Chapter Eighteen
A few days later, as I sat on the steps outside of Theoden's hall, I gazed boredly out at the mountain range to the south.
I wanted something to happen. Tired of residing in Edoras, I wanted to go back on the road. I examined every peak of the Ered Nimrais, thinking of Frodo and Sam. They must be in Mordor by now. Had they met Faramir yet?
Something sparked on one of the tallest peaks. I strained my eyes to focus on what was going on, but I didn't need to wait long. Aragorn came loping toward the hall, a look of satisfaction on his face.
"The beacons are lit!" he cried. I jumped to my feet, realizing what this meant. I followed him into the hall of Meduseld, and he repeated what he had told me to Theoden.
"Gondor calls for our aid!" he added. Theoden thought for a moment, "Then Rohan shall answer it. Eorin!" he barked. A guard straightened, and the king continued, "Muster the Rohirrim."
I hurried to my room and began packing everything. Two palantiri in my pack was promising to be heavy, but I didn't care. We were headed for Minas Tirith!
By the next morning, we were finally ready. I went with Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, Eowyn, and Thedon to the stables, where we mounted our horses, or, in Merry's case, his pony.
As we travelled southeast, Eomer joined us at the front, reporting to Theoden the actions of the Rohirrim. Then he fell back a ways to talk to Merry and myself.
"How do you fair, Orthalion?" he asked chivalrously. I told him I was fine. He nodded, "I have not seen you much since we departed from Helm's Deep." It was my turn to nod, and then inquired the strength of the Rohirrim.
"They are ready for battle." he replied earnestly, "And stronger men you could not find elsewhere. They are loyal to the Mark, and I trust them with my life."
"Will there be a battle?" Merry asked, a light in his eyes.
"It is inevitable." he answered. Merry straightened up to his fullest height, which wasn't impressive except to another Hobbit, and said grandly, "I shall be honored to fight by your side."
I smiled, and looked at Eomer. He looked back at me, but his face showed no emotion. His eyes he cast down to Merry, who was currently searching his bag.
The halfling grinned widely as he withdrew an apple, and offered another to me. I accepted, and the two of us munched the fruit we continued to talk.
"How long will it take to get to Minas Tirith?" Merry questioned, later that day.
"A fortnight, if we continue all day, resting only at night." Eowyn answered, slowing her horse to join our number.
Eomer watched her for a moment, then began, "Are you sure you wish to follow us until we reach the Vale of Erech?"
"It is tradition." she answered shortly.
We had been travelling through a scraggily inclined forest, slowly ascending the Ered Nimrais, but now we entered a small, but pretty valley. It was nearly twilight, and the way the sun was cast upon the grass made me want to sing.
I debated for awhile of what to sing, and settled on a poem/song I had memorized from The Hobbit. Softly, making up the tune as I went, I began to recite:
"O! What are you doing, And where are you going? Your ponies need shoeing! The river is flowing! O! Tra-la-la-lally here down in the valley!
O! What are you seeking, And where are you making? The faggots are reeking! The bannocks are baking! O! Tril-lil-lil-lolly the valley is jolly, ha ha!"
I stopped abrubtly, because the last few lined I hadn't sung by myself. Legolas was riding by me, and smiled, and continued singing the song in its rightful tune. I grinned too, and continued, stumbling on the melody;
"O! Where are you going? With such affairs scattered? No knowing, no knowing What brings such a-tattered but tired, fine nobles down in the valley in June
ha ha!
O! Will you be staying, or will you be flying? Your ponies are straying! The daylight is dying! To fly would be folly, To stay would be jolly And listen and hark to the end of the dark to our tune ha ha!"
"What are you singing?" Merry inquired, joining us. Legolas glanced at me, smiled, and replied, "A song I had long forgotten. Come, let us sing another song!"
Merry made a gleeful sound of agreement, and burst into a song. It was then I realized what a Tolkien-freak I was, because I recognised it immediately, and was able to sing along with him.
After his song, Eomer taught of a song of his men about marching, bravery, and hope. It was a wonderful time as we sang happily; not carring about anything else in the world except the next verse, and whether we knew it or not.
As darkness fell, we made camp. By that time, Legolas had unwound greatly, and was singing joyous songs of the seasons in Mirkwood. Aragorn was beholding him with a curious sort of grin. It was a side of the Elf none of us had seen before, but I must say that this merry Elf was much more enjoyable than the silent, prophetic, warrior-Elf.
