They ran on for days, the scenery slowly changed from forest to the baren lands of Rohan. On and on they ran with no stops, for their friends are in deep need of them, and they will not rest until they find Merry and Pippin.
But they orcs are fast too, as Legolas had commented, "They ran as if the very whip of their master is behind them."
A glitter in the sunlight caught Aragorn's eyes and he stopped, stooping down slowly he picked up a brooch from the ground, it was the brooch from Lothlorien.
"Not idly do the leaves of Lorien fall," said Aragorn, "this did not drop by chance: it was cast away as a token to any that might follow."
"Why let's hope he didn't pay too freaking much for that." Elix muttered.
They ran on again, but the orcs if ever, seemed to ran even faster.
Soon they stopped again on a hilltop this time Legolas shrouded his eyes against the sun and peered at the horizon.
"Legolas, what do your elf eyes see." Aragorn asked as he stopped beside the blond elf.
Shay grimaced as she tried to still her pounding heart, "I hope it's the orcs."
"Nay, rider, a hundred and five, tall and yellow haired. Only five leagues distant." Legolas said.
"Five leagues or one," said Gimli, "we cannot escape them in this bare land. Shall we wait for them or go on our way?"
"Come on, if they are who I think they are, than it is best we hide than come out." Shay said as she pulled Gimli behind a large rock.
"They better remember you, or we're dead meat." Elix murmured as his eyes looked around warily.
"What do you know of these horseman." Gimli asked the silent girl.
Shay turned to look at him, "You shall see soon, and I'm sure Aragorn knows them also." Aragorn inclined his head, but he remained silent.
Soon even Gimli could hear the distant beat of galloping hoofs. The horsemen, following the trail, had turned from the river and were drawing near the downs. They wre riding like the wind.
Now the cries of clear strong voices came ringing over the fields. Suddenly they swept up with a noise like thunder, and the foremost horseman swerved, passing by the foot of the hill, and leading the host back southward alont the western skirts of the downs. After him they rode: a long line of mail-clad men, swift, shining, fell and fair to look upon.
Their horses were of great stature, strong, and clean-limbed; their grey coats glistened, their long tails flowed in the wind, their manes were braided on their proud necks. The Men that rode them matched them well: tall and treamed in long limbed; their hair streamed behind them; their faces covered by helmets. In their hands were tall spears of ash, painted shields were slung at their backs, long swords were at their belts, their burnished shirts of mail hung down upon their knees.
In pairs they galloped by, and though every now and then one rose in hise stirrups and gazed ahead and to either side, they appeared not to perceived the five strangers sitting silently and watching them. The host had almost passed when suddenly Aragorn stood up, and called in a loud voice:
"What news from the North, Riders of Rohan?"
With astonishing speed and skill they checked their steeds, wheeled, and came charging round. Soon the five companions found themselves in a ring of horsemen moving in a running circle, up the hill-slope behind them and down, round and round them, drawing ever inwards. Aragorn stood silent, Legolas had moved to block Shay from the riders view while Gimli and Elix remained unmoved.
Without a word or cry, suddenly, the Riders halted. A thicket of spears were pointed towards the strangers; and some of the horsemen had bows in their hand, and their arrows were already fitted to the string. Then one rode forward, a tall man, taller than all the rest; from his helm as a crest a white horsetail flowed. He advanced until the point of his spear was right at Gimli.
"Who are you, and what are you doing in this land?" said the Rider, using the Common Speech of the West, in manner and tone like to the speech of Boromir, Man of Gondor.
"You give me your name and I'll give you mine, horse-master, and more besides." Gimli said proudly, his feet frimly apart: his hand gripped the handle of his axe, and his dark eyes flashing.
The man leaped down from the horse and glared at him, "Had your head stood but a little higher, I would have cut you down."
Within seconds Legolas had an arrow pointing at the Rider, "He won't stand alone."
The thicket of spears moved closer, growing exasperated Shay moved forward pushing Legolas aside, "Oh seriously, Males, I won't say men, because two of you are not."
She strode up to the Rider and stood there head held high and said evenly, "I am Shay, friend to King Theoden. I ask for a free passage across these lands to search for Orcs who had taken my friends captive."
Many of the men gasped in recognition while the Rider took off his helmet, "King Theoden recognize no one, not even his own kin."
"Eomer!" Shay cried in surprise.
"Shay," Eomer nodded, "who are those that travel with you? These lands are dangerous, and strangers are ill-favoured."
"Who do they serve." Eomer added.
"I serve no man," Aragorn said, " I am Aragorn son of Arathorn. This is Legolas of Woodland, Gimili from Misty Mountain, and Elix, brother of Shay."
"These are strange times, legend and stories sprung out of tall grass." Eomer murmured, than he looked at Shay again, "The orcs you need not pursue them further, they were destroyed."
"And our friends, they would be small, only children to your eyes, unshod but clad in grey." Aragorn asked urgently.
"There were no dwarves nor children," said Eomer. "We counted and piled the carcasses and burned them, the ashes are smoking still."
Shay's face had turned pale again while Legolas placed a comforting hand on her shoulder, Eomer looked at them and he turned his head and whistled, three horses came out of the circle, "May they bear you well and to better fortune than their late masters."
Aragorn mounted, as did Legolas and Elix. Legolas beckoned to Shay and she jumped on the bareback horse in front of him while Gimli rode with Elix.
"Lady Shay!" a rider suddenly called out and Shay turned to face the man, "Please, if it be in your way, go to the Golden Halls."
Eomer raised his hand and the rider fell silent, but Eomer continued, "You have known me for years, and you know I do not plead, but Rohan is in dire need, if your ride takes you there, may you bring good tidings."
Shay tilted her head, and remained silent for a moment, than she spoke up, "My two friends' life are in danger too," she paused than continued looking Eomer in the eyes, "but after that I will find my way to the Golden Hall of Theoden. Believe, Men of Rohan, hope remains!" As if her words carries fire, sparks flew into the wary riders' eyes and they seemed to sit proud as ever on top of their horse.
Eomer nodded, "May the wind be with you, Shay, farewell."
"Farewell, Riders of Rohan!"