Disclaimer: I do not own any bit of Tolkien's world.

"The assassin also killed Theodred you say?" asked Legolas. Varilerin softly nodded as she walked around the stables, searching for Hasufel to no avail. The stables had been emptied for the upcoming journey and she could not find Hasufel, which should have been waiting for her. For this purpose Aragorn went to another stable looking for the steed, while Legolas stayed with Varilerin with Arod next to him. "And why are you telling me this?" he asked again.

"Because I know you have also noticed," Varilerin answered. "For a thousand-year-old ranger you have better observations than anyone. You must have known from the stab wound alone."

"From bare eye observation, you are correct, but we cannot be so sure," Legolas retorted. "Though this confirms our suspicions that Saruman has more than fighting Uruks under his command."

"Or Sauron," Varilerin responded when a movement from the corner of the stable. It was a grey horse moving erratically, being locked at the corner alone. It was strange to find one left behind, for the stable boys must have been ordered to take all available horses. The horse looked fierce and mighty, unlike the others she had seen in Rohan, and it sent her a sharp gaze. Its eyes bore deep into her as if it was studying her soul.

"That's strange," said Legolas as Varilerin closed her distance with the horse. She took her steps carefully, expecting to be greeted by a furious neigh—horses liked Elves fondly—but instead it merely raised its head. It neighed quietly when Varilerin arrived at its cage and stopped its wild movement. Varilerin smiled gently and brushed the horse's mane.

"Who are you?" asked Varilerin in Elvish as she unlocked the cage. Upon closer look, its hair was not completely grey like its skin, but with silvery locks glinting under the coming sunrise. The horse reminded herself of another significant one, though she could not discern which one.

"Ah, you should be careful with that one!" a stable boy warned as it walked past the stable. "She is wilder than the others and terrifying. But, it is intriguing how you managed to tame her."

"Is she anyone's ride?" asked Varilerin back. The boy shook his head hastily.

"She has been alone ever since she came here, injured and battered. If you want to you can take her though."

"Thank you," Varilerin said to the disappearing boy. The horse in turned neighed and lowered her head. "Do you want me to ride you?" Varilerin asked, responded by a stomp of the horse's foot. Varilerin nodded and smiled under her scarf as she patted the horse lovingly. She quickly untied her reigns and led her away from the cage which might have locked her for a long time. Outside she was greeted by Aragorn, holding Hasufel in his control.

"Well, that's fascinating," Aragorn remarked when he saw the horse. "I assume you are not riding with me again? Is my back that bad?"

"This horse is lonely and without a master, that's all," Varilerin told him. "Without name as well, it seems."

"Well, good! You are going to be naming it then, Lass!" Gimli said excitedly. "Say, what is its name again?"

Varilerin narrowed her eyes as she came in contact with her steed once more. "Elen," she whispered shortly. Aragorn and Legolas raised their brows before they smiled simultaneously. Gimli merely tilted his head in confusion.

"The star," Aragorn "That is suitable for her."

"Indeed it will be," Varilerin said, smiling, before she tied Elen around the stable's wooden post. "I should look for a saddle while there is time. I can ride without one, just like other Elves do, though it might be safer to take one. I am going to the Hall to see if they still have several left."

"We'll wait for you here at sunrise," Legolas said. Varilerin nodded and sprinted towards the Hall, where the night before a murder almost happened. Now she reviewed the incident once more, she noticed that the assassin might not be a Haradrim after all. The poison he embellished on his weapon was not the one often found in the desert, where the Haradrims resided. She could identify it well because its components could only be found in forests and mountains. A pack of Orc had used one before and it had a similar smell with the one the assassin used. It did not result in anything perilous in the amount she had taken, but would certainly kill the King if the assassin had managed to even stab him on the leg. Nevertheless her speculations, she now surely knew the assassin was no mere assassin.

