THIS CHAPTER IS LONG, FOR ME ANYWAYS, AND IT TOOK A WHILE BUT I LOVE THIS
CHAPTER. SO ENJOY AND HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ALL WHO HAVE THAT SPECIAL
SOMEONE IN THEIR LIVES.
AND FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DON'T HAVE THAT SPECIAL SOMEONE, THEY ARE OUT
THEIR, SO ON VALENTINES DAY YOU CAN WISH THEM WELL UNTIL YOU ARE MEANT TO
MET THEM.
LOVE, AIKOALIMA
Caitlin stood, seeing that the body that once held Boromir's spirit was now only an empty husk. Her tears falling do the ground.
"I will meet you at the river. She said as she wiped her tears from her face. "Stay and wait for Legolas and Gimli" she said to Aragorn. She could not keep from sounding broken inside as she spoke; her words were filled with such sorrow and pain.
He stood as she turned to go to the river and grabbed her arm. "Will you be you alright?" he asked.
She paused for a moment, before speaking. "I-I don't know, but I will do what I need to do." She said. Caitlin was empty inside, her heart, and chest hurt with the wrenching feeling of loss and anguish. But she continued on to the river, despite her loss.
She ran to the river, hoping to find Frodo and Sam their. She hadn't thought about it until now.
But the reality was that the fellowship was splitting up, and she did not know which set of them she needed to go with. Where would she be needed? With Frodo? With Aragorn, gimli and Legolas? She just did not know.
"FRODO," she yelled, as she came closer and closer to the river. She could smell the water.
"FRODO."
She came upon the riverbank, just as he was about to push off the shore. "FRODO." She said, running into the water and grabbing his boat.
"Frodo, wait." She said, panting from her run.
"Caitlin, I have to go, don't try to stop me." He said.
"I know my friend, I know, but I think I must come with you, my own quest may be by your side." She said. She looked at Frodo almost questioningly as she spoke, not sure of which path to choose.
Frodo thought for a moment, gazing at her. "I feel this is something I must do on my own, and any part you could play would be best served on another front." He said
"Frodo, your path is the most difficult, you will be tested...you know, even now that you will never be the same. The ring is powerful, its will is that of the darkest forces." She said. "It has already started to take hold."
Sam came out of the woods. "Mister Frodo, im coming with you." He blurted out. As he ran to the boats.
Frodo opened his mouth to protest but Caitlin interrupted him. "This one you will not detour, he is meant to go with you, and you will not stop him." She said.
Suddenly a feeling came over her, as Sam got in the boat. A sense of clarity and precision in her head, and the confusion and questions she had in her mind been gone, replaced by understanding, of the task before her. Her mind turned to Legolas, something in her just turned to him. His face lingered I her mind.
"Caitlin," said Frodo who placed a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright." He said
She was staring into space. "Y-yes im fine." She looked at Frodo and Sam as Sam seated himself in the boat, and suddenly an image of them dead, just as in her dreams.
She knew that to let them go could mean the death of all middle earth, her mission failed. Yet as she peered into Frodos eyes, his big blue eyes, she could see the torment in his heart. How the ring ripped at him. And that his journey was that of a mental struggle more than a physical one, she could not help him through that struggle, he would have Sam for that, and Caitlin could think of no greater person to call upon to do that task.
She looked at Sam, feeling the determination in his heart.
"Sam," she said outstretching her hand; he took it in his own. "At some point along the way you may question the friendship and love you have with Frodo. Do not ever allow despair to take control of the person you know you are, you are friend, and companion, and as strong as the greatest kings that have lived in middle earth. Never forget Sam, Never forget." She said as she squeezed his hand and placed the other over it. He nodded his head in acknowledgement and released her hand.
Then she turned to Frodo, "Frodo, you will have the hardest task, the temptation is great, the ring is powerful, but remember that friendship and love are always at your side, even when you feel alone, Sam is with you, don't question his loyalty to you. And know that I will be with you, I will be with you every step of the way, I have seen your pain, and you are stronger than the ring, stronger than the torment." She said. As a tear rolled down her face. She stood and placed both hands on the boat, she pushed, sending them out into the river.
