Captured in a Dream
Chapter 31
Last Chapter:
Gimli sat behind Legolas on Arod, watching the soldiers walk forward.
"Horse-Men." Gimli scoffs. "I wish I could muster a legion of Dwarves, fully armed and filthy."
"Your kinsmen may have no need to ride to war. I fear war already marches on their own lands." Gimli grunts, as he turns to see Merry on a horse, trying to make it move forward.
Turning his head, he sees women and children hugging, and crying. As those they love leave for war and may never be seen again.
Aragorn gets on his horse, as the cousins ride on either side of him, Eomer in the front.
"Now is the hour. Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken. Now, fulfil them all to lord and land!"
With that said, Eomer, Eowyn, the cousins, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas ride up front with the king, as Merry rides between the men.
–Gondor–
Three days has passed since Pippin lit the beacon. During those days, Gandalf and Pippin have been watching out for the armies of Rohan riders. Damon and Ailish have been going around the city, learning it's secrets, as Faramir was busy with other generals for a battle strategy. Though, on the afternoon of the third day, Pippin was outside the throne room, waiting for Denethor.
As Ailish and Damon stood in the back of the soldiers, watching Gandalf make his way to the stone railing, looking over to Osgiliath. Soldiers who waited day after day to see the Rohan soldiers look over to the White Wizard.
"Where are Theoden's riders?"
"Will Rohan's army come?"
"Mithrandir."
"Courage is the best defense that you have now." Gandalf tells them, frowning.
"And two hours before the sun sets, will Rohan armies be here."
The soldiers turn around, stepping to the side, as Ailish and Damon make their way next to Gandalf. Ailish glares over to Osgiliath, a cold chill running down her spine.
"He will probably be leading the army. He hasn't seen this far before."
Gandalf looks over Ailish, putting a sympathy hand on her shoulder. Ailish shakes her head, and looks to Gandalf.
"I will see you soon, Gandalf. I am going to the meeting of Pippin and Denethor. There is something I must stop."
Gandalf nods his head, as Ailish turned and walked away. Damon stood back, knowing she wanted some time alone with the son of the Steward.
–Inside–
Pippin sat on a bench, taking deep breaths, talking to himself. He wore black clothing of Gondor's tower guard, the Gondor's tree in the front.
"What were you thinking, Peregrin Took? What service can a Hobbit offer such a great lord of Men"
"It was well-done." The voice said, startling Pippin.
Pippin turns to the left to see Faramir walking towards him. Pippin quickly stands up.
"A generous deed should not be checked with cold counsel. You are to join the tower guard." Faramir stops in front of Pippin, who had to tilt his head back to look up at Faramir.
"I didn't think they would find any livery that would fit me." Pippin told him, a bit amazed.
"It once belonged to a young boy of the city. A very foolish one, who wasted many hours slaying dragons instead of attending to his studies."
Pippin's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "This was yours?"
"Yes, it was mine." Faramir smiled faintly. "My father had it made for me."
Faramir reaches for the sleeve and fixes it, Pippin looking down, then back up to Faramir.
"Well, I'm taller than you were then. Though I'm not likely to grow anymore, except sideways." Both Faramir and Pippin laugh.
"Never fitted me either. Boromir was always the soldier. They were so alike, he and my father. Proud. Stubborn even. But strong."
Pippin frowns, "I think you have strength of a different kind. And one day your father will see it."
Faramir smiles, though his eyes show differently.
"Listen to him." Pippin and Faramir turn to see Ailish stand behind them. "Because I also see the strength in you Faramir. I am glad you're not like your brother or father."
Pippin smiles at the looks the two were giving each other. 'Now, there's a nice couple.'
–Throne room–
Inside, Pippin was on one knee in front of Denethor, who sat on his chair. Towards the entrance were two men of the tower guard, and a little ways from Pippin stood Faramir and Ailish.
"Here I swear fealty and service to Gondor, in peace or war, in living or dying, f- f- from," Pippin closes his eyes, trying to remember the oath. "From this hour henceforth." He opens his eyes. "Until my lord release me, or death take me."
Denethor leans forward, "and I shall not forget it," Denethor stands and walks forward. "Nor to reward that which is given." He holds out his left hand to Pippin, who hesitates, but kisses the ring. Denethor makes Pippin look up at him. "Fealty with love." Denethor walks over to the table, Pippin standing up. "Valor with honor." Denethor says, sitting down. "Disloyalty with vengeance." He looks over to Faramir, who's jaw tightens.
