From the North

Gandalf, Pippin, Boromir and Demi had left. Though Rhia still had Merry, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli, she still felt the empty feeling of loneliness, the same feeling she had when she had fought with Demi. She knew that she was being stupid, and that her best friend would be alright, after all, she was a witch, but that sinking feeling was still there. Sure, Boromir had lived, but who's to say he would stay that way? The uncertainty was frustrating. Rhia couldn't live like that. Back home she knew where she was headed for the greater part, but now…

She stood on the spot, numb with fear as Aragorn readied Hasufel. Galroy stood next to Rhia, noticing her discomfort and trying to ease her. He nuzzled her neck. She laughed lightly and patted his head.

"I can't believe there are only five of us left, together at least." Rhia said, more so to herself than her friends.

"And yet again we ride out, but not alone. Théoden is resigned to set out at once under the cover of night." Aragorn said.

"And then whither?" asked Legolas, standing next to Gimli and Arod.

"I do not know, but the king now rides to Minas Tirith and their aid. I though have a different path to tread and those who will go with me…" Aragorn said, turning to his friends.

"I for one!" Legolas said.

"And I!" Gimli said

"Your not going anywhere without me." Rhia said, joining the chorus.

"Well, for myself, to Minas Tirith, but the way I must travel the road is dark, even if it is unseen. An hour long prepared approaches." Aragorn said, staring off into the distance.

"Don't leave me behind! I don't want to be a burden to the Riders and they won't want to be bothered with me, though the king wished to hear about the Shire from me." Merry exclaimed.

"Your road lies with the king Merry, but do not look for mirth at the ending." Aragorn said." And I do not think it wise for you to come with me Aure, not this time."

Rhia was not impressed.

"Listen!" she hissed. "I've not come this far to be cast aside like bad eggs, I'm following you to the end and back. You can't get rid of me that easily."

"Aure…" Legolas began.

"Do not start with me elf boy. I'm going and that's final." Rhia said, crossing her arms over her chest and stalking off.


Rhia calmed down a short while later, returning to her friends just before they were ready to depart.

"Are you alright now?" Aragorn asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Yeah." She said, barely heard.

The truth be told, Rhia was doing a lot of soul searching. She hated being treated so low, so beneath her own friends, yet knew that it was they're way. She wanted to change that. She would ride to battle and return unscathed. She owed it to herself, to Demi, to middle earth. She had learnt much through her journey, and she was now realising how important her role is, and how important that she grasps that. She has to get over her fears, if not for herself, than those she would rule.

Rhia mounted Galroy and waited next to Aragorn who bore Merry for her next command. At once the group took off swiftly into the night with all the speed that they could muster. When they had passed the Fords of Isen some sort time ago, one of the riders from the back of the column raced up to the king with urgent news.

"My lord there are horsemen behind us and not of our own, riding hard trying to overtake us." The rider said.

"Halt!" Théoden called to all the riders in his cavalry and Rhia's group. They all turned around, taking up their weapons. Aragorn dismounted to stand beside Théoden. Éomer and his esquire rode up to the back where the nameless riders were approaching. They saw the riders approach and they were fewer than the King's company. Éomer called out to them to stop when they were about 50 paces out from the large group and asked them to identify themselves.

The unknown riders stopped as commanded and one of the horsemen dismounted his horse, making his way over slowly to the group.

"Rohan did you say? That is good news indeed, for it is the land that my company and I long sought for." The rider said.

"You have found it, the realm of Théoden King. None ride here save by his leave. Who are you and why do you ride hither with such haste?" Éomer asked.

"I am Halbarad Dúnadan, Ranger of the North. We seek Aragorn son of Arathorn after we heard he was in Rohan." Said the man.

"And you have found him!" Aragorn said happily, going forth and embracing the man as though he had known him. "Halbarad! Of all joys this is least expected."

Rhia raised an eyebrow in question. Why would these men 'seek' Aragorn?

Aragorn turned back to Théoden. "All is well. These men here are of my kin from a far land. Perhaps though Halbarad will inform us why he is here and how many he has brought with him.

"Here I bring thirty able men and all of our kindred that could be gathered in such haste. Also the brethren Elladan and Elrohir ride amongst us, desiring to go to war. Swiftly we rode to your summons." Halbarad explained. "My son Nauralad amongst us."

"I did not summon you hither, a wish asked but I did not summon you." Aragorn said, "Ride with us now my friend, if the king gives his leave."

"And they may, lord Aragorn, if they are your kin and as worthy men as yourself. They are more than welcome." Théoden answered.

Again the Riders set out, now with thirty more in their company. Aragorn beckoned Rhia to ride with him and his friend Halbarad. Next to Halbarad rode a man that looked much like him, if only around Rhia's age.

"Aure, this is Halbarad and with him his son Nauralad. This friend is my cousin Aurenessa." Aragorn said.

"It is a pleasure to meet you milady, though under such odd occurrences. It is rare to see a woman ride to battle." Halbarad said.

