A/N: Hi, guys! I'm getting back into the groove of writing more everyday, so hopefully chapters will be posted more often. (I hope I didn't just jinx myself there...) Also, this chapter is mostly focusing on Anna's character development, as she is slowly coming to realize some things about herself and her current circumstances. Next chapter will be when the drama and action begins again.

Hope you enjoy!

The next morning wasn't kind to her. Anna woke with a sore back and enough grogginess to speak for all the mead she had the last night.

There were no mirrors in the Golden Hall, so she had to settle for tying her hair into a low ponytail, clumsily dressing in her travel gear and hoping she wiped off the dried saliva from the corner of her mouth. It was only after she ate some bland oatmeal and drank more water that she was even awake enough to contemplate talking.

Once it was apparent that everyone else had been up for at least an hour, she wandered outside, shielding her eyes from the sudden light the shone from above. The Ranger was sitting further down the walkway, smoking a pipe languidly.

She approached and asked what they should do.

"We wait until we receive word from Gondor." He replied.

"But it could be too late by then." She insisted. "We should ride out now, while there's still time."

"We wait."

"But-" He cut her off with a look, and her lips formed a tight line.

Trying to hold her tongue she looked around them, observing the people beginning to fully settle back into the city after their trip back from Helm's Deep. She bit her lip as she contemplated what to do. She hated feeling useless when there were things to be done.

Finally, she turned to Aragorn. "I'm going to help some of the people settle back into their homes."

He looked at her, surprised. "I would have thought you would rest more. You normally are quite difficult to wake come morning." He commented.

Anna narrowed her eyes slightly at the jape and shook her head. "No. I have a friend down in the third ring. I doubt she'll have much help, and I wanted to check on her anyway. I won't be gone long."

He studied her for a moment, but ultimately decided to let her go. She couldn't help but roll her eyes at him when he told her to make sure to come back for supper.

Anna enjoyed the walk down the rings, it was nice to stretch her legs after being cramped in a small room with little bedding. She was also glad to see that her body seemed to be getting used to the traveling and sleeping on the ground or a hard floor. Though, that still didn't mean that her morning moods would disappear once she got fully used to it.

As she come upon the third ring, she was relieved that she remembered where Brynwyn lived. She hesitated at the door for only a second, wondering if the older woman would indeed not mind the help, before she assured herself that if Brynwyn didn't want her help she would tell her so. She knocked and waited a few moments until the door swung open widely.

"Anna!" Brynwyn exclaimed, beaming at her unexpected guest.

The redhead grinned back, and was pleasantly surprised when the older woman swept her in for a fierce hug. "I was worried about you after the battle!"

Anna embraced her back tightly. 'I was worried as well." They separated, though the woman kept hold of Anna's hands. "How have you been since we've returned to the city?"

"Very well, thank you." Brynwyn replied. "Would you like to come in?"

The redhead nodded and allowed herself to be led inside.

The house was cozy enough, functional and simplistic, but there were also small baubles on wooden shelves that were mounted upon the walls that caught her eye. She was drawn to one that sparkled in the sunlight that managed to peek through the windows. It was a small necklace and bracelet set. There were no jewels, but the metalwork was enough to awe.

"Did you make this?" She asked, unable to take her eyes off them.

Brynwyn came up to her side and shook her head, "Oh, heavens no! My husband made that for our wedding. He was a blacksmith before they called him to ride with King Thengel." The woman's voice wavered, causing Anna to tear her eyes from the jewelry.

Brynwyn's eyes began to mist, before she quickly blinked and walked in the opposite direction, stirring some stew above the fireplace.

Not liking the sudden silence that fell between the two, Anna spoke up. "If it's alright with you, I could help you unpack more."

Brynwyn looked up from stirring and smiled at her. "That would be wonderful. There are some sacks of food and blankets over there in that corner. You can start with them."