That night, as we sat around a large fire, waiting for the deer over the spit to roast, a good many of us just sang. It was probably the happiest I had ever been during my whole journey, which was just as well, considering all the dark times ahead of us all.
.
In the morning, we crossed the foothills of the mountain, and travelled along the the slope of the mountainous range. I journeyed mostly with Merry, and Eowyn. Sometimes Eomer, when he wasn't overseeing the Rohirrim, would join our number.
Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli talked amongst themselves often, and in this fashion, we travelled for a week.
On the eighth day, we reached the Druadan Forest, by the road we had been on of East Anorien. It was there that Aragorn had a long council with Theoden, Eomer, and a few others.
As the stars grew bright, their meeting was over. Aragorn joined Merry, Eowyn, Legolas, Gimli, and me, with a dark look on his face.
"What news?" Legolas asked.
"There is not enough men of the Rohirrim to aid Gondor as we hoped. I must go to the Stone of Erech, and seek the Paths of the Dead."
"The Paths of the Dead!" Eowyn demanded weakly, her eyes wide, "But you go to certain death and torment!"
"I think not, good lady of the Mark," Aragorn answered, "Not when I wield Anduril, and make a bargain with the King of the Dead."
"I shall go with you." Gimli growled. Aragorn smiled, "It is dangerous, my friend." Gimli shook his head confidently.
"I too shall accompany you." Legolas said.
"And I!" Merry exclaimed. Aragorn looked down at the Hobbit, his smile saddening, "Nay, my stout-hearted friend, you are needed with Theoden."
"And I?" I asked, already knowing the answer. Aragorn's smile was forced now, and he shook his head slowly, "If anything should happen to you, I would never forgive myself."
"And if Gimli was hurt? Would you react the same if something happened to him, or Legolas?" I questioned.
The Heir to the Throne of Gondor gripped my wirst, and pulled me into the shadows of the trees. In a hushed voice, he began, "I could not let you go without Eowyn feeling betrayed. She cannot be allowed to be in danger, for if something happened to Theoden and Eomer, she would inherit the throne. Now do you understand?"
I nodded, but it was dark, and Aragorn demanded a bit more harshly if I understood. His tone stung like nothing I had ever felt before.
"Yes." I bleated, and hurried back to the fireside. Merry, Eowyn, and I sat in a dejected huddle, all of us wanting to be included.
Eomer joined us later, informing us that we should get some rest before we continue our journey in the morning.
Merry curled up in his blanket, but Eowyn and I remained awake, talking softly of battle and travels.
About an hour after Merry fell asleep, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, leading their horses, entered the faint glow of the dying fire.
"Goodbye, Orthalion." Aragorn bade, nodding solomnly at me. He said a formal goodby to Eowyn, and disappeared into the darkness.
"May a near day find us all together again." Legolas wished, gazing at the sky. He didn't even look at me as he and Gimli followed Aragorn into the eveloping night.
Legolas's phrase made me think a bit. I thought of how scattered the Fellowship had become. Pippin and Mithrandir in Minas Tirith, Merry and myself on the road, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli heading to the paths, Boromir, who was beyond this world, and Frodo and Sam, who were probably even now losing hope in ever finishing their task.
So deep in thought was I, that I hadn't even realized that Eowyn had gone to sleep. I decided to follow suit, falling into a dreamless sleep.
.
In the morning, I woke early to see the rest of the camp nearly ready to go. Panicing, I jumped up and began putting loose objects back into my pack. I looked around to find Eowyn, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Merry slept on. I gently shook him awake, and when he saw that the party was about to leave, he hastily packed up his things.
Eomer came over to us, a worried look on his face.
"Have you seen Eowyn?" He asked. I shook my head, and he sighed, "I fear her lust for battle has clouded her sense. Should you see her, tell her to find me, I need to speak with her."
"What if-" I began, but just then, I heard a familiar zinging sound, and then a cry of pain. Eomer was at once in his element. He unsheathed his sword, and sprinted over to the source of the sound. I followed cautiously behind, and saw Eorin on his back, with a thick arrow protruding from his chest. One man knelt by him, while the others drew their weapons, and began to locate the enemy.
