Author's Notes: hehe, I KNOW I KNOW, I should be working on my other stories but I just remembered a poem I read a while back (The Highwayman) and decided to do a one-shot fic based on it.

Disclaimer: I don't own SM or LotR, if I did, I wouldn't be sitting here writing fanfiction, I would be getting my writing made into MOVIES!

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Anything for You: A one-shot fic

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Serenin gave a scream as she ran. She pumped her legs as fast as they would go, her feet pounding on the cold stone beneath her. She stumbled as she made a sharp turn and slid across the floor on her side. She quickly scrambled up and resumed her mad sprint, her face flushed from the exertion and her hair falling out of its braid.

Maybe she shouldn't have thrown that bucket of water on Théodred, but he wouldn't get out of bed and she was going to be leaving soon! She stopped when she no longer heard the sound of his footsteps behind her and turned her head to look for him.

"Got you!" Théodred shouted as he came at her from another direction and tackled her to the ground, his wet nightclothes soaking her dress.

"Théodred! You're getting me all wet!" Serenin shrieked as he wrapped his arms around her and started to place butterfly kisses on her neck.

"Really?" He asked as he stopped, seemingly deep thought. "Does this mean you're going to reconsider going to bed with me before we are wed?" He asked as he waggled his eyebrows at her.

"Théodred!" Serenin gasped mockingly with wide-eyes.

"You're right, why waste time finding a bed?" He asked as he kissed her lips.

The two became immersed in what was promising to be quite a good romp when. . .

"Ahem."

Théodred turned to see, Grima Wormtongue, chief counselor of the king, standing over him with a glare. Théodred sighed.

"While I am sorry to interrupt," Grima spat, "I am afraid the Lady Serenin must be leaving soon."

Grumbling, Théodred picked himself off Serenin and offered a hand to the lady on the ground, who was red with embarrassment.

"You two would do well to remember that you are not yet wed." Grima snarled. "And your displays of affection have delayed the lady's departure. Now she will have to change her garments."

Théodred sighed again and picked up Serenin in his arms. He turned around to leave.

"Where are you going?" Wormtongue barked.

"To change our garments." Théodred said with a mischievous smile as he walked away.

Wormtongue continued to glare at Théodred's back with rage in his eyes as the young prince walked off with a squealing Serenin.

***

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Théodred stood outside next to his father as Lady Serenin and her group prepared to leave. King Théoden was talking to the lady's father, Giodin, a previous captain of the guard. Théodred sighed and looked around, his eyes landing on Serenin, as they usually did. She was trying to tie her packs onto her horse. He could see the strain of her muscles when she tugged at the rope and studied the curve of her neck when she bowed her head in defeat as the packs loosened and fell.

"You should see her off."

Théodred turned. Éomer was smiling as he watched the future Queen of Rohan wage a fierce battle with her packs.

"It seems she could use some help with her packs as well." He said as he watched her struggle to place the heavy packs on the horse once more.

Théodred turned around just in time to see the packs fall off once again, this time onto Serenin's foot. He smiled when she started to hop around on one foot, grasping her injured foot and yelping with pain.

*

"Would you like some help?"

Serenin stopped mid-hop and saw Théodred. She blushed and looked to the ground.

"Please."

Théodred effortlessly lifted her packs onto her horse and quickly secured them with a series of complex knots. Then he grabbed her waist and pulled her into a deep kiss. The kiss ended abruptly, leaving Serenin in a daze. She was vaguely aware that Théodred had turned his attention to her horse, stroking its forehead. Serenin stood their, stunned, wondering what had happened. She shook her head clear and watched Théodred.

"I will be away when you come to visit again." Théodred said softly, still not looking at her. "I am going off to patrol with Éomer."

Serenin smiled, "Then I shall see you more often than I already do."

Théodred turned around and looked at her, questioningly.

"Éomer comes to my village every three weeks to stock up on supplies." Serenin explained.

Théodred grinned.

"Then I expect I shall see your home."

