3. Death
"We cannot hold the City long now that the Gate has been breached. We lack time for a proper burial. Would you see the body of your kinsman dishonoured and displayed as a trophy by the Enemy?"
Elladan added, "or worse, with a Morgul wound..."
Halbarad shuddered at that thought.
In silence, the Rangers of the Grey Company bore Aragorn from the Houses of Healing through Fen Hollen and to the House of the Kings in the Hallows. Behind them followed Legolas, Gimli and Pippin, the sons of Elrond, and Denethor and Faramir.
Halbarad wept as he lit the pyre.
[Author's note: this is a brief extract from a dark AU I'm currently writing; it gets worse after this....]
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