The afternoon was fast expiring when Aragorn finally quitted the provisional healing room. He had labored tirelessly for the past several hours but weariness now laid heavily upon his limbs. He inhaled deeply, welcoming the fresh air although the smell of smoldering wood still lingered. In his absence, Eomer and his men had accomplished a great deal. The carcasses of the orcs were hauled away to the remotest part of the eastern wood where a hole was dug and their bodies dumped and lit afire. Graves also were laid for the few villagers who had perished at the hands of the orcs before Aragorn and Eomer came to their aid. The mood was solemn as many hands worked silently to recover those things that could be salvaged from the damage. The villagers still seemed dazed by the events of the day primarily because they had never witnessed battle before or been closely affected by it. For the most part, the herding of livestock and farming of their lands defined their way of life. There were some among them who delighted in the tale of battles but these were very few. The former chieftain of the village was one of these few, but he had died several years ago.

As Aragorn stood observing the others, Arwen and Melian issued from a narrow lane. From her disposition he immediately perceived that Arwen was troubled. He had already discerned the solemnity in Elrond, Galadriel and Celeborn during his recent interactions with them and he was grieved to behold it. Gone was the lightness of the preceding days and dark now seemed the days ahead. He had witnessed this effect many years before and knew it would be a while before their spirits would be elevated to any resemblance of its former peace. He sighed deeply as he descended the steps of the house. “If it was in my power,” he thought, “I would undo the events of the day. Nay, but such thinking is folly for there is naught that I can do.” He approached Arwen and Melian and briefly inquired after their welfare. They both attested to being tolerably well so Aragorn decided to suspend his concern for the moment. There were still a few plans that he wished to execute before they sought a campsite for the night. Excusing himself from his intercourse with them, he enlisted Eomer’s help in securing the village for the night. He had already decided that some of his men would remain in the village while the rest of the company journeyed to Rohan. The villagers had welcomed the occupation of a few soldiers to guard the village and the surrounding vicinity. Their gratitude was evident in their willingness to provide accommodations and food for the soldiers for as long as they remained to defend them. Comradeship was vibrant in the village as many of the neighboring villagers, that were unscathed by the day’s battle, rallied the spirits of those who suffered losses. The homeless accepted offers of temporary accommodation and their peace of mind were partially restored. They knew that rebuilding would take some time and their fears for the difficulties ahead were for the moment allayed.

When all was settled, the companions took leave of the village and rode northward for a half mile. The village was still in view and appeared sparsely lit against the black of the night. After much difficulty, the tents were pitched and the companions endeavored to refresh themselves from the ill fortunes of the day. By the order of Aragorn, the campsite was heavily guarded to avert any breach in security. He knew most of the men were exhausted from the dayÂ’s battle, its post activities and the numerous hours of horse back riding. With EomerÂ’s consent, it was established that both the men of the Mark and Gondor would relieve each other at intervals of a few hours so that all would receive sufficient rest.

A somber atmosphere characterized dinner that night. Gone was the light-hearted conversation of the nights past. The light clatter of utensils against plates was the only sound that accompanied the nightlife. Pippin indeed looked as if he wished to speak but feared to do so lest the resonance of his voice should harshly disrupt the quiet that enveloped the dinner gathering. When dinner had concluded, he returned to his tent with Merry as he lamented over the change wrought in the elves.

“Do you wonder at it Pippin?” Frodo asked as he and Sam entered the tent. “If you do, then you have been walking blindly among them. It is true that we have witnessed their mirth from the day of Aragorn’s wedding but I have also perceived a great sorrow within them: a sorrow that my mind can only partially comprehend as a mortal man. Through the ages of the world they have endured through great trials and successes only to watch the deterioration of Middle-earth as the years lengthen.” Frodo sighed as he concluded. Strangely enough, he felt that his last statement was analogous to his life in the past year. His mood of late had been mostly merry with brief moments of dejection. During those times he unconsciously sought the comfort of the white jewel that hung on the silver chain around his neck.

“Perhaps we should all try to rest early tonight since we toiled heavily today,” Sam suggested as he made his way to his cot. The others agreed as they began to feel the effects of the lifting and transporting of the necessities donated by the neighboring villagers. Their minds were filled with the day’s activities as they prepared for bed. Sleep soon overpowered them as they succumbed to their need for rest.

