Got some important events in this chapter, so buckle up!

Chapter 142

I started awake as I noticed a young healer wrapping linen around his arm. I must have slept through her stitching him up; clearly I was more exhausted than I thought. "My lord, I bring valerian tea with a small amount of essence of poppy to help you sleep and take away some of the pain, if you are amenable?" She seemed nervous, and I wondered how new she was to this profession.

"Aye," Candaith replied with a sigh, and I helped him sit up slightly to drink the warm tea. He grimaced comically at the taste, which made the healer giggle before she clapped a hand over her mouth in embarrassment. I hid a smile as she hastily took the now empty cup from Candaith and scurried away.

I pulled the blanket up and tucked it around Candaith, and whispered, "Sleep, meleth nin. I will watch over you." His eyes fluttered shut and his body relaxed into slumber, which allowed me to finally slump in anxiety and worry over what would happen to him. I rubbed my blood-shot eyes with the heels of my hands, finally feeling the exhaustion I had been ignoring for days. The short nap just now was definitely not enough. I wanted to go find somewhere to wash up and change into clean clothes, but hesitated to leave Candaith's side. What if something happened while I was away? Would he worry if I was not by his side when he awoke?

"I will stay with him," a familiar voice murmured, as Saeradan settled next to me. "Go wash and rest."

"Are you saying I smell?" I tried to joke, but it fell a little flat. Instead of answering, he gave me a knowing look and made a shooing motion. I sighed in defeat and acceptance and forced myself to walk towards the stables, where I had left our saddle bags. I asked around and was told there was a communal bathing house for women on the 6th level, so I made my way there and quickly washed, ignoring the curious stares of the few women who were still present in the city. Despite worrying about Candaith, it felt nice to remove the grime of battle and sweat from my body and change into clothes that were mostly clean.

Quickly braiding my hair, I was on my way back to the Healing Halls when none other than a well-disguised Aragorn approached me. "Gwin, may we speak a moment?" he asked quietly.

"Of course, mellon-nin," I replied, and we ducked into the stables for some privacy. He looked beyond exhausted; his face almost grey with weariness and breathing slightly labored. "Please sit, you look terrible." He looked at me with an eyebrow raised and a slight smirk, before almost collapsing onto a barrel. "You must rest."

"I will, I promise," Aragorn replied, and while I was unsure if he would really do so, I gestured for him to continue. "I have established a Pavilion on the Pelennor as a base of operations to decide our next steps."

"Whom do you wish to be present for these discussions?" I asked, mentally going through a likely list of participants. Legolas and Gimli certainly, and King Theodred and Prince Imrahil would represent their peoples. Pippin and Merry perhaps, although I had learned the latter was injured while helping Eowyn defeat the Witch King of Angmar, something so unbelievable that I had to ask Gandalf if Pippin was telling the truth. Now that Halbarad was dead, I wondered who would take his place in the rank of the Dunedain, but found it was too difficult to really put much thought into as the loss was still too near.

"I would like you to be there," Aragorn answered, his eyes meeting mine earnestly.

"I…I am honored you thought of me, but Candaith…" I stuttered. "How can I leave his side when he is still injured to be a part of these talks, which will likely take many hours?"

Aragorn gave me a sympathetic look, "It is hard to be apart from those you love, especially when they are unwell, but Candaith is being very well cared-for, and I have personally inquired about his prognosis."

"Really?" I asked breathlessly. "What do you think? Is the damage permanent?"

"It is still too soon to tell if he will ever have more than partial function of his arm again, but I do not believe surgery is needed to repair the damage," Aragorn replied clinically. "There are exercises which can be done to strengthen the muscles and attempt to retrain them to do the functions they once did, and those can begin once he is healed enough."

I let out a whoosh of air, not realizing I had been holding such a deep breath, "That is at least some good news," I said, trying to frame this positively in my head. "I hope Candaith sees it the same way."

"I believe he will, although it will be difficult," Aragorn replied. "Now that I have put some of your fears to rest, will you come to the Pavilion as soon as you are able? I am hoping to sleep for a few hours before everyone is gathered."

