Oblivion

Part 10

Reunited

I wake up on a horse, Helm's Deep in the distance. I feel someone supporting my back as we ride. I rest my head back on their shoulder and look at Legolas.

"This reminds me of another time..a little while ago, in a certain forest." My voice was raspy from sleep. He glanced down at me. "My hero has saved me again!" I say dramatically. This time his lips twitched. I move my hand to my side and feel fabric wrapped tightly around me. I sigh as my eyes get heavy again. I forgot to ask about Aragorn...oh well...

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I am awakened again by noises all around me. I slowly open my eyes and see Éowyn by my side. Her hands tending to my wound. We seem to be in Helm's Deep. We made it.

"Hi." I grumble. Éowyn looked up with wide eyes, they were red and puffy.

"Oh, good morning Miss Autumn." She says as she continues her work.

"Are you ok?" I ask, waking up more by the second.

"Yes I'm quite fine, thank you." She responds.

"What is–"

"Ahhh, Autumn!" Gimli's voice approaches us. "It's nice to see you awake." He smiles softly. Legolas follows from behind him. I try my best to sit up. I smile at them, but they don't return it. I sat for a second trying to figure out what was going on. Between the sad looks and Éowyn's quietness. Then I understood.

"Where's Aragorn?" My voice gets quiet and weak.

"He didn't make it." Gimli's low voice seems to knock me over. My eyes start watering and I lower myself back to the ground. A tear silently slides down my cheek.

"I'm sorry." Gimli says. I grasp Éowyn's hand and we both cry together. My side aches in response to my body shaking. But the pain feels good. I feel like I deserve it in a way. Sounds weird, but it feels right. Gimli and Legolas leave us alone to grieve.

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A few hours later I woke up from a nap. My eyes were swollen and my heart was heavy. I stared at an empty stone wall. That's when Éowyn started to approach me with a smile on her face.

"My lady, come with me." She helped me up and I started to walk with her. Well, more like hobbled. As I stood I realized that my hair was let down and it flowed behind me.

"Where are you taking me? Has something happened?" I asked.

"Just wait." I gripped onto Éowyn's shoulder for support as my heart started racing. What happened? "My lady, we are here." We turn a corner and I look around at the faces in front of me. Then I pick out a few familiar faces. Gimli....Legolas... and right next to both of them is Aragorn. Alive and well. My heart springs and my side aches as I attempt to run to him. Aragorn spots me and smiles. He wraps me in his arms and slightly lifts me off the ground.

"OWWWWW!" I whine. He sets me down. I grip my side.

"Sorry." He says embarrassed. I smiled at him.

"It's good to have you back." I grab his hands and give them a reassuring squeeze. We stay like that for a few moments before Legolas jumps in.

"Has anyone informed her about the Uruk-hai?" He says in a hurried manner. I let go of Aragorn's hands.

"No." I say and look between everyone's faces.

"They will be here by nightfall." Gimli says coming from behind Aragorn and Legolas. "We must be ready for battle." I stood frozen for a few seconds.

"Heh. WHAT?!?!" My mouth is hanging open. "But I can't fight." I gesture to my side.

"We know. That's why you are staying with the rest of the women and children." Aragorn says. I wrinkle my nose.

"Uhhh. No." I cross my arms, cautious of my wound.

"It's out of the question. You're not arguing with us on this." Legolas says sternly. I look at him with probably an ugly face. His expression softens and he puts his hands on my shoulders. Lowering his head to my level. "Look, you are already hurt. And I couldn't stand to see you hurt again. So please, let me protect you." He looked into my eyes and I licked my dry lips. My heart is beating just a little bit faster. I sighed in defeat and slowly nodded my head. "Thank you Autumn." He put his hands on my face and kissed my forehead. My eyes widened and my face heated. I looked up and we maintained eye contact for a second before he turned and walked away. I stared after him.

"He's very fond of you." Aragorn said. I jumped a little bit. I had forgotten he was even there. "I've never seen him like this before." He gave me a sly grin. I glared back.

"Well I've never seen you with your two front teeth knocked out but never say never!" I exclaimed. Gimli bursts out in laughter. I grin.

"Oh, good one laddie!"

And with that, they started to walk off. I grabbed Aragorn and hugged him one more time. He was surprised at first but he returned the hug with a chuckle.

"You're not so little anymore." He rested his chin on my head.

"Be careful ok?" I pulled away. He ruffled my hair and gave me a sad smile. Then he went to prepare for battle. And I was stuck alone. Awaiting for the sun to set and the battle to begin.

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The sun was setting. The women and children were starting to evacuate to the "safe room." And the men were all starting to get anxious. I could see it in their expressions. I was getting scared too, to be quite honest. As the sky turned bright orange and pink, I went to find my friends. I asked an older man if he'd seen Aragorn by any chance. He directed me to a room where many men were scurrying around. Getting prepared. Gathering courage, and strength. Then I heard someone yell.

"Then I will die as one of them!"

I knew that voice. The room got quiet and I snaked my way through the people. Aragorn and Legolas were...fighting? Bruh what. Aren't they like... best buds?

"What's going on here?" I ask. I stand off to the side. They stared at one another. "Let's not kill each other just yet." Aragorn looks at me, turns around and leaves. Legolas steps forward. I rushed in front of him and put a hand on his chest to stop him.

"Let him go, lad. Let him be." Gimli says from next to me. Legolas is still looking after him.

"Hey. Look at me." I say. His head turns and looks down at me. "It's gonna be ok. Ok?"

He doesn't reply. " Aragorn's gonna be fine. Just give him some space." His eyebrows furrow and his eyes sadden. I pull him in for a hug. He gently wraps his arms around my body. "It's ok to be scared, you know. I am. Everyone in this room is. You don't have to be totally ok." I pull back and grab his face. I rested my forehead on his. "Now, go impale those ugly looking rats for me." I smile while he chuckles. We both pull away from each other. He starts to walk away, he looks back as he reaches the door. I nod. Then he was gone.