Camille leaned forward against Blackwing's neck in an attempt to increase speed. They had been riding hard from the Stone of Erech for three whole days now, and they were moving on into the fourth. How long is it till we get to the Havens at Pelargir?! She took a momentary glance at Eli, and noticed that her best friend was doing pretty well, considering the fact that there were ghosts just behind them.
But Aragorn did not call a halt for any reason, not even to rest. And though it was quite taxing for them, particularly for Eli, no one complained about it at all. They understood perfectly why he was rushing them. Behind them, the Shadow Host followed; though Camille couldn't see them, she felt their presence vaguely as a slight chill in the air.
They were coming to the uplands of Lamedon, and it was here that the Shadow Host managed to overtake them. Eli let out a muffled scream as she buried her face against Whitewing's neck. All around Camille, there was a swirl of mist, and the chill in the air increased.
"SOMEONE STOP THEM!!" Eli cried as she gripped onto Whitewing's back. Sensing her mistress' distress, Whitewing neighed, and stomped both front hooves on the ground to gain Aragorn's attention.
Instantly Aragorn halted, and turned his horse to her. As Camille looked on, Elrohir appeared at Eli's side, and attempted to soothe her. Camille urged Blackwing towards Eli, and she reached out to touch her best friend on the back. "Shhh, it's going to be okay Eli…it's going to be okay…" She lifted her head, and glanced at Aragorn. "Tell the Shadow Host to stop, and not to go ahead of us!"
Aragorn nodded, and cried, "Oathbreakers, stay back! Do not venture to overtake our Company! Your presence causes harm to one of my companions, and I shall not allow you to come any closer than necessary!"
Eli screamed again, and covered her ears. "STOP THEM, STOP THEM!! I DON'T WANT TO GO WITH THEM!! ARAGORN, PLEASE!!!"
"Leave her be!" Aragorn commanded as he urged Roheryn to come closer to Whitewing. Placing an arm around the still-trembling Eli, he looked towards the supposedly empty space behind their group. "Leave her be, Oathbreakers! You have no right to claim this girl for your own! She was never yours to take, and never will be! Do not presume that you may take her from us, for I and my companions shall never consent!"
There was a soft whispering in the air around her, and Camille felt the chill lessen slowly. She glanced at Eli, and noticed that she was starting to relax, and her breathing evened out. Phew, that was a little TOO close for my liking.
Aragorn shook his head as he let Eli go. He leaned closer to Camille, and whispered, "I believe she should ride in the front with me and the rest of the Dunedain. She is safer there."
"I know," Camille replied with a nod. "I was about to suggest the same thing." She glanced over her shoulder at Elladan and Elrohir, then added, "But keep the twins with her. They're Elves, and they can see if the ghosts are coming to get her again or not. They can warn you in time."
"I understand," Aragorn replied with a nod, and he drifted off towards the back to speak with Elladan and Elrohir. After a few moments, the twins and Aragorn led their horses towards the front of the Company, Eli and Whitewing between them.
Camille sighed wearily as she looked on at Eli. Well at least she's going to be fine up there with Aragorn, Elladan and Elrohir. They'll keep her safe.
Legolas and Gimli trotted up beside her on Arod. "Is she
alright?" asked the Dwarf.
"Yeah, she'll be okay," Camille replied with a sigh. "As long as she stays up front with Aragorn and the twins, I don't think the ghosts will dare approach her."
Legolas nodded slowly. "That is good, then. Elladan and Elrohir will keep her safe."
They rode on, pressing ever onwards, aiming for the Havens of Pelargir. They had crossed the rivers Cirith and Ringlo, and at last came to Linhir above the mouth of Gilrain. As they approached, Camille heard, from faraway, the sounds of arms clashing, and the smell of blood and smoke drifted to her nostrils from the distance. Her eyes widened. A battle!
"There is fighting ahead!" Elladan announced. "The men of Lamedon are forced to contest with the fell folk of Umbar and Harad!"
Legolas shook his head at the mention of that. "They must have come up from the river, then."
Aragorn drew Anduril from the sheath with a ringing sound. "Forward!" he cried. "To the aid of the men of Lamedon!"
There was a resounding cry of agreement from the Company, and they charged forward. Camille strung her bow, and nocked an arrow in readiness. "Come on Blackwing, we've got some fighting to do!"
Blackwing neighed, and tossed her head, scenting battle before her. She charged alongside the other horses of the Company, a swift-passing shadow across the fields.
