Heading up to where the king was holding council, Shantel pushed the doors opened and walked in. She felt pretty important when all turned looking at her, her head held high, and a look of determination on her face. When Théoden spoke though, those thoughts went crashing to the floor.
"Legolas you are going to be going with us, I suggest you get some rest," Théoden said. "Gimli let Aragorn tens to any wounds you have, I saw a gash on your head." They were looking at the guys, of course, not here, a female. Crossing her arms Shantel let out a breath of air and waited to be noticed.
"It is good to see you Shantel." Looking up at the familiar voice, Shantel jumped when she saw Gandalf was back and rushed forward forgetting about getting noticed.
"It's great to have you back!" Shantel rushed.
"But I will be leaving again, to go to Isengard,"
Gandalf said.
"I know," Shantel said shrugging. "I'm going with you." Théoden was leaving to lie
down and stopped turning to face Shantel.
"No you are not," Théoden said. "You will stay here with Eowyn."
"Saruman has some thing of mine and I want it back!" Shantel challenged.
"Listen to me, I am the king," Théoden boasted.
"Well you're not my king!" Shantel shot back. Gandalf looked back and forth a slightly amused look on his face.
"Where I come from, women have equal rights," Shantel said. "To go into battle, wear pants, and do as they please."
"Well you're not there are you?" Théoden said softly, making Shantel wince. He hit her right in the heart with that one. "Gandalf I leave the decision to you." Théoden turned while Shantel couldn't think of a reply.
"If she wishes to go, I will not stop her," Gandalf said. Théoden muttered fine and turned to get some rest.
"Shantel?" She jumped when Aragorn touched her left arm. That's the one the orcs had grabbed. "What happened?" Aragorn lifted her arm. The sleeve was torn and there were scratched along her forearm.
"Come, I'll mend this and you'll rest," Aragorn gently leaded her over to where Haldir and Gimli were. Making her sit, Shantel leaned against the wall, as Aragorn put a bandage on it. Leaving her to tend to the others, Shantel looked over to Haldir, he was asleep, like most elves with his eyes opened and glazed over. Gimli was lying down as well with his eyes closed, asleep. Aragorn returned with a cup that Shantel eyes warily.
"Drink this, it will help you rest," Aragorn offered it.
"Only if you promise not to leave me behind," Shantel said. "I have a personal debt to settle with Saruman."
"You have my word," Aragorn said. "You will not be left behind this eve." Shantel finally relaxed and took the cup. Drinking it down quickly Shantel felt her eyes get heavy. As Aragorn walked off, just to be doubly sure she didn't get left behind, Shantel crawled over to Gimli and saw his ax lying on the ground. Knowing he wouldn't go anywhere with out it, Shantel grabbed it and positioned it under herself, so if they move her for it, she would wake.
In the evening, everyone was getting ready for departure. Gimli looked about for his ax and then found it until Shantel. He looked at this oddly and shrugged walking over, intent on waking her to get to his weapon. As he reached down and hand grabbed his and hissed in his ear.
"Leave her," It was one of the guards under Théoden. "She wishes to come with us."
"So?" Gimli questioned. "She has been through many a perilous quest with me before, and if she wants to come, I will not be the one to leave her behind!" Gimli yanked his arms free and gently shook Shantel until her eyes fluttered opened.
"What is it time to eat already?" Shantel moaned and looked around.
"If you want to eat before we go, then yes," Gimli laughed. "Otherwise you'll be riding on an empty stomach." Shantel struggled to get up and handed Gimli his ax.
"Where's the grub," Shantel questioned and paused seeing the guard. "What's your problem?"
"You should stay here, it isn't right for a women to go out and ride into battle," The guard said hoping he could get Shantel to agree to stay.
"And that's the lamest excuse I have ever heard," Shantel sighed. "Look, I know that you guys are all, women are weaker, we have to protect them, and in some cases it is quite flattering. But I have to go forward on this, for I might find a way home which," She raised a hand to stop the guard from interrupting. "Required more than an armed escort and I don't have the time to explain.
"Gandalf said it was okay so I can only hope that is enough," Shantel finished. The guard was a little confused but only nodded his head and walked away. "So where's everyone else?"
"Getting some food," Legolas was behind Shantel making her jump.
"Don't do that!" Shantel put a hand over her startled heart.
"Do what?"