I heard a grating command from within the forest, and the air was thick with arrows. I dropped to my hands and knees. I scrambled over to my bag, and seized Celebril. Merry had already drawn his small sword, and his eyes were darting everywhere.
It seemed the Rohirrim had found the band of orcs. The sound of sword on sword rang through the woods, and I hurried to help. On the way, I ran into someone who was watching where he was going. I looked up, and was suprised to see Eowyn.
Her eyes gleamed from an unknown light, and a sword was gripped in both her hands. Together, we joined the men, and fought against the orcs.
Before I could do any damage, however, it was over. The band of orcs was small, and not expecting so many opponents, even though not even half of the Rohirrim had even fought.
Only four men of the Mark were killed, and none were wounded too bad.
"We must reach Minas Tirith by nightfall." Theoden called over the men. He came over to where Eowyn and I stood, "May your return to Rohan be safe and swift."
Eowyn nodded passively, and Theoden turned back to lead the Rohirrim.
Merry, clad in armor too big for him walked over to me, a look of deep gloom settled on his face.
I knew he had been denied the opportunity to be in battle. I glanced warily at the four fallen soldiers. Making up my mind, I darted over to their forms, and hastily removed one's helmet, and another's breastplate.
Hurriedly and clumsily, I fastened the armour across my front, and, wadding my hair up into a bun, shoved it into the helmet along with my head. My skirt was still horribly obvious, but I was just one person among hundreds.
"Come on!" I hissed to Merry, helping him on Brego. I hopped on behind him, and looked around. Eowyn had also donned her armour, smiling widely, she rode up alongside us, and, with a wordless connection between her and myself, we spurred our horses after the Rohirrim.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
.
Forlorn: Wow, 8. . .That's right! Ok, points for you. But 2 in Barad-Dur? Where was that stated? Hmmm. . .
chibi-mairi: Sorry, if I could rewrite some of my chapters, I would make it more apparent that Boromir liked her. Oh well, what's uploaded is uploaded.
AAAclub: lol, nah, not annoying. Slightly, perhaps. Anyway, the whole Barad-Dur-being-under-lava; I figured out (hopefully) so that it will work, don't worry. Can you just imagine someone sitting on cooled lava, chiseling away in search of the. . . OK, I'm done.
A few days later, as I sat on the steps outside of Theoden's hall, I gazed boredly out at the mountain range to the south.
I wanted something to happen. Tired of residing in Edoras, I wanted to go back on the road. I examined every peak of the Ered Nimrais, thinking of Frodo and Sam. They must be in Mordor by now. Had they met Faramir yet?
Something sparked on one of the tallest peaks. I strained my eyes to focus on what was going on, but I didn't need to wait long. Aragorn came loping toward the hall, a look of satisfaction on his face.
"The beacons are lit!" he cried. I jumped to my feet, realizing what this meant. I followed him into the hall of Meduseld, and he repeated what he had told me to Theoden.
"Gondor calls for our aid!" he added. Theoden thought for a moment, "Then Rohan shall answer it. Eorin!" he barked. A guard straightened, and the king continued, "Muster the Rohirrim."
I hurried to my room and began packing everything. Two palantiri in my pack was promising to be heavy, but I didn't care. We were headed for Minas Tirith!
By the next morning, we were finally ready. I went with Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Merry, Eowyn, and Thedon to the stables, where we mounted our horses, or, in Merry's case, his pony.
As we travelled southeast, Eomer joined us at the front, reporting to Theoden the actions of the Rohirrim. Then he fell back a ways to talk to Merry and myself.
"How do you fair, Orthalion?" he asked chivalrously. I told him I was fine. He nodded, "I have not seen you much since we departed from Helm's Deep." It was my turn to nod, and then inquired the strength of the Rohirrim.
"They are ready for battle." he replied earnestly, "And stronger men you could not find elsewhere. They are loyal to the Mark, and I trust them with my life."
"Will there be a battle?" Merry asked, a light in his eyes.
"It is inevitable." he answered. Merry straightened up to his fullest height, which wasn't impressive except to another Hobbit, and said grandly, "I shall be honored to fight by your side."
I smiled, and looked at Eomer. He looked back at me, but his face showed no emotion. His eyes he cast down to Merry, who was currently searching his bag.
The halfling grinned widely as he withdrew an apple, and offered another to me. I accepted, and the two of us munched the fruit we continued to talk.
"How long will it take to get to Minas Tirith?" Merry questioned, later that day.
