AN: I know i usually go bookverse by preference but today i admit to movie-verse usage mostly because it allows me to do something awesome that i wanted to. That and i haven't read the book in so long i can't remember fully how it went.

Chapter 43

Riona watched as Theoden made a stirring speech about the red dawn and riding out for Rohan. As they mounted up Theodred caught her expression.

"What is it? Why do you smile?" She grinned as her son, grandson and Legolas formed up a guard round her.

"I smile because I know something everyone else doesn't. I smile because Saruman has forgotten that I am far more powerful than he and was the one who trained him about this world, about humans, I smile because I know what the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel is because it most definitely is not a train. Simply put, I smile because I know what is going to happen next." She said simply. Theodred stared at her as she, in full plate, began to glow with the light of Valinor and Eru. Loki and Nareldo followed and all three drew their weapons, glowing with ethereal light.

Riona smiled at him, indicating the doorway which two young boys were preparing to open.

"Shall we?"

They rode out, the light of the blessed increasing as they galloped out. To everyone's surprise, from where the sun rose came an answering light. Riona raised her sword and light emanated from the great sword to be answered by a matching beam of light, soon followed by a second then third and more beams. Riona crowed and called out.

"The Alliance is called upon and answered. The House of Eönwë rides again with the house of Eorl and light chases away darkness!" With that she swung Darksbane down and promptly split a Uruk-hai from head to hip with the force of the blow. Danrksbane had not stopped glowing and neither had the blades of the maia riding with Eomer's Eored. Gandalf's staff was the one final light which lit the sky.

XXX

Theoden and Theodred raised their eyebrows in surprise. It was maybe half an hour after they had returned from the battle, the Uruk-hai slaughtered by the Huorns of Faghorn Forest. They had not expected that while walking about, examining the damage, to come across pretty much the collected maia and maia/elf mix that had rode with them (sans Riona and Aragorn, who were in the halls of healing) watching as a dark haired elf harangued Prince Legolas.

Not sure what to make of it Theoden listened as his son questioned the maia known as Loki, one of the two Theodred was more familiar with since he had been one of his guards while ill. The male who in his serious moments looked like the legendary general that his father was and in less serious moments like the god of mischief who was his namesake, grinned at them.

"That is Sador, Legolas's squire and bodyguard. Sador was less then impressed when Legolas dumped him to go on the quest which brought him here. Since he had nothing better to do and no desire to go back to Mirkwood and Legolas's father, he joined us lot marauding against anything with ill intent to Rohan. Now he is reunited with his charge we reckon he is ranting in relief that Leggy is okay. As you might have guessed, their relationship is much more than servant and master, as it seems to tend to be with the sindar squire/lord relationship. There is something oddly paternal in such situations." Both men raised their eyebrows at the implications, not entirely understanding. Instead Theodred picked up something else.

"Leggy?" Loki grinned.

"Old nickname he's never seemed to fond of for some reason. Can't possibly think of why..."

XXX

Saruman glared down at the redhead staring up at him boredly. He had ignored Riona as much as he could, going for easier targets but he was running out of people to be nasty to.

"One wonders what you are doing here? One would have thought you sensible enough to stay safe in Valinor rather than making friends with such a ragtag bunch? Surely the wife of Eonwe has better things to do..." He trailed off in the face of Riona going from bored looking to getting out a nail file and starting to do her nails – in full plate still.

As she noticed the silence she looked up at the fallen maia.

"Was there something? I'd tuned you out by now." She looked down at her fingers. "Oh, look, I chipped nail at Helms Deep. Aren't those Uruk-hai fearsome, chipping a girl's nail?" She asked, voice dripping sarcasm as she took the file to the afflicted nail with vigour, totally ignoring Saruman. Most of the people in the party were trying hard not to laugh at the look on Saruman's face at being dismissed in favour of a nail.

Grinning and deciding he could really get to like the maia, Gandalf turned back to task at hand as Riona carried on filling a nail. He knew that if things really got out of hand she would have his back, it was why she was really there – they didn't know how much power Saruman had gained in defecting – but the way she had punctured his ego was masterful.

