A/N:

Allasea2: Yeah... anoying that, isn't it?

elvenstorm: Thankies!!

Jupiter's Light: Yeah, that does make sense, doesn't it? hehe THANK YOU!!

Moralinde: Thanx. How do you think I could improve it? I mean, what don't you like about it? (I'm not having a go at you, and neither do I intend to. I just want to see your side.)

Thank you wonderful reviewers... PLEASE GET ME UP TO 100 REVIEWS!!!!!!!!

assbb

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Chapter 21 - Encounter with Random Elf Dude #4

I was sitting in the hall with Laila, Ilréthiel, Gimli and Legolas. Laila was gabling on about nothing in particular.

Keikæ: Wait, wait a minute, Laila. Right. You four. Just watch those doors, savvy? Just watch 'em. Ok... 3, 2, 1-

Right on cue, Aragorn threw open the doors.

Aragorn: The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid!

Keikæ: ya see. Works every time.

Théoden looked up from a map. Éowyn ran to stand next to Éomer. Everyone's eyes were on Théoden, anticipating his reaction.

Théoden: paused, and then calmly proclaimed And Rohan will answer!

Théoden: Muster the Rohirrim!

A gong was soon heard from the top of a tower.

Legolas: How do you know that?!

He said this as a joke. His cold attitude towards me had changed a heck of a lot since I had told him the truth.

Keikæ: Trust me, I have seen the third film way too many times – I know exactly what people say or do, and exactly when.

Laila: That is neat.

Keikæ: Dude. You're telling me?

Laila: The first thing I'm going to do when I get back home is watch all three films, non-stop.

Keikæ: All nine hours of them? Why bother? You've seen the whole thing over a few months. For real.

Théoden strode out of the Golden Hall in his armour.

Théoden: Assemble the Men at Dunharrow, as many Men as can be found. You have two days. On the third, we ride for Gondor...and war. Gamling!

Gamling: Sir.

Théoden: Make haste across the Riddermark. Summon every able-bodied man to Dunharrow.

Gamling: I will.

Aragorn saw Éowyn leading out her horse.

Aragorn: You ride with us?

Éowyn: Just to the encampment. It's tradition for the Women of the Court to farewell the Men.

Aragorn lifted up the saddle blanket of her horse to reveal her sword. Éowyn snatched it back down, hiding the sword again. I grinned and looked down, hoping nobody would notice.

Éowyn: The Men have found their captain. They will follow you into battle, even to death. You have given us hope.

She turned away. Aragorn contemplated her words.

Théoden: So, it is before the walls of Minas Tirith, the doom of our time will be decided.

Laila: Yup. Pretty much.

Éomer: Now is the hour! Riders of Rohan! Oaths you have taken, now fulfil them all! For lord and land!

The Rohirrim rode out of Edoras, including Merry on a small white pony.

Bex was watching the fleeing soldiers riding from Osgiliath, witch was overrun with orcs from the city wall. Nazgûl flew above them, picking them off, one by one. All looked hopeless for the Men of Gondor, until a white horse galloped from the city gates of Minas Tirith.

Soldier: It's the White Rider!

Gandalf and Pippin, mounted upon Shadowfax, rode towards the retreating army. As they neared the Men of Gondor, Gandalf raised his staff; and pure, white light issues forth, driving the Nazgûl back. Gandalf fell in at the head of the company and they withdrew into Minas Tirith. Bex ran down into the courtyard.

Faramir: Mithrandir! They broke through our defences. They've taken the bridge and the west bank. Battalions of Orcs are crossing the river.

Gondorian Soldier: It is as the Lord Denethor predicted! Long has he foreseen this doom!

Gandalf: Foreseen and done nothing!

Gandalf turned around with Shadowfax, revealing Pippin who was sitting in front of him. As Faramir saw the Hobbit, he stared at him. Pippin noticed he was being stared at and lowered his face.

Gandalf: Faramir?

