Chapter 17

By Crystal

Author's Notes: As usual...  Whoa.  So many reviews, I'm so proud of this fic and myself.  It's gone over the average of my Harry Potter fic 'Crimson Stains' and I'm very glad.  Anyhow, the usual with the mailing list.  If you want on, just leave your email on your review and I'll automatically add you.  Thanks for all the support!  By the way, this chapter might be longer since I'm quoting a lot, so I'll be going for three thousand words JUST for the chapter, not including replying reviews.

Last thing...  For those of you who know the date for the story, you must know that the Battle at Helm's Deep is approaching fast.  I have already, from the begging known where this story is going to end and as the end is approaching so fast, for the first time in my life writing a fic, I feel regret that this fic is ending soon.  The good thing is that I'm going to have a sequel, but of course, it'll feel different.  Hopefully, all of you will still continue to be readers of mine.  I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it, maybe even more.  See you later!

Crap, my Author's Notes is getting long.  But I am not sure if Éomer really knows Boromir, since in the book, it is said "Long has Boromir son of Denethor been gone seeking an answer, and the horse that we lent him came back riderless."  I'm pretty sure they know each other.  Just for the story, Boromir did not borrow a horse from Éomer.  Thank you.

*We know who this belongs to ^^;;*

I looked at the setting sun as I tried to keep my mind off my running, all the while watching Aragorn, Boromir and Legolas ahead of us.  My lungs burned from the running, but I did not stop, I knew time was important now.  I would have to push myself until I no longer could.

I see Aragorn pause and put his head to the ground and he turned around.  I could not hear what he said, but the next second, Legolas turned around and signaled us to go faster, "Come on Gimli, Jessica!"

I growled deep in my throat.  Like I didn't want to go faster, I thought to myself while rolling my eyes.  After all, I was never good at running during Physical Education classes.  Who would've known I would fall in Middle-Earth and run after Orcs and two Hobbits?!  Well, not that I mind, of course...  Having Legolas here...  Ugh, I'm starting to sound like Iris.

Although I had to admit Iris was pretty close to Legolas' characteristics...  He does have perfect hair almost every single second of the day, even now...  And he does have perfect aim and perfect clear blue eyes...

I shook my head to clear myself of the thoughts.  I had to keep my mind on running.  Softly, I sighed as my gaze landed on a certain blonde elf, hoping it would always be like yesterday, how he carried me.  Unfortunately, it was not to be.

* * * * *

Gimli followed close behind me and I followed close behind Legolas, Boromir and Aragorn, pushing myself to the limit to not fall behind.  Thankfully, I did not, although I would say I would definitely be glad if I could have a bed to lie down and sleep in.

"Three days of mad pursuit, no food, no rest..." Gimil grumbled under his breath.

I smiled tiredly, "Mad pursuit I would agree to, but no food and no rest...  You just had a bite of lamba an hour ago when we rested for a few minutes."

"Do not tell me you are not tired yourself."

"Quite the contrary.  I myself am tired and would die to have a long rest right now, but there's nothing we can do about it.  Pippin and Merry are in danger," at least that's what you think they are in, "so we must do all we can to save them."  Glancing forward, I saw Aragorn crouched on the grass again.  I ran quicker and caught up to them, looking at what Aragorn held in his hands.

"The leaves of Lórien..." Boromir mumbled.

Aragorn looked at it carefully, "Not idly do the leaves of Lórien fall."

Hope filled in every one of their eyes, "They may yet be alive."  Legolas said, almost grinning.  I almost rolled my eyes.  I know for a fact that Pippin and Merry are alive, yet I do not know what happens to them.  I have heard Carrie talk with Iris about Merry and Pippin, and I doubt that anyone else in the Fellowship dies except for Boromir.  And he is now standing next to me, alive and well.

"Less than a day ahead of us, quick."  Aragorn said, starting to run again.

I sighed and started jogging again all the while looking down at the floor.  I knew my stamina was building up during the past few weeks, but now, it was building up even faster.  Running twenty-four hours a day tends to do that to you.  Suddenly, I felt a pair of intense eyes look at me and when I looked up to my right side, I was met with the face of Legolas.  "Hey."

