I do apologize for the long wait for this chapter. My family recently had to bury not only a cousin, but an aunt as well in the last two weeks. So I've had to step away for a short bit on working on this story. Hopefully, I will be able to work on this story more.
In this chapter we will be spending most of this chapter with Toril, Pippin, and Gandalf before heading back to Edoras.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit or LOTR.
Khuzdul. Sindarin.
Three days later...
It's been three days since Gandalf, Pippin, and Toril had left Edoras for Minas Tirith. The trio had ridden hard during day and night, which didn't surprise Toril at all. She knew that time was of the essence, and that they need to warn the city of the impending threat.
By mid-day they had reached their destination. Upon reaching the top of the hill, Toril sees the white city standing in front of them. The white city sits on the front face of part of the White Mountains chain.
"Minas Tirith." Gandalf practically shouts as their horses come to a stop. "City of Kings."
"It's amazing, Gandalf. How was the city built? Did dwarves help build it?" Toril asks sheepishly.
Gandalf does nothing but chuckle before sending Shadowfax back into a gallop towards the city. Toril and Renika are quick to follow after the white horse and wizard. It doesn't take them long to enter the city, and Toril is trying hard not to leave her mouth open is awe. With each level they climb higher and higher into the city.
"Make way!" Gandalf shouts as they continue going further up and into the city.
Finally they reach the top of the massive white city, and the horses come to the stop in a beautiful courtyard. There are patches of green grass that surround a dead looking tree that sits in the middle of the courtyard. Climbing down from their horses, Gandalf begins to head towards a large, dark colored door. Both Pippin and Toril are having to almost jog to keep up with the wizard. Both are looking about in astonishment at the white beauty of the courtyard and surrounding buildings.
"It's the tree." Pippin says softly in amazement. "Gandalf! Gandalf!"
"Yes, the White Tree of Gondor." Gandalf replies as he slows down for his two companions to catch up to him. The tree of the king."
"Kind of like how the Arkenstone is to Erebor's King." Toril states with some interest.
"Yes, Toril. It is similar in the symbolism." Gandalf replies to the young female. "However, Lord Denethor is not the king. He is a steward only, a caretaker of the throne."
"That sounds dangerous." Toril whispers to herself. She knows just how much political intrigue can cause someone to do terrible things.
Coming to a stop before the dark brown doors, Gandalf turns to look down at Pippin and Toril and addresses them.
"Now listen carefully. Lord Denethor is Boromir's father. To give him news of his beloved son's death would be most unwise." Gandalf warns his companions. "And do not mention Frodo or the ring. And say nothing of Aragorn, either. In fact, it's better if neither of you don't speak at all."
"Agreed." Toril whispers as she and Peregrin follow Gandalf into the great hall.
The great hall itself has pillars made of a dark granite with white marble accent at the base and tops. Polished marble floors flow from the entrance to the steps that lead to the throne. White statues of the all of the previous kings are placed in small alcoves along the length of the hall.
As the three keep walking into the hall, Gandalf notices that there is a person seated next to the set of steps. He glances over his shoulder to give Pippin and Toril a quick look to make sure that they remember what he told them before entering the hall.
"Hail Denethor, Son of Ecthelion, lord and steward of Gondor." Gandalf says in greeting, coming to a stop in front of the bent over man.
Pippin notices that something feels off about how the man, and quickly notices the broken horn of Boromir's. He reaches out and takes hold of Toril's hand before glancing over at her with worry in his eyes. Toril's eyes reply to his worried look with one of concern, and gives his hand a squeeze.
"I come with tidings in this dark hour," Gandalf says to the Steward of Gondor. "and with counsel."
"Perhaps you come to explain this." Denethor whispers harshly at Gandalf. "Perhaps you come to tell me why my son is dead."
Pippin, feeling guilty about Boromir's death, lets go of Toril's hand and takes a few steps towards Denethor.
"Boromir died to save us, my kinsman and me. He fell defending us from many foes." Pippin walks past Gandalf and kneels before the Steward.
