Gondor's Calling

Dreams were floating in and out of my tired mind, as a gust of wind blew my curtains open, and a beam of sun landed on my face.

My eyes felt like they had been glued shut. It took enormous effort to open them, and stare around the room.

Which was empty.

Cursing in Elvish, I pulled myself out of bed and began to get dressed. Tying my clean hair out of my face, I looked out my window.

Judging from the sun's position in the sky, it was almost noon. I cursed some more. My bow was across the room with my quiver, so I strode across to get them before opening my door and walking out into the hallway in search for the others.

I found them standing by the front doors, with Théoden, seemingly in conversation about what happened last night.

"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes." Gandalf was saying to Théoden. "A fool, but and honest fool he remains. He told Sarumon nothing of Frodo and the ring."Which I was glad about beyond words.

Théoden seemed doubtful still, but if I were him, I would be doubtful too.

Gandalf went on. "We have been strangely fortunate." He said, with a hint of pride in his voice. "In the Palantír, we were able to see Sauron's plans. He moves to strike Minas Tirith."Théoden raised his head to look at Gandalf, his eyes flickering to me, than back to the Wizard.

"His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing." Gandalf kept speaking. "He knows the heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not at weak as he has though. The is courage still, and strength perhaps enough to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the people of Middle-Earth under one banner. He will burn Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of men!"

His words made me feel cold inside.He was talking about Aragorn, I was sure. I walked forwards to stand next to Gandalf. "If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war." I told Théoden, praying that he would listen, that he would understand.

He met my eye, and I saw the controlled fury inside of them. "Tell me," He said. "Why should we ride to the aid of those who didn't come to ours?" I sighed heavily. "What do we owe Gondor?"

I couldn't answer his question. They didn't owe Gondor anything. But petty grudges wasn't going to win us this war.

"If Gondor calls for aid, we will go." I told Théoden, my heart pounding as I expected the worst from him, as last time I gave him directions, it ended poorly. "Rohan owes Gondor nothing, but if they fall, we all fall with them. But if we come to their callings, and we fight alongside them, than they will not be defeated. The way to overthrow Sauron is not to hold out our grudges against each other and watch our people die because of it! It is to come together against our enemy, and fight. We fight until we win, or until every last man is dead!"

I backed up after I finished speaking, reallzing I had stepped forward towards the king.

There was a moment of silence before anyone said anything to my small confrontation. Than Aragorn spoke.

"I will go to Gondor!"

I whipped my head around to look at him. "No!" Gandalf said, desperate to keep Aragorn close now that we had learned what Sauron's motives were.

"Gandalf, they must be warned!"

"They will be! But you must go to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the river and look to the Black Ships. But you must understand this: things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I will ride to Minas Tirith." He looked at Merry and Pippin, a few feet shorter than him. "And I will not be going alone!"

And with that, the Wizard turned and strode out of the hall.

Merry and Pippin looked up at me with confused faces. "Ryanne?" Merry asked. "What did he mean?"

I looked at them. "You heard him." I said. "Come on." And I starting walking after Gandalf, the two Hobbits following me.

I opened the doors Gandalf had just walked out of, and led the Hobbits out to the stables, where I knew he would be.

"Of all the inquisitive Hobbits, Perigrin Took, you are the worst!"Gandalf lectured Pippin over his shoulder as we made our way to Shadowfax. I picked up my pace to a fast walk, trying not to fall behind Gandalf.

"Where are we going?" Pippin asked me, in a worried tone. I shook my head, not exactly knowing the full answer.

"You always have to look!" Merry whispered to Pippin in a slightly aggravated tone. "Why do you always have to look?"Pippin looked upset. "I can't help it!" He said. "You never can.""I'm sorry alright?" He exclaimed to Merry. "I won't do it again."

I listened to their small fight, getting more and more worried about Pippin. I knew Gandalf would only be taking him and not Merry. That would only make Pippin more upset.

"Don't you understand?" Merry kept speaking as we entered the stables. "The Enemy thinks you have the ring! He's going to be looking for you Pip, we have to get you out of here!"Pippin looked surprised.

"Aren't you coming with me? Merry?" "Come on." I said as I took the frightened Hobbit up around his waist and put him behind Gandalf on Shadowfax. "It will be alright." I comforted him. You are safe with Gandalf, I promise."

"How far is Minas Tirith?" Pippin asked me. "A three days ride, as the Nazgûl flies." I hesitated. "And you better hope you don't have one of those on your trail."

The two Hobbits seemed heartbroken to leave each other, and it made my heart hurt to see them like this. "We will see each other again soon, right?" Pippin said, seeming like he needed to convince himself more than anything.

Merry shook his head. "I don't know." He said, his voice cracking. "I don't know what's going to happen." Tears started to pour down his face, pulling on my heart even more.

I put my hands around his shoulders, and he began to cry freely into the side of my leg. Leaning up, I kissed Pippin on the cheek. "We will see you as soon as we can Pippin. Ride fast."

