Part 5

With trepidation Willow asked, "What exactly is the prophecy that goes with the 'daughter of fire from hell shadows'?"

"We were told that the yelde ned naar, daughter of fire, would use her great magic in aid against the Dark Lord. We knew not when or how we would meet her on our journey. Galadriel only told us that we were to fear not Gandalf's passing into shadow, for his passing was the entrance for the daughter of fire."

"Fair enough, but how do you know it's me? I'm sure there are a lot of places and realms that could be 'hell shadows'."

"Only the one that the spell was for could summon it. Tell me, did anyone else join you in your quest?" Gandalf asked.

"No, Giles tried to help me but some magic hit him preventing him from pulling me from the tendril's embrace."

Gandalf gave a little half smile, "So the magic only chose you to bring through its gate?"

Willow sighed, "Yeah, I guess. Am I destined to stay in this realm? Is there no hope of my returning to my friends?"

Aragorn smiled and laid his hand on Willow's shoulder, "There is always hope."

"Aragorn is right. But I am afraid that they will have need of your help in the coming conflict. When we have defeated Sauron and Saruman and you still wish it, the Lady Galadriel and I will be able to send you back to the moment you left. Your friends will not know that you have been gone."

Willow smiled, even though she had made friends with Gimli and Legolas she very much missed Xander and Buffy.

Gandalf turned to Aragorn, "We must go to Edoras and seek out Theoden in his hall. There is war in Rohan and worse . . . there is evil. I fear that Theoden is ill."

He wrapped himself in his cloak and motioned for the others to follow him through Fangorn Forest and back out to the grassy plain.

Exiting Fangorn Forest, Willow saw that the two horses were grazing where they had left them. Willow looked at Gandalf and said, "Looks like we're short a horse. I'll walk since I'm the one that is new."

Before anyone could protest Gandalf replied, "No need, my dear for I have a dear friend that will help me."

Gandalf gave a high-pitched whistle and off in the distance a beautiful white horse could be seen gently trotting towards the travelers.

"I've never seen such a beautiful horse." Willow said.

Gandalf smiled, "Nor will you. That is Shadowfax, the chief of Mearas, lords of horses."

Shadowfax slowed to a walk and gently prodded Gandalf's hand when he stood near him. Swiftly, Gandalf swung up onto the back of Shadowfax while Aragorn and Willow mounted their horse and Legolas and Gimli mounted theirs.

Following behind Gandalf, they all made haste to Rohan.

They were still a half day away from Rohan even with the pace they were keeping. Now that Aragorn's mistrust of Willow was forgotten, he decided to take the time to get to know her better. As Gimli and Legolas had found out before him, he found her to be kind and have a very curious nature. Aragorn even found himself talking to her about Arwen and their mutual decision to follow different paths.

Willow shared stories of her life with the Slayer and friends back in Sunnydale. Aragorn couldn't imagine a young girl of fifteen fighting the forces of darkness and helping to stop apocalypses. All doubt that he might have had that Willow was the daughter of fire fled with her revelations of her previous life.

Taking a much needed break, they gave the horses a rest. Legolas and Willow used the down time to practice with their bow and arrows. They had moved on to moving targets and Willow was picking that up just as quickly. Her years of using a crossbow on vampires and assorted demons gave her an advantage.

Gimli approached Aragorn who was watching them practice and said, "I'm glad to see that you and Willow are getting along better and that you no longer mistrust her."

"It is true that I have come to think that she is a remarkable woman, Gimli but in these times I could not afford to trust freely. I must confess that I overheard her speaking to you about using her magic in her realm and that she didn't use it to harm. That was when I began to see things differently. Gandalf just reinforced my feelings."

Aragorn smiled at the uninhibited joy that Willow showed at hitting her targets. "Come, we should continue on so that we may reach Rohan soon."

~~~~

Upon reaching Rohan they waited for the dark gates to swing open and then the riders entered. There were small dwellings scattered about the stronghold. The people became curious and stopped what they were doing to watch as the travelers rode by. Dismounting, they made their way to the top of the stairs where they were greeted by the ward of the door.

"Welcome travelers, I am Hama. Please I bid that you lay aside your weapons before entering."

Aragorn looked over at Gandalf and saw his slight nod. Lifting off his sword he handed it over to Hama. Then he bent down and took the small knife out of his boot and turned it over, also. Legolas and Gimli gave up their weapons reluctantly to Hama.

With a smile and a wink to Gandalf, Willow gave them her bow and quiver. They began to walk up the steps but Hama blocked their path.

"I am sorry but I must also ask for your staff."

"My staff? Surely you would not begrudge an old man his walking stick?"

Legolas' lips began to twitch and he quickly schooled his features into a disinterested mask before Hama turned to him.

Hama considered Gandalf's question and then gave a nod. The guards lifted the heavy bars across the door and they entered the great hall of Theoden.

Placing Willow on his right like he was holding on to her for support and leaning heavily on his staff Gandalf lead the party toward the dais.

All Willow could see was an old man bent with age sitting on what she assumed was a throne. Next to him was a younger man, though still older, that must be an advisor for he was whispering in Theoden's ear and watching them approach.

Willow stopped and shuddered at the sensation that was creeping up her spine. There was evil here and it seemed to be emanating from the front. Gandalf spoke to her in her mind

"Hail Theoden, son of Thengel."