The Dare

March 10 The Dawnless Day

I awoke with a start. It was still dark and yet I heard the voices of the other women. Ioreth came in. “Wakeup, sleepyhead. It is past the second hour.”
“What! But it is still dark outside.” I said, sitting upright.
“And there will be no sun today. A shadow from the East has covered us.” My heart skipped a beat. “Then it has been over Ithilien since yesterday.” I murmured to myself.
‘Come. There is still much that needs to be done.” said Ioreth.
“Who was the young man that came to see you last night? asked Annith.
“His name is Dior. He is a friend of my brother’s. He is a messenger for the Citadel Guard and needed to borrow my horse.” I answered nonchalantly.
“He’s quite the gentleman and very easy on the eyes.” put in Silmairë.
“Needed to borrow your horse, you say?” said Annith slyly.
“Yes. Halan is a well-trained warhorse and there are not many horses left in Minas Tirith that could do the job. I do not need him right now so I let Dior borrow him. That is all.” I said briskly, hoping to end the conversation.
“Ah.” Annith and Silmairë both smiled at me and gave me a knowing look.

Silmairë and I busied ourselves in the storeroom. We helped the last of sick and weak to leave the city. We looked for things to do anything to push dread in our hearts away for a while. The city was covered in dim light and no one spoke much. We knew a storm was coming. When it would come was still a mystery. At the noonday meal, we heard about the Prince of the Halflings that had come with Mithrandir. “Looks no bigger than a boy,” said Annith. “But he is full-grown for his people they say.” Later, Bergil told us about meeting the halfling, Pippin, and that he was called a hobbit. Denethor had made him part of the Citadel Guard. I wondered what Dior thought about it.

At sundown, as we were preparing to leave for home, we heard a screeching cry. A large black beast with wings swooped over the city. Some people covered their ears and all were struck with fear. I doubled over with pain and nausea. “Elred.”

”Eolindë, what’s wrong?” asked Annith, who walking beside me, her voice shaking with fear.

“That thing. Elred.” was all I could get out. A strong arm came around my shoulders and held me up. It was Dior. His face was dirty and he looked tired. He looked up. “They are the Nazgul. Servants of the Dark Lord.” He looked out over the battlement. “There are four more and they are attacking something in the distance. Come!” he took my hand and we stumbled to the Gate. I caught a glimpse of the halfling in the black and silver of the Citadel. The screaming of the creatures and their riders tore at my heart. Any courage I had, left me. All I wanted to do was run and hide from that terrible shrieking. I heard Annith sobbing behind me.

“I must be strong.” I told myself. “For Elred.” Faramir’s trumpet was heard and the cheers rose up. The Black Riders were attacking the small group of horsemen. Then a white light started to shine. A lone rider clad in white riding Shadowfax was racing toward the group. The light from his staff drove the creatures back and away from the group. I saw the halfling race by and I followed him.
`
At the entrance to the Citadel, I saw Faramir and the wizard called Mithrandir. Then I saw Elred. I pushed through the crowd to my brother. Beleg was breathing heavily, sweat dripped from his sides and his eyes still held fear. Eored was hanging on to Beleg and practically fell into my arms.
“Eolindë.” He said quietly and he hugged me fiercely.
“Elred.” I hugged him back with tears in my eyes. He looked up and held my face in his hands. “I thought I would never see you again. I …” he spoke thickly.
“Shh. Don’t say anything. You are here safe.”
Dior walked up and took Beleg’s reins. He spoke gently to the horse and Beleg’s breathing started to slow. Elred looked up.
“Dior, my friend. You’re looking well.”
“I wish I could say the same for you my friend.”
Elred let go of me. “I need to see to Beleg.”
“I will see to him. Go and let your sister take care of you.” said Dior and began walking Beleg to the stables.
I walked Elred to the house. I fed him and treated some minor cuts he had. His eyes were dark and he shuddered occasionally.
“Thank you for the meal. Eolindë. I must get back to the Captains to help make a report. The enemy is moving on Osgiliath and will take the River soon. We are outnumbered and I do not think the fort will hold out.”
I started to speak but it died on my lips as I saw the look in his eyes. They were remote and hard. I swallowed my words and asked instead, “Is there anything I can do for you?”
“Give me a flask of silith. That will be enough.”
“But Elred…”
“I don’t have time to argue with you!” he snapped.”Just give me a damn flask and let me be.” I reluctantly gave him my small flask that had gone with me to Ithilien. I had managed to refill it before leaving our Aunt’s house. He took and left without another word.

