Disclaimer: Does anybody EVER read the disclaimer anyway??? Oh, and for the sake of legal practice: I own nothing that Tolkien owns and he owns nothing that I own.

Echoes of the Narbeleth

Spirit Star

Chapter 19: In which there is grey

The dawn came above the clouds; thick and gray they were, like new-spun material that shimmered and shrank. They could see but little of the sun, so high it was above the weathering clouds. The morning gave way to early noon, then to high noon. There was no sign of the company passing, and they could but guess that their delay had been short and purposeful.

For Adariel's part, she was growing uneasy. In her heart she felt an unsettling as if something out of the depths of the world was out of tune. Constantly, she looked to the north, then to the east as if hoping to see a sign or at least a vision of some danger, but none came. The grass was silent, as were the bitter birds, fleeing the West.

"What troubles you, Lady Friend?" her host had once asked, coming out of her trance to question her guest.

"I fear I do not know," Adariel had answered regretfully. "It has naught to do with this place, nor anything to do with the south. Perhaps the West is rising; I do not know."

"Do not busy your heart over such matters," Eowyn had replied calmly. "Trouble comes from the Seen, not the Unseen as we often say in Rohan. You may see far away into the distance yet not pay enough heed as to when a stallion runs you down in rampage." *

"Alas," Adariel had smiled, "I should think I lack such practical sight."

The full morning drew to a close, and early afternoon approached rapidly. On advice, Eowyn had quickly gathered a small party to ride swiftly to Dunharrow before nightfall to meet the approaching company. Horses were saddled with great speed, and a small group of guards and riders assembled to meet their Lady.

Eowyn grimaced slightly as she was handed upon a carefully groomed mare, shifting as the horse danced under her and skillfully bringing it into its reins. Adariel had been handed an unsaddled horse with dusky speckles across its hindquarters. It reared and pawed at the cooling air in annoyance, rolling its eyes.

The North Wind was at their backs as they galloped on. It was not too long a ride, scaled by skilled people of Rohan in less than half a day through short cuts here and there. Icy mountain air drew on rosy cheeks and shining eyes of all present in the group, and Adariel thought she had never seen a mortal as fair as the Lady of Rohan on a horse. So graceful was she that it seemed at times that she had simply melted into the animal she rode.

They halted before darkness fell, and settled in haste. The kitchen-minders had been notified earlier and there was great commotion about them as they dismounted and gathered themselves into some order.

Eowyn seemed in a distant state of mind, and allowed herself to be led off to be changed and washed, and expressed wishes for Adariel to do so also. Unable to argue against so reasonable an offer, she did just so, donning on a temporary working dress that the Rohan women wore. It was a fine riding gown, layered with dark red and hemmed with galloping horses most suited to the Mark.

The darkness slowly fell, and they waited.

Perhaps it was the night, or perhaps it was the fragrant chill wind of the mountains or the distant feel of Snowbourn running swiftly, but the mood grew reflective as the household waited for the Grey Company to arrive.

Thoughts seemed to expand and cross the gap to sub consciousness then to conscious thought. There were dark ones and light ones, memories that slipped like silver fish and musings that ate away at all directive thinking.

For Adariel, perhaps quite unfortunately, all of them seemed to fly around inside her all at the same time. She thought about wisdom decided that she herself had not enough of it to comfortably call herself Wise amongst elves, but more of experience to call herself older than others of her age.

But was it the right kinds of experience? She wondered uncomfortably, eyes closing solemnly as if searching inwardly for an answer. She would imagine Lady Arwen in her mind laughing and dancing about in the valley of Imladris not unlike the Luthien that minstrels so often sing about. Not that she had any real image of Arwen, but she knew that she was so fair as to be called Undomiel by her people.

But Adariel had never been in mind to dance and sing under trees, however many there had been in Lakewood. Nor could she remember her life in Imladris where she thought it ought to be happy and restful, a pretty place indeed for an elf child to spend their days.

Has that spoiled me? She wondered, suddenly uncomfortable. She felt suddenly out of tune with the world and the people in it, as if something drew her out of her body and pulled her to the West and the Undying Lands. So great was her desire for the sea that she felt her heart flutter with the tide as the moon drew it about.

