Good Friends Are Hard To Find
Nothing's ever what it seems
The day neared night over Helms Deep's fortress where the survivors of the battle huddled together in a bid to be with their loved ones. Blade watched the sun begin to fall as she searched for her dagger on the battlefield, knowing that it was long gone, buried under the bodies of the dead.
Éomer watched from the top of his horse as she walked effortlessly through the field with her loose hair flowing behind her coat that lifted off the ground with each step. She skillfully ripped out the tie that kept her hair at bay, running her fingers through it's raven waves that glistened under that last rays of daylight. It didn't take long for her to notice his approach. He studied her bloodied and bruised face, she had a split lip and blood stained dirt covering most of her. He hoped she would run at the thought of war, he underestimated her.
"You have fought in war before?", He asked, breaking the silence. She furrowed her eyebrows in confusion, she had expected him to return with chains or an army.
"I have fought for my life before", Blade replied without delay, walking through the corpse ridden field, closer to a path around the bodies. She placed her footsteps carefully between the gaps in body parts. The hunter's heart beat fast as something latched around her ankle, she looked down with disgust at the creature that grabbed her with it's dying breath. She lowered her weapon. He waited to see fear in her eyes or upon her face but he remained disappointed.
He wasn't sure whether it was her rundown appearance or his own beliefs that made him hold out his arm for her to ride with him but her expression of caution matched his own disbelief for doing so. He had been given a rude shock by her ability to heal him, but she did heal him nonetheless.
"Hold that thought", Blade spoke as her eyes met a glinting object under the sun.
"Dropped my dagger'' She explained firmly and bent down to pull her blade out of a dead Orc's nervous system. She knew Eomer was ready to act if she did anything to trigger him.
"Here'' he held out his arm for her to ride with him but she just stared at him questioningly. It would be safer to have her with him than for her to be left to her own devices, where she could harm someone.
Blade could see by the look in his eye that he saw her as a loose canon, he feared she would bring harm to his people if he didn't keep a watchful eye.
"The fortress is much too far to walk on foot'' He added bitterly and little effort to convince her his action was sincere. The hunter glanced to the black glistening palace and back to the Third Marshal. It was not far but she was much too tired too walk all the way. She reluctantly took his arm and swung herself behind his saddle, her legs almost wrapped around the round horse.
She raised her eyebrow in question as they sat stationary in silence on the battlefield. She could see only his shoulder plates move gently with his breathing. After a while Éomer turned his head to look at her then quickly decided against it.
"Tell no one of my generosity'' He spoke firmly and looked back to her.
"Trust me, I'll carry this to my grave'' she replied bitterly and clenched her jaw as a pain shot up her abdomen from the multiple ribs that were surely broken.
"I would suggest holding on" He recommended harshly as they set off for Helms Deep.
"Just ride" She hissed back and internally grunted as Firefoot leapt into a gallop. Her weight was suddenly thrown forward as she desperately pleaded with her legs to grip to the sweaty coat of fur.
The ride back to Helms Deep had been quiet, she searched the outer castle for signs of Warlord. Dead bodies could be seen even on the passageway of the fortress, no one dared to speak out of respect for the dead. Blade's gaze flickered down to the once grassy field that was now stained with blood and body parts. Firefoot stepped carefully over a severed head and the body it belonged to that had been projected a few feet in front of it. Blade grunted suddenly as Éomer reined Firefoot in the opposite direction of Helms Deep in a fast gallop, forcing her to grab onto his waist with her right arm before her body slipped off the drenched horse.
He showed no remorse and continued forward while she struggled to gain her balance, her arm around his waist angered him even if it was to save herself from falling.
What is he doing?!
"Where are you taking me, beast?" Blade asked bitterly as they passed the ruined castle and she pulled herself back into an upright position.
"To your horse, woman!" He announced ignoring the last comment, a frown tugged at the corners of his mouth when her grasp tightened across his waist.
