Elen: That's a good thing to hear. I want this to seem real. Thank you or more properly I should say hannon le :o)

MaverickGirl: Thanks and I couldn't resist picking on Grima, as long as she didn't have to touch him. That thought on it's own is nauseating.

Dark Fire: I was wondering where you went. I can understand about the computer, mine always seems to try and come up with a new problem. But I am so pleased to have you back :o) Here's the new chapter!

Mily: It's okay, i forgive you really I do. I got your e-mail let me know that you got my reply all right.

Aislin: Whoops silly errors, got those fixed thanks. The thought Kid's it's what's for dinner just popped in my head and I couldn't resist putting that in, I laughed myself and had people asking what I was doing, lol! After writing that last chapter I think I will stay away from fast food. Now I'll think of Grima along with McDonalds and such, oh I better stop :o) What could have happened to Shantel's necklace? ::Evil laughter:: Don't worry we'll find out soon. I'll be looking for your update when I get off of work tonight.

Mrs. Ekeena Greenleaf: I think everyone agreed about Grima rolling in grease. Greasy man, ugh. Glad you liked the Kid's it's what's for dinner line. That one gave me a good laugh when I thought of it.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Scott has been faithfully reading the book as soon as it got updated with new information about Shantel. When she was kidnapped by the orcs, he called Nick over with his set of Lord of the Rings books if only to read and find out what happened to Merry and Pippin. It didn't calm him down any when the riders found her and treated her as a common prisoner. After work, Scott would head straight for his house and read the books after making sure that the house bills were all paid. Things were a little harder on Scott because Linda announced that she was moving out. She didn't feel comfortable there with out Shantel around and Scott felt some resentment towards Linda since she didn't seem to care about what happens to Shantel.

"She'll be fine Scott, don't worry," Was all Linda would say. Nick was very supportive of him and would come over everyday to see how Shantel was doing. When he read that she was captured for the orcs, he went pale and actually prayed out loud for Shantel to be safe, and Nick was not the praying type. He didn't even bother to knock anymore, Scott told Nick just to come in and sit down.

"So how are you doing today?" Nick greeted when he came in.

"I'm okay," Scott shrugged. "I'm a little nervous about what I might be reading today. It scares me to think I might some time be reading about Shantel's death."

"How long has she been gone now?" Nick looked up to the calendar. It read June.

"Since October," Scott replied. "A long, long time. Even though some times in these books it's only a paragraph and a whole month has gone by."

"I know," Nick nodded.

"Okay," Scott took a breath. "Let's see what havoc Shantel is creating now." It was a small joke he shared with Nick, which earned him a quick grin before he started reading, then he paused. "You know the only thing that isn't fair, is I get a sight on what the bad guy is doing and I can't tell her." Nick only nodded and Scott started to read.

Grima was dabbing at his bleeding lip with a dry cloth, one Saruman made an orc bring up for him. They were seated in the room with the seeing stones, looking into them, while Saruman was questioning what Théoden would do now that he believed his people were in danger.

"Théoden will not stay at Endoras. It is vulnerable, He knows this." Grima dabbed again at his lip, moving away as he spoke. "He will expect an attack on the city. They will flee to Helm's Deep, the great fortress of Rohan."

"And you said you saw the girl?" Saruman questioned.

"Yes, Shantel," Grima nodded. "I knew her on sight and made the mistake of saying her name out loud."

"Not that it matters," Saruman waved his hand at Grima. "Gandalf knew that you deceived Théoden. She just keeps slipping out of my grasp. The wraith didn't catch her, she set them on fire. She escaped the orcs and Uruk-hai thanks to that son of Théoden, and you." Saruman sneered at this. "I did not expect you to be able to get a hold of her. That stunt you pulled grabbing at her arms, yes I know you did this," Saruman laughed at Grima's face. "What did you think that would get you?

"So Theoden will fled to Helms Deep?" Saruman changed the subject.

"Yes my Lord," Grima nodded. "It is a dangerous road to take through the mountains. It will be slow. They will have women and children with them.

"And I did have a reason as to why I grabbed at the girls arms," Grima held something out to Saruman. Frowning he looked at the item. A cross, a silver cross on a broken chain.

"She didn't notice I broke it off of her," Grima smiled proud of what he had done. "I believe it may be of some use to you."

