We walked out and I gave a loud whistle. Cloud ran up a minute later, followed by the other three. She stood beside me and we watched as Gandalf whistle a tune in the wind. A few seconds later we heard a neigh and a beautiful white stallion ran towards us.

Legolas said in awe, "That is one of the Meares, unless my eyes are cheated by some spell." I gave a low whistle and leaned against Cloud, "He's handsome."

Cloud shrugged, "He'll do." I looked at her, watching as Gandalf patted Shadowfax's neck. I slowly smiled and said, "Oh really?"

She looked at me in question. I patted her neck with a shake of my head. Gandalf explained, "Shadowfax. He is the lord of all horses and has been my friend through many dangers."

We bowed and Shadowfax tossed up his head and eyed Cloud. He whickered and Cloud raised her head and stomped her foot. "I'm not from here. So no, you are not My Lord." He shook his head and pawed the ground.

I looked in confusion; Gandalf looked in amusement and the others in wonder. Shadowfax moved forward and seemed to stand in front of Cloud arrogantly. He gave a small snort and motioned for her to come to him.

Cloud pinned her ears back and swished her tail as if to say, 'Go away boy.' "I am not yours. Go away."

Shadowfax pinned his ears back and lunged. I was in front of Cloud in an instant and he skids to a stop in surprise. I glared, chin up proudly and said sternly, "That is no way to treat a lady, My lord. Cloud isn't yours. She belongs to herself."

He shifted and looked between us before neighing in laughter and went back to Gandalf. I put my hand on Clouds shoulder as she gave a snort and flicked her head, "Hmph. Men."

I pet her in silent agreement before swinging up onto her back. The others mounted and I mumbled, "Here we go again."

Legolas heard me and smiled at me, "Try to keep up." I smiled back as Cloud gave a snort, "Eat our dust Legolas."

We moved ahead of him and he chuckled and ran after us. We raced across the plains of Rohan and I took that time to rest as much as I could. The run added with healing Boromir was beginning to take its toll on me. But I made sure not to show the others.

A certain elf and brother kept there eye on my most of the time. I appreciated their concern, but it was starting to get annoying.

After a while I asked Cloud to go up to Gandalf who had slowed enough that I could talk to him. As I pulled up beside him he looked at me curiously. I smiled and said, "It's good to see you again." He smiled and winked as he said, "But our friends are not so happy."

I blinked in confusion and he motioned at Shadowfax and Cloud. Shadowfax arching his neck to show off, Cloud angrily ignoring him. I smiled apologetically, "Cloud isn't fond of males. Shadowfax, you're not impressing her that way."

He looked at me curiously and I winked and before I could say more Cloud moved us to ride beside Aragorn. He looked at us in amusement and I motioned for him not to say anything, "Else wise I may be walking." Cloud gave a snort, "yes you will, if you don't stop."

Luckily Aragorn got the hint and we talked about something else. Me in fact. I winced inwardly as he asked, "So you're a sorceress?" I shrugged, "In a matter of speaking. But with whatever I do, it effects me. Everything has a price."

I glanced back to make sure Boromir couldn't hear, and hopefully Legolas. Aragorn looked at Boromir then me in worry. I shook my head; "I healed Boromir by using my own energy. Sometimes it takes a bit of time to heal something, but since I was in a hurry to heal him, I used raw energy."

I shrugged as if it was nothing new, "It can be a bit dangerous, causing me to be exhausted for a few days or um." I looked at Cloud for another explanation and she said, "Or it can kill you."

I hesitated and softly said, "Or it can kill me." Aragorn looked alarmed and I waved my hand hurriedly, "No um, that's only on a big scale. Like healing for a couple days at a time. What I'm trying to say is that I'm not a miracle worker, I have limits."

He nodded in understanding and I begged, "And please don't tell Boromir or the others about um, me possibly dying or anything. It'll only worry them, and in Boromir's sense, make him more paronoid."

Aragorn nodded, "Ok, I won't. Just don't over do it." I raised an eyebrow; "I can say the same about you Aragorn." He chuckled and I smiled, it's been a while since he's laughed. He then looked at me curiously, "Then what were those things we saw, your allies?"

I shrugged, "I guess you can call them gods or spirits, they control the land and the elements. I can call on them for help if I choose." He nodded as if he understood and I couldn't help but grin.

Then I looked ahead and saw that we were coming up on Edoras. We slowed and stopped to look at it. Gandalf said, "Edoras and the Golden Hall of Meduseld. There dwells Theoden, King of Rohan, whose mind is over thrown. Saruman's hold over King Theoden is now very strong."

"Be careful what you say." He looked at me when he said this and I looked back innocently, "Do not look for welcome here."

