Chapter XVII: FEAR AND TRUST
Legolas helped Gimli up on his horse and turned to see Cyrene mounting up as well. Further away, Aragorn was speaking to the Dunedain.
Eowyn approached Aragorn, with a cup from which she drank a sip before handing it over to Aragorn. He took the cup and drank from it. Then he gave it back to her, saying "Farewell, Lady of Rohan. I drink to your house's prosperity, to you and to all of your people. Tell this to your brother: May it be that beyond the shadows we will meet again!"
Legolas and Gimli, who stood next to Aragorn, saw tears gather in Eowyn's eyes, but she blinked them quickly away.
"So you leave, Aragorn," she held her head up and said "I beg you for a last time: let me join your company and fulfill my destiny. My place is on the field, defending my people's lands and lives. Take me with you, Lord Aragorn, I will bow to you". She started to bend in order to kneel before him, but Aragorn took her hand, holding Eowyn up, and kissed her slender fingers.
"I cannot let you ride with us, Eowyn. You must seek your uncle and brother's permission. They will arrive here tomorrow. We will meet again, brave Lady of Rohan." And after saying this Aragorn quickly mounted up and rode away. Only those who knew him well saw the pain in his features, for he had been forced to reject all the courage and love in the proud White Lady of the Rohirrim. Legolas and Gimli saluted Eowyn as they rode by her, as did the Dunedain and Elrond's sons, in tribute to her bravery.
Cyrene rode up to Eowyn and dismounted, approaching her best friend.
"Your time hasn't come yet, my sister. I will wait for you. My heart stays with yours, Eowyn." And while she said this, Cyrene pulled the crescent moon medallion she wore around her neck and put it in Eowyn's hand. " Artemis will guide you, my sister."
Then she embraced Eowyn one last time and mounted up, galloping after the Gray Company.
The Lady of Rohan stood there, holding the Amazon's medallion to her heart and looking after the riders until they disappeared from her sight, while she softly whispered, " I will be there, Cyrene. By the Gods, I will join you soon."
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The ominous shadow of the black mountain of Dwimor loomed over the riders, as they approached it on their ride to the entrance to the Paths of the Dead.
They rode closer to the haunted mountain, crossing the Dark Forest, where the horses refused to move and the riders had to dismount and lead the beasts by the bridle.
They reached a stonewall where a Dark Door was set, black as the night. On it were ancient signs and figures engraved, too blurry to be read.
Fear streamed from the door like gray smoke.
The gray company stopped. Only Legolas and Elrond's sons remained calm, as they did not fear the ghosts of men, while all the men's hearts sunk, gripped in the icy claws of terror.
Aragorn led the way into the darkness, his loyal horse following his lead, and so did the Dunedain, leading their mounts into the terrifying depths. Only Arod, Legolas' Rohan horse, and Cyrene's mare balked at the entrance. Both horses stood sweating and trembling, caught in terror.
Legolas' laid his hands on Arod's eyes and chanted softly some elvish words. Arod let the elf guide him inside the gate.
Outside, Gimli felt his knees shaking and was furious at himself. He saw Cyrene busy with her horse, and didn't want to show the fear he felt wringing his heart. He gathered all his resolve and entered the gate. The dwarf felt his feet heavy as lead, as a sudden blindness fell over him and Gimli, son of Gloin, was trembling like a leaf, but he forced himself to move on.
Outside the gate, Cyrene was trying to calm her mount, with no success. For she was struggling for control herself.
Her mare felt her mistress trembling hands and smelled the cold sweat on Cyrene's skin. And the horse stood by the Amazon, both caught up in panic, unable to move.
She had felt fear seeping through her clothes, her skin, into her very bones from the moment they had passed the black rock. Cyrene had never felt anything like that in her whole life.
The terror was dragging her down, she didn't dare to move, and she felt numb and icy cold. And she couldn't fight it. Cyrene felt anger growing in her, at her being powerless to overcome the panic that took over her body and soul. She had faced demons, monsters and magic before, but she was now helplessly raging with herself just to control her body and follow the other riders.
"Goddess, give me strength, don't let my courage falter!" she prayed, while she made an effort to calm her shaking limbs and ragged breath, but to no avail. Tears of rage fell down her cheeks. She had failed her people, failed Rohan, the quest, and Legolas.
Cyrene didn't hear the light steps behind her or feel him approaching until his hands gently touched her shoulders. And Cyrene let go of her warrior's pride, letting Legolas gather her in his arms.
Legolas hadn't expected Cyrene to be affected by the Paths of the Death, but he had sensed that something was very wrong when he looked back to the last members of the company and, while Gimli had forced himself inside the mountain cave, there was no sign of Cyrene or her horse. He had been worried, had given his horse's bridle to Elrohir and, leaving Elladan to watch over his friend Gimli, walked back to the entrance.
When he saw her standing by her horse, his first thought was that she couldn't persuade the mare to enter the dark pit. Then he noticed her slumped shoulders, the way her body was shaking and the cold sweat on her skin. And it tore at his heart.
Cyrene felt the warmth of Legolas body slowly permeating her body, his heartbeat easing the hollow sensation that engulfed her. She straightened up in his arms, and managed to smile at him.
"I am well Legolas. But very ashamed that you had to come for me", she said softly.
He put a finger on her lips to silence her.
"There is no shame between us, amaelamin. Whenever you feel weak, I will help you up. I know you will be there for me when I require your strength."
Cyrene looked into his eyes and felt warmth spread all over her body. She would not disappoint him, not on her life.
Slowly, very slowly, they lead the mare inside the cave, Legolas' chanting in elvish to sooth both Cyrene and the horse. She led the mare holding the bridle with her left hand. Legolas' hand was closed over her hand, and he walked on the opposite side of the horse.
