A/N: Well here's another chapter. This story is far from over. Enjoy. There's not really a cliffhanger but I hope you guys keep reading.

Threwen felt her nose tickled with the sensation of the aroma of stew. She blinked her eyes open and saw only sky above her, a million stars twinkling in the vast stretch of space that is only able to be viewed on the clearest of nights.

"You gave me quite a scare."

Rannyn! The handsome young man was sitting by the fire, stirring a pot of great smelling stew. The horses were grazing nearby and they seemed to be out in the middle of nowhere.

She tried to sit up, only to find that a red hot pain scorched her shoulder and left arm. She winced and fell back on what felt like a pillow, but was actually a blanket stuffed into an old shirt.

"Where are we? What happened?" Her head throbbed as things rushed back and she once again struggled to get up. "The Rider, he…his blade it…I…I killed…"

Rannyn came over next to her and gently pushed back down. He smiled soothingly at her and said, "Just rest. You've got a pretty bad wound there. We're going to head back to Edoras tomorrow."

At this Threwen really did sit up. She knew that she could not do that. "No, I need to get out of there…I can't…I…" She started breathing heavily.

Rannyn shook his head. "I need to get you help. You're pretty beat up. I just need to find a way into the city. The Riders are still banished you know…"

Threwen blinked. "No you're not."

He looked at her strangely. "What?"

Threwen sighed. She supposed she'd better fill him in on the happenings of Edoras recently. The King and Gandalf were still debating about what to do. She, of course, left out the details about her being a secret spy of Saruman and working with Gríma Wormtongue, the very man Rannyn had cautioned her about.

Rannyn seemed to brighten at hearing this. "Well that's great. We can head straight into the city and get you help and then…"

Threwen interrupted him. "No. I'm not going back."

He looked at her, puzzled. "What? Why not?" He studied her for a moment and then asked quietly, "Does this have something to do with the Rider who attacked you?"

Threwen swallowed hard and then nodded slightly. She did not want to go into this, especially with Rannyn. She was scared he would be disappointed in her or angry or…

Wait…why do I care? I don't have to tell him anything. Besides it doesn't matter. He…he doesn't…matter…

But no matter how hard she tried to push any emotion for him out of her head it still came rushing back. Here he was again, taking care of her after she'd been attacked out on the plains of Rohan and he cared for her. No matter how much she told herself that he did not matter to her…he did.

"So," Rannyn said after an awkward silence. "Where, then, do you plan on going?"

She looked up. He hadn't tried to convince her she needed to go back to Edoras. Why? "Um…well…"

He smirked. "You weren't planning on telling me, were you?"

Threwen shook her head.

He stoked the fire quietly, making Threwen squirm at his calm manner. "Well, we'll set out tomorrow and you can lead the way."

She turned to look him straight in the eye. He was sitting next to her and looked right back. "You're…we're…what?"

He was dead serious. "Where ever you go, I'm following. I'm going with you."

Threwen bandaged her shoulder and cleaned it out. Though it was painful she knew it would help it. She'd had to take care of herself for a while. She detailed to Rannyn where they were headed and they were about to set out when Rannyn made a realization.

"Wait…we're going…but that's the way to…"

Threwen nodded and finished for him.

"Fangorn Forest."

By afternoon they had reached the edge of the woods. Rannyn seemed nervous about entering a wood that he had heard so many dark rumors about. Threwen, on the other hand, was a pillar of composure. This place had been her home once. She wasn't afraid.

Rannyn cleared his throat as they entered. "So, um, telling me again why you want to come here."

Threwen sighed. "I lived here for a while." She ducked underneath a tree branch. "Watch out for…"

Whack!

She whirled around to see Rannyn on the ground, his face red. His horse calmly bit a piece of old grass nearby. Threwen couldn't contain herself. She burst out laughing.

He scowled at her. "It's not funny!" he rubbed his cheek tenderly.

She held out her hand, the one that didn't hurt, so that he could get up. He glared at her but was about to take her hand when his eyes widened at something behind her. He fumbled for his sword and yelled at her.

"Threwen, look out! Behind you!" He scrambled to his feet, his eyes open wide, his trembling hand clutching his sword.

Threwen calmly turned around and saw what he was gaping at and then sighed. "Rannyn…"

"Don't worry, just go. I'll…um…take care of this…" He gulped and motioned for her to leave.

"Rannyn!"

"Seriously, Threwen, you're injured and this thing is…big…"

She threw up her hands. "Rannyn! Stop!"

He looked at her, puzzled. "What?"

She motioned at the hulking thing behind her. It closely resembled a tree, a willow, but it had eyes and a mouth and was moving. It had moved up behind Threwen and was now eyeing Rannyn with a raised eyebrow…er…leaf thingy situated about his eye…

"This," she pointed him, "is Willow. He is an Ent."

Rannyn looked from one to the other, Threwen's calm expression and the Ent's strange appearance. "An…an Ent?"

Threwen nodded. "A tree herder." She smiled at the creature.

"Miss…hroom…Threwen," he said slowly, a sparkle in his eyes. "Welcommme, hmmm, back."

End note: Well then. You have met the Ent, Willow. Now, how does Threwen know an Ent? How come he seems on friendly terms with her?