Frodo, and Sam watched her on the shore. "Whenever I talk with her it is as if I am speaking to Galadriel again. She seems so wise and burdened by truth, yet she seems so young even younger than you and I, it must be a terrible burden." Said Sam as he paddled away.
Frodo looked to the shore once more, still seeing her their. "Yes Sam, a terrible burden." He said as he clutched the ring that hung from his neck. He felt that Caitlin and he could understand each other, at least a small bit. She knew what the ring was, would do to him.
Aragon, Gimli and Legolas approached the riverbank.
"Hurry they have reached the eastern shore." Said Legolas.
"No," said Aragorn putting his hand out.
"You intend not to follow them." Said Legolas again.
"No, we will not be joining them, our path now leads us away from theirs." Said Caitlin as she continued to look out at the water.
"We must bury our fallen companion." Said Aragorn.
They all went back across the forest to boromirs body. And as they carried him to the riverbanks, Caitlin and Aragorn spoke. "The ground, across middle earth is becoming the resting place for fallen warriors." He said.
"Yes, if sourons evil is not stopped, many more places will turn from beauty and light to the darkness that only a battle field may bring." She said.
They laid Boromir's body in the center of the boat, and Aragorn waded out into the river with it, allowing the current to carry the boat along the water.
Caitlin reached over and took Legolas's hand. He looked at her, seeing her mournful expression. He released her grip and wrapped his arm around her shoulders; she turned into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his back.
They watched as his body drifted down the river toward the falls. Tears fell from Caitlin's eyes, ad\and as his body came closer and closer to the falls she could not watch.
"Im sorry," she said as she pulled away from Legolas and headed into he woods.
She walked away from the river until she regained her self. She stopped and closed her eyes tight, and clenched her fist. A few tears fell from her eyes. She hadn't saved Boromir, she knew she had done all she had been able to, she had tried with everything she had to save him. She knew that no one could stop death, she believed that when it is time for you to pass on, that you would. Galadriel had told her that some things are meant to be, but that does not stop the pain, that does not begin to heal the ache. She screamed silently in her head. But then opened her eyes, wiped the tears from her face, and walked back out to the others.
They all stood, silent. They all seemed so broken, so lost.
"Our quest has failed." Said Gimli. With a defeated tone.
"No. Boromir has taken his path, our own still remains." responded Aragorn. " our quest still has a purpose, just on another front. Merry and Pippin need our help."
"Now we must follow the trail of the urukai, and save merry and pippin." Said Caitlin.
"We will not leave them to torment and pain." Said Aragorn.
"YES," said Gimli. Picking up his axe in excitement
"LETS GO HUNT SOME ORC." Said Caitlin and Aragron simultaneously.
Caitlin had renewed hope, her heart filled with a desire to fulfill Boromir's last hope of restoring the kingdom of men, and freeing middle earth from the torment, and though before she had been called a member of the fellowship, in her heart and soul she now truly was a warrior of the second age, not only for Frodo and the ring but for all the beings living on middle earth.
They began running through the woods, toward the tracks of the orcs. Caitlin, in her determination, hadn't thought that this was in fact the defining of the great run, but into the first hour of no rest and weary feet. She began to realize the daunting task ahead of them.
The run that Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli made was legendary she remembered the line in the book. 'We will make such a chase as shall be accounted a marvel among the three kingdoms: elves, dwarves, and men. Forth the Tree hunters.'
She was tired just thinking about it, but her feet led her on, for she had much determination in her, and she would sooner die than allow Merry and Pippin to come to harm.
As Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Caitlin set out on the first day of pursuit, Caitlin thought of her field track days in high school. She tried to remember the breathing techniques they taught and how to pace yourself. She knew that at her best she would only be able to keep up with Gimli, but she promised herself that she would not slow them down. It would be a long run, remembering that it was three days and nights without rest or food.
