They ran inside the hall to see a flaming eye in the hands of Pippin and Merry looking on in horror. "Gandalf!" Legolas yelled and Aragorn ran inside and took the palantir from the hobbits hand. The Ranger's gaze was pulled to the flaming eye and he began to shake violently. Anarrima went quickly to Aragorn and tried to pry the stone out of his hands. "Legolas! Come hold him!" The elf ran over and held Aragorn's shoulders firmly as Ana still attempted to remove the palantir from his hands. She could hear Sauron's voice in her head and her hands began to burn. All the men around the hall woke up in alarm of the situation unfolding.

"Get... out... of... my... HEAD!" Anarrima screamed as Aragorn released the palantir and she let it fall to the ground. It rolled across the floor until Gandalf grabbed it and tucked it inside his robe. The hall went silent and the wizard gave a sharp look at the frightened hobbit lying motionless on the floor.

"Fool of a Took!"

Legolas let go of Aragorn's shoulders as the violent jarring ceased. He went to where Ana was sitting on the ground staring at her hands. They were red and burned from the palantir and she was hurt noticeably. As Gandalf talked with Pippin, Legolas knelt beside Ana and took her hands into his and rubbed them gently. They were like fire when he touched them. "Anarrima... what did He say to you?"

"He... He said that the... the light within me would fade. I could not escape my fate... I could not escape my destiny to be a Queen." She slowly stood up and Legolas released her hands from his. A Queen... her destiny to be a queen. If it was in his power, she would become his queen and live her life with him in happiness. But his thoughts strayed from that as he looked upon her once again. Ana went to Merry, who was looking on at Gandalf with worried eyes rimmed with tears.

"He... he always has to look!" He cried in despair.

"Get some sleep, young hobbit. Pippin will be fine," Ana smiled at him and pulled him into her embrace.

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The next day Gandalf was speaking with King Theoden. Aragorn, Gimli, Ana and Legolas were present also.

"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes," Gandalf began in council with the King. "A fool... but an honest fool he remains."

At the other end of the hall Merry and Pippin sat at a long table, they both held a look of remorse that tore at Anarrima's heart. They were so innocent. How did they get pulled into this war? Why did they deserve this? They didn't belong here.

"He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantír a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing: He knows the heir of Elendil has come forth."

Ana gave a glance to Aragorn and smiled. For as long as she knew him, she had seen him as a true king among men. He was one to be feared, and would be the one to take back the throne of Gondor and unite the world of men. Everyone remained silent as Gandalf continued.

"Men are not as weak as He supposed; there is courage still. Strength enough perhaps to challenge Him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King return to the throne of men. If the Beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."

Theoden gazed at the wizard, then at the hobbits. "Tell me, why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"

Anarrima was enraged at his question. How could he forsake Gondor like that? If Gondor fell, the world of men would fall, Frodo and the Ring would be found, Ana would be found... and all would be lost.

Aragorn turned to look at Theoden. "I will go."

"No!" The wizard protested immediately.

"But they must be warned!" Ana interjected in Elessar's defense. Gandalf then walked over to where they stood and looked into Anarrima's eyes.

"Understand this: things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith . . ." he then turned to Pippin sitting on the wooden bench, "And I won't be going alone."

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Anarrima sat with Aragorn outside of Medusled under the morning sun. Night had passed when last Gandalf had left for the White City with Pippin and Legolas and Gimli were with King Theoden trying to convince him to send his men in aid to Gondor. Ana looked out over the distance to the mountains.

"What did you seen in the stone, Aragorn?"

Aragorn's gaze remained toward the mountains as he smoked his pipe in thought. "The White Tree of Gondor... burning and engulfed in flames. I saw Arwen passing into the lands of shadow. I saw you in a black wedding dress, and a dark, iron crown encircling your head." He cast his gaze to the ground, "the one beside you was not Legolas however. But when you took hold of the Palantir and his gaze met your own, I saw what He feared. The White Tree in full bloom, Arwen as my Queen... and you at Legolas' side as his bride in a beautiful white dress. The light within you was rekindled and you were with child."

