Chap. 34 - Arrows and the Rescue

We came closer and closer to the orcs. Spears were held up, and swords were drawn, and I raised my sword. We crashed into the lines of the orcs. I slashed the heads off of the orcs as Arroch reared up, and trampled some in his path.

An arrow whistled past my helmet, and I looked ahead. An orc stood, loading up another arrow. I whipped my bow in front of me, and shot the orc before he shot again. A cold wind blew, and my red cloak waved in the wind. The soldiers from Gondor were being killed by numbers. I saw Faramir fighting off more approaching orcs. Up ahead, I saw huge combat towers being pushed across the bridges by trolls. Arroch and I kept pushing through the swarm of orcs. Fewer and fewer soldiers were behind me. Adrenaline pumped through me.

Arroch stomped on the orcs, but one came at me from behind. It's disgusting fingers wrapped around my throat and started to choke me. I elbowed it's face and heard a crunch. I tried to reach for my sword, and gasped for breath. I grabbed my sword, and tried as best as I could to stab it. I heard a screech, and the orc let go of my throat and fell to the ground. I gasped for air, and massaged my neck. I didn't notice an orc aiming it's arrow at me. I kept riding and killing the orcs. I looked around. Faramir? Where was he? I saw a horse running back to Minas Tirith at a full gallop.

"Faramir!" I yelled. No response. An arrow pierced my arm, and then my side. I screamed in pain. I felt the warmth of my blood soak through my tunic. I sheathed my sword, and felt my arms go limp. I fell forwards in my saddle. All I could do was watch. Arroch ran through the orc troops, and galloped in the direction of Rohan. Rohan!? No!

"Arroch, no. Go back to Minas Tirith," I croaked. My arm burned, and the arrow was still in it. My side pained with every movement, and the arrows seemed to be lodged in deep. I felt my vision go fuzzy, and I blacked out.

... A COUPLE DAYS LATER...

~ARAGORN'S POINT OF VIEW~

Brego pushed himself up, and around sharp turns in the trail. We had just passed through Rohan's military camp, and were going up to the top of the mountain. I had not spoken much since Alex had left.

I dismounted Brego, and helped set up tents. I looked down a long, pathway through the mountain. Horses that were walking past the pathway were rearing, and seemed frightened.

"The horses are restless and the men are quiet," Legolas said.

"They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain," Èomer says.

"That road there, where does that lead?" Gimli asked.

"It is the road to the Dimholt, the door under the mountain," Legolas said, and looked at the road.

"None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil," Èomer said, and looked away. I walked a little closer, and saw a face emerge. My eyes widened, and I jumped when Gimli poked my shoulder.

"Aragorn! Let's find some food," Gimli said, and looked at me.

I nodded, and followed Gimli to a small campfire. Down in the valley, where the camps were I saw a fast moving horse. I couldn't see if it was carrying anything. Something red was flapping in the wind behind it. From the camps, I heard men yelling. I looked down at the path, and the horse was quickly running up the winding, steep path. Soldiers that were guarding the path's entrance yelled, "It's a soldier from Gondor!"

What? What was a soldier from Gondor doing here? The horse came up to the troops, and stopped. I recognized the brown horse. Arroch. I shoved my way through the crowd of soldiers.

"Look at those arrows!" I heard a man say.

"He might have already bled to death. Poor man," another said. King Théoden also was shoving his way through the crowd. I stopped in front of Arroch, and patted his neck.

"What's the meaning of this? Why is a soldier from Gondor here?" Théoden demanded. He examined the horse, "Arroch? What is he doing here?"

I looked at the soldier's wounds. His fingers twitched, "He's alive!"

I gently pulled the man from Arroch, and put him on the ground. Why was this man riding Arroch? Maybe they made her give up her horse for war. I pulled off the man's helmet. I recognized the face immediately. Alex.

The group of soldiers crowded around me, "No! Alex! Where's the medic?" I yelled frantically.

King Théoden came up to me, and looked at Alex. He looked around, "Where is the medic! Quickly! This woman is dying!"

A small man stepped through the crowd, and leaned over Alex. She was wearing Gondor's armor. I gently moved her cloak out of the way so the doctor could see better.

"She's losing blood still. She must have been wounded a couple days ago," the doctor said.

I was growing impatient, "Hurry!"

The doctor looked at me, and back at Alex. He pulled the arrow out of Alex's arm. It had pierced through her chain-mail. Blood had dried on the metal. The doctor reached for the arrow in her side, and carefully pulled it out. Blood flowed slowly onto the ground. Legolas and Gimli shoved through the crowd and stopped near me. Gimli gasped, and Legolas looked down.

As the doctor cleaned up her wounds, and patched her up, I looked at King Théoden.

"Why did Arroch return?" I asked, still worried for Alex's safety.

"Arroch is one of our smartest horses, and can sense if his former masters are near. That is why Alex was lead here," Théoden said, and looked at Arroch. Even Arroch seemed to be concerned for Alex. The doctor stood up, and backed away, "She needs rest. But she will heal."

I let out a sigh, as did Legolas and Gimli. King Théoden sighed as well, and led Arroch to get taken care of. I picked Alex up, and Gimli grabbed her helmet. They followed me to a tent, and I set Alex down on a sleeping pad. I noticed bruises on her neck. She must have been choked by someone. I saw her chest-plate rise up and down with every breath she took. I relaxed a little more, and Gimli set her silver helmet down next to her.

"She'll be alright?" Gimli asked softly.

"Yes," I said.

"That's good. Poor lass. Must have been shoved out into battle. Gondor must be desperate," Gimli said.

"I'm not sure Gondor would send out women into battle like that," I said and looked at Alex.

