"I fell in love with her courage, her sincerity, and her flaming self-respect. And it's these things I'd believe in, even if the whole world indulged in wild suspicions that she wasn't all she should be. I love her and it is the beginning of everything." —F. Scott Fitzgerald

Chapter 17

When they awoke, Aragon pressed himself to the ground to listen. He told them that he could hear many hoofbeats heading northwards. They ran northwards until the sun began to set again. Legolas urged them not to halt "The orcs have run before us, as if the very whips of sauron were behind them. I fear they have already reached the forest and the dark hills; and even now are passing into the shadows of the trees" he seemed close to despair, wishing to continue without rest until they had chance of rescuing the hobbits. Gimli despaired and Aragorn was wary of the quiet around them. They wondered if Saruman was setting his will against their following.

They decided to rest briefly, Legolas rewrapping Amber's leg before the others rose again. The cut looked much healed, now an angry pink line, closed fully. She certainly had magic in her veins for such a swift recovery from such a nasty wound.

The others woke, noting that the dawn sky was red and wondered at this omen. They continued their run northwards, resting again the following night.

The next morning they continued on the path until they could see the edge of the forest of Fangorn in the distance. Legolas looked intently at a moving shape on the horizon while Aragorn listened again to the earth.

"Riders!" cried Aragorn, "Many riders on swift steeds are coming towards us"

"Yes, there are one hundred and five" Legolas told them, Amber marvelling at his keen sight. "Yellow is their hair and bright are their spears. Their leader is very tall"

They debated whether to hide or wait for the riders. Gimli was reluctant to meet them, but Aragorn wished to hear news as they were coming back from the path which the Orcs had taken. Amber had misgivings, not trusting men as a general rule. She slid from the elf's back, steadying herself on her healing leg and trying to look at the shape of the riding company coming towards them.

Legolas spoke again "There are three empty saddles, but I see no hobbits"

Amber's heart fell, wondering if there could be any hope of retrieving their fellows from the now far distant orcs who were either slain or beyond their reach.

They slowly tracked down the slope of the hill on which they stood. Amber insisted on walking, testing her strength as she secretly feared that she may have to become her beast if the horsemen were not as friendly as Aragorn hoped. Legolas walked close beside her, ready in a moment to catch her if she stumbled. Her balance and strength proved enough for the short distance, and they reached the bottom without incident. There they sat, huddled in their cloaks, awaiting the riders.

Aragorn told them of the Rohirrim and their origins. Amber was surprised to learn that the Rohirrim had once been friendly with her own people, and indeed, she wondered if her brothers' mother may indeed have been distantly connected with the blonde horse-loving folk that Aragorn described, for both Grimbeorn and Linbeorn had fair hair, Darbeorn and her late brother both dark, like their father. Only Amber, who's hair matched the coat of her Beast form, had any different, and had often wondered why her hair was so different, both of her own parents having darker colouring than she. Her eyes, also, were different; seeming to glow with an unnatural light which her mother had described as elven magic. She had long considered that her elven blood had somehow enhanced her natural magical blood of her father's race, giving her a combination of features unseen in any other.

She glanced to Legolas, who seemed to listen intently for the approach of the riding company. He looked to her, as if aware of her observation. His gaze appeared concerned, perhaps worrying what the horsemen might make of their strange group, a woman travelling alone with a dwarf, elf and man.

Soon the approaching hoofbeats grew louder, the company coming finally into view at a great pace, the horses moving as if one beast, so close and synchronous with the herd.

The men carried tall spears and had shields on their backs. The men passed, not appearing to perceive the strangers who wore elven cloaks.

Just as the company was passing, the last riders galloping close by the four companions, Aragorn stood and called out "What news from the north, riders of Rohan?"

The horsemen turned, slowing in unison and changing course. The others had not time to react, beyond standing, before the horses circled them, moving continuously and hemming them in closer together.

