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.

Authors Note: I just want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been reading and reviewing. You're all awesome. :-)

The campfire was warm and inviting, yet the tension hanging in the air ruined any good feeling in Karri. She was sitting across from Eomer and next to Gamling who were both eating. The flames licked at the glowing logs and she felt herself drifting in and out of any conversation. Eowyn had been in her tent talking to Merry for the past few minutes. Karri smiled when she saw the hobbit run from the tent taking practice swings with his sword.

"Come on! To the smithy, go!" Eowyn said with a laugh.

"You should not encourage him." Eomer said not looking at his sister.

"You should not doubt him." Eowyn said defiantly.

"I do not doubt his heart, just the reach of his arm." Gamling chuckled beside her and Karri wore the same expression Eowyn did.

"Why should Merry be left behind? He has as much cause go to war as you! Why can he not fight for those he loves?" Eowyn's voice was soft and trailing off. Karri knew what Eowyn meant, it was the same thing she felt. Karri watched Eomer as he listened to his sister and understanding of what she meant washed over him. She turned back to her tent and he stood to face her.

"You know as little of war as that Hobbit." Eowyn stopped and just stared back at him. "When the fear takes him, and the blood and the screams and the horror of battle take hold, do you think he would stand and fight? He would flee, and he would be right to do so." Eowyn looked at her brother and showed no sign of weakness. He put his hand on her shoulder. "War is the province of men, Eowyn." His voice was soft and he meant well, but both Karri and Eowyn were insulted. Though on the surface he was talking about men as the race of men, they both knew he also meant that battle was no place for a women. Karri shook her head and stood, walking into Eowyn's tent. She felt Eomer's eyes on her, but she refused to look at him. He knew that he had insulted her, but it would be more than improper to just walk into the tent when his sister was not in there. Eowyn had walked off, also probably insulted. He sat back down and ate the rest of his supper in silence. Karri remained in the tent not wanting to face Eomer. Her mind was filled with strategies and trying to remember exactly the best angle to move the heavy sword to parry. She just wanted to ride out to battle. She wanted to fight. Sitting around was doing no good. Who knows what the enemy was doing to Gondor at that exact moment. Karri was reading when the tent flap opened quickly and Eowyn stormed in, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Eowyn." Karri said shocked. She put her book quickly in her bag and pulled Eowyn into a hug. "What's happened?" Again a thousand horrible thoughts flooded through her. She was beginning to think she was developing a stress disorder.

"I confessed my love to Aragorn." She said through her tears. "He's riding out, into the mountain to find men to fight and we talked..."

"What did he say?" Karri asked still hugging her. Karri already knew what he'd said. It was written on Eowyn's face, but she wanted Eowyn to get everything out that she needed to.

"He told me he could not return the affections."

"I am so sorry Eowyn." Karri said softly. "I promise you that you will find someone else, someone better. I know you will."

"How do you know that?" Her tears were slowing.

"I just do, and I know it will be in the most unlikely of places. You wont expect it."

"Thank you Karri." Eowyn said wiping her eyes.

"You're more than welcome. If you ever need anything do not hesitate to ask. I owe you my life."

"Anything?"

"Anything." Karri repeated.

"Marry my brother."

"Eowyn." Karri half laughed and shook her head. Eowyn really never did give up. Eowyn laughed slightly and nodded her head.

"My brother loves you."

"That is neither here nor there right now. The last thing your brother needs to be focused on right now is me. We all just need to prepare for what's coming."

"You're right." Eowyn replied.

"I think you need to get some rest. We set out early in the morning." Eowyn nodded.

"Tomorrow we go to fight." She said before laying on an awaiting blanket.

Karri stood by the dying fire staring into the stars. She had gotten a few hours of sleep, but was too anxious to begin riding.

"Karri." His voice startled her and she quickly turned to face him. "I did not mean to scare you." Eomer was already in his gear. The same armor as when she first saw him. It seemed like an eternity ago.

"You didn't scare me, just startled me."

"Is their a difference?"

"Yes." She said before looking back toward the dying fire.

"I still hope you're not even considering fighting."

"Remember my Lord." Karri said with an icy tone. "War is a mens province." Eomer sighed and turned her around to face him.

"I did not mean to insult you Karri." He pulled her into a hug and Karri breathed in his scent. She didn't mean to snap at him. Even though she was upset, just to be in his arms was enough. They stood like that for a moment. He pulled away and looked into her eyes. "I have told you before how incredible I think you are, and I do. I could not bear to see you hurt."

"How do you think I feel Eomer?" She asked. "I watch you ride to battle unsure if I will ever see you again. How do you think that feels? How useless do you think that makes me feel?" He pressed his forehead to hers.

"I can not imagine." He said softly. "I can promise you that I will try my hardest to return to you." Their eyes connected. She felt his hand touch her cheek softly and he pressed forward bringing his lips to hers. Her stomach jumped and her heart beat doubled. She had been waiting for this since the first morning, after he put his cloak over her. If that moment could have lasted an eternity it would not have been long enough. The kiss soft and loving with everything they both felt behind it. She touched his hair and they pulled away from each other. Eomer pulled her into another hug.

"Knowing I have you is enough to bring me back, Karri." His voice was unlike she'd ever heard before. With every syllable her heart beat seemed to quicken. It was as if she never wanted to hear another voice again.

