A/N: OK so in this chapter, I brush on the fake origin Winifred and Gandalf have come up with for Winifred…. Just go with it. I know that there are people from her "area" that work against those of middle earth but lets assume it's not from her "land."

Chapter 4 Faith is all I hold

"Come traveler, tell me your story." Théoden said. He indicted with his hand for Winifred to take center stage and tell her story. Winifred glanced quickly at Gandalf. He gave her an encouraging look. Winifred moved a few feet forward.

Those in the golden hall were in rapture of the beautiful dark-haired woman who stood tall before the king. They didn't see her injuries, or her nervousness. Stories of the beautiful stranger that came to Edoras would spread all over the city within a day and would travel well outside the wall of the city quickly. Soon people would remark to each other if they saw her, and they started calling her Elfwine, Elf-friend. For many believed that she must hail from the renowned lands of elf country. Even though people of Rohan distrusted the mythical creatures, they had little dealings with them. Most thought they were all long gone from middle earth.

"Spare us, no detail." Said Grima from the dark corner, moving closer to hear what she had to say. Grima was just as slimy as she imagined, alabaster skin, slick black hair that clung to his head. He almost seemed to hunch over. "We are curious as to how you found yourself into the caves of helms deep." Winifred found his use of the word "we" telling.

"Théoden King." She started address the king. "I hail from the far north, distance ancestors to those of Rohan, and of Gondor. My people are friends of the rangers of the north, they often help to guard the borders to the south." She said confidently and strong.

"My people have had a long history of feuding with the Easterlings. I understand that your own people have had some contact with these men." She paused to take a calming breath. "It has been growing worse throughout my lifetime, and I have known nothing but living in a state of fear. They have become bolder, burning crops, and villages. There are whispers that they have a powerful alley in the south that has encouraged them to attack." Gandalf had not told her to say anything about a powerful alley in the south, Winifred wasn't even sure if Gandalf was aware of this. Winifred knew that Mordor did have an alliance with the Easterlings. She was hoping to at least raise the alarm to those of middle earth that forces are moving just outside their borders against them all.

" We received a warning from a trusted ranger that they were moving against us, and a large force was coming to the capital, to destroy us. My father sent the woman, child, and elderly to our allies, asking them to take in our people for fear that our capital would fall. I stayed for as long as he would allow before he sent my guard and myself south. My father wished for me to seek refuge with our long departed ancestors in Gondor and spend the rest of my days living in peace among them.

"The road was darker and more dangerous then any in my company excepted. We lost one member of our party just north of Bree. Another was lost when we passed too close to the mines of Moria." With her hands at her side, Winifred discreetly started to pinch her leg to get her eyes to water. "The rest of my company fell a day after we passed Isengard." Finally her eyes started to water up. " Wild men attacked us near the foot of the mountains. My guards fought them off valiantly. They gave their lives to give me time to flee. I found a cave to hide in. In the darkness alone I lost all sense of time and direction." Winifred could see her tale had captured everyone's attention. From the guards stationed around the hall, the servants preparing for the evening meal, to the men Eomer now stood with, even Eowyn's face had soften some. Grima looked like he had a bitter taste in his mouth.

"I cannot tell you how long I traveled in the dark caves. I was in despair, and expected to die in the dark alone, far from home. The is all I remember." Winifred added. "I will never see my home again, or any of my people." When she said this out loud she actually choked up and a few real tears spilled from her eyes before she could stop them, she got control over her emotions taking a breath.

Then to her own surprise and Gandalf's, she added "I am now pleading that you accept me into your court, and I will call Rohan my country and home till my last dying breath," She finished, bowing her head to the king. Grima looked like he was about to speak, when Théoden waved Grima off and looked at her very intensely, like he was trying to see her clearly. It took what seemed a lifetime but slowly Théoden said " And you will be a lady of my court for as long as you will, lady Winifred." He said richly. Winifred did a quick intake of breath and smiled brightly looking up. Gandalf came to her side. Winifred smiled at him and he smirked at her.

With a deep curtsy she said breathlessly, "Thank you my king!" she couldn't think of what else to say. Paralyzed with glee she let Gandalf lead her to the side of the hall with Eomer and other men in uniform.

Eomer gave her nod. She smiled back at him and glance back to the king just in time to see Grima handing the king a goblet. Her heart dropped just as fast as it had risen.

"The king is tired, he will eat in the privacy of his chambers tonight." Grima spat out. Eowyn rushed forward to lend Théoden's her arm. He slowly stood and left the room, having more trouble then someone should at is age.