The Hall of Meduseld was clean from the bodies which had littered its floors previously, though the air still reeked of rusty blood. People rushed to and fro quickly as the sunrise slowly approached the day, signifying their impending departure from Edoras. It might be improper for her to disturb their business, so Varilerin decided she would search for the saddle herself. At least, it was what she thought, until she saw Eowyn in the middle of the hall. Eowyn did not notice her shadowy arrival as she opened a chest before her. The maiden pulled a sword from the box, lifting it high to the air. Her eyes were different than the ones Varilerin saw when Theoden was bewitched. They were bold and courageous, unlike ordinary women found in Rohan. Eowyn studied the sword for a moment before she started swinging it with outmost precision and skills, much to Varilerin's surprise.

"You play the sword?" asked Varilerin so suddenly Eown almost dropped her weapon. The maiden turned around and saw Varilerin with wide eyes, apparently only realizing she was there. Eowyn stuttered back as she glanced away, sheathing her sword back with trembling hands.

"Women of this country learnt long ago: those without swords can still die upon them. I fear neither death nor pain," Eowyn answered sternly.

"Then what do you fear?" Varilerin asked back.

"A cage. To stay behind bars until use and old age accept them and all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire."

"Valor?" Varilerin wondered. "You are the Shieldmaiden of Rohan. Valor is out of question, for you are born with one."

"And I am born with the fate of standing behind the lines," Eowyn retorted. "I do not want that, not a single bite of it."

Varilerin remained silent as Eowyn took several objects from the chest. She stepped closer to Eowyn, who stopped moving when she did so. "You decide your own fate, My Lady. Your time will surely come, if it is your hope to join the battle. However…." Varilerin paused as she lowered her scarf, revealing her face better. Apparently Eowyn had not noticed she was truly a woman, though her surprise might be more accounted to the fact that Varilerin looked so bitter and cold. "However, you must know this, Eowyn. The battlefield is perilous and merciless. It tears your soul apart. Once you enter it, you cannot return."

"It is better than waiting for our men to die," Eowyn said brokenly.

"Then I advise you have a better purpose of fighting than valor, Eowyn," Varilerin said as she walked towards where she assumed her saddle was located. "For a weak will might cost you your soul and life," she continued, before she disappeared from the maiden's vision.


"Gandalf the White! Gandalf the Fool! Does he seek to humble me with his newfound piety?" Saruman cursed aloud as he walked round his room. Grima stood not far, patching the blood on his lower lip as he observed Saruman's anger took the better of him. He had just informed the Wizard of the events unfolding in Edoras, disappointing him terribly and shaking the tower with fury when he discovered Gandalf returning with a newfound wisdom and strength. Saruman could not even place the blame of his failure on Grima. Failure became one of his trademarks now, just like Vrasari had said. Thinking of the man only made Saruman explode more.

"There were four who followed the Wizard. An Elf, an elleth, a Dwarf, and a Man," informed Grima as he stepped closer.

"You stink of horse," protested the Wizard, his voice surprising calm despite the state he was in. "The Man… Was he from Gondor?"

"No, from the North, One of the Dunedain rangers, I thought he was. His cloth was poor and yet he bore a strange ring. Two serpents with emerald eyes, one devouring and the other crowned with olden flowers."

Saruman widened his eyes when he heard the new information and took a book from his dusty shelves. He flicked through the pages of the book and taps his finger on one page with a large picture engraved on it. "The Ring of Barahir… So Gandalf Greyhame thinks he has found Isildur's heir. The lost king of Gondor. He is a fool. The line was broken years ago."

"But what intriguing was not the ranger alone," Grima continued, igniting Saruman's curiosity. "It was the elleth travelling with them."

"What of her?"

"She was more of a Haradrim than an Elf. All of her attire was black, except for her green Elvish cloak. And her eyes, My Lord, they were menacing and deep. Silver they were, like the starlight, and when I saw them they quickly bore into the depths of my soul."

"Silver eyes?" Saruman asked as he closed his book. He had also once seen those eyes before, many years ago. Gandalf had mentioned once having a friend with silver eyes. "Daefaroth…. The Shadow Hunter," mentioned Saruman. "She's notorious for emerging here and there, changing the tides of events with her uncanny skills."

"Is she a threat?" Grima asked hesitantly. Saruman immediately scoffed and slammed his book hard.