Serenin gave him a warm smile and nodded.

"And your room."

Serenin gave him a confused nod.

"And your bed."

Serenin narrowed her eyes at him but kept the smile.

"Yes, but most importantly, you will be seeing the guest bedroom."

Théodred hung his head as Serenin broke out into peals of laughter.

*

Grima Wormtongue watched the two with a scowl. The spoiled prince attained everything in Rohan, including the fairest maiden. She bore a resemblance to the Lady Éowyn, the Flower of Rohan, but Éowyn's fair hair paled in comparison to the golden mane of the Lady Serenin and Serenin's eyes were a deep blue that sparkled like the waves of the sea under the sun, while Lady Éowyn had light blue eyes like the sky on a clear, spring day. Lady Éowyn may have been the Flower, but Lady Serenin was the golden beams of the rising full moon, stretching across the plains of Rohan for it was under the golden light and on the great plains where she was found as a babe and that is what she grew to be. She was, perhaps, Rohan's greatest secret; breathtakingly beautiful, but not often beheld by those not of Rohan descent.

"They make a beautiful couple, don't they?" A voice interrupted his thoughts.

Grima turned to see Éomer looking at the happy couple who were now standing close to each other and speaking in hushed tones. Grima's eyes visibly darkened.

"Do anything to disrupt the future rulers of Rohan and I will kill you." Éomer said evenly, eyes still fixed on the couple.

"And pray tell, how would you kill me?" Wormtongue asked, shaking with anger.

Éomer finally turned his head to Grima. He fixed his steely gaze onto the chief counselor and Grima needed no answer to his question.

*

"Théodred?" Serenin suddenly asked as she clasped her hands around his and brought them to her chest.

"Yes, love?"

"When do you think we will be able to be married?" Serenin asked, looking intently into his eyes.

"Soon, love. Soon." Théodred whispered.

"But, but what if something happens to you while you're patrolling with Éomer? What if. . ." Serenin started, tears forming in her eyes from worry.

"Shush." Théodred said as he touched his forehead to hers. "I will always come for you, *though hell should bar the way*."

Serenin gave Théodred a watery smile and threw her arms around him as she whispered into his ear.

"I will always wait for you, though in hell I may be."

Théodred circled his arms around her waist and buried his face into her long, golden hair. He reveled in her scent and she stroked his hair.

"Théodred, it is time for the lady to depart. Detach yourself from her grip!" The king called out to his son with a laugh.

Serenin blushed and took down her arms from Théodred's neck. She tried to move away from him but Théodred tightened his grip around her waist. Serenin tried to squirm her way out, but Théodred held on firmly. Serenin tried to keep down another blush as she resigned to her fate in Théodred's arms. It wasn't such a bad fate.

"Father, the Lady Serenin had a very good question and I intend to hold her hostage until we receive an answer." Théodred called back out to his father.

King Théoden chucked at his son's antics. The boy had spirit.

"Hostage? I see no hostage. Is not a hostage one who is held against their will?" King Théoden asked as he gave his future daughter in law a wink.

Serenin stuck her tongue out at Théoden and placed her arms, once again, around Théodred's neck. Hama, Éomer, and Giodin chuckled at their usually grave king's jesting with his son and son's fiancée.

"This is true, but is it not also true that one can be considered a hostage when taking the place of another? For example, I could hold my cousin, Éomer, hostage and I would hope, as we all do, that it would be against his will. However, I hold the Lady Serenin in his stead." Théodred called back.

Éomer gave Théodred a mock glare. "I can assure you, dear cousin, the day you hold me in your arms as you hold the Lady Serenin, will be the day I cannot draw a sword, wield an axe, or draw a bow."

"Ah, but you cannot draw a sword, wield an axe, or draw a bow. At least not well." Serenin said with a laugh.

All others present joined into her laughter as it was widely known that Lord Éomer was the finest warrior Rohan had.

"Is that a challenge?" Éomer asked with mock contempt.