Bex: This is not the first Halfling to have crossed your path.

Faramir: No...

Pippin looked up, the look on his face getting brighter.

Bex: You have seen Frodo and Sam. You met them in Ithilien, not two days ago.

Faramir: Yes, but how did you know?

Pippin turned to look at Gandalf, while Gandalf turned to look at Bex. Both hobbit and wizard looked happy and relieved. Faramir looked confused at Bex.

"Keikæ told me." She explained simply, not even considering that Faramir had never heard of Keikæ.

Faramir: Gandalf, they've taken the road to the Morgul Vale.

The smile on Gandalf's face faded and he looked at Faramir, his eyes filling with worry.

Gandalf: And then the Pass of Cirith Ungol?

Faramir nodded silently.

Pippin: What does that mean? What's wrong?

Gandalf: Faramir, tell me everything. To himself All in good time Keikæ?

Back at Minas Tirith, Gandalf looked out from the city wall.

Gondorian Soldier: What of Théoden's Riders? Will Rohan come? Mithrandir?

Gandalf: Courage is the best defence you have now.

Bex: That and...

Gandalf glared at her.

Bex: Er... Ok, I should shut up now.

Pippin knelt before Denethor's throne, swearing his service. Faramir stood and watched.

Pippin: Here do I swear fealty and service to Gondor, in peace or war, in living or dying, from...from this hour henceforth, until my lord release me, or death take me.

Denethor stood up with an amused smile on his face.

Denethor: And I shall not forget it, nor fail to reward that which is given. Denethor extended his hand, on which there was a ring; Pippin kissed it reluctantly. Fealty with love, valour with honour, looking at Faramir disloyalty with vengeance.

Denethor then went and sat at a table on which there was a platter of fruit and meats. Pippin stood.

Denethor: to Faramir I do not think we should so lightly abandon the outer defences. Defences that your brother long held intact.

Faramir: What would you have me do?

Denethor: I will not yield the river and Pelennor unfought. Osgiliath must be retaken.

Bex: But Osgiliath is overrun, my lord.

Denethor: Much must be risked in war. Is there a captain here who still has the courage to do his lord's will?

Pippin looked at Denethor, then turned to look at Faramir, confused. Faramir watched his father with a saddened expression.

Faramir: voice breaking You wish now that our places had been exchanged. That I had died and Boromir had lived.

Denethor was silent before answering, the expression on his face serious.

Denethor: as if to himself Yes, I wish that.

Denethor brought a goblet to his lips and drank. Faramir looked at his father, tears forming in his eyes.

Faramir: Since you are robbed of Boromir, I will do what I can in his stead.

Faramir bowed to his father and turned to leave. Bex watched as Faramir limped away. Denethor merely sat with the wine goblet in his hands and remained silent. Faramir stopped and turned to look at Denethor.

Faramir: If I should return, think better of me, father.

Denethor: coldly and doesn't look up That will depend on the manner of your return.

Bex followed Faramir out of the hall. She found him quite quickly – at the time he had just mounted his horse, ready to reattempt taking Osgiliath.

Bex: Oi! Hey you! Faramir dude!

Faramir looked surprised at the language Bex was using. Then, he probably would, having never been called a 'dude' before.

Bex: For Pete's sake, this is suicide.

Faramir remained silent.

Bex: Look. Get off that bloody horse right now.

...

Bex: Now!

Faramir paused.

Faramir: Who is Keikæ?

Bex: Friend. Well, sorta. Actually, yeah, she is. Why?

Faramir: How did she know I had met the halflings – I have not told anyone of that since, and nor have I met someone named Keikæ.

Bex: Ah. Well that is a long story. And you will meet her in about 5 months. I think. Or at least, that's what she told me, though I don't know if we'll have gone by then.

Faramir looked utterly confused.

Bex: Basically, you'll meet her in July, and you can ask her the questions then. I don't have all the answers – I only know what she's told me. Lets just say she knows everything about everyone everywhere. It's a long story.

