A/N: new chappie! yay!


Chapter 7: Attacked

"Eomer wants me to accompany him on a hunt with a few of his men," Eowyn smiled as she sat at her vanity, Isolde standing behind her and brushing her hair. "After you braid my hair, can you lay out my hunting clothes for me, please?"

"Of course, my lady," she nodded, not moving from her task.

The two were silent for a moment before Eowyn couldn't hold her curiosity at bay any longer and she asked, "Did you find Eomer?"

Isolde felt a blush set her cheeks aflame, but she continued with her task as she murmured, "Yes, my lady."

"And did you speak to him?" Eowyn coaxed, and Isolde swallowed, suddenly realizing what her lady wanted.

"Yes, my lady," she began. "He wanted me to be sure of his intentions and said he would wait for my decision until week's end."

"He is thoughtful, is he not?" Eowyn smiled, shifting in her seat, excitedly. "I shall tell you as I told him, I am quite happy I matched you two up. He is a good man, worthy of you, Isolde, as you are worthy of him. A perfect match indeed."

"He is a good man, there is no doubt, my lady," Isolde replied, but Eowyn turned, taking Isolde's hand as it held the brush in the air. The handmaiden looked to her in wide-eyed wonder as she took the brush from her hand to set it down and turn back to her.

"I hear doubt in your tone, Isolde," Eowyn noticed, still holding her hands. "Tell me your mind, please."

Isolde sighed in thought before replying, "I have no issue with my lord Eomer. Were I a noble woman, I would accept his offer without hesitation. But I am not, and though he says he chooses who he will marry, I fear if he marries me that I will stand in the way of future political alliances that he may need."

"I'm sure he has thought of this as well," Eowyn assured her. "He may be impulsive at times, but there are things he takes care with. There are other ways to ally kingdoms without the bond of marriage."

"That is not my only concern," Isolde continued. "It took you so long to find me for a handmaiden, my lady. How will you cope?"

"I will manage, Isolde," Eowyn smiled. "The reason it took so long was my own reluctance. Faramir insisted I have a handmaiden, and I am glad he did, because you are a dear friend to me now."

"It is an honor, my lady, to be your friend and servant," Isolde nodded with a small smile, but Eowyn noted reluctance still in her friend's expression.

"Isolde, were these reasons mere excuses to mask a different reason for your hesitance?" Eowyn questioned, making Isolde look at her with wide eyes again. "Is it uncertainty of your own feelings for my brother that holds you back from a decision?"

Isolde opened her mouth to reply but soon looked away from Eowyn with a blush of embarrassment as she murmured, "Forgive me, my lady. I have always been raised that a person should marry for love, and though I am sure that my lord Eomer cares for me, as I do for him, I am unsure if I love him. It would be unfair to him if I were to accept his proposal, only to find that I do not love him as a wife should love her husband."

Eowyn couldn't help but start laughing, making Isolde shoot her gaze to her lady in disbelief before she replied, "Isolde, I have seen the way the two of you look at each other. If the two of you merely care for each other now, it will not belong before you both realize that you love each other. I can see it plain as day."

The handmaiden stared wide eyes at Eowyn's smiling face, before the noblewoman spoke again.

"The decision is up to you, but I would be exceedingly happy if you accept him," she smiled, warmly. "Do not let your uncertainty hold you back from your desires, Isolde. I encourage risk taking. We found out more about ourselves when we do it."

Isolde chewed on her lower lip before nodding in understanding, and Eowyn took the brush she'd set aside to put it in her hand as she turned forward in her seat.

"What do you suggest, Isolde?" Eowyn smiled, catching her attention to her lady. "Shall I have a simple braid for the hunt, or a tight bun?"

"A braid suits you far better, my lady," Isolde smiled, sweetly as she turned to brush her out a bit more before starting on the braid, lost in thought.

Perhaps, she supposed, she was over-thinking Eomer's proposal? He was a good man, and a king, and she did care for him. He would provide for her, protect her, and perhaps, as Eowyn said, in time she would love him. She certainly enjoyed it whenever he kissed her. She felt everything he felt through their kisses, and it always amazed her how readily she gave in to him. She realized, she could not deny him. King or no, she cared for him as a man, and she smiled at the thought of spending her life with him, her smile widening when she suddenly had an image of little blonde children running around the hall. That thought made her nod, slightly in certainty. She knew her answer now.