Anna nodded and went about working, happy for the distraction. As she was putting away the sack of potatoes and vegetables, throwing away the rotten ones, she wondered again about the other trinkets on the wooden shelf. It held a small locket with an even smaller chain, a small hair comb, and hair pins that formed delicate flowers at one end.

She wanted to ask if they were all wedding presents or anniversary gifts, but decided against it. She didn't want to be rude, but she thought the hair comb was too small for Brynwyn.

As she wrapped some carrots with a string and stuck them beside the potatoes, she found her courage to at least ask a few questions.

"What was he like, your husband?"

She heard a small sigh, not wanting to look away from what she was doing as she unfolded several blankets and set them about the furniture in the room.

"What would you like to know?"

"Whatever you would like to tell me." She answered.

"When I first met him, he was an odd boy." The woman began. "He acted strangely, and had terrible manners." She gave a small laugh. "When my father took him in I remember him telling not to be alone with the lad. They fought constantly, but I could tell my father liked him. He was strong and capable, and he helped out with whatever we needed."

Anna smiled, hearing the loving tone in Brynwyn's voice.

"We started spending more time together, and eventually, I found myself pining after him like I never thought I could. It wasn't until my father had told us of the king's need for more riders that I decided to tell him."

Anna spin on her heel in shock. "You were the one who told him?"

Brynwyn laughed, nodding to her. "Indeed. I knew if we were going to be together, I had to be the one to tell him."

"And how did that work out?"

"Well enough." she replied, pouring the soup into two bowls and settled down at the small table in the center of the room. Anna moved to join her, and was thankful the woman thought to set her a meal as well. "We were engaged when they rode off, and married two days after he returned and became one of the King's blacksmiths. My father kept insisting he knew our plans all along, but I was not so sure. My mother was the one who paid attention, my father was never as astute unfortunately."

The redhead raised her eyebrows at her frankness.

"We were bound for a decade before he died in battle, our daughter after that." The woman's tone grew depressed, and the atmosphere dark. Anna's smile fell instantly at the reminder that this woman had lost all she had as well.

Silence fell between them before the girl whispered, "How did she die?"

"A fever. It caught most of the children in the lower rings. The healers did what they could. The younger ones were hit harder than the rest."

"How old was she?"

"Six years old." Brynwyn answered, her eyes drifting toward the shelf behind Anna. "That hairpin was meant to be hers when she grew older. Her father made it for her." Her eyes began to water again. "He was going to give it to her when he returned and I did not have the heart to do it instead."

Anna stood, forgetting about her meal, walked around the table, and embraced the old woman. This was all she could do as small sobs shook her to the bone, and Anna began to realize that at least she knew her mother and brother were still alive. This woman had buried her husband and daughter, and was somehow unbroken. Anna felt admiration begin to grow in her for Brynwyn. The woman was clearly stronger than Anna knew how to be, but she would begin to try.

"I'm so sorry, Brynwyn. Is there anything I can do?"

"You are listening to me, that is more than enough. Thank you, Anna." She said, her voice slightly muffled by the redhead's shirt. She heard a watery chuckle come from the woman as she leaned back. "You know, you have her hair as well." She told her. "My Anna's hair was darker than yours, but it was red as the dawn as well." Anna returned her brief smile and went back to her seat.

They ate in silence after that. Anna didn't know how to begin another conversation but she didn't feel the need to. She was grateful the woman seemed to trust her with her past. Although, it was certainly a surprise that she did. She felt guilty about the fact that she couldn't be as truthful about her own. She felt she owed Brynwyn at least some truth, even if it wasn't particularly happy.

"Brynwyn." She began, causing the woman to look up from her food.

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to cause you more pain, but I thought you should know…" Her next words seemed lodged in her throat. She felt the familiar burn of tears, and closed her eyes tightly, only opening them again when the burning stopped. Breathing deeply, she spoke again, "Boromir is dead."

For a second, the woman seemed confused, and then recognition flashed across her face. "The young man who helped me. Your friend."

Anna nodded. "Yes. During the battle, he fell. He was cut down by orcs."

