Holding Jadin in her arms, Alana kept an eye on the faces of the women she passed making sure everyone was doing as well as could be expected. With smiles for everyone who met her gaze, Alana reached the foremost cave and glanced around for Eowyn.
"Who do you have there?" Eowyn's voice called from behind her and Alana turned with a smile.
"Jadin, this is Princess Eowyn. Will you say hello?" She asked the small boy, and he peeked at Eowyn before a soft "Hello" passed through his lips. Eowyn smiled and stepped closer.
"Did everyone who needed get a blanket? I wish we had brought more down with us, and more food..." Alana nodded.
"I barely got everyone," She whispered to her friend "who knows how long the battle will last, and at least we brought some food." Eowyn sighed and began to continue toward the barred door.
"I wish I was up there--fighting with them." With a shake of her head Alana followed. Tugging on Eowyn's arm she pulled her into a side room so that few would hear her words.
"But you are here! So you can do what every woman and child in these caves needs. They need someone to reassure them it will be alright! They calm their children but wish for comfort themselves. That is why we are down here Eowyn. To keep the spirit of Rohan alive, to remind your women that they are the daughters of a great nation that will fight to the end to remove evil from it's lands." Eowyn looked down at the ground and nodded.
"I know this, but I wish..."
"We are their hope now, they look to you to lead them."
"Now you sound like Uncle." Eowyn looks up with a small grin and Alana answers with her own. "Alright, we can do this. Thank you for your words Alana, they have brought strength and hope to me." With a wave of her hand Alana brushes Eowyn's words away.
"It's nothing, just a little pep-talk."
"Pep-talk?" Eowyn asks slowly.
"A short speech meant to empower and bolster, it's a term from home." Alana explains looking a little sad.
"I like it!" Eowyn decided and gives Alana a squeeze on her arm. "My people need me, so I will lead like you say." Alana smiles and gives a small cheer.
"That's the spirit!"
Two hours later the children had mostly fallen asleep, the older girls helping their mothers tend the younger children. Jadin was stubbornly staying awake on Alana's shoulder, dozing and then jerking himself awake.
"I know you're sleepy." Alana teases him with a smile, and gives him a little tickle. Jadin giggles and shakes his head no.
"Not sleepy!" He emphatically states before yawning so big his face almost cracks.
"Hmm, I don't believe you. What if we play a game?" As Jadin nods his agreement Alana lays down the rules. "You have to sit down with me, and then we'll take turns singing songs. Whoever sings the most songs wins. Okay?" Jadin nods and Alana sits down against a pile of bags wrapping herself and Jadin in her cloak.
"Me first!" Jadin clamors as he settles himself into Alana's lap.
"Alright." She acquiesces and Jadin begins to sing a song about a horse who drank from a stream that made him burp. "Is that really a song? Or did you make it up?" Alana asks when he finishes, amazed at the concoction from his brain.
"I made it up with Daddy one day!" Jadin proudly admits.
"It was very funny! Now it's my turn, relax." Alana pushes him back into her arms and begins to rock side to side.
"Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dream of
Once in a lullaby
"Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dream of
Dreams really do come true
"Someday, I wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me
"Oh, Somewhere over the rainbow
Bluebirds fly
And the dreams that you dare to
Oh why, oh why can't I?
"Well, I see trees of green and red roses too
I'll watch them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself
What a wonderful world
"Well, I see skies of blue and I see clouds of white
And the brightness of day
I like the dark
And I think to myself what a wonderful world
"The colors of the rainbow so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people passing by
I see friends shaking hands saying
How do you do?
They're really saying I, I love you
"I hear babies cry and I watch them grow
They'll learn much more then we'll know
And I think to myself what a wonderful world, world
"Someday I'll wish upon a star
Wake up where the clouds are far behind me
Where trouble melts like lemon drops
High above the chimney top
That's where you'll find me
"Oh, somewhere over the rainbow
Way up high
And the dreams that you dare to
Why oh, why can't I?
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh." As the last notes echo a little through the caves, a content sigh escapes Jadin and Alana smiles at his sleeping form. Noticing everyone was calm, Alana closed her eyes and slept for the first time in 48 hours.
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Author's Note:
I feel like I should do a series of this, since there are a lot of possibilities for a whole story. It would help if you're confused about where Alana is from, and what happens before and after this story. Let me know what you think!
<3 Hestia
YOU ARE READING
Hope Rises
FanfictionTrapped in the caves below Helms Deep during the battle, a Alana shares her love with the women and children of Rohan. Plus everyone else when she gets out of the caves.
