Captured in a Dream
Chapter 28
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Last Chapter:
"Oh, before we forge, I think Gandalf, Aragorn, or Legolas should help somebody who was in the dungeons of Isengard for 20 years."
Everyone stares at Pippin shocked.
"Who is this person?" Gandalf asks curiously.
"He said his name is Damon." Pippin says slowly, seeing the reactions Alejandra and Alejandro had. "Damon Soria."
"No!" Alejandra whispered, shaking her head. "You're kidding?"
The two Hobbit's shake their head.
"No, my lady. He is still asleep inside the storeroom, if you like to see him."
"We shall. But first, lets go talk to Treebeard." Gandalf says, as he rides forward. He takes Merry, as Aragorn takes Pippin and ride inside towards Treebeard.
-
-
"Young Master Gandalf. I'm glad you've come." Treebeard says, smiling down at him and the group. "Wood and water, stock and stone, I can master. But there is a wizard to manage here, locked in his tower."
Aragorn looks up and whispers. "Show yourself."
"Be careful. Even in defeat, Saruman is dangerous." Gandalf warns them, also looking up at the black tower.
"Well, let's just have his head and be done with it." Gimli said impatiently.
"No. We need him alive. WE need him to talk." Gandalf told him sharply.
"You have fought many wars and slain many men, Theoden King. And made peace afterwards."
Everyone looks up to see Saruman walking to the edge of the tower at the very top. Saruman leaned against his black staff, looking down at them.
"Can we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?"
"We shall have peace." Theoden said in a low voice.
Aragorn, Alejandra, and Alejandro looked at the king sharply.
Theoden then said louder. "We shall have peace when you answer for the burning of the Westfold and the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace when the lives of the soldiers whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of Hornburg, are avenged! When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace."
Aragorn and the cousins look up to Saruman.
"Gibbets and crows? Dotard! What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame?' Let me guess, The Key of Orthanc. Or perhaps the Keys of Barad-dur itself, along with the crowns of seven Kings and the rods of the Five Wizards!" Saruman's questions were more of statements.
"Your treachery has already cost many lives. Thousands more are now at risk. But you could save them, Sarumna. You were deep in the enemy's counsel!" Alejandra yelled, anger rising inside her that she couldn't stop herself from saying Gandalf's line.
Saruman looked at Alejandra carefully. "So Gandalf have came here for information. But you should know, Alejandra! Since you are not from this world, or any other but your own!" Alejandra took in a deep breath. "I have some information for you."
Saruman takes out the Palantir from inside his left arm and put it in front of him. The cousins and Gandalf all looked at him in alarm.
"Something festers in the heart of Middle-earth. Something that you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it." Saruman puts it back inside his left arm. "But you already knew this, correct Alejandra? Even now he presses his advantage." Saruman went on, not letting Alejandra answer. "His attacks will come soon." Gandalf urges Shadowfax forward. "You're all going to die. But you both know this, don't you Gandalf, Alejandra? You cannot think that this Ranger," Saruman spit out the word. "Will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned king. Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice these closest to him, those he professes to love. Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the Halflings before you sent him to his doom? The path that you have set him on can only lead to death."
"I've heard enough! Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob." Gimli growls.
Legolas reaches for an arrow but Gandalf stops him. "No. Come down, Saruman, and your life will be speared."
"Save you pity and your mercy. I have no use for it!" Saruman yelled, as he throws a fire ball down at Gandalf, who is quickly covered in it.
The rest of the group backs up a bit, shielding their eyes.
"Saruman," Gandalf speaks, the fire gone, and Saruman surprise. "Your staff is broken!"
Saruman's staff breaks in his hand. Grima then walks forward, looking to the bottom. Theoden sees him and speaks up.
"Grima, you need not follow him. You wee not always as you are now. You were once a Man of Rohan." Grima gets teary eye.
"A Man of Rohan?" Grima looks at Saruman. "What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs?"
Eomer glares at Saruman, gripping the reins of his horse. Seeing this, Alejandra grabs his left fist, calming him down a bit.
"The victory at Helm's Deep does not belong to you, Theoden Horse-master. You are a lesser son of greater sires."
Grima looks down at Theoden. "Grima, come down. Be free of him."
"Free? He will never be free."
"No." Grima whispers, shaking his head.
Saruman turns to Grima. "Get down, cur!" Saruman backhanded him, making him fall to the floor.
"Saruman! You were deep in the enemy's counsel." Saruman turns back to Gandalf. "Tell us what you know!"
Grima takes out a dagger.
