The healer (Legolas love story)

Chapter 27: The passage of the dead

"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes." Said Gandalf aloud. They all had gathered in the great hall. Nestarel sat on a bench. She still felt oddly weak but had put on the mask of strength to not make Legolas any more worried. She had gone and checked up on Pippin first thing in the morning much to Legolas' displease and had been briefed on everything that had happened. Legolas had stood behind her with a hand on her shoulder. Pippin had sat on a chair and Merry had stood next to him.

"A fool...but an honest fool he remains." Said Gandalf and looked at Pippin fondly. "He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still, strength enough perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the people of Middle-earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of Men. Rohan must be ready for war." He said the last part toward Theoden who was thoughtful. 

"Tell me" said Theoden loud and firm. "why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"

Everyone was looking at him now. Nestarel looked at Aragorn's sullen face. She could clearly see the battle that was taking place in his mind. "I will go." he said to Gandalf.

"No!" answered Gandalf sternly.

"They must be warned." snapped Aragorn seriously agitated.

"They will be. You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the river. Look to the black ships." Said Gandalf to Aragorn. He then turned to all of them. "Understand this: Things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith" he said and then turned to Pippin. "and I won't be going alone. Go and pack Peregrin Took. You will come with me." He said and pointed to Pippin whose eyes grew wide. Merry's face became grim.

***

It was almost a week that Gandalf had left with Pippin. Everyone was on edge, Aragorn more than others. He was sitting outside most of the time, watching the beacons of Gondor on top of the mountains. They could feel the hands of war reaching out for them.

Nestarel had used that time to recover. She had gained back most of her strength again and felt much better. She had spent most of her time with Merry, trying her best to comfort him. 

It was afternoon. Nestarel and Legolas were just walking into the great hall of Meduseld talking with Gimli when suddenly the doors of the hall burst open and a panicked Aragorn ran inside. "The Beacons of Minas Tirith! The Beacons are lit!" he yelled.

Theoden and a few of his marshals alongside Eomer who had stood around a table and were discussing war tactics, paused and raised their heads, and looked at him.

"Gondor calls for aid!" said Aragorn breathlessly.

Now every eye was on Theoden who looked deep in thought. "And Rohan will answer." he said after a few moments. Nestarel smiled relieved and squeezed Legolas' hand. "Muster the Rohirrim!" yelled Theoden and everyone ran around to follow his order. Finally, as the long waiting had finished and they had a goal, they were acting with confidence.

It was tomorrow, an hour past noon when they finally started to ride to Dunharrow. Nestarel had sat upon a gray horse. Beside her, Legolas and Gimli had sat on one horse, Aragorn on another horse, and Merry who looked very excited to finally be able to do something, on a small pony. The riders were all gathered in front of the gates of the city, sat ready on their horses.

"Now is the hour." Said Eomer aloud. "Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken. Now, fulfill them all. To lord and land!" and with that, all of the riders began to ride to the Dunharrow. Eowyn was coming with them as well and that was making Nestarel a bit worried for her safety.