Mariell awoke the next morning to find Aragorn gone. She sat up and glanced around and saw him sitting with Legolas, Gimli, and the
King. She saw Eowyn sitting by herself and decided to join her cousin. The golden haired girl smiled as she came over and offered her
some fruit. They sat in companionable silence for a bit and then Eowyn broke the silence.
"So, where were you raised?" Eowyn asked her.
"In the Shire. I was raised by a hobbit named Bilbo Baggins"
"Hobbits," Eowyn said thoughtfully. "I've heard of hobbits but I've never met one. What are they like?" Mariell grinned. How to
describe such funny little folk?
"Well they are a great deal smaller than humans for one thing. They have curly hair, large hairy feet, and pointed ears. They have a great
passion for the brewing of ales and growing of pipe-weed. They love to eat. They eat at least six meals a day. They love to grow things;
they have a love of gardening. Very sheltered, though. They don't much concern themselves with the outside world. I remember being
thought something of an abomination. Very suspicious, hobbits are. I suppose that's why Bilbo was so good to me. The entire Shire
thought he was a bit odd. Always going off on wild adventures. I never wanted to go with him but Frodo always did"
"Who's Frodo?"
"Bilbo's nephew. He was like a brother to me. Growing up I thought that we'd always be together." A wave of sadness washed over
her. So much had changed in such a short time. She would have been so content to stay in the Shire with Frodo for the rest of her life.
And now here she was on her way to Helm's Deep and Frodo on his way to Mordor to destroy the ring.
"When did you meet Lord Aragorn?" her cousin asked. Mariell smiled.
"When Frodo and I discovered the One Ring we left the Shire immediately. We went to Bree to meet Gandalf. Gandalf was delayed
and so Aragorn met us there. At first I didn't trust him, but Frodo did. He took us to Rivendell. Frodo volunteered to take the ring to
Mordor. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and another man, who we lost in battle, pledged themselves to protect Frodo. Our cousins Merry and
Pippin joined the fellowship also as well as our friend Sam. Eventually Frodo had to leave us; for fear that the ring would destroy us if
we stayed with him. The four of us went after the Urak Hai that took Merry and Pippin. We met Gandalf in Fangorn Forest and he told
us they were safe. Then he brought us to Edoras"
"But when were you and Aragorn married?" Eowyn asked, confused. Mariell could have hit herself with a log. How could she have
revealed so much? But she realized that she did not want to lie to her cousin.
"When we met Eomer and his men, Aragorn told them I was his wife to protect me. He was afraid that they might do something
unsuitable"
"Eomer would not have done such a thing," Eowyn said defensively, "but Aragorn was probably right. Some of my brother's men are a
bit reckless when it comes to women. One time this man Raman backed me into a corner and tried to kiss me. I was only seventeen at
the time. When Eomer found out he had a fit and nearly killed Raman. I doubt that the men would have tried anything with Eomer
around, but nevertheless"
"Yes," Mariell said. "So you and Aragorn are not really married?" Eowyn wondered.
"No, we are married. Gandalf married us the day we arrived in Edoras, though I knew that I loved him some time before that"
"My goodness," Eowyn said. "You really have not been married a long time"
"Two days," Mariell said thoughtfully.
"I did wonder that he lets you dress the way you do and fight with a sword. Women of Edoras are not permitted to fight." Mariell was
not surprised. "I wonder if uncle will let you fight," Eowyn said. "But if your husband permits it I suppose he will not say anything. He
won't like it but he won't say anything." Mariell nodded. She sincerely hoped that there would be no need for her to fight. But if danger
found them she would do what she had to. She ran her fingers over her pendant and glanced at Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. Orcs could
not kill her, she knew that much. If only everyone else were that lucky.
As chilly as the night had been the day was that much hotter. Mariell had removed her cloak and pushed her sleeves to her elbows. She
lifted her hand to wipe the sweat from her forehead. She'd tied her hair back into a knot at the nape of her neck for it was too hot to
wear down no matter how much Aragorn liked it. She had loaned her horse to a mother and her child and walked beside it leading
Freda by the hand. Ahead of them Gimli was telling Eowyn of dwarf maidens. Eowyn was laughing as she led Arod. She laughed even
harder as the horse broke into a sprint and sent its rider tumbling to the ground. Gimli attempted to laugh and claim he'd fallen off
deliberately as Eowyn helped him to his feet. She glanced up at Aragorn who rode Garulf with Eothain. He met her eye and smiled.
"Anything wrong?" she asked him for he seemed tense. "Legolas has been gone for quite a long time," Aragorn commented. Theoden
had asked the elf to scout ahead for danger. Mariell was certain that if there was any trouble Legolas would have come back by now.
Suddenly her ears picked up a strange sound that sent a chill up her spine. Aragorn picked up on her discomfort and quickly
dismounted his horse.
"What is it?" he asked her. She shook her head.
