MaverickGirl: I thought that I'd put a little niceness in between Théoden's character and Shantel. Show that he's not all bad :o) Dreams though, Shantel doesn't seem to have very nice dreams there does she?

Blahblah: You helped me realize something. I had Shantel all worried about that necklace, then she's like 'a talking tree'. I think I got that fixed for this chapter. Saruman is a jerk, especially when things don't go his way. I'm glad you liked the humor, I gotta have something to laugh at :o)

Mellon: Thank you!

Mrs. Ekeena Greenleaf: Cliff hanger? Me? AHHH! ::Dodges cabbage:: And Scott didn't talk to Shantel, technically he can't. She was having a dream. I'll try not to leave too many cliffs, I just couldn't resist!

Cassie-bear01: I can swear I heard my muse laughing as I read your review. You know that little voice laughing in your ear, then you look and don't see anyone? Wait what if I'm the only one that does that? Uh, oh.
Anyways, glad you liked this chapter, hope you like this one as well.

Aislin: How hot was that flame, you were jumping pretty high? Lol! On the weed in ME, I'm just hoping it's tobacco because that's how they refer to it in the book, but I have to laugh every time I see that. When I saw the first movie and Bilbo said 'best weed' I nearly fell out of the theater seat! And to add onto the list, let's send a microwave, and a fridge … Ack! No plugs! I keep forgetting darn it! That would be real nice, leave Shantel behind with the dragon and the wraith. What? I thought you could handle that?

Dark Fire: Thanks so much, I'm glad to know that Shantel is well liked. Hope this chapter is satisfactory :o)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Disclaimer stated at the beginning, I think we're all smart enough to know who this belongs to.

Pippin was taken from Shantel and Gandalf said to her, "Go with the riders, quick now!" and he was gone. Rooted in spot for a moment, Théoden spotted Shantel and pointed out a horse for Aragorn to take her to. Walking over, Aragorn told Merry to grab whatever Pippin left behind and pulled Shantel aside.

"Remember the riding lessons I gave you?" Aragorn asked. Shantel nodded.

"That horse is for you," Aragorn pointed. "It will be safer and swifter for you to ride him, can you handle a horse alone?" Shantel jumped again as the shadow passed, it seemed closer this time. Slowly she nodded her head, to which Aragorn gave her a grateful smile and went to grab Merry. Grabbing her bag, Shantel tried to pull herself up on the horse, but was having some trouble. After the third time, Shantel sighed and patted the horse's neck.

(Give me a moment, and I'll try to hop up again my friend) Shantel spoke quietly. To her surprise the horse huffed and nodded his head. Then to add to the surprise, he knelt down and Shantel was able to hop on easily.

"Hannon le, nin mellon," (Thank you, my friend) Shantel patted the horses' neck and took the reins in her hands. Looking around everyone was ready, Legolas had Gimli on horse with him and was riding up towards Shantel.

"I shall keep an eye on you," Legolas assured her.

"We won't let you fall behind, lass," Gimli said, making Shantel smile. The dragon let out a shriek and the next thing Shantel realized, the men were leaving. Using what Aragorn taught her, she urged the horse on to a gallop following. It was still dark, but the horses seemed to know where they were going. In the beginning, Shantel had clenched her legs tight and her knuckled were almost white from the grip on the reins. During the run, she relaxed, much to the horse's relief, and was able to calm her beating heart, which seemed to be going faster than the horse. Once they crossed the Fords of Isen, which was the borders of Rohan at in this area, the company drew to a halt. A rider had ridden forth from the rear.

"My Lord," The rider called. Shantel was close enough to hear the conversation, it took her a few strides to get the horse to stop. "There are horsemen behind us. As we crossed the fords I thought I had heard them. Now we are sure. They are overtaking us, riding hard." Not the ring wraiths, please! Shantel thought, looking behind. The King made a line with his men, and Aragorn put Merry on the ground. Shantel dismounted herself, for if combat came, she would not be able to fight on the horse, with out fear of hurting the creature. Pulling out her bow, Shantel stood ready and waited. Seeing Merry look at her uncertainly and then draw his sword, Shantel gave him a small smile, then hoof beats were heard.

