Aragorn's little sister

Chapter 17-lost and 10,000 problems

She was broken. She was beyond broken.

Eowyn came up and she clung to Legolas.  Legolas and Gimli exchanged glances as Eowyn looked at all of the soldiers that had returned. "So few, so few of you have returned." she stated as she greeted her uncle.

"Our people are safe. We have paid for it with many lives." he replied as he helped a soldier get off the horse. Eowyn came up to Gimli, "Lord Aragorn. Where is he?" she asked.

"He....fell." he answered and Diana let out a small whimper unheard by any but the elf. When the children came running up to her she put on a small smile, but there was grief there that could be seen.

"We can't find our mumma!" the girl cried as she barreled into her. "Don't worry, we'll find her." Diana whispered and stood up, placing the girl on her hip and holding the boy's hand as they searched for the children's mother.  

Suddenly the boy's grasp from her hand fell and he ran forward. Diana set the girl to the ground and she ran after her brother to a blonde haired woman. She smiled sadly as the children ran.

"Freda!" their mother yelled as they ran into her arms. Their mother smiled before the children went running to her each grabbing a hand and pulled her to their mother. "This kind lady helped us find you and took care of us!" Freda said smiling.

Their mother smiled kindly at her. "Thank you." she whispered clutching her hands. Diana smiled and felt tears appear in her eyes. She nodded, swallowing down a sob. "I'll let you three be." she whispered as she gave the children a hug goodbye. 

She walked, her mind wondering before she walked into the throne room and slid down a pillar, not caring who was in there as nerve wreaking sobs racked her body. She put on her hood as she sobbed.

Arms encircled around her and she leant into the comforting smell of pine trees, acorns, and books. He rubbed her back as she sobbed, the tears cascading down her face. He softly touched the wound that she still hadn't wrapped. "We should wrap this, before it gets infected," he whispered and she shook her head.

He sighed, and looked down at her, lifting her chin up with his fingers, so that he was looking into her eyes. Slowly, not caring who saw, he brought his lips gently to hers the wet tears reaching to both of their lips. "I won't ever leave you," he whispered when he pulled away as the tears flowed down faster. 

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A sleepless day later, the doors banged open and everyone looked up, all except for one person in the room. She continued staring at the floor in front of her, her hood up. 

The blood from the wound had stopped bleeding and the blood that she had lost was dried up  on the floor. Aragorn crouched down and brought his sister's chin up.

Her eyes soon met his and she gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. She stood up on shaky legs and jumped on him. "You're such a dumbass." she whispered in his ear before breaking down again.

Aragorn chuckled and held his sister tightly as he explained what he had seen. "A great host you say?" Theoden asks after Aragorn is done explaining. "All Isengard is emptied." Aragorn said, sighing.

"How many?" the king asked and Diana closed her eyes, fearing the answer. "Ten thousand, strong at least." Aragorn explained and she pulled away slightly, eyes wide as she looked into her brother's arm. 

"Ten thousand?" Theoden asked in disbelief as he turned to look at Aragorn. "It is an army bred for a single purpose. To destroy the world of men." Aragorn sighed again before adding. "They will be here by nightfall." 

Theoden turned and made for the doors. "Let them come!" he exclaimed. 

They followed the king down the keep, passing refuges all who were moving into the caves. "I want every man and strong lad able to bear arms ready for battle by nightfall," Theoden said to one of the guards who nodded and promptly turned and left.

They walked past the large wooden doors of the keep where some men were hammering fresh planks onto it.

"We will cover the causeway and the gate from above." Theoden explained, "No army has ever breached the Deeping Wall or set foot inside the Hornburg." 

"This is no rabble of mindless orcs!" Gimli interjected, leaning on his axe. "These are Uruk-Hair. Their armor is thick and their shields broad." 

"I have fought many wars master dwarf. I know how to defend my own keep." Theoden talked back to Gimli, before walking back inside the fortress.

"They will break upon this fortress like water on rock," Theoden claimed as they followed him back up the ramparts. "Saruman's hordes will pillage and burn. We've seen it before. Crops can be resown, homes rebuilt. Within these walls, we will outlast them."

"They do not come to destroy Rohan's crops or villages. They come to destroy it's people, down to it's last child." Aragorn intereceded.

Theoden turned around and grabbed her brother by the shoulder roughly, pulling him closer. "What would you have me do?" he hissed, "Look at my men. Their courage hangs by a thread. If this is to be our end, then I would make such an end as to be worthy of remembrance." 

"Send out riders my lord. You must call for aid." Aragorn suggested. 

"And who will come?" Theoden asked skeptically, nodding to Legolas and Gimli. "Elves? Dwarves? We are not so lucky in our friends as you, the old alliances are dead." 

"Gondor will answer." Aragorn suggested.

"Gondor!" Theoden spat, "Where was Gondor when the Westfold fell? Where was Gondor when our enemies closed in around us? Where was Gondor-" he trailed off, as he realized his voice had gotten louder. "No, my lord Aragorn. We are alone." 

Aragorn fell silent and Diana once again locked eyes with him. They continued to follow the king.

"Get the woman and children into the caves." Theoden commanded as he marched back into the hall.

"We need more time to lay provisions-" a guard protested.

"There is no time! War is upon us!" 

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A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! If you did feel free to vote and comment! I hope you have a great rest of your day/night!