Thank you for all of your reviews. I realized after I posted last that I forgot to answer Rebecca's question about doing a Haldir story. I'm working on some ideas for one and if I get more of a grasp on them, I will definately post one, but we'll have to see. This chapter is rather short and ends oddly, but I wanted to post. I'll update more as soon as I get a chance but I hope you like this chapter!

Chapter 14

"What?" Éowyn asked in a whisper. Avelina just shook her head and picked up the helmet and handed it to her.

"I ride with you," Avelina said again. Éowyn shook her head and met Avelina's eyes pointedly.

"I will not allow it Avelina," Éowyn declared as Avelina turned from her and pulled leggings and a tunic from her pack. Avelina stood and looked at her friend.

"I will not sit idly by while you ride off to war." Éowyn shook her head.

"You know nothing of wielding a sword and you do not know what we are up against!" She walked over to Avelina and took the items from her. "Éomer will not be happy. He will surely spot you on top Sigeric." Avelina took the items back.

"I will not be riding Sigeric." Éowyn shook her head and took the items back from Avelina.

"Avelina," she said calmly before she paused and Avelina looked at her. "You know this is not wise." Avelina just shook her head.

"What you are doing is not wise as well," Avelina said.

"Yes, that I know, but I have skills with a blade when you do not. Avelina, you will surely die if you were to ride into battle." Avelina felt tears fill her eyes and she swallowed the large lump that formed in her throat.

"I know," she whispered as she looked away from Éowyn. "I know, but . . . you and Éomer are the only ones whom I trust. What am I to do . . ." She looked back at Éowyn and the shieldmaiden looked at her sadly. "What am I to do if neither of you return? You are my friend; surely you understand what I am trying to say for my words fail me."

"I understand Avelina, I truly do, but it would not be wise for you to go headlong into battle. Help me by traveling back to Edoras with the others and ensure that all remains well until we return." Avelina felt a tear roll down her cheek before she threw her arms around her friend. Éowyn took a deep breath before she dropped the leggings and tunic and returned her embrace. "We'll come back Avelina. We will," she whispered more to herself trying to convince herself of the same. After a moment, Éowyn pulled away and looked at Avelina. "I must go, but do as I ask and ride to Edoras." She slipped on her helmet and left the tent quickly.

Avelina looked at the flap and shook her head before she picked up the items Éowyn had disregarded and changed. She walked out of the tent and the camp was nearly deserted. She rushed over to the cliff and saw the men riding away. With a silent curse under her breath she found a saddled horse and mounted him quickly.

"I know I am not your rider, my friend," she whispered when the horse became agitated, "but I need you aid. I will not bring you into battle, but I wish to merely stand back and watch." The horse neighed and when she urged it on, the horse took off down the path and behind the riding men.

It seemed like they rode on forever, only stopping briefly for the scouts to ride ahead. As she stayed back she watched as Éomer and two of his men rode from their meeting with the scouts to the king. Even from the distance she sat she could see his determination by the way he sat on top Sigeric and she smiled at the pair when she saw him run his hand down the horses' neck.

As she scanned the crowd she searched for Éowyn but the woman had done an excellent job and blended in well with the men. She could not spot her. Too soon for Avelina's liking they set out once more and they soon stopped on top a large hill. Avelina could smell burning and the sounds that echoed around them were all too familiar for her.

She moved to the side of the large party of Rohan horse riders and managed to stay hidden behind large boulders that hid her and her horse well but she was closer to the front and easily spotted King Theoden and Éomer in the front as well as Eothain as he sat on top his horse in the line of men.

"Éomer! Take your éored down the left flank," Theoden called and Avelina swallowed hard when she saw him nod and turn towards his men.

"Flank ready," boomed Éomer's voice and she said a silent prayer that the heavens would watch over him.

"Gamling, follow the King's banner down the center. Grimbold, take your company right, after you pass the wall," Theoden said before he turned to his men. "Forth and fear no darkness!" Avelina swallowed hard and looked from the Rohan riders to the battle field that laid before them. All she could see was fire and large beasts pulling carts that catapulted rocks and boulders onto the city. A mass of dark bodies moved like the waves of the sea and it seemed to never end. The riders suddenly shouted drawing her attention back to them. "Death!" Theoden exclaimed.

"Death!" the riders shouted and Avelina jumped slightly.

"Death!" Theoden shouted once again.

"Death!" The men yelled again and Avelina kneeled behind the rock and felt her heart read to jump from her chest as the horns were blown.

"Forth, Eorlingas!" Theoden yelled before he urged his horse ahead.

"Death!" his men screamed one final time as they charged out behind him. Avelina stood quickly and leaned on the boulder as she watched them ride down the hill and into the sea of darkness. She saw some fall and said a prayer for each one. Tears filled her eyes when the sounds of the horses trampling the orcs filled her ears. She closed her eyes tightly before she turned away and slid down the boulder before she pulled her legs close to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. The horse she rode slowly made his way over to her and nudged her bent knee. She looked up at him and his eyes sparkled.

"Why did I follow them?" she asked in a whisper. "So I could watch them all die?" The horse snorted and shook his head. He reminded her a lot of Sigeric but her horse was more special to her even though the one before her brought her to her desired destination without a fuss. A horn sounded that she had never heard before and she once again stood and looked out over the field what met her eyes she was not ready for.

Very large creatures, the size of Sandria's largest castle, with long noses carrying men of some kind marched towards the riders. Her eyes widened when she saw the line once again formed by the riders. They were going to try and fight them. Surely they would be crushed. They charged on, some were crushed like she knew they would be and others were knocked away by their spear covered tusks. The creatures were overtaking the men and her hope began to fade.

Her eyes were drawn to the sky when a loud screech filled the air. She looked up and a black dragon like creature began to descend on the men. She followed its path and spotted King Theoden on top his horse. Her eyes widened and when his horse was thrown and he from it by the black dragon, only to have his horse fall dead upon him she screamed and covered her mouth. She looked away then and fell to her knees. She was no longer able to hold back her tears and they fell freely from her eyes. Rohan's king was lost and now she only hoped that the king's nephew and niece survived the fight.