All Shall Fade

Chapter 22

Changing Perspectives

***Aragorn’s Point of View***

Wind whipped past my face as I spurred my recently acquired chestnut horse onwards, my eyes remained fixed on the column of black smoke that twisted its way up into the sky ahead of me. My thoughts were elsewhere, remembering the last words that Boromir had spoken to me before he died.

“They took them, Alice and the little ones!”

At first I’d been angry at Alice when he’d told me, but after all, I’d told her to stay with the Hobbits, and that is what she had done. It was his other words that bothered me more.

“You have to find her, she pretends she doesn’t need protecting but she does.”

Alice was the most difficult person I had ever met. No matter what I did, I couldn’t understand her. On rare occasions she would open up, reveal something that would make her vulnerable, but then she would hide away again. And her constant defiance was baffling; I could not help but wonder what she really thought of me. Her constantly shifting moods were enough to drive me insane, and the fact that this made me think about her more than I should was infuriating.

But none of this mattered, after four days pursuing the party of Uruk-Hai that had captured Merry, Pippin and Alice; Legolas, Gimli and I had entered Rohan and encountered Eómer’s company of Rohirrim. His claim that they had slaughtered every member of the party had almost left us without hope. I refused to give up though, until I saw proof with my own eyes I would not believe that they had been killed. As we rode over a small grassy hill, the boarder of Fangorn Forest came into view, and I caught a glimpse of the burning mound, the source of the black smoke. Eómer had told us that they had burned all the carcases. I could only hope that they had not destroyed all traces of our friends.

“Noro lim Hasufel.” I urged my horse on in Elvish as I cast a glance at Legolas and Gimli astride the white horse that galloped beside me. The elf’s face was solemn as he looked ahead, his keen eyes picking out details that I couldn’t see, as the dwarf sat immersed in his thoughts. Over the past few days a clear bond had formed between them, bridging the gap between the two races that had been rivals for so long. At least something good had come of the broken Fellowship. We were scattered, Frodo and Sam had gone on to Mordor, Alice, Merry and Pippin had been taken, and Gandalf and Boromir had both fallen. I could only hope that no more would fall, and that this attempt to reunite the members would not be in vain.

As we drew closer to the forest I could smell the stench of burning flesh that hung in the air. I drew Hasufel to a halt and dismounted, grimacing slightly at the sight of an Uruk’s head impaled on a spear that stood nearby. Behind me, Legolas and Gimli dismounted and Gimli immediately began sifting through the mound of blackened corpses with his axe. I looked on, praying that I wouldn’t catch a glimpse of red hair, or anything to do with our companions amongst the smouldering bodies of their captors. I looked up as Gimli gasped quietly, holding something up.

“It’s one of their wee belts.” He choked as I recognised the charred remains of the leather belt Pippin had received in Lothlórien.

“Hiro îth ab 'wanath.” Legolas murmured a quiet prayer for our fallen comrades as my body shook with anger and sorrow, neither of which I could suppress as I turned with a yell, kicking a steel Uruk-Hai helmet away from the pile with enough force to make my foot throb in protest. I was grateful for the pain though, it distracted me from the pain in my heart. I sank to my knees as behind me Gimli sniffed loudly.

“We have failed them.” He mumbled as I closed my eyes. We’d let them die. I felt nothing but guilt as I realised I’d never see them again. Alice would never get home. That had been all she’d wanted when she joined the Fellowship. I could admit to myself that I hadn’t wanted to say goodbye to her, but what was the point? She was gone.

I sighed and slowly opened my eyes and my attention was caught by a flattened, body-shaped patch of grass in front of me. My instincts told me to examine it, but I couldn’t seem to summon the will. I sighed and half-heartedly pushed away a clump of dead grass.

