To The End Of Her Days - A Fanfiction Sequel to The Lord of the Rings

Chapter 11 - A Fool's Hope

Everyone was speechless at what Lord Faramir had just told them. They all thought they were going to have more time before the orcs would target the city. They feared for their ability to protect and defend the city during the dead of winter with so little time to prepare. A lot more lives would be at risk.

"How long do you think we have?" Belethor asked, breaking a momentary silence.

"When they begin their advance, we should be able to hold them off long enough to make sure most of our troops can return to the city. We think this should give you six to seven days from now."

Without a word, Arwen stood up and started running out of the room.

"Arwen, where are you going?" the king asked.

"To light the beacons!" she shouted over her shoulder as she continued to run.

She ran through the city as fast as possible, not even noticing people staring at her, in shock that she had returned to the White City after all these long years. Some remembered the day when she was running through the streets in terror of Hallas and no one, not even the city guards, acknowledged her cries for help. This time, she was not being chased, but she ran with the same sense of urgency as she did all those years ago, but for something even more important.

She climbed up the mountain, as cold as it was from the snow and winter's chill. She lit the first beacon and watched the beacon of Amon Din being lit in the distance. When she returned, the king praised her act of courage.

"You have done Gondor and its king a great service," Aragorn praised her.

"To honor this act of service, will you grant my request, my king?"

"What is your request, Arwen?"

"My heart's most earnest desire is to have peace once again, and the only way I know to ensure this is to request that you allow me to fight in the battle alongside Gondor's soldiers."

"How can I allow you to do such a thing?" Aragorn asked, "The orcs will be seeking you out. They will most certainly recognize you."

"They will not recognize me," Arwen insisted.

"How can you be so certain of this?" Belethor asked.

She sighed, knowing the time had come to reveal her secret. She closed her eyes and let down her hair. No one except the queen, Belthil, Rosie, and Goldie knew before this moment, because she continued to wear her hair twisted to the crown of her head so no one could tell. Queen Arwen and Belthil discovered this when she was injured, but they honored Arwen's request not to say anything until she was ready. Everyone present was speechless.

"I did this before I left the Shire," Arwen broke the long silence. "I knew I would be hunted, but I wanted to ensure my ability to protect those I love most. So I cut my hair. Now I know they will not recognize me because my hair is not as curly as most of my kin. I can wear the armor of Gondor and cover my feet with shoes so I can pass as the son of a man. Now may I be granted permission to join your troops in the battle?"

The king could not argue with her resolve. "If you truly desire this, I will see the proper preparations made. I know you understand what you are doing, Arwen. Your father would be proud of you. May goodness protect you, my child."

Arwen and all of Gondor's armed forces spent the next week in preparation for the battle. Troops from all the major cities came to Minas Tirith to help defend their capital. The king discussed battle strategies with his captains, Belethor, Faramir, and his son Ararion.

Meanwhile, the king ordered a smaller suit of armor to be fitted to Arwen. He also requested special boots be fitted to her feet. She decided to go by the name Arador in battle as the name of a man, and if anyone discovered her heritage but not her gender, she would go by Anson Brandybuck, claiming to be Merry's son. She made preparations for herself the best she could, but everything was so uncertain.