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.

Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who reviewed! :-)

It seemed as if they rode non-stop. They would sleep and ride, sleep and ride, and every-so-often dispatch a group of orcs or uruks. The time passed slowly. Karri kept her sanity by reading by the fire at night after the men had gone to sleep. She had read Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" at least four times. It sometimes boggled her mind that none of the men around her had even heard of Jane Austen or the wonderful Mr. Darcy. They hadn't even heard of a printing press, which is part of the reason she did not pull out her novels in front of the riders. Trying to explain that one would be more of a task then she was willing to attempt. To make matters worse for her, she had not spoken to Eomer since the night by the fire. Whether she was subconsciously avoiding him, or he was bluntly avoiding her was unclear. She knew she shouldn't have told him. His face filled her dreams, much to her dismay. With the amount of the fighting and riding she found herself exhausted, but being woken up with thoughts of him. The riders had stopped for the night and Karri busied herself gathering fire wood and water. The men were mostly silent, the weight of missing their families finally beginning to crush down on them. Eomer tried his best to keep their spirits up, talking to the soldiers individually, well except for Karri. Eaodon, on the other hand, was Karri's constant companion and she was more grateful than she could express. This night was no different. The two of them stood idly by watching the other soldiers in silence.

"What do you think we'll do?" Karri asked casually, half startling the man beside her.

"What do you mean?"

"Well we can't just travel like this forever."

"Weren't you the one saying Lord Eomer would figure everything out?" Eaodon asked sarcastically. Karri just looked into the distance. "What occurred between the two of you? Something has been off for many nights."

"I assure you Eaodon, it's nothing you need to worry about." It looked as if he was about to protest, but an unknown rider coming into camp stopped him immediately. The horse he was riding was beautiful, strong, and a stunning color of white that matched the riders beard and hair.

"Gandalf." Eaodon said stunned.

"The Grey wizard?" Karri asked looking the man over. "He looks more like a white wizard." Eaodon didn't respond he just watched Eomer and Gandalf talk briefly.

"Riders!" Eomer announced. The men quickly silenced, most stood. "Rohan calles for aid at Helms Deep, and we will assist them. An army of uruks descends on them and we leave to fight. Quickly gather your things. We ride!" There was a furious scramble as things were packed and the horses were prepared to leave.

"How far to Helms Deep?" Karri asked as she was saddling her horse.

"A day and a half. Hopefully we can do better." Karri was the first one done and she began helping Eaodon.

"Karri, I must speak with you." His voice was hushed and concerned.

"Of course my Lord." Karri followed Eomer away from the men.

"Once we get to Helms Deep I want you to find a safe place and stay there until the battle is over."

"Are you insane?" Karri wore a half amused expression on her face. "I won't just sit behind and be useless."

"It's better than you getting injured or killed."

"I am going to fight." Karri was defiant.

"I order you not you fight."

"Women don't take orders in my world."

"They do in this one." His tone was aggravated.

"Eom... My Lord. I want to fight. I am a good fighter and I can help you in battle."

"I am aware of how good you are in battle, but I do not wish to see you hurt."

"I am just a stranger from a distant world. Whether I get hurt or not is irrelevant."

"Not to me."

"Why is that?" She questioned. Eomer nervously looked around him. The men were almost ready to leave.

"Karri..." his voice was considerably softer and it almost startled her. "Please, please don't fight. I don't want to lose you."

"I can not promise you Eomer. Because I don't want to lose you either." He reached his hand and touched her face softly. They were too close. Karri felt her heart begin to race.

"We must go." His voice was suddenly very firm as he pulled his hand away from her face. She merely nodded and headed back toward her horse. They rode hard, as fast as they could. The tension among the men was considerable. They didn't know what they were going to find at Helms Deep. They didn't know if their was going to be anything to find, but the men were determined to fight and die for Rohan. The sun was rising as they were perched on a hill. The sight before them was sickening. The walls of Helms Deep had been breached and bodies laid almost everywhere, pilled on top of each other. Karri saw Eomer move to the front of the group. This was her chance. If she wanted to she could easily slip away and find a safe place to stay until the battle was over, but she wasn't going to. Nothing was going to stop her from fighting.

"Theoden king stands alone." Gandalf said calmly.

