Ok. Fine, I give up! Here is a NEW chapter and the Knights are in here I swear. I added to the end of the last chapter as well, as I explained in its author's note at the top, if the beginning of this chapter doesn't make sense. This is also one of my longest chapters yet. I have the next one started now so don't worry it won't be as long to come as this one was. Hope you like it and forgive me the wait. Enjoy!

It was early noon when they drew near. Many noises could be heard from the Wall. Small patches of tilled earth were on their side with some people tending to them. The giant gate was open to allow three shepherds and their herd through. There were two wagons a couple feet behind them. Sentries patrolled the top of the Wall and walked its lengths. The roofs of tall building poked above the rise to reveal a medium but high settlement within.

"That's it?" Gandalf breathed.

"That's it" Ilara answered without awe in her voice

"How do you suggest we go about it then?" Aragon questioned.

"We should leave before nightfall."

"Till then?" Faramir was still looking at the Wall.

"Till then we should observe our surroundings. Finding options for leaving would be well worth the time, should things take a turn for the worse" Legolas reasoned. The rest agreed with nods before returning to a more sheltered spot for their long wait. At least it would give them some time for actual sleep of which they had had little the night before. After tying her horse to a nearby branch she found a relatively dry spot and lay down using her arm for a pillow as she wrapped herself in her cloak. In mere moments she was gone to the world.

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Ilara had looked tired when he saw her that morning but now she looked absolutely exhausted. She would need the sleep she was getting; he only wished he could do the same. Instead of even attempting to rest Faramir got up and walked to the edge of their area. He stood there looking down at the little happenings and the questions he had asked her earlier cam back to his mind. He knew she was keeping much to herself, they all did, but he still wanted to know what was going on inside her head. What had she been doing early this morning? What had she and the Woads talked about the previous night? Why wouldn't she tell them? It reminded him of how things were before they had finally vanquished Sauron.

Then that lead to another interest. She said that their greatest enemy had come from her world. How many others like him could there be there? How many were actually like her? Could they all use magic as she had or was it like in Middle Earth where there were only some like Gandalf who could wield such power? He hadn't had much time to think on this before. Now he wasn't exactly sure he wanted to. He sat cross-legged on the grass and pulled his cloak about him and continued to stare.

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"What do you think" Aragorn asked "about this whole situation?"

"I think there is much we do not know beyond our own world" Gandalf replied. "I believe there are things she is not telling us, whether to protect us or to protect herself. Either way I do not believe we will find out before we leave this hill. Is that what is troubling you?"

"Mostly, yes. We all recognized the signs of battle this morning. Ilara said she had gotten the clothes the only way she could. I believe she did. Why would she keep that a secret? We have all been in battle and have done things we didn't like, she should know that."

"That does not make it any easier to tell, though. I feel there is more to this journey than she has told us. Something before she came, perhaps. Ilara has been somewhat withdrawn from us in company and conversation. Speaking when needed and keeping to herself when not. I have seen this side before in other warriors. I have no doubt she has seen and lived through many hardships."

"I agree."

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Legolas had decided to rest with his back to a tree and had made sure it was a place he could still see the others, especially Ilara, who had been on his mind since that morning. He had his own suspicions of where his clothes had come from as well as the others. Unconsciously his fingers moved around the hole in the front of his shirt. There was still a faint smell of blood to it that he had tried not to notice. He watched her sleep now. He felt no danger from her but he didn't trust her completely either, sure the feeling was mutual. After a quick glance at the others Legolas held his bow firmly and closed his eyes.

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It was darker when she awoke. The others were stirring now as well. Their faces showed that rest had not come or had not come easily. That was fine with her as long as they could make it through this. Her own muscles were a bit sore from lying on the ground in the cold but a few stretches loosened them up. Taking the rains of their horses they began down the hill in silence toward the Wall. She pulled her hood over her head and used her hand to hold it close to her face while they passed through the gate with others on their way home.

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The streets, if you could call them that, were crowded as the people went to and fro. Children were running in between the legs of animals and people alike showing many times experience while their mothers tried to catch them and their fathers talked in corners over drinks. That was good for them since drawing attention was the last thing they needed with a bunch of patrolling soldiers. As they neared the gates to the garrison Ilara motioned for Aragorn to walk by her side.

"Here it is better if a man is leading. They will think less of us that way" she explained. He stayed by her side until they were at the gates where he moved to walk ahead of her. The bars to either side were lined with Roman soldiers with two standing in the open gate itself. At their approach they crossed their spears.

"What do you want" asked the one on the right.

"We are here to see the Knights" Aragorn answered.

"What's your business with them" the other asked gruffly.

"Urgent."

"That's not an answer" he barked.

"What we have to say is for the Knights and for them alone."

Just as it looked like more than an argument was going to happen a man came out the building they were trying to get to with a quizzical look on his face. The guards parted a little as he approached. Apparently he was a man to be reckoned with.

"What's going on here" he asked and looked from face to face before returning to the guards.

"He says they need to speak with you about something urgent, sir" the man stood a little straighter.

"Do they? Well, lucky for them they have good timing. Let them through."

The guards exchanged a look before allowing the four to move forward. The man motioned for them to follow and they did.

"Sorry about that. Things have been relatively tight around here" he actually turned and winked at Ilara as they strode into a large circular room. In the middle stood a round table with many chairs around it and a fire brewing in the middle. Also around the table were more men.

"Gawain, where have you been? I'm starving lets go" a man yelled across the room in their direction.

"Your always hungry Bors" he laughed back. "I was taking care of something at the gate. These people seem to have something to say to us. Where's Arthur?"

"Here," a man in armor this time had just walked into the room and closed the double doors behind him. "What is this about?"

"We need your help for something you will not find easy to accept" Ilara had taken a step forward.

"Please, enlighten us then" Arthur moved to a chair.

She retold her story for the third time and was becoming quite practiced at it by now. As she spoke she gauged their reactions. It began with grins that soon became laughs from some while others adopted ones of deep thought. Either way it didn't seem to be going as well as the first two times. They had no reason to believe her. What proof could she give them when their questions came? That part came only too soon.

Thanks for hanging in there with me. I know it was around three months wait, sorry. Don't forget to R&R!