“A Hobbit lay here,” I murmured, identifying the shape of a body too small to be that of an Uruk-hai. I brushed away some more grass to reveal the shape of the second Hobbit, “And the other.” It took me a moment to see beyond the scuffed patch of grass, before I picked out the taller, slimmer form. “And Alice.” I sighed, my hand momentarily resting on the spot where she had lain. Had they died in these places? No, there was no blood on the ground. I looked to the side, my eyes following the flat trail that lead away from the spots where they had been lying. “They crawled.” I said, moving into a crouch so I could follow their last movements. A part of my mind told me that this was morbid, but I needed closure. My hands brushed over the unsteady trail, as I began to work out the details of their movement. “Their hands were bound.” I observed as I moved along the trail, and I spotted something lying on the ground. A tattered length of rope, and tangled in it was a small knife. I picked it up and looked at it. It was Alice’s. I remembered it from the day we had met. She had drawn it and threatened me when she had seen my sword. I smiled a little, remembering how badly she had tried to disguise her fear, how her hand had shook as she had brandished the small blade. I ran my fingers over the rope and frowned at the frayed ends. “Their bonds were cut.” I murmured in amazement, picking up the rope with my other hand and slipping the knife under my belt. I got to my feet as their trail of flattened grass changed to footsteps. “They ran over here and were separated.” I saw Alice’s lighter tracks branch away from Merry and Pippin’s, “The Hobbits were followed.” I noticed another set of tracks overlap theirs, before the Hobbit’s broke away and rejoined Alice, their trail leading towards the trees. “Tracks lead away from the battle,” I called back to Legolas and Gimli as I followed the tracks at a run, my hope growing with each passing second. I only stopped as I reached the boarder of the ancient forest, “Into Fangorn Forest.” I murmured as I was joined by my two companions.

“Fangorn. What madness drove them in there?” Gimli mumbled as Legolas took a step forward towards the trees.

“Do you think they could be alive?” He asked as I glanced around, searching for tracks left by horses.

“The Rohirrim did not go into the forest.” I told him as I spotted a set of tracks that clearly belonged to an Orc, “They may be.” I walked forward determinedly, my eyes scanning the ground as Legolas followed me. Gimli hesitated for a moment before following us under the trees. It was easier to see their tracks in the soft ground here. I could clearly see the shapes of the Hobbit’s feet as they ran, and the imprints of Alice’s boots. Their footsteps were closely shadowed by those of the Orc however, and I reached a spot amongst the trees where the tracks stopped altogether. The ground was churned up, revealing signs of a scuffle, and amongst the dirt lay one of Alice’s short swords. “Legolas!” I called, holding it up for him to see as I followed the trail of the battle. I saw Merry and Pippin’s footprints leading away into the trees, meaning Alice had been the one fighting. An area of the ground was flattened, and I could see that she had been forced to the ground. I crouched down as something glinting in the soil caught my eye. I lifted it up and frowned at the bracelet that Galadriel had given Alice. Something must have gone wrong if she was parted from it. I didn’t fully understand its purpose but I knew it was important.

“Aragorn!” Legolas called me to him as he rolled something over, the corpse of an Orc with one of Alice’s blades protruding from its belly. It had left a bloodstained trail behind it that lead down a small hill not far away. It had obviously crawled, and I ran over to the hill, and as I looked down from the top, the sight that greeted me made me feel like the world had been whipped out from under my feet. I was falling with no one to catch me.

“Alice!” I cried as I ran towards her, reaching the bottom of the hill in two bounds. She was lying on her back in a shallow river; her eyes were closed and her hair streamed out around her like a cloud of fire, being gently carried back and forth in the running water. She looked so peaceful she could have been sleeping. “Alice!” I repeated her name as I pulled her out of the water and knelt down, laying her limp form on the ground. Her skin was cold and I swallowed hard before putting my ear to her chest. “She’s alive.” I breathed, hearing the faint, almost non-existent beating of her heart.

“Is she breathing?” Legolas asked, crouching beside me. It was a moment before I felt the slight rise and fall of her chest as her body took shallow, irregular breaths, the only thing keeping her alive.

“Barely.” I answered, brushing the soaked strands of her long hair out of her face. She suddenly seemed very small and breakable as I carefully cradled her face in my hands in an attempt to rouse her. She was far from alright; we needed to wake her soon. “Alice.” I called her in a whisper, “Wake up, please.” I begged her quietly, letting the palm of my hand rest on her icy forehead. I concentrated on nothing but her, silently willing her to regain consciousness. “Alice.” I repeated, and I felt her stir slightly beneath me. I sat back, holding my breath as she gasped and began to cough. I sighed and rolled her onto her side so she could breathe. Her eyes fluttered open and she groaned, almost as if she was complaining about being woken. A relieved smile crossed my lips as her breathing began to regulate. She tried to sit up, using her arm to support herself against the ground, but it wobbled and she almost collapsed before I caught her. “Careful.” I murmured as she clutched her head with her other hand and groaned quietly.