Outside, most had already retired. Two lonely figures sat near the campfire as smoke originated from their pipes clouding the atmosphere. There, Aragorn and Gandalf sat engrossed in their own thoughts while sharing a quiet smoke. Arwen, Melian, and Legolas had accompanied her grandparents on their usual evening stroll and Faramir and Prince Imrahil were the only two remaining companions seated around the dinner table. As the soothing effect of the pipe weed mellowed his mood, Aragorn reflected on the dayÂ’s battle. Earlier that evening he had listened to EomerÂ’s account of the initial stage of the battle waged by his company and he now reviewed it in his mind.

When they departed from their companions earlier that day to aid the villagers, the two kings had taken a score of men with them. For their love of Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Elladan and Elrohir also went in that riding. Their horses were hard put to the test as they hastened ever onward lest all should be lost before they arrived. Their dread increased as they proceeded northward. From the distance they could see smoke rising rapidly into the sky. They rode hard until they were on the outskirts of the settlement. There they dismounted their horses and took time to plan their strategy. After a brief deliberation, it was decided that Eomer and his men would enter the village while Aragorn and company would enter from the eastern woods. The kings then parted with few words as they each led their men on the path chosen.

Eomer and his men covertly entered what they deduced to be the former gate of the village. Inside the gate, the community comprised of several scattered houses of varying sizes. Reconnoitering the surroundings, Eomer determined that the smoke issued from a location further into the village that was not visible from where he stood. He felt unsettled by what he saw and experienced. Except for the remote crackling of a distant blaze, all else was quiet and unusually still. For a fleeting moment his heart forebode a waiting quagmire. He knew his men felt it too because their expressions were wary. He silently instructed his men to spread out to gather information. As they trod cautiously, the whining sound of arrows cutting swiftly through the air alarmed them as fear momentarily gripped their hearts. They felt death heavily in the air as arrows struck pebbles and dirt all around them. Eomer immediately ordered his men to take cover while he hid himself behind the side of a house. There, with a few of his men, they tried to determine the location from whence the arrows sprung. Of the ten men he had with him, there were only two skilled archers. The expertise of the other men lied primarily in the wielding of a sword.

Suddenly, EomerÂ’s eye caught a movement from a side door that opened from the house. Two women stood within the doorway. The older of the two women appeared frightened and circumspect while the pride of the younger woman was plainly evident. Her stance was proud and her eyes determined. She boldly approached Eomer even as the elder woman voiced her disapproval.

“Who are you?” she asked Eomer.

Slightly amused by her hauteur, Eomer simply stated, “I am Eomer, son of Eomund and also king of Rohan. May I ask whom it is that questions me so boldly without first introducing herself?”

The young woman was unmoved by Eomer’s revelation. “I am Nessa, daughter of Meldir, former chief of this village,” she proudly stated. “Your men are too few. The Orcs came prepared today. There are at least fifty of them. Our village has but a small number of able-bodied men and most of the others are women, children, and the elderly. Many have chosen to take refuge in their homes. They would rather perish in their burning homes than suffer the cruelty of these savages. We are a peaceful people and are unaccustomed to battle. Since the fall of him, whose name I shall not utter, we have heard many evil tidings of orc raids throughout the region. A few of us have decided that instead of living in fear we would die defending our people. But howsoever my heart yearns to protect my father’s people, Morwen, my mother, have forbidden me to go forth openly in battle. In truth, I would have still prevailed against her wishes had she not voiced her fears to be left alone during this crisis. But I can lead you to the others who have set up a garrison to deter the untoward attempts of the orcs to gain access to this side of the village. When the first attack occurred, it came solely from the western side of the village. This alarmed us greatly since it strongly implied the possibility of a later ambush from the unprotected eastern woods. However, we had no time to devise a counter strategy especially since we have few men to spare. As you noticed, your entry from the eastern side was unhindered. Everyone that could wield a weapon is reinforcing the garrison though the time for the major use of swords has not ripened as yet. A little earlier, the orcs retreated after they realized we were fairly prepared but not before setting blaze to those things that were in close proximity to them.”

Turning to ascertain Morwen’s distance from them, she quietly said to Eomer, “I can lead you to the garrison if that is your wish.”

