Ithildin - Legolas x OC

Chapter 34: Adar

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Three days later—Aragorn a lot calmer with Legolas once I told him Gimli was only riling him up—we wait in Theoden's hall anxiously.

Aragorn has been seated on the highest ridge of Edoras since last night, hoping to see the beacons of Gondor light. He has tried to convince Theoden to ride out to Gondor when the time comes, but the king has given nothing away in his decision.

So all we can do now, is wait.

Others mill about the main hall, but I stand beside Legolas as we watch Theoden speak with his advisers, Gimli seated before us with his pipe.

"Do you think he will do it?" I murmur quietly. "Ride to war?"

"In truth, I do not know." Legolas replies at the same volume.

My head abruptly turns, and I stand straight when Aragorn pushes open the doors to the hall and charges in.

"The beacons of Minas Tirith!" He calls out. "The beacons are lit!" He runs through, everyone watching him as he stops before Theoden. "Gondor calls for aid," he breathes heavily.

The hall is silent as all eyes turn to Theoden, waiting. I hold my breath, my eyes narrowing as he thinks.

Eventually, he says, "And Rohan will answer." I breathe out in relief. "Muster the Rohirrim!"

Across the hall, Eomer nods, sharing a look with his sister before turning away. Aragorn turns to us, and I smile at him and nod, watching as relief crosses his features.

Chaos ensues in the hour that follows as everyone gathers what belongings they require and gets into their armour.

I glance around at the families who bid farewell to their men who are and are not soldiers, another brutal battle about to take most of them away forever.

"Horsemen!" Gimli grumbles from behind Legolas on the saddle. "I wish I could muster a legion of Dwarves, fully armed and filthy."

"Your kinsmen may have no need to ride to war." Legolas tells him. "I fear war already marches on their own lands."

Gimli grumbles in response as I pull my horse up beside them. Legolas looks to me, hesitant to say something, but Eomer draws our attention.

"Now is the hour!" Eomer calls as everyone mounts their horses. "Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken. Now, fulfil them all. To lord and land! Hya!"

He sets off, his Rohirrim following him as Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and I charge to the front of the group, beside him and Theoden. Everyone else falls into line behind us. Even little Merry rides his own pony, a broad smile on his face.

*

When we reach Dunharrow two days later, the encampment is already full of armoured soldiers with tents and canopies pitched far and wide around us.

"Grimbold, how many?" Theoden asks as we pass.

"I bring five hundred men from the Westfold, my Lord." He calls back.

"We have three hundred more from Fenmarch, Theoden King!" Someone else shouts.

"Where are the riders from Snowbourn?" Theoden asks.

"None have come, my Lord." Gamling tells him.

We turn down the path and ride towards the mountain before us, hundreds more soldiers lining the grass beside us.

Our company set up camp upon a ridge up the mountain, the thin trail slowing the process of everyone marching up.

After dismounting and checking my horse is fed and watered, I turn my head as Aragorn walks past, towards Theoden looking down at the camp below.