Maewyn: Shield Maiden of Rohan Part IV
To the Paths of the Dead
By: Luthien Meneledur
They waded about the waters of the stream bathing in the light of the day and then moved back to the grass of the field. Legolas Greenleaf closed his eyes and absorbed the earth and nature around him. He smiled because he was never happier than when he was around the earth and its creatures. He sensed something was amiss amid the valley, and opened his eyes. Maewyn lay beside him in the sun, almost asleep by the sound of her breathing. He looked to the horses who galloped amid the grass pleasantly. Suddenly a gong sounded in the distance amidst the city, much too quiet to awaken the girl, and his elven sight was drawn to the mountains, where he saw the beacon of Halifirien atop the mountainside was lit. It blared into the sunlit sky brightly letting off a cruel amount of smoke. He leaned through the grass towards Maewyn and spoke softly in elvish. She awoke calmly and looked at him.
"What has happened?" She asked.
"The beacon of Halifirien is lit, we must return."
She nodded, and stood with the elf in the tall grasses. She called Hasufel from across the lands but he did not hear nor care to hear her calls.
Legolas began speaking softly in elvish though it seemed to flow along the wind that was blowing almost harshly through the valley. Maewyn understood none of the speech apart from the names of the horses. Almost immediately the two horses quickly made their way to the two.
"How do you do such things?" She asked in her sweet voice.
"The magic of the elves." He said with a smile.
She smiled in return. "Keep your secrets Prince."
They rode the horses back to the stables, and Maewyn accompanied Legolas to the hall. He cherished her company at his side, for he wished every moment to be spent with her until they would part. They rushed the stairs and Eowyn stood, this time clad in a cloak of her brothers, looking out towards Halifirien. She seemed not to notice the elf and girl climb the steps and enter the Golden Hall.
The interior of Meduseld was bustling, everyone was making ready their gear. He saw Aragorn preparing to leave the hall. "Aragorn, what has happened. I saw the beacon was lit."
"The men are preparing to leave for Dunharrow where the rest of the Rohirrim will be assembled. We are going to join Gondor in war." Aragorn said as he rushed past Legolas towards the stables.
Legolas quickly followed, for he needed to gather nothing. He carried with him everything he owned. Aragorn rode with Merry atop Brego, while Legolas and Gimli took Arod again. Maewyn took Hasufel and no one seemed to question her accompaniment, for they held great respect for the elf, and knew that the girl went for him. Theoden rode at the head of the company with Eowyn and Eomer at his side, the grey company rode just behind. The ride to Dunharrow was silent, no one talked aside from Gimli who occasionally let out a comment about the landscape, or the horses, claiming he was starting to get accustomed to Arod.
They arrived at the Dunharrow and set up the camp nestled in the mountainside far above the rest of the riders. Riding up the thin path had taken a great long time and by the time they set the camp it was late in the day.
Overhearing Theoden speak with his men Legolas discovered the lack of men that had arrived, and that that the King wished to wait longer to gather more. Aragorn interrupted him: "Every hour lost hastens Gondor's defeat. We have till dawn, then we must ride." He seemed to tower over Theoden, and his power was known.
They stood amid the camp and noticed a trail that led into the mountain. Near the mouth of the path none of the horses would stand, and it seemed colder the closer to the gap one ventured. Aragorn left the King's side and joined his companions. Eomer walked near to the grey company with the saddle of his horse.
"The horses are restless and the men are quiet." Legolas said, noticing a horse that was reluctant to cross the odd trail.
"The grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain," replied the wise horseman.
Gimli motioned to the strange path. "That road there, where does that lead?"
Legolas had known what it was. He had studied the land of Middle Earth for more than two thousand years, and he knew the name of the road they stood in front of. "That is the road to the Dimholt. The door under the mountain."
Eomer looked towards the road. "None who venture there ever return." He went back to his horse quickly, tending to its needs.
Legolas was quick to leave to find Maewyn while Gimli remained behind with Aragorn.
Maewyn was sitting about a fire as the night began to set in, and was speaking closely with Eowyn. He walked to the fire and the conversation stopped as Eowyn smiled.
"I do apologize for my interruption." He said.
"Do not apologize, I was supposed to tend to Merry long ago," said Eowyn as she stood to leave. She walked away almost giggling to herself.
Legolas sat quickly and took Maewyn's hand in his. "Why must you do this?" He asked painfully. "Why must you go?"
