Chapter Three: Flight
Herendil sat in one corner of the hall, his thoughts on the many missing years between the last day of his old life, and the first of his new one. He listened as Aragorn tried to talk Theoden into fighting back against those that had taken his son's life.
"I don't want to risk open warfare." Theoden said, stubbornly.
"It has already come upon you. You can't just sit here and do nothing." Aragorn rebuked, from his place at a long wooden table.
"When I last looked it was Theoden, not Aragorn, who ruled the Mark." Theoden snapped.
"Yet Aragorn speaks the truth, your Highness." Herendil said, breaking his silence for the first time since he'd learned the reason for his resurrection.
"And you have already seen a sample of the horrors Saruman is about to unleash." Gandalf added, quietly. For a few moments, Theoden sank into deep thought, and when he looked at them again, Herendil could tell that he had made a decision.
"We must move the people to Helm's Deep. It will be safer for them there, and we'll be better able to protect them." Theoden said, thoughtfully.
"But there is no way out of that gorge. We'll be trapped." Legolas pointed out, with some concern in his voice. Without another word, Theoden issued the order for the evacuation of Edoras. After that, things happened fairly quickly, and Herendil found it a little hard to keep up with his companions. He was glad to get his own horse to ride to Helm's Deep, especially after his uncomfortable ride behind Aragorn on the way to Edoras.
"I wonder…………………if even after all I have been through to get here, will I die again at Helm's Deep?" Herendil mused, aloud.
"Don't worry. So long as you keep up hope and keep your wits about you, you'll be fine." Legolas reassured, as the long ride to the fortress began. During the ride, Legolas and Herendil shared stories and lembas, but were ever alert for any signs of danger. Then, suddenly yells of fright and pain were heard, and the cry 'Warg Riders' rose into the air.
"Wargs! Now to see if my battle skills have been dulled by my long repose!" Herendil shouted, as he unsheathed his sword, and charged into battle. The battle that followed was short, violent, and bloody. In the confusion, Aragorn had disappeared from the battlefield. When Herendil again caught up with Legolas, he could tell that the younger elf was distressed.
"What happened?" Herendil asked, as he rode up to Legolas.
"Aragorn……………….he's gone………………" Legolas muttered, showing as much shock as an elf could or would show.
"How did this happen? Legolas, did you see it happen?" Herendil asked, now very concerned. The other elf shook his head, and when he looked up at Herendil again, he looked almost human.
"I didn't see it happen……………….apparently he went over the cliff. We must go, King Theoden is moving on." Legolas said, as he went to retrieve his horse and they left the battlefield, leaving the bodies of friend and foe behind. Even though he didn't know Aragorn very well, Herendil felt heavy-hearted as he left the place where the valiant human had fought to protect the people of Rohan. To his surprise, he composed a short lament for the lost warrior.
O Elbereth, guard our paths now,
For a mighty man hath fallen.
Aragorn son of Arathorn,
Now walks in halls of spirit.
Hear, O hear, Elbereth,
Our most humble prayer,
Lend your strength to our saddened hearts,
And lend comfort from our hurts.
O Elbereth, guard our paths now,
For a mighty man hath fallen.
Aragorn, son of Arathorn,
And our hopes have gone with him.
"Very appropriate, laddie. Very appropriate, indeed." Gimli murmured, as they continued the long, sorrowful ride to Helm's Deep, knowing that things were going to get even more difficult before they got better. When they arrived, Eowyn eagerly greeted them. But, when she saw how few had made it, she sobered a little.
"So few…………so few have made it." Eowyn said, as she looked to the king for answers.
"We were accosted on the way here. Our losses are great, but at least we stand a chance here." Theoden replied. With a nod, Eowyn then went over to where Gimli, Legolas, and Herendil stood.
"Where is Lord Aragorn?" Eowyn asked, afraid of what Gimli would say in response.
"He fell." Gimli replied, sadly. At first shock, then sorrow, crossed Eowyn's features, and these were reflected in those who had known Aragorn the best.
"There is no time for sorrow. We must be prepared for anything." Herendil said, trying to push aside his own sorrow, as he briskly walked off to get a bow and quiver of arrows. As Herendil stood on the wall, he thought about the battles of the past; those battles that seemed so recent to him, but were ancient history to the people in Helm's Deep.
"You seem to be in deep contemplation, Sir Elf." A voice said, from behind, as its owner came and stood beside him.
"I was just remembering. Things have changed so much since the Second Age, yet we are still fighting the same enemy. I am beginning to think that this war will never end." Herendil said, as he looked out at the horizon.
"Are you a survivor from the previous war against Sauron?" the man asked, conversationally.
"You could say that." Herendil replied, as a light breeze played with his silken tresses.
"What's your name, by the way?" the man asked, curiously.
"Herendil. What is yours?" Herendil asked, in turn.
"My name's Thren. This is the first time I've ever had the privilege to speak to an elf. Which elf tribe are you a part of?" the man asked.
"I am a member of the Wood-Elf tribe of Lothlorien. I have traveled far and been away for a long while. I can safely say that my peers do not know that I am alive." Herendil said, jokingly. Thren chuckled.
"Then you'll have to pay them a visit when this war is all over with." Thren said, looking away when the sound of hooves was heard upon the rocky ground.
"There's a rider approaching. Open the gate!" Thren shouted, as the rider got closer to the fortress.
"He's a lucky fellow, whoever he is." Herendil muttered, under his breath, as he left the wall to go and see who it was that was now entering the fortress. Little did anyone realize just what lay ahead, as the sun started its westward descent, but they were soon going to find out……………..