Begin Transmission
Lacy here with the next chapter of Zera. Last chapter, Theoden took his rightful place back as King. This chapter, well he gets to see just how bad things have become since Saruman took over his mind. I bet ya anything if he had the wizard in front of him, he'd have a few choice words for him. Also, we're off to Helm's Deep. The question for the chapter, is Aragorn going to let his sister fight or will he try and send her off with the other women and children? Let's find out. Have fun!
Disclaimer: I only own Zera.
End Transmission
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Zera stood beside Gandalf as Theoden stood in front of his son's grave. It was one thing to lose a child and be aware of it, it was another altogether to have it happen while you had no control over yourself.
"Simbelmyne." Theoden said. "Ever has it grown on the tombs of my forebearers." he looked at Zera and Gandalf. "Now it shall cover the grave of my son. Alas, that these evil days should be mine. The young perish and the old linger. That I should live to see the last days of my house."
"Theodred's death was not of your making." Gandalf tried to reassure the mourning father.
"No parent should have to bury their child." Theoden said as he starting weeping.
"He was strong in life. His spirit will find its way to the halls of your fathers." Gandalf said. "Westu hal. Ferou, Theodred, Ferou." Be-thou well. Go-thou, Theodred, go-thou.
Zera stepped forward and laid her hand on the ground in front of Theodred's tomb. Closing her eyes, she focused and soon the very flowers Theoden had been holding sprouted and blossomed. Once the tomb was covered, she stepped back to Gandalf and they turned to leave. Movement off in the distance though, caught Zera's eye.
"Gandalf," she said softly. She motioned and they saw two small children on a horse. To their shock, one of them fell from the horse to the ground. Zera rushed out to them and knelt beside the boy. She looked up at the small girl. "What are your names?"
The girl sniffed, clearly upset. "Freda and Eothain."
"Do not worry, Freda," Zera said. "you are safe now."
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Zera stroked Freda's hair back before moving to sit with Aragorn and Gimli. She let out a tired sigh and resisted the urge to rest her head on her brother's shoulder as she'd done many times when she was younger.
"They had no warning. They were unarmed." Eowyn said. "Now the wildmen are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot and tree."
"Where's mama?" Freda asked.
Eowyn covered her with a blanket. "Shh,"
"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash." Gandalf said. "All the more potent for he is driven now by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children." he placed a hand on Theoden's chair. "You must fight."
"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak." Zera said. "Eomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king."
Theoden stood from his throne. "They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Eomer cannot help us. I know what it is that you want of me. But I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."
"Open war is upon you." Aragorn said. "Whether you would risk it or not."
Theoden turned to look at Aragorn. "When last I looked, Theoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan."
Gimli let out a burp, almost breaking the tension in the room.
"Then what is the King's decision?" Gandalf asked.
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
"By order of the king, the city must empty." Hama said outside in the town. "We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. Do not burden yourselves with treasures. Take only what provisions you need."
"Helm's Deep!" Gimli protested as the group moved to the stables. "They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king."
"He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people." Aragorn said. "Helm's Deep has saved them in the past."
They entered the stables and Aragorn and Zera followed Gandalf to Shadowfax.
"There is no way out of that ravine. Theoden is walking into a trap." Gandalf said. "He thinks he's leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre. Theoden has a strong will but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end, Aragorn. You and Zera. The people of Rohan will need you. The defenses have to hold."
Aragorn nodded. "They will hold."
Gandalf turned to Shadowfax and stroked him. "The Grey Pilgrim, that's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men I've walked this earth and now I have no time." he mounted the horse. "With luck, my search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East."
Zera opened the stall gates. "Go."
Gandalf spurred Shadowfax forward and Legolas and Gimli had to jump out of the way as he rode out of the stables.
"How could we possibly help Theoden?" Zera asked Aragorn.
Aragorn watched Gandalf vanish. "I do not know, Zera but we must trust Gandalf knows what he speaks of."
