Aria the Black (Book 2 of the Daughters of Durin Trilogy)

Chapter 19: The White Wizard

"A red sun rises. Blood has been spilled this night." Legolas announced as he watched the sunrise, Aragorn, Gimli and himself standing atop a hill. They had been pursuing the Uruk-Hai and the Orcs all night, and had almost managed to catch them.

All throughout the day that followed the red sun, the remainder of the Fellowship ran through every meadow and plain to reach the hobbits. Their chase was going about as usual, with Aragorn and Legolas in the lead, with Gimli far-very far- behind.

But soon enough, the trackers heard the sounds of hoofbeats. They quickly hid behind the nearby boulders, but the clever riders saw this and encircled them. They carried no flags, for everyone knew who they were by their attire. They rode ponies, not horses, and their armor was strong, coming from forges of their native mountain. Two white steeds led them. They donned no helmets, letting their faces tell their story.

"The dwarves of Erebor! My kin." Gimli exclaimed, chuckling merrily. "And of course, the finest rulers the mountain has seen. You age just like wine- fine and regal as ever. King Thorin and Queen Ravonna."

"As do you, my son." Thorin dismounted, giving Gimli a firm embrace, although he was really Gloin's son. The King now considered everyone from the Company his blood, as well as each dwarf's individual family. Ravonna embraced him soon after, laughing at his joy. She had also known him since he was a small lad.

"Ah! My father!" Gimli embraced his real kin, Gloin, bringing tears of relief to both of their eyes. "And my son." Gloin replied, clapping the shorter dwarf on the shoulders. The reunion between father and son was much needed, and the rest of the dwarves with Gimli. It gave Ravonna and Thorin hope; hope that Aria was still alive. If one of the two dwarves' resilience had kept them safe thus far, then the others' should too. The same blood coursed through Aria and Gimli's veins.

Ravonna then looked upon the latter of the bunch, giving them slight nods. Her amends had been made with each of them. Now was not the time to discuss it. "Aragorn and Legolas. It is good to see you alive and well."

"As it is to you, my Queen." Aragorn responded humbly. "And my King."

They both gave their nods to Thorin as well. "Why do you travel these parts alone? Where is the rest of your company?" He skipped the formalities with the other two. The King was too concerned for his daughter's welfare, now that he did not see her with them.

"The Uruk-Hai had attacked us right outside of Lothlorien, and we were forced to split. Merry and Pippin, two hobbits in the Fellowship, were taken prisoner by the Orcs. We have been following their trail ever since." Legolas informed him.

"But then where is Gandalf? He too traveled among you, did he not?"

"He did." Aragorn replied solemnly to the King. "We were forced to venture through the Mines of Moria, before Lothlórien. There, he was taken, by a monster of shadow and flame."

"A Balrog?" Thorin muttered in disbelief. "A creature so terrible has not been sighted in many moons."

"Gandalf is dead?" Ravonna interjected, cutting right to the chase.

"Yes. I am sorry."

Thorin lowered his head in respect, a silence falling over the scene. But Ravonna had a strange look in her eyes, almost as if she didn't believe them. "He will he missed." Thorin announced in discontent.

"And the Ring-Bearer? Our daughter?" Ravonna's voice wavered as she took a step towards them. Thorin put a hand on his wife's waist in comfort, and a soft, yet sad smile crept across her face.

"He walks on to Mordor. Your daughter and the Ring-Bearer's closest companion accompany him."

"Though why she dares to follow, we do not know." Gimli interrupted Aragorn swiftly, earning looks from both Thorin and Aragorn for his boldness.