A changed perspective
Ask yourself now
Where would you be without
Days like this
When you finally collide
With the moment you can't forget
Éomer stormed into the hall with a visible scowl. He felt eyes on him and looked up to see Aragorn siting idly in the corner of the hall. He hesitantly stalked over to the ranger who was almost invisible in the dark corner.
"Éomer'' Aragorn welcomed the Third Marshall to the table with a grim expression .
"The Hunter" Éomer raised his eyebrows at Aragorn's statement and breathed out heavily.
"What of her?" Éomer asked bitterly, the thought of her made his stomach drop.
"She means you no harm, I suggest you leave her be before that changes'' Aragorn spoke calmly while going over a piece of parchment, smoking out of his pipe.
"She need not join us, war is no place for a woman" He spoke swiftly, his annoyance was evident in his tone.
"War should not be a place for anyone, but that is not an option we have" Aragorn replied calmly and looked up at him.
"It's better that we have her on our side, than of that of our enemy" Aragorn could sense the resentment in Éomer's voice, he did not take kindly to strangers in his lands.
"That may be so, but her actions will not fair well with the king '' Éomer asked, convinced that no mere mortal could have such power.
"Blade does not concern the king" Aragorn brushed Éomer's comment away with irritation.
"She is more powerful than all of us, it would be foolish to set her aside"
Éomer's eyebrow raised in suspicion, he knew she was more than a hunter but what?
"I have said too much'' Aragorn paused and returned to his parchment. He had memories which he did not wish to divulge.
"Please, Blade I beg you, wait until your wound is healed until you leave'' Aragorn pleaded to the stubborn hunter.
"I'm fine'' Blade responded weakly as she walked to the room her brother's body was being held.
Her heart dropped at the sight of León's dead corpse, his personal items which consisted of a long black leather coat, a necklace and a black bladed sword was all that remained of her brother. Silent tears streamed down her face as she saw the gaping hole where the Nazgül had stuck his crude blade, even in death León's facial features remained sharp and unfazed.
Aragorn embraced the hunter as she crumbled to the floor in an emotional mess.
Then suddenly she stopped crying and stood up facing him, he gasped as her green eyes filled with black.
The demon let out a sinister laugh as she flung him against the wall and pinned him there. Unable to move Aragorn watched as the woman that was once Blade tore down the building surrounding them. Her eyes flickered from black to green as the debris suddenly stopped falling and with a piercing scream Blade fell to the ground and the demon was gone.
"Will you join us at the festivities?" Éowyn asked Blade lightly from the doorway of her chamber as the hunter polished her weapons with a rag.
"I am not one for celebration" Blade declined from her place at the end of the bed.
"It would be wise to greet the king if nothing else" The blonde haired woman sheepishly offered her advice before turning her back.
"...Why do you stay here?" Blade asked out of the silence.
"What do you mean?" Éowyn replied in surprise and turned back to face the hunter with a look of awe on her fine features.
"This place holds nothing for you" Blade specified and looked up to the woman who resembled her brother.
"I have a duty to fulfill"
"But it is not a duty you want to fulfill"
"No, but I have a responsibility to my brother and to my people"
"But you wish to be able to do more?" The hunter inquired and stood from her place.
"In a world that wasn't plagued with war, yes" Éowyn spoke with a sadness in her eye. Her red dress hung closely to her body and accentuated her beauty.
"We are lucky to have you on our side, Blade" The princess stepped forward into the chamber and shut the door behind her, in case of prying eyes.
"Blade, I wasn't trying to run", Éowyn explained with exhaustion.
"It does not concern me" Blade spoke lightly and glanced into Éowyn's hazel eyes.
"Will I see you tomorrow?" Éowyn abruptly turned and walked out the door.
"I'm unsure"
"I have a proposal for you'' Éowyn spoke abruptly.
Blade stared at Éowyn as if she had grown another head and put down the knife she had been spinning against the sharp timber dresser.
"Do go on" The hunter spoke firmly and scoffed at her abrupt action.
"I apologize for my actions today, but if you do not attend the celebration the king will not be pleased."
The shield maiden met her stare and quickly crossed her arms, making the red material of her dress sleeves flap by her side.
