Author's Note: I'm sorry for my lack of updates, lots of stuff has gone on, moving, new job it's been chaos. But here's a chapter, I'm working on more now! Let me know what you think!

Lots O Love,

Breaiden0413

Chapter Four

It was shortly after the funeral for Théoden's son, I remained outside with Gandalf, and we were currently outside the tomb Théoden was kneeling outside the tomb he held a single white flower.

"A Simblemeyne. Ever has it grown on the tombs of my fore bearers, now it shall cover the grave of my son. Alas that these evil days should be mine. The young perish….and the old linger. That I should live to see the last days of my house" Théoden said forlornly.

I felt my heart ache, the line of Théoden was no more, but he had Eowyn yet, but she was not of his line, his niece maybe…but not his blood daughter.

"Theodred's death was not of your making," Gandalf said quietly.

Théoden began crying, I had to avert my eyes, crying was never easy even more so when it was a grown man. A grown man that was ever so strong. I wandered away from Gandalf and Théoden but even then I was able to hear Gandalf's voice carry in the wind.

"He was strong in life, his spirit will find its way to the halls of your fathers."

He stated a prayer but I did not hear its words, I was already dashing to a figure in the distance made clear by my spirit's vision. I got there just as a figure fell off the side of an enormous horse, I caught him just before he hit the ground. He was out cold. He was also filthy as was the young girl atop the horse. The horse was tired as were the two young ones. Carefully maneuvering the boy so he was on my back I whispered quietly to the horse and urged him to continue, the girl wasn't in much better shape. Quickly we ushered them inside the main hall, Théoden had barked orders for food and blankets. Quickly they were brought, and the girl and boy were devouring the food, if I were to guess neither of them had eaten in quite some time.

"They had no warning, they were unarmed. Now the wild men are moving through the west fold, burning as they go." Eowyn stated.

Théoden had his head in his hand, he was frustrated, and he wasn't even able to mourn his own dead.

"Where is mamma?" the little girl asked Eowyn.

She lay a blanket over the girl's shoulders and motioned for her to be quiet. I frowned slightly, she didn't really have good people skills.

"This is but a tasted of the terror Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven mad by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Drawn him away from your women and children. You must fight," Gandalf urged the golden king.

"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak. Eomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their King," Aragorn added.

I sat beside Legolas on the floor as he leaned against the pillar. Gimli sat at the table with his mug of beer and his pipe. It was the first time that we really had been able to have a moment to relax. Théoden rises from his throne, looking tired and nearly defeated.

"They will be 300 leagues from here by now. Eomer cannot help us. I know what it is you want of me…but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."

Aragorn looked slightly irritated. I could feel the tension in the air and it was making the hair on the back of my neck rise.

"Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not," Aragorn said flatly.

It got so quiet you could hear a pin drop, the two men locked eyes and squared off.

"When last I look…Théoden, not Aragorn, was King of Rohan."

Gimli decided to let out a loud burp and looked rather embarrassed. Part of me wanted to snicker, and a part of me thanked him for the distraction.

"Then what is the king's decision?"

"By order of the king…the city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep." Hama announced to the People of Rohan.

I found myself trailing after my former master with Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli not far behind. Gandalf was muttering angrily, clearly upset with the Horse King's decision and I seconded it.

"They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king?" Gimli asked.

Aragorn looked defeated but the gaze in his eyes…I knew he too was irritated by the decision.

"He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past." Aragorn argued.

We had followed Gandalf past the many people in Rohan to the stables.

"There is no way out of that Ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he's leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre. Théoden has a strong will, but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan."

Gandalf had walked right to Shadowfax's stall, I knew they were to head out but I was hoping not so soon. I was quite fond of them both and we had only just gotten them back. Gandalf looked at Aragorn.

"He will need you before the end, Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you."

Aragorn took a steadying breath.

"The defenses have to hold." Gandalf stated.

Aragorn looked resigned but determined.

"They will hold."

Gandalf was stroking Shadowfax murmuring to himself.

"The Grey Pilgrim. That's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of Men I've walked this earth, and now I have no time. With luck, my search will not be in vain."

Gandalf mounts Shadowfax and we all stand aside to give him room.

"Look to my coming. At first light on the fifth day. At Dawn, look to the east." Gandalf says sternly.

"Go," Aragorn said nodding and holding the gate open.

Gandalf takes a steadying breath before Shadowfax bounds out of the stable at some outspoken call. I watched the White Wizard ride away on his noble steed. Part of me ached to go with him on another adventure but I was needed here.

I soon found myself in a room in Rohan in the main hall. There were people scattering about getting ready to leave they were packing and bustling about. I sat down on a mattress that was on a bed wanting nothing more to succumb to the sleep that was beckoning me. Legolas seemed to have found me and looked at me with a soft smile.