"Calm down." Ailish whispers.
Denethor starts to put food on to his plate. "I do not think we should so lightly abandon the outer defenses, defenses that your brother long held intact."
"What would you have me do?" Faramir asked.
'I better not say anything. It could change the story for the worst.' Ailish thought, pressing her lips tighter together, backing down from her plan.
"I will not yield the river in Pelennor un-fought. Osgiliath must be retaken."
"My lord, Osgiliath is overrun." Faramir told his father, frowning.
Denethor sharply turns to his second son. "Much must be risked in war. Is there a captain here who still has the courage to do his lords' will?"
Pippin looks to Faramir alarm, Faramir quickly glancing to Pippin, and back to his father.
"You wish now that our places had been exchanged, that I had died and Boromir had lived."
Denethor brings his cup up to his mouth, whispering. "Yes. I wish that."
Ailish shakes her head, glaring at Denethor, going with her plan. So before Faramir could say anything, Ailish speaks up.
"You can't send Faramir and his men back out there!" Ailish almost yelled, stepping forward. Ailish looked at Faramir. "If you go back out there, all of your men will die! You will be the only survivor! We need every soldier for the war that is yet to come! Faramir, please listen to me!" Ailish grabbed Faramir's arm, her eyes wielding up with tears.
"Hold your tongue woman! Let go of my son, you will not touch him! He is Lord Faramir to you, you peasant traveler!"
"Father!" Faramir yelled in warning, walking forward. But Faramir looked back to Ailish when she let him go.
"No, it is alright, Lord Faramir. Your father is right. But please believe me. You will be the only one to come back, but you will be severely wounded." Ailish whispered, looking sternly into Faramir's eyes.
"Ailish-"
Faramir whispered, but Ailish shook her head and ran out of there, slamming the door behind her. Faramir was about to go but Denethor stopped him.
"Don't you dare go after that peasant. You get your men and take Osgiliath back!"
Faramir looked at his father. "No. I want to keep my men alive. I will not go."
Denethor growled, "If Boromir was here-"
"But he is not father!" Faramir yelled. "Just accept that your first born died because of your greed!" And with that, Faramir jogged out of the room.
Ailish ran all the way back to her room, her tears blinding her vision. She slammed into her door, opening it and slammed it shut. Ailish paced back and forth around the room, calming down.
"If I hear the horns blowing, I would know he went." She whispered, blinking back the tears.
Yelling in frustration, Ailish tipped over a table that was in the middle of the room, all the items falling to the floor.
"Porque estamos aqui? Porque murio mi papa? Why was life on Earth have to be hell! Why did the hell did Saul betray us!" Ailish yelled, falling to her knees. (Why are we here? Why did my dad died?)
She took a deep breath, calming down as much as she could. Someone knocking at the door, made her come back to reality. Clearing her throat, Ailish stood up.
"C-come in."
The door opened, Faramir walking in. "Ailish?"
Ailish sharply turned to the door, cracking her neck on the process. She winced and rubbed the back of her neck.
"What are you doing here?" Ailish asked, looking down to the floor.
"I came to see if you were all right." Faramir walked in front of Ailish, making her look up at him.
Ailish shook her head and hugged him to her. "Don't go! Please don't go! I don't want to see you get hurt."
Faramir was taken back but wrapped his arms around her waist. He put his chin on top of her head.
"Shh, I am not going. Stop your crying, I hate to see you like this."
Ailish stepped back, looking at him. "Really? You're not going?"
"No. I believe what you say, and I trust you."
Faramir took a step closer and kissed Ailish. Ailish clung on to his tunic, as she wasn't able to stand up straight. Damon than walked into the room.
"Ail-?" Damon stopped dead on his tracks, holding back a grin.
Faramir and Ailish backed away from each other, blushing in embarrassment. Damon put up his hands, backing back to the hallway.
"Sorry, I'll talk to you later." Damon closed the door behind him.
Ailish looked away, clearing her throat. Faramir smiled at Ailish's shyness and walked up to her. He grabbed her chin and made her look at him.
"So, where were we?" He asked, smiling, kissing her once more.
