I had been with the Orc Hunters for a few months now. Having been raised where I was, I was skilled in combat. Women were trained in the same fashion as men. Those who showed skill and potential were given advanced training. My particular skill was with an axe, or rather two axes. I carried one in each hand. They had a blade on one side and a pike on the other.

When the Orc Hunters had found me, I had been a captive of sympathizers to Sauron for so long I had lost count. As to why Steinar and his men saved me I will probably never know. There were two other women who rode with the Orc Hunters. At first they had been distant but once I proved myself in battle their coldness faded.

A few days ago we had come across Eomer and his Rohirrim. After much debate, mainly focused on women fighting, Eomer and our leader Steinar decided to ride together. We had just decimated a large group of Orcs and after a short rest we were on the move again.

"Oy Axe Maiden, you've got some blood on your face," Lucierna called out to me with a smirk.
"Maybe I like it," I called back smiling.
Carmina snorted at our antics and rode ahead of us.
"She's just jealous you killed more than her," Lucierna laughed coming up beside me.
"I think you and I were even this time."
"Yea I think so," she said looking at me before asking, "You are still in it aren't you?"
"Yes. I can still feel it flowing through me, giving me strength and power."
She just smiled and shook her head. We continued riding in silence keeping an eye out for anything that moved.

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"Your women fight well." Eomer said stoically.
"Yes they do. One of them is an Exile," Steinar replied, glancing at Eomer to see his reaction.
"The one who wields two axes and the scar on her face?" he questioned.
"Yes."
"And the other two?"
"We picked them up along the way. They worked hard."
"The Exile, the way she moves in battle," Eomer stated, almost in awe.
"We found her when we happened upon a small number of dwellings housing sympathizers to Sauron." Steinar explained, looking back at her.
"I see. So that is what caused it," he said, his voice dropping at the revelation.
"I believe so. She had great skill from her upbringing, but her time in capture, that pushed her over."

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Shouts filtered throughout the riders, there were three beings up ahead. Everyone rode hard in their direction. In these dangerous times we had to be ever vigilant of any potential threats. When we reached them we quickly surrounded them, leaving no room for escape. The Rohirrim who made up the inner circle had their spears drawn and trained on the potential threats. I reached down slightly and stroked the head of my battle axe, anxiously waiting to hear any word on who we had surrounded. My horse, Agnarr, stomped, sharing my anxious energy as the wind carried the voices of those in the middle. I heard the leader of the Rohirrim, Eomer, speaking though it was not clear what he said. Suddenly though another voice cut him off. Everything seemed to stand still and I felt like I could barely breathe. Seemingly moving of my own accord I cut through my fellow riders and emerged at Eomer and Steinar's side.

"Aragorn?" I whispered in disbelief, ignoring Steinar's confused looked.

Everyone went silent. He stared at my face, no doubt at the jagged scar that marred the right side of it. Agnarr shifted, breaking Aragorn out of his reverie and causing him to shake his head slightly. Suddenly I saw it and my vision went red. I quickly pulled my axe from my side and held it at his neck before he could move to counter it. My abrupt movement put Steinar, Eomer, and the rest of the Rohirrim back on alert. Aragorn's two companions quickly flanked him aiming their weapons on me.

"Legolas, Gimli stand down," Aragorn ordered slowly.
"She has her axe trained on you," the elf said defensively.
"Yes but she will not hurt me. Now, stand down."

I slowly moved my axe blade to pull at the silver chain that hung around his neck. Feeling the movement he glanced down and his expression changed to one of painful regret.

"Please, let me," he started to say.
"Do not say anything," I said lowly with blatant venom.

I knew exactly what the pendant was that was on the chain. He had explained it to me a long time ago when we first started seeing each other. Him wearing it now meant he was going back on his promise to me. It meant he chose her.

"You lied to me. Did what you said mean nothing to you?" I asked angrily, raising my voice.
"I did not lie. Things changed," he tried to reason.
"No Aragorn. You promised me. How could you? How could you go back to her?"

Sensing my growing anger Steinar and those around me slowly backed away to give me space. Aragorn's companions moved back slightly but were still ready to strike at a moment's notice.

