I do not own LotR or anything else in Arda.
As they traveled the next day, most walked, leading their horses. Taríen, on the other hand, remained mounted. "Why are you still riding?" Aragorn asked. "Stormbringer must be tired." "He is a mearh," she shrugged. "I would walk, but he won't let me. He's highly overprotective." "Does he think you'll injure yourself?" Aragorn asked, amused. Taríen threw her hands in the air. "I have no idea! But in his opinion, my luck went downhill after he left me at Moria, therefore, I'm safest on his back."
After a few more minutes, Éowyn asked Aragorn, "Where is she?" He turned to look at her, puzzled, though he continued walking. "The woman who gave you that jewel," Éowyn clarified. Taríen watched as he turned away, lost in memories, probably of Elrond's refusal of his suit on account of his race. "My lord?" Éowyn asked. Aragorn turned back to her. "She is sailing to the Undying Lands with all that is left of her kin," he finally said.
"Did I ever tell you about the winter I spent in Helm's Deep?" Taríen asked Aragorn, changing the subject. "I don't believe so, no," he said. "It was the Long Winter. I was a healer then, by the name of Nesta, and I also masqueraded as a male warrior by the name of Voronwë. I had traveled to Rohan from Gondor in early autumn, to help fight off the Dunlendings. Then, I was caught by the winter and trapped in Helm's Deep with the Rohirrim. I became Nesta again to help the sick. Not many survived. We were low on food and water. I really would rather not go back. I have no good memories of that place."
They watched as two riders, Gamling and Háma, rode forwards, ahead of the party. Legolas was already far ahead, his keen eyes scanning the surrounding area. A moment later, she heard a growl. Her eyes widened, and she quickly rode forward to stand beside Legolas. She could see the Warg and its rider attacking. She drew her bow, as did Legolas, and fired swiftly. The elf ran forwards and slew the orc with his knives. "A scout!" he called to Taríen. She rode quickly back to where Théoden was galloping towards her. "What is it?" he asked. "What do you see?" "Warg!" she called out. "We're under attack!"
Several of the refugee women screamed. She watched as Aragorn ran and mounted his horse. "Get them out of here!" Taríen yelled. "All riders to the head of the column!" Théoden ordered. He rode over to Éowyn. "You must lead the people to Helm's Deep, and make haste." "I can fight!" Éowyn protested. "No!" Theoden replied. "You must do this! For me," he added, pleadingly. Taríen watched as Éowyn began to usher the refugees away.
Bow in hand, she drew another arrow from the quiver on her back and fingered it. Théoden rode back beside her. "You are fighting as well, my lady?" he asked, surprised. "I am as good as any of your riders," she said calmly. Aragorn snorted as he rode up beside them. "As good as? She's better than any warrior I've ever met."
The warriors began to ride quickly towards the Wargs. As they passed Legolas, the elf grabbed the straps of a horse's saddle and swung up behind Gimli with inhuman ease. Trusting Strombringer to guide himself, she drew her bow and began firing. She watched Gimli fall off his horse, only to begin fighting Wargs on foot, with his axe. Aragorn and Théoden both fought with great skill. She watched as Gimli was trapped under the body of a Warg, and then an orc. She continued firing all the while.
As she fired, she noticed that Gimli was being attacked by another Warg, though he was still pinned. Aragorn grabbed a spear and threw it into the Warg. The body landed atop Gimli. A short minute later, Aragorn was thrown from his horse. He began fighting an orc and a Warg, mounting up beside the orc, then throwing him off. However, it appeared that his arm was stuck in the Warg's saddle, and she watched in fear as they went off the cliff. She was unable to do anything.
Yet, a small glimmer of hope remained. She did not feel his life extinguish. She continued to fight. A short time later, the battle was all but over. "Aragorn!" she heard Legolas call. She noticed people looking around. "Aragorn?" Gimli called as well. Théoden also began to look around. An orc began chuckling near Legolas. The elf turned to look at him. "Tell me what happened and I will ease your passing," Gimli said, holding his axe to the orc's throat. "He's dead," the orc laughed. "He took a little tumble off the cliff."
Legolas grabbed him furiously. "You lie!" A moment later, the laughing orc died, and Legolas dropped him. He pulled the silver Evenstar pendant from the orc's hand, then ran towards the cliff, where Théoden already stood. They looked down at the river. Taríen dismounted and walked over. She also looked down. "Get the wounded on horses," Théoden ordered Háma. "The wolves of Isengard will return. Leave the dead." Legolas turned to look at him. Théoden placed his hand on the elf's shoulder. "Come," he ordered. The king turned and walked away.
"He's not dead," Taríen remarked. Legolas and Gimli looked at her, eyes hopeful. "Go with Théoden," she ordered. "I'll find him, and I'll better track him alone. Do not tell anyone else that he is alive, in case he dies before I find him, but you can say I have gone to find the body." The pair nodded.
Taríen remounted and was about to begin riding when Legolas held out the pendant to her. "You know Arwen best. You should hold onto this until they are found." She shook her head. "I might lose it while I'm riding. Keep it." Legolas placed it in the inner pocket of his tunic. "I'll find him," she promised as she rode off.