A/N: It's now officially 2nd Semester for me. And I have a project from a first semester class that I haven't handed in yet. Hmm... maybe I won't be killed. Although I probably will. If I don't update because I'm dead, you guys can have anything you want... I have this really cool Legolas poster, and of course, copies of LotR movies. I'm sure everyone of you has that too, since you are such devoted Lord of the Rings fans, right? *wink wink*

*prances around computer, gleefully tossing handfuls of confetti into the air* ONE HUNDRED REVIEWS!!!! I'm so happy! Wow. That's so cool. :D I'm going to try to get this chapter up by... *checks calendar* Valentine's Day. Or February 14th, if some of you don't really celebrate it. *sighs* like me. But being single is good... really: this way I can drool over Legolas however much I want to and no one can yell at me! MUAHAHAHA!!! I think I'm insane. Actually, no I don't think at all. But if I was insane, it would be due to the fact that I have a HUNDRED REVIEWS. I can't stop grinning like an idiot. So if you want to see me now, picture this: fangirl surrounded by an ever-growing mountain of homework, scattered confetti, and a stupid grin on her face as she types madly away. Wow... that creeps me out.

OK, I bore myself with talking. Or writing... whatever, same difference. What I mean to say is: ON WITH THE STORY!!!!

Disclaimer: I hate school, I love M. E., I don't own LotR, can't you see? (Alright, so it doesn't rhyme perfectly. I tried.)

Home Sweet Home

Chapter Twenty-Four ~ The Chapter In Which Nothing Much Happens

They rode for three days, resting twice for the nights. Their horses grew weary but followed Shadowfax wherever he went. They were allowed to graze and wander as they wish when the travelers rested. It was during the second night that Nicole took her dagger and carefully inspected the sharpness of the blade. Gandalf was standing at the edge of their camp, looking towards Edoras, which they would reach tomorrow, and the others were sleeping.

"What are you doing?" a voice asked her softly.

She twitched nervously and looked over her shoulder. I thought Aragorn was sleeping. That guy is always messing with my brilliant plans. It's a good thing he hasn't found out about my plans for Edoras yet. I feel sorry for those horse-people. They're in for it. Nicole turned her attention back to the blade. "Nothing," she said with as much innocence as she could muster.

He raised an eyebrow. "Nicole."

She squirmed under his stern gaze and sighed finally in defeat. "Fine fine, but honestly, it's none of your business," she said. She held up the dagger in one hand and grabbed a fistful of her long hair in her other hand. "I'm trying to figure out a way to hack all of this junk off." She glared at his shocked expression. "Oh, do NOT tell me that I can't cut my hair because that wouldn't be acting like a proper lady. All I want is to trim off maybe a foot and a half so that I don't have hair in my face constantly, it's just--"

"You cannot be serious."

Nicole gave him a blank look. "Haha, I am such an amusing person," she said sarcastically. "Yea, I'm serious." She acted on her seriousness by holding a strand of hair in front of her and slicing 6 inches off.

Aragorn's mouth opened and closed.

"You look like a fish out of water, buddy."

Finally, he found words. "But you cannot. It is unacceptable. Not only for a woman, but for an Elf even more."

Nicole growled and rolled her eyes. "Do I look like I care? The hair is long, I usually end up eating it, and it's useless and a hindrance when I fight."

She shouldn't have said that. "You are not going to fight. Where would you fight anyway? There are no battles now."

Nicole clamped her mouth shut. Fine, let him win for now and just go fight the next time he tells you no. It's that simple. And afterwards, he can kill you for acting like an idiot. With a final disappointed sigh, Nicole sheathed her dagger and dropped her hair. "You do realize that I look like an idiot now because I have one chunk of uneven hair, right?" she grumbled.

Aragorn had the nerve to chuckle. "As I recall, that is your own fault. Get some rest, we ride on tomorrow to Edoras." He went to sleep again. Or at least he looked like he was sleeping. You never know with Aragorn.

Nicole laid down and shifted, trying to get comfortable. "You'll see, we get to Edoras and I'm the only one with long hair," she grumbled quietly. "You fashion-ruiner. If Éowyn cut her hair, you wouldn't care. If Arwen cut her hair, you wouldn't care. But Nicole isn't allowed, oh no, she must be a lady. Chauvinistic pig." With that, she shifted once more and fell asleep with her eyes open. And it still freaked her out.