"A threat? Bah! She is merely an exile with a shameful past! She cannot do anything, not even help her comrades. She is not their aide, but their bearer of misfortune. The world of Men will still fall even without her sticking her head into their matters. Yes, it will begin in Edoras—"

Saruman paused when a crow suddenly perched on his balcony, bearing a small scroll attached to its feet. "Grima, what is this?" asked Saruman, for he did not remember having a bird as a messenger.

"Oh, the spies we have inside Edoras has some news," Grima explained as he took the bird. Carefully he received the scroll from the messenger and opened it. Saruman snatched the letter and scrutinized the written words carefully. What he read delighted and disappointed him at the same time.

Last night a stranger tried to kill the king to no avail. Guards said a woman helped them. They are going to Helm's Deep.

"Hah, it seems Vrasari is only full of lies and arrogance," Saruman said as he threw the message away.

"Vrasari? Who is he, My Lord?" asked Grima as he picked up the message.

"He is one of Sauron's underlings, a skilled assassin who has killed many important figures in Gondor and Rohan. Though, it seems he is not as skilled as before."

"This woman they mentioned, she must be Daefaroth," Grima suggested. "It seems she might not be as not important as we previously thought."

"Indeed," Saruman remarked. "And now, they are going to Helm's Deep, the great fortress of Rohan."

"Theoden is smart. He has expected an attack on the city. Helm's Deep might make them invulnerable, but the road to take through is dangerous. They will be slow and have woman and children with them."

"Good," Saruman said before he walked down the tower. Grima hastily pursued behind him, wondering what he was planning. He only understood when they arrived in one of Isengard's dreaded pits. Giant wolves growled back at the Man, seeking his flesh in hunger. Saruman greeted an Orc feeding one of the wolves with fresh meat.

"Send out your warg-riders."


Once the sun emerged to the sky and the night dissipated beneath the mountains, Theoden and his people embarked towards Helm's Deep in hopes they would find safety. The riders rode out as vanguards and following behind them were the citizens, still wary and frightened of whatever danger threatening them. Varilerin, now with Elen, rode with the other members of the Company close to Theoden. She rode right next to him, still disturbed by the prospect of him being targeted once more. She had no further reason to do this other than for the people of Rohan, who now only had their kind to depend on. Apparently Theoden was pleased with her company though, which might seem strange to Varilerin since people rarely liked her company—so far only Legolas liked it.

"I've heard about you from my father, Thengel," Theoden told Varilerin as they continued to ride. "He said that 'she' was a 'he'"

"I did conceal my identity that time, though I found that it is now unnecessary," Varilerin answered quietly, her eyes and senses still focusing on the vast road beyond.

"It is a wonder to find an elleth wandering beyond her realms."

"Except that I am not fully an elleth. I am a peredhil, but I choose to live as an Elf," Varilerin answered surely. "I need to protect this earth as long as I could. It is a vow I took so long ago."

"I can see a strong chivalry in you, despite your upbringings," Theoden remarked. "It is really fascinating to find such qualities within mere rangers like you and Aragorn. You appear as if you are just a traveller with ragged and dirty clothes. Many would see you as ordinary wanderers, but I see more than just a wanderer."

Theoden's words reminded Varilerin of her own heritage. Leadership would surely not be passed through bloodlines, which confused her dearly. "You must have been mistaken, My Lord. I have not led anyone and always travel alone."

"Leadership is often a natural talent waiting to be discovered," Theoden lastly said, ending their conversation. Behind them Eowyn laughed without control, her voice echoing in the grim air. Varilerin turned around to see Gimli rushing off towards the front with his wild horse, the Dwarf widening his eyes in horror as he dropped to the grown.

"It's alright. Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate," Gimli assured everyone, but failed to do so when the others chuckled in response. Eowyn continued to laugh as she helped Gimli to his feet. Theoden observed his niece with nostalgic and sad eyes.

"I haven't seen my niece smile for a long time," Theoden said. "She was a girl when they brought her father back dead, cut down by Orcs. She watched her mother succumb to grief. She was then left alone, to tend her king in growing fear. Doomed to wait upon an old man who should have loved her as a father."

