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

Chapter 4

Avelina quickly removed her shift and threw on the soft, thick, dark green tunic before she tied her rope belt around it to hold it to her. "Quickly," Éomer said before she picked up the cloaks and her dress and shift. Avelina rushed over to him her hair falling in slight tangles down her back and brushing the top of her bottom. Éomer looked at her before he cautiously led her to the camp with his sword drawn. Avelina gasped as she stopped short and saw the men fighting a group of the same kind of creatures like the one that nearly attacked her. Éomer looked back at her and put his hand on her shoulder. "There isn't many and the men have nearly all the orcs slain, but I must aid them. Stay hidden Avelina," he added before he moved her behind a boulder and left her.

Avelina stayed where he had left her and suddenly felt very numb. "Orcs?" she thought. "What are orcs? Are they those dark creatures? Why would they attack the men?" She sighed and shook her head before she folded up her dress and shift. She could hear the swords swinging through the air and finding their marks. It was a sound she had become all too familiar with during the uprisings. Only she didn't jump this time as she prayed that none of the men perished, especially, Eothain, Coenred, or Éomer. She shook her head and clasped the cloaks around her once again, however, this time she pulled her hair out from under them and let it rest against her back. She sat down and drew her knees to her chest as she wrapped her arms around her shins.

The battle sounds seemed to go on for hours. However, as they began to quiet down Avelina didn't have the courage to look out at the men to see if they were alright. She remained where she sat and just looked out into the distance unable to see hardly anything in front of her because the sun was now completely gone and the only light she had was the moon.

"Avelina?" a familiar voice asked and her eyes snapped up. She saw a shadow move quickly and kneeled next to her. A hand reached out and touched her cheek. She jumped and moved away but another hand reached out and held onto her shoulder. "Avelina, it is I, Éomer, do not be frightened." She let out a sigh before she wrapped her arms around his neck without even thinking. Éomer stiffened slightly but wrapped his arms around her and returned her embrace.

"Thank the heavens," she whispered as she held onto him. Éomer furrowed his brow as he raised one of his hands to the back of her head and rested his hand there.

"Avelina?" he asked again and she pulled back slightly and looked at him. It was then that he saw the tracks of tears and dampness on her cheeks. Her eyes widened as she made out the worried expression on his face.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. "I was just so worried. I've seen many battles, but I've never seen anything like those . . . those . . . orcs?" she asked. Éomer nodded as he looked at her. "I've never seen anything so foul," she whispered.

"In your homeland orcs do not roam through your lands?" Avelina shook her head.

"No." Éomer sighed as he looked at her.

"Perhaps before you sleep, we discuss more of your homeland. I am very much intrigued by a land where orcs do not attack at will." Avelina nodded as she looked up at him. "But first we must ride to a new encampment, I'm afraid it is no longer wise to remain here." He stood and held out his hand to her and she pulled her up. She gathered her things and followed him from behind the bushes to see the men setting the pile of carcasses on fire.

"My lord, the men are ready to ride," Eothain said but he glanced at Avelina briefly. Éomer nodded and they all moved to their respected rides.

"We move quickly for tomorrow will require all our strength!" Éomer called as he put on his helmet and mounted his horse. Avelina mounted Sigeric but not before thanking Coenred for saddling him. They rode quickly, but Avelina's mind was not on their path ahead but to her future discussion with Éomer and she didn't know if her mind could take much more confusion.

They found a new area to camp; however, that time they patrolled the area to ensure the safety of the area. The men established the camp and Avelina helped gather firewood while Éomer spoke with Eothain and other captains. When Avelina returned with the men that gathered the wood, Éomer pulled her aside. "Avelina," he said gently. "I do believe it is time we had our discussion while the men prepare the meal." She met his dark eyes and nodded before he led her over to where her mat layed next to a fallen log. Éomer sat on the log while Avelina sat on her mat and leaned against it as she faced the fire the men had built. "Tell me Avelina of this Sandria."

"There isn't much to tell, my lord," she said after she thought a moment. "Sandria is just like any kingdom, however, the peasant uprisings have stopped since the taxes have been slightly reduced, but bad blood still resides within the various villages. King Thurston had realized that his kingdom relied on his people, so he lowered the taxes by a schilling, which helped create peace among the peasants." Éomer nodded. Although he did not understand why a king would not already know that his kingdom's success was based upon his people and his ability to rule fairly.

"Tell me more of you, of your life," he said. Avelina looked up at him to find him gazing into the fire as if he was in deep thought.

"My life is nothing spectacular, my lord," she said. "I am but a peasant, the daughter of a farmer and a seamstress, and a servant in the Wilmington House."

"What of your parents? You mentioned your father before but not your mother," he said as he looked at her. She nodded and removed her gaze from her face and once again looked at the fire before she drew her knees to her chest. Something she had done since her father's death. Whenever she was uncomfortable or frighten she would curl up to try and disappear.

"As you know, my father was killed during one of the peasant uprisings when I was six years old. My mother died of an unknown sickness five years ago, a week before my sixteenth birthday. I've worked for Lord Wilmington ever since as a servant in his house." Éomer watched her closely as he saw the distant look in her eyes. So, in her home she was just as she was now, alone.

"There is more to you than just that." Avelina looked up at him at his words with a furrowed brow. "Would any other woman from your land be as adjusting to the situation you are in?" Avelina laughed quietly and a smile lit Éomer's face.

"Most women I know are too noble to travel with a group of horsemen." Éomer smiled again and nodded his head. "Life in Rohan seems similar to that in my own land, but it seems much darker because of those creatures, and I always thought that elves and dwarves were legends."

"Most in Rohan believe the same because elves are rarely seen in our lands, and dwarves tend to stick to their mines." Avelina nodded and Eothain interrupted them.

"My lord, I am sorry, but we must discuss our path," he said as he handed Avelina a dish of hot soup. Éomer nodded and stood.

"Eat and rest Avelina, it will be a long ride tomorrow." Avelina nodded before she began to eat her soup as the two men left her. Somehow, she felt lighter after her talk with Éomer, and she began to think that life wouldn't be so bad once she was situated even with those foul creatures roaming the lands.

Days passed and Avelina longed for a hot bath and to busy herself with more than just patching the men's battle torn clothes or tending small cuts and scratches. As the sun rose, she had her wish when a stranger in white suddenly came upon them on the back of horse that would give Sigeric a challenge for power.

"Éomer son of Eomund, your king needs you now. He stands at Helms Deep alone with the enemy advancing in great numbers," the man said and Avelina dropped the pair of breeches she was mending as she looked at the man. He seemed to emanate a power that she had never felt before.

"Gandalf?" Éomer asked as he turned and looked from the map. The man dismounted and nodded his head.

"You and your men are needed. We must ride quickly for there is no time." Éomer nodded and turned before he hollered orders to his men to ready to ride to Helms Deep. It was then that his eyes fell on Avelina who looked at him with wide eyes. Éomer looked back at the wizard before he looked at Avelina once more. Gandalf followed his gaze and raised an eyebrow at her. Avelina's eyes widened before she gathered her things and began to ready Sigeric for the long ride ahead.