Hi there!

I would just to thank everyone who has read and reviewed this story it is much appreciated. I'm thinking I may post more than one chapter today, but I don't know yet we shall see how we go.

Anyway, I don't own LOTR or anything in the Tolkien universe but the characters like Erudessa that you don't know are completely my imagination.

Thanks

Xx


The trail of the orc's or Uruk-hai as Gimli had told Erudessa, was easy enough to pick up once they got out of the forest. Both Legolas and Erudessa's vision were able to pick them up in the distance over the rolling hills. The running never ceased, only stopping when the small group lost light, they usually slept with a small fire. There were constant pauses for when Erudessa and Legolas stopped and looked out for the Uruk-hai. Gimli wheezed heavily. Erudessa slowed her pace and jogged alongside.

"Three days' and nights' pursuit. No food. No rest. And no sign of our quarry but what bare rock can tell." He puffed.

"Come on Gimli. Chin up." She said without an ounce of sweat upon her. He huffed out and glared at her.

"Lassie…I am no good over long distances. We dwarfs are natural born sprinters. Across short distances." He puff. Erudessa giggled. Aragorn called for the group to stop. He was looking at something on the floor. Erudessa walked up next to him.

"Lothlorien leaves do not idly fall." He said.

"The hobbits." Erudessa said.

"They may still live." Legolas said with hope evident in his voice.

"Less than a day ahead." Aragorn said with equal hope and took of running again as did Legolas.

"Come Gimli!" Erudessa shouted as she took off herself.

"I'm right behind…you…lassie" He puffed as he stumbled onwards.


They ran for another day, and they discovered they were taking the hobbits to Isengard. They entered into the lands of Rohan, and Erudessa felt a small sense of comfort knowing that her own army was based somewhere along the borders. It was dawn one morning when the trackers were in a rocky part of Rohan.

"A red sky. Blood has been spilled this night." Legolas said ominously. Erudessa stood next to him looking off into the distance.

"Have faith Legolas. The hobbits yet live." She said as her ears picked up a sound coming from the left of her. All of the group sensed it and they all quickly hid behind a rock. As the noise grew nearer Erudessa could make out the sound as horses galloping. Aragorn who was next to her lean't towards her.

"Riders of Rohan." He whispered. She nodded. After a moment Aragorn stepped out from behind the rock.

"Riders of Rohan! What news from the mark!" He shouted at the pack. In one swift movement the troop of horses were surrounding them. The leader, or what Erudessa assumed was the leader stepped forward on his horse.

"What business does an elf, a dwarf, a man and a woman, have in these parts?" He said in a deep voice. Erudessa frowned at his emphasis on woman. Why was being a woman such a problem? she thought.

"I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Gimli, son of Gloin, Legolas of the woodland relm and Erudessa Queen of Aria. We are friends of Theoden, your king." He introduced. The man on the horse looked over at Erudessa and scoffed. Now that offended her.

"That is no queen."He said. "No queen, let alone a woman, would be caught out here in the company of three men." Erudessa frowned and pushed passed Aragorn.

"Have care how you speak, rider of Rohan." She said. The rider looked down at her appalled.

"Keep your wench in check, Aragorn, son of Arathorn." He said. Erudessa growled and almost began to lunge at the rider. Only once in her life had she been called a wench, it was at a tavern in lower Aira before she had become queen. Back then Erudessa had been a little hot headed, the night ended in her punching a man in the eye and neck and her with a scar on her shoulder. The night was still hazy to this day. Thankfully Aragorn caught her before she could do anything stupid.

"We are tracking an Uruk-hai party that went this way. They have two of our friends captive." Aragorn explained while still tightly grasping her arm.

"We slaughtered the pack during the night." The rider stated.

"Were there two hobbits there?" Legolas asked.

"They would only be small to your eyes." Aragorn said.

"Like children." Gimli added.

"We left none alive. We piled them and burned them." The rider said glumly. Erudessa glared at him. If she found there poor little bodies among that pile, she would not hesitate to turn round and find this rider once more and relieve his head from his shoulders. While she was thinking these horrible thoughts, three horses were brought to the front. Two brown and one black. The rider said we might have better luck with them and with that the riders moved out. As the riders went passed, Erudessa glared at them. When they were further enough away she turned round.

"I really hate men, sometimes, always think they know best." She grumbled as she mounted the black horse. Aragorn trotted up beside her.

"They do not know you, Erudessa. Do not take to heart what they say." He said and with those words of wisdom they galloped off. Erudessa noticed the smoke, before she saw the pile. The pile of dead orc was at least a few feet high and the smell. The smell was worse than anything Erudessa could ever imagine. Amongst the pile they found the hobbits little belts and it felt as if all hope was lost. Erudessa stood to the side and let a tear or two fall. She had been fond of the small hobbits. They always had happiness even when they faced great peril. And brave. Oh they were so brave. They didn't deserve to die this way. Aragorn who was on his knees noticed something. They were tracks. Tracks of hobbits, and unfortunately they led into Fangorn Forest.

"What in Valar drove them in there?" Gimli said. He was getting a little fed up of forests.

