Chapter 12 the masked rider

Dawn stood it was near dawn, she laughed silently it was near dawn, Dawn, okay corny joke but still, somehow funny. Hmmm…oh well what she needed now was to find her companions. She walked, and then to her amazement, she saw something move. She stopped withdrew her arrow, and watched as it reared its hind legs. Something fell off it was a horse. She heard a grunting voice; it was that of an orc. She ran towards, them. When she came arrived at the scene of crime, she saw a beautiful black horse, and one ugly ass orc. She withdrew an arrow, before the orc had time to speak she shot. The horse was still rearing and bucking. She went over and pulled on its reins. She took off her veil. She did not know why, but she had worn it the whole time. The few orcs, who had escaped her, called her the masked woman. That made her think of Zorro, and Antonio Banderas, wait come back to reality. She held the reins firm in her hand; the horse became calm, and looked towards the ground. She followed its gaze and met the eyes of a man. He beckoned to her and she came to his aide. Whether he was evil or not, killing human was strictly forbidden, according to Buffy, and to her rules too. The man had a gigantic wound, he had a glossy face beaded with sweat his whole body was shaking a blood protruded out of his mouth, and he took her hand in his.

"Y-you are the ma-ssked woman, the orcs speak of?"

She looked at him, he didn't have much time, but she did not want to upset him so she answered his questions. She moved him so he lay in her arms.

"Yes."

"You are not evil, like we thought, the orcs said you were a servant of Sauron, dest--troying those who disobeyed him. I can tell now you are not evil, your eyes are too kind and innocent."

She smiled at him; it was good to know the orcs were scared of her.

"You-u have a beautiful smile, take my horse, Silvermane, he will obey you," He stopped and whistled for the horse, and whispered something into his ears, and then put the horse reins in her hands. "Silvermane is his name, look to the south, yo--u will find my people there. Show them" he coughed up some blood and then began to stutter not finishing his sentence. "Ride to Edoras, tell E---."

His eyes shut; she took his sword and placed it in his hands, and took the orcs weapons and surrounded him, with them. She didn't know his name, but he trusted her. She whistled and Silvermane came towards her. She took off his saddle, and left a blanket on his back. Arwen had taught her to ride like this. Then quickly began to pack her weapons on him. The turned to see some of the weapons the guy had left on the horse, and then put them back on there, and then gathered whatever else she could use. She mounted him and headed south. There she saw men pilling carcasses; she pulled her veil over her face, and rode towards them.

Éomer watched as a figure appeared on a horse, a black horse, she was cloaked in black, and she wore a veil. Every orc tribe they had crossed has spoken of her; she was the masked rider, a servant of Sauron, and a woman no less. She had many weapons, she was bathed in blood, most of it was black, yet on her arms, there was red blood. He looked towards one of companions, and spoke quietly,

"The masked rider approaches, she is strong, and is a servant of Sauron, she will know of his plans, we must capture her or kill her."

With that, they all climbed upon their horses and headed towards her. Dawn withdrew her axe there were a lot of them, oh well, this wasn't her time to die yet, and she felt it. She was going to live; she then pulled out Elrond's sword. Their was a clash, of swords, she quickly realized these were men, and she didn't aim to kill them, she only knocked them off their horses, or hit them slightly, causing minor damage. This ruined her, they surrounded her, the first man she had knocked of his horse, approached her. He took off his helmet. He had blonde hair and sort of a mustache thing going on, he looked pissed, okay maybe knocking him off his horse wasn't such a good idea. Because on top of knocking him off his horse, he apparently seemed to be their leader, crap she thought Great…he wore the same armor that guy did. The same horse symbol was on his belt. Seven men held her arms, while two removed her swords, and axes, all her jewelry all gifts of the dark lord as they called them He approached,

"I am Éomer son of Éomund, what business do you have in Ridden Mark?"

Dawn looked at him she gave him the nickname Sir Sweaty and looked him in the eyes, sternly.

"My business is my own…" Éomer looked at her, her eyes were dark, and she had stared of a great warrior. "A dying man told me here is where I would find you."

omer then remembered he had sent of his men to chase after an orc, that he had ridden the last remaining black horse of Rohan. Silvermane, he thought silently, Sauron had taken many of there beasts, mainly the black ones and bewitched them so that they only pay heed to their dark lords. A test he thought, he would whistle and call the horse's name, if it did not answer, and she was indeed the masked rider of Sauron.

He then looked towards the horse, and whistled and in a commanding voice said, "Silvermane!"

The horse did not move its eyes followed every movement of the young woman, who was now being tied with ropes.

"You bewitched Akamunds horse? Then you kill him as well, what do you know of Sauron? Speak quickly and know your words, will determine your fate."