"Not alone." Eomer drew his sword. "Rohirrim! To the king!" The charge began. Led by Gandalf and Eomer the riders charged down the side of the hill and startled the Uruks. When the Rohirrim crashed into the enemy, the uruks began dispersing toward a row of trees from behind them. The front lines stood and fought and the battle raged. Soon the few members that remained from the men at Helms Deep had joined the new riders. Karri quickly caught sight of Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. Soldiers fell to her left and right, but Karri kept fighting. She caught sight of Eomer who was battling two uruks. A third was coming from behind him, but Eomer was distracted. Karri quickly maneuvered her way towards him just in time to stop the enemies sword from delivering a fatal blow to the Third Marshall of the Mark. The clang of the swords made Eomer turn and he saw Karri quickly killing the uruk in front of her. His heart quickened and a sense of panic set in at the thought that she was fighting, but it was soon forgotten as he saw some of his men chasing the retreating Uruks toward the trees. He knew immediately the they were not trees at all.

"Stay out of the forest! Keep away from the trees!" His voice echoed and the men stopped. Cheering erupted as the last of the enemy filed into the trees. The forest began to sway and groan, followed by ear piercing screams. Karri watched in horror but gratification as the trees killed the remainder of the enemy. She turned to see Eomer embrace an older man. He had the same color of gold hair as Eowyn and he looked vaguely familiar. The king. The realization hit her quickly. This must have been the King that had at one time sentenced her to death. Out of the grip of what ever spell he had been under. Karri's eyes scanned her surroundings. She had to find Eowyn and change. Pretend as if she'd been there all along. She felt a pair of eyes on her and turned to meet an icy blue stare. For a moment she allowed herself to forget finding Eowyn and smiled at Legolas.

"Rider." The King's voice called to her. She turned in a panic and saw Eomer's eyes wide. "Please come forth." Karri stepped off her horse, slightly shaken and kneeled before the King. "I saw you save the life of Eomer. For that I owe you a great debt. I must have your name." Karri felt panic wash over her.

"Uncle, may we not go celebrate? I so wish to see my sister." Eomer pleaded.

"Eomer, this soldier of Rohan saved your life. Do you not wish to honor him?" Theoden asked with a shocked expression. Karri looked up ever-so slightly to see that Legolas had moved closer. His hands were wrapped around his bow protectively as if ready to fight or defend her. "I must have your name rider." The King's voice was friendly but stern. Karri sighed heavily and removed her helmet. She heard a gasp go through the men around her.

"Karri Benson, sire." She turned to look at the King. His face was expressionless.

"A woman?" He asked incredulous. Her eyes moved toward Eomer, but he was looking toward his uncle. The men surrounding them all seemed to be... smiling? Eaodon looked proudly toward her. "Battle is not a place for women."

"She saved my life Uncle."

"Eomer, did you know of this?"

"Yes."

"How could you place such a life in danger?" Theoden's voice rose slightly.

"If I may Theoden King..." Gandalf started. "Let us celebrate this grand victory and the lives spared." Theoden nodded leaving one last glace at his nephew and following Gandalf into the mighty fortress behind them.

"I knew from the moment I saw you." His voice was even more melodic when he wasn't angry. "I was wondering what a women was doing among the riders of the Riddermark."

"I didn't know elves existed. So I was curious about you as well." He held out his hand which Karri accepted.

"I'm Legolas."

"Karri. It's nice to finally meet you."

"As it is you. May I ask, how you do not know of elves?"

"I wish I could explain that easily. I don't believe I'm from this world." Karri shook her head, a headache threatening.

"Then how did you come to be here?"

"I don't know. I was in the woods back home when I felt the ground slip from beneath me. The next thing I knew Eaodon was waking me up."

"I should like to learn more of your world."

"I would say the same to you." Her spirits lifted knowing that someone immediately believed her. He smiled kindly at her. "You looked ready to strike at any moment when the king asked for my name. Why is that?"

"I didn't know how the men of Rohan would react to you. I saw you fight. I saw you save Eomer. If the King had sentenced you to die it would have been a great injustice."

"And you were going to take on the entire army?" Karri's voice was amused.

"I would have made my opinion known. That and I highly doubt Eomer would allow you to be hurt."

