Thrimidge 1434 SR

The storehouses of Isengard had been filled with provisions and the cellars and pits were serving as armourers' workshops. Preparations were well advanced for the re-taking of Moria - Eomer sorting spears, Imrahil checking inventories, Azarafti drilling a contingent from Harad, Faramir putting the Rangers of Ithilien through their paces, while the soldiers of Gondor polished swords and prepared rations for the journey to the west door. They were waiting for the arrival of the last few Elves, Dwarves, Men and Hobbits. In Lorien the Elves of the Greenwood and Lorien, the Dwarves of Erebor, the Men of Dale and another eored of the Rohirrim were ready to enter Moria through the east gate. There had never been such a united gathering since the Second Age.

       In his pavillion, Aragorn pored over a large-scale map of the area. Reports from Gimli and some of the Ents had confirmed that the lake outside the west doors was no more. The dam had broken, wearing away slowly, and the stream bubbled merrily in its bed, singing over the pebbles, full of small fish and attracting all sorts of birds and animals to feed there. Aragorn assumed this positive change signified that the Watcher was probably dead; the evil which had attracted it and supported its existence was gone.

       "My lord, riders are coming from the west!" Captain Anrion, once commander of the Citadel's Night Guard and now captain of the King's personal guard, poked his head into the tent.

       "Thank you, Captain. I will be there directly."

       The distant tramp of feet told Aragorn that a large force was approaching. He hurried towards the gates and felt a rush of pride and affection as the Dwarves of the Blue Mountains marched into view. They were clad in armour with sage green or blue cloaks (unlike their kinsmen from Erebor who favoured russet and dark gold shades). Their leader, Nari, saluted and bowed and they all presented arms to the King.

       "Welcome, Nari, son of Norin. Welcome all of you! It is good to have your aid in this noble enterprise."

       "It is our honour, my lord King. We would see Dwarrowdelf in the possession of Aulë's people once more."

       The jingling of bells signalled the arrival of the Elves. Leading the company from Imladris was Asfaloth, bearing their Captain. Glorfindel wore gleaming armour, an ornate breastplate and over this a cloak of sky-blue silk, upon which the light shimmered and flowed like water. To his right rode Elladan, carrying Glorfindel's personal banner of the Golden Flower, while Elrohir rode on his other side, bearing the standard of Imladris. Behind them rode many other Elves and the Men of the Dunedain,led by their Captain, Halboron, together with the Hobbit Rangers. Accompanying them were various healers and hobbit cooks, together with many wains full of equipment and more provisions.

       "Findel!" Aragorn murmured as the Elf dismounted and embraced him.

      Glorfindel chuckled. Only two people had ever called him 'Findel' - the young Earendil and Estel.

       "Greetings, Estel. I'm glad to see you have brought so many friends. Thankfully I think we have brought enough provisions for the hobbits, although we may need to send for emergency supplies. Were the new Thain with us we would have required at least two more carts."

       There was much laughter at this. Eomer, Imrahil and Faramir hurried over to give their greetings and exchange news.

       The Twins were embracing their brother. "We do have something of a surprise for you, Estel."

       "Surprise? What sort of a surprise?"

       "Ah! That would be telling!"

       "I rather think the surprise is me," said a voice from behind the wall, and a silver-white pony paced gracefully into view, his headstall winking in the sun. He bore an elegantly dressed hobbit in a dark blue velvet suit. Aragorn's jaw dropped.

       "Frodo!" He all but hauled the hobbit off the pony's back. "What are you doing here?"

       Frodo returned the hug. "Oh don't worry. I haven't come to fight - I'm too much of a coward for that......."

       He was silenced by Aragorn's finger on his lips.

       "Never name yourself coward, Frodo, you who did what no-one else could or would."

       "With Merry occupied with the affairs of Buckland and Sam looking after the Shire, and both of them trying to help Pip settle in to the Thainship, I thought one of us should be here for such an important event. I can help the healers and do some of the cooking, make myself generally useful..........."

       "Well, I'm delighted to see you, my dearest friend. Although I should be happier if you were wearing armour."