"I do not know. But we shall find out." Erudessa said and unsheathed her swords from her back and entered the forest.


The forest felt alive. That's the only way Erudessa could describe it. As they walked cautiously through the forest, the trees moan and groaned almost like talking. Gimli as usual was complaining about something or other, and Legolas was explaining something about how old the forest was when he stopped suddenly.

"Legolas. What is it? What do you hear?" Aragorn asked stepping close and straining to hear. Legolas turned his head slowly to the other three.

"The white wizard approaches!" He whispered.

"Do not let him speak. He will put us under a spell." Aragorn hissed. The four prepared for an immediate attack. A blinding white light appeared to all of them and Erudessa had to squint her eyes but was the first to attack, she jumped majestically through the air with her swords raised, only to be thrown back and to hit a tree trunk. The rest attacked, but were quickly subdued.

"You are searching for two hobbits, are you not?" The wizard said.

"Where are they?" Erudessa said as she got to her feet.

"They passed through here not to long ago." He said. "Met someone rather interesting"

"Who are you?" Aragorn said angrily. The light surrounding the wizard faded to reveal a complete impossibility.

"Gandalf?" Erudessa asked confused.

"You fell. We saw you fall." Aragorn said just as confused.

"My journey is not over yet, Aragorn son of Arathorn, neither is yours." Gandalf said. "The war is only just beginning, and it is coming to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras at once." He said as he began walking through the forest.

"What about the hobbits?" Erudessa asked as they exited the forest. Gandalf placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Have no fear, Erudessa daughter of Eruraina, the hobbits are perfectly safe. Safer than you are about to be!" He chuckled, and pulled himself onto his horse as did they all and the journey to Edoras began.


Edoras was no more than a few hours away. It was a rather small town that sat upon a hill that had the tactical advantage of being able to see everything that surrounded it. It was quaint and contained mostly small house constructed of stone and wood, and had mainly muted earth colours, like browns and greens. On sat atop of the hill was what Erudessa assumed was the royal court. It was a lot more embellished and larger than any of the other buildings, but still quite small compared to anything Erudessa was used to. They descended their horses and made for the top of the hill only to be stopped before they entered.

"No weapons on order of Grima Wormtongue." A guard said. They all looked to Gandalf. He nodded. Erudessa removed her swords from her back and handed them to the guard in front of her, he made to move away but she made an 'ahah' noise and he paused. Bending down Erudessa removed her Alfirin knives from her boots and gave them to the now shocked guard.

"Your staff too." The guard said to Gandalf, to which he frowned.

"Oh you wouldn't separate an old man from his walking stick would you." He said weakly to the guard. Erudessa smiled at the trick he was playing.

"I must insist." The guard said. Erudessa pushed forward.

"He is old, can't you tell he needs the support!" She said hotly and quite close to the guards face, the guard stepped back, shocked by this woman's out spoken-ness. "It is important that we must see the king!"

"uhh…uhh…of course." He stuttered and then motioned for the guards to open the doors. Erudessa placed one arm on Gandalf shoulder and then one hand on his arm as to guide him, although he needed no help. Gandalf bent low so he could whisper in her ear.

"Nicely done, Lady Erudessa." to which Erudessa smiled.

The hall of Theoden, King of Rohan, was a cold and dark place. There was no warmth, even though a fire sat burning in the middle of the room. The walls were made of dark green wood with pillars that ran up both sides of the room. The pillars had intricate gold designs marked on them. At the head of the hall sat on a plain throne was the king, who looked old and gaunt. His hair was white, as was his beard, and his eyes were clouded over and haunted. From where Erudessa stood it looked like he was covered in cobwebs. Gandalf stood before the king.

"Your courtesy seems to have dropped of late, Theoden king." Gandalf said leaning on his staff. From besides the king Erudessa noticed a vile man who looked as if he had no washed in days, whispering to the king.

"Why should I welcome you…Gandalf Stormcrow?" The king said slowly, the vile man whispered again and Gandalf quieted him and raised his staff. This shocked the man and he rose.

"I told you to take his staff!" The man cried as he walked down the steps. "Take his staff!" He shouted, and guards began to move in. They came from the right first and Erudessa span round and kicked one in the side knocking him off balance and into a pillar. She turned to face another on coming guard. This one came at her with his arms outstretched, grabbing one arm at the wrist with both hands, Erudessa used all her strength to flip the man over her shoulder. He landed on the floor with a thump. Turning round to another she dealt a swift punch to his face and fell to floor clutching his nose. The last one grabbed her from behind, wrapping his arms round her shoulders. Erudessa smacked her head back and she heard a sickening crunch and he let her go and just to finish him of Erudessa kicked him in the one place that would disarm a man immediately. Once all the guards had been disarmed she turned back round to see Aragorn holding back a blonde woman, and Gandalf casting some form of magic on Theoden.

