Journey's End - Chapter 37 - The Last Debate

Journey’s End

Chapter 37

The Last Debate

“Right, go hide by the door, as soon as the nurse comes in, you get out of here.” Faramir smiled, “Good luck.”

“Thank you Faramir.” I murmured, walking to the door and crouching behind a small table. I nodded to him, signalling that I was ready, and he nodded in return. Suddenly he clutched his ribs and bent over with a yell of pain. It was so convincing that I almost ran to him, before the nurse came bustling in to find out what was wrong. In a flash, I slipped out the door and flicked my hood over my head – Aragorn might have others on the lookout for me. I ducked out onto the street, and began making my way towards the citadel.

As I reached the upper level, I found myself walking past the withered white tree, and I stood before the massive wooden doors, flanked by two guards.

“What business do you have in the citadel?” One asked in an arrogant manner.

“I am a member of the council.” I stated.

“All members of the council are inside the hall.”

“Well they must have forgotten me.” I hissed, becoming irritable. I couldn’t afford to be late.

“We’re going to have to escort you back down to the lower levels.” One of the guards said, moving towards me, seeming slightly threatening. I stepped back and drew my sword.

“I will not be escorted. I have business in the hall, now let me pass.” I growled, casting my hood back. I didn’t really intend to harm either of them… Much. But they were preventing me from seeing Aragorn.

They both moved forward, pointing their spears at me. I grabbed one spear and pulled the unsuspecting man forward, driving my knee into his stomach as I did so. He groaned and rolled to the floor as the other guard swiped at me. I punched him in the jaw and he also fell to the ground.

“Sorry…” I murmured quickly, before sheathing my sword and pushing open the two solid doors.

My eyes immediately settled on the group of people standing at the opposite side of the hall. Aragorn, Legolas, Gandalf and Eómer stood, while Gimli was sitting casually in the Steward’s throne, smoking his pipe. I seemed to have caught them in mid conversation.

“Rana?” Aragorn gasped as I strode determinedly down the hall. I smiled sarcastically in greeting.

“Stop her!”

I turned to see the two guards charging down the hall towards me, I rolled my eyes and planted my feet firmly on the ground.

“It’s alright; she is not doing any harm.”

I turned to look at Aragorn, shocked that he didn’t order the guards to drag me away, kicking and screaming. They exited quietly.

“Rana you shouldn’t be here, you’re unwell.”

“I got better.” I snapped, sounding a little harsher than I intended. “I know you’re just trying to protect me, but I don’t need protecting. I can deal with my own mistakes.” I said a little softer. Aragorn sighed and turned away from me, and I felt bad for angering him. “Have I missed anything?” I asked.

“We were just discussing Frodo and Sam.” Aragorn murmured and I frowned with concern for the Hobbits.

“Frodo has passed beyond my sight. The darkness is deepening.” Gandalf sighed, walking across the hall.

“If Sauron had the Ring we would know it.” Aragorn said.

“It’s only a matter of time. He has suffered a defeat, yes, but behind the walls of Mordor our enemy is regrouping.” Gandalf warned him.

“Let him stay there! Let him rot! Why should we care?” Gimli grumbled.

“Because ten thousand Orcs now stand between Frodo and Mount Doom.” The wizard argued. “I’ve sent him to his death.” He sighed.

“No. There is still hope for Frodo.” Aragorn turned to Gandalf, “He needs time and safe passage across the plains of Gorgoroth. We can give him that.”

“How?” Gimli asked, I was also tempted to ask the same question, but decided not to anger Aragorn further.

“Draw out Sauron’s armies. Empty his lands. Then we gather our full strength and march on the Black Gate.” Aragorn explained. I nodded slowly, while behind me, Gimli choked on his pipe.

“We cannot achieve victory through strength of arms.” Eómer argued. It was true, but I had a feeling that victory was not what we were trying to achieve.

“Not for ourselves. But we can give Frodo his chance if we keep Sauron’s eye fixed upon us. Keep him blind to all else that moves.” Aragorn continued.

“A diversion.” Legolas smiled.

“Sounds like a plan.” I murmured.

“Certainty of death, small chance of success, what are we waiting for?” Gimli laughed, and I could not help smiling.

“Sauron will suspect a trap. He will not take the bait.” Gandalf pointed out.

“Oh, I think he will.” Aragorn murmured knowingly. What was he planning?