XXX

Aedan smiled slightly beside his lord as they watched the small being that Mithrandir had brought with him to Minas Tirith.

"The young one is a cheerful being is he not?" Imrahil smiled at his seemingly unaging second.

"Indeed. Cheer which is much needed in these dark times. Do you think Rohan will come? We have sent the red arrow but I do not even know if it will get through." Aedan smiled grimly.

"I know not but I do know that if they get the message they will come. I have heard legends of unusual allies that ride with the Rohirrim, ones Mithrandir and his little friend have confirmed in their own ways – not in words but reaction." Imrahil raised an eyebrow.

"While the halfling was socialising with us I ensured the Saga of Riona was sung, at least in part. Mithrandir came to retrieve Master Pippin while it was being performed. The faces of each as they heard what the song was about confirmed more than they thought. I also made sure they heard speculations on the subject and was there to see their face – once again, very informative." Imrahil smiled slightly. Aedan had long ago proven he was an expert at getting information through non-conventional methods. He was also one of the best people watchers the prince had ever met. It was one reason his judgement was so valued.

Suddenly Owen, Aedan's son rushed up, panting and clearly having run all the way. Aedan reached to support the young knight so the message could be relayed. Once they had heard it the two older knights looked at each other and yelled orders for muster to rescue the fleeing people from Osgiliath.

As they rode back, Mithrandir protecting them from the Nazgul and Faramir over Imrahil's saddle, Aedan silently prayed the Rohan would come and come soon. There wasn't much time left.

XXX

Rosie screamed as she saw the orc charge at her, hoping she could move her shield in time, knowing that having lost her helmet she was very vulnerable. Suddenly, from nowhere as far as she could see, an arrow went through the orc's head.

"Not my sister you bastard!" The slightly accented voice yelled. Rosie blinked in shock at the accent, an odd mix of Irish and Welsh which was more than familiar.

"Aedan?" A heavily armed knight on a large horse rode up, bow in hand.

"Rosie. Good to see you are still in need of your brother to guard your back." Rosie brained an orc as her brother shot another. Rosie absently noted that Aedan was not as surprised at her being there as she was at him being there.

"Hahaha, just a moment, I need to do something." If she'd been able to see his face under the full face helm, she was sure the dark haired male would be raising his eyebrow at her as he carried on shooting at an impressive rate for a guy in full plate armour. She cast a spell to amplify her voice to the point it could be heard across the field.

"RIONA! Get your arse over here! Our knight in slightly tarnished armour has turned up! And bring Daffyd!" She then cancelled the spell to stab another orc and lean forward as her war horse brained one with its hooves.

In a remarkably short time two horses arrived, with honour guard Rosie knew to be the assorted offspring of both maia, plus their friends, none of whom had wanted to miss the battle.

"There was no need to shout!" Riona called. "What's or who's the emergency?"

"The guy in plate with a bow is Aedan! He's gone welsh on us!" Both heard the dulcet sound of their brother blowing a large raspberry at them. Riona laughed.

"He did that years ago, what the hell is he doing here?"

"Shooting things, duh!" Rosie replied, grinning as she brained an orc, watching as Riona smashed Darksbain on the head of yet another orc. Pausing in their banter Riona yelled at her honour guard.

"Form a circle, archers inside, melee outside!" The double circle formed, the female warriors mostly inside with Aedan as the male parts of the house of Eönwë formed the outer ring with Riona, Fea and Rosie.

"Rosie, Riona, who are the rest of these people? Not that I object to their presence but it's nice to know who you're fighting beside." Riona laughed.

"My kids and grandkids, your son, grandsons and great great grandsons, and some of their friends for good measure. My husband is around somewhere too, trying to not too obviously be a maia since he isn't really supposed to be here." Riona could hear the shock not being voiced by her brother who obviously wasn't aware of certain details. Considering that he was wearing the armour of a Swan Knight, that was not entirely surprising. "We'll explain after the battle so don't get killed! It would be tiresome to get you off Mandos."

With that Riona performed an impressive attack with her giant sword, sharply ending the conversation.

