All Alone Chapter 6
By Rose G

Disclaimer - These aren't my characters. I'm not making any money. That covers it, doesn't it?

Gandalf rose slowly from his knees, one last tear rolling down his cheek, onto Aragorn's body. The mans eyes were shut, and nothing showed what he had once been. The strange fire that had burnt in his eyes was there no longer; his fighting spirit had gone. Death had claimed a friend, and left a stranger, and only Gandalf's memories remembered what he had been.

Slowly, Gandalf touched one hand to Aragorn's, in a gesture of farewell. The wizard had faced death, overcome it, but it still brought fear to his heart. 'Fare thee well, Strider.' He glanced up into the velvety night sky, at the one star that burnt brighter than the others did, and wondered if Aragorn was already looking down at him.

He turned to Shadowfax, whose grey coat was still stained with Aragorn's blood. The great steed tossed his head, mane and tail streaming behind him, and his hooves struck fire from the earth as he danced. Gandalf touched his muzzle softly, before vaulting onto the stallion's back and turning his head towards Minas Tirith, into the wind. He leant forward, calling to Shadowfax. 'Run, great-heart, run as you have never run before, for never have we had such need of haste, not even on the day when you bore Pippin and I to Minas Tirith, City of Kings.' The horse snorted softly in reply and half reared, before breaking into a gallop.

Gandalf looked back once at the dark bulk of Aragorn's body. There had been no time for burial, or even to collect the wood for a pyre. He was loathe to leave Aragorn like that, but in a curious way, the Ranger had been part of the earth, at one with the beasts and birds, and Gandalf was sure that his body would be left alone by them. Then, the stallion rounded a bend, and Gandalf did not see his friend again in Middle Earth, or Valinor.

It was after three days of hard riding, by the end of which even Shadowfax was stumbling, his coat streaked with sweat, that Gandalf caught up with some of his old comrades. Far in the distance, he could see the towering outline of Minas Tirith, fairest of cities but now dark and forbidding, with the evil flag of Mordor fluttering in the breeze. Nearer to the pair, the green grass of the Rohan horse fields were burnt, littered with arms that had belonged to the riders and the carcasses of their steeds that had come from over Sea long years ago. In the desolate smokey ruins there was only two living things, a wondering footsore horse with its reins dangling around its forefeet that Gandalf recognised as Aragorn's beloved Roheryn, and an eagle wheeling in the murkey sky, unheeding of whether Light or Dark ruled the lands, and whether Aragorn had lived or died.

And Legolas was there, with Gimli beside him, both battle weary and injured. Lord Elrond strode tall in front of them, his sons by his side, and Gandalf was struck once again by their resemblance to Aragorn. As the Ranger had said not long ago, by some freak of nature or will of the Valar, Elven blood had run strongly in his veins, yet not strong enough to give him life unending.

'Legolas! Gimli!' Gandalf shouted to them, glad beyond any words to see them again.

Elrond and the High Elves who were behind him swung to face Gandalf and waited in silence. Glorfindel was the only mounted one, his shining golden hair framing his fair face as he waved his greeting, but it was Elrond, formerly master of Rivendell and still mighty amongst Elves and such Men as he had still to command, who spoke first.

'Gandalf, ever have you come unlooked for when the hour is darkest and hope fails in the bravest heart. Yet this time, I fear it is too late. Me and my kindred fight no longer. Middle Earth is not the haven it once was for our race when the world was young and Sea longing calls in our hearts now as ever. Boromir's forces have claimed Minas Tirith, and a soldier from Mordor wears Aragorn's crown. Rohan has fallen, and Eomer lies in such state as could be found for him. Eowyn and Faramir lead them in long retreat, for Faramir went to Rohan to keep such glory as he could when Minas Tirith fell. I do not know where the Riders are, but from this day hence they shall be but wanderers, vagabonds looking for a dream.'

Legolas walked over to Gandalf, looking to him again as leader. 'What happened to Aragorn, Gandalf?'

The wizard answered shortly. 'He fell. I was with him, and he renounced Galadriel's offer of going to the Havens shortly before. He chose to suffer the doom of men, and endure much pain before his end. Such was his choice, and I did not counsel him to change his mind. He wished me to thank you, although it was unclear what for. Farewell, he said.' He looked steadily at the Elf and Gimli beside him.

'And where do you go now, Legolas and Gimli? Should you not be at Minas Tirith or Rohan, fighting as best as you can against this new evil?'

It was Gimli who answered, somewhat sadly. 'Elrond told us to leave. He felt that the battle is hopeless, and he believes that the time has come for all others to leave Middle Earth to the supremacy of Man. He is going over Sea and Legolas is going with all his kindred. I go with them on Galadriel's honour, for I wish to see her again.'

Gandalf's face clouded as he looked at his two old comrades, and Elrond standing behind them. 'Very well, then. I have always known that Man would one day rule here, and our hopes and struggles would be nothing to them, save memories and tales told as legends, yet never did I fear it would be so soon. But Gimli, Legolas, do not mourn Aragorn overmuch, for he had his choice and followed his heart. Halbarad waits for him, and such an alliance is beyond even my understanding, for it was more than friendship that existed between them, and the bond between them shall never end. I believe Aragorn welcomed death in his own way. I ask only one favour of you, and believe it to be a favour for Aragorn as well, for such was his will, I guess.'

'You have only to ask Gandalf. I feel I and my kindred have failed you in this battle, and aught I can to do repay the failing, I shall do.' Elrond's voice was as soft as the night breeze.

'Aragorn loved Roheryn second only to Arwen, for the horse was a gift from her when first they met. He wanders there on the fields of Rohan, footsore and weary. I beg you, take him with you, for Arwen has nothing save memory to remind her of Aragorn.'

Elrond nodded and Glorfindel rode towards the straying black horse. Without another word, Gandalf whirled Shadowfax, resting his hand on the stallion's crested neck and was away. He waved his farewell, not trusting his voice enough. As Shadowfax jog trotted on through the gathering dusk, Glorfindel caught Roheryan and led him back to Elrond's legions, which had stood alongside Gil-galad in the Last Alliance, long ago. And the Elven kindred were not seen again in Middle Earth after their ride towards the Havens, to ride the ships over the wind brushed seas of silver foam that crashed onto the golden shores of Valinor, far away.


One more chapter to do! R/R as ever, please.