"It's so tempting to pass out," I murmured softly.

"We're nearly there," Legolas assured me.

He stood in front of me his fingertips ghosting across my cheekbones. I leaned forward so my head rested on his stomach, I felt him rumble in quiet laughter beneath me and he held me for several moments. For that small time it was just us, no war, no one needing us, nothing…it was peaceful. But shouts from the windows outside broke us out of our trance and we were soon brought back to reality. No words were communicated but he held out his hand and hauled me off the bed and we headed to aid the townspeople in packing their things.

I glance behind me as we traveled across the plains of Rohan. There as a line of people as far as the eye could see. People brought wheelbarrows, cots and trunks of things. I hoped nothing would happen to their town while we were away, I dread to think of the things that they had left behind since they had to leave at a moment's notice. The weather was relatively good, the sky was clear and there were seldom clouds in the sky. The sun was warm and inviting, the cat spirit in me wanted to sprawl out on the grass and take a cat nap, much to her disappointment when I told her we weren't able to stop. Ahead of Legolas and I Gimli was riding on Arod and being led by Eowyn, even from my distance I could hear them speak of dwarf women. They were speaking and suddenly the horse took off, he gallops off and throws Gimli to the ground.

"It's all right. Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate." He said.

I laughed. Legolas and I were side by side with Aragorn and Théoden, both men were smiling widely.

"I haven't seen my niece smile that big for a long time. She was a girl when they brought her father back dead. Cut down by Orcs. She watched her mother succumb to grief."

She was smiling at Aragorn the wind in her hair. If I hadn't known better I'd figure the girl had a rising crush on the Dunedain.

"Then she was left alone, to tend to her king in growing fear. Doomed to wait upon an old man who should have loved her as a father." Théoden said sadly.

Part of me felt for the girl, but she was clingy in her own way. It annoyed me to a point. Before long we stopped at the edge of a lake for lunch. Aragorn and I sat side by side as we rested our aching feet. Eowyn was coming around with a pot of stew and a bowl.

"Gimli?' She called.

Gimli shook his head and held his hands.

"No, I couldn't. I really couldn't."

She nods and walked Aragorn and I, Aragorn was cleaning his sword.

"I made some stew. It isn't much, but it's hot."

She filled a bowl and passed it to Aragorn. I couldn't help but notice she offered none to me. I saw Aragorn take a taste and grimace.

"It's good," he assures her.

She looked relieved and started to walk away. I snickered quietly. He jabs me in the side with his elbow and was about to dump the bowl on the ground when Eowyn turns around.

"My uncle told me a strange thing. He said that you rode to war with Thengel, my grandfather. But he must be mistaken," Eowyn said slowly.

I blinked in surprise.

"Théoden has a long memory. He was only a small child at the time," He murmured.

"Then you must be at least sixty," She commented amazed.

I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Aragorn beside me look embarrassed and was trying to nudge me to keep me quiet.

"Seventy? But you cannot be eighty!" She exclaimed,

Aragorn glared at me.

"Eighty-seven."

Eowyn's face lit with recognition.

"You are one of the Dunedain. A descendant of Numenor, blessed with long life. It was said that your race had passed into legend." She said softly.

I looked at my hands at that, it wasn't exactly not true. There were few of us, even now at this age, many had passed away or taken ships to the Grey Havens.

"There are few of us now," Aragorn said quietly.

"The Northern Kingdom was destroyed a long time ago." I added quietly.

I got up from my spot and stood beside Arod, the stallion was all too happy for my attention but I felt Eowyn's eyes on me, burning with questions.

"She's a strange girl," I heard her comment.

I heard Aragorn snort.

"She's is different than most of us here, but she is kind and strong-hearted."

Eowyn's eyes still burned on my back. As if she was trying to glare in my soul.

"She doesn't talk much," Eowyn said slowly.

She was trying to pry for information and we both knew it.

"She talks to those she trusts," Aragorn said shortly.

"You seem close with her,"

Ah so that was why. I felt Legolas come up on the other side of Arod.

"Something on your mind? He asked.

"The Shield Maiden pries for information. She's smitten with Aragorn," I said grinning.

Legolas smiled and shook his head.

"She will have a rough time, Aragorn is difficult to crack, especially when it involves those he holds dear."

I smiled at him.

"We've been friends for many years."

"She's so young," Eowyn argued.

Aragorn smiled softly, grinning, slightly laughing on the inside, by any indication of his face. Legolas had saddled on Arod and the two of us were walking past the pair. I looked at Eowyn who glared back at me, trying to push me into submission. I smiled softly at the attempt.

"Eowyn of Rohan, I'm old enough to be your grandmother," I said.

Her face fell and her eyes widened to that of dinner plates and we walked off leaving Aragorn to her barrage of questions.