((All right, so my original intent was to let Lyris go out with a bang at the Battle of the Black Gate, but I've found myself wondering if it might not just be more fun to go AU with it. And it's all your fault too. I really have appreciated your reviews though, and really I'm flattered that you liked the story. I hope this installment lives up to your expectations, and thank you soo so much... here's what I've been able to churn out in the meantime. ;;))

It was a day for battle, a day that made the blood sing as it rushed through my veins.

"Arise! Arise, Riders of Theoden!"

Even as I followed Eomer into battle, the words of my king echoed out across the fields of Pelennor, ringing in my ears. His voice was strong, strong and clear as it had ever been, and though I rode away, I did not have to strain to catch it. "Spears shall be shaken- spears shall be splintered! A sword day, a new day, as the sun rises!" Eomer raised a hand and we came to position, rearranging ourselves and lowering our spears. The Orcs, who had noticed us by now, hunkered down as well, meeting our cold stares as our beloved king rode before our ranks, spreading his luck into our spears as he clashed his sword against them. I felt the surge of his blade against my own spear, and I smiled grimly, tightening my grip. "Ride now!" he cried as he continued his charge. "Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin, and the world ending!" He finished and turned to face our armies, pumping his fist into the air. "Death!"

"Death!" we shouted.

"Death!"

"Death!"we echoed.

"DEATH!"

"DEATH!" arose our thunder.

Theoden turned to face us, then whirled to face our enemies. "FORTH, EORLINGAS!"

A single horn took up the kings order, followed by ten, then my own and twenty others, then fifty, then every horn present let its strong voice ring.

Our charge was slow at first, but we gained speed, every horse in motion, every one in tune. We pounded forward, those closest to the king pulling ahead, forming our entire force into a deadly arrow. I rode beside Eomer, Redylfeld and Hirithlas' hoof beats thudding as one. The Uruks let fly as we approached, and a Rider fell beside me, but our charge could not be slowed. We pressed on, eyes full of fire.

As we approached, I noted the Orcs' eyes widen with grim satisfaction. "For Rohan!" I shouted as I ran my first kill through, and continued bashing my way into the Mordor ilk. I, Lyris, daughter of Eormis, was back in my element, a first since my king had fallen to Grima's poisoned words. Now, the world was aright once more, and though I knew I could lose the man I loved, I embraced the battle with my soul.

Eomer and I were separated, but that was no matter. I trusted him and he trusted me, and so we continued our assault, our forces spreading out as our momentum slowed. The carnage continued for an hour or so when suddenly, the battlefield seemed to grow deathly quiet.

I yanked my sword from the Orc who had just received a fatal stab to his heat and turned upon noting my king's stunned face. My eyes widen impossibly as I saw the behemoths who had captured his attention- Mumakil, creatures I had heard word of, but never seen. They were giants, oliphants decked out in the garb of war, groups of soldiers atop their backs. I felt my mouth drop at the sight.

"Merciful Illuvatar," I heard someone whisper.

"Merciful indeed," I murmured and spurred Redylfeld forward, horse and rider of one mind. We charged with a group of others, I drawing my bow and firing as Red worked to keep me on her back whilst maintaining a steady speed. I released and ducked as she darted through the Mumakil's legs, circling around and running from the creature. My eyes fell on Eomer and we picked up speed, racing for him. Hirithlas slowed his pace just enough for Redylfeld to catch him, and then Eomer wheeled him around, as I did with Red.

I saw Eomer's eyes fall on the Southerling general, raising his spear and adjusting his grip. He waited a moment, two, and then threw it, impaling the man through the heart, sending him down from his perch, ripping into the Mumakil's ear and bringing the animal down. I watched in awe as it crashed into a second, flattening more than a few Southerlings under it. I looked to Eomer as he turned to me, a faint grin upon his features.

"Not a word," I warned.

Eomer laughed and turned, drawing his bow and fitting and arrow. "Aim for their heads!" he commanded, and we were quick to follow. I heard Theoden's call to bring the animals down as well, and I heeded it, burying two missiles to their shafts in the eye of a beast.

We then continued to fight valiantly, dispatching Orcs as we maneuvered our way around fallen bodies until Theoden called us to him. We rallied, and then I heard the cry that changed our kingdom.

Like a black arrow out of the sky, a winged beast of the Nazgul swept down upon the King. I turned to Eomer with a cry, but he was nowhere to be seen. Rather than waste time looking for him, I galloped in an attempt to protect my liege, but the Nazgul picked him up within seconds, tossing him like a rag doll even closer to me. I felt my blood begin to boil, and I snapped Redylfeld's reins, moving in front of the fallen man, my sword drawn.

"Liomen! Stand down!" I heard my King call, but I heeded him not. I swung at the fell beast's head as it snapped at me, but Redylfeld shrieked in abhorrence, and the jaws clamped down on her throat. "RED!" I screamed, fighting to disentangle myself before she went down. However, the head of the monster caught me about the middle, launching me spinning into the air, to land with a sick thud yards away. I lay there, too shocked to continue, gasping to find my breath. The pain was incredible, gripping my body in its cold grasp. Eomer... Where was Eomer?

"Eomer," I whispered as the darkness claimed me.

