Hello all! Warning, this chapter is VERY AU, but stick with it! Your doing a great job! Thanks fro the reviews and subscribers!

The Rohirrim

Déorwyn regained consciousness, but did not yet open her eyes- she felt very weak. Through her eyelids, she could see the sun beating down and she felt the wind blow across her skin. She guessed that she was atop of a horse; because she could hear hooves all around her- she was in some sort of large group. How am I riding a horse? She thought. She stirred a bit, and felt a hand go around her to steady her. She breathed in, it smelt musky and like the forest- in a good way. She curled into the smell and let it encompass her. She leaned her head against something hard- like metal. It was warm from the sun's rays. For the first time since she left Minas Tirath, she felt completely safe.

She was still somewhat delirious when she opened her eyes. She was sitting sidesaddle, cradled in the arms of a man. She moved her head on his armor to look at his face. He was hansom, and very rugged looking. His golden hair fell freely around his face. He looked Faramir's age, maybe 26.

"Who are you?" she said softly.

He looked down at her. He smiled at her as she looked into his golden brown eyes.

"I am Eomer, Nephew to the King of Rohan." He said. She stirred some more to sit up and look at him head on. "And you, Milady," he continued, "are of the high court of Gondor, I see" as he motioned to her necklace.

"I am Déorwyn, daughter of the Steward," she said.

"I see. Tell me, Lady Déorwyn, why would The Steward of Gondor allow his daughter to roam the Riddermark? It is not safe here. Surely he cares for his daughters safety?" He questioned.

"I wouldn't say that" she said coldly. Eomer looked puzzled and wished to know more, but her tone ended the conversation.

After a few silent moments he said, "We are going to stop in a few minutes once we reach that clearing ahead."

Déorwyn nodded and returned her head to Eomer's shoulder.

When they stopped, Eomer helped her off his horse. He introduced her to the rest of his riders. They were all in full armor, as if they were off to battle.

A breeze came down the clearing, sending shivers up her spine.

"You're cold" Eomer said.

"Yes, and this cloak is not doing much to keep the chill out." Déorwyn said as she motioned to her cloak. But it was not there. "My cloak! Its gone!" she cried.

"Forgive us, but the Uruks had a strong hold on it, and we had to cut you loose from it to save you. If it is alright with you, I can lend you my cloak until we can find a proper fitting one for you." Eomer said. Though he did ask the question, he didn't wait for a response. He went to his horse and grabbed his cloak and fastened it around Déorwyn before she had a second to protest.

She thought of the Uruks. She cringed as she felt their hands all over her and felt frightened for what they were going to do to her. Had it not been for Eomer and his riders, she and the hobbits would surely be dead by now.

"Thank you, Lord Eomer." She said. "Where are my friends, Merry and Pippin?" she asked.

He looked at her with confusion. "What friends, we only found you, milady."

"No, there were two hobbits with me. They are small- only the size of small children."

The men all looked at her puzzled.

"Lady Déorwyn, we did not see any hobbits, and we left none alive. We saw the Uruks around you and went into full ambush. We burned the carcasses." One of the men said.

She felt weak again. She collapsed to the ground and wept. The Rohirrim stared at her, not knowing what to do. Eomer went directly to her side.

Everyone she came into contact with and cared about was dying all around her. She feared for the worst for Faramir, Aragon and Legolas. She almost expected the three to be dead.

Eomer let her cry. He didn't say anything. He only motioned to on of his men to get her a glass of water. He wanted to pull her into his arms and comfort her but he felt that too forward. He just let her cry, and he put a hand on her shoulder, as he would with any of his men who wept after a loss.

" Lady, I know we did not see any hobbits, but I know we did not kill any either." A soldier, Hama, said, "They are completely different, physically, than Uruks. They could have slipped away unnoticed."

Déorwyn looked at him, and then back and forth to different soldiers. They all shook their heads in agreement.

"Hama makes a valid point." Eomer said. "If you would like, I can dispatch some men to go back and check the area. It is not but two hours away and they will be back before nightfall. We can make camp here and proceed again in the morning."

"Forgive me, Rohirrim, but I feel like all I have been doing is weeping as of late. I have not properly thanked you for rescuing me. Eomer, I could not express enough gratitude if you were to scout out the area, if it is safe." Eomer shook his head and motioned for a few men to mount horses. "Thank you. I will help with setting up camp, I wish to not be such a burden."