"How are you holding up, Jessica?"  He asked with concern.

I shrugged, "Better than I thought I would be...  But be warned, I may fall any moment.  I have no had the training warriors do and I absolutely despised running in my world.  Plus I never did run more than an hour at a time...  Even with those short breaks, I wonder how long I'm going to hold up.  I'm only human, and a woman at that."  I said finally, knowing no matter how much I hated to add the last sentence, it was the truth.  Woman did have less stamina than man.  I hated to be sexist, but the truth is the truth.

He grinned at me, "To be truthful, I thought you would have fainted from exhaustion a long time ago."

I winked, "Well, I proved you wrong once again."

"Once again?  What have you proved me wrong before, Lady Jessica?"

I stuck my tongue out at the name he gave me, although it was surprising how it did not affect me like it had the first time someone called me 'Lady'.  I have certainly changed.  As for Legolas' question, I could not find something I have proved him wrong before just in that slight moment, "I'll get back to you on that one."  I said, somehow cheerfully.

He smiled and then turned his head towards the dwarf who was falling behind, "Come Gimli!  We are gaining on them!"

I smiled to myself, "Poor dwarf."

"I'm wasted on cross-country, we dwarves are natural sprinters, very dangerous over short distances." He whined again.

"Well, well, Gimli.  We're not sprinting short distances now, are we?  But I do have to admit running long distances is rather tiring."  I saw Aragorn, Legolas and Boromir stop and I jogged closer slowly along with Gimli, only catching Aragorn's last sentence.

"Legolas, what do your elf eyes see?" He asked as he looked as the elf.

Legolas looked for a split second, "Uruks head northeast.  They're taking the hobbits to Isengard!"

Boromir just glanced at the direction Legolas was looking at, "Saruman."

It was only a few minutes later, after we began running again that I heard Gimli's voice again, "Keep breathing.  That's the key, breathe."

I looked at him in amusement, and then said, "Of course you'd have to breathe, or we'd be dead men.  Or dwarves."  He frowned at me and I smiled back.

Soon enough, Legolas stopped and glanced at the surroundings, "The red sun rises, blood has been spilt this night."  Then without a second thought, he moved on again as if he has never said anything.

* * * * *

Following with his keen eyes the trail to the river, and then the river back towards the forest, Aragorn saw a shadow on the distant green, a dark swift-moving blur.  He cast himself upon the ground and listened again intently.  But Legolas stood beside him, shading his bright elven-eyes with his long slender hand, and he saw no a shadow, nor a blur, but the small figures of horsemen, many horsemen, and the glint of morning on the tip of their spears was like the twinkle of minute starts beyond the edge of mortal sight.  Far behind them a dark smoke rose in thin curling threads.  (Quoted from II p. 27)

All was silent.  The wind was blowing, the grass motionless, sitting on the fields and.

"Riders!" cried Aragorn, springing to his feet.  "Many riders on swift steeds are coming towards us!"

"Yes," said Legolas, "there are one hundred and five.  Yellow is their hair, and bright are their spears.  Their leader is very tall."  I felt my eyes widen at the 'one hundred and five'.  How in the world did he know there was a hundred and five?!

"There are three empty saddles, but I see no hobbits," said Legolas suddenly.  Of course there wouldn't be any hobbits...  They're probably in Fanghorn forest...  Or was it Fangorn?  I can't remember.

We hid with our cloaks covered around ourselves, all five of us.  As we hid, I heard the far galloping of hoofs approach; they were riding as fast as the wind and they passed us quickly as loud as thunder.

In pairs they galloped by, and though every now and then one rose in his stirrups and gazed ahead and to either side, they appeared not to perceive the [five] strangers sitting silently and watching them.  The host had almost passed when suddenly Aragorn stood up, and called in a loud voice: (Quoted from II p. 29)

"What news from the North, Riders of Rohan?"  A certain rider rode up towards Aragorn until his spear was up to his breast.  I took comfort from the presence of both Legolas and Boromir.

