Wooo! I'm back baby! Finally got my new glasses so I can get on with writing! Woohoo! For now, it's just going to be this story that will be getting updated as I am still working some things out for the others, but not to worry, there will be updates soon. . .just not sure when at the moment. I just want to thank you all for being so patient with me. I know it's mean under four months since my last update, and I have no excuses apart from having no glasses, depression kicking in etc. I love you all and I hope you're still there with me. Xxx

Review respsonses:

DarkAngel2581 – I'm glad you're liking this story! I'm sorry for the late update, but I hope this makes up for it!

Jack Redhawke (for chapter 4) – I'm glad that I'm bringing that smile to you, and I hope you keep on reading. Xx

Jack Redhawke (for chapter 6) – I ave to say, that personally, I do like Boromir's character, and I don't think he's an asshole at all. But, in those days, especially among the race of men, this is how I believe men would be like towards women. I'm sorry if you don't like this, but that's just how I think men would be like.

Jack Redhawke (for chapter 9) – First off, I believe that with siblings, even if you've been separated for some years, that there would be a small spark there to say that there's something familiar about someone, something from your past, so that's where that came from. And I think he is. . .I'm not too sure. I'm trying to keep as close to the story line as I can, but some things might slip from time to time.

Muster the Rohirrim

Early the next morning, we all gather in the Golden Hall with Théoden as we tell him what happened during the night. Merry and Pippin are also present, Pippin sitting on a stool in front of Merry.

"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool. . .but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring."

I hear Gimli give out a short breath of relief, I feel the same. Not that I doubted Pippin's loyalty at all.

"We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantír a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing: he knows the heir of Elendil has come forth."

I keep an eye out on Aragorn at this out of the corner of my eye, but he just stares ahead as he listens to Gansalf.

"Men are not as weak as he supposed; there is courage still, strength enough perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King return to the throne of men."

Aragorn looks down at this, rubbing his beard slightly.

Gandalf then turns to Théoden. "If the Beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."

After a slight pause, Théoden answers. "Tell me. . .why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"

I look at Théoden in shock and surprise at this. The people of Gondor may not have come to his aid and his time of need, that I can understand, but surely he would not react the same and not offer help to anyone who needs it. Especially is innocent people are in danger.

"I will go." Aragorn suddenly speaks up from next to me.

"No!" Gandalf instantly commands.

"They must be warned!"

"They will be." he then walks over to Gandalf to speak quietly, though I still hear him. "You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the river and look to the black ships."

He raises his voice again as he turns to speak to all of us/

"Understand this: things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith."

Gandalf looks at the hobbits.

"And I won't be going alone."

Not long after, Gandalf leaves with the hobbits, I follow to see them off. Gandalf's hurrying on ahead, Merry and Pippin lagging behind a little.

"Of all the inquisitive hobbits, Peregrin Took, you are the worst! Hurry! Hurry!"

"Where are we going?" Pippin asks Merry.

"Why did you look? Why do you always have to look!"

"I don't know. I can't help it!"

"You never can."

Pippin stops walking. "I'm sorry, all right! I won't do it again."

Merry turns back and walks to him "Don't you understand? The enemy thinks you have the Ring! He's going to be looking for you, Pip. They have to get you out of here."

"And y-you're coming with me?"

Merry walks away.

"Merry?"

"Come on!"

I place a hand on his shoulder and give him a reassuring smile before we follow Gandalf and Merry into the stables. Gandalf takes Shadowfax out of his pen and lifts Pippin onto his back.

"How far is Minas Tirith?" Pippin asks Gandalf.

"Three day's ride, as the Nazgûl flies. And we better hope we don't have one of those on our tail."

Merry steps forward anf hands Pippin a pouch as Gandalf steps aside. "Here. Something for the road."

"Last of the Longbottom Leaf?"

"I know you've run out. You smoke too much, Pip."

"But we'll see each other soon,"

Merry glances back at Gandalf as he mounts Shadowfax.

