One Day You'll Know

Chapter 26- The Wolves of Isengard

"By order of the king, the city must empty! We make for the refuge of Helms Deep. Do not burden yourself with treasures, take only what provisions you need."

Gamling, the guard at Meduseld, had spent the whole morning making that same announcement over and over again. Due to her lack of sleep the night before, Noelle was really grouchy and it was getting on her last nerve.

The four of them followed Gandalf to the stables. Noelle figured she was going with them. While she didn't want to get caught up in another war, the Rohirrim badly needed protection.

"Helms Deep!" Gimli snorted. "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 defended Théoden.

"Edoras doesn't exactly have the tactical advantage," Noelle said crossly, as she yawned. "A city on a hill in the middle of nowhere is going down."

Gosh, she had to stop thinking like a tactician. That's what happened to you when you fought in a war for almost three years straight. But Noelle would have done the same thing were she in Théoden's shoes. Edoras was no place to stay when you had limited military.

"Helms Deep has saved them in the past..." Aragorn sounded unsure.

Noelle realized that she was following him and Gandalf still instead of going to tack up Flash.

"There is no way out of that ravine. Theoden is walking into a trap," Gandalf stated.

Only if Saruman knew they were going there. Maybe if they hadn't let Wormtongue go... Noelle shook her head thinking about it.

"He thinks he is leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre." Gandalf entered Shadowfax's stall. The white stallion looked less than happy being cooped up in there.

Suddenly something dawned on Noelle. "Gandalf, you're not coming with us are you?"

"No, dear Noelle. I am not," Gandalf replied simply before turning his attention back to Aragorn. "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. You too, Noelle. You wanted to make a difference, did you not? The people of Rohan will need you."

Noelle nodded.

Gandalf sighed and turned towards his horse, stroking his shoulder thoughtfully. "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."

Aragorn opened the stall door for him as he mounted Shadowfax.

"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."

Aragorn nodded.

Gandalf gave Noelle one last look.

"Good luck," she said with a smile. "Wherever you're going." Noelle had learned to stop questioning Gandalf's mysterious disappearances and reappearances.

The wizard took a deep breath and gave Shadowfax a kick. The horse galloped speedily out of his stall almost knocking over Legolas and Gimli. They jumped out of the way right on time.

Noelle sighed. Now she remembered she had to groom Flash and tack him up.

"Someone's in a sour mood this morning," the Arabian commented as she entered his stall.

Noelle was this close to telling him to shut up. But the soft spot she had for the horse despite his sassy personality took over. She patted his nose. "Yes, I'm tired," she said quietly.