Disclaimer: I have re-written some parts of this story, because I was not
liking how the romance played out. Also, I fixed in this chapter how
Aralyn already knows Aragorn (She couldn't considering there's nothing
documenting Aragorn going to Rohan). So I have just been re-writing the
old stuff, but now it fits even better with the ending so I'll post that
soon. All this characters belong to Tolkien, except for Aralyn. Read and
review please!
Only in Edoras could the wind blow so fiercely. The elements seemed to be drawn to it, as if some angry god was pelting this hill out of anger. The banners of Rohan blew freely in the wind as I sat on the stairs of the palace of Rohan. Clouds danced across the sky as impending doom filled my heart. Disturbing news was rolling around in my head.
Theodred was ambushed last night by orcs. He was badly wounded and is not expected to survive the night. Memories filled my mind's eye about growing up with this boy; him picking on his cousin Eowyn and me, him teaching me to ride a horse, him teaching me to fight. Pain shot through my heart as I thought of him passing to the halls of his fathers. He shouldn't have to die. Not like this.
I would clearly miss him, but there also was other pressing news in this attack. The orcs that had ambushed him were carrying the mark of Saruman, a white hand. As King Theoden sat listlessly on his throne, hundreds of his people die every day because of attacks from Saruman's orcs. It was hard to understand. Why didn't the king do anything about the attacking of his lands? There could only be one answer. Grima. The king's faithful advisor. Or could it be the king's faithful traitor? This paradox has worried both Eowyn and I. We both detest him, as he has haunted the steps of Eowyn for too long. I care for my lady, and would give my life defending her. But I would not want to die because of that dishonorable man and giving him the satisfaction of my death.
Last night Grima banished Eomer from Rohan, along with all of the Riders of Rohan. They would not obey Grima's commands, so King Theoden banished them. It was hard to believe, for Eowyn and I, but we both knew who was behind it. Grima. Eomer was the first to sniff out Grima and figure out that he was working for Saruman. Maybe that was another reason for his banishment. Grima has ridded us of our warriors who defended Edoras. Now the men that litter our streets are scoundrels and drunkards. The women will defend their homes and children valiantly, but the numbers are too slim to hold back all of Saruman's forces.
It makes Edoras very vulnerable, and Saurman knows this. I know an attack on Edoras will be coming soon, and I didn't know what to do. I had learned how to use my father's long knives, quite skillfully actually. I have also practiced with a bow and arrow. But I have a far way to go if I want to master the bow. The problem was, I could defend myself and get away, but what about my people? Yes, I cared about my people even though they treat me with distance and mistrust.all but Eyown, Eomer, and the king that is. The people have caught glimpses of my pointy ears and have stared at me uncertainly; people of Rohan learned a long time ago not to trust foreigners.
I was jolted from my thoughts when the door behind me banged open and out stormed Eyown, my lady whom I serve and my best friend.
"What is it, milady?" I asked softly. She gave me no answer as she stormed past me and stared out at the horizon with tears in her eyes.
I slowly stood up and walked up behind her. Sadly we both watched as a banner tore itself away from its post and flew over the town, carried by the winds.
"He's dead." I said softly, not asking a question. My eyes watched the banner, realizing its omen of foreboding doom written in the future for Rohan.
Eowyn nodded slowly, obviously watching the same banner.
"I'm sorry milady, I loved him too." I whispered, offering her comfort as I placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm so scared." Eyown admitted.
"So am I." We watched the banner fall to the ground, outside the gate. We both knew we were talking about the fate of our country.
"If my brother were here he'd be able to help us defend Edoras." she said, then trailed off. "Aralyn, who is that down there? Riding towards our gate?"
Squinting, my elven eyes could see better then my lady's human ones. "A man, an elf, a dwarf.and a gray wizard. Gandalf!" I exclaimed.
"Gandalf? He's here?" she asked, hope and dread mixed in with her voice.
"He usually brings bad news." I said softly. "But I do feel better that he's here."
"Do you recognize anyone else?" She asked me, the riders coming into her view.
"No one else, milady." I told her.
She then turned around to me. "They'll be heading for the throne room. Let's go down there and hear what news Gandalf brings."
"He might be able to unlock the mystery surrounding the king." I suggested.