"Won't we?"

"I don't know. I don't know what's going to happen."

I put my hands on his shoulders as he steps back towards me, hearing him tear up.

"Merry. . ."

"Run, Shadowfax. Show us the meaning of haste."

"Merry!"

Shadowfax then gallops out of the stables, causing those in his way to jump back. Merry runs out after them, climbing up a watchtower. I run after him with Aragorn.

"Merry!" Aragorn calls out as we get to the top.

We see him standing and watching Shadowfax with Gandalf and Pippin on his back. Aragorn and I stand on either side of him.

"He's always followed me. Everywhere I went, since before we were were tweens. I would get him into the worst sort of trouble. But I was always there to get him out. And now he's gone."

Aragorn and I put a hand on each shoulder.

"Just like Frodo, and Sam."

Aragorn smiles. "One thing I've learned about hobbits: they are most hardy folk."

"Foolhardy maybe. He's a Took." Merry says, which causes the three of us to laugh as we continue to watch our friends until they are out of sight.

Over the next week or so, we all stay in Rohan with no sign yet from Gandalf. We take this time to relax while we can. During this time, Legolas and I have been taking the chance to become closer with one another as a courting couple. Unfortunately, the news reaches Gimli's ears, and I have already been subjecting to his teasing.

Aragorn on the other hand, instead of teasing, just smiles and congratulates us both, warning Legolas to take care of me, to which he of course promises.

I also take this time to continue with Merry's weapons training we started in Rivendell just a few months before. . .those few moments seem like years to me.

On what is going to be our last day in Edoras, I am sitting in the Golden Hall with Legolas and Gimli talking, when the doors burst open and Aragorn runs in.

"The Beacons of Minas Tirith! The Beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid!"

Théoden, in council with his men, pauses and takes stock of this news. Everyone in the hall is silent as they watch and wait for Théoden. I look to Théoden, hoping and praying that he will do the right thing here. And luckily, my prayers are answered.

"And Rohan will answer. Muster the Rohirrim!"

I smile as the men immediately leave to prepare for departure. Placing a hand on Legolas's arm, I turn and go to my room to get myself ready. Strapping on my assortment of weapons before going outside, hearing an alarm bell being rung. I go into the stables and saddle up Haleth before riding him out and stopping besides Legolas and Gimli, who are already ready and sitting on Arod.

"Horsemen, hmph! I wish I could muster a legion of Dwarves, fully armed and filthy." Gimli grumbles.

I grin, not able to help agree with him.

Legolas's next words have me worried. "Your kinsmen may have no need to ride to war. I fear war already marches on their own lands."

Gimli and I share a look with each other, knowing that a second war would no doubt end up taking place on the doorsteps of the Lonely Mountain, yet again. I just pray that our kin, and the men of Dale, will be safe during all of this.

Looking up ahead, I smile as I see Merry on a white pony, all dressed and ready for battle. I smile more as he's trying to get his pony to move, but it stubbornly ignores his kicks. I excuse myself from the two before walking Haleth next to him.

"Need some help, my friend?"

Merry smiles up at me. "He won't listen."

I grin as I reach down and pull on the ponies reins a little to move him forward, he moves a little as we walk over to where the men have gathered.

Eomer begins to speak to everyone. "Now is the hour, Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken! Now, fulfill them all! To Lord and Land!"

We then ride out. Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli ride up front with Théoden, while I stay in the middle with Merry. Not helping but grin at the excited look on the Hobbits face.

A couple days later, we finally reach the encampment at Dunharrow. I look around, surveying the numbers of the Rohan army. I can't help but feeling a sense of dread at just how few there are. Pushing that dread to the back of my mind, I think about those that thought it impossible that a company of fifteen wouldn't be able to retake Erebor from a dragon. But now, Erebor is once again ruled by the dwarves.

"Grimbold, how many?" I head Théoden asks.

"I bring five hundred men from the Westfold, my Lord."

Gamling then speaks up. "We have three hundred more from Fenmarch."