"And if you shall see me sooner than you expect?" She asked seriously. She was not going to just lie to him and say she wasn't going.

"I hope it will be on the best of terms." She nodded and rested her head against his chest again. "I must prepare to leave." He reluctantly pulled away from her. He kissed her one more time before walking towards his own tent. Karri quickly changed into battle gear. She wasn't going to be left behind. Eowyn was already completely dressed, but she waited for Karri and they climbed on their horses together. The scene before them was like that of the day they left Edoras. People were scrambling to leave.

"Form up! Move out!" she heard Eomer's voice call out and she took a deep breath. Eowyn was watching the King tell Merry he couldn't go with him and Eowyn quickened her pace, picking up Merry and pulling him in front of her. Karri smiled and took her place in the ranks, right next to Eaodon.

"I told you, you would know." She said catching his attention.

"Karri, you can't do this." He said seriously.

"Yes I can, and I am." She looked at him with pleading eyes, begging him not to announce to Eomer where she was. "Eaodon, you've known me for a while. I consider you one of my best friends in this world. Do you really think you can talk me out of this?"

"You could die."

"So could you Eaodon. I want to fight. I want to fight for who I love." Her words surprised even her. Her breath caught in her chest as they began riding and Eaodon just smiled at her.

"It's about time that you finally admitted it Karri."

"I don't know what you're talking about." She said concentrating on the ground a head of her.

"Stay close to me." He said changing the subject. "I ride with the eored. Eomer's personal men. We will need your skills."

"See, that's the first intelligent thing you've said." She had a mock-smug tone to her voice and he just smiled at her. "How long is the ride?"

"A three day gallop." He said calmly. "Well stop and let the horses rest before riding through the night to get to Minas Tirith."

"Just like old times huh?"

"Just like old times." The two picked up their pace and moved so they were in the back few rows of the eored. She knew she had to stay out of sight of Eomer. He would recognize her immediately. Eowyn moved so she could see Karri and the journey passed quickly with Merry to talk to. Eaodon didn't try again to get Karri to turn back. He knew it was nothing but a losing battle. A few different times Eomer had come through his eored talking to his men and Karri was nearly spotted. She had a sinking suspicion that he was actually looking for her, which wouldn't surprise her in the least. Eowyn had the same problem hiding from her uncle, and it was even harder for her with Merry to look after. Luckily for her, no one suspected Lady Eowyn to drop her dress and join the ranks. Merry was the only one, surprisingly, who recognized Karri. Though, he wasn't going to say anything. He knew why she fought and he knew the trouble she had trying to be able to fight, just like him. The first stop they made was during the day. Just as Eaodon said it would be. For an hour or two Merry delighted them with stories of the Shire, his family, and Pippin. The soldiers ate their fill in preparation for battle. They were going to rest, then ride through the night. The only time Karri fell asleep, nightmares spoiled it. She was in battle and had turned just in time to see an arrow strike Eomer in the chest. She tried in vain to get to him, but the closer she got, the more orcs tried to stop her. When she finally got to him, he laid covered in his own blood. She watched him take his last few ragged breaths and succumb. As she cried out she felt herself being shaken awake. Eaodon stood over her.

"Please tell me I am still in Middle Earth." She said rubbing her forehead.

"And on your way to a battle no less." Karri sat up with Eaodon's help. "You were shaking in your sleep. I thought it best to wake you."

"That was a good idea."

"What were you dreaming of?" He asked curiously. Karri felt another shudder go through her body.

"The battle, how things could go."

"Eomer?" Karri nodded.

"It was awful." She said shaking. She tried desperately not to cry. That was something she couldn't do. Not here.

"Don't worry Karri." Eaodon said touching her shoulder. "I am sure if Eomer gets into any trouble, you'll be there to pull him out." Karri just smiled at him. The lake they were stopped beside was gleaming in the distance, and Karri watched Merry and Eowyn exchange conversation. She was proud of Merry. He had the kind of strength and courage that some men only wished they had and he knew what he was fighting for. Eowyn too. She was proud and stubborn, just like Eomer. Who says she shouldn't be allowed to fight? "Watch out." The panicked tone of Eaodon's voice caught Karri first. She looked up in time to see Eomer dangerously close to them. She stood up quickly, but not so quickly as to call attention to herself and she made her way towards Eowyn. They both watched carefully, making sure Eomer didn't spot them. There was no way either women was turning back now. Karri watched as Eomer sat with Eaodon for a few moments before heading back to the front and Karri went back over to him.

"What did he say?" She asked curiously.

"First he asked how I was doing and tried to get my spirits up."

"Then?"

"Then he asked if I'd seen any soldiers that were out of place." A smile crossed his features. "Don't worry I didn't tell him anything." Karri sighed and sat down next to him. "He suspects you're here. He can't prove it, but he's pretty sure."

"And he wont find out for sure until after the battle." She said defiantly. A horn blew in the distance.

"Prepare to move out!" Eomer's voice carried over the men. Karri took a deep breath before standing then climbing back on her horse.

"Are you ready?" Eaodon asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Karri looked toward Eowyn and Merry who were ready to leave and the horses began moving. The sun was setting and she knew by the time tomorrow she would either be the luckiest person alive, in utter despair, or no more.