Éomer leaned tiredly against his horse, patting the soft neck of his
trustworthy steed, one who had guided him through many battles. Though none
of them had been as dire as the one he had just survived barely. His dark
eyes had turned away from the battlefield, unable the look at all slain
men, many of them known to him, he knew their names, their family. They had
children and a wife waiting for their safe return, a return that would only
come with grief. Aye, they had been victorious; they had fought darkness
and won. If the dark Lord Sauron had regained power of the one Ring, none
of them would be alive. Though it did little to soften the pain of loss.
He had given command to bring the wounded and dead to Gondor, where they could be take care of, for the time being, until they were all strong enough to return to Rohan. The thought of home made him sigh longing, thinking about the Great Halls of Mandos. It would not be the same, without his uncle, without King Théoden to rule. The burden was now passed to him, with his sister at his side.
Eowyn...
The poor lass had been through so much lately, he had scarcely seen her smile. She had lost her heart to one who could not return her gentle love and she had lost far too many who where dear to her. Great times would return, and she would laugh once more, that he vowed to himself.
"Master of the Rohirrim, Master Éomer..."
There was only one who would call him that, the young King pondered, as he had been pulled out of his own thoughts so abruptly. In wonder he turned, staring at the Dwarf who stood there panting in front of him, trying to recollect his failing breathing.
"Gimli..?"
He had stopped using Master a while ago, when it became obvious they would spend many days together, among friends there were no masters. In war there were only comrades, fellow warriors, the one who would watch your back and keep you alive.
"The Elf...He...Wounded....To Gondor...."
Little he could make of the small beings rambling, though the finger pointed to the West told him more, enough to understand what was being asked of him. A small distance away he could see Aragorn with what he assumed were the Hobbits. Where Aragorn was, there would also be the Elf; it seemed the fair blonde Warrior left his friend's side on a few occasions. To not see him told him all, he had been felled.
"Brego, Arod! ." He called, whistling for the horses. They would have to be in Gondor fast. He only gave Gimli a glance, as he was upon his own horse's back fast, lifting the Dwarf up so he could sit behind him. There was little time for unneeded talk. Instead he turned to his Captain.
"Gamling! Take your horse and follow me, I am in need of your aid."
At the nod of the man Éomer hastened to where the others stood, worry upon their faces, as he could see why. Seated upon his horse he looked down at the Elf, seeing the blood and other injuries. It was strange seeing him with his eyes closed, lying there without his bow or white knives. He knew the fair beings were indeed ageless, though they could die, he had seen the many corpses at Helm's Deep, which had pained him deeply, to know even such beauty could fade as well.
"Aragorn, I will accompany you to Gondor, along with the rest of the Fellowship."
As it was said, it was done. Carefully Legolas was picked up; all mindfull of the injuries as Éomer and Gamling handed him over into the Ranger's awaiting arms. The slender figure was hugged closely against the man's broad chest as he urged Brego into a steady run. The Horse master took the two little Hobbits as Gamling rode with Gimli. All could think about one thing, the figure lying motionless in Aragorn's arms.
~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~
Again I have to thank all reviewers for letting me know what they think. It's a great encouragement, and I can only praise you all.
Maki82 - It's okay, you hadn't realized when I posted it, lol. I hope to be staying this quick.
Star Stallion - Thank thank you, I'm sure in time Legolas will be perfectly fine, for now I fear he's not doing so well.
Silvertoekee - I'm glad o hear you aren't bored at all. Guilt is indeed a tricksy thing, it can haunt one for a long amount of time, and for Aragorn it won't be easy. Legolas will be hurting, good thing he's Elf that means speedy recovery.
Aislyn Crowdaughter - I'm very glad you like the way in which I write, I have to admit it's sometimes hard. I want to be as detailed as possible, but in scenes like I write you can't go on about the colour of one's eye or the way hair shines. I'm very happy I added just the right amount.
Deana - No, he didn't break his back, but all I can say is to not cheer to soon ;) I'm a very evil writer from time to time, and depending on my plotbunnies, things can get worse.
I love Legolas - Hehehe, let me guess, your favo character is Legolas? Indeed poor Leggy, and I'm not even done yet!
Patty - Thank you for your wonderful reviews, and that you like my kind of angst, I so love writing it! Actually they aren't too far from Gondor, the city is close to Mordor, that's why it was attacked in the first place. And the only one who can give the Elf the proper treatment is Lord Elrond, since Aragorn knows only the basics.
