A horse came carrying two small children on its back. They were barely keeping their eyes open, hungry and exhausted as they were. It was Gandalf who saw them and brought them to the Hall. Éowyn and Aerin quickly brought them food and something to cover themselves with and warm up. They looked so utterly scared and helpless, and they ate the food so quickly Aerin feared they would choke on it.
They did not want to make them speak before they regained some of their strength. When they finished their meal, they told the group about how Orcs burnt their village and how the people tried to escape, but not all managed. Their sentences were barely coherent. They were still under the influence of the trauma, and it broke Aerin's heart to think that two such small children should witness such monstrous deeds. ''Where's mama?'' the girl asked, and Aerin wanted to die. Éowyn simply hushed her.
''This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven mad by the fear of Sauron,'' Gandalf explained to the King. ''Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight.'' Aerin looked over at the King. ''You have two thousand good men riding as we speak. Èomer and his men will return and fight, added Aragorn. ''They will be three hundred leagues from here by now! Èomer cannot help us,'' responded the King. Aerin knew what he meant. Éomer had left and took most of the men with him. They would not return soon. They did not know of the news that had just come. Already too far away, they could not help them now. Yet they were at war, and a battle was approaching. It was certain. ''I know what is that you want of me. But I would not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war,'' said the King.
''With all due respect, Théoden King, that is of little importance,'' Aerin said kindly. ''Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not,'' Aragorn argued. ''When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan,'' the King replied. ''Then what is the king's decision?'' asked Gandalf.
...
Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn and Aerin followed Gandalf to the stables. There they could talk freely. Gimli seemed to protest the idea of going to Helm's Deep, an Gandalf seemed to agree, but Aerin knew it had both advantages and disadvantages to it all. She knew why the King wanted his people over there. She knew that too much Rohirrim blood had been spilt already, and Helm's Deep had saved them before.
''He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people,'' She said.
''There is no way out than that of ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he is leading them to safety, but what he'll get is a massacre,'' argued Gandalf and a sudden fear rose in me. There were so many children. ''Théoden has a strong hold but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan,'' he continued, ''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 such certainty Aerin had no idea where he got it from. ''The Grey Pilgrim. That is what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men I've walked this earth and now, I have no time,'' he said, mounting Shadowfax. ''Good 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.''
And like that, he galloped out of the stables and at great speed sprinted across the lands. It wasn't long before their eyes couldn't see him anymore. Shadowfax was the fastest, finest horse my eyes had ever seen. ''What now?'' asked Gimli. ''We escort the people to Helm's Deep,'' answered Aragorn. ''What does Gandalf mean to achieve?'' grumbled Gimli again. ''I cannot stand it when he talks in riddles.''
''He goes for Éomer,'' Aerin said, a dread settling in him, ''Without him, there is no hope.''
...
The city was being emptied, and the people had already started streaming out of Edoras early the next morning. Éowyn and Aerin were in the Hall, waiting for their time to depart. ''Look'' she told Aerin before she picked up a long two-handed sword and wielded it, cutting the air around her. ''Be careful, Éowyn, that is a longsword,'' Aerin said with a laugh, stepping back a few steps from her. ''It feels right in my hands,'' she said. ''It looks right too. You seem to have some talent.''
''Let us hope I will get to make use of it. I can no longer sit and wait while my people are fighting for our lands.'' Éowyn smiled excitedly. ''Éowyn, somebody has to take care of the people here too. It is a job needed to be done.''
''There are many women in Edoras willing to do it. They do not need me.'' Éowyn replied as she put the sword back into the scabbard. ''I understand you. And I am not the right person to tell you anything against your wish to fight,'' Aerin said. ''I simply want you to live through these days.''
''My brother would never let me stand by his side in battle.'' Aerin interrupted, ''Your brother loves you dearly. He only thinks of what is best for you.'' She sighed. ''Well, now he loves you too,'' she said. ''I wouldn't say he loves me,'' Aerin argued, ''And that is different. I have a boyfriend back in Lothlorien.'' Éowyn asked, "Who's the lucky guy?" but Aragorn arrived so Aerin left the two to talk. She thought that Aragorn would convince her to stay behind from battle - if anyone could, it was probably him. She exited the Hall and stood on the terrace, looking upon the people slowly streaming out of the city. The city looked less lively by each second that passed. Legolas and Gimli appeared next to her. ''Where have the two of you been?'' She asked them two. ''Preparing the horses,'' Gimli replied. ''Ill fate...'' Aerin muttered, my eyes still heavily on the people and horses dragging themselves out of Edoras.
''I believe the King is ready by now. We should get Aragorn,'' said Legolas.
YOU ARE READING
to love someone else
Fanfiction''My heart doesn't matter, does it? Even if it is true, and he feels something for me too, it is still doomed to fail, isn't it? Elves can only love once. I am doomed to die of heartbreak, it's my fate as I know Haldir was the one... I'd never want...
