I'm home, I'm home! Yyyaaayyy!

Just one thing I think I should tell you guys: I have all of next week off with nothing to do, but the week after I start school, so my writing pace will probably slow some. Don't know how much yet. We'll see what happens.

Disclaimer: I own only Alice.

WARNING: CHARACTER DEATH IN THIS CHAPTER. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Two lines of soldiers form a pathway within a throng of people. Their heads are bowed low as pall-bearers carry the body of Théodred between them. Upon the prince's chest is a small bundle of white flowers. Théoden follows his son, with Aragorn, Alice, Legolas, Gimli, and Gandalf following behind him. The people of Edoras stand closely by leaving only a small pathway through the center of the city for the pall-bearers to carry Théodred. Cries and moans pierce the air.

Later…

At Théodred's tomb, Éowyn stands near the tomb's open door. Alice stands next to her, silently, barely moving at all, even to just breathe. It's technically not her place to stand there, but she can sense that Éowyn appreciates the silent support. The pall-bearers lower Théodred and pass his wicket between a path of people to the women waiting within the tomb to receive him. Éowyn sings softly in a form of English so old, she can barely understand it.

"Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended

giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende

on Meduselde þæt he ma no wære

his dryhtne dyrest and mæga

deorost.

Bealo…"

("An evil death has set forth the noble warrior

A song shall sing sorrowing minstrels

in Meduseld that he is no more,

to his lord dearest and kinsmen

most beloved.

An evil death...")

That evening…

Alice sits next to Freda as her and her brother, Éothain, wolf down food. She hums merrily, hoping to erase the dreadful memories from the minds of the two children. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli stand nearby; Théoden rests on his throne, his head buried in his hand, with Gandalf standing next to him.

"They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the Wild Men are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go." The ranger, Elf, and Dwarf look at each other, concerned. "Rock, cot, and tree." Éowyn tells them.

"Where's Mama?" Freda asks in the blissful ignorance of a child. Éowyn and Alice immediately turn to the girl.

"Mama's gone, honey," Alice says quietly, not wishing to interrupt the conversation now going on between Gandalf and Théoden. "Would you like to hear a song?" She asks her after a pause. Freda and Éothain glance at each other before nodding swiftly. Éowyn has spun around to look at Aragorn and Théoden, but Alice didn't hear what was said.

"When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan." Théoden says, indignant.

"Then what is the king's decision?" Gandalf asks, and the King turns away from them, concern etched in his face. A song suddenly pops into Alice's head.

"Raindrops on roses, and whiskers on kittens!

Bright copper kettles, and warm woolen mittens,

Brown paper packages, tied up with string," She knows Éowyn is staring at her.

"These are a few of my favorite things!" She reaches over to her bag, which is laying on the table, to pull out the violin Legolas gave her back in Rivendell. She plays it loud enough for everyone to hear.

"Cream colored ponies and crisp apple streudels,

Doorbells, and sleigh bells, and schnitzel with noodles!

Wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings

These are a few of my favorite things!

Girls in white dresses, with blue satin sashes

Snowflakes that stay on my nose and eyelashes," She uses the end of her violin bow to tap Freda's nose and Éothain's brow to emphasize her words.

"Silver white winters that MELT into spring!

These are a few of my favorite things!" She stops playing the violin for a minute, and is aware of now everyone's gazes on her form.

"When the dog bites!" She reaches across and tickles Freda as she sings this.

"When the bee stings!" She leans over and pokes Éothain, who laughs loudly.

"When I'm feeling sad," She uses her fingers to pull her smile down into a frown.

"I simply remember my favorite things," She shrugs, "And then I don't feel, so bad!"

"That would hardly work if there is a legion of Orcs breaking down your door." Gandalf says with a chuckle. Alice shrugs.

"It's not meant for adults. It's for children, and childish fears. There were many a time when I was a child, where simply thinking about nice and happy things helped drive away the things I was afraid of." Freda lets out a small gasp, having already seen Ringil and making a few assumptions.

"But, you're a big, strong warrior, Alice!" Says the little girl, "You're not afraid of anything, aren't you?" Alice laughs.

"I'm afraid of a lot of things, Freda." The girl's eyes widen.

"Like what?" She asks.

"Don't even bother asking, Freda." Éothain says with a scoff. "If she's afraid of stuff, she's not really a warrior." Alice quirks an eyebrow.

"Oh, really? How many Orcs have you slain?" The boy's eyes are cast downwards. "I thought so. To answer your question, Freda, I'm afraid of spiders."

"Spiders?" Aragorn asks behind her, skepticism in his voice. Alice sighs.

"Yeah, when I was a little girl, I got bit by one. My face swelled up, I could barely feel one of my arms, and I couldn't move very much." She says, remembering how bad her allergic reaction to the spider's bite was, and the week she had to spend in the hospital for it. "It wasn't very pleasant. Since then, doesn't matter what size or kind, I am totally, completely, and utterly afraid of spiders."