Meanwhile...

Eomer led his horse from the stables, dressed for the hunt, along with a group of his men and he mounted to stand with them.

"Where is your sister, my lord?" a dark haired man smirked, his hazel eyes alight with amusement at using the title. "Surely she must be ready for the hunt by now."

"Elias, don't tease our King," smirked another dark haired man, his own amber eyes alight as well as he paced his horse around the group. "He's had a trying week thus far. His coronation as king, along with his sister's arrival then his advisors breathing down his neck at all times. It is difficult to be king."

"Were I not in need of generals and fighting men I would throttle you both where you stand," Eomer finally spoke, making both men chuckle. The entire group knew him as a friend and master of the Rohirrim. Now that he was king, it made no difference to them in joking and teasing him.

"Perhaps, Faolan, he is in need of a woman to relieve the stress of kingship?" a brown haired, brown eyed rider added on. "I noticed at the coronation you had your eye on a sweet blonde, Your Highness. Perhaps she will soothe yours nerves."

That, to Eomer, would not stand. He reined his horse toward the man to stand next to him, face to face, his green-hazels burning into his brown eyes as they shot wide in regret at the comment.

"Speak of her in such a matter again, Herne, and I shall not hesitate to exercise my right to punish whom I see fit," he ground out. "Am I understood?"

"Y-Yes, my lord," Herne nodded. "I didn't realize she meant so much. Forgive me."

Eomer nodded and turned to pace his horse down the line of men as they stared at him in uncertainty and he announced, "That goes for the rest of you. Isolde will not be spoken of with such disrespect, am I understood?"

They all responded in the positive before he turned to face his horse toward the Edoras, all still waiting for his sister. He heard slow hoof beats stepping toward him from behind and looked over his shoulder to see a man with black hair and rare, golden eyes step up next to him. Recognizing him Eomer looked ahead again as the other man stopped beside him.

"Do they think of nothing else but bedding women, Jasper?" Eomer growled lowly to him.

"As memory serves, you used to be the same way," Jasper replied, calmly. "It is the way with all men who've yet to find the woman they would not stand to have disrespected with such talk. Either that, or becoming king of Rohan has made you more noble than the rest of us."

"And what of you," Eomer shot back. "I thought you would be the first to tease me about needing a woman to warm my bed."

"Eomer, I am the wisest of your men," Jasper retorted. "I've shown that many times before when those three have demonstrated their lack of intelligence."

Eomer couldn't help but chuckle as he gave a nod and the men were silent for a moment before he sighed, "What is taking her so long?"

"This woman the men spoke of and you defended," Jasper suddenly began, drawing Eomer's frown to him. "Will she soon be our queen?"

Eomer swallowed, his frown disappearing as he looked ahead again and gave a small nod, replying, "If she accepts me, yes."

"I am glad for you, my friend," Jasper smiled, leaning over to pat Eomer's shoulder. "I shall not tell the others. You will not hear the end of it if I did."

"You are a great friend, Jasper," Eomer nodded. "Thank you."

All the men soon sat at attention when they saw Eowyn approaching, the reins of her horse in her hand and when she reached them, she pulled herself onto her mount.

"What took you so long?" Eomer demanded as the group turned their horses away from Edoras.

"You know women, brother," she smirked, teasingly as she walked next to him. "I couldn't decide how to put my hair up or which trousers to wear."

"Amusing, sister," Eomer shot back as a few of his men gave chuckles, but said nothing. He glanced toward them, slowing enough to give them space from the group as Eowyn frowned at him. "Is Isolde well? Did she speak of me at all?"

Eowyn couldn't help but smirk before nodding, replying, "She is well. And yes, she spoke of you to me. She is still deliberating her answer to your proposal."

"Does she have concerns that need to be eased?" Eomer wondered, feeling his heart pound in nervousness.

"Nothing that I, myself, could not reassure her of, brother," she replied. "That was a reason for my lateness. She worries more for you than for herself, as women often do."

"She worries for me?" he frowned in confusion. "What is it that worries her?"

"I'll not gossip about my friend's feelings, Eomer," she scolded. "If there is something you wish to know, ask her, not I."

