They arrived at the smoking, stinking pile of carcasses. One of the Uruk's heads was cut off and impaled on a Rohan spear. The sight before them was disheartening. Gimli had silently yet quickly set about sifting through the remains, looking for a sign of the missing hobbits. Amina too started looking through them while the elf and man seemed lost in thought.

With a soft breath of air Gimli pulled out a piece of charred silver, "It's one of their wee belts."

"No," she teared up and walked towards him to get a better view. But it was true, it was one of their belts, charred beyond recovery, a belt given to them by Lady Galadriel herself. She kneeled to her knees, bringing herself to Gimli's shoulder and let her tears fall. When he placed a battle-hardened hand to her shoulder she began sobbing. And that was when the dwarf, albeit a little uncomfortably gave her a hug and let her cry. Four! Four they had now lost! And Frodo and Sam were on their own! Why had they ever even bothered with the fellowship!? She felt outrage and failure as the losses of Gandalf, Boromir, Merry, and Pippin washed through her heart and soul.

Legolas had his head bowed, speaking softly to himself in elvish, "May they find peace in death."

Kicking an uruk-hai helmet and falling to his knees in anguish Aragorn let out a great yell to release the anger and hurt in his heart at losing their fallen comrades.

Amina's tears finally came to a slow stop and she pulled back to give the dwarf a sad, thankful smile. He returned it slightly and was about to say something when Aragorn's voice was heard, "A hobbit lay here, and the other." He crawled along and followed their tracks, telling the others that their hands were bound by rope. Still though he stood and continued tracing the last steps of the hobbits and came across a length of rope that had been cleanly sliced through, "Their bonds were cut."

Gripping Gimli's hand in her own she stood and they followed Legolas as they went after Aragorn's pursuit.

"They ran over here," he studied the ground closely, "they were followed." As a group they ran, following the tracks, Amina could see them now for herself just as Aragorn finished when they came to a thick line of trees, "The tracks lead away from the battle…into Fangorn Forest."

The forest before them was dark and dense. Gimli was ill at ease when it came time to go in there, but they must. There was hope the hobbits still lived and they had to get to them! They had to find them before Saruman!

Not far into the forest Gimli noted some leaves covered in a thick black fluid. Upon tasting it, and subsequently spitting it out, he announced that it was orc blood. It gave them hope that perhaps the hobbits managed to kill their follower. Then they came across the body of the orc, it had been crushed almost beyond recognition. The fellowship eyed each other warily, how had Merry and Pippin managed a feat like that?

Following the bizarre marks in the ground, they found they were widely spaced and the footsteps of the hobbits disappeared entirely. Still they followed the large indentations in the forest floor. "These are strange tracks," Aragorn mused aloud.

Amina stared at it and remembered the alternating tracks to the left and right that led them here so far. Then she looked at a nearby tree and studied the trunk, "It is almost as though the trees themselves were walking."

"Gah, the air is so close in here," he raised his axe as he heard foul noises, "it's messing with our minds."

"This forest is old. Very old," Legolas peered around him, "So old that I feel young again. These trees are full of memory," he stared at them as though he could hear and feel the trees thoughts for himself, "and anger."

More groans enveloped them, louder this time, "What is that noise coming from?" Amina asked quietly as she came to stand beside Legolas.

He glanced to her and caught her eyes and he was again reminded at how young she must truly be, "The trees are speaking to each other."

"Gimli! Lower your axe," Aragorn harshly whispered.

The dwarf did so in realization that he was being viewed as a threat to the forest.

A flash of something bright in the distance caught the attention of both Legolas and Amina. They shared another look and he moved a few paces forward, speaking in elvish, "Aragorn, something is out there."

Amina and Gimli followed behind them closely, on guard.

"What do you see?" Aragorn inquired with a small glance back to Amina in concern, she seemed to be just as alarmed as the male elf. He would not doubt the eyes of an elf again, not after what happened when the Uruk-hai first attacked off the shores of the lake. Boromir may have been saved had he listened to Legolas when he first told them of the growing threat in his mind.

Whispering, Legolas spoke, "The White Wizard approaches," and he then nodded slightly towards the right.

Closing his eyes in resignation, Aragorn quietly commanded them all, "Do not let him speak. He will put a spell on us."

Just as Aragorn gripped the hilt of his sword Legolas readied an arrow to his bow. Amina criss-crossed her arms to her shoulders in anticipation for drawing her blades just as Gimli tightened his grip on his trusted axe.

"We must be quick," Aragorn told them.

And with a yell the four of them leaped up to face the bright light of the approaching wizard. Gimli threw his axe only to be deflected same with the arrow Legolas had released. Aragorn sword grew to hot to the touch while Amina's blades became far too heavy for her to even keep a grip on them as they dropped to the forest floor.