"Yes it will," Saruman smiled and took the necklace. Walking to an orc he looked at the creature. "Send out your warg riders."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

At the first light of the next morning the trek to Helms Deep is set out. Shantel walked yawning and watching Eowyn staying as close to Aragorn as possible, talking. Shantel got as close as she could and found they were talking on about battle tactics and weapons. Getting bored Shantel tried to sneak up on Legolas but she knew that he would hear her.

"Shantel what are you doing?" Legolas asked with out turning around.

"Sneaking up on you, okay," Shantel said. "But don't tell yourself that."

"Okay," Legolas agreed then stopped and turned around. "Wait a second," But Shantel had disappeared. "Shantel where did you?" Turning around Legolas stopped mid sentence finding Shantel standing in front of him arms innocently down at her side. He also took a step forward that he wasn't able to stop and toppled over bringing Shantel down with him.

"Dang I got you that good?" Shantel asked laughing. "Score!"

"Here's a score," Legolas reached out to grab her and Shantel jumped up running to Aragorn.

"It's Legolas on the warpath save me Aragorn!" Shantel jumped in Aragorn's arms disrupting his conversation and he turned seeing Legolas coming up behind him.

"Pass that creature over," Legolas said, smiling but trying not to.

"I'm safe now," Shantel stuck her tongue out at him. Aragorn looked from Shantel then to Legolas and shrugged.

"I don't care you can take her," Aragorn started to hand Shantel over and she looked up in surprise, this wasn't going as she had planned, if she had planned it that is.

"No Aragorn, you're not suppose to give me to him," Shantel tried to jump out of Aragorn's arms but Legolas already had a good hold on her. Putting her on the ground, he push her down, gently every time she tried to get up until he thought of the perfect thing he could do. He started to tickle her.

"No Legolas not fair!" Shantel squealed between laughter that all stopped and looked for a moment. It didn't carry on too long, for Théoden came over and put a stop to such nonsense.

"Stupid king," Shantel whispered so quietly even Legolas had a hard time hearing her. "Old wretched and boring." Then looked to Legolas. "If Aragorn becomes king I'll knock some sense into him if he ever acts like that." Legolas laughed and pulled Shantel back onto the trail that they were set on. Eowyn had moved up next to Gimli and was listening to him talk of female dwarves. Shantel had to smile at this remember how he had laughed at her reaction when he told her that female dwarves had beards.

"It's true you don't see many dwarf women," Gimli was loving the attention. "And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, they are often mistaken for dwarf men."

"It's the beards," Aragorn mouthed. Shantel covered her mouth trying not to laugh and Eowyn caught that and smiled in return. Hey first time with out a mild glare, we're making progress, Shantel smiled to herself.

"And this in turn has given rise to the belief that there are no dwarf women. And the dwarves just, spring out of holes in the ground! Which is of course ridiculous." Gimli laughed throwing himself off balance sending his horse a short gallop. "Whoa!" Then promptly fell straight off. Eowyn and Shantel ran over to help him up. Gimli's face was matching his hair from all the female attention.

"It's alright! It's alright. Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate." Gimli tried to shake it off. Eowyn smiled and took the opportunity to look at Aragorn again. Gimli and Shantel both noticed and exchanged knowing looks. Dusk everyone slowed to make camp at Théoden's command.

"We shall rest here, try to share fire if you need them and keep them minimal."

"Does that man ever get off his high horse?" Shantel murmured.

"When he goes to sleep he gets off the horse." Shantel jumped hearing Eowyn next to her. The girl mistook Shantel's sarcasm as confusion, thank goodness.

"Oh good," Shantel said. "I can't imagine that being a comfortable spot to sleep." Eowyn nodded and sat down next to Shantel.

"Can I ask you a question?" Eowyn said shyly.

"Yeah," Shantel nodded.

"Aragorn, he is in love is he not?" Eowyn's voice was low, like it scared her to ask.

"Yes, I can't say much, because that is his story, you know," Shantel said. "But yes, he is in love."

"But not with you?" Shantel sat straight up and looked at Eowyn in surprise. Then laughed.

"Me?" Shantel had to laugh again. "As a sister maybe, we've been through so much together, but no not as a lover or wife. Eww, I can't think of him that way."

"Then the elf is yours?" Eowyn sure had a lot of questions.

"Why would I have a lover or anything with these guys?" Shantel decided to ask a question of her own.

"I was only curious," Eowyn shrugged. "As nice as Gimli is I do not see you taking him as a lover." Shantel and Eowyn both shared a giggle looking at each other on that. "To be honest it was your ring."

