Hey, everybody. Back with another chapter. Hope you like this one.
Let's get to it.
Chapter 14- War Is Upon You
Jakan walks up onto a tower overlooking the main gate of Edoras. It's now dusk of the day after their arrival in Edoras.
When Theoden had been told of Theodred's fate, he had come close to breaking down, but kept himself together in order to present an image of strength to his people. The preparations for the funeral had taken the rest of the day.
Hama and the Royal Guard had returned the Fellowship's weapons very quickly after Theoden was freed. Jakan had not told them what the Darksaber really was, despite Hama's curiosity. The Captain of the Guard was intrigued at Jakan's possession of Elrond's sword, however. Jakan had told him that the Lord of Imladris had gifted it to him to use on the quest. Hama was impressed that Elrond had given such a gift, especially given what he'd already seen of Jakan's armor. Apparently, word was already circulating among the Royal guard and other soldiers in Edoras about Jakan's Mandalorian armor.
Theodred's funeral had taken place that morning. It had been an emotional event for the Rohirrim, and Theoden especially. Jakan had mostly kept in the back of the crowd throughout the funeral, but had taken some time after the crowd had dispersed to go up to Theodred's tomb and render customary Mandalorian tributes for the fallen.
As Jakan leans against the edge of the tower, he looks out over the plains of Rohan. As he does, he reaches down with his right hand to touch Vilya where it rests on his left ring finger. He still regularly finds himself wondering why Elrond gave him the ring.
After glancing down at the ring for a few moments, he looks back out over the plains. As he scans the surroundings, he suddenly sees a horse ride over a ridge in the distance. Using his helmet, he zooms in and sees two children sitting on the back of the horse.
The moment the boy falls off the horse's back, Jakan instantly activates his jetpack, flying towards the children. It takes him just seconds to reach the two children and the horse.
Cutting off his jetpack's thrust, Jakan lands beside the horse. He immediately kneels down beside the boy, feeling for a pulse, and feeling relief when he feels the boy's heartbeat.
"Must just be exhausted," Jakan mutters to himself. He then looks up and sees the girl crying.
Jakan reaches up and removes his helmet, just in case the girl is afraid of his appearance. "It's okay. It's alright. You're both safe. You're gonna be fine," Jakan says.
The girl looks at him and says, "Our mama sent us."
"Why? Why did she send you?" Jakan asks.
Then, he feels the boy stir. Looking down, he sees the boy looking up at him. A moment later, the boy says, "The Orcs and Wildmen are coming to kill us all…"
Gandalf soon reaches the scene too, having noticed the boy fall from the horse while he was standing with Theoden as the king mourned his son at the tomb. Gandalf picks up the boy and carries him back to Edoras, while Jakan leads the horse.
Once they reach the city, the horse is taken to the stables, and the boy and girl, whose names are Eothain and Freda, are taken to the Meduseld. There, Jakan and Eowyn sit with the siblings as they begin tucking into a small meal of bread and soup.
The rest of the Fellowship gathers in the Meduseld, along with Theoden and Hama. Gandalf is now sitting in Grima's old seat beside the throne, and the rest of the Fellowship is scattered through the rest of the hall.
Eowyn turns to her uncle, who is sitting with his head in his hand, and says, "They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the Wildmen are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot, and tree."
Freda looks up at Eowyn and asks, "Where is Mama?" Eowyn sits down beside her again to soothe her anxiousness.
Gesturing to the siblings, Gandalf says to Theoden, "This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven now by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight!"
"You have 2000 good men riding north as we speak. Eomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king," Aragorn adds.
"They will be 300 leagues from here by now. Eomer cannot help us," Theoden responds as he stands up. He then turns to Gandalf and says, "I know what it is you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."
Aragorn lowers his pipe from his mouth as he says to Theoden, "Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not."
Theoden turns to Aragorn, his eyes narrowing just the slightest. "When last I looked, Theoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan," he says.
The hall is silent for a moment before Gandalf asks, "Then what is the king's decision?"
Theoden is quiet for several moments, then turns to Hama. "Hama, tomorrow you will announce through the city that the city will empty and make for Helm's Deep," Theoden says. Hama bows his head in acknowledgement.
Theoden then looks around at the Fellowship and says, "My lords, if you would make your way to your quarters, I must discuss several matters with my court."
The Fellowship begins to file out of the main hall, while Eowyn leads Eothain and Freda to their room. As a servant takes the Fellowship to their quarters, Jakan asks, "If I may ask, what is Helm's Deep?"
"Yours is a good question, Jakan. Helm's Deep is the great fortress of Rohan. It is one of the most fortified structures in Middle Earth, and has never been breached by an enemy. It is a good three days walk from here," Boromir says.
