Chapter 69

Everyone around us froze at the question, and it was Eowyn who slowly walked down the steps, to her uncle. She leaned toward him, and reached out quietly for his hands. At his bewildered look, I heard as she slowly told him the news of Theodred's passing. The shock that went through Theoden's expression had me looking down at my feet. No parent ever wanted to hear those words. It must have been even worse, knowing that his son had died while he had been under Saruman's spell.

"We need to bury him," Theoden murmured.

There was movement instantly, and every guard started a duty to do what needed to be done. There was a brief length of time where we had to sit down and wait, but it didn't take very long. Eowyn quickly got ready for the funeral, while Theoden stood at the doors of the Golden Hall. Aragorn stood with me as everyone prepared for what was about to come. I was tired, but I squared my shoulders and waited as patiently as I could.

"Come," Aragorn murmured, jerking me from my thoughts.

Looking up, I watched as the men carried Theodred's body on a wooden platform. The prince had been in his prime at the time of his death. He had also been Theoden's only child. I sighed sadly, and followed Aragorn and the others down so that the funeral could begin. I tried to keep myself from becoming too involved with what was going on as they buried him. While I had known him during his life, this was a private affair between the King and his people. Theodred was loved by all those he had encountered.

Eowyn's song for him had everyone sobbing, broken from the loss of such a kind man. Theodred would have been a great king had he survived this war. It made me think of Thane and Akira for a moment, and my heart ached. We stood in silence as the stone door was closed, and it was Theoden who quickly left and retreated back into the Golden Hall.

We spent the night there, and for once I was able to sleep on a bed. It was a relief, and I woke up full of energy. Joining the others for breakfast, I raised my eyes as Theoden walked out, obviously still in mourning. He had cleaned up, and was dressed in something a little easier to move in. Gandalf accompanied him outside, and I just reached for something to eat. There was nothing we could do.

"So...what now?" Gimli asked.

"We wait," I said quietly. "That's all we can do."

The doors of the halls opened hours later, bringing a boy and a girl inside. Eowyn was walking with them, and quickly got them something to eat. The boy told his tale to her as they walked in, and soon Theoden was back with Gandalf. He sat on his throne as Eowyn put a blanket on the little girl. By that time, it was evening. A whole day wasted doing nothing.

"They had no warning," she said. "They were unarmed. Now the wildsmen are moving through the Westfold burning as they go. Every rick, cot and tree..."

"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash," Gandalf said quietly. "All the more potent he is, now driven by the fear of Sauron."

I leaned against the pillar as Aragorn looked at the children. I was reminded of Thane and Akira, and how devastated I would have been to send them out. That poor mother, and now she was probably dead. Gandalf looked at Theoden who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Ride out and meet him head on," Gandalf advised. "Drive him away from your women and children. You must fight."

"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak," Aragorn added. "Eomer is loyal to you. He and his men will return and fight for their king."

Frustrated, Theoden got to his feet and paced away from us. "They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Eomer cannot help us. I know what it is you want from me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."

I looked at him for a moment, surprised by his answer, and Aragorn moved at the chance to speak against him.

"Open war is upon you," he said. "Whether you would risk it or not."

Theoden glared at him, and moved forward to confront him better. "Last I checked, Theoden, not Aragorn was King of Rohan."

Not appreciating the jab at Aragorn, I finally pushed off the wall and moved forward, making Gandalf pause. I noticed the slight smile on his face, and I looked at Theoden firmly.

"He is not attempting to over step you," I said firmly. "Mainly, he is giving his council. I mean no disrespect Theoden, but we have seen the horrors that are out there right now. If you do nothing, your people will die."

"And what would you know of it?"

"Has it been too long?" I asked, with some amusement. "I know I'm not clad in royalty, so I should give you a chance. You know who I am...or you did once."

"Arina has been to this city many times over the last hundred years," Gandalf added, making Theoden blink in surprise.

"Arina of Erebor?" he asked. "What are you doing here?"