Varilerin had nothing to say other than to listen. She understood Eowyn well, for she knew too familiar the pain of loss and suffering. She pitied the maiden and saluted her at the same time, for her courage in living his far. "She is fortunate enough to have you as an uncle. What has past is past," Varilerin said.

Theoden nodded and turned to Hama. "We'll stop and rest here," he informed him. Hama obeyed and instructed the people to rest for the journey, receiving relieved sighs especially from the women. The women stopped and prepared for the others meals to regain their strength. Eowyn was not an exception and she cooked bowls of soup for the Fellowship.

Varilerin stood by Elen, tending the lonesome steed as she enjoyed the soft breeze of the plains. It was faint, but she could observe that Elen was not an ordinary horse. With her keen eyes and senses, Varilerin knew that Elen was not tired the slightest after their long journey.

"She really likes you," Gimli said, smoking from his pipe.

"Indeed. It is true that a steed is linked in fate with its future master. No wonder she waited loyally in the stables," Legolas remarked.

"She has waited too long, I think," Eowyn said as she closed into the circle, carrying with her bowls of soup. Gimli widened his eyes when he saw Eowyn bringing them food, instantly signalling Varilerin to refuse the food. "She is not a horse bred in Edoras, nor in any place in Rohan. A mighty wild horse, long ago she came to our stables battered and wounded. We tended her until she recovered, but strangely she did not want to leave the cage despite us releasing her."

"You let this lass stay for free?" Gimli asked, clearly in disbelief of the idea.

"For us the people of Rohan, horses are families, comrades. It was the best decision to leave her be after all, for we discovered later that she is indeed no ordinary steed… She is one of the Mearas."

"The Mearas?" Legolas gasped. Varilerin did not remark, but her eyes were as wide and as bright as the sun. "Varilerin, My Friend, you have gotten yourself quite a horse!"

"No wonder she is really distant from the others," Eowyn said. "Ah, you must be hungry. Here, have a soup."

"Thank you," Varilerin said as she received the food." Eowyn looked at Legolas and Gimli, asking the same question, but they shook their heads as quick as the wind. Eowyn smiled and walked away, apparently joyful Varilerin had accepted her gift.

"You should not really eat that, Lass," Gimli said with a disgusted face. "Even I can cook better"

"Still, it is a gift I must accept," Varilerin reasoned curtly before she drank the soup. To Gimli's and Legolas' surprise and horror, Varilerin didn't even flinch and instead gobble it until it was empty. Once finished, she looked back at them with a straight face. "It is not bad."

"I am so horrified to have you as a friend now. It is not even edible!" Gimli said.

"If you've travelled for hundreds of years you'll understand," Varilerin told Gimli shortly before giving the bowl to a nearby woman. She noticed Eowyn giving Aragorn her dish as well and when the maiden had left him, Aragorn began spilling his bowl's contents slowly to the grass.

"That's not courteous," she told Aragorn, towering him like a shadow. For once in his life he was shocked that he almost sprayed his soup towards Varilerin.

"My tongue is not as strong as yours," he reasoned as he laid the bowl next to him. "Besides, I've just eaten this morning. I can cope with the hunger." Varilerin merely scoffed at his ridiculous answer. Despite him being a ranger, he could not able to withstand a food as bad as this. Perhaps she was the one too numb to taste anything.

"Fine reasoning," Varilerin said as she kicked the bowl, pretending as if it was an accident," but still disrespectful for an honourable man like you."

"Honourable in which context?" Aragorn asked. Varilerin only realized the true meaning of the inquiry when Aragorn gave her a meaningful gaze.

"As a warrior and a leader," Varilerin answered.

"Varilerin, I do not want the throne," Aragorn retorted.

"But you need it," Varilerin insisted. "You require it. Do you think Lord Elrond will freely marry his daughter with a mere ranger?" For the first time in his life Aragorn could not argue with someone. Varilerin's point was terribly correct and brilliant.

"What if I die?" Aragorn asked back. "Who will lead Gondor and its people? Who will lead the Men?"

"I will not let you," Varilerin responded sternly. "I've vowed to protect you, so that Men will find hope in these dark days. Aragorn, you do not take the throne because you do not want it; it is because you fear power, frightened that it would control you like it did to Isildur. You might be his successor by flesh, but you are not him by soul."

