Did I really volunteer for this field trip? God, I really am crazy.
It has been a boring couple of days, mostly spent tending the wounded with Eowyn and worrying. I do a lot of the last one. Somebody has to.
Now, however, lunch with Gimli. Always something to be appreciated. He tells some of the funniest stories.
We both look up as Aragorn comes bursting into the Hall, panting and out of breath. "The Beacons of Minas Tirith! The Beacons are lit!" He looks at King Théoden, a pleading look on his face. "Gondor calls for aid."
Gimli and I exchange a glance. OK, Théoden, King, time to prove you're not an idiot.
"And Rohan shall answer!" Théoden calls out. "Muster the Rohirrim. Gather the army at Dunharrow. You have two days. On the third, we march for Gondor. And war."
Eomer smiles grimly. "Yes, my Lord." He bows, and turns away.
I sigh. "I hate riding."
Gimli chuckles. "Ye've fallen in important times, lass."
"Ugh. Remind me why I ever wanted to do this?"
"Oooh, see the countryside, meet a few people, save the world. What's not to love?" And the Dwarf smirks at me.
I stick my tongue out. "Easy for you to say. You don't have to put up with the LOOKS." I roll my eyes. "Oooh, who would arm a WOMAN?"
He snorts. "Like bein' shaped different means ye can't gut an orc. Dwarf women battle beside the menfolk. So do Elven women."
"So it IS just Men," I reply. "I knew we were behind on SOMETHING."
~
Ah, camp. On a slightly bigger scale than I'm used to, granted, but it's still a familiar process.
"We should've went somewhere else," I mutter.
"Where?" Legolas asks, looking amused.
I nod toward the entrance to the passage. "Wherever that ISN'T." I shiver and try to keep Hershey off my feet. "It's creepy."
I see Eowyn come out of her tent, smiling, shepherding Merry in front of her. "To the smithy with you! Go!"
"You should not encourage him," Eomer says from the fireside.
Eowyn turns and glares at him. "Why should Merry be left behind? He has as much cause to fight as you!"
"More, probably," I mutter, and Legolas elbows me.
"Hush."
"Why can he not fight for those he loves?" Eowyn looks wistful now, and it's directed at Aragorn.
"I do not doubt his heart. I doubt the reach of his arm," Eomer says, and Gamling laughs.
I make a disgusted face. "You're an incredible jackass, did you know that?"
"Kayli!"
I turn and glare at him. "Truth hurts."
"Well, I see some things have not changed," says a familiar voice behind me.
Legolas glances over my shoulder and makes a face. "I was hoping you two wouldn't make it."
I spin around, looking directly into Elladan's smirking face.
I let out a distinctly girlie squeak and throw my arms around him. "Oooh! I've missed you guys!"
Elladan laughs and wraps his arms around my waist, lifting me up easily. "No fear, with us joining you, surely we shall defeat the hordes of Mordor! And still be home in time for dinner."
I make a face at him and go to hug Elrohir.
"Can you be serious for a moment? Or shall I direct my questions at your brother?" Legolas giving Elladan a look that's not quite friendly.
Elladan heaves a great big sigh. "Well, I suppose, your Exalted Highness."
"Can you be serious for two seconds, 'Dan?" Elrohir snaps.
I frown at him. Elrohir isn't usually this short-tempered. "What's wrong? Why are you guys here?"
"We rode in with thirty Rangers of the North, and Father, oddly enough." The twins exchange a long glance, then turn back almost simultaneously. It's so creepy.
"Arwen's dying," Elrohir whispers.
There's a long moment of silence. I take a deep breath. "OK, how?"
Elrohir shrugs helplessly. Elladan glares.
"She has chosen a mortal life," Elrohir says softly. "Somehow...the Shadow drains her energy. Drains her life."
Legolas breaths something that is either a curse or a prayer.
"So what do we do?"
Elladan nods towards the passage under the mountain. "We must follow the Paths of the Dead. The Oathbreakers under the Mountain will answer only to a King."
I wave that off. "That's OK. We brought on of those. What else?"
"She's so blasé about it," Elrohir murmurs.
Elladan shrugs it off. "We ride for Gondor. We destroy the armies of Sauron, destroy the Ring, save the world, and hopefully be home in time for dinner."
Elrohir rolls his eyes.
"You make it sound so easy," Legolas says dryly.
Ok, even I was skeptical about THAT one. "Somehow I don't think it's gonna be that simple. Kudos for effort, though."
Elladan makes a face. "I was afraid you were going to think so."
~
We all wait patiently for Aragorn on the path. He's coming, looking concerned. He looks at us, then at the Twins, and shakes his head. "Not this time, my friends."
I look at Gimli. "Do you wanna tell him, or should I?"
He grins at me. "Get used to the idea, laddie. We're coming with you."
