One Ring 18 is here! Sorry I didn't update until now, but a couple
grades were slipping...enjoy!
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Aragorn's eyes clouded over. "I do not think it wise. The palantir is a dangerous tool, one that I too may be tempted to use."
"Perhaps it is time you use it. Reveal yourself." Usagi spoke softly, gazing imploringly at Aragorn. "Please, Aragorn."
Sighing, he nodded. Taking the palantir, wrapped in grey cloth, he placed it underneath his mail shirt. "Lady, pray, tell me why."
"Legolas and I must speak with you." She stated softly, in Elvish. "But now, we must be moving. We cann-"
A horrible screech cut Usagi off. Ducking down, Gandalf cried, "Nazgul!" As one, everyone dove to the ground. Covering his ears, Pippin didn't realize he was screaming until Merry began to shake his shoulders.
"Pippin! Pippin! The Nazgul is gone!" Looking around wildly, Pippin sagged forward, his breath ragged.
"We have been far too leisurely. You must make haste for Helm's Deep. I will ride ahead with Pippin. We shall go to Minas Tirith." Gandalf stated quietly. "Come. Whatever Legolas and Usagi need to say can be said while we ride."
********
It had taken less than five minutes for camp to be torn down and the riders mounted upon their horses. Usagi rode with Aragorn and Gimli was behind Legolas. Spurring their horses to a gallop, Usagi, Legolas, and Aragorn began to converse in Elvish.
"Fine! Leave me out of it!" Gimli grumbled good-naturedly.
"What bothers you?" Aragorn queried softly.
"Did Gandalf tell you of Usagi's plan?" Legolas asked. At Aragorn's nod, he continued. "I am willing to follow through, however, there is a mild complication..."
"Oh?"
"I think I am with child." Usagi stated, her head bowed in shame.
"Boromir, I presume. That does complicate things..." Aragorn whispered. "You should not be fighting at all, lady, let alone playing charades with the most powerful evil of this planet."
"But if it gives Frodo his chance and gives me my answers, I'll do almost anything!" Usagi cried impatiently.
"Now I don't know what's going on here," Gimli started. "But it seems like you should give the lady what she wants."
Before Legolas or Aragorn could respond, Eomer reined in his horse at Aragorn's right. "Lord Aragorn, there is a company of horses approaching! They have been riding hard and will come upon us at any time!"
Stopping his horse, Aragorn turned and dismounted. Usagi slid off of the horse as well. The Rohirrim formed a loose guard around Theoden, unnerved. Soon thereafter, the whinnies of horses could be heard. Twenty riders materialized out of the dark night and reined their horses in.
Eomer cried in a loud voice, "Who rides in Rohan?"
A silence followed; and then in the moonlight, a horseman could be seen dismounting and walking slowly forward. His hand showed white as he held it up, palm outward in token of peace; but the king's men gripped their weapons. He was tall, a dark standing shadow. Then his clear voice rang out.
"Rohan? Rohan did you say? That is a glad word. We seek that land in haste from long afar."
"You have found it." Eomer replied. "When you crossed the ford yonder you entered it. But it is the realm of Theoden King. None ride here save by his leave. Who are you? And what is your haste?"
"Halbarad Dunadan, Ranger of the North I am." The man cried. "We seek one Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and we heard that he was in Rohan."
"And you have found him also!" Aragorn stated, moving forward. "Halbarad! Of all joys, this is least expected! All is well. Here are some of my own kin from the far land where I dwelt. But why they come, and how many they be, Halbarad shall tell us."
"I have thirty with me." Halbarad stated. "That is all of our kindred that could be gathered in haste; but the brethren Elladan and Elrohir have ridden with us, desiring to go to war. We rode as swiftly as we might when your summons came, and have brought your horse, as well."
"But I did not summon you!" Aragorn stated, perplexed.
"Perhaps the wish to have your friends near drew them here. That is how I came to be here." Usagi stated quietly.
Aragorn nodded in understanding. Elrohir turned to Aragorn. "I bring word to you from my father: The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead."
"Let us speak no more of these things upon the open road." Elladan stated sharply.
"What is that you bear, kinsman?" Aragorn asked Halbarad, curiously.