"Where are the riders from Snowbourn?"

"None have come, my Lord."

We ride on through and up to the top of a peak where we all dismount, I hand the reins of Haleth and Merry's pony to one of the men before joining Legolas and Gimli, Merry scurrying off somewhere.

As we're walking, the horses start getting agitated, rearing up and neighing loudly. Éomer walks past, his face grim.

"The horses are restless, and the men are quiet." Legolas points out.

"They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain." Éomer answers as he looks to the mountain.

Following his gaze, we see a dark path that leads in between a crack in the mountain side.

"That road there, where does that lead?" Gimli asks.

I look to the path in silence for a moment before I answer. "It is the road to the Dimholt; the door under the mountain."

"None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil."

I look to the mountain for a moment longer, my eyes narrowing as I swear I see something, but I just shake my head before turning and following Legolas to get something to eat.

Later that night, as I am roaming through the encampment, I see something that catches my eye. Aragorn is dressed in his riding gear, a new sword strapped to his waist. I watch as he's getting Brego saddled up. I turn just as Éowyn approaches him and goes to find Legolas and Gimli. After telling them what I saw, the three of us immediately agree that we will be following him, no matter where he goes. So, on that note, Gimli wanders off to intercept him, while Legolas and I go to get Haleth and Arod saddled up. We return to see Aragorn walking past Gimli.

"Just where do you think you're off to?" I hear Gimli say as he stands.

Aragorn stops and turns to the dwarrow. "Not this time. This time you must stay, Gimli."

I'm grinning as Legolas and I stop next to him, he tursn to us in surprise.

"Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?" I say to him, my grin never leaving my face.

Gimli looks up to him, a look on his face which leaves no room for arguing. "Might as well accept it. We're going with you, laddie."

Aragorn sighs, but I can still see the smile on his face as he does accept this. The four of us mount up and follow Aragorn as he leads the way through the path on the Dimholt road. The soldiers look on as we ride past, chattering among themselves in confusion.

"What's happening?"

"Where's he going?"

"I don't understand."

"Lord Aragorn!"

There is no reply as we soon ride into the darkness and out of sight of the men.

The sun, having risen hours ago, is now high in the sky, hidden behind clouds as the four of us ride along a barren mountain path. The area around us is so quiet. No sign of birds or any small animals scurrying around.

"What kind of army would linger in such a place?" Gimli asks from behind a I ride in the middle.

"One that is cursed." Legolas replies.

Remembering everything I read up on Isildur in my youth, I elaborate on his answer. "Long ago the Men of the Mountain swore an oath to the last king of Gondor, to come to his aid, to fight. But when the time came, when Gondor's need was dire, they fled, vanishing into the darkness of the mountain. And so Isildur cursed them, never to rest, until they had fulfilled their pledge."

"Who shall call them from the grey twilight? The forgotten people. The heir of him to whom the oath they swore. From the north shall he come. Need shall drive him. He shall pass the door to the Paths of the Dead."

A few more hours, we dismount as the path becomes narrow as we approach the Dimoholt door. I shiver slightly as it is adorned with skulls.

"The very warmth of my blood seems stole away." Gimli breathes.

Legolas reads the hieroglyphs above the door.

"'The way is shut. It was made by those who were dead, and the dead keep it. The way is shut.'"

There is a sudden wind and noise that comes out of the door, which puts the four of us on edge. The horses rear up and flee, running back along the path. Aragorn and I call out for our horses, but they don't return.

Aragorn turns back towards the entrance, a grim look set on his face. "I do not fear death!"

He then enters the mountain. Legolas and I look at one another for a moment before I follow Aragorn, Legolas right behind. I can hear Gimli hesitating.

"Well this is something unheard of! An elf will go underground where a dwarf dare not! Ah, I'd never hear the end of it!"

I grin as I hear Gimli run after us.

Woo! Finally got this chapter up and running! Thank you again for your patience! Paths of the Dead next, so stay tuned for that! R&R!