All Shall Fade

Chapter 30

Dare to Defy

As we watched Théoden walk away, I felt like a stone had been dropped to the pit of my stomach. There was an army marching to our doorstep and he was going to do nothing? Beside me, Aragorn sighed and walked away. I turned to see him walking down the steps to the walkways beneath the wall. I cast a glance at Legolas as Gimli and I went to follow him, but the elf caught my arm.

“What’s wrong?” He asked, and I silently cursed whatever sixth sense he had.

“It’s Aragorn.” I murmured, watching him talk with a guard on the level below us.

“What happened?” He drew me aside so a group of guards could pass by.

“He…” I looked to the side, making sure no one would hear us. “He kissed me.” I whispered, and Legolas smiled.

“I knew that he had feelings for you.” He seemed almost victorious until I shook my head.

“I… I don’t think he does…. He hasn’t said anything to me since.” I shook my head a little, “Besides, Arwen is the one he loves. I saw them together. He would not allow himself to have feelings for anyone else.” I sighed, looking up at the sky and frowning as I saw a flock of crows swooping overhead. I recognised those birds… They belonged to Saruman.

“Do you have feeling for him?”

I turned back to Legolas quickly, finding myself speechless at his sudden question. “It… It doesn’t matter. There’s more important stuff to worry about right now.” I muttered, turning and jogging down the steps. I pushed my way through the crowds of frantic women and children as they surged into the safe refuge of the caves beneath the fortress. I located Aragorn as he scanned the high walls, and as Legolas and I reached him he started making battle plans, completely unaware of the confused battle that was already raging in my mind.

“We'll place the reserves along the wall. They can support the archers from above the gate.” He said, gesturing to the higher vantage points on the wall.

“Aragorn, you must rest.” Legolas called to him as he walked on, “You're no use to us half-alive.”

“He’s right,” I murmured, reaching his side and catching his arm, “Please, at least let me do something about your wounds.” He just turned away from me and walked on. “Aragorn!” I cried, suddenly angry at him for being so stubborn. He turned back to me and I grabbed his hand, realising that it was still slick with his blood. “I’ve already lost you once; I don’t want to loose you again.” I whispered, and his stubborn gaze softened, “Please, just rest for a moment. For me.” I knew I was purposefully making him feel guilty, but if it was the only way to get through to him then I could afford to do it.

“Alice…” He murmured, gently wrapping his other hand around our two entwined hands and causing me to smile weakly.

“My Lord! Aragorn!” I quickly slipped my hand out of his, as Eówyn’s cry reminded me that we weren’t alone. I blushed as she ran towards us through the crowd and stopped in front of Aragorn, “I'm to be sent with the women into the caves.” She complained.

“That is an honourable charge.” Aragorn nodded as she scowled.

“To mind the children, to find food and bedding when the men return? What renown is there in that?” She asked almost sarcastically.

“My lady, a time may come for valour without renown. Who will your people look to in the last defence?” Aragorn tried to encourage her, but she seemed to have other ideas.

“Let me stand at your side.”

“It is not in my power to command it.” He explained softly as my stomach twisted uncomfortably, and I recognised the slightly unfamiliar feeling of defensive jealousy spreading over me. It wasn’t my place to be defensive of Aragorn. He wasn’t mine to defend. He turned away, assuming the conversation was over, and I moved to follow him.

“You do not command the others to stay!” Eówyn cried, “They fight beside you because they would not be parted with you. Because they love you.” Her voice dropped to a whisper and I sighed quietly. I’d always suspected that she had feelings for him. I guess this confirmed it. An embarrassed blush spread over her cheeks and she lowered her head. “I'm sorry.” She walked away quickly and I turned to see her disappear into the caves. I swallowed hard as Aragorn turned away and walked on. I ran after him and grabbed his arm.

“Come on.” I sighed, pulling him along. I glanced over my shoulder at Legolas and he smiled slightly as I found a door and opened it. I stuck my head inside and smiled as I realised I’d found one of the store rooms. Perfect. I dragged Aragorn inside and grabbed a chair from where it stood against the wall. I set it down in front of him and closed the door. “You’re not leaving until you’ve at least gotten cleaned up.” I muttered, pulling my hair back into a ponytail as I searched the shelves for what I needed. I grabbed some linen bandages and filled a shallow dish with water from a barrel before pulling up my own chair in front of Aragorn. He looked reluctant, and edgy, as if he wanted to go outside and help more. “The world isn’t going to end if you take a few minutes off.” I sighed as I dampened one of the cloths. I silently began wiping away the blood from the deep gash in his shoulder, grimacing as I uncovered the wound.

