Disclaimer: don't own lotr. So don't sue me.

A/N: Alright, everyone! Today is my birthday! Whoohooo! Lol. Srry. So anyway, I am giving you all a two chapter update in honor of this special occasion. Lol.

Oh, and thx to...

Lady Luthien: hehe, today is FINALLY the 3rd of March!

Gwyn heard more about Éowyn, and decided to introduce herself to her. She spotted her quickly and approached her.

'Hello,' she greeted.

'Hello,' Éowyn returned kindly.

'My name is Gwyn,' she said. 'I am the daughter of Aragorn. I have heard much about you.'

'And I have heard much about you, Gwyn,' Éowyn said.

'From who?'

Éowyn smiled and nodded her head towards Aragorn.

Gwyn raised her eyebrows. 'What did he say about me?' she asked quietly.

'Only good things, I can assure you,' Éowyn said. 'He did tell me, though, that I would like you...he said that our personalities were very much the same.'

Gwyn laughed. 'If all the things I have heard about you are true, then I guess it must be so.'

'I can tell from your clothing that it is so.'

The two girls talked about their similarities, and soon became good friends. Trusting Éowyn, Gwyn told her quietly about her relationship with Legolas. She told her about her problems with her father...all her confused thoughts.

Éowyn was a good and patient listener. Without interrupting, she listened to Gwyn ramble.

After she finished, Gwyn asked Éowyn to tell her about herself. The girls talked for hours...into the early hours of the morning.

Two or three hours after midnight, Éowyn went to bed, but Gwyn was restless. She had barely spoken with her father...and for some reason she felt badly about that. But she did not seek Aragorn out. She went out of the Golden Hall and into the sweetly cold night air. She sat, alone, in the stillness for several minutes. 'Gwyn?' a softly rough voice asked.

Gwyn turned to see her father approaching tentatively, as though unsure of what Gwyn would do. 'Do you want to talk?' he asked.

'What would I need to talk about?' she asked, unconcernedly.

Aragorn sighed slightly. 'I just thought...that you might have something on your mind.'

'No,' Gwyn said, though all of her heart and mind was telling her to say otherwise.

'That comment you made to me in Isengard—' Aragorn began, but Gwyn cut him off shortly.

'Had a simple meaning, nothing more,' she said a little harshly.

'Perhaps you can explain to me the meaning?' Aragorn said quietly.

Gwyn sighed, and did not speak for a moment. Finally, she said softly but evenly, 'It simply means that I did not mean what I said in Lothlorien.'

Aragorn stared, hardly daring to believe what she was implying.

'I do not hate you, Father.'

'Well, that is good to know,' Aragorn commented, relieved.

'That is all,' she said, ending the conversation.

Aragorn looked slightly discouraged, but decided that his daughter needed some time alone. 'If you want to talk more,' he said, 'just come find me.'

'If you ever have time enough to listen,' she scoffed. But as soon as she said it, she wished she hadn't. There she'd had a chance to say something kind, and she'd blown it. She mentally scolded herself for speaking without thinking. Why was she always doing this?

Aragorn looked hurt, but did his best to hide it. But Gwyn could see the hurt in his eyes, despite the darkness.

'I'm sorry,' she muttered. 'I did not mean that either.'

'It is rare to get an apology from you,' Aragorn said. 'Why the sudden changes?'

'I don't know,' Gwyn snapped. She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. 'I'm sorry,' she said again. 'I don't know what's going on with me.'

Aragorn looked at her curiously. He glanced around, then sat beside her.

'Ada,' she said softly. 'I may say some things that I don't mean...' she looked at him. '...please don't take them seriously.'

'You have said many things that you do not mean,' Aragorn pointed out.

'I know, I know,' Gwyn said with an impatient edge to her voice. Her tolerance was running out...but she didn't know why. She should be able to talk to her father. Why was this happening? Maybe...maybe she was afraid that she would break down and pour out her emotions...therefore letting something about Legolas slip. She wasn't ready for that. Her eyes were burning, as though they were going to begin spilling tears any second. She looked away, her face growing hot.

'What is it?' Aragorn said gently, brushing her hair behind her ear.

She almost shrugged him off, but refrained. Instead, she drew a deep breath and leaned into him, resting her head on his chest. 'It's just—spending time with the Ents...I've realized that maybe...maybe I speak too quickly.' She frowned.

'Well, I can't deny that you do,' Aragorn said.

'Do you remember when I was little?' Gwyn asked. 'Whenever you would go, and I would beg to come with you?'

'And you basically told me that you never wanted to see me again and that you hoped I died when I told you no,' Aragorn finished.

She nodded. 'Every year, I was afraid that you wouldn't come back...that you would be too angry with me, and just decide not to return.'

