A/N: Finally! Here it is! Chapter 11! I'm sorry it took so long. I've been swamped with work from my professors. They love to torture me! I hope you like this one. I think it is a very interesting chapter, although it is mainly a Karina chapter. Don't say I didn't warn you! I did work in a little bit of Legolas at the end, though. Next chapter won't focus nearly as much on Karina. Please R&R

The Escape from Rohan

Chapter 11

Karina rode beside Eomer as they began their journey back to Rohan. She was thrilled to be reunited with her mare, Purity. The horse's smooth strides covered the distance easily, and Karina thought back to the last time she had ridden her. It had been right after she had left Gavalar. Pushing away the pang of homesickness, Karina looked at Eomer.

"Why is it the men of Rohan do not want me to continue with my party?" she asked him.

"'Tis our orders, Milady, to bring any maiden that has witnessed the Golden Wood to our king in Rohan." He answered.

"Why?" Karina asked in confusion. She did not understand why that was of any relevance.

"There is suspicion among the court for fear of witches. They merely wish to make sure Rohan is safe of any threat of mystical powers and spells. I would not worry, Lady Karina, I am sure you will be fine since you are just an elven maiden."

"Indeed…" she mused, thinking over his last words. She knew she mustn't have them think she was anything but a normal elf. As they cantered over a small hill, she saw a large castle rise over the distance. A tall stone wall surrounded the building, and Karina's eyes could see many a guard patrolling the borders. 'It may be harder than I thought to escape,' she thought. She quickly pushed the negative thought from her mind as they continued through the gates. Karina gazed up at the huge castle and bit her lip. She hoped she would not have to leave from one of the highest chambers, but she knew she would do whatever it took.

As the men began to dismount, Karina gracefully slid off Purity's back and looked around in uncertainty, for now, she wondered if it had been wise to leave the others. As a man approached her and took Purity back to the stable, Karina began to follow Eomer through the door and up a narrow staircase. The halls were darker than she preferred, and she shuddered as it reminded her of the dreariness of Moria. Walking through another passageway and into a large chamber, Karina could see a very old man seated on a huge gilded chair.

"Hail! Theoden!" Eomer greeted him in respect, "I present to you a maiden who was discovered travelling with a band of orc hunters."

Karina took a deep breath and strode forward, "Princess Karina of Gavalar, Theoden of Rohan." She meekly smiled and slightly bowed in respect.

Theoden narrowed his eyes at Karina, "Gavalar? I've not heard that name spoken in many years. What were you doing with orc hunters?"

Karina's mind raced as she tried to come up with a believable answer. "They are close acquaintances of mine, and I came across them in my travels of official business to Gavalar."

Karina tried not to look too relieved when the king seemed to accept her answer. Theoden went on to explain how she had been through the Golden Wood. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw the man sitting beside Theoden sit up straighter in alarm. Karina stiffened at his sudden movement for his actions were not those of one taking genuine interest in the story.

"She has passed through the Golden Wood?" he cried in alarm. Everyone, including Theoden, turned to stare at him, surprised by his sudden outburst.

"Friend Wormtongue, I trust you justify your words with profound value?" Theoden looked at him.

"My lord, the lady has come into contact with the Lady of the Wood, the elf witch of legend. How are we not to know if she too is bewitched?" he said, accusingly staring at Karina who met his gaze with her own.

"Nay, I am neither an enchantress nor a witch, just a common elf." Karina told Theoden. "No hex has been cast upon me, and I can assure you Rohan will remain safe from anything supernatural."

"I feel the need to trust your words, Milady." Theoden said. "Meanwhile, you will be shown to your own private chambers until your party returns."

"Thank you, Lord Theoden, for your kindness. I am in your debt." She politely lowered her head once again. She then followed Eomer through the doorway and up another long staircase. After what seemed like an eternity, they approached a dimly lit corridor. About four doors down, he stopped and slid open a door.

"I hope these quarters will provide comfort until their return, Lady Karina."

"This is fine," she said, slowly entering the room. She turned and looked at him as he quickly closed the door and was gone.

Karina gazed out the window as night began to fall over the kingdom of Rohan. A half moon rose over the hills, and Karina smiled in relief. A full moon would have given plenty of light to see by, but it would also make it easier for her to be seen. It was a risk she did not want to take. Earlier that afternoon, she had noticed a rather wide ledge outside that ran under the base of her window. Luckily her room was just low enough that she could easily make her way onto a small wall that wove around the castle. From there, she could proceed to the ground.

Karina patiently waited as the activity in the view below began to slow in the shadows of the dying daylight. Theoden and his men where in the dining hall enjoying a lavish feast. Although she had been invited, Karina had declined claiming the need to catch up on sleep.

The flurry of people that had been milling around could no longer be seen, Karina saw with satisfaction. Carefully making sure she would not be noticed Karina pulled her hood over her head. She then slung her quiver over her shoulder and picked up the rest of her things. Leaning on the stone frame, she threw her legs over the sill, lightly landing on the ledge beneath it. Keeping low and close to the wall, she slowly crept around to the wall. To her luck, a rather large tree grew beside it. Swiftly, she noiselessly made her way onto one of the thick branches and crossed over to the wall.

