Ta da! This chapter is all cuddly and fluffy, the real action will happen soon. So if anyone is disappointed in what is below, hopefully you'll be satisfied in later chapters. Already it's longer than TLE, hurray!, and I've still got a few ideas that weren't a part of the original story. Enjoy!
Key:
"Blah" elvish
"Blah" westron
Blah dreams, thoughts
The Immortal Hero
Chapter 11
Tegalad remained cold for the rest of the day. He sat on Aragorn's lap in the counsel room and watched as Gandalf spoke about what Pippin had seen before Tegalad interrupted him. Tegalad had whispered what he's seen in Aragorn's ear when he woke up screaming in terror and struggling to escape. He hadn't touched the floor since he had woken, either he was in someone's arms while they were standing or sitting on someone's knee being forced to eat. He was currently just sitting for comfort as he was still a little frightened after seeing the Burning Eye.
Pippin still looked frightened and Tegalad supposed that having Gandalf angry at you wasn't a very pleasant experience, on top of whatever it is that the hobbit saw. Merry stood next to Pippin's seated form, a silent support and Tegalad imagined that the two had rarely, if ever, been apart their whole lives.
"Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith," Gandalf said firmly.
"Would he have a force strong enough to take the White City after his defeat at Helms Deep?" Boromir asked worriedly. "Surely the city will be safe."
"It was Saruman who was defeated at Helms Deep," Gandalf reminded the man. "His defeat there showed our enemy one thing. He knows that heir of Elendil has come forth. Sauron will use his army hidden behind the Black Gates of Mordor to raise Minas Tirith to the ground and crush the last hope of Middle-Earth before allowing a king to return to the throne of Men."
"We cannot allow that to happen!" Boromir protested. "This is my home we're talking about. I will die before I see it destroyed."
"If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war," Gandalf added with a nod to Boromir in understanding. Théoden was silent as he looked around at those present.
"Tell me," he ordered. "Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"
The majority of those present were silent as they listened to his words, Boromir being the exception. The man went red as he started to splutter in anger. Aragorn gently placed his hands over Tegalad's ears as the Gondorian continued to rant. Once he was done Aragorn removed his hands from Tegalad's ears and turned to Gandalf.
"I will go," he said. Tegalad looked up at him in shock and betrayal just as Gandalf refused him.
"They must be warned!" Aragorn continued.
"Then I will go," Boromir stated firmly. "It is my home!"
"No," Gandalf refused. "I need the two of you here." The Istari walked closer to the two men and spoke softly so as only they could hear him. "You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the river and look to the black ships."
Tegalad didn't understand a word of the instructions, and it seemed the two men didn't either. Gandalf returned to where he was before and raised his voice so that everyone could hear him again. Tegalad tuned him out. He had already guessed that Gandalf would be leaving again. He wouldn't leave Minas Tirith to defend itself especially not after having prohibited Aragorn and Boromir from going. What he hadn't guessed was that the Istari would split up the hobbits, knowing full well that the two may never see each other again.
Aragorn left Tegalad with Legolas as the elf had something he wanted to teach the child. Tegalad had reluctantly let the man leave and grabbed one of Legolas' hands so that the elf wouldn't be able to escape any time soon without Tegalad knowing. Aragorn watched them leave before rushing after Gandalf, hoping to catch him before he left.
"Gandalf!" Aragorn called. The Istari turned around and waited for the ranger to catch up. "Gandalf, if what you think is true, that Pippin has drawn the Eye, what about Tegalad? He also saw the Eye and has heard Sauron's voice in his head. Is there any threat to him?"
"If I thought it would make him safer I'd take Tegalad with me to Minas Tirith," Gandalf said softly. "But while the elfling has Sauron's curiosity, I don't think that he is in any immediate danger."
"Is it possible that Sauron doesn't know who has the Ring?" Aragorn asked as they approached the stables. "He has been told a hobbit has the Ring, but what if he thinks that Tegalad has it?"
"Aragorn, I can't answer your questions as they are the same as mine," Gandalf murmured. "But I will tell you this. You must make sure that Tegalad is with someone trusted at all times. If possible, have him return here after the army has assembled. Keep him safe, but I wouldn't recommend you taking him with you. He is still a child, no matter how brave or skilled he is."
"I can't just leave him behind," Aragorn protested. "His trust is hard enough to gain as it is. I don't know how I still have it."
"It is your choice. But think very hard on whatever decision you make. Sauron cannot get Tegalad. That's all I will say."