Two tables were pushed together, and the food spread out for the guest. Gandalf and herself sat close to the middle. The seat next to her was open. Eomer sat across from Winifred. An important looking person sat opposite of Gandalf. The rest of the table was filled by Théoden's advisors and council, most were captains or held some other title or position of importance.

The man across from Gandalf spoke. "My cousin has informed me that you were well taken care of in Helms deep." The man was Theodred, second Marshal of the mark; he was marshal of the west and was lord of helms deep. He was older than Eomer. He was handsome; he looked like a true Rohan with long blonde hair, a thick beard, and brown eyes, and a strong jaw. Theodred's face did not hold a stern look that always seemed present on Eomer's. He was more serious looking, but there were faint laugh lines around his mouth that gave Winifred hope. He was tall and strong-looking but was just short of Eomer.

"Yes, Lady Eadgyth tended to me. I don't think I could ever thank her enough or Eomer for that matter, for pulling me out of the wreckage." Winifred said looking at Eomer. "Thank you again for saving my life, I must find a way to repay you for this debt." She added.

"I will accept nothing. It is my duty and all who ride under the banner of Rohan to help and defend the people within theses borders." He avoided her eyes; he looked guarded again, stern looking as always. This explanation didn't really apply to her since she was a stranger of Rohan when he found her. She let Eomer get away with this. He turned to his neighbor and began to speak in his tongue. All around her, the men were talking but in a language she wasn't familiar with. It was the native tongue of the Rohirrim, the people of Rohan; she thought that she should have someone teach her.

She filled her plate and began to eat. Gandalf was deep in conversion with Theodred. Winifred let them be.

Towards the end of the meal Eowyn came to join them. She had delayed to make sure the servants brought Theoden everything he needed. Grima stayed with the king, though Eowyn hated when that happened. She took the open seat next to Winifred.

"Welcome, Winifred. I am Eowyn, daughter of Eomund, niece of Theoden king," She said quickly nodded to her. She then added some food to her plate to begin her late meal. Winifred picked up on the conversation between Gandalf and Theodred.

"How long will you stay in Edoras?" Theodred asked between drinks of mead. "I must leave at first light. I have urgent matters that I must get back too." Gandalf replied.

"So soon?" Winifred asked. Gandalf looked sadly at her. "I fear I have lost too much time already. Do not fear little one, you shall see me again." He added to soothe her. Eomer seemed to have interest in this conversation.

"Are you headed east?" Eomer said to Gandalf. "I leave for the east mark late morning if you can delay. I would enjoy your company on the road." Eomer said.

"Hmm, I think I will journey with you for as long as my path will permit me." He said nodding to Eomer.

"I must also leave tomorrow." Theodred said.

"You two come less often and your stays are even briefer." Eowyn said, stoned face to the men. "Are borders are becoming more dangerous with each passing year Eowyn, you know this." Eomer said gently in response. "Now you have Winifred to keep you company."

Eowyn didn't respond to Eomer. There was an uncomfortable silence that fell. Theodred finally broke it. "What shall you do here Winifred?" She was thoughtful for a moment.

"Well, since this is to be my home I think I should learn the native tongue, if only to have more company to converse with." She said with a nervous laugh. Theodred let out a bark of a laugh that gained the attention of all at the table. Gandalf smiled, and Eomer almost gave her a smile, he looked pleased with her words though. "But I've heard legends of the shield maidens of Rohan, and I would like to be able to someday call myself one." The men, save Gandalf, sobered up a little, But Eowyn looked at her with approval, still cold and silent.

The meal was over shortly after that. Eowyn, being the lady of the household, lead Gandalf and Winifred to their rooms. Since Gandalf was staying just for the night his room was just off the great hall. Since Winifred was now going to be staying there permanently she was put in the same hall way as Eowyn.

"Meduseld may be run differently then what you are perhaps used to," Eowyn started as they walked to Winifred's new room. "While it used to have a court, it is less so now. Our borders are dangerous, and most men have no time to waste holding court. And since the king has felt ill and weak, it has made the court all but nonexistent. Mostly only advisors or councilors of the king come to stay. Eomer and Theodred come perhaps once a month." She finished just as she got to an open door, indicating for Winifred to Enter.

Her room was much bigger then the one she had in Helms Deep. She had a queen-sized bed, with a basic wooded bedpost. A small nightstand was next to the bed with one tall candle already lit. There was a big, deep wardrobe in a corner, with a small table next to it that housed a big bowl for water, a pitcher, and 2 goblets. In the opposite corner there was a floor length mirror ornate with carvings of horses. A fireplace was opposite of Winifred's bed, someone had made a small fire, with two plan chairs set in front of it. There was one opened window, with a delicate desk and chair placed in front of it. She noticed the packs from her horse had been placed in the room. It was a beautiful room but Winifred was distracted from the summary Eowyn had just given her.

