Chapter Eleven
Aragorn sat upon his strong horse as it trotted with energy. He could feel the horses' muscles constrict beneath his legs and he held the reigns tighter, controlling the energetic beast.
The sun was straight above them, his stomach rumbling with hunger. His frown deepened as he listened to Maeg's hushed voice as she lovingly whispered to her baby. His heart was heavy with grief and a sense of lack of control. His world was spinning so quickly he couldn't get his bearings; his life so twisted he felt weary.
Why does everything seem to slip through my fingers? Aragorn cried within, despair slowly eating away at his courage.
He sighed heavily, trying to lighten the heavy burden which seemed to drag him ever down into dark and dank hopelessness.
Aragorn turned slightly to get a glimpse of Maeg, her blonde hair flowing in the wind; her eyes alight with laughter as she tickled the babe's belly with tender fingers. He squinted, his shoulders lowering in worry.
I know something is wrong…she is proud, and she won't tell me... I fear she is in danger; this pain I clearly see on her face is not normal…
Aragorn was abruptly interrupted form his thoughts by Gandalf's presence beside him, the gleaming ShadowFax grunting to announce his presence.
"What seems to be weighing so heavily upon you, Aragorn?" Gandalf inquired; his voice soothing as he closed the gap between their horses. Aragorn turned back to see that Legolas, Gimli, and Maeg were some way behind.
"This one day I am thankful Gimli decided to walk along side Legolas, for I need counsel," Aragorn muttered, his voice low. He turned his green eyes toward Gandalf who waited patiently for him to continue.
"I fear that Maegraukowen is in danger, what kind, I am not sure, but I can tell she is in great pain,"
Gandalf stared ahead for several minutes, his teeth gnawing upon his mustache in deep thought. Aragorn felt spent as he waited for the wise words which would come.
Finally, Gandalf turned to Aragorn, his eyes registering sorrow.
"I fear the same thing, though I must confess, I may have had a hand upon it," Gandalf muttered in defeat.
Aragorn looked at Gandalf in confused disbelief.
"What are you speaking of?"
"I believe when I pushed her from the rock platform I may have induced her labor," Gandalf whispered. "And now I fear that something went wrong and now she is bleeding to death,"
"What? Are you saying that she must have ruptured something and now she is bleeding within, drowning in her own blood?" Aragorn asked, his voice hoarse with horrifying realization. He hung his head, clenching his hands upon the saddle horn in frustration.
"We should stop!" Aragorn said quickly, snapping his head up with urgency. "She will worsen with this ride,"
Gandalf shook his head insistently, looking back to make sure they would not be overheard.
"No, we must trudge on," Gandalf muttered. "I believe she did not confess about her pain because she wants to be within the protective borders of Edoras, though they shall not be safe soon,"
Aragorn sighed heavily, his frustrations and agony draining from him. Gandalf laid a comforting hand upon his shoulder, understanding the conflict within the ranger's soul. Silence followed as they drew ever closer to the Golden Hall of the King.
***
Maeg's heart lifted as the gate of Edoras was before them. An unconscious smile brightened her features as she hugged Gwythilian with excitement as the horses' hooves clopped loudly upon the street which led into the city.
Gandalf led the little band as he rode his horse through the village, the villagers pausing in their work to openly stare upon them with interest and confusion. Maeg noted that their clothing was all of browns and blacks, the cloth rough and old. Her brows curved in pity when she beheld their scraggly forms limp from malnutrition.
She couldn't tear her eyes from the scene and she whispered toward Legolas,
"Why do they all look so poor?" her eyes were still beholding the villagers. "I thought the King of Rohan was a good and mighty King,"
Legolas stared straight ahead, holding the horses' reign loosely. Legolas did not have to answer, for Gandalf interrupted, his head turning slightly to her.
"Because the King has been bewitched by some evil sorcery by Saruman," Gandalf uttered gravely. "I am afraid the city has been affected by Saruman's treachery."
A cold hand gripped her heart as they rode up the winding hill to the great Hall of the King.
Perhaps I was wrong in believing this place would be a safe haven for my baby… the grave thought hovered above her mind with a sickening dread as she tried to imagine what was going to happen when they stepped through those doors of the King.
***
The heat of the day bore down upon Maeg with unrelenting ferocity. The wind did little to help the easing of the scorching heat. With frustration, Maeg pulled her flying hair back into a pony tail with a piece of cloth from the hem of her dress. She constantly feared the frightful wind would push her and Gwythilian from the horse with its strength, but Legolas stood by her side, his hand clutching the horses bridle with firmness.
The horses trotted gleefully as they came upon the immense staircase which led to the towering doors which led into the King's throne room. Maeg gasped in awe as golden horse heads glinted in the sun which were engraved upon the wooden doors.
Maeg slid from the horse after she had given Gwythilian to Legolas' awaiting arms. She tenderly lifted the babe from Legolas' arms as he tied the horses reigns to a post.
Maeg curiously looked from Gandalf to Aragorn, swaying slightly to comfort the whimpering child in her arms.
What are they waiting for? Maeg asked herself, whispering loving murmurs to Gwythilian.
Finally, after moments of standing in silence, Gandalf straightened his lanky form and stepped slowly upon the steps, as though his steps led to some unknown doom.
Aragorn followed right behind, his hand resting upon his sword hilt, his eyes surveying the well-armed guards who stood before the massive doors.
Maeg hesitantly walked behind Legolas who stepped lightly as though the steps were soft and fluffy like clouds. She grinned without thought.
"You must halt here and surrender your weapons, Gandalf Greyhame," a husky voice commanded. A bulky man with reddish-blond hair stepped from the shadows, his chin lifted with pride. His cheeks were puffed out with authority and his chest heaved when Gandalf just stared at him with a quizzical look.
A fire glinted in the man's eye and he motioned for six armed guards to come forward. They aimed their spears and swords upon the companions.
Maeg gasped in horror and clutched Gwythilian to her breast. Gandalf quickly turned to her and motioned to Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli to hand over their weapons.
Reluctantly, the three handed over their swords, axes and bow and arrows. Gandalf smiled with grandfatherly affection as he stepped forward, but the man in charge roughly halted Gandalf with his hand upon his chest. A cloud seemed to cover Gandalf's eyes as he looked to the man.
"Your staff," he said, reaching out for it. Gandalf stepped back, his eyes blinking with amusement and a smile twitched his lips.
"Oh, now, you wouldn't part an old man from his walking stick, would you?" Gandalf asked innocently. The man, who was later known as Hama, seemed to yield as he sighed and stepped aside to allow them entrance.
Gandalf, before he completely disappeared into the dark and dank room, turned to Maeg.
"You should go seek a room to rest; we will take care of this business,"
Maeg's heart slowed and her hands suddenly ceased the smoothing of Gwythilian's hair.
"But, sir, I have no where to go," Maeg said defiantly, her chin lifting in waywardness.
"But…" Gandalf began, his hands lifting with authority.
"She is right, Gandalf, she will not find any welcome unless she has been welcomed by the King," Aragorn interrupted, stepped down between Gandalf and Maeg.
Gandalf sighed as he looked from the pleading face of Aragorn and the desperate loathing of Maeg's. Sighing heavily, he nodded and vanished into the room which awaited their doom.
***A/N: I know, you want to strangle me and yell at me…but at least I finished the chapter! You have to give me credit for that! LOL. Review!