Disclaimer in Chapter 1 - They may yet be alive.
Nin-dethro hîn, Mellon-nin.
Chapter 8 – Like those from Gundabad.
"It's true, you don't see many Dwarf women…"
Gimli said happily as he rode on top of Arod alone, guided by Éowyn. "…And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance…" A small giggle sounded from the Dwarf hidden lips, causing the Rohan maiden to look at the Dwarf, a small smile appearing. "…That they are often mistaken for Dwarf men."
Éowyn's smile grew and she turned back and faced Aragorn who was on Brego, her cousin's horse.
"It's the beards." Aragorn whispered loudly, making sure that the Dwarf wouldn't her him and rubbed her chin with a smile apon his face as he found the conversation the maiden and Dwarf were having amusing.
Éowyn chuckled and made a shh noise before turning back and laughing when the Dwarf shouted:
"I heard that, Laddie!" Gimli turned to face the ranger and let go of the reins. Arod nickered and did what he had wanted to do to the Dwarf since his new master had left him to go and survey the land for unwanted danger.
Aragorn laughed and Éowyn harder when Arod suddenly neighed and cantered making Gimli loose his balance apon the horses back and fell to the ground with a loud thud. The people of Rohan gasped at the Dwarf now on the floor and many screamed lightly as the white came towards them, making them move to their sides to avoid being trampled.
Théoden King's people were still nervous around the three strangers that had joined them so suddenly and the other that had rode off with the King's nephew, Éomer.
All was quite within the trek towards the great fortress. None spoke loudly, only whispering among their loved ones and themselves. No children played but stayed close to their families, feeling as if they would be pulled away suddenly by some evil force. They had been traveling for many hours.
No birds sang and the wind was still, clouds hovered above covering the sun from time to time. Small crickets hoped from long blades of grass to the others, avoiding the humans that were destroying their habitat.
Helm's deep was not far now.
"It's alright. Nobody panic." Gimli assured as he writhed on the ground, trying his best to get himself up. He felt soft, gently hands helping him up and thanked the Lady as she continued to laugh at him for making such a rookie mistake. As he was up, he shook the Éowyn's hand for thanks and then mumbled "That was deliberate." A slight blush on his cheeks. He let go of the King's nieces hand and rubbed his now aching back.
Aragorn smiled as he saw the two. He never noticed the King trotting slowly beside him, his son apon his lieutenant steed that had been riding alongside the King at all times.
"I haven't seen my niece smile for a long time." Théoden kept his eyes apon his sister's and brother-in-laws child. He saw the smile of Aragorn's fade at the corner of his eye. "Éowyn told you about the time she lost her mother and father, yes?" He questioned, tearing his gaze away from his niece and onto the future King of Gondor's.
"She only told us that her mother and father died. I feel as it is a very emotional subject for her." Aragorn replied much wisdom and a hint of sadness in his voice.
"Then you are very good at reading people, Lord Aragorn." Théoden smiled but it soon disappeared when he began to explain "When she was seven, they brought her father back dead. Cut down by Orcs. She watched her mother, my sister, succumb to grief. Then she was left alone, her brother trained day and night, trying to avoid the nightmares that plagued him and she had a strong erg to tend her King in growing fear." He looked to his son and anger filled his eyes. He tore them away as his dark thoughts returned. He was going to kill Gríma, Saruman and possibly Sauron if he had too. He continued "Doomed to wait apon an old man, who should have loved her as a father."
A silence filled the King and ranger as they both looked at the young maiden smiling with Gimli, now walking beside the white stallion.
"I do believe she has always seen you as a father." Aragorn broke the tense silence, receiving a confused glance from the King. "When she speaks to you, about you, all you can see is the love that she has for you. Yes, Éowyn has a whole in her heart but that can easily been mended. She has not seen the world, only the halls and city of Edoras. She has seen the same people and needs to see different one's, different races. Her heart is strong, she believes in you, my Lord, and you should her."
"I do." Théoden whispered sadly and the turned to face the ranger. "You are very wise, Aragorn. Has anyone told you this?" The King smiled as Aragorn smiled beside him.
"A certain Elf Prince has many times." The future King sighed while his smile was still apon his face.
"Speaking of the Elf, where is he?" Théoden asked. The Elven Prince hadn't been seen for many hours. The King had wondered where the Elf could have gone and why.
"He is checking our surrounding's. Legolas will notify us in case there is any danger." Aragorn replied and pointed towards a small hill that was a few metres away from the King's people.
Théoden looked towards the hill and saw a small skinny figure standing as still as stone. He watched as the Elven Prince took one step to the side before twisting his whole body and running towards them, getting their within a couple of seconds. Panic raced through the King of Rohan as he heard Aragorn's words once more "Legolas will notify us in case there is any danger."
"Aragorn…" Legolas breathed in as he came up towards the ranger's steed. "I feel some evil that runs at speed within these lands." Legolas began. "I have sensed this some time back but I paid no heed for the warnings. These creatures are a different sort to those I have felt in the past." The Prince finished, eyebrows furrowing.
"Different sort of what?" Théoden asked, fear beginning to show. He had remembered what his father and the tales he read from stories had said about the Elves and their abilities. He received no answer and watched as the future King dismount Brego and then placing a soft hand on the Elf's shoulder.