Toril stands where Pippin left her, watching Pippin kneel. She isn't sure about what she should do. Should she follow after Pippin, or stay where she is. So far the man hasn't seem to notice her presence yet.
"I offer you my service, such as it is, in payment of this debt." Pippin says with sincerity.
"Pippin!" Toril gasps out in surprise. She wasn't expecting him to give a vow of service to this man.
At Toril's outburst, Denethor finally takes notice of Toril. He eyes her wearily, which makes her skin crawl. Her traveling clothes are still dusty from their travels, and it is too late for her to put her hair up to hide that herself.
"And what does your wife say about you offering me your service?" Denethor asks Pippin.
"She isn't..." Pippin shouts out while at the same time Toril had shouted.
"I'm not..."
Gandalf, not wasting a moment, interrupts quickly before either of his younger companions can state otherwise. 'It will be better for Toril if Denethor believes that she is attached to Pippin.' Gandalf thinks to himself.
"My lord, there will be a time to grieve for Boromir, but it is not now." Gandalf says quickly changing the subject before anyone can say anything else. "War is coming. The enemy is on your doorstep. As Steward, you are charged with the defense of this city. Where are Gondor's armies? You still have friends. You are not alone in this fight. Send word to Théoden of Rohan. Light the beacons."
"You think you are wise, Mithrandir? Yet for all your subtleties, you have not wisdom. Do you think the eyes of the White Tower are blind? I have seen more than you know. With your left hand you would use me as a shield against Mordor. And with your right you'd seek to supplant me. I know who rides with Théoden of Rohan. Oh yes. Word has reached my ears that not only does the former king of Erebor, but also of this Aragorn, son of Arathorn. And I tell you know. I will not bow to this Ranger of the North, nor his Dwarven benefactor."
"How dare you..." Toril growls out before Gandalf speaks over her.
"Authority is not given to you to deny the return of the king, steward."
Denethor rises up at the slight that he believes Gandalf has just given him.
"The rules of Gondor is mine and no other's!" Denethor shouts at the wizard.
"You have no right to the power and rule that belongs to your king!" Toril shouts at Denethor as she marches to stand between Gandalf and Pippin. She locks eyes with Denethor but refuses to blink before he does.
Denethor leans forwards towards Pippin, while maintaining eye contact with Toril, and addresses him.
"You would do well to keep your wife silent and obedient."
Toril lets out another growl, and before she move, she feels a hand on her shoulder. Feeling a gentle squeeze, Toril knows that Gandalf is silently telling her to back away from this argument. At the same time, Pippin steps between Toril and Denethor as if trying to protect her from the man.
"Come." Gandalf says before turning his back to Denethor.
Walking away, Gandalf can hear Pippin having to push Toril into following him. The doors open up to let the three of them out of the hall. Gandalf is infuriated at the way that Denethor had dismissed the looming threat.
"A thousand years this city has stood." Gandalf grumbles out to Pippin and Toril. "Now, at the whim of a madman, it will fall."
With the doors closed behind them, Gandalf and his companions walk into the large courtyard.
"And the White Tree, the tree of the king, will never bloom again."
"Why do the men guard the tree?" Toril asks Gandalf while still trying to get Pippin to release her wrist from his grip.
"They guard it because they have hope." Gandalf replies. "A faint and fading hope that one day it will flower. That a king will come, and this city will be as it once was before it fell into decay. The old wisdom borne out of the West was forsaken. Kings made tombs more splendid than the houses of the living, and counted the old names of their descent dearer than their sons."
As they two companions followed the white wizard, they seem to have wondered farther out from the courtyard. Toril soaks the information in, mostly because her tutors in Erebor never talk about the history of other cultures. Nor did they even talk about Gondor, except when talking about old trade agreements.
"Childless lords sat in the aged halls, musing on heraldry. Or in high, cold towers, asking questions of the stars. And so the people of Gondor fell into ruin. The line of kings failed." Gandalf comes to a halt near the short wall, from the overlook. "The White Tree withered. The rule of Gondor was given over to lesser men."
