In the Ruins//Legolas

Chapter 30; Two Kings

It has been a week since Mithrandir, Boromir and Pippin rode out to Gondor, and those left in Rohan still waited for any news.

"Oh, you are definitely cheating." Gimli huffed and threw away the cards in his hand.

"How could I possibly cheat, you literally shuffled and dealt the cards." Durion shrugged and rolled his eyes.

"I don't know how you do it, but there is no chance that an elf is that good at cards!"

"I have to, once again, remind you, master dwarf, that I was not raised by elves. I was raised by two wandering wizards on the road. I learned to read people and bluff well before I celebrated my first century."

"The two blue wizards?" Eomer asked, watching the two play.

"Yes, Alatar and Pallando." Durion nodded after taking a sip of water from his cup.

"Where are they now?" Eomer tried to sound nonchalant, but Durion heard the real question he was trying to hide: Are they fighting too?

"Honestly, I have no idea. I haven't seen them in centuries. I'm not even sure they are alive." The elf shrugged and watched Gimli grumiply shuffle the deck of playing cards. Eomer hummed, turning his eyes downward in thought. The door to the main hall suddenly swung open, Aragorn rushing inside.

"The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid." All eyes turned on him and then to King Theoden. A moment of silence passed by.

"And Rohan will answer! Muster the Rohirrim. Assemble the army at Dunharrow, as many men as can be found. You have two days. On the third, we ride for Gondor... and war." The King told Eomer and then turned to Gamling. "Gamling."

"My lord!"

"Make haste across the Riddermark. Summon every able-bodied man to Dunharrow."

"I will."

***

"Horse men! I wish I could muster an army of Dwarves, fully armed and filthy." Gimli sighed from where he was sitting behind Legolas on a horse. Durion, who sat on his own horse, looked over to them with a saddened look.

"Your kinsmen may have no need to ride to war. I fear war already marches on their own lands." Legolas tells the dwarf, eyes cast downward.

"I fear that even the peaceful halflings may feel something dark stirring near. Chin up, let us protect those we can." Durion told them both, giving them an encouraging smile.

"Aye!" Gimli laughed.

***

"Make way for the King! Make way, the King is here!" A voice calls as the small army arrives at the camp at Dunharrow.

"My Lord!" One of the soldiers approaches King Theoden. "Hail to you sire!"

"Grimbold, how many?"

"I bring 500 men from the Westfold, my Lord." Durion carefully keeps the disappointment behind a carefully crafted mask.

"We have 300 more from Fenmarch, Theoden King." A different soldier pipes in.

"Where are the riders from Snowbourn?"

"None have come, my Lord." Theoden nods and dismounts, walking up to a nearby high encampment. Aragorn follows after him.

"Six thousand isn't enough." Legolas sighs under his breath.

"Twelve thousand wouldn't be enough. We need more men." Gimli grumbles

"Preferably some who can't die." Jokes Durion, trying to lighten the mood. He fails. They take care of their horses, drying and brushing them. Gimli takes charge in tending to their hooves. They see that the animals are nervous, tugging at their reigns and neighing.