LPOV:

When I saw Kaydriella go after that wretched soul, I knew no good would come of it. But as it turned out, she didn't need my help. The man tried to take off but the horse would not obey him. When I got to the stables some of the hay was on fire, I assumed that maybe Kaydriella had something todo with it. I didn't wish to bring it up so I just helped her clean up the mess. The reunion between Kaydriella and her horse are none I've ever seen before. It was like they were best friends. They looked at each other; not master to steed, but trend to friend; as if there were a deep connection between the two.

"Kaydriella?"

" Oh, sorry Legolas. I did not mean to leave you so that you would clean up all the mess"

"I do not mind but we should head back now. I can sense something has happened, something that requires our presence"

She nods back at me. She finds and empty stall to put her horse and we head back to the throne hall. The king, sitting on his throne is shedding tears of great sorrow. We walk closer to where Aragorn and Gimli stand.

" Aragorn?Mani marte?" (What has happened?)

"The King's son succumb to his wounds from battle"

We all stood in the hall and the only sound echoing though the halls was the cries of a father; a father who lost his son.

"They are having a funeral for him mid day tomorrow. We all should attend to be polite"

We all stay in the hall until Kaydriella is the first to leave. I don't follow her this time, maybe she needs to be alone for a while. There is a small table where Gimli sits and shoves his face with food. I swear, I do not know where he puts all of it. It brings joy to my heart to see some good shed some light on Kaydriella. I know these past few events have taken a toll on her. She is so strong and always has to show it. Perhaps I will go and find her. I would much rather prefer her company to anyone else.

"Pardon me miss, but I am looking for my friend. She is about this high with dark brown hair"

"There are many women here by your description, sir"

"I beg your pardon my lady, Thank you for your trouble"

The both of us nod our heads and leave. If my memory serves me right, that was the niece of the king; the woman Aragorn stopped in the great hall. It looks like she was making preparations for the funeral tomorrow.

Eyowens POV:

I miss my brother. I miss my cousin So much death has come to these lands. I doubt we will ever recover from such a plague. I am glad that those guests chased out that snake of a man, Grima. His constant attempts to win my favor were nauseating. It seemed that the girl with that party had an acquaintance with that horrible man. How could anyone stand him? I have to focus now. My cousins funeral is tomorrow and it cannot be in any way disgraceful. Saruman has taken too many lives of Rohan. Something must be done.

"Something will be done"

I stop in place. Did someone just respond to my thought?

"Yes, I did"

I turn to my left and see a girl sitting on the ledge of the hallway. With one foot off the edge, she looked like she might fall out the window.

"I beg your pardon?"

"My lady"

The girl acknowledges me and bows her head.

"How is it that you can hear what I'm thinking"

"It isn't hard to see how you are feeling"

The girl responds. Is this the "friend" that elf-man was looking for?

"I apologize but I don't believe we have been introduced. I am Lady Eyowen, Lady of Rohan"

She turns her body to face me fully.

"It's a pleasure my lady. I am Kaydriella of Rivendell, defender of Middle Earth; but please call me Kay"

"Only if you call me Eyowen. I saw you in the great hall, I saw your fighting with the others in your party"

"Oh, I wish you hadn't. I am not the most proper when I am fist fighting. I am more graceful with my short swords"

She gestured to the two swords at her sides.

"I am just astonished that's all. You can fight just as well as the others in your company. That is a rare quality in a woman"

"Well I would be lying if I did not tell you that I am half elvish. So I have had many years to perfect my skills"

"You are?"

She pulls a stand of hair back behind her ear revealing her pointed ears

"This is all the proof I have, besides my long years of life"

"Oh my… Forgive me for staring but you, you are just an amazement to me"

"Please do not see me as such"

"But why ever so not?"

"I am not a superior to you. I am not above you in anyway shape of form. We are equals. If you wish to be astonished at me, than you shall look upon yourself in the same manor."

"I apologize, I did not mean to offend you"

"You haven't"

"If you don't mind me asking, how do your companions feel about your involvement in all this fighting?"

"I do not mind; as to my companions, all but one had protested to my participation"

"Was it the elf?"

"No. He was a man, a man of Gondor, who died at the hands of the same beasts your cousin fell too"

"I apologize. I did not mean for my question to become so personal"

"No, do not apologize. It seems no matter how hard we try, everything about this war has become personal. War brings out the worst and best in people. If anything, this conversation has been a small relief for me"

"What makes this war personal to you?"