"It is a shame that this city has seen such hard times." Toril says to Gandalf. "Dwarves would never allow this to happen to our cities."
"Ahh but it has, Toril." Gandalf says as he turns to look at the young female. "Erebor once headed down the same road as Gondor. For your great great-grandfather Thror started to lose sight of what was right for his people, and focused more on his wealth."
Toril blushes at Gandalf's correction of her words. Her naneth had often told her to think before speaking, and to take care of what choice of words she uses. What pulls Toril's attention back to the present is the sudden loss of Pippin's hold on her wrist. Turning her head, she watches as Pippin walks towards the view of the ever growing dark clouds in the sky.
"Mordor." Pippin says out loud. Seeing something so menacing, so close by, has him worried.
"Yes. There is lies." Gandalf says, looking out to where Mordor is in the distance. "This city has dwelt ever in the sight of its shadow."
"A storm is coming." Toril says as she approaches Pippin on his right side.
"This is not the weather of the world. This is a device of Sauron's making. A broil of fume he sends ahead of his host." Gandalf replies as he too approaches Pippin from the left.
"And who are his host made up of?" Toril asks, as her stomach begins to turn with the idea of another battle coming.
"The Orcs of Mordor have no love of daylight." Gandalf answers her question. "So he covers the face of the sun to ease their passage along the road to war. When the Shadow of Mordor reaches this city, it will begin."
"Well..." Pippin says with a lump in his throat. "Minas Tirith, very impressive. So where are we off to next?"
"Oh it's too late for that, Peregrin." Gandalf says to the blond hobbit. "There is no leaving the city. Help must come to us."
"And it will. My parents, along with Inara, Thorin, and his army, will come. I am sure they would not turn their backs on Gondor." Toril says to Gandalf. "That is another reason why I came. Even if they didn't, adad and naneth would not allow me to face a battle alone. I may not be Erebor's crown prince, but I am part of the royal line. Dwarves would not allow one of the direct line of Durin to be left alone to face a foe."
Gandalf chuckles at Toril's statement, and looks down at Pippin who is confused. He takes pity on the poor hobbit, and decides to explain the obvious to Pippin.
"Leave it to you, Peregrin Took, to get involved with one of Erebor's princess. A princess who is also a direct descendant of Durin the Deathless. To the dwarves, those of his direct line are to be protected. Especially if the descendant is female."
"But Gandalf, I am not involved with her. Or at least I don't think I am, but hobbit standards at least." Pippin replies.
"True, Hobbits and Dwarves have different standards when it comes to courting. However, while in Minas Tirith, I would suggest that you not give the men of this city a correction into your relationship. If they were to find out that Toril is not attached, it could lead to some unsavory situations. For now, keep up the pretense that Denethor stated earlier. Unless you wish to explain to the dwarves of Erebor, or Kili, about princess Toril coming to harm while in your care." Gandalf says softly to Pippin with a dead serious look upon his face.
Later in Gondor...
The sun had set over two hours ago, and dinner had finished only thirty minutes earlier. Even though the Steward of Gondor refused to dine with them, Gandalf and his two small companions had dined with others from the Steward line. Denethor's cousin, Marla, was happy to see the wizard again. Gandalf was surprised to see the woman so happily married, when the last he had saw of her was as a child.
Once dinner had finished Marla's daughter, Gwen, had shown the wizard to a room that he would share with Pippin and Toril. Though the room only had one large, double bed and a small, single bed in it. Following Gandalf's advice from earlier, Toril and Pippin kept up the charade that they were married in front of Marla's family. And this also meant that the two of them would be sharing the large, double bed.
Now, at this late hour, Gandalf is standing in the archway that leads to a small balcony from the room. He is smoking his pipe while keeping a watchful eye towards Mordor.
Pippin, however, is going through the clothes that a guard had given him after dinner. It would appear that Denethor was going to hold Pippin to his word about the debt. As he gently sorts out his clothes, Pippin keeps glancing towards the bathing room, where Toril had disappeared into upon the showing of the room. He is wondering if she is just as nervous as he is about having to share a bed. Hearing Gandalf cough, Pippin decides to break the quietness of the room.
