Chapter 10
THE NEXT two days passed agonizingly slowly for Erin. Kavila had vehemently declined to go with the army to the Black Gates, but Sarah and Megan had decided to join them, much to Kalva's dismay. And so the two girls, along with Kalva, had spent the past two days preparing for the ride, practicing their swordwork and fitting their armor. Once he had learned of their decision Gandalf had invited them to ride at the head of the army with the Lords of the West, and the two girls had eagerly accepted, much to Kalva's chagrin. He was still highly uncomfortable with the idea of making friends with those whom he considered above his station. The girls had no sense of propriety, he had protested, and were much too heedless of rank. Sarah had responded that all of them, including Kalva, had earned their place at the head of the army; he more than any of them.
Erin had remained confined to bed or, when her strength permitted it, the gardens. She tried to get away to the gardens as often as she could; her friends' excitement when they returned from an armor fitting or a sword lesson was too much for her. She was depressed and jealous, knowing that they would ride to this historic battle and she would not. She knew she should be happy for them, since they had not yet gotten the chance to prove their valor in battle. She had already fought in a famous battle, and now it was their turn. Nonetheless, she couldn't help her bitterness.
Now it was a mere hour until the great army's departure, and Erin had to fight back tears as her friends prepared to leave. She was bitter, but she was also worried. Her friends were all she had in Middle Earth to remind her of her home, and she didn't want to lose any of them. Sitting here in Minas Tirith she was a helpless bystander, and could do nothing to protect her friends upon the battlefield.
But mostly her tears were due to a longing so deep and powerful that it was almost a physical pain. She had always hated sitting on the sidelines, forced to watch but unable to participate. When she played soccer in junior high, she had almost always played the entire game; the few times the coach called her off the field, she would reappear at his side moments later demanding to be substituted back into the game. It had always made her want to scream when a goal was scored against her team, and she was sitting on the sidelines unable to prevent it. She always wondered 'If I had been in there, could I have prevented that goal?' That was the feeling she was getting now.
Erin was distracted from her despairing thoughts by a heated argument between Kavila and the armored girls.
"Why? Why do you have to go? It's dangerous!" Kavila was saying. "There'll be Orcs and trolls and Nazguls! You might get killed!"
"That would be why we're wearing armor," said Megan with a smile.
"Armor won't help you against one of those trolls!" Kavila all but screamed. "You remember the cave troll in the first movie, with that spear? The only reason Frodo's armor helped him was because was made of that…that…sparkly white stuff!"
"Mithril?" Adrienne suggested helpfully.
"Yeah, that stuff!" Kavila said. "And yours isn't made of that stuff! Besides, armor won't help you very much if a Nazgul tries to bite off your head!"
"That why we've got helms and hauberks," Megan said in the same tone.
"Fine! If you want to go get yourselves killed, go right ahead! And when you're dead, I'll be sitting here safe saying 'I told you so!'" Kavila retorted.
"It's nice to know you care," Megan said as she and Sarah laughed and turned toward the door where Kalva was waiting.
"We've got to get going," Sarah said. "We're supposed to meet Gandalf at the stables now."
For a few uncomfortable seconds after Sarah's statement, no one said anything. What do you say to loved ones who are about to leave, whom you might never see again? Erin wondered. She finally spoke up.
"Goodbye, you guys," she said after a few deep breaths. "Fight well and keep safe."
"We'll be seeing you in a couple of weeks when you ride home victorious," Adrienne added.
"Aye," Vilad agreed from his bed. "Kalva and I taught you lasses well. Keep your wits about you, and you'll live to see the sunset."
"And when we come back, all three of you will be walking down to meet us," Sarah said. "Because you'll all be doing your best to heal up while we're gone, won't you?"
Erin nodded, while Adrienne laughed. "I just want out of this bed," she said.
Kavila looked at the three patients. "Have I given all of you your medication?" she asked. They nodded, displaying mugs of herb-flavored water. Kavila turned to Sarah and Megan. "I think I'll walk you guys down to the stables, then. Make sure you take that medicine!" she warned her charges.
Vilad dutifully drank his, while the other two girls nodded. Kavila and the others left, closing the door behind them.
"Man, I'm so jealous," Erin said, staring wistfully at the door. It was already an old topic, but she couldn't stand the empty silence after her friends were gone.