"I'm not sure," she said. Beside her Freda seemed to sense something wrong but Mariell only stroked her hair. Two of Theoden's
guard rode towards where Legolas was perched. A deep growl and a horrible scream echoed through Mariell's head. Seeing the fear in
his wife's eyes Aragorn ran to where the guards had gone. Mariell heard him call to Legolas.
"A scout!" Legolas shouted back. Mariell felt her heart stop. "What is it?" Theoden shouted to Aragorn.
"Wargs!" Aragorn shouted back. "We're under attack!" Cries of fear and panic broke out among to the villagers.
"Riders to your horses!" Theoden yelled. Mariell was torn. She could fight. Orcs could not hurt her. Theoden would need her on the
battlefield. But Freda's scared face made her hesitate. Aragorn hurried over to her. He seemed to sense her hesitation. He lifted Eothain
from Garulf's back and handed him to Mariell.
"Help get everyone to Helms Deep," he said to her. She nodded. She pulled out her dagger and handed it to him.
"Be careful," she begged him. He leaned down and captured her lips in a breathtaking kiss. Then he kicked Hasufel's sides and spurred
the horse into a gallop. Mariell turned and saw Eowyn attempting to keep everyone together and lead at the same time. She lifted
Eothain and Freda onto Garulf's back and led the horse to the crowd.
"Eowyn," she called.
"Stay together," Eowyn called out before turning to her.
"Do you know how to get to Helms Deep?" she asked her cousin. Eowyn nodded.
"Perhaps you should take the lead. I'll take the back to make sure no one gets lost"
"Good idea," Eowyn said hurrying to the front of the crowd. Mariell hung back guiding the people along until she was at the end of the
line. Together they managed to lead the people away from the battlefield. After walking for several hours they finally saw the fortress in
the close distance. Mariell breathed a sigh of relief, as did the rest of the villagers. She lifted Freda and Eothain down from Garulf's
back as they made their way through the gates. Mariell took in her surroundings. High stonewalls. It wasn't nearly as bad as Moria but
she got the same feeling of being packed in stone.
"Mama!" Freda suddenly shouted. Mariell turned and saw both children running toward a woman in her late thirties with dark gold hair.
She embraced her children and kissed their heads. Mariell smiled at the sight. Freda took her mother's hand and led her to Mariell.
"Mama, this is Mariell," Eothain said properly "she is the lady that has been taking care of us"
"My lady I am grateful to you," the woman said. "My name is Enola"
"I'm honored to meet you. You have very brave children."
"Make way for the king," a voice in the distance was heard.
"If you'll excuse me, please." Mariell hurried to the gates where Eowyn already stood. Her heart ached as she saw many of the men had
been badly wounded. She was relieved when she saw that her uncle was unharmed. Her heart pounded in her chest as she searched the
crowd for her husband.
"Mariell," Legolas's soft voice said beside her. Mariell turned to face the elf. She saw the grief in his eyes.
"You are unhurt?" she asked him.
"I am fine," he said his voice barely a whisper.
"Aragorn and Gimli?" she asked.
"Gimli is fine," he said his voice choking.
"Aragorn?" she asked. Somehow she already knew what Legolas would say. A single tear ran down the elf's cheek. He lifted his hand
and she saw that he held her dagger. The one she'd given to Aragorn.
"I'm so sorry," he whispered. "He was dragged off the cliff by a warg. He could not have survived." Mariell couldn't breathe. Though
the words echoed in her head she could not accept them. Her head seemed disconnected from the rest of her body as she shook it
back and forth.
"No," she said. Tears flowed down her cheeks but she was not aware of them.
"I'm sorry," Legolas said again as he wrapped his arms around her. Mariell felt as though she were choking. Aragorn could not be
dead. He could not be. No! No, no, no…
"NO!" Mariell screamed breaking away from Legolas's embrace. She ran from the gates and deep into the belly of Helms Deep. She
grabbed a stone pillar for support as her body collapsed under her. Sobs wracked her body. Her stomach twisted over on itself and she
bent over retching. Aragorn couldn't be dead. He couldn't be. He could not die and leave her alone like this. He'd promised her.
Promised her that they would face this together. What was she to do now without him? How could she go on with him? She slid down
the pillar to sit on the floor. She leaned her head against her knees and her sobs lull her to sleep.
Her body felt weightless and her clothes and hair were different. In place of her tunic and trousers was a long flowing white gown. Her
hair was loose and flowing. Her scenery changed rapidly as she seemed to be flying. Out of the fortress and over the plains. Down the
cliffs to the fast flowing river. She was searching for him. She searched the river and the shore for a long time until finally she found him.
He lay on his back, eyes closed as if dead. She came quickly to his side and rested her hands against his chest. She leaned down and
kissed him tenderly.
"Diun re, nin meleth," she whispered. His eyes slowly opened and met hers. The moment their eyes met she felt herself be lifted away
from him…