Water rushed up to her nostrils, and into her mouth. It tasted fetid and filthy, and when she reached the surface, she spat out the water and coughed. Strong arms held her and started pulling her to land, and she grasped at the grass beneathe her while someone pulled out a cloak and was massaging her back while she gasped.
"Legolas! What is the meaning of this?"
Jeanna looked up and immediately saw Legolas, who was the one holding a cloak over her worriedly. Behind him was a regal-looking old man, cloaked in white, with white hair and beard, riding a white horse. Unfortunately, they were surrounded by men in horseback, clad in full armor and looking in shock at her. Some whispered in confusion at each other. Jeanna felt her face turn pink despite the cold water.
"I saw this lady in the water, Gandalf." Legolas said, clearly speaking to the old man. "I realized that she wasn't like the ones in this foul swamp, and when she opened her eyes, I immediately took her hand and pulled her out."
Gandalf looked from Legolas to her, his eyes unconvinced. But nonetheless, he got off his horse and kneeled beside her. He took her hand, uttered a few words, and immediately, Jeanna felt like she was warm and dry. Looking down at her pajamas, she was surprised that she WAS dry.
She looked up at the old man, Gandalf, and said, "Thank you."
Gandalf smiled, "Done in friendship, my dear lady. And what is your name?"
"I am Jeanna..."
"Jeanna... a rather strange name. Where did you come from, Lady Jeanna?" he asked again, still holding her hand and looking suspiciously at her.
She swallowed and looked up at Legolas, then she spoke, remembering certain names and events that she had once read in the book.
"I... came from Estemnet in Rohan, my lord." She said, "Orcs came and raided my village, and I supposed to be sent back to Cirith Ungol to serve as food for the armies of Mordor. When they passed by here in..." She looked around, trying to remember her past readings, "The Dead Marshes, I thought it was the best place for me to escape. I fled from them and plunged into the water, but the spirits of the marshes kept me under."
Gandalf's eyes widened in surprise at her words, "I see... It is rather foolish, I think, when one escapes from one hand of Death to another."
She shrugged, "One must do what they can to survive, Mithrandir."
He laughed, "Yes, yes... that is most true." He then stood up and went back to his horse. He nodded to the men behind him, and they resumed their journey. "I shall be heading to the front to speak with Aragorn. We shall rest for the night to help Lady Jeanna when he consents it. Legolas, give her armaments and find her some different… clothes." Gandalf looked down at her pajamas with mixed confusion and revulsion. "Such fabrics are not fit for travel, also should the foul beasts of Mordor come, she might need to defend herself."
Legolas nodded as Gandalf rode to the front of the army, the men behind him riding on as well.
He pulled her up, kept the cloak around her, and turned to his horse. Jeanna came up beside him and whispered angrily, "What on Earth is going on?!"
He chuckled, "I think the right phrase ought to be 'What on Middle Earth is going on?'" He looked down at her now, and seeing her furious, he sighed, "You said you needed my help, that you wanted to forget your pains. This is the only way I could think of to help you."
She hissed, "How? By letting me get into MORE pain when I get slaughtered by Orcs? Thank you, that's really considerate of you, giving me a painful death to end my suffering."
He sighed again and looked at her sternly, his emerald green eyes bearing into her earthen ones, "I swear to you now, I shall not let harm befall you, Lady Jeanna. You are amongst the bravest soldiers of Middle Earth. They will defend you, and if you wish it, we can teach you how to defend yourself as well." He came up behind her and lifted her to his horse, before swiftly climbing up behind her. "If you wish, we could ask Gandalf to teach you a few spells."
Jeanna looked behind her, looking at Legolas in her peripheral vision, "Wait, I can't use magic. Besides, Gandalf is a Maiar, only he and the other Maiars have that kind of magic."
Legolas said, "You are most intelligent, Lady Jeanna. A woman such as yourself in your world must be very extraordinary. Very well. I shall ask both Aragorn and Eomer to teach you the way of the sword then, and if you wish it, I shall teach you the art of archery."
Jeanna looked around, "But Legolas, if I read correctly, you are in the middle of a war. Surely, we don't have much time for you to teach me so many things."
Legolas was silent for a while, but soon he inhaled deep and sighed, "We'll make time, Lady Jeanna… We'll make time."