Hope you're ready for the next chapter! Reviews are welcome!


The sun peeked up from the horizon, signaling the beginning of a new day. Enzi glanced over at the road Aragorn and the others had taken that night. The four had been together since Rivendell. They were the last remnants of the Fellowship before it had been broken apart. And now they were finally and utterly broken apart. She'd known that this time would come but hadn't imagined that it would happen so quickly. But she couldn't leave the Rohan people to fight alone. Besides, Aragorn had to face his people and so did she. The only negative was that it required her to travel with Eomer.

She didn't want to see the barbarian ever again. She didn't even know how the fight started. Sure, calling him a coward was probably not the best move, but bringing her brother into the fight was an incredibly horrendous thing to do. She decided, then and there, that the barbarian wouldn't be trusted. He couldn't be. For all of his protestations of helpfulness and care, he'd hit her at her lowest point. He was nothing to her.

She quickly packed up her bundle and prepared to walk back to camp. She'd completed the pambano sala (battle prayer). She'd decided that no one would understand what she was doing in the camp and the best way to complete it without interruption was to pray alone. Much of the prayer had to be omitted because it required asking the blessings of Sauron, but she didn't feel right to go into battle without asking the blessings of the ancestors. She supposed old habits died hard. She knew that before they actually went into battle, there was one more ritual to do, but she needed another person to complete that. If Aragorn or the others were there, she'd ask them. She thought of asking Theoden but it was a very private matter. The king had been nothing but wonderful to her but she wasn't sure if she could have that conversation with him. Éowyn. She quickened her pace. The princess would not travel with them, but she could be trusted. She would do it at home, if necessary, or over her remains if possible.

By the time she came to the heart of camp, the sun kissed the far off mountain range. Men were scrambling to put out fires and squires prepared themselves to break down camp as soon as the men left. She rushed to her tent to grab her remaining weapons and supplies. She then rushed to Éowyn's but could find nothing. Not even her sword. The princess was gone.

"We must ride light and swift," Theoden said as he prepared his men. She ran in the direction of the voice. " It's a long road ahead. The men and beast must reach the end with the strength to fight." She was greeted by Theoden and Eomer. She glared at the barbarian and respectfully bowed her head to the king. "Lady Enzi! We thought you'd changed your mind."

"I am with you till the very end, my lord," Enzi said, determined. "But where is Lady Éowyn?"

"She has already left, Haradress," Eomer said quietly. "It is tradition that the ladies of the court leave before the soldiers."

She eyed the beast for a moment, then looked down at the ground. "I didn't get to say goodbye," she said aloud to no one in particular.

Theoden took her shoulders in his hands. "She knows your feelings, my lady. She said to tell you that her hopes and prayers are with you always." It was hard not to smile at the king's encouragement. "She also said something about a promise you had to keep for her?"

Enzi smiled, thinking back on Éowyn's wish. "Thank you, your majesty." He smiled, revealing his dimples again, and continued walking towards his men. She took another moment to grimace at his nephew before rushing to Lyorest. Within seconds, she had mounted the horse and was riding beside Theoden. Merry was before them, waiting with his pony.

Théoden shook his head. "Little hobbits do not belong in war, Master Meriadoc."

"All my friends have gone to battle," Merry whined. " I will be ashamed to be left behind!" Enzi took a look back at Eomer, almost daring him to make one comment about the hobbit. She agreed that Merry was in no condition to fight but she would not have him shamed now. The barbarian said nothing.

Appealing to Merry's fears would do no good. He was too determined. So Theoden appealed to the well-being of his men. "It is a three day gallop to Minas Tirith and none of my riders can bear you as a burden."

Merry was desperate now. "I want to fight!"

"I will say no more," Théoden said, quickly riding away, followed by Eomer, still silent.

Enzi jumped down from Lyorest and bent down on her knees. Merry was still frowning, tears beginning to well up in his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Merry," she said, hugging the hobbit with all her strength. She looked back down at him. He refused to meet her eyes so she kissed him on the cheek. "Be safe, my friend." It wasn't much of a farewell, but it was the only one time afforded. She remounted Lyorest and the horse galloped quickly to meet back up with the king. She dared not look back, urging herself to give the hobbit what was left of his dignity.

"Form up!" Eomer cried as more men joined them. "Move out!"

"Ride!" Théoden commanded. " Ride now for Gondor!"