"I am sad to hear that, he was such a kind man." She took Anna's hand in her own. "Are you alright, dear?"

Anna swallowed back more tears. "Yes. I just wanted you to know."

Brynwyn didn't seem to believe her and urged her to speak. Soon enough, she had Anna crying as well, despite the girl's protests.

"I don't want to cry! I've had enough of crying. I'm not weak, I'm not a baby. Yes, it hurts, and yes, I'll never know what could have happened, but I'm sick of this! I don't want to cry." She repeated, shoving her fists against her eyes as she could push the tears back.

She felt a hand on her back, as Brynwyn tried to soothe her. "Tears do not mean weakness. Men cry when their comrades die. Why shouldn't you as well?"

"I cry too much, it's all the time lately. I need to stop."

Brynwyn's blue eyes widened. "Who has told you that nonsense?"

Anna shook her head, trying to breath through her sobs. "No one. I just know."

"Tell me, what is it you have been crying about?"

Anna looked at her in blurry confusion. "What, why?"

"Just tell me."

The redhead blinked several times, her sobs quieting and she thought about what Brynwyn asked of her. "I miss my home and my family. I'm not sure what's going on half the time, and when I do, I usually mess things up. I panic a lot, I'm practically useless, and I don't know what I'm doing."

"You are homesick and you feel out of place and lost. That is not unusual to cry about."

Her eyes widened as Anna begun to feel more agitated. "But it's all the time."She repeated her words from earlier, unable to help herself. "I can't keep crying about the same things my whole life! It's got to stop."

Brynwyn's expression grew stern. "Then stop it."

Anna looked at the woman in shock. "What?"

"Mourn him, and move on, if you think you ought to. I cannot convince you otherwise, you have convinced yourself enough, so now the next step you need to take is to do as you wish."

"But I've tried! I don't know how to do this! I don't understand any of this!"

She watched as Brynwyn stood and walked over to her bowl, taking it and placing it in a large bucket by the door. She took hers as well, even though Anna was not even close to finishing the meal. "Anna, dear, I know this must seem very harsh, but it seems you will respond to nothing else." She helped Anna to her feet, and craned her neck so she could look her in the eye. "You must stop feeling sorry for yourself."

"I don't feel sorry for myself." Anna protested.

"You are, and that is what is preventing you from doing what you know you must."

"What do I need to do?"

Brynwyn smiled. "Embrace it. You know how you feel. Now you must accept what has happened and use your strength to get through it. I know you can and will, you just have to believe in yourself as well."

She stared at the older woman for a moment before she stepped back, considering her advice. She'd tried it before, trying to be strong when all she wanted to do was curl up somewhere.

She had problems, she knew that. She was emotional and anxious all the time. She clung to the fellowship, Gandalf especially. She knew that without them, she wouldn't have been able to survive this long. But then she remembered her reaction to him leaving the second time. She didn't feel as though she were abandoned. She knew he had to go, and had even encouraged it, knowing it was the best thing for all of them. She felt hope for herself spring from her chest. Maybe she could do this. She just had to focus on what she could do, and try to correct what she couldn't.

She knew exactly where she would start, and what she wanted to do, feeling the excitement build in her.

She beamed at Brynwyn and gave her another fierce hug, thanking her profusely.

"Where are you going in such a hurry?" The woman's blue eyes were widened with surprise.

Anna turned to her, waving goodbye. "To the stables."

She was going to learn how to ride a horse.

After Anna fell for the fourth time she felt irritation bubble to the surface. This was not as easy as she thought, and she hadn't even gotten on the horse yet!

She gripped the saddle again, and tried to pull herself up. Her arms were shaking and she could barely extend her leg to the height she needed to fit her foot in the stirrup. She fell again, and landed on her backside and hands. A slight pain jolted from her wrists and she grimaced.

She heard a rider come thundering through the stables. She froze, not sure if she would get in trouble for trying to ride a horse on her own. She slowly peeked over the edge of the wooden door and saw a stable boy helping Eomer down from his horse.