"Yes, I know. I saved his life, but he has saved mine before, so I guess we're even."

"I see the way you look at him and the way he looks at you." Legolas's eyes were brighter than before.

"I don't know what you mean my Elven Prince."

"You flatter me, but do not distract me my warrior." He said mimicking her pet name. Karri smiled sweetly at him.

"While I do not distract you. I'm afraid I must go. Find Eowyn, change, you understand."

"I do." He bowed to her which Karri returned. "It was nice to finally meet you Karri."

"You too Legolas." Karri nodded to him once more before setting off toward the fortress. Eomer looked on, a pang of emotion filling his body. Jealousy? No, it couldn't be that. He would have to feel something for her to be jealous, and he didn't feel that way. Did he?

"Karri!" Her voice reverberated on the stone. Eowyn pulled her into a tight hug. "I was so worried about you."

"You taught me perfectly My Lady. I made it back."

"Oh, don't start the 'My Lady' talk. You have been exposed to my brother for far to long." Karri just laughed, thankful to be back with Eowyn.

"I believe I should change."

"Yes, I know my Uncle found out about you. You're the talk of the men."

"And is that talk positive or negative?" Karri asked curiously.

"Almost completely positive. You fight exceptionally well, and though you're not from Rohan you would have given your life for us. It shows great loyalty and the men respect that."

"Thank goodness for that." Karri was starting to feel the fatigue on her body from the past weeks of fighting and riding.

"You must be exhausted." Eowyn said putting a caring hand on her shoulder.

"Slightly."

"I am sorry to say, you can not sleep or rest. My Uncle wishes to speak with you."

"Oh no." Karri felt her heart quicken.

"Let's just get you changed."

"No. Not yet." Eowyn looked at her curiously. "I fought in this. This is how I want him to see me. Putting me in a dress will just make me look fragile." Eowyn nodded and motioned for Karri to follow her. They walked a short distance, but it was enough pain for Karri to want to collapse. Lining the walls of their path were families crying for loved ones lost. Children screaming for their fathers. The King was sitting in the back of a room. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli were off to the side, Gandalf was situated to the right of the King, and Eomer stood off in the distance.

"My Lord." Eowyn called out, signaling her presence. All eyes in the room were immediately on them and Karri felt like a goldfish. The King motioned the two women forward and they both bowed.

"Can I have an explanation as to why you impersonated a rider of Rohan and rode into battle?" His voice was calm but angry.

"I felt it was my place."

"Battle and war is no place for a woman." He almost shouted. He looked as if he was trying to calm himself down. "Is that the only explanation you have?"

"I felt as if staying behind was useless. I felt indebted to some of the men and people of Rohan, so I repaid them in the only way I knew how. Fight for them."

"Indebted why?" His voice was suddenly curious. "And to who?"

"Specifically Eaodon, for helping me, and Eomer and Eowyn for saving my life."

"Saving your life when?" Karri looked him him inquisitively. She glanced toward Eomer who looked back at her. His eyes concerned.

"When you ordered my death sire." The room suddenly tensed.

"I did what?"

"When the riders found me and brought me to the Golden Hall, you ordered my death. Eomer and Eowyn stood for me and you granted me permission to be Eowyn's chambermaid." The spell must have made him forget. Karri just looked into his eyes which had softened.

"I thank you greatly Karri for saving the life of Eomer, and I apologize for what I may have done while under Sarumon's control." Karri lowered her head again in another bow. "I suggest you go get some rest. You've had a long couple of weeks."

"Thank you sire." Karri bowed again before following Eowyn out of the room.

"That went very well." Eowyn said with a smile.

"Yes, very well."

"Eomer was pleased."

"I would expect him to be. Helms Deep was successfully defended and your Uncle has returned."

"I don't think it was just that." Her eyes sparkled. "Eomer was looking at you as if you were his light."

"I think you're reading him wrong."

"He's my brother. I know my brother. When he would catch himself his face would return to emotionless, but when we looked at you... I've never seen him look that way before, and I have to tell you. I am quite pleased." Karri just blushed.

"I think I need some rest before we head back to Edoras."

"Perfectly fine, but I am not going to drop this subject." Eowyn said cheerfully.

"No. I had a feeling you wouldn't."