"My ring, yes," Shantel looked at it then realized with a shock, she hasn't thought about Scott since Lothlorien. It's been a month since they were there, maybe more. She knew, from him telling her, that he read the books every day, and she was gripped with a sudden fear. Does Scott read what she is thinking? If he is that isn't fair, those are her thoughts alone.

"Shantel?" Shaken from her thoughts she looked at Eowyn.

"Sorry, distracted," Shantel shrugged. "Uh my love, yes, he's far away, and I'm trying to get home to him." Eowyn tried getting more information until Shantel gave in and gave her the short summery about how she had come to Middle Earth and how she could get home.

"But by now the ring bearer is far away," Shantel surmised. "And I would have no way of catching up to him."

"Are you girls going to sleep, or gossip all night," Legolas dropped in on them making the two girls jump.

"Hey I'm catching up on some woman to woman stuff here," Shantel quipped.

"Really now," Legolas put on a fake pretty face and blinked his eyes. "I remember hearing about you preferring Gimli over me as a lover."

"Eaves dropper," Shantel pounced on Legolas and tickled him, while getting Eowyn to help her. He gave up seeing as the only way out of this was to throw the girls, possibly hurting them, and he didn't want to do that.

"You gave up," Shantel sat up pushing her hair out of her face. Eowyn was holding his arms down while Shantel was kneeled over him, one knee on each side of his stomach to prevent him from getting away. To the casual observer they would thought some very intimate things were taking place in a not so intimate place, but the three knew better.

"If you're done torturing me, I suggest you two get some sleep," Legolas tried to look stern but it was hard with his hair disheveled as such.

"Let's go to sleep Eowyn," Shantel got up brushing her pants off. "He's no fun." Giggling the girls left Legolas there while going to get ready to sleep. They heard him utter one word as he got up.

"Women!"

The next morning they set off like the day before. Early and with a light breakfast. That was okay to Shantel, it was easier to travel on a light stomach than a heavy full one. Eowyn stayed close to Shantel and talked with her a bit before and looking up to Aragorn.

"You can talk to him you know," Shantel said. "He won't bite, not hard at least." Shantel shrugged at the surprised look Eowyn gave her. Shantel then laughed to show that she was joking. "If you want I'll stay close by." Eowyn nodded and slowly the girls made their way up towards Aragorn. Legolas saw this and discreetly grabbed Shantel's arm as Eowyn reached Aragorn.

"Are you planning on torturing Aragorn?" Legolas questioned.

"Nah," Shantel shrugged. "Eowyn is just curious about him and I'm letting her quench it. She knows he has some one, but I wouldn't tell her more."

"Yes, Arwen," Legolas sighed. "It must be terrible to be away from one you love for so long."

"It is," Shantel nodded. "But I feel even more sorry for Aragorn. While Scott and I are both human, we will both die, he has to worry about leaving Arwen all alone in the world." Getting a signal Legolas went up to ride in front as Shantel made her way up to Aragorn.

"What's up?" Shantel asked. Aragorn laughed at Eowyn's odd look she gave Shantel.

"The sky I think you told me once," Aragorn laughed.

"Hey you're learning, there's still room in the ol' noggin," Shantel joked with Aragorn then stopped at Eowyn's confused expression. "Oh sorry, I talk weird some times."

"You should have seen her when I first met Shantel," Aragorn said. "There was no understanding her at all."

"And you understand me now?" Shantel faked confusion.

"Sorry change that to there is no hope for her," Aragorn said making all three laugh. Shantel felt a tug of affection go through her and hugged Aragorn.

"Shantel are you all right?" Aragorn had to step walking as Eowyn looked on curiously.

"Yeah, just couldn't resist." Shantel stepped back. "If I get home, I'm really going to miss you. This is going to sound corny but I think of you as a brother. You and Legolas and Gimli."

"As we do you," Aragorn returned the hug.

"But imagine what our parents must have looked like," Shantel said. They shared another laugh until a shout ahead alerted them. Aragorn raced to the front to see what was happening.

"A scout!" Legolas called ahead. Everyone had stopped and was listening.

"What is it? What do you see?" Théoden demanded.

"Wargs!" Aragorn shouted. "We are under attack!"

"All riders to the head of the column!" Théoden commanded as he made his way back to Eowyn, who was drawing her sword and Shantel who had her bow out.

"C'mon get me up here, I'm a rider. Agh!" Gimli was trying to get up on a horse then gave it up all together.

"You must lead the people to Helm's Deep and make haste." Théoden told Eowyn and looked at Shantel since she was standing next to her.