"Who are you, ad what are you doing in this land?"  He asked.

"I am called Strider," answered Aragorn.  "I came out of the North.  I am hunting Orcs."

The Rider looked interested and raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"  Then continued, "An elf, two men, a dwarf...  And a woman."  He turned to look at Aragorn, "Have you sprung out of the grass?  How did you escape our sight?  Are you elvish folk?"  He asked.

"No," said Aragorn.  "One only of us is an Elf, Legolas from the Woodland Realm in distant Mirkwood.  But we have passed through Lothlórien, and the gifts and favour of the Lady go with us."

The Rider looked at [us] with renewed wonder, but his eyes hardered.  "Then there is a Lady in the Golden Wood, as old tales tell!" he said.  "Few escape her nets, they say.  These are strage days!  But if you have her favour, then you also are net-weavers and sorcerers, maybe."

He turned towards the four of us now.  "Why do you not speak, silent ones?"  Then his eyes met mine, "And what of yours, Lady?"

Gimli rose and planted his feet firmly apart: his hand gripped the handle of his axe, and his dark eyes flashed.  "Give me your name, horse-master, and I will give you mine, and more besides," he said.

"As for that," said the Rider, staring down at [Gimli], "the stranger should declare himself first.  Yet I am named Éomer son of Éomund, and am called the Third Marshal of Riddermark."

"Then Éomer son of Éomund, Third Marshal of Riddermark, let Gimli the Dwarf Glóin's son warn you against foolish words.  You speak evil of that which is fair beyond the reach of your thought, and only little wit can excuse you."  (Quoted from II p. 30)

Éomer's eyes blazed, and the Men of Rohand murmured angrily, and closed in, advancing their spears.  "I would cut off your head, bread and all, Master Dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground," said Éomer.

"He stands no alone," Boromir's familiar voice said as he drew his sword.

Legolas bent his bow and fit and arrow with hands that moved quicker than sight and added, "You would die before your stroke fell."

I looked at the spears around us and I looked at Gimli, Legolas and Boromir's determined faces and I drew my sword.  "If that shall be the case, count me in."  I looked into Éomer's eyes and saw sudden surprise and I got amusement from it.  Who knows what might happen now anyways?  Boromir's alive; the whole history might change...  Why not join in the fun?

Éomer was shocked speechless for a slight second before he prepared to raise his sword; it was then that Aragorn sprang between us once more.  "Your pardon, Éomer!  But when you know more you will understand why you have angered my companions.  We intend no evil to Rohan, nor to any of its folk, neither to man nor horse.  Will you not hear our tale before you strike?"

"I will," said Éomer lowering his blade.  "But wanderers in this Riddermark would be wise to be less haughty in these days of doubt.  First tell me your right name."

"First tell me whom you serve," said Aragorn.  "Are you friend or foe of Sauron, the Dark Lord of Mordor?"

"I serve only the Lord of the Mark, Théoden King son of Thengel," answered Éomer.  "We do not serve the Power of the Black Land far away, but neither are we yet at open war with him; and if you are fleeing from him, then you had best leave this land.  There is trouble now on all our borders, and we are threatened' but we desire only to be free, and to live as we have lived, keeping our own, and serving no foreign lord, good or evil.  We welcomed guests kindly in the better days, but in these times the unbidden stranger finds us swift and hard.  Come!  Who are you?  Whom do you server?  At whose command do you hunt Orcs in our land?  [And why do you travel with a woman?]"  (Quoted from II p. 31)

"I serve no man," said Aragorn; "I do not hunt Orcs in this fashion out of choice.  The Orcs whom we pursue took captive two of my friends.  In such a need a man that has no horse will go on foot, and he will not ask for leave to follow the trail.  Nor will he count the heads of the enemy save with a sword.  I am not weaponless."

"I am Aragorn son of Arathron, and am called Elessar, the Elfstone Dúnadan, the heir of Isildur Elendil's son of Gondor.  Here is the Sword that was Broken and is forged again!  Will you aid me or thwart me?  Choose swiftly!"