On the third day Caitlin was straining, her legs were weak, her lungs hurt, but her determination to save marry and pippin only increased. At this point though, she was defiantly appreciating the elfish shoes that had been given to her. They seemed to give her strength; she remembered that once again most elvish things tended to have some magical purpose.
Aragorn stopped to listen to the pace of the orcs, pressing his ear against the huge boulders.
The rocks were cold and hard, and their sounds echoed through to Aragorns ear.
They then continued to run, when Aragorn stopped again, finding the leaf broach that pippin had dropped. "They may yet be alive." said legolas.
"Shall I tempt fate and ask our seer?" said Aragorn turning to Caitlin. "Do the hobbits live?"
Caitlin thought hard, she did not know if she should tell Aragorn. She tossed the idea around for a moment before speaking. "I can only tell you that we have no time to linger."
"Fair enough hodoer (wise one)." He said as they continued to run. "They are less than a day ahead of us."
They ran further, passing hills and planes; they ran all through the night and into the sunrise. They now had not slept or eaten for four days now and Caitlin felt herself tiring to the point of delirium. Legolas stopped, looking at the sky "a red sun rises, blood has been spilled this night."
She was no use to them this way, she feared she would collapse right their. "Wait, my friends, I cannot continue. I am so exhausted." She said. "But do not stop, it is important that you continue on without slowing. Up ahead you will meet important news."
They all slowed and began to walk toward her. "We can slow a bit, I know you are not accustomed to.."
"GO," she yelled. They stopped. "THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID TO DO, YOU MUST GO, GO." She yelled.
"This is something we must do, she knows more of our quest than we, we must go." Said Aragorn.
He and Gimli again ran. Legolas lingered back, still looking at her, but Caitlin shoed him on, "go, don't be foolish, you must go Legolas." She said I a stern voice. "I will see you shortly." He said, and continued on down the trail.
Hours passed and Caitlin didn't stop, but she did not run either, she walked.
The sun was high in the sky but still it was cloudy, she stopped when she reached a large boulder. Finding it looked to be a great spot to use the facilities. Since she had gotten to middle earth she had been sneaking away to use that bathroom every so often, it had been something she had never thought about when reading the book or watching the movies. They had never really shown the difficulties of that particular problem.
She walked further and further across the plains once she had finished her business. She suddenly heard a noise, a noise that sounded like a wraith, she drew her sword and looked around, of course there were no boulders within running distance to hide behind. Looking to the sky, she readied herself to fight, she felt a wraith would surely kill her; this would be the last battle of her life, the last sight in her eye.
She sighed with relief when she saw the riders of Rohan coming in a great heard, they were so majestic and beautiful as they rode, true experts at the craft of uniting horse and rider. She did not sheath her sword though, but she did lower it a small amount, as to not be so threatening.
The riders came upon her, like a flock of birds. Surrounding her.
A single rider came forth, and dismounted. He was Eomer, chief marshal of the Mark, nephew to king Theoden. He was tall, strong and possessed a great passion. Caitlin remembered that in battle he was said to have been, as fierce as any Orc and as powerful as an Uruk. The men who served under his command were as loyal as any could be. As he dismounted he removed his helm, revealing his blonde hair.
"Who are you to travel alone in this harsh country of the Riddemark." He said, approaching her.
"And what do you mean by that 'travel alone' do you think me incapable of movement on my own?" she said with a stern look.
He came closer to her the musky smell of horse lingering in the air. "I mean no offense, it is unusual to have a woman traveling alone during these dark times." He said. For a moment she saw his features soften and his eyes were fixed upon her own, two warriors meeting glances. "You trespass over our lands. What is your purpose?" he said.
"Have you encountered, in your travels, a man, a dwarve, and an elf ?" she said.
"No. We have not." He said
"They are my companions, we are together chasing a group of Uruk that took two other of our friends." She said.
"I am afraid, that there is little hope we enc.." He began to tell her of their encounter with the urukhai.
