Fay stopped for only a second with Legolas to look at the sun.
"A red sun rises," Legolas spoke, "Blood has been spilt this night."
Fay thought the worst of it as they ran on. Aragorn crouched down to inspect some tracks when there was a loud thumping on the earth floor, hoof beats. They quickly hid between a stone a boulder when a cavalry appeared. Aragorn was the first to get out from the hiding spot and into the open.
"Riders of Rohan!" Aragorn called, "What news from the mark?"
Fay watched as the leader lifted his spear and the entire group turned, heading straight for them. Fay backed up a little, running into Gimli. Those faces did not look at all friendly. They encircled the four of them, pointing their spears. Fay, as if instinct, pulled out her sword. She saw Gimli tighten the grip on his axe as the leader pushed to the front.
"What business does two elves, a dwarf, and man have in the Riddermark?" The man's voice was strong and young, "Speak quickly!"
Fay looked behind Eomer and saw a hooded figure.
An Assassin she thought in awe.
Her attention was back on the leader as he dismounted after Gimli spoke.
"I would cut off you head, dwarf, if it stood but a little higher from the ground," He emphasized the word dwarf.
Before she could even blink Legolas had armed his bow, more offended by the comment than Gimli. The horse men surged forward, directing their spears closer to Legolas. Aragorn stepped between the leader and Legolas, lowering his bow.
"I'm Aragorn, son of Arathorn," He spoke kindly, "This is Gimli, son of Gloin, Fay, from the Shire, and Legolas, from the Woodland realm. We are friends of Rohan and of Theoden, your king."
The man's facial expression made a sudden change.
"Theoden no longer recognizes friend from foe," he removed his helmet, "Not even his own kin."
The spears are withdrawn from them, making Fay release a breath she didn't know she was holding. She inspected the man in front of her. He was definitely good look and well built. He held himself like a leader, like a prince. When she looked into his hazel eyes she could see a great deal of pain and sadness.
"Shadow," Aragorn spoke making Fay jolt back to reality.
The hood dismount and walked to stand beside the prince. When she pulled her hood back her dark brown lock blew in the little wind.
"How did you know it was me?" she asked.
"We have traveled together for years," Aragorn smiled, "I would have to be blind and senseless to not know every detail about you."
Lothiriel nodded her head from side to side as if to say true, true. He walked forward to give her a hug as if he had been waiting for a millennium to do it.
"You scared me so badly," he spoke.
"I'm sorry," she smiled, "I'll try my best to not almost get killed again."
He laughed with her making Fay smile at the happy reunion.
"So what are you doing?" she asked, "Where Frodo and Sam? As well as Merry and Pippin? Boromir?"
Aragorn let out a sigh.
"Frodo and Sam departed to head to Mordor on their own," Aragorn answered, "Boromir fell in battle and the Uruk-hai had taken Merry and Pippin. We are tracking them."
She watched as Lothiriel and the prince stiffen a bit.
"You know of the Uruk-hai," Aragorn said, staring at Lothiriel.
She dipped her head while the leader spoke, "The Uruk-hai are destroyed. We slaughtered them during the night."
"But there we're two hobbits," Gimli said worried, "Did you see two hobbits with them?"
"They would be small," Aragorn now spoke, "Only children to your eyes."
"We left none alive," Lothiriel said, "Although I did see something small in the midst of the fight. We piled the carcasses and burned them. I checked every body before burning them. None of them were smaller than a hobbit.
"Perhaps they are still alive," Fay said, little hope in her voice.
"It's possible, but slim," she said, "If they made it into the forest they wouldn't survive a day in there."
"We must hang on to hope," Aragorn said, "It's all we have left."
"In that case," The prince whistled, "Hasufel! Arod!"
Two horses appeared. One brown and one white.
"May these horses bear you to better fortune than the former masters," He said, "Farewell."
Lothiriel held Aragorn's bicep, "Find Merry and Pippin but be careful who you trust. This land is crawling in darkness."
She mounted her horse, but before she left Fay called out, "You're not coming with us?"