Silence settled here and I, along Gimli, Boromir and Legolas looked in awe at Aragorn for at that very second, he truly looked like a king.  Someone I would follow until the end of my days...  I looked at Éomer, also in awe.  Awe settled to amusement for me and I grinned, "Jessica Hanson of the other realm at your service."  As I took a little bow, "As for why they travel with a woman...  I can say I was the one who took up this challenge."

"Boromir son of Denethor," Boromir said.

"These are indeed strange days," Éomer muttered, "Elf and Dwarf in company along with a woman who goes hunting Orcs with two men.  And they have spoken with the Lady of the Wood and live, the Sword comes back to war that was broken in the long ages ere the fathers of our fathers rode into the Mark."  He looks at Aragorn, "tell me, lord.  What doom do you bring out of the North?"

"The doom of choice," said Aragorn.  "You may say this to Théoden son of Thengel: open war lies before him, with Sauron or against him.  None may live now as they have lived, and few shall keep what they call their own.  But of these great matters we will speak later.  If chance allows, I will come myself to the king.  Now I am in great need, and I ask for help, or at least tidings.  You heard that we are pursuing an orc-host that carried off our friends.  What can you tell us?"

"That you need not pursue them further," Éomer replied.  "The Orcs are destroyed.  We slaughtered all of them during the night."

"And the little ones?"  Inquired Boromir.

Éomer looked over to where Boromir stood, "We found none but Orcs."

"But there were two hobbits, did you see two hobbits with them?"  Gimli asked, worriedly.

"They would be small, only children to your eyes, unshod but clad in grey."  Aragorn added.

"There were no dwarves nor children," said Éomer.  "We counted all the slain and despoiled them, and then we piled the carcasses and burned them, as is our custom.  The ashes are smoking still."

I felt Legolas' hand on my shoulder and I looked behind me to meet his glowing eyes for a slight second before he turned to Éomer.  "We do not speak of dwarves or children," said Legolas.  "Our friends were hobbits."

"Hobbits?" said Éomer.  "And what may they be?  It is a strange name."

"A strange name for a strange folk," said Gimli.  "But these were very dear to us.  It seems that you have heard in Rohan of the words that troubled Minas Tirith.  They spoke of the Halfling.  These hobbits are Halflings."

"We left none alive.  We piled the carcasses and burned them."  Éomer repeated again.

Silence settled until Gimli spoke up again.  "Dead?"  Gimli said in a voice that was disbelieving.

"I am sorry."  Éomer replied, and then he looked at two men, "Please bring me the horses."  Within a few moments, three horses that had no riders were beside Éomer.  "May these horses pay you better fortune than their former masters."

It was then that Éothain, the one who brought Éomer the horses spoke loudly, "It may be well enough for this lord of the race of Gondor, as he claims," I glared at him for that, "but who has heard of a horse of the Mark being given to a Dwarf?"

"No one," said Gimli.  "And do not trouble: no one will ever hear of it.  I would sooner walk than sit on the back of any beast so great, free or begrudged."

"But you must ride now, or you will hinder us," said Aragorn, trying to persuade Gimli into riding.

"Come, you shall sit behind me, friend Gimli," Legolas said.  "Then all will be well, and you need neither borrow a horse nor be troubled by one."

"Nay," Boromir spoke up.  "I shall ride with Gimli.  Legolas, ride with Lady Jessica."  He said, giving me a look that told me not to say anything about the 'Lady'.

A great dark-grey horse was brought to Aragorn, and he mounted it.  "Hasufel is his name," said Éomer.  "May he bear you well."

A smaller and lighter horse was brought to Legolas.  Arod was his name and Legolas asked them to take off the saddle and rein.  Without myself knowing, he wrapped one of his arms around my waist and mounted the horse.  I let out a small shriek of surprised before I heard him chuckle and I elbowed him in the chest softly.  The riders looked at the both of us, surprised and I smiled at them and closed my eyes, leaning on Legolas again.  "I'm so tired, now that I have somewhere to rest."

