Chapter 10: Saving Grace
For Imrahil and the knights the Rohirrim were a welcome site. They had a similar combat style as they fought mounted on grand steeds. Soldiers of Gondor quickly chased the enemy from the courtyard of the City of Kings and started to file into the battle on the fields outside the walls. Gandalf told Imrahil that there was an urgent matter he had to attend to at the citadel and left the prince to command the men in Gondor by himself. Imrahil ordered the charge and he and his knights sprang forward and into the painful world of combat.
The screams of the men, the wails of the injured and dying, the sounds of battle would have frightened off those of lesser spirits, but the blood was Imrahil was warm and he would not show mercy to Orc, Southron or Easterling. This day he was going to vanquish them all from his homeland. Then he saw a brave captain of Rohan fighting off many foes, riding them over and he seemed undaunted and stood as if harm could not come to him. Imrahil's gaze was caught and not a moment too soon. "Watch out!" Screamed Imrahil as he quickly sped his horse toward the man.
The man looked over his shoulder and saw a man from Harad fall just before he was about to swing his sword across his neck.
"That was a close call for you my brave man," Imrahil said with relief. He had not known how long he has been in battle, but he already was taking deep breaths as if the air had been out of him for quite some time.
"Thank you, for they swarm like vermin over a farm field. Eomer, am I, Captain of Rohan, Nephew of Theoden." The startled man said, still looking around to not get caught off guard again.
"I am Imrahil, Prince of Dol Amroth, Captain of Gondor." Imrahil said admiring the younger man. Eomer had a look of a warrior and a noble bearing worthy of any soldier he had known.
"We shall charge together, may the horse and the swan fight as one." Imrahil said.
"Eorlingas, Forward." Eomer screamed to his eored as he brought some into line. Eomer gave a glance to Imrahil, and they charged together as many of the enemies fell in front of them. They saw that some of their riders were no longer with them after the completed their sweep. Such was war; there was no time to grieve. Just as the men caught their breath they heard horns.
The battle onwards as the knights of Rohan and Dol Amroth found themselves in a whirlwind of combat against Oliphaunts of Harad. Then there was a hush and like clouds parting to show the sky, the two men halted. "My lord, what is happening?" Eomer questioned himself out loud. Imrahil's eyes were fixed on this dark figure battling with a man over the fallen Theoden.
"That is my sister!" Eomer exclaimed in disbelief.
"There is no hope against the Lord of the Nazgul." Imrahil said sadly.
"If we help, we go to our doom, If we do nothing, she will go to her's" Imrahil said. He glanced at Eomer.
"We must save her." Just as the two men began to ride over there was a loud scream of pain from the enemy, and they Saw Eowyn slay the King of the Nazgul. She then fell, and appeared to have used her last breath sending the evil lord to his end.
"No!" Cried Eomer who quickly jumped from his horse, forgetting about the battle that was raging around him. Just then, Imrahil heard Theoden pronounce Eomer King, and he slipped from the world of men.
Eomer held his sister and sobbed over the fallen bodies of his family. He was now the new wearer of the crown of Rohan. Even as his men tried to comfort him, he sat on the ground and ordered Theoden and Eowyn to be removed from the field.
"They are lost, we are too late, thank you" Eomer whispered to Imrahil as he walked by. Following Eomer was a procession of men, bearing the bodies. Imrahil bowed his head as they walked. Then he sensed something from Eowyn, he smiled, cried, and yelled, "She lives!" The men stopped, Eomer dashed back to him. "Eomer, your sister still lives. Her arm is badly broken and she is suffering from the black breath. She can still be helped." Imrahil was excited, almost stuttering as he spoke.
"Take her to the houses of healing now." Imrahil said. "Yes, sir." Was the response and the men took her for the aid she so needed. Eomer, was grateful for this miracle, smiled through his tears and hugged Imrahil. Eomer than took off after the procession.
The Prince looked over the field, he had barely noticed that reinforcements had arrived from the river. He was looking over toward the ships that were now there and saw a site he had not expected to ever see A flag with a tree and stars.