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A/n: here's the next chapter, its very angsty, I can tell you that. Enjoy.









Chapter 10: Simbelmynë on the Burial mounds, reflections of a funeral





Upon hearing of his son's tragic death, Théoden ordered a funeral for Théodred. Théoden was in his chamber, being adorned in his kingly attire, to mourn for his son. Even though Gandalf broke Saruman's hold over him... the spell of grief would be even harder to break. He looked old once more.

As all was ready, the funeral procession walked out of the Golden Hall slowly, and with great solemnity. The road was lined with the citizens of the city. Théoden slowly... yet woodenly, processed out of the Hall, behind the guards who were carrying Théodred's body up front. Gandalf, Kenshin, Aragorn, and the others followed the king, as the procession slowly took them out to the burial mounds of the kings, to the resting-place of the heir to Théoden and Second Marshal of the Riddermark.

A congregation of the people of Edoras gathered outside the city, following the king's guards. Éowyn stood by the tomb where her cousin was to be laid in, wearing a solemn black dress, with a golden tiara on her head. She began to weep as she saw the guards bring the body of Théodred to the tombs.



Théoden and the others stood to the side of Théodred as the guards slowly, and ceremoniously lowered Théodred to carry him into the tomb.


Kenshin, the man with a bloody past before him, had been to funerals before. His first ever was when he personally buried the bodies of the three women; Akane, Kasumi, and Sakura; who protected him when he was a boy, as well as the bandits who attacked them, killed by Kenshin's master. Memories of that fateful night may have been vague for him now, but it remained a part of him.



Aoshi had also arranged a personal funeral for his four comrades, Beshimi, Hyottoko, Shikijo, and Hannya, who died in a gattling gun attack by Kanryu Takeda. Sanosuke, the ruffian, had perhaps attended the funeral of Captain Sozo Sagara when he saw his head on display as a kid, remembering the reason why he hated the Meiji Government.



And Saito, he was never the man to cry at funerals, especially the funeral he was attending now. However, he had attended the funeral of his old partner in the Shinsengumi, Okita. Perhaps he had a strong bond with him, unlike the others he worked with before.



As the guards began to lay Théodred into the tomb... Éowyn began to weep as she sang a song of mourning in the Rohirrim ancestral language...







Bealocwealm hafað...



Fréone frecan forth onsended...



Giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende...



On Meduselde...





Éowyn's singing began to stir tears within the people that were gathered around her. The singing had even effected Kenshin, Sanosuke, Aoshi... perhaps even Saito, despite his hard, cold expression he had on his face.

Théoden stood silent, but sad as he saw his only son being carried into the tombs of his forefathers. An event that he believed should not have ever happened. He believed it more so as he heard Éowyn sing even more sadly...





þat heo mano arer...



His þruc ne deores...



On meagorinc deorcas...



Belu...











After the funeral ended, Théoden wanted to have a few last moments at the tomb. Gandalf and Kenshin stayed with him. At the front of the Hall, Sanosuke stood outside staring off and down towards the tombs where Théodred now lay. Sanosuke had great sympathy for Théoden after Saruman mercilessly enslaved him. He had meant it when he told himself that Theoden being poisoned by Wormtongue and Saruman by acting friendly was like how the his old mentor, Captain Sagara, was tricked by the Meiji Government.

He even thought back to the time when the Meiji Government betrayed the Sekihoutai and Captain Sagara, setting them up to be a false imperial army. It was how he came to the belief that words were cheap and worth nothing. Back then, he wasn't able to save Captain Sagara, because he was weak and couldn't do much for anybody.

And for 10 years, Sanosuke had to work his hardest to be the tough fighter that he was today, so he would be able to prevent unreasonable fighting.



Aragorn went out of the Hall and spotted Sanosuke. He went over to his companion as Sanosuke eyed him.





"Hey Aragorn," said Sanosuke as he pointed out to the small mounds outside Edoras, "what are those white flowers out on the hills?"