It didn't take them long to reach the site of the skirmish. The men of Lamedon were starting to falter, and they were ready to make on last, desperate stand against their foes, who hemmed them in from all sides. Camille, Legolas, Elladan and Elrohir lifted their bows, pulled the strings taut, aimed, and shot. Their arrows found their marks, felling four of the Haradrim at once.
Their strikes were the first in many in the battle that quickly ensued. Both friend and foe fled before them, for the fear of the Shadow Host followed them everywhere. The Gray Company routed the men of Umbar and Harad, sending them flying and screaming. The members of the Gray Company were untouched, for the skills of their enemies were not enough to match their own. But many of the Haradrim had fallen in the battle, their bodies littering the ground and staining the soil beneath them a violent shade of red.
When the fighting was done, and Lamedon was freed at last from the invasion, Camille looked about, searching for her arrows. As she picked her way past the bodies, she saw that several bore the marks of a katana slicing through them. She grinned. Eli.
It was at that time that a strange man came forth. "We thank you, mighty lords and…ladies," he said the last part hesitantly, casting a glance at Eli and Camille, "for coming to our aid when we needed it most. I am Angbor, Lord of Lamedon."
Aragorn nodded. "Your gratitude is accepted, Lord Angbor. Now I have a favor to ask of you."
"You need only to ask, and if it is within my power, it shall be given to you willingly," Angbor replied with a bow.
"My request is this: gather together all the men who are still able to fight, and come behind us, if you dare. At Pelargir the Heir of Isildur will have need of you," said Aragorn, and before Angbor could even form a reply, he was already ahead of the Company, leading them onwards.
"Come, let us depart!" he called. "We only have a few days more to travel till we reach Pelargir, and we shall drive the hosts of Mordor before us to the sea!"
And so they rode. The allies of Mordor were fleeing in rout before them, until they crossed the river Gilrain. It was then that, weariness catching up at last, Aragorn called for a momentary halt.
Camille dismounted from Blackwing, letting the mare out to graze while she still could. Got to check up on Eli. She passed through the makeshift camp of the Dunedain, and approached the spot where Aragorn was sitting, polishing Anduril to remove the blood of those he had slain. "Where's Eli?"
Aragorn looked up at her, and nodded his head towards a more quiet area of the camp. "She should be over there with the sons of Elrond. They are helping her to recuperate from the onslaught of the Shadow Host." His face took on a grim frown. "We must be more careful from now on. Their presence is starting to wear her out."
"I know, I know," Camille answered with a nod. She sighed, and slumped down beside him wearily. "I'm starting to feel scared for her," she confided. "Sometimes I think that we should've done it your way and left her with Merry in Meduseld."
Aragorn shook his head, and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. "No, do not regret what can no longer be undone. Fate had a reason, perhaps, as to why we were allowed to commit this mistake, and it will be evinced later on." He smiled at her then. "Do not worry, she is in good hands. Elrohir and Elladan will take care of her. Now go! I believe a certain Elf-prince is looking for you."
Camille rolled her eyes as she got up. Some things just never change. With that thought in mind, she got up, and went over to Legolas.
* * *
Eli leaned back against her pack, closing her eyes and rubbing her head slowly to ease out the soreness she felt there. This has definitely NOT been my day.
She sensed a familiar presence kneel down to her right, and moments later, a cup was placed in her hand by long, slender fingers. A voice spoke in her ear. "Here, drink this. It will help ease the chill."
Without bothering to open her eyes, Eli clasped the cup, and lifted it to her lips. A warm liquid met her skin, and slid into her mouth. It tasted vaguely sweet, but bitter at the same time. Ugh. She grimaced at the taste, and opened her eyes a crack to gaze upon gleaming silver eyes framed by dark hair. "Okay, don't make me guess anymore, as my headache won't allow for that. Which twin are you?"
The being beside her chuckled softly, and replied, "It is I, Elladan."
Oh great. Eli opened her eyes more fully, and forced a smile onto her lips. "Elladan. When was the last time I got to speak with you?"
"Many moons ago, before you left for this quest," Elladan answered. He leaned forward slightly, a smile curving his lips. ^It has been long since I last beheld you, my love. Much too long. Your visage dances through my dreams, teasing me, tantalizing me, and when I wake, you are gone, melting away into the night as all dreams do. I wished to spend as much time as I could in slumber if only to catch a glimpse of you again, but I have many duties that need to be fulfilled.
