Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings is property of Tolkien and there are many references throughout to Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series. I only own what you do not recognize. The character Chinky is not meant to cause offence and is named after a real horse whose name has been shortened from a Fiat Cinquecento (Chinky – Chento).

Part 3: War is brewing

Chapter 23: Flying high

The open plains stretched out for miles in every direction. Everywhere she looked all Amy could see was heather, heather and more heather. Occasionally the sea of purple was broken by large slabs of dull grey rock that seemed oddly out of place.

She still rode at the head of the column with Théoden at her side. She could feel the power coming from the shoulders of the Mearas beneath her, every long powerful stride bringing them ever closer to the massacre that will be Helm's Deep.

The sun was starting to set; it would be their first night away from Edoras. Of course, Amy was no stranger to sleeping rough, yet she could not deny how nice it had been sleeping on the soft feather beds in Edoras.

As the last light cast long shadows over the company Théoden called them to a halt. They would rest here for the night. Amy stretched as she tumbled off Chinky's back and onto the soft ground.

'Ah, it may be boring to look at, but it is very soft!' Amy said to Chinky.

'I know what you mean. I long to gallop on it. It's so springy under hoof.' Chinky said pawing the ground.

'I promise tomorrow we'll gallop, long and hard. I'll even see it there are some gorse bushes to jump, there has to be something other than heather!' Amy said rolling onto her back.

'Great! I haven't jumped in a long time!' The horse said struggling to keep the excitement from her voice.

BREAK

Amy watched with glee in her eye at the four men in front of her trying to get a fire started. As soft as the heather may be, it wasn't good for burning, and there wasn't a decent set of trees in miles.

She couldn't stop herself. Her mouth moved of its own accord. "Having fun?"

Their heads snapped up. Four sets of eyes coming in contact with her innocent black ones.

"Don't suppose there is going to be any help from you?" Aragorn said sitting back onto his heels.

"In doing what? Why do you need my help?" She said trying to keep all emotion other than innocence out of her voice.

"Amy we need a fire." Legolas said leaning over and kissing her lightly on the lips.

"I know," she said lightly. Not bothering to move from her position on her back she raised a hand lazily. A small ball of blue light appeared where the men had been kneeling. The light got bigger and bigger until a flame could easily be identified. Once it was a substantial size she dropped her hand and turned back to Legolas.

"Happy? Look I even made it a pretty colour!" She said trying to pout.

Legolas looked at the elf and smiled. He wasn't angry with her anymore than she was really pouting.

"Come on," he said taking sitting down next to her, "we need to get some sleep."

Smiling Amy let herself be pulled into the warm embrace of the larger elf. She let him lay down before snuggling up to his left side. Feeling him place an arm round her back she sighed and kissed his throat before laying her arm across his belly and resting her head on his chest.

"Sleep well Little Warrior," Aragorn said leaning to kiss her forehead, before lying down and reaching for slumber himself.

Amy relaxed and fell into the light sleep of elves as she felt Legolas's hand run softly over her hair.

BREAK

The scenery didn't change much the next day. Amy as usual was at the front sat high on top of Chinky. The horse bearing her was starting to get jumpy.

'What is wrong?' Amy asked the agitated horse.

'All this walking does nothing for me! These legs are built for galloping not walking. I think I'm starting to seize up!'

Amy laughed and patted the mare's neck. 'Do not worry we will be stopping for dinner soon, when everyone is settled we can go for a bit. I'm sure they won't need me immediately!'

Chinky ducked her head as a sign that she agreed.

BREAK

"Aragorn my friend, do you know where Amy is?" Legolas said starting to get worried.

"I'm sorry. The last I saw her was when she lit the fire. Do not worry she will be here soon. Look she left her bow; she will not go far without that." Aragorn said placing a hand on his friends shoulder.

"Thank you I did not see that. Perhaps she went to scout ahead for a bit, I noticed Chinky was getting quite twitchy. That horse was built for galloping not walking." Legolas said sitting down and taking a quick drink of water.

Gimli smiled and walked over to the elf. "If it is Amy you seek, I saw her walk Chinky in the direction we have just come. She was doing something very odd though. At every bush she passed she stopped and checked the ground around it. I don't know, perhaps she was checking for Orc tracks." Gimli said.