"I am sorry to hear about the king's health, and the state of the court." Winifred said. "Gandalf was under the impression that it was a merry place and full of life, I am now sorry that I've pushed my way in," she added honestly. Eowyn soften at her words.

"No, I am glad to have someone as well travel as you joining Meduseld. Maybe you can help wake us from this dreariness." She replied. "Also someone I can train with." she added with a smirk. "A maid will come in shortly to help you settle in, and get you ready for bed." With that Eowyn went sweeping down the hall way to her own door, and shut it tightly behind her. Sighing, Winifred entered her room, and took a seat in front of the fire. With fall around the corner, the late summer night had a little nib to it. She got lost in her thoughts.

Soon she would be left alone to make her new life in Edoras. She didn't want to think about never seeing home again, she had pushed that aside. Not the healthiest way to deal with it. Instead, she focused on what she needed to do for the next 2 years to prepare for the war. The nights spent remember the books had been a great benefit. After witnessing Grima in person, she decided to interfere as much as possible when it came to Theoden. She would also make sure to spread the rumor of the Easterlings allegiance with Mordor, and that she had seen the white hand of Saruman on the men that attacked her company. She may be just one woman, but she knew all the cards the enemy held, and while she couldn't do much to defeat them on her own, she could try to loosen their hold. Make it easier for their power to break.

She was so enthralled by the mischief she planned to cause that she was startled when she saw Eomer casually leaning against the door frame staring intently at her, but his face was light, open.

"You scared me Eomer." Winifred claimed, Sitting a little straighter in her chair. Eomer walked in and sat in the open chair next to her. "Forgive me, I wanted to make sure you were comfortable with your lodgings." He said innocently enough.

"Yes, I am." She glanced around her room. "I feel thankful to be given such a room."

"I am glad you approve." Eomer said. "This was my old room, I moved closer to the hall now that I come and go more often." Winifred looked around the room again, seeing it as Eomer's old room.

"Is there anything I should know?" Winifred asked, mirth in her voice. Eomer gave her a curious glance, confused. "You know, ghosts, secret passages, or lose floor boards to hide things in," she said laughing through it. Eomer gave a soft chuckle. "Ghosts? No… Secret Passages? No..." He answer each query faithful, a small smile graced his lips. "Now… loose floor boards… Hmm." He stood up and walked towards the window. He moved the chair in front of the desk. He groped the floor for a moment or two before he seemed to find something. He lifted a floorboard.

"Hmm." He said again looking around the hole. "I had forgotten about this." Winifred had come over to glance down at the hole with him. It was thick with dust. Eomer reached down into the deep hole and grabbed a small little wooden box.

He looked in wonder at the box. Winifred looked too. "Well I'm glad its been remembered. What's in the box?" she asked, and then added, "If you don't mind me asking." Eomer still stared down at the little box.

"Something I do not need yet." And with that he put the box back in the hole, and put the floorboard back. Eomer moved back to the chair next to the fire. Winifred looked at the floorboard perplexed wanting to ask more questions, and then slowly joined Eomer. They sat in silence for a moment.

"I am glad that my sister will not be alone." He said. " I was afraid of the toil in being alone here would do to her."

"I am glad I can be useful again." She replied. Her long day was starting to catch up with her. "And I will look after her, and the king as well." She said staring warily at the fire.

Just then we heard a soft "Oh," towards the door. We both looked, it was the maid that was to tend to Winifred. She curtsied to Eomer and Winifred. "Excuse me," she said turning to leave.

"No, I was just leaving." Eomer stood up. "Tend to lady Winifred," Winifred looked disappointed at him but stood.

He nodded to Winifred and swiftly left. She watched him leave, and then yawned loudly.

"What time is it?" Winifred asked the maid. The maid shut the door, and went to Winifred's back to help her undress. Even though Winifred knew she didn't need any help, but the noblemen's daughter she was playing would need help.

"Late, I am sorry my lady, I was delayed in coming to assist you."

"That's alright, suddenly I just became so tired." Winifred said sleepily, while the maid pulled her dress off her. The maid gently moved Winifred to her bed.

"Don't bother unpacking, I can do it tomorrow." Winifred said while yawning. She slid into bed.

"That is my job my lady." The maid answered Winifred. That woke Winifred slightly.

"No, we will do it together in the afternoon. I have to separate the 'before' and 'after' and Gandalf and Eomer are leaving in the morning so I will spend my morning with them." Her eyes had started to close. "As you wish my lady." With that the maid blew out the candle at her bedside and left the room. Winifred was asleep before she heard the maid close the door. The maid went down the hall turned the corner and made her way to the servant's corridor.