Her eyes widened as she saw the lord gracefully step down and hand the reins to the boy, who guided the horse back in its holding pen.

She bit her lip, trying to decide whether or not to show herself, but the horse behind her chuffed and nudged her with its nose. She cried out as she was pushed against the open door and landed on the ground. Eomer spun around, surprised.

He walked over to help her up, but she ignored his outstretched hand, insisted she get up herself.

"What you are doing here? Are you alone?" He asked, looking around.

"Yes, I am alone, and I was just trying... something." She finished lamely, frustrated with herself for falling in front of him.

He looked from her to the horse behind her, and raised an eyebrow. "You were trying to ride Arod?"

She nodded sheepishly at having been found out. "I don't know how to properly ride a horse, and I thought if I could learn I would be less of a burden to the others."

"You were going to teach yourself how to ride a horse?" His incredulous expression grew even more so when she nodded and blushed deeper.

"Well, you won't get far riding him. You need a smaller horse." He remarked, guiding her toward the opposite end of the stable.

They stopped in front of a russet-brown horse with a white mane. "This is Algar. He is calmer than the rest, so you should have an easier time with him."

He opened the gate, and the horse sauntered toward them. Eomer waited a moment before giving her an odd look. "Well, go on."

She was instantly over at the horse's side and gripped the saddle. Trying to fit her foot in the stirrup, she attempted to pull herself up again. She got her foot to lift off the ground, but she was just dangling there while the horse gave an irritated noise.

She let go, and gave Eomer a look that said, 'Well? What am I suppose to do now?'

He shook his head. "You were doing it wrong."

Anna was about to protest, but she knew that if she ever really wanted to learn, she ought to listen to his advice. She swallowed her argument, and asked, "What was I doing wrong?" in the calmest fashion she knew.

"You started out fine, but you need to use your other foot for momentum to mount."

She scrunched her eyebrows and tried again. This time she did manage to get onto the saddle, but it wasn't without her looking like a fool and bouncing on her right foot to do it.

"You know how to use the reins to guide the horse?" He asked, looking up at her wearily.

She nodded and he stepped backward. "Have him move out."

She nudged Algar a bit with her foot and he slowly started out of the stables. She looked back at Eomer, who halted at the stable doors, just watching from afar.

Anna guided the horse around the stables outside a few times before she felt comfortable with the possibility of going faster and farther.

Eomer was gone before she went round again, which was fine with her, she didn't particularly like having an audience anyway.

Anna looked toward the wide field that was Edoras and decided that maybe she ought to just take Algar for a short ride around and come right back. She nudged him again, hoping it would spur him into going faster, but all it got her was another angry sound and his head thrown back.

She grumbled in irritation and tried again, this time using both of her feet and it seemed to spur him on. His walk turned to a canter, which was difficult to maintain, so she nudged him again. She surprised herself at the sudden burst in speed, but adjusted quickly.

They went all over Edoras, going around the rings several times. She was happy with this small victory and was looking forward to riding in the future. She couldn't understand why she hadn't thought of this before.

It was nearing sun down before she decided she ought to go back to Meduseld, and turned Algar in that direction regretfully.

Once they neared the stables, she realized she'd have to make him stop. She held the reins up and tugged on them just slightly not wanting to hurt the horse. He slowed to a canter as they entered the stables. She dismounted once they were inside and he had slowed to a trot. The redhead was relieved to realize that though her legs were shaking, she didn't fall once her boots hit the ground.

She had just taken off his saddle and filling up his bucket when Aragorn came from around the corner. She glanced at him, feeling excitement at the aspect that she can tell him of her ability to ride on her own, but his expression made her blood drain from her face.

"What were you thinking?" He asked.

She opened her mouth to explain but he went on. "Eomer told me that you were riding around the stables and thought you might need some help. You were not here, so I was going to go after you." His tone was calm, but his expression held silent anger.