March 11
I slept fitfully. The echo of the Nazgul’s scream filled my head. In the dim morning light, I got up to make some tea. A knock came on the door. It was Elred. “Captain Faramir has been ordered to defend the Rammas. I am going with him.” He said flatly.
“But you said last night that the enemy was attacking Osgiliath. That their numbers are too great to hold the city or even the River. This is madness.”
“Maybe so but Captain Faramir needs me.” he said wearily.
“But…” he held up his hand to forestall me. “We will be leaving within the hour. I am sorry for being rude earlier.” he said sadly.
“I will be there.” I said.
“Thank you,” he said and hugged me fiercely.

Within the hour, I was standing with others in the first circle. There was no sound except for the clip clop of horse’s hooves. Many threw flowers in the path of the men. The men, themselves were grim. Fixed on their purpose. I caught Faramir’s eye. He smiled faintly and saluted me. Elred nodded to me as he passed. They made their way to the Gate. I shed no tears but sent up a silent prayer that my brother and the others would come back.

I stood in my place for a long while. Then I saw the wizard. I had to meet this person who rode the meara of Theoden King. He was sitting on crate, head bowed.
“Excuse me sir.”
“Hmm what is it?”
“Sir. My name is Eolindë. I am from Rohan and I just had to speak to the one who rides the meara of Theoden.” I finished quickly.
He looked startled and then laughed.
“Eolindë, daughter of Rohan. I am called Mithrindir. Shadowfax and I have been friends for many years. Your king has given him to me for these dark times.” He stopped and looked at me closely. “You have Gondorian blood also. Few Rohirrim have grey eyes like yours.”
“My father is from Minas Tirith. He and my mother train and raise horses in the Southfold.” I squirmed a little under his scrutiny. “My twin brother, he was in the company that Faramir led out this morning.”
“So he goes to throw his life away too.” he said angrily as he stood. I winced.
“He went because he must.” I said.
“Oath of Eorl. The Rohirrim. They must come.” he said to himself.
“They will.” I answered proudly.
“But will it be in time?” he asked. Then he looked at me again. “Why have you not left the city?”
“I am a healer in the Houses. My skill will be needed.”
“Indeed it will, my dear. Indeed it will.” And he turned to go.
“Here you are.” Dior came around the corner as he was leaving. “Mithrandir.” He made a small bow. “Eolindë. Father just told me what Faramir was ordered to do. What a waste!” Then he stopped when he saw my face. “Eolindë, Elred did not go with them did he?”
“He did.”
“I’m so sorry.” He took my hands in his. I backed away.
“No, Dior. I can’t. I can’t let my heart feel anything right now. If I do, I will feel too much and be useless when the wounded start coming.” He looked at me strangely.
“Very well but I am here if you have need of me.” he said quietly.
“I know. And I am grateful we have become friends. “Now I must go and see what needs to be done.” I said with a faint smile.

The hours dragged by in grey dimness. There was in fact very little to do. I tried to occupy my mind by reading an herbal text. People wandered in and out. They sought news and asked, “Where are the Rohirrim? Surely they will come.” One or two individuals had the impertinence to ask me when the horsemen would arrive. I would know being one of them after all.

“I do not know. I have been here over a month. I do not know what is happening any more than you do.” I replied in frustration.

The dark of night came on and a few torches were lit. As I stared at the wall pretending to be reading, Silmaire brought me a note. I broke the seal.

“Dear Eolindë, I have been told that your reputation is being questioned, therefore, I am writing instead of coming in person. My father has heard news. A great host is attacking from the eastern side of the River. Southrons may also be with orc troops. They are moving on Osgiliath and the River. I know this must pain you and I wish there were something I could do to ease your anguish. If I hear anything else, I will pass the word onto you.
Dior”

A ripple went through me. I stiffened my spine and thought “There is nothing to be sorry for, Dior. He knew what he was riding into.” But that did not ease the fear that wove a tendril around my heart.

I could not sleep. I crept quietly out of the house sat on bench. I looked in the direction that the River lay. It was dark and shadowy. No stars lit the inky sky. The faint smell of smoke drifted by. I tried not to think of Elred, Faramir and the others but the memories came unbidden.

Faramir’s smile on the morning of the muster. Sparring with my brother’s friends. The way I could talk to Elred with a mere look. The festivals at home. Dancing to the music of fiddle and flute. The look of the fields in the spring. Halan galloping beneath me.

“You won’t do much good staying up late and worrying.” A gentle voice interrupted my melancholy thoughts. It was Ioreth. She sat beside me and put her arm around me. “What comes will come and there is nothing you or I can do to change that.”
“I know.” I answered.
“Then come inside and get some rest while you can.” She said firmly.
“Yes, Ma’am.” And we went in. I lay down on my cot and slept fitfully.