"Yeah, you get that." Rhia said with a smile. "But most are more preoccupied with sewing and that kind of rubbish."

"Should I ask why you are here?" Halbarad asked.

"Probably not. It's kind of complicated." Rhia said, spotting Elrond's sons riding behind her. They gave her a warm smile and Rhia pulled back to ride with them.

"She is rather odd, don't you think so Aragorn?" Halbarad asked.

"Yes, but she is not native to Middle Earth." Aragorn answered. "You know of the tale."

"Yes I do. But where then is the elf witch?"

"On her way to Minas Tirith with Gandalf." Aragorn answered.

"I see." Halbarad said considering this.

Nauralad rode in silence beside his father, contemplating the situation, well, rather Rhia. There was something about her. Sure he had heard of her tale, but he wanted to know more. His thirst for knowledge was unquenchable and he would not stop until it was satisfied. But now was not the time.

Soon Aragorn rode with the sons of Elrond and Halbarad while Rhia caught up to ride with Legolas.

"I bring word from my father: The days are short. If thou art in haste, remember the paths of the dead." Elrohir said gravely.

"Always my days have seemed short, but great indeed will be my haste ere I take this road." Aragorn said.

"That will soon be seen. Let us speak no longer of such things on the open road." Elrohir said.

"What is that you carry there?" Aragorn asked Halbarad, noticing a long pole with a black cloth wrapped around it.

"It's a gift for you from the Lady Arwen of Rivendell. It was wrought in secret and with it she sends these words: The days are now short. Either our hope cometh, or all hope ends. Therefore I send thee what I have made for thee. Farewell, Elfstone!"

Aragorn smiled to himself.

"Now I know what you bear with thee friend. Carry it for me still." He said, and then he turned, looking towards the north and stayed silent for the rest of the ride that night.


"You have been quiet my friend. Why is this so?" Legolas asked Rhia with a solemn face.

"Its nothing." She muttered.

In fact, Rhia had not talked to Legolas in the few hours she had ridden with him.

"There is something wrong, please, tell me. It may help bear the burden." Legolas reasoned.

"How about, no!" Rhia said, and she rode forward, loosing herself to Legolas amongst the horde of horsemen.

"Women!" Gimli said, shaking his head as he sat behind Legolas. "You can never tell with them, so why bother?"

"That may be the cause of why you are not married, master dwarf. If anything, she is worried about Vaira, and I do to, but she should not bottle up her feelings so. She will hurt no one but herself in the end." Legolas said.


Nauralad rode silently atop his steed Súldhál, looking out towards the looming horizon, his fair face grave and his dark hair and cape flowing behind him. The stars shone brightly in his dark eyes as he scanned the landscape. He forced himself to do so. From the corner of his eye he saw the Lady Aurenessa approach. Her golden hair shone under the moonlight, her eyes unreadable. She slowed her horse down and looked back over her shoulder.

"Good." She said to herself and kept riding.

"My lady, your presence is most welcome." Nauralad said, despite himself. He smiled and turned his sight back to the road.

"Thanks, I think." Rhia said, not entirely sure why it would be. She smiled to herself. He certainly was not bad looking. "So, you are Halbarad's son, eh?" she asked.

"That I am." He replied, his glance unwavering.

"Oh, well, you can't be much older than me, so why are you ridding off to war?" Rhia asked. There was something about him, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

"I ride to war when my country and kinsmen need me, and I am older than you think, my Lady." Nauralad said, smirking slightly. She was rather inquisitive.

"Then how old are you?" she asked.

"I am 20 years of age, a man in the eyes of my people."

"Oh, so you're only a year older than me, that's cool."

"I am sorry if I have offended you milady, though I do not see how."

"No, you didn't, where I am from cool means that something is good, first-rate, if you know what I mean."

"I do believe I follow." Nauralad said, his smirk branching into a grin.

"So…um…yeah…" Rhia said, trying to make conversation.

"Why do you ride to war and certain death milady, it is not commonplace."

"I have to in a sense. Its apart of my fate or some gibberish like that, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It gives me something to do." Rhia said, waving her hand around.

"I see, and then it is an honour to ride with such a beautiful lady. I will take it upon myself to protect you by any means possible, so that you may fulfil your fate." Nauralad said, bowing on his horse.

Rhia laughed. "Thanks, that'd be great. I think I'll enjoy having some new around to hang out with…befriend." Rhia explained.

Nauralad smiled and they rode in silence for a while, but it was not uncomfortable.


AE: Another chapter over. Um, is anybody actually reading this or am I doing this to amuse myself, really, I'd love to know and please excuse my sarcasm. I've just graduated from school and am going through quite a lot in my personal life which is kinda stressing me out. So, to continue, please review! That's all I ask in return for each chapter. I don't know where I'm going wrong so any positive critcism is most welcome.

Thanks greatly to who reviewed. I really can't thank you enough.