"Saruman was my teacher before he declared war on Rohan, on the race of men. He was my mentor and I was his student. He did unforgivable things to me, distorted my vision from the truth"

"And what is that?"

"That power is the only thing Saruman will ever care about"

"I see"

"So that is why I say to you Lady Eyowen, your cousin's death will not be in vain. Saruman will pay for the lives he has taken, even if I have to personally see to it myself"

"You say that with such conviction, I am forced to believe you"

I smile at her.

"Kay, there will always be a light of hope with people like you here"

She shy's away from the compliment, but thanks me for it. She is a wonder

"Kay, would you like to help me? I am gathering some things for tomorrow but could use a hand"

"Of course. I am yours to command, my lady"

"Well first, I demand you drop the formalities and just call me Eyowen."

"Very well"

"Now come, there is much to be done"

I grab her by the arm and take her with me down the hall. I have a feeling she might be needing a bath before the night is out, she has a few open cuts that need cleaning as well. While I sent Kaydriella to bathe, the same elf came up to me again.

"Pardon me my lady but I still have not found my companion, the woman I described early to you, have you seen her"

"In fact I have, however, I do believe she is indisposed at the moment"

"Indisposed?"

"Yes. I sent her off to a bath to clean herself up. There were also a few wounds I wished for her to clean out"

"You got her in a bath?"

"Yes?"

"By graces of the Valar, I am utterly surprised"

"Why?"

"She isn't t fond of people telling her what to do, nor does she usually oblige"

"Well I would be lying to you if I gave you the impression of it being easy to get her to bathe. I am actually, at the moment, sending her clothes to be cleaned. In the mean time I arranged for a dress to be sent to her so she may be clothed properly"

"She will not like that. Kaydriella dislikes dresses a great deal. She may violently protest to it"

"You seem to know her so well"

"She is a member of this fellowship, it is my duty to care for her"

"But you seem to care more than just the necessary courtesies of a friend."

"I do not understand by what you refer to"

The elf began to show his shy side. His checks grew a light shade of red when I brought up a deeper connection between Kaydriella and himself.

"I do not wish to keep you, my lady, there re just a few things I must discuss with her alone so if you would point me in the direction of Kaydriella, I would be most obliged"

"Of course. I gave her a room on the far east end. If you go down this hall and take a right after the fifth door, her room is just beyond. The last door in the hall"

"Thank you. I will go see her right away"

"Is that everything?"

"That is all, my lady"

"Than I shall bid the Good day"

"Namaarie"

LPOV:

We have been here almost two days and still I have yet to see Kaydriella. I would like to question her about the fire incident in the stables. If she truly has regained her abilities, then she could be in grave danger; more so than before. I fear that Saruman may wish to capture her once more and this time, finish the deed he started. I cannot let that happen to her. I follow the woman directions and they were accurate for the most part. As I am appraching the room, I hear something. It sounded like someone falling. I run to the door and grab the handle.

"NO! Do not come in here"

"Kaydriella, it is me, Legolas. Are you hurt?"

What could have happened to her?

"I know who it is. I'm fine, I just fe-"

Silence. The last part of her word was cut off and I couldn't hear anything inside the room. I could not even hear her breath. Something is happening and I refuse to stand on the outside of this door and let it happen. I look around and spot a towel sitting on a far table.I dash over and grab it. I run back to the door, again ready to open it.

"Kaydriella, I'm coming in"

"Please do not come in here, please"

Her voice sounded ragged and broken. Something is happening to her, something bad. I knew she would be upset with her but in this case, it was going to be better to beg forgiveness than ask permission. I open the door and see the bath tub turned over. Some water was spilled out of the tub and I see Kaydriella on the other side trying to hide herself. Her backwash to me and her body was on the floor. I took the towel and wrapped around her back. There were no signs of her being physically harmed. I picked her up and carried her to the bed. She was coughing roughly and it wasn't stopping. I sit her in the bed and rub her back as she coughs up water.

"Kaydriella? Kaydriella, Mani marte?" (what happened?)

"I told you not to come in and you did anyways, that's what happened"

"But you were in trouble. How could you expect me to stand idle while there was an obvious sign that you were in trouble?"

Sigh. She sat in the bed for a moment and knew she couldn't be angry with me. She knew how I feel about her, whether or not she feels the same for me.

"Kaydriella?"

"I went under the water. I went under and was practicing"

"Practicing what?"