Halbarad bore no spear, instead a tall staff as though it were a standard, wrapped shut with many ties. With curiosity, Usagi noticed that Elladan, too, bore an unusual staff of some sort.
"It is a gift that I bring you from the Lady of Rivendell." Halbarad replied. "She wrought it in secret, and long was the making. But she also sends word to you: The days now are short. Either our hope cometh, or all hopes end. Therefore I send thee what I have made for thee. Fare well, Elfstone!"
Aragorn replied, "Now I know what it is you bear! I bid you bear it a bit longer."
"And what do you carry, Elladan lord?" Usagi asked, switching to Elvish.
"Lady Galadriel bade me give this to you." Elladan stated softly. "She said a woman calling herself a hidden istari bade her to pass it on. I know not what purpose this weapon will serve you, but it is a fearsome sight."
"May I see it?" Usagi requested.
Wordlessly, Elladan unwrapped the top binding on the weapon. As the sheet fell away, Usagi gasped in surprise. The glaive of Saturn was held out to her.
"Lady?" Theoden asked, concerned.
Trembling, Usagi took the glaive into her hands. "Setsuna has learned of our intended deception, Aragorn. And she has given me the most dark weapon any of my senshi possess."
Nodding, Aragorn's face was grim. "Then it appears that we have no choice but to follow through in the end."
"Lord?"
"All shall be explained in the safety of Helm's Deep." Aragorn replied, mounting his horse, Brego.
********
The night was turning to a clear dawn when they rode up to the Hornburg. There, they dismounted and chose to rest while they took counsel. Merry fell asleep for several hours. However, as soon as the sun had broken free of the dawn, Legolas roused him.
"Come, Master Sluggard, and look at this place while you may!"
Nodding, Merry stood and began to walk with Gimli and Legolas. Usagi had gone to take counsel with Aragorn, Halbarad, Elladan, and Elrohir. As they walked, Legolas sighed. 'All the well-laid plans of Gandalf seem to fall in front of us...and now Usagi is aiding in a deception so dangerous that if it fails, Middle-Earth will fall farther than ever imagined.'
Sighing, he looked to the sky. Before his train of thought could continue, Merry and Gimli pulled him back into conversation.
*******
King Theoden gave the order to prepare to ride. But none could find Aragorn. "Let word be sent to the Lord Aragorn that the hour is nigh."
A little apart from the assembled Rohirrim, the Rangers sat, silent, in ordered company, armed with bow and spear and sword. They were clad in grey cloaks with the hoods drawn over their heads. There was no gleam of stone or gold, or any fair thing in their gear; nor did any rider bear any badge or token, save each cloak had a brooch of silver shaped like a rayed star pinned upon their left shoulder.
Presently, Eomer came from the gate, and with him was Aragorn and the others. Merry only noticed Aragorn. It seemed as if in one night, many years had fallen on his head. He was grim faced and weary looking.
"I am troubled in mind, lord." Aragorn spoke to Theoden. "I have labored long in though, and fear now that I must change the plans of myself and my company. We must go now to take the Paths of the Dead."
A murmur of apprehension went through the riders. "Lord Aragorn, I had hoped we could ride into battle together, but if you take the Paths of the Dead, I fear we shall never see you again!"
"That is the path I must take." Aragorn replied. "I do not intend to force any of you to come. However, if we wish to save Minas Tirith, we must gather more men."
Theoden sighed. "Very well, lord. I give you my leave." With that, he wheeled his steed, Snowmane, and gave the call to ride to Dunharrow.
********
For some time after Theoden had left, Aragorn sat in silence. Finally, Legolas came up to him.
"You are troubled, more so now than this morning. What has caused this change, Aragorn?"
"A struggle somewhat grimmer for my part than the battle of the Hornburg. I looked into the Stone of Orthanc, my friends. I fought with Sauron and revealed myself and Usagi."
"What?! Why would you do that?" Gimli cried.
"You have not heard of it, master dwarf," Usagi spoke softly. "But I have convinced the others to engage in a deception. We have told Sauron that I command Aragorn...and that I bear the Ring."
"WHAT?!?!"
********
How was it? I'll try to be better with updating, but it's HIGHLY UNLIKELY until the end of March. Have a good next month!!! PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!