"I'm sorry, Fay," Lothiriel said, "But my mission is not yet finished."
With that she pushed her horse into a gallop and caught up to the prince in seconds. The mounted and rode to the black, burning carcasses. They quickly dismounted and Aragorn inspected the ground.
"A hobbit lay here," He said, following the tracks, "And the other. They crawled. Their hands were bound."
He picked up a rope, inspecting the edges," Their bond we're cut. They ran over here...and were followed. The tracks lead away from the battle! Into Fangorn Forest."
"Didn't Lothiriel say they would not survive?" Fay asked.
"We must hope they are still alive," Aragorn said, darting into the forest.
As they went deeper the forest turned darker and felt sicker. Gimli touched a leaf and put his finger in his mouth, spitting.
"Orc Blood," Gimli spat, "The air is so close here."
"This forest is old," Legolas said as if speaking from experience, "Very old. Full of memory...and anger."
Fay wondered if Legolas and Nyna had come here at one point. Her thought was cut short by loud bass voices from the trees. Gimli and Fay both took out their weapons, obviously frightened.
"Gimli! Fay!" Aragorn silent yelled.
He made a hand signal to lower their weapons.
"They have feelings, my friends," Legolas said, "The Elves began it: waking up the trees, teaching them to speak."
Her looked Fay in the eyes for only a second before turning away, making Fay blush.
"Talking trees," Gimli said, "What do trees have to talk about, hmm? Except the consistency of squirrel droppings."
Fay giggled by Gimli's comment. Aragorn and Legolas walked a little ways ahead, speaking in elvish.
"I hate it when they do that," Fay grumbled.
"Do what laddie?" Gimli asked.
"Speak in elvish," She said, "I feel left out."
"It's alright," He pat her shoulder, "I don't understand either."
They stood behind them as soon as Legolas spoke of the White Wizard.
"Do not let him speak," Aragorn said, "He will put a spell on us."
He began to unsheathe his sword, Gimli tightened his hold on a small axe, Legolas fingered his arrow, and Fay lifted her sword.
"We must be quick," Aragorn ordered.
They turned quickly, blinded by a bright light. Gimli threw his axe and Legolas shot, but the Wizard blocked the two weapons easily. Fay and Aragorn's swords steamed red, making them drop it from the heat.
"You are tracking the footsteps of two hobbits," The voice of Saruman spoke.
"Where are they?" Aragorn ordered.
"They passed this way, the day before yesterday. They met someone they did not expect. Does that comfort you?"
"What did you do with them?!" Fay screamed.
She ran forward, but was blocked by Legolas.
"Who are you?" Aragorn asked, "Show yourself!"
The light dimmed and Gandalf appeared with white hair and a white robe, gripping a white staff. A stunned Legolas and Gimli bowed down to Gandalf. Fay and Aragorn were to dumbfounded to move.
"It cannot be," Aragorn whispered.
"Forgive me," Legolas said, "I mistook you for Saruman."
"I am Saruman," Gandalf said.
Fay's eyebrows knit together.
"Or rather Saruman as he should have been."
"You fell," Aragorn spoke.
Gandalf explained what had happened as Fay continued to stare. She couldn't believe Gandalf was alive. He had been one of her closest and only friend that lived out of the Shire. She had thought she lost him forever, not even getting to say goodbye. When Gandalf had finished speaking to the others he walked towards Fay. She finally felt the bones and muscles in her body as she rushed forward. She threw her arms around his waist, taking in his scent and his warmth. A small tear trickled down her cheek.
"I missed you so much," She murmured.
"I am here now, Fay," Gandalf said, "You need not worry."
They continued through the forest as Gandalf explained the forest to them. About Ents and Merry and Pippin. They finally walked out to an open field and Gandalf released a beautiful whistle. A gorgeous horse appeared, running towards them.
"That is one of the Mearas," Legolas said in awe, "Unless my eyes are cheated by some spell."
"Shadowfax," Gandalf patted the beautiful horse, "He's the lord of all horses, and had been my friend through many dangers."
The mounted their horses and rode through the grassy plains. Heading straight for the Rohan kingdom.