I'm sorry it took so long to update, craziness was abound this week. This is only half of the chapter I intended it to be, but I wanted to update for you all. Thank you all so much for your reviews, they mean the world. I hope you like this chapter even though it ends oddly and is short.

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

Chapter 10

Avelina woke with a feeling something had happened. She didn't know what, but when she heard the sound of a horse galloping fiercely down the stones, she sat up quickly and looked out her window. Down the dirt path, Avelina saw the white wizard charging down on his horse with a furrowed brow she closed the shutter and quickly dressed for the day. After quickly running a brush through her slightly tangled locks, she left her room dressed in a dark brown dress. She moved quickly and found Éowyn talking in the hall with Aragorn. "Avelina!" Éowyn called and she stopped and walked over to her. "Avelina, I do not think you have properly met Lord Aragorn." Avelina bowed her head.

"It is true we have not formally met," Avelina said with a smile as she looked up at him. Aragorn returned her smile and bowed his head to her.

"I am afraid we have not formally, but I have known of you since your arrival at Helms Deep," he said as he looked at her. "You rode with Éomer when he came upon our party." Avelina nodded.

"Aye, I did my lord," she said. "Did you find your friends?" she asked finally letting her curiosity get the better of her. Aragorn smiled.

"We did, Avelina, they were the hobbits that danced on the table last eve." Avelina laughed and covered her mouth quickly before she cleared her throat and nodded. Aragorn smiled at her and she couldn't help but return it.

"Yes, I remember. I thought it was odd for children to be drinking so much ale," she said. Éowyn laughed.

"They are not children," Éowyn said. Avelina nodded with a soft laugh.

"I know that now, but last eve my mind did not understand that fact." Éowyn smiled and nodded. Avelina then remembered why she had rushed so in the first place. "Oh, my lady," she said quickly. "Has something happened that caused Gandalf to leave with such haste?" Aragorn looked at her with a furrowed brow as did Éowyn.

"Gandalf travels to Minas Tirith," Aragorn said causing Avelina to look at him. At her confused expression Éowyn touched her arm and she looked at her.

"A city in the land of Gondor," she said in a whisper. Avelina nodded and turned her attention back to Aragorn.

"The city is to come under attack and he has gone to warn them," he finished. "The threat that had come over the people of Rohan moves quickly on the White City and it is an even greater one. They will need all the help they can get." Avelina's eyes widened and she looked between the pair.

"Are the people of Rohan going to aid them?" she asked quickly.

"That decision has yet to be made," Aragorn said. "If the beacons are lit and Gondor calls for aid, it will be up to the King to decide whether he will risk more of his people's lives or let Gondor fall to darkness." Avelina shook her head.

"King Theoden would not let that happen, would he?" she asked as she looked at Éowyn.

"He would not," came a deep voice from behind her causing her to jump and turn quickly. Her hair fanned out behind her and then wrapped around her right shoulder and rested across her form. Éomer looked at her and she looked at him with wide eyes.

"You know that for certain?" Aragorn asked quickly and Avelina looked at him as he stepped next to her. Éomer's eyes moved from her to Aragorn.

"If I know my uncle, he will not let the Dark Lord's power grow. He will do all he can to stop it," he said firmly. Aragorn nodded his head.

"We have time. Gandalf and Pippin will not reach Minas Tirith for at least three days. Then we must look for the beacons to be lit," Éowyn said. Avelina nodded and looked back at Éomer who did the same. Éowyn looked between her brother and Avelina and smiled a small smile before she excused herself and bid Aragorn to help her with something, she didn't give specifics. Avelina watched the pair go before she looked back at Éomer who smiled at her. She returned his smile and cleared her throat.

"I trust you rested well, my lord," she said.

"As well as one can during these times," he said. Avelina nodded. "How about you?" he asked as he held his arm out to her. Avelina smiled and placed her hand on his bent elbow.

"Well enough," she said quietly. Éomer nodded and stepped further into the hall with her.

"Have you eaten yet this morning?" he asked and she shook her head.

"No, I have not." Éomer stopped at a table.

"Would you care to join me then? I normally eat with the riders, but most have gone to their families in the cities for today and I do not wish to eat alone." Avelina blushed when she looked at him and saw his smile. However, before she could respond an older woman came up to the pair.

"I beg your pardon, Lord Éomer," she said kindly. Avelina stepped back from him and clasped her hands in front of her. Éomer looked at her briefly before he responded to the woman.

"Cynwise, I am glad to see you well," he said with a smile. The woman bowed her head.

"And I you, my lord. I do not mean to intrude, however, I have been sent to retrieve the girl for the king wishes to speak with her," Cynwise said. Avelina looked at her and then at Éomer who simply nodded.

"Very well," he said quietly. He looked back at Avelina and smiled kindly at her once more. "We will continue our conversation later Avelina." He bowed his head and Avelina nodded.

"Of course," she said quietly, slightly disappointed.

"Come now, child. We cannot keep the king waiting," she said. Avelina looked at her and nodded her head. With one last look at Éomer Avelina followed the woman out of the hall and down the corridor.

Éomer sighed as he watched Avelina disappear down the corridor. He had forgotten that his uncle wanted to speak with Avelina to tell her of the offered position in the hall. Of course he tends to forget a great many things when in her presence. He turned and nearly bowled over his sister who was smiling happily at him. "Where is Avelina?" she asked. Éomer furrowed his brow at her before he stepped around her.

"Cynwise took her to see the king," he said before he walked out of the hall, failing to see Éowyn's frown.

"Your name is Avelina?" Cynwise asked as they walked. Avelina looked at the older woman and nodded.

"Aye, that it is," she said quietly. The woman nodded and smiled.

"I hope you realize what you are doing." Avelina furrowed her brow and stopped causing the woman to do the same.

"What do you mean?" she asked thoroughly confused. The woman smiled and put her hand on Avelina's shoulder.

"You will see in time dear, but we must get you to the king." Cynwise turned and walked down the corridor. Avelina was even more confused but followed the woman down the corridor. Cynwise knocked on a large wooden door.

"Enter!" echoed out into the hall. Avelina felt her heart jump to her throat as Cynwise turned the doorknob.