The Amazon's breathing was steadier and she made the effort to walk inside the cave, even though her feet felt heavy and the darkness and feeling of despair still weighed her down. Forcing herself to forget her surroundings and trying to keep her instinct warning about danger ahead of them, Cyrene kept on walking, gathering strength from the hand holding hers. **
Once they reached the gray company, Legolas looked over to Cyrene to see if she was well. She gave him a weak smile and he squeezed gently her hand, smiling back. Then, he let her hand go and walked up to Elrohir who still held Arod's bridle.
Gimli was standing near to Elladan, but he had stubbornly refused to move until Legolas and Cyrene arrived.
As the Amazon's and the dwarf's eyes met, they both knew that they had been both overwhelmed beyond their power, and that knowledge gave both strength to endure together more of the darkness that was weighing heavily upon them.
Both knew that even though Legolas walked by them and encouraged them silently to continue, the elf didn't understand their suffering. They felt the sadness of the hundreds of lost souls wandering in the unholy place, the cold grip of fear, not of the darkness but of the presence they felt closing on them in the blackness that fell behind?, as they passed with the torches. The army of Isildur's forsworn warriors were at their heels, following the company. Cyrene and Gimli walked side by side, dragging their feet, trembling still, both drawing strength from each other's company and silent understanding. Cyrene's hand lay on Gimli's shoulder, and the dwarf patted it from time to time. They were both warriors facing their weakness, fighting it one step at a time.
After many never-ending hours of walking in the maddening darkness, the eerie murmur of the Army of the Dead filling their ears, the Gray Company reached the exit of the cavern.
Never before had the sound of running water felt so good to Cyrene's ears as it did in that moment. Water was life, and the sound of the stream gave her a last push forwards, escaping the thick atmosphere surrounding them.
They crossed a high stone arcade There was some weak daylight upon Middle Earth that gave the exhausted riders a feeling of leaving hell behind. If it wasn't for the dark presence of the Forsworn Warriors at their back, they would have rested by the stream, but they felt the Army of the dead closing in on them, restless.
Aragorn mounted up and turned to his companions, "Forget your fatigue, my friends! Ride on now, ride hard, for it is our duty to reach the Stone of Erech before the end of the day and the road ahead is long."
The Dunedain mounted up, as did Elladan and Elrohir. Legolas helped Gimli onto Arod's saddle and stopped by Cyrene, who was leaning into her mare, before mounting up herself.
Cyrene felt his presence, it was stronger than the eerie sensation of the specters behind them. He gave her warmth and made her heart lighter by the slightest touch. When she turned to him a smile came to her lips naturally, even after the worst trip she had ever endured in her life.
Legolas was worried, for he had seen Gimli almost break down under the strain of the ordeal and Cyrene had been as much affected by the cavern as the dwarf.
But as she looked at him and gave him a tired smile, he felt a smile come to his lips as well. He helped her up on the mare, and his hands lingered a moment longer than necessary on her waist. Her hand caressed lightly his cheek and she leant forward on her mount, giving him a soft kiss.
The elf whispered ,"Are you well, amaelamin?" Cyrene nodded, whispering back, " With your and Gimli's support , I overcame this trial. I will not fail you again, Legolas."
"You could never fail me, brave Cyrene," answered Legolas, returning then to Arod. He could feel the Army of the Dead approaching and they had to leave at once.
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The Gray Company galloped through the Valley of Morthond, riding through fields and plains, through villages and rivers, but no one dared to look upon them. Bells rang and there were terrified cries among the humans that announced that the King of the Dead had returned. All windows and doors were locked and not a human soul saw them riding by.
At midnight, the horses were stumbling with exhaustion as they reached the Stone of Erech. Aragorn dismounted by the rounded stone and received from Elrohir a silver horn. He blew into it and the Company heard responding horns echoing in distant caverns . There were no other sounds in the air, besides the tired snorting from the horses and the heavy breathing of the men. The heavy presence of an enormous army gathering around the hill could be felt, and the icy wind blowing from the mountains was the chilly breath of a legion of ghosts. Aragorn stood by the stone and called out with a commanding voice: " Forsworn, why have you come here?"
And in the depth of the night was a distant voice that answered, " To fulfill the oath and find peace at last".
Aragorn commanded then. " The time has come at last. I will ride to Pelargir and you will ride with me, And when all servants of Sauron have disappeared from this land , I will consider your oath as fulfilled and then you will have peace and may part forever. I am Elessar, the Heir of Isildur of Gondor".
After saying this, he told Halbarad to unfold the banner he had brought which was completely black. If there was any crest on it, it could not be seen. At once there was deep silence around them, not even a murmur or a sigh was heard for the rest of what would be a long night.
The company camped close to the stone even though the travelers, terrified by the ghosts surrounding them, didn't sleep.
Only Cyrene, the Amazon, who lay down next to Legolas and Gimli, found some rest. The elf held her close to him and the steady sound of his heart and his soothing presence lulled her into slumber.
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By the pale light of the cold dawn, Aragorn rose and guided the company on a hard and strenuous ride that no other mortal would have endured towards Mordor.
The land they crossed was deserted, for all living beings had run away from the approaching Army of Ghosts.
By nightfall they camped in Calembel, and Aragorn walked up to were Cyrene, Gimli and Legolas were camping.
Aragorn's weathered features were haggard and pale, the weight of his mission weighing on his shoulders. But Cyrene had never seen a more regal leader of men in her life, and she admired the strength in Aragorn's spirit.
"You should part from the company tomorrow at midday, in Ethring, so that you may continue your ride to Belfalas, Cyrene ", he told the Amazon.
Cyrene nodded. She had been anticipating this moment. She had to ride on to meet the amazons and lead them into battle against Sauron.
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