Aragorn nodded and stopped walking to allow Gandalf, and the two hobbits following them, to enter the stables. The man stood back to allow Gandalf to pass. Pippin was sitting in front of him, looking like he had just realised what was happening, and Merry was running after them on foot. Aragorn decided to follow Merry, knowing that the hobbit would be feeling upset at the loss of his friend.
"Aragorn?" Merry asked as the two of them watched Gandalf disappear from sight. "Is it true what Gandalf said? About Tegalad?"
"Which part?" Aragorn asked as he turned around to spot said elfling.
"The part where Sauron might think Tegalad had the Ring."
"It is a possibility," Aragorn admitted. "And until all this is over, Tegalad is not to be left alone."
"I hope you're not thinking of leaving him again," Merry whispered. "Because you know he'll escape. From the stories Pip and I have been told, Tegalad doesn't sound like someone willing to stay behind and let others fight."
With those parting words Merry left. Aragorn watched the hobbit go before turning around to spot Tegalad and Legolas. He chuckled having realised what the elf was teaching him and went back in doors to have some lunch.
Tegalad stared at the bow in confusion and then up at Legolas who was watching him with a grin. He gingerly took the bow and held it awkwardly. Legolas knelt down to reposition his hands so that the bow felt more natural in his grip.
"Why am I doing this again?" Tegalad asked as his grip was fixed. "I'm not very good at this sort of thing."
"You just need some background instruction so that you can defend yourself if you need to," Legolas explained.
"I can use a sword, and my control over elements is much better," Tegalad protested as he was handed an arrow. He eyed the arrow with distrust. "I could kill someone while I'm practicing."
"Have a little faith Little One," Legolas said firmly. "I won't let that happen. Boromir and Gimli are keeping some curious villagers away so there is no chance of anyone getting hurt."
Tegalad stared at the bow and the arrow again before following Legolas' instructions. The elf had insisted on putting an arm brace on his left forearm to protect the flesh from the twang of the bow. Tegalad lifted the bow in a position he assumed was the right one. Legolas chuckled and turned his body so that it was side on and instructed him to pull the string using the muscles in his shoulders instead of his arm. From there he raised the elfling's elbow and straightened the front arm before instructing him to release the arrow.
It went wide.
Tegalad looked up at Legolas in defeat and reluctantly took the next arrow. He was aiming at a fairly large stack of hay not that far in front of him. He had no hope that he'd be able to hit it but Legolas had been optimistic…and still was by his look.
For the next few hours Tegalad shot arrow after arrow towards the haystack and felt better when he noticed that by the end he could hit the haystack three times out of five. Legolas promised that they'd return again the next day and try it again. Tegalad had only nodded and walked off to get the arrows, turning around after picking up every arrow to make sure that Legolas was still in sight.
He knew it was childish but the experience with the Stone had left him feeling insecure and with a few abandonment issues. He was always reassured when there was someone familiar within sight and no one seemed to protest against his actions.
With all the arrows collected again Tegalad walked off at Legolas' side until they came across Merry sitting by himself. Tegalad knew that the hobbit was feeling lost without his friend and went to sit next to him. Legolas remained some distance away to give them some privacy but within sight to give Tegalad some security.
"Pippin and I have been together since the beginning of all of this," Merry admitted. "Now Pippin's gone off to the White City and I'm stuck here."
"You could ask Théoden if you could help," Tegalad suggested quietly. "He'd let you do something."
"I could," Merry stated. "But what if he doesn't let me?"
"I will ask him," Tegalad promised. "Or Aragorn and Boromir. Boromir feels upset since Gandalf said he couldn't go home yet. He will understand."
"Sounds like an idea," Merry said looking much happier. "Thanks Teg. What are you doing now?"
"Legolas is teaching me to use a bow," Tegalad admitted. "I do not think it is going too well. Gimli put himself in charge of what I eat and Boromir is helping him enforce it."
"And Aragorn?" Merry asked with a grin. "He was the first person with you this morning and the last one with you yesterday."
"I had a nightmare last night," Tegalad murmured. "He helps me. He also put me to bed before the party."
Merry grinned as if he had just figured out something important, then his face sobered as he registered the first part of the elfling's reply.
"Sometimes talking about your nightmares helps," he suggested. "Maybe not to me, I won't understand much of it. But Aragorn has seen a lot and may understand what you're going through more than you think."