"I will beat you with the flat of Théodred's sword at any time of day!" Serenin bluffed.

Éomer, Éowyn, and Serenin laughed harder than the rest at the joke. After all, it was Éomer who had secretly taught Serenin and Éowyn how to handle weapons when they had come begging for lessons

Éomer had been caught off guard by the request. Éowyn, he could understand. She was always trying to prove that she was as capable as any man. It almost seemed as if she had to become a warrior else she would have no worth. It was ridiculous, everyone has worth in some way or another but for Éowyn, becoming a warrior was the only way she could prove herself. He would have told her it was folly but for the fire burning in her eyes; the ones that told him that if he did not teach her properly, she would go off on her own and cut off a toe by accident. So, he had trained her. And to think, it was all for the safety of that small toe.

What surprised him was not that Serenin accompanied Éowyn, for they were inseparable. No, what surprised him was that he could see the same fire that burned in Éowyn's eyes, burning in Serenin's eyes. It shocked him. Serenin did not seem the sort to fight, or to want to fight. She was so charming and loving. She had no gnawing desire to wrestle every boy that came across her path and win, like Éowyn, but after he began to train her, he began to see that she had a warrior's heart.**

He saw it before, but it was shown in a different way. It was the way she would defend an orphan who stole an apple and end up with a split lip and paying double out of her own purse. It was the way she would try to befriend the people she knew hated her most and least wanted her in their presence. It was the way she chased birds away from food she had accidentally dropped on the ground. He had seen it, but it wasn't until he began to train her that he interpreted it as something other than stubbornness.

Every time she lost a duel, every time she fell to the ground with weariness, every time she looked up at him with those eyes, wiped off the dirt smeared on her face, and found the strength to pick up her sword and give it one more try, he saw it. She had determination, she had will, but unlike Éowyn, it was not to prove worth. No, it was something else. . .

As he pondered, he caught Serenin's eyes and his mind drifted off to when they had first started her training.

*

"One, Two, One, Two! Move your feet faster Serenin!"

Smack, Smack!

"If this were a battle, your legs would have been cut off!"

Clang, THUD!

Serenin fell to the floor from the force of the blow and Éomer had her under the point of his sword. She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling defiantly.

"Dead." Éomer said as he sheathed his sword.

Serenin gave a groan and dropped her head to the ground.

Éomer took a swig of water and sat down on the ground next to the exhausted Serenin. He offered her the flagon. Serenin pulled herself off the ground and gratefully took the water.

"Serenin, why do you try so hard to become a warrior?"

Serenin stopped chugging the water and stared straight in front of her.

"I cannot describe it." She said softly.

Éomer looked at her expectantly. Serenin turned towards him and looked him straight in the eye.

"It is. . . a feeling, if you will. It feels as if I need to learn how to fight. . . because I don't want others to have to protect me." She said, as she scrunched her face up to find the right words.

"It will be a sad day indeed when protecting you becomes an inconvenience for any man." Éomer said.

Serenin gave him a small smile.

"Sometimes, I feel as if something is watching over me. I feel as if he or she or it or they would give anything to protect me. Whenever I feel that, my heart breaks. How could I cause that thing to lose everything to protect me? So I want to fight. . .so that that thing never has to give up anything. Do you understand?"

Éomer nodded. "Yes, it is very honorable. I do not know many women who would fight to protect those who should be protecting her. It is strange, most women would cower behind their defenders and let men die for them. I admire your spirit, Serenin."

Serenin giggled. "I also feel that I should protect the innocent and defend love and justice."

Éomer laughed loudly. "I could imagine you trying to fight warriors of a distant land to defend your village. They will charge at you and you will fearlessly go out to meet them grasping your sword in one hand and your skirts in the other!"

Serenin giggled with him. "I could wear leggings! I am right now!"

"Why not just wear a very short skirt to let your legs move unhindered? And, you would be able to wield your sword without thinking about ruining your dress!" He exclaimed, playfully sarcastic. "You would not even have a need for weapons. You could just make the men faint from the sight of your bear legs and indecent attire!"

