Last Act of Love (Sequel to The Last One)

Chapter 15

Aragorn, Ruive, Legolas and Gimli were standing and sitting around a table having just recently returned from Théodred's funeral. Ruive had only met Théodred once when he was only a boy, but she remembered how full of life he was, he did not deserve death. Some time later, Théoden and Gandalf returned to the hall, a young boy in Théoden's arms and a young girl, presumably his little sister hurrying along behind him.     

Later, the children were scoffing down a stew, both looking much healthier. Éowyn sat next of the girl comforting her.   

"They had no warning, they were unarmed. Now the wildmen are moving through the westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot, and tree." Éowyn said disdainfully.

"Where is mama?" The girl, Freyda asked.

Éowyn laid a blanket over her shoulders and shushed her. 

"This is but a taste of the terror Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven mad by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight." Gandalf said to Théoden.

"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak. Éomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their King." Aragorn advised, smoking on his pipe.

 Théoden rose from his throne.  

"They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Éomer 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."

Ruive, who was leaning against the column behind Aragorn, took her pipe away from her mouth.

"Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not." 

"When I last looked, Théoden, not Ruive, was King of Rohan."Théoden all but growled.

Éowyn looked at Ruive with furrowed eyebrows. Was she really the Ruive from the legends, the tales she were told as a child?  

"Then what is the King's decision?" Gandalf asked.

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"Helm's Deep! They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their King?" Gandalf grumbled as they walked to the stables.

"He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past." Aragorn reassured.

"There is no way out of that ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he's leading them into safety. What they'll get is a massacre. Théoden has a strong will, but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end, Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you. Their defences have to hold." Gandalf insisted.

"They will hold." Aragorn nodded.

Gandalf stroked Shadowfax gently.

"The grey pilgrim, that's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men I have walked this earth and now I have no time. With luck my search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east." Gandalf instructed.

Ruive and Aragorn nodded.

"Go." Ruive urged.

Gandalf bolted out of the stables, Legolas and Gimli stepping out of the way. Aragorn walked over to a horse the stable-hands were trying to calm down, while Ruive walked over to Kerberos and began preparing him for the journey ahead.