"I am not here to please the king" Blade replied with a smirk.
"Then you will not be welcome here, and Éomer will be free to use anything in his will to have you thrown in the dungeons" She warned cautiously.
"He would die a fool" The hunter retorted.
"Blade-"
"I did not say I wouldn't attend" Blade interrupted harshly.
"That would be a wise choice" Éowyn replied and left the chamber which used to be her own.
A morning chill hung softly in the air, causing a thin sheet of frost on the stone steps of the Meduseld. Blade lingered by the landing, awoken by the freezing drop in temperature. It was the coldest morning she had felt in a long time, it was also the most uneasy she had felt since she had arrived.
The hunter flattened her hand against the cold railing, glancing toward the dark abyss below it. Her eyebrows furrowed intently at the flattened grass she could just make out the shadow to.
"What is it the Hunter sees?", A voice spoke softly from behind her, ripping her thoughts away from the landscape. Her movement was swift against the slippery stone, meeting the man's throat with the small blade that lived comfortably in her forearm brace. The blonde haired elf didn't flinch at her sudden reaction to his soundless approach. The unease she felt in Edoras was mutual.
Blade lowered her weapons without a reply, wandering back into the hall of the Meduseld. It was much too early to be awake but sleep would not come to her.
"Aragorn thinks there is lingering darkness in these halls, old magic", The elf spoke quietly, motioning to the vast room that sent a chill through her spine.
"Something sinister follows, it doesn't linger. It is here", Blade replied in a low tone, breathing in the air that grew colder. The Hunter snapped her head to the loud slam of a door, cursing the man who emerged from the poorly lit hallway, The Third Marshal. He glanced quickly between the two, unaccustomed to seeing anyone at the early hour.
"Evil does not linger in these hall, perhaps it is just you", Éomer hissed in a lowered tone, approaching the two who spoke so freely in the hall. The Hunter crossed her arms over her chest, unappreciative of his eavesdropping, but not surprised. Legolas breathed out a deep sigh, abandoning any idea of speaking to the woman alone.
"This does not concern you", Blade snapped with a sharp sting in her voice. Legolas had more to say and she knew it but he wouldn't divulge such information in front of the suspicious Third Marshal. His presence was a nuisance.
Before any words escaped Éomer's lips the hinges on the Meduseld doors squeaked to life, startling the company as the massive wooden doors burst open in a burst of wind.
Blade darted her eyes to the open door, squinting to the figure that stumbled forward.
"Blade", Legolas and Éomer spoke in unison with matching expressions of uncertainty.
The hunter's boots thumped silently in her rushed movement, despite the objections of the two men beside her she ran toward the familiar figure .
"Verserae", Blade breathed out with a dreading feeling in her chest. The bloodstained woman staggered toward her with a vacant expression on her face. The hunter slid to her knees, catching the wounded woman as she fell.
"Blade", She called weakly, smiling toward the Hunter. Her breathing was slowed by the crimson liquid that seeped from her armoured bodice.
"Who did this?", The Hunter asked through gritted teeth, holding the woman in her arms.
Legolas looked over the deep wounds, sharing a look of sadness with Blade. The red haired woman opened her mouth to speak, her blue eyes failing to veil her pain.
"I made it into Mordor, Blade. I know Sauron's plan for you...you cannot fight him...you cannot fi...you cannot", Verserae's breath caught in her throat and her chest heaved in struggle...then it stopped. The Hunter breathed out a deep sigh. Verserae was a warrior, a human. Someone she had used as a spy of sorts, handy for sneaking unsuspected under the flaming eye.
Éomer saw the weakness within Blade in the death of someone she had known, maybe even cared for. It was an unusual occurrence and something rare among hunters. Her obvious grief did not give him the satisfaction he had hoped for. He felt sympathy...pity for her loss. His approach didn't faze the Hunter, she didn't care. The woman in her arms wore an armour most unusual to him that reflected a red colour and bore jagged spikes. Her bodice was the same deep red with an array of poison darts and other knife like weapons he didn't recognise attached to it. He noted a black stone around her neck that glowed with an eeary orange flame. It was something he had known quite well.
