At last chapter... I've lost count! Phew, I had no idea this story was going to be so long when I started it. Thank you so much for sticking with me! It's been a whole month since my last update so here are two spanking new, extra-long chapters for you! Didn't want you to think I was slacking off! Enjoy!
(As usual, please forgive any spelling mistakes, continuety errors etc. I have no beta and typing at 3 am makes everything go fuzzy.)
(Disclamier: LOTR and all those things in it and associated with it do not belong to me, apart from the characters that didn't appear in the books, movies or various tacky merchendise.)
The group rode hard that evening, riding down past Fangorn. The moon hung low in the sky, partly hidden by clouds. Elanor rode alongside Talin, Raef and Mannen, towards the back of the group. The foursome talked softly amongst themselves but no one mentioned the conversations they had the previous night. Mannen told jokes or stories, his cheerful nature giving them a brief respite from the daunting thought of riding to war.
Edain was riding ahead at the front beside Halbarad and the elven brothers. Elanor could just make out the ranger saying something to Elrohir or Elladan, Elanor was not sure which. Whatever Edain had said the elf nodded in agreement. The ranger turned and called out to the group, his voice loud and strong. Ahead of them the riders spurred forward. Elanor dug in her heels and pushed Aeglos forward. The group were riding hard; they were nearing their destination.
Elanor peered ahead. In the distance she saw the glint of spears in the moonlight and the flutter of banners in the breeze. As they rode closer the spears and banners grew nearer and Elanor could make out the backs of men on horses and the white stallion that emblazed the banners.
"We've found them." She called out.
"You can see them?" Mannen asked, yelling over the sound of their thundering hooves. Elanor nodded. He frowned, screwed up his eyes and squinted. Raef shook his head,
"How many?" the older ranger yelled.
Elanor shrugged, "No greater than our number, about a hundred paces ahead."
The rangers rode on further. As they drew closer Elanor could see the group ahead had stopped. A tall man called out in a loud voice; "Halt! Who rides in Rohan?" Halbarad raised his hand high and brought his steed to a sudden stand. Around him the others pulled their horses to a stop behind him. Elanor trotted ahead to stop beside Edain. She peered through the darkness to see the man who addressed them. His face was mostly hidden beneath his silver helmet, but Elanor could tell by his voice he could not be much older than her. The man sat upon a large chestnut mare, a silver tipped spear in his hand, glinting dangerously. Halbarad dismounted and walked slowly towards the stranger, his palm held up in a gesture of peace. He stood ten paces out and his voice rang out clear.
"Rohan? That is a welcome word. We have travelled afar and in great haste to find your lands."
"And found them you have." The man spoke, his voice deep but commanding. "But these lands are those of King Théoden and none shall ride without his leave. Who are you?"
"Halbarad Dunadan, Ranger of the North. We have come seeking Aragorn, Son of Arathorn. We have heard he rides with you."
"And you have found him!"
Elanor couldn't stop the smile from appearing as Aragorn ran forward from the group and embraced Halbarad. Aragorns smiled as he looked around the group, surprise and joy clear on his face. Beside her Edain dismounted and similarly greeted Aragorn.
"All is well Éomer." Aragorn called out joyfully, "These are my kin. But why they have come and how many there are I do not know!"
"Thirty of us there are," said Edain. "That is all we could gather in haste; but the brethren Elladan and Elrohir have ridden with us. We rode as swiftly as we could." As he spoke, the elven twins leapt from their horses and greeted Aragorn.
"Seeing you all gives me great hope, but how did you know I had need of you." the ranger said.
"We did not. Elanor was the one who sent word to us." Edain smiled proudly, turning to face her. Aragorn turned and his face light up when he saw her.
"Elanor!" Aragorn cried out happily. Elanor looked down to see the ranger walking towards her. She smiled happily as he reached up and swung her down from her horse, laughing. He hugged her tightly then moved away looking down at her.
"What are you doing here? I thought I told you to stay at Rivendell."
"That would be my fault." Edain said, with a shrug. "Well you know what she's like once she gets an idea in her head."
Aragorn gave a small laugh and shook his head. "Either way it is good to see you, all of you." He looked around the group and nodded his thanks and gratitude to his men. Elanor watched him carefully as he moved within the group. He looked tired and worn. Not surprising considering all that had happened.
Suddenly her eye caught the familiar silhouette and her heart leapt.
"Gandalf!" Elanor cried out running forward, surprising a few of the Rohan men as she launched herself into the arms of the wizard who had climbed down from his white steed when she called him.
"Oh, Gandalf." Elanor choked back her tears as she hugged the old man, "I thought you were dead!"
"I was, my dear." The wizard smiled, pulling back and holding her hands gentle.
"What happened to you?"
"That is a story for another time." Gandalf chuckled. "As for now, I think there are some others who would like to say hello."
Elanor looked past him to see two childlike faces beaming back at her from atop of a pair of large horses. Elanor laughed and smiled when Pippin waved cheerfully at her and Merry waved also while trying no to topple off Aragorns horse. Then her eyes scanned the group of men before her, seeking out a certain face without even realising it. Her gaze fell upon him, his golden hair and elven garb standing out amongst the heavy background of armoured men. His eyes fixed on hers and for a single moment the world around her fell silent and Elanor felt her breathe catch in her chest. A smile graced his face and he nodded gently. Elanor could only blink before turning away embarrassed and stared at the floor.