When I awoke next, sunlight was streaming in through a window, illuminating the white stone that was all around me. Heavy blankets covered me, and it seemed as though every bone in my body was screaming in outrage. I tried to prop myself up, but let out a groan of pain and gave up, letting myself fall back in the pillow, gasping for breath. As I panted, my ears caught whispers in the hall.

"My King... Liomen... he... she's a... a woman."

I feel the breath catch in my throat, staring at the ceiling, face paling considerably, only now realizing my hair was down. My secret... Theoden knows… Suddenly the road I'd always imagined lay before seemed to vanish into dust. The life I thought I was destined to live crumbled into dust, destroyed by a simple accident. Still, I did not regret the decision I'd made- if the king lived, my goal had been completed, and I had done my duty. In fact, perhaps that fact alone could save me. Perhaps the deeds I'd done during battle-

I broke off my thoughts as Eomer and Hama entered the room. Eomer's was uncomfortable, and Hama's uncertain. Despite the searing pain in my limbs, I forced myself up, suddenly extra-conscious of the linen wrapping I wore about my chest, revealing my gender. I winced, waiting for Theoden to enter and the blow to fall. However, it never did, and I looked up in surprise. "Where... where is the King?" I didn't bother to mask my voice; Hama knew.

"Eomer, son of Eomen, is your King now," Hama said gruffly, gesturing to the poor man. I met his eyes in shock, unable to believe it. The King has fallen? No... Eomer nodded, and I felt a punch in my gut.

Memories of my charge to defend the king assaulted me. I had failed. Despite my advancement and my battle to be on top as an equal or better to any man in the force, I had failed in a Rider's paramount task, failed to protect my liege. Was I, then, inferior? Was a woman, in reality, weaker than a man? Had I been wrong to fight against such gender bias all these years?

Was I, finally, weak?

"Leave us, and tell not another soul." I looked back up as Hama glanced to his new King and nodded, pulling the door shut behind him as he left. Eomer began to pace, my eyes following his every move. Finally he stopped, and looked at me. "Lyris..."

"I understand if you must expel me," I said lowly, casting my eyes down. "Now that the men know..."

"Dammit, Lyris, I'm not kicking you out." His pacing quickened, and I could almost feel his agitation. "I don't care what they call for me to do. You're my best soldier- I just don't know how the hell I'm going to take going to the Black Gates without you."

"What?" I sat straight up in bed, my eyes fixing on him. "The Black Gates? Without me? No, my liege, that simply will not do." I threw off the covers, looking around for my clothes. Eomer averted his eyes, his face still turning slightly red at the sight of me. I rummaged around in the drawers, cursing softly. Now where did those damned healers put my gear…

"Lyris, you can't go. There's no way." Eomer's tone was firm.

I stopped and looked at my new King, raising a brow. "I thought you weren't expelling me?" I challenged.

"I'm not," Eomer snapped. "I'm telling you that you're not going." He began to pace again. "This is a fight to the death. I don't know if there's any coming back."

"All the more reason for me to accompany you, then." I found my trousers and pulled them on, wincing slightly at my ribs. I must have broken a couple. Oh, well, no matter. I'd worry about it later. "If you're heading into death," I said, looking up to meet his eyes, "I'm coming with you."

"No, you're not." He crossed the space between us, taking my hand in his. "Lyris," he pleaded, "If I fall, I need you here at home. I need someone to lead the kingdom in my absence, to make sure the remaining Riders fight the Darkness as long as they can."

"Then leave the kingdom to Eowyn," I replied, meeting his gaze with a stare of my own. "Theoden entrusted it to her before we left for Minas Tirith- your sister will long keep Rohan from the clutches of the enemy. I am not needed."

"You are," he contended. "Eowyn will need a general- you shall be her First Marshal and trusted advisor."

"And husband?"

Eomer winced, and we both sighed. It was common knowledge that the White Lady of Rohan was more than kindly disposed to Liomen, son of Eormis- twice had Theoden suggested a match between his niece and his nephew's lieutenant might be generously looked upon. The situation was the envy of most Rohirrim men- a guarantee into the royal family- but to me, it was nothing but a thorn, for obvious reasons.

"No, not as her husband," Eomer conceded. "We will have to tell the rest of Rohan at some point…"

"In our own time, then," I assured him. I glanced down to my hands, which were in Eomer's. I still wore only wrapped linen. "Now… Requesting permission to continue dressing?"

Eomer blushed hotly and turned around. "Only if it's not in your riding gear."

"I'm going, Eomer." I opened a closet and found my tunic, chain mail, and other necessities. I began to pull them on. "And don't order me to remain, for now I am Second Marshal and your intended."

"Which means?"

"Which means now that I'm a woman again, you can't order me around."

"A man reserves the right to guide his wife."

"I'm not your wife yet. And if that's the way you're going to be when I am, you can keep the ring."

I heard an aggravated sigh behind me and I smiled. Victory can taste so very sweet.

"Fine. Do what you will."

I laughed, slipping my mail shirt over my head. Years ago, when I was new to the experience, I remember thinking mail the most infuriating of man's inventions. Heavy, constricting, agitating, and of course it had the impressive ability to always rub healing wounds raw- much like Eomer after he's lost an argument.

Of course, I have come to love them both.

"Are you done?" His voice was testy, but after so many years, I knew he had already moved on and accepted his loss.

"Not by far," I replied, settlingthe Second Marshal's helm upon my head.