A/N: I've added new parts to this chapter, too. Revised and edited.

Disclaimer: I get so sick of these. Read the last one.

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Chapter 3: Flight to Dunharrow

            By midday, Edoras lay silent, its inhabitants marching to Helm's Deep. Wormtongue had gone with them also; he had no chance to escape after Théoden had ordered the evacuation of the city. He had been requested to accompany the king along with Háma, Chief of the Guard of Rohan.

Behind him rode Gimli, mounted on one of the king's horses. Éowyn walked beside him, listening to him speak of his ancestors and the glory of the Dwarf cities of Moria and the Lonely Mountain. She laughed as he told her about dwarf women.

"It's true you don't see many Dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, that they're often mistaken for Dwarf men…"

At this point, Aragorn, who had been riding behind them, dismounted and appeared at Éowyn's side.

"It's the beards," he whispered.

Éowyn smiled as Gimli continued.

"…and this, in turn, has given rise to the belief that there ARE no Dwarf women. And that dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground!"

Éowyn gave a very musical laugh, a true smile breaking on her face, the first in a very long time. Aragorn was captivated by this smile. It was so perfect in every way.

Suddenly Gimli's horse bolted from Éowyn's grasp and Gimli toppled off. Éowyn ran to help him up, while Aragorn went to catch the horse.

"It's alright, it's alright. Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate," he assured everyone.

She laughed again, as did Aragorn.

The afternoon wore on, and the people grew weary as they marched nearer and nearer Helm's Deep. It grew darker, before Théoden called them all to a halt.

"We shall rest here tonight," he declared, "and in the morning we make for the fortress of Helm's Deep."

They made camp inside a rock crevasse where they would be well hidden. The guards took watches throughout the night.

Aragorn could not sleep. He sat silent, looking up into the night sky. He thought of all that had happened in the past few months. Where were Gandalf and the hobbits? Were they safe and well? What of Frodo and Sam? Were they still alive? Suddenly, he heard footsteps behind him, and instinctively grasped the hilt of his sword.

"My lord."

He recognised the voice as Éowyn.

"You should be sleeping, my lady," he said, his gaze still focused on the sky.

"I cannot sleep," she replied, her voice as soft as silk. "May I keep you company?"

"Of course, lady, I would be glad of your company." They sat in silence.

"My lord," began Éowyn, timidly. "Do we have any hope of defeating Saruman's army?"

Aragorn did not answer. He thought for a moment. What hope did they have? Would Éomer come in time to help them? Would even that be enough?

"We must never loose faith, my lady," he said.

Éowyn yawned and lay down on the ground. Aragorn settled himself beside her. He slept peacefully that night.

            Early next morning, they began marching again. Legolas rode out front with the scouts, the king and Háma further back and Aragorn and Éowyn behind them. At about midday, Legolas spotted something on the plains ahead. They were moving fast, faster than Uruk-hai. They were mounted, but it was not horses they rode.

"Warg-riders!" he shouted from the top of the hill. "We're under attack!"

"Riders, prepare to fight!" Théoden cried. He turned to Éowyn.

"You must lead the people to Helm's Deep."

"I can fight," she protested.

"No, do this… for me."

Éowyn called to the frightened villagers. "Stay together! We make for Helm's Deep."

She called to Aragorn and pushed something into his hand as he rode off to join the riders.

"Take this, for luck."

Aragorn stared at her before riding to meet the Warg-riders. He looked at the item she had given him. It was a gold chain with a pendant of a gold and sapphire lily. He fastened it around his neck as he went.

A Warg came rushing at him; the orc mounted brandishing a sword. He hacked its neck with his sword and it fell from the Warg's back. He skewed the Warg as he went. Hasufel suddenly collapsed beneath him. An arrow had shot him. Aragorn faced the orc but was caught by the Warg.

It bounded along, the orc staring ferociously down at him, struggling to hold his grip. Aragorn raised Andúril to strike him but missed catching the Warg's throat. The Warg skidded to a halt and Aragorn was thrown to the cliff's edge.

The orc was on him, grasping his throat, tearing Éowyn's necklace from it. The necklace fell to the ground. Aragorn felt himself slipping over the cliff. The orc got free in time to watch Aragorn fall down the precipice.

Legolas pointed an arrow at the orc's head.

"What have you done with my friend?" he demanded, glaring at the orc. "Where is he?"

"He's – dead," coughed the orc, grinning. "He took a little tumble over the cliff."

"You lie," said Legolas, gripping the orc tightly and throwing him down again.

He picked up the golden chain and held it. Releasing the orc, as it choked and died, he went with Gimli and Théoden to the cliffs edge. They stared down into the river, unable to see Aragorn anywhere.  Legolas backed away slowly, with Gimli, still staring in disbelief, and followed the King to gather the survivors. They made for Helm's Deep.

            Éowyn and the refugees reached Helm's Deep, such a sight for sore eyes. They made their way in to rest and recover behind the safety of the Deeping Wall. Not long after they had settled, Théoden arrived with what was left of the men who fought. She hurried out to greet them but cannot see Aragorn.

"Where is Lord Aragorn?" she asked Legolas, "Why is he not here?"

Legolas handed her the golden chain. "He fell."

Tears filled her eyes as she thought of him lying dead on the rocks. She turned away quickly and hurried to her chambers.

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A/N: Ok, there we are. Another chapter revised, and more added to the Warg battle.