"Of course," I answered, eyeing my friend with some concern. Digging into my bag briefly, I pulled out some dried meat and fruit and handed it over, along with my extra water skin. "Eat and drink all of this please." He gave me an exasperated look but thankfully did as I asked. "Now go find a quiet room around here and sleep for a few hours. I will wake you and we can go down together."

Aragorn sighed and gave me a fleeting smile, "Thank you Gwin, I appreciate your help." He clasped my shoulder firmly and added, "This has been a difficult day, one with both victory and much loss." His eyes were full of pain. "Halbarad was my oldest friend. We did not grow up together but became close over the many decades we spent in the North. It will be odd not having him beside me." His voice faltered, and he blinked away a few tears in his eyes.

"Yes, he will be greatly missed," I whispered, and pulled him into a brief embrace. "We will not let him down."

After parting ways with Aragorn, I returned to the Healing Halls to see Saeradan fixing a tear in his cloak, and Candaith still sleeping. "Feeling better Gwin?" Saeradan asked, giving me a quick onceover.

"Much," I answered with a small smile. "Washing away all the grime was very satisfying." Before Saeradan could respond, I asked, "Would you be able to return here in a few hours? Aragorn has need of me at his Pavilion soon but I am loathe to leave Candaith alone while I am gone. I do not want him to worry."

"Of course Gwin," Saeradan replied with a nod. "Come find me in the gardens, where I am hoping they will let me light my pipe."

I huffed a laugh, knowing how much the Dunedain loved their pipeweed, and waved farewell. As I turned back towards Candaith, I noticed a familiar face slowly making his way towards me. "Hello Ergothorn," I said with a wave, eyeing him with some concern as he leaned heavily on a crutch as he limped toward me. "It seems as if you have taken an injury to your foot?"

"Alas, my lady, I have indeed broken my ankle," Ergothorn replied, smirking as I made a face at the title. "I surely embarrassed all of Rohan by falling off my horse in battle and not knowing how to break my fall." He had likely never been trained in how to roll when you are unhorsed and simply tried to land on his feet. "Yet I know it could have been much worse." I offered him my chair but he waved me off. "I will continue on to the gardens for some fresh air, I have been inside for far too long."

I quirked a smile and replied, "Do not push yourself too hard, mellon nin." He waved in farewell as I settled myself down next to Candaith, who was sleeping peacefully. Perhaps Ergothorn could keep him company, should I be asked to fight in more battles in the coming days. I stroked his forehead gently, comforted by the sound of his deep, even breaths and the sight of his clean bandages. He would heal well here.

As promised, I found and woke Aragorn a few hours later and I descended the many levels of the city. My thoughts inevitably turned towards what would come next. Surely there would be more warfare to come? Yes, the Free Peoples were victorious in this battle, but the War raged on. I knew Sauron was likely gathering his forces in Mordor in preparation for his next assault. It was also a near certainty that the Elves of the North along with the Dwarves of Erebor were fighting the enemy from Dol Guldur and the Easterlings, and I feared what I would return to, should I go back there.

Part of me wondered if King Thranduil expected me to return to him if Sauron was defeated; he had no knowledge of my affiliation with the Dunedain, and certainly not my marriage to one of them. I knew he would not be pleased; he found Men to be far inferior to Elves, and would scoff at a marriage between the two races. "Legolas can break the news," I muttered to myself; it was a little cowardly, but better from his son than from me. It had been many years since I was on rotation with the Guard of Mirkwood, having lived in Celondim for centuries, and I had no family currently living in those lands. Truly, I felt more like one of the Dunedain than of the Elves, and I knew they considered me as such. I surreptitiously eyed Aragorn and could tell he was deep in thought, trusting his horse to get him where he wanted to go. I could not imagine the pressure he had on his shoulders.

Finally, we found ourselves dismounting in front of a large tent in the middle of a bustling camp. I could see Halbarad's banner flying in the breeze and felt a sharp jolt of pain. How could such a strong, courageous man be gone? We had survived countless trials together, mostly by the skin of our teeth, and some naïve part of me never even considered that Halbarad could be brought low in battle. Our party had been lucky not to lose anyone on our journey South, and in a moment, two veteran Rangers were dead and buried. I blinked the rapidly gathering tears out of my eyes and focused on Aragorn, who's worried gaze was trained on me. Despite his hours of rest, he looked little improved from when I had seen him. "Shall we?" he murmured, gesturing towards the tent flap. I nodded and followed him inside.

