Disclaimer: All characters from Lord of the Rings books and lines from the Lord of the Rings script belong to the Tolkien family and the production companies. Please don't sue me. I only own the characters I created on my own.

The riders set out before the dawn. Karri's arms were sore from the fight, in fact her entire body was sore, but she didn't let it show. She had to stay true to her word. None of the men could know who she actually was. Luckily she had been hiding it remarkably well. If her high school drama teacher could only see her now. The sun was rising behind them and the smoke from the burning Orcs could be seen for miles. Karri's eyes caught three men in the distance... Well 2 men and what looked to be a child... with a beard. The riders passed them swiftly before Karri heard a voice ring out.

"Riders of Rohan! What news from the Mark?" Eomer raised his spear and the riders turned and headed back towards the men. The one who spoke seemed to be about six foot. His brown hair was clinging to his face as if he'd been running and his blue eyes shone brightly. Despite his scruffy appearance he seemed to exude some kind of authority. The riders surrounded them and their spears aimed quickly. Karri felt a shiver go up her spine, remembering what that felt like. She saw the blonde man's eyes flick to hers and she quickly concentrated on Eomer.

"What business does an elf, a man and a dwarf have in the Riddermark?" Eomer said, his voice laced with power. An elf and a dwarf? Had Karri heard him correctly. She dared to glance at the men again. The shorter one indeed was older with a long beared and burly eyes. He was carrying an axe that looked like it should be too heavy for him. Her eyes surveyed the blonde, who was still looking at her. His ice blue eyes pierced hers, but she didn't look away. She seemed mesmerized. His perfectly straight hair was falling flawlessly over his pointed ears. "Speak quickly!"Eomer's voice brought some of her sense back.

"Give me your name, horsemaster, and I shall give you mine." The dwarf said with a heavily accented, and attitude filled, tone. Eomer dismounted his horse.

"I would cut off your head — dwarf — if it stood but a little higher from the ground." Their was a flash of movement as the Elf's eyes were no longer on her. He pulled an arrow quickly from a holder on his back and had it aimed directly at Eomer.

"You would die before your stroke fell!" His voice, though threatening was some how melodic. The riders tensed but the first man put his hand softly on the Elf's arm and the elf lowered his weapon.

"I'm Aragorn, son of Arathorn. This is Gimli, son of Glóin, and Legolas, from the Woodland realm." He said calmly trying to ease the tension. "We are friends of Rohan and of Théoden, your king."

"Théoden no longer recognizes friend from foe." Eomer removed his helmet. "Not even his own kin." The riders calmed slightly and lowered their spears.

"Saruman has poisoned the mind of the king and claimed lordship over this land. My company are those loyal to Rohan. And for that, we are banished." Karri remembered the scene in the Golden Hall and resisted the urge to walk to Eomer and put a hand comfortingly on his shoulder. She had to be a man. Then she began resisting the urge to sing Mulan. She had to stop feeling this way about Eomer. It wasn't doing her any good. She felt Legolas's eye on her again and she stared back. "The White Wizard is cunning. He walks here and there they say, as an old man, hooded and cloaked." His voice became more threatening as he paced back and forth eying the three travelers. His eyes lingered on Legolas when he realized exactly who the elf was staring at. Legolas returned the icy glare. "And everywhere his spies slip past our nets."

"We are no spies. We track a band of Uruk-hai westward across the plains. They have taken two of our friends captive." Aragorn said, once again cutting the tension. Karri mentally went over the battle the night before. They couldn't be talking about the same orcs, because they had no captives.

"The Uruks are destroyed. We slaughtered them during the night." Eomer's voice had softened, but not enough for most to notice.

"But there were two hobbits, did you see two hobbits with them?" Gimli's voice was in a panic. What were hobbits?

"They would be small, only children to your eyes." Aragon's voice was calm, but pressing.

"We left none alive." Eomer seemed concerned. Karri couldn't remember seeing anyone but Orcs, but the battle had been so fierce. Her mind spun at the idea of killing innocent victims. "We piled the carcasses and burned them."

"Dead?" Gimli's voice was grave. Eomer nodded.

"I'm sorry." Was all he could seem to say. Legolas put his arm on Gimli as his face contorted into agony. Karri felt tears prickle her eyes. She didn't know why she felt such a strong connection to these travelers. Eomer's piercing whistle broke her thoughts. "Hasufel! Arod!" Two horses we brought from the back. "May these horses bear you to better fortune than their former masters. Farewell." Eomer mounted his horse and Karri found herself, once again, gazing into Legolas's eyes. She nodded briefly and he returned the gesture. "Look for your friends, but do not trust the hope. It has forsaken these lands. We ride north!" With Eomer at the lead the riders started off again. Karri stole one last glance at the three mysterious people they had just come across. She knew that the elf, known as Legolas, knew about her. He seemed to be reading her and she couldn't understand why. She only hoped that they found their friends alive. Her logic was skewed. Since when were elves and dwarves real? It was something she was having trouble wrapping her mind around, and what exactly were hobbits? She made a mental note to ask Eaodon about them before she turned her concentration back to riding.

The riders came across a small group of orcs a few hours after leaving Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli but they were dispatched quickly. Same as the night before the riders piled the bodies and burned them, but this time Karri's eyes scanned the area for any sign of prisoners.