"I can fight!" Both girls said, then looked at each other.

"No! You must do this." Théoden looked Eowyn in the eyes. "For me."

"Come Shantel," Eowyn took her arm and led her to the people. Théoden turned taking charge.

"Make for the lower ground. Stick together!" Eowyn commanded.

"I have no idea what I'm doing," Shantel said.

"Just follow my lead and you'll be fine," Eowyn said. "Go to the back and make sure they stay together." Shantel nodded and jogged back getting people in as best a line as she could.

"Stay in line, people," Shantel shouted. "Let's keep it together." The sounds of the battle could be heard and Shantel paused looking over the hill that the others had went. A strange feeling came over her and she started to walk toward the battle, unarmed, in a zombied like state.

"Shantel," Eowyn had come for her breaking her trance. "Come this way." Not giving what happened second thought, Shantel nodded and ran back with Eowyn to get the people to Helms Deep. It wasn't long before it came into view and for that Shantel was grateful. She kept looking back over her shoulder to see if the men were arriving yet but with disappointment still have seen no sign of them.

"They will be back," Eowyn insisted.

"I know," Shantel nodded. "But this is the first time there was a fight with them that I didn't have to participate in. Feels kind of weird." Eowyn gave her a look of understanding also tracing envy. Shantel cursed herself for forgetting that this woman was edging to participate in a battle, to help defend. To help in some way. Getting everyone inside, it gave Shantel a small smile seeing the girl and boy who had turned up run to their mother. Apparently other villages had already arrived. Heading to the back, Shantel stayed out of the way, listening for the horses announcing the men's return. It wasn't a long wait and Shantel ran down narrowly being trampled by a horse to get to her friends. She slowed when she saw Gimli talking to Eowyn a look of sadness on his face.

"Shantel," She turned to find Legolas beside her.

"What happened?" Shantel asked, trying to prepare for the blow that Aragorn was hurt figuring it was him since he was no where seen.

"He fell," Legolas said simply. Shantel felt as if all the breath was taken out of her. She looked up to Legolas hoping this was a jest, but the sorrow on his face showed no signs of joking. Her knees went out and Legolas had to catch her and carry her to the wall where he set her down. Gimli came over and knelt down next to Shantel putting a caring arm around her shoulder while Legolas went to get some water.

"I've failed her," Shantel whispered.

"It's not your fault lass," Gimli said thickly.

"I promised Arwen that I would watch over him," Shantel said. "If I had gone to help…"

"You would do no good if you had gotten hurt in the battle," Gimli protested. Legolas returned with the water, and pulled Shantel into his arms. Her face had gone white and she was no longer returning Gimli's questions or anything.

"Come now, it will be all right, it will be all right," Legolas murmured rocking her and murmuring words in elvish. Weather he was trying to convince her or himself none could tell for sure.

"She blames herself, thinks that she could have helped," Gimli said as Shantel's breathing grew steady.

"I know," Legolas said, looking down at the lady in his arms. "Maybe sleep will help heal some of the pain." Taking Evenstar, Legolas pulled it out and grimaced. Shantel looked at his hand wide awake. She was just returning to a normal state of mind, away from shock.

"So it wasn't a horrible nightmare, damn," Shantel swore out loud.

"I want you to hold this, to give to Arwen," Legolas said. Shantel nodded and accepted the necklace and put it in a sturdy pocket.

"I will not loose this necklace," She said firmly. Dealing with the grief was hard. Dealing with the grief and the people ready to panic around her, it was more than she could almost bear. "I need to make peace, with myself, and with the soul's of Boromir and Ar-Aragorn."

"I saw a spot that might suit you," Legolas got up and pulled Shantel to her feet. "Come." They climbed some steps then down to where there was an empty room. It may have been the armory but Shantel didn't care, it was what she needed.

"I know this may seem silly to you," Shantel said trying not to get her voice to break. "But I feel that I should do this for them." The two nodded and Shantel started to sing a hymn for Boromir and Aragorn. (A/N – this chapter ends with the song if any want to skip it)

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found.

Was blind but now I see.

Twas grace that taught

My heart to fear

And grace my fears relieved

How precious did that grace appear

The hour I first believed

Through many dangers, toils and snares,

We have already come.

Twas grace that brought us safe this far

And grace will lead us home

The lord has promised good to me

His word my hope secures

He will be my shield and portion be

As long as life endures

When we've been here a thousand years

Bright shining as the sun

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Then when we've first begun.

Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind but now I see.