What the hell she thought, she couldn't "bewitch" some damn horse, that guy told her to come here, he told her that the horse would fucking trust her? Now she was gonna die, aw hell no! She looked at him she defiantly said.

"I will speak to no one but the king of this Realm, about the news I have come to give."

Perfect, not to much or too little said, she didn't say she was evil, and well obviously this guy worked for the king. The news it could be good or bad, but she couldn't do any harm, without any weapons, in theory.

Éomer looked at her, then debated, if she was to tell of some news of Saruman or Grima, the king would realize his mistake. The girl had to kept alive.

"Bind her legs and arms; carry her on your horse."

"My lord Éomer, what of her horse?"

He thought silently, the horse would be sufficient proof, to his claims

"Rope him, make sure he cannot escape!"

The horse put up such a fight that he looked to see the girl laughing at him, she rudely scoffed

"He will only let me touch him, if you wish to keep the horse unharmed; you must let me ride him." Her fierce blue eyes eyed him mockingly.

Éomer did not like to do this, but nothing else could be done. He instructed his men to throw the girl on the horse, with her feet and hands bound, then tie her legs to the horse, then place a rope like noose around her neck and tie it too the saddle of another horse. Any movements on her parts would cause the death of her horse, or the death of herself. Then the guys who were taking off the countless weapons she had, noticed the two daggers shoved into her leather tight tank top.

"Sir, she hides two daggers, in her tunic, should we take them?"

Éomer gazed at her for a second, she was a lady and doing that too a lady, well it was forbidden, but then again she was a servant of Sauron.

"Remove them," he said carelessly, although a little apprehensive of doing this to a woman.

Dawn had up till that point forgot about the daggers; they were pressed into the tank top, sort of a last resort weapon. There was no way on hell they were going to feel her up! She struggled against the men who tried to take them out of her shirt. Éomer dismounted his horse, came to her, and told them to hold her still. He then holy shit, he did it, unlaced a bit of her tunic, and grabbed them out. He looked at her anger reddening face. She did not show any kindness to his fallen companion, and why should he show her any. He left as she was and ordered her to be tied up.

Okay thought Dawn as she would being tied to Silvermane, and then watched as a rope was placed around her neck, and tied to a guy's saddle. Any escape plans were terminated any movement on her part, would cause the horse to die. Let's face it she couldn't get that far on foot. On the other hand, her to choke, this really wasn't a choice at all. She then glanced down at her chest, you could see a good deal of protruding breasts, great, not only was I accused of being evil, and a murderer, now I'm basically shirtless! Shit well these circumstances sucked!

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Aragorn then asked Éomer about the rider.

"She is a woman, cloaked in black, her face is always covered. The orcs always spoke of her; she is Sauron's watcher over his servants. She kills those who do not obey him, and continues to kill those who stand against her dark lord. She killed one of our companions, took the last remaining black horse of Rohan and bewitched him. She is going to our lord king Théoden, to tell him news that she brings from the dark land of Mordor."

Aragorn, now thought of Frodo and Sam, she may have news of them, of his plans,

"May she be brought forth, so that we may look upon her? We too have heard of this masked rider, we wish to see the face, of the girl who has brought death to many." Aragon replied carefully, not wanting to reveal any detrimental information of the fellowship, or the ring concealed and carried by Frodo.

Éomer nodded, and told them to bring the girl. At first, a man came, towards them, behind him on his saddle, there were many ropes, and there sat a girl. Her face covered in a black veil, she wore all black, and her body was blood stained. Her shirt revealed some of her chest. Her eyes were dark midnight blue, she had been gagged. She did not move when she approached them. Aragorn looked at this girl, she was strong, he could feel her growing power, none of her hair could be seen, the only skin they were able to see, was that of her arms, her shirt which had been left untied, and her dark eyes. Legolas looked upon this girl with wonder, she rode a black horse, and her shirt had been untied revealing most of her chest. She was indeed covered in a great deal of blood, and sat silently, not looking at anyone but up towards the sky, as if waiting something to appear. Most likely a Nazgul, to bring her into the security of the dark land of Mordor. He narrowed his eyes, he listened as Gimli, cursed the girl to a painful death. However, she did not seem to hear anyone or look at anyone she seemed to be in a different world. He looked quietly at her, as Aragorn began to question her, she did not answer, and her eyes remained fixated upon the sky. He looked down towards the other men, there lay her weapons, she had a great deal from what he could tell. He then looked and saw a silver axe handle. He called Gimli and pointed towards the horseman

"Gimli, is that not your axe, that you bestowed upon Lady Dawn on the day of the departure?"

Gimli looked at it quickly and then he gazed at it slowly,

"Yes it is, do you think this masked rider, may have killed Lady Dawn?" Gimli said roughly, trying to conceal the anxiety through his voice.