Aragorn was rendered speechless as Varilerin ended their conversation and walked away. Her words echoed in his mind, like continuous song waiting to be sung. As the lines moved once more and the horses began pacing, he continued to ponder over what she had just said. He had never heard such convincing wisdom before. He had never wanted power, not even once in his life, but somehow she managed to trust him with one. He looked around him as their journey continued, seeing women and children journeying in hopes they could find safety from the dangerous world. Would this happen if he had taken his right as Isildur's heir?

"You doubt yourself."

Aragorn turned to see Legolas walking beside him, leading his horse instead of riding it. "You doubt your capabilities as a king. I overheard her saying those words."

"Maybe you are correct, My Friend," Aragorn replied.

"Fear and doubt are two similar things, both obscuring your path. But I do not believe they will prevent you from helping your people, Aragorn," Legolas reasoned. "I think you should believe in yourself. It is not often to find Varilerin putting such trust in an individual."

"She also trust you," Aragorn retorted without looking at him. "Which intrigues me…" Legolas was no longer beside him, only Gimli and his horse.

"Speak with human language, will you?!" Gimli protested, whilst the Man merely shook his head. Elves were indeed cunning, but not unpredictable. Aragorn knew he had hit a sensitive spot within the ellon running to the front line.

Legolas indeed escaped from Aragorn just in time. He could not understand the reason for this, for all he knew was he could not answer Aragorn's further questions. He had never felt so defenceless before, especially regarding a single person he cared as a friend. The friend he spoke about was currently speaking with Eowyn, apparently forming a strange friendship with the maiden. Legolas suppressed an urge to glance at Varilerin as he ran to scout the path beyond, another questionable behaviour just emerging recently.

"Wait," Varilerin suddenly said when she saw Legolas flashing before her. Eowyn immediately stopped when Varilerin blocked her path.

"Varilerin, what is wrong?" Eowyn asked, utterly confused. Varilerin hastily scouted her surroundings, grabbing her bow with an arrow ready.

"I can see something," Varilerin said as her eyes caught ghostly shadows descending from the hill before then; They were shadows of large wolves sprinting at them, with Orc riders mounting their backs. "Something is wrong, something is coming!" she warned as she pushed Eowyn back.

Her suspicions were confirmed when she heard a scream coming from the direction where Hama and Gamling had gone. She rushed towards them and saw Legolas ending the life of a warg with his knives. Aragorn pursued her from behind. "A scout!" Legolas shouted, kicking the corpse back. Aragorn hurried back down the hill to the people, Varilerin staying behind with Legolas to draw arrows.

"What is it?" Theoden asked in confusion.

"Warg! We're under attack!" Aragorn warned them, mounting his horse. The crowd panicked in an instant, transforming Eowyn to a horrified state. Aragorn turned to Eowyn, still bemused and transfixed to the ground. "Get them out of here!"

Eowyn showed signs of refusal, for she wanted to fight alongside her comrades. But Varilerin's words and warnings emerged in her head, producing hesitance in her soul and convincing her to stay behind. "All riders to the head of the column!" Theoden ordered. The riders immediately formed lines, raising their weapons against the impending enemy. Eowyn proceeded away from Theoden, knowing it would be best for her to lead the women and children away.

Hearing the panic behind her, Varilerin didn't shift her attention for her steed, and instead notched an arrow to her bowstring. From afar splotches of black appeared, moving quickly like the river as their figures slowly enlarged and formed fully the bodies of Orcs and wargs. There were many of them, almost dozens, and they were thirsty of blood.

"May this end well," Legolas prayed. Varilerin nodded surely—she had bitter experiences with wargs before, she would make sure this ends well—before she fired her weapon to an incoming warg. Legolas followed her action, continuing to stand side by side with his friend until the riders aid them. When Varilerin saw Elen, running swifter than the others, she leapt onto her back immediately as she fired an arrow mid-air to another beast. The empty hill which once stood before them immediately turned into a fierce battlefield filled with shouts of Men and howls of wargs. In a short moment Men clashed with Orcs and beasts, trembling the air with echoes of weapons contacting each other.