Nicole woke unhappily the next morning, with full-length hair, and was forced to ride on.

"Gandalf says we're almost there," Gimli informed her.

"That's great, but that doesn't mean I'm going to be cheerful," Nicole replied, laying on Fuchsia's neck, trying to sleep as she held on to the reins half-heartedly.

Gimli raised an eyebrow.

"How come everyone can do that except for me? I can't raise my eyebrow..." she stuck her tongue out. "And I'm not cheerful this morning because I am deeply grieved by the lack of proper sleeping conditions. Having a bed would be awfully nice." She closed her eyes and tried to catch a few zzzz's.

"Edoras. Be wary of your words, Théoden does not accept visitors easily in these days," Gandalf interrupted her reverie. Reluctantly, she sat properly and paid attention to what was being said. "Keep your weapons hidden and sheathed. With a bit of luck, we may yet convince Rohan to fight against this invasion." They rode forwards, coming to a village that was built on top of a large hill. At the topmost peak, a large building with a golden thatched roof gleamed in the sunlight. A tall wooden wall surrounded the town, making the otherwise welcoming town look very un-welcoming.

"Cheery place," Nicole muttered, and pulled the hood of her cloak up again. Even though Gimli knew she was an Elf now, a woman, a she-Elf traveling with a group of men that were not her family was definitely going to be frowned upon. If I can just pass for a normal traveling dude until we get to the Golden Hall, maybe Éowyn would sympathize with me and let me take a bath. Nicole's eyes glazed over as she thought of comfy beds and hot baths.

At the gates of the town, they had to wait for a few minutes as Gandalf talking with the door warden and convinced the man to go tell Théoden that they were coming to bother him. While they waited, a banner with a white horse on a green background drifted to the grassy ground.

"And that's not foreshadowing at all," Nicole whispered sarcastically. Either way, they were allowed passage up to the Shiny Building, as Nicole has renamed it. The people that they saw were less than cheerful and wearing drab grey colors, further promoting the unhappy feeling.

"You'd find more cheer in a graveyard," Gimli noted.

"I'd agree with you Gimli, but graveyards are more cheerful than this," Nicole replied. They dismounted their horses when they reached the Shiny Building, and the horses were led away to the stables where they had originally come from. The five of them climbed the stairs and met the guards sitting at the top. These door wardens had their swords strapped on and wore light armor. The feeling of being unwelcome increased a notch.

"I am Háma, Door Warden of the Golden Hall," said one man. "Here you must lay aside your weapons ere you go before Théoden King."

Legolas handed over his knives, bow and quiver with no trouble, Gimli grumbled for a moment, but reluctantly set his axe alongside the bow against the wall. Aragorn warned the Rohirrim that no one was allowed to touch his sword (He's very possessive, actually. I wonder what he would do if I tried to take his ugly coat... hmm, now there's an idea,Nicole thought). Gandalf laid Glamdring beside Andúril.

Nicole sighed, this might take a while. She put her bow down and unstrapped her quiver, then took off her knives, and then fiddled for a moment with her shoe, trying to pull out the dagger hidden there. When she straightened up again, her hood fell down and she heard Háma make a noise of surprise. Nicole also pulled out the knife that she had hidden in the small of her back and put it down with the rest of her collection. She tried (and failed) to raise an eyebrow. "Never realized I had so much stuff," she commented and shrugged. "Take care of that for me, will ya, buddy?" she asked. Nicole rolled her eyes when she saw the shock on Háma's face. "I was under the impression that Rohan used to have Shield-maidens who were skilled warriors. Why are you so surprised that a woman can carry weapons?"

He just gave her an odd glance and turned his attention to Gandalf. "Your staff."

Aragorn chuckled. "Prudence is fine, but this is foolishness. You cannot part an old man from his walking stick." If people like Háma grumbled, he would have. But people like Háma don't grumble, so he just begrudgingly opened the huge wooden doors and let them enter the dark hall. Gandalf really played up the whole old-man bit, leaning heavily on his staff and having Legolas help him walk. Despite this apparent frailty, the five of them were on full alert, noting the men along the sides of the hall who regarded them with suspicion. Another notch was added to the unhappy-factor. Splendid.

