The heir of Isildur
The entourage of the king had significantly lessened. A thousand men had already made way to Edoras, to go to is weapon-take and gather things for war. 500- our company included- were going with the king direct to Dunharrow. The rangers rode a little apart, all carrying spears, swords and bows by the quiet clanking.
However, among the rangers I could hear a lone horse- Roheryn, Aragorns own from the north. The sons of Elrond were astride with the rangers as well, so silent that even I could've missed them at first moment. Aragorn himself though still sat upon Hasufel and was murmuring quietly with Theoden.
"I am troubled my lord." He said to him, riding alongside his horse. "I have heard strange words of perils far off. I think I may have to change my purpose. How long till we reach Dunharrrow?"
Eomer apparently overheard. "It's an hour past noon now." He said. "Before night in two days we will come to the hold, and the muster from Edoras will come the day after. We cannot make it with more speed if more Rohirrim are to be gathered."
Huh, I thought. On the wing it only took three hours. Kran my wings. Aragorn was silent for a while. "Three days." He muttered. "And the muster will only be half done. But it can't be hastened." I could hear a rustle as his head moved up, looking to the sky. "Then by your leave my lord, I must take a new road for myself and my kindred. We must ride our own road and no longer in secret. Our path of stealth has past. We will ride east the swiftest way, and then I will take the paths of the dead."
Theodens voice trembled as he spoke. "The paths of the dead!" he trembled. "Why do you speak of them?" I heard Merry choke behind Aragorn. There was a significant drop in the temperature of the men within normal hearing range of the words as they blanched. I felt myself blanch at the words: there weren't many things I was afraid of that weren't related to Morgoth or Sauron, but this was one of those things. "If there is truth in such paths," said Theoden "their gate is in Dunharrow, but no living man may pass it." Those words made me give the quickest of smirks: what of women, children, elves, dwarves or hobbits? But my initial thoughts were quickly dashed. No living man; but there were the dead. I had dealt with ghosts only once before, very briefly. It was among the most frightening experiences of my life. I wanted to stop listening to the conversation then and there but it is difficult to do that when you can hear things from several miles away- I can't always help what I hear. The thought of-ghosts- sent chills down my spine.
I was shaken from my thoughts by Eomer's sorrowful voice. "Alas Aragorn my friend. I hoped we would ride to war together; but if you seek the paths of the dead then we must part. I doubt we will meet again."
"But that road I will take nonetheless." Said Aragorn, once again sending chills through me. "But I say to you that in battle we may meet again although the hosts of Mordor may stand between us."
"You do as you will Lord Aragorn." Said the king. "Maybe it is your doom to tread strange paths that others do not. This parting grieves me and our strength is lessened. But we must take other roads and delay no longer. Farewell!"
So Aragorn was leaving with the rangers, to take the paths of the dead. I heard a slip of material as he slid off his Rohirrim horse, still moving, and swung himself up onto Roheryn. Despite his stature Merry had proven to be quite an able horseman and could henceforth be left to ride solo. "I used to race the pigs back in the Shire" I recalled him saying one time "It's not that different to riding a pony really."
"Farewell my Lord!" cried Aragorn. Heads turned to see him making his way with the rangers. "Ride to great renown! Farewell Merry! I leave you in good hands, better than that of Orcs at any rate. Legolas, Darke and Gimli shall still ride with me I hope; but we will never forget you."
"Good-bye." Merry cried in a small voice. Poor Merry, losing his cousin and now his only friends within the span of half a week. Legolas and Gimli rode off toward Aragorn on their horse, but I hesitated. Sure, being alone was not bad. I had done it for years on end at times; but one who was so used to company did not deserve such a fate. "I'll catch up to you." I called to the retreating horse. I made my way up to Eowyn; being the only other female made it quite obvious where she was. She jumped a little in her saddle as I approached from behind. "Eowyn." I said. "Take care of Merry will you?"
She nodded. "I will."
"Thank-you." I replied. "Remember what I taught you; try and teach Merry too if you have the time. We females need to survive- we're the only sane ones in this pile of stinking men." She laughed a little. Men did stink. Not that I could compare much- I had probably bathed what twice? in this whole month. But at least we made an effort not to smell of horse dung and smoke.