"...In this land," answered Aragorn, "they are called Simbelmynë. They blossom in all the seasons of the year... and grow where dead men rest. Seven mounds upon the left, and nine upon the right. Many long lives of men it is since the Golden Hall was built."



"With everything that's been going on lately, do you think Theoden is going to be okay, especially after what Saruman did to him?" Sanosuke asked hopefully.

"...I have no idea, Sanosuke," answered an uncertain Aragorn, "...I've known Théoden since he was a child. After hearing about the death of his son, I should expect that things will be quite difficult from this point on."

"Gee, I didn't know you knew the king as a child. I'm guessing you two must've been childhood friends, huh?"

Aragorn paused a moment before he replied, a little sheepishly, "...well... something like that, Sanosuke."



"I had a childhood friend myself, and he's a journalist. Not only that... we were both in the Sekihoutai together. And we were both there, when Captain Sagara was killed by the Meiji Government...

"When I saw how Theoden was controlled by Saruman acting all friendly, it reminded me a little bit about how the Sekihoutai were tricked by the Meiji Government when they were making all nice with promises. Some promises can be pretty cheap."

"...Indeed they can," replied Sanosuke, agreeing with him, "...was he your father... Captain Sagara?"

Sanosuke paused a moment as he answered sadly, "...actually no. My parents were farmers. I took the name Sagara because I looked up to him a lot... because he felt like a father to me, mostly... he was like a king in my eyes. In a way, Theoden and I sort of have something in common. He lost a son... and I lost a father... long ago...

"And now... Théoden's still outside, grieving over his son, feeling a great responsibility for his son's death, as I cursed myself when I was unable to save Captain Sagara. I'm glad that Gandalf and Kenshin are there to console him. Kenshin and the old man seem to have a great mutual understanding towards each other. It's like... a perfect master/apprentice relationship for those two. Maybe Kenshin feels comforted when Gandalf's around, you know what I mean?"

"Exactly," replied Aragorn with a small smile, "I've been a friend with Gandalf for a long time. Whenever I feel troubled, he always gives me a sense of comfort. But the only father I've ever had was Lord Elrond of Rivendell. I have no memory of my true father... I never really knew him. He died only two years after I was born."

"Sorry to hear that," said a sorrowful Sanosuke, "I guess I would know that feeling when you don't know who your parents are."



Aragorn nodded, a little sorrowful



"Hey, I've been meaning to ask you, Aragorn," said Sanosuke, "...what would happen if you did wish to be king of Gondor?"

A pause, "well, truthfully, I don't know. I've never actually wanted to be king... ever. Isildur's blood still flows in my veins, with it... his weaknesses."

Sanosuke listened intently, as well as with pity, to Aragorn's sorrowful answer.



Aragorn went on, "...I have read the tale of Isildur, my ancestor. The tale speaks of the ring to be called an heirloom of his kingdom... and all those who follow in his bloodline... should be bound to its fate. I never knew about my true ancestry until Elrond told me on my 20th birthday..."

Aragorn lifted his hand, adorned with a ring on it to show Sanosuke.



"...I was given this," he said, "the heirloom of my house... the Ring of Barahir. At that moment, when my bloodline was revealed to me... I felt so overcome with grief and guilt... I chose exile. To avoid the corruption of the ring, and to stay away from the throne of Gondor."

"Why would you do that? Don't you think... that you could protect all people... even as a king."

"No Sanosuke," Aragorn resolved firmly, "...I do not. Because all men, throughout history, have been known to desire power, to which I want no part of. A true example of this was when the Nine Kings of Numenor became enslaved by Sauron's will, taking those nine rings of power, becoming the Ringwraiths. All power corrupts absolutely Sanosuke.

"As a ranger, and wanderer, like Kenshin is... I can freely protect... and fight for what I have believed in, than being a man who has power," Aragorn finished compassionately.