"You withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where your doom will be decided." Saruman growled.
"I will not be held prisoner here." Gandalf yells.
Just as he said that, Grima stands up quickly and stabs Saruman from the back. Legolas quickly takes out an arrow, notches it and let it go. Grima is hit by the arrow and falls back, as Saruman falls down and hits the wheel with spikes on it. Alejandra screams and turns her head to the side. Eomer held Alejandra as best as he could, saying soothing words to her.
"I'm gonna be sick." Alejandra breathe out, tears in her eyes.
"Send word to all our allies," Gandalf said, looking at Theoden. "And to every corner of Middle-earth that still stands free. The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike."
The wheel that Saruman landed started to move, taking Saruman below the water. When his hand moved to the side, the Palantir fell out of his arm and into the murky water. Alejandra had the feeling in her stomach that she knew something was about to happen.
"The filth of Saruman is washing away." Treebeard said, looking at the boots of Saruman into the water and disappearing. "Trees will come back to live here. Young trees. Wild trees."
The Palantir started to glow from beneath the water, getting Pippin's curiosity. Alejandro saw what was happening, and quickly got off Lighting, running towards the Palantir before Pippin could get off from behind Aragorn. Everyone, but Alejandra, who still had her head turned, who seen this looked confused at Alejandro, as he took off his cloak. He then dropped it on top of the glowing Palantir, and picked it up, wrapping it at the same time. Gandalf rode up to him, as Alejandro turned and handed it to him, looking over to Pippin who still looked curious at the round, covered Palantir.
"Thank you my lad." Gandalf said, getting Alejandro's attention away from Pippin.
Alejandro nods and hands the Palantir to Gandalf.
"Now," Gandalf turns Shadowfax around, facing the company he rode with. "Let us see this Damon."
Merry, who was riding with Alejandra, pointed towards the storeroom. "He is awake."
Everyone turned to see Damon shielding his eyes from the sun, at the door entrance. His hair was pulled back, and was now beardless. Her wore a long white shirt that stopped at his thighs, and brown breeches, along with black boots that reached his knees. He scanned around the area in front of him, then turned to the right, seeing everyone looking at him.
Alejandra and Alejandro looked at each other and urged their horses towards Damon, wanting to question him and his past. Gandalf turned to Treebeard.
"Is there an extra horse we can have?"
Treebeard nodded and walked away.
-
–Osgiliath–
Faramir walks back to the spot where he left Ailish, only to find her not there. He walked up to the couple of his men who were trying to shoot down the Nazgul that was still roaming around ahead.
"Where is the woman?"
His men looked to his captain, shrugging. But a young man, about the same age as Faramir walkedd up to him, looking around.
"Captain, he ordered your men to take her away. I saw them dragging her towards the ruin tower in the middle of the city." He pointed towards the ruin tower, were a few people were getting closer to the steps.
Faramir looked at the direction he was pointing and saw a few figures walking towards the tower not too far away. Faramir nodded his thanks and started running towards them.
–Ailish–
Ailish continued to struggle with the hold the two men of Gondor had on her arms. "Let me go, you assholes!"
One of the men stopped and turned her around, smacking her across the face. Ailish fell to the floor, tasting the blood in her mouth.
"You remember you place woman!"
Ailish touched her now bruised left cheek. "What is it with you men and hitting women!" Ailish whispered, as she was roughly picked up.
They started dragging her up the stairs once more, only to have a Nazgul hit the top of the building, the ruins falling straight for them. The men threw Ailish to the steps, as they threw themselves away. Faramir ran as fast as he can towards Ailish, who rolled to the side just as the ruins fell to the steps, some pieces falling on to the Ailish. Faramir slid on some broken rocks but quickly kneeled next to Ailish, throwing aside the broken pieces.
"Are you all right My lady?" Faramir asked, taking Ailish's face in both of his hands.
Ailish coughed a couple of times, "I've had better."
"Come, I must take you away from here." Faramir helped Ailish up and they started running towards the entrance of Osgiliath.
As they reached the entrance, Faramir pushed Ailish against a wall, pressing himself against her as a Nazgul flew over them. Faramir backed up and took her wrists. He took out a small dagger and cut the ropes. Ailish blushed, and looked down, rubbing her wrists.
"Thank you."
Faramir nodded, smiling down at her for her shyness. "You are free to leave."
Ailish nodded, smiling. She looked up and but her thumb and forefinger to her mouth, whistling. Faramir raised a curious and confused eyebrow.
Seeing this Ailish answered his confusion and curiosity. "My horsed follows my scent, wherever I'm at. She will always be nearby."