"The courtesy of your hall is somewhat lessened of late, Théoden King," Gandalf said.

It's a shock that people even understand him when he uses words that big, thought Nicole, seeing that the men were approaching them as the five tried to get to the dais where Théoden sat. The men of Rohan came forward in an attempt to keep Gandalf from their king, because now his walking stick was being used as a wizard's staff, and he didn't look at all old or frail. The defense that Nicole's group put up looked like a mixture of bar fighting, ballet, and football (the American kind). That means that Aragorn solidly punched anyone that got in his way, Legolas looked unbelievably graceful (stupid Elf), and Gimli tackled people, most notably Wormtongue, who had been whispering in Théoden's ear all the time and had recently tried to run away. Nicole just walked calmly behind them all, struggling not to grumble about not being able to fight because none of the men approached her because she was a woman.

To her benefit, she noticed that Éowyn was held back by Aragorn when she tried to move forward. With a sigh, Nicole muttered, "Well at least he's mean to all females."

"You have no power here, Gandalf Stormcrow," the king croaked. Hehe... he croaked, like a frog. So he's the Frog Prince's father. I wonder if he has a son that will turn into a handsome prince if I kiss him... another Plan. Rohan is very good at supplying those,Nicole rambled, as she often did when big words confused her.

"I release you from this spell," the White Wizard said, to no effect except getting the Frog King to cackle evilly. Gandalf got angry right about then and finally showed his true colors. Or lack thereof. He cast aside his grey cloak and unveiled the bright intensity of his raiment; his power radiated from him in the form of white light. "I shall draw you Saruman, as poison is drawn from a wound. I survived your hold, and he will survive also. Leave him, Saruman, be gone!" He jabbed his staff forward, nearly, but not quite hitting Théoden, who finally looked sane again.

As soon as she saw that her uncle was getting un-old, Éowyn rushed forward to help him.

"Uncle... uncle, you are well again," Éowyn said with misty eyes.

Théoden touched her cheek affectionately. "I know your face..." recognition flitted through his face, "Éowyn, sister daughter, I have long --"

They were having a really touching reunion that nearly had Nicole in tears, but Wormtongue ruined the moment totally by trying to get away and forcing Gimli to repeatedly bang the spy's head against the floor, creating a racket.

Théoden's eyes shifted from his niece to his former advisor. If looks could kill, Wormtongue would have been boiled alive twelve times, skewered four times, and drowned three times. Needless to say, Théoden tried to grab the first sword he could get to, which Háma provided by giving him a fancy and very heavy-looking sword with a hilt designed in the shaped of two horse heads. Gimli happily obliged to Théoden's request that Wormtongue "get the hell out" (except said in eloquent language) and threw the grimy man out the doors. Théoden, now looking young(er) and fairly capable of handling a sword, descended the stairs as Wormtongue rolled down disgracefully. The sword was still clutched in his hand, he glared at Wormtongue furiously, and lifted his sword to hack his head off, ignoring the pathetic pleas for mercy. Nicole was waiting for the stroke to fall and knew that the spy of Saruman deserved what was coming his way, but it was not to be.

Aragorn leapt in front of Wormtongue, protecting him from Théoden's wrath. "No, my lord, no!" At the king's furious look that demanded explanation, Aragorn continued, "enough blood has been spilt on his account. It is not worth it." Théoden backed down and Aragorn turned to Wormtongue, as though to help him up but he fled through the crowd which had assembled, most likely returning to his master to report on his failure. Aragorn bowed to Théoden and the townsfolk followed suit.

Théoden ignored them and looked around, suddenly noticing something. "Where is Théodred? Where is my son?" No one wanted to answer him. Éowyn came up to him timidly to explain.

"C'mon lass, let us see to the horses," Gimli said gruffly, nudging Nicole towards the stables.

"But Gimli, I wanna hear--"

"The horses, lass, think of the horses," he replied, now completely shoving her.