With that, she took Eomer's arm to help balance herself as she got up. She steadied herself and went to collect firewood. Eomer had men set up tents and begin a fire. Other men went and began hunting for food.

The fire was crackling soon enough, and Déorwyn sat down and watched the flames flickering. She loved seeing the embers burn off the wood and fly like fireflies into the dusk lit sky. Eomer sat down, and began speaking with her.

"Lady, you never answered my question." He stated.

She cocked her head, knowing not of what he spoke. "And which question, my lord, would that be? And please, it's Déorwyn. I think we can be past formalities." She said with a flirtatious smile.

"Why would you be roaming the lands of Rohan with two hobbits, unescorted?" He sounded concerned. "The Riddermark is no place for such a company."

"Well, Lord Eomer-" she began.

"Eomer" he interrupted.

"What?"

"You said we were past formalities. Please, call me Eomer." He returned her smile with an equally flirtatious wink.

She felt herself blush a bit, but quickly moved past it. "Well, Eomer…" and she went on to tell him the entire story of her journey from Minas Tirath. She spoke of Osgiliath, Her vision, the journey, the first ambush, Lothlórien, the Fellowship, and the Ring of Power. She spoke of the forest and watching Boromir being pierced by arrows. She spoke of his bravery and courage. She was surprised when she did not break down again. She just looked at Eomer, who was staring down at her. She met his gaze and they held it for a moment. He broke it first.

He cleared his throat and said, " I am sorry for the pain that you have been through, Déorwyn, and I am sorry for making you re-live it again."

"Not at all. It was good for me to talk about it. I have been keeping everything inside and its good to just let it all out once in a while." She said.

By now, the other men joined them at the fire. There was still no sign of those who went out searching for the hobbits. They passed around some meat from a bird that they captured and some wild fruit and vegetables.

"So tell me, Déorwyn, what happened to the rest of the fellowship." Eomer asked.

"I am not quite sure. The last thing I can remember is Lord Aragon fighting of the Uruk who killed my brother. I saw Legolas and Gimli running down the hill. Frodo and Sam were no where in sight." She said, and continued, "but enough about me, tell me about you and the Rohirrim."

"I'm not sure you would want to hear. I am afraid it is noting like your story." He said, with his head hung.

"Eomer, I would hope you have not been through the hell that I have been through. That means that there is hope for good yet for me!" she said. He, and the other men gave a light laugh at her comment.

"Very well." He told her of Edoras, the Capital of Rohan, and King Théoden. He spoke of the spell the king was under and his council, Grima Wormtounge. He was informing the ill king of the Uruk ambushes all over Rohan, and was banished from Rohan by Grima for "war mongering". He feared leaving his sister, Eowyn, with the wandering eye of Grima. He had assembled the finest Rohirrim to travel to Isenguard to destroy the White Wizard Sauruman.

Déorwyn liked hearing him talk. He spoke with such passion that it made her forget her own troubles. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't even hear him speaking her name to get her attention. She snapped out of it.

"Déorwyn!" Eomer shouted a bit with laughter in his voice. "Were you even paying any attention to me?" he laughed.

"Of course Eomer! I was just thinking of being banished from Minas Tirath and what it must feel like. It must be terrible!" she said sincerely.

"Its not that bad" he returned. " I just fear for the safety of my sister. Although she is tough, and could probably take on a coven of orcs herself, I fear that she will be defenseless without me or my cousin Theodred to protect her." The camp fell silent.

After a few moments, Eomer spoke again, "if it is not a lot to ask, may I inquire as to why your father, the Steward of Gondor, allowed his only daughter to journey through Middle Earth? Is he not aware of the terrors which stand between safe points?"

"lets leave this conversation at NO, he does not know nor care about the terrors of Middle Earth. He cares only for the safety and triumph of Boromir. But let me not trouble you with family issues, my friend. it is a long story, and I wish not to tell it on a night like this." She yawned. "I regret to inform you all that it is time for me to retire. I fell like I will find a nice tree to sleep under tonight and-" she said, but Eomer cut her off.

"Nonsense! I will not have a Lady of Gondor sleeping under a tree when my tent is vacant. I will be on watch all night so it is pointless for the room to go to waste"

Déorwyn was taken aback by his suggestion. Had it been Faramir, Aragon or Legolas, she would have freely accepted their offer to let her sleep in their tents, for Faramir was her brother, and Aragon and Legolas were pretty much that as well. There was something about Eomer that put him in a different category. He could have a conversation with her and let her respond. He was not trying to teach her things or chastise her for the things she did wrong. He was passionate, kind, strong and handsome and she could not possibly spend the night in his tent- regardless of him not even being in the tent.

