Chapter Twenty-Two, The Beacons

Aragorn was outside playing with Teddy who had finally allowed them to take him away from Evelina even if only for a little while. "Daddy no." Teddy giggled as Aragorn caught him lifting up into the air before holding him to his chest and tickling him. "Daddy stop! Stop!" Teddy laughed as Aragorn tickled him a wide grin spread across Aragorn's face at hearing Teddy's laugh and calling him 'daddy' he couldn't and wouldn't get used to it, it was the most precious gift in the world. Ceasing his tickling Aragorn held Teddy close pressing a kiss to his son's forehead. "Daddy? What that?" Teddy asked confused pointing to the flames shinning bright in the distance.

Looking up to where Teddy was pointing Aragorn's eyes widened as he saw the beacons were lit. "It's the beacons Teddy someone calls for help. We have to tell your grandfather." Aragorn explained gently as he held Teddy on his hip and rang towards the council chamber bursting in on what seemed to be a meeting. Evelina, Legolas and Haldir coming through another door no doubt having seen the beacons as well. "The beacons are lit. Gondor calls for aid." Aragorn informed the Council. There was a pregnant pause as everyone looked to King Theoden waiting to see what he would do. "Grandpa?" Evelina questioned taking Teddy into her arms when he reached out for her.

"And Rohan will answer." Theoden said fiercely immediately setting things into motion as everyone raced out to get ready to leave. "Where do you think you're going young lady?" Sirius asked firmly as he saw Evelina in her armour and being helped onto a horse by a stable hand as Theoden, Théodred, Eomer and Aragorn got the men ready and sent them off to gather more men and to meet at Dunharrow on the second day as the third they ride for war. "I'm just riding to the encampment dad." Evelina told her father innocently as she sat gracefully on her horse Teddy sat in front of her strapped to her by a sling so he didn't fall. Andromeda and Teddy were just travelling to the encampment like the other women of the Court.

"The truth Eve before I lose my temper." Sirius said firmly no sign of mischief in his eyes as he gazed at his daughter. "If you think you're fighting with us you are surely mistaken. I may have let you at Helms Deep but this is different not only are you still recovering from what Sauron did to you but you're a bit further along now, but this battle will be ten times worse and you're not joining us do I make myself clear young lady?" Sirius asked seriously his eyebrow raised. Evelina nodded her head solemnly Sirius stared at her for a few more minutes assessing her but finally climbed on to his own horse when he deemed she wouldn't join them. "I just don't want to lose you pup." Sirius said softly as he rode over to where Legolas and Haldir stood with Boromir. "I'm sorry dad." Evelina whispered so quiet no one heard her.

"We're riding aren't we?" Neville and Luna asked as they rode up on either side of her having overheard their conversation. "Of course." Evelina said as they rode out of Rohan.

***

"Make way for the King, Princes' and Princess." A soldier shouted as they rode into the camp. "My Lords and Ladies." Another soldier bowed as they past, Théoden waved while the rest nodded at the soldier, except for Teddy who copied his great-grandfather's actions to the others amusement. "Grimbold, how many?" Théoden asked his trusted soldier.

"I have five hundred men from the Westfold, My Lord." Grimbold replied solemnly. Théoden sighed but nodded his head as they continued to ride past. "We have three hundred from Fenmark, Théoden King." Another soldier called out.

"Where are the riders from Snowburn?" Thèodred asked.

"None have come My Prince." Grimbold sighed. Théoden nodded sadly, but cast a suspicious glance at his granddaughter who shared looks with Neville and Luna, he would keep an eye on those three. He continued his way up a small hill followed by his family. "Six thousand spears." Andromeda sighed. "That is not nearly enough, even with magic."

"Six thousands is not enough to break the lines of Mordor." Legolas said softly.

"More will come." Théoden assured as he turned to go back down the hill but stopped in front of his son and son-in-law to whisper something to them.

Whatever he had told them they were not happy about it as determined looks appeared on their faces, Théoden nodded at them and continued his journey down the hill. "They won't come." Evelina muttered as she pulled Teddy closer to her chest as if to protect him from what was to come. "Nevertheless, we must leave by dawn." Boromir replied grimly.

"A true esquire of Rohan." Eowyn said proudly as she stepped back from Merry dressed in armour. "I'm ready." Merry cried as whipped out his sword just kissing Eowyn as she jumped back out of the way. "Sorry." Merry apologised. "It isn't all that dangerous. It's not even sharp."

"Well, that's no good. You won't kill many Orcs with a blunt blade." Evelina said frowning from the chair behind Eowyn. "You look tired cousin are you alright?" Eowyn asked.

"I'm fine." Evelina refuted but her cousin did not believe her but decided to leave it for now as she turned back to Merry. "Come on." She said as she Evelina and Luna led Merry outside where he whipped his sword around him like he'd seen Evelina do. "To the smithy. Go!" Eowyn ordered a smile on her face. "You should not encourage him." Eomer said firmly before turning back to finish his dinner.

"You should not doubt him cousin." Evelina argued her hands on her hips and a scowl on her face. "I do not doubt his heart, only the reach of his arm." Eomer says snidely chuckling quietly with Glamdring only for both men to whelp holding their backsides where Evelina had just shot a stinging hex at them her eyes burning with anger. "Why should Merry be left behind?" Luna asked also looking as angry as Evelina and Eowyn were. "He has as much cause to go to war as you." Eowyn continued agreeing with the younger girls. Sighing Eomer turned back around to face them but flinched at the pain in his cousins' eyes. "Why can he not fight for those he loves?" Eowyn continued looking over to where Neville sat holding Teddy chatting to the rest of their family.

"You know as little of war as that hobbit Eowyn." Eomer argued with his sister. "I know more than you think." She argued back. "I stayed behind in the caves to hold off the Uraki to give the other women and children time to escape." Shaking his hand off of her shoulders she turned her back on her brother ignoring what else he had to say as she led the younger girls back to her tent so Evelina could rest. She knew Evelina and Luna would not stay behind much like herself and she knew Neville and Luna will follow Evelina into battle tomorrow. She made her decision then and there. She would follow as well if only to protect her baby cousin from harm.

***

"Promise us you'll stay with Andy, Neville and Luna and stay safe? We couldn't bare it if you and our children came to any arm." Aragorn asked Evelina they'd just told Evelina and her family their plan after Lord Elrond had paid them a visit gifting Aragorn the sword of the King. "I promise." Evelina said softly. "Promise me you'll look after each other and all of you come back to us?" She asked.

"We promise." The men in front of her promised hugging and kissing her passionately before they saddled their horses. "Don't worry Lassies." Gimli said gruffly to her and Luna where he'd just said the same promise to her. "I'll make sure they come to ya."

"Make sure you come back too Gimli." Evelina said as she kissed the dwarf on the forehead making him blush and splutter much like he did when Galadriel did the same. Once they were out of sight and out of hearing range of the rest of her family she turned to Neville and Luna. "Let's go." She said simply as they made their way back to her tent where Teddy slept peacefully, Andromeda was still talking with Sirius, where they proceeded to plan for the journey and war ahead.

***

"Ride with me." Evelina whispered as she levitated Merry up on to the horse she was ridding an arm going around his waist to keep him steady. "I've got him Nev." Evelina whispered quietly to the man next to her. "My Lady." Merry smirked as they charged into the fray with the others making sure to stay behind her family so they didn't notice her. They rode non stop only drinking pepper up potion to make sure they all had enough energy to fight the coming battle.

End of chapter!