AUTHOR'S NOTE: This ch. is a lot of quick summary to get to certain scenes so bear with me! It just looked strange when I did not have it...Wow, I am glad I am now accepting anynomous reviews since so many popped up when I changed that :D. A lot is covered in this ch. but there is some REALLY good stuff in the next :). I still would love a response to my poem Every Morning if you happen to like poetry (if not that's okay too), but it is pretty sad. Enjoy ch. 21!!
Aragorn breathed in the lively air of the woods of Lothlórien as he stood at the bottom of the hill of Cerin Amroth. The green hill was covered in the golden blooms of elanor and shimmering white niphredil like stars in the grass. White trees circled the hill-top where a flet was placed in their high boughs to look out from that height into the lands of the North, South, West, and, if one ventured, the East.
Much had happened on the Fellowship's journey to the Golden Wood. Knowing Saruman the White, once head of the Istari and White Council, had betrayed all good and allied himself with Sauron, they could not take the path through the Gap of Rohan passing near Isengard, so Gandalf and Aragorn led the Company over Caradhras. But they were hindered on that road by a terrible storm and could not go further, so the Company returned to the base of the harsh mountain with sunken spirits. There was only one other path they could take: the Mines of Moria. Moria was a long and dark road. Aragorn had told Gandalf he would not willingly take the rest into its dark depths, yet it was the only way in the end to pass through the mines once delved by the Dwarves of old. It was now dark, dreary, and dangerous without a living Dwarf in all its dormant halls and mining shafts.
A sharp pain tore at Aragorn's heart. That dark road had brought more grief to them than what any could have imagined. Gandalf the Grey, Mithrandir to the Elves, Pilgrim of all the lands of Middle-earth, was lost and fallen into darkness at the Bridge of Khazad-dûm. A Balrog, a demon of the Ancient World, had appeared after the Orcs gave chase to the Fellowship taking Gandalf with him when he fell from the bridge.
Aragorn closed his eyes. When he opened them again, things seemed different around him. He stooped briefly to lift one of the golden elanor into his fingers and gaze at its simple beauty. He realised he was deep in memory.
He turned to find a shining figure clothed in white standing before him. Her eyes held the light of the stars and her smooth skin gleamed like glistening moonbeams. Her clear face shone with a beauty not seen since Lúthien Tinúviel for she was of kin to the long-passed maiden of the Elder Days. Long tresses the colour of night fell down her back in braids scattered with bright gems.
Aragorn himself had changed as well. He now wore garments of white and his face was young and fair, all burdens and cares lifted away. "Arwen vanimelda, namárië!" he said, then he drew a breath, and returning out of his thought he looked to find Frodo standing nearby. He had climbed Cerin Amroth with Haldir, their guide and friend of Aragorn, and returned to its base.
"Here is the heart of Elvendom on earth," he said, "and here my heart dwells ever, unless there be a light beyond the dark roads that we still must tread, you and I. Come with me!" And taking Frodo's hand in his, he left the hill of Cerin Amroth and came there never again as living man.
It was the month of Nénimë, or as it was in the Common Tongue, February. Arwen had finally completed the banner she had woven over time with much work. She gazed upon it one last time. With the threads there had also been woven safekeeping for Arwen had sung songs of blessing while doing her work. It would endure many wars, if brought to it, and hardship; and the one who rightfully bore it for his own would surely be victorious in whatever he did.
"Halbarad," cried Arwen hurrying to the stern Ranger where he had stopped. They were outside in Rivendell where the leaves had fallen from the trees and they were bare. The earth was also hard and cold, affected by the chill of deep winter. Arwen bore with her a tall staff bound with many thongs. She lowered her voice. "Halbarad, you must do me a favour." The Dúnedain had arrived in Rivendell for only a day for they had had a summons from Aragorn in the South. Arwen had heard Aragorn speak of Halbarad as a close kinsman, therefore she knew they were devoted companions.
"Anything," said Halbarad eyeing the black standard closely fettered after taking in her stunning beauty.
"You and the sons of Elrond depart with the Dúnedain to meet with Aragorn in the lands of the Rohirrim. This you must bear with you for long it has been wrought in secret. No other knows of it," said Arwen in a low voice so no other would hear her words.
"Of course, Lady Undómiel. Would you also give him word?" asked the worn Ranger with sharp grey eyes.
She nodded slowly. "Say to him this..." The Evenstar laid charge upon him to bear up the standard she had made and to deliver her words to Aragorn in the South. Halbarad listened with care and when she had finished he bowed low before her.
"Thank you, Lady Undómiel. Your wishes shall be granted. The Lord Aragorn will be given all you have said." He took the tall, black staff she handed to him looking at it thoughtfully.
"And I also thank you, Halbarad Ranger of the North, for you have done me much service."
