Journey’s End

Chapter 6

Memories

I paced my room irritably, kicking the piles of clothes that got in my way and listening to the steady clunk clunk of my boots on the wooden floor. We were leaving in the morning and I’d delayed packing until now, the evening before. The council had been held earlier in the day I’d had plenty of time. Instead, I had spent my time wandering around Rivendell, revisiting the waterfall, the orchard, and any other place that I felt I should see again before departing.

This reminded me of the first time I had left Rivendell. I’d left on an impulse then too. It had been the first time I’d left since my father had died; I was twenty one and had been left alone at Rivendell for a few months. Aragorn had left with the sons of Elrond to help Rohan in battle (I had known him as Aragorn for several years then, as Lord Elrond had revealed to him his true lineage.). I had begged him not to go, as I was fearful for his safety, but he had promised he would return. This promise had made me uneasy, as the last time someone promised me that they would return safely, I was orphaned. So he left, and I spent my time walking, reading, and practicing the sword-fighting and archery that Aragorn had taught me. Then, one day, a messenger arrived in Rivendell…

*** (Flashback)

I sat on one of the stone benches in the main courtyard, reading from a large, leather-bound book. It was spring, and I was bored. I sighed, after realising that I’d just read the same sentence five times, and snapped the book closed. I rose, deciding that I should go practice my archery, as no one in Rivendell was willing to practice swordplay with a ‘young woman’ (I was apparently old enough to be called one). I was about to leave the courtyard, when I heard the clatter of horse’s hooves outside the gate. I span on my heel, hoping against hope that it was Aragorn. My heart fell when I saw the exhausted, older man ride through the gate. He dismounted and walked quickly towards me.

“My lady!” He called, trying to catch my attention, before bowing. “Are you Rana Aranel?”

“Yes.” I replied suspiciously. “I am. Who are you?”

“My name is Hardel, son of Haradad, of the Rohirrim.” He replied, bowing again. “I was instructed to bring a message to you.”

With those words it felt like my entire world came crashing down around my ears.

‘No…No!’ I screamed inside my head, remembering the words of the only other man who had ever ridden to Rivendell bearing a message for me.

“My Lady, I am sorry to bring you this news, but your father has fallen in battle.”

The words rang through my mind as if they were being spoken in my ear. I couldn’t face that again. I shook my head.

“No…” I whispered, staggering backwards until I fell onto a bench. The book I was holding slid from my hands as I lost all awareness of what I was doing.

“My Lady?” Hardel questioned, dashing towards me and taking my arm as a form of support as tears began to run down my cheeks.

‘He can’t be dead… He can’t be…’

“My Lady, I apologise for upsetting you, but I was instructed to give you this.” He pressed a tattered piece of parchment into my hand.

“He said, ‘do not rest until you see this in her hand.’” He continued as I curiously unfolded the letter.

‘Rana,

You will be glad to know I am safe, and the battle is won. I must make my message brief, but I wish for you to come and join me in Rohan for a short time. The journey is safe, and you will be accompanied by the messenger who bears this. I’m sorry I could not deliver this myself.

You are always in my thoughts, I miss you.

Aragorn.’

Tears of relief fell from my face onto the note as I smiled. I breathed after realising I had been holding my breath and looked up at Hardel.

“I am sorry; you must be weary after your journey. Please, come in and you can rest.” I stood, wiping my eyes on the long sleeve of the dress I wore and ushering the man towards the main building, clutching the note to my chest while I walked.

*** (A few hours later)

I nervously handed Aragorn’s letter to Lord Elrond and waited for his reply. Whether I went or not was his decision, as he had become the father-figure in my life. I nervously watched him read and then look up at me.

“Do you wish to go?” He asked. I nodded.

“I do.”

“I don’t see any reason why you shouldn’t go if the land is safe. You will be dearly missed, Rana.” He replied. I smiled and threw my arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

“Hannon le!” (Thank you!)I practically screamed with excitement. He handed me the letter and I dashed from the room, running through the corridors until I reached my own room. I threw my few possessions into a small pack, I wouldn’t need much. I only packed one dress – I was going to a kingdom after all – and took out my more casual, less feminine clothes.

Hardel had told me that if I was allowed, we could leave tomorrow. It was night now, so I climbed into bed, hardly able to contain my excitement, and fell into a light sleep.

***

I stood in courtyard in the pale morning sun, holding the reins of my horse, Riel, a tall, dappled grey mare. Hardel stood beside me, already on his horse, and Lord Elrond stood before me as I bade my farewells.

“Be safe.” He murmured. I smiled, patting my sword that was strapped securely to Riel’s saddle.

“I will.” I replied, swinging myself into the saddle and preparing to ride off.

“Rana!”

I turned back to Elrond as he called for me. He walked up to Riel and patted her neck, before looking up at me. Silently, he motioned for me to hold out my hand and I did so. In it, he placed something cold and smooth. Curiously, I looked down and gasped at the beauty of the pendant that lay in my hand.

“I cannot accept this!” I whispered.