Elen brought Varilerin among the enemies like a beast, dodging any warg to let her rider end their enemies with a single hit. She ran not like a retired steed, but one seemingly used to view of raging war. The warg pack increased the number as the battle ensued, as if it was unlimited. They were vicious and wild, their moves unpredictable, and the Rohan soldiers encountered terribly difficulty in fighting them. Varilerin continued to fight mercilessly and without fear, her dark memories being constant reminders for her not to let her guard down.

Apparently she was not the one to worry about. From the corners of her eyes she saw Aragorn fighting alongside Theoden, while Legolas continued to defeat his opponents with his bow and Gimli stayed on ground with his axe. Her fast eyes caught Aragorn off guard and a warg-rider looming behind him, ready to strike. "Aragorn!" she shouted as she shot the warg with two arrows at once. Aragorn turned around to see a dead warg and its rider lying on the ground. He widened his eyes, realizing Varilerin had kept her vow, before he turned towards her.

His relieved expressions suddenly changed into a horrified one. "Varilerin!" he shouted to the top of his lungs. Varilerin could not perceive what Aragorn warned her, until she felt her body flying to the air and hitting the ground. Varilerin grunted as her head was conquered with drowsiness and she searched for her bow, lying several feet from her. Her mind had just returned to absolute consciousness when the same warg-rider took a turn and charged at her. Without further thought Varilerin grabbed the warg's saddlery and tried to reach for her sword, only to fail in doing so. The warg's movements were erratic enough to shake her uncanny balance and control over her own body, rendering her useless.

The Orc riding above her screeched when it realized a new man on board. It drew its sword and swung it dead towards her neck, but Varilerin unsheathed her medical knife just in time to save her head. The Orc switched from skills to the use of brute force, pushing Varilerin down and tried grinding her head with the friction of the warg's motion. Gritting her teeth, Varilerin in turn mustered all of her strength to her small knife and with a single flick disarming the Orc from its ruthless sword.

Varilerin struggled to gain seating or footing to end the Orc properly, but the warg continued to move without her permission. The dismayed Orc immediately grabbed her neck when it saw an opening and squeezed her hard, attempting to break her narrow neck. Varilerin frowned and stabbed the Orc with her knife. The Orc did not fall and instead pushed her harder, so she applied all her strength left with another stab enough to pierce a man's skull. The Orc finally lost its upper hand and seating on the saddle, but it was still persistent. With its last effort it pulled Varilerin down with him, but she retained her will to stay on the warg.

Varilerin pulled herself up to kick the Orc down and she succeeded, but the Orc grabbed her neck again, this time clinging on the chains of her necklace. Flashes of thoughts and possibilities ran through her mind, but she none of them concerned of her necklace. With her life as her only concern, she pulled her body lastly and punched the Orc away from its ride. The Orc ultimately fell to its death and left Varilerin alone with her life.

Her heart pacing like a roaring river, she could finally let a sigh of relief as she reached for her other hand to release her from the beast. Before she did so, her eyes caught a menacing cliff lying just a few feet before her. Widening her eyes in horror, she immediately reached for the warg's strapping and struggled herself free. She did so to no avail.

"Oh Valar."

In a mere second the warg leapt from the cliff with its uninvited rider. Varilerin saw a glimpse of water rushing beneath her as her body flew to the air, before her darkness filled her vision and she lost sight of the world.

A/N: Yes, Varilerin fell in exchange of Aragorn... but she got a horse, and a Mearas in fact!

I've read from several Lotr fun facts that Aragorn actually did not fall from the cliff in the book, which provides me an opportunity to throw Varilerin to the river. It is for character development's sake, I assure you, because Legolas needs some seconds to rethink his awry life (lol). This chapter ended longer than I've expected, which is good and amazing for my standards.

And I am still curious whether Haldir should die. Seriously guys, please write your thoughts on his fate in the reviews box. I can't progress with the next chapters well if you don't help me. Pretty please?

Also, thanks to JollyLoser and sweetheartcat5 for featuring this fic in their community!

Anyways, thank you for reading again! Hope you enjoy this chapter!