"I know what you're thinking." Eaodon was slightly out of breath after moving the bodies. "You're worried about the hobbits."

"What are hobbits?" Karri asked honestly before offering him a drink of water.

"They live in the shire." Karri nodded. Eaodon had explained the different lands of Middle Earth before, but not all of the races. "They are smaller in stature. Usually well under four feet, and they're great with nature. They're stubborn and will probably be around as long as middle earth exists."

"What are they doing in the middle of all of this?"

"Must be a part of the Fellowship I have told you about."

"To destroy the ring?" Karri asked in a hushed tone. Eaodon merely nodded. The riders remounted their horses and road for another hour before setting up camp. Once the fire was started and the men were fed Eomer handed out the orders for standing guard. He gave Karri and Eaodon first watch. The men settled in around the area and Karri sat near the fire wide awake. Eaodon was whittling with a small knife. It looked like he was making a horse.

"Who's that for?" Karri asked curiously.

"My little brother." Eaodon said with a smile, dreaming of home. "He wants to be a rider of the Riddermark. Hopefully one day he will."

"He will." Karri said confidently.

"You know this?" A smile crossed his features.

"I know that you are all a capable people. I know that Eomer is a strong leader and he will guide you through this."

"I thank you for the confidence." His voice was amused and Karri was quickly on her feet and in a bow. "M'Lady you do not need to bow so formally, you are suppose to be a man." Eomer sat down near the fire. "Eaodon why don't you get some sleep?"

"Are you certain my Lord?"

"I am very much awake. You have worked hard, son of Rohan. You deserve rest."

"Thank you sir." Eaodon stood up slowly, his body obviously tired and he made his way towards where he had set his sleeping area up. He was out as soon as he laid his head down. All the men surrounding them were asleep.

"My Lord, aren't you tired?" Karri asked finally taking a neat next to him, but not too close.

"No. Surprisingly not." Karri just nodded and the two of them fell silent, taking in the sounds surrounding them, like the crackling fire. "Karri I wish you would reconsider my plea and go back to Edoras."

"I believe we went over this my Lord." He seemed to flinch. "I want to be here."

"There is nothing for you here Karri."

"Sire."

"Please.." His voice was suddenly very soft. "You don't have to call me that."

"I am posing as one of your riders, and if I weren't I am nothing but your sisters chambermaid. You are a ruler in a country that has adopted me as one of their own, until I find a way home. I have to show you an amount of respect."

"What about women never taking orders in your world?"

"I'm in your world now. Your rules apply." Karri's voice was dejected. She wanted nothing more than to be home.

"How about for right now, we act like we're in your world." He said seriously. Their eyes were connected and his were burning again, however, not with the same kind of intensity she had seen before.

"Alright, Eomer. If you think you can handle it." She smirked and he laughed slightly.

"I'm positive I can." He stared into the fire as if contemplating something. "Karri?"

"Eomer?"

"May I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why are you fighting?" Karri groaned.

"Do we have to go over this again?" She asked before rubbing her forehead. "I feel like I have had this conversation a dozen time with more than one person. I want to be here."

"For Eaodon and Eowyn?" He asked skeptically.

"Yes. Eaodon taught me about this world. He helped me fit in. He reminds me of my brother back home, and Eowyn... Well she took me in. Gave me a home. You both saved my life. Fighting along side you is the least I can do."

"I'm not the reason you're fighting, am I?" Karri remained silent. "Karri, that is fool headed."

"Why?"

"Because, I am a warrior. I can protect myself. You are a..."

"Woman?" Karri's tone was icy.

"You make it sound as if I am being cruel."

"To me you are. I have proved myself a capable fighter. You've seen that. I think it's about time you give me some credit."

"I give you a lot of credit Karri." His voice was soft. "Are you really fighting for me because I saved your life?" Karri felt her throat tighten. She felt compelled to tell him the truth.

"Partly."

"Partly?"

"I don't know what you want me to say." She said, staring into the fire.

"Why don't you tell me what's in your mind, your heart." She could feel his eyes burning on her and she took a deep breath.

"Alright." She turned to look at him and their eyes connected. "I feel compelled to help you. I can't explain it, but I knew I wanted to be near you. To fight with you, to fight for you." Her voice trailed off. The seconds seemed to last for hours as their eyes remained connected. Eomer had a somewhat pained expression on his face.

"Karri..." His voice was so soft it was barely audible. She read his voice to the best of her ability. He seemed to be searching for a way to let her down gently. She felt her cheeks flush as the sudden humiliation of what she said hit her. She looked away from him before they heard rustling in the trees. Whatever Eomer was going to say was put on hold as Karri swiftly put her helmet on. "Who's there?" Eomer's voice was strong and protecting.

"It is I, my Lord." Eothain's voice spoke softly. "It is time to change watchers." Eomer nodded.

"Rider, get some well deserved sleep." He said looking at Karri. She nodded toward him and headed toward her sleeping area. She heard the flap to Eomer's tent open and close as she removed her helmet and laid on the tough ground. The stars were shining brilliantly and Karri found herself staring up at them. She knew she should be exhausted, but she couldn't seem to sleep. She felt foolish for telling Eomer what she had. Now everything would be different between them. She took a long rugged breath to calm herself down. It would only make it worse in the days a head if she was suffering from sleep deprivation. She turned onto her side and closed her eyes, willing her body to sleep.