"So I imagine this is just a ceremonial position. I mean, they don't actually expect me to do any fighting. Do they?" Pippin asks Gandalf.
"You're in the service of the Steward now. You'll have to do as you are told, Peregrin Took." Gandalf replies in a huff. "Ridiculous Hobbit."
At that moment, the bathroom door opens and Toril steps out. She is wearing a baggy, cream colored tunic that she usually wears as a short sleeping shirt while on the road. The end of the tunic reaches midway on her thighs, with an old pair of shorts that once belonged to her adad. Her copper hair is darker from the moisture that is left in her hair, even after being toweled dry. All of her normal braids are gone, which leaves her hair flowing lose so that it falls till just above her waist. And just like her father, her hair is thick with waves that covers her elvish ears.
"Did I miss something?" Toril asks as she still is trying to get her hair completely dry via the towel in her hands.
"Nothing." Pippin says with a stammer. He has never seen a more alluring looking female, and is finding himself staring at Toril's choice for sleep wear.
"Pippin." Toril says softly while looking at the blond hobbit. "Stop staring at me please."
"Why?"
"It makes me uncomfortable." She retorts before walking towards the balcony. She has never found herself under such scrutiny before, and without her family here as a buffer, she doesn't want to give Pippin the wrong idea.
"Sorry." Pippin whispers as he watches her walk away.
Hearing Gandalf coughing again, Pippin goes over to the pitcher of water to pour out a glass. Caring the glass carefully, Pippin goes to join the others on the balcony. Reaching Gandalf's side, Pippin hands the cup of water to the wizard. He watches as the wizard takes the glass and takes a drink of it. Then he steps out to look up at the sky.
"There's no more stars." Pippin says in surprise when he sees none of the twinkling lights in the darkness. "Is it time?"
"Yes."
"It's so quiet." Pippin walks to lean against the stone railing of the balcony.
"It's the deep breath before the plunge." Gandalf says as he keeps his eyes facing Mordor.
"I don't want to be in a battle." Pippin says out loud for his companions to hear.
"No one does." Toril states as she leans against the pillar of the archway.
"But waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse." Pippin finishes saying.
"It just means you need to find your courage before tomorrow." Toril says as she sets the damp towel down onto the small table next to Gandalf. Slowly she walks over to Pippin and places a hand on his shoulder. "But you won't face the battle alone."
Pippin looks over his shoulder and gives Toril a soft smile. Lifting a hand, Pippin places it gently over hers. "Thank you."
Gandalf smiles as the small scene between the two young ones. 'A hobbit and a dwelf. Three out of the four races that have fought against Sauron and his followers. To think that there are those who would say that the blending of races is a negative thing. It is a positive thing.' He thinks to himself.
"Is there any hope, Gandalf, for Frodo and Sam?" Pippin asks Gandalf.
"There never was much hope." Gandalf replies as he comes to stand next to Toril and Pippin. "Just a fool's hope. Our enemy is ready. His full strength's gathered. Not only Orcs, but Men as well. Legions of Haradrim from the South, and mercenaries from the coast. All will answer Mordor's call. This will be the end of Gondor as we know it. Here the hammer stroke will fall hardest. If the river is taken, if the garrison of Osgiliath falls, the last defense of this city will be gone."
"But we have the White Wizard. That's got to count for something." Pippin says, looking at the wizard.
Toril watches as Gandalf goes stiff at the suggestion. "Gandalf?"
The wizard takes a deep breath before answering her. "Sauron has yet to reveal his deadliest servant, the one who will lead Mordor's armies in war. The one they say that no living man can kill. The Witch-King of Angmar. You've met him before, Pippin. He stabbed Frodo on Weathertop. He is the lord of the Nazgul, the greatest of the Nine. Minas Morgul is his lair."
