All Shall Fade

Chapter 27

Making it Count

The first day of travelling to Helm’s Deep was tedious. Despite the fact that I was riding, we moved slowly, as the citizens who didn’t have horses had to walk. I managed to pass some time by practicing my riding alongside Legolas, before he dismounted and went to scout ahead of the party of citizens, leaving Gimli on Arod, and as he couldn’t exactly ride, Eówyn lead him. I trotted up to where Eowdrin sat on her horse beside them as Gimli talked loudly to anyone who would listen.

“It's true you don't see many dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they are often mistaken for dwarf men!” He explained, and I had to stifle a giggle at the thought of a female Gimli, and I risked a glance over my shoulder, only to see Aragorn miming stroking a beard.

“It’s the beards!” He mouthed and I had to physically cover my mouth to hold back my hysterics.

“And this in turn has given rise to the belief that there are no dwarf women.” Gimli continued, oblivious to the private joke being shared by his audience, “And the dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground!” He waved his arms around as Eówyn laughed and Arod jogged on the spot, clearly alarmed by the sudden movement, “Which is of course ridiculous - Whoa!” Gimli exclaimed as Arod seemed to decide that he’d had enough, and cantered off suddenly, depositing Gimli on the ground on his way. I couldn’t hold back my laughter this time as I saw the dwarf lying on his back like an upturned beetle as Eówyn ran to help him up. “It's alright! It's alright. Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate.” He assured us loudly as she picked him off the ground and dusted him down. I noticed her glance back, and I didn’t have to look to know that she was making eye contact with Aragorn as she laughed. Something about the way she looked at him reminded me of the way Arwen used to look at him. I sighed and tightened my grip on Aduial’s reins as I spurred her on so I could catch up with Legolas. He was standing on a grassy hilltop near the front of the procession and he smiled as I drew to a halt beside him, before he turned away to look out over a lake that lay not far from us.

“I think we should set up camp there.” He said as I frowned.

“But it’s nowhere near night time yet.” I mused as I looked back at the long snake of refugees.

“The people tire quickly, and it will be safer to gather them all in one place.” He explained as I nodded, looking over the people. Of course they wouldn’t be able to walk for long, there were people of all ages, ranging from babies cradled in their mother’s arms to elderly men and women nestled in the carts being pushed along. Most of the others carried heavy loads. Legolas and I both made our way back to where Théoden rode alongside Aragorn and passed on the information about the area we were to camp on. I resumed my place beside Eowdrin as we rode the last stretch to the lake and dismounted. All around us the people started setting up tents and rough shelters; some started cooking whilst most of the guards went to help put up the larger tents that would be used by the king’s company. They were completely unlike the lightweight tents I was used to, but more like the large, traditional bell-tents you would see in old books about scouting. We began untacking our horses and the saddles were taken away by two guards as we brushed them down.

“Will they wander off?” I asked as I ran a brush over Aduial’s flank.

“Maybe, but they’ll come back.” Eowdrin assured me as she patted Rienne and let the horse pick its way over to the lake.

“So what do we do now then?”

“Rest a little I suppose, maybe get something to eat…” She trailed off as something caught her eye. “Oh no...”

“What?” I asked, standing on my toes so I could see over Aduial’s back.

“Eówyn’s making her stew.”

“What’s so bad about that?” I frowned as I spotted her crouched over a small pot.

“It’s terrible!” She whispered, cringing as Eówyn began offering it to people.

“It can’t be that bad…” I said as Eowdrin raised an eyebrow and I turned back to her sister. “I should probably go warn Aragorn then.” I sighed as I realised that she was slowly making her way towards him as he sat on a rock. “I’d better think up a good excuse.” I smiled as I walked away, and to my surprise Aduial followed me as I approached Aragorn. “Hey!” I called, waving as I made my way to his side, just as Eówyn appeared.

“I made some stew. It isn't much, but it's hot.” She smiled, and Aragorn nodded, totally ignorant of the fabled dangers that lay ahead of him. “Alice?” She offered me some and I bit my lip. It was too late to save Aragorn; I might as well save myself. It’s every man for themselves after all.

“Erm… I’ve just eaten, but thanks anyway.” I tried to sound casual as she handed Aragorn a bowl and a spoon.

“Thank you.” He murmured as I tried not to wrinkle my nose at the sight of the stew. There was something floating in it that reminded me of the cotton-wool balls that I used to use to remove my makeup back home. I couldn’t seem to look away though as Aragorn put a spoonful in his mouth and paused, a look of bewilderment spreading across his face as I did my best not to laugh. He swallowed very slowly before looking up. “It’s good.” He choked, and I had to turn around and bury my face in Aduial’s neck to hide my hysterical giggles. I suspected my shaking shoulders would betray me though as I pretended to be preoccupied with brushing a tangle out of Aduial’s mane.

