Chapter Four: Rohan At Last

The girl with the arrow wound lay in a quiet room. The walls were stone and rose up around her as she lifted her upper body, struggling against a wave of dizziness. Slowly she flexed and rotated her arms and legs – they were stiff from overuse then abrupt disuse. Massaging a kink from her thigh she tentatively reached back to touch her waist where the arrow had dug itself.

"I would refrain from such an action if I were you," a deep voice sounded from behind her.

Gasping, she turned her head and took in the sight of the man in her doorway. His skin was lightly tanned and he wore expensive looking, but well worn, leather riding boots. His hair was long and blond appearing wind tousled and his hands were calloused and thick.

This is a man who has seen many fights. The girl told herself carefully looking at the array of scars decorating his face. A horse lord of Rohan judging by his footwear which means they must have found me and taken me -

"Are you aware of what circumstances you were discovered in?" He questioned.

Hesitantly she answered, "Desperate and wounded would be my most honest guess. May I know your name horse lord? So that I may know who to direct my gratitude towards."

"You may call me Eomer."

"And what of your title?"

"Simply Eomer will do my lady. But, is it not common courtesy to offer one's own name before asking another's?"

"I am called Vanwa."

"And of your title?"

With a hint of a smile she answered, "Only Vanwa my lord."

"As I have said, the title is not necessary Vanwa."

"Lord Eomer, I insist – unless you would prefer the title of king, allow me this."

"And why would you call me a king for I am not of that position."

"My lord, after the previous king of Rohan perished in the trying battle at Gondor I would only think to presume, had he no heirs, that his eldest nephew would receive the honourable title."

"An honest presumption. I will fetch Queen Eowyn for you – she wishes to know of your condition," Eomer replied. Straightening out he left the doorway with long strides and returned several minutes later with his sister by his side.

"I see you have awakened. I hope you are feeling well, I asked my own healers to cleanse the area that the arrow had pierced you."

"I am very well Eowyn, Queen of Rohan, but it was not necessary that you bestow such an honour as your presence or your healers upon my humble self."

"Do not say such things, a human life is worth more than we could imagine in these death ridden times. Your name is Vanwa?"

"Yes."

"You have ridden from Gondor? Your mare is no horse of Rohan, yet it is of the highest quality."

"I have your majesty and I thank you for the compliment."

"What is your business crossing through these lands traveler Vanwa? Do you have no guards to accompany you? Middle Earth is riddled with dangers and it is far from safe for a lone rider to travel across."

"I plan to travel across your lands and through Fangorn forest. I required a safe path to the North Undeep, and I have no guards nor do I need any," the girl spoke bravely yet she did not lift her eyes to meet Eowyn's own.

"Fangorn forest is a place of great magic and unimaginable creatures. You must not truly plan to ride alone through it's depths," Eomer said his voice raising in surprise at the audacity of the woman in front of him.

"I am without a choice. I must reach my brother – he is on a dangerous quest and I fear for his life."

At this sentence Queen Eowyn's face softened drastically, "I myself am not a stranger to the necessity of protecting one's family. We will allow you to pass through our lands unhindered but rather than riding through Fangorn, I will have several of my horse men accompany you to the Wold where you may then continue on your quest."

"I would not dare to ask such a thing of you or your men Queen Eowyn."

"You need not ask. I am offering," Eowyn persisted her features set in a familiar determination.

"Then, I am obliged to accept, though I will remain in your debt until it can be repayed," the girl spoke her voice thick with emotion. Who am I, she thought,to get aid from this noblest of noble women?

Eowyn turned to Eomer and requested he gather a group of able young men, he was to lead them and the woman traveler to the Wold, ensuring their safety. Eomer nodded his head dutifully and answered, "I will do so, I wish only to serve."

"I know this, you have given up your kingship to remain among our soldiers – our people. That act alone deserves far more respect than my reign as queen."

The girl in the bed turned her head as the queen kissed Eomer atop his head and whispered her response. She felt as though this was something private – familial and royal – she was not fit to witness it.

"Get some rest Vanwa – we leave at nightfall. This way, when we must leave you it will be light out for your solitary travels," Eomer spoke leaving the room after Eowyn and shutting the heavy door as lightly as Vanwa figured was possible.

And so Vanwa closed her eyes and did as she was told. After all, who was she to deny these people who had taken her in and tended to her? And perhaps, she was just the slightest bit fatigued.

Meanwhile, across the plains of Rohan and already passed the North Undeep the fellowship and Hondurim were entering the forests of Rhovanion, planning to visit the wood elves of Mirkwood and Legolas' father – the king of Mirkwood, Thranduil.

"Prince!" Gimli began, "If you were a courteous prince you would have escorts meet us here with hot food and proper drink. I tell you, no dwarf prince would let guests travel hungry through their kingdom!"

"That may be so dwarf, yet it may also be said that no courteous guest of a prince would so blatantly insult their kingdom," sounded a silken voice.

"Elves and their love of hidin' – come see me face to face!" Gimli roared.

With a soft, nearly soundless landing the hidden elf revealed himself. Standing in front of Gimli he spoke, "It seems dwarf, that a face to face encounter is not nearly the correct term according to our statures."

This set Gimli off on a rant as Legolas brushed past him and embraced the other elf.

"Nim Alda, too long has passed since I've looked upon your face."

"Yours as well Legolas."

The two elves embraced and Hondurim noted the similarities of the two; long blonde hair (though Legolas' was much lighter), deep blue eyes and slender bodies.

"Come, Legolas, your friends – I assume they are that – are welcome in this realm. Your father has waited long to see you. There is much to discuss – no doubt you know of the other elf realms preparing to leave Middle Earth."

"And I him. Yes, I have known of this for long. I will speak with him as my companions eat. Show them to the dining house and I will be with them shortly."

With those words of parting Legolas bounded into the distance much faster than a pace the company had been capable of.

Nim Alda turned to the men. "Come, it is near an hour's walk from here – you shan't be able to ride your horses in this part of the forest. We must make haste."

And so, casting confused glances at their traveling mates at the abruptness of it all they walked on behind the elf.

"Still complaining about the lack of food Gimli?" Hondurim laughed.

"I will have to decide when I see what sort of elvish delicacies," he spit the word out as though it were an insect flown into his mouth, "they have to offer."

A/N: I hope this ending wasn't too abrupt. I got my first review and it helped a lot! ( Thank you to Lady Demiya) I tried my best to get the punctuation correct at the end of dialogue in this chapter though I may have missed a few. When I get home Sunday I plan on editing the other chapters.

Also, for anyone who missed my edit in chapter two, Hondurim's sister's name is Vanwa now. I really disliked the first name I had chosen.

I should be updating either tomorrow right before I leave or late Sunday night. Keep an eye out for it! :)