Was she happy? Adariel mused.

The question remained unanswered, unfortunately, as heavy hoof beats thundered in the distance, undeniably close at hand. There were occasional shouts coming closer and closer, sounding like commands. None of the mortals present seemed to have heard the calls of the men, but they could feel the ground shaking with the approaching horses.

Legolas looked back at Gimli, who remained stiff as the horse galloped faster, sensing that it was near home. The dwarf looked slightly in pain, clinging on tightly as the grey landscape became darker and more forbidding to look at.

"Master Dwarf," he laughed, "I fear that you shall not feel so stout in the morning."

Gimli opened his eyes in protest. "Dwarves," he began, "will always be vigilant in whatever they may choose."

"We shall see, shall we not," Legolas smiled, turning back forward. He had grown fond of his short companion, and supposed enemy.

Now and then, a rider would ride away from the group to let his mount buck, then rejoin again toward the end of line. The uniformity of the Rangers from the North had surprised him, watching them handle the animals with great respect and love, not unlike a man of Rohan. In daylight they were delightful to observe; they had proud stances and the light in their eyes spoke knowledgeably.

"What do you see," Gimli suppressed a small groan as the horse hit a rough place. "Are we drawing closer to Edoras?"

"I do not doubt we are," Legolas replied. "But my heart tells me that we shall stop at Dunharrow."

"You are right," Aragorn called from the front, having heard the conversation. "I fear there is still a long road in front of us."

"Dunharrow is but a few miles away," Gimli snorted. "Surely you do not mean to ride to Edoras at nightfall."

"I did not mean the ride to Dunharrow," Aragorn replied grimly.

"When are they coming?" Eowyn spoke sternly to her scout. "Did you not see them?"

"Nay," the scout replied, "they are coming from the West and with great speed."

"What delays them?" Eowyn cried, getting up from her seat and paced a little before sitting back down. "You said that they would be here by the dusk."

"They may still fulfill that promise," the answer came. "It is not dusk yet."

The darkness was falling when the company spied a lone figure riding out toward them, dark cloak billowing behind. The stallion looked ivory pale in the rough light. The rider rode at great speed and seemed in haste, meeting them about a mile out from Dunharrow.

"Hail!" Aragorn called, halting and calling the newly met Rangers about him. "Who goes there?"

"The Lady of the Mark," the rider replied, "I am Eowyn of Rohan come to greet weary strangers."

"Lady Éowyn!" Aragorn replied, some surprise in his voice. "An honour it is indeed to be met in such a place at such a time. I had not expected a meeting in person since we left your care."

"A bad host I should be indeed," Eowyn answered, "If I had not met my guests before another departure. I trust you shall stay for a while?"

"Alas," Aragorn frowned. "We will leave in the morning."

"My Lords," Eowyn cried, "The morning is but hours away and the torches are already flickering. Must you go so soon and so ill prepared? How unjust it is to myself if you should leave so suddenly."

"Begging your pardon," Aragorn said politely. "We are at war; time is too short to do justice by."

"I understand," Eowyn said sadly. "But you must rest under our roof tonight, at least. Tomorrow is too soon for parting, but we shall see what we shall see."

"With thanks," Aragorn smiled. "I should be grateful for a night's rest in this fair place."

They rode together, a Lord of Lords and a great Lady at the front, talking quietly together. Gimli and Legolas followed upon Arod followed by the Rangers and lastly the sons of Elrond. They were a strange group, nobly clad yet very grim although the proud light in their eyes seemed to seek through the darkness and search the still landscape continuously.

"Forgive my asking," Aragorn commented to Eowyn, "but has there been a lady visitor to Rohan recently?"

"I do not speak of others' affairs in our country," Eowyn replied apologetically, "even if the inquisitor is of such fair blood and face."

"She is a friend," Aragorn explained, ignoring the last half of her speech. "I should greatly like to know where she is."

"A lady friend?" Eowyn asked a little coldly.

"A friend of old," Aragorn answered seriously, "whom I am obliged to ask about."

"Well then," Eowyn nodded. "I think I should be permitted to tell you that she was with me in Dunharrow earlier this day, and was still there when I left, although where she is now I cannot say; she was of the race of elves, and if she be your friend, then I should say that she is in no immediate harm."