"I know," Adrienne agreed absently. She was staring intently at Vilad, whose eyes were already drooping closed under the seductive weight of the strong pain medication.
Which reminds me, I ought to take mine, Erin thought. She was beginning to reach for it when Adrienne called out "No! Don't take it!"
"Why?" Erin said. "It's starting to wear off. I need the next dose."
"It'll make you go to sleep." Adrienne replied. "I need you awake and alert."
"What for?" Erin asked. She was suddenly reminded of Adrienne's strange behavior over the past few days; her food trays had been more empty than usual, and she was often distracted or in a tired daze.
Adrienne finally tore her gaze from Vilad, who was now quite fast asleep. She turned a fierce, determined gaze to Erin. "We're leaving." she said.
"Leaving? Adrienne, neither of us is going anywhere, especially not you!" Erin said. Things began to come together in Erin's mind even as Adrienne began reaching under her cot. She pulled out a large cloth filled with food, a waterskin, and two decent tunics. She set all of it on the cot with a satisfied smile. "We're going to the Black Gates. In disguise."
"Like Eowyn!" Erin breathed, but she quickly reined in her enthusiasm. "Eowyn was not injured when she escaped with the Rohirrim. Neither of us is in any condition to walk all the way to the Black Gates, especially without pain medication!"
"Which is why we're going to join the cavalry," Adrienne replied calmly. "And as to the pain medication, I've got half a waterskin of it here, and if we each pour in our doses for today it ought to be mostly full."
"And I suppose the food is saved from your meals," Erin said with a sigh. "I thought you were eating too much."
"I took some from the cellars too…that's where I found the waterskin," Adrienne said.
"From the cellars! When?" Erin asked. She thought back over the past two days. She couldn't recall a time when Adrienne had been gone…
"I slipped out one night when everyone else was asleep," Adrienne said. "That's when I got the tunics, too."
"You've been planning this!" Erin said. "Since when?"
"Since Gandalf forbid us to go," Adrienne replied.
That reminded Erin. "We can't blatantly disobey him!" she exclaimed. "He's a powerful wizard, used to having his orders obeyed! What will he do when he finds out? I for one am enjoying life right now!"
"No you're not." Adrienne said, surprising Erin. "You're not enjoying life. You want nothing more than to be out there with that army. I'm offering you the chance. You can come with me if you want to, but whether you come or not I'm going."
"Someone has to keep your imagination in check," Erin sighed. "I'll go. But one more question: you mentioned cavalry. Where are we going to get the horses?"
"I've got it all planned out." Adrienne said. "First, we get dressed in these." She held up the tunics. "The leggings we've got now will do. We get armor from the armory, and then we head for the stables. When we show up dressed like this, ready for battle, they won't question giving us a couple spare horses."
"They'll know we're girls, or at the very least too young!" Erin exclaimed.
"We'll have helms and hauberks on," Adrienne retorted. "As well as cloaks. You'll have to take your glasses off though."
Erin shook her head in amazement. "You really have thought this through. One more problem, though. I have no idea how to get tack on a horse. None whatsoever. And very little riding experience."
"Don't worry, I'll help you," Adrienne said nonchalantly. "I took riding lessons for years, remember?" She picked up the crutch that Kalva had fashioned for her, looking expectantly at Erin.
Erin sighed and picked up the tunic, turning around quickly and dressing in it. She had to admit, it did feel good to have a clean shirt on. And she couldn't help the flutters of excitement she felt at the thought of their daring escape. Yet at the same time, she couldn't ignore the nagging voice in the back of her mind insisting that this was a really bad idea.
Turning back around, she gathered the other supplies that Adrienne had collected, emptying the pain medication into the waterskin. She and Adrienne each took one swallow of medication, which really wasn't enough to help much, but hopefully would get them through the initial escape.
Adrienne gave her an expectant look. "Let's go."
Erin rolled her eyes. "If we get caught, it was your idea."
Adrienne grinned. "Absolutely!" Then she limped to the door and opened it, and the two girls stepped out of the room without a backward glance.
A HALF-HOUR later, two battle-dressed warriors stepped out of the armory. Each wore a full suit of mail, a leather hauberk and jerkin, and heavy boots. Aside from being rather short and thin, they looked perfectly normal…until one heard their distinctly feminine voices.