Eomer gave a sneer and looked ahead in thought, assured that his horse would follow the hunting party. What could she possibly worry about? Had he not given her his intentions? Had he not assured her enough that he cared not for her rank and only care for her alone? If she worried that she was unworthy of him, she couldn't have been more wrong. Perhaps that was it? Well, he would have to speak to her when they returned from the hunt, and he would assure her that it was he that was unworthy of her.


Inside Edoras...

Isolde watched from the platform outside as the hunting party rode off into the distance and sighed, tiredly. She had hoped to catch Eomer before he left, but by the time lady Eowyn was ready for the hunt, she knew he would not want any further delays. Turning from the view she walked back inside, but just as she reached the threshold, she gasped with a started when she was met by an obstacle.

"Forgive me, my lady," a man with dark hair and turquoise blue eyes smiled with a slight bow. "I did not mean to startle you. My name is Aladon. His Majesty ordered me to watch over you until his return from the hunt."

"D-Did he?" she murmured, more to herself than to him before shaking away her shock and she straightened. "I am no lady, Aladon. You may call me by my name. I am a humble servant, just as you are a humble soldier."

"Forgive me, but if I do not show you the proper respect, my lord Eomer will be very cross with me," he replied, making Isolde sigh before nodding.

"Very well," she consented. "I cannot expect you to disobey the king. I was going to visit one of the horses in the stables."

"Which horse, if I may ask, my lady?" Aladon wondered as they began heading through the fortress.

"Leosi," Isolde smiled, hiding her discomfort at the title. "I rode her yesterday."

"She is a fine horse, is she not?" Aladon smiled. "I raised her from a foal. I would have loved to keep her, but she cannot handle a man's weight, and I have no female family I could have given her to. I am grateful that lord Eomer found someone for her. You seem compatible for her."

"May I ask why you think so?" Isolde wondered with a small frown.

"An instinct," he shrugged. "You've seemed to become close in a very short time."

"Well, she helped in my rescue from the river yesterday," Isolde admitted. "I have yet to thank her. Had she not been there to pull his majesty and myself from the waters, I think I might have frozen to death or been swept away and drowned."

"I am sure she will accept your gratitude," he nodded as they strolled outside and toward the stables.

Isolde grinned as she hurried toward the stall where Leosi stood and the horse's ears pricked up just as she approached. Leosi gave a slight snort, lifting her head toward Isolde as she stepped into the stall. Isolde stroked her neck, murmuring softly as Aladon stepped toward the stall as well but did not enter. Leosi picked her head up higher and gave a slight whinny at him, making him smirk and approach as Isolde looked up.

"It seems I am remembered, eh, my sweet?" he murmured to the horse who held her nose out to him so that he could stroke it before running a hand over her neck, standing on the opposite side of Isolde's position. "I have that effect on females, don't I, lovely?"

Isolde couldn't help but giggle, making Aladon chuckle before he instinctively began examining the horse between them.

"As expected, they've been taking very good care of you, Leosi," he smiled, moving to her head to look at her head on, Isolde still standing at her neck. "She likes it here, I think. I'm glad."

"She's missed you," Isolde noticed, then wondered, "Have you had time to see her since she arrived here?"

"It has been some time since I could visit," he admitted, running his hand down the horse's head. "I wish I had more time. Were it not for the recent war and the loss of so many men, I don't think I have been able to see her again. His Majesty called me here since many who served in Edoras were lost."

"Perhaps he will make you a horse master?" Isolde mused. "You would be able to spend more time with her if he did."

"That would be ideal, my lady," he smiled, weakly. "But I shall not hold my breath. He needs soldiers for the Rohirrim and fighters to defend Edoras more than he needs a horse master."

Isolde nodded in understanding, glancing outside for a moment before frowning in wonder at the horizon. Aladon caught her gaze and looked outside as well before stepping away from Leosi and stepping outside the stables to get a better look, Isolde remaining in her spot.

"My lady," he called, and his tone made her straighten even though he did not look away from the horizon. "Come toward me, take my hand, and if you value your life do not let it go."

Isolde said nothing as she hurried toward him, taking his offered hand in time for him to pull her from the stables and back toward the fortress.

"Sound the alarm!" he called to a few of the men outside, milling around. "A raiding party of Orcs is approaching! Take up arms!"

Screams from the woman and terrified cries from children sounded as Aladon still dragged Isolde toward the fortress.

"Should you not fight?" Isolde called as he pulled her up the steps and into the fortress.

