Disclaimer: Still own nothing LOTR, I now own Vidar

Oh yeah, formatting still not letting me do it how I want...

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Chapter 10

The next few days were toture for Alina as she was forced by everyone to stay in bed and rest. The few times that she was left alone, or when Eowyn was with her, she would occasionally get up and go to her window for a few minutes, until she heard someone coming or Eowyn would insist, and she would lie back down again. The injury on her leg was completely healed. Her broken arm was beginning to mend, but still ached ferociously at times. Many of her bruises were gone, those that were left were barely visible any more. It was the large gash on her side that was being stubborn, not being helped by her continual fidgeting and twisting to try to reach things on the table next to the bed. It hadn't reopened, but she had come close to doing so a couple of times. She had to give credit of her quick recovery to the healing knowledge possessed by Aragorn and Legolas, for they were forever giving her potions and salves and reciting healing spells these last few days.

Gandalf, she learned, had ridden to Gondor to warn the city of the coming attacks after learning of them through a slight mishap on the eve of the feast. He took one of the hobbits with him, and Alina assumed it was because of that little hobbit that the wizard's journey to Gondor had come to pass. Legolas, it seemed, was checking on her a little more often that she thought was necessary, but then, she thought that pretty much all of their coddling and concern was unnecessary. She was healing, and she felt it. Her spirits were high, and her only real complaint was being made to lie prone for so long.

Eomer was often by her side, telling her stories to make her laugh, or engaging her in a game of chess. Sometimes, her would sit on the bed next to her, and they would read together. A few times, she fell asleep like that, her head resting on his shoulder. In those instances, Eomer would put a protective arm around her, and let her continue to sleep, marking the page where they stopped reading, and simply held her until he too, nodded off, his head resting gently on top of hers, the book still lying on his lap. Eowyn found them like that once, her soft giggle waking her brother, who shrugged helplessly, a small smile on his lips.

On the fifth day after the feast, Alina was at the window, looking out at the mountains, and the valley, when her attention was caught by a sudden flare of orange-yellow light on one of the peaks. Her heart leapt, for that could only mean one thing.

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"Gondor calls for aid!" Aragorn got the words out just as Alina entered the hall. She stopped, waiting for the king's response.

"And Rohan will answer!" Theoden said.

Eomer placed a hand on Eowyn's shoulder, turning to alert the Rohirrim. He halted, catching sight of Alina, clad in her new tunic that Eowyn had had made for her. He went to her, seeing the look that he had hoped would not be there. Here eyes held the same light in them as they had the day she challenged all of his uncle's men for position of Eowyn's bodyguard.

"No, Alina, this time, you can not come with us." He said, a soft plea in his voice for her to stay behind just once.

"Eomer is right," Legolas said, coming up next to her, "You can not fight with those wounds which still have not fully healed. You would place yourself at too much risk."

Alina did not answer them, simply gazed at each of them for a second, then turned to prepare for the ride to Dunhammer, gathering place for Rohan's army. Eomer watched her leave, fighting back the urge to follow her to be sure she did not intend on going with them. Instead, he went outside with his uncle, then departed to gather as many troops as he could.

ooooooooooooooooooo

In the stables, Alina was peparing her horse, Vidar.

"You think to come with us, then?" Legolas asked.

"As Eowyn rides to Dunhammer, so shall I. I am, after all, her bodyguard, am I not? I must go where she does in case of attack." Alina replied, not looking at him.

Legolas came closer to her, causing her to turn toward him. "Only to Dunhammer?" His question was more of a gentle command, for he heard the truth in her voice. Flashing green-gold eyes met his with a hint of anger, then she looked away again. "I am not certain that you are ready to be riding." He said softly, catching her injured arm in his hand, lightly running his fingers along her wrist and part of her forearm, his other going to her injured side. Her small gasp made him loosen his already light grip, thinking he may have caused her pain. "I'm sorry." He said as she pulled away, something other than pain in her eyes.

"We must be leaving." Her voice came breathy, and she quickly straightened herself, urging Vidar to move forward and out of the stable.

ooooooooooooooo

Gimli stalked up beside Legolas watching Alina leave, "Well, well, so you do have some knowledge when it comes to women!" he stated, laughing.

"You may wish to quiet your tongue, my friend, before you find yourself without a ride to the encampment." Legolas retorted, turning to the dwarf.

"Never liked the beasts anyway." Gimli scoffed, causing the elf's horse to snort and shake his head in disgust.

"You would move much slower without him, reaching the fields of Pelennor long after we have won the battle!" Legolas said with a slight smile at the thought, "In truth, the speed given to you by your significantly shorter legs would probably place you in Minas Tirith in about eight months, if you were lucky!"

Gimli's expression of offense was too much for the elf, and he had to stifle his laughter as he helped the sputtering dwarf onto their mount's back, leading the horse and dwarf out into the light, and mounting in front of Gimli in a swift motion.

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Alina went to a rather large rock near her to use it as a mounting block, knowing that she did not have the strength either in her arm or her side to pull herself up onto the horse. Once astride the animal, she looked to Eowyn, who was watching her, concerned.

"You as well?" Aragorn asked, sensing that something was amiss.

"It does no good to try to talk to her about it, my friend, she as is stubborn as the dwarf behind me." Legolas' tone was light, his eyes going from Aragorn to Alina. She looked forward, trying to ignore his penetrating gaze.

"I see." Aragorn said, taking notice of the way his friend was looking at Alina, and her attempts to avoid his gaze, though a blush crept upon her cheeks. A small chuckle escaped him, and he urged his horse forward, the others following as they rode up to Theoden, then out of the city, making for the encampment.