The moon gave them light, but would dim as the clouds skimmed by, when horses appeared, about the same size of their group, which was about twenty four, give or take. As they came closer Eomer cried out: "Halt! Halt! Who rides in Rohan?"

The group stopped and Shantel saw one dismount and come forward, a hand held up in the air. Not moving, Shantel waited for a signal that it was all right to lower her weapon.

"Rohan, did you say?" The rider called. "That is good for we have traveled here in haste from long afar."

"You have found it," Eomer responded, then told of this being Théoden's land and wanting to know why they were here. Taking a breath, Shantel wished some one would say what to do, her arms were starting to ache holding the bow in position.

"Halbarad Dunadan, Ranger of the North, I am. We seek Aragorn son of Arathorn," came the announcement.

"And you have found him!" Aragorn said, giving his reins to Merry. He went forward and embraced the men, and Shantel lowered her weapon, stretching her arms. About time, Shantel thought.

"All is well," Aragorn announced turning back. "Here is some of my own kin from the far land where I dwelt. But why they come, and how many they may be Halbarad may tell us."

"I have thirty," Halbarad said. The rest of the conversation was too quiet for Shantel to make out, so she turned to climb back onto the horse. She made it this time without having the horse kneel, but needed a moment to get adjusted in the saddle.

"How cowgirls do this, I'll never know," Shantel muttered and patted the neighing horse. As the new riders came closer, two in particular stood out though they didn't seem to notice her yet.

"Elrohir! Elladan!" Shantel called softly. They heard her with no problem, and smiled seeing her.

"It is good yet a surprise to see you again," Elladan greeted as he rode closer with Elrohir.

"I know," Shantel said. "The Lady of Lothlorien was not able to help me with getting home.

"I am sorry to hear that, yet at the same time I am not," Elrohir said. Shantel smiled.

"Yeah, I'm happy to see you guys too," She said.

"What happened to your necklace?" Elrohir asked. In surprise, Shantel touched her neck until she remembered a second later what had happened to it.

"Well, Saruman had gotten a hold of it, thanks to Grima," Shantel made a face when she said his name, like it had a bad taste. "He then seemed that he was going to give it back, when he destroyed it."

"I'm sorry," Elladan said.

"It's okay," Shantel shrugged. "Even after I get the leftover pieces I then dropped it seeing the Ents, and forgot about it. Goodness, I'm such a twit!" Her shoulders sagged realizing that she left that piece of her world behind, all because she was momentarily fascinating by a talking tree.

"Shantel," Legolas ridden up next to her and put a hand out o her arm, when he saw her face twisted up.

"I'm loosing it, Legolas," Shantel whispered. "And it couldn't have come at a worse time." For the rest if the ride, Shantel was lost in her thoughts and Legolas and Gimli left her to them, knowing how she liked to try and sort some things out on her own. If it went on too long, they would then intervene. When all drew to a halt, Shantel looked up almost seeming startled.

"Where are we," Shantel asked looking around. "I remember passing her going to Isengard but the name escapes me."
"Hornburg," Aragorn said walking up and offered Shantel a hand to help her down. Merry was set down to sleep and Shantel felt that she could use some rest as well, but sleep would not come easily. Looking around, she saw Aragorn step away with some of his kin to talk, she assumed, and was left to her own thoughts.

"There you are, Shantel!" Maybe not. Gimli and Legolas walked up and sat next to her not waiting for an invitation.

"You two have been attached to the hip," Shantel said. "I can not remember the last time I saw you two apart."

"Well I never know what trouble this dwarf could get himself into," Legolas said getting a scowl from Gimli.