"Adrienne, we can still turn back now, you know," Erin said in a slightly panicked voice. The idea of defying a direct order from Gandalf made her sick with fear, even as butterflies danced within her stomach. "Go back in there, take all this off, go back to the room, and forget about it."
Adrienne gave her an exasperated look. "I'm going. I'm not forgetting about this battle. You can turn back if you want to, but it's your choice."
Erin sighed. "Do you seriously think I'm going to let you do this alone?" She laughed nervously, but suddenly paused. "Do you know how to get to the stables?"
"Yeah," Adrienne replied. "I heard Gandalf telling Sarah and Megan."
"All right." Erin took a deep breath as they started off. "Now, how the hell do you put tack on a horse?"
KAVILA walked slowly back to the Houses of Healing. It had been hard to say goodbye, but when Gandalf came to collect the others, she had been forced to bid her friends a final farewell. Well, hopefully not final. She had to believe they would come back; she didn't know if she could handle losing any of the people she had come to Middle Earth with.
For now she would go back to the room in the Houses and check on her patients. Ever since the healers had learned of Kavila and Megan's friendship with the three patients, they had allowed the two girls to take over the care of Erin, Adrienne, and Vilad…with supervision. In fact, Raliwen was due to come by as soon as the army had left this morning. Kavila smiled to herself; she enjoyed Raliwen's company.
Kavila reached the room with a sigh of relief. Once she had checked her friends, perhaps she could go to the gardens, or find Merry to talk to. She knew he was terribly disappointed at being forbidden to go, just as Erin and Adrienne had. She opened the door half-hoping to see six people sitting in the room instead of three.
There was only one person in the room.
Kavila stopped in her tracks, quickly deducing that her eyes were not playing tricks on her. Adrienne and Erin were not in the room.
Vilad was fast asleep, his cup of medicine empty. Erin's and Adrienne's were empty as well, but somehow Kavila didn't think their contents had been drunk. A cold current of dread ran through her veins.
Perhaps they had just gone out to the gardens to watch the army leave. They wouldn't have drunk their medicine before they did that, Kavila immediately thought. Nor would they have emptied the cup somewhere other than their mouths; they would have saved it until they returned from the wall.
Kavila stepped out of the room again, fighting the urge to run screaming down the hall or beat her head against the conveniently placed wall. Don't panic, Kavi. Don't panic. Think. Where could they have gone? Think, Kavi.
Her fragile concentration was broken by a voice just down the hall. "They left twenty minutes ago."
Kavila turned, surprised; she thought everyone had turned out to watch the army leave.
The hobbit Merry stood in his doorway, a young boy behind him. "I believe they were discussing what different pieces of armor a cavalryman would wear."
Kavila frowned. "Armor a cavalryman would wear…" Suddenly her eyes widened as an impossible notion occurred to her…implausible and foolish enough to be true. "Of course! Adrienne can't walk! She'd have to ride!"
"Pardon?" Merry said.
"They've gone to join the army!" Kavila exclaimed. "Of all the retarded things…"
"The army! But I thought they were wounded…" Merry said.
"They are! That's why they're so retarded!" Kavila almost screamed. She took a deep breath. "Right. I have to stop them," she said in a much calmer voice. To her personal astonishment, her mind continued to function logically, though panic threatened to overwhelm it. "They'll go to the armory first, since they don't have any armor. That's where I'll have to catch them." She took a step, then stopped and raced back into the room. "I have to leave a note for Raliwen!" Half a minute later she reappeared, immediately taking off down the hall. "Thanks!" she called to Merry as she passed his doorway.
"You are most welcome," Merry said with a dazed look.
Kavila ran as fast as she could down the wide, deserted lane to the armory with a single thought in mind: stop Erin and Adrienne. She was already inside the empty building when she realized that she had passed two lone soldiers hurrying in the other direction. One of them had been limping, she recalled with a jolt. A quick scan of the armory revealed that some of the shelves had definitely been trifled with. Erin and Adrienne had been here.
But the armory hadn't provided everything they needed. To disguise themselves as cavalrymen, they would need horses. That meant they would head for the stables next.
