"So I imagine this is just a ceremonial position." Pippin said, looking down at the swords and Gondor clothing and armor in front of him. "I mean, they dont actually expect me to do any fighting... do they?"
"You're in the service of the Steward now. You're going to have to do as you're told, Peregrin Took, guard of the Citadel." Gandalf replied, his pipe on his lips.
"It's so quiet..." Pippin said, resting his arms on the balcony.
"It's the deep breath before the plunge." I sighed and walked into the quarters, slipping my knife and piece of wood, half carved into an ancient tree back into the bag that had rested on Niethen, now in the stables with Shadowfax.
"I dont want to be in a battle." Pippin said, "But waiting on the edge of one I cant escape is even worse." I stood next to him and he looked up at me. "Is there any hope, Rhasslairiel... for Frodo and Sam?" I looked at Gandalf.
"There was never much hope..." Gandalf replied, "Just a fool's hope."
"Which is hope nonetheless." I said, my voice cracking. I cleared my throat. Pippin smiled.
"Our enemy is ready." Gandalf said, "His full strength's gathered. Not only Orcs but Men as well. Legions of Haradrim from the South mercenaries from the coast. All will answer to Mordor's call. This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer stroke will fall hardest. If the river is taken, if the garrison at Osgiliath falls the last defense of this city will be gone."
"We may still ride out to meet them when they come."
"Yes but what defense is that?" Gandalf replied to my comment.
"And we have the White Wizard. Thats got to count for something." Gandalf nearly smiled but looked away from Pippin.
"Gandalf?" Pippin asked.
"Sauron has yet to reveal his deadliest servant." Gandalf said and I looked down; I knew what he was talking about. "the one who would lead Mordor's armies in war. One who they say no living man can kill. The Witch King of Agmar. You've met him before." I nodded to Pippin as he looked at me and back to Gandalf, "He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop." Pippin looked down.
"He is the lord of the Nazgul," I said, "the greatest of the Nine. Minas Morgul is his lair." There was a long pause and suddenly a line tower of light erupted from the land next to Mordor. I gasped. Pippin backed away from the side of the balcony as Gandalf put his arm around his shoulders.
"The board is set..." Gandalf said, "The pieces are moving." I looked at Gandalf and him at me. "To keep your promise leave soon Rhasslairiel." He said not unkindly, "The task will be carried out tomorrow morning. You have two days at the most starting now to make it back to Rohan." I nodded and put my hand on Pippin's shoulder.
"I will leave now." I said and reached over, hesitating before giving Gandalf a brief embrace. He was surprised but returned it nonetheless.
"Do not fear for the aid of Rohan." I said, "If Theoden does not answer I will make him." Gandalf smiled at me.
"I'm sure you will, Rhasslairiel." He said and I smiled. "Now go!" With a single nod and a pat to Pippin's back I turned and grabbed my pack, pulling my cloak around me, sending only slight pains through my arm that I paid no attention to, running out the door of the sleeping quarters that I had not slept in... In fact, I noticed, I had not slept in three days. I shook my head out of the thought and continued to run through Minas Tirith, the guards following me, some with their eyes, others running after me. I paid them no heed but finally turned around.
"Where are the stables in which my horse was put?" I asked. One of the guards looked at the other.
"There are many stables in this city, My Lady Windrider. We do not know which one your horse was put in." Cursing in Elvish that they could not understand I finally sighed.
"No matter." I said, "He will come." I reached inside my vest to the small pocket there, sitting next to the knife was my flute. I pulled it out and blew into it three notes. The guards looked at each other.
It was not a moment before I heard a familiar neigh and Niethen galloped into view. Smiling at he guard's astonished faces I leaped onto Niethen's back.
"Hannon le." I said to the guards, not realizing that I had just thanked them in Elvish, and rode off into the night.
As I galloped out into the plains and toward the mountains I could see in my mind's eye Pippin and Gandalf watching... and I rode faster.
Morning came and I opened my eyes with a gasp, my head resting on Niethen. I must have fallen asleep... I thought and shook my head, looking around and smiling. Niethen had not strayed from the path and I noticed that we were riding through a forest. Niethen's breath came out ragged and I looked down upon him.
"I am so sorry, Niethen." I said, "When we get to Rohan you will eat and rest as you've never done before. This seemed to cheer my horse up and we rode faster.
Nightfall had come as I rode into Rohan, still at least fifty leagues from Edoras. My breath came in gasps from riding hard but I dared not stop. Pippin had lit the beacon not twelve hours ago. The chain had started... I needed to be swift.
I knew that it was sometime near midnight when Edoras finally came into view. Niethen snorted happily and I smiled, patting his neck lightly.
The gates of Edoras opened as I rode in, shouts of "Alandia has retuned!" and "open the gate!" greeting me. I looked up at the nearest beacon to Edoras and smiled. I had beaten the beacons.