"She wouldn't?" Legolas said to Aragorn.

Aragorn placed an ear to the ground, before looking up and smiling. "She would!"

"What is going on?" Gimli asked.

"Chinky needs a good run and Amy loves jumping on horseback." Aragorn said.

"Horses can jump with riders?" Gimli said confused.

"Yes, but here we avoid it. However, in her other life, before she arrived here, apparently she and the mare were quite good." Aragorn said.

"We should see soon enough. Here they come!" Legolas said standing up.

It was true enough. Most people turned in the direction of the horse once they felt the ground rumble. Within a few minutes Chinky could just be seen galloping.

BREAK

'Come Chinky let us go. I have seen some nice sized bushes to jump. It has been long since we jumped as one. I have almost forgotten how high you can go.' Amy said trotting the mare away from the group.

'I will jump what ever you point me at!'

'Do you think you could clear the one adjacent to the camp?' Amy said slowing the trot down.

'Easy!'

They were now quite a way away from the camp, so much so, that even with Amy's improved vision she could barely see them. They were nothing but tiny smudges on the horizon.

She turned the horse sharply and shortened the reins. Amy could feel the mare tense below her. She had never worn a saddle with her, she had never needed one. Anyway Amy liked to be able to feel all Chinky's movements beneath her.

'Can we go now?' Chinky asked staring at the first bush.

'Hmmm, let me think.' Amy said.

'Tough I'm going!' Chinky said starting to canter.

Amy laughed before urging the mare into a gallop. All the heather mixed into one. The ground was springy beneath the mares hooves making her go faster. They were soon approaching the first jump.

A sense of calm hit Amy as she felt the horse easily go over the first bush. The second and third went the same way. Chinky was not even breaking her ground eating stride.

Soon the last bush was coming into view - the one by the camp. Chinky collected herself up ready to jump. The closer it got, the larger it looked. It looked a lot larger now than when she first saw it.

'I can avoid it if you want.' Chinky said hurriedly

'No,' Amy said loosening the reins slightly so the mare could move her head more.

Amy felt the familiar sensation of flying as the mare kicked off the ground into the air. The wind was behind them pushing them along. Leaning forward Amy could feel the power coming from the horse beneath her as they were now right over the bush.

The ground came rushing up as Chinky's forefeet landed. Not missing a step her back legs landed and she sprang off her haunches and continued to gallop.

Amy breathed a sigh of relief and slowed her to a walk.

'Happy now,' Amy said patting the mare's neck.

'Yes, thank you, I needed that! Though I think we picked up a few spectators!'

Amy shut her eyes tightly before turning round. In the thrill of jumping she had forgotten how close the jump had taken her to the camp.

"Hi." She said sheepishly realizing she looked like a major fool.

BREAK

Legolas held his breath as he saw Amy come up to the bush. There was no way Chinky was going to clear that! It came up to his chest! He knew the horse was big, and a hell of a lot of power came from her hind legs, yet he still doubted whether she could clear that.

His breath caught in his throat as images of Amy lying on the floor bruised and battered plagued his thoughts. Hurriedly pushing those thoughts aside he looked at the horse and rider.

By this time, most people were looking at her as she thundered towards the bush.

"She'll never make it! What is she doing?" Théoden said.

"She might make it." Gimli said.

"What is the world coming to? This is suicide!" Théoden mumbled.

Aragorn placed a hand on the king's shoulder. "She'll make it, don't worry. Look at her banner. Look at it fly. She will fly like that; her and Chinky will be one. That horse will never carry her to her death. Have no fear."

Those words brought more relief to Legolas than the king. It was true the banner was magnificent. Just as Chinky took off the banner seemed to fly even higher, following the Mearas as far as she would go.

Chinky cleared the bush easily, with room to spare. Once she had landed Legolas ran up to her.

"Don't you ever do that to me again!" Legolas said pulling the smaller elf off the horse into his arms.

"It was fine. I wouldn't have done it if Chinky hadn't been able to clear it!"

"Well it made everyone's dinner!" Legolas said still holding her.