Hundreds, no, thousands of men joined them now, the thundering of the horses so strong she could feel the earth shake. Despite the numbers not being what they'd wanted, she was sure they would give their best efforts to the battle. She only hoped it would be enough.

They rode for almost the entire day in relative silence. At least Enzi did. She took in the environment, feeling more and more familiar with her surroundings the closer they came to Gondor. She was almost home. Ironic. When she first came to Rivendell, all she wanted was to return home. Now she was almost there and all she wanted was to go back the way she came. Part of her was terrified of facing her people. It was one thing to reveal the secrets of the Haradric army. It was another to look the soldiers of the tribes in the eye as you fought against them. Part of her wasn't sure she could do it. What if she saw Engoli? How could she look at the men and women she'd trained with in her childhood and slaughter them? A cold thought slipped in her mind. What if Dingane was there? He'd assured her that he would go back to find Abaan's remains but what if he couldn't? What if he was killed or forced to fight in the coming army to pit the two against one another?

"Make camp! Mealtime!"

A soldier's voice brought her back to the world around her. She walked Lyorest to a nearby riverbank, where a young man took the reins, leading the grateful horse to drink. Horses were much less hearty than Mumakil, even the strong ones. They were smaller and required more rest time. That would be their disadvantage. Mumaks could survive for weeks without feeding. She was sure that those traveling to Gondor would not be nearly as tired as the horses would.

"My lady," a voice called, "a moment?" It came from a smaller soldier who was walking away from her, yet beckoning her with his hands. She followed the squire as he led her to what she assumed was a place to get a quick meal. But that didn't happen. The squire continued to lead her away from the main encampment. Soon, she was at the edge, where many of the younger members of the riders sat.

"What is it you need from me, soldier?" Enzi said, a bit impatient.

"I was asked to look after you by the princess," the soldier said quietly, grabbing a bit of dried meat and bread and handing it to her, "and I take my commitments seriously." She'd noticed that the soldier had not taken off his helmet. Perhaps he was shy or had searched for her in such a hurry that he'd forgotten. She thought better of mentioning it

"The lady is very kind but I assure you I am fine. The king will need me soon."

The soldier turned and faced her, insistent. "But my lady, I have a message for you."

This was becoming annoying. "Then speak quickly, sir. I have to leave."

He walked up to her, speaking in hushed tones. "The princess said that the day you left us, you'd forced her to promise not to reveal your actions."

This was pointless. "I did. Thank you for your conversation, sir, but I must go." Enzi began to walk away. She didn't have time to continue this meaningless discussion about something that had occurred weeks ago.

"She asked me to ask one question."

"Which is?"

The soldier walked up to her closely, trepidatiously. "She wanted to know, could you be trusted to do the same for her?" He was so close, she could look into his blue eyes, and could make out his features. She recognized the wavy hair, the flaxen skin. This was no man.

"Éowyn!"

"You cannot tell anyone!"

"What are you doing here? And with Merry?! How have you managed to stay hidden?"

"Does it matter?"

"Do you know what will happen if your uncle discovers you?! Or your brother?!"

"That is why I had to see you. You must help me stay hidden." Éowyn looked down at Merry, who was sitting down as they argued. "You must help hide us both."

Enzi didn't know what to say. She'd never expected Éowyn to try such a stunt. Surely the king's generals knew their men and the men from each town knew each other. How did Éowyn expect her to hide the both of them? "And you think I can do this?"

"My uncle trusts you. So do his men. They will follow your orders."

"And you're asking me to betray that trust!"

"I couldn't leave them alone, just as you couldn't leave your brother." Éowyn looked deeply in her eyes. "Please don't tell them."

"Enzi!"

The Haradress turned to see Eomer walking up to her, the sun's ray's obscuring him in her vision slightly. In spite of herself, she walked up to him, listening to the shuffle of the woman hobbit as they attempted to hide their identity. "What do you need?"

Eomer took a breath. "My uncle is sending scouting parties ahead to see what awaits us at Minas Tirith. I could use your help . . . " his eyes shifted down to the ground, then back up to hers, " . . . lady."

She took a second to process what was happening. The longer she stayed, the more likely Eomer would recognize his sister. It was probably only thanks to the sun and unfamiliar gear that he hadn't already. She had to get him away. Give herself more time to think. More time to convince Éowyn to go back.

