Chapter Seventeen
Eowyn rushed back to the wagon as women and children began screaming and crying with distress.
When she arrived, Maeg's face was blanched and her hands trembled upon the fur blankets. Eowyn gently laid Gwythilian next to Maeg and took her shaking shoulder.
"I shall return," and with that Eowyn rushed off into the horror stricken crowd.
"All the men to the front!" Théoden was yelling, pulling out his sword as he looked to the hill. Eowyn rushed to his side and pulled on his horses' reins.
"Please Uncle, let me help," Eowyn pleaded, looking up into his face.
"You can; take the women and children and get them to Helm's Deep," Théoden said, raising his voice above the din.
"I can fight!"
"No," Théoden said quickly, his hand resting on her shoulder with fatherly affection. "Please; you must do this,"
Reluctantly Eowyn released the reins and the horse leaped forward, all the men following, their swords unsheathed. Her eyes caught Aragorn who sat upon his horse looking back into the throng of scurrying women and children. He found her eyes and stared into them before he rode off with the rest of the men.
I know what you would have me do, and I shall do it until my dying breath as been forced from me! With those encouraging thoughts, Eowyn lifted her skirts and sprinted back into the horde.
"We must get to lower ground!" Eowyn was shouting as she ran through the multitude of sobbing women. "Stick together!"
The women grabbed their children, hefted their skirts and darted down the incline and away from the gory battle above.
"I need help," Eowyn called, her voice sore and dry from her yelling. She came to Maeg's side who clutched Gwythilian to her breast, tears streaming down her face.
"What do you need?" a young red head asked. Her face was pale and her frame slim, but there was determination in the set of her jaw.
"I need you to keep the horse calm and lead him down the hill," Eowyn instructed, setting the reins into the girl's calloused ones.
Eowyn followed the wagon next to Maeg, her hand on Maeg's trembling shoulder.
"It's happening again…" Maeg whispered. Eowyn barely heard it for the women's' screams were floating about them.
"What do you mean, Maegraukowen?" Eowyn asked, intrigued by her stature. Maeg lay in the wagon rigidly; her face was white and trailed with tears.
"This is how my people were destroyed…we were ambushed…the screaming, all the screaming!" Maeg cried out, taking her hands from Gwythilian and pressing them firmly over her ears.
Eowyn's heart ripped from her chest when she listened to Maeg's gut-churning story. Tears dripped from her own eyes when she realized this could be the end of her people…
***
Aragorn's heart felt heavy and sore with grief when he left Eowyn standing alone, watching as the men rode away, possibly to their death.
As he rode along side the men, a little face kept entering his vision. A tiny smile, curly hair, those deep eyes which seemed to swallow everything it set its eyes upon.
Gwythilian… a new life hardly begun…and yet it seems it shall end… His heart hurt with sorrow when he realized the babe would either live to not know its mother, or to die before it could fully enjoy life.
"I must fight for her," Aragorn muttered just as they topped the hill.
***
Maeg cringed as the wagon bumped along hurriedly. The women's screams and cries became silent after some time, and now there were just occasional sniffles as they trudged their way to Helm's Deep.
Maeg watched as the hill got smaller and smaller until it was a speck in the distance.
The men are most likely dead and the Orcs will be swarming over that hill to come and finish us… Maeg choked on a sob as the memories flooded her vision.
"Eowyn," Maeg muttered, grabbing her arm which rested on the rim of the wagon. Eowyn jumped to attention.
"What is it?"
"Will you take care of Gwythilian?"
Eowyn gasped in surprise and leaned closer to Maeg's weary face.
"Don't speak of such things. The men will take care of the Orcs and will meet us at Helm's Deep," Eowyn assured, squeezing Maeg's clammy hand.
"No, they won't, they will die just like Donanto," Maeg argued, bitter tears blooming from her eyes.
Eowyn stared at Maeg, wonder and confusion surging through her. She didn't answer; she just set her hand on Maeg's arm and walked beside the wagon silently.
"Can we rest? I'm about to fall on my face!" a woman complained after an hour of the women's escape. Other women began complaining as well, and they dropped their children and refused to move another step.
In exasperation, Eowyn relented.
"But we must hurry along, the men might be waiting for us," Eowyn said, putting a light note in her tone.
Eowyn stayed with Maeg as the other women rested and took drinks from each others flasks.
"Eowyn, I must walk around, I am so sore from lying still for so long," Maeg finally complained. With an urge to argue, Eowyn set her jaw and helped Maeg from the wagon. Shakily, Maeg stood up, her legs burning with rejuvenation.
