Disclaimer: Same as usual... I own no LOTR characters, places, etc. I now own Breda.

Barbara-Marie: THANKS! Glad to know you're having the same issues I have while writing this! (I wasn't kidding when I said I haven't decided how it will end!) I've been writing furiously, many chapters are coming....just need to find the time to proof and post... Thanks again!!!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Chapter 8

Alina awoke in her own room; she had slept the whole way back from Helm's Deep on the litter. Eowyn was beside her, asleep in a chair. Alina tried to sit up, choking back a cry when she put weight on her broken arm. 'Idiot!' she thought to herself, shifting to use her other arm. The cut on her shoulder ached, but nothing more than that. Pain seared through her side where her wound was still fresh, and a gasp escaped from her lips.

Eowyn stirred, then bolted upright when she saw Alina sitting on the side of the bed.

"'Leena, you're not ready for this yet! That wound still needs more time! It has only been two days!" she cried, rushing over to her friend, trying to make her lay back down.

"I've had enough rest, I need to walk, move, anything but just lay there!" Alina said, frustrated. A twinge of pain in her cheek where she had been cut.

"I can see you're feeling more like yourself, no sense trying to argue with you." Eowyn laughed, glad to see that Alina was doing much better already. "Just be careful not to reopen it!" She left the last part of her thought off, knowing that if she would have said it, Alina would have risen to the challenge and stood just to prove a point.

Alina grimaced as she pulled up the shift that she had been placed into, inspecting the dressings on the large cut. There was no fresh blood on them, that was a good sign – but Eowyn was right, better not to try to do too much.

"What time is it?" she asked.

"'Tis not yet noon." Eowyn replied, "Are you hungry?"

"Starving!" Alina said, now looking at the dressings on her leg and the bruises that covered her body. "Ugh! I look horrible!"

"Your enemies looked much worse when you were through with them!" Eowyn said, going to the door and instructing one of the servants to bring some food for Alina. She came back and sat on the bed. "Do you remember anything from that night?"

Alina thought for a moment, then said, "I remember the explosion, men and elves and rock flying everywhere. I was thrown, but not very far..." her eyes widened as she remembered Haldir, "Oh, 'Wyn!"she cried, "He was trying to protect me! Haldir – he..." she faltered, sobbing, "I tried to get to him..." Her tears overtook her, and she sat, crying, as Eowyn folder her arms around her.

"Shhhh. It's alright. I'm sure you did all that you could." She whispered.

There was a knock at the door, and Alina struggled to control her tears as the servant entered the room carrying a tray. The girl stopped, unsure of what to do. Eowyn went and took the tray, dismissing her.

"Here, eat, it will help you recover your strength." Eowyn said quietly.

Alina took a piece of fruit, still shaking from her grief at not being able to save the noble elf who had so willingly given his life. She ate a little, feeling better, and laid back against the pillows.

"Shall I leave you to rest?" Eowyn asked, seeing that her friend was becoming tired again.

"No, please, stay." Alina said, tears threatening again. "I need to tell you something – something I have kept from you for many years." Eowyn looked at her, curious. "I am not what you think I am, 'Wyn." She looked to Eowyn's face, searching, "I am a half breed. I have the blood of men and also the blood of elves flowing through me."

Eowyn smiled, relieved, "Is that all? I already knew this." Her eyes held compassion. Of course she had known, ever since the first day Alina had come to Edoras.

"You knew?" Alina was startled, and almost ashamed that she had held this 'secret' and Eowyn knew all along. "When did you find out?"

"That first day, when my brother brought you to us, I helped to clean your wounds and place you in fresh clothing." Eowyn looked at her sheepishly, "I washed your hair..."

Alina's hand went to her ear, "And all this time...."

"I didn't want to say anything, because I saw how uncomfortable you were whenever anyone went near your head, and you never mentioned it. I assumed you would tell me when you were ready. I just never thought it would take nine years and you almost dying to say it."

"Does Eomer know?" Alina thought back to that night before he was banished from the kingdom.

"No. Not unless he figured it out on his own." Eowyn said, "A secret among women is theirs to keep, not even blood can gain access to that locked chamber!"

Alina sighed, "I should tell him."

"That decision is yours to make." Eowyn replied, sensing that there was more to that statement. "'Leena?"

"Yes?"

"Nothing, nevermind." Eowyn looked down, "You should rest."

"What will you do?"

Eowyn looked slightly uncomfortable for a moment, then said, "There is much for me to do, my uncle is holding a feast tonight in celebration of our victory."

Alina nodded, sleep taking her again, "I will attend." She yawned, eyes drifting closed. She was asleep before Eowyn could respond. Eowyn sighed, closing the door behind her as she went to help with the preparations.

ooooooooooooooooooooooo

Trumpets sounded, signaling the return of Theoden, and those who had gone with him to Isengard. Eowyn went out to greet them as they dismounted.

"How is she?" Eomer asked as they entered the great hall, already filling with tables.

"Right now, she is sleeping, but she seems to be getting better every hour. She even sat up for a while today."

"Sat up!? The wound on her side is barely closed!" Eomer was slightly alarmed, fearing for Alina's health.

"Alina knows the limits of her own body. She would not have done that if she did not feel capable." Legolas said from behind them. He too was surprised by the fact that she seemed to be progressing so quickly.