"Maybe," Tegalad murmured. The two sat in silence for a while before Boromir's voice echoed over the courtyard.
"Tegalad! Dinner time!"
Tegalad sighed and stood up. He just wasn't hungry but he would force down most of what was put before him for the sake of his friends. Merry chuckled and stood up as well. The hobbit threw his arm around Tegalad's shoulder and steered him off to the throne room where they were serving dinner, all the while talking about the food usually served back in the Shire.
All the talk about food made Tegalad nauseous but he put on a smile for his friend. Boromir and Legolas walked behind them into the throne room and the man pulled Tegalad up onto his lap once they had reached the table.
Merry filled his plate up and sat opposite Tegalad, watching as Gimli set down a full plate in front of him. Tegalad went a little green but started to eat the vegetables on the plate and nibble on his bread. Boromir ate around him, his plate to the left of Tegalad's, and he spoke with Aragorn who was on his left. Merry watched as Tegalad picked at his food, concerned but not really realising it until he noticed Tegalad's eyes flickering to the door every so often.
"Why are you forcing yourself to eat Teg?" he asked in concern. "Why are you making yourself sick?"
"I am not!" Tegalad protested putting his fork down. "I'm just…not hungry."
The last part had been said quietly and his eyes had drifted down so that he wasn't looking at anyone. Boromir rested his hand against Tegalad's forehead and tilted his head back so that he could see his eyes.
"You are a little warm," Boromir stated. "Legolas tire you out today?"
"To bed early I think," Aragorn murmured as he put his cup down. "I'll be back for the rest of this. Don't get rid of it."
The ranger lifted Tegalad from Boromir's lap and frowned at how light the child still was. Tegalad curled up in his arms instantly and closed his eyes. He was tired but afraid to fall asleep again. There was something about the Burning Eye that sent shivers down his spine and kept him awake.
"I'll be back soon," Aragorn said softly in concern. "If you wake up before I return I'll be in the throne room or on the balcony."
"Okay," Tegalad replied as he was put down on the bed. Aragorn kissed his brow softly before leaving the room. Tegalad waited until he left before looking around the room. He shivered at how alone he felt and burrowed deeper into the covers. He fell into a restless sleep he found himself unable to wake from until several hours later.
He was standing in the middle of a barren field, fires burned everywhere. A roar filled his ears and he turned around to see a looming volcano sprouting flames while rivers of lava burned down the side. He turned back around and gasped at the sight of an army marching before him. They ran at him with their weapons raised and battle cries on their tongues.
He stumbled backwards across the loose rocks and up the mountain side. He leapt over the rivers of lava and ducked underneath the falling rocks. The sound of the army running after him kept him going, not looking back once.
He came upon a door in the mountain side leading into the centre. Flames bellowed alongside the walkway and without thinking he ran inside. It was warm, far warmer than was comfortable. Battle cries followed him and he found himself trapped at the edge of the walkway. He slowly turned around, expecting to see the army, but screaming as he saw something else.
The Burning Eye stared back at him and whispers across the wind ripped into his mind and tortured him. Words he had heard before echoed across his conscious and he thrashed about trying to escape.
You will die Harry Potter, it whispered at him. You will die and then I will have won. And there's nothing you can do to stop me.
He screamed out denials as flames circled his body, keeping him confined. He tried to move backwards and hit the edge of the walkway. He twisted and the fire pulled him down to his death. The voice echoed in his mind once more.
This is where you will die, it promised before laughter he often heard in his nightmares swamped him. He screamed one more time before he hit the ground.
Tegalad woke up screaming. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he struggled against what was holding him. He started to whisper apologies, pleading to be let go as his body shook in fear. He slowly became aware of someone whispering to him and the same person rubbing his back in soothing circles. Slowly his struggles became less and he slumped forward. He was still breathing heavily, the voice echoing around in his mind tauntingly.
Eventually Tegalad became aware of something more urgent than his fear and announced softly that he was about to be sick. The arms holding him loosened slightly just as he heaved up what he had eaten for dinner. Someone had moved a clean chamber pot under his face so as he wouldn't make a mess over the floor. Once he was done he slumped sideways and cried.
The arms holding him tightened as he was rocked gently. The soothing words whispered to him eventually penetrated his distraught mind and he slipped once again into unconsciousness.
When Tegalad woke the next morning it was to find arms still holding him still. He felt miserable and he had a headache but he was freezing, despite the amount of blankets heaped on top of him. His stirring must have alerted whoever was holding him that he was awake as the arms tightened as he was forced to sit up.
