"Nah, ain't seen no one come this way, 'specially not some fancy Maidens or that Strider," spat Bill Ferny. "'Course, if they had, not like ol' Bill has any reason to tell ya, not without…compensation."

Rayne glanced at her sister and nodded slightly. Wynter's hand shot out suddenly and backhanded the dirty man across the face. The twins both smiled as they saw that a small cut had opened up the man's cheek and their eyes followed the trail of blood that wandered down his face.

"You will tell us if they arrive. You were Saurman's man, and now you are ours. As for compensation…" Rayne tossed a battered coin at the man's feet. "Consider that your payment."


At dawn, Anna stumbled her way to her horse. She was barely awake, and almost walked into Gandalf as she made her way in the cold morning air. "I'm sorry,' stammered Anna as Gandalf continued to stare disapprovingly at her. The wizard's eyes followed her as she clumsily attempted to mount her horse.

"If I've done something to offend you…"started Anna.

"Everything about the Maidens offends me, young woman," interrupted Gandalf. "The fact that you now have developed some guilt and have become an ally does not impress me. For now, your skills are needed, and as long as you are useful, you may stay. However, do not try my patience, as Middle-earth has suffered far too long for a child's fancy."

"I..I...know that words aren't enough, but, I do want to help you and your people," replied Anna.

"We shall see."


The group arrived at Bree by mid-day and set about to find extra mounts and supplies for their trip to Dale.

"I know the proprietor of the Prancing Pony. He will be able to give us some aid," commented Gandalf.

Anna was thrilled- the Prancing Pony? How exciting to actually see it! The party made their way through the narrow and dusty streets towards the inn. Anna noticed that the citizens of Bree were stopping and staring at them as they passed. She noted as such to Aragorn.

"Yes, our presence in this small town has made quite a stir. We will need to move on quickly."

Anna nodded in reply and was about to enter the inn herself when she noticed a small, dirty man leering at her from the doorway of a nearby house. Before she had a chance to say anything, he scurried away. She shrugged and walked through the doorway into the Prancing Pony.


"Butterbur! I asked for supplies, not more of your watered down ale!" Gandalf was in a terrible temper. He had been ordering the poor barkeep around for the past hour, and the man was not used to having to remember long lists, nor putting up with an ill-tempered wizard. Butterbur was saved from another scathing comment as Sam came though the inn door.

"Well, wasn't much to choose from, but I did get one pony. Named him Bill, broken down and just as ornery as the man I got him from, but he'll do." Sam eyed the pile of supplies in the back of the inn waiting to be loaded onto the unlucky pony. "Well, might as well begin with these…"

Suddenly a shadow appeared across the doorstep of the inn…actually, two shadows. "Sam, come here, now!" ordered Aragorn, and the hobbit scampered to his side.

Anna was filled with terror- it was the twins, Maeve's bodyguards! She pulled her bow with supernatural speed and readied an arrow at one of them- Wynter she thought. "Stop where you are!" croaked Anna in a strangled voice.

A slow smile curled up on the twins' lips as they surveyed the party before them.

"Most excellent," said Rayne, "the entire group here, and waiting to be brought back to our Queen." Her cold eyes turned towards Anna. "And Serena, Queen Maeve is especially interested in seeing you again."

"No! We're not going with you!" cried Anna. Her grip tightened on the arrow pointed at Wynter's head. She had never fought at such close range before, and she was beginning to feel sick to her stomach. The twins were excellent swordswomen, and they carried their sharpened blades at their sides. Anna gave one small bit of thanks that they hadn't yet drawn their swords.

"Serena, it's useless," said Wynter. "We're better than you are, and the rest of these…people are no match for us. Come with us peacefully, and perhaps you'll live."

"We will not be returning with you," replied a new voice. "Aragorn stepped forward, and he carried a beaten looking old broadsword. "I will stand against you, and fight you to the death, if necessary."

For the first time, the twins looked uncomfortable. Of course, thought Anna! They can't hurt him- Maeve would have their heads for that! We may just be able to somehow get out of this!