"Thank you, milord, but I would much rather sleep under the stars." She said, trying to calm her feelings toward him.

"As you wish, Déorwyn. But allow me to grab some blankets from my tent to cushion and warm you."

"Eomer, you have done much for me! Please, have one of your other men stay in your tent with you accommodations. I shall be fine!" she argued a bit. Her stubborn side was coming out.

"But there is a chill in the air, at least put on my cloak again to provide some sort of comfort." He offered. He sensed that she was stubborn, and let his own show through a bit.

"Fine." She conceded. " But, you can't keep offering me your cloak when you have noting to wear!" she fought again. She liked this playful arguing with him. It made everything more relaxed at the campsite. The other men were laughing at the two quarrel.

"Oh yes I can! And besides, I have many more back at Edoras!" he said as a matter-of-factly.

She couldn't resist, " I thought you said you were banished from Edoras and Rohan." She said playfully as she slapped her ridding gloves against his shoulder. The men were roaring with laughter but stopped when Eomer shot them a look.

He thought hard for a second, and his face frowned when he could not come up with a comeback for that. " You are right, Déorwyn. But I still wish you to wear it. It will keep you warm and besides, I have my armor and barely wear the cloak. Ill tell you what, you can wear it until I return to Edoras and you can find a more fitting one. Deal?"

"Deal." She said, as she went to go pick out a place to rest for the night. She was almost about to slip into sleep when she herd heavy hooves on the ground and a man shouting:

"Lord Eomer! Lord Eomer!"

Déorwyn rose and went to the camp to find out what the matter was. The men had returned form the outing, but not alone. They had four extra riders with them. She could not make out whom they were until she hey got closer, and she could not believe her eyes. There on three extra horses were Gimli, Legolas and Aragon as well as a man all in white upon his trusty white Steed-

"GANDALF!!!!!" she screamed, as she ran toward him. She practically knocked over Eomer to jump on Gandalf as he dismounted. He turned, and embraced her smiling and laughing. "Gandalf, I knew you were not dead. When Aragon told me of the Belrog, I knew it couldn't be true!" She hugged him again. She then turned to see Eomer with the Rohirrim. She remembered her manners and said, " Lord Eomer, Riders of Rohan, This is my old wizard friend, Gandalf the Gray!"

"Ah, my child, Gandalf the White." Gandalf said quite proudly. "Long story short, after the incident with the Belrog, I returned with the power equal to that of Sauruman." She smiled. She had missed her old friend.

"Yes, Gandalf the White. And may I not forget my other friends, Aragon, son of Arathon, Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood, and Gimli, son of Gloin. They are my friends from the Fellowship!" having not forgotten them, she launched herself over to them and embraced them in a huge hug. Tears of joy were pouring down her face.

"I'm sorry! I feel as if all I do now is cry!" She said, evoking a laugh from the group of men.

They made their way back to the camp and talked long about the journeys they had taken, Eomer and the Rohirrim's banishment, and the troubles in both Rohan and Gondor that awaited them. Déorwyn learned that Frodo and Sam had left the fellowship in pursuit of Mordor to destroy the ring. The others were to go and raise awareness of the wars and the need for men.

"But what of Merry and Pippin, Gandalf?" she said. The other riders of Rohan, including Eomer, were all concerned.

"They fair well. They escaped into the woods of Fanghorn and are being looked after by the Ents. They are quite safe." He said, taking a puff from his pipe. "it is getting rather late, or early I should say. Déorwyn, child, take rest for we ride to Edoras tomorrow morning."

Déorwyn looked to Eomer. Will this be the last time I see him? She thought. He certainly cannot go back to Edoras and face certain death for breaking banishment. She though. "Gandalf, is there anything you could do for the fate of my new friends?"

"Why of course, they are coming with us! I believe I have the power to rid Théoden of his curse. Eomer, muster the men!" Gandalf said. Déorwyn couldn't help but smile.

"Rohirrim!" Eomer announced, "ready yourselves, for tomorrow, we ride for Edoras!" a cheer erupted amongst the Rohirrim and Eomer looked back to Déorwyn and smiled.