"I will go to her." Eomer said, taking his leave and making his way to her chamber. He knocked softly, and opened the door. She was still sleeping, her head turned to the side, right hand curled next to her face. She looked so fragile to him, so small. He felt the urge to protect her rise up from within, as it had before. He watched her sleep for a while longer, keeping vigil as he had done those first few months.

ooooooooooooooooooo

The goblin came at her, rusty dagger raised to strike. She turned, the blade cutting her bonds and barely missing her hands. As she wheeled around, the goblin morphed into a larger, more powerful version of itself. It advanced upon her, a well aimed blow catching her arm, as a sickening crack reverberated through her. The image shifted again, and now it was Haldir who knelt before her, his face ashen as he slipped into death's welcoming arms. She cried out his name – it wasn't right that he should die here like this.

"Cuina ile mandah..."

ooooooooooooooo

Alina opened her eyes, the last words of Haldir haunting her. What did he mean? The door opened, and Eowyn came in to check on Alina. She was dressed in one of her finer gowns, ready for the celebration.

"How are you?" Eowyn asked.

"Better. Is it time?"

"Time for what?" Eowyn responded, trying to sound innocent.

"'Wyn! Is it time for the feast?" Alina's eyes began to flash as her temper flared.

"Soon." Eowyn said, looking down, "I don't think it is a good idea that you attend, you are still very weak...." She looked back to Alina's face, which was now set in a determined, if not even defiant, expression. "I am not the only one who feels this way."

Alina took a deep breath, moving the blankets off of her legs. Eowyn watched as her friend sat up, clenching her teeth against her body's protests, and placed her feet on the wooden floor.

"Alina-" Eowyn started toward her.

"Don't! Not one word!" She gingerly pushed herself up, putting most of her weight on her uninjured leg. Slowly, tentatively, she took a step, wincing as her hurt leg flared with renewed pain. She continued, one step after the other, to the window and back to the bed. The pain was less now. She sat on the bed.

"I need a gown." She stated matter-of-factly.

"'Leena, are you sure?" Eowyn could not hide her surprise at what she had just seen. Surely it was too soon...

"If I can not have a gown, I will either go in what I have on," Eowyn's mouth gaped as Alina gestured to the thin cotton nightdress, "or I will go in my tunic."

"But, the tunic – it is covered in..." she stopped.

"Blood? Then so I shall be."

"I have a new one being made, but it is not ready."

"Then chemise it is." Alina rose from the bed.

"No! Wait here, I'll get a gown!" Eowyn hurried out of the room, laughing.

'We shall see who should not attend the feast!' Alina thought to herself, though she knew she would probably have to retire early. She rose and walked to the window again, inhaling sharply as she put a little too much weight on her leg. They didn't expect her to show, let alone on her own two feet. Her stubbornness got the better of her.

"You're in luck!" Eowyn said, coming back into the room with a servant girl behind her. In her hands, she carried a bundle, tied with a very pretty ribbon.

"What's this? I thought you were getting a gown." Alina looked mildly annoyed, but more confused.

"Look!" The servant set the bundle on the bed, and stepped back.

"Breda, stay here, you are to help Alina with her hair when she is ready." The girl stood, waiting.

Alina went back to the bed, limping, and gently pulled the bow open. She parted the folds of the covering, and gasped. Her eyes went to Eowyn, who was wearing a large smile. Inside the bundle was a beautiful gown, pale gray with silver threads woven through, making the fabric look as though it was made of silver. The neck was lined with silver and gold trim. Alina lifted the dress up, admiring it.

"Let's hold it up and see how the length is." Eowyn said.

"'Wyn, I can't wear this."

"Of course you can! Look, the length is perfect!" Eowyn moved to the sid so that Alina could see in the mirror. A small gasp escaped her as she looked at herself.

"Eowyn, really, I can't wear this. It's much to...I don't know. It's just too much." Alina began to put the gown down.

""Leena, it's yours. I had it made for you before we left Edoras. I thought it wasn't finished yet, but the clothier told me today that it was finished the night before we went to Helm's Deep. Please, wear it." Alina looked at her, stunned.

"For me? 'Wyn, I don't know what to say." Tears filled her eyes, and she quickly made a remark to hide them. "You know I don't like dresses."

"I already thought of that. Look, you can still wear your sword on the belt that was made, and among the folds..."she pulled at the yards of material along the side of the dress, "you can access your knives, should you choose to wear them." She showed Alina the slits that were hidden by the many gathers in the skirt.

"You certainly did think of everything." Alina smiled, "Alright, lets get this dress on. Oh, and I don't want to let anyone know that I intend to be at the feast. Element of surprise, you know!"

Eowyn laughed, helping Alina to put the gown on. The bodice was a little more loose than Eowyn's bodice on the other dress had been, just enough to not make her feel strangled by the fabric. The neckline, however, was slightly lower than the other had been. Alina wasn't sure she was comfortable exposing that much skin. Eowyn saw her expression and laughed again.

"It's not that much lower!" she said. "Now, I must go to the hall. The celebration is about to begin. I promise, I will tell no one our secret." She hugged Alina gently, and exited the room.

Alina stared in the mirror at her reflection, still not able to take in the sight. The dress was perfect. The light color made her already dark hair seem even more so, the gold and silver in the trim enhanced the golden flecks in her eyes.

"My lady, are you ready to dress your hair?" the servant girl asked.

Alina had forgotten she was still there. "Yes. Come, I will show you what I want to do."

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx