A/N Ok, so bold is Elvish, just fyi. This chapter is a bit of filler, but still fun.

Gimli, Legolas, Aragorn, and Nira, as she was now known, were tracking the Uruk-hai and orcs that had taken Merry and Pippin. They didn't stop for rest at night, only short breathers for Aragorn and Gimli, or more accurately Gimli. After three days of travel, they saw a battalion of soldiers on horseback riding a short distance away.

"Riders of Rohan!" Aragorn called at them. "What news from the mark?"

The lead rider turned them around and surrounded the four remaining Fellowship members. The soldiers aimed spears at them as the lead rider came forward. Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli stood closest to him, while Nira stood behind them.

"What business do two elves, a man, and a dwarf have in the Riddermark?" the rider said. "Speak quickly."

"Give me your name horse master," Gimli snapped, "and I shall give you mine."

The rider got off his horse and looked at the four. Nira didn't meet his eye. She looked at the others, looking at their armor curiously. She hadn't been around a Man who had actually worn armor.

"I would cut off your head, dwarf, if it stood but a little higher off the ground," the rider said.

Legolas and Nira both drew arrows and aimed them straight at the rider as Legolas said, "You would die before your stroke fell."

Aragorn pulled Legolas' arm down and stepped in front of Nira, giving her a warning look.

"I am Aragorn son of Arathorn. This is Gimli son of Glóin, and Legolas and Nira of the Woodland realm.

"A woman?" the rider laughed. "What is she, some common whore?"

Nira's face darkened as she stepped toward him, sparks flying from her hands. Aragorn and Legolas grabbed her, holding her in place. She used magic to draw the rider's sword and put it under his chin.

"Nira," Legolas hissed, and the sword clattered to the ground.

She pulled away from the pair restraining her as Aragorn said, "We are friends of Rohan and of Théoden, your king."

"Théoden no longer recognizes friend from foe, not even his own kin," the rider said pulling off his helmet, making the riders raise their spears. "Saruman has poisoned the mind of the king and claimed lordship over these lands. My company are those loyal to Rohan, and for that, we were banished. The white wizard is cunning. He walks here and there, they say, as an old man, hooded and cloaked and everywhere his spies slip passed our nets. Sorcery is not welcome here, woman. It has taken many innocent lives from our land."

"I have no intention of harming anyone that does not attack me first," Nira snapped.

He glared at the four, trying to figure out who they were.

"We are no spies," Aragorn stated. "We've been tracking a party of Uruk-hai across the western planes they've taken our friends captive.

"The orcs were destroyed. We slaughtered them in the night."

"There were two hobbits," Gimli demanded. "Did you see two hobbits with them?"

"They would be small, only children to your eyes," Aragorn continued.

"We left none alive," the rider said. "We piled the carcasses and burned them. I'm sorry."

The rider whistled and three horses were brought forward.

"Take these horses," the rider said. "They had better fortune than their former masters. Farewell." He pulled himself onto his horse before saying, "Look for your friends, but do not trust a hope. It has forsaken these lands."

"For your sake," Nira hissed, "You had best hope they're alive."

"You are lucky, sorceress, that you have such friends, that they would give their lives to prove your innocence."

"I do not ask that they give their lives for me. A horseman like you does not pose a threat to someone as powerful as me. Some people are not what they seem to be. Do not trust your sight to show all that is truth."

"Had you been alone, you would be dead."

"Since that's worked so well in the past," Nira muttered, but he didn't hear.

She pulled herself onto a horse. Aragorn and Legolas did the same, Gimli sitting behind Legolas. They rode toward the pillar of smoke until they reached the pile of burning orc bodies. Gimli found one of the hobbit's belt and dagger. Nira sent sparks flying as she stepped toward her horse to go find the Riders of Rohan. Legolas pulled her into his chest, holding her tightly.

"First Gandalf," she muttered, "then Boromir, now Merry and Pippin, and that's just in this world. I don't want to lose you, too."

"Nira," he whispered, "Whether in this lifetime or the next, we will be together. You are mine as I am yours. I love you and only you."

He brushed his lips over hers, to assure her of that fact before looking around. Aragorn looked at the ground in question.

"A hobbit lay here, and the other," he muttered. "They crawled. Their hands were bound. Their bonds were cut. They ran over here. They were followed. The tracks lead away from the battle into Fangorn Forest."

"Fangorn," Gimli asked, "what madness drove them there?"

They followed the trail into the trees until the tracks changed. There were low notes sounding through the trees. They looked toward the sounds only to have their origin change.

"This forest is old," Legolas said quietly, more to himself than anyone else, "full of memories and anger. The trees are speaking to each other."

"Gimli," Nira hissed, "lower your ax for Merlin's sake."

"Something's out there."

"What do you see?" Aragorn asked.

"The White Wizard approaches," Legolas stated, quietly.

"Do not let him speak. He'll put a spell on us."

Aragorn started to draw his sword, Gimli readies his ax, Nira rolled her wrist, and Legolas began to draw his bow.

"We must be quick."

They spun around. Legolas let loose an arrow, and Gimli threw his ax at the figure behind them. Aragorn's sword burned orange, and he dropped it. Nira stood in one spot, smiling. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli looked at her in surprise that she hadn't done anything.

"Traitor," Gimli snapped. "You brought us to him."

"I did no such thing," Nira replied.

The White Wizard spoke, "You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits."

"Where are they?" Aragorn asked.

"They passed this way, the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?"

"Who are you? Show yourself."

The light around to White Wizard faded revealing a figure they recognized. Gandalf. They all looked on him in wonder.

"It cannot be," Aragorn whispered. "You fell."

"Through fire and water," Gandalf said. "From the lowest dungeon to the highest peak I fought him, the Balrog of Morgoth. Until at last I threw down my enemy and smote his ruin upon the mountain side. Darkness took me, and I strained out of thought and time. The stars wield no end and every day was as long as a life age of the earth. But it was not the end. I felt life in me again. I'd been sent back until my task is done."

"Gandalf," Aragorn said in disbelief.

"Gandalf? Yes, that was what they used to call me. Gandalf the Grey. I am Gandalf the White, and I come back to you now at the turn of the time," he said before leading them through the forest. "One stage of your journey is over. Another begins. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed.

"Have they gained your trust?" he asked Nira.

"Long ago," Nira replied smiling. "I told them everything I know, and can guess."

"Who knows? Who have you told?"

"Only them, but you told Arwen and Elrond."

They walked on in silence.

A/N Ok, yes an abrupt ending to the chapter, but I thought you would want to have something to read. Review please.