He spurred Shadowfax on and we followed. We rode through the city and I whispered, "It's so gloomy." Cloud said, "It must be the new fashion." But even Cloud sounded nervous.

"You'd find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli muttered quietly as we rode up to Meduseld. We stopped before the hall, dismounted and climbed the stairs. A guard met us, I think Hama, along with a group of men. And they didn't look happy.

"I cannot allow you before King Theoden so armed, Gandalf Greyhame. By order of…Grima Wormtongue."

I raised an eyebrow when he said the name almost spitefully. "Trouble in paradise?"

Gandalf nodded to us and we unloaded our weapons. Gimli gave over all over his axes. All seven of them! I wondered where on Middle-earth he kept all of them!

Legolas handed over his prized Galadhrim bow and quiver. And to show that he wasn't too happy about it, he reaches over his shoulder and whips out his twin blades, giving them a little twirl that made it look like he would gut them if there was so much as a scratch on them.

Aragorn handed over a sword, a dagger, the blade from Celeborn, another dagger, a bow and quiver, and yet another dagger in all.

Boromir handed over his sword, two daggers, and his shield.

I was next and the men looked down right scornfully at me. I glared back as I handed over my sword, twin blades and dagger. The guard looked at Gandalf and said, "your staff."

Gandalf said feebly, "Oh, you would not part an old man from his walking stick." The guard thought a minute before giving in. When his back was turned Gandalf gave us a wink and leaned heavily on Legolas's arm as we entered the hall.

I eyed the mean looking figures surrounding us as we approached the King. I looked and looked at the King, his wispy hair white and he looked over a hundred years old, eyes glassed over. The bastard beside the king was pale white with slimy black hair. Gandalf called, "The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late King Theoden."

We spread out as the feeble king said, "Why should I welcome you, Gandalf Stormcrow?"

The slime whispering in his ear stood and said haughtily, "Late is the hour in which this conjurer chooses to appear. Lathspell I name him. Ill news is an ill guest."

I glared at the men around us, cracked my knuckles and grinned. Gandalf barked, "Be silent! Keep your forked tongue between your teeth! I have not passed through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a witless worm."

He raised his staff from under his cloak and Grima recoiled and whined, "His staff. I told you to take the wizards staff!"

The men lunged and I ducked a blow and kicked my attacker in the ribs before smashing his nose. A man grabbed my arm from behind and I slammed my elbow into his cheek before kicking him away. A foot slammed into a man behind me and I grinned at Legolas and punched a man coming at his side.

We took them out in quick session and Gimli pinned Grima to the floor and growled, "I'd stay still if I were you."

"Hearken to me!" Gandalf now stood in front of the King. "I release you from this spell."

Then, Theoden laughs, a cold mirthless laugh that made my hair stand on end. What a creepy laugh.

"You have no power here, Gandalf the Grey." He sneers.

Gandalf throws aside his cloak, and Theoden gasps and cowers before the light Gandalf emits. Gandalf thundered, "I will draw you Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound."

I caught a glimpse of Eowyn as she rushes into the room and makes for Theoden but gets stopped by Aragorn.

"If I go, Theoden dies!" Cried Saruman's voice threateningly.

"You did not kill me, you will not kill him." Gandalf answered thrusting back Theoden with his staff.

"Rohan is mine!" Saruman struggled

Gandalf threw him back once more, "Be gone!" he hollered.

Theoden jumps up and with one last jab; Gandalf throws him back into his seat. Eowyn breaks free of Aragorn's grip and rushes towards the King, catching him as he fell forward. We watched in amazement as years melted from Theoden as he seemed to wake up and look around and then looked at Eowyn.

They whisper to each other for a few moments before the king turns to Gandalf.

"Gandalf?" he asks as though he weren't there.

"Breathe the free air again, my friend," he said smiling.

"Dark have been my dreams of late." He muttered looking around somewhat blearily.

"Your fingers would remember their old strength better―if they grasped your sword." Said Gandalf. I glanced around, seeing everyone look relieved and happy the King was back to his senses.

The guard who took out weapons held up his sword. The King stood and Theoden, who was now thankfully more human looking, grasped the sword and pulled it out.

With an infuriated glare on his face, he turned around to look at Grima who was cowering in a corner. The guards picked Grima up and dragged him out of the hall. Once outside, they throw him out and he rolls down the stairs.

"Agh! I've only ever served you my lord." He said blood pooling at the side of his mouth. I glared disdainfully, not feeling a bit sorry for him. I looked back at Theoden who was stumbling down the steps in a surprisingly menacing way towards Grima.

"Your leechcraft would have had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" he shouted.

"Send me not from your side." Grima pleaded.

