After many stories and accounts of the past days, the 5 fell asleep together until they felt themselves being roused by Belle, now dressed in robes of brilliant green and black. As he sat up, Aragorn noticed the pendant she wore around her neck, it was similar to that of Lady Arwens'. It was in the shape if an elven leaf, (like the brooches of the hobbits), and crowned in white diamonds and emeralds.
"Come forth," she spoke softly now, "you must take your leave to Rohan, I can guide you to the boarders, but no further."
After dressing and feeding on lembas' they all set out down the root-ridden path that slowly led them downhill. The two elves, (Legolas and Belle), walking nimbly on the hard earth, leaving no footprints. Aragorn walked behind them and following was Gimli, Pippin and Merry all seated on Belles' noble black stallion, Riverhoof.
As they covered ground Belle began softly singing, so quietly as if she was humming to herself. She began to chant softly in a sweet elvish tongue:
'* All that has wings does not fly,
Not all those who death claims are gone,
The Grey that is stricken does not yet wither,
And the shadow does not hold sway. *'
She glanced backwards at Aragorn.
'Gandalf,' he thought to himself.
Trudging onwards under the copper and lime leaves they sun began to show itself through the ceiling of branches. The air began fresher and the soon broke through into the bright sunlight.
"The end of our journey together," she said quietly, "12 leagues we travelled this day, and here is the land where Landualin meets Rohan."
Aragorn and Legolas pulled the three off Riverhoof and Belle mounted, pulling her hood up. But before she could bid them farewell, great thunder began to echo through the hills and rolling plains. The earth shook under their very feet and an army of men galloped over the hill, led by a handsome, muscular man dressed in burgundy and gold. His golden hair slung loosely over his shoulder and strong jaw line set with stubble, his army rode swiftly towards them.
"Who are you and what business do you have in the fields of Rohan?" he spoke quickly with the strength of fire.
"Alas!" cried Legolas, "we hardly stepped foot in this country and already are surrounded." And this seemed to be the truth as the riders had formed a circle around the small group.
"We wish to have safe passage through your lands," Aragorn said.
The horse leader glanced sideways and took a double take when he saw Belle shrouded in her cloak and hood. He dismounted and walked towards her, trying to catch a glimpse of her face, "who are you all?" he asked again.
"I am Gimli, son of Gloin, king of the mountain and these are my travelling companions," the dwarf spoke, "except this one," he signalled towards Belle, "she has been our guide."
"I am Eomer, son of Eomund, Third Marshal of Riddermark," he spoke quickly.
Riverhoof whinnied and Belle withdrew her hood once more, "and I am Belle," she said swiftly, the red light filling her eyes before draining again. Aragorn took notice of this and began to wonder…
"Elves do not normally stray this far," Eomer spoke.
"I came to guide these folks."
"And what right did you have to bring them here?" Eomer said sternly, gaining approved murmurs from his men.
"I simply did as they asked."
Eomer mounted his horse and said, "come, to the kingdom we shall ride."
"I will be going no where, but back to my woods," Belle spoke, but her words were lost in amongst the soldiers that had pulled her horse along next to theirs and began to lead them away.
The hobbits and Gimli were picked up and placed gruffly on a horse and Legolas and Aragorn were made to walk, (awww).
Eomer set his brown eyes upon Belles green ones and she tried to avoid his gaze, but seemed drawn to it as if behind them laid some hidden treasure.