Serenin let out a small growl and tackled Éomer. They tumbled down the grassy knoll and ended up in a heap at the bottom, laughing.

*

Serenin caught Éomer staring and smiled. She started to model sensual poses that ended up being comical and slightly awkward. Éomer laughed and drew the other's attention to what he was observing. Serenin ended her act by blowing him a kiss and then winking suggestively at him. Théodred caught sight of the end of her act. He threw an arm possessively around Serenin's waist and shook a fist "threateningly" in Éomer's direction. Théodred then caught Serenin's lips mid-laugh and dipped her down into an overly romantic pose, one where the safety of both their backs were put in danger. Of course they both lost balance and ended up in a heap on the floor, laughing. Éomer laughed at the couple the pair made. He could think of no two people better fit for each other.

"Son, I now see the error of my ways. I will hear the question that has put both your lives in such danger!" King Théoden mockingly called out to his son as Théodred and Serenin finally untangled their limbs and stood up.

"Father, the Lady Serenin and I would like to know when we will finally be able to be wed!" Théodred called out to his father.

"Why so eager to delve into marriage?" King Théoden asked his son with a chuckle, "Do you not know that once you are married, you will no longer have free reign with other women?"

"Ah, but I would gladly give up all other women if it meant that I could bed one night with the beautiful Lady Serenin." Théodred laughed back.

Serenin blushed a deep crimson color at the father and son's talking so freely of bedding. She gave Théodred a stern look.

"Is that why you wish to marry me?" She asked.

"Yes." Théodred said as he pulled her towards him for another kiss.

The kiss ended when the two lovers ended up laughing in each other's arms.

Théoden-King observed all this with a soft smile.

"Do you wish to be wed tomorrow?" Théoden called out to his son.

Serenin gasped and Théodred looked hopeful. Long had he suffered a life of chastity for his Serenin.

"Surely you jest, father. I am to start my patrol with Éomer the next morning." Théodred said as he and Serenin walked over to where the others were standing.

King Théoden looked over at Éomer.

"You could join us next month when we come round to the castle once more." Éomer said thoughtfully.

"I'm sure the young prince would like to have some pleasure before he takes up the grueling task as a Rider of Rohan." Théoden said as he chuckled.

Lady Serenin blushed crimson once again as Éowyn pointed a finger at her and laughed, clearly taking pleasure in her friend's discomfort. Serenin gave Éowyn a stern look that only caused Éowyn to fall back onto a wall for support.

"Does this proposal not appeal to you, Lady Serenin?" Théoden asked.

"It appeals to me very much for I would love to wed my Théodred, but preparations must be made. Family must attend and I do not even have a wedding dress!" Serenin said.

Giodin looked thoughtful.

"I could ride to our village tonight and be back here with our family in two days." He said.

"We could delay the patrol for four days to be present for the wedding. We have not received any dire news." Éomer replied.

"But what would I wear?" Serenin exclaimed, "Surely I cannot wear the clothes I have now!"

"I could bring your Aunt Bernin's dress?" Giodin suggested.

"Aunt Bernin is five times as big as I!" Serenin exclaimed.

"She was slimmer when she was younger." Giodin said.

"She was still at least twice as large as I!" Serenin exclaimed.

Giodin looked as if he were going to reprimand his foster-daughter for her rude remark until he realized the truth of the statement.

"You could wear my mother's dress." Éomer said.

"Wear Théodwyn's wedding dress? I couldn't!" She exclaimed with wide eyes.

"Don't be foolish, our mother would have loved for you to wear her dress if it got you married to Théodred sooner. You remember her absurd infatuation with bringing you two together. . ." Éowyn said as she rolled her eyes.

"B-b-but, you are her daughter! You have to wear your mother's wedding dress!" Serenin exclaimed.

Éowyn scoffed at the statement. "Our mother practically considered you her daughter. She would not mind and I do not either."

