Hey guys! So sorry for the late late late update. Things got crazy with Christmas prep (seriously, when did it get a week away? Last I checked it was beginning of November...) and then I caught the stomach flu.

Anyway, I'm back! Enjoy!

Fili, Kili, and Brynn sat on a bench just a short distance from the Golden Hall. Boredom had set in, and they had brought all their weapons with them to sharpen. But they had finished and the different death instruments lay in piles organized by owner.

Brynn missed her mountain. Or more, she missed the people in the mountain. Thorin, and Dis. Sitting still in Edoras made the homesickness come on strong. The only thing that made it better was that her two best friends were with her.

Aragorn ran up to them, giving them a start.

"The beacons are lit!" He exclaimed. "If there's one thing that will sway Theoden, it is this."

Fili, Kili, and Brynn jumped to their feet in an instant. The dwarves had helped build the beacons, and Thorin's heirs had gotten to repair one once, so they knew what they were.

"Does Theoden know?" Brynn asked as she and her brothers scooped up their weapons.

Aragorn was nearly bouncing. "No. Come, we will tell him."

He took off again, leaving the siblings to keep pace. It was a short distance to the Hall. Aragorn took the stairs two at a time and shoved the double doors open at the top. The trio left their weapons beside a guard (Fili warned him with an intimidating glare not to lose them) and were just in time to hear Aragorn's declaration to the king and his men.

"The beacons of Minis Tirith! The beacons are lit!" He controlled himself. "Gondor calls for aid."

All eyes turned to Theoden for a reply. There was hesitation in his eyes. Brynn held her breath.

"And Rohan will answer! Muster the Rohirrim." Theoden turned to Eomer. "Assemble the army at Dunharrow, as many men as can be found. You have two days."

Eomer bowed to his King and left.

Theoden turned back and looked at Brynn, continuing to speak. "On the third, we ride for Gondor, and for war."

Brynn smiled at him, before turning to her brothers. "I suppose we better ready ourselves."

"My lords and lady," Gamling called, walking with the trio to collect their weapons. "Will your ponies keep pace?"

The trio froze. At once, all three made a face and said, "Blast!"

Fili shook his head. "We'll take horses."

Gamling nodded. "Yes, my lord. They will be ready for you."

"Thank you, Gamling." Brynn said.

Gamling left and the siblings continued to strap on their weapons. It did take them awhile to do, as many of them were hidden in their bodies.

Kili gave a huge sigh, and grumbled. "Horses."

There was a seconds pause before Fili and Brynn burst into laughter.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooo

Fili, Kili, Brynn, Legolas, and Gimli stood by their horses, getting ready for the ride to Gondor. Gamling had gotten three horses for Thorin's heirs. They were all rather tall, and definitely powerful beasts. The siblings shortened the stirrups and did a couple other adjustments, and that was that. They would do fine on horses. They'd ridden them before, it was just that they felt small on them and they didn't like it.

Merry found them in the crowd, his little sword (more a knife for the warriors) banging against his leg and a huge smile on his face. Brynn hadn't seen him that happy since Pippin was with him.

"Lady Brynn!" He cried. "King Theoden has made me an esquire of Rohan!"

Brynn grinned. "Congratulations, Merry! There is none more deserving."

"Aye." Kili clapped Merry on the back. "You have shown your bravery."

"Not everyone could say they took over Isengard." Fili added.

Merry smiled shyly. "Well, I had help."

"Ah, but you don't tell people that part unless they ask!"

Merry laughed at that, then looked around. "I'm supposed to find Gamling for a horse."

"He's in the stables." Brynn directed, pointing to the building.

Merry thanked her and ran off, just as happy as when he came.

The five warriors mounted their horses. Gimli was once again riding with Legolas. Unlike his cousins, Gimli didn't much like any steed, even ponies.

"Horse men!" Gimli scorned. "I wish I could muster an army of dwarves, fully armed and filthy."

"I wish that too, Gimli." Said Kili, shifting in his saddle.

"They would be here, if they didn't face war themselves." Brynn stated.

All talk ceased when Eomer rode to the front of the army.

"Now is the hour, Riders of Rohan! Oaths you have taken. Now, fulfill them all, to Lord, and Land!" He gave a shout, and his horse reared before taking off.

The force of Rohan went forward after their leader, for war.

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Dunharrow was not a far ride. None the less, Brynn was thankful when the trip was finished. She jumped off her horse and stretched her legs. The too-big mount had left them sore

Fili approached her. "I just spoke to King Theoden. We have six thousand here."

"Six thousand?" Brynn exclaimed. She looked around to make sure no one was listening. "That is hardly even a force."

"I know." Fili said, leading their horses to be tied. "I suppose we must hope more come."

Brynn agreed, but if they hadn't come by now, more would most likely not be arriving.

Fili, Kili, and Brynn gave their horses off to be taken care of and then set up a tent that they would share. The sun started to set as they did so, sending long shadows stretching across the grass. A light fog flooded the camp. Maybe it was that that made everyone uneasy.

The trio walked through the camp close to the mountains with Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn. The men there were struggling to control the horses, who were rearing and bucking. They met Eomer who was trying to pull the saddle off his horse.

"The horses are restless and the men are quiet." Legolas commented, scanning the area as he often did. He was a watcher.

Eomer heaved the saddle into his arms. "They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain."

Gimli pointed to a cleft in the mountain side. "That road there, where does it lead?"

