Title: Doubts
Author: Cheska
Rating: PG-13
Chapter 3
Disclaimer: Don't own SM and/or Lotr!
Author's Notes:
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Weariness overtook her whole body when she dematerialized back into the familiar surroundings of the forest. Before her were the towering forms of the Orcs as they tried to fight off the humans on their tall horses. Blades flashed across in the darkness, neighing sounds of the horses and the growls and grunts formulated between the fighters. For a moment she did nothing as the lone woman stood there, merely watching the two sides fight but after some time she recollected the exact reason for her presence. She was not here to observe but to do something…anything to help with the win against the Orcs and mostly to get rid of Saruman's lackeys.
(I must admit that they don't look as if they're losing…in fact, it's safe to assume that they'll be done in just a few short hours. But where are the Hobbits?) Serenity looked around at the grounds but found no trace of the two small hobbits.
As Serenity cautiously and safely moved across the area, she took the time to look around for any hint as to what had happened to those two. Surely, the Orcs had not eaten them seeing that they had taken the care to make sure that they would still be alive throughout the journey. Then again, Orcs are known for their somewhat barbaric nature…they do not care for other races, even their own, and would not hesitate to kill another if they held no use for them. So could it really be…?
"…they couldn't have," Serenity whispered the words only for herself to hear.
As soon as the words left her mouth, a loud neigh could be heard not too far from her position thus earning her attention. She quickly ducked behind a bush and looked out to see a horse side step something and continue after the death of an Orc. Looking down, she noticed a faint movement and soon she could make out the crawling of two beings. Hope crept up her heart after debating as to what it was and finally at the edge of the forest of Entwood near the river, the two raised themselves up and started off for the inside of the forest. That was the last place that she had seen them and her heart appeared to have lightened themselves at the sight of their well-being. Indeed, it should be safe inside the forest since it was better than the outside where the fight still raged on before the pale moonlight.
"It's better in there than out here, I hope…" biting her lip, Serenity turned her attention back to the fight.
Time wore on, Serenity still kept her place without aiding either side, and before the sunlight reached the treetops, the fight was over ending with the Riders of Rohan winning over the Orc bands. A fire started and burnt the corpses of the dead before the eyes of the Rohan and as soon as smoke broke through into the sky, Serenity made her presence known to the group.
"I thank you for your kind help," Serenity bowed to them, her hood over her head as she addressed the men on their horses, "I hope that I haven't troubled you in any way."
"You were the one that tipped us off, were you not?" one of the men that she had spoken to before said.
"I am, I have arrived just recently to see the outcome and it seems that you have managed to get rid of the Orcs," she complimented in turn.
"We are here to serve, my Lady, for we are the Riddermark and the servers of the Lord of the Mark, Théoden King Son of Thengel. My name is Eomer, son of Eomund," Eomer introduced himself as his clear blue eyes stared down at her hooded head, "And who are you, my Lady?"
(Théoden, yes…yes…I remember that he will play a role with the Fellowship in the near future. I suppose that it is from there that I shall play my role in this whole catastrophe.) Serenity inwardly smirked before raising her head up and pulled down her hood to reveal her long mane of silvery blonde hair pulled into a distinctive style of meatballs or odangoes.
"My name is Serenity, my Lord…just Serenity."
"Well Serenity, can we give you a ride somewhere? We have three spare horses with us," Eomer turned to his side and indicated to the availability of said horses.
(I have never ridden one before in all my years…) Serenity blushed inside at her lack of skills but brushed it aside as she nodded and was helped onto the creature.
Taking the reigns, she lightly kicked the sides of the horses after studying the other men do so and followed them in silence.
(It is…not so bad.) She hesitantly commented but deep within her heart, she knew it was not and felt fear creep into her heart. In truth, at every step of the way she could feel worry at the thought of the horse going wild at any moment. And as she believed it to be so, the horse let out a snort of annoyance as it felt his mistress' sentiments flow into him.
"Worried, my lady?" Eomer inquired as he slowed down into a trot by her side.
"Why would you say that, my lord?"
"The horse is a queer being, it can sense your actual feelings of worry that's why it let out a snort and appears to be quite hesitant under your care," Eomer kindly pointed out with a sly smile adorning his fair features.
