Why must I always underestimate things? Well, not always nor all things, but the things that matter. I had ridden longer distances before, of course, but after riding almost non-stop for two days, I was second guessing my decision to go on this journey. I tried to find things that would keep my mind off of the fact that I would be riding more than I would not be riding for the Gods know how long, and found that taking in my surroundings did the trick quite well.

I always thought of the Riddermark as a beautiful wasteland of sorts with its rock formations and lack of greenery for a big part. Bearing in mind the fact that I would not see it for quite some time if ever again, I found new appreciation for it. I had always loved looking at the sky, be it day time or night, full-on blue or cloudy, its beauty and changing nature fascinated me.

I was riding next to Olfete and we would soon stop for the night. At this pace, we would reach the border tomorrow night and we would make one final camp there before I would go my separate way. Olfete and I had fallen into a comfortable silence and I looked up at the starry sky, trying to find the patterns in the stars I would so often do.

'Your mother would have been proud, I will have you know that,' Olfete said solemnly. When I looked over at her I found her already looking at me and I swear her eyes glistened more than usual. I was not ready for this conversation, it sounded like a goodbye too much already.

'Thank you. I would not have become the woman I am today if it was not for her,' I smiled, 'and you,' she looked taken aback at this, but then smiled back at me.

'Thank you. But I think you mean you would not have became the girl you are today, my dear,' and people wonder where I had gotten my retorts from. We both laughed and the comfortable silence returned once again.

/ / /

The camp was set and I took in my surroundings for one last time. I had not bothered packing a tent of some sorts as I was way too impatient to set one up. I would just make do with my cloak and perhaps even sleep on Hefric after tonight. But tonight I shared a tent with Olfete one last time. I was just not ready yet to head inside and get that much needed rest.

I was looking around at the people I considered to be a part of: I may have been born as a Gondorian noble, but I had grown up to be a Rohirric woman and I was more than fine with that. Olfete told me many times about the differences between Gondor and the Mark and she told me that the people of Gondor value their titles and bloodlines more than the people of the Mark. It did not matter here whether you were kin to the King or not, everyone had to pull their weight to support the Mark. Everyone knew Theoden King had spent hours in the gardens, hours on the fields, hours in the bakeries and hours at the houses of healing to show us he does not feel as though he is above us. Denethor would think Theoden to be a weaker man for that, but not many would share his opinion. No one in the Mark would. Theoden King does, in turn, not think highly of Denethor, which made sense to me. Another reason why I had kept my secret from my King. A campfire not far off our tent caught my attention as there was no one seated around it and I walked over and sat down. This would be my last campfire for quite a while as it would be foolish for me to start one during the rest of my journey. Great way to attract unwanted visitors.

But tonight, our number was great and we felt confident we would not be attacked. We were still on the safe side of the border. Yet I felt uneasy when I sat down beside the fire, but I shrugged it off thinking it was normal to feel this way before riding off into the Valar knows where. I had made it a habit to carry my bow and arrows with me, even in the safety of camps, and I was making sure the string was still tight and hadn't gone loose. Then I applied an oil of sorts that made sure the wood would stay flexible. From the corner of my eye I saw Ryce sitting down beside me. He was younger than Eomer and was one of his trusted riders in his eored. Ryce was my best friend. The thought occurred to me that Ryce had sought me out every night so far and I wondered if he just enjoyed my company, or if there was another reason. A command from higher up, perhaps?

'Aldin wanted to give you back your dirk, you know. For your… mission,' he started. That was another difference between Gondor and the Mark, Olfete had once told me, there was almost no secrecy here, especially not in matters that had impact on all of the mark. So I was not surprised that Ryce knew what I was going to do. I figured the whole Eored would know by now.

'Did he? Why? He won it fair and square and it has been in his possession for quite a while now,' I said. I laid my bow down on the ground close to the fire so the oil could be soaked up and gave Ryce my full attention.

'He figured you would not have a new one yet, as you rarely made use of it anyway, and he also figured you would need one. But then, of course, Eomer overheard him talking and said there was no need, that he had already given you a dirk. I wagered Aldin that he gave you his,' I smiled. They had always liked to wager things.

'What did you wager him for?' I asked. Now he smiled.

'You would not approve,' he said and winked. I raised an eyebrow.

'Am I that sensitive? Go on, tell me,' I had not seen that Aldin had joined us before he spoke up next.

'To have the first dance with you upon your return,' Aldin said with a big grin. I pretended to be shocked. I was not going to ruin this last moment of carefree banter with thoughts of more realistic things, such as the doubts I had if I would even return.

'Boys, boys. It is not up to you to decide for me whom I have my first dance with, cause you will need my permission for that. However, it has been some time since I was the subject of your wagers and if I remember correctly, Aldin won the last. Truth would have it so that Eomer, indeed, gave me his dirk, making Ryce the victor. Now you have equally won and lost wagers concerning me and I must ask you to never include me in one again,' I laughed as Aldin looked sad and Ryce smiled broadly.

'So you will dance with me?' He asked.

'I will dance with you,' now they both laughed.

'You see, we wagered you would say that. Aldin said you would agree and wagered that if he was right, he would win the second dance with you,' now I did not have to feign shock. They were so cunning. After the initial shock I laughed.

'You are too calculating for your own goods, horse-lords,' I said, but no response came.
When I looked up, I saw that the atmosphere had changed in the camp. I saw Aldin held his sword a little too tightly for it to be casual, and Ryce had done the same. I looked beyond our campfire and saw all the men were pretending to be in conversations, pretending to move bags around, but in reality, they were on high alert. I had seen this once or twice before and I knew something was about to happen. How long had I been unaware of the imminent danger? Or was I not as unaware as I thought, as I had felt restless from the moment I sat down at the fire? Ryce motioned me to stay where I was and go along with their pretending, so I did. But where was Eomer? I had not seen him in the camp yet tonight.

'I can only hope your dancing is as good as your cunning, because I wish my toes to survive the night,' I said. I did not like this waiting game one bit.