Sorry it took so long to update everyone. My birthday was on Tuesday and my friends and family kept me pretty busy. I hope you all like this chapter. Let me know!

Note: The dialouge note is the same as in the last few chapters!

Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings.

Chapter 34: The Beacons Are Lit

"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. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the palantir 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. 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. If the beacons of Rohan are lit, Rohan must be ready for war," Gandalf's voice echoed off the walls of the Golden Hall. Ana stood behind Merry and Pippin as she listened to Gandalf talk. Haldir stood with the others and she put her hand on Pippin's shoulder. The small hobbit looked up at her and she gave him a reassuring smile as she turned her attention back to the men.

"Tell me, why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?" Theoden asked and Ana lowered her hand from Pippin's shoulder and walked over to them.

"You mean that you will not help them?" she asked slightly surprised. Her people had given their lives to help him and his people and although his loss had been great, he still would not go to aide others that needed him. Theoden looked to her and he shook his head before he looked away. "Elves that I have, had, known for a long time fell defending your people, and I know many of your men have already fallen, but we did not need to make the sacrifice we made for you. We came to help you when nothing was owed. Why can you not extend the same courtesy to your brothers?" Theoden looked to her and was about to speak and judging by the look that was in his eyes Ana knew it wasn't going to be pleasant. However, before he could speak Aragorn beat him to it.

"I will go," Aragorn said drawing the attention away from her.

"No," Gandalf said firmly as he stepped closer to Aragorn. Ana looked at the pair and felt another pair of eyes on her.

"They must be warned," Aragorn said and Ana looked to Haldir.

"They will be," Gandalf said before he spoke quietly to Aragorn. Ana walked over to Haldir and took his hand.

"You should not have spoken out as such,"Haldir told her softly. Ana nodded and sighed before she looked back at the others.

"What do you think is going to happen?" she asked him and Haldir shook his head.

"I do not know," he told her gently before they stopped and turned their full attention back to the others.

"Understand this," Gandalf said loudly. "Things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith, and I won't be going alone," he said as his eyes turned to Pippin. Ana followed his gaze and she swallowed hard. The hobbit was to take part in the beginning of a long adventure, one she hoped they all would survive.

Ana sat in her and Haldir's chamber. She had moved the chaise near the window and laid back against the chair as she looked out the window. Gandalf and Pippin had rode for Minas Tirith four days earlier and Éowyn had told her that they would more than likely be taking council with Denethor, the Steward of Gondor. She drew her knees up to her chest and sighed as she looked out the window. The cool late winter air danced across her face as she closed her eyes.

So much had happened in the little over a year she had been in Middle Earth. So much had changed her, and she knew it was for the better. She still didn't have the slightest idea what was going to happen, she didn't know what her purpose was but something told her she would know when it came to that point, and she knew that when it would happen, Haldir would be right at her side. However, she worried. She worried because she didn't know what was going to happen.

Ana lifted her head and rested it against her knees and once again closed her eyes. She sighed softly when she heard open. She lifted her head and looked towards the door to see Éowyn enter hesitantly.

"Ana, are you well?" Éowyn asked. Ana nodded her head and sat up.

"I'm fine Éowyn, just thinking," she said with a smile. Éowyn returned her smile as Ana stood. "I've been alone since Gandalf left. Haldir's been busy with Legolas and Aragorn and I think I'm going stir crazy." Éowyn laughed quietly and shook her head.

"I could give you a tour of the city. I'm sure it isn't much compared to your home, but . . ." Éowyn trailed off and Ana smiled.

"I'd like that very much, and believe me what I've seen of your home and of your people I already find very interesting." Éowyn smiled happily at her and nodded her head as she led Ana from Haldir's room and outside of the Golden Hall.

After walking all around the city, Ana and Éowyn stopped and sat outside the stables. "Ana, can I ask you a question?" Éowyn asked and Ana nodded.

"Of course, ask what you will," Ana said as she took a drink of water from her water skin.

"I've heard Gandalf call you Adonnenniel and the others, Lord Aragorn, the hobbits and them, they call you Ana. Why is that?" Ana smiled.

"Adonnenniel is my Elvin name. Gandalf is the only one that calls me that. Ana is a name I've gone by since I was a child, and is one that I prefer." Éowyn nodded.

"I will say that I do like Ana better as well, much easier to pronounce." Ana laughed and nodded her head. The two talked softly for a little while longer until another voice broke their conversation.