"Well done Little Warrior. You truly are a flyer." Aragorn said placing a hand on her head. "Just like your father. The banner flying behind you brought great strength to these people, let's hope it lasts. Come we must go."

BREAK

Later in the day the sun was still shining and beating down on the people. Amy was walking Chinky through the centre of the people trying to keep up spirits.

She was hot and she was not doing anything. She pitied these people walking. Making up her mind she brought Chinky up next to a women walking, carrying a small child and leading another.

"Excuse me. I couldn't help but notice your burden." Amy said.

The lady looked up at Amy and nearly dropped the babe in her arms.

"It is not that bad, my lady. I will be fine."

"If it does not bother you, I would like it if you could ride Chinky here. I assure you she is safe. It will take the weight off your and your child's feet for a while."

"That is most gracious my lady, but I fear I know not how to ride."

"That is no worry. Come we are only at a walk and Chinky will bear you to the end of the world if I tell her." Amy said subtly leading the women and her two children to the edge of the group.

The women looked hesitant, but the young boy at her feet spoke up. "Oh please mama. My feet do ache so, and I can see you cannot carry my sister for too much longer."

Amy smiled at the child and dismounted. "She is quite safe I assure you. Plus I could do with a walk; my back was starting to get quite stiff. If it worries you I shall walk at her head."

The lady smiled and nodded her head. Amy took the baby girl out of her arms and motioned for Chinky to lie down so that they could mount her easier. Once the lady was settled and Chinky was standing up again, Amy handed the babe back.

"Believe me, you will feel better in a bit." Amy said patting Chinky's mane and whispering for her to walk on.

"Thank you my lady, you are too kind."

Amy spent the rest of the afternoon walking alongside Chinky talking to the lady and the boy. The lady was called Aveida, her husband had died in battle at the fords of Isen, and she had been left with two children, the one in her arms barely one summer old.

The young boy was called Jolin and he was six winters, already he was training himself with a bow so he could fight as a warrior when he was older. The smile on his face when Amy let him hold her short blade would warm even the hardest hearts.

All too soon night came, and Aveida and Jolin dismounted Chinky ready to sleep. She had thanked Amy tremendously for allowing her to rest her tired feet for a while. Amy blushed as she was not used to getting compliments.

Sitting herself next to Legolas she slumped a head on his shoulder. He had been up scouting all afternoon and was now drinking greedily.

"That was an honourable thing you did today." Aragorn said offering her a water skin.

"It was nothing. Plus my back was starting to ache from sitting up straight!" Amy said.

"Always the modest one is our Little Warrior," Legolas said trying to mock her.

"Why do you call her Little Warrior?" Théoden asked. Amy jumped as she hadn't heard him arrive. "Surely she could take down a lot in battle."

"When we first met her she was in a clearing fighting nearly thirty orcs single handily. That was before she knew of her power. She was only sixteen, the name stuck." Aragorn said.

The king nodded in recognition before going back and talking to Gimli about the glittering caves.

Amy looked up when she heard soft footsteps approaching.

"Umm, Lady Amy. Thank you for letting me ride your lovely horse today. This is a thank you."

Amy smiled at Jolin as he handed her a handful of heather flowers which had been bound by a thin piece of string.

"Thank you Jolin. It was my pleasure. Chinky said you will be a good rider one day. Go to sleep now, we still have a long day tomorrow." Amy said kissing the child's cheek.

Jolin's grin spread from one ear to another as he sped off back towards his mama.

Grinning Aragorn took the flowers out of Amy's hand and handed half of them to Legolas. Amy sat there while the two men gently tied them into her braids. Smiling she lay her head on Aragorn's lap and fell asleep.

BREAK

The morning was clear and crisp. They decided to start early so that they might get to Helm's Deep before nightfall. By midmorning Amy and Legolas were a way away from the rest of the group. They were standing on the crest of a small mound staring intently into the distance. Their elven hearing picking up the deadly sounds of wolves howling.

Amy strung her bow and saw Legolas do the same as a legion of Wargs came into view.

Calling for Aragorn behind her she released her arrow. Quickly notching another one she could here heavy hoof beats.

"So it begins."