“Sorry.” I murmured as he flinched and I pressed a wad of bandages against it to staunch the thin trickle of blood that still seeped from the gash. I then moved to his other side, and found an identical gash on his other shoulder. I sighed, rolling my eyes as I started the process again. It looked like he’d hit every rock on his way down from the cliff. Not to mention he was still damp after what I presumed had been a dunk in a river. I then set about cleaning the blood from his hand, and he looked down, watching me as I carefully wiped the damp cloth across his knuckles. Honestly, how on earth did he manage to get himself so covered in his own blood? I tried to concentrate on what I was doing, and not on the fact that I was alone with Aragorn. I concentrated on not thinking about what happened between us the last time we were alone. If he was going to pretend that it didn’t happen, then maybe I should too. Once I’d securely bandaged his hand, I looked up and noticed a small scratch on his forehead. As I gently cleaned it, he looked up, and I tried to ignore how intently he was watching me as I finished. “There,” I sighed, smiling weakly, “All clean.” I allowed myself to risk looking into his eyes, but he was getting to his feet already. I stood, setting the spare bandages and everything else aside as we stared at each other.

“Thank you.” He murmured, turning and walking towards the door.

“Aragorn…” I said softly, and he turned around. I quickly crossed the distance between us and pulled him in to a tight hug. “I’m glad you’re back.” I whispered into his chest as I felt his arms wind around me. I sighed, enjoying this brief moment of feeling totally safe in his arms. I could only remember one time when he had held me like this, the day he had found me unconscious after being captured by the Uruk-Hai, and I had found out about Boromir’s death. He rested his head on top of mine and I smiled, glad that things didn’t seem to be awkward between us. Apparently the kiss had meant nothing, so nothing should change, right? I knew that deep down, it had meant something to me, but I didn’t want to let him know that. After a few seconds, he slowly released me, holding me by my shoulders as I took a small step away from him.

“Alice?” He murmured, and I felt my heart rate accelerate. Was he going to say something about the kiss? He exhaled and stared at the ground for a second before looking back up at me, “You should be getting in to the caves.”

“W-what?” I spluttered, stepping backwards and pulling away from him.

“You will be safe there.”

“No!” I cried, instantly defying him, “Why do I have to go?”

“Because I don’t want to see you get hurt.” He said calmly, and I snorted in a particularly unladylike manner.

“So? What sort of a reason is that? I’d probably manage to hurt myself in the caves anyway!” I yelled, “I don’t want to be in a battle, but I’m not going to take the cowardly way out when I could be fighting to protect the people I care for!” I stalked past him angrily and yanked the door open. As soon as I was outside I was almost swept up in the tide of people moving towards the very caves I was trying to avoid, but I felt Aragorn catch my wrist and pull me back.

“Alice, if something happened to you I would never be able to forgive myself.” He said, firmly gripping my wrist and preventing me from making my escape.

“And what if something happened to you?” I growled, “What if I was stuck in the caves and something happened? I would never forgive myself because I would know that I hadn’t been there to protect you when I should have been! How would you feel if you were in my position?” That seemed to stump him and he stared at me wordlessly for a moment, before frowning.

“I’m not going to argue with you, Alice.” He murmured in a deceptively calm tone.

“Good.” I smiled wryly as I tried to walk off in the opposite direction, but he pulled me back.

“Alice, please.” He begged as I struggled against him.

“I’m not going in!” I protested.

“Alice…”

“I’m not! You can’t make me!” I stamped my foot – I actually stamped my foot as I continued trying to pull away from him. I heard a scraping sound and I turned to see the massive wooden doors to the caves being closed, and I smirked victoriously.

“Wait!” Aragorn called, and the two guards who had almost finished closing them stopped, “She’s going in.”

“I am not!”

“Yes you are.” He insisted as I scowled.

“No, I’m not going into those caves.” I hissed through my teeth. “You can’t make me go.”

“Don’t make me do this…” He sighed.