"So this is where you've been hiding, Éowyn," he said. Ana looked up and smiled at Éomer. Éowyn smiled at her brother and shook her head.

"I gave Ana a tour of the city and we've only just stopped. We've been talking for a time," Éowyn said and Ana nodded.

"It's been refreshing having another female to talk to," Ana said as she stood. Éowyn stood with her. "I'll leave you with your brother. If he has finally left the hall, then Haldir must be free as well. Take care," she said with a nod before she lifted her skirts slightly and quickly made her way into the hall.

Haldir sighed as he walked from the King's study. He had shared many words with the King to make up for Ana's outburst before Gandalf had left. The king had taken to heart what she had said, but Haldir had assured him that she was merely upset and that her words were just that, words. He ran a calloused hand down his face when he felt another presence at the end of the corridor.

"Do I finally get to spend time with you, or must I wait until we ride off before I have that honor?" a familiar and warm voice asked. Haldir looked up and smiled at Ana. She returned his smile and met him halfway in the corridor. Haldir took her into his arms. He wrapped one arm around her waist and raised his right hand to her face and held her head gently in his hand. Ana put her arms around his waist and looked up at him.

"You always have that honor, Ana," Haldir said softly. Ana shook her head.

"Not recently I haven't. It seems as if you've become a stranger to me. You have not even shared our bed with me since Gandalf left, and you seem to forget that even though you may be an elf, you do need to rest." She raised a hand to his face and ran her fingers across his cheek, just under his eye. "I can tell you are growing weary, don't make me worry for you more than I already do," she finished in a whisper. Haldir smiled and moved his hand across her cheek and buried his fingers in her lose hair.

"I do not mean to make you worry, but you also forget that my duties-,"

"—will keep you from me for extended periods of time. I know, I know. Believe me I know," she said breathily before she stepped from his arms. Haldir felt a chill, oddly enough, when she stepped away from him. She turned from him and she wrapped her arms around her middle. "However, you have no duties here. This is not Lothlorien." Haldir sighed and stepped over to her. He put his hands on her shoulders and turned her body to face him. Ana lowered her arms and his raised his finger to her chin and gently pushed her face up so she was looking up at him. He smiled at her and ran his fingers down her face before he put his hand on her other shoulder.

"I may not have duties, but I've been working with the King, trying to get him to see that if he is called upon his men will be needed, and I've been trying to ensure him you were just caught in the moment the other day." Ana smiled up at him and shook her head. "Believe me, right now, there is nothing I would rather do then spend our time here alone with you." Ana blushed and shook her head once more as she pushed his shoulder before she turned and walked away from him. Haldir laughed and quickly caught up with her. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into the shadows of the corridor. Ana laughed and turned around in his arms before he pinned her to the wall.

"What are you doing Marchwarden?" she asked softly. However, Haldir, just smiled and claimed her lips softly.

"Taking a moment with my wife," he whispered against her lips before he claimed them again. Ana sighed against his lips and wrapped her arms around his neck and easily returned his affections.

Two days. Two more days had passed since Gandalf and Pippin rode of to Minas Tirith and Aragorn along with Ana was becoming restless. Aragorn had gone outside to spoke his pipe and Ana followed him. "You think we would have heard something by now," she said as she sat down next to him. She was dressed in her tunic and leggings that day. When Haldir asked why she wore them and not one of the few dresses Éowyn had given her she truly didn't have an answer.

"There may still be time," Aragorn said as he began to fill his pipe. He sighed and looked off towards the mountains. Ana saw his eyes widen slightly and he lowered his pipe and stood.

"Aragorn, what . . ." she trailed off when she followed his eyes. The beacon was lit. Aragorn took off in a flash towards the Golden Hall and Ana was right behind him. They both ran into the building.

"The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid," Aragorn said as they stopped before the King. Ana's eyes remained trained on Theoden as he stood from leaning over a table where a map laid. Ana felt a presence step behind her and she knew it was Haldir.

"And Rohan will answer. Muster the Rohirrim!" Theoden exclaimed. Ana sighed and turned around to look at Haldir.

"It looks like we ride," she told him quietly. Haldir nodded and cupped her cheek before he followed Aragorn from the Golden Hall. Ana took a deep slow breath before she closed her eyes and released it. After a moment, Ana opened her eyes and quickly made her way to her room. She had to get her weapons and she would gather Haldir's armor and his weapons because they both would need them soon enough.