"That's better," Maeg sighed, leaning upon Eowyn's shoulder. She took a few steps, trying not to stumble over her own feet.
"You are doing wonderful," Eowyn encouraged as she helped Maeg sit at the edge of the wagon. Her breath came in deep as though she just walked a mile.
"That was refreshing, thank you," Maeg said, a smile crossing her solemn features. Eowyn smiled back, her heart soaring with relief when she witnessed Maeg's smile.
"I think you look better than you ever have," Eowyn said smiling, but her smile wiped away when she saw Maeg's white face, her mouth slightly ajar as though she were trying to scream. Turning swiftly, Eowyn's heart dropped when she saw an Orc on a wolf-like creature come sprinting towards them, a bow and arrow in his hand.
"Take cover!" Eowyn shouted as she retrieved her sword from the bag at the horses' side.
"Eowyn!" Maeg yelled, trying to stand up, but a swift arrow caught her in the middle of her chest.
"No!" Eowyn screamed as she jumped to catch Maeg's falling body.
Tears trailed down her face and her heart felt as though it were being ripped from within her.
"Maeg!" Eowyn cried, cradling her head in her arms. Maeg's face was pale, and she trembled with pain.
"Take…care…" Maeg sputtered, blood trickling from the corners of her mouth. "Of Gwythilian…" Maeg gasped as her breath heaved from her body. Eowyn tightened her grip on Maeg's rigid form.
"You can't die…you can't!' Eowyn cried in grief. Maeg lifted her fluttering eyes to Eowyn's and gave a small smile.
"I was going to…die anyway…" Maeg said hoarsely. "Tell him…thank you,"
Eowyn nodded slowly as Maeg breathed her last. Her body went limp and her eyes looked up into the sky.
Sobbing heavily, Eowyn hugged Maeg's body for the last time.
Looking up with vengeful eyes, Eowyn set Maeg down, grabbed her sword and flung it at the Orc who was chasing one of the small children. The sword severed its head, sending it rolling about upon the ground. The wolf, free of its burden, flung itself towards the hills and disappeared from sight.
Eowyn dropped to her knees, her head bowed. A small cry brought her from her mourning. Standing up, Eowyn walked over to the wagon and picked up Gwythilian.
"Don't cry, my dear Gwythilian,"
***
Aragorn's body ached and his clothes were drenched in water. Opening his heavy eyes, he saw his horse bending over him. Smiling, he grasped the horses' hair and pulled himself upon it.
"Go swiftly," Aragorn whispered into the ears of the horse. It grunted as it trotted from the river.
Aragorn traveled far and long, wondering if the other men made it from the battle or whether the women had made it to Helm's Deep. All he could remember was getting his arm stuck into the straps of an Isengard wolf and going over the cliff.
Aragorn leaned over the horse, trying to keep himself awake when he saw it; Helms Deep, the mighty fortress. His heart quickened as he kicked the horses' sides.
Stumbling, Aragorn walked from his horse and into the stone city. There were many people milling about, eating or drinking, or even laughing at each others jokes. His body felt like lead as he stumbled over the steps that led into the King's "throne" room. Someone stepped into his path and he looked up quickly.
A smile inched its way across his face when he recognized Eowyn. Her blond hair was braided and pulled back behind her neck, and a black ribbon tied it. She also wore a black shawl over her dirty work clothes.
"Where's Maeg?" Aragorn asked, looking about for her small form. He turned back to Eowyn when she said nothing. That's when he noticed the bundle she carried in her arms.
His heart stopped and his breath left him as though an anvil had been put onto his chest.
"She's…" Aragorn whispered, his voice trailing off.
Eowyn nodded, tears brimming in her eyes. Aragorn sighed heavily, a sob catching in his throat.
A sudden clamor brought Aragorn's attention to several soldiers in armor walking towards him.
"The King has issued for every man to get ready for battle," the tallest of them called as he passed by him and went further into the city.
Aragorn looked from his retreating form to Eowyn's sorrowful eyes. Aragorn wanted to stay, but he knew that the news he bore needed to be given to the King.
Touching his hand to Gwythilian's chubby cheek, Aragorn looked into Eowyn's eyes.
"Know that I will come back for her," and with that, he turned from her and went into the large hall.
***A/N: Awwww!!!!! Isn't that sweet? I know, it's really sad and you guys probably want to kill me….but isn't it sweet?!?! ;) Review!
P.S. I listened to ROTK soundtrack, number 15, and it works great with the chapter, just a recommendation!