"That sneaky elve, I don't make noise thing," Shantel turned letting a small smile show to let Legolas know she wasn't serious. "Kick some rocks or some thing, or I know, we should put a bell on you!" Legolas raised his eyebrows and Shantel spotted the food he was carrying. Some bread with meats and cheese, and a water skin.
"Uh, who's the food for?" Shantel put her hands behind her back, and fluttered her eyes up at Legolas. He looked at the food pretending to see it for the first time.
"Oh well it was for a friend, but they would never want to put a bell on me," Legolas turned. "So it's not for you!" Shantel gasped and grabbed Legolas around his waist.
"Wait now did I say a bell?" Shantel got Legolas to stop. "I meant a blue ribbon, prize elf!" Legolas turned, slowly until Shantel let go and gave an exaggerated sigh.
"Oh I guess that then you can have this," And handed the food over. Shantel smiled big and grabbed the food sitting down right where she was at to start eating. She finished quickly and followed the dwarf and elf outside where, before departure, Théoden and everyone was saying farewell to the dead. Gimli rode behind Legolas on a horse, while Shantel was to ride with Aragorn. They knew that she didn't know well enough to ride on her own, and Aragorn was intent on teacher a little as they went.
The sun was nearly touching the hills as they all departed. Gandalf was in the lead, while Legolas with Gimli rode close by. Aragorn kept a pace up with them, that way he could hear if they needed him. The tree's they were heading towards look dark and menacing. Low sweeping bows, like fingers and roots stuck out of the earth. A fine mist covered the ground, and while looking Shantel felt an involuntary shiver.
"Are you all right?" Aragorn asked.
"Yeah, just got a chill," Shantel said and shook her head. Gandalf led them ahead into the wood following a path, and to the men's amazement the path went on. The creaking sound of trees became louder and in the distance was the sound of wordless yet angry voices.
"What do you think became of the orcs?" Legolas asked.
"We may not know," Gandalf replied. They walked in silence for a while, Shantel could see Legolas wanted to stop and listen but Gimli would edge him on. For a moment she wondered if they should trade horses then decided against it when they started to talk about their different views, on Gimli's beauty of Helms Deep the caves, and Legolas love of the forest. Aragorn could hear them as well and started to talk with Shantel.
"Where would you prefer to go in this world?" Aragorn asked.
"I don't know," Shantel sighed. "I don't really fit into any of this. I was born in a different world, a different time, and there is still much to see here."
"Once the war is over," Aragorn said. "You are welcome to stay with me, for I do not like the idea of you going out alone."
"And I'll graciously accept that invite," Shantel smiled. "For I don't like the idea of going out alone myself. Too many weird elves ands dwarves out there!" Shantel raised her voice so Legolas and Gimli would hear her. They paused for a moment giving Shantel a weird look then continued on their conversations.
"They sure have gone from the you kind is no good to fast friends," Shantel commented.
"Yes they have," Aragorn agreed. "For even in rough times as these, there is still good about."
"There has to be, other wise the bad side would have already won," Shantel said. The edge of the tree's could be seen ahead and Gimli called out to Gandalf.
"How far is it to Isengard?" Gandalf replied to which Shantel didn't really listen to. She was looking forward more to a pause where she could stretch her legs. It still amazed her how cramped a muscle could get from not moving.
Out from under the tree's there seemed to be a silent sigh of relief from many of Théoden's men. Shantel tried to hid a smile and tried not to laugh which only caused her shoulders to jerk and a raised eyebrow from Aragorn.
"There are eyes!" Legolas shouted, making everyone halt. "Eyes looking out from the shadows of the boughs! I never saw such eyes before." Legolas started to ride back as everyone turned.
"No, no!" Cried Gimli. Shantel couldn't help but quietly laugh. "Do as you pleas in you madness, but let me get down from this horse! I wish to see no eyes."
"I wanna see!" Shantel called still looking for the eyes.
"Stay Legolas Greenleaf," Gandalf called. "Do not go back into the wood, not yet. Now is not your time." As Gandalf spoke Shantel could now see the creatures that contained the eyes, as they slowly walked out of the wood. They weren't looking at the riders, but upwards towards the sky.
"Walking tree's just like Merry said," Shantel sighed quietly amazed by them. While looking the walking tree's raised their branch like hands to their mouths and let out a loud yet musical call. In the distance the call was returned and when Shantel turned her head, some were approaching from the north. "Wow." The riders did not share Shantel's wonder as several of the men reached for their swords until Gandalf told them that wouldn't be necessary. Then as quickly as they had come, the walking trees turned and disappeared back into the wood.
