The Return of the King and Queen

Chapter 30: Time at Dunhan

It had not been long since the company of Theoden had reached Dunnham but that didn't mean that Amdiriel wasn't already on edge. This had not been her first time to the mountain but the darkness that dwelled over it made it feel like it was.

Aragon and Amdiriel had both found their respective tents next to each other. Amdiriel was just taking off her daggers when she heard someone approach her tent. "Knock, knock." said a deep male voice before in walked Aragorn, hands covering his eyes. "Are you clothed, love?" he asked. Amdiriel giggled and went over and kissed his lips quickly. "I am." she chuckled causing Aragorn to remove his hand from his face. "All settled?" he asked while Amdiriel placed her bow and quiver down on the bed. "Do you know what numbers we are yet?" Amdiriel asked. "No, I figured you would want to see Theoden with me." Aragorn admitted.

Amdiriel was about to reply but a searing pain shot through her body, coming from under her right shoulder. "Ahh!" Amdiriel exclaimed as she grabbed her shoulder, Aragorn quick at her side. "Amdi, are you alright?" he asked as the woman exclaimed again in pain and reached for her lower right hip. "What is it, my love?" Aragorn asked as he held her and helped her to sit on the bed. Amdiriel's eyes clenched shut as a tear fell. But opened her eyes when she realized what it was that caused the pain.

"Faramir." She whispered and then shot up and began to grab her weapons to attach them to her body. "What are you doing?" Aragorn questioned. "He's hurt, it could be fatal. I have to go to him." Amdiriel replied urgently. "You are in no shape to ride all the way to Minas Tirith. It's a 3-day ride." Aragorn tried. "He's my brother, Aragorn. I have to try." "Thousands of orcs may stand between you and the city. You will be in no condition to fight them if you leave now. You are no good to Faramir or your people dead, Amdiriel." Aragorn told her.

"But-" Amdiriel tried but the ranger cut her off. "What would your brothers have you do?" Amdiriel sighed and sat down on her cot as she stared down at her hands. "They would have me rest and to come to the city with the army and not be reckless." She knew Aragorn was right as much as she may not have liked it. Aragorn stood in front of the woman with his hands out. Amdiriel sighed loudly and proceeded to remove the weapons from her body and hand them to the ranger who then placed them off to the side. Once that was done he joined her on the cot and wrapped Amdiriel in his embrace, her head on his chest while he leaned his head against the top of hers.

"You never told me you could feel their injuries." Aragorn said after a moment. "I guess it never came up. I only feel it when there is a possibility it could be fatal." Amdiriel replied. "How long?" Aragorn asked. "I don't really know. I only found out when I was 17. Faramir, Boromir, and I had been defending South Ithilien. During the battle, I was being overrun with orcs. I had my back turned and would have never seen the attack coming but Faramir did. He took the blow for me, resulting in a stab to the stomach. I thought he was going to die but he fought through it. That's how we found out." Amdiriel explained. "Did you feel it when Boromir-'' Aragorn stopped himself as his mind flashed memories of that dreadful day. Amdiriel nodded her head. "I'm sorry, Amdi...I know I can't take the pain away but know that Gandalf is there with your brother and will do what he can to save him. And like you said he fought the first time. I know he would fight with the hope of you coming home and him getting to see you again." Aragorn told her. Amdiriel nodded her head wanting to believe the man that held her close. "I just hope, Denethor has not broken that hope." She whispered more to herself than Aragorn but he heard it.

"Come let us see how many have gathered." Aragorn said as he unraveled himself from Amdiriel. The two then walked out of the tent together and soon found King Theoden standing near the edge of the cliff, looking down at the army that laid below their encampment.

The two join the king who is silent for a moment "Six thousand spears, less than half of what I hoped for." confessed Theoden. "Six thousand will not be enough to break then lines of Mordor." Aragorn informed him. "But it's more than what we had yesterday." Amdiriel noted. Theoden then looked at the two "And more will come." he said and was about to walk away but Aragorn spoke, making him stop. "Every hour hastens Gondor's defeat." Aragorn then looked to the king. "We have until dawn then we must ride." he informed the king who nodded in agreement.