"Don't you mean me protecting your pointy eared head?" Gimli stood up. Shantel laughed and the two settled down. "It is good to see some humor in your face, you have almost seem to grown solemn as of late." At this, Shantel seemed to pull into herself, and looked at the ground.

"Talk to us," Legolas pleaded. Shantel let out a shaky breath and looked up at her friends.

"You must notice that I am not sleeping much as I used to," Shantel said. "And that is because I arm having nightmares. Most I can't remember but the one I do remember the most of is where Scott was with me and accusing me of not wanting to go home."

"But if it was only a dream, why so you worry?" Legolas asked.

"Because I can't see his face," Shantel sobbed quietly. "The man that I love, I can't remember what he looks like. I remember that he has…" But Shantel paused not being able to come up with a single thought of Scott.

"I feel like every time I loose something, I am leaving my world farther and farther behind," Shantel said. "My necklace gone, I'm farther gone. I only have three things left that are ties to my world. One is my ring," Shantel held up her hand, showing her engagement ring. It was a little loose, from all the weight she had lost. "And the others are my CD's which I can't even listen to. At least, I think I still have them," Grabbing her book bag, Shantel rummaged about and found the CD's wrapped up neatly at the bottom. Putting them down, Shantel sighed and looked to her friends.

"Maybe we should get Merry up to eat," Shantel said, after making sure the CD's were safely tucked away. Once roused, Merry left in the company of Théoden to eat, while Legolas and Gimli left to look for Aragorn. Shantel declined the invitation to go with either and went to the horses, to the horse that she has been rising and petted his proud neck.

"Tell me what you think," Shantel said. "I could surely use the opinion of an outside voice."

"I think that you should talk to some one who would talk back." Shantel jumped and turned seeing Elladan there. He saw Shantel look around for his brother and chuckled. "Yes we do separate every now and then," Elladan said. "I had simply come to make sure all the horses were ready.

"I see," Shantel said.

"If you need an ear, I'd be willing to listen," Elladan sat down on a boulder. With a sigh, Shantel gave him a summery of the trek towards Lothlorien, loosing Boromir, he was already informed of the battle at Helms Deep, and then the trip to Isengard.

"Well, you know what happened from there," Shantel said.

"But that isn't what is bothering you," Elladan stated. "I remember the night you cried for your love, but since then you have changed."

"How," Shantel asked not sure she was wanting to know the answer.

"You have gotten yourself involved in this war, when you could have easily sat back with Eowyn," Elladan said. "You have made friends here and feel that you are slowly loosing touch with your world.

"Geez your good," Shantel sighed and grabbed a lock of hair. Twisting it she continued. "You have managed to sum up all I was feeling in two sentences. You're good."

Elladan couldn't help but laugh and Shantel felt herself smile as well. Elladan turned his head, and Théoden was seen heading to the horses, Merry was at his side. Seeing Shantel, Merry ran forward, excited about something.

"I'm going to ride with the King," Merry breathed. "I'm going to be his esquire, and help him in this war!" Shantel smiled at her friend, happy that he would no longer be feeling useless.

"I am happy for you," Shantel said, and looked up. Aragorn had returned with Halbarad, Legolas and Gimli, and the rest of the Ranger folk. It would still be three days journey before they reached Edoras, Shantel learned. She knew Aragorn wanted to get there quicker, but his next comment, even though it shouldn't, surprised her a little.

"We will take the path of the dead," Aragorn said. Théoden and his men were taken aback by that comment. Shantel simply looked around, wondering if it was a cursed graveyard or something. They talked for a moment, and before parting, Aragorn spoke to Legolas, Gimli and Shantel.

"You are welcome to go with Théoden if you so not want to take The Paths of the Dead," Aragorn said.

"I'm with you," Shantel said. "Though I have no idea what this place is."

"A place where, no living creature comes out alive," Gimli said.

'But Aragorn what is the reason for going on such a road?" Legolas asked.