Faramir nodded.

Faramir: Does that mean I will survive?

Bex: O shit. No, I didn't say that – that's not what I meant.

He was already riding away from her.

Faramir rode through the streets of the city with a small group of soldiers, on their way to attempt to retake Osgiliath. The people of the city watched them as they went by, sad looks of despair mirrored on all of their faces. The women threw flowers at the horses' feet, and hand small bouquets to the soldiers.

Gandalf: Faramir! Faramir!

Gandalf pushed his way through the crowd, closely followed by Bex, who didn't know what else to do, and began to walk beside Faramir.

Gandalf: Your father's will has turned to madness! Do not throw away your life so rashly!

Faramir: Where does my allegiance lie, if not here?

Bex: Why are people round here so stupid sometimes?

Gandalf watched as Faramir rode away.

Bex: Your father loves you, Faramir! He will remember it before the end. Please don't do this!

Faramir: I will survive. I will live to fight again. You said so yourself.

The soldiers formed ranks, and rode towards Osgiliath. The people of Minas Tirith lined the walls to watch them go. Orcs in the ruined city raised their heads from behind broken boulders, and watched the oncoming riders. Bex ran up to the great hall, where Denethor continued to eat.

Denethor: Can you sing, Master Hobbit?

Pippin: Well, yes. At least, well enough for my own people. But we have no songs for great halls and evil times.

Denethor: grimly And why should your songs be unfit for my halls? Come, sing me a song.

Pippin seemed in thought, as if finding the words, and then sang:

#Home is behind, the world ahead,

And there are many paths to tread.

Through shadow, to the edge of night,

Until the stars are all alight.

Mist and shadow, cloud and shade,

All shall fade! All shall fade ... #

The doors opened and Bex entered.

Denethor: And can you?

Bex: Sorry? What the hell are you on about.

Denethor seemed confused at first, at what Bex had just said. Ignoring the last bit of her question he repeated:

Denethor: Can you sing, Lady...

Bex: Rebecca. And yes, I do sing.

Denethor gestured for her to sing. Seeing no harm in it, she began to sing quietly.

Bex:

#I just want to feel safe in my own skin

I just want to be happy again

I just want to feel deep in my own world

but I'm so lonely I don't even want to be with myself anymore

On a different day if I was safe in my own skin

then I wouldn't feel so lost and so frightened

But this is today and I'm lost in my own skin

And I'm so lonely I don't even want to be with myself anymore

I just want to feel safe in my own skin

I just want to be happy again...#

Faramir was riding to suicide in Osgiliath. Pippin was close to tears. He bravely held it in, but when Bex finished singing he began to cry. Bex left the room and joined Gandalf sitting silently on a rock in a courtyard. They heard one bell ringing. Bex stood up abruptly and looked into the distance. What she saw was not encouraging. Trolls pushing huge combat towers across the river at Osgiliath. They then heard drums being played to mark the rhythm. Bex knew that this was a battle they could not win.

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Théoden: Grimbold, how many?

Grimbold: I bring five hundred Men from the Westfold, My Lord.

Soldier: We have three hundred more from Fenmarch, (A/N I think.) Théoden King.

Théoden: Where are the riders from Snowbourn?

Soldier: None have come, My Lord.

I crept up behind Théoden and Aragorn, looking down on the troops from above.

Théoden: Six thousand spears, less than half of what I'd hoped for.

Aragorn: Six thousand will not be enough to break the lines of Mordor.

Théoden: More will come.

Aragorn: Every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat. We have till dawn, then we must ride.

Théoden nodded. Nearby, a horse began to rear and neigh.

Legolas: The horses are restless and the Men are quiet.

Éomer: They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain.

Gimli: That road there, where does that lead?

Keikæ: It is the road to the Dimholt, the door under the mountain.

Éomer: None who venture there ever return.

