Hey! Okay, I know this is a short chapter.

This chapter is solely dedicated to Kayden and Peyton. I apologize to all fans of the hobbits.

I do not own anything other than my OC's, and this applies to all stories I write.

Chapter 18: The King's Decision

Théodred's body was dressed in his finest armor and placed upon a litter. Six royal guards bore the prince's dead body down to the fields in front of Edoras. Théoden stumbled behind them in grief, followed by Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Kayden, and Peyton. The whole population of the city had gathered, dressed in mourning clothes of black. As the solemn procession walked through the crowds, many were heard weeping and grieving for their lost prince. Eventually, they reached the burial mound. It was a rather large, grassy hill, dotted with several white flowers. A large stone entryway stood in the side of the mound. Théoden, Aragorn, Gandalf, Legolas, Kayden, Gimli, and Peyton all stepped to the side as the six guards lowered the litter from their shoulders and began to carry the prince into the tomb. Ėowyn looked on mournfully and started to sing.

"Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended
giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende
on Meduselde þæt he ma no wære
his dryhtne dyrest and mæga deorost.
Bealo..."

The guards exited the tomb, and a large stone slab slammed down, sealing away the prince's body. The mourning crowd dispersed, and soon only Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Kayden, Peyton, Gandalf, and Théoden were left at the burial mounds. A few silent moments later, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli left, followed by Kayden and Peyton. The men walked towards Meduseld, but Kayden headed in a different direction. "Hey, where are you going?" Peyton called, running after her friend.

"To the stables," Kayden answered without looking back. "I need to clear my head."

"So do I," Peyton sighed. The two silently made their way to the stables, where they were greeted with many neighs. Kayden found a particular buckskin stallion and began trying to saddle him. Peyton laughed at her friend's failing attempts.

"You know what?" Kayden remarked, evidently frustrated, "I'll just ride without a saddle." She tossed her saddle to Peyton, who was standing by Greystorm.

Peyton smiled. She had ridden and cared for horses since she was very young. With ease, she tacked her blue roan and looked over at Kayden, who had successfully bridled Déor. The elleth nimbly jumped onto the stallion's bare back and flashed a triumphant smile at her friend. Peyton chuckled before mounting Greystorm. The two cantered out of Edoras, ignoring the curious stares of the townsfolk.

Eventually, they reached the burial mounds. Gandalf and Theoden were still there. Theoden had collapsed in grief beside his son's tomb, and the white wizard was doing his best to comfort him. Peyton began to ride towards them, but Kayden stopped her. "I think they'd rather be left alone," she stated. Peyton nodded, slowing Greystorm to a trot.

Suddenly, a horse crested a hill. It bore two riders, both dirty and exhausted. One was a young boy, no more than ten years of age. The other was a small girl, a few years younger. Kayden's eyes widened with fear as the boy toppled off the horse. The elleth spurred Déor into a gallop towards the children, closely followed by Peyton.

~o*o*o*o~

"They had no warning. They were unarmed," Ėowyn remarked. Peyton and Kayden whisked the children to Meduseld as fast as possible, closely followed by Gandalf and Théoden, both of whom had seen the commotion. The children informed the king that the Wild Men had burned down their village. They were now eating ravenously beside Gimli.

"And now these Wild Men are moving through the country, burning as they go," Kayden added.

The young girl looked up from her stew. "Where is Mama?" she asked worriedly. Ėowyn shushed her, turning to face her uncle, the king.

Théoden buried his head in his hands. "This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash," Gandalf stated from beside the king. "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." Gandalf placed a hand on the king's chair. "You must fight."

Aragorn spoke up. "You have two-thousand good men riding north as we speak."

"Ėomer's loyal to you," Peyton added. "He and his men will return to fight for you."

Théoden stood. "They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Ėomer cannot help us." Gandalf opened his mouth to speak, but Théoden cut him off. "I know what it is you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."

Aragorn crossed him arms. "Open war is upon you, whether you risk it or not."

"When I last looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was King of Rohan," Théoden retorted icily.

"Then what is the king's decision?" Gandalf asked.

Théoden turned to face those in the room. "We make for Helm's Deep."

~o*o*o*o~

Kayden, Peyton, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Gandalf hurried towards the stables. "Helm's Deep," Gandalf scoffed.

"They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight!" Gimli remarked. "Who will defend them if not their king?"

"He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people," Aragorn replied. "Helm's Deep has saved them in the past."

"I gather that this 'Helm's Deep' is some sort of fortress," Peyton stated as they enter the stables.

"Indeed," Gandalf answered, hastening to the back stall. "But there is no way out of that ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he's leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre. Théoden has a strong will, but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan." The wizard turned to face Aragorn. "He will need before the end, Aragorn. The people of Rohan need you. The defenses have to hold."

Aragorn nodded. "They will hold."

"And we will help," Kayden added, Peyton nodding in agreement.

"The Grey Pilgrim," Gandalf mused, stroking Shadowfax. "That's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of Men I've walked this earth, and now I have no time. With luck, my search will not be in vain." The wizard swiftly mounted Shadowfax. "Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east." Aragorn, Kayden, and Peyton nodded in understanding, and with a great rush of wind, Shadowfax thundered out of the stables and across the plains.

Peyton strolled over to Greystorm. The stallion still had his saddle and bridle on from their earlier ride. She quickly swung onto Greystorm's back and turned to look at Kayden, who had already mounted Déor. "To Help's Deep!" Peyton cheered.

Little did they know that they would arrive at the fortress one member less.

I hope you liked it.

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