"Is it that obvious? Truthfully, my lord I have never ridden a horse before in all my days," Serenity confessed.
"Well then, I shall help you…" Eomer led his horse closer to hers and grabbed the reigns from her hands by leaning to the side and from there tied it with his own.
"Thank you…"
~.~.~.~.~
They had been riding for a while before they came out over the pass and towards a clearing. Green grass with the view of the hills could be seen all around the Riders of Rohan and as they began to pass a hill-slope, a voice called out thus startling some of the riders, including Serenity herself. Without a word, the Riders turned back and halted and some of the men drew their weapons towards where they had heard the voices. At that moment, Serenity saw Eomer withdraw his hand on her reigns and left her side to question the strangers that had called them.
"Who are you, and what are you doing in this land?" said Eomer, using the Common Speech of the West.
Serenity edged a bit to the side to get a clear view of the strangers and recognition dawned on her features as to whom they were: the Fellowship of the Ring. She could make out Aragorn, the elf, and the dwarf. She was about to come up to them when she held herself back, biting the bottom of her lip as if unsure of what to exactly do at this particular time. Calmly, she decided to wait and see as to what these three were doing calling attention to themselves. If it had not been for Aragorn to speak up as he did, she herself would have missed their presence.
(It seems that Galadriel has done well in giving them some protection from the eyes of the enemy and friends alike…) Serenity commented to herself as she listened on to Aragorn introduce himself and explain his reason for being in this land. As she quietly hid behind the Riders, she heard Aragorn speak about the Orcs and understanding came to her senses that the three were still seeking out the Hobbits amongst the Orcs.
"…you would die before your stroke fell." She heard Legolas; the elf from Mirkwood warned Eomer as he raised his bow and knocked the arrow, ready shoot when ready. Eomer saw this as a threat at once and raised his sword at the ready while a gasp threw itself out from Serenity's lips.
"Please, they mean no harm!" Serenity intervened as she guided her horse from behind one of the Riders and made her presence known to all.
"My Lady!" Eomer cried out, still not leaving his eyes from Legolas.
"I am sorry; it is not my place to request such a thing from you. But can you not see that they mean no harm?"
"She speaks the truth; we intend no evil to Rohan, nor to any of its folk, neither to man nor to horse." Aragorn surveyed the scene as he recognized Serenity.
"Hear them out first, I beseech you…" Serenity said as she steered her horse closer to the companions.
"And maybe to hear yourself out as well," Legolas added as he slowly put away his arrow and lowered his bow.
A small smile followed by a nod was her only answer as she turned her attention back to Aragorn and Eomer who studied one another before Eomer lowered his blade.
"I will, but wanderers in the Riddermark would be wise to be less haughty in these days of doubt. First tell me your right name."
At this point, information was changed between the two. From this interrogation, Serenity found a great deal in turn over her request that Eomer hear the man out. She found that Eomer was having trouble within the borders of his King. In turn, Serenity had also found out that Aragorn and his companions had yet to catch up with the Orcs from days ago since she has left their side. Just as she was about to settle comfortably in her seat upon her beige horse Aragorn threw back his cloak. Shock enveloped her body as she gazed down at the bright blade of Anduril. Amazement covered her from head to toe; she had heard of the legendary sword from centuries ago during her time of solitude amongst the stars and knew of Aragorn's heritage and destiny. Still, seeing such a beautiful blade in front of her and to be held with such confidence and dignity was still amazing after all these years.
(It is without a doubt, that Aragorn son of Arathorn and the heir of Isildur Elendil's son of Gondor shall be great. It is best that I do stick here, with the Riders of Rohan and with the Fellowship themselves. The Hobbits shall be fine, wherever they may be…) Serenity confidently stated within her head as she nodded and let a smile adorn her face.
As she withdrew from her thoughts, she heard them converse once more as Aragorn warned Eomer over the war that is beginning to start with Sauron. Upon hearing this, she could not help but shake her head in disbelief not at the fact over the war but at how soon that Aragorn spoke of it. She had begun to believe that maybe, the Men of Gondor would not realize it until it was too late; however, she was horribly mistaken. Then her ears picked up the mention of the Orcs once more and Aragorn was questioning about his friends.