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Zera stayed hidden and stood silently as she watched her brother talk with Eowyn. She'd seen the looks the lady of Rohan had been passing towards Aragorn but didn't know how he'd react. She'd heard and seen the talks between Aragorn, Arwen and Elrond before they'd left Rivendell. She knew all that was said but since Aragorn was still wearing the necklace Arwen had given him, she had a feeling not even a shield maiden of Rohan could break the bond between her brother and the woman he loved.
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Zera rode Riniel next to Hasufel and Aragorn. They were listening to Gimli talk with Eowyn.
"It's true you don't see many dwarf women." Gimli said. "And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, haha that they're often mistaken for dwarf men."
Eowyn smiled and looked back at Zera and Aragorn.
"It's the beards," Aragorn said, gesturing to his chin.
Eowyn laughed and turned back to Gimli.
"And this, in turn, has given rise to the belief that there are no dwarf women." Gimli went on. "And that dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground!"
Eowyn laughed harder. Zera joined her laughter as Gimli's horse ran off, throwing the dwarf to the ground. She could tell from the way Gimli flapped his arms around that he was fine.
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Zera led Riniel along behind Aragorn and Eowyn and heard Eowyn ask Aragorn about his necklace. Her mind drifted back to the conversation she'd had with Arwen before leaving Rivendell.
*flashback*
"He does not mean it." Zera said, coming up behind the woman she saw as a sister. "He's just trying to do what he thinks is best and what your father wants."
Arwen nodded. "I know." she hugged Zera. "Watch out for him, Zera."
Zera nodded. "Of course."
*end flashback*
Zera knew leaving Arwen was always hard for her brother. She'd never seen him love someone the way he did her. But she had faith and hope that they would both see Arwen again.
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Hearing restless horses and screaming, Aragorn handed Hasufel's reins to Zera before taking off up the hill to see what was going on. Zera frowned as she squatted and placed her hand on the ground.
"What are you doing?" Eowyn asked.
"Looking ahead in my own way." Zera said as her eyes slipped shut.
"What is it?" Theoden asked. "What do you see?"
"Wargs!" Zera shouted at the same time as Aragorn.
"We are under attack!" Aragorn said. "Get them out of here!"
Zera handed Aragorn the reins back and pulled herself onto Riniel.
"All riders to the head of the column!" Theoden shouted.
Zera heard Theoden tell Eowyn to take the people to Helm's Deep while they fought. She turned to her brother and narrowed her eyes as she saw his mouth about to open.
"I am fighting, just as you are," Zera said. "do not even think of telling me otherwise."
Aragorn sighed but nodded and they spurred their horses forward, following the other riders to battle.
"Charge!" Theoden shouted.
Zera pulled her sword and let out a battle cry with the other riders. They quickly met with the warg pack and Zera slashed at any creature, warg or orc, that reached her blade. She fought hard, struggling to keep on Riniel, knowing if she lost her horse, the wargs would most likely kill Riniel.
The battle didn't last long and Zera dismounted Riniel to help the wounded.
"Aragorn!"
Zera heard Legolas shout her brother's name and started looking around the field. Her brother was nowhere to be seen.
"Aragorn!" Gimli shouted.
Zera spun herself in circles, trying to find her brother. "Aragorn!"
The three neared a cliff and heard one of the orcs laughing. Gimli reached the orc first and held his axe to the orc's throat.
"Tell me what happened," Gimli said. "and I will ease your passing."
"He's," the orc coughed. "dead." he laughed. "Took a little tumble off the cliff."
Zera looked towards the cliff.
"You lie." Legolas said.
Zera didn't wait for the orc's answer. She shot over to the cliff and looked down. Nothing but rushing water and sharp rocks. Her breath was stuck in her chest and her knees felt weak. No, her brother couldn't be gone. He just couldn't be. Legolas appeared at her side and put an arm around her to hold her up. Gimli appeared at her other side, his hand on her arm.