"Oh. Well it was just a guess," Gimli said. Legolas came in, and leaned down next to me, "She'll be alright. You can relax. You seem tense."

I nodded, "I know. I can't help worrying about her though."

Legolas smiled, and patted my back, "You should eat."

"I'll wait awhile," I said, and sat next to Alex.

"Aragorn, you haven't eaten all day. You need to keep up your strength," Legolas said.

"I'm alright, Legolas," I said and looked at my friend.

"Detholalle (your choice)," Legolas said, and smiled slightly. He disappeared outside. I pulled Alex into my lap and held her close. She stirred, and her eyes flew open. She reached for her sword, and I stopped her.

"Relax, Alex. You are safe," I said, overjoyed she had woken up.

"Aragorn!" she said, and tried to sit up. She grimaced in pain, "How did I get here? Are we in Minas Tirith?'

"No. We are outside the road of Dimholt. Arroch brought you here," I said, and kissed her cheek, "Try not to move."

~ALEX'S POINT OF VIEW~

I obeyed Aragorn, and stayed still. Then I remembered what had happened.

"Faramir!" I blurted.

"Faramir?" Aragorn asked.

"He went into battle with me. He's the steward's son," I said.

"Why were you even in the battle?" Aragorn asked me, concerned.

"I pledged my service to Gondor. To make up for Boromir's death. His father was grieving, and I was assigned a post as a Knight of Gondor," I whispered.

"A Knight of Gondor," Aragorn repeated, "What about Pippin and Gandalf? Are they alright?"

I nodded, "Yes. Pippin pledged to become a Guard of the Citadel."

"I'm glad your safe. I was worried-" I cut him off, "Yes. I am glad I am here. The steward is off his rocker. He didn't want to light the beacons, so we made Pippin climb up the beacon of Amon Din."

He laughed, and laid down next to me. My body felt stiff, and my back hurt from being hunched over in the saddle for days. I shut my eyes, and remembered Arroch.

My eyes flew open, "Arroch! Where is he?!"

Aragorn sat up, "He's being taken care of. You were lucky. Arroch led you here."

"He did?" I asked, and shut my eyes again. I was extremely tired.

"Yes. You should sleep," Aragorn said, and sat up. Wind blew in through a flap in the tent door. I shivered. It must be night now. Aragorn began to stand up, but with my good arm, I grabbed his hand. He looked down at me, amused.

"Stay. At least until I fall asleep," I said softly. Aragorn smiled, and sat back down next to me, "Alright, Lady Alex. A Knight of Gondor."

I smiled to myself, and felt warm again. I listened to the pattern of his breathing, and fell asleep.

A couple hours later, Aragorn jerked awake, holding his sword out in front of him. I looked at him, and at the tent doorway. A guard peeked his head through, "Lord Aragorn, King Théoden wishes to speak with you."

Aragorn stood up, and looked at me, "I'll be back."

I nodded, and tried to go back to sleep. My brain wouldn't shut up. I kept thinking about the Hobbits. Especially Pippin, who probably is worried sick that I haven't returned. Same with Gandalf! I felt terrible. I had pledged to protect Minas Tirith, and Gondor. Many minutes passed, and I planned to go back to Minas Tirith. I stood up, and walked outside. My side burned, and my arm hurt as well. I looked around at the camp. I realized I was still wearing my armor. Except my helmet was missing. I turned around, and went to go and get it. I put it on, and limped around the camp, trying to find Arroch. I passed a big tent, and Aragorn walked out of it, holding a long sword.

"Alex! What are you- You are supposed to be resting! Why are you out?" Aragorn asked me quietly.

"Well, I'm not tired anymore. I've been practically sleeping for days," I said. I looked behind him for Arroch.

"Go back to the tent. You need rest! You need to replenish the blood you have lost," he demanded.

I pretended to agree, and I went back to the tent. He didn't follow me. I turned around to him, but he was gone. I went to find him. Where was he going?

I found him saddling up Brego. I hid behind a tent and listened as Eowyn approached him, "Why are you doing this? The war lies to the east. You cannot leave on the eve of battle. You cannot abandon the men. We need you here."

"Why have you come?" Aragorn asked, while putting on Brego's bridle.

"Do you not know?" Eowyn asked sadly.

"It is but a shadow and a thought that you love. I cannot give you what you seek," Aragorn said, and turned to her. I stepped out from behind the tent. My helmet glinted in the moonlight.

"Aragorn! Where are you going?" I asked, pained that he didn't tell me. But then I realized, I was going back to Minas Tirith and I wasn't going to tell him. Eowyn turned around, and tried to see who I was.

"Alex... I can't.. I'm going alone," he said, and as I tried to mount Arroch, Aragorn glared at me, "You cannot come. You need to heal! I mean it this time, Alex. I do not wish for you to get hurt again."

I glanced at Eowyn, who was looking at me in surprise. I took off my helmet, and mounted Arroch. It hurt my side, but I could deal with the pain. Aragorn looked at me in shock.

"I'm riding to Minas Tirith. Tonight. Right now. I made a pledge for the people, and I must stick to it. I need to help protect the people there, Aragorn! I will not sit here, and rest. I can rest while Arroch gallops to the White City," I retorted.

Aragorn closed his eyes, probably resisting the urge to shake some sense into me.

"At least wait until the troops of Rohan depart. Just wait one day!" Aragorn raised his voice.

"At least tell me where you are going then," I said. I looked where Eowyn was. She wasn't there any more.

"I'm going to the King of the Dead. To ask him for an alliance. Now please, Alex, please! Stay here!" Aragorn pleaded.

Arroch seemed restless. I took in a breath, and looked down. I had to make a decision. Fast.

Yay! She was reunited with Aragorn. BUT what will she do? INTENSE XD