Legolas did not look at him, he looked at the other weapons that they had token from her, he spotted Ethaúþl among them. He looked at it for a time, this masked rider, he now suddenly felt like killing her himself, had killed Lady Dawn.

"Aragorn," he whispered, Aragorn's head turned then Legolas said also in a quiet whisper

"Look at that horseman; at the axe he carries, you recognize it? It was that of which Gimli gave to Lady Dawn on her departure, look their lies her sword, Ethaúþl , the one in which Lady Galadriel bestowed upon her. This rider she may have injured or killed Lady Dawn, we must ask them if we can gaze upon her weaponry."

Aragorn faced Éomer, telling him they recognized some of the masked riders weapons, he told him that they think she might have killed another one of their comrades. Éomer let them look upon her weapons. They found among them many weapons that were from Rivendell, the necklace and ring of Aragorn. Legolas began to demand to the girl, if she had indeed killed Lady Dawn. The girl did not answer, she remained silent. Not once had she spoken since they had begun to ride, they told them; two days before.

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Dawn was riding on Silvermane, trying to think of anyway possible to escape. However, she could not think it was then; she was pulled into a different world, her world. She stood there and watched as Buffy began to frantically dig in the sand, looking for her. She watched as all her friends, who she had thought did not care for her. Came to violent sobs. She watched them cry, she watched their lives for every moment after that. She watched as Faith and Robin took their wedding vows. As Xander began to grow distant from the world, indulging himself in books, and becoming a watcher. Xander cried every night for two people Anya, and her. He prayed for them every night, tears came to her eyes. Then came Willlow, Kennedy did not stay true to her, she left her, she abandoned her. Willow cried in silence. Never told anyone the truth, she became obsessed with magic and everyone else's problems, not willing to look at her own. Jiles was old, and tired, he looked tired. He spent many months pondering over books, about about about, the key, he was still trying to find her. Then came Andrew well not much of a change there. Then at last was Buffy, she was sad, and separated herself from everyone, and hid behind work. She had done this before, but never like this. She never left all her friends; she never saw her smile, once. Her death, it had been a lot painful for every one than she thought. Her friends, her family, they were all unhappy. She watched every moment of their life, it was like a quick fast forward of their lives.

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Legolas was going through her things when he came across a ball, Drá§pion, he said silently, it was a light green. Lady Dawn was not dead; she was in fact very close. The Drá§pion, was linked towards Dawn's life force, whenever she and him were close his necklace would turn a light blue signaling her presence. He then fumbled with his tunic, and pulled out his necklace, it shined, it was a light blue. He called Aragorn to him, and explained to him of the Drá§pion. Aragorn then looked at the girl, who sat upon the horse.

"Éomer, I ask a favor of you, will you allow me to unveil this woman?"

Éomer looked at Aragorn strangely but let him do so. Aragorn threw the veil off, to reveal Dawn's brown hair held back, but upon removing the veil, it fell, and blew in the wind.

"Aèrindil," He called to her, her eyes suddenly lightened the black shrunk and they there appeared her blue eyes.

Dawn felt herself being ripped out of that dimension, and brought back to be looking into the fatherly eyes of Aragorn.

"Aragorn!" She said in a hoarse whisper, he ran towards her.

He threw the rope off her neck, and began to tie her top. Éomer quickly moved to stop him, but Legolas withdrew an arrow, and held it level with his face.

"Do not harm her! Lord Aragorn, will explain!"

Aragorn looked at Éomer and then untied Dawn as he explained to him. When through the with the story, Éomer look apprehensively at them.

"Why should I trust your words?"

"If you do not, I swear to you and your men, that battles will be fought for this girl, release her, she bares a great gift, she does no evil!"

"What of the stories from the orcs? What of the man she killed? What of her lies?"

"I did not kill your men, and nor did I ever work for the dark lord. I was on my way to find my companions. I was in Ismaraldis, at the house of Lord Elrond, when I saw terrible things. I saw the death of one of my companions, the capture of two of my hobbit friends of orcs. Then I saw these three talking of which way to go, they said Northern Rohirrim, thus I left Lord Elrond, to confirm is these visions were true….I met many orcs along my journey. I killed many of them; I told them that I was there, to right their wrongs. I never thought they would mistake me for a servant of Sauron. However, I swear to you, I did not kill your buddy, I saw him in the night, I killed the orc who was trying to kill his horse. It was then the man spoke to me, he told me that I was thought to be a masked rider, but I could not be for my eyes were to kind. He then called Silvermane and said something to him, and told me the horse would trust me and me alone. He told me to head south, where I would find his people, and to tell someone, something, but I do not know what, for he died, before finishing that sentence. I give you my word, that I am not a servant of Sauron." Dawn spat towards him in her best your-better-believe-it-voice

Éomer looked at her, as if debating whether or not she lied, her arms loosened, and her blue eyes met his. He looked into them, then his thoughts drifted towards his companion he had been a horse trainer, he had spoken those ancient words, in which a horse would bind itself to whom it was told.