"Get the wounded on horses." Theoden called to his men from beside Legolas. "The wolves of Isengard will return." he looked back at Zera, Legolas and Gimli. "Leave the dead."
Legolas looked at Theoden, perplexed anger on his face.
Theoden put a hand on Legolas's arm. "Come,"
Zera got mad, fast. "Come? Come where? My brother is gone."
"And if we do not make sure my people make it to Helm's Deep, his death will be in vain." Theoden said. "Your brother would not want you to linger and risk further harm."
Even through her grief, Zera knew the king was right. Theoden walked away and Zera looked back down over the cliff.
"Here," Legolas held Aragorn's necklace out. "you should have this."
Zera took the necklace, holding it tightly in her hand.
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Zera rode behind Theoden and the others as they finally arrived at Helm's Deep.
"Make way for Theoden!" Gamling said as they rode into the Keep. "Make way for the King!"
Stopping Riniel, Zera dismounted and hugged the horse's muzzle, still fighting back the tears.
"So few," she heard Eowyn say. "so few of you have returned."
"Our people are safe," Theoden said as he got off his horse and helped another down. "we have paid for it with many lives."
"My lady," Zera turned as Gimli stepped up to Eowyn.
Eowyn looked at him. "Lord Aragorn, where is he?"
Zera couldn't bare to hear Gimli's answer and handed Riniel's reins off.
"Lady Zera,"
Zera turned and saw Eowyn looking at her for reassurance that Gimli was wrong. Feeling her face fall, Zera turned and ran deeper into the Keep. Lords and Ladys were meant to keep face in front of the people but Zera knew she could hold no longer.
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
"Zera,"
Zera looked away from the window she'd been staring out. She'd found a back room in the Keep and only let Legolas and Gimli know where she was. Since she found the king watching her, she knew one of the two must have told him.
"My lord," Zera said. "forgive me for not standing."
Theoden waved off Zera's words. "Do not worry. I understand." he moved to sit by her. "I know it is hard to accept that Aragorn is gone."
Zera nodded as she played with Aragorn's necklace. "He is all I've had for so many years. He is my brother. I do not know what to do without him."
"You move forward." Theoden said. "I know some things are easier said then done, that being especially true now but you and I both know that is what Aragorn would want for you."
Zera carefully pocketed Aragorn's necklace before standing. "You are right. How may I help?"
Theoden stood as well. "I have seen that you do not like being treated as one of the women but Eowyn could use help moving the women and children into the caves. After, if you could help make sure the men are prepared, it would be a great help."
Zera nodded. "Of course."
She went to leave but Theoden called her back. She turned and was surprised to find the king right next to her.
"I am sorry, Zera." Theoden said before hugging her.
Zera swallowed and returned the hug.
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
"He's alive!"
Zera looked up confused and moved through the crowd to see who they were talking about. To her great shock and immense happiness, she saw Aragorn.
"Where is he?" she heard Gimli. "Where is he? Get out of my way. I'm gonna kill him!" Zera broke through the crowd as Gimli did. "You are the luckiest, the canniest and most reckless man I ever knew!" Zera smiled as the dwarf hugged her brother. "Bless you, laddie!"
Zera stepped forward. "Aragorn," she knew her grief and relief was clear on her face by the soft, understanding smile her brother gave her moments before he hugged her. "do not ever scare me like that again."
Aragorn hugged Zera tightly. "I am sorry, sister."
Zera handed Aragorn his necklace. "This is yours."
Aragorn took it. "Hannon le." Thank you. He looked at Gimli. "Where is the king?"
Gimli gestured to the hall and Aragorn and Zera headed that way. Legolas stood in their way. He gave Aragorn a stern look.
"Le ab-dollen." Legolas said. You're late. The three smiled as Legolas looked Aragorn over. "You look terrible."
Aragorn laughed and patted Legolas's shoulder.
~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~
Begin Transmission
Gah! So many emotions! *exhales* And you have no idea how glad I am that Aragorn lived. I'm betting Katie is saying the same. Let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading.
End Transmission