Raising her eyebrows, she sat back to ease the moving muscles vibrating underneath her. It was amusing to see him have so much dislike toward her. They climbed a small hill and just in the distance a black horse could be seen grazing. Éomer halted Firefoot abruptly causing Blade to shoulder him in the back, which of course had no effect on him because of his thick armour. The Hunter glared at him when she saw a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips but it dissapeared within a few seconds. A smirk crept on her face and she let out an ear splitting whistle, her eyes met Éomer's glare and he clenched his jaw at the unexpected noise.
"Warlord, Venité!'' (Warlord, come!) Blade yelled,the Black horse swivelled his ears and sprinted towards his rider. Éomer held out his arm once more but Blade did not feel the need to interact with him more than she possibly needed to.
She slipped off the back of Firefoot and hit the ground with a small grunt. She had managed to hide the pain of her injuries while she strode to her steed. She was well aware of his disapproving glare that threatened to burn holes in her jacket.
Her slender hands unbuckled the water pouch that was tied to her saddle. She splashed the warm water on her face and wiped away the orc blood before taking a short sip.
Blade wondered why Éomer hadn't taken off back toward the fortress, surely it wasn't to make sure she wouldn't leave.
Her foot struggled to meet the stirrup that hung from her saddle before she swung herself onto Warlord with her coat resting over his rump.
Blade darted across the field at full speed with Éomer in tow until she reached the fortress, at the stairs she was excitedly awaited by her old friends Legolas and Aragorn, an unknown ginger dwarf stood next to them holding an axe. As soon as she dismounted she was enveloped in a tight hug,
"It's nice to see you again, Aragorn'' She spoke firmly into his armour, concealing a grunt of pain from her shoulder.
"I see you have grown none the wiser'' Aragorn smiled, looking over her bruised form.
"I was following friends of yours, they told me i'd find you here'' Blade smirked and her eyes rested on a handsome blonde elf.
"Legolas" she nodded to the elf who returned her gesture. Her eyes rested on the dwarf beside him.
"I don't believe we have met before, master dwarf'' she said as kindly as she could and extended her hand.
"Blade, this is Gimli son of Glóin'' Aragorn added as the dwarf stepped forth and extended his stubby hand.
"It's a pleasure, lass'' he said in a gruff voice and rested his arm on his sturdy axe.
"Likewise'' the Hunter shook his hand.
Éomer trailed behind the hunter but got left behind as she took off at full speed toward the fortress. When he approached he saw her in an embrace with the Aragorn, her betrothed? or husband? He shook his head at the thought.
"Éomer'' a familiar voice asked as he turned to find his sister striding toward him.
"Eowyn!" He roared, quickly dismounting and wrapping his sister's thin frame in a tight hug.
"Who is this woman?'' he rubbed his temples in defeat and glared at her.
"She is a hunter'' he hinted tiredly and walked past her.
"There is no such thing'' she spoke with assurance.
"There is'' he said exhaustedly and turned on his heel.
Eowyn examined his face and saw the bruise forming around his jaw, gasping in shock.
"Did an enemy do this?'' she asked softly and traced the bruise. Blade laughed at the question as she strode past, gaining the shieldmaiden's attention.
The Third Marshal glared at her, cursing her for her indiscretion, it took only a moment for Eowyn to smile in realisation.
"Do not be blunt, Éomer '' Éowyn spoke with authority, making him breathe out in defeat.
"Hunter", He called, making her turn on her heel, urging her friends to walk ahead.
"Blade", The hunter held out her hand with a smirk. The woman glanced at her hand with question and shook it hesitantly. It was an action among men, never toward women.
"Éowyn'' The shield maiden sent her a polite smile, noticing the tension between the hunter and her brother.
"Pleasure to meet you, Éowyn" The hunter said kindly, causing Éomer to raise an eyebrow in suspicion.
"May I ask how you became involved in this battle?" Éowyn asked with caution, having never seen the woman who was fighting for her city before.
The Hunter smirked at her blunt question, seeing the relation between the two siblings. Éomer breathed out heavily beside her, tired of hearing his sister's pleas to fight with the men.