"She bares the eye of Sauron", Éomer spoke quickly, gaining the Hunter's attention. Blade clenched her jaw in anger, meeting the pendant around Versarae's neck. Her friend had not come on her own accord.
The Hunter tore herself away from the body with an obvious swiftness, backing away from Versarae. Eyes watched in awe as the warrior woman's skin tore away like charred parchment, morphing into a tall, blackened creature with a spiked helmet and mace. The Witch King.
The black cloaked Wraith towered the Hunter by at least three feet, it's faceless glare stared straight for her, ignoring the remaining company.
"Legolas, wake Aragorn", Blade ordered with her eyes fixed on the wraith who brandished the sword in his armoured hand. Under the creature's scrutiny her jacket seemed like little protective armour against his wrath.
Legolas hesitated, unsure of how to defeat such a beast, but he knew he could not leave her to fight it alone. He picked up a knife that lay dormant on the dining table and leaped soundlessly toward the wraith, piercing his flesh with the weapon but the beast didn't squeal nor wince. The Witch King ripped the knife from his back and swung his armoured hand toward the elf, swatting him like a fly. Legolas grunted in surprise at the power in the Wraith's hit, meeting a pillar as he was thrown back and knocked into darkness.
Éomer glanced between her and the injured Elf, unwilling to share the elf's mistake, but also unwilling to seal her doom. She meet his eyes with a silent plea for him to remain where he was.
"Aid Legolas", She ordered, watching the scene of the Meduself fade into a bloodied battlefield where she stood alone with her sword in her hand. Her chest heaved with exhaustion and her face was smeared with orc blood. The Witch King lifted his sword that flamed to life and swung his spiked mace into her before she could escape it's fury which burned with an excruciating sting. She met the dirt with her back in a dull thump that ceased her breath, blood seeped from the corner of her lips while the pain ripped through her chest.
The Witch-King walked briskly toward her and held out his hand, Blade's sword flung out of her grasp. Fear filled her pounding chest at the beast's spiked hand that curved around her throat and she was lifted toward the sun, struggling against the metal hand.
"No mortal can defeat, the Witch-King of Angmar" The husky voice called as Blade fought to breathe. She was weak, too weak to deflect his morgul blade that plunged into her bodice. An overwhelming pain surged through Blade's chest at the sword that was buried through her stomach on an upward trajectory. The Beast retracted his blade and released her. Her body fell to the ground, causing a cloud of dust to form in the still field.
The immobilizing pain spread through her core with a fiery rage then it ceased. Blade breathed in the air like she had been submerged underwater for an extended time, opening her eyes to see the tapestries on the Meduseld ceiling. The Wraith stood over her, catching the beast disappear in a trail of smoke. Her fingers gripped at her chest where his blade had been. There was no blood...no pain.
She breathe out a wavered breath that concealed the fear she had felt only moments ago, noticing the figure knelt next to her.
"Aragorn mustn't know", Blade spoke lightly, reeling back from the crushing defeat. She felt his hand pressed against her shoulder a moment before he released it.
"You have been shown your loss and you still wish to pursue this creature? You cannot fight him with power of will?", Éomer asked in a tone of irritation, but his quarrel did not rest with her, it was toward the fear he felt when the Wraith pinned her against the wall and drove his morgul blade through her chest. He felt anger for the grievance toward her demise, for his helplessness against the beast. That someone so powerful was defeated in a matter of seconds.
A metallic aftertaste hung in her mouth even though the blood had disappeared. He was not wrong in saying what he did, she couldn't fight the Wraith without the dark magic that coarsed through her veins. That condemned her to the Venatore name.
"Then I will fight with what holds true", She responded, peeling herself away from the hard floor, meeting his gaze. He didn't understand her. Not at all. When he thought he did, she became somewhat human. Admirable.
His aid was not required but he felt it necessary, holding out his hand to help her up. Whatever phantom pain she had felt it had come twofold, he saw it on her face,in her eyes. She took his aid, lifting herself off the ground.
"I am not faithless, I will hold my word to those fallen to his will", Her words were overshadowed by his furrowed stare that loomed toward her neck as she stood. His eye caught the makings of a deep bruise that had begun to flourish in hues of irritated red and purple. Small scrapes marked the spikes of the creature's hand tattooed against her collar bone.