"Wow." Freda says with awe, and Alice laughs again, squatting in front of the girl.

"I'm also afraid of losing the people I care about." She jerks her head towards Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. "Like those three morons over there, who I would swear on my life are out to get themselves killed." Éothain and Freda laugh very hard, and the three men roll their eyes. Éowyn laughs behind her hand, and Gandalf chuckles. "I'm a long way from home, so I'm also afraid I'll get separated from them, and won't be able to find my way again. And I'm afraid I'll never get to go home." The girl gasps again.

"I'm afraid of that stuff, too!"

"See?" Alice says, ruffling the girl's hair, "Just because I'm a warrior doesn't mean I'm not afraid. The difference between you and me isn't this heavy thing," she pulls out Ringil and holds it up, "And it isn't that I'm older," she stands up tall, and shows how much taller she is than the girl, "It's that even though I'm afraid, I know how to tell my fears to go away, because I can't listen to them. If I let my fears rule my life, why, I wouldn't be a warrior at all! I'd be a coward. And cowards do nothing but cause trouble for everyone." Éothain and Freda nod. "Now, go get some baths, you two stink!" The kids laugh as they're guided away by a couple handmaids. They wave their goodbyes to Alice as they leave.

"I didn't know you were good with kids." Gimli says, and she chuckles.

"Wasn't too long ago I was that age. I'm only 23, y'know." She sighs. "Those kids are forever changed by the events that they have witnessed, let alone by the fact that they're now orphans." She turns back, and looks at Gimli forlornly, "There's very little anyone can do now that will help them. They're childhoods are now totally ruined, and there's nothing we can do about it."

"Do you speak from experience?" Théoden asks.

"Sort of. I never knew my father, and my mother died when I was just a few years older than Éothain. Losing your parents, at any age, is hard. Before you even really reach adulthood?" She shakes her head, "Unless you've had it happen to you, you cannot even imagine the very grand scale on which it completely changes your life."

"How did your mother die?" Éowyn asks softly. Alice's eyes shut.

"Where I come from, it's not too uncommon for our elder's to have some kind of memory-effecting disease. One of the ones I know of causes you to believe that you're reliving some part of your childhood, it's called dementia. You can't get it from other people, like the plague or something, it just kind of happens to you. My mother got hers at what's considered a young age, but it could, really, happen to you at any time. It's called Alzheimer's. It makes you forget."

"Forget?" Legolas asks, and she opens her eyes to look at him. He's surprised by the immense amount of pain inside them.

"Everything. It starts off with what you had for breakfast that morning. Then maybe when you bought that fish last week. It escalates. You don't know what day it is, because you forgot yesterday completely. Then, you wake up one morning, and all of last month is completely gone. Soon, you start forgetting people. The name of your best friend from childhood. Your husband's cousin who comes over two or three times a year. Then, it gets even worse. You don't recognize your grandchildren. Your parents, who maybe have been dead for years, are completely erased…" A sob suddenly comes from Alice's chest, "Next, your children. Your husband, who you've been married to for fifty years, you think is a total stranger. Then your own name. Until one day, your family comes to your door, and finds that you passed away in your sleep. Why? Your heart forgot how to beat." She looks away, a few tears escaping. "I was fifteen when my Mom starting having a hard time remembering who I was. I was sixteen when the healers told us that she was gone." A shudder shakes her body, and the tears stop. She has regained her composure, her mask of serenity back into place. "Apologies, I still get upset when I remember."

"That's understandable," says Théoden, surprising her, "That must have been very, very difficult for you. And at such a young age, as well. You have my condolences." She nods, but doesn't speak for the rest of the day.

The next morning…

"By order of the king, the city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. Do not burden yourself with treasures. Take only what provisions you need." Háma announces loudly early in the morning.

The people of Edoras gather their things together. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Alice and Gandalf walk among them, Alice keeping pace with the White Wizard.

"Helm's Deep. They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight." Gimli grumbles as they enter a Rohirrim stable, walking past the horses of Rohan. A few neigh at the sight of Alice. "Who will defend them if not their king?"

"He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past." Aragorn says as he, Alice, and Gandalf approach Shadowfax's stable. Alice goes to stand by Aragorn.

"There is no way out of that ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he's leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre." Gandalf turns to the two young people. "Théoden has a strong will, but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end, Aragorn and Alice. The people of Rohan will need you. The defenses have to hold." They hold his gaze resolutely, and speak at the same time.

"They will hold." The wizard turns from them to Shadowfax, and gently strokes his coat.

"The Grey Pilgrim. That's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of Men I've walked this earth, and now I have no time." He muses. Aragorn opens the stall door as Gandalf mounts Shadowfax. "With luck, my search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east." The two nod.

