Chap. 31 - The Celebration and the Palantir

The whole village was practically in the great hall, with mugs of ale. King Théoden stood up, and led a speech, "Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead!"

"Hail!" everyone cheered, and took a swig of their drink. Music started to play, and people started to dance, drink, laugh, and talk. I saw the man who kidnapped me approach me.

"My lady," he said, and bowed his head, "I'm afraid I never caught your name."

"I am Alex, of uhh, Wyoming. I never caught yours either," I stuttered. I saw Aragorn watching me out of the corner of my eye.

"I am Èomer, son of Èomund. It is a pleasure to meet you at last. I am sorry that I kidnapped you, it was a safety precaution," Èomer said, and smiled.

"Oh, it's alright," I said awkwardly, and looked around me. People danced as couples around me. Èomer watched me, and he asked shyly, "May I have this dance?"

He offered me his hand, and I took it, "I'm just warning you though, I have no idea how to dance!"

Èomer laughed, "It's alright. I don't really know how either. Just follow the people around us."

I giggled, and blushed. I looked at a couple next to us. They were sliding across the floor, and their hands were around eachother's waists. Èomer gently placed his hands on mine, and I placed mine on his shoulders. The man next to us twirled the lady. I laughed, and spun around as Èomer twirled me. We both laughed, and continued to 'dance'. I saw Aragorn leaning against a wooden pillar, seeming to be hurt. He stood up, ready to intervene when the music slowed. Èomer and I kept dancing, and talked. I saw Eowyn come up to Aragorn with a glass of alcohol. I watched as she talked to him. He took a sip of the liquid and handed her back to cup. Èomer leaned down to my face, about to kiss me. Aragorn quickly stepped in, and pulled me away from Èomer's grasp.

"Excuse me?" Èomer asked, and grabbed my shoulder gently, "We were dancing."

Aragorn's eyes narrowed, and he pulled me away from him. I couldn't hear what Aragorn said to Èomer, but it seemed rude. Èomer's eyes seemed to shoot daggers at Aragorn. I tried to listen, but I was interrupted by a drunk Gimli's laugh. I turned a walked towards him. Legolas was drinking as well.

"Legolas! You are the last one I would suspect to do this," I chuckled. Gimli burped, and yelled, "Here, here. It's the Dwarves that go swimming with little, hairy women."

"I feel something. A slight tingle in my fingers. I think it's affecting me," Legolas said, seeming a bit to concerned.

"What did he say? He can't hold his liquor in? Hah!" Gimli said, and went crossed eyed. He fell backwards off his chair.

"Game over," Legolas said, and put his mug down. I laughed, and turned to Aragorn and Èomer who seemed to be fighting. I walked closer to them, and I leaned up against a pillar. Aragorn seemed to yell something, and he turned to me. He had a glare on his face.

"What was that about?" I spat, and looked at Èomer who was standing by a table, looking at me. I looked at Aragorn who seemed angry, "Well? I can't dance with one other person?"

"He was going to kiss you. I- I.. You are right. I'm sorry," Aragorn said, and sadly looked at the floor. I put my hand on his cheek, "I wouldn't have let that happen."

He put his hand on top of mine, and looked back up at me and smiled softly, "May I have this dance, Lady Alex?"

"Yes, my Lord Aragorn," I laughed. I held out my hand and he kissed it. He led me to the clearing in the floor where other people were dancing. He put his arms around my waist, and I put my arms around his neck. We danced slowly, even though the song was fast.

"Should we dance faster?" I giggled, and gestured to the fast dancing couples.

"Perhaps. I don't know how though," Aragorn said sheepishly. I laughed, and was started to spin around. He grabbed my waist, and pulled me closer and kissed my cheek. I blushed and smiled into his shoulder. Èomer was watching me sadly. I felt bad for the poor man. Maybe I should dance.. Oh. Nevermind. As soon as I thought that, another woman asked to dance with him, and he eagerly nodded. The song slowed down, and I laughed loudly. People looked at me strangely.

"We should dance fast now," I giggled. Aragorn chuckled, "Oh? And how should we do that?"

"Twirl me," I said, and grabbed his hands. Aragorn looked confused, and blushed "How?" he asked quietly.

"Just spin my hand," I laughed. He did it, and I spun around. My cloak twirled, and my sword's scabbard almost hit a woman.

Aragorn stifled a laugh, and I laughed aloud. We danced for awhile, and listened to Pippin and Merry's song about a pub called the Green Dragon.

"Oh you can search far and wide,

You can drink the whole town dry,

But you'll never find a beer so brown,

As the one we drink in our hometown.

You can drink your fancy ales,

You can drink 'em by the flagon,

But the only brew for the brave and true,

Comes from The Green Dragon!" they chanted. People clapped and laughed at them. The smell of alcohol and the sound of laughter was abundant in the Golden Hal. I hadn't felt this happy in a long time.

