▌𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲-𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐫 ━︎━︎ 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫 ▌

━︎━︎━︎━︎𝐀𝐒 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐅𝐄𝐋𝐋, Ellaria was once again provided with her own room despite her claims that she was perfectly fine sharing a space with her company. Theoden, of all people, had insisted. She sat up in the bed, finding herself unable to rest. She stood, white night gown swishing as she walked. She grabbed her cloak, throwing it over her and putting on her shoes. She walked out of the room, careful to keep her footsteps light so as to not wake anyone. She made her way outside, her hands pressing against the concrete of the barrier that kept her from falling off the edge. She closed her eyes, the wind rustling her hair. Even at peace, she still remained restless.

"What troubles your mind?"

Ellaria turned her head as Legolas joined her. She sighed. "It all feels wrong. To be laughing and celebrating while Frodo is still out there. If I thought I could make it alone, I would go and find him."

"Frodo's fate is not in our hands anymore," Legolas gently said.

"That does not suppress my worry." Ellaria mumbled.

"You will catch a cold standing out here."

She scoffed. "Please. I have not been sick a day in my life. I don't plan to start now." She stared at the stars in the sky, her head tilting slightly. "The stars are different tonight. They sing a song that my mind fears to listen to." She wrapped her arms around herself, leaning into his side and resting her head on his shoulder. On instinct his arm wrapped around her waist. From behind them, someone approached them. Without having to look, they knew it was Aragorn.

Aragorn stared at them from a distance, glancing to the ground as a small smile pulled to his lips. He approached them, coming to Legolas's side. "The stars are veiled," Legolas said. "Something stirs in the east. A sleepless malice. The Eye of the enemy is moving."

"I fear who it will look to next," Ellaria whispered. "I only hope it does not look to Frodo." Suddenly, she stood straight, alerting both the men beside her. "He is here." She turned and ran. "Come!" Legolas and Aragorn quickly ran after her, following her to the room the others laid to rest and bursting through the door. Pippin was writhing on the floor, the ball Saruman had dropped holding tightly in his hand. The Eye looked back.

"Pippin!" Ellaria called his name, shooting forwards and grabbing the Hobbit as Aragorn took the sphere from him. He fell to his knees and Legolas was quick to support him as the ball left his hands and rolled along the floor. Gandalf was quick to grab a cloth and cover it. "Pippin, are you alright?" Ellaria softly asked.

Gandalf snapped his head to Pippin. "Fool of a Took!" Pippin only laid unresponsive in Ellaria's arm, despite her gently shaking him. Gandalf shot towards them, pushing Merry aside who had been kneeling beside Pippin. Gandalf grabbed Pippin's hand before placing a hand on Pippin's forehead, muttering silent words. Pippin gasped. "Look at me," Gandalf ordered.

Pippin listened. Tears were in his eyes, his voice shaking. "Gandalf, forgive me."

"Look at me." Gandalf repeated. "What did you see?"

Pippin closed his eyes. "A tree." He opened his eyes again. "There was a white tree. . . in a courtyard of stone. It was dead. The city was burning."

"Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?"

"I saw. . ." He began to take fearful breaths. "I saw him. I could hear his voice in my head."

"And what did you tell him?" Pippin didn't answer him and Gandalf shook him slightly. "Speak!"

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

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

Pippin's eyes widened before he shook his head. "Nothing."

"Gandalf," Ellaria said gently. "Let the Hobbit breathe a moment. Question him more later." She gently ran a comforting hand over the Hobbit's arm, her eyes narrowing in warning at Gandalf. He nodded and stood away.

She went back to her room, changing back into her fighting clothes which had been washed for her. She strapped her weapons to her body before making it to the main hall where the others were along with Theoden. Gandalf had explained what had happened to Theoden. "There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool. . . but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan.

"Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as week as he supposed. There is courage still, strength enough perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of Men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."