"…the Orcs are destroyed." Eomer informed them.
"And our friends?"
"We found none but Orcs."
Just as Aragorn was about to question the matter more, Serenity drew attention to herself as she let a smile slip over her face and she shook her head at Eomer's last answer.
"…do not worry about your friends," Serenity answered, earning confusion to cross over Eomer's face as well as the others.
"You have seen them, my Lady?" Eomer inquired.
"I have, during the fight being waged amongst the Orcs and the Riders I saw the two Hobbits escape into the Entwood itself. They will be fine."
"Hobbits?" said Eomer, "And what may they be? It is a strange name."
"A strange name for a strange folk," said Gimli, "But these were very dear to us. It seems that you have heard in Rohan of the words that troubled Minas Tirith. They spoke of the Halflings. These hobbits are Halflings."
There was a laugh at the appalling tale being spun by the small dwarf and an inquiry whether they may now be walking into legends or children's tales. However, despite that laugh nothing followed when the faces from the strangers remained stoic and unmoved except for a sign of irritation by the dwarf.
"….leave me a while. Tell the eored, to assemble on the path, and make ready to ride to the Entwade." Eomer directed his men off a distance to which they reluctantly followed.
"I shall stay, if I may…for I am quite sure there are still much to discuss between myself and this company," Serenity said when Eomer turned his attention to her.
"Very well," thus he turned to Aragorn and questioned him of his strange tale. Eomer knew that Aragorn spoke no lie but he still interrogated the man to reveal to him about the full extent of their journey. All the while, Serenity listened and maintained the proper expressions that most would find upon her.
(…to act the fool, is to stir nothing when the time comes for it to be so…) Serenity told herself as she listened to Aragorn's tale.
The news of Gandalf Grayhame brought a great interest in the silvery blonde haired young woman. To know that he is quite popular amongst the men and to Sauron as well as the creatures of the dark held great interest to her self. However, as she continued to observe, she recalled that Gandalf was no longer welcome to Theoden, the King because of ill news that the wizard brought with him in their last parting. She inwardly grimaced at the thought that Gandalf would have brought great trouble to her plans but sighed in relief that Theoden, the King had refused to listen to the wizard and sent him away. Much to her amusement, it seemed Gandalf continued to become a menace for the 'wizened' King when Eomer told of how it displeased the King when the wizard took the most precious horse in the stables named Shadowfax.
"…and did the horse ever come back?" Serenity heard herself say.
"Seven nights ago Shadowfax returned; but the king's anger is not less, for now the horse is wild and will let no man handle him." Eomer answered with a gentle face.
"…then Shadowfax has found his way alone from the far North," Aragorn said, "for it is there that he and Gandalf parted. But alas! Gandalf will ride no longer. He fell into the darkness in the Mines of Moria and comes not again."
"This is heavy tidings," Eomer sadly stated.
(It would be best not to say anything of the manner. To tell them that Gandalf the Grey still dwells on Middle-earth. If I should tell them, things will not turn out the way I expect them to be…) Serenity placed a hand to her heart and gave a sympathetic expression towards the company while whispering a word of 'I am sorry for your loss.'
"It is tidings more grievous than any in this land can understand, though it may touch them sorely ere the year is much older," said Aragorn. "But when the great fall, the less must lead. My part in it has been to guide our Company on the long road from Moria. Through Lorien we came-of which it were well that you should learn the truth ere you speak of it again-and thence down the leagues of the Great River to the falls of Rauros. There Boromir was slain by the same Orcs whom you destroyed."
"Your news is all of woe!" cried Eomer in dismay while Serenity clutched at her throat at the memory of the dying warrior. "Great harm is this death to Minas Tirith, and to us all. That was a worthy man! All spoke his praise. He came seldom to the Mark, for he was ever in the wars on the East-borders; but I have seen him. More like to the swift sons of Eorl than to the grave Men of Gondor he seemed to me, and likely to prove a great captain of his people when his time came. But we have had no word of this grief out of Gondor. When did he fall?"
"Today marks as the fourth day since he was slain," Serenity answered the question with a saddened face.
"…and since the evening of that day we have journeyed from the shadow of Tol Brandir," added Aragorn while keeping a sharp eye on Serenity.
