A/N: Yay, another chapter! But first, I must answer some peoples' questions. This will probably be a little long, but it must be done. Sorry!
Lady Elendriel - Thank you for telling me the real word for path, but for the sake of this story, we'll pretend Galareal's name does mean 'path-seeker.' =o)
Elfstone's Maiden - Yes, there is a lot of the book in here, but I'm fixing that starting now, and in the rewrite I'm cutting out a lot of the book. Also, yea, Elwing is a little perfect, but that also will be fixed in the rewrite. Also, Erestor's repeating 'like' is a bit of an inside joke. The person he is made after has a bad habit of saying 'like' when he tries to explain something.
striderluvrr - Thank you so much for your reviews! Constructive criticism is very much appreciated. Also, most of the things you disliked I had problems with as well, so they shall be fixed in the rewrite.
To all readers - I know this story is rather rough and, well, not good right now, but I have a rewrite in the works, and as soon as I post the last chapter, the rewrite will be right behind it, and I promise it will be much better than the original. Thank you, and enjoy the chapter! =o)

Chapter 36: Dunharrow

The night was already old when Elwing and Erestor set out for Helm's Deep. They knew Théoden's company was heading back to the battlefield, and they rushed to join them. Iceriver struggled to keep pace with Alagos, but the brave horse never faltered.
About mid-morning they stopped to rest the horses. As she leapt from Alagos' back, Elwing saw Spruce come trotting towards them.
"Spruce, I told you to go back to MoonStreak!" Elwing frowned.
"I think he likes me better," Erestor laughed, stroking the wolf's fur.
"Whatever," Elwing muttered, glancing at the sun. "Well, they've arrived by now. Aragorn and the Dunedain won't leave until about two o'clock, so we have some time."
"I thought we were going with Théoden," Erestor frowned.
"No, Théoden won't even reach Edoras for another three days," she explained. "Aragorn will get there tomorrow."
"We're not taking the Paths of the Dead are we?" Erestor asked slowly.
"No, we're going to Dunharrow, then the Firien Wood."
"Why?"
"That's where the StarWolves are."
"So?"
Elwing took a deep breath. "Look, everyone else is raising an army, I'm just trying to do my part."
"An army of wolves," Erestor said, failing to keep the sarcasm from his voice.
"Shut up and get on your horse."

In the valley of Helm's Deep, Aragorn mounted his horse Roheryn and nodded to his friend Halbarad. Halbarad lifted a horn and sounded a great blast, and with that they leapt away, riding down the valley like thunder; and the Grey Company passed swiftly over the plain, but they had not gone very far before they came to a stop. In front of them sat Elwing and Erestor, Spruce at their horses' hooves.
"Long time no see," Elwing grinned.
"Lady Elwing?" Elrohir said incredulously. "I thought you would have returned to Rivendell by now."
"And miss out on the fun?" Elwing laughed. "Aragorn, do you mind if we tag along? We need to get to Dunharrow quickly, but we are taking a different path than you once we reach it."
"Well, I can't really stop you, can I?" Aragorn replied with a smile.
The Grey Company, with a few tag-alongs, continued on across the plain, and on the next day in the afternoon they came to Edoras. There they halted only briefly before they passed up the valley and came to Dunharrow as darkness fell.

"Well, that was fun," Erestor said sarcastically, wincing as he slipped from Iceriver's back. "No one should have to stay in a saddle that long."
"Oh stop whining, at least you had a saddle!" Elwing retorted, limping slightly.
"Look, Éowyn came to greet us," Erestor said, gesturing towards the Lady.
"Came to greet Aragorn you mean," Elwing said, shaking her head sadly. "If only she knew what she was getting into."
"Well, we can't really do anything about it, so let's go eat," Erestor said, leading Elwing into the dining hall.