At once, as if an unspoken command had been given, the riders ceased moving and pointed their spears inwards at the companions. The tallest of the men, marked clearly as the leader by the white horsetail which flowed from his helm, rode forward from the circle until his spear point was inches from Aragorn's chest. Amber found her hackles raising internally, preparing for an attack.

"Who are you, and what are you doing in this land?" the man asked, his voice commanding answer.

"I am called strider. I came out of the north and am hunting orcs" Aragorn replied, his voice steady, betraying no fear.

The tall man dismounted, handing his spear to another and drawing his sword, pointing it at Aragorn. Amber gave out a low growl, drawing the man's attention who frowned, as if not sure what to make of the strange woman. Legolas rested his hand on her shoulder, urging her to calm. The man's eyes flicked to the faces of the other two before looking back to Aragorn.

"At first I thought that you yourselves were orcs, but now I see that it is not so. Indeed, you know little of orcs if you go hunting them in this fashion. They are swift and well armed, and there were many. You would have changed from hunters to prey, if ever you had overtaken them" he looked thoughtfully at Aragorn, seeming to consider him, "there's something strange about you 'Strider'. That is no name for a man that you give, and strange too is your raiment. Have you sprung out of the grass? How did you escape our sight? Are you elvish folk?"

Aragorn shook his head, telling the man that besides Legolas, they were not of elf-kind. He then told him that they had come from Lothlorien and been clad by the lady of the wood. He omitted their reason for travel and of with whom they had come.

The man seemed suspicious, the mention of the lady of Lothlorien not seeming to add favour to his opinion of them. He looked to the three who had not yet spoken, "Why do you not speak, silent ones?"

Gimli looked affronted. "Give me your name, horsemaster, and I shall give you mine... and more besides" he said, gruffly.

The blonde man looked surprised at the dwarf, frowning at him. "As for that, the stranger should declare himself first! Yet I am named Éomer, son of Éomund, and am called the third Marshall of Riddomark"

Gimli repeated this title, adding "let Gimli the dwarf, Gloinson, warn you against foolish words. You speak evil of that which is fair beyond the reach of your thought! And only little it can excuse you"

The Rohirrim seemed to anger at this, closing their ranks tighter and urging forward until the four were pressed together, facing the leader.

"I would cut off your head, beard and all, master dwarf if it stood but a little higher from the ground!" said the tall man.

"He stands not alone!" said Legolas, pointing his bow, suddenly drawn, at the man. "You would die before your stroke fell"

The man lifted his sword at this, but Aragorn stepped quickly between man and elf. "Your pardon, Éomer" he said, raising his hands to each in a gesture of peace, "When you know more you will understand why you have angered my companions" he told them him that they meant no harm to he or his people and requested that Éomer hear them out before he chose to attack.

"I will" he replied, but warned them that there was much doubt in the land, so they should be careful with their words. He asked for Aragorn's true name, but he would not give it until the man name his master, whether he was friend or foe of Sauron.

"I serve Théoden King son of Thengel. We do not serve the power of the black land far away". He told them of the uncertainty in their lands and the fear of the people. "Come, who are you? Whom do you serve? At who's command do you hunt orcs in our land?"

"I serve no one" Aragorn replied, he told him that their two friends had been taken captive, and so, without other means of travel they had pursued them on foot. He then revealed his sword, Anduril, showing that they had weapons enough to attack the foes whom they had sought. He brought up the sword and announced his true title, as well as all the names he had gone by. The men looked on in wonder.

Éomer, recognising Aragorn's lineage with astonishment and awe, bowed his head in acknowledgement. Aragorn gave warning of the tidings which were no secret, that of the coming war with Mordor and his place within it. At last, he urged Éomer to share tidings of the orc host, and what had become of their friends.

Éomer appeared confused, saying that they had slain the orcs, but found none of another race. Aragorn tried to describe the hobbits, but the men did not recognise the description. Gimli, desperate for news, described them further, as halflings.

