Journey’s End

Chapter 22

A Dangerous Journey

That night, I said goodnight to Legolas and Gimli, and made my way towards where I would be spending the night, leaving the warm lights of the tents behind me. I saw the silhouette of Aragorn standing at the top of a small hill some distance away, smoking his pipe. I frowned and made my way over to him.

“Are you alright?” I asked when I was a short distance away. He made no movement and gave no answer, so I approached his side. “Aragorn?” I whispered, laying a hand on his arm. “Man carel le?” (What troubles you?)

“All my life, I have avoided what I must become.” He murmured. I sighed; we had hardly ever discussed the subject of Aragorn’s fate… It just seemed like something that he never wanted to talk about.

“I do not think that now is the time for you to look towards Gondor.” I thought out loud.

“But I do not know if I want the throne.” He sighed.

“You do not have to decide now. We have to win the war first, before any choices can be made. Focus on now.” I said softly.

“I am also worried about the present.” Aragorn murmured. “Théoden does not expect a battle. He thinks his people will be safe in the mountains, but I fear that Saruman is planning something.”

“That fear has been growing in my mind also.” I sighed. “He means to destroy the world of men, he will not be sending and unorganised random party of Orcs, and we have so few men that can fight.”

Aragorn laid a comforting hand on my shoulder.

“Gandalf will return, do not despair yet.”

“I’m not despairing. There is always hope.” I smiled weakly. “Besides, I made a promise to Boromir that I would not let the world of men fall. Rohan will not be defeated.” I whispered determinedly as I stared out at the dark night.

***

“Rana?”

At the sound of Aragorn’s voice, I turned and smiled. He approached me and took my face in his hands. I frowned in confusion as he moved closer to me.

“Aragorn, what are you-?” I was cut off mid-sentence as he gently pressed his lips against mine. My eyes widened in shock but to my surprise I found myself relaxing into the kiss. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around his neck just as he began to pull back. He moved his lips to my ear.

“Le melon.” He whispered softly.

I sat bolt upright, breathless, and confused.

‘What the?! What kind of a dream was that?!’ I yelled inside my head, frantically running my hands through my tangled hair. ‘What brought that on?’ I wondered, trying to calm my heartbeat. ‘I shouldn’t be having dreams like that… Aragorn is my friend! It’s just wrong!’ I thought, over and over again, but one annoying thought kept pushing its way into my consciousness; ‘If it’s so wrong… Why did it feel so right?’

I pushed this thought as far away as I possibly could, blushing furiously, and looking around to see if anyone else was awake. The camp was silent; the sun had barely begun to rise. I cast a glance at Aragorn’s sleeping form beside me. I shouldn’t have looked at him, because every single detail of the dream came rushing back. I growled under my breath and stood, gathering my blankets in an angry rush. I was only angry at myself, because I was the only person responsible for the dreams I had… Even if I had no control over them. With a sigh, I threw my bedroll onto the rock we had been sleeping beside and began pacing up and down.

‘What should I do?’

‘Don’t do anything, it was only a dream.’ The rational part of my mind responded.

‘Aren’t dreams supposed to reflect your desires? Does this mean I desire Aragorn?!’

“Rana?”

My heart began thumping erratically at the sound of Aragorn’s voice. Why did he have to wake up now?

“Hm?” I tried to respond casually, although I was painfully aware of the fact that I was blushing.

“Is something wrong?” He asked, standing.

“N-nothing!” I stammered quickly. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m fine.” I insisted, trying not to make eye contact with him. Why was I being like this? I glanced up and my gaze was suddenly caught by his eyes. They were full of concern. Concern for me. Damn it… So he could tell something was wrong. “I’m alright, I just… Had a nightmare.” I explained, although something told me that my dream had been quite the opposite…

He sympathetically wrapped an arm around my shoulder. It felt like I had been struck by lightning. Fantastic.

As we looked out over the camp, people began to wake up.

“We should go find the horses…” I muttered, trying to force my attention away from Aragorn. I slipped out from under his arm and began walking away, as another blush began on my cheeks… Damn it.

***

For most of the day, I had kept my distance from Aragorn. In fact, I had been journeying at the front with Legolas for most of the afternoon. Although we hadn’t spent much time alone before, I began to find myself growing a lot closer to the elf.

“Be honest.” I said, as I lead Falas along beside Legolas. “How do you keep your hair so neat?” I tried to keep a straight face as he broke into a wide smile.

“I have no idea!” He laughed.

“It’s not fair… You have nicer hair than I do.” I muttered, playing with the ends of my tatty hair.

“Even Gimli has nicer hair than you do.” He chuckled under his breath.

“Hey!” I yelled, lunging at him. “Take that back!” I cried through my laughter.

***Aragorn’s Point of View***

I walked beside Eówyn as we journeyed onwards. I had been lost in my thoughts for some time, but she broke my concentration with a question.

