A/N: Thanks to all who have reviewed. Looks like I picked up a couple of new readers. For the new ones, if you like Eomer and this is the only story of mine that you've read, you might want to check out the other two. Personally, I think they are better than this one. Not that I don't like this one, but I think it could be much better and more fleshed out than it is.

viggomaniac - I think I have "The Rohan Conspiracy" on my "to read" list, but I get bogged down reading too many unfinished stories and they update slowly and I forget what is happening in which one. Aragorn gets more time in this story than my others. Though I like him, I don't feel compelled to "write" him - maybe because so much has already been written and I don't have anything "new" to say.

Jazzcat - Elves are hard to write! That may also be part of what bogged down my first LOTR story (the unfinished one) - it's hard to picture Elves in love! Tolkien and Peter Jackson don't really show us much in the way of Elvish romance to work with. Most fan fiction has them as incredible lovers, in addition to being totally gorgeous and wise beyond belief. But to me, if you make them too perfect, I can't relate to them, so I want a few warts on mine! As for Lothiriel...well, maybe she suffered a tragic death and Eomer never got to meet or marry her! Or maybe Kareswen will suffer a tragic death and Lothiriel will be his second wife. Or, if all else fails, I can hook her up with Gamling - he's pretty cool!

The Truest Friends

Chapter 4

Kareswen pushed hard on leaving Edoras. She knew leaving without saying anything might cause an uproar, but she did not want to be bombarded with questions, much less answer them. Now that Eomer was home, she could return to her life as before.

To her annoyance, several hours later she realized she still had not entirely put her temporary companions from her thoughts. They had been pleasant enough people, she admitted grudgingly, but she was not ready to join the society of Men, or Elves for that matter.

When she had put sufficient distance between herself and the Rohan capitol, she eased her pace and continued on toward the east. That night, as she made camp, she found it a bit disconcerting to be back to only fending for herself. She had grown accustomed to little sleep and constant alertness while watching over Eomer, and it took awhile for her to relax and assure herself there was nothing she was leaving undone at bedtime.

After three days, her life had fallen back into her usual routine though she was finding it difficult to put as much mental distance as physical distance from Edoras. At noon, she made a fire and settled down to eat her meal. A patch of sun through the trees had almost caused her to fall asleep, where she lay stretched out on a new growth of grass, when she was put on the alert by Dog. He stood, but did not growl a warning. She sat up quickly and listened. She could hear someone moving through the undergrowth toward her and she looked at her canine friend curiously. "Dog?" she asked, wondering at his reaction. He gave her a soft whine and came to lay his head in her lap. Then she realized what he was telling her.

When the visitor came close enough to hear, she called out, "Why are you following me, Aragorn?"

There was silence for several moments before he stepped forward from the shadows of the trees. "How did you know it was me?"

"Dog indicated it was not a foe approaching, and you are the only one of my most recent company who could both track me and approach so quietly."

He took a seat on the ground next to her. "Eomer asked me to find you." He held out a sealed parchment to her, "He sent this letter, and he wants me to persuade you to return to Edoras."

She took the parchment without opening it. "I have no reason to return there."

"I seem to recall your telling me that Eomer was your responsibility unto death or recovery. He has achieved neither as yet."

"He is home and safe and he will recover. That is good enough."

Aragorn studied the dying fire thoughtfully, "It is not good enough for him. If I'm not mistaken, Eomer has feelings for you. He was upset at your sudden departure. Even if you do not return the feelings, you have made new friends who would wish you well and like to express their thanks for your help."

"I have all the friends I need traveling with me."

"Why do you shun contact with people? Why do you resist new friendships?"

She did not respond and after awhile he understood that she did not intend to do so. With a sigh, he stood, "I wish you would reconsider. Go see Eomer, if only to say goodbye. Please." She made no comment and he reached down to give her shoulder a squeeze, "Whether you wish it or not, I hope we cross paths again, though under kinder circumstances. Be well, Kareswen."