Unarmed and at the mercy of the White Wizard they were blinded by the gleaming bright light that came from the wizard's direction. "You are tracking the footsteps of two young hobbits."

"Where are they?" Aragorn boldly demanded.

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

There was something familiar about this wizard, and Amina felt no alarm in her heart, when she should while facing a being this powerful.

"Who are you? Show yourself!"

Slowly the painful brightness of the light emanating from the wizard began to dim, revealing the one who was supposed to have passed in the mines of Moria.

"It cannot be; you fell." Aragorn, like the others was in disbelief.

Legolas, Gimli, and Amina fell into a bow in front of Gandalf, the White Wizard. He then began to explain to them the long and weary battle against the balrog. How he'd fought against him from the lowest part of Middle-earth to the tallest peak of Misty Mountains.

Gandalf spoke of how he strayed out of his thoughts but was sent back now where he was still needed. It was the will of the Valar that he returned to them. Amina felt awed by the whole experience, and hope swelled within her heart, making her want to see this all through to the very end. The Valar were behind their quest, what more assurance was needed?

Then they began to tell Gandalf of their ventures so far, speaking first of their stay in Lothlorien. The battle fought after they'd docked by the lake, and of the sad truth of Boromir's death. Told him of the days they've spent chasing after the hobbits, explaining to him of the horse master's announcement that Saruman claimed the lands of Rohan. And finally re-telling the count in following the tracks of Merry and Pippin into Fangorn.

Despite knowing and seeing how weary the group before him stood, there was work to be done. Gandalf started walking back the way they'd just come, "One stage of your journey is over, another begins. War has come to Rohan. We must ride to Edoras with all speed."

They talked over everything else once again and spoke of the hobbits and how they were in the care of an Ent by the name of Treebeard. Still they walked, exhaustion slowly ebbing out of their veins in light of what was to come.

When the group of five exited Fangorn Gandalf let out a curious whistle into the air. Not long afterwards came the visage of a beautiful white horse galloping towards them.

In a soft voice Legolas said, "That is one of the Mearas, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell."

"Shadowfax," Gandalf stated with a smile as he gently caressed the side of the horse's head, "He's the lord of all horses and he's been my friend through many dangers."

Retrieving Hasufel and Arod, the five began to ride in earnest towards Edoras, the home of the king, crossing through the plains swiftly and with purpose. For hours they traveled. When they topped a slight hill, the city came into view. They paused for a moment looking over the land. Amina could feel shadows of evil creeping into her the closer they came to the city. As though a cold finger of hatred wormed its way into her soul. Shaking off the feeling, she determined herself to help these people as best she could.

With warning from Gandalf to expect no great welcome they continued to ride to the king's castle. Nearing the holding a sad flag drifted down towards them, indicating the fall of Rohan in earnest.

They climbed the stairs and were met by guards. They ordered their weapons to be turned over, and with a nod of acceptance from Gandalf she handed them her two blades and long knife kept at her hip. They tried to take the wizard's staff yet Gandalf convinced them it was his walking stick. He portrayed himself as an old man and leaned slightly towards Legolas for support.

Grasping his arm, the elf led the wizard and the others into the dark halls of the king.

As they approached the king, Legolas released his hold and fell back with Aragorn, Gimli and Amina.

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Theoden King."

A dark haired, vile looking man began whispering into the withered king's ear. Honestly, the king appeared as a living ghost, his voice sounded as one too, "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?"

"A just question, my liege," the dark man uttered and stalked towards Gandalf, "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appeal. Ill news is an ill guest."

"Be silent!" Gandalf admonished, "Keep your forked tongue behind your teeth. I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm!"

Raising his staff Grima began to back away, "His staff! I told you take the wizard's staff!"

Hostile guards bought by Grima's treachery moved to attack them. Easily they dispatched of them, making them immobile as Gandalf continued walking towards the king.

Gimli managed to hold the worm still with a threat just as Gandalf revealed he was a white wizard. A true battle between the magical beings began. A woman rushed forward, Amina caught her wrist but the girl yanked herself free only to be caught steadfastly by Aragorn.

Bantering with ill words spewed from Theoden's mouth in the voice of Saruman, Gandalf met him at every cursed length. Finally yelling out a "Be gone!" and slamming his staff into his head ended the evil wizard's hold over the once good king of Rohan.

Letting out a moan the woman broke free from Aragorn's grasp and rushed to him, smoothing down his hair and watching as the glaze fell from his eyes and his face shifted back into that of a younger man. The hair on his head and beard turned golden and shortened to a more youthful length.

The king stared at the girl before him with tears in her eyes, "I know your face. Eowyn."

A/N **Blu: Just want to thank everyone for reading and reviewing, I hope you are enjoying the story thus far. Another chapter should be coming out in a couple days.