Reminder:: The Lord of the Rings series was created by J.R.R. Tolkien and is in the ownership of his family, successors, and publishers, not me. I do not claim ownership, just obsession.

Hello, everyone! Thanks so much for the comment, Goldenfightergirl! Yes, it would suck very much. xD Although, I'm rather confused with your question… Do you mean where am I in reference to the canon cast of characters? That will be revealed shortly! n_n

I hope you guys like this next chapter~

EDIT:: Added on a little bit to Alatar and Pallando's conversation. Everything else is the same.

Chapter Five :: Pallando and The Arrivals

Of course, that was quite ridiculous. Sarah most definitely did not master the sword in one night, but she came back to the circle every night for the next two weeks to practice with the swords there. Eventually, she was able to lift it without much hassle, but she was still haphazard in her strokes and her aim was terrible. Still, she played fantasy hero and continued to watch the men practice in the evenings, longing to jump out and learn with them.

But over the two weeks, something Sarah did accomplish was gaining the trust of Wolfling. Thinking her an obedient little girl who stayed in her tent, he allowed her more freedom to roam about the camp and even eat with the others. Luckily, he also showed Sarah a place where she could clean her clothes and bathe. There was the smallest of ponds that met with a trickling stream that came from the cold mountains. Chilly though it was, Sarah was not hesitant about taking a long awaited bath. After she felt clean, she felt revived.

Over the course of the short two weeks, those who came in contact with Sarah were at a loss of what to call her. They could only call her things like 'girl', 'maiden', and 'fair lady'. Ultimately, the men started to refer to her simply as 'Lady'. And Sarah took it as her new name.

At this time, Alatar rode swiftly into the West towards the camp he left Sarah in. He returned with his good friend, nearly brother, the blue wizard Pallando. Pallando was able to rally a dozen men who were willing to make war against Sauron out of the East. All the others were worshippers of the Black Tower or in too deep to turn back. Those who were not coward followed Pallando and Alatar to meet the others like them in the last camp of resistance.

Sarah awoke early to the sound of horses and shouts. She could hear the hooves beating against the ground for she had rolled out of her cot again. Jumping up, Sarah quickly knotted her boots, threw on her jerkin, tied her belt and hair, and left to greet the wizards.

It was very early when Alatar returned. The sun was far from rising-I had gone to bed only a few hours before-as I moved through the shadows of men to find the one person who determined my fate. Fourteen riders were hopping off their saddles just up ahead and there was much conversation going on.

The two silhouettes with tall bent hats stuck out from the rest in their bright colors. At first, I could not tell them apart, but when they got closer I could see who Alatar was. Alatar looked much kinder. They both seemed to be the same age, but there were more wrinkles visible on Alatar's face. The second wizard was a bit taller and looked grave. At first he frightened me, but when he got close enough to see me in the darkness, he looked surprised himself.

Alatar was speaking rapidly in the language of the men. Wolfling was nearby and seemed to be giving a status report. Pallando added in a bit here and there and I noticed his voice was softer and quieter than Alatar's but felt almost ominous. He was like the kind of person who was normally soft-spoken, but if you got them angry they would blow up worse than any old grouch you knew.

They finally noticed my presence as I followed them and they all stopped and turned to look at me. I felt very self-conscious.

Wolfling said something, as if explaining and Alatar nodded and smiled.

"So did you remember your name?"

I shook my head. What a strange way to start a conversation… "No. They call me Lady though. I don't find it odd."

Alatar's smile widened. "Well, Lady, I would like you to meet a good friend of mine. Pallando."

The wizard was now properly introduced. Not sure what to do, I smiled and nodded. Pallando simply looked at me for a long time. He finally said: "Very curious."

I wasn't sure what to make of this, but Alatar led me back to his tent with Pallando. Wolfling went back to group the men who had just arrived.

Once inside the tent, Alatar took the chair with a heavy sigh and Pallando paced. I went over and sat on the cot, watching and waiting and feeling very sleepy.

We cannot trust her, Alatar. Pallando said in the tongue of the Easterlings.

Alatar shook his head. I disagree. Although strange and new as it may be, I feel that the girl is harmless.

It is not a matter of what you feel. When she proves to be a threat, you will regret speaking in front of her like this! Does she understand the language?

Only Westron it seems. Alatar replied calmly. But do you not see how young she is?

All the more easy to deceive!

Not how I see it. All the more innocent.

You are soft at heart… It will kill us all someday! And if it's by the hands of this girl—

This 'girl' is not a threat, Pallando. She is simply confused. We have discussed this before… This mistrust goes beyond this girl here. You do not trust men.

Pallando frowned and sighed. I cannot trust any man… Along with me, I brought those willing to listen and act against the Deceiver. They are obedient and loyal, but I do not know how far their loyalties or courage stretch… The race of men is ailing, Alatar…

That is why we are still here. Saruman lost faith in men—

He was wise to leave.

You disagreed at the time. Alatar reminded. Saruman deemed the cause in the East to be a waste of time. You and I refused to give up on the men who still had the strength and will to resist Sauron. Many lives of men, Saruman left us to complete our mission alone. Will you too desert me?

Pallando looked frustrated at the accusation for a moment, but he calmed and looked sad and weary. No. He answered shortly.

Therefore, if you still trust me, this girl simply needs our help. She is not here by her own means, in fact, I have a suspicion that the Valar are involved somehow-

Yes, yes! The entirety of our time together since my last camp has revolved around this woman here. And this woman is a problem in my eyes.