"Let's hope so." She said sadly as she turned on her heel and walked back through the door and down the stairs. I followed her, slower paced and with my heart racing. An elf was with Gandalf. Despite my heritage, I had never seen an elf in real life. Now it was my chance to do so and my feelings of excitement bubbled up in me. But I didn't let it show.
Only in Edoras could the wind blow so fiercely. The elements seemed to be drawn to it, as if some angry god was pelting this hill out of anger. The banners of Rohan blew freely in the wind as I sat on the stairs of the palace of Rohan. Clouds danced across the sky as impending doom filled my heart. Disturbing news was rolling around in my head.
Theodred was ambushed last night by orcs. He was badly wounded and is not expected to survive the night. Memories filled my mind's eye about growing up with this boy; him picking on his cousin Eowyn and me, him teaching me to ride a horse, him teaching me to fight. Pain shot through my heart as I thought of him passing to the halls of his fathers. He shouldn't have to die. Not like this.
I would clearly miss him, but there also was other pressing news in this attack. The orcs that had ambushed him were carrying the mark of Saruman, a white hand. As King Theoden sat listlessly on his throne, hundreds of his people die every day because of attacks from Saruman's orcs. It was hard to understand. Why didn't the king do anything about the attacking of his lands? There could only be one answer. Grima. The king's faithful advisor. Or could it be the king's faithful traitor? This paradox has worried both Eowyn and I. We both detest him, as he has haunted the steps of Eowyn for too long. I care for my lady, and would give my life defending her. But I would not want to die because of that dishonorable man and giving him the satisfaction of my death.
Last night Grima banished Eomer from Rohan, along with all of the Riders of Rohan. They would not obey Grima's commands, so King Theoden banished them. It was hard to believe, for Eowyn and I, but we both knew who was behind it. Grima. Eomer was the first to sniff out Grima and figure out that he was working for Saruman. Maybe that was another reason for his banishment. Grima has ridded us of our warriors who defended Edoras. Now the men that litter our streets are scoundrels and drunkards. The women will defend their homes and children valiantly, but the numbers are too slim to hold back all of Saruman's forces.
It makes Edoras very vulnerable, and Saurman knows this. I know an attack on Edoras will be coming soon, and I didn't know what to do. I had learned how to use my father's long knives, quite skillfully actually. I have also practiced with a bow and arrow. But I have a far way to go if I want to master the bow. The problem was, I could defend myself and get away, but what about my people? Yes, I cared about my people even though they treat me with distance and mistrust.all but Eyown, Eomer, and the king that is. The people have caught glimpses of my pointy ears and have stared at me uncertainly; people of Rohan learned a long time ago not to trust foreigners.
I was jolted from my thoughts when the door behind me banged open and out stormed Eyown, my lady whom I serve and my best friend.
"What is it, milady?" I asked softly. She gave me no answer as she stormed past me and stared out at the horizon with tears in her eyes.
I slowly stood up and walked up behind her. Sadly we both watched as a banner tore itself away from its post and flew over the town, carried by the winds.
"He's dead." I said softly, not asking a question. My eyes watched the banner, realizing its omen of foreboding doom written in the future for Rohan.
Eowyn nodded slowly, obviously watching the same banner.
"I'm sorry milady, I loved him too." I whispered, offering her comfort as I placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I'm so scared." Eyown admitted.
"So am I." We watched the banner fall to the ground, outside the gate. We both knew we were talking about the fate of our country.
"If my brother were here he'd be able to help us defend Edoras." she said, then trailed off. "Aralyn, who is that down there? Riding towards our gate?"
Squinting, my elven eyes could see better then my lady's human ones. "A man, an elf, a dwarf.and a gray wizard. Gandalf!" I exclaimed.
"Gandalf? He's here?" she asked, hope and dread mixed in with her voice.
"He usually brings bad news." I said softly. "But I do feel better that he's here."
"Do you recognize anyone else?" She asked me, the riders coming into her view.
"No one else, milady." I told her.
She then turned around to me. "They'll be heading for the throne room. Let's go down there and hear what news Gandalf brings."
"He might be able to unlock the mystery surrounding the king." I suggested.
"Let's hope so." She said sadly as she turned on her heel and walked back through the door and down the stairs. I followed her, slower paced and with my heart racing. An elf was with Gandalf. Despite my heritage, I had never seen an elf in real life. Now it was my chance to do so and my feelings of excitement bubbled up in me. But I didn't let it show.