Chapter 1: Up, Out, and Away

Ayelita strode down a path between the wooden houses, glad to have a bit of free time before the head housekeeper found more work for her to do. She worked as a serving maid for the Golden Hall and all buildings which were specifically the king's. The tedious housework assigned to Ayelita was near constant, and on this rare amount of free time during her long shift she planned to just sit around and relax for a while.

As Ayelita neared the gate of Edoras, she saw it swing open to reveal four strangers being lead by a gate guard. The strangers immediately raised her curiosity, for they did not receive many visitors these days. The first was an old man dressed in a grey cloak and carrying a tall staff. The second man was tall and had an air of royalty and greatness about him, despite the disheveled state of his clothes. Her insides gave a leap when she realized that the third one, tall and exceedingly fair with long blond hair, must be an elf. The fourth stranger was short and stocky, with much hair and carrying a heavy axe. Ayelita wasn't exactly sure what he was.

Quietly she followed them, keeping out of sight behind the houses. Ayelita wanted to know a bit more about them before trying to come face to face. She followed the company directly to the Golden Hall, where the doorwarden, Hama, commanded them to set aside their weapons. The suspected elf laid down his silver-hafted knife, quiver, and bow, saying only, "Keep these well, for they come from the Golden Wood and the Lady of Lothlorien gave them to me."

However, the kingly man hesitated, unwilling to let anyone else handle Anduril (for that was apparently his sword's name). Despite the coaxing of Hama and the old man, he did not wish to part with his sword. When it was told to him that he would lay down the sword or fight against all the men in Edoras, the short one looked ready to fight. Idiots, Ayelita thought. Couldn't they just bend to the request? Not much was being asked of them. Fortunately, the old man understood to simply comply with the request, and by doing so convinced Master High-and-Mighty and the short guy to do the same.

When Ayelita hard that they had come to speak to the Théoden King, she knew she needed to hear whatever they would be discussing. The only problem was that no way in hell would the doorwardens let her stroll in to the Hall to join in whatever would be happening. With this, Ayelita snuck up to one of the tall windows, crouched down so that only her eyes and nose passed above the windowsill, and continued to watch the events playing out before her. Honestly, all these powerful people really didn't know how to keep others out of their business.

As Ayelita watched, she learned several interesting pieces of information. The old man was called Gandalf, and he evidently thought very little of Wormtongue. This made her immediately take somewhat of a liking to him, because she knew Wormtongue to be a sneaking, manipulating bastard. The conversation then turned to the Lady of Lothlorien. Ayelita had only heard rumor of her, and therefore did not know whether she was a sorceress who wove webs of deceit as some claimed or whether she was the fair lady that Gandalf said she was. Gandalf then raised his staff, thunder roll and the windows go dark. Ayelita tried to look in, but it was as if a black curtain of air had covered all of the windows. After several moments, the blackness vanished from one of the windows, but it was not her window.

Ayelita began to grow frustrated when suddenly she heard Gandalf cry, "Open! The Lord of the Mark comes forth!" The doors rolled open. Ayelita rushed, or as much as she could rush, considering that she crawled along the ground trying to not be seen or heard, back to the front of the hall, seeing as that was where all the action was now taking place. As she reached the scene, the four companions and Théoden stood on the porch, looking out over the land and saying how it was not so dark. Well of course, it is day after all, she thought.

Ayelita's eyes nearly fell out of her head at what Théoden did next. He cast aside his staff and drew himself up, seeming to shed a dozen years in that one moment. She wondered if it was entirely Gandalf's doing. Despite not having before seen any wizards or sorcerers, Ayelita knew that he must be one, and a powerful one at that.

Gandalf and the king now whispered together, so that none could hear what they were saying. After more talking, Théoden had his sword brought to him by Eomer, and chanted a call to arms:

Arise now, arise, Riders of Théoden!

Dire deeds awake, dark is it eastward.

Let horse be bridled, horn be sounded!

Forth Eorlingas!

Ayelita's heart pounded at this; she had never heard such a call to arms from the old king, but knew that every word of it was meant. This was her chance! Years ago she had grown tired of her life in Edoras as a maidservant. She could now finally leave to fight in whatever upcoming battle! Thought none knew, Ayelita was better with weapons than many of the men.

She was too busy thinking of this new development to hear the next words spoken and heard only, "… all my folk get ready!" and an invitation for the companions to stay at a guest house for the night. Ayelita was glad to hear this, for she was curious and wanted to meet these new strangers. This would also give her time to get ready for the battle.

The tall, kingly man then said, "Nay, lord. There is not rest yet for the weary. The men of Rohan must ride forth today, and we will ride with them, axe, sword, and bow. We did not bring them to rest against your wall Lord of the Mark. And I promised Eomer that my sword and his should be drawn together." Damn it, she thought, today?! Now she barely had time to grab her stuff or to meet these people.

"Now my guests, come!" Théoden said. "Come and take such refreshment as hast allows." Seeing her opportunity to meet them, Ayelita scrambled up hastily and ran into the hall after them. She stood behind a column, knowing that in a moment servants would come with the food.

Just behind her, a manservant showed up bearing a roasted chicken with dried apples on a platter. "Oh, why don't I take that for you," Ayelita said, beaming, as she took the platter from him. Leaving the surprised manservant behind her, she came up to the table.