"Legolas?" Aragorn crinkled his brow and watched as the Elf's eyes finally showed what he was looking for.
Legolas looked towards the King and answered "A different sort of wolf...A warg, maybe..." He then turned to Aragorn "…Like those from Gundabad."
Aragorn's eye's widened with worry and fear. "Gundabad?" He questioned, his voice shaky as he remembered what they had done to his brother many years ago.
"Not from Gundabad but from somewhere close." Legolas gave a small half smile to assure his friend that everything would be alright "Do not fear, mellon-nin, they are not the same as the beasts from the north. They will not be apon us any time soon but I can fell they are getting closer. I must go." With that Legolas nodded a silent farewell and went back towards the small hills. The blonde Prince went further forward, keeping his eyes and ears open for any noise of the creatures that could be coming their way.
"A penny for your thoughts?" The King asked a question once more as he saw the ranger make a troubled expression.
"That is a penny you can keep, my Lord." Aragorn sighed and then laughed, gently grabbing Brego's reins and guiding the horse with him. "We must rest for the day. Night is approaching and I see your people are weary."
Théoden nodded and looked at his son "Do you think he will be okay?" He asked.
"Your son is strong. He will survive." Aragorn answered with a smile.
Soon both King and ranger had could for a halt and told the weary people of Rohan to settle down for night for they were to leave at the first rays of the sun tomorrow morn.
As the people were settled and ready for the long night, Aragorn sat, pipe in his mouth, twirling it around his tongue as he was deep in thought. The ranger never noticed the blonde maiden walking towards him and sitting beside him.
"My uncle…" Éowyn snapped Aragorn's thoughts, making him turn and face her "…Told me a strange thing." Aragorn titled his head, silently asking her to continue. "He said that you rode to war with Thengel, my grandfather."
"King Théoden has a good memory. He was only a small child at the time." Aragorn answered.
"I know that you told me that you have lived through many adventures with Legolas but I had no idea how old you really were." Éowyn slowly laid down on the grass, noticing how tired her muscles felt and watched as Aragorn smiled.
"I do not like telling people my age, my Lady." Aragorn pulled the pipe out his mouth, as he came to the end of it and placed it beside him.
"Why not?" Éowyn asked on the verge of sleep, her eyes lids dropping low, making her shake her head to get ride of the sleepiness.
"I just wish to live a normal life." The Man sighed and the smile stayed as the maidens eyes fell, succumbing to the peaceful sleep she truly deserved. He quickly caught the blanket that had been thrown at him and said "Thank you, mellon-nin."
"She has done well in caring for her people, Estel" Legolas smiled down at his friend. He watched as Aragorn unfolded the soft cream blanket and gently placed it over Éowyn's small form.
"Aye, she has." The ranger got up from where he was and walked with his elven friend silently.
There was no need for words when both minds were open.
Very short chapter ;-; Sorry about the shortness! It has been 4 days since I last did updated and I felt like I needed to update but I couldn't think of anything! :( I am too excited for my BIRTHDAY! :D I am 17 tomorrow...Finally growing up :')
Sorry that there are many questions in this ;o
Reviews;
Jasperslittlesister; I LOVE Thranduil! *-* aha thank you! :3 I hope to add more about Legolas' love because I would really love to develop her character some more :P Hope this was soon? :)
BrightWatcher; Awww thanks ;D Yeah, Frodo's a bit wired but then again, he is an awesome character ;) It makes me sad to know that he had a love :( Wish it was me so badly! xD Thank you again and again! :D I wanted Brego to be attracted to Aragorn because of the Elvish. *SPOILER* When Théodred awakes he is going to say that he never really liked Brego to begin with because of how mad the horse worse etc. XD I won't! Faramir is just so damn good! ;D
Calemireth; I am glad it was soon ;) I will punish him WHEN I find him ;) It is taking an awful long time -.- Ahaha! Thank you :D Hoping this was soon as well ;)
Bubbles975; There will be a very big twist within the Helms deep battle ;D That is alright. It helps me know that you still really enjoy what I write and want updates :') Thank you! :3
Exotic Nightmare; WELCOME ABOAD! :D He will indeed! Me too! I have seen it 7 times o.o ;) Ahaha I am glad you like that bit ;) I will try and add more but I am not very good at writing humour :L Yeah, that's true… Poor Leggy :P I will explain about her a bit more soon :D Thank you! AHAHAHAHAHAA! That bit made me laugh! :')
ArwenElf16; It's so cute! Just wait until she makes an appearance ;) There are, aren't they? :3 Perfect example of a brother and sister :') Thank you and he is indeed ;o
Why. So. Serious96; Yay! I am glad it did ;) I did D: I was crying when I wrote it ;D (Didn't really ;)) I will always get them messed up ;) Thank you, mellon-nin! :D
will zona; Thank you! :D I will try :)
1Olivia; Thank you and I hope this was soon enough :3
It had been a further four days and we still can't find him!
Glorfindel: Calm down Sophie. We will find him soon.
Elladan and Elrohir: Yeah we will! ^^
Celeborn: Galadriel had told me, he went this way. *points*
Bilbo: Alright let's go!
Thranduil: Bilbo, can you not kick please.
Bilbo: Sorry…
Why are you even carrying him on your shoulders, Thranduil? I mean Aran Thranduil.
Elrond: He is small, mellon-nin. *Laughs*
Namarië!