Hearing this heartfelt speech from Aragorn, Sanosuke smiled with great sympathy.



"Yeah," agreed Sanosuke, "I hear you. Funny... hearing you say something like that suddenly reminds me of Kenshin. He also said something like that."

Aragorn brightened to this revelation that Sanosuke brought before him.

Sanosuke went on, "...back in our world, Kenshin fought a great revolution. He believed in a peaceful way of life. Kenshin thought that by being a manslayer, he would bring that time of peace. But instead... it caused him great pain that he didn't ever wish to kill again, no matter how creepy his opponents were...

"He also chose your path Aragorn, to be a free wanderer and not take any positions of power. That's how he lives to this very day, until he dies. You remind me more of Kenshin, than Frodo does, Aragorn."

"...So it appears... that Kenshin and I have more in common than I thought," Aragorn laughed. Sanosuke laughed along with him.

"Yeah," continued Sanosuke, "I never thought that I'd meet someone who's just like Kenshin, here in Middle-Earth, being a weird, and beautiful place. I definitely know the feeling of being corrupt Aragorn. So far, you don't seem the type to be as corrupt as those greedy imperialists back in my world, so I think you'd make a great king. But if you try to be naughty and greedy just once... you're going to have to answer to me, you got that, Aragorn?"

Sanosuke lifted a playful fist, which Aragorn grins at.

"I understand, Sanosuke," said Aragorn.

"Hey, call me, Sano, everyone else does, just don't call me a moron like Saito does, okay?"

Aragorn laughed to himself a little as he replied, "...alright... Sano."











Outside Edoras, at his son's tomb, Théoden lifted a white flower in front of his face and looked at it, solemnly.



"...Simbelmynë," he said, sadly as he released the flower and it let it spiral down to land among similar flowers, in front of the tomb, "ever has it grown on the tombs of my forebears..."

The king then turned to look at Kenshin and Gandalf and added, "...now it shall cover the grave of my son. Alas, that these evil days should be mine. The young perish and the old linger...

"...That I should live... to see the last days of my house," finished Théoden

"Théodred's death," stated Gandalf, "was not of your making."

"Indeed," interjected Kenshin softly, "you should beat yourself about what Saruman did to you, that you shouldn't. Besides... I was directly responsible for the death of someone that I loved as deeply as you loved your son. Even then... I was under someone's control, but it wasn't the way you were controlled Theoden."



Gandalf and Theoden deeply sympathized with Kenshin's feelings as they listened...



Kenshin sadly went on, "I felt that I couldn't bear to go to her grave and mourn for her for ten long years, until recently...

"...I finally had the courage to go and put flowers over her grave. I hope to visit her grave again someday. No one should mourn their loved one's death forever Theoden, that they shouldn't."

"Well," said Theoden as he began to cry, "...no parent... should have to bury their child, Kenshin."



Théoden continued to cry for sad, solemn, brief moments, before he dropped to his knees, continuing to bear his tears away. For he felt that it should've been him who died instead of him because of all the tragedies that he allowed coming to pass when he was controlled by Saruman.



A few moments passed before Kenshin replied, silently, "...your son would not have you grieve for him, Théoden. He would've wanted you to be strong and willing to serve your people to the best of your ability... that he most certainly would."

"He was strong in life," lamented Gandalf, "...his spirit shall find its way to the halls of your fathers."



Despite all of Kenshin and Gandalf's words of comfort, Theoden still continued to cry his heart out, for long, sorrowful moments, finding no comfort, or solace... without the warmth of his son.



"Westu hál," said Gandalf, wishing the fallen heir to Théoden, a blessed afterlife, "...Ferðu, Théodred. Ferðu."

"Rest in peace... Sir Théodred," Kenshin added his blessing as he bowed.



Gandalf and Kenshin turned to go back to the hall to leave Théoden to grieve in private. Then... Kenshin spotted something...









Back at Edoras, Eowyn still dressed gracefully in her funeral clothing, walked in on the two men at the front of the Hall.

