A/N: You're almost done. *sniff*
If you want more, the sequel to this story should be out soon. (I'm working on an original fiction, and normally I wouldn't try two stories at once, but you guys deserve it. ^_^)
Epilogue: Back Safe Home AgainThe beast fell lifeless to the floor.
Gimli came running up to Aragorn's side, panting with exhaustion, and surveying the grisly scene of death with wide eyes. Trinity stood near the fallen Ashlynn, her sword drooping and blood from the slain beast running around her shoes.
"What did I miss?" the dwarf asked. Aragorn gave him an exasperated look.
Langaresh the winged horse clopped into view and shied, eyes rolling at the scent of spilled blood. The horse's loyalty was stronger than its natural fear and it walked nervously to Trinity's side, snuffling her ear with her velvety nose.
Trinity pried her eyes away from Ashlynn's body, focusing in on Aragorn. He gave her a small smile of thankfulness and gestured for her to follow him back to the battlefield.
Their friends would need them.
Gimli groaned at the thought of more running, but it was obvious that Aragorn did not want to do anything remotely close to running. His gait was slow and he clutched his injured arm close to his body.
"Aragorn," Trinity said, trotting up to him. "You look-"
Aragorn snorted an interruption.
Trinity backed off. At that very moment, they reached the top of the hill and gazed down at the field. Gimli gave a shout of joy and Trinity leapt into the air.
Anar's great white horse reared and crashed its hooves onto an oncoming Warg-Orc's shoulder, dropping it to the ground. One hundred mounted troops swept across the battlefield, slaying and trampling enemies.
The Warg-Orc army was disheartened. Not only had they lost their fire drake, but their leader was nowhere in sight and these new soldiers were skilled and determined to slay every last one of their troops. Their ranks were split and the remaining beasts fled, pursued by mounted horsemen.
The victorious people of Minas Tirith headed down from the fortress to begin the difficult job of rebuilding their homes. The damage caused by the fire drake to the fortress of Bastión was unmitigated, so the people just left it alone for the time. They had more important things to worry about.
The wounded still needed tending.
"I've run out of a numbing agent," Anar said worriedly. Aragorn grunted at this statement.
"We could hit him over the head with a blunt object," Trinity suggested. Aragorn gave her the darkest look he could muster, but ended out looking vaguely like a fish.
Before anyone could think, Anar popped Aragorn's dislocated shoulder back into the socket. Aragorn bit back a scream of surprise. "What the-"
"He always does that," Trinity muttered darkly.
Cal's hazel eyes filled with tears. "Are you sure you have to stay?" his voice quavered. Trinity gave him a sorrowful look.
"I want to stay," she said softly.
"I thought you were coming back to lead us again," a single tear slipped out of Cal's eye, and he hastily dashed it away.
"Uh, about leading the Rangers," Trinity said. "I needed to talk to you about that. I spoke with the group, and we all agree. We want you to lead the group."
Cal's mouth dropped open. "Me?"
Trinity nodded. "Take Lasrachai with you," she said. Those words hurt the most. Letting go of one of her beloved horses was almost more than she could bear. Lasrachai was frolicking in the fields with his best friend Langaresh, the winged mare. Trinity called them over with a loud whistle.
Cal stared at her in amazement. Her stormy gray eyes were wet with unshed tears. She took Lasrachai's head in her arms and stroked the horse's fur. "I need you to go with Cal," she said into the horse's large furry ear. "He needs you more now. He needs you to beat him up in my place."
Cal decided not to comment on that last statement.
Lasrachai looked up at Cal and sniffed his face. "Go back with him to your home," Trinity murmured.
"Uh, thank you," Cal said, choked with emotion. "I'll take good care of him." He awkwardly gave Trinity a quick hug and climbed onto Lasrachai's back. "I guess- this is- goodbye…"
"For now," Trinity turned and walked towards Aragorn. Cal nudged his calves against Lasrachai's sides and the horse moved forward. He watched Trinity grow smaller and smaller until she disappeared completely and sighed, thinking of the duties that soon awaited him.
"That's a great boy," Aragorn commented to his daughter. Trinity mumbled something incoherently and sat down heavily by a fountain. "You'll see him again."
"Mmpphh," Trinity grumbled.
"So you are the real princess, huh? Nice horse. Real nice." Aragorn reached out to pet Langaresh. Langaresh snaked her head around and bit his hand.
Trinity snorted. Langaresh whinnied and pranced around Aragorn, who was holding his hand and uttering the foulest elvish curses ever heard. Langaresh tossed her silky mane and trotted over to Trinity, snuffling her hair.
"That thing bit me!" Aragorn wailed.
"It's no more than you deserve, sneaking up and scaring the poor horse," Trinity snickered.
Aragorn scowled at Langaresh, who returned the look by pinning her ears and baring her teeth at him. "I was going to tell you that Anar would be spending more time here to help rebuild the city, but not after that thing bit me."
"You and 'that thing' are going to be spending the rest of your lives together," Trinity said lightly. "And you're going to have fun adventures, and go flying, and-"
"May the Valar protect me," Aragorn muttered.
"Not from this 'thing'!"
Langaresh snorted and tossed her head, letting out a piercing whinny of joy as if she completely agreed.
THE END