Halbarad nodded his head, dark hair with specks of grey moving about his shoulders. He left Arwen to her business as he made his way to the rest of his kin to depart the elven-city.
Arwen went in search of Elrohir and Elladan, the sons of Elrond and her brothers. They had decided to come along with the Dúnedain into battle for that was their ultimate destination. She spotted the two tall, dark-haired Elves standing together speaking in low tones. They looked up when she approached.
"Undómiel," said Elladan, "I am glad it will only be a short while before we come together once more."
"Short even in terms of the years of Men," she answered; "but I am afraid even after that time there will not be much more. May the Valar speed you on your way...and safely." Arwen grasped each of their hands in one of hers with a warm smile illuminating her face.
"Till we meet again," they said in unison and Elladan added, "when the Shadow is departed at last."
Their parting was moving for Arwen loved Elladan and Elrohir for they were her own beloved brothers. She bid them final farewell and let them on their way. They joined the Dúnedain as they continued in their previous quiet discussion.
The Fellowship departed Lothlórien, travelled down Anduin with gifts of the Elves, and came to Parth Galen after passing the Argonath, Pillar of Kings. There chaos ensued and the Fellowship of the Ring was broken. Boromir, son of Denethor, was killed after slaying all of the Uruks he was able; they were a new breed of Saruman and much more dangerous than those of Mordor.
Frodo and Sam had both left for Mordor alone without consulting anyone else. Merry and Pippin had been captured by the Uruk-hai even though Boromir tried his best to save them in a last attempt to regain honour after what he had done. Boromir confronted Frodo alone, trying to take the Ring in a sudden burst of desire. It was his undoing. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli were the only ones remaining.
Aragorn had to make a decision beyond the consequence of any before. He pondered and thought over every good and ill thing if he chose one way or another. Finally, a still voice spoke in his heart and he chose to follow after Merry and Pippin, to track the Uruk-hai of the White Hand.
In the end the Three Hunters met Riders of Rohan led by Éomer son of Éomund and nephew to king Théoden, found the Uruks they were tracking had been killed by the same party, and came to Fangorn forest after many days. There Aragorn found signs of the two hobbits escape into the stagnant woods. The Three Hunters pursued the faint trail with renewed hope straight into the forest's depths.
In Fangorn a sight pleasant and glorious to their eyes was revealed to them. Gandalf had returned. He stood before them in the flesh, yet now he had become Gandalf the White, no longer Gandalf the Grey, for the White of his order was turned over to evil. To Rohan they went on errand to king Théoden and his people.
When they arrived Aragorn could see the ebbing and dwindling of Rohan's past glory and might only by looking at its people. Their faces were filled with sorrow and the children's more solemn than they should have been. The people watched with wonder as the Man, Elf, Dwarf, and Istari rode by on horses of their own city.
Many things happened in the golden halls of Meduseld. One was the mending and healing of Théoden from the wretched state he was moved into by his tainted counsellor called Gríma Wormtongue. Wormtongue was actually a servant and spy of Saruman over the years sent to consume Rohan's king to become a dotard before his years were long. In that hall Éomer was let out of custody to freedom and his sister Éowyn's heart was lightened at Théoden's healing for she loved her uncle as a father.
"Go, Éowyn sister-daughter!" said the old king. "The time for fear is past."
Éowyn turned and went slowly into the house. As she passed the doors she turned and looked back. Grave and thoughtful was her glance, as she looked on the king with cool pity in her eyes. Very fair was her face, and her long hair was like a river of gold. Slender and tall she was in her white robe girt with silver; but strong she seemed and stern as steel, a daughter of kings. Thus Aragorn for the first time in the full light of day beheld Éowyn, Lady of Rohan, and thought her fair, fair and cold, like a morning of pale spring that is not yet come to womanhood. And she now was suddenly aware of him: tall heir of kings, wise with many winters, greycloaked, hiding a power that she yet felt. For a moment still as stone she stood, then turning swiftly she was gone.
Aragorn returned his gaze to Théoden standing beside Gandalf clothed in shining white. He was changed, Théoden was. Strength was returning into his long stationary limbs and now he stood his full height, which was considerable. Gandalf was also changed for no longer did his shoulders stoop or his feet move slowly as if age had affect on him. They appeared two lords of Men.
Éomer was sent for and pardoned for any rash actions he had taken in Théoden's blight. When Théoden called for a sword, he came to offer up his own to his king who reluctantly took the sword in hand. He gave a great cry:
Arise now, arise, Riders of Théoden!
Dire deeds awake, dark is it eastward.
Let horse be bridled, horn be sounded!
Forth Eorlingas!
