The Lady of Rivendell

Chapter 15

Theodred was dead, suspected to have been killed by Grima and Saruman. Gandalf had accompanied Theoden to bury his child and comfort him in his grief, but there was no way to ease the feeling of losing a child.

It was then though that a horse arrived with two children on its back, a boy that promptly passed out from the duration of their journey. The brother and sister were ushered to the palace as they told their story and joined the royals and warriors for dinner, the Lady Eowyn looking much more like herself now that her father was returned to her.

"They had no warning," she said. "They were unarmed. Now the wildmen are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go."

Gandalf sat beside the king's throne as Allora, Aragorn and Gimli sat at a table, eating, Legolas standing beside Allora as he always did so.

"Rick, cot and tree," the Lady said before placing a blanket around the girl's shoulders.

"Where is Mama?" she asked as Eowyn hushed her because that was all she could do, for they had no answer for her.

"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash," Gandalf explained to the troubled king. "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 your women and children," Gandalf advised and Allora rolled her eyes at the notion that women should not fight. She commanded scores of males and females in battle before, then again, her people always seemed to be the more advanced race.

"What are you looking at now?" she asked Legolas who she caught staring at her as he smiled, knowing full well her opinion on the matter.

"Someone...extraordinary," he answered, and her lips turned upwards into a surprised smile.

"You must fight," Gandalf continued as he placed his hand atop Theoden's.

"You have 2000 good men riding north as we speak. Eomer is loyal to you," Aragorn said and Allora nodded.

"It is by his generosity and bravery alone that we were given the means to reunite with Gandalf and thus free you," she said.

"He and his men will return and fight for their king," Aragorn finished as the king stood from his throne.

"They will be 300 leagues from here by now," he said as he paced the dining hall. "Eomer cannot help us. I know what it is you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."

"Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not," Aragorn pointed out as Allora cut an apple in half with Legolas' dagger, growing ever tired of old men not listening to reason.

The king turned on the four members of the Fellowship and Legolas unclasped his hands, ready to defend his Lady should the situation call for it. "When last I looked, Theoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan."

And Gimli let out a burp as he downed his tankard, the liquid dripping down his beard as Allora gave him a look of disgust. "Filthy cursed Dwarves," she remarked in Elvish, but Legolas kept his smile at bay as he faced the king.

"Then what is the king's decision?" Gandalf wondered and Theoden turned as silence fell across the hall before its walls echoed with the answer.

And with their weapons in hand, the five of them marched through the fleeing town towards the stables.

"Helm's deep?!" Gimli grumbled. "They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king?"

"He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people," Aragorn defended.