Re-entering the city, the two found that they were receiving rather odd looks from many of the village people. Without warning, Hama and two other guards appeared out of know where and fell in step beside them. They looked grim.

"Hama? What's the meaning of this?" Calen raged.

"King Theoden has ordered us to escort you and Master Gandalf back to the Golden Hall," he said sternly.

"And why, may I ask?" she asked as pleasantly as she dared.

Hama slowed his pace and looked harshly at her. Lowering his voice so only a few could hear, he said, "My Lord fears for your safety in the company of this... wizard. When you had gone missing this morning, he was certain you had been seized against your will." He turned back around and walked quickly up the stairs to the Golden Hall.

Hama's words lingered in Calen's mind. Had her uncle gone senile?

"That's outrageous! I was just exploring and he found me!"

Hama ignored her, as did the other two guards.

"Listen to me!" she practically screamed at him.

"Calen, don't," Gandalf was speaking so low only she could hear him.

"But-"

His harsh look cut her off, and she meekly trudged up the stairs to her home. The doors opened, and she entered before the rest. Theoden immediately rose from his throne and came towards them. He reached for Calen, but she roughly pushed him away.

"An escort? An armed escort? To bring your niece in from the plains? How kind...". Then, "What were you thinking?"

Theoden looked at her with a slightly shocked expression.

"He was going to kidnap you!"

Calen shook her head, disgusted. "What could possibly make you think that? You know Gandalf! He's one of our most trusted friends!"

"Then why weren't you anywhere to be found this morning? It was a bit suspicious seeing as Gandalf rode in late last night demanding to see you, then disappeared as soon as we learned you were missing..." Theoden explained.

Calen sighed, exasperated. "I was going to tell you I was headed out. But then you were busy so I figured if anyone needed me they could just ask the guards at the Gate. I'm sure they saw me..."

Theoden looked abashed. Clearly, he hadn't thought about that. Calen threw up her arms.

"Enough of this nonsense. This was all just a misunderstanding, and now its all sorted out."

"Calen, will you please go wait for me in your room? I'd like to speak with you for a moment. But knowing your temper, I'm not sure I can trust you to stay in one place..." her uncle said softly.

"Why cant I just stay here?" she challenged.

"Go, Calen. I am going to have a few words with Gandalf, privately, and then I will come for you," he stared at her forcefully.

Calen stared back, trying to decide whether or not she should answer. At last she swiftly left the Hall. She didn't notice Theoden nod to Hama, but Gandalf did. After the Hall had emptied, he glanced sidelong at Theoden.

"Are you sure that was a good idea?" he asked quietly.

Theoden shook his head as he trudged to his throne and slumped into it. Gandalf took a seat beside him.

"I never know what is a good idea and what isn't with her. Its been like this for too long," he whispered.

"Just don't be too surprised if you have one less guard by the time we finish here," warned Gandalf.

Theoden groaned. "She has so much energy; she a wildfire that I cant put out. She wont have a tutor and I just cant entertain her all day every day! And she refuses to be like other women. She wears men's clothing whenever she can get away with it. And she can fight, Gandalf. She's been training secretly with Eomer for some time now, I know it. I've seen her," he added thoughtfully. "She's just as good as my best soldiers... I don't understand her at all!" He sighed and closed his eyes. "I just don't know what to do with her, Gandalf."

Gandalf had been listening with a sympathetic smile. Now he looked down in thought. As an idea came to him, his face brightened visibly and he looked at Theoden.

"Let her come with me," he said.

Theoden opened his eyes and stared.

"What?"

"She needs to get out every once in a while. She's not the kind of girl who can stay shut up in a place for the rest of her life. I know why she's acting this way. She's restless. And she should be, Theoden; her parents wanted her to live-really live. She doesn't have that here... You remember Coralon. She and Dineagor both had a reckless side... It's in Calen's blood."

Theoden sat thinking for several minutes before answering. "How long?"

"It's hard to say. I will be heading for Rivendell when I leave here, and from there I will be continuing on to the Shire. I have some old friends there," he explained when Theoden looked at him. "It may end up being a year, maybe longer."

"A year?!" demanded Theoden, then turned his head, thinking. "Then again, that is reasonable. It would do her good to be learning new things and traveling Middle-earth. She deserves no less..."

"Then she can come?" asked Gandalf.

"It is ultimately up to Calen," replied Theoden. "I will talk to her."

Gandalf smiled. He already knew what the girl's answer would be.