Chapter Eight: The Beacons of Minas Tirith
That conversation she had had with Aragorn had gotten Kendra to thinking. How did she really seem to know that traveling with Aragorn was going to be more interesting than seeing Minas Tirith up close and personal? Had she made a mistake in staying with them and not going to Minas Tirith with Gandalf? Where were they eventually going to go? Were they going to go help Minas Tirith in the end?
She would mull these questions over in her head while she trained. Soon, even training did little to preoccupy her. The same thing was happening for Aragorn. Kendra had noticed that Aragorn would spend almost all day staring out of the city towards the mountains. He would join them for meals before returning to his vigil. Even if he didn't say anything, she knew he was worried.
Soon, Aragorn started eating his meals from his vigil spot. Legolas would take his food to him and leave him to his watch. Kendra and Legolas had some interesting conversations over lunch. Kendra learned of Aragorn's childhood with the elves, mostly about his misadventures with his brothers. It was during one of these conversations that they got the news they had all been waiting for.
"The beacons of Minas Tirith!" Aragorn shouted, running in. "The beacons are lit. Gondor calls for aid."
He stopped, just in front of Theoden. Silence gripped the room. They waited for an answer from the king.
"And Rohan will answer," was what Theoden answered with. "Muster the Rohirrim."
Soon, preparations were being made. Horses were saddled and packs tightened on the saddles. They were soon riding out. Kendra had been given her own horse. While waiting for the lights of the beacons, Aragorn and Legolas, with occasional help from Eomer, had taught her to ride like a pro. Now, she rode her own horse.
"Riders of Rohan. Oaths you have taken. Now fulfill them all. To lord and land," Eomer shouted before they rode towards Minas Tirith, and war.
'To lord and land, to friend and family. Protect what is most precious and you will die with glory,' Kendra thought as she rode, remembering what one of her old commanders had said.