“Really?” Eówyn said happily, before walking away. I bit down hard on my lip as I peeked over my shoulder and snickered at the sight of Aragorn trying to subtly dispose of the stew. “My uncle told me a strange thing.” It suddenly seemed like Eówyn was coming back, and he managed to recover some of the stew, but spilt most of it over his hand in the process. “He said that you rode to war with Thengel, my grandfather. But he must be mistaken.” I turned around after suppressing my laughter and listened.

“King Théoden has a good memory. He was only a small child at the time.” Aragorn said softly and I frowned, something didn’t quite add up here.

“Then you must be at least sixty.” Eówyn exclaimed, kneeling down in front of him.

“No…” He shook his head, suddenly seeming embarrassed.

“Seventy?” She guessed, and again he shook his head as my eyebrows rose, “You cannot be eighty.”

“Eighty seven.” He murmured, and I resisted the urge to snort in disbelief as Eówyn got to her feet.

“You are one of the Dúnedain. A descendant of Numenor, blessed with long life. It was said that your race has passed into legend.” She whispered in awe as Aduial butted my shoulder.

“There are few of us left. The Northern Kingdom was destroyed long ago.” Aragorn glanced down at the ground as she took a step back.

“I'm sorry. Please, eat.” She smiled, as our gazes returned to the offensive bowl of stew and Eówyn quickly walked away, seeming embarrassed that she’d brought up the subject of Aragon’s age. I patted Aduial and walked over to him, sitting down on the rock and curling my knees up to my chest.

“How’s the stew?” I joked, and he smiled a little.

“Does it bother you?” He asked softly, and I frowned.

“The stew?”

“My age.”

“Oh…” I tilted my head a little, “Not really, no.” He looked up at me, seeming unconvinced, “I always suspected you were older than you looked, and Legolas is a couple of thousand years older than you, so why should it bother me?”

“Legolas is immortal, I am not.” He pointed out and I nodded.

“Well… Didn’t Eówyn say you’d have a long life? How long exactly?”

“A few hundred years.” He shrugged and my eyebrows shot up.

“Not bad.” I nodded, “It’s much longer than I have anyway.”

“How long do you have?” He asked, turning towards me as I frowned.

“Um… Lets see…” I held up my fingers to help me count – maths had never been my strong point. “I’m twenty six now… And the average life-expectancy is eighty-ish… So then I’d have around sixty years left… But some people live to be over a hundred… So then I’d have eighty… If I’m lucky.” I shrugged, “Either way, it doesn’t really matter does it? As long as you live every day to it’s fullest you won’t have any regrets, and then it won’t matter how much time you have.” I turned to Aragorn and smiled, “The fun part of live is making it count.” He smiled back at me as I stood up. “Oh, and I wouldn’t eat much more of that stew – it might drastically cut down your life expectancy.” I grinned before walking away with Aduial shadowing my footsteps. Legolas had promised to help me with some aspects of my riding so I went off to find him. I realised that I could have taken that opportunity to ask Aragorn more about himself, but there would be other chances. I found Legolas standing talking to Eowdrin just outside the camp, and as I approached they both turned to me, and I noticed Eowdrin was blushing. I winked at her as I approached Legolas. “Hi, weren’t you going to help me out with some riding stuff today?” I asked him, and he nodded.

“Of course, you have never fought on horseback, have you?” He asked, and I frowned.

“Um… No. Am I supposed to?” Eowdrin rolled her eyes as I looked between the two, “Seriously, I didn’t know we had to do stuff like that!” I insisted as Legolas laughed.

“Come then, I will teach you.” He smiled as he began to walk over to where Arod was standing grazing.

“Are you coming?” I asked Eowdrin and she shook her head.

“No, I think I’ll go make some food that won’t cause people to recoil in disgust.” She grinned and I smirked.

“Now, now, there’s no need for sibling rivalry!” I scolded her as she ran off to where the tents were being set up. I led Aduial over to Legolas as he mounted Arod without the aid of a saddle. “Um, I think I’ll have to go find Aduial’s saddle and bridle.” I said as he shook his head.

“You need to practice using your sense of balance, this is a perfect opportunity.” He smirked and I anxiously glanced around.

“How do I get on then?” I asked, causing him to laugh. “I wasn’t joking!”

“Jump.” He grinned as he rode off, leaving me to figure it out for myself.