"A fortnight, if we continue all day, resting only at night." Eowyn answered, slowing her horse to join our number.
Eomer watched her for a moment, then began, "Are you sure you wish to follow us until we reach the Vale of Erech?"
"It is tradition." she answered shortly.
We had been travelling through a scraggily inclined forest, slowly ascending the Ered Nimrais, but now we entered a small, but pretty valley. It was nearly twilight, and the way the sun was cast upon the grass made me want to sing.
I debated for awhile of what to sing, and settled on a poem/song I had memorized from The Hobbit. Softly, making up the tune as I went, I began to recite:
"O! What are you doing, And where are you going? Your ponies need shoeing! The river is flowing! O! Tra-la-la-lally here down in the valley!
O! What are you seeking, And where are you making? The faggots are reeking! The bannocks are baking! O! Tril-lil-lil-lolly the valley is jolly, ha ha!"
I stopped abrubtly, because the last few lined I hadn't sung by myself. Legolas was riding by me, and smiled, and continued singing the song in its rightful tune. I grinned too, and continued, stumbling on the melody;
"O! Where are you going? With such affairs scattered? No knowing, no knowing What brings such a-tattered but tired, fine nobles down in the valley in June
ha ha!
O! Will you be staying, or will you be flying? Your ponies are straying! The daylight is dying! To fly would be folly, To stay would be jolly And listen and hark to the end of the dark to our tune ha ha!"
"What are you singing?" Merry inquired, joining us. Legolas glanced at me, smiled, and replied, "A song I had long forgotten. Come, let us sing another song!"
Merry made a gleeful sound of agreement, and burst into a song. It was then I realized what a Tolkien-freak I was, because I recognised it immediately, and was able to sing along with him.
After his song, Eomer taught of a song of his men about marching, bravery, and hope. It was a wonderful time as we sang happily; not carring about anything else in the world except the next verse, and whether we knew it or not.
As darkness fell, we made camp. By that time, Legolas had unwound greatly, and was singing joyous songs of the seasons in Mirkwood. Aragorn was beholding him with a curious sort of grin. It was a side of the Elf none of us had seen before, but I must say that this merry Elf was much more enjoyable than the silent, prophetic, warrior-Elf.
That night, as we sat around a large fire, waiting for the deer over the spit to roast, a good many of us just sang. It was probably the happiest I had ever been during my whole journey, which was just as well, considering all the dark times ahead of us all.
.
In the morning, we crossed the foothills of the mountain, and travelled along the the slope of the mountainous range. I journeyed mostly with Merry, and Eowyn. Sometimes Eomer, when he wasn't overseeing the Rohirrim, would join our number.
Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli talked amongst themselves often, and in this fashion, we travelled for a week.
On the eighth day, we reached the Druadan Forest, by the road we had been on of East Anorien. It was there that Aragorn had a long council with Theoden, Eomer, and a few others.
As the stars grew bright, their meeting was over. Aragorn joined Merry, Eowyn, Legolas, Gimli, and me, with a dark look on his face.
"What news?" Legolas asked.
"There is not enough men of the Rohirrim to aid Gondor as we hoped. I must go to the Stone of Erech, and seek the Paths of the Dead."
"The Paths of the Dead!" Eowyn demanded weakly, her eyes wide, "But you go to certain death and torment!"
"I think not, good lady of the Mark," Aragorn answered, "Not when I wield Anduril, and make a bargain with the King of the Dead."
"I shall go with you." Gimli growled. Aragorn smiled, "It is dangerous, my friend." Gimli shook his head confidently.
"I too shall accompany you." Legolas said.
"And I!" Merry exclaimed. Aragorn looked down at the Hobbit, his smile saddening, "Nay, my stout-hearted friend, you are needed with Theoden."
"And I?" I asked, already knowing the answer. Aragorn's smile was forced now, and he shook his head slowly, "If anything should happen to you, I would never forgive myself."
"And if Gimli was hurt? Would you react the same if something happened to him, or Legolas?" I questioned.
The Heir to the Throne of Gondor gripped my wirst, and pulled me into the shadows of the trees. In a hushed voice, he began, "I could not let you go without Eowyn feeling betrayed. She cannot be allowed to be in danger, for if something happened to Theoden and Eomer, she would inherit the throne. Now do you understand?"