Tegalad groaned in protest as the ground beneath him tilted. A cold hand rested on his forehead and despite being freezing, the cold hand felt nice against his burning head. His head was tilted back and a cup pressed to his lips. Cold liquid rushed down his throat and he shivered, turning his head away.
"You're really not feeling well are you?"
Tegalad looked up into Aragorn's concerned eyes and shook his head. He wanted to curl up in a ball and not uncurl until he felt normal again. Aragorn rubbed his back as he tightened the blankets around them.
"I think you've caught a bug at Isengard from when you went into the water," Aragorn continued. "You probably felt horrible yesterday and that nightmare last night probably didn't help your body's healing capabilities."
"My head hurts," Tegalad murmured. "And it's cold. I don't like being cold."
"Do you want to tell me what your nightmare was about?" Aragorn asked, ignoring the elvish words. "It might help you sleep better."
"The Burning Eye sees all," Tegalad whispered as his eyes closed. "He knows who I am. The mountain has a door half way up it. He says that's where He'll win. I don't want Him to win. He hurts me. It's all I see, has been since the Cold Stone showed Him to me."
Aragorn looked greatly concerned as Tegalad spoke. It was a nightmare that would send a grown man to tears. He pulled Tegalad tighter against his chest and encouraged him to go back to sleep. He needed to talk to Gandalf but decided that as soon as one of the others turned up he'd discuss it with them.
Tegalad slowly drifted back to sleep, still shivering with a high fever. Aragorn bathed his head with a cool cloth from the basin next to him and waited somewhat impatiently for company. It wasn't until another half hour had passed before Boromir slid into the room, two plates of food on a tray before him. He glanced at Tegalad with worry and then at Aragorn.
"He woke up," Aragorn whispered. "He still feels horrible but he did tell me about his nightmare. Would be enough to make a grown man scream in terror."
"That bad huh?" Boromir asked as he set down the food. "You going to share?"
"Sauron's messing with his mind," Aragorn said as he shifted slightly to eat. He kept one arm around Tegalad's shoulders while with the other he ate. "He keeps seeing the Eye in his dreams and he kept muttering something about Sauron knowing who he was. I didn't understand that but he was pretty scared when he told me."
"Poor kid," Boromir murmured. "Hasn't he got enough on his plate at the moment?"
Aragorn was about answer when Tegalad groaned. The man looked down in concern and quickly pulled the chamber pot towards him. Tegalad heaved over the pot as Boromir pulled the food away.
"Must be the smell," he commented as he pushed the food towards the door. "I'll take this away and be back with some more water and those herbs that you asked for."
"Thanks," Aragorn said as he supported the sick child. Tegalad shivered miserably. He had been roused from his restless sleep by the smell of food and his stomach had rebelled despite being only filled with water. He didn't think he'd ever felt this sick before, even growing up under the neglectful care of the Dursleys.
"It had slipped my mind the elflings were particularly prone to illness growing up," Aragorn murmured in elvish. "It has been years since the last elfling was born. I remember Lord Elrond telling me stories when I was sick as a child about how easy it was for young elves to get sick, and his sons had decided to test the belief. They were sick for a week. But you should be better in two days or so. You just need some rest, a lot of warmth and some soft foods."
"Don't want no food," Tegalad murmured pitifully. "Just want it to go away."
"It'll go away if you look after yourself properly," Aragorn said with a chuckle. "But since I know you won't, I will ensure that you get better as soon as possible."
"You going to leave again?" Tegalad asked softly.
"Not any time soon," Aragorn replied softly.
"But you wanted to before," Tegalad protested. "In the counsel room, you wanted to warn someone and leave, just like you did before."
"I wouldn't have gone without you," Aragorn murmured. "I would have kept you near me for as long as I could."
"What about in the future?" Tegalad asked as his eyes slid closed. "Will you leave me behind?"
"No," Aragorn said sincerely. "I won't leave you, especially if I didn't think it was safe."
Tegalad smiled softly, believing the words of the ranger. He rested his head on the man's shoulder tiredly. He was still cold but the body heat of someone else seemed to help fight the chill. He heard Boromir return but didn't pay attention to the conversation the two men had until a cold cup was pressed against his lips. Aragorn instructed him to drink and he took a small sip.