Nicole let herself be led away, knowing that finding out that your son is dead is something that Théoden would want to hear in privacy. "Fine, fine. But you owe me, buddy," she said and Gimli nodded quickly. "Remember that, Gimli. You owe me," she repeated, and stuck out her hand to shake. Gimli raised an eyebrow and shook her hand suspiciously. They spent an hour with the horses, but Gimli left after that, saying he needed fresh air. Nicole thought what Gimli 'needed' was ale. She stayed behind and sat on the rail of Fuchsia's stall, leaning on the horse's back. Her perch may have been awkward, but it was not so bad that Nicole couldn't fall asleep. Which she did, about five minutes after Gimli left. The Rohirrim left her alone, either because they had better things to do, or because they would rather keep their distance from the strange woman who had come from nowhere. Plus, she slept with her eyes open, and since her hair was still covering her eyes, they didn't even want to check if she was spaced out or if she had died without them noticing. Her blissful nap was broken off when Gimli came back two hours later, muttering something about a funeral.

"Why, who died?" Nicole asked and then clamped her mouth shut, remembering Théodred. She meekly followed Gimli, but when she found out that she was supposed to be part of the funeral procession and was to walk behind Théodred with Théoden, Éowyn, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, she refused. "I don't even know him, I've never even seen him, why am I supposed to be involved? Shouldn't some of his friends go instead?" she whispered in a harsh argument with Aragorn.

"Calm yourself," Aragorn said, catching her arm as she paced incessantly. "They want you to be there. These people have hardly ever seen Elves, and to see them attending the funeral of one of their most beloved lords makes them have hope. If they see you and Legolas, both Elves, then they will hope that Men are not yet forgotten, and Elves will still come to their aid and honor past alliances. They need it Nicole, do it for the people."

She stared hard into his eyes; Aragorn was telling the truth. "Fine, I'll go," she said with a frown. "But for the record, I was against this from the beginning." Nicole followed Aragorn, took her weapons back from Háma, and fell into line in the funeral procession. Her brow furrowed as they walked slowly and solemnly to the burial mound. I shouldn't be here... here gaze fell on the body being carried ahead of them. He shouldn't be here... he shouldn't be dead. Théodred looks like he's only twenty-something, but he's already dead. That's nearly my age. Nicole repressed a shudder and forced her thoughts to be quiet for the rest of the service. She bowed her head in respect when Éowyn sang a lament for her fallen cousin and was reminded terribly of Boromir's death. Nicole blinked the tears away when they walked back to the town, leaving Théoden with Gandalf at the freshly covered mound.

They were not doing much, and no one was paying much attention to Nicole, so she wandered around the Golden Hall (a.k.a. Shiny Building), looking for someone who could lead her to a room with a bed and a bath. Within ten minutes, she was trying to stomp (unsuccessfully because apparently Elves can't stomp their feet) around the hallways. I should have remembered that my sense of direction is equivalent to zero. All I wanted was some rest and a nice hot bath, but what I get instead is finding myself in a huge Shiny Building with no idea where the hell I am. Lovely. Brilliant. Only I would end up like this. Finally, Nicole ended up sitting down with her back to the wall, in the middle of a hallway, and let her eyes glaze over while she got some much needed, albeit uncomfortable, rest.

"What are you doing here?" asked a harsh voice, breaking Nicole out of her light sleep.

She was cranky, not having slept much lately, not getting a bath in way longer than she cared to admit, and not having anything to do while the men planned stuff. Talking to her harshly may not have been the best decision. "I'm trying to get some freakin' sleep, since there's nowhere else and no one seems to care anyway, 'cause I'm just a woman, so I can't go and be involved in their battle plans. What are you doing here?" she managed to retort, and then noticed (with much embarassment) that she had been addressing Éowyn. Oh shit. Nicely done Nicole. You just got yourself kicked out of Rohan AND a shieldmaiden who's pissed off because of you. Congratulations. Nicole blushed, stood up quickly and did a clumsy curtsy. "Sorry, I didn't know who I was talking to," she apologized, then added, "milady."

Éowyn looked at her coolly. "You arrived with Gandalf Stormcrow, did you not?"

"Yea, that's me."

"How long have been traveling in the company of men?"