***

I stood alone on the parapet outside the hall on the uppermost layer of the city, looking out at the darkening sky. It was just beginning to hit me that if we survived tomorrow’s battle (which was highly unlikely), Aragorn would be crowned King. I could already see the respect that the people of Minas Tirith showed him, they knew that the rightful King had returned. I sighed and looked down at the city below me, where lights were being lit. Once he was King, things would change. Maybe for the better, but I sensed that we might drift apart; after all, he would be preoccupied by his responsibilities… I didn’t want that to happen, but how could I prevent it?

Something else that I had been thinking about was that when Aragorn was King, he would have to marry before long… And then we were sure to drift apart. My feelings for him were pointless. He would never return them, and even if he did, we could never be together. I wasn’t an Elfin Princess, or the niece of the King of Rohan… I was just… Me. A blatantly normal human. I probably didn’t even have a single drop of noble blood in my body. Aragorn deserved someone better.

As I thought this, I felt a wrenching pain in my heart, but I ignored it. I would do anything for Aragorn to be happy, even if it meant breaking my own heart. I blinked back the tears that pricked at my eyes, as I made my decision. I would push away my feelings for him, and try to hide them as best as I could. I probably wouldn’t need to do it for long though… My chances of surviving the battle were slim. I would still do everything in my power to keep Aragorn alive though, and I would be his friend for as long as I lived.

I heard footsteps somewhere behind me, and I cast a glance over my shoulder. I spotted Aragorn’s retreating figure as he slipped into the hall, closing the door after him. What was he doing? I was tempted to follow him, but sensed I shouldn’t, so I turned back and leant on the wall that separated me from the drop below.

***Aragorn’s Point of View***

I walked quickly down the long hall, gripping the hilt of Andúril tightly as I approached the object lying beneath the cloth. The Palantir. I reached towards the cloth and lifted it, closing my eyes as I did so, anticipating what I was about to do. I lifted the cold stone and held it before my face, feeling it suddenly grow hot. I opened my eyes, to face the single eye that stared back at me, wreathed in flame and hissing in the Black speech of Mordor. Sauron.

“Long have you hunted me. Long have I eluded you. No more!” I growled determinedly, holding Andúril before the eye. “Behold, the Sword of Elendil!”

In the depths of the flame, I saw a figure appear, dressed in black armour, and suddenly the scene changed. The flames pulled back to reveal a battlefield, and in the centre of it lay a person without armour, and a frame more light and delicate than that of any soldier. With sickening realisation I recognised Rana, lying motionless, covered in blood, with her eyes closed. I stepped back in horror, allowing the Palantir to fall from my hand. I stood in silent terror, as the scene replayed itself in my mind, over an over; each time was like a stab in my heart. I had to find her.

I turned and ran from the hall, and spotted her leaning against the parapet wall, looking down at the city absentmindedly.

***Rana’s Point of View***

“Rana!”

I looked over my shoulder as I heard Aragorn call me and smiled as little as he ran to my side. The part of me that was trying to hide my feelings was complaining about his presence – it wasn’t going to help me get over him, while my feelings battled against my willpower, and I was ashamedly thrilled to see him. He quickly pulled me into a hug, and I looked up at him with wide eyes.

“You’re alright…” He breathed, holding me tighter, unaware of the affect he was having on me.

“Aragorn? What’s wrong?” I whispered, trying to ignore my frantic heartbeat. He pulled back a little to look at me, but still held my shoulders.

“Rana, please, do not fight tomorrow.” He begged and I frowned in confusion.

“I thought I made it clear that I do not need protected.” I muttered.

“Rana please-”

“No!” I cried, shrugging his hands off my shoulders. “I have stood by you for so long and now you want to abandon me, at the very end?” I choked, as tears of anger sprang to my eyes. Damn it… I hated myself for crying.

Aragorn pulled me back into his comforting embrace and I buried my head in his chest, forcing back the tears. After a few minutes of silence, I recovered my composure, and looked up at his face. I was going to say something, but I forgot as my eyes met his captivating gaze. Something I saw there helped me remember after a few moments.

“You know that one way or another, I will be on that battlefield tomorrow. I would rather be by your side, than lost in a crowd of strangers.” I whispered. Aragorn sighed and nodded slightly, and I smiled a little. “I always had a feeling that I would die in battle…” I murmured. Aragorn’s eyes flashed with fear.

“Don’t say that, there is still some hope.” He whispered frantically, I smiled comfortingly and nodded. 

“There is always hope.”