From Wyoming, to Middle-earth

Chap. 27 - Helms Deep and The Return

The gates opened, and let us through. My eyes were still red. People stared at us, and then bowed their heads. Théoden stopped next to Eowyn.

"So few, so few of you have returned!" she said.

I started to sob again, and Legolas patted my back.

"Our people our safe. We have paid for it with many lives," the king said softly.

"Lord Aragorn? Where.. Where is he?" Eowyn asked quietly.

"He.. He fell," Gimli said, and bowed his head. I started to cry again. Eowyn's face showed a look of hurt again, and she walked away. We wandered around until we found the stables. I put Arroch into a stall, and stayed with him. I brushed out his mane and tail, and cleaned out his hooves. I planned to sleep in the stables. Arroch was the only thing Aragorn had gifted me with.

I heard footsteps, and I looked up. Legolas looked at me, "Alex, you must rest. There are rooms being prepared for us."

"I plan to stay in here," I said. I know it sounded stupid, but hey.

"No. I know you miss him. I.. I miss him. He was my best friend. But you need rest. In a real room. It'll help you regain your strength," Legolas murmured, and opened the stall door, "Come."

I stood up. He was right. I needed actual sleep. I followed Legolas out of the stables, and through the crowd of worried people. We opened the huge wooden doors to the great hall. King Théoden walked up to us.

"Legolas, Alex. I am truly sorry. Your rooms are down the hall on the right. then turn left. They have green paint on the doors. Take some rest, my friends. But be prepared for battle at any time. Go."

Legolas and I walked slowly to our rooms in silence. I thought of Gimli.

"Legolas, where's Gimli?" I asked him.

"He's already in his room sleeping. It's been rough for him."

"Oh," I said, and we reached our rooms. Torches lined the hallway. I turned to Legolas, "Sleep well."

He nodded, "You as well."

I opened up the door, and walked into the small room. Two candles were the only source of light, and it was quite dim. It'll do. I took off my weapons, and set them next to my bed. I reached for my locket, which wasn't there. I sat down, and replayed the events of the day in my head. Once I got to the cliff part, I started to sob into the rough pillowcase. I fell asleep quickly.

~ARAGORN'S POINT OF VIEW~

I was floating, on my back in ice cold water. My head hurt, and I tried to lift up my hands. As I was floating, I reached the river bank. I closed my eyes, and tried to reach for the locket. It wasn't there. I gasped, and my eyes opened. I looked at my fingers. They were red and purple. I tried to move, but I couldn't gather up my strength. I looked around, and tried to recognize the river bank. I laid on my back, still. I started to shiver. The sun went down, and the night's cold temperatures set in. In the dark, I saw something coming towards me. I reached for my sword. My strength was returning bit by bit. The figure came closer and nuzzled my face. It was a horse. Brego? The horse leaned down, and allowed me to climb up onto it's back. My legs were numb from the water's frigid temperature.

The horse stood up, and started to walk away from the river. Its body heat gradually warmed me, and I looked towards the sunset. In the dim light, I glanced at the horse. Brego. It was Brego!

"Brego, lead me to Helms Deep," I muttered. My lips were cold, so I couldn't talk very well. Brego seemed to understand, and galloped off to the north.

~LEGOLAS'S POINT OF VIEW~

I woke up early, before the sun had even risen. I walked into the hallway. Gimli was awake but wasn't in his room, and Alex was still sleeping. In the great hall, King Théoden was talking with his guard, Hàma.

I nodded my good morning, and went outside. The cool morning air chilled me, but I paid no attention to it. I looked out into the valley. Further out, I saw a man riding a horse. I shrugged it off, and felt my pocket for Alex's locket. Good. I was planning to give it back to her.

Gimli was standing by the gates in the courtyard by himself. I looked back for the horse. It was coming closer. I spun around, and headed for Gimli, aware of the approaching man and horse. Now they were at least a mile away from the stone city.

Gimli looked up, and saw me. He slowly made his way up the stairs, sadly holding his axe. The man and horse came even closer, and soon rode through the gate. I recognized the tired man immediately. Aragorn. He was alive!

"He's alive!" I heard people exclaim. I smiled, and stayed at the top of the stairs. Gimli shoved his way through the crowd.

"Where is he? Where is he? Get out of the way! I'm going to kill him! You are the luckiest, the canniest, and the most reckless man I ever knew!" Gimli yelled, and approached him. Aragorn dismounted Brego, and Gimli hugged him, "Bless you laddie."

Aragorn smiled, "Gimli, where is the king?"

Gimli nodded in the direction where the great hall was, and Aragorn nodded and patted his shoulder. Aragorn quickly went up the stairs and stopped in front of me.

"Le abdollen. (Your late) You look terrible," I said, and smirked.

Aragorn laughed, and I handed his locket back to him. He took it, and closed his hand, "Hannon le. (Thank you) Where is she?" Aragorn looked behind me, and I could tell that Eowyn was looking at him in amazement.

"She is sleeping, but perhaps she is awake now," I said. Aragorn nodded, and put his hand on my shoulder. He started to go into the hall.

Yay! He's alivvvve. Well no duh there if you've seen the movie XD