"Er... hang on a sec, I don't know what day it is now. But I'm guessing since late December? Early January? Something like that." (A/N: I'm not completely sure about the timeline, or how it fits in with my story, or how it fits with the weather, or anything like that. Sorry.)

"Three and a half months?" (A/N: let's pretend it's been that long). "That is quite a long journey. I imagine it was not very safe for a woman, be she Elf or human, to travel with men in dangerous lands."

It didn't really sound like a question, but it seemed like it needed a reply anyways. Nicole shrugged. "Nah, it's not that bad. We had a couple of fights: down in Moria, at Parth Galen, and besides, I had training in Lorien so it wasn't that bad." Nicole finished, and then remembered something. "Milady," she added. That's so annoying... do I always have to add that on to everything I say? The world is gonna turn into a world of milords and miladies. Whatever happened to using NAMES??? Being reminded again of something, Nicole added on to her addition. "I'm Nicole, by the way. Nice to meet you." She didn't even bother trying to curtsy again, it was too awkward.

"I am Éowyn, sister-daughter of Théoden King. You can fight? I did not know that She-Elves were warriors."

Nicole gestured to her weapons. "I don't carry these things around for nothing. And most She-Elves don't fight. I had a hard time convincing Celeborn to let me train, but Lathanir and Haldir helped me out. Why? Can you fight too? I need somebody to practice with, Aragorn won't let me fight, but I'm going to go anyways. I haven't figured out how, but I'll find a way." As usual, Nicole talked too much about nothing at all.

Éowyn's face changed from distant curiosity to a more friendly expression. "Perhaps we may be able to spar one day," she replied, a bit more respect in her voice now. She looked Nicole up and down. "At the moment, however, it might be best to find you a room, some clothes, and a bath."

"Wicked cool," Nicole said with a grin. "Oh right, sorry, I mean: milady, I am most thankful for your kindness." Nicole curtsied again, looking stupid because of her clothing.

"It might be good also, to address each other by our names. I have heard of your deeds from the Dwarf, and from what he tells me, we are equals, at least to him. But I must say that I also did not know that Elves and Dwarves were on good terms."

"We weren't. But Gimli knew me back when I was a hu-- when I was hungry for friends, so I didn't think much of it." Nicole smiled innocently, while having a mental tirade. Stupid brain. I almost said that I was a human... that would make her lose all respect for me and just think I was insane. But then again, who would believe me if I told them I was sane? Nicole followed Éowyn through the halls, this time committing to memory all the turns she took. Eventually, they reached a room that was well-lit with a comfortable looking bed and a partitioned bathtub. Nicole got so excited that she jumped into the bathtub, fully clothed and with weapons, not caring that there wasn't any water in it.

"Are you well?' Éowyn asked with concern.

"I'm splendiferous, and you?" Nicole replied leaning back comfortably with her eyes closed.

"I shall have a maid draw you a bath. Perhaps you would like me to find you some dresses as well?"

Reluctantly, Nicole climbed out of the tub and leaned her weapons against the wall. "The bath sounds great, thanks. But no dresses. Maybe just a fresh shirt and tunic, if you could find those? They'll probably be too big on me, but I hate dresses." Éowyn looked skeptical. She hurriedly added, "no offence, of course. They just... don't look good on my figure. Er.. my seamstress makes me dresses specially for me because I have... a deformed back. And any other dress just emphasizes the problem, so I prefer to wear men's clothes to disguise it." She slouched slightly, hoping that she had put up a good enough act to be believed, but she seriously doubted it.

Éowyn smiled slightly. "You are not quite convincing when you act. Besides, I know enough of Elves that they do not have deformities."

Nicole posed dramatically. "What can I say? I was made for the Oscars. I'm ready for my close-up." She kept posing for invisible cameras, but got distracted when the maid that Éowyn had summoned came to the room with two buckets of hot water. "Oooh... pretty pretty water! Lemme in, lemme in!" Nicole squeaked and nearly jumped in again.

"You behave almost like a child," Éowyn noted, close to laughter now.