"I was only trying to-"

"Gandalf bid me keep you safe." He interrupted. "I cannot do my job if you run off like this."

"I'm sorry, Aragorn." She started, swallowing the lump in her throat. "I wanted to learn how to ride, and I thought it would help me be less of a burden to all of you." She lowered her eyes under his gaze. "I'm sorry, I won't do it again."

She heard him sigh and looked up. His expression had softened and he walked to her. "If you wish to learn, then I will teach you. You cannot be alone, Anna, you know this."

"I walked to Brynwyn's alone earlier." She mentioned.

"In daylight, yes. Surrounded by people, not riding around the edges of the city on your own."

She nodded to him, conceding. "Alright. Would you mind giving me a lesson tomorrow?"

He gave her a small smile. "Of course."

The next two days were immeasurably helpful. Aragorn taught her how to ride properly and with enough confidence that she would be able to do so at a moment's notice. On top of that, he had begun sparring lessons with her as well. They used blunted blades, but even so, she had bruises on her body that she was sure would not fade for weeks.

Eomer and Legolas would help out as well, whenever they were available. The end result was Anna being constantly tired, but loving it nonetheless. It was worth the pain and the exhaustion if she were getting better with her axes and could take care of herself more.

When she wasn't training or riding, she helped Eowyn with re-stocking Meduseld's food stores. It was hard work, but it passed the time and Anna wasn't sitting around doing nothing. She had actually begun to be friendly with the Shieldmaiden of Rohan, despite the hardness the woman put off to others.

The third day, Aragorn had stated that she could take the day off, get some rest. She took it gratefully and joined the others in the hall to eat.

"Well, if isn't the little warrior." Gimli teased as she sat down beside him.

She grunted instead of replying, still not fully awake yet, and grabbed some bread to munch on. "Not feeling friendly this morning, eh, lass?"

"Tired."

"You always are and you're always the last to wake."

"Mornings hate me."

Gimli laughed heartily at that. "You are quite entertaining in the morning, I'll give you that, girl."

"Glad I could amuse you." She replied, smirking a little while she ate. It was true though. Not matter how many times she had been forced to rise with the dawn, she could never get used to it. She was a night owl, and it seemed she would remain so despite herself.

After breakfast was done, she decided to seek out Aragorn, to simply chat if nothing else. She wanted to thank him for taking the time to train with her everyday. He was immensely patient with her, though he said that she had natural skill with her weapons, she was not so skilled with swords.

She saw him on the steps again. She sighed, knowing that he would only move from that spot every morning until fire shone in the mountains.

"Good morning, Aragorn." She greeted, wanting him to know she was there.

He looked at her, gave her a nod in acknowledgement and turned back to the mountains.

"I wanted to say thank you for the past few days," she began, sitting down beside him. "You've spent a lot of time training me, and I appreciate it."

"You're welcome. It will take more than a few days to improve your skills with the blade, mind you." He reminded her, finally making eye contact.

She smiled and laughed. "Oh, I know." She agreed, looking toward the mountains.

Her eyes widened as she saw a bright light appear, though it was too far to make it out. Another flared, closer to Meduseld this time, and she could make out distinct flames. "Aragorn." She breathed, without taking her eyes off the beacon.

He glanced in the direction she was looking, and without a word took off toward the keep. She followed close behind him, both taking the steps two at a time. He burst through the doors and didn't stop until he came to the King.

"The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid!" He cried, breathing ragged.

The room went quiet as they all anxiously awaited the King's command. He seemed to contemplate what to so do before speaking with conviction, "And Rohan will answer."

Anna's tension left her bones as she allowed a smile to cross her face. Theoden was doing something right for a change.

Everyone immediately began getting ready, and Anna was excited but also nervous about the aspect of seeing Gondor for the first time. She knew Boromir should have been with her, but she also knew that he should have died before he did. That alone would have caused irreparable consequences for all of them, some that haven't shown yet, but she knew that she would not allow Minas Tirith's fate to be one of them.