They both turned to hear a horse neighing in the distance. Faramir say a pure white horse galloping towards them. Mariposa soon slowed to a slow pace and stopped in front of her master. Ailish looked at Faramir, bowing her head.
"Thank you, my lord, for everything."
Faramir turned his attention away from the horse in front of him, to the young woman next to him.
"Please, call me Faramir."
Ailish smiled, "and you may call me Ailish."
Ailish walked next to her horse, as Faramir grabbed the reins. Ailish hoisted herself on to the saddle, looking down at Faramir, leaning down.
"We will meet again, Faramir."
"And I'll be waiting." Faramir whispered, looking at her lips.
Ailish smiled and kissed him. Though, she pulled back before it could go any further and looked away blushing. She kicked Mariposa and rode away from Osgiliath, towards Rohan.
"Your father will disapprove of this."
Faramir turned to see the old man. "I do not care! And next time, any hostage of mine, you leave alone!"
Faramir walked past the older man, who glared at the figure riding away.
-
It took the group two days to ride back to Rohan, and during this time the cousins got to know Damon at lot better. As soon as they reached Rohan, the villagers cheered and greeted the group. And that night, the villagers were up in the hall, all sitting down in long benches, cups of ale in their hands. Eowyn walked up to her uncle, who was standing in front of his throne chair, Eomer behind and to the left of him. Eowyn bows her head, rising a gold up to Theoden, who gratefully takes the cup. Eowyn stands up straight and walks behind her uncle and to the right.
Aragorn, along with other Men and the Elves who, on the request of Theoden, joined the Men back to Rohan, stood up, waiting for Theoden to speak.
"Tonight, we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead." Theoden raises his cup.
"Hail!" Everyone said in unison, and raise their cups.
They all put the cups to their lips and drink, except for Aragorn, who hesitates a moment and drinks.
-
Men, women, and Elves talk loudly to hear one another, eat, drink, and laugh at anything to loosen the tension. At the far back, Eomer, Legolas, Gimli, and a few men stood around a table, which Gimli sat at. Alejandra stood a few feet away, leaning against a pillar. She smiled at the scene in front of her, feeling bad for Legolas.
Eomer hands Legolas a cup of ale. "No pauses." He says, filling up another cup and handing it to Gimli, "No spills."
"And no regurgitation." Gimli said, looking hungrily at the ale.
"So it's a drinking game?" Legolas asks confused.
"Last one standing wins." Gimli tells him, Men around them cheering.
Legolas looks around them confused, then down to the ale.
"What'll we drink to?" A man asks, looking around.
Another man raised his cup and said, "Lets drink to victory!"
"Victory!" The men around yelled.
Legolas smells the ale, as Gimli drinks his. Slowly, the Mirkwood Prince brings the cup to his lips and drinks the ale slowly. He scrunches his nose but still downs the ale. At the back, Alejandra chuckles to herself, shaking her head.
'Poor Legolas. He looks so confused.'
-
Towards the middle of the throne room, Eowyn walks towards Alejandro, who was talking with a few men. When Alejandro turned around to get some more ale, he walks to meet Eowyn, who says a few words in Rohirrim, handing him the cup. Alejandro nods his head, taking the cup. He takes a sip and hands it back, Eowyn smiling, nodding her head. Damon then walks next to Alejandro, speaking in his ear. Alejandro looks to Eowyn apologetic, who just nods in understanding.
Theoden walks forward, looking after Alejandro's retreating back, then back to his niece.
"I am happy for you." Eowyn smiles and looks down. "He is an honorable man."
"You are both honorable Men." Eowyn tells him, looking at his tired face.
"It was not Theoden of Rohan who led our people to victory." Eowyn notice Theoden sadden, and losses her smile. "Don't listen to me. You are young. And tonight is for you."
-
Gimli continued to drink, at least over two dozen cups on the table in front of him. Both Legolas and Gimli gulp down their ale and get another from Eomer. Eomer continues to fill another cup, looking over to Gimli. He hands the cup to the very drunk dwarf.
"Here, here!" Gimli takes the cup greedily.
Legolas finishes his ale, as Gimli starts to talk with a bit of a slurred.
"It's the Dwarves that go swimming with little, hairy women." Gimli burps, and grabs another cup.
Legolas looks at his fingers, frowning. "I feel something."
By now, Eomer has stopped filling cups and was leaning against the barrel, looking over at the Elf in front of him, eyebrows raise.
"A slight tingle in my fingers." Legolas looks up at Eomer, then to Gimli. "I think it's affecting me." Legolas said in bit of alarm.