"Run Shadowfax!" Gandalf whispered to his pure white horse. "Show us the meaning of haste!" Shadowfax whinnied, and galloped out of the stables. "Merry!" Pippin called back to us, but they were both soon out of sight.

I stood in the stables a moment longer with Merry as he dried his tears. Than suddenly, he grabbed my hand and began to run.

He ran with me out of the stables and to a nearby watch tower. We sprinted up the steps, passing Aragorn as we ran. "Ryanne!" He yelled after me. I didn't reply, just grabbed his sleeve and pulled him along behind me as we went.

We reached the top shortly and stared down at the grassy plains, seeing Shadowfax streaking through the tall grass with Gandalf and Pippin.

"We would always go everywhere together." Merry told us sadly. "Even before we were Tweens. I would always get us into some sort of trouble, and he was there to get us out of it. But now...now he's gone. Just like Frodo and Sam."

Aragorn put his hand on Merry comfortingly. "One thing I have learned about Hobbits," He said cheerfully. "They are the most hardy folk."I smiled. "Foolhardy maybe. He's a Took!"

Merry looked up at us and smiled and Aragorn laughed.

~~~<<<~~~>>>~~~<<<~~~>>>~~

The stars were just beginning to make an appearance on the horizon, as a cold breeze blew through the night's air.

I wrapped my cloak around myself and moved to stand next to Legolas who was looking over the watch tower, scouting.

"Gandalf should be close by now." He said quietly. I nodded. "I wonder how Pippin is."

Legolas looked at me. "He's with Gandalf, he's as safe as he could be right now."My smiled widened. "That's exactly what I told him." He returned the smile, lighting up the area, even though it was night.

I turned back to watch over the plains in front of us, but something caught my eye. An orange orb was glowing softly in the distance. My breath caught in my throat. "Legolas!" I pointed. "The beacons of Gondor!" He looked at where I was pointing. Than, without replying, he turned and ran down the stairs to the Great Hall.

I sprinted after him, trying to keep up. As we reached the doors, we opened them and ran inside as quickly as we could. Théoden, Aragorn and Éomer were inside.

"The beacons of Gondor have been lit!" I told them excitedly. "They call for aid!" We waited, our hearts pounding as we anticipated the response.

Théoden looked up at us finally. "And Rohan will answer!" I involuntarily let out a sigh of relief and smiled.

"Gamling!" Théoden called to one of his men who stepped forward immediately. "My Lord?" "Assemble an army at Dunharrow. I want every able bodied man ready to fight! On the third, we ride for Gondor. And to war."

The man nodded and went off. The king than turned to Legolas, Aragorn and I. "You three." He said. "We have a war to be won!" All of our faces split into grins, and we turned to get our horses.

~~~<<<~~~>>>~~~<<<~~~>>>~~

"Come on Rhea." I pulled my sleepy horse out of her pen, and began to saddle her. "Another war." I said. "Maybe another victory?" She whinnied.

I pulled her reins over her head and closed her pen. Making sure all my weapons were on me, I began to walk out the stables to find the others.

Outside, the morning sun was just beginning to fade the stars. I hadn't slept but I was ready for the long ride.

To my right, Éowyn was fixing her horse's saddle. I walked up to her with Rhea. "You are riding with us?" She turned to me, surprised, and nodded. "Just to the encampment. It is tradition for the women to farewell the men before they go to war."

I frowned. "I hope that's not for....all the women." She smiled. "Lady Ryanne, they need you fighting with them." I smiled back at her. Than something under her saddle blanket caught my eye. I reached down and pulled it up. My eyes widened as I saw what it was. A sword.

"Éowyn...." She quickly covered her sword back up. "They have found their captain." She said, motioning to the other men. "They will follow you to war, and even death. You have given us hope!" I sighed.

"It's too dangerous, you could be killed!" "So could you." I looked down at where her sword had been, moments before. "I practiced every single day since my parents died." I told her.

She gently grabbed my arm. "Please Ryanne!" She begged. "Let me fight alongside you. As sisters in war, we will win together!" I looked her in the eye and saw the determination in them. I nodded. "We will win together!"She smiled and climbed onto her horse and walked away.

Legolas and Gimli were over by Aragorn, so I walked over to them, Reah following me. Gimli was grumbling at Legolas again, and to me it seemed like their little feuds were never over.

"I wish I could muster a whole legion of Dwarves! Fully armed and filthy!" He was saying to Legolas. I turned to Gimli. "Filthy?" I asked him, the disturbance evident in my voice.

"I am afraid you would have no need for that." Legolas said as he swung up on Arod. "You kin already has war marching on their lands." I laughed as Gimli fumed some more.

Pulling up onto Reah, I stood by Legolas and Aragorn until Éomer rode his horse in front of us. He turned to us and the men behind us.

"Now is the hour, Riders of Rohan! You have taken oaths, now fulfill them! To Lord and Land!" He shouted, and led us away from Isengaurd and to Gondor.

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A/N: Ok, I know it was short. I'm sorry.

I just didn't want it to be late again. Anyway.....comment a smiley face if you enjoyed!

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Bullseyes,XXbowandarrowsXX