Aravan {A Lord of the Rings Story}

N•I•N•E

A/N: Hello everyone! I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to update; I have been so busy with school! Here's chapter nine for being so awesome and patient! I love you all! <3

N•I•N•E

Artanis rose very early the next morning. She sat up, stretched, yawned, and swung her legs over the bed. She sleepily made her way over to the washbasin and splashed her face with cool water, bouncing on the balls of her feet the entire time. She felt as if a huge weight had slipped off her shoulders and fallen to the ground around her. She felt free and light and happy.

After washing, she pulled a simple, grey cotton dress over her small frame and let her hair hang loosely around her shoulders. She climbed the stairs two at a time and came out into the great hall. She wasn’t surprised to find that it was completely empty; everyone was still sleeping. She did her best to stay quiet as she found some leftover scraps of food from the night before. She munched quietly on a slice of bread and found a seat by the door, losing herself in her thoughts.

Artanis was beyond happy to finally be in a place where she had protection and love and care. She missed Blue dearly and she still longed to be at his side, but she knew that if she had had to go off course, she had landed in a good place.  She smiled to herself and rested her chin in her palm, allowing her fingers to lightly tap at her lips. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, soaking it all in.

She stayed there until the sun finally rose. Edoras quickly became a flurry of activity. Artanis stood from her spot by the door and found Éowyn.

‘What is going on?’ she asked her, watching the slews of people pouring in and out of the doors, seemingly with all of their possessions in tow.

‘We are to evacuate the city today,’ Éowyn replied solemnly. Artanis noticed the frown that had found a home upon her lips and the furrow in her brow.

‘You do not wish to leave,’ she replied.

Éowyn looked her in the eye and shook her head. ‘We have no choice.’

They stood and watched for some time, noticing and remembering every single face that came in before the king to ask questions and learn guidelines. The grim faces that Artanis saw that day would stick with her for years to come.

Finally, Éowyn said, ‘Shall I help you gather your things?’

Artanis nodded. ‘Yes, thank you.’

They retreated back down the stone steps. In the room, they stuffed Artanis’s few possessions into a worn burlap bag that she could wear on her back. She put in on as they proceeded back to the King’s Hall.

‘Éowyn!’ Éomer called. ‘Have your preparations been made?’

‘Yes. Artanis and I are ready to leave.’

He nodded. ‘Good thing, too. We’re departing now.’

Éowyn turned to look once more at the King’s Hall, then took a breath and stepped out of the large doors and into the glaring sunlight. Artanis followed obediently after her. The wind lashed through the skirts of their dresses and through their hair, sending them whipping all about as they descended down the steps. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli saddled up next to them.

‘Off to the stables?’ Legolas asked Artanis.

She shrugged. ‘I do not know. Are we?’

He laughed. ‘Yes, we are.’

She smiled. ‘Then yes, we are “off to the stables”.’

The stables were not very far from the King’s Hall. They had only been walking for a few minutes when they came upon it. Aragorn frowned.