Éowyn and I slept in the hall, while the men slept in another room. I had asked Aragorn about the arrangements and he had given me a small smile.

"The Lady Éowyn is of noble blood." He must have seen me making a face because he quickly held up his hand. "And as you are now a lady of Rivendell you are also of noble blood. I do not think your brothers and ada would be very happy with the idea of you sleeping in a room full of men. We are no longer in the wilderness, Rielásse. We are in the court of Théoden King, and we must act according to the court rules."

"Ick. Decorum.', I scrunched my nose up playfully.

"Be glad you are not in Gondor. Our customs are more strict, and there are many more of them than there are here.', Boromir helpfully pointed out.

"I'm never coming to visit Minas Tirith.', I groaned as I ran a hand down my face, pulling my skin tight around that area. Aragorn and Boromir exchanged an amused look before leaving me on my own.

xXx

"You are restless."

The night sky was misted over by clouds, and even the star of Eärendil could not pierce through the heavy grey barrier. It was past midnight as I snuck outside, managing to stub my toes more then once on the way through the dark. What I didn't expect was to see Haldir outside also.

"That's an understatement.', I muttered, avoiding Haldir's questioning gaze. "I feel... I feel something I can't explain; a sense of foreboding almost."

"I also feel it. The eye of the enemy is moving. It stirs a feeling of unease into the hearts of every elf that still lives on middle earth."

It was strange to be sitting on the stone steps of Meduseld with the marchwarden. We hadn't exactly been on the friendliest terms when I left Lóthlorien, but we had somehow come to a mutual agreement not to dwell on that. Now we were just sparring partners for sarcastic conversations.

"Ouch.', I gasped, gripping my head.

Haldir gave me a funny look as I hissed in pain.

"Rielásse?"

"I'm fine.', I ground out.

"Your expression says otherwise."

"I said I am fine. Just— just help me inside please."

Haldir had helped me to my feet when I felt it. The overwhelming feeling of darkness made my knees buckle, and I almost fell had he not caught me.

"You are obviously not fine.', he huffed as he dragged me inside.

I opened my mouth to retort, but I found I couldn't. I couldn't move; I could not do anything.

"Lady Rielásse? Rielásse! Answer me!" I vaguely remember him shaking me before he called for help.

I felt something prying into my mind, breaking through the mental shields I had built, and laying things bare. Darkness merged with the light, and then the light was quenched.

xXx

"Look at me. What did you see?"

Gandalf was cradling Pippin's terrified face, forcing the trembling hobbit to look him in the eyes. The chaos-causing palantir had been swiftly covered and placed out of the way, where it would not be easily found.

"A tree...', the halfling stuttered as he seemingly gazed into the distance. "I saw a white tree... in a courtyard of stone. It was dead. The city... it was burning."

Boromir drew a shuddering breath at the revelation.

"I- I saw..."

"What?!', Gandalf demanded. "Tell me what you saw!"

"I saw... him.', Pippin whispered, his eyes wide as he inhaled another ragged breath. "I could hear his voice inside my head! He asked me my name... but I didn't answer. He— he hurt me."

"And what did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring? Speak quickly!"

"Nothing.', Pippin croaked.

"We have been fortunate.', the wizard sighed in relief.

"Legolas?Mani na taa?"

"The enemy is still here, Aragorn. I can sense him; his malice is grasping for something..."

Gandalf froze, slowly turning to face the Mirkwood elf.

"If he is where I fear him to be..."

"Mithrandir!" The panic filled yell had them scrambling to see what had happened.

"Haldir!', Aragorn's head snapped towards the door that led to the main hall.

"Riley!', Gandalf shouted in realization.

xXx

The choppy waves were beginning to crash over the sides of the small motor boat as the driver wheeled the steering mechanism around, changing the crafts direction in order to arrive at the docks before the storm grew any worse.

I watched helplessly as the control shift became stuck, dad's eyes widening in worry as he tried and failed to fix the jam.

I'mdreaming again.

The events of that day were flashing through my mind, and a sinking feeling filled my lower belly as mom slipped the life jacket over my head and tossed me off of the boat moments before the vehicle hit the hidden rock.

"Swim! Just swim and don't look back!"

But her pleas had been ignored. A sharp pang of grief shot through my chest as I watched the boat crumple as it collided with the underwater hazard.

"I was so sure of myself... And look where it got me. I failed. I let them slip away... I could have saved them. I know I could have."

"YOUR FOREBEARS ARE DEAD; YOU HAVE FAILED THEM JUST AS YOU WILL FAIL YOUR FRIENDS."

The grating voice made me clutch my hands to my ears, not caring that it hurt the delicate points as long as that horrid voice was blocked out of my mind.

"I AM THEONE... YOU CANNOT FORCE ME FROM YOUR MIND. YOU CANNOT ESCAPE THE DARKNESS."

That's when it clicked: Sauron must have entered my mind while Pippin had the palantir.

The pressure was beginning to build in my head as the flame-wreathed eye came into view, and I gave a muffled yowl of pain.

"I WILL BREAK YOU', Sauron growled as I didn't answer, the tension inside my head steadily increasing. "WHERE IS THE ONE RING?"

"It's— it's somewhere! Ta-da!', I blurted out the first thing that came to mind. And it most likely wasn't the best thing to say: Sauron's eye looks pretty irritated. Or maybe he just needs to invest in some eyedrops.

"INCOMPETENT FOOL! YOUR MIND WILL BE LEFT SHRIVELED AND NAKED TO THE GREAT EYE! YOU WILL WITHER AWAY IN THE DARKNESS THAT IS RISING!"

The evil presence suddenly withdrew and with it the rasping voice of the dark lord faded into nothingness, but his words lingered in my mind.

xXx

"She is awakening."

