The morning came far too quickly for my liking. I woke up stiff from yesterday's encounter with Orcs. I had barely stretched to relieve some of the aching in my muscles when I saw Steinar stir and sit up. Around camp everyone was starting to awaken and if I did not eat now I would not have the chance until whenever we stopped. Digging in my pack I pulled out a piece of bread. As I picked up my water skin I felt it was empty and cursed myself for not filling it yesterday.

"Empty?" Steinar asked.
"Yes. I will have to fill it before we head out."
"Fill mine too? I will start a small fire to warm the bread and soften it."

I nodded and handed my piece of bread in exchange for his water skin. Rousing Agnarr I did not bother with my saddle before mounting him and guiding him in the direction of the river. Once we were at the river's edge it did not take long to fill both canteens. As soon as I returned to camp Steinar handed me a now warm and somewhat soft piece of bread while grabbing his canteen. I ate quickly then outfitted Agnarr with my saddle and pack. I was not sure where we would be heading today but I knew that if we did not stop by an outlying town soon most of us would run out of provisions. From what Steinar told me I gathered that Eomer and his group of Rohirrim were banished from Edoras. The only places they could go and not be arrested were small towns on the outskirts of Rohan.

While everyone else was getting ready I mounted Agnarr and rode a little ways from the group. I had sensed Steinar following me but I did not stop until I felt I was far enough away. He came up beside me and we scouted the area.

"It is too quiet," I said evenly.
"I agree. That band of Orcs, they were out of provisions. They would only be out if they were getting close to a large group."
"Yes. I do not like this. The air feels uneasy," I said turning to look at Steinar.
He nodded, "We are almost out of provisions ourselves. Today we head for a small outpost to stock up."
"Very well."

Steinar gave me a nod and took off. I followed him back to camp. He addressed our men, informing them of where we were headed. It was not much longer before everyone was ready to head out. Lucierna and Carmina began riding towards me but Steinar gave them a stern look, stopping them in their tracks. Steinar and I rode towards the front to meet up with Eomer.

"Thank you," I said.

He nodded at me as we continued to ride in peace. As the day past the unsettling feeling from this morning had only grown. I had the unwavering sense of impending doom and destruction. Unlike others I was on constant alert. This lull and unusual silence had me on edge.

"Still feel it?" Steinar asked referring to this morning.
"Yes. I feel both dread and excitement," I said glancing at him.
"I can see it in your eyes. You live for battle."
"That I do. Few can understand it. I was born for war." I stated proudly.
"It is in your blood."

I glanced at Eomer to gauge his reaction. He looked at me with an unsettling look on his face.

"You have never met an Exile have you?" I asked him.
"You are the first," he admitted.
"What do you know of us?"
"Very little. Given your name and your history, the Exiles are not often discussed."
"Unless of course you have a particular need," I said lowly.
"All I know is that your people are excellent bounty hunters."

"We are more than just bounty hunters," I began. "As soon as you can wield a weapon you are put into training. It is brutal, meant to tear you down and rebuild you. If you survive then you are worthy of being an Exile. If you are not worthy you die. After that training is over many move on and seek other trades. If you displayed certain skill and potential though, you receive advanced training. You are broken down completely and rebuilt into a soldier, a perfect killing machine. We offer our services to the highest bidder and do not question morality. Having to carve an existence out of doing the dirty work of others, you accept your fate."

"Then why are you with the Orc Hunters? Why not return to the Exiles?" he asked bewildered.
"Because the men who held me captive were loyal to Sauron and they took everything from me. I will have my revenge," I growled.

Eomer stayed silent, contemplating what I had told him. The feeling that had settled deep within me continued to grow. I knew others felt it. Everyone seemed to be on edge.

