A/N: Hey everyone! The story is nearing its end and I appreciate all the wonderful reviews and comments everyone has sent to me. All your suggestions have been most helpful and I really love you all! Whether your review was good or bad, I love you all the same because you took time out to write something about my story and that means a lot. To the devoted readers such as Surfer-girl, Aramer, and jade goddess just to name a few. Thanks so much! And to pyropixie, I am sorry, but I can not guarantee a happy ending, but we shall see! I guess you are just going to have to wait until I post the last chapter! Thanks again everyone and I hope the rest of this story lives up to your expectations.
Much love,
~Alatariel
"Legolas, do you see them coming yet?" Aragorn questioned, hoping that Eomer and Tinioniel were well on their way back to join them.
"Not yet, though they must not be too distant from us. I am sure they are alright. Eomer is a skilled fighter; it would take many an orc to bring him down. Do not worry yourself so." Even as he spoke these words, he saw Eomer and Tinioniel riding on the horizon of his vision.
- ~ * ~ -
The wind tore at her hair, lacing the strands in between the whips of harmony. It was nice, not having to walk, and yet Tinioniel knew that walking would be inevitable. Eomer talked with Tinioniel for what seemed like hours, and turned out to be so. Tinioniel spoke of her home, where she grew up and the like.
"Now that my cousin has died, I am in the next in line for the throne. I am bound to my fate by blood." Eomer finished his tale with a soft voice. Tinioniel was saddened that his destiny was already chosen for him, but that was beyond either of their control.
"Eomer!" Aragorn voice rang through the air. His horse, Brego, raced towards their spot. "Is there something wrong? You two have been away for a long time. The sun is setting and we are going to rest for the night, for the children and the elder and weary. We take rest over that ridge." Tinioniel listened to Aragorn, but faintly, and his words melded into a silence. Her face broke out in a cold sweat and the blood in her cheeks vanished, as if it did not belong there.
"Yes Aragorn." Eomer replied. Aragorn smiled slightly before his face furrowed.
"Tinioniel?" Tinioniel's eyes were unfocused and aimed and the dying ground as Aragorn called out to her. Her eyes started to roll to the back of her head and her body wavered in the saddle. Eomer maneuvered himself to face her. Her body began to fall as her mind slipped from the world. Through the air she fell, for the two men were too slow to stop her descent. Eomer dismounted and knelt swiftly by her side. Tinioniel closed her eyes, and her chest refused to rise and fall. "It's happening again. I thought she was alright, seeing as it hadn't occurred in so long. I will get Gandalf." Brego's hooves beat against the ground like a pulse in the deadening dusk. Eomer sat in silence near her, trying to get her body to respond to anything, even a hit on her arm, which started to bleed from the harsh metal on his hand.
"Come on. Wake up!" Eomer commanded, but Tinioniel did not respond.
- ~ * ~ -
Aragorn sped towards the company of Rohirrim, and headed for the figure cloaked in white. He pulled up beside Gandalf with a calm façade upon his face, though he could not hide the frantic state in his eyes.
"Gandalf," Aragorn whispered into his ear. "something is wrong with Tinioniel. She was fine a few minutes ago, but when I left, she was unconscious and was not breathing. Is it happening again?" Gandalf pensively thought but did not answer Aragorn's question.
"King Theoden. It might be wise to rest here for tonight. Do not let them get too comfortable though, for we shall leave when the dawn rises. Please excuse me, but there are matters that must be taken care of." With haste, Aragorn and Gandalf rode with alacrity, hasty to get to Tinioniel. 'The time must be near. She had been out of the trance for so long, and it suddenly comes back? Yes, the time must be near at hand where she will have to choose what path she will take, to save both our worlds or not.'