At the end of the big celebration, Aragorn walked me back to my room.

"I had fun tonight, Lord Aragorn," I said cheerfully.

"As did I, Lady Alex," Aragorn grinned. I reached for my door handle, but was stopped by Aragorn.

"Wait."

I stopped and turned around. He was red, but then he kissed me again. On the lips. But this time, I kissed back. We stood in the dim hallway, and then hugged. This moment was perfect. I didn't want it to end. Until we both heard Gimli's sloppy steps coming towards us. He was mumbling, and slurring words. Oh, Gimli was drunk. I forgot about that. We pulled away, both laughing. Gimli came around the corner, grumbling.

"Oh. Its ywhoo gouys," I could barely understand. He mumbled something I could not comprehend, and he fell face first onto the floor.

Aragorn laughed aloud, "Dwarves!"

I laughed, and followed Aragorn to Gimli. Aragorn picked up the drunk dwarf, and carried him into his room. I waited, and watched as Aragorn shut Gimli's door. I opened the door to my room. It was dark except for the same two candles lighting a small corner. I turned to Aragorn, who was looking at me, "Good night. You should rest too."

Aragorn nodded, "I will see you in the morning then."

"Alright," I said, and walked into my room. I slowly shut my door, watching Aragorn's door shut. I shook off my boots, and took off my weapons. I walked into the bathroom, where water was in the wooden tub. It must have been sitting since the party, for it was cold. At least it was a bath. I quickly bathed, and scrubbed the grime off of my body, and washed my hair. I grabbed a towel that was on the wall, and dried myself. I looked through the drawers in the dresser and found a white night gown. I put it on, and braided my wet hair. I opened my door, and walked outside. A servant was walking down the hall. I was holding my dirty cloak, tunic, and pants.

"Excuse me!" I whispered loudly. The servant turned to me, and walked towards me. She stopped in front of my door, and bowed, "Yes, Lady Alex?"

"Could I have some fresh water so I could wash my clothes?" I asked politely. The servant nodded, but took my clothes from me, "I will wash your clothes for you, milady. You need rest. In the morning, you will find your clothes dry and clean in front of your door."

I nodded, genuinely happy that the girl was doing this for me, "Thank you. I really appreciate that."

The servant nodded, and smiled. She bowed, and left with my clothes. I walked back into my room, and shut my door. I flopped onto my bed, and fell asleep immediately.

In the early morning, perhaps 6, I heard a scream. I jumped out of bed, and shoved my door open. Where did it come from? I stepped on something soft. I looked down. My clothes! That servant was good. I quickly shut my door, and changed. I didn't bother to put my cloak on, so I ran out into the hallway with no shoes on. I had forgotten to put my belt on, so my tunic was a bit baggy. I went into the great hall, where Eowyn was sleeping on a small chair. I quietly hurried through the room, and looked around. A door was cracked open on the right side of the room. I walked in, and saw Merry and Gandalf crouching over Pippin.

"Pippin!" I said, and leaned down. Pippin was awake. Gandalf looked at Pippin, "Look at me. What did you see?"

"A tree. There was a white tree. In a courtyard of stone. It was dead. The city was burning," Pippin gasped. What in the world was going on...? I saw the black orb on the floor.

"Minas Tirith," Gandalf muttered, "Is that what you saw?"

"I saw...I saw him! I can hear his voice in my head," Pippin cried.

"And what did you tell him? Speak!"

"He asked me my name. I didn't answer. He hurt me," Pippin croaked.

"What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?"

Pippin looked up at Gandalf, and blinked.

"Fool of a Took," Gandalf said, and stood up. I quickly stood up, looked at Gandalf, "What happened?"

"He touched the Palantir. He let Sauron think that he has the ring," Gandalf said, frustrated.

Oh. Sauron. I left Gandalf in the room, and went back to mine. I pulled my boots on, and put my belt on. I felt better knowing my sword was with me. I put my cloak on, and put my bow and quiver on after. I walked out of my room, and rebraided my hair. In the Golden Hall, Eowyn was gone, and so was the chair. I looked around for any food and found left over bread and apples. I ate an apple, and walked outside. The morning air blasted me. Aragorn and Legolas were standing near the stairs. I shut the door quietly. The sun hadn't come up yet. I shivered, and made arrows shake. Aragorn quickly turned around, and smiled at me. I smiled back, and looked at the hills. Snowy mountains stood tall behind the grassy hills. I realized that I didn't want to go home. I've made great friends. I made my way down the stairs, but my destination was at the stables, and Aragorn whispered to me, "Where are you going?"

"The stables. I want to see Arroch," I said, and took the stairs two at a time.

Thanks for staying with me this far guys! :D