… She is brave and strong… but she is still a Woman… Women have no place in battles..." "You know… In the Pridelands, Lions and Lionesses unlike , all of us fight ! You are harsh with Eowyn because you want to protect her… because she is your sister and you love her..."

Eomer looked back at the Brown Maned Lion with amusement "You talk as if you know what you are saying..." "I do… Like you Eomer, I have a younger sister… Her name's Kiara..." The Prince of the Pridelands chuckled under his breath when he added with amusement " She is curious and really adventurous… But everyone love her !" but then the young Lion became serious again "Because she is my younger sibling, it is my duty to make sure nothing harm would happen to her… But I cannot always be there for her… Someday she had to learn of her own…"

Eomer went deep in thought and Kopa took this as a dismissal as he walked back toward Vitani who was sleeping peacefully , her head near Ioreth's. He gently nuzzled their heads before laying down and falling asleep after one final yawn. He was unaware of the cloaked Rider who was approaching the encampment and what was going to happen later.

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Aragorn woke up with a cry of rage , drawing a dagger. He just had a nightmare featuring the love of his life : Arwen Elvenstar, the daughter of Lord Elrond of Rivendell. "Sir ?" a voice called out for him and he turned his head to see a Rohirrim Soldier at the entrance of his tent "King Théoden awaits you, my Lord..." The Soldier explained as he then stepped out of sight.

Aragorn sighed before unsheathing his dagger and stepping out of his tent toward Theoden's. But he passed near his Lions friends who were sleeping peacefully along with the little girl who was comfortable between Vitani's forepaws. He passed near them as quietly as he could in an attempt to avoid disturbing them and soon reached out the tent of the King of Rohan.

The Rohirrim Soldier from earlier opened the flap of the tent and the Ranger stepped inside to see Theoden talking with a cloaked figure who was currently on a chair. Then Theoden turned around to face the newcomer as Aragorn was wondering silently what was going on. " I take my leave..." The King of Rohan announced before leaving the tent.

Once Theoden was gone, Aragorn turned his attention back on the cloaked figure who had raised from his chair to take off his hood. The Ranger was caught off guard when he recognized the Elf standing in front of him and bowed in respect as he greeted him softy "My Lord Elrond..." Indeed it was the Lord of Rivendell standing before him. But why was he doing here ?

The answers soon came when the Noble Elf started to say in a grave tone " I come on behalf of one whom I love..." Those words caught the attention of Strider who listened carefully and was completely taken aback by the following three words "Arwen is dying..."

Aragorn was speechless as he stared at the Elf with shock written on his face. Elrond then glanced at the Ranger's neck where we could see the Elvenstar (the gift from Arwen to Aragorn) "She will not long survive the evil that now spreads from Mordor... The light of the Evenstar is failing… As Sauron's power grows, her strength wanes... Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the Ring... The shadow is upon us, Aragorn... The end has come..."

"It will not be our end but His !" Aragorn replied back with confidence and determination. He would do anything to save Arwen even if it means dying in the process. However, his confidence turned into confusion by Elrond's next words "You ride to war but not to victory..."

Seeing the look on the man's face, the Elf took a few steps forward adding "Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith, as you know, but in secret He sends another force, which will attack from the river ! A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the South ! They'll be in the city in two days !" then the Lord Elf took a short pause before inquiring in a hurried tone " You're outnumbered, Aragorn...You need more men !"

Aragorn shook his head as he whispered in sadness and disappointment "There are none..." Elrond became thoughtful for a moment but then said something that putted the Ranger in a state of disbelief and shock " There are those who… dwell in the mountain..." The wind , instantly, picked up as a moan could be heard from it but soon it calmed down as Aragorn still had his eyes wide in shock as he responded to the Elf before him "Murderers...Traitors… You would call upon them to fight ?! They believe in nothing ! They answer to no one !"

