Thank you all so very very much for your reviews! I'm so glad you are enjoying this story and I'm sorry for taking forever to update, I have no excuse except that I changed this chapter so many times, I don't even know if it's any good. I hope you like it and as always, let me know!

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Chapter 6

Éomer sighed as he pulled off his helmet after he had rode his horse into the keep behind his uncle, Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, Gamling, and Eothain. He was still surprised by the trees crushing the Uruks after they had sought refuge in them. He looked around and saw many had fallen but it was a victory nonetheless. "Éomer," King Theoden said and Éomer looked to his uncle. "I am glad you came," the King said with a small smile. Éomer nodded his head before Eothain pulled his attention away.

"My Lord Éomer," Eothain said.

"Yes Eothain?" Éomer asked and Eothain looked at the king who nodded. Eothain bowed his head and looked at Éomer.

"What of Avelina?" he asked quietly. Éomer glanced at his uncle and then looked back at Eothain.

"You left her in the cave on top the cliff?" Eothain nodded and Éomer looked at the others.

"Éomer, who is Avelina?" King Theoden asked as he looked at his nephew.

"She is a woman my party came across when traveling the plains. We sat her up in the caves atop the cliff before we joined the battle," Éomer said as he met his uncle's eyes.

"Retrieve her and bring her back to the keep," Theoden said. Éomer nodded and left the keep. Theoden turned to Eothain. "Tell me what you know of her." Eothain nodded and began to tell Theoden what he knew of Avelina.

Éomer rode steadily through the battlefield and then up the cliff. Once he reached the top, he saw Sigeric standing guard outside the cave. The stallion's head whipped towards him and he seemed to relax as Éomer and Firefoot approached. Éomer dismounted and smiled at Sigeric before he walked up to the cave entrance. "Avelina?" he asked gently and the sight that met his eyes concerned him greatly. She looked up at him with wide eyes that were stained red from tears and the clean lines of her face from where her tears had washed the dirt from her face away. He heard her sigh in relief before she stood quickly and rushed to him. Éomer stumbled back slightly when she threw her arms around him.

"Thank the heavens you are well," she whispered as she clung to him. Éomer slowly wrapped his arms around her and returned her embrace. Avelina could smell the blood on his armor but at that moment she really didn't care. All the while she sat listening to the battle the only thing she could see was orcs killing him and Eothain.

"I am well, and I have come to take you to the keep," he said as he held her. She pulled away and looked up at him. "Did you weep the entire time?" he asked as he raised his hand and gently wiped the dampness from her cheeks. She shook her head.

"I stopped when the battle sounds stopped. All I could picture was one of those things running you or Eothain through." She paused as she looked at him. "Is . . .?" she trailed off but Éomer knew what she meant.

"Eothain is well. He waits for your return with my uncle." Avelina nodded and then she remembered just who his uncle was. Avelina cleared her throat and removed herself from his arms, a fierce and deep blush graced her cheeks.

"I'm sorry," she whispered before she walked past him and to Sigeric who only nudged her shoulder to go back when she stopped in front of him. Éomer sighed before he closed his eyes tight. It was the second time he had comforted her after she was frightened and it was the second time she had apologized to him for seeking comfort in his arms. He raised his hand to the bridge of his nose and pinched it as he thought about what he had done, but nothing came to mind. Sigeric nudged her again but Avelina shook her head. "No, my friend," she whispered as Éomer came out of the cave. She looked at him and gave him a small smile, one he did not return. He made his way over to his horse and mounted him. Avelina did the same and followed Éomer as he turned and led her down the cliff.

By the time they reached the keep, Avelina was ready to be sick from the sight that graced her eyes. Many laid fallen, men, elves, and even children. She was reminded of the haunting images of what happened during the uprisings but what had happened just hours before was much worse. They had ridden the entire way in silence and as Avelina dismounted Sigeric she looked at the marshal.

"My lord?" she asked as Éomer dismounted next to her. He looked down at her. "Have I angered you?" Éomer's eyes softened and he shook his head.

"Nay, you have not," he said gently.

"I was once again improper with you in the cave, and that was what I was sorry for." Éomer shook his head and smiled at her before he held out his arm to her.

"You were not improper, just glad to see I was well." Avelina smiled a small smile at him before she linked her arm with him as their horses were led away and made their way up the steps to the hall where the king and others waited for them.

They walked into the keep and Avelina spotted the king quickly as he talked with Gandalf and the man that the riders had come across on the plains, Aragorn. Avelina removed her arm from Éomer quickly and clasped her hands in front of her. Éomer looked at her oddly but followed her gaze that rested upon his uncle, Gandalf and Aragorn. He furrowed his brow but led her to the three men.

"My lord," Éomer said and Theoden looked at his nephew before his eyes traveled to the small and travel worn frame that stood next to him with her gaze focused on the stone floor at her feet. "This is Avelina." Theoden stepped over to her and put his finger under her chin and gently forced her eyes to his. Her dark blue pools met the kind pale blue eyes of the King of Rohan.

"Eothain has told me your story, Avelina," Theoden said as he looked at her and lowered his hand. "It is a pity that you come to our land at a time when a great war is brewing." Avelina just looked at him. "You will travel back to Edoras with my niece Éowyn and take refuge there." Avelina bowed her head to him.

"Aye my lord, and thank you," she said quietly. Theoden nodded and looked at Éomer.

"Take her to Éowyn's chamber. Introduce them and then join us. We ride for Isenguard." Éomer nodded and put his hand on Avelina's shoulder. She looked up at him and he nodded his head. Avelina nodded and looked at the others. She bowed her head slightly when she caught the eyes of Aragorn, the elf, and the dwarf before she turned and followed behind Éomer. They walked in silence again, but Avelina broke it.

"Your uncle seems to be kind," she said quietly. Éomer looked at her and was relieved to see that her fear was receding.

"He is," he said just as quietly which caused Avelina to look at him as he stopped outside a closed door. "My sister is just as kind, and I am certain she will have proper attire for you to change into before your journey back to Edoras." Avelina nodded and Éomer knocked on the door.

"Enter!" came a tired sounding reply and Éomer opened the door. "Éomer!" a blonde haired woman cried before Avelina saw her wrap her arms around him. "I was so worried that I would never see you again," she said. Éomer returned his sister's embrace.

"It seems that happens a great deal lately," he thought to himself. They pulled away and Éomer looked to the door. "Éowyn, this Avelina. My party came upon her when we traveled the plains. She is travel with you to Edoras by the king's order." Avelina stepped in and gave the lady a small smile before she bowed her head. Éowyn gave Avelina a kind smile and took in her attire with a sad shake of her head.

"I cannot believe my brother allowed you to travel in clothes that are much too large for you. Let's get you cleaned up in proper fitting clothes. I do have a few spare items here, although they may be a little long for you, I am certain they shall fit you perfectly otherwise. I will return in just a moment I must retrieve some warm water," Éowyn said before she put a hand on Avelina's shoulder and stepped out of the room. Avelina looked up at Éomer who smiled at her.

"I will see you in a week's time, until then Avelina" he said before he turned and left her in the empty room. She sighed and looked around the room that only held a straw bed, and a small vanity and stool. She sat down on the stool with a heavy heart, suddenly finding herself wishing that she was riding to Isenguard with Éomer. It was then that she realized she was starting to grow close to the king's nephew and she had to distance herself before she did something foolish.