"Do you even know what I suffered through for you, to protect you? Was it all for nothing?" I screamed at him.
"What are you talking about?" he asked hesitantly.
"Do you see this?" I asked, dropping the reigns and pointing to my scarred face, "Before Steinar and his band of Orc Hunters found me I was held captive by those loyal to Sauron. This is but a scratch compared to what I lived through."

Aragorn dropped his head, looking at where my axe still held the pendant. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Steinar stiffen slightly and nod, letting me know he would step in if need be. I never talked about what I went through before they found me and I did not plan on bringing it up now. When Aragorn looked back up at me I saw a deep sadness in his eyes. Part of me accepted his sympathy and part of me was disgusted by it. Quickly dropping my axe and returning it to my side I grabbed my reigns and turned Agnarr to face Steinar.

"He is who he says he is. I do not know their journey but they are not our enemy," I said sharply.

He nodded and held my gaze for a minute. Now was not the time or place but I knew he had questions that he wanted answered. I steeled my expression and straightened my back before riding off.

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I watched her ride away and heard Steinar call for someone to go with her to find a suitable place to make camp for the night. Shock and surprise still coursed through me. It had been a long time since I had last seen her in Bree. She was so different now and the menacing looking scar on her face worried me. I wish she had not seen the pendant right away. I wanted to let her down easy but now all hope of her forgiveness seemed gone. Legolas and Gimli looked at me strangely but I shook my head subtly signaling this was not the place for an explanation.

"Whatever you have done to our Axe Maiden is between you and her." Steinar said, commanding my attention once again.
"I understand."

I proceeded to ask them about a band of Orcs and was dismayed to learn they had just slaughtered them. Eomer gifted us two horses and directed us toward the burning carcasses and remains they left behind. As we rode towards the blackened smoke I could not help but wonder why Steinar called Imogen their Axe Maiden. I had known that Imogen was an Exile and had been trained in combat. The Exiles did not concern themselves with the ring or the fight for power. They had refused to fight in the first war and had made no move to declare sides in the one slowly building now. Imogen had always been different though, even among the Exiles. In the little dealings I had with them I could tell she was torn between duty and heart. Obviously she had chosen; whether her choice was for her own revenge or to fight for Man I will probably never know.

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As I rode away from the group I saw Lucierna break away and follow me. I rode hard and fast, just wanting to get away from Aragorn and his betrayal. Lucierna had no problem staying with me. Eventually we stopped and surveyed the area. We were on the crest of a hill and with a nod to each other we knew this would be a good place to set up camp. Lucierna rode off in the direction we came to inform Steinar and the others. In the opposite direction of where Lucierna rode off I spotted a river. I turned Agnarr toward the river knowing he needed water.

Out of every emotion I was feeling the most overwhelming ones were betrayal and hurt. How could he have made those promises to me and then go running back to her. It may have been many months since I had seen him last but in the grand scheme of things it really had not been all that long. What had changed that made him break his promise? What had changed for him to go back to her? Now I felt as if what I went through before the Orc Hunters found me did not mean anything. I felt as if I suffered for no reason. Why should I have protected him when he was off rekindling a flame with that elf bitch? The only thing that got me through the pain and torture was knowing he would be there when all was said and done. Knowing that he would return to me kept me going and fighting to stay alive.

I do not know how long I was down by the river but I knew that the Orc Hunters and the Rohirrim had already made camp. At some point someone would come looking for me if I did not go back soon. I did not want to go back though. I felt as if my whole world and reality had been crushed. I did not know what to think anymore. I had based everything on Aragorn's promise and now that he had broken it I was questioning everything.

Rustling from behind me put Agnarr and I on alert. As soon as Steinar stepped out Agnarr went back to grazing and I loosed my grip on my battle axe.

"Axe Maiden?" he asked quietly.

I did not respond but did not turn away, signaling that he was welcome to stay. He walked over to me and we both turned to watch the river and the trees on the opposite bank sway in the breeze.

"Imogen, my name is Imogen," I said softly.