I nodded, but it was dark, and Aragorn demanded a bit more harshly if I understood. His tone stung like nothing I had ever felt before.
"Yes." I bleated, and hurried back to the fireside. Merry, Eowyn, and I sat in a dejected huddle, all of us wanting to be included.
Eomer joined us later, informing us that we should get some rest before we continue our journey in the morning.
Merry curled up in his blanket, but Eowyn and I remained awake, talking softly of battle and travels.
About an hour after Merry fell asleep, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli, leading their horses, entered the faint glow of the dying fire.
"Goodbye, Orthalion." Aragorn bade, nodding solomnly at me. He said a formal goodby to Eowyn, and disappeared into the darkness.
"May a near day find us all together again." Legolas wished, gazing at the sky. He didn't even look at me as he and Gimli followed Aragorn into the eveloping night.
Legolas's phrase made me think a bit. I thought of how scattered the Fellowship had become. Pippin and Mithrandir in Minas Tirith, Merry and myself on the road, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli heading to the paths, Boromir, who was beyond this world, and Frodo and Sam, who were probably even now losing hope in ever finishing their task.
So deep in thought was I, that I hadn't even realized that Eowyn had gone to sleep. I decided to follow suit, falling into a dreamless sleep.
.
In the morning, I woke early to see the rest of the camp nearly ready to go. Panicing, I jumped up and began putting loose objects back into my pack. I looked around to find Eowyn, but she was nowhere to be seen.
Merry slept on. I gently shook him awake, and when he saw that the party was about to leave, he hastily packed up his things.
Eomer came over to us, a worried look on his face.
"Have you seen Eowyn?" He asked. I shook my head, and he sighed, "I fear her lust for battle has clouded her sense. Should you see her, tell her to find me, I need to speak with her."
"What if-" I began, but just then, I heard a familiar zinging sound, and then a cry of pain. Eomer was at once in his element. He unsheathed his sword, and sprinted over to the source of the sound. I followed cautiously behind, and saw Eorin on his back, with a thick arrow protruding from his chest. One man knelt by him, while the others drew their weapons, and began to locate the enemy.
I heard a grating command from within the forest, and the air was thick with arrows. I dropped to my hands and knees. I scrambled over to my bag, and seized Celebril. Merry had already drawn his small sword, and his eyes were darting everywhere.
It seemed the Rohirrim had found the band of orcs. The sound of sword on sword rang through the woods, and I hurried to help. On the way, I ran into someone who was watching where he was going. I looked up, and was suprised to see Eowyn.
Her eyes gleamed from an unknown light, and a sword was gripped in both her hands. Together, we joined the men, and fought against the orcs.
Before I could do any damage, however, it was over. The band of orcs was small, and not expecting so many opponents, even though not even half of the Rohirrim had even fought.
Only four men of the Mark were killed, and none were wounded too bad.
"We must reach Minas Tirith by nightfall." Theoden called over the men. He came over to where Eowyn and I stood, "May your return to Rohan be safe and swift."
Eowyn nodded passively, and Theoden turned back to lead the Rohirrim.
Merry, clad in armor too big for him walked over to me, a look of deep gloom settled on his face.
I knew he had been denied the opportunity to be in battle. I glanced warily at the four fallen soldiers. Making up my mind, I darted over to their forms, and hastily removed one's helmet, and another's breastplate.
Hurriedly and clumsily, I fastened the armour across my front, and, wadding my hair up into a bun, shoved it into the helmet along with my head. My skirt was still horribly obvious, but I was just one person among hundreds.
"Come on!" I hissed to Merry, helping him on Brego. I hopped on behind him, and looked around. Eowyn had also donned her armour, smiling widely, she rode up alongside us, and, with a wordless connection between her and myself, we spurred our horses after the Rohirrim.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
.
Forlorn: Wow, 8. . .That's right! Ok, points for you. But 2 in Barad-Dur? Where was that stated? Hmmm. . .
chibi-mairi: Sorry, if I could rewrite some of my chapters, I would make it more apparent that Boromir liked her. Oh well, what's uploaded is uploaded.
AAAclub: lol, nah, not annoying. Slightly, perhaps. Anyway, the whole Barad-Dur-being-under-lava; I figured out (hopefully) so that it will work, don't worry. Can you just imagine someone sitting on cooled lava, chiseling away in search of the. . . OK, I'm done.