"Need I be worried?", Blade spoke, feeling the extent of her injury under the pressure of his touch, sweeping away droplets of blood.
"If we are to fool Aragorn, heal it", Éomer breathed out, taking his hand back, Hoping his decision to trust her was the right one.
She knew his men did not lie that his people held true to their word, it was not a light favour she asked of him. His face did not show the discomfort in what she asked but she knew he felt it. Aragorn was a friend and she was not.
The morning sun peaked softly through the arched windows, cutting through the coolness of the night, ending it's wrath. Blade bowed her head in thanks to the broad shouldered man and parted ways. The light sun illuminated the sharpness of her pale face that harbored such beauty in it's strength. Her strong cheek bones cast a small shadow against her jaw and her eyebrows held a permanent subtle arch. Her nose was straight but curved in the slightest to overshadow the evenness of her reddened lips that resembled a a sturdy bow in its peak and fall. She was a marvel to behold in his eyes.
Blade healed the elf without a word and left the hall, leading Legolas to believe that there was nothing more than what he had seen.
The company had heard little from Blade for the remainder of the day, she stayed locked away in her chamber or resided at the stables in company of Warlord. The morning's antics was not something she wore lightly, she couldn't lay that burden on her friends but her quiet demeanor didn't slip by unnoticed by some and for her sake Legolas told Aragorn of the morning's ordeal. He did not confront her, not when the celebration lay moments away.
The hunter dressed in an unworn black leather bodice that had one long diagonal belt buckle and silver buckle straps down the center. The bodice hugged her breasts in its rounded leather top. her black trousers and forearm braces completed her ceremonial warrior attire.
She made a long braid that started from both sides of her temple and finished down her back, cleaning her face well enough that the cuts on her face looked tiny in comparison to the blood they drew.
Putting the final touches on like scented oils and her knee length boots, Blade walked out of the chamber. Éowyn caught her in the hall after meeting her with a taken aback expression. Blade raised her brow towards the woman's prejudice against her bare shoulders, though she didn't say it. Éowyn simply smiled, understanding that Blade was not one of her people, she walked beside her toward the deafening sound of celebration. Blade was met with depth less stares and unsolicited whispers almost instantaneously.
Éowyn led her to Théoden king's throne, cutting through the crowd of people. She interrupted the king on his throne as he conversed with Éomer, motioning her hands toward the hunter with vigor. Blade raised her brow at the woman's excitement, stepping forward from the assortment of men that gathered in front of the king. The guards readied their spears on her approach toward their king, causing a small metallic echo. The Hunter raised her brow in question. She imagined they had be forewarned by their Third Marshal.
"Uncle, this is the woman who fought so bravely at Helms Deep'' Éowyn spoke proudly, admiring Blade's fearlessness.
"Ah, the infamous hunter, Blade" The king held out his hand and she shook it hesitantly. He met her eyes with a puzzling expression on his face, clenching his jaw slightly. He studied her with her hand gripped firmly in his palm. Blade retracted her hand with a raised concern. The aging man had the same light coloured hair and authoritative scold that Éomer had plastered on his face. His light blue eyes mirrored the hardship of Saruman's possession. His peculiar reaction upon meeting her sparked her curiosity.
"You've had quite the influence on my niece, I've heard a much about you", King Théoden broke his silence, forming a smile on his lips.
"All good things I hope", Blade remarked distantly and flickered a glance to Éomer who's eyes clashed with her own. She was surprised he hadn't spilled her secret but nonetheless grateful.
"I should not say", The King's response brought a smile to her lips.
"If you'll excuse me Théoden king'' Blade spoke politely and he nodded back then went on chatting to people Blade hadn't met.
Éomer shifted in his seat as the Hunter presented herself to the king, how such beauty was trapped under her less than lady like manners astounded him. Something about her intrigued him, but he was yet to find out what it was. He watched as she shook his uncle's hand and gave him a weak smile that told him she liked Theoden as much as she liked him. Suddenly her eyes locked onto his own, her eyebrow hiked up in amusement but he kept his gaze, watching as she walked away. Without her jacket on her he could clearly see a thin cut peeking out from her leather bodice where he had cut her.