Before Serenin could protest, Théoden-King interrupted.

"Then the matter is settled. Giodin will ride to his village to gather the guests, Éomer will delay his patrol, and Serenin will wear my sister's wedding dress. Are there any other things that must be taken care of?"

Grima Wormtongue chose this minute to speak up.

"My King, three days is not nearly enough time to prepare a wedding. There must be food, music, flowers. . .There is much to do." He said as he looked into the King's eyes.

Théoden seemed lost in a trance. He was on the verge of agreeing with his wise counselor's advice when a ray of light seemed to break his thoughts. He looked to the source and found himself looking at Serenin's golden hair. He caught her eyes and smiled.

"All of which we have here. Fear not my worrisome counselor, Théodred and Serenin's wedding shall be splendid."

***

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*POP!*

Hama opened another case of wine and took a long swig.

"You see, Wormtongue, you had nothing to fear! As long as there is good wine, it will be a good wedding!" He roared as he hit Grima on the back, almost making the surly counselor fall over.

Serenin observed Hama's face steadily growing redder and leaned her head into Théodred's ear to be heard over the sound of merrymaking.

"Perhaps we should stop Hama from drinking anymore?" She suggested with a smile.

"Ah, but then how else would we obtain our entertainment?" Théodred asked with a wicked grin.

Serenin and Théodred burst out into laughter when they saw Hama fall to the ground.

THUMP!

The servants sighed as they dragged a very heavy, very unconscious Hama out of the wedding party.

"Well, Théodred where shall we obtain our entertainment now?" Serenin asked with a grin.

"Fear not, fair maiden! Peer yonder across the room and you shall see my cousin Éomer drinking his fifth glass of wine!" Théodred said dramatically as he pointed to him.

"Surely you jest, dear husband! Do you really believe that the Lord Éomer would allow himself to be intoxicated?" Serenin asked with amusement.

"I know that Éomer drinks six glasses of wine at a party. No more, no less. Therefore, I have ordered the servants to fill his glass with the strongest wine from Gondor." Théodred said with a wicked grin.

Serenin's face brightened and she turned around to look at Éomer, just in time to see him pull a maiden onto his lap and start laughing loudly. Serenin watched the maiden's face become extremely red as she started to squirm uncomfortably.

"Perhaps we should stop Éomer's conquest before Lady Eleanor's father is thrown in prison." Serenin said as she noticed the maiden's irate father start to get up from his seat.

Théodred just waved his hand and took another sip of wine.

"I doubt that will be necessary." He said as there was another THUMP and the servants dragged another man from the hall.

*

Serenin giggled in Théodred's arms as he carried her to their new room. The laughter subsided as they entered their inner chambers. Théodred placed her softly on the ground and took her hand. They looked around in awe.

Yards of white satin were draped across the room to hang from the ceilings and walls. The light of the full moon streamed in through the windows of the balcony, making the fabrics seem to glow. Candles were scattered throughout the room and they shined on the polished marble floors like many flames dancing on water. In the center of the room was a giant canopy bed, all hung with sheer and dainty white fabrics. Delicate carvings of wild horses decorated the massive frame. Its pale silken sheets were scattered with white rose petals and lilies. All this was finished with a vibrant red apple on one of their many pillows; a talisman for a fruitful marriage.

There was a moment of silence between the newlywed couple before Théodred and Serenin turned to each other. Théodred gave a wicked grin right before picking Serenin up and walking towards the bed.

Théodred laid his goddess upon the bed and studied her as she took a bite of the apple. Her lengthy hair spilled around her and off the bed in waves of gold. The wedding dress was a bit too large for her petit frame, but she looked ravishing in it. Théodred thought she would look stunning in anything. . .or nothing. . .

He gave another grin as he removed her slippers and then slipped off his boots. He climbed on to the bed by her side and closed the drapes. He turned around only to be met by the color red. He looked past the apple and saw Serenin sitting up, holding the apple to his face with an expectant look on hers. He took a bite of the apple and swallowed as she placed the apple under their many pillows.