Aragorn laughed loudly, to his host's surprise. In response to the questioning look she gave him, he replied: "She has a habit, a little strange for her race I should think, of escaping the most unlikely of situations."

"Ah," Eowyn said, then fell silent for they were in sight of the settlement at Dunharrow. The flicker of fire urged their mounts on faster, and they drew closer and closer to the fortress in a short time. It was when they galloped across the last flat plain when there were cries from the Rangers that rode behind.

They looked about, all of them. The sons of Elrond were alert and sharp eyed, drawing up with Arod and his riders to gaze uneasily into the distance, then back to the distance that they had crossed. At first they spotted nothing, but the sharp eyes of Elrohir found the source of the commotion.

"There is a light from the tallest building," he said, "that seems to be different from the torch light."

Eowyn strained toward the distant lights. "That would be a strange tale indeed," she muttered. "We have no false lights in Rohan."

"I do not doubt that," Aragorn replied, "but there is one now; see for yourself."

"I see it," Eowyn nodded, "but I know not what it is, or from whence it came."

"There is a tale in elf lore," Elladan said uncertainly, "that Estel may know or he may have forgotten.* Our father knew it well, but would not speak of it. The Firstborn do not fear the Seen, nor the Unseen as they wield great power over them both. Glorfindel, our kindred, is one of them. On this side they are fair to look at, but on the other side they are said to emit a pale glow that frightens the dark servants who travel the Unseen."

Elrohir nodded beside him, continuing. "It has been said however, that when one of our kindred, firstborn or not, suffers enough woe in their lifetime, however long that may be, they too glow the same light on the other side. The dark servants shrink back in fear of it; such sadness travels beyond the hand of even the Dark Lord on his throne in Barad-dur, for it is said that no creature should endure such tragedy even if it is their lot to carry."

"I remember that story well," Aragorn said. "As I remember Lord Elrond looking distant when telling it."

"Alas," Elrohir nodded. "Father knows it too well. He has seen the truth of it at times in his life that he does not wish to be reminded of."

"I too know this tale," Legolas shifted his weight as Arod stamped, not being used to the stillness of movement. "Even in Mirkwood we have seen a few in our time in Middle Earth, or have heard of some."

Aragorn stirred, "Ride on!" he cried and spurred his mount forward toward the settlement, the strange light having disappeared, like the mysterious diamond glints on snow.

Adariel had seen them coming, from the highest tower she could find. She had observed the meeting of Eowyn and Aragorn with great care and was satisfied with what she saw. Eowyn looked entranced with him, she knew, like a snake to its charmer although the characters they represented were in no way as foul. A passing fancy it was, and she thought that perhaps that Eowyn would someday love another.

But fate was strange, she acknowledged, and if she should be proved wrong…Adariel shook herself out of her somber mood. It was no affair of hers the hearts of others; although she took to it with a selfish interest, she did not like to meddle, as she lacked the wisdom to foretell the future.

She had, of course, seen the slight hesitation of the Grey Company as they approached. For a moment she looked out across the hazy land and saw their eyes bore into her and felt a wave of sadness in her heart. Unsure of herself, she could but look back blankly, urging their attention away.

Now, she stood to attention against the wind along with several other knights and staff of the land of Rohan. They not stationary in the sense that they were idle; their bodies seemed to sway slightly in the wind like young reeds.

Soon, Adariel knew. Mayhap too soon, they shall bring war into this serene place, whether they know it or not.

Of the reception of the journeying company, I have naught to say except that they were welcomed in a fashion that men returned from battle were received: very gloriously. There were welcomes and good-byes bid to those who rode back to Edoras; there were tears and sad faces. Indeed, there was a lot of food and drink (as much as could be supplied in such a hasty situation).

The horses were treated much like their riders and were fed well and lead to a good night's rest before the morning. However, the celebration did not last as the travel weary company were bid to rest, however reluctantly, for another long adventure the next day.

Several occurrences, however, did spark some interest in the most observative of watchers.

The first was the meeting of three elves. There were two, very like in appearance that no mere mortal eye could distinguish them apart, and the beautiful elven stranger who had appeared a day or two ago. Lord Aragorn had introduced them with a slight smile, then left purposefully. There had been a brief silence, followed by shy laughter which quickly turned into warm embraces.

