Forty Seven - The Call

"The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit!" Aragorn ran in and I stood, glancing between Legolas, Cleos, and Gimli. "Gondor calls for aid," Once he stopped, he was standing in front of Theoden and his council.

Theoden looked at Aragorn, then at me. I probably looked pitiful in my final attempt to convince him.

"And Rohan will answer. Muster the Rohirrim," Theoden commanded and Eomer nodded, walking away.

"We have to prepare," Cleos said and I nodded, moving quickly down the hall to my room.

"Verena," Cleos knocked on my door. "Come in," I said as I started putting my knives and daggers in their places. "Ver, it is only to Dunharrow," Cleos chuckled. "And we were attacked on the way to Helm's Deep. Preparing for the unknown is never a waste of time," I fired back.

"Well, hurry up," He said. "Go worry about yourself, Cleos," I chuckled and he shook his head.

"Oh, and by the way, I brought Penrose for you," He said. "Thank you!" I shouted as he walked out.

~~~

Theoden sent Eomer to assemble their army at Dunharrow, giving him two days. He sent Gamling across the Riddermark as well to summon able-bodied men.

"I don't know what you said to him, but thank you, Eowyn," I said as I mounted Penrose. "Just the same as you had told me. All of us are at risk," She said. "How far will you go with us?" I asked. "Just to the encampment. It is tradition for women of the court to say farewell to the men," She answered.

"Really? What's this?" I moved a thin blanket to reveal a sword and armour, she covered it back up and looked at me in shock. "You and Aragorn are two of a kind, spotting out the most discreet of things," She huffed.

"I didn't ask you to help me convince Theoden so you could ride into battle," I scolded. "Your people, the presence of the Tempests, as well as Aragorn's, have given us hope, Ver," She reasoned.

"Eowyn, listen to me. War is not for the light hearted. As much as I hate admitting it, there is a reason men ride to war and women stay home. The things you see, the sounds you hear, all the way down to the smell of war makes you want to turn and run. It changes you, forever," I warned.

"I want to fight, not because I wish for war, but because I know I can," She said. "Alright,"

~~~

"I see we won't be sharing a horse anymore," Legolas chuckled as he rode next to me with Gimli. "Appears so," I smiled. "Have you seen Merry?" I asked and looked at the odd pair.

"He was trying to get a stubborn pony to move in the stables," Gimli answered and I chuckled. "I should help him. Watch Penrose for me," I said as I got off my horse and ran towards the stables.

"Come on, Scotch," Merry said and he kicked the pony's sides and tried to turn him. "Use your hips, Merry," Eomer told him as I walked in. "Need help?" I asked and Eomer looked at me.

"The pony is too stubborn to turn," Eomer said. I walked over slowly, taking the reins and gently pulling, making him turn for me. "You have a Rohirrim to gather, I'll help him," I looked at Eomer, who looked at me in surprise. "Go on," I shooed him away. He huffed a laugh and walked out of the stables.

"Why don't you ride with me, Merry. It would make this a lot simpler," I suggested. "Yeah, let's do that," He laughed.

I helped him back off of the pony and unsaddled him, putting him back in a stall and we ran outside to Le and Gimli. I took Penrose's reins and got on first, then quickly pulled Merry up. "Now is the hour. Riders of Rohan, Oaths you have taken. Now fulfil them all. To Lord and Land!"

~~~

"Hello, Brothers. Miss us?" I asked as I walked into the large tent. "Ver, Cleos," Alek said and came to hug us.

"Theoden?" Nikolas asked and I nodded. "You haven't seen the soldiers of Rohan?" I asked. "Six thousand spears so far," Cleos said and Nikolas nodded.

"How many do we have?" I asked as I looked at the maps and pieces. "One thousand from Ingas, seven hundred from Ilex, seven hundred from Acoris, six hundred from Vicor," Hadrian explained.

"Zion and Iston haven't returned?" I asked. "They rode through Ingas two days ago. They should be here by nightfall," Nikolas assured me.

"Three thousand here and another two on the way," I nodded. "As well as Rohan's six thousand, we have nine thousand," Hadrian added.

"We'll give them a fight," Alek said. "That we will," I nodded.

~~~

Theoden, Nikolas, Aragorn, and all the advisors in between had a big meeting about the plan. I'll save you the boredom and tell you what was decided; we ride at dawn, with or without the rest that may come.

"That road there, where does it lead?" Gimli asked as I walked around to him, Legolas, and Eomer. "The Dimholt, the door under the mountain," I answered with venom in my voice as I stopped next to them.

I hate that place, more than any other.

"None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil," Eomer said. "What lies there?" Gimli asked. "A curse set upon an army three thousand years ago, who did not fight when their king needed them," I answered.