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.

Loud shouting awoke Karri from her sleep, and a million horrifying thoughts ran through her head. She threw on her dress from the night before and ran towards the Golden Hall, meeting Eowyn half way there.

"What's happened?" Eowyn asked shocked.

"I don't know."

"Karri, Eowyn..." Eomer called walking from the Golden Hall. "It's alright. Go back to bed."

"What happened?" Eowyn asked concerned.

"It's nothing to worry about." He replied trying to maneuver them back to their rooms.

"Nothing to worry about?" She asked angrily. Eomer sighed, he knew Eowyn was never going to let this go.

"Pippin looked into the Palantir." Eowyn's eyes closed in understanding.

"What's the Palantir?"

"It's a seeing stone. Seven were brought to Middle Earth by the Elf Elendil and his sons. They were used to see across Middle Earth." Eomer explained. "Sauron captured one and was using it to communicate with Saruman. Gandalf took it from Isengard and when Pippin looked into it..."

"What is it Eomer?" Eowyn asked.

"Sauron began talking to him." Eowyn gasped in horror, Karri just shook her head.

"What does our uncle say?"

"I don't know. I am on my way to see him now." Eomer said slightly rushed. "Please get some sleep. We will all know more in the morning." He hugged Eowyn and as he walked passed Karri she felt his hand softly touch hers. Eowyn watched her brother leave.

"Karri, Eomer's right. We must try to sleep. And don't think I didn't see that." Karri merely nodded, sighed, and headed toward her room. Even facing something terrible she kept her word about never letting that go. The night was restless. The little sleep she did get was plagued with nightmares. She wanted to make sure Pippin was alright. As the sunlight crept through her window, Karri changed quickly into a white dress. She left her room and made sure breakfast was being prepared for Eowyn before heading toward the Golden Hall. Pippin and Merry were standing together talking quietly and Karri made her way toward them.

"My Lady." Pippin said gravely as she approached.

"My dear Pippin, how many times must I ask you to call me Karri?" He managed a weak smile. "I came to see if you were alright."

"Me?"

"Of course you."

"Don't worry about me." Karri kneeled down next to him.

"I am going to worry about you Pippin. You deserve only the best." She exchanged glances with Merry who was smiling at her.

"I think Gandalf is taking me somewhere." He said sadly.

"Trust in him. He won't lead you a stray." Karri smiled at him. "I see great things in your future Pippin."

"You do?" He asked innocently.

"I really do." Pippin smiled at her genuinely. Gandalf called to Pippin and Merry and they said their good-byes before joining him. Karri made her way outside. Despite the tension hanging in the air the sky was beautiful. She heard Eomer's voice and turned to see him talking with Eowyn. She moved slightly closer until she heard Eowyn mention her uncle and she immediately turned around. It felt like a private conversation.

"Karri?" Eomer's voice was gruff.

"I'm sorry I wasn't spying. I saw the two of you talking and I realized it was personal so I will be going..."

"No, Karri please come closer." Eowyn said sweetly. "You may be called a chambermaid, but I think of you as much more. As does my uncle and my brother." She threw Eomer a smile. Karri moved closer and stood next to Eowyn.

"We were talking about what happened last night." Eowyn said, her voice hushed.

"I just spoke with Pippin. He's shaken but alright. Gandalf is taking him somewhere."

"To Gondor." Eomer commented.

"Gondor?" Karri asked. Eomer nodded.

"When Pippin looked into the Palantir he caught a glimpse of what the enemy was planning. He saw the destruction of the capital of Gondor at Minas Tirith. That's where Gandalf is taking Pippin."

"Mordor is marching on Minas Tirith?" Eowyn asked.

"Yes."

"Then we need to help them." Eowyn said defiantly.

"Uncle says why go to the aid of those who did not come to ours."

"That's insanity." Karri said shaking her head.

"Is it?" Eomer asked.

"Yes. If Sauron destroys Minas Tirith and Gondor it's only a matter of time before he comes here. Better to band together now and have a small chance then no chance later." The two siblings just looked at her. "I'm sorry. My mouth has run away with me."

"No, Karri..." Eowyn said seriously. "I agree. We must aid them." They both looked at Eomer.

"I agree with the both of you, but I am not king of Rohan. The choice lies with our uncle and we must respect his decision."

"Always loyal to King and country, brother." Eowyn said smiling. Eomer stared at her. "I know what could make you follow your own path."

"Eowyn." He said with a warning tone. She just smiled at him.

"I must go to the stables. Excuse me." She said smiling. Eomer and Karri were left staring after her.

The days passed slowly. Edoras was on edge and everyone was waiting for the last shoe to drop. Karri and Eomer stood outside watching the constant movement of the day.

"Accompany me?" He asked.

"To where?"

"The Golden Hall?"

"Sure." She took his arm and he led her inside. They both sat in silence watching the action around them. Gamling and the king were conversing briefly, but most everyone else was silent. Suddenly Aragorn came rushing into the room.

"The Beacons of Minas Tirith! The Beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aid!" His voice was rushed. Eomer and Karri looked towards each other briefly then towards the King.