Serenin hesitated before turning around. Timidly, she fingered the sleek white sheets. She finally faced Théodred and raised her eyes to his. He gave her a shy smile, possibly the first in his life, and reached for her. He brought her close to him and kissed her gently.

Théodred ran his fingers up her back slowly with a feather light touch making her spine shiver. Serenin arched her back towards him, bringing the two even closer and Théodred held her to him tighter. Serenin slid her arms out from between them and wrapped them around his neck as she pulled him down onto her.

Théodred brought his hand from under Serenin and slid it down her body as she knotted the fingers of one hand into his hair and used the fingers of the other to trace patterns on his neck. Their movements were gentle and tender, but passionate none the less, like the glow of the candles that surrounded them.

***

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One blissful month passed for the two newlyweds before it was time for Théodred to join Éomer on his patrols of Rohan. The two were laying in their bed the night before Théodred's departure, soaking in as much of each other's company as they could.

Théodred lay on his side fingering Serenin's golden curls while Serenin had her eyes closed, a blissful smile on her face.

"Go to sleep, Théodred. It wouldn't do to have you falling asleep on your horse." Serenin teased softly.

Théodred sighed and laid his head on her bosom. She looked down in surprise before closing her eyes again and stroking his hair.

"I'll miss you." Came Théodred's muffled response from between her breasts.

Serenin giggled and pushed Théodred away, only to have him roll on his back and pull her on top of him.

"You know, I will be traveling to my village to visit my father so it won't be too long before I see you again. Only three weeks. Do you think you could take care of yourself for that long a time?" She asked teasingly.

"No." Came Théodred's somber response.

Serenin sat up and playfully swatted his chest.

"Child," She chided with a smile, "I shall have to make Éomer look after you, then."

Théodred, who had been drawing circles on her thighs, looked up at her with serious eyes. Serenin's eyes softened and she brought herself down to rest on Théodred's chest.

"Only three weeks. I'll see you in three weeks. If everything is well, you'll arrive on the full moon." Serenin said softly.

"Whenever the moon lights our way on Rohan's plains, I will be thinking of you." Théodred said. "And the full moon will guide me to you at the end of the third week."

Serenin smiled.

"Enough of this melancholy mood. Are we going to waste our last night together?" Serenin asked.

"Certainly not." Théodred said as he flipped Serenin onto her back and kissed her deeply, the hairs on his chin making her giggle.

***

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*

Serenin lay in her old bed, looking at the ceiling of her room. It had been two weeks since she had last seen Théodred. She never knew that three weeks was so long a time and she still had one week left until Théodred would come to her village. She sighed as she turned to her side. It was wonderful seeing her father again after a month, but she wanted to see Théodred now. She was just lucky that she didn't have to wait two months in the castle to see him. With that last, comforting thought, Serenin snuggled into her blankets and fell asleep, pretending she held Théodred in her arms instead of the doll she really had.

***

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*

Wormtongue snuck out of the castle and headed to Isengard. It was strange, after the Lady Serenin left, his hold on King Théoden seemed to strengthen. He would have to tell Saruman about this.

Wormtongue was deep in thought when he finally reached Isengard, his horse finally coming to a halt. It was a slow mare but it had been found that no stallion, or strong mare, would allow him on their back. Wormtongue fumbled off the seat and barged into the dark tower.

"Saruman, my grip over the King tightens!" He shouted gleefully.

"NO!" Saruman shouted. "MY grip over the King tightens."

Saruman gave an evil smile as he reminded Grima that it was he who held the power, not Grima.

"Do you know what brought about this sudden change?" He asked.

Grima looked sour in the face before he answered.

"I believe it was the recent departure of the Lady Serenin." He said.

"Indeed?" Saruman asked. "Perhaps there is more to this lady than meets the eye."

He pondered this for a moment before waving his hand.

"Nevertheless, she is only a woman and women are easily dealt with." He said maliciously.

