AUTHOR'S NOTE Yep…totally talking to myself here…if you are reading, PLEASE let me know!

DISCLAIMER I own who I do and Tolkien owns who I don't.

The plains of Rohan were indeed amazing. But after the first full day's trek, they'd lost their appeal. I did not sleep, as I was learning that Elves truly did not need it. The quicker I reached Edoras, the better.

Late afternoon on the day I had crossed the river, Fangorn Forest rose on my right. I walked along its edge, grateful for both its shared and protection. Being by trees again was comforting.

Days and nights melted together as I walked. The trees whispered to each other and to me, keeping me awake through the dark, moonless nights. Three days of walking after crossing that horribly cold river, I was faced with another. It flowed southeast out of Fangorn. I recalled the name Entwash and figured this must be it.

Sighing, I resigned myself to crossing the same was as before. Again my pack, shoes and clothes were tossed across the water and again I swam naked across. The Entwash was not nearly as cold as the other river had been but it was nowhere near warm either.

The cold penetrated my body and made me very sleepy. A dull ache started in my abdomen and crawled up all the way to my temples. As if under a spell, I fell asleep as soon as I crawled from the water.

The light-haired woman walked through my dreams again. With my mind's eye, I watched her cooking for a young boy of about five years old. After he had eaten, another woman entered the dwelling. She was obviously the boy's mother and looked to be sister to the first woman. The scene faded.

It was replaced by the dark-haired man I had seen with the woman in the first dream. They must be husband and wife. He was working at chopping firewood and I wondered why in Middle Earth I was dreaming this.

Whispers broke through my dreams and brought me back to consciousness. I did not understand the trees' language, but I could tell that whatever it was was urgent. When I awoke fully, I discovered that my cloak under me and offered no protection. The sun had long set and it was dark. The moon had come out and its blue light illuminated the landscape.

I quickly pulled my clothes back on, prodded by the trees' voices. Again, that strange guilt came as I thought of the dreams. But it was quickly replaced by fear. I sensed something coming, something dark. As I turned from Fangorn and headed south, dark figures appeared on the horizon. Something about them screamed, "Orcs!" and I broke into a run.

"Thank you," I said over my shoulder to Fangorn Forest. "May the Valar protect you from those foul creatures."

And then I was back on my journey. I walked throughout the night and saw the red sun rise in the morning.

**********

I felt like I'd walked forever. The muscles in my legs and back screamed for rest, but I kept walking. All that kept me going was the knowledge that my journey couldn't possibly take forever.

My eyes started to play tricks on me. In the distance to the west, I saw visions of riders on wolves. As I walked south still, my sensitive ears picked up the sounds of battle. And as I crested the next hill, a long line of people stretched out below me.

My heart leapt and I summoned the energy to run for the group. I got closer and noticed that they were refugees – all women and children. I could tell they were not Elves and must be people of Rohan.

A blonde woman appeared to be leading them. "Maiden of Rohan!" I called as I drew nearer.

She stopped and turned toward me. "Who are you?" she called back cautiously.

I help up my hands to show that I was unarmed and answered "A friend!"

She beckoned for me and I descended the hill to join them. "Thank you," I said, joining her.

She nodded to me. Noticing me clearly for the first time, she glanced at me strangely. "You are an elf-maiden."

I bowed my head to her, as I could tell she held and important position in her society. "I am Raélowen, my lady. I travel to Rohan from Caras Galadhon, capital city of Lórien, ruled by Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel."

The woman signaled to the refugees and they began walking again. She gestured for me to come and I fell into step beside her. "Lórien is the realm of the forest of Lothlórien?" I nodded and she continued. "I am Éowyn, niece to Theoden King of Rohan."

I knew it! Niece to the King was definitely an important position in society. I don't know if it was intuition or observation, but becoming an Elf had obviously sharpened something.

"Pardon my curiosity," Éowyn said slowly, "but what is an elven maiden doing so deep in Rohan territory?"

"I am searching for someone. An Elf traveling with men, hobbits, and a dwarf. I was told to search for them at Edoras."

The woman's eyes lit up. "Lord Aragorn! You are searching for the Elf who accompanied Lord Aragorn! But I know nothing of hobbits."

"Yes!" I said, my heart soaring. "Legolas, Prince of the Woodland Realm! Is he here?"

Éowyn gestured grimly toward the south, where I could hear the vicious clatter of battle. "We have fled Edoras and are fleeing to our fortress at Helms Deep. We were ambushed by Warg riders of Saruman. My uncle sent the women and children ahead while the rest stayed to fight. Legolas fights with them."

Warg riders? Saruman? These names meant nothing to me, but the thought of Legolas in battle was painful enough. I did not wish to know details.

"The Wargs' ambush set us back," Éowyn continued," but still we travel. You are welcome at Helms Deep if you like."

I nodded, staring blankly ahead. Far behind, the sounds of battle were still enough to pray on my conscious.

Éowyn craned her neck to catch my eye. "When the Wargs are defeated, the warriors will also head for Helms Deep."

She sounded confident that the Wargs would indeed be defeated. I smiled weakly. "They will return."

Éowyn returned my smile encouragingly. "Helms Deep should not be far. We will be safe there. And the battle will not last long."

"Wargs are not fierce?"

"Wargs are very fierce," Éowyn countered gravely. "But out men are strong and brave. Rohan will not fall to any twisted abomination of Sauron or Saruman."

Éowyn seemed sure, so I began to feel sure. The refugees moved slowly, but any company was better than traveling along. And despite everything, I felt much better.

The plains stretched on for miles and still we walked. The sun began to sink lower and lower toward the horizon and before we knew it, night was upon us. The stars sang to me from above, making the night's travel slightly more bearable.

The refugees, however, could not feel the stars' warmth and reassurance. By the morning, I could feel around me nothing but misery. Behind me, cries began surfacing. Babies wailed for food while the old and injured moaned in pain. The suffering hit me physically – I had never felt anything like it before.

I could not take the pressure of their agony. It dragged my feet and tugged my spirits to the stony ground. I had never felt pain as strong as this. I doubted any Elf of Lórien had in recent history.

A sharp pain ripped through my abdomen. I gave a strangled cry. Éowyn stopped, worried, and reached out to catch me as I fell into blackness.

I woke up after only a few minutes. "Are you ok, Raélowen?" Éowyn asked worriedly. She stumbled over my name, but only slightly.

"My cloak," I mumbled. I was reassured to feel the fabric against my arm. Gratefully, I accepted Éowyn's help to stand and we commenced walking again. Éowyn continued to watch me worriedly.

A line of mountains dotted the horizon. As we drew near, a strong fortress appeared tucked into a hollow in the rocky side. The pain I felt ebbed away and relief flooded over me. I knew: Helms Deep.

We had made it.