Chapter 6
The King released a beautiful white rose from his grasp and stood in silence as it spiralled through the air, finally coming to rest amongst many others in front of a tomb.
"Simbelmyne." Theoden stated, solemnly. "Ever has it grown on the tombs of my forebearers." He looked to Gandalf, "Now it shall cover the grave of my son. Alas, that these evil days should be mine. The young perish and the old linger. That I should live to see the last days of my house."
Adrianna didn't know how the King was feeling about losing his son. But she suddenly thought about her brother, and how she had left The Glade of Tarasara when he was gravely ill. If he had died when she was away, she would never be able to forgive herself for missing his funeral and never getting to say goodbye to him. She loved Tobias dearly, and she would never feel right if she had to take her brothers' place on the throne.
"Theodred's death was not of your making." Gandalf said.
The King began to weep, "No parent should have to bury their child."
His words made Adrianna think about her father, the King of The Glade of Tarasara. If Tobias had died, then she would be the only child her father had left...what would he do if she didn't come home?
"He was strong in life. His spirit will find its way to the halls of your fathers." Gandalf stated, "Westu hal. Ferdu, Theodred, Ferdu." (Be thou well. Go thou, Theodred, go thou.)
Adrianna turned alongside Aragorn to head back into the Hall to allow King Theoden some time to grieve in private. Gandalf joined them, along with Legolas and Gimli. As the faye reached the top of the stairs, she turned to look at the village below her. Her emerald eyes, however, caught sight of a large black horse carrying two small children upon it's back. Adrianna gasped when the boy collapsed and toppled from the back of the large animal, the young girl had tear stains on her dirty cheeks.
The faye pushed past the crowd of people in her way as she ran down the stairs towards the two children. Upon reaching the horse, she took the reins of the stallion before kneeling down beside the boy, checking to make sure he was alright. It wasn't long before Aragorn joined her, and he checked the pulse and breathing of the boy before gathering him in his arms to bring into the Hall. Adrianna took the young girl in her arms before handing the reins of the horse to a guard and following Aragorn up the stairs towards the Hall.
The Hall was alight with gold flamed candles as Aragorn, Adrianna and the two children entered. Eowyn rushed over, and checked the boy before motherly stroking the girls forehead to ensure she didn't have a fever.
"What's your name?" Adrianna asked the young girl.
"Freda." She replied in a small voice, clutching onto the faye tightly for protection.
"Ade," Aragorn called, "Let's take them to the healers to make sure they're alright. Eowyn, make sure there is food being prepared for them."
The blonde haired woman nodded before lifting up the bottom of her skirt and jogging out of the Hall. Adrianna and Aragorn left through the opposite door, the boy still sleeping. "What happened, Freda?" The chestnut haired Princess asked in a gentle tone.
The girl tucked her face into Adrianna's neck, "Mama said we had to come here. Me and Eothain had to ride Garulf, but papa said he was too big for us!" The girl sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, "There were people in our village, and so much fire. Where's mama?" As the dirty blonde began to weep again, Adrianna gently shushed her and held her tightly; looking to Aragorn with sad and pleading eyes.
They left the young ones in the care of healers before making their way back towards the Hall. "I'm sure they'll be fine." Aragorn stated.
Adrianna looked up at the Ranger, "But what about their mother?" She asked, "We do not know if she's even alive."
Aragorn continued to look ahead of them as he spoke, "So don't promise them anything." He replied, "If they ask about her, don't get their hopes up." The faye nodded, and as they stepped into the Hall, they were greeted by Legolas.
"Is everything alright?" He asked.
It wasn't long until the young boy awoke. The children were checked over, and washed before they were sent back to the Hall where Eowyn was waiting for them with food and water. The children shovelled the food into their mouths as if they hadn't eaten in days, and drank the water as though they had never seen a drop in their lives.
"They had no warning." Eowyn informed the King. "They were unarmed. Now the wildmen are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot and tree."
"Where's Mama?" The girl asked.
Once again, Adrianna shushed the young blonde girl, and gestured towards her plate of food. "Eat, you need your strength, Freda."
"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash." Gandalf stated, "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." He placed his hand on the King's chair, catching Theoden's attention who looked at his hands warily. "You must fight."
"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak." Aragorn stated, keeping his eyes on the children sitting beside Eowyn and Adrianna. "Eomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their King."
"They will be three hundred leagues from here by now." Theoden stated, "Eomer cannot help us. I know what it is that you want of me. But I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war." Gimli took a bite of bread as he and Adrianna watched the exchange between Aragorn and Theoden.
"Open war is upon you. Whether you would risk it or not." Aragorn explained lowly.
"When last I looked, Theoden, not Aragorn, was King of Rohan." The King sneered.