Only a few minutes after finishing his explanation to Pippin and Toril, a bright light shoots up into the sky. Gandalf, Pippin, and Toril all take a step back away from the railing, and watch the pillar of greenish white light reach into the clouds.
"What in Durin's name is that?" Toril says as she finds herself being pressed between Pippin and Gandalf.
"We come to it at least." Gandalf says while he tries to give some kind of comfort to the two small ones next to him. "The great battle of our time. Get some kind of rest, the both of you. We need to move quickly, before the sunrises, if we are to be successful in letting out allies know our need for aid."
Gandalf stays awake all night, sitting in a chair that he had moved out onto the balcony. Every so often he would look into the room to see Pippin and Toril asleep in the bed. Earlier in their rest, the two of them had kept a safe distance between them on the bed. Now, as the tendrils of the approaching sunlight starts to lighten the sky, the pair are wrapped around each other like a pair of cozy kittens. A small smile graces Gandalf's face as he rises from the chair. He really doesn't want to wake them, but time is of the essence.
Starting with Toril, Gandalf gently rouses her and takes care not to comment on her sleeping position. Her chest is pressed against Pippin's back, and her arm is lying over his hips. Once she starts to shift away from Pippin, Gandalf begins to rouse the hobbit. After they have woken up, and changed into clothes, Gandalf leads them out of their room.
"Peregrin Took, my lad, there is a task now to be done. You as well Toril, will be helping." Gandalf explains as he walks through the many corridors of the main parts of the city.
Unlike Pippin, who is wearing a clean set of clothes that Marla had the servants bring out for him, Toril is stuck having to wear a young female child's dress. The length of the brown and gray dress, doesn't bother Toril, but it is the heaviness of the fabric and width of the skirt that has Toril frustrated. She can hardly keep up with Gandalf and Pippin, but she tries her best anyways. She keeps following as Gandalf leads them down one of the back alleyways till they reach the end.
Gandalf turns around and bends down to speak with Pippin.
"You must not fail me." The wizard says as he places an encouraging hand on Pippin's shoulder.
"What do we need to do?" Toril asks Gandalf.
"Not you, Toril. Those skirts will hinder your ability to climb quickly." Gandalf says to Toril, while Pippin scurries down a lesser used alleyway.
"But Gandalf I can help too." Toril growls out at the thought of being left out.
"And you will help. Just not for this. Pippin needs to light the beacon without being noticed. If you were to go with him, you would slow him down and possibly be discovered. And if Denethor were to find out that you both were trying to light the beacon, you would most likely be put into the dungeons." Gandalf huffs out at her while keeping an eye on where the beacon sits. "Plus, I don't think Kili and Tauriel wouldn't be pleased to hear that their daughter sent some time in a dungeon."
Toril lets out a deep sigh at the last statement, and crosses her arms over her chest. The two stand there for a time, keeping watch along the rock face in the hopes that Pippin will reach the beacon safely. As the sun begins to rise, Gandalf and Toril move out of the alleyway to another place in the city for a better view. They find a quiet spot near the upper markets, and Toril notices that the sunlight is starting to build from over the mountains.
"What if he doesn't reach it before the sun crests over the mountain tops?"
"He will, Toril. Be patient." Gandalf answers before giving a slight nod at the passing patrol of the morning watchmen.
Toril looks back at the where the beacon is located and lets out a gasp of surprise. Gandalf, too, lets out a gasp, but with a soft laugh mixed in. Toril looks away from the beacon, and gives Gandalf a full blown smile.
"He did it!" She exclaims happily.
"That he did." Gandalf replies cheerfully. "Come, we must see if the other beacons will be lit, now that the main one is now burning."
Being quick, Gandalf and Toril hurry along the various alleyways till they reach an open area that gives off a breathtaking view of the mountain chain. Both of them keep their eyes open, and Toril takes a breath inwards just as the next beacon lights up in the distance.
"Amon Din." Gandalf says softly before one of the posted guards near them calls out that the beacon is lit. "Now, Toril, with the beacons being lit Théoden, Aragorn, Thorin, and the others will know to come. There is still hope that Minas Tirith will survive."