Aragorn opens his mouth to argue. "Do you know nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves?" Legolas interrupts smoothly.
He shakes his head. "There is no point in arguing then, for the stubbornness of the Dwarves is equal to that of Men and Elves as well."
Men and Elves? What am I, chopped liver?
We ride out.
~
Fuck. Is it just me, or is it cold out here?
We're standing outside the entrance to the Paths of the Dead.
"The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut."
I make a face. "So...do we go around, or what?"
Legolas shakes his head. "No, this is the way."
I nod. "OK."
It just had to be another fucking cave, didn't it. I HATE caves.
A sudden breeze blows through. Well, more like a gale force wind. It carries some really fucking creepy noise with it. The horses bolt.
"The cries of the dead," Elrohir whispers.
Aragorn glares at the door, like it went out of its way to offend him. "I do not fear death," he declares, and strides in.
The twins exchange a glance, shrug, and follow.
OK, you know, I don't exactly fear death, but I really don't like caves.
Legolas takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, then walks in.
Gimli and I exchange a glance.
"I'll never hear the end of it," he mutters, and walks in. I follow.
We stumble in the dark for a few minutes. "Who enters my domain?" asks a deep, creepy voice.
"One who will have your allegiance," Aragorn says firmly.
OK, do we really WANT their allegiance? They seriously creep me out.
"The dead do not suffer the living to pass," the head dead guy says.
"You will suffer me," Aragorn snaps back.
Are we sure suffer is really the word we want to be using under these circumstances?
The King of the Dead approaches slowly. "The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead. And the dead keep it. The way is shut. Now you must die."
I make a face. Dream on, Casper.
"I summon you to fulfill your oath!"
"None but the King of Gondor may command me!" The King of the Dead hollers back.
Oooh, boy is he in for a surprise.
The King of the Dead swings his sword around. I feel the others tense around me. Aragorn brings up Anduril for the block.
"That blade was broken," the King gasps.
"It has been remade," Aragorn says firmly. He brings Anduril down and takes a step back. "Fight with us and regain your honor! What say you?" He turns, looks at the ring of Dead surrounding us. "What say you?"
"You waste your time," Gimli says, superbly disdainful. Like our lives AREN'T in the hands of a bunch of glorified Halloween decorations. "They had no honor in life, they have none in death."
"I am Isildur's Heir. Fight for me and I shall hold your oath fulfilled!" He circles the King.
"What say you?"
TBC...
It has been a boring couple of days, mostly spent tending the wounded with Eowyn and worrying. I do a lot of the last one. Somebody has to.
Now, however, lunch with Gimli. Always something to be appreciated. He tells some of the funniest stories.
We both look up as Aragorn comes bursting into the Hall, panting and out of breath. "The Beacons of Minas Tirith! The Beacons are lit!" He looks at King Théoden, a pleading look on his face. "Gondor calls for aid."
Gimli and I exchange a glance. OK, Théoden, King, time to prove you're not an idiot.
"And Rohan shall answer!" Théoden calls out. "Muster the Rohirrim. Gather the army at Dunharrow. You have two days. On the third, we march for Gondor. And war."
Eomer smiles grimly. "Yes, my Lord." He bows, and turns away.
I sigh. "I hate riding."
Gimli chuckles. "Ye've fallen in important times, lass."
"Ugh. Remind me why I ever wanted to do this?"
"Oooh, see the countryside, meet a few people, save the world. What's not to love?" And the Dwarf smirks at me.
I stick my tongue out. "Easy for you to say. You don't have to put up with the LOOKS." I roll my eyes. "Oooh, who would arm a WOMAN?"
He snorts. "Like bein' shaped different means ye can't gut an orc. Dwarf women battle beside the menfolk. So do Elven women."
"So it IS just Men," I reply. "I knew we were behind on SOMETHING."
~
Ah, camp. On a slightly bigger scale than I'm used to, granted, but it's still a familiar process.
"We should've went somewhere else," I mutter.
"Where?" Legolas asks, looking amused.
I nod toward the entrance to the passage. "Wherever that ISN'T." I shiver and try to keep Hershey off my feet. "It's creepy."
I see Eowyn come out of her tent, smiling, shepherding Merry in front of her. "To the smithy with you! Go!"
"You should not encourage him," Eomer says from the fireside.
Eowyn turns and glares at him. "Why should Merry be left behind? He has as much cause to fight as you!"
"More, probably," I mutter, and Legolas elbows me.
"Hush."
"Why can he not fight for those he loves?" Eowyn looks wistful now, and it's directed at Aragorn.
"I do not doubt his heart. I doubt the reach of his arm," Eomer says, and Gamling laughs.
I make a disgusted face. "You're an incredible jackass, did you know that?"
"Kayli!"
I turn and glare at him. "Truth hurts."