Steinar stayed silent which I was surprisingly thankful for. I was not sure why I finally told him my name or what I thought his reaction would be.

"I suppose you want to know about what happened earlier," I continued, crossing my arms over my chest.
"Only if you wish to tell me. I have never pressured you to reveal anything," he said encouragingly.
"Aragorn and I were, well, the last time I saw him was in Bree, before I was captured. I do not know what you would call us but before I left we talked and he promised that after whatever journey he is on was over he would find me and we would be together and that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. He promised me he did not want to be with anyone else. That pendant he wore belonged to an elf woman, one he said he had moved on from."

I stopped, needing a moment to collect my thoughts. Steinar stayed silent, thinking over what I had just said.

"I am sorry Imogen," Steinar finally said.
"Do not be. I am just a stupid girl grieving over stupid broken promises," I said sharply, uncrossing my arms and turning to face him.
"You are not a stupid girl. Those promises are not stupid and no man should break a promise, especially one as serious as that."
"I feel so betrayed. I feel as if everything I knew was a lie. His promise was the only thing that kept me wanting to live while I was held captive. Now I feel as if everything I went through means nothing."
"It does not. Whatever happened to you was horrible and how you managed to survive is beyond comprehension. You were closer to death than to life when we found you."
"What does that elf bitch have that I do not? Is she prettier than me? Skinnier than me? More demure than me?"
"I doubt any of that."
"Before, maybe I could have given her a run for her money but now, with this," I pointed to the scar on my face, "I am not even on the same level. This is all anyone ever sees. I am just a patchwork job of scars and battle wounds bound together with faltering strings of an emotional mess."

I do not know why I was unloading everything on Steinar. I had never trusted him or any of the others enough to even mention anything of my past, not even Lucierna and Carmina. He stood quietly and watched me, never once seeming to judge the train wreck I was becoming.

"While I was being tortured by sympathizers of Sauron who wanted information about him, he was off with her, not caring about my feelings at all. How could he?" I ranted, my voice faltering at the end.
"I do not know Imogen but try to remove him from your thoughts. He obviously has made his choice and so now you must be strong enough to brush him aside. He does not need you anymore, he has her. You are a part of us now."
"But I am an outsider. It probably will not be long until you ask me to take my leave."
"We never will Imogen. You are a true Axe Maiden and it is an honor to fight by your side."
"Do the rest of the men share the same sentiment?" I asked quietly.
"Yes I believe they do. You are one of us. It does not matter where you originally come from. As I said the day we found you, you are under my protection and I will not let anyone stand in your way of riding with us for as long as you choose to."

I stayed silent, letting Steinar's words sink in. The Orc Hunters had their own code. They were no specific race or group but rather a conglomeration of warriors fighting under Steinar. The Orc Hunters were nomadic, never having a homeland to call their own. The only rite of passage to join the Orc Hunters was to survive several skirmishes with Orcs, Uruk-hai, or any other foul beast created by Sauron and Sarumon.

I knew what he said was true. Aragorn did not need me anymore so therefore I should banish him from my mind. The betrayal was almost too much though. While he was off cavorting with that elf woman I was being tortured. I suffered unspeakable horrors in the name of gaining information. While I held my tongue, enduring every foul deed and painful punishment he was breaking his promise to me. A solitary tear ran down my cheek. Before I had the chance to hide it Steinar wiped it away.

"I know it hurts Imogen. What he did was wrong. To pursue someone when you have already committed yourself to another is disloyal and a bad mark of character. Everyone has their flaws however not everyone deals with them how he chose to. You cannot let yourself dwell over his betrayal."
"I know Steinar but it is just so raw and painful. I feel as if every scar on my body has been reopened again. I feel as if I am back in that horrible place. It is like my heart is literally breaking. That is how much it hurts."
"I do know the feeling Imogen. I am not this stoic, unfeeling warrior all the time. I am glad you opened up to me and I am glad you trust me enough to do so. Now though I think we should head back to camp. Dinner is probably ready and I know you need something to eat. We all do, especially after today."

