Marie: this is a short chappie but I wanted to update. Oh and I had a question about this: the Dark Riders are neither Nazgûl nor Riders of the Riddermark. They're kind of like the enforcers of Saruman. They are my own creation and sort of look like the Ringwraiths but they're actually human. They have some sort of power to get into your head, given to them by Saruman. Anywho, I just made them up cuz I didn't want to use orcs and the Ringwraiths are preoccupied in Mordor at this time so yeah. A 'lil bit of clarification there.

Rannyn contemplated Threwen's past. Why would she ever want to live in a place like this? How could this be a haven for her? It was…creepy. And it was…old. "Watch out for the trees," she had said. Why? Were the trees alive too, like the Ents? He shivered. This place gave him the heeby jeebies.

Why did that Rider attack her? There had to be a reason. He looked like someone who would be working for… He stopped. Suddenly he recognized the man. He knew he'd seen a few of them hanging around the Gap of Rohan, near Isengard. They work for Saruman. But what does that have to do with Threwen?

What if she has something to do with him…what if she knows the wizard…what if…

Rannyn forced these thoughts out of his mind. No. Threwen wouldn't do that. The Rider was probably just attacking her because she was getting close to Fangorn and Isengard. He was probably just a guard, a security system.

Yeah, that's it.

But he still remained curious of her dark past. There was something she was hiding from him and he knew it.

"Rannyn!"

He jumped. Threwen was gently let down from Willow's shoulder and she slowly made her way over to him. She was still a bit sluggish after being in a fight only the day before. He could tell she was a very durable young woman, but a wound like that was bound to catch up with her.

"Have a nice walk?"

She smiled at him. And for once it looked like a genuine smile. "Yes. We're going back to Edoras."

This surprised him. "Wow, that was a quick decision. I thought you weren't going back."

She shrugged, causing her to wince. Apparently a movement like that hurt quite a bit. "Willow changed my mind."

He raised an eyebrow and glanced at the tree.

Wait, It's an Ent. Not a tree.

"Do you want to rest a bit?" He was still concerned about that injury. It was pretty deep and she needed to let it heal. A jarring ride probably wasn't the best thing for her.

However, she shook her head. "I'm okay. I just want to go…"

Rannyn noticed she had stopped herself and looked thoughtful. Was she about to say 'home'? He had noticed that she had never seemed totally comfortable in Edoras. It was as if she was scared of something, or maybe just cautious. It was like she was afraid of getting to know anyone. She sort of resembled a hermit.

A very pretty hermit…

She started to pack her things up when she noticed Rannyn looking at her. "What?" she demanded. He noticed that her right hand started to reach for her hair, as if she was going to run her hands through the tangled curls but had stopped herself.

He smiled. "Nothing."

She looked at him oddly but didn't say anything to him. She turned to Willow. "Thank you. You've been such a great help."

He nodded to her and she smiled. The Ent offered to pick her up and place her in the saddle. Rannyn had to silently chuckle to himself. She hesitated but then glanced at her shoulder and accepted. Rannyn had to admit that it was a funny sight seeing her lifted up and put on top of Asimma, but after a dark glare from her he wiped the smirk off his face.

They headed out toward the plains, Willow following along with them easily. At the edge of the forest Threwen turned and smiled gently at her old friend.

"Thank you," she said softly.

He seemed to smile back. "Thank you." He had been in need of company lately. She was a welcome sight for the old creature.

And then they set off. They could reach there by nightfall if they made good time. They were returning to Edoras.

End Note: There's still quite a bit to go so I'll keep you posted.