Aragorn stroked her head. 'I would come back no matter what,' he said soothingly.

'Even if I told you that I hated you, and that for all I cared, you could die and never come back and I'd never think of you again?'

'Of course.'

Gwyn was silent. She had never known, nor bothered to know, this. She wished she had known before...it may have helped. She may have had a better relationship with her father...but the past was over. There was nothing she could do now to change all the things she'd said.

'Just say it!' her mind commanded.

'No!' she argued back. 'It's not the right time!'

'Say it!'

'No!'

'I—' she began. 'I'm going to bed.'

'You fool!' her mind shot at her. 'What's wrong with you? Why didn't you say it?'

Aragorn nodded. 'Good night,' he said as Gwyn stood up.

'Good night,' she said quietly.

'Because,' she told herself, 'I couldn't!'

'Weakling!'

'I'm not weak!'

'If you're not weak, then why couldn't you say three words?'

'Because it's not the right time!'

Her mind argued back and forth as she tossed and turned in her makeshift bed. It was so simple: I love you. She could say it over and over again, she could say to countless times to Legolas...but she couldn't say it to her father. After her mind threw many insults at her, she drifted into an uneasy sleep.

She awoke abruptly to a blood-curling shriek. Gwyn shot straight up, dizzy from her sudden movement. Pippin was writhing on the floor, clutching the Palantír.

'Pippin!' Merry was yelping. 'Help! Gandalf! Someone help him!'

Gandalf jerked out of his sleep just as Aragorn and Legolas burst through the door. Aragorn grabbed the ball from Pippin...it nearly made him go unconscious, but Legolas gripped his shoulders, supporting him. The ball tore itself from Aragorn's hands and rolled across the floor. Pippin looked as cold and stiff as a statue.

With a cry, Gandalf threw his cloak on the Palantír.

Merry ran over to his friend's aid. 'Pippin!' he exclaimed.

'Fool of a Took!' Gandalf yelled. He pushed Merry out of the way. He said something under his breath, while his hand rested on Pippin's forehead. He jerked awake suddenly and gasped, terrified.

'Look at me!' Gandalf ordered.

Pippin winced and struggled to hold his gaze. 'Gandalf, forgive me,' he said weakly.

'Look at me,' Gandalf said again. 'What did you see?'

Pippin tried to look away, but Gandalf kept his head in place.

'A tree,' he answered. 'A white tree. In a courtyard of stone. It was dead! The city was burning!'

'Minas Tirith. Is that what you saw?' Gandalf said quickly.

'I saw...' Pippins eyes widened. 'I saw him! I can hear his voice in my head.'

'What did you tell him?' Gandalf demanded. 'Speak!'

'He asked me my name. I didn't answer. He hurt me.'

'What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?'

Pippin looked confused.

In the Golden Hall...

They stood tensely while Gandalf spoke. 'There was no lie in Pippin's eyes,' he said. 'A fool, but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantír a glimpse of the Enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the Heir of Elendil has come forth. Men are not as weak as he supposed. There is courage still...strength perhaps to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle-Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a king return to the throne of Men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war.'

Théoden thought a moment before saying, 'Tell me; why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?'

Gwyn stared at him in disbelief. How could he say such a thing?

'I will go,' Aragorn said quietly.

'No,' Gandalf said.

'They must be warned!'

'They will be!' he said. He spoke in an undertone to Aragorn, 'You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Look to the river, look to the black ships.' He turned to them all. 'Understand this: things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith. And I won't be going alone.' He looked pointedly at the hobbits.

'Of all the inquisitive hobbits, Peregrin Took,' Gandalf said he led the hobbits down to the stables, Gwyn trailing closely, 'you are the worst. Hurry, hurry!'

'Where are we going?' Pippin asked, panting.

Merry turned angrily to his friend. 'Why did you look? Why do you always have to look?'

'I don't know,' said Pippin. 'I can't help it.'

'You never can.'

'I'm sorry, alright? I won't do it again.'

'Don't you understand?' Merry sounded pained. 'The Enemy thinks you have the Ring. He's going to be looking for you Pip. They have to get you out of here.'

'And you-you're coming with me?'

Gwyn looked between them fearfully as she thought of what was about to happen. Merry didn't respond, but turned and walked briskly to the stables.

'Merry?' Pippin sounded scared.

'Come on!' Merry called back.

If she was right, Gandalf was taking Pippin, and leaving Merry behind. She ran to catch up to Gandalf, so that she could tell him something before he took off.

'How far is Minas Tirith?' Pippin questioned as Gandalf lifted him onto his white horse.

'Three days' ride, as the Nazgûl flies...and you better hope we don't have one of those on our tail,' Gandalf said.

