A Promise- a LOTR Fanfiction (Legolas) ❤︎ ✓

Chapter 24: A Mountain Pass

"Muster the Rohirrim." Théoden calls, and my face breaks out into a relieved grin. A bell is rung outside. Théoden turns to Éomer and they walk out of Meduseld, talking. Legolas, Gimli and I follow him a little ways behind, on our way to the stables.

"Assemble the army at Dunharrow, as many men as can be found. You have two days." The king instructs. We walk quickly down towards the stables and I separate from my friends into another hall, to where Numen is kept. We will meet outside.

I quickly tack Numen and start leading him outside, not really paying attention to what's going on around me. I'm too lost in thought to notice.

"Vivienne-!" Éowyn cries as I walk straight into her, Numen stopping behind me and pawing at the ground impatiently. Éowyn's saddle blankets land on the floor in between us and I rush to pick them up.

"I'm so sorry, are you alright?" I cry, handing her the equipment. She laughs, nodding.

"I was just thinking..." I trail off, and she tilts her head curiously. I look at her and laugh. "You're my cousin!"

"No, I'm your mothers cousin. I'm your second cousin." She clarifies, smiling.

"What?" I scrunch up my nose in confusion, shaking my head slightly. "Who came up with that? That's so confusing!" I laugh. She chuckles and walks away to tack her horse, and I continue to lead Numen to where Legolas and Gimli sit atop Arod.

"Horsemen, humph! I wish I could muster a legion of Dwarves, fully armed and filthy!" Gimli grumbles rather loudly, and I grin. Legolas tilts his head.

"Your kinsmen may have no need to ride to war. I fear war already marches on their own lands." Legolas responds softly, and I nod in agreement. Gimli huffs at him.

"Now is the hour, Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken! Now, fulfill them all! To Lord and Land!" Éomer shouts, and we start to ride.

I half heartedly nudge Numen into a gallop, my mind still remembering the service for my mother. Even though I knew her for such a little amount of time, she was still my mother.

**flashback**

It was silent- the only sound heard was the occasional sniff and scuffle of feet. I stood in between Théoden and Legolas, fiddling uncomfortably with the sleeves of my black dress. I had nothing against dresses- they were pretty and made me feel more elf-like, but I hadn't worn them in a long time, so this particular dress felt tight and revealing.

Théoden's quiet sniff distracts me from my thoughts, and I pity him for a few moments. His two children have died in a matter of days. My mother's body is brought past, her dirty blonde hair braided neatly and her sword in her loose grip. I walk behind the king slowly, with Legolas, Gimli and Aragorn, two where she would be buried. My emotions were mixed- I didn't know how to feel. I could be sad because my mother was dead, which was logical, or I could be happy. She caused me so much grief, and left me alone with no parents. Instead of choosing, I came silently to a stop in front of her tomb as it sealed, the people of Rohan sadly watching. Eleanor was well known, as she was the daughter of the king, and she would be missed.

**reality**

"Grimbold, how many?" Théoden asks. We trot around our encampment, watching the army of Rohan. Aragorn rides beside me, Gimli and Legolas behind us. The king and his guard in front of us.

"I bring five hundred men from the Westfold, my Lord." Grimbold answers, acknowledged with a brisk nod. Aragorn and I exchange a weary look- that may not be enough. "We have three hundred more from Fenmarch."

"Where are the riders from Snowbourn?" Théoden asks anxiously. Grimbold hesitates.

"None have come, my Lord."