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Riding was a little better than Alina had anticipated, thanks in part to Vidar's easy gait, even at a gallop. The horse had sensed Alina's ailments, and kept himself in check to protect her. He could easily have ridden ahead of the band of Rohirrim if she let him. Once they reached Dunhammer, Eomer joined them in their ride through the troops to the winding passage up the face of the cliff. Eowyn and Alina were riding side by side, just behind Theoden. Eomer sent a dismayed look towards them as he reigned in beside Legolas.

"I thought she was staying behind." Eomer said to the elf.

"It seems she has changed her mind, my lord Eomer. However she assured Lord Aragorn and myself that she would only ride to this point with us." Legolas responded.

Eomer nodded before asking, "Was she fit to ride?" His worry was not as hidden from the dwarf as he thought.

"She seems to be handling it well enough, my lord. I have been keeping an eye on her for any signs otherwise." The meaning behind the last sentence was not lost on Eomer, for he had seen the high level of concern the elf held for Alina when he had thought no one was looking.

The paths had to be navigated single file, as they were just barely wide enough for a single horse. Once at the top, on the huge ledge that was seemingly carved into the cliff side, Alina walked Vidar to where Eowyn's tent was being set up. She spoke to Vidar softly, telling him to hold still, while she took her feet from the stirrups, groaning low as she swung one leg over the horse's back to slide off. Before she could dismount, Eomer was in front of her, reaching up to help her down, being careful to not hurt her. She inhaled sharply as he placed her on the ground, a small flash of pain in her side.

"You should not have come." He said, and when seeing her temper begin to flare, added, "I am glad you did." His lips softened into a smile, illuminating his entire face. She offered him a small smile in return, holding his gaze for a moment before turning to unpack her things.

"May I help you with that?" Eomer asked, moving to the horse and beginning to lift off a blanket.

"No!" Alina said a little too sharply, and quickly corrected herself, "Thank you, Eomer, but I can do this myself."

He gave her a curious look, lowering the blanket, missing a glint of metal hidden underneath. "As you wish." He said, leaving her to finish.

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Several of the horses were uneasy being so near the road to the Dimholt, neighing and rearing as their caretakers tried to calm them.

"Your horse seems not to be affected as the others are." Legolas said, observing the animal as Alina came out of the tent and back for the rest of her supplies.

"Vidar does not panic as easily as most horses." Alina said, stroking the horse's nose.

"Vidar?" Legolas moved towards her, stroking the horse's neck. "Maer eneth"19 He said to the horse, who bowed his head as in acknowledgement. Alina moved around him, reaching up to take another pack off of Vidar. Legolas raised his hand and placed it on hers. Their eyes met, his searching for an answer to the unspoken question that lingered within him, hers with a longing and uncertainty. She broke the shared gaze, resuming her unpacking.

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Later in the evening, Alina sat in the tent as Eowyn dressed Merry with a helmet and sword. Alina followed them out through the tent opening, standing behind Eomer as he sat with Gamling. She was looking at the stars and how much brighter they seemed to be from up here.

"Alina?" Eomer was looking at her expectantly.

"Hmmm?" She blinked, bringing herself back from her thoughts, finding that Eowyn was already sitting with them, bowl in hand.

"I asked if you have eaten yet. Are you feeling alright?" He stood as she nodded, helping her to sit next to him. He resumed his seat, ladling some of the stew for her.

"Thank you." She took the bowl and began to eat. She hadn't realized how hungry she was. She glanced at Eowyn, who was watching her with a contemplative expression, which then turned to a teasing one when she saw Alina look to her. Alina sighed and looked away from her friend, a slight smile in her eyes.

Once they had finished, Alina excused herself. She walked through the tents to the edge of the cliff, looking over the edge and out among the valley below and the hundreds of small fires that burned throughout the encampment. A small figure on horseback was coming up the path, taking care on the narrow slope. The rider's head turned slightly as he realized that his presence had been felt, and felt hers in return. A strange sensation washed through her, and she turned away, walking the perimeter of the upper encampment slowly.

She reached the spot where hers and Eowyn's tent was, eyes searching for anyone who could be near. Her ears picked up a sound that would have been inaudible to any human, aided by the elven blood that coursed through her. She spun around, hand going to the knife on her belt. Legolas stood in front of her now, an amused gleam in his eye, lips pursed trying not to laugh out loud. He held up his hands in front of him in mock defense.

"Would you strike one who was unarmed?"

She flushed a little, then quickly regained her wit.

"You are lucky that I heard you at the last moment, my lord, or you may have lost a limb – or worse." A cocky smile played on her mouth, "You seem to have forgotten that I am half-elf. That does not mean my ears are similar only on the outside!"

He chuckled lightly at that, "No, I wouldn't suppose so." His eyes shined in the darkness, changing slightly as he thought to tell her what he had come to say.

"Alina, I leave shortly with Aragorn, we take the Dimholt Road through the mountain." Her eyes widened, "I didn't want to go without saying goodbye." He brought his hand to her cheek, stepping closer. Her breathing slowed, her chest barely moving as she looked into his eyes. She saw the promise there, the promise that she would see him again, as he moved his head towards hers. She tilted her chin up to receive his kiss, so feather-light at first, then deepening slightly as his desires threatened to consume him. A soft moan escaped her lips as her body responded, pressing closer into his embrace. Then, as lightly as it had begun, it was over, and she was standing there, her lips tingling and tasting of his, as he walked back to his horse.

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Translation: 19 "Good name."

(Laughs sadistically) I couldn't resist... Two chapters to the next battle – and beyond... Keep reading! Everything is still up in the air at this point!