His own sword was sought after at once when he commanded and decay lingered not in his face. Gandalf gave counsel to the King of the Mark whilst Aragorn and his two companions watched with renewed joy. The darkness had been pushed away for a time in the house of King Théoden. Gríma Wormtongue, the evil advisor, was brought forward to Théoden who was now no longer under the wretched man's sway as a dotard. Herugrim, the king's ancient blade set with green gems in the hilt, was given to him at last. Once again Wormtongue bandied words with him and in due time was cast out after Gandalf confronted him on his covenant to Saruman the White and his plan to take Éowyn as his prize. Éomer had to be restrained from killing him himself.
At last peace had come. The four guests of Meduseld came to meat with King Théoden along with Éomer, his sister-son, and Éowyn, his sister-daughter. They ate and drank swiftly. Aragorn, without looking, could see from the corner of his eye the small number of glances Éowyn sent his way. He shifted in his seat uncomfortably, after taking a bite of bread, following the second glance. Caution stirred in his heart for he knew her mind.
Afterwards, Théoden summoned men to bring raiment of war for his guests. Aragorn, along with Legolas, took shining mail, a helm, and round shield. Green, red, and white gems were set in their bosses overlaid with gold. Gimli was given a shield fit for his stature with the emblem of Rohan: a white horse running in a green field.
The king now rose, and at once Éowyn came forward bearing wine. "Ferthu Théoden hál!" she said. "Receive now this cup and drink in happy hour. Health be with thee at thy going and coming!"
First it was proffered up to Théoden and then to his guests in the place of Meduseld of Edoras. Aragorn watched as Éowyn halted before him bearing the cup swishing with dark wine. Her face was fair, but cold, and he saw her pause to lift her eyes and meet his gaze. They were shining like the grey dawn. She had paused in his presence. Aragorn smiled down upon her loveliness until his hand brushed against hers when he took the cup and she trembled at his touch.
"Hail Aragorn son of Arathorn!" she said.
"Hail Lady of Rohan!" he answered, but his face no longer shone with a warm smile for the fair lady. His thoughts drifted to Arwen Undómiel who dwelt now in Rivendell. Her shifting dark hair was braided with small white and green gems while her raiment was of shining white. Her beauty was greater than any maiden that lived. Aragorn felt troubled at Éowyn's warm gaze.
They all moved to the doors of the hall where the guards awaited them. They were riding forth into battle with Saruman the White. When Théoden spoke he commanded his people to appoint an heir to keep the city at his going for he and Éomer were going to war. Each man was silent. Aragorn watched the lords and chiefs of Rohan shifting uncomfortably as Théoden's steady gaze moved to each of them. Háma of the king's guard spoke first. Aragorn nodded his head when Háma said to the king that Éowyn, sister-daughter, should be appointed.
"It shall be so," said Théoden. "Let the heralds announce to the folk that the Lady Éowyn will lead them!"
Éowyn came and knelt before him receiving from him a sword and fair corslet. "Farewell sister-daughter!" he said. "Dark is the hour, yet maybe we shall return to the Golden Hall. But in Dunharrow the people may long defend themselves, and if the battle go ill, thither will come all who escape."
"Speak not so!" she said. "A year shall I endure for ever day that passes until you return." But as she spoke her eyes went to Aragorn who stood nearby.
Aragorn felt a tug on his heart to see such fairness as cold as the chill of winter at its fullest looking to him for warmth that he could not give for his heart was in the North. "The king shall come again," he said. "Fear not! Not West but East does our doom await us."
Now those who were to journey to Helm's Deep moved to the gates. Aragorn turned to look back as they passed the Golden Hall. Éowyn stood alone at the stair's head with the sword upright before her and the corslet of silver glittering like scales in the golden sunlight. She watched all the men, yet her eyes rested on Aragorn for the most part. He turned round again to look forward where he could see the mustering of Rohan. At his side was Legolas walking alongside Gimli, and Éomer who had become a quick friend in times of darkness—for which Aragorn was grateful. They were all brought their horses. Aragorn could feel the eyes of many in Edoras upon him as he mounted; eyes full of despair and fear. He saw the women and children standing silent and grave to see their husbands, sons, and fathers off clinging to hope that they would soon return safely. He looked upon them sadly before turning his horse.
Gandalf whistled. The sound of his voice and his call brought a horse of shining countenance to him. It was Shadowfax, lord of horses, who had been tamed by Gandalf. He was also a gift from Théoden for all that he had done for Rohan and its people; though the king could not see it until in that moment. Gandalf threw off his hat, tossed away his cloak, and was revealed as a great being clothed in resplendent white. The wizard had not taken any mail from Théoden's hoard nor any helm for his head adorned with nothing but his snowy hair shimmering in the soft sunlight.
"Behold the White Rider!" cried Aragorn, and all took up the words. A slight smile reached his face as he saw his long-time friend in all his brilliance. The battle was fast approaching and the light speeding towards the darkness. Who would prevail?