abnormal tragedy

Chapter 45: sword

A cloaked rider approached the upper encampment at Dunharrow. Sleeping, Aragorn dreamt of Arwen. "I choose a mortal life. I wish I could have seen him, one last time." He heard Arwen speak softly to her father as he woke with a shout, drawing his knife. A soldier stood in the tent doorway. "Sir? King Théoden awaits you, my Lord." Aragorn walked to the king's tent, following the soldier in silence. Aragorn entered Théoden's tent. Théoden stands next to a seated, cloaked figure. "I take my leave."  Théoden said as he exited. The cloaked figure stands and approached Aragorn, lifting his hood. "My Lord, Elrond." Aragorn bowed. 

"I come on behalf of one whom I love." Elrond started. "Arwen is dying. She will not long survive the evil that now spreads from Mordor. The light of the Evenstar is failing. As Sauron's power grows, her strength wanes. Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the Ring. The shadow is upon us, Aragorn. The end has come." Aragorn paused taking in what he had just heard. "It will not be our end but His." Elrond sighed and there was a minute of silence. "You ride to war but not to victory. Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith, as you know, but in secret He sends another force, which will attack from the river. A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the South. They'll be in the city in two days."

 "You're outnumbered, Aragorn. You need more men." Aragorn sighed,  "There are none." "There are those who... dwell in the mountain." Elrond offered. "Murderers! Traitors! You would call upon them to fight? They believe in nothing! They answer to no one." Aragorn raised his voice. "They will answer to the King of Gondor!" Elrond said returning the harsh tone. Elrond revealed a sword. "Andúril... Flame of the West. Forged from the shards of Narsil."

"Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of Elendil." Aragorn sighed as he drew the sword.  "The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith." Aragorn looked up at Lord Elrond. "The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the ranger. Become who you were born to be. Take the Dimholt road." Aragorn looked uncertain.  "Ónen i-Estel Edain." (I gave Hope to the Dúnedain.)  "Ú-chebin Estel anim." Aragorn replied. (I have kept no hope for myself.)

Aragorn readied his horse to depart. He is not surprised when Eowyn follows him to his horse. "Why are you doing this?" She demands quietly. "The war lies to the East, you cannot leave on the eve of battle." There's a pause, and Aragorn looks at her fully. "You cannot abandon the men...we need you here." The words are heavy, Aragorn understands them but must still know. If not for himself than for Eowyn. They cannot go on like this. He rounds her, going to his horse's head. "Why have you come?" He says it much more quietly than she, like it is a fragile and broken thing. It could make them so.

"Do you not know?" Desperation. It's reined in but Aragorn can hear it. His chest aches for her, for what he can not give her. There is a long moment where they merely look to each other. Eowyn's eyes shine, with tears and panic-stricken hope. Aragorn makes his voice quieter still, face softening. "It is but a shadow, and a thought, that you love." Eowyn's face falls, mouth gaping open slightly. "I cannot give you what you seek." He says it with meaning. And she understands, because then there are feet of distance between them. He closes them again just as quickly, smiling slightly. He cares for her, though he will not be with her. "I have wished you joy since first I saw you." He cups her cheek as a tear springs to her eye, bottom lip quivering. He then made to turn and walk away but stopped. "Don't wake Rowan, I don't want her to get hurt.."

Aragorn then approached the Dimholt road alone. "Just where do you think you're off to?" Gimli questioned as he stomped his foot.  "Not this time. This time you must stay, Gimli." Legolas appeared with his horse. "Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?" He laughed which was the first time that Aragorn and Gimli had seen him happy in a long time. "Might as well accept it. We're going with you, laddie." The three started off on the Dimholt road, as soldiers look on. "What about Rowan?" Gimli asked as they heard the soldiers whispering to themselves.

 "What's happening?"

 "Where's he going?"

 "I don't understand."

"Lord Aragorn!"

The riders disappeared into the darkness. Aragorn was silent. "She doesn't know." Legolas thought out loud to himself and Aragorn nodded. "It's for her own good." This reminded Legolas of what Rowan had said to him. So he turned quiet.

 "Why does he leave on the eve of battle?"

 "He leaves because there is no hope." Gamilng muttered to the other soldiers.  "He leaves because he must." King Théoden replied, giving a cold glare to Gamling. "Too few have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor." Gamling sighed as he whispered to the King. "No, we cannot. But we will meet them in battle nonetheless." The men nodded in agreement.