Eomer looked around the corner from the other end. Then went to Winifred's door. He tapped softly. He heard nothing. He glanced around the hall again. Slowly he opened her door, but stop when he saw her fast asleep in her bed. She was striking, the firelight danced across her face. He had not seen her face so relaxed, and at peace. He shut the door and wandered back to his room.

He had spent many hours sitting by her bed for the two days she had been unconscious in the Hornburg. He had studied her face, and wondered at the woman whom he had found. He thought of her more often than was normal. It was strange for Eomer. Once he had caught himself wondering whom this Denny was, the man she had mistaken him for when she had briefly woken in his arm. He had to make a conscious effort to forget this thought. He had never come across someone like her, she was complex, She had many sides, layers, stories, and she was now alone in this world. Her story had resonated within him, but it did not sound like the complete truth. Something was missing. He would be glad to leave the golden hall; he needed to get her out of his mind, but not until after he tried to ask Gandalf about her.

Winifred woke the next morning with two maids coming into her room. She turned over to go back to sleep.

"Lady Winifred, it is time to wake." She recognized the same voice of the maid from last night. She wearily lifted her head and saw her. There was another maid tending to her fire. The Sun was just starting to grace the sky.

"Alright." Winifred sleepily rose. Her outfit was pulled from one of the leather bags. It was a simple light green dress, with a white under garment. The maid pulled slippers for her to put on, but Winifred opted for the leather boots. Her hair was intricately braided and pulled back from her face.

Winifred soon made her way to the great hall for breakfast. The long table from last night had remained. Food was placed on the table. The table was half full. The only person she recognized was Eomer sitting at the end, far from anyone else.

Eomer looked up to see Winifred gracefully taking the seat across from him. "Good morning, Eomer" Winifred said after she filled her plate with her morning meal.

"Winifred," he said getting back to his food. They sat together quietly and ate breakfast together. Every now and then Eomer would glance her way. She seemed to be examining the room more closely now with the sunlight, and all those in the hall. Winifred had decided not to bother Eomer while he ate. But when she noticed he was finished she spoke.

"When will you be back?" She asked.

"I can not say." He replied. "Many things can happen to hasten my journey back to Meduseld, or slow it. It is not up to me."

Winifred nodded. "What do you have to do before your departure?" She asked him another question.

"Prepare for my departure. I wish to speak with Theodred, and Theoden king before I go." He said standing. Winifred stood as well.

"I will see you before I depart." He added, with a nod he left the great hall. She smiled at this and took off to find Gandalf. She went to his room but he was not there, nor was he in her room, so she wondered around Meduseld looking for him, also getting familiar with it.

Eventually she was walking down a corridor far from the great hall when a door opened behind her, she turned to find Gandalf walking towards her, he met her in the corridor and walked with her to her room to converse more privately.

They sat by the Fire.

"So, you will learn to speak the native tongue and become a shield maiden?" Gandalf asked. Winifred looked up at him.

"That will take up some time." She said then determined she added. "Gandalf, I've decided to help Rohan as much as I can. I can't stay here knowing all I know and not try to help. The guilt." She stopped talking before continuing. "When this is all said and done, how could I ever become honest with my friends, without them hating me for what I could have changed!" She said. "I would hate me, if I knew a loved one could have been spared, could have been saved! How can I..." She stopped talking again, getting herself upset.

"You must not change what you know." He said.

"But how..." she burst out. "You can not change what you know." He said more firmly again.

"But me being here already has! Trust me, from my knowledge there was no myth about a blessed Queen!" She retorted back at him.

"That is true enough, but will this union effect what is to take place?" he asked. Winifred thought. Eomer was married after the ring was destroyed but her being here could alter Eomer's path, what if he didn't ride pass Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli? Winifred started to thinking through what else it could affect.

"Look for the holes in the knowledge you have, that is where you can thrive, if you mean to help." He answered. This made Winifred stop. The holes. She leaned back into the chair, absorbing his words.

"You alone will know if something has changed, determine what it will effect, decided if it was for the good, or for the bad. This you must do alone. No one must know of the knowledge you have. It could put you in danger if the enemy catches wind of this."

"I will try to work in the holes, as you put it, but there will come a point where all the chess piece are set and there's nothing more any side can do." She said plainly, still worked up.

"Then when the time comes, I will send word to you." Gandalf said. Winifred remained quiet. She could see her path forming. She would leave after Gandalf came to Rohan to warn Theoden of Saruman's betrayal, when he befriended Shadowfax and then left for the Shire to see if Frodo had made his way to Bree. Winifred was so caught up with all the plans she had to make that she didn't realize the time.

