Hello once again! Well, another month, another update! The good news is I'm already half way through the next chapter. Well actually I've finished it but I'm not too happy with it so it's going to be tweaked abit! Anyway this is sort of a filler chapter- taking parts from the movies and the book. The rest of the story will follow a combination of both storylines. Enjoy!
"Merry…" Elanor called out softly, trying to rouse the sleeping hobbit. "Merry!" she tried again a little more forceful. "Come on. The sun is high and the others are long since up." Elanor said tugging on Merrys blanket until the hobbit moaned and rolled over, blearily opening his eyes and staring at her.
"What time is it?"
"It is now near to noon."
"I missed breakfast!" Merry sounded aghast. Elanor chuckled and nodded. "But you are just in time for lunch, and then we are to set out again, I hear."
Merry got up yawning and Elanor felt much the same. Her few hours sleep had not been nearly enough; her mind would not stop wandering back to the night before last. Gandalf had left that day for Gondor with Pippin along side. No word had come from him and so the Riders of Rohan along with Dunedain and remainder of the fellowship had travelled westward to Dunharrow. The women of court had ridden with them, Éowyn included and Elanor found herself glad of female company. A few days travel and their group found rest in the shelter of the Hornburg. The magnificent building of stone had emerged from the rock face, looming like a dark shadow over the group. But all splendour of such a thing had been taken by the mound that still littered its grounds from the battle.
Along the way they had met with more Riders, mostly men from the Westfolds or farmers from the fields, but each sat proudly upon fine steeds, baring arms in the name of their king.
Elanor waited for Merry to stow his blanket before walking with him over to the others. Elanor looked down at the hobbit and wondered if Merry missed his companion much. Once again their small group had been parted and most likely it was to be parted further still. Her thoughts went back to that night. She had not seen Legolas since then and faintly wondered if maybe she was avoiding him. But she could not stop the smile from spreading across her face as memories of the kiss came back to her. It all seemed so sudden. Although she could not deny she was attracted to him, but was what she felt for him love?
Merry yawned loudly once more, breaking her from her reverie. He had now dressed and pulled his grey cloak about his shoulders as the pair walked to the gate of the Burg. Before Elanor could stop him merry rushed over to Legolas and Gimli who stood together in conversation. Elanor paused momentarily, nervously preparing herself to speak with the elf. She drew nearer and caught parts of their exchange.
"They are a strange company, these newcomers." Gimli said gruffly. "Worn like weathered rock, they are, even as Aragorn himself."
"And just as Aragorn they are courteous." Legolas chimed in. "And the elven brethren." He said with slight admiration, "They are fair and gallant."
"Why have they come? Have you heard?" Merry asked.
"They answered a summons, as you heard. But whence the message came I do not know. Word came by means of Rivendell; Gandalf sent it I would guess." The dwarf replied. Legolas, knowing the truth, said nothing.
"Actually it was I who sent it." Elanor said quietly, stepping up to them. "And the elves who ride with us are my father and his brother."
Gimli fell silent and Merry gaped up at her.
"You must forgive our bearded friend." Legolas said with a smile, "He is not always so trusting of new people."
"Your father?" Merry squeaked. "But then you are…"
Elanor did not reply but nodded silently. Gimli shook his head and chuckled. "Tell me master hobbit, are they any surprises you are hiding from us, King of the shire perhaps?"
The group fell into laughter and Elanor let out a relieved sigh. She glanced over at Legolas to find the elf smiling at her. Elanor smiled back shyly, missing the momentary look exchanged by the hobbit and dwarf. For a while the four companions walked together, listening while Legolas and Gimli recounted the battle that took place there. Elanor found herself, almost unconsciously, falling into step beside Legolas. They passed down the broken gate and through the mounds of earth marking the fallen. They all said their silent prayers and soon turned back for their midday meal in the hall of the Burg.
"Where is Aragorn?" Merry asked as they sat around a wooden table. Talin, Raef, Mannen and Adan had joined them and they sat together eating a feeble meal of meat, broth and bread.
"In a high chamber of the Burg." Adan said. "He went some hours ago with our kinsmen, Edain and Halbarad, and the elven brethren."
"I believe the King is also with them." Mannen said. "Some dark doubts sit on him and he needs their council."
"What do you think will happen?" Adan asked aloud. Talin shrugged.
"We will do what we must." He said, biting off a large chunk of his bread.
"But Aragorn…"
Talins eyes darted briefly towards Elanor and he said, with some finality, "Aragorn is our chieftain. We will do as he wishes, even if that means following a different path to his."