"Elrond sent his sons, to tell me in their father's words: Bid Aragorn remember the words of the seer, and the Paths of the Dead."

"And what were these words?" We all listened for Aragorn's answer.

"Over the land there lies a long shadow
westward reaching wings of darkness.
The tower trembles; to the tomb of kings
doom approaches. The Dead awaken;
for the hour is come for the oathbringers:
at the Stone of Erech they shall stand again
and hear there a horn in the hills ringing.
Whose shall the horn be? Who shall call them
from the grey twilight, the forgotten people?
The heir of him to whom the oath they swore.
From the North he shall come, need shall drive him:
he shall pass the Door to the Paths of the Dead."

"That sounds creepy yet somewhat cool," Shantel said. "So we're going to have an army of zombies following us?"

"Dark ways these are," Gimli said. "But if that be your path, I will follow you."

"As I will," Legolas said. "For it is yet we shall part."

"I'm going too," Shantel said. "But will some one tell me if we'll have an army of zombies?"

"Wait and see," Aragorn said with a small smile, but there was seriousness behind it. Shantel made a mental note at that time, to try to keep her childish jokes more quiet, and then she realized, she was actually going into a war. And that thought scared her deep inside.

Théoden parted, and Aragorn waited before seeing them disappear before embarking on their own path. The ride was swift and they reach Edoras, where they were taken in for rest and food. Shantel really wanted a bath, but forgot all about that when she saw Eowyn coming out to greet them.

"Eowyn!" Shantel got up from her table and the girls hugged.

"Tell me everything!" Eowyn sat down with Shantel. "Did you get your necklace back." Shantel retold the story of Isengard, standing up and acting out some of the parts, making Eowyn laugh.

"But my necklace was destroyed," Shantel said sadly. "But I have no choice right now then to move on. I can cry later when the war is over."

"I am sorry," Eowyn put a hand on Shantel's arm. When Shantel looked up, she saw that Eowyn was looking at some one across from them. Turning slightly she saw it was Elladan and Elrohir, who were in conversation among themselves.

"Who are they?" Eowyn lowered her voice a little. Holding in a laugh, Shantel knew they could hear them, she remembered a question she had.

"When did you get here?" Shantel looked back at Eowyn.

"We left Helms Deep, once you departed for Isengard," Eowyn said. "We had many provisions but my uncle asked me to stay and return the people home. And to watch over them until he returns."

"He tried to get me to stay too," Shantel said. "But I was able to slip by, by getting Gandalf to say it was okay. Théoden wasn't happy about it first but then we were on friendly speaking terms on the way back, until we separated paths.

"So you want to know about them," Shantel said, smiling as she referred to the twins.

"I am only curious, for I have never seen folk like them before," Eowyn turned her eyes to Aragorn before looking back to Shantel.

"Well," Shantel said. "They are elves, sons of Lord Elrond." Shantel motioned for Eowyn to come closer and she whispered in her ear. "And if I timed it right, they should be approaching our table having heard everything we've said." Both girls looked up and there they were looking down at them.

"This is great," Shantel said. "I'm not disappointed."

"Well we heard you talking, mentioning our father's name," Elrohir said.

"And I knew you would all but be running over," Shantel said brightly. The two elves looked at each other finding they fell right into Shantel's trap.

"This is Eowyn, niece of Théoden," Shantel said.

"Please my lady." Each elf took Eowyn's hand and kissed it.

"This is Elladan and Elrohir, sons of Lord Elrond," Shantel stood up and gave a mock bow. Eowyn laughed.

"Was she always like this?" Eowyn asked.

"Worse, my lady," Elrohir said.

"Let me see, if I remember correctly," Elladan thought for a moment. "I believe she greeted us once by saying. O, o homies what is up?" Shantel laughed and shook her head.

