SPOILERS: There may be some from the LOTR trilogy.
AUTHOR'S NOTE AND DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the Tolkien characters. The Dozan characters in this story are original, as well as the cities of Doza and Tersaf. I have very limited knowledge regarding Middle Earth geography, and I would greatly appreciate feedback regarding this matter. This fiction is my first attempt in writing Tolkien fanfiction.
FEEDBACK: Greatly appreciated! You can leave it at the review section or sent it directly to me via email: sidlestokes@yahoo.com
TO ALL THOSE WHO REVIEWED (via email and through fanfiction.net's review section): Thanks! I really appreciate your reviews. I'm sorry for the long delay, life happened. Anyway, I received a very astute observation and good advice regarding my use of original characters…all I can say about that, is that not all my characters are what they appear to be…some are actually not as original as they seem to be…you'll know as the story progresses.
THE LAST ISTARI
By Mooose
Chapter 5
A wave of panic engulfed Katana as she felt hands upon her torso. Although barely conscious, the new rush of adrenaline fueled her as she struggled to get free.
"Hush, don't be afraid, it's only me," a familiar voice softly assured her. Katana sighed in relief and realized that her friend was helping her, not hurting her.
"Eowyn, what are you doing here?" Katana whispered, finally opening her eyes.
"I followed Mahtan," Eowyn confessed. "I caught him just as he was leaving, and he wouldn't tell me where he was going. Something in his eyes seemed troubled, so I decided to trail him."
"That was quite a risk you took there," Katana admonished lightly, knowing full well that once her fair friend had made up her mind, there's no stopping her. "Ow!"
"I'm sorry," Eowyn said, loosening the bandages slightly. "Your wound is quite deep, and I think you lost quite a bit of blood before I got to you."
"I'll be fine," Katana assured her. "The last thing I remember was a sharp pain between my shoulders."
"A poison dart," Eowyn replied, showing Katana the dart she had removed from her. "Only it was just laced with sleeping poison."
"Where are Mahtan and Rolo, by the way?" Katana asked, her heart beating faster as she remembered her friends being surrounded by a group of burly men. She tried to sit up, but Eowyn restrained her.
"You'll just make it bleed more," Eowyn admonished. "They seemed to be holding their ground when I turned to follow you. Your horse made it difficult for me to reach you, and I chased you for quite a while before I finally was able to get to you."
"Thank you," Katana smiled, albeit still worried about their other friends. "I – Rolo!"
Eowyn turned and gasped as her eyes fell upon a visibly weary and shaken Rolo. She rushed towards him and helped him to where Katana was. "Are you all right? Where's Mahtan?"
Rolo nodded, his eyes darkening. "There was a wizard. He took Mahtan." He went on to recount what the wizard had told him and Mahtan, and how Mahtan was whisked away. "I must go now and find the king."
Eowyn shook her head. "No, that would mean that you'll be playing right into his hands." She turned to Katana. "How are you feeling now?"
"I have a bit of a headache, but quite stronger than I felt a few moments ago," Katana replied, wondering what plans Eowyn is concocting. "What is it do you want me to do?"
Eowyn did not reply, and seemed lost to her thoughts. Rolo and Katana, accustomed to this after having known Eowyn for several years now, just waited in silence. When she finally spoke up, her eyes were lit with determination. "Do you think you can manage to ride back to Minas Tirith, Katana?"
Katana nodded. "We haven't gone far into the woods when we were intercepted, so I think I can do that. You'd have to point me to the right direction, though, I'm afraid I've gotten disoriented when I had that little ride after the melee."
"That would be no problem," Eowyn assured her. Turning to Rolo, she told him the rest of her plans. "Meantime, Rolo and I will head out to see my brother. I think he's the best person who can help us now."
"And what exactly am I going to do in Minas Tirith?" Katana asked.
"Get yourself well again," Eowyn smiled. "That is a good place to recuperate."
"Eowyn, I am not that badly injured!" Katana protested, suspecting that Eowyn has other plans for her. "Really, what do you want me to do there?"
"Oh, you know me too well," Eowyn laughed. "I'm quite sure that when you get there in this state, you'll alert the steward and the queen. Tell them the same story Rolo told us, but make sure that you don't mention Mahtan. That will just complicate things. They don't need to know about him – yet. Tell them that the queen and her son are in danger. Now, Faramir may not be so quick to believe you, so I'll have you give him the necklace of the Lady of the Rohirrim." Eowyn unfastened the necklace she had worn since childhood and put it around Katana's neck. "But, please, do not tell him where I am going. You know how I feel about him."
Katana nodded solemnly. "I suppose you'd want me to ask him to give the queen and the prince protection? Or would you want me to see to that business myself? I may not be as well trained as the Rangers of Ithilien or as the Tower Guards of Gondor about these things, but I think I am quite capable of that task."
"Then you do that," Eowyn said. "I doubt Faramir would let you do that, so allow him to take the upper hand on that task. Then, you can see to the queen and her son's protection discreetly."
"I understand," Katana nodded. "What are you going to do in Rohan?"
"Eomer is one of Aragorn's greatest friends, and also one of Middle Earth's most powerful men," Eowyn said, her face softening at the mention of her brother. "He has always kept his head even in the most urgent of situations, and I trust him to know which course of action would be best for both the king and victims of this plague. He'll know how to deal with that wizard," Eowyn finished confidently. "Besides, I miss him. I really miss him."
"Then we best be on our way," Rolo said, looking calmer and more composed than he was a few moments ago. He smiled at his companions, and held out a helping hand to Katana. Eowyn supported her on the other side and soon, she was back on her horse's saddle. Eowyn and Rolo rode Eowyn's mount and together, the two horses bore their riders until the time came for them to separate.
"Good bye for now," Katana bade them, lifting her hand to wave.
"Good bye for now," echoed Eowyn. "Please…when you speak of me to Faramir, tell him only what he needs to know."
"I will," Katana promised, somehow feeling deep inside that what Eowyn asked was not as easy as it seems. With another wave to her friends, Katana urged her mount to go back to the city they left just hours ago.