a/n: A short one again, but I hope you enjoy it. I'll need a few days for the next chapter, but reviews help remind me to get cracking on it. Thanks!

Leverage

"When did she leave?" Aragorn asked.

Eomer shook his head and ran a hand through his tangled mess of hair.

"The guard reported someone leaving two hours before dawn," he said. He clenched his fists and sighed a long breath. "I should have . . ."

Aragorn watched his friend shake his head again.

"What happened?" the Ranger asked. Eomer immediately looked up, guilty. He sighed again, and started to pace back and forth.

"She hasn't been the same since Mordor," Eomer said. He fiddled with his hands, bringing one to his mouth where he chewed at his nails. "I know she endured a lot. Last night, Eowyn said something out of turn. . . . Selanae left after that."

The younger man muttered something under his breath about Eowyn. Aragorn bit back a smile.

"Perhaps she just needed some time," Aragorn offered. It was a weak attempt, he knew, but it wouldn't be the only thing he would say.

"She thinks running away is the answer to everything!" Eomer said, throwing his arms in the air. He immediately hissed, wincing at a pain in his shoulder. Aragorn again had to bite back a grin.

"While anger and confrontation are your answers," he chided. Eomer sent a glare his way, but relented with a sigh. "What do you think we should do?"

Another sigh, and Eomer ran his hands again through his hair. "I confess, I don't know. I thought I understood her, but . . . Aragorn, I want her back." He didn't just mean getting her back to Gondor. Long had Aragorn seen Eomer's feelings for Selanae. But the lady in question was indeed harder to decipher.

Aragorn cleared his throat. "The war is over, but the lands aren't safe. Selanae can defend herself, but she's chosen a tumultuous time to leave on her own." Eomer's body was tense, waiting for clarification. "I think it wise if you go after her."

Eomer might as well have leapt for joy. He well could have decided on his own, but the new king needed assurance. Aragorn identified with that clearly, though he tried not to show his nervousness as much.

"Don't go alone, Eomer," Aragorn warned. "As marshall you had no reason to fear, but as King, you cannot go about so freely."

Eomer sighed, but nodded. "A disappointment to both kings," he said with a sad smile. Aragorn nodded.

"Corsairs!" a new, light voice said in a panic. The kings whirled around to see Legolas. "They've taken Selanae!"

Legolas looked out of breath, his hair slightly messy. Aragorn felt dread in his heart.

"What? Where!" Eomer demanded. Legolas swallowed and drew a breath.

"South of here. They mean to use her as leverage," Legolas said, flickering a worried glance to Aragorn, "in exchange for Gondor."

"What!" Eomer exclaimed. He turned to face Aragorn, who sadly did not look as surprised. "Aragorn?"

The king of Gondor sighed. "The Corsairs are fighting for their survival. We killed most of them before Pelennor."

Eomer swallowed, understanding. "Selanae is their guarantee." He turned on one heel to leave.

"Eomer!" Aragorn called out.

"I will find her, Aragorn, and I will get her back!"

"This is not about Rohan. The Corsairs—"

Eomer swiveled around, his eyes flashing and his skin flushed. "The Corsairs took Selanae, and so they will die!"

The ranger stepped softly towards Eomer, his eyes kind but concerned.

"You cannot go, Eomer. This is Gondor's business."

Those eyes flashed again with seething rage. "This is Selanae's life! It is not business, it is the woman I hold dearer than anyone!" Eomer looked sharply at the floor, having just heard hat he uttered. "By right, it is me who should go."

The two kings stared at each other, hope, despair, anguish being born to one another. It was Legolas who stepped in.

"I'll go with him," he said, looking at Aragorn. "Gondor needs to be strengthened, in case the Corsairs attack."

Eomer turned to the elf. Silently, he nodded.

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The Corsairs, whoever they were, moved her quickly across the land. Selanae's hands were tied behind her back, and she was made to run with her captors. Their pace was hurried, no doubt because of their crime.

They seemed excited to have her in their captivity. Selanae didn't know why, other than what she sensed—they would use her for some purpose.

It wasn't long before a sparkling jewel appeared on the horizon. Selanae gasped as she saw the sea. A ship awaited, not massive but large enough to easily carry 60 men. They roared and scurried about, and with each step closer, Selanae knew she faced more and more danger.

Her face was impassive. As much as she hated being restrained, she accepted what was happening. It was just as well, for now.

It's not like she had any better fate in store.

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"South," Legolas said, nodding at Eomer. Both stood quickly from their crouch in the mud and mounted their horses. The tracks were faint because of the rain, but also ran deep for the same reason.

Eomer was grateful that the elf came along with him. He probably should have taken more than a dozen men, but Eomer wanted this task to be his. He would find Selanae, he would cut down the Corsairs, and he would make Selanae understand that he didn't and never would blame her.

He left Eowyn in Minas Tirith to oversee any matters concerning Rohan (and to be with her fiancé), and Eothain could definitely help her if needed. Perhaps it was foolish of him to leave so rashly, especially as a new king to a recovering land.

Rohan had a long road to follow. Too long had it been held hostage by Sauron's influence. Rebuilding the lands, the cities, getting food ready for the rest of the year . . . he had a lot of work to do. His entire people now depended on him. As awesome a responsibility that was, he still had to leave.

Selanae mattered more.

"Your mind is heavy," Legolas observed without glancing at the young king. Eomer sighed in response, but nodded. "It's not because of you that she ran in the first place."

Eomer shifted suddenly in his saddle.

"What do you mean?"

Legolas' expression was even and almost nonchalant. "Something bothers her. It's from herself that she runs. But when she reconciles the problem, all will be well."

Eomer blinked at the elf.

"Was that really an explanation?"

Legolas smiled. "A vague one." He whispered something to his horse, and it picked up pace. "We should hurry. They're not far."