Journey’s End

Chapter 27

Aftermath

As we rode through the gates, I saw that soldiers were already beginning to search for the bodies of their fallen comrades. I dismounted from Falas and gave him a pat.

“Good boy.” I murmured, stroking his ears. He still seemed a little frightened after the battle, but he was calming down. “You have done well.” I whispered.

I heard a horse walk up to my side and I looked up to see Gandalf and Eómer.

“I see you survived.” Gandalf smiled. I nodded.

“I wouldn’t if you hadn’t arrived. Thank you.”

“You have Eómer and his company to thank also.” The wizard replied.

“Of course.” I murmured, turning to the horseman. “Thank you.” I smiled. He removed his helmet.

“Thank you for fighting for the people of Rohan.” He said. I nodded my head once as he and Gandalf turned away to help the wounded. A guard came and took Falas from me and I slowly climbed the steps to the upper walls, wincing each time I set my injured leg on the ground.

I picked up the stinking corpses of Uruks and flung them over the wall, separating their bodies from those of our soldiers. So many men had fallen; I almost cried each time I saw the body of a child who had been forced to fight. As I walked on, I began to find men who were injured, and I called the soldiers over to help them. I found one man, who was on the brink of death. I sat by his side, trying to ease his pain as he drew his last breaths.

“Be at peace.” I murmured softly as his eyes closed for the last time.

I hated death so much. I hated war. I hated battles. But all were necessary if we were to win the freedom of Middle Earth.

I stood and walked on. Somewhere below me, I noticed Gimli sitting on a pile of Uruk-corpses, looking rather pleased with himself and smoking his pipe. Legolas strutted up to him, pretending to be preoccupied with adjusting his bow.

“Final count, forty-two.” He said casually.

“Forty-two? Oh. That's not bad for a pointy-eared Elvish princeling.” Gimli grunted. “I myself am sitting pretty on forty-three.” He boasted.

In a movement that was almost too quick to see, I saw Legolas fire an arrow into the Uruk that Gimli was sitting on.

“Forty-three.” He smiled.

“He was already dead!” Cried the dwarf.

“He was twitching.”

“He was twitching because he's got my axe embedded in his nervous system!” Gimli said, wiggling his axe, which was embedded in the head of the Uruk, causing it to twitch violently. I shuddered and turned away, only to bump into Aragorn.

“Sit down.” He commanded me. I stared at him dumbly, until he lightly pushed my shoulder, and I sat down on the ground.

“Why?” I finally asked. He held up a roll of bandages in answer and I sighed as he gently lifted my injured leg and began to ease my long boot off. I hissed under my breath as it tugged at the torn flesh, but I didn’t move, knowing it would only hurt more. Aragorn rolled up the leg of my breeches and I saw him grimace a little at the wound. I looked down at my leg, then quickly looked away again. Blood, blood and more blood. I concentrated on Aragorn’s face instead as he carefully cleaned and bandaged the cut.

“There.” He murmured, and I looked down to see the clean, fresh bandage hiding the bloody gash. I smiled and then he began to examine my shoulder. I had almost forgotten that I had injured it, after my leg distracted me. I pulled off my leather tunic and chainmail, allowing better access to the injury. I wondered how I must have looked. My shirt was missing a sleeve – as I had used it as a makeshift bandage – and what was left of it was probably soaked in blood. Lovely.

Aragorn began to clean the wound, and then paused.

“What is it?” I asked. He pulled away the torn fabric, and I saw that he was staring at one of the long scars that ran down my arm.

“Rana?” He murmured, “Where did you get these scars?”

“Accidents happen.” I muttered. He made eye contact with me, pressing for further information. I sighed. “You abandoned me for nine years. I fought in battles. I got injured. You can’t protect me from everything.” I mumbled defensively. Hopefully he wouldn’t find the other scars that ran along my back. Whenever I was forced to take a blow, I normally took it in the shoulder. It was easier to deal with there.

“I’m sorry.” He murmured, and began to dress the wound. I felt a little hurt, as he had reminded me of the years when he had not been there. I could barely remember why we had parted; all I knew was that I had always regretted it. I looked down at the ground as he began to clean a small cut on my head, which I didn’t even remember receiving.

“There.” He sighed when he had finished, and put his hand on the back of my head. I still didn’t look up at him, but I sensed him moving towards me. Then several things happened at once.

Aragorn moved towards me, to kiss my forehead.

I looked up at him suddenly.

Then our lips collided.

It took me a moment to realise what had happened, then I pulled back quickly.

“S-sorry.” I stammered, “I didn’t mean to… I-I mean…”

“It’s alright.” I looked at Aragorn to see that his cheeks were flushing a bright red, matching my own monstrous blush. “It was my fault.” He mumbled.

“Actually it was mine.” I protested. I saw him grin, and then he moved forward and gently kissed my forehead. He laughed a little as he pulled back, and I found myself laughing too, as I thought of this ridiculous situation.

“It was just an accident.” He assured me, tousling my hair. I grumbled and swiped away his hand, just as I heard a guard approach.

“My Lord and Lady.” He began. I thought I had told people not to call me that? I wasn’t even of noble blood! “King Théoden wishes to speak with you, immediately.” He finished and then walked away. Aragorn rose and offered me his hand as he helped me to my feet. I staggered a little on my injured leg, but quickly recovered myself as Aragorn caught me around my waist to prevent me falling.

“I’m alright.” I insisted, blushing madly as he released me. I pulled my tunic back over my head and he then led me towards the keep. We walked through the damaged doors to find Théoden, Gandalf, Eómer, Eówyn and several guards standing and talking together. Gimli and Legolas appeared behind us as Théoden turned to us.

“We ride for Isengard with all speed.” He said. “Eówyn will lead the people back to Edoras. We need to speak with Saruman.”

I nodded. Words definitely needed to be exchanged with the wizard.

***

Our horses were brought to us, and we rode across the battlefield, and up the steep slope that Gandalf had descended down earlier. As we stood at the top of the ridge, the company looked out to the East, towards Mordor. Storm clouds hung over the black mountains in the distance.

“Sauron’s wrath will be terrible, his retribution swift.” Said Gandalf, as lightning flashed on the horizon. “The battle for Helm’s Deep is over. The battle for Middle Earth is about to begin.” I saw the wizard and Aragorn exchange a glance. “All our hopes now lie with two little hobbits somewhere in the wilderness.”

My thoughts travelled to Frodo and Sam. I hoped that they were alright. The fate of the world rested on their shoulders.