"I know of your battle, and that you have left none alive, and that you have piled the carcasses and burned them. I thank you for your help, but I would ask that you only tell this to my companions when you encounter them." She blurted out.
Eomer looked surprised at her knowledge but spoke plainly and clearly. "How do you know of this? Are you a wizard?"
She had spoken with out thinking and now had no choice but to tell him the truth. "I have the power of sight." She said. "But please, tell all of what you were to tell me to my companions, you probably will reach them shortly." She said
"I would be remised if I did not give you a horse and ask that you ride with us until we reach your companions." He said.
"Thank you." She said as she sheathed her sword. This was it, her chance to ride a horse, in her lifetime Caitlin couldn't remember a time when she had not loved horses. She had always thought herself a good rider when she was younger, and though she hadn't had a chance to ride in at least a year. She had always been able to pick it back up so quickly.
"Asufeld." Said Eomer who motioned to a rider less white horse. The horse came over calmly to his outstretched hand. "This is asufeld, he is a spirited young horse, but loyal and very intelligent, he will be a good stead for you." He said, handing the reigns to her. She took them trying still to hold back her delight, but she could not stop a great smile from appearing on her face.
"Thank you, she said as she moved over to the side of the great animal, she placed both hands on either side of the leather saddle and hoisted herself up. The saddle slightly shifted as it adjusted to her weight, and Asufeld breathed heavily as he to adjusted to his new rider. She could feel every muscle in the horse, and her love of riding came flooding back to her.
"You look good on a horse." Said Eomer who she now noticed was on his own stead.
"I have now asked you your name wizard." He said.
"It is Caitlin." She said. He nodded to her, as though he greeted her for the first time.
"RIDERS ONWORD." He yelled, and the whole company moved as though in in one great mass of hooves and warriors toward the remaining fellowship.
This chapter was longer and I hope it was liked. During the next chapter I will be responding to reviews that have any questions anyone would like to ask or have asked so far. So ask away. Also anyone who would like to make any suggestions about anything pertaining to the story I will be responding to them as well. I am so happy that you are enjoying this story as much as I enjoy writing it. This is really taking shape, and I know the end will be such a complete gasp of a surprise. There have been small foreshadowing events in previous chapters that will be so surprising and touching in the future. Aiko Alima
Caitlin stood, seeing that the body that once held Boromir's spirit was now only an empty husk. Her tears falling do the ground.
"I will meet you at the river. She said as she wiped her tears from her face. "Stay and wait for Legolas and Gimli" she said to Aragorn. She could not keep from sounding broken inside as she spoke; her words were filled with such sorrow and pain.
He stood as she turned to go to the river and grabbed her arm. "Will you be you alright?" he asked.
She paused for a moment, before speaking. "I-I don't know, but I will do what I need to do." She said. Caitlin was empty inside, her heart, and chest hurt with the wrenching feeling of loss and anguish. But she continued on to the river, despite her loss.
She ran to the river, hoping to find Frodo and Sam their. She hadn't thought about it until now.
But the reality was that the fellowship was splitting up, and she did not know which set of them she needed to go with. Where would she be needed? With Frodo? With Aragorn, gimli and Legolas? She just did not know.
"FRODO," she yelled, as she came closer and closer to the river. She could smell the water.
"FRODO."
She came upon the riverbank, just as he was about to push off the shore. "FRODO." She said, running into the water and grabbing his boat.
"Frodo, wait." She said, panting from her run.
"Caitlin, I have to go, don't try to stop me." He said.
"I know my friend, I know, but I think I must come with you, my own quest may be by your side." She said. She looked at Frodo almost questioningly as she spoke, not sure of which path to choose.
Frodo thought for a moment, gazing at her. "I feel this is something I must do on my own, and any part you could play would be best served on another front." He said
"Frodo, your path is the most difficult, you will be tested...you know, even now that you will never be the same. The ring is powerful, its will is that of the darkest forces." She said. "It has already started to take hold."
Sam came out of the woods. "Mister Frodo, im coming with you." He blurted out. As he ran to the boats.
