Paths That Lead Home (LotR F.F.)

Chapter 21: Edoras

Abby's POV:

"One stage of your journey is over. Another begins," said Gandalf as he led us through the forest. "War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed."

"Edoras?" said Gimli. "That is no short distance."

"We hear of trouble in Rohan," said Aragorn. "It goes ill with the king."

"Yes," said Gandalf, "and it will not be easily cured."

"Then we have run all this way for nothing," grumbled Gimli. "Are we to leave those poor Hobbits here in this horrid, dark, dank, tree-infested-" The trees around us began to groan as if protesting. "I mean charming," Gimli said quickly, "quite charming forest."

"It was more than chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn," said Gandalf. "A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains."

"In one thing you have not changed, dear friend," said Aragorn with a smile. "You still speak in riddles."

Gandalf laughed and we continued on. "A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days. The Ents are going to wake up and find that they are strong."

"Strong, you say?" asked Gimli. "Oh, that's good."

"So stop your fretting, Master Dwarf," said Gandalf. "Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they are far safer than you are about to be."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked cautiously. Gandalf just turned back to me and winked.

"This new Gandalf is more grumpy that the old one," grumbled Gimli and I had to agree along with more frustrating.

I walked next to Legolas. "So Ents are walking and talking trees?"

"Yes."

"Ok, like that is normal," I muttered, making him snort in laughter.

We emerged from the forest. Three horses, a brown and white along with Donovan, were looked up at us. Donovan came over to me while the other two wen to Aragorn and Legolas.

"Where did you get your horses?" I asked Legolas.

"Éomer lent them to us," the elf answered, stroking his white horse. "Where did you get your horse?"

"Also Éomer. He said Donovan bonded to me."

Legolas looked surprised. "He did?"

I nodded as Gandalf made a loud and long whistle. After a few seconds of silence, a neigh came from the distance, and a pure white stallion appeared, winning towards us.

"That is one of the Mearas unless my eyes are cheated by some spell," awed Legolas.

The horse came up to Gandalf. "Shadowfax," Gandalf introduced. "He is the lord of all horses, and has been my friend through many dangers."

Everyone mounted their horses, and I mounted Donovan. It surprised me that Gimli was riding with Legolas. I guess a lot happened between them these passed few days. Shadowfax, with Gandalf, surged forward. Aragorn and Legolas followed.

"Please don't let me fall," I whisper to Donovan and I urged him forward. He trotted at first, but soon he was galloping beside the others. We rode for a few hours until it got dark, then we decide to make camp for the night.

Like he did the night before, Donovan laid behind me and I leaned back on him, petting his neck. We didn't have a fire, but the stars shone down on us.