"On foot? And how does the fair lady know of such a date?" Eomer inquired.
"Yes, even as you see us," Aragorn nodded in answer, choosing to answer the first for the moment and leaving the second for a later date.
"Strider is too poor a name, son of Arathorn," Eomer's eyes widened in astonishment at the news, "Wingfoot I name you. This deed of the three friends should be sung in many a hall. Forty leagues and five you have measured ere the fourth day is ended! Hardy is the race of Elendil! But now, lord, what would you have me do! I must return in haste to Theoden. I spoke warily before my men. It is true that we are not yet at open war with the Black Land, and there are some, close to the king's ear, that speak craven counsels; but war is coming. We shall not forsake our old alliance with Gondor, and while they fight, we shall aid them: so say I and all who hold with me. The East-mark is my charge, the ward of the Third Marshal, and I have removed all our herds and herd folk, withdrawing them beyond Entwash, and leaving none here but guards and swift scouts."
(What he said now revealed much. It turns out that a war will soon be brewing indeed but…it has not been declared as of yet. There is still time…for both sides to gather up enough troops and reinforce their grounds.) Serenity filed this little side-note in the back of her head before continuing to listen to the conversation.
As she gazed upon the two conversationalists, she gained knowledge that Saruman had already chosen war with the East-mark over their land for months now. Not to mention that Saruman had great allies such as the Orcs, Wolf-riders in which she has not seen as of yet, and evil Men that chose to side with the Great-eye as well as the powerful wizard. As she listened intently Serenity noticed how Eomer's eyes seemed to be filled with great hope that maybe just maybe the men with him now would be able to put his mind at peace.
"…My Lord, do you hope to have these people come with you back to Théoden, the King?" Serenity tentatively asked.
"Yes, I do," Eomer's eyes fell from hers and back to Aragorn and the silent dwarf and Elf, "Will you not come or do I hope in vain?"
"I will come when I may," said Aragorn.
"Come now, then!" said Eomer.
Before long, Eomer described the problems that plagued his land that drives to the outcome of the battle that Serenity herself witnessed through her eyes. That the battle of the Orcs took place in the borders of the Entwood that lasted for such a long time. The outcome ended with fifteen men dying along with twelve of their horses but despite it all, they managed to win. Eomer tried to convince the Company to aid him but in the end was faced with an elegant refusal by the Heir of Elendil.
"Why don't you come with him when you know that the Hobbits are safe?" asked Serenity.
"We must see for ourselves, my Lady, to be sure with our own eyes that they are safe and away from harm," Legolas spoke up.
"Then shall I come as well, to fulfill what I have failed to do in the past?" Serenity inquired, speaking of when she was within their company days ago ever since Boromir's death.
"It would be best if you should stay with me," Eomer intercepted; all of a sudden, feelings of worry crept into his heart at the sheer mention that the fair Lady that he had just met would leave him.
"Yes, stay where it is safe for the time being my Lady," Legolas agreed.
"I will let you leave, that is a fact. But I ask that you return with my horses, to which I lend to you, over to Entwade to Meduseld, the high house in Edoras where Theoden now sits."
"We shall return them," Aragorn nodded.
Eomer then gave orders that the spare horses were to be lent to the strangers. However, the one out of the three companions that did not have a horse was Gimli, the Dwarf, for he refused to ride on the beast. However, after much persuasion, Gimli ended up sitting behind Legolas on his fiery horse named Arod.
"Let us hope that your travel will bring you peace. I am quite sure that you will find great wonder in your journey," Serenity bid them farewell upon her fair horse.
The three companions flew none but one looking back and only to gaze at the golden blonde-haired woman who stood afar. Before long, the horses brought them afar and through the horizon, thus leaving the Riddermark and Serenity by themselves in Rohan.
"Let us take our leave," Eomer silently stated, placing his callus hand softly upon Serenity's elbow to steer her back over to her horse.
To be continued…
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Bah, not much here I'm afraid. Seems to me I cannot quite grasp the true wonders of this SM/Lotr fic compared to the other fanfic writers out there who managed to transform it into great wonders. ^_^;; I suppose that GW/SM is my true forte…*sighs* but I'll keep trying…and hopefully it can transform into a becoming and enchanting tale…^_^