He felt the cold liquid travel down his throat and he shivered. Aragorn waited until his stomach had settled before offering him another sip. Tegalad dutifully drank it all, despite the slightly bitter taste, as it was much tastier than the potions he'd been forced to drink in his own world. A stray thought entered his mind, should he look for any familiar plants to brew his own potions? It was obvious that there were herbs of some description in the drink he'd been given, but maybe he'd be able to recognise plants to make some healing potions.
While being horrible in potions, he was able to brew a number of healing potions perfectly because of his need for them in the summer holidays. Not that he let anyone know of his skills, but the potions had been helpful and Tegalad doubted that he'd be alive if it hadn't been for them.
By the time he'd finished the drink he was extremely tired and more than willing to fall asleep again. He hoped that his headache would be gone by the time he woke again, and that he wouldn't feel as sick as he did at that moment.
"Go to sleep Little One," Aragorn ordered softly. "I'll be here when you wake again."
"Thanks dad," Tegalad whispered, already asleep. He missed the sad smile on Aragorn's face, or hear the questions Boromir was directing at the ranger. But he could imagine that he'd heard the soft reply in his ear.
"Goodnight, my son."
It wasn't until two days after Gandalf and Pippin had left for Minas Tirith that Tegalad was able to eat anything without bringing it back up again almost instantly. It was only half a bowl of hot soup, but it was better than nothing. He had stayed in bed all of the previous day, Aragorn only leaving to eat and use the privy. But during those times there was always someone with Tegalad, usually Boromir, but Legolas and Gimli joined him throughout the day. Éomer and Éowyn joined him occasionally bit it was Merry who was the most common visitor, telling stories about the Shire that more often that not sent Tegalad to sleep, dreaming of green fields and small houses under the ground, with roaring fires in the hearth and animals singing to each other in the gardens and forests.
He didn't get out of bed for another day though. He had spent the second day recovering and regaining his strength and on the third morning after Gandalf had gone he walked into the throne room on his own. He was bundled up in layers of clothes and the blanket he'd slept with, Aragorn not allowing him to get up if he didn't, but he still got cold easily and was prone to huddling up against the nearest heat source.
Éowyn had given him a hug when she spotted him and asked if was feeling better. Tegalad had smiled and nodded, liking the independent woman. She reminded him a lot of Hermione, unwilling to let others do what she could do herself but still kind to those around her. He knew that she liked Aragorn, and that Aragorn liked another woman, and he hoped that Éowyn would be able to recover from the disappointment she was sure to face, sooner rather than later.
During the day, while Aragorn was busy with Théoden making plans about the battle looming in the nearby future, Tegalad and Merry were with Gimli and learning how to handcraft little wooden figurines. It was great fun and the result was several ruined blocks of wood and some lopsided objects that may have been a horse, a small arrow, or a pipe. They stopped when the other children of Edoras came to watch as they would have wanted to join in and Gimli didn't have enough small knives to hand out. Tegalad and Merry didn't mind, though Tegalad did put a few blocks of wood in his pocket for later.
The boys in the group of children decided to play a mock war, with sticks as their swords. Tegalad declined though Merry joined in the game happily. The girls who didn't play in the "war" sat off to the side with Tegalad and cheered on their favourites. Gimli called out tips to the "soldiers" and laughed when the boys abandoned their sticks and leapt at each other.
Merry escaped the pile of bodies with a triumphant smirk before flopping down on the ground next to Tegalad. The elfling laughed and remarked upon the black eye the hobbit had acquired. Merry held his hand to his injured eye, smile still in place.
"You reckon Boromir will give me any pointers after seeing this?" he asked.
"If he pities you enough," Tegalad replied softly. "Can I watch when you ask?"
Merry nodded while Gimli chuckled in amusement. He took the two inside, having noticed that it was near dinner time and was still adamant about putting some meat on Tegalad's bones. Tegalad picked at his food, still not having much of an appetite after his illness, but he did manage to eat some of what was placed before him.
He went to bed early that night, tired and unwilling to stay up surrounded by talking adults. Legolas went with him to keep him company, knowing that while the elfling was most comfortable around Aragorn, he didn't mind the older elf's company.
"Legolas?" Tegalad asked softly as he snuggled down into his bed. "Thank-you."
"For what Little One," Legolas asked as he pulled the covers up higher around the elfling's shoulders.
"Taking care of me," Tegalad whispered. "You didn't have to."
"You were sick Tegalad," Legolas said in confusion. "Haven't you ever had anyone look after you when you were sick before?"