"Helping," I grunted. "If you will not go to war, or engage the enemy, then what is the King's decision."

It was silent for awhile as Theoden paced the hall deep in thought. I would have prepared for war, but I knew this King was not ready for that. He stared at the stone for almost an hour before he turned back to us.

"We will go to Helm's Deep."

Everything began to move then, and the hall erupted with activity. Gandalf turned instantly, and walked out of the hall. We followed them as the captain of the guard was ushered out to make the announcement. Gimli snorted a little, obviously surprised by the answer the King had given.

"Helms Deep..." he grumbled. "They flee to the mountains, when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their King?"

I knew where he was coming from. Thorin and I would have ridden out to war almost immediately to protect our people. We had done it in the past. Even Thror had gone to war for his people, though at the time it had not been right. Gandalf walked into the stables, so we followed with silence.

"He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helms Deep has saved them in the past," Aragorn said with a sigh.

"There is no way out of that ravine," Gandalf answered. "Theoden is walking into a trap. 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. The people of Rohan will need you. The defenses have to hold."

"They will hold," Aragorn promised.

I left them to their talk and walked back out of the stables. This place couldn't fall, but from what Gandalf said, Saruman expected Theoden to flee. It was hard when one couldn't help change the mind of another. Especially one like Theoden. Were we truly going into a trap? If we were attacked at Helms Deep how long would we last?

"Arina."

Jumping at my name, I turned as Gandalf rode over to me. I tilted my head up to him and patted the horse on the chest as he lowered his head to me. The stallion nickered, and blew warm air over my face, making me smile at him a little.

"You must keep faith," he said, his voice gentle. "It is time for you to start using your powers. You've been holding back in fear of discovery. I can assure you, history will not repeat itself. Help Aragorn, Arina. Help them all if you can. You have always provided such hope to them. It's what you always did."

"We very well may be walking to our deaths," I said slowly.

"Well then," the wizard smiled. "Best not let them."

I narrowed my eyes at him, and nodded slowly. Shadowfax moved back and sprung forward into a fast gallop. I watched as they rode into the distance, and out of sight. Turning back toward the city, I helped in any way that I could with the packing, since I didn't have much of my own with me. I put myself to work in any way that I could for these people, and tried to keep busy.

Within two days, we were moving out in the early morning. I was grouchy by that point, and even Legolas made to steer clear of my wrath. Eowyn had taken upon herself to help me if I needed it, and I thanked her as much as I could. I didn't want the help, nor did I need it but I was kind enough to let her. Watching the people of Edoras move across the land reminded me of the dwarves after the attack of Smaug.

"Uncle says you are the Queen of Erebor? Wife to...Thorin Oakenshield?" she asked after we left the city.

"I am," I nodded.

"I heard the mountain has been beautiful since it was recovered," she hummed. "I bet you miss it."

"I do," I sighed. "I miss my husband most, and those I love. But this is what needs to be done."

The journey to Helms Deep was slow, and Gimli took it upon himself to amuse Eowyn with stories of the dwarves. He went on about talking about how rare dwarf women are, and how they are said to sound so much alike that they are hard to tell from the men of their race. I wanted to roll my eyes at his antics, but of course I still had to smile.

"Gimli," I called, from the back of my own horse. "You know, your Queen is riding behind you."

"Oh, come on My Lady!" Gimli stuttered. "Can't I have a bit of fun!"

Eowyn laughed joyously at that and I smiled widely.

"I do not think Lady Dis would take to kindly to being compared to the men of her race," I said with a smile.

"Oh...you won't tell her will you?" Gimli laughed.

"Lady Dis?" Eowyn asked, looking over her shoulder.

"My sister in law," I smiled.

She shook with more laughter, and Gimli turned bright red at the words. His horse suddenly cantered forward and I watched as the poor lad fell from the saddle.

"That's all right! It was deliberate, it was meant to happen," he assured everyone as Eowyn rushed to him.