"Be Gone!" Gandalf yelled in a thundering voice, and thrust his staff and the king. It sent the king flying back into the throne. Erudessa watched in amazement as Theoden seemed to get younger. His eyes became unclouded, and his face became fuller and regained it's colour. It seemed as if Gandalf breaking the curse brought back the warmth to the court. The blonde woman rushed to the king, and Gandalf helped him to his feet, he is then presented a sword, to which the King gripped firmly. It gave a ring as it was unsheathed. Theoden then looked to the vile man that was under Gimli's foot and glared. Next thing Erudessa knew the vile man was being thrown down the steps of the royal court and the king was going at him with a sword, which Aragorn put an end too. Then Theoden turned to blonde woman and asked for his son, to which the blonde woman looked sad.

Later on Erudessa was sat in a room staring at a black dress that laid on the bed. It was for a funeral. Apparently the king's son was killed in battle and Erudessa and the others were required at the funeral. There was a knock on the door.

"Uh…Enter." Erudessa said still staring at the dress. She turned when the door opened to see the blonde woman from earlier.

"M'lady, I came to see if everything was satisfactory with the dress." She said. Erudessa slightly pulled a face. "Is there something wrong with it?" The lady asked looking a little upset.

"Oh no! It's quite lovely actually, I'm just not fond of wearing them." Erudessa explained as she picked up the dress and headed behind a screen to change.

"Do you not wear them where you are from m'lady?" The woman asked.

"Yes, but only when I have to make formal appearances and attend court. Usually I just walk round in some form of armour. Much more comfortable." Erudessa said as she stepped back around the screen. The blonde woman looked at her with a smile.

"You look wonderful m'lady." She said.

"Oh please call me Erudessa. I hate being called m'lady, it also makes me feel fragile." Erudessa said as she picked up a brush and combed her freshly washed hair. The king was nice enough to let her bathe.

"Then I am Eowyn." the lady smiled. Erudessa looked at her.

"Eowyn. I am sorry about your cousin." She said. Eowyn looked down at her feet.

"It is okay. I know he died an honourable death. I'm just happy that the shadow has been lifted from court." She said and opened the door to leave.

"Unfortunately, I think another may descend all too soon. Dark things are at work." Erudessa explained as she followed Eowyn out the door.


Aragorn sat in the main hall of the Rohan court, near the fire with Gimli and Legolas, enjoying the peace and quite for once. The funeral for Theoden's son was due start at any moment and Erudessa was still not back from wherever she went.

"The lass better hurry." Gimli said. "Be a great disrespect if she didn't show."

"I am here my dear Gimli no need to fret." A voice said from behind them. Aragorn turned to see Erudessa in a black as night dress, with a fitted bodice and fitted sleeves. The skirt of the dress fell from her waist elegantly to the floor. Her long dark brunette hair hung over one side of her neck, exposing the other. She looked beautiful, Aragorn had to admit, however she wore uncomfortable expression.

"You look beautiful lassie." Gimli said. She bowed her head to him in thanks. Aragorn rose from where he was sitting as did the others.

"Thank you Gimli. However, I'd rather my armour over a dress." She said as she shifted the skirt.

"The funeral is about to begin. Erudessa you are to walk with Eowyn, it is costumery for women of the court to walk together." Gandalf said as he walked over. "Then you three will walk behind the king and myself." Erudessa nodded and walked over to where Eowyn was waiting. Aragorn watched her walk. Even feeling uncomfortable Erudessa was able to pull off looking regal and beautiful.

The funeral was not a long affair. Many of the son's kings soldiers lined the entrance to the tomb where the young man would be laid to rest. The women of the court stood of to the side singing a song that was native to the people of Rohan. Aragorn watched as Erudessa stood with the women as they sung, from just looking at her, he could tell she was uncomfortable, however she did it with an air of grace about her. Soon after the funeral was over everyone headed back up to the royal hall. Aragorn headed back up with Erudessa.

"What will we do now?" She asked. Aragorn looked at her as they ascended the steps.

"I suppose we will stay here and help in whatever way we can." He said. "It won't be long until the hands of Mordor reach here." He said. Erudessa nodded as she went to step on to the last step when her foot caught in her dress and she fell. Erudessa expected the floor to meet her but was surprised when she felt two strong arms grabbed her. Erudessa to see Aragorn's concerned eyes boring into her own emerald ones.

"Are you all right?" He asked. Erudessa flushed a little at his proximity to her. His hands grasped her shoulders, and he was slightly leaning over her, so their chests were almost touching. Erudessa's heart was beating wildly.

"I…uh…yes…"She stuttered as he put her up straight. "It's this blasted dress." She said. "I don't really wear them unless it's for a special reason. I think I will go find my armour. Uh excuse me." Erudessa finished and ran off while Aragorn stared at her retreating back.

Erudessa breathed a sigh of relief when she got back to her room, and sat on her bed looking confused at the floor. She didn't understand what she was feeling, her stomach was bouncing all over the place, her palms were a little sweaty, and she felt a little nervous. But she didn't understand why? Why would she be acting like this? It was just Aragorn. She had been with him many times over the course of their journey and she had been in tight spots with him before. So what was different?


Phew! That was a long one! I hope you enjoyed!

Reviews would be helpful, even if it's a little criticism!

Thanks

Xx