"Come!" Aragorn called startling Elanor, "All else must wait, for we ride in haste. Ride with us now, if the King will give his leave."
A stately man rode forward from the group. He held himself high, his greying hair hung about his shoulders and blue eyes peered out from a wrinkled brow. Elanor thought that in his youth the man must have been quite handsome. The King looked upon the crowd of men and smiled at Aragorn, "If these kinsmen be like you, Lord Aragorn, then welcome them I shall. Their strength is something that cannot be measured in numbers."
The riders swiftly mounted their horses and set out again, Aragorn riding among the dunedain once more. Elanor rode behind him and listened as he spoke of his travels. She stared ahead, taking in the surreal scene before her. Aragorn rode ahead, Edain to one side-the man she had called a father, and on his other rode Elrohir-her true father. She watched as the men spoke with each other Then Elrohir leaned forward to whisper something to Aragorn. Curiosity got the better of her and Elanor leaned forward, straining her ears to hear.
"I bring a message from my father." Elrohir said quietly, "'The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the Paths of the Dead'."
Aragorn kept quiet, obviously thinking hard. "My need for haste will be great indeed if I should need to take that path."
"Than remains to be seen." Elrohir said, "But let us speak no more of this on the open road."
Elanor slunk back in her saddle; almost feeling like that sentence was aimed at her. She was only barely aware of Legolas riding beside her until he spoke, "I see your days of eavesdropping are not over, my Lady."
"What? Oh, I was just… I mean…" she stuttered, flustered at being caught but also by the strange feeling that erupted in her when he spoke. Legolas smiled at her and she heard a deep rumble of laughter come from beside her. Elanor turned to look behind the elf to find Gimli peering back at her from behind Legolas' back.
"Master Gimli!" she exclaimed, "I see you have gotten over you fear of horses."
"Who told you that!" he shouted gruffly. Elanor looked to Legolas who just shrugged and looked away with a small smile. Elanor found herself laughing softly and amazed at the friendship between the two.
"I'm surprised to see you here lass." Gimli said holding himself steady while the horse jostled beneath him.
"You could not keep me away forever, Master Dwarf." She smiled. The dwarf let out a loud roar of laughter.
"Indeed lass. I know there are some who are glad of your presence." He said, intentionally tugging on the back of Legolas' cloak. The elf said nothing but coughed unconvincingly. In spite of herself, Elanor smiled, an action not gone unnoticed Gandalf who rode beside her, a gentle smile on his elderly face.
The evening drew in and the pace became laboured when they at last came upon Edoras. King Théoden led the way into the small city through the large wooden gates and dismounted, weary groans coming from nearly all the men. Elanor watched as King Théoden led the way up to the steps with Aragorn, Edain and Halbarad close behind.
"Are you not coming?"
Elanor turned surprised to see Elrohir beside her. "I did not think I should."
"From what I have heard, that does not always stop you." He replied with a smile. Elanor looked at him surprised. Exactly how much had he and Aragorn been talking? Elanor frowned but walked with Elrohir and Elladan towards the stone steps that lead to the inner house. The group ascended to where a young woman with long blonde hair stood waiting to greet them.
"Welcome to the golden hall." The woman smiled a brilliant smile and gazed around the group. Elanor could not stop the twinge of jealousy as the woman's eye rested on Aragorn most of all. "My Lord Aragorn, it does my heart good to see you have returned safely."
"Lady Éowyn." The ranger greeted her, smiling softly and nodding. Elanor felt her stomach twist uncomfortably. The King smiled at the other woman and led the group into the hall. Elanor looked around amazed at the large wooden beamed room. Colourful banner, bearing Rohans' mark hung from the walls and large dark wood tables stood in rows in the centre of the room. The king moved to stand by a large throne and two men stood beside the king, one young with dark blond hair and rough beard, the other older and stouter with a head of red hair. The men looked over as they entered and Aragorn moved forward to introduce the brothers. The king greeted them kindly and his eyes moved and fell upon Elanor.
"And who is this young lady?" The King asked kindly, smiling at her. Elanor paused, unsure of how she should answer.
"Elanor Peredhil, My Lord." Gandalf said when the ranger did not respond. Elanor looked over to him. It was the second time someone had called her by that name and it no longer seemed strange to her.
"Peredhil? Is that not a name of the house of Elrond?" The king asked.
"Yes my lord." Elanor said, finding her voice. "I am a ranger of the north and daughter of the house of Elrond."
Théoden's eyebrows rose slightly and Aragorn could not help but notice the small smile Elrohir gave at her answer.
"I have heard much of you, My Lady. That is some heritage you have." He said with a smile. Elanor relaxed as he welcomed her to Edoras. A ruggedly handsome blond man beside the king stepped forward,
"I am Éomer of the Mark." He said, bowing before her and the brethren. "And this is Gamling." He said, gesturing to the red haired man. Elanor inclined her head in response and turned as the king addressed them
"Come." Théoden said, "We have much to remember tonight." He beckoned Éowyn to his side. "Éowyn will show you where you can rest and bathe before we meet tonight."
Is it just me or was there a lot of talking and not much happening? Hence the next chapters all ready up, go on! Go read it!