"She is quite a beauty" Théoden observed as she strode away from their table.
"She is not dressed for these halls" Éomer mumbled to himself, glaring toward her exposed shoulders and upper arms. He could see her black forearm braces held knives against the underside of her wrist, knives that could potentially harm his people.
"Would you be the one to tell her so?", The King chided with a raised eyebrow, watching the woman become a spectacle to his people, a strange sight. His nephew opened his mouth to reply but was silenced by Théoden's continuing speech.
"The Hunter is a rare gift to come by. She need not conform to our ways.", Éomer scoffed at the statement.
"A gift?", The Third Marshal asked quietly against listening ears.
"Her bloodline is pure, she would make a strong...alliance", Théoden spoke with suggestion.
"Her kind are not welcome", Éomer hissed with annoyance.
"You are quick to judgement Éomer, for something that happened to you long ago", The king silenced him.
"Say nothing'' Blade hissed at Aragorn and Legolas as she stood next to him, they looked at her in disbelief then regained their posture.
"You look lovely, lass'' Gimli spoke as he sculled his chalice of mead.
"Thank you, Gimli'' She smirked weakly as people began to talk rowdily around them.
"Aragorn," Blade motioned her head to the left where there was a darkened window opening.
The ranger raised an eyebrow and followed after her, his dark hair shifted over his shoulders with each movement.
"Blade?" Aragorn asked with question at the grim expression on her face.
"Dark magic lingers in this hall" She spoke without fault and looked into his eyes.
"You need not hide your concern, Blade. I know the Wraith has found you here", The Ranger breathed out with a hushed tone.
"The White Wizard's lingering darkness gave the creature power. Without it I would have remained in the shadows", Blade hissed with resentment.
"It is too late to return to the shadows. We will dispel Saruman's evil, I will keep you safe" Aragorn comforted, placing his hand on her shoulder.
The hunter smirked and turned her head toward the roaring fireplace to her right, through the flame she met the green eyes of Eowyn for a second then glanced back toward the ranger.
"Watch your step, Strider, there are still dark forces here that have not been overthrown"
Aragorn gave her a sideward smirk and moved his hands to the side of her face as the harp player strummed a slow melody.
"Blade, nothing can hurt us together, it is foolish to think otherwise".
The hunter breathed out and felt the warmth of his hand leave her face as he walked back to the table.
Éomer's eyes watched distantly as his sister glanced hopefully around the hall, she was waiting to see him, the ranger. Her face dropped almost instantaneously at the sight of Aragorn's hand on the hunter's pale skin, the moment brought a strange feeling to his stomach. If the Ranger and The Hunter where a couple they hid it very well. His stare was met by his sister who smirked back to him with a look he did not understand, returning his gaze to the hunter. A few words were spoken between them before the Ranger left to sit with his company, Blade's eyes followed him. The expression on her face was something he had yet to see from her, she looked concerned, fearful. He wondered if she had told him. Told him that if she faced The Witch King, that she would die at his merciless hand.
"Éomer", Théoden spoke abruptly over the sound of celebration , following his nephew's line of sight as a smile formed on his lips. The Third Marshal turned his head to his uncle and waited for him to speak.
"Of all our guests there is only one woman that would be suitable as a choice", The king gave him a subtle hint, his blue eyes gleaming with mystery as they looked over the hall that bustled with life.
"Who?", Éomer asked hesitantly, he was confused by the King's secrecy.
"The woman who holds your attention, Blade", Éomer's eyes widened at the statement, feeling a sinking lump in his throat that ceased his speech.
"Then it is more than luck that the king must dance with his woman of choice", He spoke with delay, insulted by his uncle's interference. She held his attention, but for a much different reason.
Theoden king stood from his throne and the silenced the hall with a wave of his hand.
"It is tradition for the king to have the first dance with the lady he chooses"
Éowyn spoke from behind her.
"He Is going to choose you"
Blade snapped her her toward the shieldmaiden with wide eyes just as her name was called from the front of the room.
"Blade" Theoden called from his throne.
The hunter stared back toward the king, frozen in her position at the back of the hall. The people around her stared and urged her forward, it took ten seconds for her feet to comply.
