Chapter Eighteen

Ilmare stayed in her self-imposed solitude into the next day. Thankfully, there were no disturbances to the silence she sought. Even Legolas had stayed away after only one inquiry.

It was in the middle of the following day that a welcome distraction came. It began as a shout from the gate. At first, Ilmare thought nothing of it. However, she was thoroughly surprised to see a small streak of red across the courtyard. It collided with a black figure, all of which she saw out of the corner of her eye. Upon looking down, she was astonished to see the dwarf hugging a very worse for the wear Aragorn.

Instantly, Ilmare was hurrying to meet him. She quickly walked toward the King's makeshift throne room. He would undoubtedly be going to show that he was in fact alive not to mention he could report on any of Saruman's army in size at least.

She hurried around the last corner and saw Aragorn talking with Legolas.

"Hannon le," (Thank you) she could hear Aragorn say quietly to Legolas before beginning to walk toward the keep and the King.

"Aragorn!" she said, hardly raising her voice above her usually quiet volume.

He heard. In fact, he hurried over to her and swiftly grasped her arms. "You have to get out. They are coming," he whispered to her seriously in Elvish.

She shook her head slightly and said, "I have come too far to give up."

"He'll kill you!"

"No. My fate would be far worse than simply death," Ilmare said very seriously. Her hood tilted ever so slightly farther down.

Aragorn leaned in and whispers in her ear, "Gandalf would want you to stay safe."

Her head tilted up to look at him. Through the darkness of her hood, he could perceive her sadness. She whispered in return, "I know, but I can't."

Aragorn nodded in understanding before stepping around her and walking into the room. As he left, Ilmare sensed someone's eyes on her. Upon turning her head, she saw the shield maiden. Eowyn, was it? Her eyes were speculative, as though there was a newly formed idea in her mind, one that she apparently did not like.

With a tip of her hooded head, Ilmare ambled over to her. "Is something bothering you?"

The blonde woman down at the much shorter woman and asked with unshed tears glistening in her eyes, "Does he love you?"

With an unseen frown upon her fair face, she asked, "Who?"

"Lord Aragorn," Eowyn clarified, nearly sobbing.

"No," Ilmare said bluntly.

"Then why did he-"

"That is none of your concern," Ilmare interrupted coldly before turning on her heel and walking away, leaving Eowyn to form new theories of Aragorn's regard for her.

Meanwhile, Ilmare returned to her solitude. The silence did not accompany the solitude for the people of Rohan were preparing for war. This did not mean that she was not prepared. Quite the opposite, her sword and dagger were sharpened. Her bow (truth be told Legolas's old bow which was replaced by the Galadrim) was ready. All she needed was a full quiver.

In search of this, she went to the armoury. Whilst filling her quiver, three people came in: Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. Aragorn nodded to her before strapping on his armour. Gimli apparently did not notice her because he walked right past her to the chain mail. Legolas placed his hand over his heart and nodded in the traditional elvish way before grasping Aragorn's sword and offering it to him.

"We have trusted you this far. You have not led us astray. Forgive me. I was wrong to despair," Legolas said, though Ilmare was hardly listening.

She did not listen for Aragorn's reply. Instead she turned to Gimli, for he was walking out and struggling with the chain mail. "If we had time, I'd get this adjusted." The rings fell to the floor around him. Obviously, it was much too long. "It's a little tight across the chest," he commented as the three stared at him. After all, he was rather comically displaying the differences between human and dwarven stature.

After nodding, Aragorn looked up and asked her, "Have you any armour, my- Ilmare." He had almost called her my lady before her head tilted.

Rather than speak, she pushed aside part of her cloak, displaying the silvery plates guarding her from harm from her hips on upward. They could only see part of a cloth-sheathed leg up to her waist.

"Where did you get that?" Legolas asked.

"The pants and tunic were from a generous mother. Elrond was kind enough to store this for me until I returned to Imladris. I have worn it since I left."

Legolas opened his mouth to ask another question but stopped when a horn sounded in the distance.

"That is no orc horn," Legolas said instantly, running up the stairs.

"Indeed it is not," she acquiesced, hesitating long enough to strap the quiver to her back before following Legolas and Aragorn to the gate.

Very soon, she caught up with them only to see row upon row of cloaked elves marching into the keep. Help had come!

"Mae govannen," she heard from nearby her. Ilmare silently turned to see Aragorn hurry to greet Haldir traditionally before embracing him an impulse. "You are most welcome," Aragorn said as he backed away from his friend.

Quite suddenly, Haldir's gaze flicked up, straight to Ilmare. "Hiril nin, nayes er don egla omentielvo lye," (My lady, it is an honour to meet you again) he said with a deep bow, deeper even than to the King.

King Theoden looked on at this with confusion, though also curious, eyes He turned to find who the elf spoke to only to be greatly surprised that it was she to whom he spoke.

"Our reunion could not have happened at a better time," she returned with an acknowledging nod of her head whilst placing her pale hand over her heart.

Haldir quickly turned back to Theoden and said, "We are proud to fight alongside men once more."

Though his mind was taken over with thoughts of the battle ahead, Theoden could not help but think in the back of his mind about the elf's odd greeting of the cloaked woman. He obviously had very great respect for her, but that respect was unparalleled by any here. Who was she? An elf lady? Or something else? How is she known amongst the elves?