"I pray that help arrives well before we are under siege." Toril whispers to herself. She can only hope that her family can reach her before the city is attacked.
Edoras...
In the six days since the wizard and his two companions left, all has been quiet in Rohan. With the knowledge that there might be a battle coming, Thorin has been having his dwarven soldiers train for most of the days. He has also made sure to have any smiths within his small army granted access to Edoras's smithing shops. With the news of dwarves making new weapons, or fixing damaged weapons, many people were interested in seeing the dwarves working. Though many were surprised to see Thorin among the smiths, working at the anvil banging away on the blades of many swords.
Where Thorin worked in the smithing shops, Kili and the two princes trained with the army. Whether it was training on foot, or from atop of the battle rams, the dwarves made sure to work on several different kinds of military tactics. On the second day of training, Aragorn had joined Kili and the princes, which took many of the dwarves by surprise. For none of them was expecting a man to train with them. And so this became a normal thing for the dwarves and Aragorn.
In the morning hours, Aragorn and Thorin are sitting outside smoking their pipes together. Aragorn is seated on the ground with one of his legs stretched out, while the other is bent. Thorin is sitting on the along the edge of the stone porch with one leg hanging off the side. His other leg is bent, but lays on the stone porch with his foot tucked under the hanging leg. Neither one has spoken to the other, almost as if they are afraid to break the silence between them. It stays this way for a time, before the silence is broken by the appearance of one of the princes.
"Good morning, Adad."
Thorin pulls his pipe out of his mouth and lets his eyes roam over his son before speaking to him. "You are up early Durin."
The younger of the twin princes, Thorin notes, is still wearing the same clothes that he wore the day before. This causes Thorin to wonder what Durin has been doing lately, besides training. Thorin even notices that the lad's braids have been hastily redone, which really has Thorin wondering on where his son has been.
"I wanted to take some time to meditate this morning." Durin says, hoping that Thorin will not question him further.
"And how was your meditation, master Durin?" Aragorn asks the prince. "Did you find the answers to your questions?"
Durin's face gets a light blush on it, but he doesn't stumble on his words when he answers Aragorn's question. "I did. They have been very helpful with providing some insight into what challenges we might face in battle against Sauron's forces."
Since the battle of Helm's Deep, Durin has been very quiet about the events that took place during his fighting. Only a select few know what all happened, including the awakening of his knowledge of his previous lives. Those who have the knowledge were sworn to secrecy, by Durin and his parents, not to speak of it in front of others. Inara was the most vocal on keeping it from becoming public knowledge. For she knew, first hand, what kind of danger her son may be put into if it were to reach Sauron's ears.
"Then let us hope that it will aid in Sauron's defeat." Thorin says to Durin before placing the pipe back into his mouth.
Durin simply nods his head and continues to walk to the doors that lead inside of the great halls where his family is staying with the King of Rohan. He lets out a breath as he makes sure that the doors close behind him.
Once the lad is inside, Thorin begins to chuckle and a smirk appears on his face. It isn't long before a confused looking Aragorn is looking at the old dwarf, and this causes Thorin to let out a deep, belly laugh. Taking the pipe out of his mouth again, Thorin can't help the mirth that is in his voice.
"I know what a walk of shame looks like, having had a few of them myself in my younger years." Thorin chuckles to Aragorn. "That lad hasn't been out mediating, he is coming back from having a nightly tumble in the hay."
Aragorn's eyebrow pops up at the candor of the old, former king of Erebor. Never before has he witnessed the dwarf king so openly talk, or joke, in his presence. However, Aragorn does smile at the thought that one of the dwarf princes has possibly found love.
As Thorin's laughter dies down, Aragorn notices the king's demeanor change. Following where Thorin is looking, Aragorn looks up and slightly to the right, towards the mountains. A small flicker from the mountain tops has his eyes locked to it. Then the small flicker turns into a raging inferno. Both Thorin and Aragorn rise from where they are seated. Knowing what this means, both man and dwarf rush to enter the great hall.