Legolas would probably not have noticed the young woman had she not stuck out like a gull among sparrows. Since the Rohirrim were tall, fair, and blond having blue or grey eyes, she was most unlike them. Yes, she was fairly tall, but the wavy hair that she had pulled back in a French plait A/N: I know they didn't have the term 'French', but bear with me was a rich brunette. Her dark eyes were brown, too. Even her skin was a shade darker than that of the Rohirrims'; as if she had already spent time in the summer sun on this chilly, early spring day. But what struck Legolas even about her even more than her appearance was that she did not have the meek bearing of a maidservant, yet though by all means she seemed to be one. As he stared in wonder at her, she did not look down as most maids would but stared right back.

Upon arrival at the table, Ayelita set down the platter and, rather than going away, plopped down next to the kingly man, across from the elf. All gapped at her. "Hello," she enounced boldly. "I couldn't help but notice you all and was wondering who you all were."

The one next to her recovered from the surprise first. "I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn." Ayelita nodded, not giving a damn about who his daddy was.

"I am Legolas, of the Elvin realm of Mirkwood," the elf introduced himself. She was fascinated, for he was the first full elf she'd ever met.

"I'm Gimli, Gloin's son," the short one replied.

"Uh, don't mean to sound rude, but what are you?" Ayelita asked of him.

"I am a dwarf, of course."

"Ah," she'd thought so, but hadn't been sure. "I'm Ayelita Karaban. Now, what of this battle everyone's going to? Where is it? Against who?"

More staring ensued. "The battle is away East, against the wizard Saruman and his forces," Aragorn cared to explain. "But you need not worry of that, for all of the women and children are to escape to Dunharrow." Ayelita thought on this. Evidently he was under the impression that she would be going with the women and children. No thank you, hiding in wait for the men to come back from battle was not her thing.

"Well, I will hopefully see you all upon departure," Ayelita said as she stood up to get ready. Without further explanation, she hurried off to her lodgings.

As a servant of Meduseld, Ayelita had rooms, which were just a medium sized bedroom, provided for her in the servants' quarters. Not many resided there because most had their own homes within the courts. Running into her rooms, Ayelita ripped off her dress and hurried into a pair of dark pants, a well-fitted forest green tunic, and knee-high light brown leather boots. Crawling underneath her bed, Ayelita retrieved her prized possessions, a pair of fighting knives she had inherited from her mother. They were actually more sword-like, the blades being just over two feet long and very slightly curved. With their basic oak handles, unadorned steel blades, and plain leather sheaths, Ayelita's knives were no work of art, but they were well made and served their grim and violent purpose exceedingly well.

Once Ayelita had strapped on her weapons on either side of her belt and fastened a cloak around her shoulders, she set about quickly packing what would be most needed for the battle and short journey in a saddle bag. She packed a couple of spare pairs of underclothes, a comb, tooth cleaning powder (nothing could make Ayelita give up basic hygiene), some food, and a small number of other useful odds and ends.

Done packing, Ayelita grabbed her bag and rushed out to the stables. She would need a horse. "Edred!" Ayelita called to one of the stable boys. She spoke in the Rohirrim's language. "Can you please find me a spare horse?"

"Wh-what? Lita, where on middle earth are you going?" Edred asked in the same tongue. He was eight years Ayelita's junior, but she treated him well and they shared something close to a friendship.

"To the upcoming battle, of course. Now, about that horse…"

Edred snapped to it, though shaking his head in disbelief the entire time. He found her a young, vibrant reddish-brown gelding. "Here, he's fast, but a bit too small to bear a fully armored man, so he shouldn't be missed. His name's Scythe." Edred proceeded to put a saddle and bridle on Scythe.

"Thanks!" Ayelita called over her shoulder as she rode out of the stables to join the muster. There were more than a thousand men assembled, all carrying spears. She did not have one. Oh well, hopefully not all of the fighting would be the type to require spears.

King Théoden then arrived with Legolas, Gimli, Aragorn, and Gandalf. Ayelita guided her horse over to them. "Hello! I'd said that I would see you as we left."

All gazed at her. "Surely you do not intend to ride with us?" inquired Aragorn.

"Yes, I do."

"But the battlefield is not place for a maiden such as you!" Ayelita gave Aragorn an arch stare that succeeded in shutting him up.

Then came Eomer, leading his own horse. He and Gimli exchanged words about Lady Galadriel and he invited Gimli to ride with him. Eomer then finally noticed Ayelita's presence. "You are a woman!" he said in astonishment after several moments.

"Oh, wonderfully observed," Ayelita remarked dryly. "And in response to what you are about to say: I'm going!" He did not bother to protest.

Gandalf then gave a piercing whistle, calling the name of Shadowfax. A great white horse ran up to stop in front of Gandalf. Ayelita was impressed. As Gandalf cast off his cloak and hat to reveal white robes and long hair to match, Aragorn cried, "Behold the White Rider!" Trumpets sounded as horses neighed and reared, Scythe joining in ardently. The host of Rohan rode thundering into the west. Ayelita felt a great swooping sensation at finally gaining some much longed-for freedom.

A/N: Ok, what do you think? Pleeese R&R!!! By the way, Ayelita's name is pronounced A-ye(e is short)-lee-ta Ka-rra(r is dribbled)-ban. All As are as in "Father."