A/N: Ok, I know I said that there would be no more boring bits, but like I said with all of the others, this is important. It has to be told.
Ok, updated Elvish and some other parts too, I think. I can't remember now.
Chapter 17: Estel dollen, estel bannen (Hope has come, hope has gone)
Aragorn had emerged from the Paths of the Dead, his army behind him. And others also followed out of the shadows and mist, those who had been gathered from the mountains and paths. He looked changed from his journey, younger, prouder. He wore a leather chest plate emblazoned with a silver tree, a crown and seven stars and held Narsil firmly in one hand; a rekindled flame. Aragorn spoke now; his voice clear, echoing through the fields.
"Hosserim Mordor telir na Minas Tirith. Anan dannannenam na hyn, dan ú-an. Hyn si degitham, derir nomen. No bell o emel a dól; natham túrui." (The armies of Mordor march on Minas Tirith. Too long have we fallen to them, but no more. We shall crush them now, as they stand before us. Be strong of heart and mind; we shall be victorious)
The Dúnedain cheered at this comment, Legolas and Gimli, too. With this, he raised Narsil high into the air; it glistened in the sunlight.
Éomer had come now with what remained of his men. He had heard Aragorn's horn calling across the plains. He rode forward now, the riders following slowly. A smile spread across his face as he rode to Aragorn's side.
"It is good to see you return safe from the Paths of the Dead. I feared you would not come."
"I am safe, Éomer," he said. "I bring forces with me, those who wished to follow the King of Gondor against Mordor. But now is not the time or place for discussions."
He galloped forward, leading his army onto the Pelennor Fields. Éomer rode behind with the Rohirrim. Aragorn led the charge against the armies of the Lidless Eye, skewing them with Narsil. The hearts of the remaining men had been lifted with Aragorn's arrival. This hope had given them strength and courage to face the masses of orcs.
It took only a very short time to defeat what was left of Mordor's forces. They scattered and fled at the sight of Narsil, retreating to the Black Gates. Aragorn found Éomer at the end of the battle.
"The battle is won. You must tell me of all that happened before I came," he said.
"We had thought all hope to be lost when Théoden was slain," said Éomer.
"Slain!" cried Aragorn, aghast. "But how?"
"The Lord of the Nazgûl," said Éomer, plainly, lowering his head. He looked devastated. Who now would claim the throne of Rohan? He did not have the heart to. But with Théodred dead…
"Where is he now?" asked Aragorn.
"He was taken to the Houses of Healing inside the city. My sister, too, has gone with him."
"She is here?" enquired Aragorn, looking confused. Had she come to see him? Did she hope to fight?
"She fell protecting him," murmured Éomer, mournfully. "I should have done more to prevent her coming," he blurted out, "I was afraid that she would and expected as much. And now, she lies dead inside the city."
Aragorn looked inconsolable. Éowyn was dead. He felt nothing, only an emptiness deep inside him. 'How could this have happened?' he thought. 'As one so young and fair, why had it been she who died?' He could not bear to think of her lying cold as stone; never to see her rare smile again, never to touch her soft, warm skin. He spoke finally.
"Was there anyone with her? When she fell?"
"Young Meriadoc," said Éomer, glumly. "He almost died himself, at just seeing her lying there." He stared at the ground again, looking as solemn and crushed as he was.
"He went with her body to the Houses of Healing. Poor lad, he couldn't bear to leave her," said Éomer.
Aragorn lifted his eyes up to the glistening Tower of Ecthelion and stared.
"It is time for us to enter the city. None are to know my identity, however. I will reveal myself to them in due time," he said. He rode toward the gates of the citadel and called out to the guards.
"We come victorious from the field of battle. We wish to speak with Denethor and to lay eyes on the dead King Théoden of Rohan and Lady Éowyn," he cried.
The guard peered out from his post and looked at them intently.
"Gandalf has said that Denethor, too, is dead. His son, Faramir, now lies in the Houses of Healing with grievous injuries as a result of him."
"We must speak with Gandalf. Let him take us to Faramir and our friends," called Aragorn.
"What should I tell him, sir?" asked the guard.
"Inform Gandalf that the King has returned to claim his crown!" he shouted up.
The guard stared in shock; his mouth had dropped open and was moving slightly like a fish.
"Yes, sir," he said, hastily, and hurried off.
It didn't take long for him to return, smiling broadly at the party and leading them most obligingly up to the Houses of Healing, where Gandalf had said he would meet them. At this point, Aragorn had ordered that none but Éomer, Legolas and Gimli were to accompany him any further. He told Elladan and Elrohir to take the Dúnedain up to where the other soldiers were resting, but those who were injured would go also to the Houses of Healing.
Aragorn led his small band to the pinnacle of the citadel where the Houses of Healing were located, along with the High Court of the Stewards and Kings of Gondor. Gandalf was waiting with Pippin at the entrance to the Houses when Aragorn arrived. The wizard's face was grave.
"Denethor was misinformed that Faramir had been killed," he said, "and as a result of that, he is dead. He tried to burn both himself and Faramir in the tunnels behind the palace. Faramir now lies wounded inside. You must hurry, Aragorn, his time wains and there are others, too, who are in need of your help."
Aragorn nodded. "Bring me to him," and they walked inside.