Kavila turned and raced back out the door. Once outside, she realized she had absolutely no idea where the stables were. A few precious minutes were lost searching for someone who could provide her with directions, and then she was off for the stables. If luck was with her, Erin and Adrienne would still be there.
THE TREK to the stables was an ordeal. Adrienne had allowed only one swallow of medicated water per person, which had dulled the pain slightly. But Erin's left side still throbbed, and she had no idea how Adrienne could stand walking on her foot, which must have been infinitely more painful. Yet Adrienne too had taken only one swallow, trying to avoid dulling her senses with the sleep-inducing medication.
The pain wasn't Erin's only problem. Blood loss had been greater in her wound, and she was still recovering her strength. Her shallow reserves had been all but exhausted, and they weren't even on their horses yet.
During the journey to the stables, Adrienne gave her a crash course in preparing a horse for riding. Erin just hoped the stable hands wouldn't stand there and gawk while she fumbled with the tack; she had a feeling she would need Adrienne's help.
When they reached the stables, they found the stable boys gone, presumably to watch the spectacle upon the fields. All for the better, as far as Erin was concerned. Adrienne, however, was not so happy.
"We have no idea which horses are unowned!" she fumed, glaring at the long corridor of mostly empty stalls.
"Why don't we go to the back of the stable and take two of those?" Erin suggested. Adrienne looked doubtful; horse stealing was no doubt a serious crime.
Erin tried again. "Most of the cavalry members are going to be out there already. The horses here are probably ownerless."
Adrienne nodded slightly. They couldn't waste any more time. "Alright. You take the bay there, and I'll take the black one."
"Greda," Erin read aloud from a board on the bay's stall. She liked the name.
Adrienne glanced back and smiled a little. "Mine's Caelef," she said.
Erin wasn't paying much attention. Her horse (definitely a stallion, Erin noted), didn't seem to like her in his stall, which she was cautiously attempting to enter. It had retreated to the back wall of the stall, and Erin feared it might start making a commotion if she didn't do something. They couldn't afford to draw attention.
Thinking quickly, Erin began to speak in the most soothing voice she could muster. "Stille nu, stille nu, Greda. Man le trasta, Greda? Stille nu." She tried to touch its neck, patting and rubbing softly. The horse quieted and let her approach it.
After a few moments Erin backed out of the stall and into the corridor where Adrienne waited. "What was that?" Adrienne asked her as they moved toward the tack room in the back.
"Some Rohirric and Elvish, I think." Erin answered. "I'm not sure exactly what it means. In TTT Extended Aragorn used some of it to quiet Brego in that one scene."
Adrienne nodded a little. "You want to grab a saddle, a bridle, waterskins...we'll definitely want a tent…I'll carry that, you can take the rest of the saddlebags."
Erin just listened and followed Adrienne's directions as her friend selected tack and supplies. She was completely out of her depth. But Adrienne had once taken riding lessons, and she knew what she was doing…better than Erin, at least.
Once they began placing it on the horses, Erin was relieved to find that Greda accepted the burdens and her presence quite calmly. Adrienne had to help her fasten all the proper ties and attach the saddlebags, since Erin had little knowledge of knots either. She began to wish fervently that just once she had checked out one of those books on "useful knots" or "how to survive in the wilderness." Though never would she have dreamed at the time that such knowledge might come in handy.
At least Erin knew a little about riding. She had been on guided pony rides during vacations, which she knew was nothing like what they were about to experience, but had taught her some of the basic rein movements.
With more soothing words and pats Erin managed to get into the saddle. Adrienne was already mounted and halfway down the corridor. Her stallion seemed to be accepting her just fine.
"Have you got it?" Adrienne called back softly.
"Yeah, I think so," Erin replied, nudging Greda out of the stall. Now that the initial steps were over, he seemed eager to go beneath her, as if sensing some of her excitement. This was the kind of situation one read about in fantasy novels; yet here she was, living it. Her joy threatened to overwhelm her.
But no more thinking. Now was the time for action. Erin checked her watch: fifteen minutes to departure. She nodded once more to Adrienne, and they moved slowly out of the stables. As they left the stables and turned down the street, Erin thought she heard someone call their names, but she didn't look back. They were so close to freedom…nothing could stop them now.