"We need my people," I said quietly to Steinar.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"We need the Exiles. Whatever it is that is causing this feeling, it is growing and the only outcome will be war and devastation. We must reach out to the Exiles," I implored.
"How will they know where to go?"
I scoffed at his question, "Easy, follow the Orcs."
"Who would you have go?" he asked snidely.
"I could go. I am a fast rider but I would ask for someone to accompany me. Two are better than being alone during this uncertain time."
He turned to look at me, "I do not want to send you. We need you," he pleaded.
"But you need my people more. I will go. Who would you have go with me?"

Steinar turned to Eomer.

"You would send one of my men with her?" he asked as if offended.
"I am certain that the Exiles will want something in return for their services," Steinar replied.
"What am I to offer? Only King Theoden has the authority to make a formal offer."
"As of right now you are banished from Rohan are you not? If you do not make peace with the Exiles where do you hope to go? Gondor? The Elves? You will need allies to get your kingdom back," spoke Steinar plainly.

I watched the exchange knowing that what Steinar said was the truth. With Eomer and his Rohirrim banished from Rohan they did not have many options. Under normal circumstances the Exiles would not look favorably upon them. However, given my involvement with them I would advocate for them as an ally. Unless their King miraculously changed his mind, Eomer and his Rohirrim would need some place to carve out a new life for themselves. I was impressed by their skill during our skirmishes with Orcs and I believe if they offered their services to our army they would be granted sanctuary and be allowed to live on Exile land.

"Give me your fastest rider you can spare. We will not stop for I fear we do not have much time." I said, breaking into their conversation.
"How can I trust you and the Exiles?" Eomer asked.
"Do you know why we did not fight in the first war?" I countered, beginning to get angry.
He shook his head negatively.

"The Exiles are those who went against the Easterlings before the rings of power first came about. While most were blinded by Morgoth and Sauron, some saw them for what they were. There were horrible attacks and counter attacks until eventually those who went against the Easterlings aligned with Sauron were banished, hence the name Exiles," I told him, stopping to gather a breath before continuing, "Once banished though the attacks did not stop. The original leaders of the Exiles reached out to Rohan, Gondor, the Elves, yet no one came. They were left to fight on their own. By the time the first war of the ring began our numbers were precariously low and we felt no allegiance to either side. More of the Easterlings defected and that was how we were able to carve out our existence. We claimed land between the Sea of Rhun, Mirkwood, and the Iron Hills. The Easterlings have remained loyal to Sauron but have been quiet towards my people for some time now. This is why everyone learns to fight and handle a weapon. We live with the constant threat of attack," I finished, daring him to question me.

"You do not have time." Eomer countered.
"If I leave now and push Agnarr to his limit maybe, just maybe I will be there within a few days. If my King accepts it will not take long to mobilize and we will not stop until we reach you."
"How will you know where to go?" he asked, trying his hardest to defeat my plan.
"Where would your King have your people go in order to defend them against an attack?" I asked in return.
Confusion spread across his face but he answered anyways, "Helm's Deep."
"Then we will meet you there. Send a messenger if that changes."
"I still-"
I cut him off, "I will go alone. I leave now."

Before either Eomer or Steinar could reply I gave a quick nod then split from the group. Agnarr would have to give me everything if I were to make it home in time.

Knowing how far we needed to go I was not pushing Agnarr as fast as he could go though I made sure we maintained a fast but steady pace. I was hoping that as I drew nearer to Exile land I would run into a scout and could trade for a fresh horse. The only stop for the day was when we crossed The Anduin. I made sure to refill my water skin and that Agnarr had plenty to drink. I did not want to have to stop again. Agnarr was not a slow horse but he was not one of the fastest either. He was a decent war horse. His size made him capable of holding an armored soldier and his speed gave him agility on the battlefield. As night began to fall a nervous energy overtook me. Night was the time of the enemy and even as skilled as I was I did not want to happen upon a company of Orcs or Uruk-hai. I did not fear death but rather I knew that I would fail Steinar and the race of Man if I did not make it home. My people could no longer sit by and let this play out. We had to declare a side and join the fight. It is our only chance of survival.

