A/N: Bazinga! I have been made so happy in the reception of this story that I have decided to give you TWO chapters today! 3

Thanks to everyone following and favouriting, and once again a massive thanks to those who review!

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Diolch!

x Yruniwylio x

Chapter Fourteen: The Wormtongue.

Ailith loved Arcallon. She joined the Rangers of the North on missions and he awed the Dúnedain with his grace and calm temper. Estel, unfortunately was away somewhere else, but she and the twins enjoyed themselves immensely, and she took pride in seeing Halbarad's son. He had grown much since she last saw him, standing impressively tall for an eight year old. He was a true Dúnedain, and for his eighth birthday, even if it was a little late, Ailith carved him his first bow. She offered to teach him archery, but he maintained that "Girls aren't as good at archery. They're better looking after children and knitting."

Ailith's peals of laughter exploded around the nearby area, drawing the twins near. Tears of joy streamed down her cheeks as she breathily regaled the twins with what Aranuir son of Halbarad thought of the role of Women. She soon found Elladan and Elrohir rolling along beside her, their laughs attracting merriment from the Rangers.

"Aranuir! So named after the third ever chieftain of your peoples, I hope you aren't ending the peace between Elves and Men!" his father scolded. Ailith stood. "No, my dear friend. He has a pure and young mind. I dare say I have not laughed thus for many years," she grinned before kneeling before the boy. "Tell me, Aranuir. Do you know the names of Middle-Earth's greatest Archers?" she asked, as the twins sat up paying close attention.

He nodded, excitedly. "Most are Elves! There are two great Archers among Men! One is Captain Faramir of the Ithilien Rangers, and the other is Aragorn, Chieftain of our peoples." She smiled, "And the Elves?" she queried.

"Elladan and Elrohir, sons of Elrond, Haldir of the Galadhrim and Prince Legolas of Mirkwood." He finished smugly. The twins grinned and patted his shoulder. "Ah, little one, you seem to have forgotten the best Archer in Middle-Earth." Chimed Elladan. "Aye, she is only so good, for we taught her everything she knows," supplied Elrohir, "But she has defeated the Mirkwood Prince in a tournament!" added Elladan. Ailith sat back on her heels, raising one eyebrow in mirth, her eyes shining with mischief.

Aranuir looked up at Ailith and raised a finger to point at her. At her nod, he gasped and began begging her for an archery lesson. She smiled and sent him off to find some arrows. She spent hours with the little boy, who listened carefully to every instruction she gave him. He reminded her of Estel when he was that age, but Estel had been there to see her wipe the smug smile from the Mirkwood Prince's face.

The Prince of Mirkwood had journeyed to Imladris to spend time with the twins. They had been good friends for centuries, and he wished to smile. His father was suffering a sickness of the heart, and he feared his Ada would fade. Shaking his head, he entered the Last Homely House, before a tiny person, with dark hair collided with his knees. "Help!" he cried, "She's going to kill me!" he said. Legolas' eyes widened and he lifted the little Human to sit at his hip. "Who, Penneth?" he asked softly.

"Apparently, me, mellon." A feminine voice called from the doorway behind him. Legolas turned to find the fiery haired Elleth who spoke, and was instantly shocked to see the little elfling from his last visit, and she had certainly blossomed. "My Prince, it is good to see you, it has been too long," she smiled and dipped into an elegant curtsey, gracefully. She had changed much, since he had last seen her. She had reached her majority and now moved with a grace, close to that of the Evenstar.

"Lady Ailith," he smiled. "It has indeed, been too long." He said, placing a hand over his heart. "And why, are you so intent on ending the life of this little one?" he asked, laughter staining his voice.

Ailith sighed and placed a hand over her eyes. "The Twins have convinced him that when I bathe him, I am actually praying on his Fëa." She grumbled approaching. "Estel, look at me," she begged, her bright green eyes, shining with tears. Legolas frowned. It seemed Ailith was quite attached to the young boy. Estel buried his face in the Prince's shoulder.

"Estel?" the Prince tried. Ailith stepped back and watched, with curious eyes. The little boy locked gazes with the Prince of Mirkwood. "Do you know who I am?" Legolas asked. Estel nodded fearfully. "You are Prince Legolas of Mirkwood," he said quietly.

"And do you trust a Prince?" Legolas smiled at Estel's nod. "I would trust the Lady Ailith with my life," he said, this time looking at her and holding her gaze as the words left his mouth.

Ailith searched for the Prince the next morning, towing a happily chattering Estel with her. They found him at the Archery Range, with the twins. "I wanted to thank you," she said to him, curtseying again. He shook his head and smiled. "I need no thanks, please." He smiled and kissed her knuckles, garnering a soft pink to dust her cheeks.

"Prince Legolas and Ailith should have a competition, Estel, do you not agree?" asked Elladan, appearing at the little boys' side with his twin. Estel nodded fervently, and so, rolling her eyes, Ailith retrieved her bow. They fired shot after shot, and finally, Ailith's final shot splintered the Prince's arrow in the bullseye, completely splitting it in two.

"Ailith!" squealed Estel happily, "You won!" he cheered. Ailith smiled and kissed the young boys' cheek, before bowing to the Prince and leading the child back indoors. The Blonde Prince watched her retreat with his mouth hanging open, and he chuckled as he heard her last comment; "Of course I won, Estel. What a silly notion, thinking I could lose at archery!"