Just as this small hope entered Anna's head, a smile crossed Rayne's face. With lightening speed, she grabbed the old innkeeper Butterbur and held a sword to his throat. "You will surrender now, or I will kill him. Make your choice."

The old man struggled pitifully and Anna's insides twisted more. The moment she took her eyes off of Wynter, the woman began to lunge towards Anna, her hand going for her sword. Anna reacted in shock, drew back her arrow, and hit Wynter directly in the eye. The Maiden fell to the ground immediately, dead.

"You! My twin…you…" Rayne looked in shock at Anna, but Anna was in shock herself. Had she really done that? Had she really just…killed someone? Anna's hands began to shake, and she began to lower her bow.

Rayne shoved Butterbur to the floor and began to charge at Anna, wailing like a banshee, wicked blade in hand. What do I do…she's going to kill me, thought Anna wildly. She swung her bow at Rayne to keep her away, but the woman dodged her expertly and came around again to swipe at Anna's face.

Rayne didn't get the chance to finish her blow, as Aragorn tackled her to the ground. The blow knocked Rayne off her feet, but she quickly recovered and got to her feet. Aragorn planted himself, sword in hand, between Rayne and Anna. "You will challenge me, if you wish to avenge your dead sister," he said coldly.

Rayne's face became a mask of hatred. "I'll kill you to get to that traitor. I don't care anymore about what Maeve will do. That...traitor killed the one thing that mattered to me! You'll pay for what you did to Wynter!" With that, Rayne again lunged at Aragorn. He defended, just barely, and danced out of the way of her thrust. Anna watched in horror- if Aragorn were killed, they would never be able to free Middle-earth from the Maidens. Anna would never be able to go home…

"Stop your moping, and draw your bow, you foolish child!" Anna heard the harsh voice in her ear. Gandalf was looking at her in exasperation. "Kill her, what are you waiting for? He can only distract her for so long!"

Anna felt the sickness return to her stomach. Killing Wynter was an accident, but this was…She closed her eyes for one second, then raised her bow, and loosed an arrow at Rayne's unprotected back…

and hit her shoulder.

Rayne again screamed as the arrow hit her right shoulder, causing her to drop her blade. Aragorn took advantage of the distraction and this time, his sword did hit the mark: right through the heart.

Rayne looked down at the sword sticking grotesquely in her chest in disbelief. "You?" she stammered as she dropped her knees. She clawed at the blade, but the light was slowly leaving her eyes. She looked again up at Aragorn in disbelief, and finally joined her sister in death.

Anna took the opportunity to throw up on the floor.


"It's all right, now."

Aragorn wrung out a linen square and pressed the cold cloth to Anna's face.

"I'm so sorry, Aragorn, I'm so sorry," stammered Anna. "I should have been better, I know, but I've never seen anyone die before. I didn't want to kill them, but if I hadn't…"

"Anna, I am heartened that you do not enjoy killing, and I am sorry that it was necessary for you to do so. What is important is that you acted when it was needed."

"But, I…you need my archery skills, and when I was needed, I froze up. You all could have been killed because of me!"

Aragorn took Anna's chin in his hand. "Your actions saved us, and you were able to do what was neccesary. You have our support, Anna, and we will help you as much as you will help us on our journey."

"And we must begin on that journey, now" a new voice chimed in. Gandalf entered the now empty inn and looked over Anna and Aragorn. "You both appear to be unwounded. Aragorn, the hobbits need some help loading the last of the supplies."

Aragorn left the room, and Anna struggled to her feet. "You did well, child," said Gandalf. "Maybe there's hope for you yet." With that, he strode out of the inn to the waiting party.

Anna stood by herself in the inn. The memory of the fight returned to her, and a chilling thought pierced her mind. Why, with her flawless aim, had the arrow missed Rayne's heart? She had never missed her mark before now. She exited the inn and looked at the assembled party around her. Her eye caught a glint of gold around Frodo's neck and a deep feeling of unease passed through her body.