"They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the wildmen are moving through westfold, burning as they go, every rick and cot." Èowyn solemnly said as she cradled the children close.
"Where's momma?" The young girl called Freda asked.
"Shh..."
"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. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from the women and children. You must fight." Gandalf said to the king. Gilan was crouched by Freda's brother, Éothain, bandaging his sprained ankle.
"You have 2000 good men riding north as we speak. Èomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king." Aragorn added.
"They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Èomer cannot help us. 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." Gilan turned his face away from the rest, concealing the look of distaste at the king's words.
"Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not."
"When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan." The similarity between Théoden and Théoden's father was impeccable.
"Then what is the king's decision?" Sighed Gandalf.
***
"By order of the king, The city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. Do not burden yourself with treasures. Take only what provisions you need." The five were standing by the window, frowns on their faces.
"Helm's Deep! They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king?" Gimli grumbled, watching the citizens.
"He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past." Sighed Aragorn.
"There is no way out of that ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he is leading them to safety but what he'll get is a massacre. Théoden has a strong hold but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end there, Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you. The defences have to hold." Gandalf turns to the ranger.
"They will hold."
"The Grey Pilgrim. That is what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men have walked this earth and now, I have no time. Good luck. My search will not be in vain. Look to my coming. At first light of the fifth day at dawn, look to the East."
"Go."
"Before I do, Gilan, Théoden is not his father. Do not display hostility to him for his father's wrongdoings."
"He was raised by the man who exiled a blind 9 year-old out of his city. I'm afraid I'll have to make that assessment on my own." Gilan felt curious glances being thrown his way and knew he'd have to explain eventually. But not yet, his story could wait.
***
"It's true you don't see many dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, they are often mistaken for dwarf men." Gilan tried to compose the amused smile as Gimli talked Éowin's ear off. Legolas did not.
"It's the beards." Aragorn piped in.
"And this in turn has given rise to the belief that there are no dwarf women. And the dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground! Which is of course ridiculous. Whoa!" Gimli's horse startles and throws the dwarf off. Now both, Gilan and Legolas, laugh out loud. "It's alright! It's alright. Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate."
"Gilan!" Little Freda runs up to them and squeezes between Gilan and Legolas. "Can you sing for us? Please! It's so sad here!" Gilan taps his chin.
"I suppose I could. Tell me, my lady, what shall I sing?"
"Well, something cheerful, obviously."
"Hmm...cheerful you say..." Gilan thinks for a bit and Legolas watches with fascination as the other man's curly hair bounces as his steps gain some jump to them. Then he catches the eye of young Freda and blushes when he sees the look she sends him with a mischievous smile.
"When the cold wind is a-calling
and the sky is clear and bright!
Misty mountains sing and beckon:
Lead me out into the light!" Gilan starts singing and the children gather around him. But it's not just the kids whose full attention he has.
"I will ride, I will fly!
Chase the wind and touch the sky,
I will fly!
Chase the wind and touch the sky!" He picks up Freda into the air and spins her around, the young girl squealing with delight.
"Where dark woods hide secret,
and mountains are fierce and bold.
Deep waters hold reflections
of times lost long ago." He dances around Legolas, pulling dramatic faces at him, as if acting out the lyrics, which forces a laugh out of the elf. The poor bard has no idea of the look in the prince's forest green eyes.
"I will hear their every story.
Take hold of my own dream.
Be as strong as the seas are stormy
and proud as an eagle's scream!" Gilan throws his arms out and closes his eyes, basking in the sun.
"I will ride, I will fly!
Chase the wind and touch the sky.
I will fly!
Chase the-" He quiets as the wind turns and the horses suddenly become scared. The children groan but Gilan feels cold sweat run down his back as he turns his head.
"What is-" Legolas starts. Both of them hear it too late. A warg jumps at one of the men and throws him off his horse. The elf does not waste time with his arrows. "A scout!"
"What is it? What do you see?"
"Wargs! We are under attack!" Aragorn yells as he sees the pack not far.
"All riders to the head of the column!" Théoden shouts and Gilan jumps on Lady's back. "Follow me!"
"Forward, forward, march forward." They urge their horses into a run and head for the pack. The two sides crash into each other with force and the shrieks start. Gilan jumps off Lady and rolls onto the ground, not wanting for his horse to get injured, and he was a better fighter on the ground anyway. Something about the vibrations from the ground gave him a better feel of his surroundings. An arrow flew past his head from Legolas' direction and he smiled. Then Gilan hears hooves galloping to him as he finishes the last orc that was running at him from the side with a swift swing of his sword.
"What in the Valar's name are you doing on the ground?! Do you want to get killed?!" Théoden shouts at him and Gilan nearly rolls his eyes.
"I can't see very well from horseback." He answers with forced kindness.
"You-"
"Where is Aragorn?!"
"Aragorn?!" Gilan hears his friends call and rushes over to them. An orc on the ground laughs.
"Where is he? Speak up!" Legolas spats with desperation.
"Seems like your friend took a little tumble off the cliff." Dread spreads over them.
"You lie!" The orc dies and Legolas lets him go, picking up something small from the beast's hand.
"Get the wounded on horses. The wolves of Isengard will return. Leave the dead." Théoden commands and Legolas turns to the man with fury. The king's face softens and he places a gentle hand on the elf's shoulder. "Come." The three, however, stay, disbelief leaving them quiet.
I do not own the song Touch The Sky from Brave. I just like it :)
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Out of Sight, Out of Mind//Legolas
FanfictionOnce Gandalf offers him a seat among the Council of Imladris, Gilan joins the fellowship on its way to destroy the One Ring. He is, however, met with some prejudices, for he is just a bard. And blind, but that would have nothing to do with it, right...