"Sleep then."  He whispered in my ears.

I snapped my eyes opened, "After we leave the Riders of Rohan."  Boromir and Gimli were left with a light-grey horse, slightly larger than Hasufel.  They too mounted their horse.

"Farewell, and may you find what you seek!" cried Éomer.  "Return with what speed you may, and let our swords hereafter shine together!"

"I will come," said Aragorn.

"And I will come, too," said Gimli.  "The matter of the Lady Galadriel lies still between us.  I have yet to teach you gentle speech."

"We shall see," said Éomer.  "So many strange things have chanced that to learn the praise of a fair lady under the loving strokes of a Dwarf's axe will seem not great wonder.  Farewell!"

I watched as Éomer's group leave us, and then I closed my eyes softly and laid back on Legolas' chest again.  "I'm exhausted."

"I know you are."  He replied, "Quel esta."  (Rest well.)

* * * * *

saturndragon – Thanks!  Yeah, I saw POTC again, lol.  Well, I might see it again the 9th because my friend from Toronto is coming, and he wants to see it...  So yeah.

Morgause Nokami – Thanks!  Yeah, I like Boromir more and more and I wince every time he gets killed...  That's just gruesome.  Anyhow, I hope you enjoy this chapter as well as the last one.

elfluvr777 – lol, I love this story too *grins*  Anyhow, I'll see you next time you review.  Thanks!

littlesaiyangirl – Yay!  He's saved, lol.  I'm sorry Jessica has such a foul mouth, as you can probably see, when she's with Legolas, she doesn't curse as much...  But she won't curse as much unless it's really necessary.  Anyhow, thanks!

Stary Night – Well, she just has blood cause she bit her lips.  I really should've mentioned that.  Because I seem to always bite my lips and taste blood all the time, lol.  Anyhow, thanks a lot for the review.  Hope you like this!

Tap-dancing Hobbit – Lol, well, almost all the Orlando Bloom nutcases I know have seen it.  I have twice, maybe three times soon.  Thanks a lot, it's my first battle scene that's this descriptive, so I'm quite proud of it.  Romance is gone, but not all.  There will be more soon.

Kyma – Yay!  Lol.  FIVE times?  Holy crap.  Awesome, I have to agree.  Anyhow, thanks!

litanya – Thanks a lot!  I hope you like this chapter too!

Hellish Kitten03 – LoL, sorry!  At Helm's Deep?  Well, you'll have to see, now won't you?  *smiles evilly*  Anyhow, thanks!

MaverickGirl – Thanks.  Well, the same things are going to happen, maybe I might change a lot of stuff, I don't know...  I'm thinking as I write.  But I do know the ending.

IceCrew – Lol, all right, thanks a lot!

Norie Ape – Thanks.

merrylyn – Lol, I was just as frustrated when ff.net went down.  Even more than you, probably.  Anyhow, I swear almost just as much when I'm annoyed.  I'm sure the Orcs would blush...  That is, if they could ^^ But anyhow, she gets carried by Legolas, yah.  *Shoots death glare at her own character* And she gets to lean on Legolas while riding a horse!  *growls*  lol, I should kill myself for making Jessica.  Lol.  Anyhow, yeah...  *sighs dreamily* Orlando Bloom...  Thanks by the way!

Mellon – Thanks a lot, I'm glad to hear that.  Anyhow, I'm typing, typing...!  Hope you like this chapter too!

Youko Demon – UNIQUENESS!  Lol.  I definitely won't be killing Haldir off.  He's an important character in Helm's Deep, cause he's the one that creates the whole ending of this story.  I don't go to KFC anyhow, cause it's so fat =\ I'm down to 110 pounds, I don't want to gain again...  I lost 8 pounds in the last month or two.  Thank god!  As for the pic, I was surfing around and just found it...  I'm in Canada and NONE of my friends have heard of 'Ned Kelly', so I really don't know.  Anyhow, thanks a lot.  Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

Smiley Face – Very happy?  Good ^^ The Galadriel thing is...  The wound on Jessica reacts the same way as Frodo's sword, Sting.  When Orcs or Uruks approach, she will feel pain.  Anyhow, you're not stupid ^^ Thanks for the review!

yuhi – I'll be sure to check out your fic!  Well, as to what will happen, you'll just have to see *grins* Thanks a lot!