The group finished the rest of their meal in silence, each contemplating the events to come. Soon they had finished and packed, ready to set off once more. The Rangers assembled at the gates of the Burg, a little apart from the others, silent and armed with spear and bow. Each was clad in dark grey cloaks, hoods raised over their heads. Elanor included. Now, more than ever she had missed this part of her life. Legolas and Gimli stood to one side of her and on her other one horse stood without a rider. Aragorn's horse, Brego. Nearby, five hundred Rohan riders stood already mounted, awaiting the return of their king. Amongst them Éowyn sat upon a fine chestnut mare, her gold hair shining in the middle of a deep brown. A thousand others had already ridden ahead at night to prepare the camp for Théoden's arrival. Then he appeared. The king came out from the gate and with him was Aragorn. His appearance startled her. His face was grim and weary, as if years had aged him in a single night. Edain and Halbarad came behind them, and with them came two tall men, so alike that few could tell them apart, but Elanor knew. Despite how similar their appearance, in the short time she had known him Elanor knew instinctively which her father was. They appeared wearing bright armour under cloaks of sliver grey. Their outfits had changed and they were ready for war. The six swiftly mounted their steeds and Théoden called out to his men, moving them forward.
Once more they rode onwards, often through the night. Swift and fierce, they were, each rider knowing the urgency to which they rode. When they finally did rest, the skies had darkened and the very clouds themselves seemed to open above them and poured freezing water from the sky. Elanor pulled her cloak tightly around her, taking shelter from the heavy rains that beat down upon them. The thunder above them rolled overhead, drowning out the thundering of hooves upon the sodden ground as they came to a halt. In the far distance Elanor could just make out the flickering beacons marking the borders of Rohan and Gondor. The lights winked at her through the rain. It was those small fires that called Rohan to action. Another crack of lightening shot down from the skies, lighting them in brilliant white for only a moment. Beneath her she felt Aeglos shuddered, unused to such ferocity.
"This is not natural weather." Talin yelled out to her. Elanor nodded vigorously whilst trying to calm her horse.
There was barely time to feed the animals before they had set off again. Mercifully the rains had cleared and the skies lightened. While at first they had ridden with terrifying speed, sodden and hungry the horses had become tired and their pace had slowed. Their riders, feeling much the same had began to complain but thankfully, as the late morning sun shone down, a cry went up and Elanor could make out the tops of white tips tents appearing from a plateau in front of a great mountain. The king led the way as men shouting out greetings. Théoden called out to them, asking for numbers. Elanor quickly added the numbers in her head. Adding the new arrivals to their own group, there were nearly six thousand in all.
They rode up to the base of the mountain and dismounted. The riders disbanded, many going to greet old friends or get some well earned rest. Elanor climbed down from Aeglos and walked over to where Aragorn stood at the edge of the land. She peered over the edge and looked down at the sea of make-shift huts below them.
"It will not be enough." She heard Aragorn say beside her. He spoke to Théoden as they looked down upon the troops.
"More will come." Théoden replied.
"We have until dawn." Aragorn said. "Then we must ride."
Beside him Théoden nodded in consent. Elanor looked worried and turned from them to find Aeglos rearing up widely. Elanor ran towards her but Legolas had already leapt from his horse and grabbed her reins. He held her still with one hand while talking softly and stroking her with the other. When Elanor approached, Aeglos shook her head and neighed softly, butting Elanors out-stretched hand with her nose.
"What's wrong with her?" she asked Legolas quietly. The elf shrugged.
"The horses are restless and the men are quiet." He answered inclining his head to where others were wrestling with wilder horses.
"It is this mountain." Éomer appeared from a small group of men and walked towards them, looking briefly at the large rock face behind him. "They grow nervous in its shadow."
Beside them Gimli dropped down from his perch upon his and Legolas' horse and peered towards the mountain. "That road," The dwarf said roughly, "where does it lead?"
Elanor followed his gaze and sure enough was a gap in the mountain, not more than two men wide but leading back deep into the rock.
"It is the road to the Dimholt." Legolas said quietly, "The door under the mountain."
"The dark door." Éomer nodded. Elanor gasped quietly and glanced over at Aragorn. He too was peering down into the mountain path but his face looked worried. Suddenly Gimli called out to him and he jerked around to look at them.
"Aragorn! Let us go find some food."
Aragorn let out a laugh that belied his worry and nodded walking over the dwarf and clapping a hand on his shoulder. Elanor and Legolas followed behind them sharing an ominous glance.
Hoo.. I apologise for any bad spelling or grammer- it's hard to spot them in your own work!
I had to stick Adan in there somewhere.. I realised I've hardly given the poor guy any screen time.. thought he should least have a few words to say!
Thanks again for all the great reviews!