Thank you once again for all of your reviews. This chapter might be a little boring and confusing, but don't worry, the chapters after this will be more exciting. There is not very much going on between Legolas and Aníron either, but that too will change soon. Keep the reviews coming!
Chapter 9. The Golden Hall
Aníron was in shock. Her people needed her? How? Lórien had plenty of archers and ladies of the court; surely she could not be that missed. 'How is it that my people have need of me?' she asked Gandalf in an inquisitive tone. 'My lady,' Gandalf replied as if stating the obvious, 'a war is brimming and many are being injured on the borders of Lórien. You are the most skilled of all healers in the Golden Wood, without your skill, healing is very slow.' Aníron was extremely angered at this statement. Her eyes blazed like a fire and she seemed to grow taller as she faced the wizard in front of her. 'I am not a nurse to the wounded, I refuse to follow that path,' her temper was swelling, but she calmed when Legolas laid his hand on her shoulder.
Gandalf was obviously impressed by this show of power the elf lady had just displayed, 'Galadriel was a good teacher,' he said to her simply, before turning and listening to Aragorn's story. The Ranger related the story of their journey to Gandalf, piecing together what he himself had seen and what Legolas and Aníron had told him to create a full story. The old Wizard was quiet for some time after the story was finished. Aníron had begun to pace back and forth on the hill when he finally spoke.
'Your actions by the Falls of Rauros, Aragorn, do not exhibit what another man would have done in your place. I myself would not have allowed Aníron any further, but now I see the reasoning in your decision.' Aragorn smiled at Legolas, remembering the suspicions he had had about Legolas and Aníron's relationship, and how his suspicions had been confirmed in the occurrences of the past few days. Aragorn had not told Gandalf about the incident at the river the day before, but he was planning on speaking to Gandalf later about this and other incidents he had omitted.
Gandalf was now speaking of his battle with the balrog in Moria, and Aníron shuddered to think of the horrible creature, and turned her thoughts from Moria to Lothlórien. She smiled remembering the sunlight through the mellyrn leaves, and the sweet grasses of Cerin Amroth. She was jerked back from her daydreams by Gandalf's voice. 'I bring messages to your company from the Lady Galadriel,' the wizard said. Aníron watched as Legolas and Aragorn received and pondered their messages from the Lady, and was surprised when Gandalf turned to her.
'Galadriel seems to know that you are following our company and sends you this message:
Where rides the lady, the lady in grey?
So the songs in fair Lórien say.
Beware Lady Aníron, for you do not know
If your heart will lead you where you want it to go.'
Gandalf then fell silent and closed his eyes, wondering about the meanings of these messages. Aníron could not speak, she could barely breathe. She knew what Galadriel meant, but it confused her very much. Gimli then spoke breaking the silence, 'So the lady sends me no message?' he bowed his head. Aníron looked up at the dwarf as did Aragorn, but Legolas spoke to him. 'So you would have her speak of your death?' he asked. Gimli replied quietly, 'I would if she had naught else to say.' The entire company bowed their heads once more, but Gandalf rose and spoke to Gimli, telling him what words the lady had sent to him. Gimli's spirits were much raised by what the Lady had said to him and he sang loudly in the dwarf tongue, causing Aníron to laugh, which put the rest of the company in high spirits, for the elf lady's laughter was like the ringing of many bells.
'Come! We must make haste,' Gandalf said, leading the company out of the forest. 'It will be a weary walk, for our horses have not returned,' Legolas said to Gandalf, voicing the concerns of the rest of the company. 'Time presses, I will not walk,' Gandalf said, and he brought his fingers to his lips emitting a high pitched whistle. Far away, the sound of hoof beats could be heard. Four horses were speeding towards them, the leader with a coat of silver-grey.
The lead horse trotted up to Gandalf and nudged the old wizard with his nose affectionately. 'This is Shadowfax,' Gandalf said, 'and you will never see his like again, for he is chief of the Mearas of Rohan. The three other horses trotted up, and the company was in joy, for here were Hasufel, Arod, and Celebfindel, returning from their escape. 'Come, let us ride!' Gandalf called, and the company mounted, Gimli riding behind Gandalf, and rode towards Edoras.
Long the company followed Gandalf on Shadowfax, until night fell and the company dismounted to rest. Gimli fell asleep immediately, and Aragorn laid himself down on the grass, but Aníron stood in the night, gazing at the stars, singing softly with Legolas standing behind her. Gandalf noticed this, but said nothing. The company continued on under the cold moon, Shadowfax running tirelessly over the hills followed by Hasufel, Arod and Celebfindel. At dawn the company halted, gazing into the mountains at the glint of gold in the valley. They had reached Edoras.
The company rode on in the golden light of the clear morning. They rode over green mounds speckled with white flowers and reached the gates of Edoras. The guards there stopped them, speaking in a strange tongue. Gandalf replied in the same tongue and began speaking with the guards, until the gates were opened and the company rode forward. Aníron had drawn up her hood around her face once more, hiding her face from the world once more. The company walked until they reached the door into the hall of Medusled, where the door warden greeted them.
'I am Háma, Doorward of Théoden. Here you must set aside your weapons before you enter.' Aníron walked forward silently, placing her long silver knife on the floor and setting her bow and quiver against the wall. Legolas did the same and addressed the doorward, 'Do not touch either of these weapons, for they were a gift from Galadriel of Lothlórien and are dear to me.' Háma nodded, his eyes wide in wonder, 'I assure you that no man will touch them.' Aragorn was next, but he took much persuading to cast aside his sword, as did Gimli with his axe. Eventually all of the weapons of the company were placed on the wall, save Gandalf's staff, which he was permitted to keep.