"I fear my age is showing tonight and I must ask the future king to take this dance"
Éomer glared toward his uncle and stepped forward while the king took his throne once more with a smirk on his face.
The hunter clenched her jaw in dread at the words.
Blade stopped a metre in front of the raised platform that the third marshal stood on and waited for him to join her.
She held out her hand toward him for aid to dismount the step which earned a chuckle from the king. Éomer ignored her insult and joined her on the empty floor with a vacant expression of unwillingness.
The music started once more and people danced around them while they gave each other stares to kill.
The Third Marshal felt his uncle watchful gaze behind him and with a deep breath he held out his hand for the hunter. Blade took his hand and winced slightly at the pressure of his other hand on her waist, battered from the morning's fight.
Éomer ignored her obvious discomfort and they began to dance in a circle to the slow rhythm, both a bad as each other. It was quite amusing to the hunter as he almost decapitated her with his arm while trying to spin her.
"Your people use the term 'lead' loosely when it comes to dancing." The hunter teased as he span her back into his chest harshly, wanting to get a reaction from her.
"Have you got something to say hunter?" He remarked in annoyance and grunted as her shoulder met his chest.
"You should invest in learning how to dance before they crown you king"
"You should invest in learning how to talk to a king before you get beheaded", He spat in reply and watched an amused smile form on her lips.
"And what would give me reason to return to Rohan while you are King?"
The question made him blush slightly as he gazed into her eyes and focused on the steps of the dance. He didn't have an answer for the hunter and he knew that was what she had wanted.
"I have made alliances with your friends"
His reply forced her to glance over his shoulder to Éowyn who smiled toward Aragorn, she then made eye contact with the king who nodded his head toward her.
"Alliances aren't all they seem" She replied softly and repositioned her hand on his warm shoulder.
"Aragorn is not dead" Éomer spoke ignorantly. A swift breeze danced through the hall and hit him with her scent. Seeing their interaction by the fire made him envy their friendship.
"Aragorn is one out of many'
"That is no way to live" The third marshal replied bitterly moments before his foot moved into her path and he dipped her to the side to cover her stumble. The hunter gasped silently at the sudden jerk backward before being carefully lifted back, coming face to face with the Marshal.
"I've had my chance at a life, this is something I must see through until the end, something you couldn't fathom". Blade spoke clearly at such proximity to his face.
"You would sacrifice your life for the Ranger?" He shot back and took a step away from her to resume the dance.
"Yes."
"Then he is more blessed than he knows, to have such a saviour"
His deep hazel eyes bore down on her own distant stare, the sincerity in his voice caused a smile to appear on her lips before she let out a small breathy chuckle.
"And where does that leave you?
"In dire need of my own saviour, I imagine"
"Are your men not worthy?"
"They don't quite add up to a hunter"
"I asked you not long ago and i'll ask again, what is it you seek from me?", She dropped her smile, unaffected by his fake niceties.
"And I told you I seek nothing", He responded firmly while dodging her clumsy dance steps.
"You are much too interested in my actions, unless you are trying to redeem your lost chance, discard your sincerity."
The hunter smirked as the song ended and she was met by an annoyed glare. Her bold statement didn't pack the effect she had hoped for, she expected disgust or anger to paint his expression but he showed her neither.
"You are interesting", His response made her heart drop in disbelief, seeing truth to her statement. He smirked at the silence from his response. It took some effort to silence her.
"Until next time, Rohan", Blade ignored his bold reply.
The hunter slipped away at the peak of the night, while no one would notice her absence. Something troubled her mind and she knew exactly what it was. Her boots made a soft click on the stone floor as she made her way toward the entrance of the Meduseld. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness outside, the moonlight illuminated the outline of Edoras in all it's glory.
Blade breathed out heavily, she was unsure of what was next to come, but she knew it would not be pleasant.
Blade?" Gandalf called from behind.
"Yes?" She responded, abruptly turning her body to face the aging wizard who looked at her with concern and question.
"Why do you linger outside?" He asked curiously and raised an eyebrow.
"There is a presence here that wants only pain, why did you lead us back here?". Blade had felt a sinister being, following them with every step, watching them as they slept.