Latin4ever93 – Thanks a lot.  I might've rushed the ending, yes, I'd agree to that.  It isn't a flame, not at all ^^ Anyhow, thanks again!

J-squeegy-tikiman – Thanks!  Lol, I need more stories to read when ff.net suddenly decides to crash.  Argh.  I got so mad...  I dunno.  I got so mad I didn't talk to my boyfriend?  LoL!  Anyhow, romance will come within the next chapter.  Definitely there will be some in Helm's Deep.  What she saw in the mirror...  It's her future.  Whether it's the ending or not, you'll have to find out *grins* As for that fic, it's incredibly sweet, but a bit farfetched, I would have to agree.  Lol, you'll see how it ends ^^ I won't say it's a happy ending.  Thanks a lot for the long review by the way!  It's what keeps my life going.

ellie – Pirates of the Caribbean is about this curse over pirates.  Really nice plot, Orlando Bloom's HOT, but he DOES kisses this girl, so I'm not happy about that =|.  But other than that, he has an okay character, but the bad thing is sometimes he's barely audible.  Anyhow, thanks for reviewing!  *hugz*  Lates!

donnamira – Cliffhangers?  Lol, I'm really sorry!  But it's always been this way, lol.  I don't mean to put them, but it just happens.  Anyhow, thanks!

Avalon – You needn't apologize for not reviewing, I'm glad you did so I know about you reading.  I like Boromir a lot, seriously.  He has an interesting character, but the unfortunate thing is he never was given any time by J.R.R. Tolkien to be more... round.  So hopefully, I'll be able to do that.  I did that once with Legolas, but this one, there isn't as much romance and I'm glad.  Thanks a lot for the review!

IceDragon – I would agree.  Yet, I love to write them.

Hana – Lol, THAT was hilarious.  You have to LOVE that movie, it was great, funny most of the time.  Johnny Depp's character was much more nicely done, but I liked Orlando Bloom so much more...  Cause I always have, lol.  Lots of battle, I would agree.  Lots of language that would need soap washing, agreed once again.  Lol, as for Boromir dying, I might kill him off.  I have no idea though.  I happen to like him, but if a lot of people want him dead, he's dead.  Thanks!

Kat Tru – Lol, yay!  He lives.  Anyhow, thanks a lot for the review!  Later!

lex – You're on the mailing list!  Anyhow, thanks a lot.  Lol, Orlando Bloom is indeed hot.

Dreamweaver – Thanks a lot!  Lol, I'll update soon, I promise.  Anyhow, thanks again!

Karone Evertree – Thanks a lot.  You're on the list!

Lady-Star – I like him alive too.  Well, I thought I was never going to update cause I was always sitting on my lazy ass, but now that I'm off of my lazy ass, I'm off.  And yes, I've seen POTC twice now.  Orlando Bloom's hotter by a lot, but Johnny Depp's not bad either.  Anyhow, until the next time.

DrowningSin32 – Hey!  Well, I'm glad you found it too!  Another reading *grins* Thanks a lot, and almost everyone I know have see POTC, lol.  It's a great movie.  Anyhow, see you later.  Ja!

AgentBloom – I'm updating!!!!  Lol, hope you like it!

Author's Notes: It seems like the last chapter AND this chapter ended with a "quell esta" from Legolas.  Jessica sure is a lazy bum.  I got 31 reviews!  Yay!  Anyhow, thank you for all the support you've all shown me.  Thank you for the old readers for being such patient and waiting for me to get off my ass.  Suggestions, comments or ideas are once again welcomed.  I hope you enjoy my story and if you want to be on the mailing list, please leave your email in your review.  Thank you!  I got 3455 words, by the way!  Woohoo!

-Crystal

Wednesday, July 23, 2003