"And Rohan will answer." She felt her heart jump. "Muster the Rohirrim!" Eomer stood quickly and looked deep into her eyes before following his uncle out of the hall. Karri quickly left the hall and searched for Eowyn. She check the stables and the kitchen, but she couldn't find her. Finally she saw her in her room packing.

"What are you doing?" Karri asked.

"The women of the court ride with the men to the encampment." She answered in a monotone voice as if she was still in deep thought.

"I request to accompany you." Eowyn stopped what she was doing and she stared into Karri's eyes.

"I assumed you would want to." She said with a bemused expression. "Quickly pack." Karri raced into her room and began packing a bag. She packed the clothes she had worn when she was riding with Eomer and his men. If anyone thought she was sitting this out, they didn't really know her. She packed a sword and bow and headed toward the stables were Eowyn was waiting with two horses. She had been talking to Aragorn when Karri came up to her.

"If your brother finds out, he's going to murder you." Karri said catching sight of the sword hanging on Eowyn's horse.

"I should say the same to you." Eowyn said with a small smile.

"You are his sister Eowyn."

"And you are the first woman my brother has ever loved and probably the last he will ever love."

"Have you been dipping into the ale?" Karri asked curiously.

"You will come to see in time, as will he." The rest of the packing was done in silence. Edoras was alive, everything moving. Wives and children stood saying good-bye to their families, crying and weeping. Knowing some of the men were not going to return. Eomer had already departed to find other men to fight and Karri stood beside her horse wondering how many he would find. The more the better. The armies at Mordor were said to be massive, even more then was sent against Helms Deep.

"You ride to the encampment with us?" Eaodon asked, surprising her.

"Yes, I requested to go. I want to be with everyone as long as I can."

"You aren't thinking of following us farther than the encampment are you?" He asked.

"Why would you think that?" Karri replied innocently.

"Because you have shown that you have a tendency to do as such."

"Eaodon, I asked that you do not worry about me."

"I am going to worry about you My Lady." He said kindly. Karri smiled at him.

"I promise you if I am going to do something crazy, you will know about it."

"A promise? Really?"

"Really." Karri hugged Eaodon. "For now however, I must attend to Lady Eowyn." The soldiers of Rohan were ready in, what seemed like, no time at all. The march to the encampment was long and the horses were weary by the time they arrived. Thousands of men were waiting for them and at the head, waiting for the king, sat Eomer, upon his horse Firefoot. Karri's heart seemed to beat slightly faster knowing she was near him again. The men began to build fires and set up tents. Blades were being sharped and more men were coming into the encampment. Karri helped set up Eowyn's tent before she heard a voice calling her name. She walked into the sunlight to see Eomer had been calling her. She bowed to him and he grimaced slightly.

"You do not have to bow to me." He said seriously.

"You are second in line to the throne Eomer. If you will not have me call you Lord or sire, I should probably bow."

"I would prefer you didn't." He smiled at her.

"How many men have come?" His smile quickly faded.

"Only six thousand. I am not sure what we will do." His face showed concern. Karri knew that might not be enough, but she needed to stay positive.

"Oh, you'll find a way."

"Are you sure of that?" He asked moving closer to her.

"No, but I trust in you." She felt her cheeks flush as he picked up her hand and kissed the top. Despite the slight beard his lips were soft and they lingered on her hand for a moment. As he pulled away and their eyes connected, a moment of worry caught him.

"You can not go into this battle Karri." He said quickly.

"What do you..."

"I know you." He said seriously. "Or I feel as if I know you better than I know me. I know you want to fight." Karri just looked into his eyes. "You can not be in that battle. It's too dangerous. I don't care how good you are with a sword. I care about your safety and I can't protect you there."

"Since when, in battle, have I needed your protection?" Her voice was amused but his eyes were set.

"Karri... I am begging you... If I were to lose you, I don't know what I would do." Karri wanted desperately to hug him, to have him hold her, but as men surrounded them she knew Eomer wouldn't do that. "Please promise me."

"I can not." She answered honestly. Anger burned into his eyes.

"You must."

"Eomer... I promise you one thing. What ever decision I make will be the best for both myself and those around me." Eomer let out an exasperated sigh.

"I hope that is true." He heard one of his soldiers calling his name and he squeezed her arm lightly before heading towards them. What was best for Karri was to fight. She knew how awful she would feel if she let her friends go to battle and she stayed behind. Eomer, Eaodon, and even Eowyn were fighting. She wasn't going to be the one left behind. She also believed it was better for everyone around her. If she could kill even one orc, if she could save even one life then it was better she be there. She might not have been from Middle Earth, but her friends were here. If this battle failed than this world as they knew it would be destroyed. She couldn't let that happen. If she thought that she could make one bit of difference she had to try. She watched Eomer converse with his men. They looked up to him, and it wasn't hard to understand why. His eyes connected with hers and he held them there for a moment. She knew that a part of him must know what she was going to do, but their was no way to stop her. If he was going to be on that battle field then she was. She was suppose to be there, next to him.