Aragorn, Theoden, Legolas, Gimli, Alejandra, Alejandro, and Theoden's men rode forward through rows and rows of men from all over of Rohan's land.
"Make way for the King."
"Make way."
"The king is here."
"My lord."
Theoden holds up a hand in greeting.
"Hail to you, sire."
"Grimbold, how many?" Theoden asked, looking over to one of his generals.
"I bring five hundred men from the Westfold, my lord." Grimbold replied.
"We have three hundred more from Fenmarch, Theoden King." Another yells.
Theoden and his men have reached the very top of the cliff that was over a hundred feet. It overlooked the other soldiers below.
"Where are the riders from Snowbourn?" Theoden asks a soldier nearby.
"None have come my lord."
Theoden sighs, and walks over to the edge, looking down. Aragorn walks over to Theoden, as soldiers move about the camp.
"Six thousand spears. Less than half of what I'd hoped for." Theoden says, briefly looking over to Aragorn.
"Six thousand will not be enough to break the lines of Mordor." Aragorn replies, calculating it in his head.
Theoden looks to Aragorn. "More will come." Theoden said with hope evident in his voice. He turned to leave but stops when Aragorn starts to speak once more.
"Every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat." Aragorn looks to Theoden. "We have til dawn, then we must ride."
Theoden nods, knowing full well that time was precious at the moment. A horse whinny makes the both of them to turn to see the horses restless by the edge of the mountain side. Nearby, Legolas and Gimli walk from a ten nearby to see Eomer, who looks over to them briefly, putting down a saddle.
"The horses are restless, and the men are quiet." Legolas says, as both he and Gimli stop next to Eomer.
"They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain." The trio looks over to the right.
Gimli nods over to the mountain. "That rode there, where does that lead?"
"It is the road to the Dimholt," The three males look over to the left to see Alejandra walk behind them, staring straight at the path. "The door under the mountain."
Alejandro than comes next to her. "None who venture there ever return."
Eomer nods at the correct information the two cousins knew. "That mountain is evil."
"Not technically." Alejandra said, getting a few confuse looks.
"She means not really." Alejandro said, giving his young cousin a stern look.
Alejandra only shrugged, watching Aragorn walk behind a withering tree. Gimli also sees this and starts to walk towards his friend.
As Aragorn stands behind the tree, and looks over to the path that led to the dead. A horse whinnying tries to move away from the pathway, but a soldier tried to pull the horse, which he succeeded, and tried to calm his horse. Voices. That's what Aragorn was hearing, coming from the pathway. Something was pulling him towards it.
Gimli walks up to his friend. "Aragorn!" He grabs his friend's arm, startling him. Gimli looks to the mouth of the mountain, and back to Aragorn. "Let's find some food."
Gimli walks away, as Aragorn pants a bit and looks back to the mountain. Taking a deep breath, Aragorn turns from the mountain and follows his dwarf friend.
By nightfall, the soldiers that have came to help Gondor were now resting at their campsites, dreading the morning dawn. Inside Eowyn's, she helped with fixing Merry's armor. She puts on his helmet, fixing it to fit him, and stood up.
"There. A true esquire of Rohan."
Merry smiles and takes out his sword. "I'm ready!" He swings it around, Eowyn holding her hands forward towards him, laughing. "Sorry. It isn't all that dangerous. It's not even sharp."
"Will, that's not good." Eowyn grabs the blade. "You won't kill many Orcs with a blunt blade. Come on." Eowyn turns Merry around and pushes him forward, Merry swinging his sword around. "To the smithy. Go."
Merry jogs away, Eowyn standing behind her brother and few other soldiers who were eating their dinner. At that time, Alejandra came by with a pitcher of water, smiling at Merry's retreating figure.
"You should not encourage him." Eomer suddenly says, making Eowyn look at him.
"You should not doubt him."
"I agree." Alejandra says, looking at Eomer's back sternly.
"I do not doubt his heart, only the reach of his arm." Eomer, Gambling, and the other soldier sniggered at the little joke, as Alejandra stands next to Eowyn, narrowing her eyes.
"Why should Merry be left behind? He has as much cause to go to war as you. Why can't he not fight for those he loves?"
Eowyn was turns to her tent and was about to enter when Eomer stood up and looks to his sister, eyeing Alejandra as well.
"You know as little of war as that Hobbit." Eomer was about to say something to Alejandra, who took a dangerous step forward.
