Disclaimer: the ONLY thing I own is Jacqueline, anything you don't recognize from the books and a little of the plot but not all. Majority of the plotline, most lines(which are usually adaptations from the original book) and all LOTR characters belong to Tolkien. Some character lines are switched(i.e. one thing Aragorn says in the books Legolas might say here) - still belongs to Tolkien.

A/N: man my disclaimer's getting monotonous. FINALLY Chapter 16 is here...hope you like it. Sorry for any spelling errors; I type these things up at like 1:00am. A little forewarnings: Arwen, Elledan, Elrohir and Haldir will be at Helm's Deep(in the movie Arwen and Haldir fight at Helm's deep; I just felt like throwing the twins in), and expect fueding between Eowyn and Jacqueline. Also someone who's usually in the story the whole way through isn't going to make it to the end.

Chapter 16 - Sharing Stories

"And what of our friends that we spoke of earlier?" Aragorn asked.

"There were only orcs," Eomer assured.

"That is puzzling indeed. Did you search among the dead? Were there any bodies other than orcs? Our friends would be child-size to your eyes, shoeless and clad in grey." Aragorn described.

"There were none who were child-size or dwarf-size," assured Eomer again. "We counted them, piled them up and burned them according to our ways. The ashes are still smoking."

"We speak neither of children or dwarves, but hobbits," Gimli replied.

"Hobbits? That is a strange name I have not heard in all my years. What might such creatures be?" Eomer asked.

"A strange folk who are very close to us," the dwarf answered. "I am certain you have heard the words that made Minas Tirith uneasy. They spoke of a Halfling; our hobbit friends are Halflings."

"Halflings!" laughed one of the Riders, the one who had jumped down off his horse and stood beside Eomer. "Halflings are just small folk in the old songs and children's tales from the North. Are we walking in legends or on the green earth of the day?"

"One may do both good sir," Jacqueline responded. "For it is not any of us but those who will come after who will make the legends. The green earth is a mighty legend within itself, and you walk on it in the daylight."

The Rider ignored her. "We must go back to the south, my lord. Time is not with us. Let us leave these strangers to their apprehensions or take them tied up to the king."

"Eothain! Peace!" Eomer ordered sternly in his native tongue. "Leave me awhile. Order the eored to assemble on the path and be prepared to ride out to the Entwade."

Glaring at them before going off mumbling, Eothain spoke to the others and soon they all rode off. Eomer was left with the five companions.

"You speak strange things, but they are certainly truth; we the Men of the Mark do not lie and we are incredibly difficult to deceive. But you have not spoken fully of what drives you. Will you now tell me fully of your mission so that I may decide what to do with you?"

Boromir sighed before beginning. "I set out from Rivendell, or Imladris as it is known in the common rhyme, many weeks ago with Aragorn. We were originally off to my city to aid my people in our war against the Dark Lord, but the company we travelled with had other business that I must not speak of right now. Our leader was Gandalf the Grey."

"Gandalf?!" Eomer exclaimed. "He is well known in the Mark as a bringer of strange things, evil things some say. He comes sometimes after many years or many seasons, and his name is no longer a way to the king's favours. Since his last visit this past summer things have gone amiss, and our trouble with Saruman began. A long time did we count Saruman a friend until Gandalf came to us bearing news of a war prepared in Isengard. He said that he had been imprisioned upon Orthanc and barely escaped. He begged for help but the king refused and turned him away, and in leaving Gandalf took Shadowfax, most preciousof all the king's horses. Shadowfax is chief of the Mearas that only the king of the Mark rides, and the sire was the great of Eorl who understood Men's speech. He returned seven days past, but the king's anger is still great; Shadowfax is wild and no man can tame him."

Boromir nodded thoughtfully. "Shadowfax found his way from the North after all; it is where he and Gandalf parted. But Gandalf will ride no longer, for in the Mines of Moria he fell into darkness."

"That is heavy tidings," Eomer admitted, bowing his head. "Both to me and many, though not all which you will notice should you see the king."

"But the less must lead where the great fall," Aragorn stated, stepping into the conversation. "I led our company from Moria to Lorien and then down the Great River to the falls of Rauros where our friends were taken."

"And the story changed," Jacqueline interjected. They all turned to her, the Company knowing what her words were going to be and Eomer in puzzlement. "Without my presence Boromir would have been slain by orcs though having fought bravely enough. Our Company would not be as you see us, but a Man, an Elf and a Dwarf still on the same goal."

His puzzled look did not lift. "Where would you be, my lady?"

"Not in Middle Earth," she answered. "But I will not get into my tale now; it requires too much time that we do not have. Though I will admit that, because of living in another world I have knowledge of everything that has bee and everything that will be, and I can assure you that nothing and no one will ever be the same once this is over. It will only get worse from here. Even my own interventions, though they be few, will prove to bring about things which not even I may see. One man's life has already been picked in exchange for Boromir's, though I know not who."

Eomer shook his head in amazement. "You bear a heavy heart lady, and yet you go on with strength and hope. How does one go forth with such spirit when she is so full of woe?"

She tried a smile. "The same way the Lady Galadriel does; keeping in my heart of hearts that things will be different despite the odds, that those who are appointed to save everyone's future will succeed and to keep in mind that I shall have the answers when I need them. With happiness comes sorrow; it is the price we pay."