We all smiled at that, unable to help the laughter that passed from us. Even Legolas had a smile on his face. Theoden took us well into the night, until we stopped to make camp. I was brought into the camp of the King and he nodded to me. I felt so odd standing before him without being properly dressed. The last time I had seen him I had been wearing my crown and all.

"I must apologize for the way I treated you," he rumbled. ""You have been nothing but kind to my people."

"We are both rulers, Theoden," I sighed. "You are doing what you feel is best, and I will not go against you. My purpose here is still not clear to me. I'd much rather be with my husband, preparing for our own war."

It was in the afternoon of the next day that our peaceful travel was interrupted. I noticed that the horses were acting funny, and Legolas ran ahead of us. He ushered to me to follow, so I ran with him as two guards ran ahead of us. Scanning the area, I noticed movement on the rocks. A warg jumped down from the side of the rocks and attacked the captain, alerting us all. Legolas shot an arrow killing the warg, and then ran forward and killed the Orc who had been on its back.

"A scout!" I yelled to Aragorn.

"Warg's! We're under attack!" Aragorn yelled.

"All riders to the head of the column!" Theoden ordered.

"Now would be a good time," Legolas murmured, watching as wargs came over the hill.

"No, I think I'd just let you all defend yourselves," I snorted, and it actually made the elf laugh.

I sighed and changed just as he shot a few arrows. This new form, the Drake had really come in handy during our time in Moria. Theoden glanced at me when I changed, I ran forward as the riders charged. Digging my claws into the earth, I raced forward.

"Charge!" Theoden roared, and I opened my mouth and roared as well.

There was at least thirty warg riders, and as the battle started, it was absolute chaos. Nothing could pierce my scales, which provided a great shield for other riders. I jumped at a rider, and my jaws snapped shut on the neck of a warg. Roaring again, I ran through the battle and took out all I could while helping the men.

It was a brief battle, and we were able to chase away the last remaining warg riders. I shook the energy from my body, and turned my head when Theoden rode over. Even with our victory, there had been many killed in this encounter. I glanced at him when he look at me.

"Thank you," he murmured.

"Of course."

"Aragorn!" Legolas yelled suddenly, and Gimli soon called out as well.

Turning my head, I watched as Legolas ran toward the cliff after confronting an Orc. I ran forward then, and came to a stop at the very edge. I peered over, and scanned the rapids, in hope of finding some kind of body. There was nothing. How had he fallen so suddenly, and so easily!? Why had I not seen him go down? Snarling, I dug my claws into the rocks and broke some of the stone. He couldn't be dead. Not like that.

"The wolves of Isengard will return. Get the wounded on horses," Theoden announced slowly. "Leave the dead."

I turned human quietly and looked at Legolas after Theoden left us. The three of us stood quietly for a moment, before we had to return to the others. I grabbed a horse that was offered to me, and I stroked his nose gently. Getting into the saddle, I rode the rest of the way to the fortress in silence.

If Aragorn had truly fallen, what did that mean for Rohan? Was all the hope truly lost to us at his death? Legolas glanced at me as we finally came upon Helms Depp. He reached forward, and grabbed the reins of my horse, causing me to look at him.

"Are you well?" he asked.

"Tired," I sighed. "And extremely discouraged."

His blue eyes shined with concern, and he looked back ahead as we rode into the Deep. It was an impressive fortress. One that was large enough to hold the people, and it was well fortified. Getting off the horse, I watched as Eowyn rushed forward to see what had happened. This time, I walked away and followed the King of Rohan to some place quiet.

"Here," he sighed, as a plate of food was prepared. "Rest, Lady Arina. Eat, while I prepare this place."

I took the food he offered, and ate what I could before finding some place that I could sleep in peace. I took the form of a wolf, and curled up near a fire with one of the guards who knew me, and slept for a full twelve hours.

Misty - You did answer your own question haha. She is not human. Her stamina is much higher than that of a human. Obviously she does get tired!

I'll update soon-ish!