Author: Thanks for the feedback, guys! I appreciate it :) Hopefully, things will become a little clearer in this chapter.

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(Flashback)

"No! Father, don't hurt him!"

Rana raced to the man who lay prone on the tiled floor, shoving her way through a crowd of spectators. He was glaring daggers at her father, who was standing over him, sword in hand. Candlelight glinted on the burnished steel.

"Stand aside, Rana." Eomer did not take his eyes off the younger man, though his daughter knelt next to him.

"Why? What is the meaning of this? Theshar, what is going on?" Rana's gaze flew from Eomer to the cold gray eyes of the man beside her. He was tall and wiry, with no gray yet showing in his black hair. Theshar was thought handsome by the ladies of Edoras, and though he lacked the powerful build of most of Rohirrim, he made up for it with speed and agility in battle.

"Rana, I order you to leave. This matter has passed your concern. Theshar will not leave Edoras alive."

Her shocked gasp split the room.

"No! Father, I love him! Why are you doing this?"

Slowly, Theshar got to his feet, rising to stand behind Rana. Eomer stepped closer.

"One more move and I will kill you here and now, scum." The King grabbed his daughter's arm and shoved her towards her mother. At a loss, Rana allowed herself to be enfolded in the temporary comfort of her mother's arms.

"Please, won't someone tell me what is happening?" The words were whispered softly, pleadingly, into Lothiriel of Rohan's shoulder, but Eomer heard them nonetheless. His anger cooled slightly, long enough for him to realize that his daughter deserved an explanation. There was a pause, then the King addressed not only Rana, but the many observers gathered in the Hall as well.

"The man who stands before me has long posed as a faithful man of Rohan, a foreign-born horseman whose heart was loyal to lord and land. I have discovered tonight that he is nothing more than a treasonous snake. Theshar infiltrated this Hall, enlisted in the cavalry, and even went so far as to ask for the hand of Rana, Lady of Rohan and my own blood, in marriage. All of this was a calculated scheme to gain the trust and freedom of all who witness this." Emotion was thick in Eomer's voice. He broke off for a moment, sword point ready at Theshar's neck.

Another young man came forward through the crowd. There was no mistaking him for anything but a Marshal of Rohan: his golden hair was long and thick, his green eyes were bright, and his face was amazingly similar to the King's own in his youth.

"Your rage is deserved, Father, but I would decry this man to the public, if you will allow it." Elfwine's voice was low and determined, but belied sadness. Eomer nodded.

"Theshar came into my rooms this evening, knife drawn, and foolishly tried to assassinate me in my sleep."

There was a collective gasp from the watchers. Angry voices called out threats to Theshar and suggestions of appropriate punishments. Elfwine gestured for them to be silent.

"Clearly, Theshar failed. However, it is not the attempt on my life that fills my father and I with such a lust for vengeance, it is the wrong done to my family and especially my sister. This man led a young, innocent woman to believe that he loved her, and caused her to give her heart to him, all the while plotting to overthrow her father and use her to usurp the throne of her country. It is a cowardly man who would try to kill one he had begun to call brother." Elfwine looked into Theshar's eyes for a long time, then shook his head. "You know the penalty your crimes bring. Are there any here that would deny his doom?"

No one spoke.

Four soldiers stepped forward at the King's command to take charge of the prisoner. He held his head high, not daring to struggle as he was led outside.

"Wait!" The guards stopped. Eomer and Elfwine turned to face the voice that had called them back. Lothiriel tried to hold back her daughter, but to no avail. "I would look into Theshar's eyes and know that what my brother speaks is true."

The crowd parted before the young woman, born forward by pride alone, as she approached the man the soldiers held.

"Theshar...what Elfwine says...is it true you tried to kill him? That you used me?" She looked deeply into his steely eyes, hoping for some sign that it was all a horrible mistake.

"Rana," He cried passionately, "It is all a lie! There are enemies of Rohan, they are using me to cover their own machinations...you must believe me! I love you still, Rana." Finally releasing some emotion, Theshar thrashed against his captors as they forced him outside. "Please, Rana! Help me! Stop them!"

She burst into tears, for the last time.

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(That Night)

The prisoner was to be executed at dawn. Many guards patrolled the shack he was confined to. They were the best soldiers Rohan had to offer, but none of them had refused their drugged ale at dinner, and thus none noticed the shadowy figure that slipped from a nearby bush to the door. Silently, the door was unlocked and the figure walked inside. In a matter of moments, the prisoner was untied and running for his freedom.

"Theshar!" Rana called softly. "Wait! Take me with you, I beg of you!"

The man who answered her was not the same one who had begged for her aid that afternoon. This man was cold, harsh, and laughed chillingly in the night.

"My beautiful, stupid girl. I am eternally grateful for your kind assistance in my escape, but frankly, if I never see you again, I will not mind. Your face is lovely, and your naiveté had its uses, but such a helpless woman would never make a decent companion for the likes of me. Give your father my best."

"Theshar! I don't understand...what are you saying?"

"Your brother is a lighter sleeper than I had reckoned for. But this will not be the last night he and I meet."

"You mean, it was true? What Elfwine said...there was no mistake?" Rana made no attempt to keep her voice down now, as confusion and grief clouded her mind. "You never...never cared for me?"

"Of course it was true. It is only a shame I never got the chance to ruin your reputation. That really would have been the most enjoyable part."

Rana's screams brought soldiers from every direction, but it was too late. The traitor was gone.

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Stay Tuned! The next installment will tell, if all goes according to plan, what exactly all this has to do with the Northerner. :) Please review!