There were tears in the woman's eyes, at least, for any Man with pride would have turned his back on such a moment. The three elves, it can be said, spent much of the night talking and laughing, being joined by another of their race before the sunrise.

The second of these, is the curious disappearance of Lord Aragorn. It can be assumed that he had left the elves after introduction, and had participated in food and drink. However, few saw him after and none could say that they had seen him to his sleeping place although he was there the next morning.

Indeed, Lady Eowyn seemed to have spent much of the night wandering around in search of him before she too disappeared for a time but was back and bid her attendants good-night just before Deep Night.

The third, and perhaps mots curious, was the meeting of two other elves. As I have explained before, another joined the three meeting elves before early dawn. The fourth was different in movement from the other two, and carried a bow, which he placed by him before the fire. He had grace, and a beauty that was common to all of the fair race in mortal eyes. However, the reaction of the fair lady elf to the newcomer, keenly observed by the two twin elves, was of debatable interest.

She held herself differently, somehow. There was a glow about her cheeks that was not a maiden's blush, but close to it. The general sadness about her seemed to slither away and be banished into the night. Her eyes shone brightly and her laugh seemed sharper and clearer.

The change was subtle, that it can be added that the lady herself failed to notice. However, for the two watching elves who looked thoughtful, the change was quite clear.

As for the fourth elf who had drawn such a reaction from so fair a lady, he himself seemed much accosted to converse solely with her, occasionally asking news of the North from his fellow kinsmen present. He watched the lady ardently; an air of sincerity about his merry-ness and his speech flowed melodiously.

The conversation flowed until long and before dawn, the two likened elves announced that they had things to attend to, and left with great haste as if sensing something elsewhere that needed seeing to. Of the two remaining elves, I cannot say much; it would have been rude to intrude on their privacy.

However, I can blandly state that they did fall into silence soon after the two elves left, but then one stood and held his hand to the other, who shyly accepted and placed her hand in it, allowing herself to be pulled up. They stood, side by side and hand in hand before they left, the lady having taken the lord's arm.

So silent were they in their leaving, that the stable minders could not say that they had heard a sound. But I had the privilege of interviewing some nights-people, and what they said would be of interest to many. Of hoof beats heading to Snowbourne they spoke (but no horses were found missing in the morn) and of running shadows and gay laughter. There were streaks of silver and gold, and the sound of much joy.

No people they saw, but no proof they needed. "'Tis good to have such lovers' gaiety in the midst of such times, yet 'tis sad that they should be in love for the threat of the East grows more with each passing day. Of their future, and of their endurance…well, we shall see what we shall see."

Yes, indeed. We shall see what we shall see. And of the elf lord and lady I shall say only this: they were both found in the morning directly contradicting the words of they nights-people. They were grim, hard eyed. The air of tragedy had only deepened around the lady.

We think; we ponder. Ah, yes. We shall see what we shall see.

End of Chapter 19

*I have used a 'creative license' and added some stuff.

If you are getting mad at me because I did not describe exactly what happened between two certain elves (actually make that four) don't worry I will in the next chapter. You'll see what I mean when the next chapter comes out…it's a me thing don't worry.

Hey, don't get stress. I hope you liked the Agatha Christie tribute at the end bit (you know it's a little different from my usual style). It's not actually strictly Agatha Christie style, but hey, I tried...and failed probably. Oh well, every author deserves some credit for crap at one time or another. I'm surprised not so many people have jumped on me yet!

By the by, I hope you know that I do actually go and read your stories give positive feedback if I have time and if I don't I'm really sorry. So if you sign your reviews, I do actually have a little look @ your profile and check out what you guys write although I don't always have time to review. Would you guys like some constructive criticism, Yes or No? Please realize when I criticize, I really criticize and I won't go easy on you!

Thirdly, I've been a little slack with this chapter as I can't be bothered to add the accents to 'Eowyn' and I am greatly sorry for it as I would trade my current ton of homework for accents on 'Eowyn' any day of my lifetime. Sorry, and I'll make sure I don't leave it out next chapter, okay?

–Spirit Star J