Once on the open street they picked up speed, moving quickly down through the levels until they reached the Fields. No one questioned them as they rode out of the gates amid a press of other soldiers, though Erin was sure her heart was pounding loudly enough to alert anyone nearby, even over the sound of hooves on stone.
Then, finally, they were through the gate. Erin knew it was still early to rejoice, but she couldn't help the overwhelming feeling of triumph at having made it this far. It felt as if a great burden had been lifted from her shoulders; here, she was an anonymous soldier, upon whom no special tasks or responsibilities were laid.
As unobtrusively as they could manage, Erin and Adrienne slipped into the cavalry ranks of the men from the South. All were dressed in the common manner that Erin and Adrienne had adopted, rather than uniforms, though they bore banners to signify their homeland. The men directly in front of Erin and Adrienne, whom they had seemed to join, flew a red pennant with a scythe on it. Ahead of the common cavalry were the Gondorian riders, the Dunedain, and the Lords of the West. Behind Erin and Adrienne marched the infantry, flanked and followed by companies of mounted Rohirrim.
Erin shared a triumphant glance with Adrienne. Against all odds, they had done it; they had joined the ranks of the army headed for the Black Gates of Mordor. Suddenly Adrienne's smile turned to a grimace of pain. She untied the waterskin of pain medication and took a single swallow, then handed it to Erin.
Erin smiled her gratitude as she took a large gulp. Her side ached so much she wanted to cry, and riding had only worsened it. She didn't think the wound had reopened; it was stitched closed tightly, and she had been careful about it while putting on the armor and mounting Greda. She tried not to think what it would feel like after a full day of riding. At least Kavila had changed the bandage just an hour before.
Erin almost smiled as she imagined Kavila's reaction when she saw the two empty cots. She could hear Kavila screaming as she called them "retarded" and "stupid" and perhaps even some more creative terms. After all, if any situation could move Kavila to curse, this would be it. Who knew, she might even break some things. At least there weren't any precious artifacts in the room.
A sudden silence broke Erin from her musings; the army had fallen quiet. She looked up to see Aragorn standing tall in his stirrups, looking every inch the king. Anduril gleamed in his hand, reflecting the light of the morning sun.
"My fellow men," he began in a voice that carried surprisingly clearly across the field. "we depart this day on a brave errand: to assault the Black Gates of Mordor. You are a great host, not in number but in heart. Seven thousand, and each man worth two in courage alone. Seven thousand strong, we ride to battle against the Lord of Darkness himself." He thrust Anduril suddenly up toward the sky. "Three thousand years ago, this blade was wielded upon the slopes of Mount Doom in victory. So it shall be again! And when the Enemy is thrown down, then shall a new day arise, and your children and their children shall live in its light. With this thought, be strengthened! And with this strength, ride! Ride with the light of the White City behind you!"
A great cry went up from the men as the army surged forward, wheeling east company by company. Soldiers jostled for positions as the rhythm of marching feet and pounding hooves drowned out the army's calls. Erin was unable to hold back a grin as she and Adrienne joined the flow. The rumbling beat was music to her ears, a thunder that sang in her blood; there was a joy and excitement in being a part of this great effort which she had never before experienced. She found it intoxicating, taking deep breaths and reaching out with all her senses. The world had never seemed so bright and full of promise, the heat of the sun never so wonderfully warm upon her back.
Erin looked to the head of the army, where Lords Aragorn, Gandalf, Eomer, and Imrahil rode together in a line of shimmering metal and tall helms. Behind them were some of the lesser lords, and Sarah, Megan, and Kalva. Even as Erin watched, Megan threw back her head in laughter as Kalva helped Sarah manage her horse. Erin longed to ride openly with them, to share her feelings with her friends. At least Adrienne was here, even if they couldn't talk much for fear of being overheard and discovered. She shared a long look with Adrienne, seeing her own excitement mirrored in her friend's gaze.
Then Erin took a moment, shifting slightly in the saddle, and gazed back upon the White City. It gleamed in the morning sun, a single spire of silver against the dark backdrop of the mountains. Erin realized she had never seen it from this view; it was truly magnificent. She felt a swell of emotions rise up within her heart: a deep love for this land and its people, pride that she would be defending them, and an iron determination not to let this great city fall into darkness. When she faced the front of the army once more, she had to fight back tears.
