Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, just those I think up of in that imagination of lack thereof of mine.

Note: this story is based on the snippets of 'story' about Aragorn serving Thengel and Ecthelion under guise of Thorongil. My apologies for any discrepancies, for the title that is sorely lacking in creativity. Another thing, I'm ignoring the fact that Theoden had 3 other sisters besides Theodwyn. And I'll be using 'Aragorn' went I'm sort of delving into his thoughts, though others would call him 'Thorongil'. Oh, and the Riders have their 'fun' at night.

Sorry for the late update, was having a temporary brain dead syndrome aka writer's block.

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–The Eagle of the Star –

Chapter 2

The cheers dwindled rapidly as everyone turned to stare at the woman, and slowly separated to form a pathway that lend to the throne where Thengel awaited. She walked quickly past them, occasionally stumbling in her haste, and seemed to notice no one save the King, sitting on the throne at the end of her 'path'.

As soon as she reached the throne she threw herself onto the floor and sobbed openly. Taking in huge gulps of air as she fought for control over her unending tears, while the crowd looked upon her in a mixture of pity and curiousity. Before long, murmurs were running through the crowd, with each having his own theory on what had happened.

Their curiousity was soon satisfied, for after a while, the girl started speaking –abeit in a halting speech caused by her crying –in such a soft voice that many strained to hear her words.

"Forgive me for intruding in this manner, milord! Orcs have invaded my village. They came at dusk, and caught many of us unawares, for it was near dinner, and most families were supping. They had already raided almost a quarter of the whole village before the warning bell was tolled-," the girl paused, and tried to contain her emotions, before continuing on with the story, "the men got ready to fight them, including my father, and my brothers. But we had peace since we could remember, and though the men knew how to fight and had weapons, the orcs were bigger and well armoured..." the girl trailed off and swallowed nervously.

Thengel lapsed into silence while he thought about her words, before addressing the girl kindly, "What is your name, child, and why were you sent here instead of a messenger?"

"My name is Brianne, daughter of Ailder, the chief of the village. My father sent me here on his best horse to ask for help, as all the men were to be involved in the fighting, including the messenger. I rode here as fast as Cirion could run. The last time I looked back, the men were grossly outnumbered," she managed to choke out before bursting into tears again.

"How long did it take you to get here?" Eothir's loud voice rose over the din. "And what happened to the women and children?"

"It took me almost 10 minutes to get here, while Cirion was running at his fastest. I remembered Father telling all the men to keep their women, though they could fight, and children in the houses, and to lock it well, in case–"

"Eothir, please, but we have no time for any form of interrogation right now. Men are dying! We have to do what we can to help them. And swiftly!"

Eothir took his gaze off Brianne, and turned to Aragorn, who was standing beside him, looking at him with his grey eyes, stern and unflinching. The two men stared at each other for a beat, before Eothir finally turned away and addressed the King,

"By your leave, milord, we have to do our duty now."

Without waiting for Thengel's nod of consent, he bowed, and ushered the Riders out of Meduseld, and towards the stables.

"Please sir, let me come with you."

Eothir turned back to look at the speaker, and found himself almost coming face to face with an insistent Brianne. Sighing at the delay he had not expected to encounter, Eothir lay a calloused hand on her shoulder, "Brianne, for both our sake and yours, stay here, and let the healers attend to you. We will bring the survivors back."

The young woman dared not ask what they would do with the dead, but instead, backed away from the Captain as though scorned, hope of seeing her family for the last time gone in her eyes like a candle in the wind.

Théoden, seeing his chance went up and tapped on the Captain's lower arm, his young face shining with hope and eagerness, "Sir, could you take me with you? I promise I will stick by you at all times! I wouldn't be a hindrance! My tenth birthday would be in 8 months; I'm old enough! Please sir!"

Eothir looked down at the young boy and ruffled his hair, "sorry, child, but you are still too young. Try again in 8 years alright?"

And with that, he walked out of the doors, with the rest of the Riders' following him. Aragorn hung back, and cast a glance at Brianne. The poor girl looked so forlorn and forsaken that his heart wept for her losses. Making up his mind, he walked up to her, and took her hand, leading her out of the Hall, and following the Riders.

The horsemen had their horses tacked up and ready in record time, cultivated by long years of practice. Aragorn silently thanked the twins for the grueling time trials they had put him through all those years ago, and the saddle that was not within arms' reach compared to where he was currently. Slowly they led their horses out of their stalls, with the horses whinnying in what Aragorn perceived as joy after being cooped up for too long. It was then that Eothir noticed Brianne standing outside, trying her best to look inconspicuous.

"What are you doing here?"

The girl froze, and her eyes searching desperately through the Riders for Aragorn's face, though she could have spared the effort.

"I brought her here."

"Why? She needs to be attended to!"

"It's her family and friends out there! Don't you think she deserves one last chance to meet them again? And to pay her respects to the dead, since she knew them while they were living?"

"Her steed –"

"Cirion," Brianne supplied helpfully.

"Her steed Cirion is being rested. The girl has no horse to bear her there."

"Tamuríl will be able to bear two humans and still be competent."

Eothir hesitated for a while, before relenting. "Make sure she's near you all the time, Thorongil. I'm not about the take the blame for her death."

He mounted his horse and the rest of the Rohirrim followed, while Aragorn helped Brianne onto Tamuríl –unnecessary as it was –to sit in front of him. His elven steed was rapidly catching up with the rest, and the company quickly rode like the wind towards the plume of grey smoke that could be seen rising in the distance...

Tbc...

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Note:

Brianne's horse is named after the Steward of Gondor of the same name that gave to Eorl the land of Rohan.

When Aragorn went abroad, he brought Tamuríl along with him. I should have added her earlier, but forgotten to. Anyway, in the prologue, she was supposed to be hidden in the bushes with Aragorn.

And yeah, Eothir's rather OOC in this chappie.

Reviews please! And the thing about flames being used to burn my worksheets still applies. Thanks to all who reviewed! wene, you're NOT going to capsize me thank you very much.