********
Aragorn's eyes clouded over. "I do not think it wise. The palantir is a dangerous tool, one that I too may be tempted to use."
"Perhaps it is time you use it. Reveal yourself." Usagi spoke softly, gazing imploringly at Aragorn. "Please, Aragorn."
Sighing, he nodded. Taking the palantir, wrapped in grey cloth, he placed it underneath his mail shirt. "Lady, pray, tell me why."
"Legolas and I must speak with you." She stated softly, in Elvish. "But now, we must be moving. We cann-"
A horrible screech cut Usagi off. Ducking down, Gandalf cried, "Nazgul!" As one, everyone dove to the ground. Covering his ears, Pippin didn't realize he was screaming until Merry began to shake his shoulders.
"Pippin! Pippin! The Nazgul is gone!" Looking around wildly, Pippin sagged forward, his breath ragged.
"We have been far too leisurely. You must make haste for Helm's Deep. I will ride ahead with Pippin. We shall go to Minas Tirith." Gandalf stated quietly. "Come. Whatever Legolas and Usagi need to say can be said while we ride."
********
It had taken less than five minutes for camp to be torn down and the riders mounted upon their horses. Usagi rode with Aragorn and Gimli was behind Legolas. Spurring their horses to a gallop, Usagi, Legolas, and Aragorn began to converse in Elvish.
"Fine! Leave me out of it!" Gimli grumbled good-naturedly.
"What bothers you?" Aragorn queried softly.
"Did Gandalf tell you of Usagi's plan?" Legolas asked. At Aragorn's nod, he continued. "I am willing to follow through, however, there is a mild complication..."
"Oh?"
"I think I am with child." Usagi stated, her head bowed in shame.
"Boromir, I presume. That does complicate things..." Aragorn whispered. "You should not be fighting at all, lady, let alone playing charades with the most powerful evil of this planet."
"But if it gives Frodo his chance and gives me my answers, I'll do almost anything!" Usagi cried impatiently.
"Now I don't know what's going on here," Gimli started. "But it seems like you should give the lady what she wants."
Before Legolas or Aragorn could respond, Eomer reined in his horse at Aragorn's right. "Lord Aragorn, there is a company of horses approaching! They have been riding hard and will come upon us at any time!"
Stopping his horse, Aragorn turned and dismounted. Usagi slid off of the horse as well. The Rohirrim formed a loose guard around Theoden, unnerved. Soon thereafter, the whinnies of horses could be heard. Twenty riders materialized out of the dark night and reined their horses in.
Eomer cried in a loud voice, "Who rides in Rohan?"
A silence followed; and then in the moonlight, a horseman could be seen dismounting and walking slowly forward. His hand showed white as he held it up, palm outward in token of peace; but the king's men gripped their weapons. He was tall, a dark standing shadow. Then his clear voice rang out.
"Rohan? Rohan did you say? That is a glad word. We seek that land in haste from long afar."
"You have found it." Eomer replied. "When you crossed the ford yonder you entered it. But it is the realm of Theoden King. None ride here save by his leave. Who are you? And what is your haste?"
"Halbarad Dunadan, Ranger of the North I am." The man cried. "We seek one Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and we heard that he was in Rohan."
"And you have found him also!" Aragorn stated, moving forward. "Halbarad! Of all joys, this is least expected! All is well. Here are some of my own kin from the far land where I dwelt. But why they come, and how many they be, Halbarad shall tell us."
"I have thirty with me." Halbarad stated. "That is all of our kindred that could be gathered in haste; but the brethren Elladan and Elrohir have ridden with us, desiring to go to war. We rode as swiftly as we might when your summons came, and have brought your horse, as well."
"But I did not summon you!" Aragorn stated, perplexed.
"Perhaps the wish to have your friends near drew them here. That is how I came to be here." Usagi stated quietly.
Aragorn nodded in understanding. Elrohir turned to Aragorn. "I bring word to you from my father: The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead."
"Let us speak no more of these things upon the open road." Elladan stated sharply.
"What is that you bear, kinsman?" Aragorn asked Halbarad, curiously.
