Hours later Ana watched from outside Edoras as Théodred was brought to his tomb. Everyone was dressed in black say for Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli.

Éowyn stood near the tomb and started to sing a prayer in another language that Ana did not understand. Ana knew what it was like to lose someone dear to them. Her parents had been killed by wraiths after all. Prince Théodred's body passed before Ana and was led into the tomb. When the stone door was placed before it, sealing it tightly the people dispersed back into the city.

Now all who were left at the tomb of Prince Théodred were Gandalf and Théoden. Ana wanted to comfort the king but doubt that was what he would want so she left him be. Ana was too much in her own thoughts to even hear what Gandalf and Théoden were speaking. Soon enough Ana wondered back into the city but stopped at the gates. One second thought she wouldn't enter the city not without someone with her. Ana turned around and gazed at the plain in front of Edoras. It was calling to her and she felt the urge to just run across it.

Needing no more persuasion Ana galloped across the plain feeling the wind in her mane. Aragorn was watching from the gate aswell and couldn't help but smile at Ana's love of running.

"Lord Aragorn that horse of yours really is a beauty. Where ever did you find such a magnificent animal?" Asked one of the guards.

"I did not find her. She found me and my company." Aragorn answered not taking his eyes off Ana.

She bucked and reared and leaped towards the sky. She threw her head tossing her mane in such elegance that no other horse could compare. Aragorn however noted that when she stopped suddenly that something was wrong. He saw her gazing away from Edoras. Following it he saw another horse with what looked like two children riding it.

Ana reared and neighed loudly galloping towards the horse. Aragorn could make out Gandalf's figure rushing towards the horse as one of the children fell from the saddle. Gandalf lifted the fallen child into his arms and mounted Ana. Taking the reins of the other horse they led the horse back to Edoras. Aragorn was ready at the gate with Théoden taking the children inside as Ana stood at the stairs once more alone. Several children came to Ana petting her and offering her things to eat. She enjoyed the company but soon a man came and shoed the children away. The man eyed Ana and ran his hands along her body as if checking for injuries. He lifted one of her legs turning it to test the joints. Feeling very suspicious of the man Ana observed what he was going to do next.

"You'd make a lot of money as a breeding mare." The man stated grinning, "I wonder if your master would be willing to trade ya?" he continued.

Ana didn't like the sound of the suggestion. She neighed deeply pinning her ears and giving a slight buck. The man backed away quickly leaving her alone quickly.

"You seem to handle yourself fairly well Beauty." Aragorn said as he descended the stairs along with the others and some guards.

"By order of the king we make for Helms Deep. Do not bother yourself with treasures take only the previsions you need." Announced one of the guards.

Gandalf stomped past Ana and Aragorn muttering to himself as he neared the stables.

"Helm's Deep!" Gandalf hissed.

"They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king?" Gimli asked as they walked and Aragorn glanced at him before he turned his eyes ahead once more.

"He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past," Aragorn said defending Théoden but that was the last Ana heard of the conversation since it had moved into the stables.

The next thing Ana knew she backed away from the entrance as Shadowfax galloped past her and out of Edoras. People were rushing in all direction and she was confused. What was going on? What was all this talk of Helms deep? Suddenly she felt a head collar on her face and the tug of a lead which made rear up and pull against the man who was holding onto the other end of the lead.

"Come one you beast we have no time to fool around!" The man said who held the lead.

Ana pulled against the rope harder, but them man held on tight as another managed to tie another lead and pulled Ana towards the stable. Luckily for Ana, Aragorn rushed out.

"Beauty! Easy girl." Aragorn said as Ana reared one last time and stopped. "Let go of the leads." He then ordered and the men listened.

"Shall we get you a saddle and bridle my lord?" one of the men asked.

"If you have some to spear." Aragorn answered turning back to Ana, "Beauty, they were only trying to get you ready for me."

'But... I don't want any tack.' Ana thought as Aragorn took off the other lead rope.

"I promise I will be the one to ride you." Aragorn promised as he was brought some tack.

Gently he placed the saddle on and then the bridle fitting it so it was comfortable for Ana. Once they were on, Aragorn fastened the supplies he was to take with him.

"There not so bad now was it?" Aragorn grinned.