"Then what is the King's decision?" Gandalf asked, ignoring Gimli as the dwarf downed his drink and burped.
Adrianna got up from the table and left the Hall, the pale blue dress she had borrowed from Eowyn floated behind her as the breeze from outside played with the hem and toyed with her long, newly washed hair. The faye shifted into her fairy form and perched on side of a stone flower vase at the top of the stairs. She tucked her knees into her chest and looked up at the stars glittering in the sky; they reminded her so much of the lights in The Glade of Tarasara. She really did miss her home.
"Ade?"
The raven haired faye looked behind her at the sound of Legolas' voice, and she floated up to greet him, transforming back into her elleth-like size. "What is it, Legolas?"
"You've been quieter than usual today." He noted, "Is there anything troubling you?"
The faye looked away from the elf Prince and down at the ground, turning her body slightly so she could placed her hands on the stone fence over-looking the city. "I'm worried." She stated.
The elf came to stand beside her, looking at her closely to try and read the emotions in her eyes, "What about?" He asked, "I'm sure whatever it is will be fine."
Adrianna closed her eyes, "I miss my brother." She said finally. "After what the King went through, about losing his son...when I left The Glade of Tarasara, Tobias was ill and...it just made me think," She paused for a second before looking up at the Prince and into his clear blue eyes. "What if I never have the chance to thank him for everything he's done?" She asked. "He taught me to fight; to wield a sword and use a bow..." She felt tears welling up in her eyes, "What if I miss the chance to say goodbye to him?"
The blonde elf raised his hand and wiped a stray tear off of her pale cheek, "In all honestly, Ade...I don't know. I would hate to not be able to say goodbye to someone I loved, it would destroy anyone to do so." He then turned to lean on the stone wall, resting his hands upon the top as he looked over the vast green land beyond the gates, "You just have to have faith that he will be strong enough to pull through. I pray the Valar will watch over him." He smiled reassuringly at the faye, and was slightly surprised when she put her arms around him; her head resting on his shoulder as she hugged him.
"Thank you." She pulled back and smiled gratefully up at the Prince, her eyes sparkling.
"By order of the King, the city must empty by morning." Aragorn stated as he came out of the Hall. He stopped in his stride as he saw the two standing together. Legolas and Adrianna turned to look at the ranger, and upon realising how close they were standing to each other, they stepped apart; Adrianna's cheeks flushing a light pink as she excused herself.
The next morning, Adrianna awoke to the sound of a guard, "We make for the refuge of Helm s Deep. Do not burden yourselves with treasures. Take only what provisions you need." The man ordered over the hustle and bustle of villagers gathering their belongings and preparing to leave.
The chestnut haired faye quickly dressed in her leggings, blouse and waistcoat before pulling on her boots and cloak. Adrianna grabbed her weaponry as she left her room to go in search of Legolas and the rest of her company. She rounded the corner and almost walked right into Eowyn as she did so.
"I'm ever so sorry!" The blonde exclaimed. "I was just on my way to ask if you wanted any breakfast?"
Adrianna shook her head, "No, thank you, I was just going to find the others."
"Oh, they're making their way towards the stables, to say a farewell to Gandalf."
Many emotions flooded through the faye at that moment, why didn't Gandalf want to say goodbye to her? Shouldn't he at least wait for her before he left? The faye was suddenly flooded with anger and she excused herself from Eowyn's side to run down the corridor and towards the stables. She formed into her fairy size as soon as the crowd of people began to slow her down.
Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli made their way towards the stables when an angry Adrianna appeared in front of Gandalf in her fairy form, with an aura of anger, "You weren't going to say goodbye to me? I had to hear it from Eowyn that you were leaving!"
The wizard chuckled and held out his hand for the faye to perch on, "I would've returned, Adrianna. As you already know, I've proven that you cannot be rid of me too easily." As the temper of the woman cooled down, she formed back into her usual size and continued walking with the others into the stable.
"Helms Deep!" Gimli scoffed, "They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their King?"
"He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people." Aragorn stated, "Helms Deep has saved them in the past."
"There is no way out of that ravine. Theoden is walking into a trap." Gandalf explained, "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 defences have to hold!"
"They will hold." Aragorn said with certainty.
Gandalf turned to the magnificent white stallion and patted his muscular white neck before mounting him, "The Grey Pilgrim... 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. Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East."
Aragorn opened the paddock door for him, "Go." He stated. Legolas and Adrianna jumped back as Gandalf rode out of the stable and over the plains of Rohan, he paused on a hill to rear Shadowfax back on his hind legs before disappearing over the hill and out of sight.
A/N: And the fluff begins! Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, alerted and fav'd this story! I hope you all have a lovely weekend! Please review :) xx