::Thas what you think.::

Aragorn watched the Dimholt road from behind a rock and saw something like green smoke forming into faces. He looked worried.

Gimli: Aragorn!

Aragorn jerked around.

Gimli: Let's find some food.

::Or course. A Dwarf's answer to everything. If in doubt, have some food.::

I disappeared to find Éowyn and Merry, inside a tent.

::It's quite useful, to know exactly when to be, where.::

He was dressed in the armour of the Rohirrim.

Éowyn: There, a true Esquire of Rohan.

Merry: I'm ready!

Merry drew his blade and almost cut Éowyn. She laughed. I, being who I am and no other, grinned.

Merry: Sorry, it isn't all that dangerous. It's not even sharp.

Éowyn: Grabbed the blade. Well, that's no good, you won't kill many Orcs with a blunt blade. Come on.

Merry ran out of the tent, almost tripping me up, wielding the sword, and Éowyn followed. Éomer and Gamling were sitting in front of a small campfire.

Éowyn: to Merry To the smithy. Go!

Éomer: You should not encourage him.

Éowyn: You should not doubt him.

Éomer: I do not doubt his heart, only the reach of his arm.

Gamling snickered.

Keikæ: Why are you so bent on ruining what hope he has?

Éomer: Hope? It's been a long time since anyone had any hope.

Keikæ: Hope is only there for those who believe in it.

Éowyn: earnestly Why should Merry be left behind? He has as much cause to go to war as you. Why can he not fight for those he loves?

Keikæ: Well?

I looked down to see a mysterious figure, cloaked all in black, riding a horse up the winding path. He rode past the stone Púkel-men that squat by the road. I moved quickly and went to wake Aragorn. Aragorn snapped awake and draws his elven knife.

::Dude – Who the hell sleeps with a knife under their pillow?::

I held his wrist and said to him.

Keikæ: Sir? Lord? Oh, whatever you are, King Théoden awaits you.

Aragorn entered Théoden's tent. Théoden was standing in front of a hooded figure.

Théoden: I take my leave.

Aragorn approached slowly, and the figure stood up and removed the hood, revealing Elrond.

Aragorn: Bowed, surprised. My Lord Elrond.

Elrond: I come on behalf of one whom I love. Arwen is dying. She will not long survive the evil that now spreads from Mordor. The light of the Evenstar is failing. As Sauron's power grows, her strength wanes. Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the Ring. The Shadow is upon us, Aragorn. The end has come.

Aragorn: It will not be our end, but his.

Elrond: You ride to war, but not to victory.

::Bullshit.::

Elrond: Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith, this you know. But, in secret he sends another force which will attack from the river. A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the south. They'll be in the city in two days. You're outnumbered. You need more Men.

All the time Elrond was saying this, I mouthed the words, just for the hell of it. I wasn't inside the tent, but I could hear their voices clearly enough.

Aragorn: There are none.

Elrond: There are those who dwell in the mountain.

Aragorn: Murderers... traitors! You would call upon them to fight? They believe in nothing! They answer to no one!

Elrond: They will answer to the King of Gondor!

Elrond swept aside his cloak and pulled out the reforged sword. He presented it to Aragorn.

Elrond: Andúril, Flame of the West, forged from the Shards of Narsil.

Aragorn: Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of Elendil.

He looked at the sword before him, and quickly drew Andúril from the sheath.

::Big shiny sword! Big shiny sword!::

Aragorn: The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith.

Elrond: The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the Ranger. Become who you were born to be.

::Dude, I love that line!::

Take the Dimholt road.

Elrond: "nen i-Estel Edain. [I give hope to Men]

Aragorn: Ú-chebin estel anim. [I keep none for myself.]

I left, knowing they wouldn't say any more, and perched on the edge, looking down at the camp below.

It seemed I had woken Laila because she came up from behind and sat down beside me.

Keikæ: Did I wake you?

Laila: No. I was already awake. Why were you up?

Keikæ: No reason.