"It is Sauron, I am almost certain of it. He will not harm us, yet it is wise to trust no one" he spoke in a grave tone.
"But Blade, there is a more sinister and degraded threat that follows you. I cannot tell what it is, but it is an ancient being that wants only you"
The hunter ceased breathing for a moment and met his blue eyes.
"...I know" She spoke softly, she felt it haunting her footsteps but could do nothing. It was something evil that lived inside of her and manifested with her power. She felt like she was drowning in her own body, like a prisoner.
"I am truly sorry I can not ease your mind, Blade. But the road ahead will be long and forever winding, in time you must learn that your sacrifices were not in vain..." With a grim smile the Wizard set off back into the Meduseld.
The hunter was once again left alone with her own thoughts as a slight breeze caressed her pale skin. She resented the tone used by the wizard, like he was talking to a child.
"You are not needed here hunter, why do you stay?" A familiar voice called from behind her.
"Because I am free to do so" She responded and turned to see who was talking to her. Only to find Éomer leaning against the side of the balcony. His defiant and macho facade was washed away by his cleanliness and his well groomed appearance. Blade could see he was a lot younger than she first thought, he wouldn't have been older than 26 or 27 years of age. Though she despised the man, she could see that his hazel eyes held an unfaltering spark of stubbornness and pain.
"It would do you well to be more refined in the way you speak, you are a woman not a vagabond wandering the streets"
She watched the man's temper flare at her comment. His blue button up shirt stuck to him in the breeze and blew his hair over his shoulders. He had so much anger inside of him.
"What do you know of any lifestyle outside of this fortress, You know nothing of vagabonds, of being a peasant. It is easy to judge from the comforts of this fortress, Third Marshall, but living it is something you cannot comprehend"
Blade was angry, not at him but his ignorance flared her politeness , bringing it to an end.
Éomer was lost for words at this woman's pure disrespect for him, but he could find no evidence to disagree. Under the moonlight the thin scar on her cheek glowed faintly and her fierce eyes met his. He was mesmerized by her unnerving beauty, she resembled a doll his mother once had. She looked away with dismissal but he did not leave.
"You winced at the touch of my hand on your waist, you're injured" He stated firmly and focused his gaze on her.
"It was purely from whose hand it belonged to" She commented cockily, with a sly smile. Her gaze shifted from the stone railing and met his glare. Éomer clenched his jaw in anger and watched the amusement grow on her face. He was strange to her, so silent and moody. He sulked like a child.
She glanced up to the crescent moon and breathed out heavily. The wind picked up and outside the fortress became almost icy cold, he noticed she didn't seemed to be fazed by the change in weather, even though she had taken her jacket off.
"Do you have no one else to bother?" Blade asked rudely , Éomer was stunned by her bluntness and opened his mouth to speak.
"Why do they call you the Shadow hunter?". The words seemed to fall out of his mouth, he was surprised at his own audacity and he didn't expect the hunter to answer him. She looked him dead in the eye with an unreadable expression.
"The Wraith is neither living nor dead, it lives in the shadow realm, stuck between veils"
"You hunt a creature that cannot die?"
"Not by the hand of any man,"
"But you are not a man"
"Exactly" She spoke harshly, reliving the moment Legolas stabbed the beast that didn't flinch at the weapon that had been plunged to it's hilt with the Elf's strength.
Éomer observed as her hair fell behind her shoulders and a small cut on her collar bone revealed itself.
"I apologise for your injuries"
Blade froze as he touched around the fresh wound and sent electricity down her spine and to her fingertips.
"It looks infected...you should get that looked by a healer" He said softly and retracted his hand in embarrassment.
"I'll get right on that" She responded sarcastically and shivered involuntarily in the cold.
"How long are you planning to stay?" Éomer asked firmly and glanced down toward her. He had realised he let his macho facade down for just a moment,she noticed it too.
"As long as I'm needed" Blade said sharply and flickered a glance toward his greenish eyes. She worried him, the danger that followed her worried him.
"Then?" He pried and folded his arms over his chest.
"Then?...what?"
"Then what will you do?" He clarified and glanced up toward the bright moon.
"What i've always done" She replied firmly and straightened her posture by standing to her full height.
