Chapter Six

Sorry for a long wait (and breaking my promise : ( ) Please read and tell me what you think!

"What am I meant to do?" Nora mumbled to herself miserably. It was early afternoon, somewhere in Middle Earth, where she was standing. A second ago she was feeling brave and heroic, and now, it was back to her usual self.

I might as well walk, she thought. There's no use in just standing here.

Quite hopelessly, she began a long climb up the nearest hill with the intentions of finding something or someone useful. Ignoring the frequent stabs of pain from her feet, Nora finally reached the top. She was feeling a bit dizzy, but she lifted her face, and skimmed below what she could see.

The landscape was beautiful. She could see a flat plain stretching far into the distance. A river ran straight across it and most of the grass was wild, and grew all over the place. Suddenly, she noticed a group of riders, who were riding swiftly across the grass land towards-

"Oh damn." Nora's mind was racing. I could ask them what's currently happening now, and where I am, she thought. I'll be stranded here forever anyway.

It didn't take long for the horses to take their riders up to the hill. Nora stood quite confidently where she was, praying that they wouldn't be alarmed or even annoyed. The group pulled their horses to a stop, a few meters away.

Nora watched intently, as a single rider dismounted and walked towards her. She recognized him instantly.

Eomer was exactly the same as she had remembered. He was looking at her with quick, suspicious glances.

"Who are you?" he asked quite boldly. "People do not wander idly, so far from Edoras."

"I was with my family, traveling from the west of Emnet to the northern areas." Nora flustered, trying to remember all the places she knew near Edoras and make up something convincing at the same time. "We were out visiting friends and cousins, when we were attacked by a group of orcs. I believe my family was slain. My father told me to leave, but I refused. Finally, he forced me to leave by foot and I fled."

The tragic story brought sympathy to Eomer's eyes.

"They will be avenged." he said, his words filled with sorrow.

Nora had no idea what to say. She was feeling guilty that she had made up such an outrageous story.

"You must come with us now." he said. "We are riding back to Edoras now, and my riders will be able to escort you there, where you will receive help."

Nora smiled to herself, hoping he was right. A sudden thought appeared in her mind. "Were you banished?" Nora asked timidly.

Eomer frowned. "No. But I believe that it is possible. The snake, Grima Wormtongue, has already changed my lord. He is hated, but little can be done to help my king."

There was a short silence.

"I'm sorry for the delay." he said suddenly. Eomer called to one of the other riders and a young man appeared, leading a chestnut coloured horse from behind.

"This is Swiftfoot." Eomer introduced, patting the gelding on his neck. "May he bear you far with great speed for the end of his days."

Nora only realized after mounting that he was giving him to her for life. She had been riding a couple of times, back at New Zealand, but never owend her own horse. The rolling hills and flat, green plains there were perfect for horses and a couple of riders.

I might as well settle with him as long as possible before I have to leave, she thought, holding the reins tightly in her hands. The horse pranced enthusiastically as the group started at a steady canter.

They arrived at Edoras, as the last rays of the sun sank between the snow capped peaks of the White Mountains. Nora was led into a large courtyard with the other horses and riders, where they were unsaddled and led away by some stable hands.

Eomer waited patiently for them to leave. They started heading towards a small hill, where a small castle stood. The place seemed oddly familiar to Nora... "I'm sorry, but I never had your name." he said, smiling.

Nora's mind quickly pieced together bits and pieces of as many names she knew and the first word she blurted out was-

"Eothiden."

He frowned. "That is a very unusual name... Eothiden." He sighed and suddenly, he stopped.

They had reached a large, double oak door. The two guards standing there saluted Eomer and then opened the doors for him, revealing a large chamber. Pillars of marble, entwined with designs of horses, stood near the sides. Behind it were many halls that Nora assumed led to many rooms.

A great golden throne stood at the far end. A man who seemed around the age of sixty, sat slumped there, his eyes somber.

Nora instantly recognized him as Theoden, King of Rohan. His appearance ranged between the time when he was hopelessly corrupted by Wormtongue and the time afterwards, when he had been 'cured' by Gandalf. His golden hair seemed to fading quickly into a grayish whitish and there were many crinkles in his skin. A pale man stood beside him, his clothes dark and hair matted. His eyes gleamed with evil and just looking at him made Nora shiver.

"What does the nephew of the king want?" he called, almost tauntingly.

Eomer ignored him and bowed towards his uncle. Nora, not knowing what to do, gave a curtsey, feeling very stupid among such important people.

"Say nothing foolish," he said, whispering the warning to her. "The snake will turn your words into an offense and then we will both be troubled."

She nodded. He turned back towards Theoden.

"My king." he said. "I have come back from a day's work to find this young woman, wandering in the plains." he gestured towards Nora Eomer retold her sad tale to the king. Nora dared a look at Eomer, instead of staring at the floor. He seemed confident, but he kept giving quick looks at Wormtongue, to see what he was doing. When he had finished, he said,

"I ask that we provide hospitability to her, and give her time here, to recover from her experience before returning home."

There was a silence. Then Wormtongue whispered something in Theoden's ear. He slowly nodded, and then turned to look back at his nephew.

"Why should I give a home to her." he slowly croaked. "If so many others have suffered and did not receive the same attention?"

Eomer was straining to keep his face from showing the anger. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

"Leave now." Wormtongue hissed. "His Lordship wishes to rest."

The Rider bowed and was just about to turn and leave, when a figure appeared at one of the doorways. Her golden hair tumbled past her shoulders, in curls, and her face was pale. She was wearing a white dress, which fell gracefully to the floor. Her face was very startled, as she looked at Nora, but it seemed she had heard the conversation.

"Eowyn." Eomer said softly.

"What is happening?" she demanded.

"Dealing with a small problem, my Lady." Wormtongue whined. "No need to worry."

"You are going to cast out one of my own people when she needs aid?" she asked incredulously.

"No, no, no, my Lady." he replied hastily. "She demands something our king can not give-"

"That's foolishness." Eowyn snapped. "If my king can not help my people, then I certainly can."

She walked up to Eomer, who was looking very proud of her sister. "I'll make sure Eothiden is fine." she assured him softly.

He nodded, bowed again, and then turned to leave, giving Eowyn and Nora a smile.

"Come with me," she whispered. She and Nora left the throne room. As they walked away, Eowyn said something to her that surprised her much.

"I know you don't come from Middle Earth," said the fair Rohirrim. "Why don't you tell me why your actually here?"

Thanks for being so patient everyone! I hope this chapter was interesting. I would really appreciate a review. (Accepting flames, but I prefer criticism!)

Thanks to my current readers and reviewers! I'm really grateful for you guys and I hope you continue reading!

Here's some more feedback!

Athena Diagon Cat- don't worry, everything will come out perfectly (ok, not perfectly..) clear soon. please keep reading!

Arie- Thank you for spell/ grammar checking again! you rock!

American Star- Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Any more mistakes?

LegolasGreenleafGil-Estel- Eeek! I'm very sorry, you must have been sulking for a very long time!!! Sorry for the long wait.

Warrior Elf- I greatly admire your story. Sorry if I haven't been reviewing your latest chapters, my internet broke down for AGES.

Aragorn Adorer- Yeah, it kind of creeped me out as well! Hope you enjoyed this chap!

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That's all for now!