Everyone I had expected to see was now gathered, along with others who I assumed were Gondorian captains of regiments or marshals of the éoreds of Rohan. I settled myself next to Elladan and Elrohir, the latter squeezing my shoulder in comfort. Despite the urge to take his hand, I wanted to project an air of confidence and strength, so I stood with my arms crossed behind my back, hoping I looked better than I felt. I also noted Calenglad's presence, the sole representative of the Dunedain, and wondered if he had been promoted to take Halbarad's place. To his credit, he looked completely at ease, and I knew he had plenty of experience in leadership as the highest ranking Dúnadan in Evendim.

Aragorn positioned himself at the back of the tent, and everyone turned to face him. "Thank you all for coming swiftly. The battle is won, but time is still short." After a pause where he seemed to gather his thoughts, he continued, "We have won a great battle, but now we have a choice to make. Much rests upon our decision."

Prince Imrahil cleared his throat and asked, "Of what decision do you speak, Aragorn?"

"Mithrandir will explain it to us all, that we may choose aright," Aragorn answered, gesturing towards the wizard who stood up from the chair he was seated in. "You have the floor, my friend."

Gandalf nodded and began speaking. "The Steward of Gondor had much to say about the dangers that threaten us. He claimed that victory on the Pelennor might last for an hour, or a day..." he paused, looking grieved. I had heard the Steward had taken his own life in despair, almost at the cost of his son Faramir's. "...but that we could not hope for a lasting victory against the power that rules in Mordor. We must not despair as he did, though it took all of our strength to fight back the first assault."

"You think another battle is to come soon?" Theodred asked gruffly. "Is Sauron not shaken by his great losses?" The grief over the loss of his father the King was written clearly on his face, and his cousin Eomer briefly squeezed his shoulder.

"His armies are vast, almost beyond count," Gandalf replied grimly. "While this defeat is a significant setback which will give him pause, it will not deter him from a yet greater assault. Sooner or later, one will come that we have not the power to defend."

"Strength of arms will not bring us great victory," Imrahil mused thoughtfully. "What then can we do? If we cannot achieve victory, would you advise us to hide behind our walls, enduring siege after siege until we can last no longer? I will not play like a child with a sand-castle, waiting in fear as the tide comes in." I could see a deep wisdom in his eyes, and a flicker of the bearing of the Elves. Did the people of Dol Amroth have Elvish blood in their veins, however diluted? Putting this curiosity to the side, I continued to listen in.

"Do not misunderstand me, I still hope for victory, but not through battle," Gandalf said, and I noted everyone looked perplexed, with the exception of Legolas, who I sensed had figured out what the wizard perhaps had in mind. My stomach dropped at his next words. "Into this debate must come the Ring of Power, for it is central to the matter." I shivered, knowing how desperate Sauron was to get it back, and how tirelessly he had pursued me to garner any information I had. Elladan put a steadying hand on my back and I appreciated the quiet comfort.

The atmosphere in the tent grew heavy as Gandalf continued, "You know enough of this thing to understand our danger. If Sauron regains the Ring that he lost, his victory will be complete." Aragorn had remained curiously silent for the majority of the discussion, ceding the matter to Gandalf who likely knew more than any of us about the matter. "If the Ring is destroyed, his destruction will be complete."

"Sauron knows all of this," I murmured, and flushed when I realized I had spoken out loud as everyone turned their attention my way. I eyed Gandalf, and he nodded slightly for me to continue. I cleared my throat nervously and tried to ignore the gazes of the others, "He knows the Ring he lost has been found again, but not where it is now. I deem his greatest fear is that we have found it and that there are those among us with the strength to wield it."

"Am I right to think you have revealed yourself to him, Aragorn?" Gandalf asked, turning to face him.

Aragorn nodded, "Yes, my friend. Before we rode from the Hornburg, I deemed the time was ripe to use the Stone of Orthanc."