A hopeful sparkle entered Grima's dark eyes.

"Master, will you capture her? She is visiting her father in an unprotected village. It would be easy to take her." Grima said.

"I do not know if I would want to waste my Orcs on an insignificant human girl, and I do not know if my grip over Théoden-King is so strong as to withstand suspicion." Saruman replied.

"But master, surely your powers are great enough to withstand anything. I also know that the King's son, Théodred will be riding to the village in one week to visit his wife." Grima said imploringly.

Saruman considered this before his face broke out into a feral grin.

"In that case, I will send my Orcs to kill both the future rulers of Rohan." Saruman said.

"B-b-but...why not just capture the Lady Serenin. Surely we can find some way to turn..." Wormtongue started to plead.

"No." Saruman interrupted. "Her power cannot be that great. Besides, it will be entertaining to see how she reacts when my Orcs kill her precious beloved in front of her eyes."

Saruman laughed wickedly and left with a swish of his multi-colored robes.

Wormtongue's eyes widened.

'What have I done?'

***

**

*

Serenin sat on the hard wooden floor with a gag tied around her mouth and her hands bound in front of her. Her hair was dirty and matted with blood. The Orcs had strapped a crossbow tightly to her chest with its poisoned arrow pointing at her heart. They told her she could either kill herself now and know that Théodred would soon be coming to meet his end, or she could vainly try to warn him of the situation before having him killed in front of her eyes.

Silent tears of distress were flowing down her cheeks. Giodin had died trying to protect her and now, her husband would die as well.

An Orc kicked her as he walked past and laughed, a harsh rasping sound.

"Your love will be coming soon." He taunted.

*

Théodred and Éomer stood next to each other atop a hill with their horses, looking down at the village where Serenin was. The light of the full moon shone brightly on it. Théodred cast a pitiful glance at Éomer, begging to ride down as fast as they could. Éomer laughed.

"My men are tired, cousin. They would not want to race down to the village, no matter the soft beds that await them. Be patient, we will be there soon." Éomer said.

Théodred looked down at his shoes, seeming like a child who had been scolded by his elders.

"Would you like to ride ahead?" Éomer asked teasingly.

Before Éomer could say another word, Théodred was on his horse, urging it to go faster. Éomer watched Théodred go with a smile on his face.

"All right men, we should continue if we want to stay in beds for the night." Éomer yelled.

*

Serenin became scared. The Orcs had become too quiet and the ones guarding her seemed to be waiting for something. Was something happening? Suddenly, her face paled and she gasped.

"Clip-Clop-Clip-Clop"

'Oh no, Théodred!' She thought to herself.

The sound was still distant so he had not yet reached the ambush. She only had moments to warn him.

All of a sudden, she got an idea. She looked down at the crossbow and then to the Orc standing behind her. Yes, it could work...

*

Théodred slowed to a trot just outside the village and smiled. He would soon be seeing his beloved. There was only a short distance between them.

*

Serenin positioned herself in front of the Orc whose back was to her. Slowly, but surely, she pulled the crossbow under the tight rope. The crude wood left a trail of splinters in her skin but she did not care. She had almost pulled the crossbow free of the rope, but the wide ends would not come through. She started to panic. There was not enough time to get it loose.

*

Théodred passed a cluster of wild flowers and smiled as he dismounted his horse to pick them. Serenin would appreciate them, greatly.

*

Serenin's heart raced. The arrow was now pointed to her middle. She suddenly thought of something. Would it work? The Orcs had demonstrated Saruman's new "crossbow" for her. It could embed itself halfway through a wooden log. Surely it would be able to fly completely through soft flesh?

*

Théodred smiled as he finished picking the flowers and started on his way again.

*

Serenin leaned forward and closed her eyes. She pulled the trigger and gasped as the black arrow shot through her stomach and flew into the leg of the Orc behind her. The poison spread quickly through her body and Serenin slumped to the floor but not before hearing the Orc screech in pain.