A pair of cool hands cupped my face, and as my eyes fluttered open they were quickly removed. Several faces loomed above me, speaking softly to one another.

"What the flipping pancakes just happened to me?!', I asked weakly as I tried to sit up, only to be gently pressed back into the pillow that lay behind my head.

"I believe Sauron tried to glean your mind for information. He purposefully sought you out. The palantir was a outlet for his power, and he was able to enter your thoughts.', Gandalf muttered darkly. "Thankfully, I was able to draw you out of the darkness before he rooted himself too deeply. Had that happened, he would have been a beholder to the future. And that would be a happening we cannot afford."

"He would have had to destroy the barrier her fëa created to do what he has done...', I heard Haldir whisper in realization. The marchwarden exchanged an uneasy glance with the wizard in our company before he hastily excused himself and left the room.

"Did the enemy speak to you?', Gandalf inquired worriedly.

"Yes."

"And what did he say?" The wizard's eyes bore deeply into my own. "Tell me everything. Leave nothing unspoken."

"He said that I will fail you.', I whispered, shutting my eyes. "As I failed my parents."

"Penneth, what happened to your parents was not fault. None could have foreseen the accident.', Aragorn murmured comfortingly as he kneeled beside the bed and pushed my hair out of my face.

"But I could have done something to save them! I was alifeguard, Aragorn. I was trained to save people from the water, not let them drown in it! She told me to swim away, and not look back. And if I had only listened—', my voice broke as several tears spilled from my eyes.

"If you had only listened...?', Aragorn pressed.

"Mellon ninI do not think you should—"

"Peace, Legolas. It will be better if she unburdens her heart."

"Do you remember after we crossed the Celebrant? There was a scar on my neck... and you thought it was where I was beaten. But it wasn't." My eyes were beginning to burn from the salty drops of water that insisted on making an appearance.

"It was from a piece of metal. And if I had swam away like I had been told it wouldn't have hit me. I could have saved them that day, but instead I was unconscious.', I finished explaining bitterly, my hands fisted by my sides. "Gandalf, I'm not even supposed to be here. What if he was right? What if I fail and mess things up?"

Gandalf gave me an understanding smile.

"Even I have doubts at times, Riley. Whether you chose to acknowledge it or not, you do have a part to play in this world. You have given hope to many, and changed the opinions of those who once doubted your race."

"It is true.', Legolas acknowledged. "The people of Rohan have always been leery of the Eldar, yet they seem slightly less so now."

"That still does not explain why I am here.', I huffed despairingly.

"You will find your purpose, Rielásse. But for now, rest. It is still in the wee hours of the morning." Gandalf gave my shoulder a pat, and I was left to myself for the time being.

"For the record', I said to the ceiling after everyone had left the small room I had been carried to. "Darth Vader will always be cooler than Sauron. The dude has a cool back story AND a cape!"

xXx

"Mithrandir I fear for the young one, as did the Lady Galadriel. The barrier that Sauron razed held back her painful memories, and if it has been torn away..."

"The grief could possibly overwhelm her.', Gandalf finished for the marchwarden. "Your lady foresaw that this would happen, Haldir. But there is nothing more we can do at the moment, other then keep a careful eye on her wellbeing. I will alert Legolas and Aragorn in the morning; if she begins to show signs of fading they will tell us."

"I will leave at dawn to bring this news to my lord and lady. I take my leave."

xXx

I hurried into the main hall, garnering a few worried looks from Legolas and Aragorn. I supposed they were still anxious over last nights escapade. I quickly glanced around, taking inventory of those who were in attendance. Haldir had informed us of his intentions, so it did not surprise me to see him absent. Gandalf spared me a glance before he continued his conversation with the king.

"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. He is a fool... but an honest fool he remains.', he declared truthfully as he glanced at the guilty looking hobbit. "He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We have been strangely fortunate."

Gimli blew a sigh of relief, making his beard quiver slightly. Merry was looking thoughtfully at the white wizard from his place beside Pippin, his hand placed under his chin as he leaned against a pillar.

"What Pippin saw in the palantir was a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing. He now knows the heir of Elendil has come forth."

I watched as Aragorn shifted his gaze to slowly meet the wizard's piercing scrunity, folding his arms across his broad chest and giving a slight nod of acceptance.

"Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still; strength enough, perhaps, to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of middle earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of men.', Gandalf continued earnestly. "If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war.

Boromir held his hands clasped behind his back, his brow furrowed with concern.

I wonder how he feels about Aragorn becoming the King of Gondor...

"Tell me...', Théoden asked coolly, his head held proudly. "Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe to Gondor?"

Denethor's son tensed, his lips pressed into a thin line as he stared at Théoden.

"I will go.', Aragorn volunteered quietly, rubbing the stubble on his chin.

"No!', Gandalf barked back.

"They must be warned!"

"They will be. You must come by a different road. Follow the river, look to the black ships..."

Gee, Gandalf. That's not cryptic at all!

"Understand this. Things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith. And I won't be going alone."

Feeling eyes on him, Pippin jerked his head up, fidgeting nervously when he met the wizard's calculating glower.

"I will ride with you.', Boromir offered. "I believe my path now lies towards home."

"No, Boromir. Not yet anyway. I will be riding Shadowfax, and his pace is quicker than any other horse in Rohan. Linger in Rohan for a few more days."

"As you say, Gandalf." The man looked disappointed, but he quickly brushed the emotion off of his face. "Your council has always been near the mark, so to speak."

The wizard sent a barely noticeable wink in my direction. I grinned back in response. Gandalf knew exactly what he was doing. Sneaky old wizard!