“Jump? Who does he think I am?” I grumbled as I looked at Aduial, “Right, this is going to be humiliating for the both of us, so just bear with me.” I said as I grabbed a handful of her mane and bounced on the balls of my feet. I jumped and managed to get my leg halfway across her back, before I resorted to a mad, ungraceful scramble to right myself. “Sorry…” I mumbled as she impatiently danced on the spot, “I’m still new at this.” I firmly grabbed two handfuls of her mane as I carefully asked her to walk forward. Riding without a saddle was so weird! I could feel every movement that the horse beneath me made as she slowly walked towards Legolas. I slipped from side to side as I tried to keep my balance and I was pretty sure I could hear Legolas laughing at my antics. I scowled as I finally reached his side and saw how easily he sat on Arod. “I don’t see how you expect me to fight when I can barely sit here.” I huffed, clinging to Aduial with my legs.

“It will make it easier when you ride with a saddle.” He assured me as I rolled my eyes.

“Whatever.” I grumbled, knotting my fingers in Aduial’s mane as I walked her around. After a while, I began to feel more comfortable without my saddle, except for the fact that when I first urged Aduial into a gentle trot, I slid straight off and landed in an untidy heap on the ground. I got back on though, and managed to get her cantering before my next encounter with the ground. I could tell Legolas was trying very hard not to laugh as I once again hauled myself onto my patient mount’s back. It was some time before I trusted myself to actually let go of her mane and draw my swords as Legolas had instructed me. He proceeded to talk me through how I would attack someone from horseback, but when it came to putting the theory into practice, I quickly met the ground again. I got up, scowling as I rubbed my bruised behind and scrambled back onto Aduial. “I don’t see what you find so funny…” I grumbled as Legolas laughed quietly, even though I knew if our roles were reversed I would have been in hysterics by now. He just rolled his eyes at me and we continued until the sun began to settle on the horizon, and I was allowed to sheathe my blades as I dismounted. I’d definitely made progress, but I wasn’t about to test my skills in battle just yet. I patted Aduial and let her amble off as I joined Legolas in walking back to the camp. We ducked inside a tent where I found Gimli already snoring, and I smiled as I found my bedroll and began to lay it out. “Where’s Aragorn?” I asked as Legolas sat down.

“I saw him outside.” He said as I shook the horse-hairs out of my blanket, “He looked contemplative, I wouldn’t disturb him.” He raised an eyebrow at me, and I giggled at his serious tone.

“Did no one tell him that thinking is a dangerous pastime?” I smirked as I pulled off my boots. “Maybe that stew has affected his brain.”

“I’m sure he’ll return soon.” Legolas assured me as I lay down and pulled my blanket around my shoulders, and I couldn’t help but frown as I wondered why Legolas thought I was worried about Aragorn.

“He’s a big boy; he can take care of himself.” I mumbled, rolling over and allowing myself to drift into an uneasy sleep.

*

My nightmares had begun mixing themselves into a confusing cocktail of semi-conscious thoughts. It normally began with my reoccurring one, in which the armies of Mordor had invaded my modern world, and then it would fade into one of my obscure Saruman dreams. The wizard didn’t talk to me that much anymore, he just sat and stared at me, which was both infuriating and intimidating, as if he was waiting for something to make me crack, and reveal to him whatever it was he wanted to know. I’d decided that he wasn’t one of my main worries right now, as I was still trying to figure out what my first dream meant. It didn’t feel like some obscure, meaningless reoccurring vision. There was definitely a deeper and more sinister meaning behind it. But what was it?

For the past hour I’d lain trying to figure this out as I pretended to be asleep, in case anyone was already awake, but my shoulder started to cramp and I risked rolling over to face the rest of my camping companions. In the dim, pre-dawn light, I could make out the forms of Legolas and Gimli, but I frowned, realising that Aragorn was absent. Maybe he’d woken up early and had gone out. I shrugged this off and turned back to trying to figure out my dream. Could it mean that there was some sort of battle coming? But surely that was the reason we were fleeing to Helm’s Deep, to escape a battle? I sighed and rolled over again as I continued thinking up and rejecting explanations, until I began to hear voices outside, and the light of the rising sun began to illuminate the tent. I sensed Legolas begin to stir somewhere behind me, and I figured that now was a good time to pretend to wake up. I yawned and slowly sat up, rubbing my eyes as I looked around at the elf who was already on his feet, stowing away his bedroll.

“Good morning.” I murmured, feigning my usual morning sleepiness as he looked at me with an unreadable expression.

“Are you alright?” He asked, and I frowned as I stood and pulled on my boots.

“Yeah, why?”

“You were talking in your sleep last night.”

“Oh… Well, I had a nightmare.” I tried to shrug it off casually as I rolled up my bedding, “What did I say?”