I quickly jumped off of Niethen, my sword clanking on my leg. A small boy, still up at this time, ran to me.
"Give him plenty of food and water. It has been a hard journey." I said through heavy breathing. The boy smiled and nodded. I reached into my pocket and pulled out gold pieces just as I had before and handed them to him. "Thank you." I said and turned, running to the sleeping quarters that we had stayed in before...
Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli slept peacefully, though Gimli's snores filled the room. I smiled, and tiptoed to the corner of the room, resting myself down on it, not daring to wake them up. Let Aragorn sleep. I thought, he will find out in the morning. and with that I fell asleep.
Aragorn was the first one awake the next morning and his motion woke me up. He was standing, looking at me with a strange, though happy expression on his face.
"You-"
"Shh!" I said, pointing to the other two and stood, following him outside and into the palace. Not talking the whole time I grabbed a cup of hot brown liquid (what we now would call coffee) and followed him out into the back of a peasant's house, long had it been since anyone lived there, the beacon fully in view.
"I beat them." I said and smiled, pointing up to the beacon. "They were lit this morning by Pippin." Aragorn looked at me, a smile on his face though still troubled.
"Gondor is in need?" I nodded.
"Minas Morgul did something two nights ago." I said, bringing the cup to my lips. "The Witch King will be leading Mordor's armies."
Aragorn put his arm around my shoulders.
"Hannon le Rhasslairiel." He said and I smiled, not really knowing what he was thanking me for... not really caring either.
We sat there for nearly an hour, talking of times when we used to travel together as Rangers through Middle Earth. Many hilarious moments we had gotten ourselves into and we remembered them with fresh, true laughter. The first we had had in a long time.
"Well," Aragorn said through his laughter, "If you hadnt lit your cloak on fire on accident they would have never seen us." I pushed him lightly.
"I wouldnt have lit my cloak on fire if you hadnt pushed me out of the way..." But Aragorn's eyes were no longer on his friend, they were looking up at the mountain... a small flame to our eyes... the beacon had been lit.
"What did I tell you?" I asked and smiled as Aragorn stood, dropping his cup and his bowl of food onto the ground as he ran for the Golden Hall. I followed.
"The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit!" Aragorn yelled, crashing through the door and running into the hall. Theoden looked over at us, his eyes lingering only for a moment on me before he turned to Aragorn.
"Gondor calls for aid." I confirmed what he said. I looked at Theoden, my eyes wary...
"And Rohan will answer!" He said. I smiled. Aragorn smiled as well as he breathed hard. "Muster the Rohirrim!" Theoden called and Eomer nodded, looking at his sister and walking out the door. "Remember this, Alandia," Theoden said coldly, "When you go to call me coward again." I looked at him and bowed my head.
"I will, Theoden." I said.
"Rhasslairiel!" I turned to see Legolas approaching me.
"Legolas." I said and felt myself being taken into his arms.
"Are you up for another battle?" Legolas asked. I smiled.
"Always." I said and wrapped my arms around his neck, giving into the kiss that he bestowed upon me, smiling all the while.
"Alright you two." Gimli said, "You're going to make me sick." I grinned.
"Sorry Gimli." I replied and pulled away from Legolas.
"I will prepare myself for battle." He said and walked away, leaving me to look after him, my eyes shining. Theoden came out of his chambers nearly an hour later as I pulled on the helm that was given to me proudly, watching as the King paused to look at me and walked outside. I turned and followed.
"Assemble the army at Dunharrow." Theoden commanded to his nephew, Eomer, who walked behind him. "As many men as can be found. You have two days." he reached out and grabbed Eomer's arm. "On the third," he said, "re ride for Gondor... and war." Eomer bowed to the King and met eyes with me before turning and hurrying off, men getting ready for battle all around him. I ran down the stairs as well, searching for my three friends. I found them readying horses, Legolas and Gimli pulling a saddle onto their white horse, Gimli trying to help but not being able to reach far enough. I smiled and stood between them and Aragorn, watching as I blew my flute and Niethen came out. Legolas turned to me.
"Do you find joy in showing off that your horse answers to a flute call?" he asked not unkindly but teasingly. I smiled.
"Yes." I replied simply and threw my pack over Niethen's back. Never strapping a saddle onto him. I looked over to Aragorn, who was looking over at Eowyn.
"Will you ride with us?" Aragorn asked curiously as Eowyn brought over a horse.
"Just to the encampment." She replied, "Its tradition for the women of the court to farewell the men." I raised my eyebrows and swung myself up onto Niethen as Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli jumped upon their own horses.
"Now is the hour." Eomer was shouting to the men around him, "Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken. Now fulfill them all. To lord and land!" and with a final "hia!" to his horse, the warriors galloped off, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and I ahead of them with the King and his nephew. I rode ahead of them all, enjoying the feeling of the wind in my face. When I turned slightly I could see Legolas's eyes on me... he was smiling.