I rode through the night, only stopping at daybreak to share some water with Agnarr. We did not have time for anything else as I wanted to cross the Brown Lands as quickly as possible. As much as I was pushing Agnarr I knew he would soon be spent. I could tell that he was beginning to tire but he relentlessly kept going, as if knowing the importance of our mission. In the hours before dawn I saw an outpost and nearly cried upon seeing the light filter from inside. As we came upon the gate I dismounted Agnarr as he nearly collapsed from exhaustion.

"Who goes there?" I heard someone call out.
"Imogen, daughter of Ingvarr, King of the Exiles." I replied.

I heard shuffling and someone yell "open the gate." As soon as it was open enough I led Agnarr through.

"Princess Imogen," one of the outpost guards addressed me.
"I need the fastest horse. Agnarr is beyond exhaustion. Please take care of him," I commanded quickly.
"No one has heard from you. What has happened?"
"There is no time."

He nodded and called out to someone. As he and the other guards moved about I pulled what I needed from Agnarr. Another horse was brought to me and I quickly put my saddle on him. I jumped up into my saddle and with a quick nod left. Knowing that this outpost was manned the others would be also meaning I could push this horse. It was midafternoon when I arrived at the next outpost. I made the same request and just as quickly I was on my way again. By the morning of the third day I was coming up on the gates to Magnvard, my home. The guards were stunned when I gave my name and as they opened the gate I knew they had sent one to inform the King. I had no time for their questions and only stopped once I reached the main hall. After I dismounted my horse I left him to one of the guards and made my way inside. Upon entering I saw my father standing at the end. Finally I felt myself relax. I was home.

"Leave us." My father commanded loudly causing the few others in the room to rush out.
"Father," I whispered, slowly walking towards him.
He opened his arms and I rushed into them, "Oh my girl," he said quietly.

We embraced tightly, afraid to let go should this be only a dream. Too long it has been since I have been home. For all the hardcore warrior I had in me I was still my father's daughter. He was my only family since my mother had died in childbirth.

"What has happened to turn my daughter into this scarred and hardened warrior?" he asked finally pulling away and running his finger over the jagged scar on my face.
"Too much but there is no time. Rohan and Gondor need our help. Sauron is about to wage war against them to gain control of Middle Earth. We believe he will attack Rohan first, forcing everyone to Helm's Deep. Then he will attack Gondor. Aragorn, Isildur's heir, is coming forward and will claim the crown."
"How do you know this?" he asked, taking a few steps back and grasping his beard out of habit.
"I have been riding with the Orc Hunters and the Rohirrim. I rode for three days without stopping to make it here."
"The Orc Hunters you say. Nomads."
"Yes. They are led by Steinar. He is the one who saved me."
"I see. We did not fight the first time. Why should we fight now? What has Rohan and Gondor ever done for us?" my father asked, walked towards his throne.
"Nothing but if they fall we will be crushed. There is rumor the elves have been slowly departing Middle Earth and are weary to come to the aid of Man."
Sitting down and getting comfortable he responded, "Again that is not our problem."
"Then do it for vengeance," I growled out, frustrated at my father's lack of action.
"For what?"
"For what Sarumon and Sauron's loyal followers did to me. This scar on my face is nothing compared to what I endured, all to gain information against Aragorn that I refused to speak of. When Steinar found me I was more dead than alive." I practically yelled at him.
"I must think on this Imogen. Now, go clean up. I will have one of the girls attend to you. When I call the council I will summon you back."

I nodded though thoroughly frustrated. While I understood my father's hesitation I knew our only chance of survival would be to forge alliances with Rohan and Gondor. Walking down a short hallway off to the side I made my way to my old room. Not long after a girl drew me a bath and waited patiently for my dirty clothing.