"I don't know, trying to control the water. I was doing fine. I went up to grab some air and suddenly, something was pulling me down. Pulling me down to the bottom of the tub. I was trying to get out for some air but I just couldn't. I could not see a visible item pulling me down and so I was running out of air. I tried kicking the side of the tub to break it or knock it over. Overtime I kicked the tub, a sharp pain surged through my head. I was abled to turn the tub over and get out. Then you showed up"

"Is that everything?"

"No."

"Well, you have shared this much, it is pointless to try and confine the rest"

"Legolas, when I was under, I saw Saruman. I saw him and he saw me"

There was nothing but utter fear in her voice. Aragorn was right, there is much more to her than I see. The fear in her eyes, I believe her to be afraid of nothing. She would not look at me. She stared straight down as if she were ashamed. I quickly picked her head up from looking down. I looked at her, eye to eye.

"Do not fear Lirimaer, (Lovely one) I will protect you. I will not let him lay a finger upon you. This I swear to you"

Tears swell in her eyes but I do not see them fall. Kaydriella grabbed my shoulder and hugged me very profoundly. She dug her head and tears into my shoulder and embraced me deeply. I embraced her back; holding her in my arms. I leaned into her as she did me. The embrace seemed to last forever, but when it did end Kaydriella smiled at me. Her eyes were a bit puffy from the tears but she looked at me with awe

"Diola lle, Legolas" (Thank You)

"Whatever for?"

"For not listenning to me and coming in"

She leaned into me and just sat in my arms. I could not help but fine some satisfaction out of the occasion. Her being so close to me and leaning on me; it made me feel like the luckiest person alive. She, for the first time ever, willingly let me in. My heart leaped a thousand times.

KPOV:

"Legolas?"

"Yes?"

"I need you to leave now. I must change"

"Very well. But would you like me to wait for you by your door?"

"No, no. Eyowen is expecting me. But if you would like to obtain my old clothes, I would be in your debt"

"I do believe that the Lady Eyowen has left you something to wear"

"Yes but it is a dress. I would rather not wear it at all, however since my clothes have been taken hostage, I will have to bare the burden of wearing the dress"

He giggled at me. He probably knows how much I dislike wearing dresses.

"It is not funny, Legolas. Please, go find my other clothes. I refuse to wear a dress"

"As you wish my lady. You should know that after the funeral, we are meeting in the great hall to discuss our next move. Seeing that you are as much a part of this as we are, it is only fair you have a seat in the meeting"

"Alright, I'll be there"

Legolas bowed at me and left the room. I never knew such an impulsive elf. But then again, he always ends up being able to make me feel better, no matter what. I know my feelings for him might be clustered, but I know he would never hurt me. That is a goof quality in deed.

After the event that had taken place, I expected a restless night. My expectations, however, proved to be wrong for I had never slept so deeply. The dress I wore did not bother me too much either. It was as if Legolas made all the bad go away that night. I truly was in his debt. Eyowen woke me up early in the morning. I helped her make final preparations for the funeral in the morning. The funeral was taking place at noon so there was not a lot of time in between.

"Eyowen, this is ridiculous. I demand that you give back my other clothes. How am I to fight in this?"

"There is no need for you to be fighting at a funeral. Besides, it would make no sense to dirty clothes back on your clean self"

"Surely you must have something other than this"

"Oh you look wonderful"

I roll my eyes at her knowing that she will hold my clothes hostage for as long as possible. What is it with people making me wear dresses? My hair was still wet from the bath but I still would like it out of my face. I begin to pull it back to make a full braid and a protest from Eyowen comes right out.

"Oh you must not do that. You hair looks so much better if you leave it be"

"Are you going to dictate all my choices?"

"No, just the ones I don't agree with"

"You sound like Legolas"

"Is that the elf"

"Yes"

"Hmmmmm. I see"

"I beg your pardon, see what exactly?"

"You and the elf. You are a pair are you not?"

"A pair?"

"Together"

"No, no Eyowen, we are not together. At least not in the manner of which you think"

"But surely you must see the way he looks at you"

"Eyowen, if you do not mind, this is a subject I would rather not discuss"

"But it is absolutely romantic"

"Eyowen I-"

"-I know, I shouldn't pry but from what I see, he seems to like you very much"

"I know he does"

"So….?"

"Eyowen, I'd rather not discuss this"

"I understand, but please do not hesitate to come to me"

I nod to her so that she will drop the subject. I am beginning to understand his feelings for me. But still I am afriad. I know it sounds silly or foolish but this area of life is new to me. All I've ever accomplished is friendships and deep close relationships; never any romantic interests.