^But here you are now, real, and within my reach. This is no vision that I see, but flesh and blood.^ He twined a lock of her hair around his finger, smiling. ^Yes, this is indeed real: the same silken hair,^ he brushed a knuckle against her cheek, ^the same satin-soft skin,^ he cupped her cheek in his palm, ^and, dare I hope, the same sweet lips that I captured but once before…^ He leaned closer to her, and Eli closed her eyes, mind whirling again. And only one word managed to make itself clear in the middle of the maelstrom of her thoughts, Elrohir…
It was as if a sharp, stinging slap had been delivered across her face. Eli jerked back, gasping, making Elladan move away from her as well, his face showing his concern. ^Eli? Is something the matter?^
Eli gulped, and tried to steady her voice in reply. ^I…I don't really know…^ She groaned again, and rubbed her head. Damn it, why was it Elrohir's name that came into my head when Elladan was about to kiss me?!
It's because you don't want ELLADAN to kiss you, but ELROHIR, her heart whispered snidely.
Her mind was quick to retort. Nonsense! If you allowed Elladan to kiss you before, then HE'S the one you love!
But how can you be so sure that it's Elladan you're in love with, her heart threw back.
Because you LET him kiss you!!
Just because a man – or Elf, in this case – gives you your first kiss doesn't mean that he's the one you want to spend the rest of your life with.
But if you go around and say, "Hey Elladan, I think that kiss was wrong or something," then you risk breaking his heart! You're going to hurt him, Eli! Is that what you want to do?!
At that, Eli shook her head, and simply downed the rest of the weird-tasting tea that Elladan had given her. Whatever it was, it brought a bit of warmth back to her body, and made the presence of the Shadow Host just a bit more tolerable.
It was then that Aragorn stood up from where he had been resting. "Lo! Already Minas Tirith is assailed. I feat that it will fall ere we come to its aid."
Eli sighed, and got up, pointedly ignoring Elladan as she went in search of Whitewing. Not that she need to take long to find her mount. She sighed as she gently stroked Whitewing's neck. "What do you do when two Elves are in love with you, Whitewing?"
Whitewing nickered, and shifted her head to imitate a shrug. Eli laughed at this reaction, and answered, "Yeah, I know you wouldn't know anything about it. I just had to voice that question out." With that, she got into her saddle, and trotted over to Aragorn. She smiled at the heir of Isildur. "So, are we going?"
Aragorn smiled, and nodded. He signaled to the rest of the Company, and soon, they were off. Soon they were thundering over the fields of Lebennin, hot on the heels of allies of Mordor.
Beside her, she heard Elrohir sigh. "The fields of Lebennin were once green and fair. Here once one could find spreading fields of wildflowers, and lilies, and blooms of mallos and alfirin. Here once the Gilrain ran in bright silver streams, feeding all the life that grew here. But now all is dry and barren." He shook his head. "Great and grievous indeed is the power of the Dark Lord in Mordor, if he should be able to cause the green fields of Lebennin to wither as they have."
Through the day they rode, and through the night as well, until at last they came to the end of the Great River. Eli could now smell the salt of the sea as it wafted to her on the breeze, along with the sharp squawking of seagulls. She smiled. The sea smells the same wherever you go, and the gulls sound the same too. She looked back at Camille to see her reaction, but it wasn't her best friend that caught her attention. It was Legolas.
Eli blinked. Huh? She looked at the Elf, and noticed that he seemed to have blanked out. Eh? What's the matter with him? "Legolas, are you okay back there?"
Legolas snapped out of his reverie immediately, and blinked, looking at her. He shook his head then, and nodded. "Aye, I am fine, Eli."
Oh, SUUURE you are, Eli thought to herself, but didn't press the issue. A strange new scent tickled her nostrils, and she nearly gagged. Smoke! There's something burning up ahead!
As if in response to that, she heard a cry come up from Aragorn. "The Havens are up ahead! The Haradrim seem to be burning their ships and preparing for battle." Once more, Anduril flashed from the sheath, and Aragorn pointed it towards the direction of the Havens. "Forward! To battle and war!"