"Well, I see some things have not changed," says a familiar voice behind me.
Legolas glances over my shoulder and makes a face. "I was hoping you two wouldn't make it."
I spin around, looking directly into Elladan's smirking face.
I let out a distinctly girlie squeak and throw my arms around him. "Oooh! I've missed you guys!"
Elladan laughs and wraps his arms around my waist, lifting me up easily. "No fear, with us joining you, surely we shall defeat the hordes of Mordor! And still be home in time for dinner."
I make a face at him and go to hug Elrohir.
"Can you be serious for a moment? Or shall I direct my questions at your brother?" Legolas giving Elladan a look that's not quite friendly.
Elladan heaves a great big sigh. "Well, I suppose, your Exalted Highness."
"Can you be serious for two seconds, 'Dan?" Elrohir snaps.
I frown at him. Elrohir isn't usually this short-tempered. "What's wrong? Why are you guys here?"
"We rode in with thirty Rangers of the North, and Father, oddly enough." The twins exchange a long glance, then turn back almost simultaneously. It's so creepy.
"Arwen's dying," Elrohir whispers.
There's a long moment of silence. I take a deep breath. "OK, how?"
Elrohir shrugs helplessly. Elladan glares.
"She has chosen a mortal life," Elrohir says softly. "Somehow...the Shadow drains her energy. Drains her life."
Legolas breaths something that is either a curse or a prayer.
"So what do we do?"
Elladan nods towards the passage under the mountain. "We must follow the Paths of the Dead. The Oathbreakers under the Mountain will answer only to a King."
I wave that off. "That's OK. We brought on of those. What else?"
"She's so blasé about it," Elrohir murmurs.
Elladan shrugs it off. "We ride for Gondor. We destroy the armies of Sauron, destroy the Ring, save the world, and hopefully be home in time for dinner."
Elrohir rolls his eyes.
"You make it sound so easy," Legolas says dryly.
Ok, even I was skeptical about THAT one. "Somehow I don't think it's gonna be that simple. Kudos for effort, though."
Elladan makes a face. "I was afraid you were going to think so."
~
We all wait patiently for Aragorn on the path. He's coming, looking concerned. He looks at us, then at the Twins, and shakes his head. "Not this time, my friends."
I look at Gimli. "Do you wanna tell him, or should I?"
He grins at me. "Get used to the idea, laddie. We're coming with you."
Aragorn opens his mouth to argue. "Do you know nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves?" Legolas interrupts smoothly.
He shakes his head. "There is no point in arguing then, for the stubbornness of the Dwarves is equal to that of Men and Elves as well."
Men and Elves? What am I, chopped liver?
We ride out.
~
Fuck. Is it just me, or is it cold out here?
We're standing outside the entrance to the Paths of the Dead.
"The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut."
I make a face. "So...do we go around, or what?"
Legolas shakes his head. "No, this is the way."
I nod. "OK."
It just had to be another fucking cave, didn't it. I HATE caves.
A sudden breeze blows through. Well, more like a gale force wind. It carries some really fucking creepy noise with it. The horses bolt.
"The cries of the dead," Elrohir whispers.
Aragorn glares at the door, like it went out of its way to offend him. "I do not fear death," he declares, and strides in.
The twins exchange a glance, shrug, and follow.
OK, you know, I don't exactly fear death, but I really don't like caves.
Legolas takes a deep breath, closes his eyes, then walks in.
Gimli and I exchange a glance.
"I'll never hear the end of it," he mutters, and walks in. I follow.
We stumble in the dark for a few minutes. "Who enters my domain?" asks a deep, creepy voice.
"One who will have your allegiance," Aragorn says firmly.
OK, do we really WANT their allegiance? They seriously creep me out.
"The dead do not suffer the living to pass," the head dead guy says.
"You will suffer me," Aragorn snaps back.
Are we sure suffer is really the word we want to be using under these circumstances?
The King of the Dead approaches slowly. "The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead. And the dead keep it. The way is shut. Now you must die."
I make a face. Dream on, Casper.
"I summon you to fulfill your oath!"
"None but the King of Gondor may command me!" The King of the Dead hollers back.
Oooh, boy is he in for a surprise.
The King of the Dead swings his sword around. I feel the others tense around me. Aragorn brings up Anduril for the block.
"That blade was broken," the King gasps.
"It has been remade," Aragorn says firmly. He brings Anduril down and takes a step back. "Fight with us and regain your honor! What say you?" He turns, looks at the ring of Dead surrounding us. "What say you?"
"You waste your time," Gimli says, superbly disdainful. Like our lives AREN'T in the hands of a bunch of glorified Halloween decorations. "They had no honor in life, they have none in death."
"I am Isildur's Heir. Fight for me and I shall hold your oath fulfilled!" He circles the King.
"What say you?"
TBC...