"Which is?"
What difference did it make? either way she would leave?She wouldn't be his concern anymore?
"Survive"
The silence between them was thick with trepidation and question, he opened his mouth to say something but closed it a moment later. Her eyebrow raised at his sudden speechlessness after his prying questions. He had a similar expression to the one he had displayed when she had healed his hand, he was intrigued, threatened.
"What will you need for this battle?, Potions, spells?", He asked with curiosity toward the woman who did not cease to surprise him. Blade turned her shoulder to face him, she had no obligation to answer.
"Potions? I am not a witch, Rohan", She smirked at his oblivion toward the creatures beyond Edoras.
"Potions are weak, our enemy is not", Blade continued under the light of the fires that burned low in their torches on the wall.
"Then what are you? If not a witch? How can you heal? Or flicker between places?", Éomer asked impatiently, growing weary of her ability to make him seem foolish.
"I am a descendant of magical beings, the most powerful one left. It took many years to inherit enough power to defeat our enemy. Even then..." She answered, waving her hand toward the torch behind her. The golden haired man snapped his head toward the flame that roared back to life. He wondered why she had stopped her speech.
"Even then?", He pried with curiosity. She breathed out slowly to suppress the frustration in her chest, why did he care?
" I have been to the darkest parts...places that are on no map because it is no longer earth, its hell. I've walked among demons to destroy my enemy", Blade answered in a tone that gave him chills. He saw the pain in her eyes as she spoke knowing that she used the term walk loosely.
"Why do you fight when you posses such ability?", He asked with a sharper tone. He didn't understand why she didn't try to help the severely injured or use he power to hold off the enemy.
"I possess generations of dark magic known to consume Hunters. It was the price we paid for the power to defeat the evil that made us so", Blade's answer made his jaw clench at her taunting, soft tone that sent a chill down his spine. His mind flickered back to the battlefield when she had asked him how many of his men were left. She healed him.
"Is it why you killed the remaining Hunters?", Éomer pressed on with authority in his voice. Blade narrowed her eyes toward the man who did not deserve her explanation, opening her mouth to speak but closing it again. She flicked her hand and the torch behind him dulled to an almost dead flame, shadowing the steps she took away from him. He breathed out a silent sigh, watching her shadow move further away.
"Why did you heal me?"
"Not all hunters are murderous assassins" She spoke venomously and turned to his surprised expression.
"Most are" He replied firmly. He couldn't just trust her so easily, for all he knew what she spoke of was a lie.
"I am all that remains, you cannot say with certainty", Blade walked back to his smug expression. He startled slightly at the dying flame that burst into light against its metal surround.
"You can't be trusted" Éomer hissed, glancing toward the threatening woman who approached him with fire in her eyes.
"Then why are you here?" She returned his tone, coming chest to chest with the man.
"This is my land-"
"Why are you here!" The hunter clarified motioning to the empty balcony.
Éomer clenched his jaw and met her stare, he could not answer her with the truth, that she intrigued him. She was like no one he had ever met, she was like a woman from a story, flawless. He was attracted to her darkness.
"Maybe you like to think that I can't be trusted, because It gives you reason to act like a dominant fool. You like the challenge"
Éomer looked away from her and all but laughed.
"There is nothing to like about you, hunter" He hissed
"Then I ask again, why are you here?"
Blade questioned his closer proximity and turned before walking away.
He hated how she could so easily best him, it infuriated him.
Éomer breathed in deeply before reaching out and softly grasping her wrist. She turned quickly with an expression on her face that told him to speak quickly or suffer the consequences.
"I do not wish death upon you, Blade...-" Éomer glanced to the pavement then back to her eyes. Blade clenched her jaw and hardened her eyes in suspicion.
"Goodnight Hunter" He said before releasing her wrist.
The hunter stepped forward then swiftly turned on her toes back to face him, her sudden movement made him slowly reach for the dagger in his belt. A smirk grew on her lips and he looked at her with question.
"Is there a library?", Her question left him in awe.
"A library?", His eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"A chamber of books" Blade confirmed with a mocking tone and met his eyes. The Third Marshal gave her a scolding look and led her to the dusty underground chamber.