Once she was there, she bent down and looked around for the direction of the stable. As soon as her sight fell upon it, she hesitantly climbed down the wall, ignoring the abrasive stone feel on her hands. She quietly sighed with relief once she felt the firm ground beneath her feet. Karina was not one to favor heights and today had been no exception. Creeping around building after building, Karina made her way to the stable. It was then, to her dismay, she saw the night guard. She mentally scolded herself for being so foolish as to not think of that possibility. She should have known! As she racked her thoughts for a solution, her mind fell upon an answer.

Pulling an arrow from her quiver, she placed it on her bow and shot it into the side of a barrel stacked upon others some yards away. Her aim was true and the momentum of the arrow sent the barrel tumbling down, disrupting the others as well. In alarm, the guard jerked up and ran to see what had caused the commotion. While his back was turned, Karina stealthily slipped through the doorway and into the stable. Her elven eyes quickly saw what she had come for. About six stalls down, her white mare was standing peacefully as if she had been waiting for her.

It looked as though someone else had meant to take her soon, for she was standing there fully tacked. Frowning, Karina quickly pulled the saddle off. Hearing the cries of men outside, she knew she hadn't the time to finish, and had to escape quickly. Gathering the reins and a lock of mane in one hand and placing her other on the mare's back, Karina lightly sprang up on her. To her relief, she saw that the back door to the barn was open and left unattended.

Whirling Purity around, Karina raced out the barn door and around to the main gates. She stopped short when she saw two guards standing on either side. Karina had expected this and she only hoped her plan would work. As she hid in the shadows, she slowly held her hand out and whispered a soft chant. Her idea worked perfectly. As if purely natural, both men slowly slumped against the stone wall and fell to the ground. Karina carefully made her way past them and grinned in joy when she saw her spell had worked well. She knew she had not harmed the men in any way for that was not her intention. They were merely in peaceful slumber.

Karina wanted to cover as much ground as possible before daybreak when the men of Rohan would most certainly be looking for her. A shadow seemed to fall over Karina and she looked up, noticing the clouds passing in front of the moon. She had not realized the approaching shadows in the sky and cursed the weather under her breath. As the two made their way into the trees, Karina pulled Purity to a stop and thought. She had to find the trail of Legolas and the others before the rain came and erased it.

"Might you know of where they went?" she asked the mare. The horse merely bobbed her head as if to answer. Karina had some idea of where their destination had been, but she had not paid much attention for she assumed she would follow Aragorn as she had done so throughout the journey. However, Purity seemed to have a knack for finding paths. Karina lowered her hands, letting Purity have her head and the mare trudged through the thick brush.

It wasn't long before they came to another clearing. Karina could easily see the cover of trees on the other side and urged Purity into a rolling canter. She might not be able to go very fast in the forest, but she could make up for lost time in the fields. As the trees drew closer, the two stopped and she looked around for any signs that they had passed through here. Apparently, a clue was spotted by the horse and Karina found herself being taken deeper into the woods.

All of a sudden, Karina's senses sharpened and seemed to scream a warning to her. Looking around, Karina saw in terror that she was not alone. The trees seemed to close in on her and she soon realized it was not the trees that were moving but the creatures springing their attacks. In horror, she realized she was surrounded by a band of twenty orcs. She gasped and urged Purity into a gallop, fully aware of the other danger of racing through the trees at such a fast pace. Karina decided that she would take her chances with the latter.

Weaving in and out of the trees, Karina could hear the cries of her attackers nearby. Cursing her luck, she pleaded for the mare to go faster. Purity's strides seemed to lengthen and Karina wished with all her heart that she would soon find the others. Leaping over fallen logs and hedges, Karina hesitantly looked back. The orcs voices seemed a bit further behind her, perhaps even fading, but she would take no chances and continued her escape. Suddenly, Purity stumbled, her hoof tripping in a hole in the ground, and flung Karina off balance. Grabbing fistfuls of mane, Karina held on and struggled to regain her balance. However, before she succeeded, she failed to notice the large fallen tree in their path. Purity was already commited to jump it and took off to close to the base, narrowly popping over it and landing on the other side. Unfortunately, Karina who was already off balance felt herself slide off Purity's side and watched as the ground rushed to greet her. Striking her head on a large branch of the tree, Karina was barely aware of the bitter taste of the earth in her mouth as darkness enveloped her.

Legolas stopped with a sudden jolt and looked around. Aragorn and Gimli looked at him in surprise.

"What is it, Legolas?" Aragorn asked in concern. Legolas continued to look through the trees as if he, himself, did not understand.

"I know not what it is. It was as though a whisper entered my mind, calling my name, and then was silenced. I feel there is danger nearby." He said, still in confusion.

Gimli looked at him, "Danger?"

"We should turn back in the direction of Rohan, for I feel that is where it is." He told the dwarf.

"Are you sure?" Aragorn wondered, but seeing the expression on the elf's face nodded. "Very well then."

They turned their horses and began to make their way through the thick brush. The trees seemed to try to grasp them, but Legolas ignored this and pushed on. He did not know what had called out to him, but he felt he mustn't merely brush it off. As the three rode on, he looked through the foliage for any signs of danger. They stopped by a huge, uprooted tree and glanced around.

For some reason, Legolas happened to glance down along the base of the tree. He squinted when he noticed a strange form crumpled beside it. In sudden recognition, he gasped in horror when he realized the identity of the familiar form.

A/N: I hope you liked it! Please R&R. If university life permits, I will have chapter 12 up soon, but how soon, I don't know. Thank goodness there's a weekend coming.