'Gandalf,' Gwyn said quietly, while Merry handed Pippin something. She drew Gandalf aside. 'Please, do not be harsh on him. He's been through a lot.' Her eyes held a deep concern that Gandalf seemed to understand.

He nodded and mounted his horse. 'Run, Shadowfax,' he said. 'Show us the meaning of haste!'

Shadowfax took off at an enormous speed and ran out of the stables.

'Merry!' Pippin called uselessly.

Merry began to run as fast as his short hobbit legs would carry him to the look out. Gwyn rushed after him, surprised at his speed. He clambered up a set of stairs, Gwyn close at his heels, and to the lookout point, where he watched sadly as Gandalf and Pippin grew smaller. Gwyn put her hand on Merry's shoulder and said, 'He will return, Merry. Have faith.'

Four days passed...Gwyn stood in the Golden Hall with Legolas, Gimli, Théoden, Éomer, Éowyn and a few Riders of Rohan studying a map. All their heads jerked up as Aragorn burst through the doors shouting, 'The beacons of Minas Tirith! The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid!'

All stood with baited breath as they awaited Théoden's response. 'And Rohan will answer!' he proclaimed. 'Muster the Rohirrim!'

They prepared quickly to leave. At last, Éomer sat on his horse, leading a large group of soldiers. 'Now is the hour!' he yelled. 'Riders of Rohan! Oaths you have taken, now fulfill them all! For lord and land!'

And with great war cries, they rode for Dunharrow, where they were to meet several other armies.

Finally, they arrived at the encampment, where Théoden questioned the number of soldiers they had collected. 'Grimbold, how many?' he asked.

'I bring five hundred Men from the Westfold, my lord,' Grimbold said.

'We have three hundred more from Fenmarch, Théoden King,' a soldier said as they passed.

'Where are the riders from Snowbourn?' Théoden asked.

'None have come, my lord,' the soldier answered.

Gwyn tried to calm her rearing horse. Beauty was a hot tempered mare, and did not hold well with being tied to a post. Legolas observed to Éomer, 'The horses are restless and the Men are quiet.'

'They grow nervous in the shadow of the mountain,' Éomer said.

Gimli walked up and gestured to a large mountain pass that was not far away. 'That road there, where does it lead?' he asked suspiciously.

'It is the road to the Dimholt,' Legolas answered, 'the door under the mountain.'

'None who venture there ever return,' Éomer said grimly.

As Gwyn finally got Beauty tied and calmed, she saw her father staring intently at the mountain pass. His eyes were wide and his face worried. Gimli approached him from behind and said, 'Aragorn!' jerking him out of his trance. He whipped around.

'Let's find some food,' he said, dragging him off.

That night, Gwyn was walking through the rows of tents when Théoden grabbed her arm. 'Gwyn,' he said urgently. 'Find your father for me. Tell him that I await him in my tent.'

'Of course, my lord,' Gwyn said, and she ran quickly to her father's tent. She pushed the flaps aside and found her father in a restless, uneasy sleep. As she approached, she noticed the Evenstar hanging from his neck. She frowned. Why was it eating at her mind? A vision passed through her head: the vision of what she had seen in Galadriel's mirror: the Evenstar gently dangling over her, a bright, ethereal light everywhere. She reached out with her right hand and ran her forefinger along the jewels.

With a shout Aragorn woke and whipped his dagger out of its sheath, its cold blade making contact with her palm. She gasped slightly and grabbed her hand, recoiling it so that he did not see her blood.

'What are you doing?' Aragorn asked harshly.

'I was just...' Gwyn began gently, with a soft expression. Then she hardened. 'Nothing,' she said coldly. 'I just came to tell you that King Théoden awaits you.'

Aragorn looked at her, feeling that she wanted to tell him something more, but all he got in response was her eyes staring back at him filled with coldness, anger, and hate. He sighed and said, 'I will be there shortly.'

Gwyn nodded and exited the tent, making her way back to her own.

Aragorn dagger in hand and still breathing a little heavily, watched her go. He didn't think he'd ever forget the look he had just seen her eyes. Sighing, he looked at his dagger and started. There was red, fresh blood on the blade.

Meanwhile, Gwyn stormed back to her tent, angry tears in her eyes. She was not crying about her wound (though it did sting). She was crying because of her father's unspoken words. She knew that he was asking what was wrong through his eyes, but that was not good enough. She would never tell him what she felt until he asked her directly. It was stupid, she knew, but Gwyn had made up her mind. She entered the tent she shared with Éowyn and found her fitting Merry with armor. She gave them a quick 'hello' and rummaged through her pack, looking for a wrap. She finally found one and pulled it out. Gwyn began to wrap it around her hand.

'Gwyn what happened?' Éowyn asked, concerned.

Gwyn smiled. 'Just a small accident, Éowyn. There's nothing to worry about.'