Theoden raises his sword, prepared to strike when Aragorn rushes forward to stop him.

"No my Lord!" he said pulling down the sword. "No my Lord. Enough blood has been spilt on his account."

I bit my lip, wanting to stop Grima now, but knew I had to let some things play out. We watch as Grima runs off through the crowd shouting at them to get out of his way. I scowled, "Asshole."

"Hail Theoden, King!" Aragorn calls, kneeling. Everyone else follows suit. Boromir grabbed me and forced me down. I glared, "I hate you." He smirked, "Love you too."

I heard a cry and smirked as we watched Grima ride out of the city. The others looked at me and I said, "I forgot to tell Cloud not to bite anyone. Poor Grima." Boromir whapped my head and I retaliated by elbowing him.

Then I heard, "Where is Theodred?" came Theoden's voice. "Where is my son?"

I moved away as Theoden learned of his son's death and went to make sure Cloud was ok. After brushing her out I made my way back in. Boromir came up and said, "We are going to Theodred's funeral." I nodded, and looked down. Boromir put his hand on my shoulder and said, "You do not have to go. You should rest."

I looked up at him and nodded, "Thanks Boromir. I don't think I could go, even if I wanted to." He nodded in understanding and waved to a nearby servant. The woman came up and he said, "This is Lady Ariana, show her to her room please."

The woman nodded and I kissed Boromir's cheek, "Thanks Brother. I'll see you later." He nodded and I followed the woman down some halls and as she left me in my room, I put my face in my hands and mumbled, "I'm such a pansy."

"My lady," came another voice from the door, a different one.

Lifted my head to see Eowyn carrying my weapons. "Oh, hello Lady Eowyn." I greet with a small smile.

I stood and she handed me my weapons. She looked at me curiously and said, "I beg your pardon, but you don't look like a flower to me." I stared at her before laughing. She looked startled, then she slowly smiled. I shook my head and said, "I'm sorry, but I didn't know someone heard me."

I set my weapons down, except my dagger I put in my boot. "I never caught your name…" she says slightly abashed.

I smile at her. "It's Ariana."

She nods. "What is it like, traveling with warriors such as your companions?"

She looks interested, so I decided to answer her. I smiled and said, "Dangerous. Because the road we travel is crawling with something that wants to kill you. Annoying. Because you can't get a second's worth of privacy among all those men. But you learn to love them, no matter how infuriating because they're all you've got."

She slowly smiled and said, "Is there anything else you need?" I brightened and said, "I would love a bath." She blinked in surprise and I reddened. She chuckled and said, "This way. It must be hard to do such things surrounded by men."

I nodded, grateful she understood. She led me to an adjoining room that held a tub filled with water. She apologized, "I'm sorry no one can light the coals." I shook my head, "This is fantastic Lady Eowyn. Thank you."

She smiled and made to leave, "I will set out some clothes for you." I smiled, "Um thanks Eowyn, but I'm fine." She looked confused and a bit hurt. I quickly said, "Um, I'm just sure you'd get me a dress and I don't really like dresses."

She looked over my attire and said, "Oh." She brightened, "I can get you something like your attire." I blinked and saw the hopeful look in her eyes and said, "That would be great." She smiled and left. I sighed and looked at the glorious tub.

I looked around carefully, closed the door and grinned. with a flick of my finger the water was instantly hot. I stripped and dipped my tired and battered body into the hot water. I soaked for a good half-hour before deciding to get out.

Getting out I put on a robe I found and went out. On my bed was a pair of breeches and a shirt. I sighed in relief and when I picked them up I turned red when I found underclothes. Giggling I dressed and plopped on my bed. I made sure Cloud was ok, reminded her not to hurt anyone, asked her to wake me for dinner and fell asleep.

Cloud woke me up a couple hours later. I sat up with a yawn and thanked her. I ran my brush through my dry hair and put it in a braid before going out to find food. There I found everyone and quickly grabbed a plate of food and sat across Boromir. I noticed two children, who looked worse for wear.

Eowyn talked quietly to them and finally stood, "They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now wildmen are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go." I drowned out what Gandalf said as I ate, but did watch everyone's faces.

When Gandalf stood to argue with the King and he said, "I know what it is you want from me. But I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."

Aragorn said sternly, "War is upon you, weather you would risk it or not."

Theoden turned and said sarcastically, "When last I looked, Theoden not Aragorn was King of Rohan."

Tension rose as both men stared at each other. I broke it by asking, "Then what do you want to do?" He looked at me as if just realizing I was there. Gandalf asked, "What is the Kings' decision?"

He turned to Gandalf and said, "Helms Deep." My shoulders sagged, but I held my tongue as I finished my food then went back to bed.