"Don't you dare say that I don't either! I've been in plenty of battles than you have combined! You don't know the past life I have lived!"
Eowyn turns to her brother. "But when the fear takes him, and the blood and the screams and the horror of battle take hold, do either of you think he would stand and fight? He would flee. And he would be right to do so." Eomer turns to his sister knowingly. "War is the province of Men, Eowyn, Alejandra."
Alejandra having heard enough, pushed Eomer to sit back down the log and turned the pitcher she was holding over his head, soaking him.
"You know nothing of Merry! He may have never been to battle, or war, or even been a soldier before, but I can tell you now! You will be the one surprise in the end, Lord Eomer!"
With that said, Alejandra threw down the pitcher and walked away.
"Alejandra!" Eomer yelled, running after her.
Eowyn turns back around and walks into her tent.
"Eowyn." Eowyn turns to see Alejandro walking in. "You alright?"
Eowyn shakes her head and sits on her bed. Alejandro walks in front of Eowyn and kneels in front of her, taking her hands in his.
"My brother is arrogant, but he also believes of the old ways. I say it should be change!"
"You may not be able to change the minds of those who are close to you and love you." Eowyn looked at Alejandro surprised. "But did you not heed to my warning back in Helm's Deep?"
Eowyn frowned, and tried to think back. Once she remembered, she tilted her head to the side. "Yes I do, but why-?"
"Because it is the right thing to do, Eowyn. We need you out in that war, we need all the hand out in that war!"
Alejandro cupped Eowyn's cheek, rubbing his thumb around her sensitive skin. Eowyn closed her eyes and rubbed into his palm. Alejandro smiled, and leaned upwards, putting his other hand at Eowyn's right hip. She opened her eyes, staring into his eyes, seeing nothing but an emotion that she herself has been having for the man in front of her. Before she knew it, Alejandro closed the gap between them, both Eowyn and Alejandro closing their eyes, as lose themselves in a passionate kiss.
Alejandra has reached her tent and entered, when Eomer grabbed her arm and turned her around.
"Don't dare humiliate me in front of anyone again!" Eomer said lowly.
Alejandra glared at him, and shrugged her arm out of his tight grip. "And don't you dare talk about my friends like that ever again! You don't even know them Eomer, and the things they do can surprise you ever so much!" Alejandra took a step back. "Now get out of my tent."
Eomer took a step closer, "I'm sorry Alejandra. But you must understand-"
"No! It's you who don't understand, Eomer! Now get out of my tent! I don't want to see you nor speak with you." Alejandra was about to turn around, but Eomer grabbed both of her forearms. "Let me go!"
Alejandra struggled against his grip, but Eomer only tighten it, bringing her body closer to his.
"I said I was sorry, isn't that enough for you?"
"When I'm pissed off, no!" Alejandra tried to push him away, but he didn't budge.
Eomer pressed his lips against hers, Alejandra still struggling against him. But soon, she started to response to the kiss, Eomer smiling in triumph. They broke apart, Eomer never losing his smile.
"Just because you're a good kisser doesn't change the fact that I'm pissed off at you still." Alejandra said teasingly.
"We will see about that." Eomer said, before kissing her once more.
Alejandra smiled into the kiss, and walked backwards. Eomer frown, watching Alejandra turn around and walking over to the candles that stood on a wooden table and blew it out. Eomer smiled at what she was doing and walked to the opposite side and blew out the rest of the candles.
A few hours has passed, and Alejandra laid in Eomer arms under thick blankets of her bed. Alejandra thinking of what is to come, while Eomer was asleep. In the other side of the camp, Alejandro and Eowyn sat next to each other, talking of various of different topics. While close by, both Legolas and Gimli talk with a few of the soldiers, watching as a cloaked figure walks into Theoden's tent, a soldier immediately going towards Aragorn's tenet nearby, who was asleep, dreaming of the one he loves slowly dying.
Aragorn than walks into Theoden's tent, the Rohan King leaving to give them privacy. The cloak figure reveals himself as Lord Elrond, tells Aragorn of the past, and the future. Taking out Elendil, Elrond hands it to Aragorn, who stares at it in disbelief. Elrond tells him he must take the throne back, and take the path to which the dead lie at the end of the tunnel, waiting for the heir to return and save them.