"Go." Aragorn tells him. Legolas and Gimli jump out of the way as Gandalf blasts out of the stable at top speed.

Later that day…

Alice has been spending time in the quiet of the horses, caring for them gently. She didn't have much experience, but she remembered a little bit from a man who drove a carriage down the streets of New Orleans who told her a few things about his two horses. She's been peering about in her mind, searching for Fingolfin, who seems to be very quiet, or gone entirely. Both options worry her. She hears something stirring. Looking around the corner, she sees two soldiers attempting to corral a wild horse. She sees Éowyn standing nearby, watching. Aragorn enters the stable, carrying his saddle. He turns to the struggle, puts down his saddle and walks to them.

"That horse is half mad, my lord. There's nothing you can do. Leave him." Says one of the soldiers. The horse rears and whinnies as the ranger comes closer.

"Fæste, stille nú...fæste..." He says to the horse, and signals one of the soldiers to go. She only understands a few words. "...stille nú. Lac is drefed, gefrægon." Aragorn slowly reaches the steed. He caresses his coat softly, and then carefully removes the ropes detaining him. He hands the ropes over to the remaining soldier, and Alice smiles. "Hwæt nemnað ðe? Hm? Hwæt nemnað ðe?" (Fast, be quiet now...fast... ...be quiet now. A battle is stirred up, they heard. What is your name? Hm? What is your name?)

"His name is Brego." Éowyn says, reminding Alice and telling Aragorn that she is there. He snaps around to look at her. "He was my cousin's horse."

"Brego." He turns back to the horse, "Ðin nama is cynglic." He tells him. Éowyn moves, very slowly, closer to the ranger, transfixed. "Man le trasta, Brego? Man cenich?" He says, suddenly switching to the familiar Elvish. (Your name is kingly.) "What troubles you, Brego? What did you see?" Alice jumps a bit at the sound of Fingolfin's voice.

"I have heard of the magic of Elves, but I did not look for it in a Ranger from the North. You speak as one of their own." Éowyn says, distracting Alice from interrogating her ancient friend.

"I was raised in Rivendell ... for a time. Turn this fellow free. He's seen enough of war." Aragorn leaves Brego with Éowyn. He retrieves his saddle and leaves quickly. Alice slinks back into the shadows.

"Where have you been?"
"I'm dying, Alice."
"… WHAT?"
"It's been coming on since we left Lórien, and you found out everything. You haven't known it, but in your sleep since you arrived here, I've been training you. Preparing you, and teaching you Elvish. I'm leaving, soon, going back to Halls of Valinor. I am no longer strong enough to take control of your body to defend you. I knew this day was coming. Your body, through my teaching, will now defend itself when it senses that danger is near. Your hearing and sight have become attuned to mine own, and you will keep that with you forever. While you are in Middle Earth, you will retain my abilities, but when you leave, everything, except for sight and hearing, will return to normal."
"… How long do you have?"
"Everything I do takes effort. The more effort I use, the quicker I die. Even just talking to you. At this rate, just a few more days. I have a few things I need to tell you before I go."
"Then speak."
"Théoden will tell you to hide in the depths of Helm's Deep with the women and children. Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli will wish for you to placate him by listening. Everyone will be against you. You know, even now, that you will be needed at the frontlines. No matter what anyone does or says, you cannot give in to their wishes, even though you will want to. You mustn't let them tell you what to do. Be that strong American woman I know and love. Second, in the mean time, you must begin training Éowyn. Keep this to yourself for now, but the day is coming when the Witch King of Angmar will fall. Éowyn will be there when that day comes. She must be ready. She will not accept training from anyone else. There are other things, but all this talking is very quickly deteriorating me. Just follow your instinct, kid, and you'll come out alright at the end."
"Wait, what did Galadriel mean when she said, 'When that which is gold glimmers again'?"
"Aragorn. Goodbye, Alice. I will miss you."
"I'll miss you, too. Farewell, Fingolfin."

And just like that, he was gone.

And sadly, in a time when he was needed most, Fingolfin returns home to the Halls of Valinor. Goodbye, Fingolfin! *cries*

I decided to put off the explanation as to why the Rohirrim do not like the name 'Roxanne' for later. It would make things way too complicated if I did it right now.

Luna - w00t! Yeah, she's kickin butt and takin names, now, lol. XD

Stallout - Thank you! And thanks for reviewing! =D

Lady Minuialwen - Thanks, haha. Explanation is due soon. =)

Song credits: "My Favorite Things" by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, from 'The Sound of Music'. Song by Eowyn is from the movies.

Next time, on Alice in Middle Earth: The Two Towers:

Fingolfin is gone, how will Alice cope? Will she be able to prepare Eowyn for her destiny? Will she be able to stand up to King Theoden? And how will she fare against Eowyn's aweful stew? Find out next time!