Gimli puts his cup down and looks at Legolas. "What did I say? He can't hold his liquor!" Gimli gets crossed eye and tips back, falling to the floor.
Legolas looks at him in a bit of a daze, then to Eomer. "Game over."
Alejandra laughs at this, and looks down, hoping they didn't hear her. Though when she looked back up, she saw Legolas and Eomer looking over to her, only making her laugh even harder, putting an arm around her stomach. Eomer smiles and starts to walk towards Alejandra, patting Legolas on the arm on the way. Legolas looks at Eomer jealously, but ignores it and walks away. Alejandra calms down a bit, looking at Eomer stop right in front of her.
"What is a lady doing standing all by her self?"
Alejandra rolls her eyes. "I've heard better, my lord."
"Do you not remember I said to call me Eomer?"
Alejandra smiled, "yes. I was just merely respecting the ways of how one should call another if they are below them."
Eomer took a step closer so that their bodies almost touched and Alejandra had to look up at him.
"But I do not see no one in front of me who is below me." Eomer whispered, looking into her honey eyes.
Alejandra's heart was racing faster and faster then ever, but stayed calmed in the outside.
"And what do you see in front of you, Eomer?" Alejandra whispered back, wishing her body listened to her brain and take a step back.
Eomer lowers his head and whispers into her ear. "I see a beautiful woman who is outspoken, and as strong as any man I ever seen."
Eomer tilts his head, just as Alejandra does, both looking at each other for a moment. Forgetting everyone around them. They stood their for a while, no one saying anything. Finally, Eomer brakes the silence.
"And you, Alejandra? What do you see in front of you."
Alejandra smiles, "I see a man who is strong, tempered, arrogant, stubborn," Eomer loses his smile, staring at Alejandra. "And handsome, and sweet." She whispers, quickly kissing Eomer on the lips.
Eomer was taken back, and wasn't able to get out of his shock quick enough when Alejandra walked away, smiling like a school girl. Eomer smirks, looking after Alejandra who disappears into the crowd.
-
Towards the entrance, Merry and Pippin were dancing up on a table, singing at the same time. They held their cups, while kicking empty cups off the table.
"Oh, you can search far and wide,
You can drink the whole town dry,
But you'll never find a beer so brown,
But you'll never find a beer so brown,"
The two Hobbits link their arms together and start to go in a circle. Then face each other.
"As the one we drink in our hometown,
As the one we drink in our hometown,
You can drink your fancy ales,
You can drink 'em by the flag on,"
Everyone who was watching the two cousins laugh and cheers, as Gandalf, who was to the side, chuckled, clamping.
"But the only brew for the brave and true,"
Pippins turns around and looks directly at Gandalf, who looks at him confused.
"Pippin!" Merry whispers/yells.
Pippin turns and at the same time, they finish the song.
"But the only brew for the brave and true,
Comes from The Green Dragon."
The Hobbits hit their cups and drink it all down, Men and Elves laughing and cheering.
"Thank you!" Merry yells. "I win!"
Aragorn stands next to Gandalf, "no news of Frodo?"
Gandalf loses his smile. "No word. Nothing."
"We have time. Everyday, Frodo moves closer to Mordor."
"Do we know that?"
"What does your heart tell you?"
Gandalf smiles. "That Frodo is alive. Yes. Yes, he's alive."
-
It took Ailish only a day to reach Eodras and was now running up the steps to the main hall. She quickly stopped at the front of a couple of guards, who were standing in front of the doors.
"State your business." One of them said.
"My name is Ailish Soria, and I am here to surprise Alejandra, Alejandro, and Saul."
The guards nodded, opening the door. Everyone in the room went silent, and looked over to the door. Ailish walked in, her eyes searching the room full of Men, Women, and Elves. The guests moved to the side, as she walked towards the middle.
"Ailish?"
Ailish smiled, as Alejandra stood on top of a bench. Alejandra jumped down, both girls running towards each other. They ran into a hug, screaming at the same time, same thing.
"You're alive! You're alive! You're alive!" The two women chanted.
Alejandra let Ailish go, only to have Ailish crushed into another hug by Alejandro. "I'm happy you're alive!"
Ailish got out of his embrace and looked to her two friends. "I'm glad you guys didn't get hurt in the battle of Helm's Deep."
The three of them then noticed everyone was staring at them.
"Why have you stopped celebrating." Ailish yelled, looking around.
Everyone cheered and went back to drinking, eating, talking, and laughing.