XXX

"Ah, Aedan! It is good to see you well!" Prince Imrahil smiled at the knight who now carried his helm under one arm, followed by both younger sisters. "Who are the shieldmaidens with you? I am surprised at the number of them on the field."

Aedan was about to answer when Rosie put a hand on his arm.

"I think this one is for our dear sister." Both Imrahil and Aedan raised an eyebrow as Riona stepped forward and placed a hand over her heart, bowing slightly.

"I am Riona, Lady of the House of Eönwë, wife of Eönwë, Herald of Manwe, commander of the army of the Valar and Oathtaker of Eru. I am the Dream guide of Elendil and mother of Russefea, original Lady of Imladris and wife of High King Gilgalad, last High King of the Noldorin people of Arda, that Lady who rode to aid the Faithful immediately after the fall of Numenor. Beside me is my younger sister Rosie, also a maia of Eru himself, the Patron Maia of the Rohirrim. We both, with my nephew, his descendants and my own offspring, rode with the Eotheod at the call of Cirion and assisted the founding of Rohan. I believe your people's history mentions us occasionally?" Throughout the speech Imrahil's jaw had been dropping progressively further and Aedan's hadn't been far behind. "We're also Aedan's younger sisters. It is worth mentioning at this point that our conception of time might be a tiny bit different from that of our brother but we presently lack the time for such an epic story."

After a few moments Imrahil got over his shock enough to respond.

"I have heard of you, all know of you. I just never expected to meet you. You are the subject of the saga of Riona?" Riona rolled her eyes expressively.

"One of these days I am going to kill Loki for that." Rosie laughed as Aedan stared at them.

"What does the god of mischief have to do with a saga, except as a character?" Riona smiled slightly.

"Loki is my son's nickname, a well earned one. He and Leod, Eorl's father, conspired to get that one written just because they both knew damned well I wouldn't be overly thrilled at having a saga written about me but would have to smile and be nice to the bard anyway." Aedan snorted with laughter and Imrahil was grinning, getting over his shock and awe.

It was at that point Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Mithrandir, the twins and their squires arrived. Aragorn raised an eyebrow at them and Mithrandir had a vaguely resigned look about his face. Riona grinned at the man as Imrahil and Aedan bowed to Aragorn, acknowledging him as king. Riona and Rosie, obviously were far less formal.

"Estel! Look who we found!" The new comers all raised an eyebrow at the seemingly hyper maia. "Meet Aedan, my brother, oh and Daffyd's father!" Riona said, grinning. Aragorn, Legolas and the twins in unison turned to stare at the man beside the two maia and then blinked in surprise.

"There is someone in your family who doesn't have red hair?" Legolas said intelligently. Rosie started sniggering as Riona responded.

"Daffyd doesn't." She then turned from slightly defensive to thoughtful. "That reminds me, we have to introduce those two. Daffyd can't remember his father and Aedan remembers him as a kid." Aedan smiled at his sister.

"For that matter I have to introduce all of you to Owen. I think he might want to meet his brother, aunts and suchlike." Riona and Rosie blink in surprise.

"You've had more kids?" Aedan nodded, smiling wryly.

"Ceridwen came with me when we were dumped here. We got dumped via a reenactment so we had all our kit and suchlike with us and we ended up settling in Dol Amroth when Imrahil got me a place with the swan knights. Obviously in the meantime we had kids, we have been here for well on fifty plus years. That was made easier by the fact none of us seem to age at all beyond the one we started at." Riona shrugged, unconcerned.

"You probably got maia-ed like rest of us did. It would make sense." She turned to see Mithrandir massaging his forehead with his hand. "Is there something wrong Olorin?" He gave them an incredulous look.

"Is something wrong? There are even more of you! I'm not sure Valinor will survive!" More than one person burst out laughing at that pronouncement.

"And with that distraction, maybe we should get on to the process of preparing for the next stage of war?" Imrahil suggested quietly, apparently now fully over his shock. Conceding the point, the group turned to rather more serious matters.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

All right, who worked it out before i dropped the bomb? And who likes Aedan (yes i know he changed his name way back from the one time it's mentioned way back in Wraths Recompense. That was an executive decision based on the fact i had forgotten i'd even named the guy).