Éowyn was worried, however. 'How deep is it?' she asked, kneeling in front of Gwyn and taking her wounded hand.

Gwyn flinched. 'I don't think it's that deep,' she said.

'Here,' Éowyn offered, 'let me wrap it for you.' She took the wrap from her friend's other hand and gently wrapped it around her wounded one.

Gwyn noticed Merry looking at them, question and fear in his eyes. 'Merry, what's wrong?' Gwyn asked.

'Nothing...except...are you going to be alright?' Merry looked concerned.

Gwyn laughed softly. 'Of course, Merry. It is only a scratch.'

Merry nodded, looking relieved.

'There,' Éowyn said, tying a knot. 'Done.'

'Thank you Éowyn,' Gwyn said gratefully.

'You are most welcome,' Éowyn returned. 'Let me know if you have any trouble with it.'

Gwyn nodded and tousled Merry's hair affectionately. She bent down and whispered, 'Good luck, Master Meriadoc.'

'Thank you, Gwyn,' Merry whispered back.

Gwyn smiled and thanked Éowyn one last time before leaving the tent. As she emerged, she ran into one of the last people she wanted to see right then—Legolas. As she suspected he would, Legolas noticed her wrapped hand immediately. He gently grabbed it and lifted it up to examine it. 'Gwyn, what happened?' he asked, his beautiful blue eyes holding concern as he looked into hers.

'It's nothing, Legolas,' she answered, averting her gaze. 'Just an accident.' As soon as she looked away, she regretted it.

Legolas sighed and glanced around. He took hold of her wrist and pulled her into an empty tent.

'Legolas, what—' Gwyn started as they passed through the flaps.

'Gwyn,' Legolas said, 'I want you to tell me what really happened.'

'I was sharpening my sword and...' Gwyn bit her lip '...and you're not going to believe that,' she finished lamely.

Legolas crossed his arms and shook his head, smiling. 'Because you don't have a sword,' he said, amused.

Gwyn smiled back weakly. 'So, you're going to want to know the whole story?'

Legolas nodded, still looking slightly amused. Gwyn drew a deep breath and told Legolas exactly what had happened in her father's tent. When she finished, Gwyn looked at Legolas. He was frowning and looked lost in thought. 'I do not know what it means,' he said finally, looking at her gently. He reached out and traced her chin with his thumb. 'Do not trouble yourself with it,' he comforted her, his face drawing closer to hers.

She nodded.

Legolassmiled and kissed her lips softly. After a few minutes, they emerged from the tent. 'Good night,' Legolas said, slipping away to find Gimli.

'Good night,' Gwyn whispered. She frowned as she felt eyes on her. She turned to see Éomer and his friend looking at her, their eyebrows raised. 'What?' Gwyn snapped, blushing slightly.

They both chuckled, and shook their heads. 'What?' Gwyn demanded again.

She got no answer, just more chuckles. Frustrated, she rolled her eyes and stalked off.

'Beauty, calm down,' Gwyn told her horse. Beauty had been restless ever since they had arrived. She had to keep checking on her. 'Shh...' she whispered. 'You must be calm and quiet now. I know you are restless, but please try.' She tried to calm Beauty by stroking her and whispering softly in Elvish.

Finally, she decided to ride her horse around for a little. 'Come,' she said as she led Beauty away from her post. Gwyn started when she heard a voice speak, but calmed when she found that it spoke to someone else.

'And just where do you think you're going, laddie?' Gimli asked.

'No, Gimli,' Aragorn said ahead of time. 'Not this time. This time you must stay.'

Gwyn peered around a tent that was between them and watched Legolas lead Arod up beside her father and Brégo. 'Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?' he asked, smiling.

Gwyn did not need even a second to make up her mind. She gracefully led Beauty up to the other side of her father. Her eyes shone. Aragorn was confused. Just fifteen minutes ago, her eyes held hate, but now they radiated love. He didn't even try to stop her from joining him.

'You may as well accept it. We're coming with you, laddie,' Gimli said.

Aragorn chuckled, knowing there was no way out of it.

They had just gotten their horses ready to leave for Dimholt when Aragorn took his daughter aside. 'What—' she started when he held out his sword—The Sword of Strider the Ranger.

'This belongs to you now,' he said softly, waiting for her reaction.

Gwyn reached out and grasped it in her hands, staring at it in slight awe. 'But what about you...?' she asked.

Her father smiled. 'I have been taken care of,' he answered.

Gwyn attached the sword belt to her waist and unsheathed it. 'Hannon le (Thank you),' she said, slipping it back into the sheath.

'You're welcome' Aragorn said.

She gave her father a quick hug before she walked back to Beauty and mounted her restless friend. In single file, they set out for the Dimholt.

A/N: There ya have it! Part I of the Marathon update!