I nodded knowing that he was right. Calling Agnarr over Steinar mounted him first then lifted me up to ride in front of him. With Steinar in control of the reigns I finally allowed myself to relax slightly and leaned back into his broad chest. Agnarr lazily walked back towards the camp and I was thankful for the few peaceful moments it brought me.

"Go grab some dinner with the other women," Steinar said as we neared the edge of camp.
"Honestly I would rather not. They will want answers, ones I cannot give them yet. I do not feel up to talking anymore," I replied softly.
"Very well."

Steinar led us through camp and I did not miss the glances from the others in our direction. We rode past where the majority of the Orc Hunters were set up and headed towards where Eomer was. As we approached I steeled my nerves and quieted my mind, leaving a hardened expression on my face.

"Steinar, only you know my name. I am not ready for others to learn it yet," I said lowly.
"I understand."

He dismounted first and waited for me to do the same. I pulled off my saddle and pack from Agnarr to which he gave an appreciative snort before going to lay down near Eomer and Steinar's horses. Steinar silently handed me a bowl of soup, all under the inquisitive gaze of Eomer. I gave a short nod and began eating. Steinar turned to Eomer and they began discussing their next move. I listened intently though gave no signal that I even cared.

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Eomer and I had been discussing tactic for a while, him glancing in the direction of Imogen on numerous occasions.

"She is trustworthy and under my protection. She will not betray these words," I said to ease his candid uncertainty.

I looked at her, seeing her mask in place. Her eyes were dark and emotionless but ever watchful, taking in everything around her. She had the slightest scowl marring her face and her jaw was set. I knew this look too well. She was forgetting, allowing her mind to go blank of all memories. Her only thoughts would be of strategy and when her next kill would be. Many warriors shared this look with her; battle-hardened to not feel anything that would detract from fighting. I doubted Eomer could fully appreciate this, having never had to fight for existence before now. The Exiles were a brutal people. From a very young age both girls and boys were trained to fight. If you survived the training you were a worthy member of their society. You either survived or died, there was no other option. The Exiles reserved their allegiance to the highest bidder however refused to fight in the first war. Having known a few Exiles I could tell that Imogen had been good enough in their initial training to receive advanced training. She had been groomed to be a Battle Maiden. Before, she would have made a worthy opponent and one that I would not choose to ever fight. After her capture and torture though, she was almost unstoppable. There were a few different names for it depending on which region one was in. I knew it as the blood lust.

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"Care to explain what happened earlier with the woman?" Gimli asked as we finally stopped to rest.
"Her name is Imogen. Why she was called Axe Maiden I do not know."
"At first she seemed happy to see you. Once she saw your pendant though she changed."
"Yes well, I had wanted to explain things differently."
"She is troubled and scarred, physically and mentally," Legolas offered.
"I am sure we will never know to what extent," I responded quietly.
"To have survived torture at the hands of those loyal to Sauron is a great feat. I make no judgement against you my friend however you have deeply hurt her. I know what transpired in Rivendell."
"You think I am oblivious? I wish to be given the chance to explain. What happened between us, what was said in Bree, was not trivial. At the time I truly meant it. However things changed," I defended.
"Aragorn, you will yet have the opportunity to make peace with her," Gandalf proffered.

I said nothing, signaling the matter to be closed. The weakness of men was a curse and because of it I harmed one of the most wonderful persons I knew. Deep down I knew the choice I made was the correct one. Arwen and I were meant to be. As much as I wanted Imogen at the time she was only a passing thing. Thinking of it that way seemed crude and distasteful however I knew not how else to explain it.

This is up as a feeler, to see what sort of reaction I get. There will be liberties take with the canon movie plot (the one I'm using for the moment) due to the introduction of new characters. The main, over-arcing events will happen, just that the details and timeline will be different.

{Exiles – break away of Easterlings living just East of the Sea of Rhun, South of Iron Hills, Orc Hunters, Bounty Hunters, everyone learns to fight, those who pass trials serve in "army", women labeled Battle Maidens, don't fight for either side during first war of the ring, known to be brutal, Viking-esque}

Imogen, the Exiles, Steinar, and the Orc Hunters are of my own creation.