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Council

For the rest of the morning they chased each other, eventually turning into a game of tag. They raced through the city, annoying a lot of the residents of Edoras and ran into a few of the fellowship, namely Merry and Pippin who enjoyed walking around absorbing the culture, but not staying to chat because the other was too far ahead to stop. They did, however, stop when Legolas noticed the sun high in the sky.

"Got you!" she said finally, catching up to him and starting to run in the opposite direction. She stopped, though, when she saw he wasn't pursuing her and quirked an eyebrow.

Before she could ask what was wrong he cursed under his breath and started to sprint down to the castle. Half way down the road they were on he looked over his shoulder and shouted: "I'm late for that valar forsaken meeting!" and she grinned. This looked like the perfect opportunity for sneaking.

So then she too took off towards the castle, though in a slightly slower pace. And by slightly I mean hugely, as the past month caught up with her and she began to feel the dull ache in her bones that was administered by long, grueling hours of walking all the fellowship had to endure. No wonder everyone else was sleeping so well.

When she was in the palace she slowly and silently snuck her way into Theoden's hall and with everyone's attention drawn to the late attending Elf it was easy to slip into the shadows behind a couple of pillars close to where the men, wizard, dwarf, and now Elf were standing in a group around a large ornament of some kind.

They began with Theoden explaining why they should go to Helm's Deep to 'hide' as Gandalf called it and how it would be better for the whole community. Then Gandalf replied with why they shouldn't go to Helm's Deep and how fighting would be better for the whole of Middle-Earth, no matter how many soldiers were lost. After that everyone was given a chance to give their views and opinions. Each one started with thanking Theoden for giving them the chance to try and sway his decision when it is purely his to make.

When that was done Theoden put it to a vote. "All those in favor of staying to fight say 'I'." And five voices rang out in favor.

Gandalf frowned. "There are five here, just four in favor of fighting. Why have five voices agreed?" Aradel sniggered silently behind her pillar. "And if I am not mistaken, it is female?"

She emerged from her spot in the shadows and leisurely walked to them. "It seems to me," she began with her hands neatly folded behind her back. "That I should be allowed to come to a meeting. I have as much right as the next person to here what will happen."

"But, Aradel-" Aragorn started, but he was cut off by Aradel's continued explanation. "I am not too tired nor am I sick in anyway as some would have you believe." At that she stared pointedly in Legolas' direction. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment as though under some strain.

"I am for fighting and my reasons are as follows. Middle-Earth needs help and not many are willing to fight for it. The Elves have so far been reluctant to help and the Dwarves the same. It is up to Rohan to answer the call and fight for Gondor, fight for Middle-Earth, fight for freedom." She finished, rather elaborately. The sinking of her eyes and her absolute fatigue seemed more evident after she had done and Legolas was starting to think she was going to pass out before the end of this meeting.

"I shall take all of your arguments into consideration as I think this over tonight. In the mean while I should like to retire to get some lunch, the servants should be done preparing it by now. Good-day to you all." Theoden exclaimed, nodding and leaving them. "You're all excused."

At the slam of the two doors Aradel seemed to sway every so slightly and put a hand to her head, closing her eyes. All of a sudden her brain stopped thinking and seemed to turn to lead. Her body stiffened and her vision began to blur, her eyes droop. Darkness was coming in at her from all sides and she turned her head around and around frantically trying to rid her vision of it. Then without warning her legs collapsed under her and she fell to the ground with a surprisingly soft thud.

A/N: I'm sorry that was short but i have my reasons! :( Wow, Aradel just passed out didn't she. I wonder why. I wonder if she knows why. I wonder if she'll tell anyone why. Interesting. Maybe she's sick. Or maybe just sleep depreived. Wow i so didn't spell that right. You know i type out that disclaimer manually ever single time. Isn't that crazy. Nehoo, bye-bye!:D

kougayurizoku: Wow, thanks! I really appreciate your support!:D