“Do what?” I cried, “I’m still not go-” I was cut short by my own yelp of alarm as he effortlessly lifted me off the ground into his arms and started walking towards the caves. “What the hell?! Put me down you idiot!” I screamed, pounding his chest with my fists and struggling wildly as he carried me through the doors. “Put medown!” I yelled, hearing my voice echo off the cavernous walls as he set me on my feet.

“I’m sorry.” He murmured, slipping outside the doors as they started closing.

“No! Don’t you dare close those doors!” I shouted, running towards them as only a person-sized gap remained. I was still able to see Aragorn as I realised I wasn’t going to make it. “Ugh you idiot! I hate you!” I instantly regretted my words as I saw the expression of hurt flash across Aragorn’s face, before the doors slammed closed. I screamed in aggravation as I slammed my fists against the heavy wood, feeling angry tears well up behind my closed eyelids as I slid down the floor and pulled my knees up to my chest. “Idiot…” I muttered, although I didn’t know if I was referring to myself or Aragorn.

“Alice?” I looked up to see Eowdrin crouching in front of me and I quickly wiped away the tears that pooled in my eyes. “Are you alright?”

“Aside from the fact that I’m going to kill Aragorn, I’m fine.” I grumbled sarcastically.

“You don’t want to be in here, do you?”

“Y’ think?” I sniffed angrily, “I can’t believe he did that…”

“He just wanted to keep you safe.” She tried to bring me around to his point of view, and I frowned.

“I had the better argument and he knows it – he’s just too stubborn to admit it.” I scowled at the toes of my boots for a moment before standing up. “Well, I’m not going to stay down here whilst he’s up there risking his life.” I looked around as Eowdrin stood and watched me examine the caves. They were beautiful, covered in stalagmites and stalactites, which glistened with unknown minerals, and here and there were dotted a few freshwater underground pools. It may have been pretty to look at, but right now it was my prison. “Is there any other way out of here?” I asked Eowdrin, and she frowned for a minute before answering.

“There is a pass that leads up into the mountains behind the fortress, but you would never make it in time.” She said, gesturing to a path that wound through the caves behind her and disappeared into a small tunnel.

“Is it the only way?”

“Yes.” She nodded, and I sighed.

“Well then I’ve got to try it.” I shrugged before striking out on the path. She followed me, shouldering the pack she had been carrying. I lifted one of the flaming torches from the cave walls and carried it with me into the dark, echoing tunnel. “Are you coming too?” I asked as Eowdrin appeared at my side.

“I may not be able to take part in the battle, but I can make sure you don’t get lost.” She smiled, gesturing to the dress she was wearing to illustrate her point, and I nodded before walking forwards into the darkness. This wasn’t my idea of fun – considering the dark and small spaces freaked me out. I was instantly reminded of the Fellowship’s passage through the Mines of Moria, and every now and then I’d glance around, half-expecting to see a brittle skeleton lying on the ground. Our footsteps and nervous, quick breaths echoed all around us as we walked on, and I began to get an idea of how long the passage actually was. If the army were to arrive by nightfall then I would never make it in time. As I was about to consider turning back, something I spotted out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. I frowned and looked up at the hole in the tunnel’s ceiling.

“Where does that lead?” I asked – recognising the familiar chimney-style structure that often occurred as a result of erosion. It looked large enough to fit a person, and I lifted my torch to get a better look at it.

“I don’t know.” Eowdrin answered, and I bit down on my lower lip as a plan formed in my mind. It was worth a shot.

“It probably leads to somewhere just above the fortress.” I spoke my thoughts aloud as I craned my neck upwards. “I could climb it and see…” I wedged my torch in a crevice in the tunnel wall, “Here, give me a boost up.” I turned to Eowdrin and she looked me up and down.

“Are you going into battle dressed like that?” She asked, and I raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah, what’s wrong with my clothes?” I frowned. I was unaware that warfare was also a fashion show. Eowdrin lifted her pack off her back and rummaged in it before pulling out something that clinked and shone in the flickering light of the torch.

“Here,” She smiled, handing me the small chainmail shirt, “I won’t be using it.” I smiled gratefully as I shrugged off my coat and pulled the shirt over the top of my own shirt, before pulling my coat back on. I patted myself down, making sure I was fully armed. Luckily I hadn’t thought to disarm myself when I arrived. I’d worn all my weapons throughout my grieving process.