“It is not a gift from myself.” Elrond murmured, “The day you arrived here, your father handed me this, saying ‘If she ever leaves your care, if only for a short while, give her this.’ It was your mothers.”

I looked down again at the pendant. Its main jewel seemed to be an emerald, with a tiny white diamond in the centre, around which was woven thin strands of Mithril. 

“It matches your eyes.” He commented quietly as I slipped it around my neck.

“Hannon le…” I whispered, feeling a tear gather in the corner of my eye.

“Namárië.” He murmured.

“Namárië.” I echoed, rubbing my eyes. I heard Hardel turn his horse, and Riel followed. I cast one last look over my shoulder at Rivendell, before we cantered out of the gateway and I lost sight of Elrond.

After a few days of travelling, I found myself looking at a great city, which stood on a high hill.

“Behold, the city of Edoras!” Hardel cried proudly. I smiled. Aragorn was here somewhere. I spurred Riel on and she broke into a gallop as made for the city. She raced Hardel’s horse to the gate and I laughed as we won. I allowed him to pass me as we walked into the city.

“That is the Golden Hall of Meduseld.” Hardel pointed to the large wooden building at the highest point of the hill. “The Hall of the King.” I looked up at the building and saw a figure standing by the door, looking out at the city. I squeezed Riel’s flank with my legs and she speeded up a little. As we reached the hall, I dismounted and a man came and led both the horses away. As I looked back at the hall, the sun shone in my eyes and I could no longer see the figure that stood there, but as I made my way up the steps, he came back into my view.

“Rana!” Aragorn cried, running to me and hugging me tightly, before lifting me by my waist and spinning me around, while I laughed happily.

“I missed you, Arago-”

My words were cut off as he clamped his hand over my mouth.

“I should have explained in my letter, but I cannot go by that name here. Rohan has close relations with Gondor, and I cannot reveal who I am yet.” He whispered, looking around to see if anyone was listening. “Call me Thorongil when we are not alone.” He murmured, allowing his hand to slide from my mouth as I nodded, understanding. I hugged him and rested my head on his chest.

“I still missed you.”

*** (Back to Reality)

I sighed, part of the reason I decided to go on this quest was so that I wouldn’t have to be parted from Aragorn again. It was always painful to be away from him, and I hated not knowing if he was alright or not. The other reason was that I longed for adventure.

The soft knock on my door startled me, but I relaxed when Aragorn walked in.

“It’s polite to gain permission before entering a lady’s room.” I muttered. He smiled, but looked at me curiously.

“Is there something wrong?”

I shook my head.

“You look upset.” He murmured, sitting beside me on the bed.

“It’s nothing… I was just remembering some things…” I whispered. He slipped one arm around my shoulders and hugged me against him.

“Do you remember when we first went to Rohan?” I asked him quietly.

“Of course. You had only been there for a few days when the Orcs attacked.”

I nodded, and without realising it felt my mind travel back to that day.

*** (Flashback to three days after Rana arrived in Edoras.)

“But you can’t leave!” I cried, dashing down the hallway after Aragorn as he pulled on his armour. It seemed we’d had no time together before he had to leave again.

“I have no choice. I have to keep you safe!” He firmly said, turning and planting both his hands on my shoulders.

“I’ll be fine!” I yelled.

“It’s not just you.” He sighed, turning away again and briskly walking towards the throne room of Meduseld. “It’s the whole city. Everyone is in danger if the Orcs attack.”

“Then I want to come with you! I can fight!”

“I won’t put you in that danger.” He almost growled as he walked out the main door.

I’d never argued with him like this before, and we weren’t exactly being quiet. I noticed now that we were surrounded by men, putting on armour. I stopped in my tracks, unable to walk further.

“Don’t leave.” I whispered, choking back tears. Aragorn turned to me, his eyes gentle.

“Rana, please don’t make this harder than it is.”

“I’m sorry.” I broke his gaze and looked at the ground. I heard him sigh, and felt his fingertips lightly brush my chin, forcing me to look up and meet his eyes.

“Hebo estel.” (Have hope) He murmured, leaning his forehead against mine, “I will return.”

I nodded and sighed, closing my eyes.

“I understand, goheno nin.” (Forgive me). I mumbled.

“There is nothing to forgive.” He smiled, hugging me tightly.

“Thorongil!” A man called from somewhere behind us.

“I must go.” Aragorn said regretfully, pulling away.

“Wait!” I called as he turned. I pulled the pendant off my neck and pressed it into his palm. “Return safely,in elenath hîlar nan hâd gîn.” (May all stars shine on your path.)

His eyes met mine for a moment, before he looked down at the pendant.

“Namárië.” He whispered, and then he turned and ran to where a man stood with his horse. He mounted and rode out of the city at a gallop, along with the rest of the Rohirrim.

*** (Back to reality)

I lightly brushed my fingertips over the pendant that hung around Aragorn’s neck and he hugged me tighter.

“I did not want to leave you.” He murmured.

“I know.” I replied, knowing that he was not just referring to that day, but to all the times we had been apart.

“Are you afraid of going on the quest?” He asked.

“No.” I whispered, “Because I’m with you.”