Laila: If you're up, it's for a reason. I know you too well to take that for an answer.

Keikæ: Really?

Laila: Oh, fine. Don't tell me.

She put her arm around me and rested her head on my shoulder. (A/N No, they're not gay, just v. good friends.) She sighed.

I heard someone approaching from behind. It was no person I knew, though I had a pretty good idea of who it might be. I turned to face whoever it was, causing Laila to sit up properly, rather than leaning on me.

Keikæ: Lord Elrond.

Elrond: You must be Keikæ.

::Random Elf Dude #4::

Keikæ: Aye. This is Laila.

Elrond nodded. I nudged Laila sharply, who was half asleep, and she took the hint to get lost.

Elrond: I have heard a lot about you.

Keikæ: Aye, I can imagine.

Awkward silence

Elrond: Do you have any idea of how you came to middle earth?

Keikæ: Nope. None whatsoever. Not the slightest inkling of how I came here, or why of all people to come here, it just happened to be me, and of all places I had to land in- I mean, why Lothlorien?

Elrond: What makes you say that?

Keikæ: Well, it's about the only place where elves surround you immediately and so, the only place where I try to escape and half strangle Lady Galadriel. I just, didn't believe it at first. Where I'm from, Middle Earth is a fictional place. I thought it was all a big hoax at first.

Elrond: And do you still think it's a big hoax?

I held up my hands, the scars still visible but faint.

Keikæ: Does this look like a hoax? No. The places are completely real, I don't think anyone would bother setting me up unless it was Laila or Bex, but they hardly have enough money to live on, let alone do all this. Savvy?

Awkward Silence

Elrond: Did you want to come here?

Keikæ: If I was back home asking myself that question, it would have been a definite no. Though now I'm here... it's been the most life changing thing that's ever happened to me. Though I still don't know why me.

Elrond: What do you mean by that?

Keikæ: I mean why me out of the 6 billion-and-a-bit people in the hundred- and-ninety-three-or-whatever-the-actual-number-happens-to-be countries of Earth? What are the chances of three people – us three – being randomly picked from so many? Actually, no, don't answer that.

He looked quite surprised when I mentioned the population and number of countries of Earth. He turned to leave.

Keikæ: And why do you think we're here?

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I scrambled up onto a rock, about ten or more metres up, at the entrance to the Dimholt road, to get a good view of what was about to happen. I could see quite a lot from up there. Aragorn preparing to leave. Éowyn coming up to him and confronting him.

Éowyn: Why are you doing this? The war lies to the east; you cannot leave on the eve of battle. You cannot abandon the Men.

::He ain't abandoning them.::

Aragorn: Éowyn.

Éowyn: We need you here.

Aragorn: sadly Why have you come?

Éowyn: Do you not know?

Aragorn: It is but a shadow and a thought that you love. I cannot give you what you seek.

::Sure, you're future king of Gondor, but you can be such an insensitive bastard sometimes.::

Éowyn backed away in disbelief and shock. Aragorn gazed at her for a moment before he led Brego away, and Éowyn stood there in tears, overwhelmed and heartbroken.

::Yuh, I know. He can be such a git sometimes.::

Gimli: Just where do you think you're off to?

Aragorn: Not this time. This time you must stay, Gimli.

Legolas walked up leading his horse.

Legolas: Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves?

Gimli: You might as well accept it. We're going with you, laddie.

They started towards the road, and caught sight of me, perched on a rock, swinging one leg.

Aragorn: No way.

Keikæ: Ah, c'mon, ya may as well.

I took his silence as yes and then took to figuring out how I was going to get down. Finding no suitable route to climb down, I jumped it. We rode down the path, Aragorn leading. I could hear the men in camp questioning why we were going.

::To hell with them.::

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Yeah, another long one. They seem to be getting longer and longer. Anywho, please review. That was not meant to rhyme. WTH Reviews! I love them! Be nice to me and send me a review!!

assbb!!

Kess ;P