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Chapter 22

Avelina made her way to the healing garden and sat in the shadow near the edge of it. She could see the soldiers outside the gates, waiting to be led on. She raised her hand and held the clasp of Éomer's cloak gently. She watched as Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, and Éomer rode out in front of the mend. She could hear Aragorn's voice echoing but could not make out the words. Éowyn soon joined Avelina in the garden, however, Avelina went unnoticed by the woman. "There is no warmth left in the sun," Éowyn said quietly as she watched the men ride away and towards Mordor. Avelina was about to speak thinking that Éowyn was talking to her, until she saw Lord Faramir step over to her. Avelina smiled softly as she quietly watched the pair.

"It is just the damp before the first Spring rain," Faramir said gently as he glanced at the sky and then looked at Éowyn, whose attention turned to him. "I do not think this darkness will endure." Avelina could not see Éowyn's face but she saw Faramir take Éowyn's hand into his and she smiled knowing that the woman must have been smiling because of the soft smile that graced Faramir's face. He leaned into Éowyn and kissed her forehead before she rested her head on his shoulder and he rested his on top her head. Avelina smiled once more before she quietly stood and left the garden and the new couple alone.

As she walked the now still corridors, she felt empty knowing there was not much to do until the men's return and she was becoming just as restless as the people of Minas Tirith. So, she decided to walk the levels of the city and see how the people were fairing and if she could be of any aid.

As she walked down the streets, she carried her satchel and tended those with small wounds that had not been tended. A girl with dark curls for hair looked up at her with a bright smile. Avelina couldn't help but return it when she handed her a bushel of small white and yellow flowers. "Thank you," Avelina whispered as she kneeled before the girl and the girl nodded.

"You are most welcome," she said. "Do you hail from Rohan?" Avelina tilted her head to the side.

"Why do you ask that?" The girl fingered Avelina's copper hair and then touched the top fur line of Éomer's dark green cloak.

"You have the hair color and you wear the cloak of a horse lord. Is it your husband's?" Avelina smiled.

"I come from Rohan, and the cloak is that of the man I love. He rides with the men that left this morning to battle the Dark Lord and he left me his cloak for me to hold onto until he returns." The little girl smiled.

"Are you the only woman from Rohan in Minas Tirith?" Avelina shook her head.

"No, the niece of the fallen king resides in the Healing Hall for she fought in battle along side the men." The little girl's eyes widened and Avelina put her hand on her shoulder. "Her uncle did not know she fought until just before his death, and she fought against his wishes, but she wanted to fight for her people and for the people of Gondor." The little girl smiled.

"Then she is a brave woman." Avelina smiled.

"How old are you?"

"I will be ten in the summer." Avelina nodded.

"You are smart for one so young. You will do great things; I can see it in your eyes." The little girl smiled even more brightly before she scampered over to a woman whom Avelina assumed was her mother. Avelina smiled and bowed her head before she continued on her way, her heart a little lighter thanks to the small girl.

Éomer rode with Merry behind him and as they grew closer to the Black Gates the colder his eyes became. He thought of the poor hobbit Frodo, though he knew next to nothing about the Halfling, he felt as though through Merry and Pippin that he knew him and he could not imagine what it would be like to carry the burden he did. Éomer only hoped that he was strong enough to make it to Mount Doom and cast the Ring in the fire.

"Lord Éomer," Merry whispered and Éomer tilted his head to let the hobbit know he heard him. "How much further?"

"We will camp at sunset and leave before the dawn. That way we shall reach the Black Gates before mid-day tomorrow," Éomer said. Merry nodded even though Éomer could not see him. They continued on in silence until sunset. When they made camp to rest, Éomer could feel the evil, and it threatened to choke him but he would not let it. He would fight until his breath left him if need be, and if not, then he would return to his people. He would return to his people, and to the woman he loved who waited patiently for him.

Avelina laid awake in her bed. No rest would come to her no matter how exhausted she was. She climbed from her bed and threw on her dressing robe that a maid had given her. She walked out onto the balcony that faced the dark land. Avelina looked at the red and black sky over Mordor. She knew the men were close, if not nearly upon the black gates. She closed her eyes and said a silent prayer that the men would be protected and that most would return to their families that missed them greatly and eagerly awaited the darkness to be gone from Middle Earth.

She sat on her balcony all night and as the dawn approached she dressed quickly and made her way to the healing chamber to see Éowyn. Before she entered Éowyn's chamber a voice stopped her.

"Avelina," a soft voice said and she turned and looked to her left. Her eyes narrowed when they met the eyes of the woman she had caught Éomer with just a few nights ago. Lothiriel faltered at the glare Avelina gave her but she deserved every once of discontent that was in them. "I looked for you yesterday, but I could not find you." Avelina nodded.

"I left the Citadel and traveled in the city. What is it you require?" she asked.

"I came to apologize and ask for your forgiveness." Avelina looked at her and could tell by the look in her eyes that she was sorry. "I should not have tricked him."

"You should not have, and you have my forgiveness." Lothiriel gave Avelina a smile, but Avelina did not return it as she walked into the area where Éowyn rested. Éowyn was still asleep so Avelina sat down on the chair next to Éowyn's bed and waited patiently for Éowyn to wake.

Éomer rode next to Aragorn as the Black Gates came into view and he took a deep breath. He would fight for his people, his sister, for his fallen uncle and cousin, for his father and mother, and he would fight for Avelina and life he wished for them to have together.

Éowyn took a deep breath and opened her eyes. She looked to her left and saw Avelina sitting there looking out the window. She could tell the woman had not slept and her eyes were dark and anyone would be able to see the haunted look in the dark blue depths. "Avelina?" Éowyn asked as she sat up. Avelina looked at Éowyn and gave her a small smile.

"Good morning Éowyn," she said quietly and Éowyn returned Avelina's smile.

"What are you doing here so early?" Avelina sighed.

"I did not sleep and thought I come here and wait for you to wake. I have not seen you in some time for you have been busy keeping company with Lord Faramir." Éowyn blushed and Avelina was thankful for the distraction. "Has your heart grown fond of the Gondor Lord?"

"Whatever do you mean?" Éowyn asked as she fussed with the blanket across her lap. Avelina laughed quietly.

"You are just as bad at hiding your feelings as I was!" Avelina exclaimed and Éowyn's blush deepened. "Now please do tell me my friend." Éowyn sighed and looked around but the hall was empty except for one other sleeping older woman.

"I have grown fond of him. He is a very intelligent man, and is unlike any man I have ever met." Avelina smiled and nodded her head. Breakfast was soon brought in and the two women ate and talked about joyous things trying to block their minds from the danger that the men were facing and the possible rise of darkness.

Mid-day had passed and the evening meal hour was nearing when Avelina got a sudden sinking feeling her heart. She furrowed her brow and looked out the window. A loud explosion filled the air and the rumble shook the floor under her feet. Éowyn sat up in the bed and followed Avelina's gaze. They both saw the orange glow increase and dark smoke filled the air.

"Avelina, what do you think that means?" Éowyn asked quickly. Avelina shook her head and looked back at Éowyn.

"I know not, but I hope it means something good and not evil," Avelina said. Éowyn nodded and both looked out the window once more when the heard the elevated voice of the people in Citadel, but neither paying attention to them.