"Are you alright here?" she asked them.



"...Yes, my lady," answered Aragorn.

"Don't mind us," added Sanosuke.

Éowyn then went beside Aragorn and Sanosuke, watching towards the tomb of Théodred. Tears also stirred within her eyes as she eyed her cousin's resting-place.

"Théodred was my cousin," said Éowyn sadly and sorrowfully as tears fell down her face, "...he was like... he was like a second brother to me when we were younger. And now he's gone... gone away forever."



Sanosuke and Aragorn deeply felt sorry for the Lady of Rohan as Aragorn wrapped his arm gently around her, letting her weep on his shoulder. Sanosuke especially felt that he had something in common with Éowyn. In fact... he found that he liked the Land of Rohan, along with its fearless riders since they wanted to fight head on like he did.

Moments later... Éowyn lifted he head a little, meeting her eyes with Aragorn's eyes. In that moment...



They both stared at each other lovingly, as if they both enchanted a little... yet found great solace with each other. Éowyn suddenly felt attracted to his solemn blue eyes, seeing his sorrowful, mournful... and sad expressions that lie within them. Éowyn slowly recovered her wits and lifted her head to face both Aragorn and Sanosuke.



"My lords," said Eowyn, with a sad smile, " ...I never had the chance to thank you... all of you... for what you've done this day."

"No problem," answered Sanosuke, with a bittersweet expression, "always here to help. I'm Sanosuke Sagara, this is Aragorn."

"I am Eowyn, the white lady of Rohan," introduced Eowyn, "it's a great honor to meet you Lord Sanosuke... Lord Aragorn."

Eowyn said passionately as she looked at Aragorn. Aragorn in turn bowed his head in gratitude. But then... Sanosuke looked outwards, and saw something over the horizon...



"Hey," he said pointing to the landscape outside Edoras, "look over there."



Aragorn and Eowyn turned their gazes at Sanosuke's direction...







"Sir Gandalf," spoke Kenshin.



Gandalf faced Kenshin as he pointed to his side. They looked over...



And spot two children on horseback. It was Eothain and Freda. The horse just stood there with its weary passengers upon its back. As it stood still, Eothain slowly toppled from the saddle, as he was famished so much. But even so, after being sent by their mother on such a toilsome ride... they've finally made it to Edoras.











Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or Lord of the Rings. RK is the property of Nobuhiro Watsuki and Lord of the Rings is the property of Professor J. R. R. Tolkien.



A/n: How do you think of this chapter, huh? Did you think its good? I don't know myself. Even Peter Jackson was a little jittery of these films of Lord of the Rings that he made for us so well.

By the way, did you also know that the costume designer for the movies, Ngila Dickson, was also the costume designer for Last Samurai? I did, when I first read the credits of Last Samurai. And the movie, Last Samurai, was set in the same period of Japan as Rurouni Kenshin. But only Last Samurai took place in 1876-1877, and Rurouni Kenshin was set in 1878.

It's not that much difference, but still the same period nonetheless. And I'll tell you, if Rurouni Kenshin does get to be a live movie, they should choose Miss Dickson for costume designer because I think she did good on Last Samurai, don't you? If this fanfic were the movie, the costume designer would certainly be Ngila Dickson.



But for other categories like Original Screenplay, I rooted for Sophia Coppola, and she won! Hooray for her! On Best Actor, I rooted for both Bill Murray (Lost in Translation) and Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean). And believe it or believe it not... I was rooting for Miss Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider) for Best Actress, and she was 13 years old. Anyway, they all lost to Sean Penn (Mystic River) and Charlize Theron (Monster), if any of you have seen those movies.

But, I rooted for Return of the King for best picture and Peter Jackson for best director... because they deserve it. Let me tell you, this year, Lord of the Rings finally gets its respect, you know? I most certainly do.

Okay, enough of me boring you all with this, just read and review, okay.