She stayed with the Rangers until a message reached her, from Rohan. It was from the son and daughter of Théodwyn. Their mother had passed. She had not been as close to the woman as she was with Arwen, but she felt the pull of needing to be there. She made her excuses to the Rangers, and the twins, who were adamant in following her, who she flatly refused, and began her journey atop Arcallon's saddle.

She found the beast extraordinary, and was convinced he may have some diluted blood of the Mearas in him, as she had to make a running jump to mount him without a saddle and had to hop into the stirrup to raise herself atop him when he was tacked. He was at his peak of fitness, as he was young and strong, and she was happy to believe she would have many years with him. The Rangers had settled a few days north of Pennath Gelin, a settlement of Gondor near the coast, but far away enough to not affect the twins. She smiled as she made for the Gap of Rohan, that trip would take a fortnight, but it was a passable journey, and it would take another eight days full gallop to Edoras from there. She hunted from atop the horse, and ate the dried meat after she had skinned and cleaned and roasted her kills. For areas she had bad feelings of, there was Lembas bread.

Arcallon could be ridden for four days with hardly any rest, before she made him rest a few hours. Nearing the Gap of Rohan, she sensed a darkness near Isengard that she had not sensed before. It unsettled her stomach, and she quietly urged her horse on, promising a better rest the further away from the darkness he got her.

Two days later, she came across Helms Deep. She stopped overnight, paying her way for Arcallon to be tended to and fed well, and slept. Her dreams had returned, and caused her a fitful night's rest.

Wild men ran across the plains, beating men with crude weapons, killing all who cross their path, and burn the fields and the homes and the corpses.

"Burning as they go. Rick, cot and tree." A Blonde woman turns to the King.

A little girl begins crying for her mother, and the blonde woman comforts her.

"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash." Mithrandir says.

Ailith opened her eyes, and sat up slowly. She didn't feel rested, but at least she hadn't been bolting out of bed in terror. She got up, it was just after dawn, and made her way to the stables.

"Arcallon, mellon, are you ready to make it to Edoras?" she asked, petting as she whispered soothing words to him in Sindarin.

The Horse whickered and stomped a foot. She smiled and jumped onto the wall of the stall, before hoisting herself into the saddle. "Noro Lim, Mellon, We shall see Edoras in as little time as possible."

The two arrived at Edoras within three days, and she dismounted and ran to the Golden Hall. She was stopped by a guard. "What is your purpose here, Ranger," he asked. She frowned, and then realised her hood was up. She dropped her hood. "I am here, for the Lady Théodwyn's son and daughter." She said. "I bring comfort in these dark days." She said. The guard nodded. The doors were opened for her, and she found a young man, holding the blonde woman from her vision to him, tightly.

"You must be Lord Éomer, and Lady Éowyn." She said softly, standing before them. She placed her fist on her heart, and knelt in front of them. "Your mother was a good friend of mine," she smiled sadly. Looking into the young man's eyes, she spoke again. "I am Lady Ailith of Rivendell, and I offer any assistance I can be to you in these dark times." Éomer nodded and grasped her shoulder, his grip firm on her shoulder guards. She had foregone the breastplate, content with the Mithril shirt beneath her tunic, appearing less hostile this way.

Éowyn glanced up and regarded the woman. "I will show you to your room…" she said, her voice laced with sorrow. Ailith shook her head. "I can find my way, my lady." She bowed, before dragging her pack to the room she occupied over twenty years ago.

The next morning, after a bath and braiding her hair, she donned a dark green gown, made for her by Théodwyn, before walking to the hall for breakfast. The King sat upon the throne, a glum depression settling in his features. She approached his table, before dropping into an elegant curtsey. "My King, Théoden," she murmured in respect.

"Lady Ailith, it has been many years." He said. "Aye my liege, it has been over twenty, at least." She nodded and stood. The King turned to his niece and nephew. "The Lady Ailith fought with men of the Rohirrim in the battle against Umbar," he explained. Éomer's gaze burned holes into her head. She tilted her head a little, in an inquiring nature, and, as though reading his cousins' mind, Prince Théodred asked, "How can a woman fight?" he snorted into his goblet.

The King chuckled darkly, "Do not judge, my son." He said. "I had the misfortune of the same judgement. Fetch Gamling." He called to the doorway. The Soldier was brought before the King. "My Lady, I bring an old friend." He said, gesturing. Ailith glanced at Galming and smiled warmly. It was her most dutiful Rohirric soldier from Gondor. "It is good to see you, Gamling," she smiled, curtseying once more. He bowed and returned the sentiment.

Her days in Edoras were spent in aiding Éowyn run the household and complete her duties in the city. She also aided Éomer when he wished to vent his anger, by sparring with him and the Prince, and proving his uncles' words as true.

She noticed the King's lack of appearances at mealtimes and meetings, and Gamling explained he was being a recluse, eating alone, being alone, succumbing to his grief, and Ailith understood. His sister had been there to aid him in his grief over losing their father, and counselled him wisely in his ascent of the throne. Now, she was gone too. And he felt completely alone. Vulnerable.

A new citizen arrived a month later from one of the Westfold villages, and was employed as an 'Aid to the throne.' Ailith did not like him; he was a small, fidgety man, with beady eyes and a pallid complexion, his greasy hair stuck to his face whenever he moved quickly. She was reminded of a grubby worm, whenever she saw him, and to her great amusement, the locals of Edoras had dubbed him 'The Wormtongue.'