Le Melin, Beloved Consort (Aragorn)

Chapter Thirteen, The Beacons

Chapter Thirteen, The Beacons

Aragorn was outside with Calén siending some quality time together just sitting in each other's arms enjoying this moment of peace they had. But there was an under lining of fear as each went on Sauron got stronger especially when Pippin had used the Plantir but fortunately he told Sauron nothing and they were able to get a glimpse of what he had next which was to attack Gondor so Gandalf and Pippin had rushed off to warn them, but as each day went by Calén got weaker as his strength was waining. Just yesterday he had not been able to hold a book. "Aragorn." Calén called.
"Yes my love?" Aragorn asked starring into his mesmerising eyes.
"If I do not make it..." Calén started but Aragorn cut him off.
"No you will my love have hope, have faith!" Aragorn said almost desperately.

"Please let me just say this?" Calén asked his emerald eyes shinning with tears. "If I do not make it please promise me you'll find someone to make you happy."
"My love I do not think there is anyone else in this world who will ever or can ever make me as happy as you do." Aragorn told him seriously his hand on Calén's cheek. "But I will try but nothing is going to happen to you. I won't let it." Aragorn swore. Calén sighed nodding his head he knew how stubborn his One could be. Turning to look in the distance he noticed a fire burning on the hillside. "Aragorn look!" Calén called pointing where he'd seen the fire.

Looking up to where Calén was pointing Aragorn's eyes widened as he saw the beacons were lit. "It's the beacons Gondor calls for help. We have to Theoden." Aragorn said as he helped his love to stand as they ran towards the Council Chamber bursting in on what seemed to be a meeting. Boromir, Legolas and Haldir coming through another door no doubt having seen the beacons as well. "The beacons are lit. Gondor calls for aid." Aragorn informed the Council. There was a pregnant pause as everyone looked to King Theoden waiting to see what he would do. "Uncle?" Eomer questioned.

"And Rohan will answer." Theoden said fiercely immediately setting things into motion as everyone raced out to get ready to leave.
"Calén!" Haldir called seeing his friend in armour and climbing onto a horse.
"Where do you think you're going? Your strength is leaving you as the light of the Evenstar leaves you." Haldir exclaimed. Theoden, Boromir, Eomer and Aragorn got the men ready and sent them off to gather more men and to meet at Dunharrow on the second day as the third they ride for war. "I'm just riding to the encampment." Calén told his friend innocently as he sat gracefully on his horse. Haldir looked at his friend dubiously but nodded as he, his brothers and the other Elves climbed onto horses as well following the Eorlingas to the encampment along with Eoywen.

***

"Make way for the King." A soldier shouted as they rode into the camp. "My Lords." Another soldier bowed as they past, Théoden waved while the rest nodded at the soldier.  "Grimbold, how many?" Théoden asked his trusted soldier.
"I have five hundred men from the Westfold, My Lord." Grimbold replied solemnly. Théoden sighed but nodded his head as they continued to ride past. "We have three hundred from Fenmark, Théoden King." Another soldier called out.
"Where are the riders from Snowburn?" Theoden asked.
"None have come My King." Grimbold sighed. Théoden nodded sadly, but cast a suspicious glance at Calén, he would keep an eye on him. He continued his way up a small hill followed by his family. "Six thousand spears." Eomer sighed. "That is not nearly enough"

"Six thousands is not enough to break the lines of Mordor." Legolas said softly.
"More will come." Théoden assured as he turned to go back down the hill but stopped in front of Eomer and Aragorn to whisper something to them. Whatever he had told them they were not happy about it as determined looks appeared on their faces, Théoden nodded at them and continued his journey down the hill. "They won't come." Calén muttered as he pulled his cloak around him to protect him from the chilly wind. "Nevertheless, we must leave by dawn." Boromir replied grimly.

***

"A true esquire of Rohan." Eoywen said proudly as she stepped back from Merry dressed in armour. "I'm ready." Merry cried as whipped out his sword just missing Eowyn as she jumped back out of the way. "Sorry." Merry apologised. "It isn't all that dangerous. It's not even sharp."
"Well, that's no good. You won't kill many Orcs with a blunt blade." Calén said frowning from the chair behind Eoywen. "You look tired Calén are you alright?" Eoywen asked.
"I'm fine." Calén refuted but Eoywen did not believe him but decided to leave it for now as she turned back to Merry. "Come on." She said as she and Calén led Merry outside where he whipped his sword around him like he'd seen the others do. "To the smithy. Go!" Eoywen ordered a smile on her face. "You should not encourage him." Eomer said firmly before turning back to finish his dinner.

"You should not doubt him." Eoywen argued her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face. "I do not doubt his heart, only the reach of his arm." Eomer says snidely chuckling quietly with Glamdring only for both men to whelp holding their heads where Calén had slapped them his eyes burning with anger. "Why should Merry be left behind? He has much cause to go to war as you do!" He argued glaring at the two men.

Sighing Eomer turned back around to face them but flinched at the young Elf's glare. "Why can he not fight for those he loves?" Eoywen continued looking over to where Boromir sat chatting to Aragorn, Haldir, Legolas and Gimli
"You know as little of war as that hobbit Eoywen. And so do you Calén." Eomer argued with his sister and his new friend. "I know more than you think." She argued back. "I stayed behind in the caves to hold off the Uraki to give the other women and children time to escape."

"And so do I that's why my mother and all the Elves didn't want me to leave Lothlorien. The Vallor sent me here after my last life. I was wizard and there was a war worse then this that I had been fighting in since fourteen to seventeen when they sent me here, trained since eleven and watched my parents get myrdered my a Dark Wizard when I was a babe. I was tortured to nearly insanity, watched countless people I love die before I killed the Dark Wizard and died myself!" Calén snapped at Eomer shocking everyone. He and Eoywen shook off Eomer's hands and ignored what ease he had to say as he went to his tent so he could rest. Eoywen knee that much like her Calén and Merry weren't going to stay behind and she had come to care a great deal for the young Elf and Hobbit and swore to herself she would protect them.

***

"Promise me you'll stay here? I don't want any arm to come to you?" Aragorn asked Calén. They had just told him their plan after Lord Elrond had paid them a visit gifting Aragorn the sword of the King. "I promise." Calén said softly. "Promise me you'll look after each other and all of you will come back?" He asked.
"We promise."The men in front of him promised hugging their friend while Aragorn pulled him into a passionate kiss before they saddled their horses. "Don't worry Lad." Gimli said gruffly to him. "I'll make sure he comes back to ya."

"Make sure you come back too Gimli." Calén said as he hugged the Dwarf making him blush and splutter much like he did when his mother kissed his forehead. Once they were out of sight he went back to his tent he had shared with Aragorn and formulated a plan.

***

"Ride with me." Calén whispered as he pulled Merry up on to the horse he was ridding an arm going around his waist to keep him steady. "Calén." Merry smirked as they charged into the fray with the others making sure to stay behind the other's so they didn't notice him. They rode non stop only drinking some water and eating lambass bread to make sure they all had enough energy to fight the coming battle.

End of chapter!