“Thanks… Ok, now I just need to get up there-”

“What are you two doing?” I turned around to see someone else holding a torch appear in the tunnel – Eówyn.

“Alice is going out to fight.” Eowdrin explained as I stood there awkwardly, feeling like I was being interrogated. I thought I saw something flash in Eówyn’s eyes for a moment – jealousy? Why would she be jealous?

“I’d better hurry up.” I said, turning to Eowdrin as she crouched down to boost me up to the low ceiling. I apologised as I stepped on her knee and into her hands – before I was suddenly lifted up. I grabbed the edges of the hole and found a couple of finger-holds, which was enough for me to pull myself up on. “Thanks.” I breathed as I braced my hands and feet against the narrow walls, “If I come back, then it was a dead end. If I don’t… Well, hopefully I’ll see you soon.” I smiled wryly as I began to climb up the tiny tunnel. “See ya.”

“Alice!” Eowdrin called, and I looked down, “Could you… Could you make sure Legolas is alright?” She asked timidly, and I laughed quietly.

“Sure thing.”

She answered with a beaming smile, “Good luck!” She called and I smiled and lifted one hand off the wall, winking as I saluted and then almost lost my balance. I cursed under my breath as I began what I assumed would be a dark and difficult climb. After a few painful metres, my fingertips were already aching, and I once again used my feet to keep myself hanging in limbo. The light of the two torches had faded away, and I could assume that Eowdrin and Eówyn had walked off. I’d definitely have to push Legolas in Eowdrin’s direction next time I saw them together. I started climbing again, and gradually, the tunnel began to widen, so I had to rely solely on my fingertips to cling on to the walls, but luckily for me, it began to level out, and soon I found myself crawling blindly in the now horizontal passage. I felt like I was in The Great Escape or something like that. Maybe a spy movie, and I was crawling through the air-vents of a building belonging to an evil organisation. These immature thoughts were pretty much the only thing that stopped me feeling claustrophobic. As the tunnel gradually cornered, I smiled as I realised I could see a dim light up ahead. Night had fallen, but the fortress was covered in flaming torches. I could also hear sounds as they echoed towards me, most were faint voices, but I frowned as I heard a loud horn. Had the Uruk-Hai army already arrived? I quickened my pace, and when I heard cries of ‘Open the gates!’ I became even more curious. I could definitely see where I was going now, and the stale air of the tunnel was giving way to crisp, fresh air, and less than a minute later, I had reached the opening of the tunnel. I gasped in alarm as I found myself what felt like hundreds of metres off the ground, with my head poking out of a hole in a sheer cliff-face. There was no way I could get out of this. As I started to back up, I happened to glance to the side, and instantly felt stupider than I had ever felt in my life.

“Oh.” I breathed, spotting the walled ledge of the second level of the fortress about two metres below me. “Ugh… Blonde moment much?” I muttered as I positioned myself to jump across the narrow gap to the wall. It wasn’t far, but if I fell I was done for. I leapt, pushing myself off the cliff-face and smirking as my boots made contact with the wall – which I proceeded to fall off. Luckily for me, I didn’t fall off the fall-to-your-death side. I hit the ground and rolled into a low crouch – feeling even more like I was in a spy movie. “The Eagle has landed.” I muttered, smiling a little as I figured out where I was. I started running in the direction of the keep, and as I ran I began to hear voices. As I turned a sharp corner I skidded to a halt, and my jaw dropped as I took in the army of elves that stood before me, and then I smiled at the familiar face that lead them. Haldir. He stood at the bottom of a flight of stone steps, behind him stood Legolas, and Aragorn stood just in front of him with his back to me.

“We are proud to fight alongside men once more.” I heard Haldir say, directing his words at Théoden who stood about halfway down the steps, flanked by his guards. At some invisible signal from Haldir, the elves began to file away, probably to take their place along the walls, as Aragorn turned with a wide smile on his face – which quickly fell away when he spotted me.

“Alice?” He stared at me in disbelief as I smiled a little sheepishly.

“Hey Aragorn.” I cringed as he marched towards me and grabbed my upper arm, pulling me behind one of the massive stone pillars that supported the roof of the keep.

I was so in for it this time…