“Most of it I couldn’t make out,” He said, and I breathed a sigh of relief, “But you did call out for Boromir, and Aragorn.” My breath caught in my throat, as I remembered a scene from my nightmare, in which I’d seen a re-enactment of the moment Boromir was shot down, and then I’d seen Aragorn run through by Sauron himself, and I shuddered to dispel the grotesque memory.

“It was just a dream.” I muttered, wondering why I’d only called out for them, as I’d seen the rest of the Fellowship fall too. But it was only a dream. And dreams hardly ever make any sense. I tossed my bedroll to the side and walked over to the flap of the tent door. I poked my head out and only saw two or three people outside, well, ones who were awake anyway. There was one person who wasn’t. I smiled a little as I spotted Aragorn slumped unconscious against a rock, and began to make my way over to him. “Hey.” I whispered, crouching in front of him. “Wake up.” I poked him in the shoulder and he groaned and attempted to turn away from me as I laughed. “Really? You fell asleep outside? Now that’s hardly responsible, is it? And when you had such a nice tent you could have slept in too… Well, I suppose Gimli does snore pretty loudly; maybe it was quieter out here.” I smirked as he grimaced at my babbling and cracked one eye open. “Good morning.” I grinned, poking his shoulder again as he scowled at me. “Uh oh, looks like somebody’s grumpy this morning.” I cooed, causing him to raise an eyebrow as I poked him again. “Beep.”

“What are you doing?” He grumbled, swatting me away.

“Poking fun at you.” I grinned, and flicked his forehead to illustrate my point. This time he grabbed my wrist to stop me doing it again. “You’re no fun.” I pouted, standing up and pulling my wrist out of his grasp. “Come on, we’re leaving soon.” I said as I nudged him in the ribs with my boot. He sighed and sat up, and then looked a little surprised as I offered him my hand to help him up. He took it and I pulled him to his feet as I looked around the camp for Aduial. I spotted her and the other horses grazing down by the lake shore. I smiled and made my way towards them, and as I was still holding Aragorn’s hand he inevitably got pulled along with me. I released him as we reached them and I whistled softly to Aduial, and smiled as she lifted her head to acknowledge me. I patted her neck as, out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Aragorn crouch down by the lakeside and splash his face in the water. I smirked, realising that it was too good an opportunity to miss. I took a step towards the lake and dipped the toe of my boot into the water, and proceeded to kick a wave of it over Aragorn. I giggled as he spluttered in confusion, before giving me a death glare. I folded my arms and smirked – which was why I was totally unprepared for him sending a large splash in my direction. I shrieked loudly enough to wake the entire camp as the freezing water droplets ran down my back and I shivered. “Oh it’s on!” I cried, kicking another shower of water at Aragorn, which he managed to dodge before soaking me again. I squeaked in protest and hid behind Aduial, wondering if he’d have it in his heart to soak a poor defenceless horse in order to get to me. Apparently he didn’t, as I found out when he snuck up behind me and promptly dumped a cupped-handful of water over my head. “Not fair!” I wailed, turning and smacking his shoulder, causing him to laugh and push my shoulder, which resulted in us shoving each other until after my failed attempt to push him over, he caught my shoulders, rendering me motionless. I scowled and blew a raspberry at him, just as I heard a loud cough.

“What are you two doing?” I turned to see Eowdrin and Legolas staring at us and I bit my lip sheepishly, blushing as Aragorn released my shoulders.

“He started it…” I mumbled.

“Lair.” He snorted.

“Am not!” I cried as Eowdrin laughed at my pitiful excuse for my childish behaviour. “Ok… Maybe I started it, but he went along with it!” She laughed again and I folded my arms across my soaked chest. I noticed Legolas raise an eyebrow at me and I blushed again. “Well,” I coughed, trying to salvage what was left of my dignity, “We should probably get going.” The others quickly agreed and I walked off to try and find Aduial’s saddle as around me, our large camp was slowly dismantled. It didn’t take me long to locate her tack and get her ready for the day’s riding – and I couldn’t help but blush whenever I happened to catch Aragorn’s eye. This was getting embarrassing. I sighed and vaulted into Aduial’s saddle and gathered up her reins as most of the residents of the camp began to set off. As the others began to ride off, I took one last glance around, frowning as I couldn’t help be feel like something was wrong. The feeling had just appeared suddenly, so I shook it off as the lingering unease from my nightmares.

“Alice?” I turned to see Legolas waiting for me.

“Coming.” I forced myself to smile as I spurred Aduial onwards, preparing for the day of riding ahead of us.

Little did I know that it was to be the longest day of my life.