Chap. 25 - Arroch and the Road to Helms Deep

When we were in the Golden Hall again, two children were sitting at a table eating. Oh food. I hadn't eaten anything in two days. I sat down on the opposite side of them, and wondered if I should eat. Eowyn smiled at me, "You must eat. You must have been travelling for days."

I smiled back, and took a piece of bread. I ate it gratefully. Aragorn, Théoden, and Gandalf were argueing. Aragorn came to sit next to me when I was eating grapes.

"What have you been argueing about?" I asked him, and looked at Eowyn. She was staring at Aragorn. I grimaced.

"Since Saruman wants to take over Rohan, the town of Edoras is retreating to Helms Deep. They do not have enough soldiers to defend themselves. Helms Deep has protected them in the past," Aragorn said, and took notice to Eowyn. His eyes widened, and he looked back at me. I giggled.

We went outside, and the guard who had taken out weapons was ordering the citizens to pack their belongings. We walked to the stables where our horses were being held. Gandalf was already inside, petting Shadowfax. Aragorn turned to me, "I'll be right back."

I nodded, and he walked over to Gandalf. I pet horses that seemed lonely. I heard hooves coming towards me. Gandalf stopped next to me, "Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east. Take care, young Alex."

"Farewell, Gandalf," I said. He galloped away. A horse who was rearing and neighing made me jump.

"Whoa," a stableman murmured to the horse, trying to calm it down. I noticed Eowyn came in. I sighed.

Aragorn came towards the horse, and another stableman spoke up, "That horse is half mad, my lord. There's nothing you can do. Leave him."

Aragorn started to speak elvish, and the horse calmed down. I stared in wonder.

"Hwæt nemnað ðe? Hm? Hwæt nemnað ðe? (What is your name? Hm? What is your name?)," Aragorn asked the horse. Eowyn came closer, "His name is Brego. He was my cousin's horse."

"Brego? Ðin nama is cynglic. (Brego? Your name is kingly)," Aragorn murmured.

"I have heard of the magic of Elves, but I did not look for it in a Ranger from the North. You speak as one of their own," Eowyn said, coming even closer.

That's it. Nope! I'm not really liking this Eowyn girl. I stepped in, "He was raised in Rivendell. For some time."

Aragorn raised his eyebrow at me, and seemed to hide a laugh, "Yes. Set this fellow free. He's seen enough of the war."

He turns to me, and took my hand. We left, and I felt truimph run through me. I felt her eyes on me.

Aragorn smirked, "What was that about?"

I shrugged, "Nothing. I just.. I don't know."

"Mm hm," Aragorn chuckled.

He sent me to go some rest, so I did. A servant showed me to a room. I saw the bed, and nodded my thanks. I collasped onto it, and fell asleep immediately.

I wasn't sure how long I slept, but I woke up with Legolas tapping my shoulder lightly.

"You must awaken. We are leaving to Helms Deep very soon," he said.

I stood up, and put on my cloak. "Thank you, Legolas. Where is Aragorn?"

"The Golden Hall, eating breakfast. I suggest you eat something as well," Legolas said, and held the door open for me.

"Thank you," I said, and started to walk to the hall. I rebraided my hair, and pushed open the huge doors. Sure enough, he was sitting at the table. Eowyn was sitting across from him, staring and talking to him. As I approached, Eowyn looked at me. Aragorn looked uncomfortable while he ate.

He looked up, and seemed relieved. I sat down besides him. "Morning," I muttered to him.

"You slept for awhile. You needed the rest," Aragorn said, and looked uncomfortably at Eowyn.

"I feel much better than I did yesterday," I said, and helped myself to a pot of steaming oatmeal. I added some brown sugar on the top.

Behind me, King Théoden cleared his throat. I turned around and quickly spooned some oatmeal into my mouth. I stood up, and coughed. I bowed slightly, "My lord?"

The king smiled, "Good morning, Lady Alex. I heard you were in need of a horse."

I glanced at Aragorn, who was smiling slightly. I looked back at the king, "Yes, my lord."

"Come, I'll show you to your horse," Théoden said, and lead me to the stables. Aragorn followed.

We went inside the stables, and King Théoden stopped in front of a stall with a dark brown horse standing proudly. His dark brown mane shone in the dim morning light. "His name is Arroch. The horsemasters just finished his training," the king said proudly, "He's yours. Ride him with pride."

I reached my hand out and touched his soft muzzle, "Thank you, my lord."

The king left, and left Aragorn and I alone. I looked outside, to see if Eowyn was coming. She wasn't. I sighed, and then laughed aloud.

"What?" Aragorn asked me. He seemed to get why I was relieved. "Ohh. It's Eowyn isn't it? Yes, I've seen the way she looks at me. Don't worry about it." He chuckled, and hugged me.

I blushed bright red, "Heh..."

"Do you like him?" Aragorn asked me, and nodded to Arroch. I nodded, "Yes. He's beautiful. Were you the one who asked Théoden?"

"Yes. I've seen you look longingly at horses. I asked him if he had any that he could spare."

I quickly looked at Arroch. He nickered at me. I pulled away from Aragorn. "Does he have a saddle?"

Aragorn pointed to a saddle hanging on the wall, "That's yours. You best saddle up quickly. We are leaving soon."

I nodded, "Okay. I'll meet you outside."

Aragorn smiled, and left the stables. Once he was gone, I giggled with happiness. He didn't like Eowyn. Well.. In that way. I put a green saddle blanket underneath Arroch's saddle, and went to find a bridle. Tacked up onto the wall were bridles with names above each of them. I found the one with Arroch's name above it, and returned to him. When I was little, I used to take horseback riding lessons. And I had to force the bit into their mouths. But with Arroch, he let me slide the bit in with no trouble.

I led him out of the stall, and outside. The sun was now above the horizon, and the people were gathering in the center of Edoras. I mounted Arroch, and made him go into a trot. I found Aragorn, who was waiting patiently by Legolas and Gimli.

"Are we departing now?" I asked them.

"Aye. We just have to wait for the king-. Oh. There he is. Go, elf! Get in front of those short women," Gimli grunted.

I laughed, and looked ahead. Sure enough, two short women were talking to each other quietly.

Legolas rolled his eyes, and looked around.

The villagers started to walk slowly. Arroch seemed jumpy, like a child was before he went to Disneyland or something. We walked out of the gate, and I took one last look at Edoras.

YAY! NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE INTENSE. The picture on the side is Arroch!