“A-Aragorn?” Her voice shook as I pulled her towards me, taking in her injuries for the first time. I’d thought she’d looked breakable before, but now she just looked broken. There were deep, ragged cuts around her wrists, encrusted in dried blood. There were definite finger-marks around her pale throat and cuts and bruises covered almost all of her visible skin. “Aragorn...” She whimpered my name again and I pulled her closer, carefully wrapping my arms around her trembling body as she clung to the front of my coat with shaking fingers. I released her for a moment, unfastening my cloak and draping it around her frozen, soaked shoulders. I had no idea how long she’d been in that river for, but she was still in danger of becoming ill. I pulled her into my arms again as I spotted her bracelet lying on the ground beside me. I picked it up and carefully lifted her arm so I could slip it on to her wrist, being careful not to let it touch the jagged wound. The second it made contact with her, a little of the colour seemed to return to her skin, and she no longer seemed as translucent. I would have to ask her about the bracelet later. She looked up from where she had buried her face in my shoulder and glanced down at her wrist before looking up at me.

“W-where are Merry and Pippin?” She asked, her eyes wild with concern.

“We were tracking them when we found you.” I explained, gently holding her up by her shoulders.

“But the Orc-”

“Is dead,” I assured her, “You stabbed him.” She nodded as if recalling the fight and then cast a quick, nervous glance around.

“What about Frodo and Sam?”

“They went on to Mordor alone.” I said as she looked up into my eyes and swallowed hard.

“Where is Boromir?” Her whisper was almost too quiet for me to hear but I sighed quietly as I understood what she had asked.

“Alice… He fell.” I murmured and a small, choked sob escaped her blue-tinged lips and tears began to roll down her cheeks. I let her retreat into my arms again as he cried quietly.

“I didn’t want to believe it…” She choked, “I think I knew, deep down, but I didn’t want to believe it.” Her arms wound their way around my neck as I held her, not knowing what to do or say to comfort her.

“He died bravely.” I murmured in her ear, but that only made her seem to cry harder. I was at a loss, so I looked up at Legolas. He was closer to her, and so might know how to comfort her, but he seemed as unsure as I felt. Suddenly he turned, looking deep into the forest as Gimli looked around suspiciously. Something wasn’t right, so I pulled Alice closer, wrapping my arms around her so I could lift her. I cradled her light body to my chest as I stood, glancing around.

“The air is so close in here.” The dwarf commented as we slowly climbed the hill.

“I can walk…” Alice protested weakly.

“It’s alright.” I assured her quietly as Legolas peered at the trees.

“This forest is old. Very old. Full of memory... And anger. The trees are speaking to each other.” The elf murmured ominously as the trees creaked and Alice tensed slightly, I turned to see Gimli fiercely brandishing his axe at the trees.

“Gimli!” I hissed.

“Huh?”

“Lower your axe!” I instructed him.

“Oh!” He exclaimed quietly, and I almost smiled at his naivety.

“They have feelings, my friend.” Legolas informed him, “The Elves began it: waking up the trees, teaching them to speak.” He looked around as the forest continued to groan.

“Talking trees.” Gimli grumbled, “What do trees have to talk about, hm? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings.”

“Aragorn, nad nâ ennas!” (Something’s out there!) Legolas exclaimed, walking past me to peer out at the forest. Alice froze in my arms as I walked to his side.

“Man cenich?” (What do you see?) I asked as his eyes darted from side to side.

“The White Wizard approaches.” He murmured.

“He’s after me.” Alice whispered, “Put me down, it’s me he wants.” Her voice shook as I looked at her in confusion. “Aragorn put me down!” She demanded, her voice rising in volume as I gently set her on her feet, steadying her as she swayed for a moment before regaining her balance.

“I will not let him take you.” I promised her as she glanced at me doubtfully. Legolas reached out to her, handing over her swords that he had been holding. She grasped the smooth wooden handles and held them at her side as I glanced at Legolas and Gimli. “Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us.” I reached for the hilt of my sword and swallowed hard, “We must be quick.” With a nod to my companions I span around with a yell to face a blinding white light. Legolas fired and arrow and Gimli threw a small axe, both of which were deflected. In my hand my sword glowed a flame-red and I was forced to drop it – the startled yelp behind me told me that the same had happened to Alice. I snarled under my breath as I put up my hand to shield my eyes from the bright light.

“You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits.” The wizard stated in an echoing voice.

“Where are they?” I yelled.

“They passed this way the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?” He asked as I glared hard at his hidden figure.

“Who are you?” I hissed, “Show yourself!” I demanded when he did not answer. The light gradually faded to a dim glow, revealing a figure clad in white robes, with a familiar face. “It cannot be!” I gasped.

“Forgive me. I mistook you for Saruman.” Legolas apologised, dropping onto one knee beside me as I stared in awe.