"No," Tegalad said with a yawn. "Why would anyone take care of a freak?"
Legolas froze his hand over the blankets. Tegalad's eyes were closed but he was not yet asleep. Legolas rested his hand on the elfling's forehead and ran it through his black hair.
"Who told you that?" he asked softly, hiding the anger he felt.
"My uncle," Tegalad said with a yawn. He felt himself falling into a deep sleep, lulled by the soft and gentle brushes by Legolas' hand. "He didn't like me much."
"You're liked here very much," Legolas said reassuringly.
"For now," Tegalad whispered, now just about asleep and unaware of what he was saying. "I won't be when they discover how much of a burden and a freak I am. It's best not to get to close to anyone, for when they leave it won't hurt as much."
Legolas watched silently as Tegalad finally succumbed to sleep. He was horrified to hear such words and amazed that Tegalad would trust them as much as he did, especially if his uncle had treated him as badly as Legolas imagined he must have. When Aragorn had mentioned what Tegalad had said to Théoden during the march to Helms Deep, he had assumed that the elfling was talking about the one had killed his parents and captured him, but now he rethought the words and came to the conclusion that he was talking about his uncle. He would need to talk to Aragorn soon, the man needed to know what Tegalad thought of himself and of his suspicions about the elfling's former family.
He watched Tegalad sleep for a while, noticing how young Tegalad looked when he was unconscious, before leaving the room and searching for the others in the Fellowship. He needed to have a few words with them.
Tegalad was up at dawn the next day. His hair was still messy from being pressed against his pillow and his green eyes were still in the process of waking up. He rubbed his eyes slowly as he walked down the hall, his bare feet silent on the stone floor. The sun was only just peeking over the horizon but Tegalad knew that there would be those still up from the previous night, or early risers trying to get more work done. He snuck into the throne room to see what everyone was doing and nicked an apple off a nearby plate without the owner noticing.
Théoden and some of his advisors were staring at a bunch of papers. Tegalad assumed that they were maps, or even numbers of men available. He didn't trouble himself with trying to see what was on it as he was unable to read it. He wasn't sure if he could read at all as no language he'd seen in Middle Earth had made any sense to him.
As he ate his small breakfast, Tegalad watched as the throne room became more crowded. Women appeared with more food on plates, making sure that the men were eating as they worked. Tegalad couldn't see Éowyn among them, figuring that she was still asleep or in some other room. There were also some guards walking around or standing at their posts. Éomer was standing off to the side, a fairly large mug in his hands and staring off into space. Tegalad amused himself by creeping closer to the leader of the Rohirrim, discarding the apple core in the fire as he passed it.
He was silent as he crouched behind the much taller man; his intention of jumping onto the man's back obvious in his bright green eyes. But it was just before he jumped that Éomer spun around and lifted him into the air. Tegalad laughed as he wrapped his legs around the man's waist to prevent himself from falling if Éomer were to release him.
"And what were you planning on doing Little One?" he asked as he set his mug down without spilling a drop.
"Morning!" Tegalad replied with a smile. He had taken a liking to the man after learning of his cousin's death. Éomer had told him stories of Theodred while he was sick and then told him stories about Edoras. He spoke protectively of Éowyn, but Tegalad imagined that it was just the older, protective brother talking and that he really was proud of her. Tegalad imagined him as his older brother, or an older cousin, protective when it mattered and responsible the rest of the time.
"You're obviously feeling better today," Éomer remarked as he dropped Tegalad onto a nearby table. "I haven't seen you this chirpy since…actually; I don't think I've ever seen you this chirpy."
"I'm not sick anymore!" Tegalad said happily. "And I feel that something big will happen today."
"Something big huh?" Éomer repeated. "If you say so. I hope it's a good thing that happens."
Tegalad shrugged and swung his legs. He looked around the room and saw Legolas staring at him. He vaguely remembered the elf putting him to bed the night before but nothing else. He waved a morning greeting which was returned with a smile and a nod of the head.
"Well good morning Tegalad, are you supposed to be up?" Tegalad turned around and saw Éowyn staring at him with her hands on her hips. He nodded with a grin he had realised got him out of too much trouble.
"And where are your shoes?" Éowyn continued to ask.
"In the room still," Tegalad answered grinning. "I'll put them on later."
"Very well," Éowyn said, succumbing to the smile. "At least eat some more. You're far too thin as it is."