The company stepped into Théoden's hall, and Aníron gazed about her in wonder at the golden pillars of the hall. At the end of the hall, a great gilded chair was set, and upon it sat Théoden, Lord of the Mark. The old man was stooped over with age, and his snow-white hair fell from his head. He wore a golden circlet with a single white diamond upon his head, and his eyes gleamed with a youthful light. Behind his chair stood a woman in white, and in front of it, a man with a pale face and heavily lidded eyes sat.
'Hail Théoden!' Gandalf cried, 'I have returned, and a storm gathers. Friends must join together, lest each be singly destroyed.' Théoden rode from his chair and began to speak, 'I greet you, but your welcome here is doubtful, Master Gandalf. Trouble follows you like crows, and you bring little help. Why should I welcome you Gandalf Stormcrow? Answer me this.' The king sat once more in his chair and the man with heavily lidded eyes spoke, 'My master speaks truthfully that you come without welcome. It is seldom that you come and do not cause trouble in our courts.' The man now looked upon the company who stood behind Gandalf. 'This must be the group that Éomer reported having found on our north border,' His eyes rested on Aníron, 'Though he did not say that they traveled with a hooded figure. You! Remove your hood in the presence of the king!' The man barked sharply.
Aníron removed her hood, revealing her feminine features. The lady that stood behind Théoden gasped, and the man looked at the elf maiden in interest. 'Here is something unexpected!' he cried out to the court, 'A woman travels with this company, but what purpose does she have?' The man's eyes gleamed with an evil light and the company gaped in shock at this suggestion. Legolas was about to leap forward and kill the man with his bare hands, but Gandalf held him back. 'You speak of that which you do not know, Wormtongue,' Gandalf said, 'This lady is second in command to Galadriel, who clad the company as you see them here, there is no blemish on her soul.'
Wormtongue sneered at the company, not believing Gandalf's tale, 'So you are in league with the sorceress of the Golden Wood? You are indeed not to be trusted.' Gandalf simply replied, 'You have become a witless worm, keep your forked tongue silent.' He raised his staff and the light darkened and a flash like that of lightning shone in the hall. When the light returned, Wormtongue was lying face down on the floor. Gandalf spoke to Théoden, and the king rose from his chair, striding slowly down the hall. Gandalf led the king out of the hall and bade him look upon his kingdom and breath free air once more.
Aníron stayed in the hall, watching the company exit, and turning to the walls where many murals were painted. The lady in white came and stood beside her. 'I am called Éowyn, what is your name and how did you come to join your company?' she asked quietly. Aníron turned to her, looking upon the lady of Rohan, noting her cold beauty. 'I am Aníron, called the Twilight Star of Lórien. How I came to join the company is a tale that will be told in time,' she replied turning her attention back to the murals. Háma strode into the hall, and seeing the two ladies he stopped and called out to Éowyn. 'Lady,' he called, 'Your brother is to be released!' and he ran down the hall towards the dungeons.
'Who is your brother?' Aníron asked the lady with interest. 'My brother's name is Éomer, and he was imprisoned for threatening death to Wormtongue in this hall,' Éowyn replied, 'Come we must go out and meet him.' Éowyn grabbed Aníron's hand and pulled her out of the hall and into the courtyard where Théoden, Gandalf, and the rest of the company were standing. Legolas was looking for Aníron, and was relieved when she appeared in the doorway. Éowyn stepped forward and stood behind her king, while Aníron was standing next to Legolas next to Gandalf who was speaking to Théoden.
Éomer came forward several minutes later and began to speak with Théoden and Gandalf. A tremendous change came over the king and he was no longer weary and bent, but proud and tall. They spoke of war and the call was taken up around the city, Rohan was going to war!
That afternoon, a feast was held for the king and his guests, so that strategies of war could be discussed. Gandalf sat next to Théoden, and Aragorn next to Gandalf, but Legolas and Aníron sat away from them. The two elves were speaking, when Éomer came up behind Aníron. 'Is this seat taken?' he asked, gesturing towards the seat on Aníron's left side. 'Not at all, Lord, please sit down,' Aníron replied with a smile. Legolas' blood boiled as Éomer began to speak with Aníron, smiling at her and making her laugh. Gimli noticed Legolas' mood change and the looks of death that he was giving the horse lord. 'Legolas, are you jealous of him?' Gimli asked when he saw fire ignite in Legolas' eyes. Legolas turned to his friend, unable to keep his temper in check. 'Who does he think he is? He has no chance with her, so why is he even trying?' He hissed.
After the feast, men came and offered the company mail and helms so that thy could ride to war with them. Aníron refused any mail or helm that they offered her, saying that she already had mail of her own, and that she needed no helm. When the company had been arrayed for war, they followed Théoden and Gandalf down to the gates, where thousands of horsemen were waiting for their king.
The company mounted and Éomer rode up to Aníron, Gimli mounted behind the horse lord. 'Lady, it would be an honor if you would ride by my side, will you ride with me?' He asked, sincerity in his voice. 'I will ride with you, only if Legolas rides by my side,' Aníron replied, looking to Legolas who smiled and rode up next to her. 'Then it is settled!' Éomer said happily, kissing Aníron's hand, 'Come!' We ride to war!' The company rode forward, following Théoden and Gandalf north to Isengard.