'Oh don't play smart with me.' Ana thought as she nudged Aragorn in the chest a little hard to make him take a few steps back, 'I still don't like to be bossed around, but just this once I'll do like you ask.'

Aragorn grinned as he mounted Ana and rode beside Théoden as Legolas and Gimli followed on Hasufel.

"That is a very beautiful horse you have lord Aragorn." Théoden complimented as Ana walked like a noble steed beside his horse.

"She is one of a kind." Aragorn answered. "But a little trouble at times." He grinned patting Ana's neck who in turn gave a buck for the comment.

Théoden was amused and let out a laugh. The journey continued with Théoden and Aragorn speaking with one another. Legolas had long since ran on ahead to scout while Éowyn led Hasufel with Gimli still riding. Gimli was telling the maiden of Rohan about his people.

As the conversation continued Gimli began to explain about dwarf women.

"In fact we're so alike in voice and appearance that they are often mistaken for dwarf men." Gimli explained and turned to Aragorn who gestured with his hands.

"It's the beards." He whispered making Éowyn struggle to keep her laughter.

Eventually Éowyn couldn't hold it any longer and Hasufel bolted causing her to let go of the reins. As Hasufel continued to canter Gimli eventually fell to the ground saying it was deliberate when Aragorn and Ana knew all too well that it wasn't. They eventually came to a stop to rest. Ana stayed near Aragorn but still took the time to explore around. The children seemed to take a liking to Ana and followed her. She would sometimes turn to look at the children who then froze with smiles on their faces.

When Ana would turn her head away they slowly walked closer stopping again when she looked back. No exactly enjoying the attention Ana trotted back to Aragorn, but stopped when she saw Éowyn and him talking. Ana was concentrating so much on their conversation she failed to notice the children still behind her. One of them, a boy who didn't look at all too friendly, grabbed a rock and threw it at Ana's rump scaring her and causing her to bolt with a neigh. Aragorn's eyes immediately fell on Ana as did Éowyn's. Ana, having the horse instincts that she had, didn't stop even though she was approaching them. Aragorn saw this and grabbed Éowyn pulling her to the ground next to the log he had been sitting on covering her with his body. Ana leapt over them and the log, running through the encampment.

Aragorn called after Ana, but she was deaf to his words. She was frightened at the sudden unexpected attack of the boy. As Ana passed Legolas and Hasufel he quickly mounted the horse and rode after Ana. People watched as the black horse and brown horse ridden by an elf passed them. The two horses galloped on top of a hill and Hasufel was now galloping next to Ana. Legolas reached for the reins and grabbed them pulling Ana to a stop slowly. However before they could reduce the speed a fallen tree came into their path and Hasufel halted bringing his back legs underneath his body. Ana leapt over it, but the drop on the other side was uneven and she lost her balance falling to the ground which luckily was soft.

Legolas quickly dismounted Hasufel and ran up to Ana as she lay on the ground. Aragorn quickly rode with Théoden and another guard to them dismounting quickly.

"Legolas." Aragorn called but the elf seemed to know his question.

"She is alright Aragorn. Just tired and spooked."

"I saw what happened my lord. A boy threw a rock at her." The guard informed.

"It was a good thing that no one was hurt." Théoden stated, "I apologise for what was done to her. Not many lads from Rohan would usually do something like this."

Ana laid on the ground breathing hard and tried to get up, but Aragorn and Legolas prevented her from doing so.

"Easy Beauty. You must lay still." Aragorn soothed running his hands along Ana's legs. "Her legs are fine; we can let her up now."

Legolas nodded and Ana raised herself to her stomach and then to her feet. The run made her lunges ache and the fall her back. Slowly Ana was led back to the camp where they would all rest before continuing to Helms deep. Ana couldn't sleep that night. She was scared that what the boy had done would happen again. She was afraid that someone would try and take her from Aragorn. Aragorn noticed and gently ran his hand along her neck whispering soothing words in elvish.

"Lie down Beauty and sleep. I will be beside you until dawn arises. Nothing will happen to you I promise." Aragorn whispered and Ana did like he asked and lay down on the soft earth beneath her.

Aragorn sat down and leaned his back against Ana as if he were sleeping on a bed leaning against a pillow and headboard. Ana could hear Aragorn's steady breathing and fell asleep to its soothing rhythm.