"It is the road to Dimholt, the door under the mountain." Legolas spoke, eyeing it carefully.

"None who venture there ever return. That mountain is evil." Eomer said, a dark look passing over his face. Brynn wondered how many friends he had lost there.

"Must be very unstable, yeah?" She said, staring at the mountain peak.

"It is not the cave-ins they say kill, my lady."

"You mean ghosts?" Kili asked, raising an eyebrow.

Eomer smiled at the disbelieving dwarf. He slid the bit out of his horses mouth and handed him away to a soldier. "You don't believe it?"

Kili shrugged. "I've been to many places that were supposed to be haunted and only found evidence in ONE that the legend was true."

Eomer clapped him on the back. "Well, let's hope you never have to find out in this case. Come, I'm starving. Let's eat."

The others agreed and started to walk away in search of a meal. Aragorn stood fixated on the mountain path.

Brynn paused and watched him for a second. "Aragorn!" She called.

He jumped and turned to her.

She waved him forward. "Let's go get some food."

Aragorn nodded and walked with Brynn, but his mind was elsewhere. Even through dinner, as they all are together, he didn't say much more than necessary. And that made Brynn curious.

Ooooooooooooooooooooo

Brynn was just falling asleep when Kili burst through the flap of the tent, startling his brother and sister to near death. Once they stopped grumbling (that took awhile), Kili explained himself. He had seen a hooded figure ride into the outskirts of the tent and enter Theoden's tent. No alarm was raised, but the newcomer was certainly not Rohirrim. This peaked the siblings curiosity so high that they couldn't leave it alone. That's why they found themselves crouched outside Theoden's tent in the shadow, straining to hear anything. It was, to their annoyance, fruitless. All they heard was muffled speech. They were about to leave when the talking stopped suddenly, and didn't resume.

"Fili... Do you think he's been killed?" Brynn asked in a whisper.

"I don't know..." Fili replied. "I suppose we oughta check?"

Kili and Brynn didn't get to answer. A torch shown light at their backs with no warning. The trio spun around and found themselves looking up at... Elrond Halfelven.

"Why am I not surprised?" Elrond questioned, disapproving. "Are you three in the middle of everything?"

"We try." Said Kili.

"We like the attention." Added Brynn.

A ghost of a smiled appeared on Elrond's face. "Come inside."

The trio rose to their feet and followed Elrond to the door. Theoden was in there still - not killed - and looking very confused.

"You know them?" He asked Elrond, motioning to the dwarves.

"Unfortunately." Elrond answered, cape sweeping around his feet. "I'll speak to them before what we discussed."

Theoden nodded. "I'll make sure your horse is looked after and then send for him."

Theoden took his leave. Elrond sat in a chair and watched the siblings intently, remaining silent. They shuffled their feet uncomfortably, not knowing if they should speak or wait for him to break the quiet. But it didn't take very long for Brynn to cave. Silence made her feel uncomfortable.

"Why must you do this?" She complained, earning a smile from the elf lord. "It is quite disconcerting."

Elrond raised his hands. "I am simply trying to figure out how you managed to get yourselves here."

"We are here on diplomacy." Fili said. "Why are you here? I thought all the elves were setting sail. It was shock enough when they came to Helms Deep."

"Nearly all of my kind have crossed over. I am here for Aragorn. I'm sure you've met."

"Once or twice." Said Kili. "Say, speaking of Aragorn, why did no one tell us that Estel was the heir of Isildur."

"It never came up." Elrond rubbed his face.

Brynn could tell they were frustrating the elf leader. They did that a lot. It was so easy to bug Elrond that they just did it without trying. He was good about it, though, and never despised them for it. They knew deep down he liked them, he just didn't like to show it.

"Why are you here for Aragorn?" Brynn asked, curious.

"To give him guidance. Your force here is not enough to save Gondor. He must go to the Paths of the Dead and get their help."

"Blast! The elf was right. The legend is true?" Brynn asked, miffed at Legolas being right over her.

Elrond nodded.

"Will they come?" Fili asked.

"They should. As heir of Isildur, they owe him a debt."

"Will he claim the title?" Fili seemed concerned now, and Brynn knew that he was thinking of his own problems claiming the title of Prince. Fili was always concerned about people.

Elrond didn't answer the blond dwarf for a second and that was almost an answer in itself. Finally he sighed. "He will have to, to save his country. He is coming here soon, and you cannot be present when I speak to him." He paused before adding. "And you can't listen from outside either."

Brynn rolled her eyes. "We couldn't hear anything anyways."

"Tell your children we say hello." Kili said.

"And goodbye." Brynn added, suddenly shocked with sadness. She shook it off and smiled at Elrond. "Goodbye, Lord Elrond."

"Goodbye Brynn, Kili, and Fili. May you live full and prosperous lives."

They bowed their thanks and the three of them left the tent, feeling more than a little sad. They were going to miss Elrond.

So I'm not overly proud of this chapter, but it's a set up for the next one! Which is when we get into the Paths. The good stuff!

Anyway, I don't know how much/fast I'll be able to post, since Christmas is next week(!) - how crazy is that? I'm telling you, I was not prepared for this.

Anyway, PLEASE review and let me know your thoughts!

QuestionOTChapter: How many times have you read The Hobbit (and LOTR) I try to read it every year since I fell in love with Middle Earth. So about 8? Unfortunately I've only managed to read LOTR once haha. But I want to take it on again soon.