The warmness of the bath soothed my chronically aching muscles and bones. For being so young, my body made me feel very old. As I finally got clean, properly for the first time in months, the water around me slowly turned from a crisp clear to a muddy brown and finally to almost black. Once I was satisfied I stepped out and slowly dried off. I saw a clean set of clothes sitting on a stool. Finally I would have my own instead of having to modify some made for men. I put on the leather pants first and tightly laced up the sides. Then I began wrapping the material used by battle maidens for binding around my chest. I had just secured it when the girl from before walked back in.

"I apologize Princess Imogen. I had not realized you were still in here," she said lowering her head.
"It is fine. I am afraid I took longer than anticipated in the bath."
"That is no problem. King Ingvarr is requesting your presence at the council meeting taking place within the hour."
"I see."

As she turned to leave she looked up and gasped.

"Princess Imogen, what happened to you?" Her hand was at her mouth as she looked over my wretched scars.
"Too much," I replied quietly. Gathering myself I looked up at her, "I require my chain mail and for Sverker to be outfitted."
"You are going in to battle?"
"Regardless of the council decision I will be riding out to rejoin Steinar and the Orc Hunters."
"Very well. I will return shortly."

I put on the lightweight, black shirt and waited patiently for the girl to return. As I waited I played with the hem of the shirtsleeves. They ended just slightly past my wrist, longer than normal but I had always liked the extra length. Pacing around the room I realized I had yet to put on my boots. Smiling again at seeing a familiar pair, I made quick work of wrapping my feet and ankles then put them on and laced them up. They were fairly tall, coming up to about the middle of my calf. The extra height though helped support my ankle during riding and battle. My black pants were fairly tight but did allow for plenty of movement thanks to the laces on the outer side of each leg. The top of them hit just below my belly button giving plenty of coverage for my belt so it did not rub against my skin.

The girl came rushing back in and helped me put on my chain mail. The added weight gave me a sense of comfort that I had been lacking the past months I had been fighting. I dismissed the girl to go get my horse prepared and continued to outfit myself. Unlike most of the other races of Middle Earth the Exiles did not encourage their women to wear dresses. Dresses only hindered one during battle so all girls grew up dressing as boys. Those who moved on to advanced training learned how to bind their chests so it would not prove troublesome while trying to move and fight. I pulled the black tunic over my head and let it fall comfortably over me. The hem rested just short of the chain mail and the sides were split for ease of movement. Now that my hair was finally dry enough I began putting the braids into it. I knew them by heart and my fingers deftly pulled and separated my hair. They did not cover my whole head but rather just enough to hold my hair back from my face and fit comfortably under my helmet. The last thing I secured was my belt. It sat fairly low on my hips and held my axes; its placement purely for comfort's sake.

When I felt ready I left the room and made my way back towards the hall. My heavy footsteps echoed my determination. As I entered everyone turned to look at me. I realized then I was the last to arrive. Many held looks of shock while some tried to mask their amazement at my return.

"Princess Imogen. You have returned after many months," one of the advisors said.
"Yes, but I am here now, requesting aid be sent to help defeat Sauron and Sarumon," I replied evenly.
"What have you been doing while you were away?" another asked.
"The short version, I was tortured by those loyal to Sauron for longer than I know and saved by Steinar and the Orc Hunters. I ride with the Orc Hunters and a few months ago we joined Eomer of Rohan and his band of Rohirrim. We have pursued bands of Orcs and Uruk-hai and now believe Sauron and Sarumon to attack Rohan and then Gondor. Aragorn, son of Arathorn, heir to Isildur has come forward and fights to save Middle Earth."

No one said a word. A look of sadness passed quickly across my father's face guessing the horrors I had witnessed and been subjected to.

"You are prepared to ride out?" my father finally asked.
"Yes. Whether I have the support of our fighters or not, I will ride back and join those fighting. We can no longer sit idly by. If Rohan and Gondor fall it will not be long before we will be overrun by the Easterlings."
"They do not aid us. We are merely the ones who take care of their dirty work," an advisor shouted.
"I refuse to let Sarumon win. I refuse to let the torture I suffered go without revenge. My decision is final. Whatever you decide I will respect, even if I am to be banished. I will fight in this war," I declared with so much emotion the room remained silent.