Halbarad bore no spear, instead a tall staff as though it were a standard, wrapped shut with many ties. With curiosity, Usagi noticed that Elladan, too, bore an unusual staff of some sort.
"It is a gift that I bring you from the Lady of Rivendell." Halbarad replied. "She wrought it in secret, and long was the making. But she also sends word to you: The days now are short. Either our hope cometh, or all hopes end. Therefore I send thee what I have made for thee. Fare well, Elfstone!"
Aragorn replied, "Now I know what it is you bear! I bid you bear it a bit longer."
"And what do you carry, Elladan lord?" Usagi asked, switching to Elvish.
"Lady Galadriel bade me give this to you." Elladan stated softly. "She said a woman calling herself a hidden istari bade her to pass it on. I know not what purpose this weapon will serve you, but it is a fearsome sight."
"May I see it?" Usagi requested.
Wordlessly, Elladan unwrapped the top binding on the weapon. As the sheet fell away, Usagi gasped in surprise. The glaive of Saturn was held out to her.
"Lady?" Theoden asked, concerned.
Trembling, Usagi took the glaive into her hands. "Setsuna has learned of our intended deception, Aragorn. And she has given me the most dark weapon any of my senshi possess."
Nodding, Aragorn's face was grim. "Then it appears that we have no choice but to follow through in the end."
"Lord?"
"All shall be explained in the safety of Helm's Deep." Aragorn replied, mounting his horse, Brego.
********
The night was turning to a clear dawn when they rode up to the Hornburg. There, they dismounted and chose to rest while they took counsel. Merry fell asleep for several hours. However, as soon as the sun had broken free of the dawn, Legolas roused him.
"Come, Master Sluggard, and look at this place while you may!"
Nodding, Merry stood and began to walk with Gimli and Legolas. Usagi had gone to take counsel with Aragorn, Halbarad, Elladan, and Elrohir. As they walked, Legolas sighed. 'All the well-laid plans of Gandalf seem to fall in front of us...and now Usagi is aiding in a deception so dangerous that if it fails, Middle-Earth will fall farther than ever imagined.'
Sighing, he looked to the sky. Before his train of thought could continue, Merry and Gimli pulled him back into conversation.
*******
King Theoden gave the order to prepare to ride. But none could find Aragorn. "Let word be sent to the Lord Aragorn that the hour is nigh."
A little apart from the assembled Rohirrim, the Rangers sat, silent, in ordered company, armed with bow and spear and sword. They were clad in grey cloaks with the hoods drawn over their heads. There was no gleam of stone or gold, or any fair thing in their gear; nor did any rider bear any badge or token, save each cloak had a brooch of silver shaped like a rayed star pinned upon their left shoulder.
Presently, Eomer came from the gate, and with him was Aragorn and the others. Merry only noticed Aragorn. It seemed as if in one night, many years had fallen on his head. He was grim faced and weary looking.
"I am troubled in mind, lord." Aragorn spoke to Theoden. "I have labored long in though, and fear now that I must change the plans of myself and my company. We must go now to take the Paths of the Dead."
A murmur of apprehension went through the riders. "Lord Aragorn, I had hoped we could ride into battle together, but if you take the Paths of the Dead, I fear we shall never see you again!"
"That is the path I must take." Aragorn replied. "I do not intend to force any of you to come. However, if we wish to save Minas Tirith, we must gather more men."
Theoden sighed. "Very well, lord. I give you my leave." With that, he wheeled his steed, Snowmane, and gave the call to ride to Dunharrow.
********
For some time after Theoden had left, Aragorn sat in silence. Finally, Legolas came up to him.
"You are troubled, more so now than this morning. What has caused this change, Aragorn?"
"A struggle somewhat grimmer for my part than the battle of the Hornburg. I looked into the Stone of Orthanc, my friends. I fought with Sauron and revealed myself and Usagi."
"What?! Why would you do that?" Gimli cried.
"You have not heard of it, master dwarf," Usagi spoke softly. "But I have convinced the others to engage in a deception. We have told Sauron that I command Aragorn...and that I bear the Ring."
"WHAT?!?!"
********
How was it? I'll try to be better with updating, but it's HIGHLY UNLIKELY until the end of March. Have a good next month!!! PLEASE REVIEW!!!!!!!