The Princes Shadow

Chapter 19

Emerin POV~

We all sat in the great hall. Two children from another village that had been attacked, were eating the stew that had been given to them. I looked at their hungry eyes and felt sorrow. The little girl seemed... angry. I had never seen a child so young seem to have such an understanding of war, and yet, here were two of them,

"They had no warning!" Eowyn stood up from beside the children, speaking to her uncle, "They were unarmed. Now the wild men are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot and tree." She went to wrap a blanket around the little girl,

"Where is mama?" the child asked. Eowyn calmed her down, stroking her hair, for no one knew the answer to the girls question.

"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash." Gandalf gestured towards the children, explaining to Theoden, "All the more potent for he is driven now by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight," Gandalf urged the king, 

"You have 2000 good men riding North as we speak," Aragorn informed Theoden, "Eomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king."

Theoden stood up, "They will be 300 leagues from here by now. Eomer cannot help us. I know what it is you want from me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."

"Open war is upon you, wether you would risk it or not." Aragorn cooly responded.

Theoden turned to us, and began to come closer, "When last I looked, Theoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan." The ignorance of the king frustrated me deeply. I turned my head to see Gimli finishing his mug of ale, and letting out a loud belch. 

"Then what is the Kings decision?" Gandalf asked.

...

Our small group, which included Gandalf, Gimli, Aragorn, Legolas and I, walked around the village as they prepared to leave. They were going to Helms Deep.

"Helms Deep!" Gimli shouted, "They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king?"

"He is only doing what he thinks is best for his people." Aragorn calmly stated, "Helms Deep has saved them in the past." 

"There is no way out of that ravine." Gandalf justified, "Theoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he is leading them to safety, what they will get is a massacre. Theoden has a strong will, but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end, Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you. The defenses have to hold."

Aragorn nodded his head in understanding, "They will hold."

Gandalf turned to Shadowfax, "The Grey Pilgrim. That's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men I've walked this earth, and now I have no time. With luck, my search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east." Gandalf had mounted Shadowfax, and was preparing to leave,

"Go," Aragorn said. Gandalf rode away, leaving dust behind. 

...

As we prepared to leave, I was helping a few people put things into small carts. I began to walk down the path, along with all the other people, when I heard the sound of a horse galloping behind me. Before I could turn around to look, I was lifted up onto a horse. I looked behind me to see none other than Legolas,

"You can sit behind me if you'd like," He smiled down at me.

"No, I think I'll steer the Arod for now. You can sit there and braid my hair for me. It's getting quite messy." I joked. To my surprise, I felt tugging on my hair, I went to turn my head, but felt his hand push my head to look forwards,