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Lacy here ladies and gents with the next Zera chapter. We're close to the final battle of Middle Earth. First the siblings and their two friends have a stop to make. I'm gonna aim for this to be short but knowing my luck, it won't be. So have fun.
Disclaimer: I own Zera.
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Zera stroked Riniel after removing her saddle and let her eyes wander up the mountain in front of her. She grew more uneasy the longer she was near it. She knew the tales of the mountain. She also knew who dwelled in the mountain. The Army of the Dead.
"The horses are restless," she heard Legolas said. "and the men are quiet."
"They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain." Eomer said.
Zera walked over as Gimli spoke.
"That road there," he said. "where does that lead?"
Zera stopped beside Eomer. "It is the road to the Dimholt. The door under the mountain."
"None who venture there ever return." Eomer said. "That mountain is evil."
Zera followed Eomer away from Legolas and Gimli but her eyes were still drawn to the mountain.
"Zera," Zera looked at Eomer. "are you okay?"
Zera glanced at the mountain then back at Eomer. "I think I am just tired from all the riding."
Eomer nodded. "Come, let's rest some before eating."
Zera smiled and followed Eomer.
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Zera knew she should have been sleeping. As inappropriate as it was given where they were and why they were there, she was wrapped in Eomer's arms in his tent and she should have been able to sleep fine but there was something about the mountain that was preventing her from resting.
Figuring she shouldn't risk waking Eomer with her restlessness, she gently slipped from his hold and left the tent.
"My lady," She turned and saw one of the guards walked towards her. "King Theoden requests your presence."
Zera nodded. "Very well."
She followed the guard to Theoden's tent and walked in, only to find Aragorn there too.
"Brother?" she asked.
Before Aragorn could respond, Theoden stood straight in front of the person he'd been talking to.
"I take my leave." he said. He nodded to both Zera and Aragorn before leaving the tent.
The hooded figure Theoden had been talking to stood and dropped his hood back. The siblings bowed their heads.
"Lord Elrond." they greeted the elf.
"I come on behalf of one whom I love." Elrond said. "Arwen is dying."
Zera turned sharply to look at her brother. The shock was clear on his face, as was the heartache Elrond's words had caused.
"She will not long survive the evil that now spreads from Mordor." Elrond went on. "The light of the Evenstar is failing. As Sauron's power grows, her strength wanes. Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the ring. The shadow is upon us Aragorn. The end has come."
"It will not be our end." Aragorn said. "But his."
Elrond looked almost prideful. "You ride to war but not to victory." he stepped forward. "Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith, this you know. But in secret he sends another force, which will attack from the river. A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the South. They will be in the city in two days. You are outnumbered, Aragorn. You need more men."
"There are none." Zera said.
Elrond seemed hesitant with his next words. "There are those who dwell in the mountain."
A strong gust of wind blew through the tent as Zera and Aragorn stared at Elrond in disbelief.
"Murderers," Aragorn said. "traitors. You would call upon them to fight?"
"They believe in nothing." Zera said. "They answer to no one."
"They will answer to the King of Gondor." Elrond said. He pushed his cloak aside and revealed a sword at least three feet in length. "Anduril, the Flame of the West. Forged from the shards of Narsil."
Zera stared at the sword in awe as Aragorn approached Elrond. He looked at the sword, his eyes saying he almost didn't believe it was real. He reached up to take it from Elrond's hands.
"Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of Elendil." Aragorn said as he took the sword and stared at the hilt. Almost hesitantly, he put his hand on the hilt and quickly pulled the blade from its sheath. He held it up right, and stared at the blade. "The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith."
"The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly then any that walks this earth." Elrond said. "Put aside the ranger. Become who you were born to be." he looked at Zera. "Both of you. Take the Dimholot road."
Zera moved closer to her brother's side as Aragorn blinked and lowered the sword.
"Ónen i-Estel Edain." Elrond said. I give hope to Men.
"Ú-chebin Estel anim." Aragorn said. I keep none for myself.
Brother and sister looked at each other as Aragorn slid Anduril back into its sheath.
"I will follow you wherever, brother." Zera said.
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Zera slid Riniel's saddle on her and set about securing it.
"So, it is true then."
Zera sighed. "Yes, Eomer it is."
"And you must go?" Eomer asked.
Zera nodded as she looked at him. "We must, if we are to win this war."
Eomer stepped up to Zera and placed his hand over hers where she had it resting on the saddle.
"Promise me one thing." he said.
"Anything."
"Be safe."
Zera smiled. "As safe as I ever am, I promise."
In silence, the two finished getting Riniel ready before Eomer stood back and watched Zera walk her horse away to meet Aragorn.
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Aragorn and Zera led Brego and Riniel towards the Dimholt road. They could feel the horses getting more nervous the closer they got but they stayed with their masters.
"Just where do you think you're off to?" Gimli said, surprising the two.
Aragorn sighed. "Not this time. This time you must stay, Gimli."
"Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?" Legolas said, appearing on Aragorn's right with his horse, set to go.
"You might as well accept it." Gimli said. "We're going with you, laddie."
Aragorn and Zera exchanged looks. Zera smiled. Gimli was right, they weren't going anywhere without the two. Giving them both a nod, the four mounted their horses and rode the rest of the way through camp to the Dimholt road.
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See? Short...ish. The next chapter will probably be either second to last or third to last. All depends on how far it goes. Let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks for reading.
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