"You speak in circles and riddles, but since you have mentioned sorrow how long has it been since your friends were taken?" Eomer asked.

Aragorn thought a brief moment. "Four days. Since the evening of the first day we have been crossing the land from Tol Brandir."

"All that way on foot?!" Eomer exclaimed.

"Yes, just as you see us." Aragorn confirmed. Eomer shook his head again, this time in amazement.

"Valiant indeed is the race of Elendil! Strider is not near a worthy name for the son of Arathorn; Wingfoot you shall be known as. This tale of the five companions should be sung in man halls of Men. Forty leagues and five you have covered at the end of your fourth day! But now friends what shall I do, for I must back to Theoden. It is true that my land is not directly at war with Sauron, and there are those who feed evil into the king's ear, but as you said war does come. Never will we forsake our alliance with Gondor and we shall aid them in their battle; this say I and all who are with me. From the East-Mark, my charge, I have had all herds and herdspeople moved far from Entwash, leaving only scouts and guards."

"So you do not honour Sauron in any way?" Gimli asked for his own confirmation.

"No, and we never shall," Eomer answered sternly, holding back fury. "Though I have been told that such a rumour wanders the countryside. Years ago Sauron desired to purchase horses at a high price, but he was refused. Then he sent orcs upon us and they took what they could, always picking our black steeds. Few are left now, and one could only guess what evil uses he has for them. But our worry is with Saruman now, for he has taken evil me, orcs and wolf-riders as his army and started war with us for many months. He closed the Gap against us. He is a terrible foe both cunning and crafty, wandering as an old man cloaked and hooded some say, and his spies are as slippery as he is. I know not how this shall end, for not all his friends dwell in Isengard, which you will see if you go to King Theoden. I pray you, come with me. Is my hope that you have come to aid us from our doubt all vain?"

"I shall only come when I can," Aragorn answered simply.

Eomer looked disappointed. "Elendil's heir would be a mighty strength to the Sons of Eorl. Battle lives upon the Westermnet, and I fear the worst for us. This riding I took was without the leave of theking, for now his house is ill-guarded. My scouts informed me of the orcs and that some bore Saruman's White Hand. Suspecting an alliance between the Dark Land and Isengard I led my eored and overtook the orcs two nights ago near the Entwood borders, giving war at dawn yesterday. There were more than we had thought, and fifteen of my men and twelve of our horses were slain. The White Hands were the most fell, but we put an end to all of them. However we have been away for much too long. Are you sure you will not come with me? We have the spare horses as you know, and we could find use to the swords of Aragorn and Boromir, the axe of Gimli, the bow of Legolas and even the wisdom and sword of Lady Jacqueline so long that she will forgive me my harsh words against her grandmother the Lady of the Wood; I would gladly learn the better from you all."

"My heart desires to follow with you, for I long to be in the company of the King, and we are all thankful for the kindness of your words," Boromir began formally, looking around at his companions while speaking his last words. "But we are not about to desert our friends while hope lives."

"Hope is dead, friend," Eomer replied gravely. "Your friends are not on the North-Boarders."

Jacqueline stood to correct him again. "Hope lives, Eomer. We have followed to this point with faint signs here and there. Aragorn's skill has carried us successfully, and he knew that I was here to reassure him. Forgive me but we cannot turn from this."

"You know what has become of your friends?" Eomer asked, slightly bewildered. Jacqueline nodded.

"Yes, but I cannot allow the search to be altered by my knowledge. I fear the consequences."

Eomer paused a moment, then tried a soft smile. "Well lady, I can swear that no orc escaped us, and that orc bodies were all that we burned. Nothing escaped our ring unless it was elvish."

"Our friends were clothed like us, and until Aragorn spoke you did not see us," Boromir reminded him, pangs of jealousy pricking like needles.

"That is true; I had forgotten," Eomer said. "Many things are difficult to tell: Elf and Dwarf in peacful company, those who speak with the Lady of the Wood and call her family, and the Sword broken before my father's fathers came to the Mark, coming back to battle. How must I judge?"

"The same way you have always judged," Aragorn answered. "Nothing has changed since the last year, and things among Elves and Dwarves are no different to Men. It is one's duty to distinguish them, whether it be in his own house or in the Golden Wood."

"True enough. But I am not free to do as I please," Eomer warned him and the others. "It is against the laws of our home to allow wanderers unless the king has given them leave, but stricter has that law become. I pleaded with you to come with me and you refuse. I wish not for a battle of one hundred and five to five."

"I believe your laws were not meant for such a thing, nor am I a stranger to this land. I rode with the Rohirrim host before under a different name, and I had once spoken with your father Eomund, though I have not seen you for you are young. I have also spoken with Theoden, and no Lord of this land in better days would have stopped me from a duty such as ours; we will go on." Aragorn said firmly. "Eomer, the choice must be made; aid us, allow us to go free or act upon your law. Should you choose the last, fewer will return to your king."

Eomer sighed heavily. "We both desire to make haste to our business; my men desire to go south, and every hour we stand here lessens hope. My decision is to allow you leave, and lend you horses. All I ask is this: when your quest is proved fruitful orin van take the horses over the Entwade to Meduseld, where the king now sits. I put myself and my life on the goodness of your honour, and you shall prove that I have not misjudged. Do not fail."

"We shall not." Aragorn confirmed.