"They will answer to the King of Gondor !" Elrond replied back sternly and firmly as he pulled out a large sword from under his cloak. Aragorn looked at it and instantly he seemed to have recognized the sword as he glanced at the hilt of the blade. "Andúril , Flame of the West ! Forged from the shards of Narsil !" Elrond explained as he presented the weapon to the Man who looked at it ,mesmerized.

At first he was hesitant to take it but soon he reached out for it , wrapping his hands around the blade (it was still in its sheath) " Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of Elendil !" he remarked out loud before pulling the sword out of its sheath and staring at it : it was a long and sharp blade with runes inscribed on it. "The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith !"

"The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth !" Elrond explained to Aragorn who looked away from the Sword to look at him "Put aside the ranger... Become who you were born to be ! Take the Dimholt road !" the Elf added as he looked at the Man before him with stern eyes.

Aragorn, however, was unsure about it : he never wanted to be King and he tried to avoid his destiny as Heir of the Throne of Gondor but it seems Fate wasn't with him. "Ónen i-Estel Edain…(I gave Hope to the Dúnedain...)" The Lord of Rivendell said in Elvish to which Aragorn replied by saying in the same language "Ú-chebin Estel anim ! (I have kept no hope for myself !)" With that said, Strider sheathed away the sword of his ancestor as he finally made his choice.

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A few moments later, Kopa grumbled in displeasure when his ears caught the sound of murmurs echoing near him such as "What's happening?" "Where's he going ?" "I don't understand..."

so he groggily opened an eye to see… Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn riding their horses ?

Now completely awake, he carefully get up before slowly making his way toward his friends who were about to take the path of Dimholt where he saw the Ghost-like figure earlier. "Aragorn !" the Brown Maned Lion called out for the Man who stopped his horse to glance at him. The Prince of the Pridelands stepped closer and when he stood at the right side of the Ranger he asked quietly "Where are you going ?"

"I don't have time to tell you but let just say someone told me to find more men… Men living in this mountain…" Aragorn explained in a soft tone so one could hear him except the Lion "I will come with you…." Kopa proposed but the Ranger shook his head adding "No Kopa… You are more needed here… You and Vitani… See you my friend..." The Man then pressed his mount forward and his comrades Legolas and Gimli followed after him.

Kopa watched them go with sadness and took a deep breath as he bowed his head down to look at the ground. "Why does he leave on the eve of battle ?" a Rider said from behind him and he completely ignored the question as he was wondering what how he would tell Vitani about their friends' departure ?

But then he heard something that caught his attention "He leaves because there is no hope !" the young Lion recognized this voice : it was Gamling's. He opened his mouth to retort but someone beaten him into it "He leaves because he must !" It was Theoden who appeared from the crowd. "Too few have come... We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor..." Gamling said to his King and when Kopa glanced at the Riders present , he could see that some of them were in agreement.

The King of Rohan stood there in silence for a few seconds before shaking his head "No, we cannot..." those words caught the Rohirrims off guard but then Theoden added in a stern and firm tone filled with determination "But we will meet them in battle nonetheless !" The men around him nodded in agreement. " Beside we are not cowards ! We are fighters ! Warriors ! And we will fight to the end !" Kopa added with a growl as he looked at everyone who raised their fists , cheering.

Theoden looked at the young Lion with a soft smile but then he ordered everyone to take their leave which they obeyed without question. The King of Rohan nodded to Kopa who bowed his head back in respect before walking back to his tent to rest for the night.

The Brown Maned Lion glanced back at the Road of Dimholt silently praying "Oh Great Kings of the Past, protect my friends from harms !" then he walked back toward Vitani who was still peacefully sleeping with Ioreth against her.

He carefully laid down before gently licking Vitani's cheek and putting his head on his paws. Then he glanced up at the stars before closing his eyes and falling asleep. Unknown to him was that his past prayers will soon be answered as many forms were heading toward Dunharrow as fast as they could.

(To be continued…)