Eomer had no desire to heighten the worry that was apparent on Morwen’s face. He began to decline Nessa’s offer of assistance when she forcefully said, “Would you rather take your men needlessly into further peril? This village is unfamiliar to you and arrows sometimes find their target.” Realizing that he was unmoved by her warning, she tackled him from a different angle. “With my mother’s leave, I will lead you through a protected path to the garrison.” Eomer made no answer and she proceeded to speak with Morwen.

As Nessa spoke with her mother, Eomer utilized the time to summon his men. The arrows still fell ceaselessly on the ground as they dodged to safety at the side of the house. Shortly, Nessa returned to Eomer to provide her promised guidance. Morwen had disappeared into the house before he had thought to search her face for affirmation. Dismissing any pangs of guilt, he followed Nessa as she led him and his men along a densely sheltered path. At length they issued from the path into the bright sunlight. There before them were a dozen and a half men armed with rudimentary weapons of various kinds. Eomer immediately wondered how they had survived thus far. They were a far cry from warriors yet they were able to keep the orcs away. Currently they were crouched behind an improvised barricade constructed from sturdy wood. Going forward, Nessa quickly introduced Eomer to the men who welcomed his tidings. Their courage increased with the knowledge that they now had the aid of warriors of great renown. They had heard before of the riders of the Mark and knew that they took pleasure in battle. Their people were tall and fair and both women and men were said to be valiant and strong alike. Eomer also informed them that the King of Gondor had come and their hearts were elated by the news. It was long since their ancestors had waited for his return and hope was kindled in their hearts.

But even as they stood in awe of Eomer and his men, orcs bearing spears and swords issued from the western wood covering great speed as they came. Eomer shouted for his men to draw their swords while his two archers and Nessa tried to slow the approach of the orcs with little success. Drawing Guthwine, his sword, Eomer and his men charged forward to meet the orcs whose numbers were greater than the men of the Mark and the villagers combined. The courage of the villagers increased under the leadership of Eomer. They joined in the foray as the clashing of swords and shrieks of the orcs penetrated the atmosphere.

Meanwhile, after parting with Eomer, Aragorn and his comrades entered the eastern woods. From the stench that permeated the atmosphere, they knew that orcs were in the wooded vicinity. Armed with various weapons, they trod stealthily forward hoping to maintain the element of surprise. As they progressed further into the woods near the border of the village, houses became visible. Smoke was still rising in the distance but all else was quiet. Pressing further on, the disoriented chatter of orcs became audible. Aragorn and his comrades listened attentively to the derisive jokes of the orcs. He was angered as he listened to their malevolent intentions to burn the village to the ground and capture the young women and force them into thralldom. Glancing at Elladan and Elrohir, he perceived their surge of hatred suppressed by their patience. Aragorn felt it was time and he gestured to his comrades to encircle the orcs. Elladan and Elrohir led several men away to guard the rear of Aragorn and the others while also using that opportunity to survey the rest of the wood to ensure that no other orcs remained to reinforce those that were now besieged. Even as they implemented their plan, the sound of an escalated unrest resonated from the village. The orcs instantly sprung into action with the intention of strengthening their numbers in the village but Aragorn and his men stayed their intentions by revealing their presence to them with the cry of battle. The orcs were momentarily dismayed but soon recovered their thirst for bloodshed. A fierce battle ensued as the clash of swords and spears echoed through the wood. Elladan and Elrohir came running as they joined the assault. Gimli, armed solely with his axe, slew several orcs as he was knocked to the ground from the rear. Aragorn came to his aid as he brutally hewed the head of the orc from its body and pulled Gimli to his feet. Not far from them, Elladan and Elrohir fought with their backs to each other to prevent any assault from the rear. By the time the battle in the wood had ended, all the orcs were slaughtered and there was little injury to Aragorn and his company. Indeed some suffered from bruises and lacerations, but nothing life threatening.