Alejandro was then quiet, staring out to space, as both cousins feel the information slowly fading away. Eowyn asks if they are all right, and Alejandro gives the same answer to her, as his cousin whispers it to herself.
"The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith. The man who can wield the power of the sword of Elendil, can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. He will put aside the Ranger. And become who he was born to be. He will take the Dimholt road. Hope is given to Men."
Alejandra gets out of Eomer's embrace and gets dressed. She walks out of the tent slowly, looking around for the three Fellowships. Eowyn frowns in confusion, knowing some parts of it meant. Both Eowyn and Alejandro turned towards the entrance of the tent, hearing voices passing by.
"So Aragorn is leaving than?"
"Yes, and he will not be going alone."
"That's Legolas and Gimli." Alejandro whispered, as the two companions walk past the tent. Alejandro stood up, Eowyn following his movement. "I must go find Aragorn."
"I'll go with you." Eowyn says, as she follows Alejandro out.
Aragorn tightens the saddle on Brego, as both Eowyn and Alejandro jog up to him.
"Why are you doing this? The war lies to the east. You cannot leave the eve of battle. You cannot abandon the men." Eowyn tells him, not wanting to believe Alejandro's words minutes ago.
"He is not. He is helping them by retrieving more fighters. If he does not go, those who come from the sea will surely destroy us." Alejandro and Aragorn stare at each other for a few seconds before Alejandro speaking once more. "I will follow you to wherever you go. I was part in the Fellowship as well, even if not commanded by Elrond."
Aragorn nods, smiling, and walks away, leading Bergo by the reins. Alejandro turns to a distress Eowyn and kisses her, whispering against her lips.
"My cousin, Alejandra, and Ailish will keep you safe. I promise you that."
"Please be careful." Eowyn whispers, as Alejandro walks after Aragorn, whistling for Lighting.
Aragorn passes by a tent, not noticing Gimli standing by it with his ax until he speaks.
"Just where do you think you're off to?"
Aragorn stops and looks over to Gimli. "Not this time. This time you must stay, Gimli."
Legolas walks next to Aragorn, leading a ready Arod. "Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves?"
"You might as well accept it." Gimli says, walking forward. "We're going with you, laddie."
Aragorn smiles, and Legolas gets on Arod, just as Alejandro rode next to Legolas. Gimli walks around Brego, and Legolas helps him up behind him. They rode out towards the mountain, the soldiers who were awake watching them with confusion and in interest. The men begin to whisper to each other, Theoden walking out of his tent to look over to Aragorn.
"What's happening?"
"Where is he going?"
"I don't understand."
The men whispered, as the blackness of the mountain path covers the four males.
"Lord Aragorn?"
"Why does he leave on the eve of battle?"
Gamling turns to the men. "He leaves because there is no hope."
"He leaves because he must." Theoden tells his men, looking at them in the eye.
Alejandra walks from behind a tree, "if he does not go, those who come from the sea will kill us all."
"But too few have come." Gamling continues to argue. "We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor."
"No, we cannot." Theoden says, his men looking at each other uncertain. "But we will meet them in battle nonetheless."
The men yell their approval, and Alejandra turns towards her tent once more. She enters her tent, and immediately takes off her shoes, slipping under the covers once more. Eomer shifts and puts an arm around Alejandra's waist, kissing the back of her neck.
"Where did you go?" Eomer asks sleepy, holding her closer to his body.
Alejandra smiled, putting her hand over his own. "I just went to take care of some business. Go back to sleep."
Eomer sighed in response, making himself more comfortable.
–Dawn
Eowyn watch the sun rise, as she wasn't able to sleep at all last night. She slightly touches her lips, remembering the still warm feeling of the passionate kiss Alejandro gave her. Theoden walks from his tent and walked past Eowyn.
"I have left instruction. The people are to follow your rule in my stead." Theoden turns to his niece. "Take up my seat in the Golden Hall. Long may you defend Edoras, if the battle goes ill."
"What other duty would you have me do, my lord?" Eowyn asks in a monotone.
Theoden frowns at his niece's attitude. "Duty? No." He shakes his head and walks forward. Theoden takes her hands in his. "I would have you smile again, not grieve for those whose time has come. You shall live to see these days renewed," Theoden takes her head and puts his forehead to hers. "And no more despair."
A/N: I hoped you liked it! Please review!