"I do not!" Nicole cried, trying again to stomp her foot on the ground but failed. "I am mature and wise, and um... fair... and... wise. Oh no wait, I said that already." She bit her lip. "Oh fine, I do act like a child. Does it really matter? I look like I don't act my age, but I do, I swear I do." She paused and pouted. Then she grumbled, "Just ask His Royal Prince-ness. Stupid kid keeps calling me a child. I'll get him too... one day... hey look, the tub's full!" As she had been talking, the maid had been going to and from the room bringing more hot water, and now the tub was full and steaming.

"I leave you now. There should be spare clothing in that trunk," Éowyn said, pointing to the trunk at the foot of the bed. "I trust you will be able to find your way back to the main hall." With that, she and the maid exited, leaving Nicole with her precious bathtub.

Grinning broadly, Nicole undressed and sank happily into the hot water. Oh hell yeah. All that journeying around was worth just this one bath. I should invent portable bath tubs or something, so even when I'm out on the road I can turn myself into a prune. She stayed in the water until it got chilly, washed her hair quickly, and stepped out, drying herself. Nicole had actually turned into a prune and she examined her wrinkled hands. Yuck. I look like the Frog King before he went back to normal. But her hands smoothed out quickly, probably due to her Elven qualities. She got dressed, taking a cream shirt and dark brown sleeveless tunic from the trunk, finding them a bit big, but securing them with her belt. She towel dried her hair as much as possible and then left it down to air-dry.

The main hall wasn't as hard to find as she thought it would be, and along with the hall, she found in it Éowyn, Théoden, Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and two kids.

"Hey guys, what's up?" she asked, smiling brightly and taking a seat beside Gimli, who passed her a mug of ale which she pushed back to him, instead taking some meat from his plate. "Thanks Gimli. So where'd the little people come from?" Nicole asked, nodding her head in the direction of the children.

"Their village was attacked," Éowyn replied from her place beside the children. "They had no warning. The troops of Orcs are becoming more bold. We cannot stand by watching but not acting."

"You must fight against this threat that grows ever more potent. These are your lands, your people, that are suffering. The time has come for battle," Gandalf advised.

"I do not wish to risk the lives of more of my people when there is not war yet to fight," Théoden answered, getting annoyed. Nicole got the feeling that they had been discussing this same topic before she had entered the hall, and the king hadn't been happy about it.

"Open war is already upon you, whether you wish it or not," Aragorn replied. "There is a band of your men riding North as we speak, and they are eager to return and fight for their country."

Théoden was getting angrier and angrier. And understandably too: people kept telling him what to do, leaving him without a moment to speak for himself. "When I last checked, Théoden, not Aragorn, held power in Rohan. I would advise you to remember that," he nearly shouted. Aragorn backed down a bit. Théoden continued with a more defeated tone of voice. "They are too far away, even now."

"But the armies aren't attacking Rohan yet, are they? Why do we have to go to war immediately?" Nicole asked. Aragorn gave her a look that clearly said we-does-not-include-you-because-you-are-not-allowed-to-fight.

Théoden sighed wearily. "News arrived early this morning that the forces stationed at the crossing of the river Isen have fallen. Now is the time to strike Isengard and rid ourselves of the threat of Saruman. Afterwards, what strength we have left may be gathered to face the threat of the East. Alas, there is naught to do now save fight the enemy."

Silence fell and everybody looked very grim. Nicole clapped her hands. "Right-o, to war! Let's go," she said, but got no reply. Nicole stood up. "Well? Aren't we supposed to go fight the good fight? Burn our enemies to the ground? Let them rot in hell? Kick their ass? We have to do something! Why are you all just sitting around? Move."

"Éowyn, you shall stay here in Edoras, and be as their lord. If I do not return, Éomer shall take my place. If we both fall, the people of Rohan may choose their own leader as they please," Théoden said, and sent a messenger to tell all able-bodied men and 'stout lads' to prepare to ride to Isengard. He turned to Nicole. "I do not believe I know you, and although you appear eager to ride to battle, you will stay here. We cannot afford to have a woman ride with us."

Nicole gaped at him. "You can't afford to NOT have me! I can fight! And so can Éowyn! Why are we supposed to stay here?" she asked furiously.

"Nicole, NO," Aragorn said, and began ushering her out of the hall.

"But... but---"

"No."

