Chapter 34

The Cost of War

I knelt beside Eowyn.

"You have to let me go." he whispered.

"No. I am going to save you."

"You already did. I go to my fathers." He whispered.

Tears welled in my eyes and I put my hand on Eowyn's shoulder.

"Eowyn…."

Her name was the last that he spoke. Théoden son of Thengel and the King of Rohan was dead. I closed my eyes and the tears fell. Eowyn wept for the loss of her uncle who had cared for her as a father. I left her alone to mourn and looked towards the city.

"You fought bravely. I am sorry I doubted you."

In the end it was not enough. I could not save him, and Eowyn lost yet another loved one. I failed My lord Thorin. I failed.

"No Gilraen. You tried and that is enough. There was nothing more you could have done."

I sighed and the silent tears fell. I watched father release the army of the dead. He had become more of a king this day then any. I smiled at him, but it was still a smile filled with sorrow. Legolas walked towards me and looked into my eyes. I shook my head and hugged him. He wrapped his arms around me and kissed my head.

"~It will be alright. I promise.~" He said.

I wished I could believe him. I heard someone shout. I turned and saw Eomer running to the body of a now motionless Eowyn.

"NO!"

I ran forward and dropped down beside her. Tears fell from my face and I begged Eowyn to open her eyes and wake up. Someone had me stand and led me away. It was my father.

"Gilraen shh! Calm yourself."

I could not. I cried for the loss of my friend. Father picked me up and carried me into the city. I clung to him and cried into his shoulder. I was carried to the houses of healing and my father tended my shoulder. I had stopped crying but I could not find the will to speak or move.

"Gilraen?"

I did not answer him. I found the strength to stand and walk to the window. I looked out over the battlefield.

"Naneth is dying." was all I said.

He sighed and walked over to me.

"Yes, she is."

I looked away towards Mordor. My anger grew.

"Then Sauron must be destroyed!"

"Gilraen that is up to Frodo!"

I knew he was right.

"But what if he cannot get to Mount Doom?! Thousands of orcs still dwell there. They will kill him before he can get there." I said.

Father thought about this.

"He needs time Ada!" I said.

He nodded slowly.

"I believe we can give him that." He looked at me. "Gilraen you need to rest. I promise I shall come for you when I have figured this all out. Estelio nin my daughter."

I nodded and hugged him.

"Le melon Ada."

"~I love you too.~"

He kissed my forehead and then left. I sat on the bed and began to cry. I had lost many friends. Boromir, Haldir and Eowyn were gone, Théoden, and possibly Merry. And I may yet lose Frodo and Sam. My mother was dying and I could do nothing.

"Please Frodo. Wherever you are, I know you can do this. You must be strong. You are our last hope." I whispered.

Legolas came to me later that night. He checked my arm and smiled when he saw it was healing well.

"Praise the Valar."

I smiled but sadly. His smiled fell and he brushed my hair from my face.

"~Gilraen I know that the loss you have suffered is great, such is the price of war. The horrible loss. But I promise you that things will be better.~"

I threw my arms around him and buried my face in his chest.

*"Nae, gerich naergon nín. ~She was a brave and noble warrior.~"

I did not wish to cry, A few stray tears fell, but I would allow nothing more. Then my father came to me.

"Gilraen….Eowyn lives."

My eyes widened. Legolas smiled at me. I ran to the houses of healing and there she was. Breathing, her eyes open and she looked at me and smiled.

"Gilraen!"

I smiled and ran forward.

"Eowyn mellon nin!"

I wound my arms around her and closed my eyes.

"Thank the Valar!" I said.

"It will take far more to end me."

I chuckled and stayed there and talked with her for a little while. Then one of the healers came inside and said she needed her rest.

"I will come back again. But the healer is right. You need rest."

She nodded and I left. I found Legolas and smiled when I saw he was fast asleep. I leaned against the door frame and sighed. I walked through the halls and found my father in the throne room. I was about to walk out to him but he picked up the Palantir and I froze.

"Long have you hunted me and my child! Long have I eluded you and hidden her from you! No more!" He held up Anduril. "Behold the sword of Elendil!"

My eyes widened and then he suddenly dropped the Palantir and broke apart. He stepped back and I rushed to him.

*"Ada?! Mani marte?" I inquired.

He looked at me and I knew in my heart….my mother was dead. I was frozen, I could not feel anything. I fell to my knees shaking. My father wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly. I clung to him and cried into his shoulder.

"~I am so sorry Gilraen! I thought I could save her! That she would live….. I am so sorry!~"

"Amin mela lle Ada." I cried.

"I love you too. I never wanted this to happen."

I knew he did not, and I knew his heart was breaking. I tried to stop crying but I could not. I lost my mother and I would never see her again. I had lost so many people…but this…this was the greatest loss I had faced.

*Alas you have my expression of deep regret.

*What happened father?

*I love you father.