MelanyeBaggins - I caught that scene, definitely! It was such a wonderful moment, with lots of emotions and I can only be disappointed of how little is shown in the movie, they could have explored it much more. It portrays the friendship between them, but I felt I could do much more with it. And you're welcome for the muse ;)
MoroTheWolfGod - I'm glad to see you again, you have reviewed other stories of mine as well, always fun to see regular faces, thanks!
Starlit Hope - Thank you!
He had given command to bring the wounded and dead to Gondor, where they could be take care of, for the time being, until they were all strong enough to return to Rohan. The thought of home made him sigh longing, thinking about the Great Halls of Mandos. It would not be the same, without his uncle, without King Théoden to rule. The burden was now passed to him, with his sister at his side.
Eowyn...
The poor lass had been through so much lately, he had scarcely seen her smile. She had lost her heart to one who could not return her gentle love and she had lost far too many who where dear to her. Great times would return, and she would laugh once more, that he vowed to himself.
"Master of the Rohirrim, Master Éomer..."
There was only one who would call him that, the young King pondered, as he had been pulled out of his own thoughts so abruptly. In wonder he turned, staring at the Dwarf who stood there panting in front of him, trying to recollect his failing breathing.
"Gimli..?"
He had stopped using Master a while ago, when it became obvious they would spend many days together, among friends there were no masters. In war there were only comrades, fellow warriors, the one who would watch your back and keep you alive.
"The Elf...He...Wounded....To Gondor...."
Little he could make of the small beings rambling, though the finger pointed to the West told him more, enough to understand what was being asked of him. A small distance away he could see Aragorn with what he assumed were the Hobbits. Where Aragorn was, there would also be the Elf; it seemed the fair blonde Warrior left his friend's side on a few occasions. To not see him told him all, he had been felled.
"Brego, Arod! ." He called, whistling for the horses. They would have to be in Gondor fast. He only gave Gimli a glance, as he was upon his own horse's back fast, lifting the Dwarf up so he could sit behind him. There was little time for unneeded talk. Instead he turned to his Captain.
"Gamling! Take your horse and follow me, I am in need of your aid."
At the nod of the man Éomer hastened to where the others stood, worry upon their faces, as he could see why. Seated upon his horse he looked down at the Elf, seeing the blood and other injuries. It was strange seeing him with his eyes closed, lying there without his bow or white knives. He knew the fair beings were indeed ageless, though they could die, he had seen the many corpses at Helm's Deep, which had pained him deeply, to know even such beauty could fade as well.
"Aragorn, I will accompany you to Gondor, along with the rest of the Fellowship."
As it was said, it was done. Carefully Legolas was picked up; all mindfull of the injuries as Éomer and Gamling handed him over into the Ranger's awaiting arms. The slender figure was hugged closely against the man's broad chest as he urged Brego into a steady run. The Horse master took the two little Hobbits as Gamling rode with Gimli. All could think about one thing, the figure lying motionless in Aragorn's arms.
~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~
Again I have to thank all reviewers for letting me know what they think. It's a great encouragement, and I can only praise you all.
Maki82 - It's okay, you hadn't realized when I posted it, lol. I hope to be staying this quick.
Star Stallion - Thank thank you, I'm sure in time Legolas will be perfectly fine, for now I fear he's not doing so well.
Silvertoekee - I'm glad o hear you aren't bored at all. Guilt is indeed a tricksy thing, it can haunt one for a long amount of time, and for Aragorn it won't be easy. Legolas will be hurting, good thing he's Elf that means speedy recovery.
Aislyn Crowdaughter - I'm very glad you like the way in which I write, I have to admit it's sometimes hard. I want to be as detailed as possible, but in scenes like I write you can't go on about the colour of one's eye or the way hair shines. I'm very happy I added just the right amount.
Deana - No, he didn't break his back, but all I can say is to not cheer to soon ;) I'm a very evil writer from time to time, and depending on my plotbunnies, things can get worse.
I love Legolas - Hehehe, let me guess, your favo character is Legolas? Indeed poor Leggy, and I'm not even done yet!
Patty - Thank you for your wonderful reviews, and that you like my kind of angst, I so love writing it! Actually they aren't too far from Gondor, the city is close to Mordor, that's why it was attacked in the first place. And the only one who can give the Elf the proper treatment is Lord Elrond, since Aragorn knows only the basics.
MelanyeBaggins - I caught that scene, definitely! It was such a wonderful moment, with lots of emotions and I can only be disappointed of how little is shown in the movie, they could have explored it much more. It portrays the friendship between them, but I felt I could do much more with it. And you're welcome for the muse ;)
MoroTheWolfGod - I'm glad to see you again, you have reviewed other stories of mine as well, always fun to see regular faces, thanks!
Starlit Hope - Thank you!