"I will miss you." Eowyn said "And I hope we meet again. I will seek out Merry- he smells better than most." And with a final 'ha!' and a smirk I (terribly) rode off to catch up with the rangers.
I rode into line with Legolas and Gimli, Aragorn and the ranger called 'Halbarad.' It was apparent he and Aragorn knew each other very well, Halbarad seemingly acting as Aragorn's second in command.
Gimli grunted in greeting, which I likewise returned. Aragorn's breathing had slowed as if sleeping or day-dreaming. "There go three that I love, and the smallest not the least. He does not know to what end he rides; yet if he knew he would still go on." He was of course talking of Merry. Halbarad offered some comfort. "A little people but of great worth are these shire-folk." He said. "Little do they know of our labours to keep their borders safe, yet I do not grudge it." Gimli and Legolas gave small surprised 'Oh's' at the words, but I just smiled softly. "That and the roamer that is." And he laughed. Aragorn laughed a little with him. "Ah, the legend to remind us we are not alone in our struggle!" Halbarad joked. "And story we are told as children of course;" he said explaining to Legolas, Gimli and I "but something to think about all the same." He went thoughtful for a minute then burst out laughing. I smirked. "I too know the legend." Legolas interrupted. "But perhaps a different version- in this the roamer goes all over Arda at great speeds. But a wives tale it isn't- you're riding right next to her." Halbarad glanced my way. "Thank-you Legolas for pointing that out." I told him. "I was just about to tell Halbarad myself." I heard Aragorn, Gimli and even Legolas stifling laughs. "What?" I asked turning my head toward them "The look on his face." Gimli chortled. So that was it. "Anyway," I said redirecting my attention to Halbarad "keep your jokes. I don't mind or care- few enough people know the legend as it is, let alone my existence." That was a lie. No-one outside my friends had ever known of my existence; Sauron too of course, but he thought I was dead. "Anyway, back to hobbits?"
"Now our fates are woven together." Aragorn said agreeing with Halbarad's previous statement. "And yet here we must part. I need food now, but then we must hasten away. Come Darke, Legolas, Gimli- I must speak with you." After leaving Halbarad in charge(and still shocked) we stayed behind with Aragorn. "I thought you didn't know the legend." I told both Aragorn and Legolas as we waited for the rangers to leave. Aragorn swallowed before he spoke- "You are under a different name among us- 'Shade'. I recognised the legend as soon as Gandalf began to speak." He tore another piece of bread.
"The same goes for me." Legolas stated. "In Westron we knew you as 'The Wanderer'. When it is told in Sindrian we call you Ellanroth. I was actually fond of the stories in my early tweens." I nodded surprised, but also because it made sense. "Come to think of it" Gimli began "were you at the battle of five armies? With the eagles?"
"Indeed I was." I replied.
"There are a few rumours hanging around that. Most say you were just a small black eagle, but there are a few who call you Laemahn." I nodded again. Apparently I was more well known then I had thought. I directed the conversation back to Aragorn though. "Come Aragorn- speak of what you wanted."
He was silent for a moment, grim and slowly chewing his food. "I have looked into the stone of Orthanc my friends." He blurted out eventually.
"You looked into that accursed stone of wizardry!" Gimli exclaimed with fear and astonishment. "Did you say anything to-him? Even Gandalf feared that encounter."
"You forget with whom you speak." Said Aragorn sternly, steeling his resolve. "What do you fear that I would say to him? Did I not openly proclaim my title before Edoras? No Gimli," his voice softening. "No my friends, I am the lawful master of the stone and I had both the right and the strength to use it, so I judged. The right cannot be doubted- my strength was enough- barely."
He drew a deep breath. "It was a bitter struggle, and the weariness is slow to pass. I didn't speak to him, but in the end I wrenched the stone to my will. That alone Sauron will find difficult to endure, but he beheld me. Yes Gimli, he saw me, but in another guise than what you see here. I have done ill if it aids him, but I don't think that. To know that I live was a blow to his heart apparently; it seems he didn't know until now."