"For the simple reason that an elf purposely lost a fight to me only recently. And an elf cannot be embarrassed for no reason." She smiled into his face.
"You knew?" Legolas asked surprised by her answer.
"I could not beat you. You are an elf, no man can beat an elf alone."
Legolas smiled, "but you are no man."
Maewyn laughed and it filled Legolas' ears with music, but it only saddened him for he knew it would not last. He knew that the next day they would ride to battle together.
"But why?" She asked. "Why would you allow me to win when you wanted so much for me to stay?"
"For the very reason that you wished so much to go."
"And now you think you know my heart?" She asked, the expression changed to near sadness. "You know my thoughts now?"
Her green eyes flickered in the firelight. He did not know what to say in response. He looked to the fire, thinking.
"We will not speak of tomorrow." She said looking up to the sky. "We will speak of better things, and better days to come." Her dark hair washed over her face as waves on a shore, and he brushed them away with his smooth hand, only at that moment noticing that she was unlike those around her.
"Why do you appear different from the others?" He asked suddenly.
She did not flinch or move when he asked, she simply continued to look at the stars as she spoke. "It took you a long time to ask."
"It took me long to notice," he said quickly.
"My mother was a maid of Gondor, though my father was a rider from Rohan. He came to Gondor by a long road, sent by his people. He met her there and brought her back to Edoras to make her his wife. Her hair was dark like mine, her eyes green. She died when I was small."
Legolas frowned again. "The South holds so much death."
"It is a mortal land." Maewyn said sadly.
The fire at which they sat stood close to the road that ran through the camp, and a horse came through the guards at the entrance. Legolas stood, as the person atop the horse had the movement of an elf. The hood was drawn and it was dark but his elf eyes allowed him to see the face of Elrond, who noticed the Wood elf, and nodded to him as he rode by.
"What could Elrond want here? Now?" Legolas said almost panicked. Elrond had reached and entered Theoden's tent, and a messenger was sent to Aragorn's tent. Aragorn emerged and entered to speak with the half elf from Rivendell while Theoden left.
"Do not worry of it Legolas." Maewyn said as she grabbed his hand.
"You are right." He sat down, craving only her company and they continued to talk.
After a time Gimli approached the fire, and spoke to Legolas. "Aragorn prepares Brego, he means to leave in the night."
"Where is he going?" Legolas asked for concern of his Ranger friend.
"I overheard his talk with Elrond and I believe he intends to go down that cursed looking road."
"The road to the Dimholt?" Legolas asked.
"I believe so. And though I fear that way, we must go with him." The dwarf said quickly.
"I will call Arod." Legolas stood.
Gimli left to wait by the trail and Legolas turned to Maewyn, tears almost filling her eyes. "I was prepared for one more night with you dear elf, but it seems we part earlier than expected."
"I wish to ride into battle with you, to protect you." He said quickly, torn between these two people which he held so dear.
"Then I am glad you go, for I would not wish that burden on you for all the world." A single tear fell down her cheek.
"You cannot go! Go back down the road with Eowyn. You cannot go into this fight alone."
"Eowyn does not plan to return. And I do not fight alone, I fight with the Rohirrim."
Gimli's voice came close rushing the elf. "Legolas!"
"I must go, but if you have any love for me in your heart you will not fight."
"And I would ask the same of you, but neither of us will listen." She smiled a little.
Legolas frowned. "So it is." He said dimly. "Farewell my lady." He took her hand up to his mouth and kissed it softly before he bounded through the camp silently to quickly find Arod who seemed to be waiting for him.
He saw Gimli sitting beside Aragorn who walked Brego towards the cursed road.
"Not this time, this time you must stay Gimli." Aragorn said sternly.
Legolas walked up beside the ranger leading forth Arod. "Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of Dwarves?" Legolas asked a small grin on his face, though his thoughts strayed to Maewyn.
"You might as well accept it. We're going with you laddy." Came Gimli's stubborn voice.
Aragorn smiled. "It will good to have friends along." He said kindly.
Aragorn mounted Brego, while Legolas hopped atop Arod pulling Gimli up behind. They rode toward the Paths of the Dead, and heard the voices behind them of the men of Rohan. "What's happening" came one. "Where is he going?" Came another. "Lord Aragorn!" Someone yelled. "Why does he leave on the eve of battle?"
Gamling looked toward the road as the pair of horses disappeared into the night and the shadow of the path. "He leaves because there is no hope."
Theoden came up behind the group of men, "he leaves because he must."
And so the three were on the Paths of the Dead.