'It is the orders of the king for strangers to see the king before roaming the lands. Will you come to Edoras with us or will I be forced to make a decision I do not want to make?' Eomer asked.

Anna broke through the circle, atop a chestnut horse who would have pushed through on his own account if let to do so. 'We will not go to Edoras,' Anna boldly told Eomer. She then turned to Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. 'They might have stolen away. I do not believe the tales from these warriors who have never seen a Halfling.'

'Who gave you permission to take one of our horses?' Eomer asked offensively. 'Or to speak so finally over a matter that is not in your hands.'

'They are horses with no riders and we are riders with sore feet,' she stated. 'Let us ride quickly to the ashes and if we see that our friends are lost to us, then we will come to the king.'

'I would guess Eomer would have a hard time trusting one who took a horse,' said Aragorn. 'Perhaps we can set a trade as Wanderlust might do.' Aragorn eyes twinkled knowingly at Anna while she looked back with misgivings. Eomer wondered at this eye contact but it broke when Aragorn's gaze came back to Eomer. 'If you allow us two of your horses, we will leave the girl with you in safekeeping. We will come back for her when we return the horses.'

Anna's eyes blazed dangerously, the flicker in them flashing wildly. 'You will not deprive me of searching for the hobbits!' she told Aragorn. 'I have followed this far, I will not now stop.'

'I will not have you look upon the ashes of your friends,' countered Aragorn.

'I have seen far worse than ashes,' she spat, remembering years spent west of the Misty Mountains.

'Nevertheless, you will go with Eomer.' Aragorn came closer and grabbed a strap the horse Anna rode. 'For once, you will act like a maiden. You will follow the commands of the one to which you pledged your service.' Anna looked hard at the reins in her hand.

Aragorn left her and made final decisions with Eomer. Legolas came up beside Anna. 'We will come back as soon as possible. It will not be that bad,' he assured.

Anna exploded. 'Not that bad! I am being traded for a horse!' She waved her arm dramatically at Eomer and Aragorn.

'Two, my lady,' Gimli said slyly, acting as if it was a privilege. Anna just squinted at Gimli.

'You will come with me,' Eomer said to Anna and held out his hand to take her reigns. She tightened her grip and stirred her horse away from the rest all while muttering a curse under her breath that only Aragorn would understand. He smiled hearing her mix the Rohirrim language with the old tongue of the Dunedain probably form the inadequate teachings she received from both. 'Men and their arrogance will cause them to walk off a cliff, thinking they can fly and still crowns will be placed on their crushed heads!'

'You picked the right horse,' Eomer's picked up. 'This is Dagnir. He is only just tame and you might have difficulty giving him orders, as with Rohirrim women,' Eomer added with a grin.

'I am no Rohirrim woman,' Anna was finally able to say. She tucked her hair behind the proof. 'I am a traveler.' Eomer stared at the elvish trait, having to change his view of her once again.

'Wanderlust,' Aragorn called and Anna responded. At last, Eomer understood. 'Do you have any advice that can guard us?'

Anna set her lips in a line. 'Do not upset the woods when you are with in the branches' grasps,' she said, looking toward Fangorn. 'There are fell creatures within the forest. And if you meet the white wizard, attack before he can peak.' With that, she gave a last glance at the three and turned her horse away, following Eomer's men to the population of Rohan. Only Legolas could guess what was going on in her head for it was he she looked on the longest. A mischievous glint of a plan glared at him but for only half a second and then was gone.

They each went their separate ways, Aragorn's head already bent, carefully looking at the trail. Gimli was the only one who looked back as the riders of Rohan galloped away, their spears held proudly up and Anna's head held prouder. 'Do you think she will be safe with them?' he asked, probably expressing more than one person's thoughts.

'The Rohirrim are proud soldiers. They will keep a legend safe,' Aragorn replied, letting the astute realize why he had called her wanderlust.