KAVILA was just coming around the corner toward the stables when she saw two slim figures gallop down toward the next level. She recognized them immediately; even under the armor and cloak they were too thin to be warriors. Definitely Erin and Adrienne. She called their names frantically, but they either did not hear her or ignored her. Moments later they disappeared around a corner.
Kavila quickly made her decision. She would have to pursue them on horseback; by the time she reached the army on foot they would be lost in the crowd.
She raced into the stables, hoping fervently that there was someone here who knew how to saddle a horse. In her haste, she failed to see the person who was also rushing—out of the stables. They collided with a sharp crack and dual cries of pain.
Kavila looked up from her position on the floor to find two concerned boys each offering her a hand. She took both, brushing the straw off her clothes as she regained her wits. One of the boys pulled a third boy to his feet, the person whom Kavila had so thoughtlessly crashed into. All three were no more than ten or twelve years of age.
"I'm so sorry! Are you alright? Where are you hurt? Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Kavila exclaimed. One of the other boys, a tall dark-haired young man, cut her off with a laugh. "Don't worry, my lady, it's only Jarin. He's always clumsy."
Kavila belatedly realized she hadn't made any attempt to hide her gender. Right now, she figured that didn't really matter. "Did you just see two people ride out of this stable?" she asked quickly.
"Yes!" Jarin exclaimed indignantly. "They stole two horses and the tack, and some supplies! The thieves!"
"They've escaped from the Houses of Healing to join the army!" Kavila continued. "They aren't well enough to go! I have to catch up with them!"
All three boys grinned. "Escaped? Fugitives and thieves! Of course we'll help you find them, my lady," the tall boy said. "Nival will saddle your horse. Jarin will get your supplies. If you'll come back here with me, I'll get you a proper uniform! I'm Tam," he added.
"A uniform? Supplies? I don't need those!" Kavila exclaimed. "All I need is the horse to get down there!"
"But how will you join the army dressed like that?" Tam said in a disapproving tone. "We've a few spare uniforms back here."
"I don't need a uniform!" Kavila insisted. "Erin and Adrienne didn't have them! They just had mail and helmets!"
Tam eyed her critically as he held up a suit of mail. "Very well, if you don't want the breastplate, we'll leave that. But you must have the armor."
"I don't need to dress up!" Kavila wanted to scream. "If I get down there fast enough, I can catch them before they leave!"
But her young helpers ignored her, and soon she was fitted with a full soldier's uniform, minus the breastplate and distinctive helm. Tam led her into the stables where the other two boys waited. They looked her up and down, nodding. "You look as grand as any soldier of Gondor, my lady," Nival said. "Here is your horse. Her name is Sarwen." He led forward a tan-colored horse fitted with a saddle and several bags. "I'm afraid we did not have any sidesaddles but," he looked at her again, "it seems you are more fit to ride astride her."
Tam darted into the back room and returned with a sword, holding it out. "I nearly forgot. You cannot join the army without a weapon."
Kavila gingerly accepted it and belted it on, having realized that the quickest way to get out of here was to avoid arguments and accept what the boys gave her.
Jarin stepped forward. "I brought you standard soldiers' rations, enough for a week. That should keep you, if you're careful. I'm sorry we've no better fare. Here behind the saddle is your bedroll. This is your waterskin." All three boys stepped back expectantly.
Kavila took a few moments to collect herself. The boys were very enthusiastic, and in the whirlwind of activity she'd had little time to think about what she was doing. However, she quickly decided that that was not the road to travel for now, or she'd never get out of the stables.
"Um, thanks a lot, you guys…you're very, ah, generous," Kavila said. The three boys murmured modest answers, then returned to watching her.
After a few moments of awkward silence, Nival spoke up. "You ought to mount your horse, my lady."
"Oh…yeah…" Kavila said as she regarded the mare with trepidation. It seemed so far off the ground…and how was one supposed to ride with all those bags tied all over it? Jarin stepped up beside her when she made no move to mount.
"Have you ridden before, my lady?" he asked her. Kavila dropped her eyes as she shook her head, slightly embarrassed by her ignorance.