I took this word to interrupt. "He knew of your existence." I told him "but he did not think you knew- that you were living life ignorant of your heritage. He saw you as no more threat than a farmer." Their faces tightened belaying confusion. "I heard a lot of things in Sauron's dungeons." I explained. "Please continue."
Aragorn continued. "The eyes of Orthanc did not see through the armour of Theoden. But Sauron has not forgotten Isildur and the sword of Elendil. Now in the hour of his great designs the heir of Isildur and the sword are revealed; I showed the reforged blade to him. He is not so mighty yet that he is above fear. Doubt gnaws him."
Hmm, hummed Gimli. "He wields great dominion nonetheless. And now he will strike more swiftly I fear."
"The hasty stroke often goes astray" Aragorn said. "We must press our enemy and not wait for him to move. See, when I looked upon the stone I learned a great many things. A grave peril came unlooked for upon Gondor from the south that will draw off great strength from the defence of Minas-Tirith. If it is not countered swiftly I deem the city will be lost before ten days from now."
Gimli once again spoke what was on all our minds. "Then lost it must be. There is no help that can be sent and will get there in time."
"I have no help to send therefore I must go myself." Aragorn replied. "But there is only one way through the mountains that will bring me to the coastlands before all is lost. That is the paths of the dead." The three of us were silent, shocked. I had known this but now being told by Aragorn himself, to my face, made me go pale. At mek fen(you are mad) I whispered silently to myself. And for the third time Gimli exclaimed what was on our minds.
"The paths of the dead!" He close to yelped. "It is a fell name; and obviously not to the liking of the men of Rohan from what I saw. Can the living use such a rode and not perish? And even if we do pass that way what will the four of us do to avail the strokes of Mordor?"
I felt Legolas's eyes on me. Probably curious of why I had gone pale. "Aragorn." I said purposely keeping my voice low as to keep tremors out of it. "I dealt with ghost's before. They are to be greatly feared." I clenched my fist tightly, my gloves thankfully stopping my nails from digging into my palms. Of course though, words of warning were ignored.
"The living have never used that road since the coming of the Rohirrim. It is closed to them. But in this dark hour the heir of Isildur may use it, if he dare. This is the word Elladan and Elrohir bring me word from Rivendell, the word of Elrond; Bid Aragorn to remember the seers words and the Paths of the Dead.
"And what are the words of the seer?" Legolas spoke, breaking his silence.
Aragorn replied. "These are the words of the seer Malbeth, in the days of Arvedui, to the last king at Fornost;"
Over the land there lies a long shadow
Westward reaching wings of darkness.
The tower trembles; to the tombs of kings
Doom approaches. The dead awaken;
For the hour is come for the oathbreakers
At the stone of Erech they shall stand again
And heat there a horn in the hills ringing
Whose shall the horn be? Who shall call them
From the grey twilight, the forgotten people?
The heir of him 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."
It was not excellent poetry, but it sent shivers running down my spine. I noticed a similar reaction from the elf beside me, and Gimli shook his head as if to get ringing out of his ears. "Dark ways, doubtless." He said. "but no darker than these words are to me."
"If you would understand them better than come with me." Replied Aragorn. "For that way I shall now take. I don't go gladly- only need drives me there. Therefore I will only have you come out of your own free will, for you will find toil and fear, perhaps worse."
I repressed a shiver. I would prefer to march straight up to Sauron himself and burp in his general direction only to get incinerated, than do this. But these were my companions, my friends; one whom I almost wished something more of. I pushed down my emotion to be dealt with at a later date, this was not the time for it. Nonetheless, I thought to myself, I should get over this fear. I had flown above the paths once without incident; even though the memory of flying sent a pang through me. Surely with my companions by my side I could walk them. They were already giving their answers.
"I will go with you." Gimli stated.
"I will also come" I heard Legolas agree "I do not fear the dead." He was lucky.
Only my answer was awaited. "You may be mad randi" I said "but I will follow you to the end." I grimaced at the sound of my own voice complying with them. I did not remember feeling this fearful- had not anticipated this fear- for a long time. Perhaps ever.
A/N- Once again, apologies for the (very) late entry! Assessment is still going, and to top things off my eye syndrome decided to muck up on me again, so.. yeah late entry. I will try to get one up on Wednesday though so FFR & I will have motivation:)