“I am Saruman. Or rather, Saruman as he should have been.” The figure explained as I took a reluctant step forward.

“You fell!” I whispered, unable to believe what my eyes were showing me as the wizard smiled.

“Through fire and water. From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak, I fought him, the Balrog of Morgoth.” His gaze became distant as he relived memories that only he knew, “Until at last, I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountainside. Darkness took me, and I strayed out of thought and time. Stars wheeled overhead and every day was as long as a life age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I've been sent back until my task is done.” His eyes surveyed each one of us, and I noticed him pause as he took in Alice’s battered appearance.

“Gandalf?” Alice whispered, stepping forward to she stood at my side. I could see her emerald green eyes glistening with tears as she took in the sight of the wizard.

“Gandalf? Yes.” He smiled, “That was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. That was my name.”

“Gandalf!” Gimli laughed happily.

“I am Gandalf the White. And I come back to you now at the turn of the tide.” He nodded to us and walked forward. “We must move quickly.” He stated, walking past us into the forest and drawing a grey cloak around himself. I followed him, turning back to see Legolas keeping pace with Alice. I could not help but frown as she slipped her hand into his, and I wondered why she had chosen his company over mine. It was a stupid thought, which I quickly shrugged off as I followed the wizard. “One stage of the journey is over another begins. We must travel to Edoras with all speed.” He informed us.

“Edoras? That is no short distance.” Gimli complained, thinking of the distant city.

“We hear of trouble in Rohan. It goes ill with the king.” I said, walking faster to catch up with the wizard.

“Yes, and it will not be easily cured.” He nodded.

“Then we have run all this way for nothing.” Gimli sighed, “Are we to leave those poor Hobbits here in this horrid, dark, dank tree-infested...” He was cut off by an angry groan that came from the surrounding trees. “I mean charming... Quite charming forest?” He quickly corrected himself and I smiled a little.

“It was more than mere chance that brought Merry and Pippin to Fangorn.” Gandalf spoke over the dwarf, “A great power has been sleeping here for many long years. The coming of Merry and Pippin will be like the falling of small stones that starts an avalanche in the mountains.” I smiled as the wizard turned to face us.

“In one thing you have not changed, dear friend.” I said as I passed him by.

“Hm?”

“You still speak in riddles.” I smirked; glad to see that the personality of my old friend had remained unchanged by his experience. Gandalf laughed before continuing.

“A thing is about to happen that has not happened since the Elder Days. The Ents are going to wake up and find that they are strong.” I glanced around at the mention of Ents. The fabled guardians of the forests of Middle Earth. I had never before seen one with my own eyes, but in my experiences I had come to realise that seeing is not always believing.

“Strong? Oh, that's good.” Gimli anxiously stated as he walked behind me.

“So stop your fretting, Master Dwarf. Merry and Pippin are quite safe. In fact, they are far safer than you are about to be.” Gandalf smirked and I raised an eyebrow.

“This new Gandalf's more grumpy than the old one.” The dwarf grumbled as I smiled and followed Gandalf out of the forest, not far from where we had first entered, as our horses stood nearby. I whistled to Hasufel and he glanced up from where he was grazing and trotted over, closely followed by Arod. I caught the horse’s reins just as Gandalf whistled shrilly, allowing the piercing sound to echo over the landscape, before it was answered by the whinny of a horse. I looked up to see a pure white stallion galloping towards us over the plain.

“That is one of the mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell.” Legolas exclaimed as the horse slowed to a trot before Gandalf and stopped, allowing the wizard to stroke his neck.

“Shadowfax. He's the lord of all horses and he's been my friend through many dangers.” Gandalf smiled fondly, easily mounting the horse without the aid of a saddle as Legolas helped Gimli onto Arod, releasing Alice’s hand before he gracefully mounted. She turned to me, seeming anxious as she looked at Hasufel.

“I... I don’t know how to ride a horse.” She admitted, as I smiled and held out my hand for her. She seemed momentarily startled by the gesture before shyly placing her hand in mine.

“I will teach you some time, but for now you can ride with me.” I told her as I showed her how to swing herself into the saddle. I held her steady as I mounted, sitting in front of her and taking up the reins. “Are you alright?” I asked over my shoulder as I felt her grip the back of my coat.

“Erm…” She trailed off and I laughed quietly.

“Just hold on.” I smiled, spurring Hasufel onwards to follow Shadowfax and Arod as they galloped off. Alice jolted behind me and quickly wrapped her arms around my waist to secure herself to the saddle. I resisted the urge to laugh as I urged Hasufel on so we would catch up with the other riders.