"My companion was right; I see too much kindness and innocence in your eyes." He bowed low, "I hope you will accept my apologies lady Aèrindil,"

He faced his men and told them to give her all the weapons they had taken; he then removed the ropes from Silvermane, and placed the reins in her hands.

"My lady, I advised you not to cloaked in black, and hide your eyes, and ride a black horse, in this realm or any realm. For next time it may get you killed."

Dawn watched as he whistled, two horses came forth he gave the gray one called Hasufel to Aragorn, then, a smaller horse was brought to Legolas it was called Arod. Dawn did not turn to face them, but began to caress Silvermane, as he neighed affectionately, then she began to put her weapons back on him. She didn't listen to what he said, but sir sweaty bastard, well he was beyond a dick, he was on her top 10 who to kill if you could kill humans list. She did not talk to anyone, as she tied her weapons to Silvermane. It was then Aragorn came over. He felt great pain; he had believed that the masked rider, without truly looking at her, was a murder. He watched as she began to arrange her weapons. He walked towards in vain, for she moved quickly away from him. He thought it best not to, anger her more. He sat silently on his horse, as she loaded hers. She began to talk suddenly.

"I was on my way to Rivendell, on the fourth day, Haldir and I was attacked by at what first seemed 20 orcs. Haldir fought bravely, what seemed to be 20 orcs became 50 and more began to come. No matter how many we killed, there was always the same number. Haldir fell, I ran to protect him, he was still alive, and then Aèrindil took over. I slaughtered them all," They noticed the how her voice quivered, and how her eyes became dark, "then Arwen and 5 others arrived, Haldir lay in the arms of his kin. Deeply wounded. I was chasing the last living orc, I remember Arwen telling me to stop, I had cut his body into pieces, and I was bleeding too much to remember what happened next. I remember when I was fighting Areha had lighted up, showing me Boromir's death, I saw him slowly falling. I didn't know what it was, I just thought it was because I was worried did I think of him. At Rivendell, I stayed for 2 weeks. Arwen taught me skills in archery and riding, while Elrond schooled me in languages, maps, and told me ancient stories. One day Arwen and I were running, I had a vision of you three running saying Merry and Pippin were gone. I didn't know if it was real or not, but Elrond told me that when I have visions I should act upon them so I did. I came here. When I was riding through the mountains, I met a small band of orcs, whom I easily killed. I told them and every orc or evil beast that I was there to right their wrongs, for breaking the rules. I admit I was always cloaked in black, and never bothered to tell anyone who I was or why I was there. Then on the fourth day, I was in Rohan, I was attacked during the night. By a band of 30 orcs, they killed Ethapa, so I was sure to return the favor, and hunted them down one by one, killing them all. I walked through these lands. It was night when I saw Silvermane bucking. I ran towards him, an orc, was trying to either ride him or kill him, I did not know, and did not care, he was killed in matter of seconds. It was then I saw a fallen man, he was bleeding he told me to head south to find his people. He told me the horse would trust me and me alone. He died, I rode southwards. There I met those men, they accused me of being a servant of Sauron. I rode two days with them, then I met you."

Aragorn's eyes did not meet hers. She however spoke

"Aragorn, tell me now where is Boromir and the four little hobbits? Are they behind you? Are they hiding?"

Her eyes darted and looked desperately over the hills; she saw no sign of them. Aragorn looked at the red sun and said to her

"The Fellowship is broken, Boromir died in near Parth Galen defending the halflings."

"Its true then what I saw? He is dead, then Merry and Pippin are lost too orcs?"

Her eyes showed great pain, he looked down towards the other hills

"Yes, Frodo and Sam have gone to Mordor alone."

She looked down, and quietly said, "I am too late."

Then there was silence

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Okay so I got more reviews, yeah, I love them I really do, and although there aren't that many readers, I will continue to post for those most faithful readers. Anyone live in Florida? I do Hurricane Dennis brought us 70 mile winds, and people still go to the movies, while its pouring like hammers outside and the wind could blow a little kid away, they still go to the movies! What's wrong with these people? I was drenched from head to toe for spending three minutes to take out the trash! The hurricane ripped off part of our roof so we had to buy a kiddy pool to make sure the water didn't get everywhere. Great news there is going to be an X-men 3 sometime next year, the next Harry Potter movie comes out November 15 I think, and remember this I have the great pleasure of seeing all these movies before you guys do! BWAHA! I actually do have an evil laugh, beware…..review please!