Tegalad grinned at her and slid off the table with the intention of getting some more fruit, only to be stopped when Éomer lifted him back into the air. He asked what the man was doing as he grabbed his shirt to keep himself upright.
"You're not wearing any shoes and I know that the floor is cold," was the reply. "What makes you think that I'll let you walk around and get sick again?"
Tegalad was about to answer when the doors burst open and Aragorn came rushing in, screaming about the beacons. Tegalad was confused but held his tongue as Éomer went tense and all conversations in the room stopped. Aragorn stopped in front of the King.
"Gondor calls for aid," he said breathlessly. Everyone waited for Théoden's reply. Éowyn walked further forward to stand next to her brother, a worried expression on her face. Boromir stumbled into the room having heard what Aragorn was calling and desperate for the answer.
"Then Rohan will answer," was the firm reply. Several people in the room let out relieved breaths. "Muster the Rohirrim!"
Éomer let out a sigh but nevertheless bowed and handed Tegalad to Éowyn before walking out to obey his orders. Éowyn watched him go, her grip strong on the child in her arms. Tegalad struggled a little bit to give the woman a hint that he wanted to be on the ground. Éowyn smiled at him but stubbornly kept him in her arms and walked over to where Aragorn, Legolas and Boromir had gathered.
"It seems to me that someone escaped your watch this morning," she said as she came within earshot. The two men and one elf smiled at her statement before Aragorn moved forward to hold Tegalad. Éowyn gave him up and leveled a stern finger at the man.
"You make sure he eats and please get him to put some shoes on!" she ordered. "The floors are cold and he's just recovered from an illness!"
"He is still here," Tegalad said with a frown. Éowyn smirked at him.
"And you should know full well that the floors are cold in the morning," she told him. "And I doubt that you would eat anything unless you were forced to."
Tegalad didn't answer and that was all the evidence she needed. She bid the Fellowship farewell and turned to ready herself for the marshalling. Boromir told his friends to ready themselves, having been packed himself since Gandalf left, and took Tegalad to his room to get ready. Tegalad sighed as he was again passed to another person without his feet touching the floor once. He didn't complain, but while he enjoyed acting like the kid he never got to be, he still didn't like being manhandled as if he were a doll.
The first thing Boromir did once they were in the room was hand Tegalad his shoes. Tegalad put them on, watching as the knight packed away his scant belongings. He had lifted an eyebrow at the wooden blocks but put them in a small bag without questioning it. By the time he was done Tegalad was standing at the door, watching as people ran past quickly, clothes, food and weapons in their hands as they rushed to prepare everyone who was leaving.
"Where are we going?" Tegalad asked as Boromir grabbed his hand and led him down the corridor.
"The army will marshal at Dunharrow," Boromir explained. "From there we'll march on to Minas Tirith."
"So you're finally going home then?" Tegalad asked with a smile. Boromir smiled down at him.
"Yes, yes I am," he said as he picked up the pace a little in excitement. "I'm going home."
Once they were outside Boromir sent Tegalad off to where Aragorn was tightening the last of his straps on his horse. Aragorn smiled slightly when he spotted him before turning back to talk to Éowyn who was next to him. Tegalad couldn't hear their conversation but he did see the sword under the saddle blanket of Éowyn's horse. He wondered what she was doing before he decided that he didn't care. He knew that women were able to fight, and fight well, and Éowyn struck him as someone who wouldn't stand back to allow others to fight when she could do something to help…much like himself.
Aragorn lifted him onto the front of the saddle and Tegalad resigned himself to having a sore backside for the next few days. Aragorn swung up behind him easily and rode off to the head of the column. Legolas, with Gimli behind him, and Boromir joined him behind the King. Tegalad looked around for Merry and saw spotted the lonely hobbit riding a small white horse further back, smiling broadly.
Tegalad shook his head in amusement and turned his attention to the front. It would take two days to reach Dunharrow, and he had a feeling that everything would change when they got there. He wasn't sure if it would be good or bad, but he was sure that the defining point in the war was coming closer…
The end of chapter 11, to be continued in chapter 12. An idea entered my head while I was writing this...should Tegalad tell Aragorn and the others about who he was before, or should that happen in the sequel, which I also plan on rewriting. Sorry to all of you who like TEP, but I hate it. If anyone wants to continue it, take over it, send me an email and you can do it. If you don't want to, fine, I'll be rewriting it after I finish this one.
All ideas and opinions are welcome!