“Where is she? The woman who gave you that jewel?” She asked, nodding towards Rana’s pendant. I had noticed her staring at it earlier. I smiled and glanced ahead, searching for Rana. I almost laughed as I spotted her up ahead, throwing herself at Legolas.

“She is up ahead… trying to strangle Legolas with his own hair.” I commented, holding back laughter as I watched the elf try to defend himself from her wrath. He must have said something to anger her. I frowned, thinking about how I had noticed that she was avoiding me. She had been acting strangely ever since this morning. I wondered if I had said something to offend her… Whatever it was, I could speak to her about it later.

My attention was caught by a yell up ahead. I saw Legolas dash from Rana’s side and disappear from view. I dashed ahead, running to Rana’s side and seeing Legolas crouching over a dead Warg and Orc. Nearby, Hama lay dead.

“A scout!” Legolas cried. I turned and sprinted back, grabbing Hasufel’s reins.

“What is it? What do you see?” Asked Théoden.

“Wargs! We're under attack!” I cried.

***Rana’s Point of View***

“Wargs! We're under attack!” Aragorn yelled behind me. “Get them out of here!” He commanded Théoden, as he swiftly mounted Hasufel. Without a second thought, I leapt onto Falas’s back and rode towards Aragorn.

“All riders to the head of the column!” Yelled Théoden as soldiers on horseback began to emerge from the crowd. I turned and drew my sword, preparing for battle.

“Rana! Go with the people to Helm’s Deep!” I heard Théoden command me. “You should not fight!”

Ugh… I hated it when people tried to prevent me from fighting.

“Just try and stop me!” I cried, galloping towards Legolas. He stood, firing arrows at the pack of Wargs that were bounding towards us. A few fell, but more took their place. Aragorn galloped along at my side.

“Be safe.” He murmured.

“You too.” I replied, feeling my cheeks colour. I clicked my tongue, urging Falas to speed up as we approached the Wargs.

We clashed violently, and I narrowly avoided being hit by one of the dog-like creatures. I swung my sword and left a deep gash in the fur of one of them, while slitting the stomach of its rider open. I continued fighting my way through the beasts, but I was suddenly knocked on the shoulder by something, and I flew off Falas’s back. I landed heavily and saw the Warg that had attacked me begin to advance upon my horse.

“Go!” I yelled, waving my arms at Falas to scare him away. He wheeled around and galloped away from the battle. I was left facing the Warg. I charged at me and I ducked out of the way. As it lumbered past, its claw scratched across my side. I groaned in pain, then lifted my sword and decapitated it.

“Good riddance.” I muttered. I turned to see that the battle was drawing to a close. We were winning. The few Wargs that remained were being slaughtered by the Rohirrim, but my face fell at the sight of the men that lay on the ground. We must have lost a quarter of the army, at least. I spotted Legolas and Gimli checking for survivors, but I could not see Aragorn. I jogged over to them, clutching my bleeding ribs.

“Have you seen Aragorn?” I gasped. Legolas scanned the battlefield.

“Aragorn?” He called.

“Aragorn?” Gimli also began searching. I felt worry and fear begin to build up inside me. Where was he? I didn’t dare to think that something might have happened to him.

“Aragorn!” I yelled desperately as we made our way over to a cliff. The feeling of sickening dread only increased when I heard a chuckle behind me.

Gimli walked over to the dying Orc that had made the sound and grabbed the front of his armour.

“Tell me what happened and I will ease your passing.” The Dwarf growled.

“He’s… Dead.” The creature choked. My eyes widened in horror and I felt my knees go weak.

“No…” I whispered.

“He took a little tumble off the cliff.” The Orc continued.

“You lie!” Hissed Legolas, advancing on him. The Orc took his last breath and died. I saw Legolas crouch down and take something from its hand. My pendant.

“No!” I yelled, dashing towards the edge of the cliff. I was about to dive off the rocky edge into the river below, when someone caught me around the waist.

“Rana no!” Legolas yelled, “You would be killed.”

“He might still be alive!” I screamed, thrashing against him, unable to stop the tears that were streaming down my face.

“Rana…” He said softly, and I knew. He didn’t believe that Aragorn was alive.

“Get the wounded on horses. The wolves of Isengard will return.” I heard Théoden command as he approached us. I sobbed and sank to my knees as Legolas held me. “Leave the dead.” The King commanded.

“No!” I yelled, “I can’t leave him! Don’t make me leave him!” Floods of tears poured uncontrollably from my eyes as Legolas pulled me to my feet.

“Rana, we have to go…”

“Leave me here! Go!” I cried.

“I can’t do that.” He murmured. I heard the sound of hooves and felt a horse nuzzle my shoulder. Falas had come back.

This only made me cry harder.

Legolas lifted me onto Falas’s back and slowly began to lead me away from the cliff.

[No! Aragorn noooo! I hate this part, I swear I’m close to tears! Even though we kinda know what happens next…