With that, he turned and left the clearing, and returned to the waiting riders some distance away.

xxxxx

Kareswen sat there a long time after Aragorn left her. She shoved the letter unopened into her pack and lay back on the grass again. After a few moments she let out a frustrated growl - why couldn't these people leave her alone? Was it not enough that she saved Eomer's life? Couldn't they just let it go at that and leave her in peace?

Finally she rose and gathered her belongings. The trio were soon on their way, swinging to the northwest as they continued their journey. She hadn't spent time in East Emnet recently, and there were villages where she had done some trading before. Her supplies needed replenishing and that seemed a likely place to start. Some part of her was curious as to what Eomer's letter said, but she willed herself to leave it unopened. She would not let them draw her into their world, no matter the temptation.

Two days later she found herself at the River Entwash shortly after dawn. Just after crossing out of the Eastfold, she spotted smoke on the horizon, in the direction of the nearest village. Quickly she picked up the pace toward it. When she got in sight of the village, it was as she feared - a small band of some twenty Orcs was burning and killing. Hastily she brought her bow to the ready, and within minutes nearly half of the Orcs were dead and the others retreating. Knowing they would just return here or do the same elsewhere, she pursued them, taking out another four in short order.

Then, without warning, Leander's front legs buckled under him and she was thrown over his head. A few of the remaining Orcs turned at the sound, but after a moment's hesitation, continued their flight, not wanting to risk their lives if their pursuer was still functional.

It was fortunate for Kareswen they didn't stop, as her head had struck a stone and she was knocked unconscious almost immediately. Leander's forward motion partially brought him down on top of her, though he rolled away as soon as he could and stood. His left foreleg was bleeding and he held it off the ground, obviously in discomfort. Dog came and stood by Kareswen, licking her face and trying to wake her, but without success.

The villagers had been watching their savior's battle with the Orcs, and several of the men ran to her aid when they saw her horse go down. Normally, Dog would not have let them approach his downed mistress, but he seemed to sense that she required help he could not give her. One of the men, Kialmar, told two others, "Get a wagon and horse. We must get her to Edoras. The healer there will know what to do. He sent another man to collect her arrows while they waited for the wagon. They knew full well she would want them back.

When the wagon arrived, they gently loaded her on and a widowed woman had come along as well to make the trip to Edoras with the injured woman. "What about the horse?" someone asked Kialmar.

"Take him to the village and let Danomer see to his injuries. He will not be able to make the trip to Edoras on that leg." It was with some difficulty that the man did as instructed, for Leander resisted their efforts to take him away from Kareswen's side. However, when Dog jumped in the wagon with her, Leander appeared to decide that for now he would need to let her go and finally allowed them to take him in the opposite direction.

Slowly Kialmar and the widow, Daelwyn, were on their way. Kialmar pushed hard and they did not stop for the night, not wanting to be out unprotected any longer than necessary. Daelwyn knew how to drive the wagon, so when Kialmar was overcome with fatigue, he took rest in the wagon bed while she took a turn at the reins.

It was almost midnight when they reached the Edoras gates, and after a hasty explanation to the guards, someone accompanied them to the healer's home and helped Kialmar move Kareswen inside to a bed. The healer was reluctant to let the dog in as well, but Daelwyn convinced her to do so, assuring her that he would be no trouble and would not take kindly to being kept from his mistress. The healer, Linwe, allowed Kialmar and Daelwyn to bed down on blankets near the fire for the night.

Linwe checked her patient over and treated the easiest injuries, but knew there were probably others not so easily observed. Her side was greatly discolored where the horse had fallen on her, but it was difficult to tell if the ribs were broken or just bruised. Amazingly enough, she had been very lucky in that she hadn't broken more bones in the fall. The biggest concern, though, was the head injury. It had bled profusely, which was not unusual, but it was not a good sign that she had not awakened since she was hurt. With a sigh, Linwe made her comfortable for the night and returned to her bed. In the morning, she would determine what else could be done. When she left the room, Dog moved from his place next to Kareswen's belongings that had been set in the corner, and climbed up next to her on the bed, his head resting on her hand.