       Frodo laughed. "Do you seriously think Sam would allow me to leave the Shire without it?! I'm wearing the mithril shirt - he made Brand and Ferni promise they would make me wear it every day!"

       "Glad to hear it. And I see Limlight has no saddle these days. Are you riding Elf-fashion now?"

       "I thought I'd try it, and he has no objections, although I don't think I'd have the confidence to do it were I not in the company of Elves." Frodo hugged Eomer, Faramir, Imrahil, Beregond and Bergil.

       "There is someone else who desires to make your acquaintance." Aragorn beckoned to the Haradri lord. "Lord Azarafti, Frodo Baggins. Lord Azarafti has long wished to meet you, my dear Frodo."

       "Frodo Baggins at your service and your family." The hobbit bowed gracefully, one hand to his breast.

       "Master Frodo, it my my greatest honour to meet you at last. Without you and Master Samwise my brother would not be alive."

       "How is Shefir? He seemed so young and yet he had so much resiliance, rather like Pippin - my cousin Peregrin. It was very touching to see him with Nerina and watch them fall in love. It helped to remind me why we did what we did."

       "They are all well - they have three children now, two sons and a daughter. He speaks of you often."

       "I should love to see him again - hopefully that will be possible one day. Perhaps you can both visit the Shire and bring your families."

       "I should be honoured and delighted."

       "I must thank you again for the beautiful gifts which you sent to us - Rose has found so many uses for the herbs and spices and the recipes have been a wonderful addition to our usual meals. Sam's fig trees and exotic plants are growing well, and as for your gift to me..........."

       Azarafti smiled warmly. "You like your guardian of the hearth?" His gift had been a large lion, made of gold, with emeralds for his eyes. He was traditionally a guardian figure for the house.

       "I think he's superb - and Rufus (our cat) is very interested!"

       Aragorn was greeting Erithain and his sons, delighted to see the change in his cousin in a few years. The tall man smiled more frequently and had gained a little weight, and his face no longer betrayed the strain and grief which had threatened to overwhelm him. The healing power of hobbits yet again, he thought with a smile.

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       Aragorn watched as various hobbit cooks joined the caterers of the different forces and began adding herbs and dried mushrooms to the great cauldrons bubbling over cooking fires. Everywhere Men were surrendering control of their field kitchens. Hobbits! he thought. They really are the most beguiling, exasperating, wonderful, charming people.

       "Frodo, will you join me in my tent? I'm sure we can find a folding bed for you. I should feel happier if you are comfortable."

       "Go on, Frodo. We don't mind, really," Isumbrand Took assured him, laughing. "And Sam will certainly approve."

       Despite some eye-rolling, Frodo was secretly delighted to join Aragorn. Within a few minutes a young Captain in the uniform of the Minas Anor City Guard arrived with a folding bed and a little table.

       "Master Frodo? I am Dorion of the City Guard. His Majesty has appointed me to look after you and make sure you have everything you need. If there is anything I can do please call me at once."

       "Frodo Baggins, at your service and your family's." He bowed gracefully. "And thank you for your assistance. I remember you - wasn't your father injured at the Battle of the Pelennor Field?"

       The young man looked surprised. "Yes, he was, sir. He was still in the Houses of Healing when you came to the White City after our lord King's Coronation. Fancy you remembering that."

       "How is your father now?"

       "He is very well, thank you, Master Frodo. He is a member of the Citadel Guard and Captain of the Queen's bodyguard." He bowed and departed, leaving Frodo to arrange his bedroll and blankets.

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       Everyone agreed that the timely intervention of the Shirefolk had improved the food beyond recognition. It was astonishing that the addition of a few herbs, some mushrooms and a little ale made such a difference but the truth was in the taste. Frodo joined Aragorn, Faramir and all the commanders, and they discussed the coming military operation over a meal which was somewhere between dinner and supper. It was late when they retired, and he and Aragorn talked for a while before he finally fell asleep. The King watched him fondly for some time, and thanked the Valar yet again for this hobbit's survival.