The Company yelled their assent, and soon they were charging over the fields towards the Havens of Pelargir. As they drew closer, Eli could see just what kind of force they would have to deal with. Uh oh… A majority of the Haradrim that they had encountered in Lamedon had managed to make it back to the Havens, and had warned their comrades about their approach. The host was now gathered on the shoreline, and in the background were great black ships, their black sails furled but ready to be loosed at any moment. All along the coast, there was a great burning of the smaller craft, black like the rest of the fleet.
Suddenly, Aragorn drew to a halt, and all halted with him. He turned to Eli, and there was a strange urgency in his eyes. "Eli, go to Elladan and Elrohir now. They will keep you safe."
Eli blinked. "Wha? Aragorn, why-"
Aragorn shook his head. "You shall find out later why I say this. Go!"
Realizing that there was no point in arguing with him right now, Eli did as she was told, and positioned Whitewing so that she stood between the stallions of the twins. She watched as Aragorn moved forward slightly so that he stood at the forefront of the Company. I wonder what he'll do?
Just then, he raised his hand, and cried in a loud voice: "Now come! By the Black Stone I call you!"
The clamor from the Shadow Host rose in Eli's ears, and she whimpered, knowing immediately why Aragorn had told her to join the twins. He was going to call on the Ghost Army to attack for him! She bent forward, shielding her face against Whitewing's neck as the Shadow Host went past her. A few moments later, she felt a pair of warm arms clasping her tightly around the waist, and a cloak fell around her again, the scent of the forest pervading her senses. Elrohir…
But the chill was too great to bear. She cried out against it, the sound muffled by Whitewing's neck. She could feel her energy draining out of her bit by bit, as the ghosts pressed on ahead. Far away, she could hear the sounds of screaming, and the sound of splashing as the Haradrim, terrified by the onslaught of the Shadow Host, cast themselves into the sea and drowned.
Screams… Eli thought. Screams of madness… And then she lost consciousness totally.
* * *
Elrohir flew into a panic when he felt Eli's body go limp in his arms. No, it cannot be! He checked her wrist for a pulse, and found it, but it was weak, much too weak. He turned to Aragorn, dread flying swiftly through his veins. "Aragorn! We must get Eli away from the Shadow Host now! She has lost consciousness!"
"What?!" Elrohir heard the thud of a horse's hooves coming up from behind him, and Camille came up beside him. "Here, let me take a look." She came up between Eli and himself, and took a look at her friend. After a few moments, she uttered a soft, "Damn!" and turned to Aragorn. "Aragorn, she isn't looking too good! We should get her to the ships, at least!"
Nodding in response, Aragorn turned to the Dunedain, and started firing directions at them. It wasn't long before one member of the Dunedain was manning each of the ships, while Aragorn claimed the greatest ship of the fleet for himself. Elrohir, Elladan, Camille, Eli, Legolas and Gimli boarded this ship, along with their horses.
Elrohir held onto Eli as he got onto the ship, willing her to stay alive. Oh Iluvatar, he prayed, please, I beg of you, keep Elisabeth's life! Do not send her yet to that place where those born of the race of Men go to when they die! Mandos, I pray that you do not pass your judgment upon her yet! It is too soon for her to die! And I love her still…
His thoughts were cut short when a great concourse of trumpets was sounded. He looked up, and watched as the Shadow Host withdrew to the shore. Almost immediately, he felt Eli inhale a sharp gasp, and her pulse quicken slightly.
"Hear now the words of the Heir of Isildur!" said Aragorn in a loud voice to the Shadow Host. "Your oath is fulfilled. Go back and trouble not the valleys ever again! Depart and be at rest!"
Elrohir watched with growing amazement as the King of the Dead stood out before the host and broke his spear and cast it down. Then he bowed low and turned away; and swiftly the whole gray host drew on and vanished like a mist that is driven back by a sudden wind. He blinked to clear his vision. It feels as though I have walked in a dream.
"How does she fare?" Aragorn asked then as he drew closer to him, peering at Eli who lay still in his arms.
Elrohir shook his head. "I know not. She is breathing still, and her pulse seems to have returned to normal, but I am not certain when she will awaken."
"Let's bring her down below," Camille piped up then as she appeared by Aragorn's elbow. "That little run-in won't do any good things for her, I'm sure."
AUTHOR'S NOTES: Eep! What's happened to Eli THIS time?! Two words: NOT GOOD!! Oh yeah, and…hehe, now it's Elladan's turn! But either way, those two aren't going to get another kiss from Eli…yet! Who will be able to score the final and decisive one? That's for me to know and for you to find out! Keep on reading people! Ciao!!