"It is time I depart." He said getting up from his chair. Looking distraught, Winifred stood in front of him.

"What will I do with out your words of wisdom," She said.

"We will meet again…not too soon, and not to late, I think." He said pensively. Winifred felt all alone once again, She gave Gandalf a strong hug. He laughed lightly at her enthusiasm.

They left her room, and arrived in the golden hall. She could see the men saying farewell to their friends, making last-minute plans, settling what needed to be settled. Eowyn was saying goodbye to her brother. Gandalf strode to Theodred, Winifred trailed behind him.

"I hope the west is safer then when you left it, Theodred." Gandalf said.

"That is my hope as well, but unlikely. It was good to have council with you on the matter." He said. Gandalf bowed to him and made his way to where Eomer stood with Eowyn.

"Lady Winifred." Theodred said with a small bow. "I hope you grow to love this land like it was yours from birth." He added giving her a kind smile. Winifred gave him a smile in return.

"Thank you. I am glad to have met you, Theodred. I think we will see each other many times in the years to come. Maybe soon we can speak in your native tongue about how I have grown to enjoy my time here." She said.

"Farewell, until next we met." He said giving her another bow, she gave him a curtsy. With that he left the hall, and all those heading to the east left with him.

Eomer approached her while she was watching Theodred leave.

"He will make a great king someday." Eomer said. Winifred looked at him with a gloomy expression. He looked as handsome as ever. Winifred took more notice, since this could be her last for some time. She forgot her manners, and examined him too boldly, for a long moment.

"Why must everyone leave all at once," She said with a great sigh she continued. "Farewell, Eomer. Take care of yourself."

"Farewell…for now, Winifred." He said. He took her hand and brushed it with a kiss. He had done this numerous times; it still gave her a small thrill. He departed the hall. Winifred looked around to find the hall empty. Wondering when that happen, she too left the hall and went to the entrance of the hall to see Gandalf and Eomer on their horses, trotting down the hill. Outside the gates of the city, she could see the rest of the group waiting for them.

Soon the group started making its way to the east till they were outside her eyesight. Slowly she went back to her room. She passed a servant in the hall and asked for her lunch to be brought to her room, she didn't feel well.

She entered her room, and sat on her bed with her back to the door and cried.

Finally she came out of her misery. "I can't just sit here and cry all day. There's so much to do before Gandalf comes back." Giving her self a pep talk. With that the first task was hiding her things from her world that were too advance, even if she played it off. Carefully, she wrapped the things she decided to hide in her spare T-shirt, since she could never wear that in this place. She found the corner, and lifted the floorboard of Eomer's secret hiding place. Not to disturb the thick dust Winifred pushed her bundle deep to the right side of the hole. Almost her whole arm was lost in the floor before Winifred thought it was deep enough not to be detected. She extracted her arm carefully and looked at the dust, to see if she had disturbed it. She hadn't. Then she looked at Eomer's box, wanting very much to peek inside. "No." she said firmly to herself. "He wants to keep his secrets, well I'll be keeping a few as well." She put the floorboard back. Her other belongings from her world that she would keep out she left in the bag and placed it on top of the wardrobe, using a chair to reach it. Moving the contents around so the bag looked as flat as possible.

She put her room back to how it was set up just as her door opened. She turned expecting to see a servant with her lunch tray.

"We can not spend our time, wishing for our loved ones to never leave our side. That is not how it is done here." Eowyn said with a hard face. Winifred was not expecting this but not all together surprised either.

"You are right of course, come, let's go eat. You can inform me of your training schedule. I will also need training on a horse, for my experience is very low. After that I will need someone to teach me the native language, what do you call it again? Oh, yes, Rohirric." Winifred said, joining Eowyn at the door, then looping her arm through Eowyn's and leading her to the hall. Eowyn looked taken aback by Winifred.

"These are the most important things I wish to master, the sooner the better. Since, there is no court, I think I will make these my daily activities. You must tell me what I can do within Meduseld to help you serve the king, I want to do my part." Winifred was taking the lead; Eowyn had never met a woman much like herself in that regard.

"I find Structure in my life helps. It will be a good way to use my energy, rather than on remembering my past." Winifred felt good, starting to make plans, starting to lay the tracks of her future life. It was going to be hard, and frustrating at times, she was sure. But it was time. Winifred the blessed began to take shape.

A/N: Thanks for reading Review! Also I'm looking for a beta, someone who is active and has knowledge of LOTR's. Thanks a bunch. Until next time! – C xoxo