"Let's go," she agreed with a smirk." Éomer's face was still but his eyes showed relief. He began to walk back to the center of camp where the horses were drinking, giving her a chance to turn back to Éowyn. "We will talk later, soldier," she said to the princess.

"Yes sir," was the gruff and muffled reply she received.

"Friend of yours," Eomer asked quietly, a bit confused.

"In a matter of speaking," Enzi offered, quickly, "but enough of that. I will leave with Lyorest quickly and be back in a few hours."

"No."

She eyed him, still walking. "No?"

He wouldn't meet her eyes. "My uncle believes that we are too outmatched to leave scouting to chance. He's assigned 6 teams of two to survey the surrounding area and meet back with the army tomorrow afternoon. You have been assigned to leave with me."

She glared at him for a moment, hoping she had heard him incorrectly. But he didn't look back or say anything and she assumed she 'd heard correctly. Like it or not, the barbarian was her scouting partner.

They mounted their horses with a small satchel of food each and left a few hours later, careful to sneak through the forest and away from the plains and worn trails. They said nothing to one another. This was purely business and Eomer deserved none of her attention.

Throughout the journey, she could feel his eyes on her but she didn't meet them. He, after all, was nothing to her. He required no effort to think about. She focused on her mission.

They continued their trek till the sun hung low in the sky, stopping only for quick snatches of time. Eomer had left her to lead in the mission, knowing she had more experience moving about in the area than he did. "Where are we going?" Eomer asked after a while.

She saw no reason to avoid his question. The mission required his knowledge. "To the edge of Clayhon Pass. It's one of the trails the tribes have used to travel through Gondor. It the only area I know about big enough to accommodate the Mumakil and with a wooded area large enough to hide us."

He hesitated before speaking. "You would have been a great scout for Sauron." He'd meant it as a compliment but she saw no need to make is life any easier. She glared at him for a moment and continued trekking through the woods.

Eomer tried again. "I didn't mean what I said –"

"This is neither the place or the time for insincere words, barbarian," she said, cutting off his apology. "Besides, we are in what you would call hostile territory now. We can save the conversation for safer waters."

"If you had not pushed me –"

"I was determined to remain silent, barbarian. YOU goaded ME to argue." Enzi took a breath. "And we don't have time for this! Can we please save this for another time?"

She didn't look back at him but he said nothing and she considered the matter closed. By the night, they neared the edge of the Clayhon Pass. Trees were snapped like twigs near the edges of the pass, and they found evidence of an old encampment. It was quiet now and she placed her head to the ground to listen for any evidence of movement. After a few seconds, she could hear the low thumping of large creatures. The armies had assembled the Mumakil and were indeed traveling to Gondor.

"They are on the move," she said lowly, leaning back up on her knees.

Eomer nodded introspectively. "How many do you believe there are?"

"Could be two to five hundred. That would mean at least . . . . fifteen thousand men." She sunk down onto the ground to think. This was more men than the armies could handle on their best day. "And each one has waited an entire lifetime to kill your people."

Eomer said nothing for a while, taking in her words. "Are you sure?"

She looked at him a moment, then nodded quietly. "This is no boast, barbarian. At least a hundred of our men man the towers. And I've been able to count Mumak by their stride since I was a child. We must warn your army. The Rohan aren't ready for this fight."

He ignored her. "Can you get us closer? Closer to Gondor?"

"We would have to be incredibly careful. If one of the riders saw us . . . "

"Then let us leave quickly," Eomer insisted.

They travelled across the pass to the favoring the mountain passes than the open plains. They could smell the stench of battle the closer they came and the cries of men , women, and orcs as they came closer still. When they finally were at a height high enough to see the Army of Mordor, Enzi was horrified. The battle was already starting. Catapults were being loaded by large trolls. The gates seemed solid, but she wasn't sure how long they would remain. The Nazgul flew around, but she assumed that Gandalf's presence prevented them from fully assaulting the people. She beckoned Eomer to come to her view and pointed at the fully surrounded city.

He quietly watched the beginnings of what would certainly be a long and arduous war. "Come. The gates will not hold forever. We must get back."

The two snuck back through the mountain pass, to the horses and raced them at break-neck speed through the plans, no longer concerned that the armies discovered them. They were preoccupied with breaking the walls of Minas Tirith and two scouts were hardly worth their time.

Eomer lead them to the rendezvous by noon , riding directly to the king's tent, the only tent planted. Once he was in his uncle's presence, he wasted no time. "Minas Tirith is surrounded. The lower level is in flames. Everywhere legions of the enemy advance."