"Light?" Ana questioned. "What light?"

"You are the Child of Light, Anarrima. Your mother was one of the first Maia to grace this earth and you were the one born to the light of Arda."

Anarrima stared at him in wonder and confusion. The Child of Light was just a myth that her father had told her a long time ago after her mother died. He told her that no such being existed and that the Maia were the only ones blessed to the lands of Arda. He must have been mistaken. "How do you know of this?"

"Gandalf knew of your coming to this world. That is why your fate is held with the fate of the Ring." He said simply and then suddenly turned his gaze back to the snow-capped mountains where a small flame was kindled at their peaks.

"The Beacons are lit!" He stood up and ran back to the Golden Halls with Ana following him. He went to Theoden, Legolas and Gimli... gasping for breath.

"The Beacons of Minas Tirith are lit! Gondor calls for aid."

The King was silent for a moment, and all in the great Hall awaited his answer eagerly. It was a decision that could decide the future of Middle- earth.

"And Rohan will answer. Muster the Rohirrim!"

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Their road to Dunharrow would not be a short one. Aragorn, Legolas, Anarrima and Gimli were ordered to conjure up all the soldiers they could from the lands of the west. They traveled for days and days with all the speed they could. Most men they came across would cover their ears in fear of their purpose to ride to Minas Tirith. They cowered in fear at the very name of Sauron. Yet others, at the sight of Aragorn, heir to the throne, stood up in allegiance with their king and gave their oath to fight against the Dark Lord. With near a thousand men the company made their way back to Dunharrow and King Theoden.

"This is not near enough men to face Sauron's war," Anarrima commented to Legolas as they came upon the Rohan encampment. White tents were set up all around the area and men walked around with shield and sword. Aragorn, Legolas and Ana unmounted their steeds and tied them to a post near their own tents. Aragorn went to speak with King Theoden and a guest while the two elves and the dwarf sat around a small fire.

While Legolas and Gimli were talking with each other about Fangorn and the Glittering Caves, Anarrima's attention was drawn to the mountain pass of Dwimorberg. Men would not pass near its entrance; steeds would neigh at the very sight of it. Voices of the past called out in the distance and an eerie feeling fell upon her. What was beyond that mountain pass? Why were men so reluctant to pass its great stone statues? The sudden breeze from Dwimorberg blew through her hair and chilled the very blood that flowed through her veins. But shaking her head she turned back to the ensuing conversation of the two males beside her.

"Then it is settled," Gimli began, "when this war is won, you shall show me the wonders of Fangorn, and in return I will give you a grand tour of Rohan's Glittering Caves."

Legolas smiled and nodded his head in agreement. "And Master Dwarf, you must come and enjoy the hospitality of Mirkwood. My father would be quite enthralled to meet such an honorable dwarf."

Mirkwood. Ana missed Mirkwood terribly. Her thoughts strayed back to her youth when Aragorn passed with Brego, preparing for some unknown journey. She had a feeling what Elessar was planning, they were in dire need of more men. She turned her gaze to Legolas and Gimli, who themselves had the same idea she had. She got up and untied Dimrost and Legolas did the same with Arod. They walked up to Aragorn with their steeds just as he finished packing his provisions.

"And where do you think you're going?" The dwarf asked sternly, staring at his companion.

"Not this time Master Gimli, I'm going alone." Aragorn said, but Ana and Legolas stood in front of him in protest.

"Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?" Legolas smiled and held Arod's reins.

"You're not leaving without us," Anarrima said, "we would not have you travel any path alone."

Unable to avoid them the Ranger smiled in defeat and mounted his horse and the others followed in suit. Legolas knew Aragorn's purpose, for he could see the reforged sword of Narsil at his waist. He would travel the dreaded Paths of the Dead to summon the cursed men of the mountain, cursed by an oath refused in the days of Isildur. The men of the Rohan encampment watched in angst as the four passed through the great stones of Dwimorberg and disappeared into the black shadows.