"The beacons of Minas Tirith!" Aragorn shouts out into the hall.
"The beacons have been lit!" Thorin bellows out only a second after Aragorn had shouted his words.
Coming to a stop in front of Théoden and his advisors, Aragorn speaks again, while Thorin keeps a silent watch of the King of Rohan.
"Gondor calls for aid." Aragorn shouts to Théoden.
Everyone who is in the hall looks to Théoden, with bated breath, as they wait to hear their kings answer.
Inara, however, moves away from the table that she had been standing at with the advisors and Théoden. She comes to stand next to Thorin and gives him a nod of her head, letting him know that whatever Théoden decides, they will lead what troops they have to Minas Tirith.
This small gesture between the Queen and former King of Erebor is not lost on Théoden. He knows that they will go to Gondor's aid with or without him. Seeing the courage of his allies, has Théoden making his final decision on the matter.
"And Rohan will answer." Théoden says loud enough for everyone in the hall to hear. "Muster the Rohirrim."
A sentry is sent out to ring the bell, and Éomer leaves the hall for the stables. He knows that he must prepare the Riders of Rohan, not only for battle but to also send word out to gather more soldiers.
Thorin and Inara leave the hall as well, heading out for their own troops. Kili, who was in the hall when Théoden gave his answer, had left before Thorin and Inara did to try and gather as many of the dwarven commanders as possible. So Thorin and Inara are surprised to see the commanders waiting for them when they arrived to the encampments near the entry gate to Edoras.
"Are we going then?" Frerin asks his parents.
"We are." Thorin answers before addressing the rest of the commanders. "We will be traveling with the Rohirrim army to aid Gondor against the armies of Sauron. We need to travel fast and quick. Pack light, take only what you need. The rams will need to bear the weight of two dwarves. The rest of the army will need to keep pace with those of the Rohirrim army that does not travel on horseback."
"May I suggest that the archers ride with those who are riding the rams?" Kili asks Thorin. "We carry only our bows, arrows, and maybe a short blade or dagger. Our armor is also lighter than the other battalions."
"Agreed." Thorin replies, and gives Kili a nod as well. "You will be leading them into battle as well, Kili. You have earned that right." Thorin places a hand on Kili's shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze.
"Frerin." Inara addresses her oldest son. "You and Durin will be joining the rear guard and reinforcements."
"But Amad!" Frerin shouts in frustration at being told that he would not be joining in the immediate battle. "We want to fight!"
"And you will fight." Thorin says to Frerin. "But if the battle goes bad fast, you and Durin need to be able to escape and return to Erebor. Fili will need to know what is coming if Sauron takes Minas Tirith."
Frerin scowls at his parents, but doesn't say a word at what Thorin said. He keeps up his scowl as his parents walk away to give the commanders their orders.
"Don't worry." Kili says to Frerin. "Kelda will be joining you boys. She too wants to prove herself in battle, but this battle sits on a blades' edge. It can turn for the worse so fast that you all will need to be mindful and keep constant vigilance to be one step ahead of the enemy."
"Fine." Frerin growls out to his cousin before walking away to go find Durin and Kelda.
By midday, the dwarves are assembled and joining the out pouring ranks of the Rohirrim that are heading out from Edoras. Thorin, dressed in light armor, sits on his battle ram just outside of the gates of Edoras. Inara, dressed in light armor as well, sits directly behind Thorin on the ram. The two of them had agreed to ride with Théoden, to the encampment which is said to be Dunharrow.
Théoden soon appears on horseback with many others following him on horseback as well. He gives Thorin and Inara a nod as Thorin nudges his ram into joining the King of Rohan. The other dwarves, on rams, join ranks with those of horseback. Along with Inara and Thorin, Théoden is joined by his advisors as well as Aragorn; Legolas with Kelda sharing his horse; Kili and Tauriel sharing a horse; and Merry with Gimli joining him on his white horse.
They head off towards Dunharrow where, in three days' time, they will ride to Gondor's aid.
Hopefully this will tide you all over till the next chapter is posted.
Selene