Boromir then looks at Aragorn and says, "Aragorn, while you may have promised to accompany me to Minas Tirith, my loyalty is with you. If you wish to stay here to aid Rohan, I will gladly remain and help you."
Aragorn nods with a slight smile, grateful for Boromir's support and loyalty.
(The next morning)
Jakan follows behind Gandalf along with the rest of the Fellowship as they walk down to the stables. Now out in public, Jakan is wearing his helmet again.
"Helm's Deep! They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight! Who will defend them if not their king?" Gimli exclaims.
"Easy, Gimli. It's probably not the most polite thing to speak ill of Theoden's decision in front of his people," Jakan says to Gimli.
"He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past," Aragorn points out.
"There is no way out of that ravine. Theoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he's leading them to safety. What he will get is a massacre," Gandalf says as he walks up to Shadowfax's stall. He then turns to Aragorn and Jakan and says, "Theoden has a strong will, but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end, you two. The people of Rohan will need you. The defenses have to hold."
"They will hold," Aragorn says.
"Just don't take too long coming back," Jakan says.
Gandalf turns to Shadowfax, petting the horse's back as he says, "The Grey Pilgrim. That's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of Men I've walked this earth, and now, I have no time."
Gandalf then mounts Shadowfax as he says, "With luck, my search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east."
"Go," Aragorn urges. And Gandfalf spurs Shadowfax into a gallop, galloping out of Edoras and off to begin the search for Eomer and his company.
Jakan makes his way back to the Meduseld. As he enters the hall, he sees Eowyn holding a sword up. As he watches, she starts doing a few drills with the sword.
Jakan smirks under his helmet as he unsheaths Hadhafang. Then, as Eowyn whirls around to make a strike with the sword, Jakan raises the Elvish sword to block Eowyn's sword.
Eowyn looks at him in surprise. Jakan lowers Hadhafang and says cheerfully, "Well, Lady Eowyn. You are definitely not helpless. You have a warrior spirit."
Eowyn looks at Hadhafang. "Is that an Elvish sword?" she asks.
"Indeed. It is the sword of Lord Elrond of Rivendell himself. Lord Elrond lent it to me for use on this quest," Jakan says
Eowyn looks at the sword with reverence as she sets her own sword down. "May I see it?" she asks.
Jakan smiles as he holds out Hadhafang. Eowyn takes the sword and examines it reverently. After a few moments, she hands it back. She then looks at his belt, where his blasters are resting, and asks, "What manner of weapons are those?"
Jakan smiles as he pulls one of his blasters out and spins it around his finger a few times. "This is called a blaster. It shoots bolts of powerful energy that can kill anything they hit. They're the standard weapon of my people, the Mandalorians," he says.
"Mandalorians?" Eowyn asks in confusion.
"Yes. You see, your world is not the only world out there. There are many worlds, home to beings of all kinds. One of those worlds is called Mandalore. And on Mandalore, thousands of years ago, a warrior culture was born. These warriors are what are known as the Mandalorian warriors, or simply the Mandalorians. Mandalorians are known as the best warriors in the galaxy," Jakan says.
Eowyn looks at him in amazement. "Truly?" she asks.
"Yes, truly. And from what I've seen of you and your personality and skills, you might make a good Mandalorian," Jakan says.
"Jakan is right, my lady. You have some skill with a blade." Eowyn and Jakan both look in the direction of the voice, and see Aragorn standing a few feet away.
As soon as she sees Aragorn, Eowyn's expression changes. She picks up her sword and returns it to its scabbard as she says, "Women of this country learned long ago that those without swords can still die upon them. I fear neither death nor pain."
"What do you fear, my lady?" Aragorn asks.
Eowyn turns to look at both of he and Jakan, then says, "A cage. To stay behind bars until use and old age accept them, and all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire."
Aragorn is quiet for a moment before saying, "You are a daughter of kings. A shield maiden of Rohan. I do not think that will be your fate." He then slowly walks away.
Jakan and Eowyn stand there before Jakan says, "It was good to actually meet you, Lady Eowyn. I hope to perhaps get to know you a little better on our journey to Helm's Deep."
Eowyn smiles. "Of course, Lord Jakan," she says.
Jakan chuckles a bit as he says, "I'm hardly a lord, Lady Eowyn. You can call me by my name."
"Of course, Jakan. And in return, you may call Eowyn," he says. He then walks off to prepare to depart Edoras.
And I'll end there. Hope you guys liked this one.
Real quick, I want to ask all my readers something. There will be Mandalorians arriving on Arda before the final battle at the Black Gate. Would you rather see them arrive sooner or later. The first arrivals will only be two or three Mandalorians. Let me know if you'd like to see them arrive sooner or later.
Alright. Next chapter will be up soon. Until then, please leave a review, and stay tuned!