Same disclaimer as before: I own nothing LOTR. OC's are mine.

Barbara-marie: I never really specified that point (hehe...evil, evil Rose!) You'll just have to keep reading to get the answer to your second question.

Soccer-bitch: Hello again and thanks!

Angel13 and Lucylambchops - welcome!

Buckle up! It's gonna be a bumpy ride!

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Chapter 12

"Alina, wake up!" Eowyn whispered frantically. "We are leaving soon!"

Alina shook herself from her sleep, the dark dream already escaping her. She knew it was aof the dream. It was not normal for one to elude her, unless... She shook her head, banishing the thought from her mind. Her thoughts went to Eomer, 'May the Valar protect you, son of Eomund.' Alina knew that it wasn't him she needed to worry about. She tried the rest of the journey to remember the dream, and who it was she had seen as she awoke, after the image of the dark figure.

The first rays of the sun tinted the sky in shades of gold as they came to the final ridge, Rohan's horns signaling their arrival and a halt. Alina gasped as her dream came to life before her eyes, the images from the vision coming back and matching what she was now witnessing.

"There must be tens of thousands of them!" sought from her mind. Her thoughts went to Eomer, 'May the Valar protect you, son of Eomund.' Alina knew that it wasn't him she needed to worry about. She tried the rest of the journey to remember the dream, and who it was she had seen as she awoke, after the image of the dark figure.

Theoden rode along the front lines of the troops, calling out to his captains which way they were to take their companies of men. Alina turned her face to the side as he rode past, attempting to keep her face from his view. The clang of Theoden's sword against the spears in front echoed through her ears as he came by for another pass. She shouted a war cry along with the others before charging down the hill at the sound of the horns, Vidar moving faster than ever as they headed for the lines of orcs, trolls, and uruk-hai.

Arrows began to rain down around Alina; one struck the rider next to her. Onward she charged, closer and closer to the sea of evil that was attacking the city. Another arrow whizzed past her ear, and Alina let out another shout as Vidar jumped to clear the spears aimed at their onslaught. Several orcs were trampled as they landed, still running through the crowd of disgusting creatures. Alina swung her sword to both sides of her, killing as many of the foul things as possible.

"Reform the lines!" Theoden yelled, and Alina wheeled Vidar around. A sinking feeling came to her stomach as she saw the enormous things that were now charging them. Her eyes widened as she observed the huge spikes lashed around their ankles and tusks, the hatred that was eminating from them frightening the horses. A horn of some kind sounded from one of them, and the beasts began moving faster.

An answering horn blast sounded from Gamling, and the Rohirrim charged forward. Chaos ensued as the riders swerved this way and that, trying to avoid the deadly spikes and being trampled. Alina gasped, ducking as two of her comrades were hit by one of the huge animals, their horses and bodies flying over her head from the impact.

Dodging more arrows, now coming from above and around her, Alina forced Vidar to cut in towards one of the beasts' legs, slashing it with her sword, catching the hind leg as well as she passed under it. A loud bellow of pain was emitted from the creature as it stumbled off balance and began to fall, being slammed into by another that had been brought down.

A third beast was falling, reared up on its hind legs, and Alina saw Eowyn and Merry thrown from Eowyn's horse, the gigantic creature heading towards them. As though in slow motion, Alina saw Eowyn roll out of the way just in time before the ground shook with the massive impact of the beast. A sudden lurch and cry from Vidar signaled to Alina that he had been hit, and she fell as he went down onto his side. Ignoring the searing pain in her arm, Alina quickly rose and ran towards Eowyn.

"I can't find Merry!" Eowyn cried, searching for the small one.

"Watch out!" Alina yelled, shoving Eowyn out of the way of an arrow. "Damn!" she cursed as the object struck her chain mail. "That's going to leave a bruise!"

Eowyn was now standing again, a horrified look on her face. Alina followed her gaze and inhaled sharply as she saw her king attacked by a Nazgul's winged creature. Before she knew it, Eowyn was there, standing between Theoden and the Nazgul. The creature lunged for Eowyn, and Alina started forward, only to be cut off by a few of the orcs.

"Get out of my way!" she yelled, determined to get to Eowyn. Lashing out, she killed two of the creatures in a flash, winding up closer to where she was trying to go. She heard Eowyn crying out, then a loud thumping as something large struck the ground.

"Agh!" Alina yelled, her attention brought back to those in front of her by a poorly placed jab by one of the orcs. She managed to escape it's hit, cutting around to her left. Up and around she swung her sword, lobbing off the head of the creature. The remaining orc charged her, knocking off Alina's helmet and getting a hard hit in to her head before she plunged her sword into its gut.

Alina sank to the ground, her vision blurred and ears ringing, as she attempted to crawl towards Eowyn, whom she could hear in a battle with...

"No!" Alina cried out as Eowyn's shield shattered under the weight of the mace that had been directed at the young woman. Struggling, Alina pulled herself up, trying to reach her friend that she was sworn to protect. 'Not like this! Not like this!' her mind kept shouting, spurring her forward.

"Die now!" the Nazgul said, gripping Eowyn by the throat. A sudden blow forced the thing to let go of Eowyn, and Alina saw her friend pull off her helmet, facing the Nazgul. Alina's vision darkened, and she sank into the blackness, her friend's words following her into the abyss, "I am no man!"

oooooooooo

Eomer searched frantically for his king among those who had fallen in battle. 'Where are you?' he thought. The fight was now over, Aragorn had returned, leading the army of the dead, and overtaken the masses of orcs.

"Uncle!" Eomer shouted, turning over one body after another, fear beginning to grip him. 'It's just like when we were sent to find Theodred...'

A familiar sob broke through his thoughts and panic set in. Running now, Eomer made his way toward the sound. There, hunched over the lifeless form of Theoden, was Eowyn. Eomer crouched next to her, searching for a pulse on his uncle, and then looked to his sister, who while injured, was thankfully very much alive.

"How..." another wave of panic struck him as he realized what Eowyn's presence meant. "Where is Alina?" he demanded, looking around. Not more than ten feet from them was an all too familiar figure, unconscious.

Moving to her, Eomer was relieved to find her still breathing. He lifted her gently, carrying her towards the gates to the city. "Eowyn, come with me." He called to his sister, who rose slowly and followed. Eomer called to one of his surviving men to take care of Theoden's body, and looked back down to Alina. A large welt and cut were bleeding near her temple, and her left arm was severely swollen and bruised, no doubt broken again. How many injuries had she sustained this time?

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Coming down to the backstretch, guys! Keep the reviews coming!