"My lord Eomer instructed me to protect you," he replied, not stopping as they weaved through the halls. "And I shall protect you with my life."

They stopped at Eomer's chamber door and he ushered her inside it, barring the door before he rushed to the window to look out at the view where he saw the approaching party rushing toward them on their Warg beasts.

"Aladon, you should be out there," Isolde urged, trying to pull him away from the window.

"My place is here," he insisted, unmoving. "Stay away from the door."

As if on cue, there was a loud pounding at the door and the two heard growls and splintering wood as they turned wide eyes to it. Aladon stepped away from the window, drawing his sword and pulling Isolde behind him, backing her into a corner as the wood still splintered.

"I shall protect you, Isolde," he assured her. "Stay behind me."

Instead of responding, she screamed when the door finally gave way and a Warg and Orc fell into the room, both snarling and growling as Aladon raised his blade and attacked with a yell of rage.


Meanwhile...

Eomer and his hunting party trotted along the countryside from the forest with their kill, Eomer leading the way with Eowyn beside him.

"Have you chosen your generals?" Eowyn asked him, glancing back at the men following them and he glanced back at them as well.

"I've narrowed it down to the three buffoons and Jasper," he replied so that only she would hear and she chuckled. "I may have four, yes?"

"That is up to you, Your Majesty," she smirked, and he returned it.

"My lord!" Faolan called urgently, sending all eyes to him as he ran his horse toward the two. "I see smoke coming from Edoras!"

The group sent their horses at a gallop, and as they came to the top of a hill that overlooked Edoras, it was confirmed that it had been attacked. They spent no more time gazing as Eomer led them down the hill toward Edoras, thankful for Faolan's watchful gaze. They reached the gates soon and Eomer leapt off his horse as the rest dismounted as well. He knelt down when he found a track in the dirt and examined it.

"Wargs," he growled in realization.

"I'd heard there were raiding parties," Eowyn breathed, looking around the ruined houses. "I never thought they would strike here."

Eomer stood, lost in thought for a moment before something crossed his mind and he stared up at the fortress in wide-eyed panic.

"Isolde!" he shouted, running up the steps and into the fortress, catching Eowyn's attention and she ran after him, the same thought crossing her mind in that instant. "Isolde!"

He stopped inside the doors, looking around as his heart thumped in his chest in panic and he ran through the hall to check ever room, Eowyn right behind him as he called for Isolde in each room.

"Isolde! Answer me if you're here!" he called, marching toward his chamber to find the door broken in.

Eowyn gasped when they saw the devastation inside and Eomer drew his sword as he stared at the huge, unmoving Warg inside. They both stepped in, and he cautiously pocked at the thing to see if it was dead or alive.

"It is…dead, my lord."

The siblings looked to the corner the dead Warg was facing to see Aladon lying under its head, battered and bloody from head to toe. Eomer sheathed his sword and hurried to kneel next to him and prop his head up, Eowyn hurrying toward him as well.

"Aladon," Eomer murmured. "Where is Isolde?"

"Forgive me, my lord," he coughed, blood trickling down the corner of his mouth. "I tried to…protect her. The Orcs—"

He coughed violently and the siblings knew from the look of his wounds that he wasn't going to survive the next ten seconds.

"The Orcs took her," he strained, making the two look at each other with wide eyes filled with panic before they looked back at Aladon when he weakly pushed Eomer away with a cough. "Go, my lord. I'm dead, I know it. If you leave now, you may catch their trail."

Eomer could only nod, send a look to Eowyn and she nodded as well, knowing he was telling her without words to stay. He stood and ran as fast as he could back out to the steps to stand at the top to gaze around for his men.

"Elias!" he called, hurrying down the steps and catching a few gazes. "Faolan! Herne! Jasper! You're all coming with me!"

The men all met him at the bottom step as he stopped in front of them, explaining, "They've taken my sister's handmaiden."

"What is your will, my lord?" Jasper wondered for the four of them and Eomer marched between them, toward his horse without a word. The men followed as he mounted his horse, and they did the same.

He reined his horse toward the gates and looked at the ground, finding tracks leading out and into the countryside. He set his jaw in anger and worry for Isolde's safety before looking over his shoulder at his men to growl, "We're going Orc Hunting."


A/N: i know what you're thinking, and yes...i went there. reviews?