"Blade is a Hunter, Éowyn, not a woman we found wandering the forest. The Wizard asked her because she could help, not add to the men we've lost!", His harsh answer made the green eyed woman look to the ground with defeat. Blade glanced into his eyes with surprise at his statement, she wasn't sure he understood her meaning of being there himself. The hunter pitied the woman who gave up on her argument that fell on deaf ears.
"I needed to find a friend, I was told he was here", The hunter ignored Éomer's outburst, surprising the woman.
"Was he?", The shield maiden asked with more strength in her voice than she had before.
"Yes", Blade replied with a smile, glancing to Aragorn who had waited for her.
Éowyn watched with curiosity as the woman walked away with her coat flowing behind her in the wind.
"She is very tall for a woman'' Eowyn spoke to her brother who stared at her with a look that told her to cease her speech.
"I see why you chose her to fight for you'' She added with bitterness, hoping to strike a nerve.
"It wasn't my choice!", He replied defensively, making a grin spread over his sister's face.
"You cannot tell me that woman isn't the prettiest thing you've seen in a long time",
"She is a hunter", He spat in disgust, making her furrow her brows with confusion. The shield maiden searched his eyes for an answer until it hit her like a thousand nails.
"Now do you understand?", Éomer asked with annoyance, running his hand through his hair. Blade's appearance wasn't oblivious to him, she was indeed one of the most beautiful women he had seen in his ventures. Maybe it was the fact that she stood out amongst his people, once he was used to her presence he would see her for what she was.
She could feel others curiosity radiating off them as the lady fully dressed in black rode next to Legolas. She was welcomed by blank stares as children and women stared at her attire and rudely whispered about her. The ride to Edoras was going to be a long one, she rolled her eyes.
"Hunter'' She heard a feminine voice called from behind her, slowing Warlord down she turned to see the Éowyn beside her.
"Yes?' She asked and snapped her head to the right.
"Will, you be attending the festivities at Edoras?'' Eowyn asked with caution.
"What festivities?'' Blade asked ,confused, she didn't expect them to celebrate this battle.
"The festivities to celebrate the defeat of the Uruk-Hai'' The Shield-maiden spoke while she patted Warlord on the forehead and he nudged her with his nose.
"The war isn't over yet "the hunter said firmly and shook her head at her horse's antics.
"The celebration gives hope to the soldiers'' Eowyn spoke in awe as Legolas rode beside them. Blade raised her eyebrows in query, the woman's attitude had changed completely toward her.
"Hope is for children" She replied and received a confused look from the third marshal's sister.
"Hope is all we have. Those of us with a soul" Legolas pointed to Blade and she let out a fake laugh then pushed him off his horse with one shove.
"Very funny" She smirked back to the Elf that was dusting himself off..
"I want to know if she is attending the festivities'' Eowyn spoke quietly to her brother
"I highly doubt it'' he said ,a little angry by his sister's interest in the dreadful woman.
"There is not harm in asking'' she said confidently and strode towards the Hunter. The truth was that Éowyn was envious of the hunter, Blade was free to fight for what she wanted but Éowyn was burdened by expectations from her uncle and brother. She didn't want to get married and have children, she wanted to fight.
"Hunter'' she called out catching up to the horrid woman.
"Yes?'' he heard her reply surprised by her kind tone toward his sister.
The rest of the conversation was drowned out by the sound of men chattering but he watched as the blonde elf approach and insult the Hunter, a smirk crept on his face when he heard the Elf groan as she kicked him off his horse. He had to admit he admired that this woman was fearless.
"She is a free spirit that woman'' Gandalf observed, riding quietly next to Éomer.
"Indeed, I hate that in a woman" Éomer replied bitterly , watching his sister have a civil conversation with the hunter.
"She has taken a shining to you" The wizard spoke with wisdom in his bright blue eyes.
Éomer snapped his head slowly toward the man dressed in white robes, unsure of how to react. The news made him feel slightly uncomfortable and tied a knot in his stomach.
"How did you come to such a conclusion?" The Third Marshal shifted in his saddle and laid eyes on the hunter talking peacefully to his sister.
"You are alive"
His mouth opened to rebut the statement but he could not argue with the wizard's logic, so he stayed silent.
Gandalf simply smiled and strode ahead next to Aragorn.