Frodo opened his mouth to protest but Caitlin interrupted him. "This one you will not detour, he is meant to go with you, and you will not stop him." She said.
Suddenly a feeling came over her, as Sam got in the boat. A sense of clarity and precision in her head, and the confusion and questions she had in her mind been gone, replaced by understanding, of the task before her. Her mind turned to Legolas, something in her just turned to him. His face lingered I her mind.
"Caitlin," said Frodo who placed a hand on her shoulder. "Are you alright." He said
She was staring into space. "Y-yes im fine." She looked at Frodo and Sam as Sam seated himself in the boat, and suddenly an image of them dead, just as in her dreams.
She knew that to let them go could mean the death of all middle earth, her mission failed. Yet as she peered into Frodos eyes, his big blue eyes, she could see the torment in his heart. How the ring ripped at him. And that his journey was that of a mental struggle more than a physical one, she could not help him through that struggle, he would have Sam for that, and Caitlin could think of no greater person to call upon to do that task.
She looked at Sam, feeling the determination in his heart.
"Sam," she said outstretching her hand; he took it in his own. "At some point along the way you may question the friendship and love you have with Frodo. Do not ever allow despair to take control of the person you know you are, you are friend, and companion, and as strong as the greatest kings that have lived in middle earth. Never forget Sam, Never forget." She said as she squeezed his hand and placed the other over it. He nodded his head in acknowledgement and released her hand.
Then she turned to Frodo, "Frodo, you will have the hardest task, the temptation is great, the ring is powerful, but remember that friendship and love are always at your side, even when you feel alone, Sam is with you, don't question his loyalty to you. And know that I will be with you, I will be with you every step of the way, I have seen your pain, and you are stronger than the ring, stronger than the torment." She said. As a tear rolled down her face. She stood and placed both hands on the boat, she pushed, sending them out into the river.
Frodo, and Sam watched her on the shore. "Whenever I talk with her it is as if I am speaking to Galadriel again. She seems so wise and burdened by truth, yet she seems so young even younger than you and I, it must be a terrible burden." Said Sam as he paddled away.
Frodo looked to the shore once more, still seeing her their. "Yes Sam, a terrible burden." He said as he clutched the ring that hung from his neck. He felt that Caitlin and he could understand each other, at least a small bit. She knew what the ring was, would do to him.
Aragon, Gimli and Legolas approached the riverbank.
"Hurry they have reached the eastern shore." Said Legolas.
"No," said Aragorn putting his hand out.
"You intend not to follow them." Said Legolas again.
"No, we will not be joining them, our path now leads us away from theirs." Said Caitlin as she continued to look out at the water.
"We must bury our fallen companion." Said Aragorn.
They all went back across the forest to boromirs body. And as they carried him to the riverbanks, Caitlin and Aragorn spoke. "The ground, across middle earth is becoming the resting place for fallen warriors." He said.
"Yes, if sourons evil is not stopped, many more places will turn from beauty and light to the darkness that only a battle field may bring." She said.
They laid Boromir's body in the center of the boat, and Aragorn waded out into the river with it, allowing the current to carry the boat along the water.
Caitlin reached over and took Legolas's hand. He looked at her, seeing her mournful expression. He released her grip and wrapped his arm around her shoulders; she turned into his embrace and wrapped her arms around his back.
They watched as his body drifted down the river toward the falls. Tears fell from Caitlin's eyes, ad\and as his body came closer and closer to the falls she could not watch.
"Im sorry," she said as she pulled away from Legolas and headed into he woods.
She walked away from the river until she regained her self. She stopped and closed her eyes tight, and clenched her fist. A few tears fell from her eyes. She hadn't saved Boromir, she knew she had done all she had been able to, she had tried with everything she had to save him. She knew that no one could stop death, she believed that when it is time for you to pass on, that you would. Galadriel had told her that some things are meant to be, but that does not stop the pain, that does not begin to heal the ache. She screamed silently in her head. But then opened her eyes, wiped the tears from her face, and walked back out to the others.