Theoden looked at Enzi for confirmation. She nodded. "And the Haradric army is on the move, taking the Clayhon Pass, probably hoping to surprise the Gondorians.

"How many?" Théoden asked.

"At least fifteen thousand, lord."

"Time is against us," Theoden said aloud. Enzi wanted to add 'numbers' to his statement but said nothing. Say what she could about Eomer, he came from a brave and strong people. A people so brave that they would fight knowing they were woefully outnumbered.

Theoden pointed to his tent, quietly. "Take a quick respite, my lady. You and Eomer are the first to return. We will continue as soon as the other scouting parties return." She shook her head at the king but he did not wait for her response. It would be disrespectful to disobey him in front of his men so she did as he bade her, slipping into his tent and sitting down on his cot. She was surprised to see that Eomer followed her.

"Would you like me to check on the young soldier you were training?" he said quietly.

Éowyn! She'd almost forgotten. "N-no! No. I'll do so later. Thank you."

He nodded and she lay down, straining to force her body to relax. Sleep was apparently an enemy she could not chase down. Besides, she could still feel Éomer's eyes boring through his skin. "Was there something else?" she asked. Nothing.

She finally opened her eyes to find Eomer sitting in a chair beside the cot, staring into her eyes. "You called me a coward in front of my men."

"And you called me a fool," she retorted.

"Which I would not have done if you-" He stopped himself mid-sentence, feeling the tenseness in the tent increase. "I am not trying to start another discussion. I have been trying to apologize."

Enzi glared at him. "Not your most well-honed skill."

"For the love of the gods, woman, will you not just let me speak!" Eomer cried in frustration.

Enzi would not have honored his request but she knew he would not leave until he said his peace. "Fine," she said, sitting up and folding her arms, waiting for him to speak.

"I've protected Éowyn from danger since we were both children. I did everything I could to keep her safe, even when Grima sold our very lands to Sauruman. She and my uncle are all I have left. The thought of losing her . . ." He seemed lost in thought for a moment, and Enzi could see sadness in his eyes, easily melting away the anger she felt for him. She knew was it was to sacrifice all to protect one's loved ones. He looked back up at her, his face composed. "She looks up to you. You are the representation of everything she wanted to be. So I felt I had to discount your opinion, to force her to see reason." He chuckled for a moment. "I partially expected her to sneak into the group somehow."

"You know your sister," Enzi said without thinking. He gave her a look and she quickly recovered. "Just thinking aloud, barbarian. Continue."

"I did not mean to bring your brother into this." Eomer lowered his eyes. "I am deeply sorry." He chanced to take her hand in his, kneading it in his. "For the record, I do not believe you are a fool. Bull-headed, yes. Infuriating, definitely. But you are not a fool." Enzi was taken aback by his sincere words. She barely knew what to say, so for a while she said nothing, just staring into his eyes. This wasn't what she'd expected of him. It was much gentler and gallant rather than coarse and blunt. She still didn't trust him, but she at least believed him.

He seemed to notice her shock and spoke softly. "Not what you expected from a barbarian?" A hint of mirth sparkled in his eyes. "Afterall, you told me to do something unexpected." The reminder of their previous conversation in the Meduseld caused her to give him a small (very small) smile. "Am I forgiven?"

She looked at him for a while, taking in his features. She pulled her hand from his grasp and settled down onto the cot once again. "For now, barbarian," she said, closing her eyes to sleep. "For now."

She heard the rustle of Éomer's movements and felt his hand on hers again. "Thank you my lady," he said, taking her hand again. She opened her eyes just long enough to see him moving it to his lips, the twinkle still within his eyes. "Do not push your luck, barbarian," she cried as she tried to pull her hand away and swat him.

As she did this she was surprised to find that he anticipated her response and caught it before it could make contact with his shoulder. But this time, he said nothing. Confident that he'd bested her, he simply kissed her within her palm, chuckling a bit, then left her to sleep.

"I think I liked it better when we were enemies," she said to the empty tent before sleep finally embraced her.


Thoughts? I thought about stretching this out but as an action fan I really, really would like to get to the battle soon. Speaking of battles, any thoughts on what's going on between Eomer and Enzi? Do you think they've come to some sort of peace with each other or are these two hot-heads destined to squabble over something! And we haven't heard from Enzi's family in a while. Any thoughts? Reviews are always welcomed!