Their energy was spent but they sought now to enter the village to fortify the number of EomerÂ’s men. Aragorn ordered a few soldiers to remain behind to guard the eastern wood and to gather the carcasses of the orcs while Elladan and Elrohir took several men with them in their journey to the western wood. They had suggested to Aragorn that the defeat of their enemy might be accelerated from the western wood since it was their belief that it was the escape route of the enemy. Aragorn and company began their descent into the village. Unlike EomerÂ’s experience, the sound of a violent battle guided them to its location. As they drew nearer, several orcs began to flee in their direction. It was obvious that their intentions were to escape to the eastern wood but they realized their folly a bit too late. Aragorn and his men quickly moved forward to thwart their withdrawal. Anduril blazed a burnt orange in the sunlight as it severed the heads of the orcs until none remained. Their adrenaline high, Aragorn and his men rushed forward to EomerÂ’s aid. Dodging arrows that still assailed the village from the western wood, they joined in the ongoing battle. Eomer was relieved to see them. Often he had wondered how his other companions fared and he welcomed their support. Already some of his men and the villagers had suffered some form of injury ranging from minimal to critical. Much to his chagrin, Nessa, the young woman who had guided them to the garrison, had been pierced in the arm with an arrow as she fought bravely alongside the other villagers. Eomer was concerned for her health since he knew that the arrows of orcs were most often laced with lethal poison. He had yelled to her to return to the safety of her home but she had stubbornly refused. Instead, she remained behind providing limited assistance to those who were injured. When Aragorn and his men joined EomerÂ’s company, he glanced questioningly at Eomer when he realized the young woman with the bounded bloodied arm. At EomerÂ’s admonishment, a fellow villager had earlier removed the arrow from her arm to minimize the effect of any poison to the wound. Aragorn made a mental note to seek her out as soon as the battle was over because he already saw the alarming signs of the presence of poison.

The battle continued as the two kings and their men rallied against the large number of orcs. Many orcs already lay dead but the battle still prevailed. The onslaught of arrows from the western wood was a nuisance to the company and Aragorn wondered how Elladan, Elrohir and his men fared. As if in answer to his inquiry, the arrows ceased as the sound of battle erupted from the western wood. Orcs sprung forth from the wood as Elladan and a few men gave chase. The forces of the two kings now beleaguered the orcs since their numbers had seriously dwindled. The company dealt the final blow to their numbers by crushing all in their path. So ended a remnant of the malice that was regenerated from the lingering shadow of he who dwelt several months before in the fortress of Baraddur.

With the cries of victory by those villagers who fought, the villagers who had remained hidden within the confines of their homes ventured outside seeking news of the battle. The news rapidly spread throughout the village that their king had come and with him the king of Rohan, the country known to them as the home of the horse lords. They soon assembled around Aragorn and company wishing to see with their own eyes the kings of Gondor and Rohan. When their eyes beheld them, they thought them to be splendid and mighty. They were also amazed by the presence of four individuals who stood with them. They immediately knew them to be not of the race of men. Three were tall and fair and their beauty was unearthly. Young they appeared but the keenest eye among them saw the ancient wisdom in the depths of their eyes. They murmured among themselves as they gazed at them. The fourth individual was short and stout. His skin appeared leathery and he wore his beard long. They were abashed as they realized that these individuals could only be elves and dwarves from the legends of old. They were humbled by the presence of these individuals whose existence they had formerly concluded was nothing short of myth. Wishing to avoid delay in attending to the wounded, Aragorn solicited the assistance of the villagers in finding a house to establish a provisional healing room. An older villager quickly volunteered his house as the kings ordered their men to transport the wounded to the house. Aragorn quickly dispatched two of his riders to request the healing expertise of Elrond. In the meantime, with the help of Elladan and Elrohir the three commenced attending to the wounded. He had sought to discover the young girl that he saw earlier, but she had disappeared after the battle had ended. There was no time to question the villagers so he abandoned the idea as he hoped that she would come seeking healing.

Outside, Eomer ordered some of his men to quench the fires that were still blazing while the others hauled the carcasses of the orcs into the eastern wood where a hole was dug and the carcasses dumped and lit afire. The sound of rapidly approaching horses soon engaged his attention. The elves had arrived after being summoned by AragornÂ’s request. Eomer quickly led them to the house designated for healing and took his leave. There was much to be done before nightfall and already the afternoon was growing old.

Aragorn inhaled deeply as the pipe weed sooth his mind. Gandalf had brought him from his reflection as he spoke about his desire to visit Tom Bombadil on his return journey to the North. His eyes wandered to the other side of the camp where Arwen now sat engrossed in conversation with Faramir. He had not realized before that she had returned unusually early from her night stroll since the others were still abroad. He sighed deeply as he returned his attention to Gandalf who was now speaking of the Shire.