Some of the men laughed, thinking halflings to be only creatures of old songs and legends. Éomer shook his head thoughtfully, then bade his men leave him with the strangers, so that he could speak in some privacy.

Éomer believed their tale, but wished to hear more. Aragorn told him that he and the company had travelled from Rivendell, though he could not speak of their purpose. He mentioned Gandalf, and at that name Éomer exclaimed "Gandalf!" and warned that the wizard was no longer seen as a good force among their people. He spoke of Saruman, and how his people now dealt with him with suspicion.

Aragorn, grave, told Éomer of Gandalf's fall, and the man agreed that this was a bad omen. Aragorn continued the tale, telling of Boromir's death at the hand of the orcs. The blonde man despaired, knowing how great a man Boromir had been. He asked when it had happened, and Aragorn told him that it had yet been only four days since they had sent his body down the river Anduin, that since they had been pursuing his assailants on foot.

"On foot!" cried the man, astonished. He said that Strider was not enough, "Wingfoot I name you!". He told them that they had come forty-five leagues since Tol Brandir, and no such feat he had heard of by any two-legged race without mounts.

He then spoke again of Saruman. Of how he wished to own these lands and many foes he had united to fight against the men of Rohan. He warned them to be careful, as the wizard seemed to have many guises. He asked then, if they would come to see the king.

Aragorn promised that they wold come when they could, but first they must find out what had happened to their friends. Éomer recounted the events of the previous evening, telling them that the Rohirrim had fought the orcs, losing fifteen of their men and twelve horses as there had been many more foes than they had expected. Aragorn wondered if the hobbits may have escaped before or during the battle, and though Éomer doubted this, they had seen no halflings, and the elven cloaks had hidden the four companions from their view, so he admitted the possibility.

Aragorn persuaded Éomer to let them go, and finally he agreed. He then offered them horses, the three that were without riders, so long as they returned them to Edoras, the home of Théoden, once they had found their quarry. Aragorn accepted gratefully, and Legolas brightened, loving beasts of all forms. The man looked at Gimli and Amber thoughtfully, though made no comment.

The other men seemed shocked that their leader gave the strangers horses. As there were four, Amber chose to ride with Legolas, never having before ridden another creature. Were she in better health, she would have turned into her beast and ran alongside them, but as it was she was not ready for such exertion. Gimli tried to refuse a horse, saying he would go on foot, but Aragorn, who was a confident rider, bade him ride behind him.

Legolas astonished the horsemen by removing the saddle and stirrups, leaping lightly onto the horse, who's name was Arod (meaning swift), seemingly able to direct the steed with quiet words, spoken in elvish.

Amber approached the horse, who seemed uneasy at her approach, trotting on the spot until Legolas reached down to pat the beast's neck and whisper comforting words in elvish. "He says he does not wish to be ridden by one who smells like a predator" said Amber, trying to keep her voice casual, though uneasy at the prospect of forcing an unwilling beast to carry her.

Legolas frowned, thinking. "I am here also" he said "will you not trust me to protect you?" this last, he directed to the horse beneath him. The horse nickered lightly.

Amber's eyebrows rose and her tension eased a little, "He says that to be ridden by an elf is worth the fear of a beast" she smiled then, bowing slightly to the horse, "Thank you Arod. I promise that I shall not harm you"

The horse still seemed uneasy as Legolas held out his hand to assist Amber onto the horse in front of him. He decided this would be easier than if she sat behind him, as he could see well over her head, and so they could both keep an eye out for signs of the hobbits. He felt his heart speed at the close contact, her back against his chest as it had been that night in Moria. She did not edge forward, as others might have, to give them as much space as possible. Instead, she leant back, seeming to relax at the feel of his arms reaching around her to hold the reins. He felt a warmth spread in his chest at the feel and smell of her, taking comfort and pleasure in holding her so close.

So it was that the four companions rode two horses, wishing farewell to the company of men and taking their leave to follow the path of the orcs once more.