Herdsmen!" Théoden repeated the word Gandalf called the trees. "What are they Gandalf?"
"They are the shepherds of the trees," Gandalf replied. As Gandalf continued in his explanation one word Shantel caught was Ents. Sounds a lot better than walking tree, Shantel thought.
"Those were cool," Shantel leaned forwards a little looking to where the Ents had gone. All too soon, for Legolas and Shantel, did Gandalf urge everyone to continue on their way. They rode long into the night passing by a mound that Gandalf had put for those who fell in battle on the way to Helms Deep, and continued on until the king was weary did they stop.
"The king is weary," Shantel quietly mimicked, while yawning and stumbling. She laid to rest by Aragorn and was thankful that Legolas and Gimli were not too far away. All the men fell asleep quickly as did Gimli, but Shantel laid there shivering in the cool air. Getting up Shantel covered her arms and jumped when she heard a voice speak to her.
"Can't sleep?" Shantel turned and saw Legolas was up.
"No, too cold," Shantel shivered. "Even with my cloak, I just can't keep warm." Legolas held an arm out and Shantel went over and snuggled in his arms.
"You're a good friend, Legolas," Shantel said snuggled up to his chest.
"As are you," Legolas said as Shantel started drifting off. She was startled awake as a night men called out. Looking around, the moon was gone and the stars shone brightly. On the ground it seemed a black darkness was drifting towards them, and Shantel couldn't help but gasp.
"Do not draw your weapons," Gandalf cried. "Stay where you are and it will pass you by." The mist gathered around them and seemed to settle for a moment and whispers were heard. The earth seemed to shake and Shantel turned her face into Legolas chest as he put an arm around her but seemed wary himself. When the mist passed taking the voices with them, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
"Man I am not going to get any sleep tonight am I?" Shantel groaned. She had just fallen into a comfortable slumber when everyone was woken.
"Close your eyes and you'll fall back asleep," Legolas whispered. "I know you like songs, think of a song that you like." Shantel thought and a song she didn't hear for a long time came to mind. One her grandmother would sing to her as a child. Just as she started to hum, the sound of water startled them and water came forth, filling a lake that was dry next to them.
"Where did that come from?" Shantel gasped, giving up on sleep and standing now.
"The springs of Isen," Aragorn came up. "Now seeming to fill with the defeat of Isengard. Dawn will be here soon, be ready to depart." They nodded and started to gather their things. Instead of golden beams, peering over the mountains, the sky slowly lit up, as the fog that surrounded them refused to lift. As Shantel climbed on horseback, Aragorn climbed up behind her, they set off, slowly than before. While Riding, Aragorn informed her that these lands, now barren and rocky used to be fertile fields, with many trees about until the slaves of Saruman ripped them out. Coming to a hard stone road, there was no grass visible and Shantel leaned over.
"It's a road," She said. "Just like the ones back home." Everyone continued on, passing tall white gates and the tower soon came into view. Starting to feel nervous, Shantel toyed with the edge of her tunic watching them get closer. For the first time she was going to meet up with the man who had borrowed power to bring her here. Would she hit him? Scream at him?
"I'll probably vomit," Shantel said quietly earning a concerned look from Aragorn.
"Are you all right, Shantel?"
"Yeah, just a little nervous," Shantel said. "He was able to bring me here, then go through my memories, which is very uncomfortable I might add, and I just don't know what I'm going to do when I see him."
"Just stay by me, or Legolas or Gimli," Aragorn said. "And you will be all right." Shantel nodded and looked ahead at their destination. The fog had not dissipated through the day, so the first part of the tower visible was the top. As the land became more clear, the horse hooves sloshed through water, all around it seemed that a great flood had taken place.
"Whoa," Shantel said, looking at the steam rise from caverns below. At the doors of Isengard, which were now twisted and scattered, it seemed the water flood had created great havoc. All sat in silence looking around, wondering what could have defeated the power of Saruman. A hubble is what caught Shantel's eyes, and two small figures, looking well rested and well fed were there. One was asleep while the other smoked a pipe giving off wisp of blue smoke.
~ This is a bit shorter than usual, but I wanted to get the update out, and this seemed like a good spot to stop at. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews, I would normally respond to each but can't because they're not up on fanfic.net yet. So responses will be included with the next chapter!