Well, how do you propose solving this problem?

Pallando grumbled irritably. Finally he said: I am not decided.

What do you propose in the meantime?

They both sighed and looked at the girl. She looked utterly confused and Alatar could have won his case then and there by the expression on her face.

"Lady?"

"Yes?"

Pallando watched carefully for any sign of a lie if Alatar was going to question her. This was not so.

Sarah got up from the cot and stood before Alatar as indicated.

"I want you to find the Captain and bring him here. Can you do that for me?"

Sarah nodded and hurried off with a second, nervous glance at Pallando.

"Why did you do that?" Pallando asked in Westron.

"It would be simple for her to escape if she wanted to—-perhaps this will prove to you her virtue."

"Preposterous!" Pallando shook his head. "A simple errand will prove her honesty? If she was as smart as I assume her to be, she would pick a wiser time! Fleeing when she is so close to two wizards full of information? No. No! I cannot trust this maiden. Everything is too conveniently placed."

Alatar nodded. "I agree that the coincidences are high-very high. But I still cannot agree with you, friend. I see there is no trouble for us with her."

Just then, the Captain came walking into the tent. Pallando spoke quickly: Where is the girl?

I asked her to wait outside. Wolfling answered, mildly defensive of his position.

"Lady!" Alatar called.

Sarah walked nervously into the tent and looked around. So this was it? Were they going to tell her if she was to go or stay?

"Sleep here tonight-we have interrupted your sleep long enough."

What an anti-climax…

The three men unceremoniously left the tent. I was soon alone.

So… I'm just supposed to sleep? How can I sleep now? Pallando's voice didn't sound happy at all. In fact, it sounded downright resentful. And I knew they were talking about me, I just knew it… But what could I do…?

There was a soft thrum coming from outside the tent. From my guess, it was coming from the circle where the men sparred. What was going on there? I couldn't leave or Pallando would never trust me… Oh, but just this once wouldn't hurt…

I got up off the cot and blew out the small candle on the table. The tent was pitched into darkness, but I did not need a light to assemble the blankets and pillows in the cot to make it look like I was there. I was quite used to that by now.

I ducted under the tent and took the usual path to the storage tent by the circle. Tonight there was a big bonfire and men were sitting all about in deep discussion. Everyone was very serious as they spoke with the new arrivals. More soldiers.

Alatar was next to Pallando a small distance from the main group of men. Captain Wolfling spoke the loudest out of all of them, but that didn't help me since I couldn't understand their stupid, irritating language. I felt like a child. Whenever people were around me, they spoke their own little language so that I couldn't understand. It was not only vexing, but it was very insulting.

The mood gradually lightened-I had to assume that the men had brought good news. Drinks were poured and everyone loosened up and smiled more freely. I smiled watching them and started to pick at the grass underneath me and tear it apart.

After about an hour, some men were happy enough to sing songs. I had only heard a few songs since I first got here and most of them sounded depressing. I wasn't quite sure what they were at first… They sounded like a strange, drawn out way of speaking. But when the men sang in Westron, it sounded like they were telling a story. Strange.

I listened to a man close by singing a song about a fallen soldier and his pride as he went into battle. It was very sad, but I still enjoyed it none the less. Another man then sang a song of drinking that lifted the mood by about a hundred decibels; it also caused another round to be poured.

Just as I was beginning to relax and feel like I should go back and sleep before dawn came, there was a loud rumbling sound that was followed by a sharp neigh. The horses were frightened out of their wits and were practically screaming as they stamped around in the grass to the far right. I sat up, much more alert and frightened myself.

I looked over where Alatar and Pallando were supposed to be, but they had disappeared. Scared that they would find me out of the tent, I quickly stood up and hurried to go back to the tent. When I crawled away and sprinted to my shelter, men were running about in a confused fashion all around. To my shock and horror, a fire blazed where Alatar's tent was supposed to be. A horse neighed and bucked up in the midst of the chaos. The dancing flames reflected a tanned beast equipped with an ancient saddle and blue robes. Alatar!

The wizard held his staff aloft and shouted orders to the men. Suddenly seeing me, he raced with his horse to my side. Grabbing me up with a force I didn't think he had, my arm nearly ripped from its socket as he swung me around and pushed me into an open, abandoned tent.

What was that for? I angrily sat up, feeling dizzy. There was a throbbing going on somewhere in the back of my head-I must've hit it on something inside the tent. And I thought that he was going to rescue me and bring me along with him on his horse!

Feeling angry, I parted the tent to peer outside. I was just in time to see a thick, heavy dark leg pound by. Nearly screaming with surprise, I threw myself to the ground to hide. Peeking out from under the bottom of the tent flap, I saw that Alatar had saved my life. The strange… creature-like men looked much like the soldiers I had met only dead inside and rotting outside. Their faces were contorted in malicious glee as they slaughtered all those who moved. A particularly albino monster plated in armor started towards my tent. Thinking I would die, I ducted into the tent to find a place to hide.

Surprisingly enough, the tent collapsed around me. The suddenness of the event left me unprepared to shout or even take another step. The heavy tent poles smashed into me and brought me to the ground. The strange creatures had knocked the tent over-at least they hadn't burned it like the other unfortunate tents… At least yet. The middle pole swayed a moment before I felt it strike my head with all its weight. I saw hundreds of colors, a few dim torches, more running feet, a spurt of blood, and all was black.