"The Palantir," I breathed. "That was a risky gamble indeed."

"I thought it would be best to draw Sauron's gaze to me, and away from his own lands," Aragorn replied. "It was not easy, for Sauron's will is strong." I knew this very well, and noted he looked haunted for a moment before his eyes cleared.

"You say it is hopeless for us to attack Sauron if he regains his Ring," Theodred interjected. "But why should he not feel the same if he thinks we have it?"

"I deem he would not think it hopeless, but certainly more difficult," Gandalf replied. "He knows of my return, and could assume either I or Aragorn would claim the Ring for our own. He will anticipate a struggle for dominance, and that it will put us into disarray."

"His Nazgul still fly overhead at times," Imrahil said grimly. "They must be seeking signs of our movements."

"His greatest captain was slain, and the Sword of Elendil reforged. For the first time, doubt has begun to gnaw at him," Gandalf said, and I hoped he was right. "Despite Sauron's fear, we do not have the Ring," he continued. "Through wisdom or folly it has been sent away to be destroyed and we cannot defeat Sauron by force. This, then, is what I propose." He took a fortifying breath, and I noticed with some surprise he seemed nervous. "We keep Sauron's eye fixed upon us, and blind to all else that moves."

"A diversion," Legolas mused thoughtfully. "We march out to meet him, and make ourselves the bait." My heart stuttered as I considered this wild plan, and I noticed Candaith brushing my mind with some concern. "Meleth? I sense your unease."

"I will tell you all when I return," I told him through our connection, and thankfully he remained silent with the exception of the comforting warmth he provided. I tried hard to keep my breathing even and slow as I listened to Aragorn explain. "He will see this as a prideful act of a new Lord of the Ring, and will empty his land to take back what is his."

"This would give Frodo his chance!" Gimli barked excitedly. "It is a trap, not for us but for Sauron!"

"Any who go with me on this last march must know they go to their own deaths," Aragorn said quietly, but it echoed ominously through the tent. "There will likely be no returning from this, as Sauron will send all of his armies to crush us utterly. Yet, I feel I must try." He sighed, looking grieved but determined. Calenglad clasped his shoulder in support, and Aragorn flashed him a fleeting smile of thanks. "I do not command any in this. Let each make their choice as they will."

"We came from Imladris with this purpose," Elladan proclaimed stepping forward and giving Aragorn a bow with his hand over his heart in the Elvish fashion. "We will stand with you, even to the very end." Elrohir nodded in agreement, and I was proud of my brothers for their dedication and love.

Eomer looked toward Theodred, who gave him a small nod, and stepped forward next, "I do not know much of these dealings, but I do know this. My friend Aragorn aided my people in our greatest need, and I will now repay him in kind." He reached out and clasped Aragorn's shoulder in a warrior's embrace, and a shadow of a grateful smile flitted across the ranger's face.

"Aragorn is my King, whether he claims it or no," Imrahil stated, eyes shining. "His wish is a command to me."

Legolas was next in showing his support, "Let the Three Hunters ride to Mordor and make Sauron rue the day he brought war to these lands." Gimli shouted, "Baruk Khazad!" and I couldn't help but smile at his enthusiasm.

One by one, every captain and ruler in the tent stated their intent to follow Aragorn on this seemingly hopeless errand, but I found myself hesitating. He was eyeing me speculatively, but I knew he would never pressure me into joining him. All I wanted was the chance to live my life with Candaith in peace…how could I do that if I died on the Morannon in a desperate attempt to give Frodo the time he needed to destroy the Ring?

What if he wasn't even alive?

My head was spinning and I knew I had to get out of there, so I quickly made my way outside into the fading light. I was ashamed of my weakness, but I needed time to think this through before doing something rash. I had Candaith to consider, and I needed to speak with him before making such an important decision. Before the twins or anyone could distract me, I quickly mounted up on my horse and made my way up the winding streets of Minas Tirith at a trot, thoughts whirring and anxiety building in my already burdened heart.

Looks like Gwin has a decision to make, and it will not be an easy one. Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and leave a comment if you have a moment, they brighten my day!

I also wanted to acknowledge my guest reviewers who I can't reply to, I appreciate you!