Not needing to say anymore and not wanting to spend any more time around my father's advisors I left the hall. As I made my way to the stables Grigori, a captain within our army, approached.

"Princess Imogen, a moment please," he asked gaining my attention.
"I do not have much time," I replied curtly.
"We ride with you. Regardless of the council's and the King's decision, we ride with you," he said.

I looked at him, confused at his meaning.

"Word has spread quickly about you returning and what you are asking for. We may be Exiles but we cannot leave this war to the others. Too soon will it reach our villages if we do not fight," he offered.
I smiled slightly, "Are you ready? We are already on borrowed time."
"Yes. We are prepared. All you have to do is give the word."
"And Sverker?"
"He has been outfitted. We are going to war are we not?"
"The warhorses will take longer to get to Helm's Deep but we have no choice."

By now we had made it to the stable. Relief filled me as I saw my horse, Sverker, waiting for me. That he had made it all the way back here after I was captured was a miracle.

"He was bloody and covered in mud. We knew that something must have happened to you for him to have returned on his own," Grigori said quietly.

I gave him a nod then ran my hand along the exposed part of Sverker's nose. He gave a short bow, acknowledging me. Our warhorses were massive horses, capable of sustained carrying of an armored warrior along with their own chain mail. The only problem would be making it to Helm's Deep in time. If we kept a fairly fast but steady pace and travelled all day and most of the night hopefully we would make it within seven days.

I mounted Sverker. Grigori walked out of the stable, leading us to where the others were ready. I noticed that there was a small pack attached at the back of my saddle. The girl did her job well.

"Princess Imogen, we ride with you," one of the battle maidens shouted as we approached.

I gave a nod as I surveyed the riders. It was a good group though I wished more would join. Regardless there were enough to make a difference in the upcoming battle. Grigori rode up beside me, taking the part as my second in command.

"Princess, Princess," I heard someone shout as they approached, "The King wishes to have a word with you," a scrawny young man said, out of breath.

I looked down at him quizzically. He must have run from the hall. I gave him a nod and looked to Grigori, at his nod of acknowledgement I rode off. My father greeted me at the steps.

"Imogen, I have decided. We will send our warriors. I will lead them," he said evenly.
"Is this what the council decided?" I asked.
He sighed, "No. In times of war the advisors can be dismissed. This was my decision."
"Very well. How long will it take to raise the army?"
"We have already sent riders out. I want an advance group to leave immediately. Since you are prepared I ask you to do this. I believe there are already a number of warriors ready."
"Yes. They were prepared to ride with me regardless of your decision."
He smiled slightly, "You truly have the loyalty of our people. I will lead the rest. We leave tomorrow just after dawn."
"Very well. I admit we do not have much in way of provisions."
"I understand. We will do our best to catch up. Take a few of the outpost messengers in case you need to send word."

I nodded. To say my father's decision shocked me would be an understatement. I knew he and his advisors had always harbored ill feelings towards those who had refused to help our people so long ago. The past was over and this fight was much bigger than petty, ancient rivalries. I was pleased that my father was able to see that. My father turned to head back into the hall and I rode back to the riders.

"Riders, King Ingvarr is gathering the army. We leave shortly as the advance," I shouted.
Shouts of excitement came from the group.
I turned to Grigori, "I need two of the fastest outpost messengers."
"Yes Princess."

Grigori rode off quickly to fulfill my request. I led the rest of the warriors to the gates leading out of Magnvard. As we waited I could tell there was a restless spirit among my riders. Many had never left Exile land, others were anxious to finally be able to fight in a real battle instead of the usual skirmishes with the Easterlings. Finally Grigori and two other riders approached. The townspeople had gathered by now, curious as to our purpose. Knowing my father he would hold a meeting tonight with a feast to inform every one of his intentions.