"No, no Elladan it was," Shantel cleared her throat. "Yo, yo Homies, whaz up?" Eowyn's face turned to one of confusion and Shantel told her a little about slang. As the evening grew late, Shantel was shown to where she could rest and once cleaned up, fell into bed, and passed into a dreamless sleep.

Sitting up, darkness was all around her, and Shantel fumbled for the candles and flint. Once she managed to get it lit, Shantel crawled out of bed and approached the door. She could have sworn, wait, there the noise was again.  Opening the door, Shantel wondered who would be crying, oh! It was Eowyn! Leaning down, Shantel touched her shoulder, surprised Eowyn jumped, but then followed Shantel into the room. Sitting next to her on the bed, Shantel asked what was wrong.

"Remember when we spoke about how I envy you, for being able to travel?" Shantel nodded. "I just Aragorn to let me go with you, but he refused."
"What did he say exactly?" Shantel asked.

"That I have no business in the south," Eowyn said softly. "That I have a duty to my people."

"Aragorn says things for good reasons," Shantel said. "He was raised by Lord Elrond, but don't let on that I told you. Maybe he has some insight for what you are to do. I'm sure that you are not going to sit here and wait for old age."

"Not willingly," Eowyn said and stood up knocking over something on Shantel's bed. "I'm sorry," Eowyn picked it up and looked curiously at the items.

"It's okay," Shantel said taking them. "They're called compact disc, they have music on them, but the player got broken."

"So why do you hold on to them if they are no use?" Eowyn asked.

"Because it's from my world and I'm reluctant to let it go," Shantel said looking through the disc. The books for each disc were there and one caught her eye. Pulling it out Shantel skimmed over one of her favorite songs and grabbed Eowyn's arm when she got up to leave.

"Wait, I have something for you," Shantel said. "Do you sing?"

"A little but not very well," Eowyn admitted. "I can play the flute pipes though."

"Then I have a tune for you," Shantel said grabbing some parchment that was on the table. "Write this down, and I believe it will help you feel better." Eowyn was ready and Shantel quoted for her the lyrics from Bring on the Rain by Jo Dee Messina. She helped Eowyn get the tune down and when finished, Eowyn held the parchment to her heart.

"Thank you, I will treasure this," Eowyn said. The girls hugged again and Shantel walked her to the door, before going back to bed falling back asleep. She was roused before the sun had arrived on the sky and made ready to depart. On her horse, whom Shantel had taken to call Dolche, meaning sweet in Italian, she saw Eowyn come out dressed as a rider. From her point, Shantel could not hear what she said, but figured she was begging Aragorn to let her come, and by the shake of his head, he refused. When Aragorn leaped into his saddle, Shantel could see the pain he felt, leaving her behind. As he came nearer, Shantel could hear Eowyn's voice in the wind.

"I might feel defeated,
I might hang my head.
I might be barely breathing – but I'm not dead.
Tomorrow's another day
And I am not afraid,
So bring on the rain…"

"Did you teach her that?" Aragorn asked looking at Shantel as he rode next to her.

"Yes," Shantel nodded. "I was hoping that it would help her."

"You know many songs," Aragorn said.

"Only thanks to my handy book of lyrics do I remember so many," Shantel smiled and looked at the nearing mountains. "What is this place called?"

"Dwimorberg, The Haunted Mountain, which is the door way to the Paths of the Dead," Aragorn said.

"Oh," Shantel replied. "And today is March, the seventh?"

"Eight," Aragorn said. "March 8th." Shantel nodded and watched the doorway get closer. She started to shake a little, and her blood felt like it had run cold. Still she said nothing and pushed on until the horses paused and would not continue, until each rider dismounted and walked them. We get to go first, Shantel thought, and took a breath trying to calm her fears.

"Remember my fears are only imaginary, no matter if it happens or not," Shantel said softly. Reaching the door, it took them under ground and Shantel looked behind, seeing Gimli pause for a moment. A dwarf not going under ground? Funny, Shantel smiled seeing Gimli steel himself up and enter.