"How do you know of Helm's Deep and our victory, my lady?" The king asks, as he, Eowyn, Eomer, Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf, and Gimli walked towards them.
"I know all, my lord." Ailish told him, her eyes showing amusement. She then turned to look at Aragorn, smiling. "Glad to see you alive and well." Aragorn only looked confused at her. Ailish's smile only widen. "I know you were thrown off the cliff, while getting to the safety of Helm's Deep."
Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Eowyn stared at Ailish in amazement.
"How?"
Ailish interrupted Eowyn. "Like I've said: I know all."
The cousins tried to hold in their smiles, looking away.
"She does, indeed, know all." Gandalf said, shaking his head.
Ailish then just noticed that Saul was not around here. "Where is Saul? Don't tell me he was killed at the battle?"
The two cousins looked at each other, betrayal, and anger rising in their eyes, along with the rest of the group.
"Saul is a traitor." Alejandra whispered.
"He is with the enemy as we speak." Alejandro told her, fisting his fists.
Ailish shook her head. "I knew it."
"What?" The cousins yelled in surprise.
"I had a feeling a year before we have came here that Saul has sided with the enemy." Ailish took in a deep breath. "This event only confirms my suspicioned."
Everyone is quiet for a moment, when Merry walked up to the group.
"Ailish, we have a very nice surprise for you." Merry told her.
"Really? What is it?" Ailish asked, as she kneeled to their eye level.
Merry turned to Pippin who was walking towards them, leading someone towards them. Ailish stood up slowly, her mouth slightly open, tears in her eyes. She ran towards the man and jumped on him, hugging him around his neck.
"DAMON!" Ailish cried out.
Damon hugged her back, also crying. "Ailish!"
"I thought tu estabas merto!" Ailish gasped for air, hiccuping. (... You were dead!) "I couldn't get hiccup to hiccup to Ise- hiccup Isengard!"
"Shhh!" Damon rubbed her back. "I'm here. Don't worry, I won't leave you anymore." Damon let his sister go, and held her at arms length.
Ailish only smiled, brushing the tears with the back of her hands. Ailish then looked to Alejandra, her smile growing, a blush creeping on to her cheeks.
"I've met him." Ailish said, jumping up and down slightly.
Alejandra titled her head in confusion, raising her eyebrows. But then her eyes widen also. "And?" Alejandra asked anxiously. Ailish pursed her lips together. "Did he?" Alejandra stuttered. Ailish shook her head, and Alejandra's eyes widen even more. "You mean you?"
Ailish nodded, chuckling. "Yeah, I did!"
Alejandra laughed at Ailish's little girl's giggles. "My baby is all grown up! She got her first-"
"Shut up!"
"Now I understand." Everyone turns to Eowyn.
"Understand what?" The men asked.
Eowyn just smiled and kissed Eomer on the cheek. Ailish giggled, nodding, as Alejandra laughed. All the men looked at the girls as if they grew an extra head. They each looked at each other for some explanation, but all just looked just as confused as the other.
Gimli then whispered to the men, "must be a woman's things." They all nodded.
"Tell me, who was it? And was it here," Eowyn pointed to her cheek. "Or here." She pointed to her lips.
"I won't tell you who it is just yet. But," Ailish trailed off, as she tapped a finger to her lips.
Both girls laughed, eyes wide. "But you've only just met!"
Ailish shrugged, "that's just how we do things back home."
Catching on, Damon looked to his baby sister, the big brother-protection coming to use. "Who is! Who kissed you! What is his name!"
Ailish just shook her head, laughing. The men all nodded in understanding, as Eomer rubbed his cheek.
"You didn't have to kiss my cheek to demonstrate you know. You could have kissed Alejandro for all I cared!"
The group laughed, as both Eowyn and Alejandro looked at each other, then looked away, blushing.
"I know you would have rather Alejandra kiss you, am I right?" Eowyn snapped, eyebrows raise.
Both Eomer and Alejandra blushed, but Eomer smirked. "I already got my kiss from her."
Ailish looked at Alejandra, eyebrows raise. Alejandra only looked away, swaying back and forth on her heels, her hands behind her back.
"Don't play innocent with me!" Ailish told her.
The night went on with stories, laughing, crying, and happiness, until Theoden King decided to call it a night. Everyone went back home, or to the room Theoden let them stay in for the night.
A/N: I updated! And whenever you get the chance, rent LOTR: The Return of the King on DVD, extended version. During the part with Legolas and Gimli during the drinking game is hilarious! I feel so bad for Legolas because he was soo confused! I hoped you liked it! Please review!