"Meanie." A thought occurred to Nicole. "Gimli! You owe me! Let me ride with you!"

"Lass, I would not have you in danger," the Dwarf replied.

"You're a meanie too." She stuck her tongue out at him. Eventually, Nicole was dragged out of the hallway by Éowyn. She kept Nicole busy for the several hours it took for the men to prepare themselves by sending Nicole around the town with a maid. Nicole's response was a grumbled 'meanie' (her word-of-the-day apparently, since it was used so frequently). The maid had to leave to begin preparing the evening meal so Nicole wandered around the stables, which were now mostly empty except for a few young colts and old horses, and surprisingly, Fuchsia.

"Hey, Fuchsia, what're you still doing here, boy?" Nicole asked, stroking Fuchsia's mane.

"That horse was wild... he wouldn't let anyone come near," a small voice answered her.

Nicole turned to see a little girl. "He's letting me come close. I hope that means that he trusts me," Nicole smiled and shoved her hair behind her ears unconsciously. "What's your name?"

The girl's eyes widened at the sight of Nicole's ears and she scampered off.

Nicole sighed. "Fuchsia, being an Elf royally sucks," she mumbled. Fuchsia nudged a saddle lying on a rack, directing Nicole's attention to it. For the first time, and without a witness to prove it, Nicole raised an eyebrow. "I like the way you think, horsie."

Half an hour later, Nicole had prepared everything and was standing at the gates of Edoras with Éowyn, watching the men ride away. "Well, Éowyn, it was great to meet you, and I'd love to stay and chat, but I've got to go," Nicole said quickly.

"What do you mean? There are no pressing matters at the moment. You don't mean..." she trailed off.

Nicole whistled sharply, stooped to pick up her weapons, which she had concealed in a mound of hay just on the inside of the gates. She strapped on her quiver and knives quickly and shoved her dagger into her boot, slinging her bow over her shoulder. Right on cue, a horse pounded down the dirt road and skidded to a stop in front of Nicole. She swung herself easily into the saddle. "Bye Éowyn, see ya later!" she yelled and spurred Fuchsia after the receding line of warriors. Come on Fuchsia, catch those Rohirrim!Nicole cheered silently. In a more reserved tone, she thought, I hope Gimli won't get too angry...

A/N: First off: Apologies.

A) I know that I promised to get this out by Feb 14th, but if you know me, then you know that I've been suffering a lot of stress and lack of sleep for the past week or so, and this is *honestly* the first time I've had a chance to reach the computer in a week. A WEEK. And the saddest thing is: I had two sentences left to write and I couldn't finish them for the longest time. So I'm very very sorry that this chapter is late.

B) As I just mentioned, I've been stressed and sleep-deprived. So the quality of this chapter is absolutely horrible, there is no humor at all, and half of what happens is not important and/or doesn't make sense. I'm sorry about that, I'll try to make the next chapter more... real. :P

C) *sigh* Don't kill me, please. I'm already dead anyways. I have a TON of stuff to do (projects, tests, shows, etc etc etc). I think that the closest time to the next update will be first week of March, maybe the first weekend of March. So you'll have to wait until then. :( sorry.

D) I tried to write this chapter going off the book, but then I thought it was exactly copying word-for-word, so I changed it. Then I realized I was writing it by the movie script. What I ended up with was neither. A lot of the stuff is missing (ie, Aragorn and Éowyn's fight scene-thing), but I think the gist of the story might still be there somewhere. At least Éowyn stays in Edoras, properly, like in the book. I'll figure out a way for her and the people of Edoras to get to Helm's Deep... somehow. I hope. *ponders*... We'll see... Anyways, this is me apologizing for writing a very confusing and hole-filled plot.

OK, now that's done. Secondly: Actual Author's Note: I'm tired and I'm cranky and I think this chapter sucks. I also think you should agree with me on that particular point. Either way, reviews are much appreciated. Most of the excitement of getting 100 reviews has drained away, but that's because I'm too tired to feel any emotion except anger. But I sincerely appreciate your comments, suggestions, criticisms and so on and I want you to keep reviewing so that I know if I'm writing well or badly. Thanks.

I need sleep desperately. So I guess I'll see you all in three weeks. G'night. ~MoI~