After supper, Erestor and Elwing went to their separate rooms; but before she had reached her's, Elwing heard voices arguing. Keeping in the shadows, she came around a corner and saw Éowyn talking to Aragorn.
"Shall I always be chosen?" Éowyn asked bitterly. "Shall I always be left behind when the Riders depart, to mind the house while they win renown, and find food and beds when they return?"
"A time may come soon," Aragorn replied softly, "when none shall return. Then there will be need of valor without renown, for none shall remember the deeds that are done in the last defense of your homes. Yet the deeds will not be less valiant because they are unpraised."
Elwing dropped her gaze. And what of deeds unknown? Deeds done in the last defense of your life? Does that valor matter? Shaking away her thought, she heard Aragorn ask, "What do you fear, lady?"
"A cage," she replied fiercely. "To stay behind bars, until use and old age accept them, and all chance of doing great deeds is gone beyond recall or desire."
Elwing frowned, her eyes dark. A cage you fear? If that was all I had to fear! You are blessed, yet you are too stubborn to see it. You can choose whether to seek death or avoid it. No matter what I choose, death will find me. You believe you love him, you don't know what true love is! Prideful wretch, if only you could see what was before you, perhaps you would change your tune. Returning from her bitter thoughts, Elwing watched as Éowyn vanished into the night. Aragorn stood looking after her, his face troubled.
"Let her be," Elwing said softly, stepping out of the shadows.
"Lady Elwing," Aragorn said, surprised. "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough," Elwing shrugged, walking over to the Ranger. "Don't trouble yourself about Éowyn, her fate is her own."
"I just hope she picks her fate wisely," Aragorn sighed. "But you have not told me where you plan to go from Dunharrow."
Elwing smiled mischievously. "You're not the only one who can raise an army." With that she turned and vanished into the night.
"That is twice tonight," Aragorn sighed, shaking his head as entered his room.

Elwing lay on her back, staring at the ceiling. Try as she might, she could not fall asleep. With a frustrated sigh, she sat up and surveyed her room. In one corner was a mirror, illuminated by the moonlight. Elwing silently crossed the floor and looked at her reflection.
Her face was a bit more weathered than when she had first arrived, and her hair now reached halfway down her back. Elwing grimaced. I love long hair, but it just doesn't work on me. Besides that, it's such a pain in battle! Suddenly a thought came to her and she fought to suppress her giggles. This will be interesting...

The sky was bright in the East, but the Sun had not yet risen when the Dunedain made ready to depart. Erestor came to bid them farewell, but Elwing is nowhere to be seen.
"Where is Lady Aurlach?" Legolas asked.
"Right here!" she said cheerfully. The company turned and stared at her in shock. Her hair was cut so that the longest layer brushed the tips of her ears. The peoples of Middle-Earth were not used to short hair, especially on a girl. Erestor was the first to break the stunned silence.
"What did you do?" he asked, wide-eyed.
"What?" she said, cocking her head to the side innocently. "You don't like it?"
"I like it," Erestor said quickly, "it's just... short."
Elwing laughed and rolled her eyes. Just then, Éowyn came out. She was dressed as a Rider and wore a sword. Elwing watched silently as Éowyn begged Aragorn to let her accompany him. Aragorn refused gently, and rode away with his company, pain in his face.
Éowyn stood watching as they went, unmoving and seemingly blind to all around her. Silently Elwing sent Erestor away and awaited the Lady's move. As soon as the company was gone from sight, Éowyn turned and stumbled back towards her room, but Elwing stopped her.
"Lady Éowyn, what is wrong?" Elwing asked gently, already aware of the answer.
"Why does he refuse me so?" she asked bitterly. "Why does he wish me to stay caged like a frail bird?"
"He is just trying to protect you," Elwing said softly. "But he has a point - you cannot just abandon your people, you must at least give them fair warning."
Éowyn glared at her angrily. "Am I now to be reprimanded by a child?" she hissed. "What would you know of duty? He allows you, a mere child, to ride in his company, but not the shield-maiden of Rohan!"
"I have had about all of your self-pity I can stand," Elwing growled. "You wish to know why he let's a child ride instead of you? Because I am a Sunstar. Yes, you heard me right, I am the Sunstar. He let's me ride because he cannot stop me, though he has tried many times. You ask what I know of duty? More than you would think. I know that a leader cannot simply abandon her people, no matter what their personal feelings may be.
"I know this also; there a two types of love, true love, and false love. You say you love Aragorn, but do you? I say this only to save you from avoidable pain. False love will chew at your soul and slowly destroy you, but the pain of true love will carry you on and sustain you. Think on my words, shield-maiden of Rohan."
Elwing turned and walked back into the city, leaving a thoughtful Éowyn behind.

"What did you tell her?" Erestor asked as Elwing entered his room.
"Nothing you would understand," Elwing sighed, sitting on the floor next to Spruce. "Now listen up, we have some planning to do..."


End Chapter 36
We are drawing towards the end! I'd say, oh, three or four more chapters and it starts getting sad. But I shall try to make it a happy ending - though I'm not promising anything. **puts out plate of warm cookies** Have a cookie, thank you for reading, and please review! =o)