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Disclaimer: I own nothing associated with Lord of the Rings. I only own Lilly.


Chapter 18: The Hunt for Lilly

Eomer sat in front of the fire in Aragorn's study as Aragorn took charge and began to call arms together in search of Lilly. Eomer pulled the sword from her slippers and gave the sword to Legolas before he sat down. Everyone was nearly ready to leave and Aragorn had sent Legolas ahead to track the men, who at his estimate had about a four hour lead on them. He was to leave a trail for Aragorn and the men to follow.

Eomer held onto Lilly's slippers with a tight grip as he looked down at them. Aragorn tied on his sword belt and looked over at the horse king. He walked over and put his hand in Eomer's shoulder. Eomer looked up at Aragorn with sadness and anger clear in his eyes. "Eomer, you should get ready. We'll be leaving soon," Aragorn said. Eomer nodded and stood, keeping the slippers in his hand. Eomer remained silent as he left the room. He went into his chambers and put on his armor that he had brought to wear during the ceremony. He never thought he would have to wear it again for battle so soon after the war of the ring, especially to go after his love. Once he was ready he took Lilly's slippers in his hands and went out to the stables. He took Firefoot from the stable boy and placed her slippers in his saddlebag. Eomer quickly mounted and joined Faramir and Aragorn. "Are you ready?" Aragorn asked. Eomer just nodded. Faramir looked at Aragorn and then at Eomer.

"Eomer, are you sure you are well enough to ride?" Faramir asked concerned for his brother-in-law. Eomer glared at him and Faramir saw fire flash in his eyes.

"I am just fine brother, and I will be much better once we get her back," Eomer said and then turned to Aragorn. "Let us ride." Aragorn nodded and led the men on down the path left by Legolas.


Lilly woke as she was thrown to the ground. Her head hurt beyond belief and she closed her eyes tight before she opened them fully. The dawn met her eyes and she closed them again. She was laying on soft grass but it wasn't comfortable because she laid across a bunch of small rocks that dug into her body. Lilly slowly opened her eyes again and moved her head to see who kidnapped her. She looked over and saw two men who looked like they hadn't bathed in about a year and she could smell them from where she laid. Lilly closed her eyes and pretended to still be out and she just listened as the foul men talked.

"What does Lord Roryn want with this wench?" one asked who sounded out of breath and panted slightly. The other took a deep breath.

"I don't know, he told us only to retrieve her. He wants to get revenge against the horse king for banishing him," he said.

"What does the wench have to do with that?" the first asked. She heard a thump and then someone stand.

"I don't know! All I know is that she is the key to his revenge." Someone was walking towards her. Suddenly, someone kicked Lilly in the side and she scrunched up her body at the impact because of the pain. She found out her hands here tied as were her ankles. Her side burned from the kick but she just opened her eyes and looked at him. He kneeled down next to her and smiled. "Hello there lovely. We meet again." Lilly's eyes just narrowed more; it was him, the man from the hall. "I won't be having any fun with you; Lord Roryn would not like that too much because he has much planned for you." Lilly spat at him. He wiped his face and backhanded her. Lilly just blinked away the pain and kept her eyes on him set in her glare. She had changed in just those few days and she was deathly afraid of them, but wasn't going to let them know it.

"You know nothing of what he wants me for," Lilly said her voice not betraying her fear and she was thankful for it. He glared at her and stood. He kicked dirt into her face and she closed her eyes and turned her face away, only to be kicked in the side again before she was picked up from the ground and carried even further away from Minas Tirith and even further away from Eomer.


They followed the path quickly and soon came upon the Elvin prince in a small clearing. "Legolas what news?" Aragorn asked quietly as he dismounted his horse. Eomer soon followed and with the speed of the elves stood next to the king of Gondor.

"There are two with her but in the distance a larger party. They had stopped to rest but by the time I reached the clearing they had taken to traveling again. They've joined the larger party and Lilly was brought into a shack," Legolas said as he looked between Eomer and Aragorn. He would not mention the mistreatment of Lilly he had seen. He knew that Eomer would charge his horse on into the camp alone without thinking if he did.

"How many?" Aragorn asked. Legolas shook his head.

"It is too hard to determine. The camp is large. I believe this is the group we were going to try and lure." Aragorn nodded in understanding.

"We will rest for a moment and continue on," Aragorn said to the party of soldiers. They soldiers dismounted. Eomer looked back at them and then at Aragorn. "Eomer, she'll be alright. No harm shall come to her." Eomer nodded and sighed as he looked off into the direction of the camp Legolas spoke of.

"I hope so," Eomer whispered and turned to stand next to Firefoot and waited for when they would depart.


Lilly had fallen asleep as they carried her, she had no strength left to fight them and she didn't know how to get back if she did get free. Lilly woke and she was laying on a cot of some kind covered with a smelly fur. She opened her eyes and saw a fire burning in a fireplace. Her hands where unbound but her feet were still tied, but this time around the base of bed. She sat up and tried to loosen the ties but it was unsuccessful. "There is not point in trying. The ends are tied on the floor, and you will not free yourself," a voice said. Lilly jumped and looked in the direction of the voice and glared at the figure sitting in a chair. She could never forget that voice, even if she wanted to.

"What do you want with me Roryn?" she asked. He chuckled and shook his head.

"You see, wench, it is because of you I am banished from the only home I have ever known. Because of you, I am forced away from my wife and daughter and my family dishonored," Roryn said as he stood. Lilly just glared at him.

"It is not because of me, Roryn. It is because you were foolish and treated an innocent like a criminal." Roryn smacked her across the face and she turned away and swallowed hard. Lilly looked back at him and glared even more darkly than before.

"It is rumored that the king has been entranced by you," he said quietly. He studied Lilly's face and smiled. "It is easy to see why. You are a sight indeed." He raised his hand and began to slide a finger down her cheek and she smacked it away. Roryn smiled and bowed his head.

"What do you want with me?" she asked through clenched teeth.

"You are my leverage. I will exchange you for my freedom to return to my home and if the king denies my request, which I doubt he will, then I will set the wildmen onto the villages and take your life before his very eyes." Lilly shook her head.

"Why not just send for your wife and daughter? There are many other places you can reside in." Roryn looked at her and laughed.

"You don't understand do you? In returning to Edoras, I will not be a mere peasant. I will rule over Rohan." Lilly's eyes widened.

"You are mad!" Lilly yelled. "Eomer would never give the crown to a slimy snake like you, not even for me!" Roryn laughed and shook his head.

"You will be surprised what a man will do to ensure the safety of his loved ones." Lilly shook her head. "As we speak the King of Rohan approaches with a large party of Gondorian soldiers including the King of Gondor and the elf and dwarf that traveled with the fellowship, and you think he will just stand by and watch you die?"

"He will not give you the crown, and I will see to it." Roryn laughed and left the shack. Lilly felt fear fill her heart because she wasn't certain what Eomer would do. She hoped that he would not hand over the crown to Roryn, but at the same time she hoped he would save her.