"Tell me," said Theoden, "why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours?" Ellaria glanced a him, running a stressed finger over her brow. "What do we owe Gondor?"

Aragorn clenched his jaw before letting it relax. "I will go."

"No," Gandalf denied.

Aragorn snapped his head towards him. "They must be warned."

"They will be." He approached Aragorn and said more quietly, "You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the river. Look to the black ships." He turned, addressing everyone. "Understand this: things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith and I won't be going alone." He turned and looked at Pippin.

As the sun rose, Gandalf and Pippin left. Ellaria felt bad for Merry, the Hobbit had been separated from all of his friends. She stood at the entrance of the hall, watching as Aragorn brought Merry back. They ascended up the stairs and when Merry saw her he ran to her, his arms wrapping around her. Ellaria's heart broke as she hugged him back. "This will not be the last you see of him, Merry."

He pulled away, looking up at her. "How could you know that?"

She kneeled before him, placing a gentle hand to his cheek. "Because I have seen it."

Merry looked at Aragorn and he nodded. "She shares the gift of foresight with her father, Lord Elrond."

"I do not use it often," Ellaria gently said. "Rarely ever. It is the first time in decades I've touched it. I thought for your peace of mind, it would be necessary." She stood. "Come now, there is food awaiting you." Merry nodded and followed her. She sat with him as he ate, not wanting him to be alone. She listened to him as he told stories of him and Pippin, how much trouble they'd gotten in when they were younger. Ellaria softly laughed as she listened to the mischief.

Days rose and fell, no word from Gondor. Ellaria stood in Hall with Legolas, taking a sip of wine. Theoden was quietly planning, three of his men listening. For the most part, the Hall was quiet with occasional chatter from the others inside it. Ellaria had a smile on her face as she softly talked to Legolas, her hand on his arm that was wrapped around her waist. The quiet of the Hall was abruptly broken when the doors flew open and Aragorn ran in.

"The beacons of Minas Tirith!" Aragorn shouted, going straight for Theoden. "The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid!"

Ellaria turned her head to look at the king, waiting to see what his decision would be. There was a long pause before Theoden said, "And Rohan will answer. Muster the Rohirrim." Eomer nodded and walked out, a bell echoing across the city. Instantly everyone moved, preparing their horses and their weapons. Ellaria stood by Celebrindor, running a hand over the horses mane. "You have been with me for many battles already, let us face another together." She saddled her horse. She met Legolas's eyes, sending him a small smile.

"Princess! Princess!"

Ellaria quickly turned her head, watching as Merry came running to her. "Merry, what are you doing?"

"I have offered Theoden my services and he has accepted. I am to be Rohan's esquire." Merry said, pausing to catch his breath. "I only ask to ride with you once more."

Ellaria smiled at him. "Allow me to do you one better. Stand here." Merry listened and Ellaria walked away before coming back with a more smaller horse in tow. "An esquire should have their own." Merry smiled widely, accepting her hand as she helped him onto the horse. She climbed onto her own.

"Now is the hour," Eomer shouted. "Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken! Now, fulfill them all! To lord and land!" Then, they were off.

If Ellaria was being completely honest with herself, she was beginning to grow tired of war. But she wouldn't back down, not with the fate of Middle-Earth at stake. She would hold herself together and face her fears, ride into battle, and hope that by some miracle they would win. She turned her head to look at Legolas who kept at her side, Gimli on the back of his horse. She turned her head ahead of her, growing determined. She would have a life with Legolas, one that would one day be without war and grief. But if she wanted it, she had to fight for it. And she would. Until her dying breath.

Finally, her sisters words were coming to light. Ellaria decided she would have to apologize when she saw her next. Love was not foolish, she knew that now. If this is what it felt like to be loved, Ellaria was okay with that. Her heart thawed and began to open, beating for one person and one person only. It called for him, singing a song she had not heard in so long. Not since the first time she'd fallen for him a thousand years ago. And with certainty she knew, his heart sang back.