*

Éomer turned suddenly to the noise coming from the nearby village.

"What was that?" He barked.

"Orcs, sir." A soldier replied quickly.

'Théodred, Serenin.' Éomer thought as he paled visibly.

"Quickly, to the village!" Éomer commanded loudly as he raced towards his friends.

*

Théodred quickly turned his head to the noise. As soon as he did, arrows started to fly out, but they were out of range. He realized that they were Orc arrows. He looked around dazedly. Where was Serenin? Was she with the Orcs? No, she couldn't be. She couldn't be! Théodred felt his world spinning about. What would he do if she was hurt?

Suddenly, he felt himself being turned around. Éomer stood in front of him.

"We have to save Serenin." He said as he pulled Théodred to his feet and led everyone to the village.

*

Serenin could hear the shouts of the Orcs. They had failed. Éomer's forces were riding in and the Orcs were being driven back. As Serenin lay in a pool of her own blood, a contented smile played across her lips.

"You're safe, Théodred. You're safe."

***

**

*

It had been months since the death of Lady Serenin and now, Éomer sat on the battlefield cradling Théodred's body. As tears slid down his face, he remembered how Théodred had held Serenin's body in his arms when they had found her. Théodred had wept and cried out. He had clutched her body to his like a babe grasps its mother. He had realized that she had died to warn him of the Orcs and he became a broken man. His eyes always had a glassy sheen to them since then.

Éomer and Éowyn tried everything to get him to be himself. Éowyn had finally suggested that Théodred continue on his training and ride out with Éomer. Reluctantly, Théodred agreed. Being out on the plains of Rohan seemed to do him some good. Théodred slowly began to joke with the men again and laugh, but he was quieter now and his jolly smiles never really reached his eyes.

Then, the Orcs had attacked and Théodred had been hit by a poisoned arrow.

Sadly, this caused Théodred to smile a genuine smile for the first time in months and his eyes seemed to focus on something behind Éomer.

"Can you see her, cousin? She is right behind you. She's come to take me away." Théodred said softly.

Éomer felt his heart breaking.

"Tell her to wait, cousin. Tell her you must bid good-bye to your family." Éomer said.

"She's lonely, Éomer. I need to be with her." Théodred whispered.

"Be strong, Théodred. You'll be with her soon enough." Éomer said as his voice cracked with emotion.

Théodred took a painful breath and closed his eyes.

"Riders of Rohan, make haste!" Éomer cried out as he galloped off in a hurry to reach the castle and tend to Théodred.

*

Théodred lay in his bed, gasping for breath. Éowyn sat beside him, holding his hand. She took a cool cloth and wiped the sweat off his forehead. He was in pain. The poison would not relinquish its hold on his body. Slowly, he was dying.

Éowyn had pleaded with King Théoden to come see his son before he left this place, but he would not come. The king had changed so much over the past year. Sometimes she wondered if he recognized anyone but Grima Wormtongue.

Théodred took in another painful breath and Éowyn felt tears come to her eyes.

"Cousin, your father is not coming and you are in such pain. Though it would cause me much grief, if you decided you no longer wished to live in this world, I would let you go." She said softly.

Théodred's breathing slowed down and he squeezed her hand gently.

"I know Éomer would also understand, so if you feel that you cannot bear the pains of this world any longer, I implore you. Let go." She said.

Théodred released his grip on her hand and shuddered as he took in his last breath.

"I can see her." He whispered before becoming still.

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*this one-shot is based on "The Highwayman" so I thought I should include a quote from it. Was it too cheesy?

**Okay, I know that Usagi is so NOT a warrior, but I wanted to make her different in this life. This is my theory. You know how Serenity was this perfect, graceful, princess? Well, I think that in some way, she just wanted to be a normal girl so when she became Usagi, she was ditzy, clumsy, and middle-class. In that same way, Usagi always wanted to become a better warrior. I think that because of that, when she became Serenin (yes, this is a life after she died) it made her become a "warrior".