They all stood, silent. They all seemed so broken, so lost.
"Our quest has failed." Said Gimli. With a defeated tone.
"No. Boromir has taken his path, our own still remains." responded Aragorn. " our quest still has a purpose, just on another front. Merry and Pippin need our help."
"Now we must follow the trail of the urukai, and save merry and pippin." Said Caitlin.
"We will not leave them to torment and pain." Said Aragorn.
"YES," said Gimli. Picking up his axe in excitement
"LETS GO HUNT SOME ORC." Said Caitlin and Aragron simultaneously.
Caitlin had renewed hope, her heart filled with a desire to fulfill Boromir's last hope of restoring the kingdom of men, and freeing middle earth from the torment, and though before she had been called a member of the fellowship, in her heart and soul she now truly was a warrior of the second age, not only for Frodo and the ring but for all the beings living on middle earth.
They began running through the woods, toward the tracks of the orcs. Caitlin, in her determination, hadn't thought that this was in fact the defining of the great run, but into the first hour of no rest and weary feet. She began to realize the daunting task ahead of them.
The run that Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli made was legendary she remembered the line in the book. 'We will make such a chase as shall be accounted a marvel among the three kingdoms: elves, dwarves, and men. Forth the Tree hunters.'
She was tired just thinking about it, but her feet led her on, for she had much determination in her, and she would sooner die than allow Merry and Pippin to come to harm.
As Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, and Caitlin set out on the first day of pursuit, Caitlin thought of her field track days in high school. She tried to remember the breathing techniques they taught and how to pace yourself. She knew that at her best she would only be able to keep up with Gimli, but she promised herself that she would not slow them down. It would be a long run, remembering that it was three days and nights without rest or food.
On the third day Caitlin was straining, her legs were weak, her lungs hurt, but her determination to save marry and pippin only increased. At this point though, she was defiantly appreciating the elfish shoes that had been given to her. They seemed to give her strength; she remembered that once again most elvish things tended to have some magical purpose.
Aragorn stopped to listen to the pace of the orcs, pressing his ear against the huge boulders.
The rocks were cold and hard, and their sounds echoed through to Aragorns ear.
They then continued to run, when Aragorn stopped again, finding the leaf broach that pippin had dropped. "They may yet be alive." said legolas.
"Shall I tempt fate and ask our seer?" said Aragorn turning to Caitlin. "Do the hobbits live?"
Caitlin thought hard, she did not know if she should tell Aragorn. She tossed the idea around for a moment before speaking. "I can only tell you that we have no time to linger."
"Fair enough hodoer (wise one)." He said as they continued to run. "They are less than a day ahead of us."
They ran further, passing hills and planes; they ran all through the night and into the sunrise. They now had not slept or eaten for four days now and Caitlin felt herself tiring to the point of delirium. Legolas stopped, looking at the sky "a red sun rises, blood has been spilled this night."
She was no use to them this way, she feared she would collapse right their. "Wait, my friends, I cannot continue. I am so exhausted." She said. "But do not stop, it is important that you continue on without slowing. Up ahead you will meet important news."
They all slowed and began to walk toward her. "We can slow a bit, I know you are not accustomed to.."
"GO," she yelled. They stopped. "THAT IS NOT WHAT I SAID TO DO, YOU MUST GO, GO." She yelled.
"This is something we must do, she knows more of our quest than we, we must go." Said Aragorn.
He and Gimli again ran. Legolas lingered back, still looking at her, but Caitlin shoed him on, "go, don't be foolish, you must go Legolas." She said I a stern voice. "I will see you shortly." He said, and continued on down the trail.
Hours passed and Caitlin didn't stop, but she did not run either, she walked.
The sun was high in the sky but still it was cloudy, she stopped when she reached a large boulder. Finding it looked to be a great spot to use the facilities. Since she had gotten to middle earth she had been sneaking away to use that bathroom every so often, it had been something she had never thought about when reading the book or watching the movies. They had never really shown the difficulties of that particular problem.