After going through many rooms, Eyowen stops and tells me that she is to sing at the funeral. Eyowen sings the song to me. She has a wonderful voice. I wish I could sing like her. I can see tears forming in her eyes. I was told her brother was forced out by Grima's hand; and that he was the lead rider of Rohan. If I understood correctly, he was the one that approached us on our way into these lands. There is so much evil flooding into these lands; all by the same evil hand of Saruman. He will pay for the damage he has caused. There is no doubt in my mind of that.

"Eyowen, you sing so beautifully"

"I am tolerable yes, however, my talents do not come near the voices of the elves"

"I am afraid you are incorrect in you assumption, for I could not carry a tune to save my life"

"I do not believe you. You're just being modest again, that's all."

"No. I'm not. I do not sing, for if I did, all ears would cease to hear"

"Hahaha you sure know how to describe you voice in an intriguing way"

"Come, the funeral is about to begin. I must find a place among my companions"

"Do not worry about that. You and your companions shall stand near me, right near the threshold of the tomb. Here come with m, there is only one thing left todo"

"And what is that?"

"You shall see"

I notice Eyowen's demeanor has much changed since yesterday. but I would be a fool indeed if I ignored the fact that she has to bury her cousin today. Although she ought to be sad today, I still sense a deeper origin of fear and sadness. I cannot pull the memories out of her, but I defiantly know that she has more to her than meets the eye. After walking a bit, we arrive at a small room filled with jewels. She reaches at a circlet and walks to a mirror on the other side of the room. She places the gold ring on her head ever so perfectly and then turns to me.

"Now I am ready"

Eyowen's eyes show me her true feelings and I know exactly how she feels. When Boromir died, it broke my heart; into a thousand little pieces. Boromir, who was so strong and brave, fell to those foul beasts. Boromir, who was my friend at all times, died at the hands of Saruman. In a way this was also a funeral for Boromir, at least I made it so. He would never receive the proper funeral he deserved. Although his path lead him astray, he took his mistakes and used it to fuel his true character. In the end Boromir died a true hero.

"Forgive me Eyowen, I need a moment"

I walked out of the room, and towards the nearest window. I needed a moment to breathe; some air. It is true, he will never get the proper burial that he deserves. I never had a chance to think about it. I do miss him, his encouragement, his strength. I really miss him.

"Kay? Are you alright?"

"I'm fine. All these preparations just make me think of what my friends funeral might have been like"

"I'm sorry. I did not realize"

"No it's fine. I just miss him. He was very different from the others in my group. He always believed in me and never doubted my courage. I miss him dearly."

"I can see he meant a great deal to you"

"He did. Come, enough of this, you have a song that needs to be sung"

Eyowen and I walk silently to the funeral. We shared no words of comfort for we knew there was none for us. We both knew what it is like to lose close ones and we both knew that there were no words to make the pain go away.

When we arrived, I saw the fellowship. I went to stand next to Gandalf, for he was the closets one from where I stood. The procession of the coffin was long but Eyowen had sung through most of it. As they closed the tomb, the people of Rohan weeped for their fallen prince. I stood tall and tried not to cry. I could not stop think of Boromir and how his funeral would have been. I carved his name into a rock, that is all I did for my fallen friend.

When the funeral ended, Gandalf remained outside with the king. I followed Gimli and Legolas back inside. I barely noticed Aragorn and he barley noticed me. He was still angry at me, after all this time. It made me angry just thinking about it, he had plenty of time to get over my error. If he was truly a friend of mine, he would have forgiven me by now. We sit down at a table on the left side of the room. I make sure to sit across from Gimli. Eyowen came over with food and something to drink. As soon as we began to eat, the doors slam open with the king and Gandalf holding two small children. Eyowen quickly turns her attention to them, as do I.

"Kay, help me?"

"Of corse"

I put y barely touched food down and rushed over to her

"I'm going to get some hot food for the children, can you go and find some blankets for them, the young boy in particular is freezing"

"Of course. Where did they come for?"

"A village that was attacked by wild men. They burned it to the ground"

"Oh dear"

We both have a mutual nod then go straight to work. I have no doubt, in my mind, that the person responsible for this is Saruman. I can feel and ugly battle emerging very very soon.

Author's Notes:

Thank you for being patient. School has started up again and must come first. Thankfully it has not been too bad, yet. I cannot wait to bring you all new chapters. I love it when people review and follow the story. Please feel free to PM me. I always respond back. R&R. Thank you again!