Jarin didn't hesitate. "Put your left foot here on the stirrup, and push yourself up and into the saddle." Kavila did so, viewing the faraway ground with unease. She started as the mare shifted beneath her. Jarin reached over and patted the mare's neck, whispering, "Shh Sarwen, hush, you're a good girl, all is well…" He looked back up at Kavila. "She can sense your feelings, your nervousness, and it makes her edgy," he told her.
"Oh, wonderful!" Kavila said sarcastically, but she made a concerted effort to still the sick feeling in her stomach that told her this was not a smart idea. She already knew that; she didn't need her instincts to tell her.
But no matter how ill-conceived this plan was, Erin and Adrienne's escape was far more foolhardy. Kavila drew in a deep breath. She had to help them. She was the only one who could now. Even if they would look upon her help ungratefully, it was for the best.
Nival showed her the reins and how to hold them, giving her quick instructions in guiding the mare. Then he stepped back with the other boys, clearing the way for Kavila to ride out. They all nodded their approval.
Now that the time had come, Kavila didn't want to go. She knew that once she left this stable there was no going back until she had found Erin and Adrienne. There were so many what ifs, so many unconsidered dangers…but she had to. She couldn't sit by in Minas Tirith and watch her injured friends ride away.
"Um…thank you again…" Kavila said.
Tam's expression became serious. "Ride fast, and find your goal. Be safe, fair lady." His friends also put on grave faces, and Kavila fought the urge to laugh at their seriousness. Instead, she turned toward the stable door and gently kneed Sarwen's sides. The horse moved into a walk just as Nival had said, and soon Kavila was out the stable door and into the sunlight, the boys' goodbyes echoing after her.
Kavila coaxed Sarwen into a faster pace, trying to ignore her own panic at riding for the first time. She had a strong feeling that time was running short. She just hoped her…what was it?...hauberk hid both her dark skin and her gender as she moved quickly through the levels. She felt eyes on her, but not many; she figured there would have been more if it had been obvious she was a woman.
When she reached the destroyed gates, she had to consciously keep herself from staring. The massive, thick metal lay in twisted ruin where it had fallen two days prior, the city's scant resources having been devoted to other preparations.
She passed out of the city and onto the Fields, and a new anxiety gripped her as she saw the army spread out before her. Seven thousand, Gandalf had said. How would she ever find Erin and Adrienne among seven thousand men?
Kavila was not given time to ponder the question, for at that moment the army fell completely silent. Kavila stilled Sarwen quickly, trying to avoid attention, which any noisemaking would surely draw.
The reason for the sudden silence soon became apparent. Far away at the head of the army, Aragorn was making a speech; somehow his deep voice carried all the way to the back of the army.
As she listened to his words, Kavila felt a strange thing happen: her anxiety began to diminish, replaced by a sense of optimism and righteousness. "And when the Enemy is thrown down, then shall a new day arise, and your children and their children shall live in its light," he said, and Kavila found her spirits rising. She began to feel that she was part of something great, something good, and that feeling gave her pride. It wasn't a change of heart; she was still quaking inside at the thought of being present at the Battle of the Black Gates, although if luck was with her she might be able to find her friends early enough to turn back. It was more a sudden understanding, a realization that gave her insight into her friends' fascination with war.
Suddenly all those about her sprang into movement, and Sarwen followed without Kavila's direction. At first Kavila was terrified by the sensation of being caught in a flood of beasts and men, with loud pounding of hooves ringing in her ears; but gradually the excitement that hung so thick in the air began to infect her. The horse's muscles were strange to feel beneath her saddle, but also interesting to observe as Sarwen ran with her fellows.
Kavila scanned the cavalry about her halfheartedly, despairing of ever finding her friends in this mass of humanity. Then her eyes came to rest upon a group of foot soldiers. Well, she knew they weren't in that part of the army; she had seen them ride out of the stable, and besides, Adrienne couldn't have managed walking that long.
As she looked over the army, Kavila realized that that qualification ruled out more than half the soldiers. The majority of this army was on foot, not on horseback. All she had to do was search the cavalry units, which would be relatively easy since she was mounted herself.
Great. I only have to search 3,000 soldiers, instead of 7,000, she thought sarcastically. But despite her train of thought, hope was blossoming anew in her heart. With those odds, maybe it would be possible to find her friends.