She walked further and further across the plains once she had finished her business. She suddenly heard a noise, a noise that sounded like a wraith, she drew her sword and looked around, of course there were no boulders within running distance to hide behind. Looking to the sky, she readied herself to fight, she felt a wraith would surely kill her; this would be the last battle of her life, the last sight in her eye.
She sighed with relief when she saw the riders of Rohan coming in a great heard, they were so majestic and beautiful as they rode, true experts at the craft of uniting horse and rider. She did not sheath her sword though, but she did lower it a small amount, as to not be so threatening.
The riders came upon her, like a flock of birds. Surrounding her.
A single rider came forth, and dismounted. He was Eomer, chief marshal of the Mark, nephew to king Theoden. He was tall, strong and possessed a great passion. Caitlin remembered that in battle he was said to have been, as fierce as any Orc and as powerful as an Uruk. The men who served under his command were as loyal as any could be. As he dismounted he removed his helm, revealing his blonde hair.
"Who are you to travel alone in this harsh country of the Riddemark." He said, approaching her.
"And what do you mean by that 'travel alone' do you think me incapable of movement on my own?" she said with a stern look.
He came closer to her the musky smell of horse lingering in the air. "I mean no offense, it is unusual to have a woman traveling alone during these dark times." He said. For a moment she saw his features soften and his eyes were fixed upon her own, two warriors meeting glances. "You trespass over our lands. What is your purpose?" he said.
"Have you encountered, in your travels, a man, a dwarve, and an elf ?" she said.
"No. We have not." He said
"They are my companions, we are together chasing a group of Uruk that took two other of our friends." She said.
"I am afraid, that there is little hope we enc.." He began to tell her of their encounter with the urukhai.
"I know of your battle, and that you have left none alive, and that you have piled the carcasses and burned them. I thank you for your help, but I would ask that you only tell this to my companions when you encounter them." She blurted out.
Eomer looked surprised at her knowledge but spoke plainly and clearly. "How do you know of this? Are you a wizard?"
She had spoken with out thinking and now had no choice but to tell him the truth. "I have the power of sight." She said. "But please, tell all of what you were to tell me to my companions, you probably will reach them shortly." She said
"I would be remised if I did not give you a horse and ask that you ride with us until we reach your companions." He said.
"Thank you." She said as she sheathed her sword. This was it, her chance to ride a horse, in her lifetime Caitlin couldn't remember a time when she had not loved horses. She had always thought herself a good rider when she was younger, and though she hadn't had a chance to ride in at least a year. She had always been able to pick it back up so quickly.
"Asufeld." Said Eomer who motioned to a rider less white horse. The horse came over calmly to his outstretched hand. "This is asufeld, he is a spirited young horse, but loyal and very intelligent, he will be a good stead for you." He said, handing the reigns to her. She took them trying still to hold back her delight, but she could not stop a great smile from appearing on her face.
"Thank you, she said as she moved over to the side of the great animal, she placed both hands on either side of the leather saddle and hoisted herself up. The saddle slightly shifted as it adjusted to her weight, and Asufeld breathed heavily as he to adjusted to his new rider. She could feel every muscle in the horse, and her love of riding came flooding back to her.
"You look good on a horse." Said Eomer who she now noticed was on his own stead.
"I have now asked you your name wizard." He said.
"It is Caitlin." She said. He nodded to her, as though he greeted her for the first time.
"RIDERS ONWORD." He yelled, and the whole company moved as though in in one great mass of hooves and warriors toward the remaining fellowship.
This chapter was longer and I hope it was liked. During the next chapter I will be responding to reviews that have any questions anyone would like to ask or have asked so far. So ask away. Also anyone who would like to make any suggestions about anything pertaining to the story I will be responding to them as well. I am so happy that you are enjoying this story as much as I enjoy writing it. This is really taking shape, and I know the end will be such a complete gasp of a surprise. There have been small foreshadowing events in previous chapters that will be so surprising and touching in the future. Aiko Alima