The battle for Helms Deep was won, the victory was ours and I smiled at the thought, ignoring the pain in my right arm which was tied up in a sling around my neck.
We rode through the Fangorn Forest slowly, adding to the eerie feeling that we all had in our hearts. Niethen snorted nervously and I reached down with my good hand to pat his neck.
Gandalf rode in the front of the line, upon the white horse Shadowfax, his hair turned from the grey that I had always known it to be to the White, as his robes had as well. He was now a White Wizard, on of the most powerful, thought Black was more powerful still. He wore a face of worry as his eyebrows wrinkled on his forehead and he kept his white staff aloft.
Behind Gandalf rode King Theoden, ruler of Rohan, still as proud as ever for the victory of his people, his head held high. He rode with his head held higher than usual but still looked around with the same worry that Gandalf did on his usually kind face. He wore a crown upon his head and a slight layer of armor as he rode.
Next came Aragorn, son of Arathorn, riding a brown horse, the usual look of patience on his face, though I never knew exactly what he was thinking about. He was a Ranger, as was I, and a great friend to me for many years. He had brown, almost black, hair that fell to his shoulders and brown eyes that could either pierce you or sooth you. He wore browns, blacks, and greens, the hood from Lothlorien adorned upon his back. A sword hung at his side and a wrapped up bow and quiver of arrows on his back. Not the best archer of our group but excellent nonetheless.
Behind Aragorn rode two that you would never suspect to ride together... a Dwarf and an Elf.
Legolas, Prince of Mirkwood and son to Thranduil rode in the front of the horse. Long blonde hair and shocking blue eyes stuck out mostly in his appearance, along with his pointed ears, as was the appearance of Elves. He too wore the cloak given to him in Lothlorien and kept his bow, arrows, and two short swords on his back. Legolas was the Elf I loved... and I hope that he loved me for when the time was necessary his lips would find no excuse to be on mine. We looked after one another and even then he would turn to look at me, give me a smile and continue on his way.
Gimli, son of Gloin, and also a dear friend of mine sat behind the Elf on the white horse. He was stout and wore a helm with the markings of a Dwarven art over his dark red hair. His beard nearly covered his mouth, making it impossible to see if it was open or not. He wore a small ax on his back and held one in his hand. I smiled as he shook his head at Legolas, looking back at me again.
I rode behind them, mounted on my black horse Niethen. An Elf Ranger I was, skilled in the art of fighting and tracking, running from my past. I suppose I was fair looking for an Elf, with long brown hair and an oval, porcelain face, deep green eyes and a thin body, though curvy. I too wore weapons, though many Elves would suggest otherwise. A bow sat on my back and arrows, two knives (a gift from Gimli) and a dagger in my boot were my main source of protection. The other knives and daggers hidden in my body were just precaution. My right arm hung around my neck by a sling and I looked down, remembering when I fell and hurt it... remembering the Uruk-hai standing above me... and then walking away... I asked myself this question one million times... Why didnt they kill me? One million and one.
Eomer rode behind me, the nephew to the King with shoulder blade length blonde hair and blue eyes, a fierce, though handsome face and a loyal disposition to his uncle. I knew little about him. Alandia was what the people of Rohan called me for I resided there for a few months once... Rhasslairiel wasnt easy for their tongues.
We rode in silence through the forest, on the way to Isengard I was sure until the sunlight finally began to shine through the trees and onto our horses, shining off Shadowfax like a star.
My eyes widened as I saw two small figures sitting upon the broken wall of Isengard, the land behind them flooded and burned, the only thing left standing was the Tower of Saruman, tall and black. I shielded my eyes.
Merry! Pippin! I whispered to myself and rode forward, smiling at the surprised look on Pippins face. They each held a pipe in their hands, and food sat on the wall around them. I smiled, typical Hobbits .
"Welcome, my lords... and lady, to Isengard!" Merry exclaimed drunkenly.
"You young rascals!" Gimli exclaimed from the back of Legolas's horse. Aragorn and I smiled at each other, his smile seeming to reach up to his ears. I had not seen him smile like that in a long time. "A merry hunt you've led us on and now we find you... feasting! and... and smoking!"
"We are sitting on a field of victory enjoying a few well earned comforts." Pippin said. Gimli looked at him as there was a pause. "The salted pork is particularly good." I looked down at Gimli to see him looking up at them... his mouth seeming to water.
"Salted pork?" he asked curiously. My smile widened.
"We're under orders from Treebeard, who has taken over management of Isengard." Merry said a matter-of-factly. I looked at Aragorn.
"Treebeard?" I mouthed. He just smiled and didnt answer. "Well then come on you two!" I said turning back to the Hobbits, "Get on a horse and take us to him." Merry and Pippin smiled and Pippin jumped right for Niethen, making him rear back. Just as Merry was climbing down I held up a finger. "But first," I said, "Give Gimli some pork." Gimli smiled as Merry handed a strip to him, before tasting it, though not eating slowly, he was enjoying it.
Merry jumped on the back of Aragorn's horse as Pippin jumped on mine and we rode into Isengard through the water and fallen trees and ladders and equipment like such.
"Young Master Gandalf..." I looked up and my eyes widened, my mouth falling open... it was a talking tree... I smiled... an ent I thought.
Young Master Gandalf? I continued to think... I've never heard him called that before... young? "There's a wizard to manage here... locked in his tower." I drew my attention back to what was happening.
"And there Saruman must stay." Gandalf said, "Under your guard, Treebeard."
"Well lets just have his head and be done with it!" Gimli said, jerking his head a bit.
"No..." Gandalf said, "He has no power anymore."
"The filth of Saruman is washing away." Treebeard said, in his slow, deep voice. "Trees will come back to live here..." Pippin grabbed onto my arm and dropped from Niethen, trudging through the water, up to his waist, looking at something. "Young trees... wild trees..."
"Pippin?" I said.
"Pippin!" Aragorn called at the same time. I made to jump down from Niethen but Gandalf rode there ahead of me. Looking around Gandalf I saw Pippin pick up a large, round ball.
"Bless my bark!" Treebeard exclaimed slowly.
"Peregrin Took." Gandalf's voice exclaimed sternly, "I'll take that my lad." I frowned... what was it? Pippin looked down at it for a moment, "Quickly now!" Gandalf took it swiftly from Pippin and wrapped it in his cloak before frowning at Pippin and turning his horse the other way.
"Come." Gandalf said, "We ride for Edoras again. There we will rest." I leaned my head back on my neck, rolling it from side to side, hearing the bones crack and pop loudly. Legolas looked over and I opened my eyes before looking at him.
"What is it meleth nin?" I asked. Legolas shook his head, smiling.
"Nothing, Rhasslairiel..." he said, "Nothing."
We rode through the plains of Rohan quickly, the city of Edoras not far from where we were and soon it came into view as we galloped across the plains. I held tight to Niethen with my left hand, my right bouncing painfully on my chest. I wrinkled my nose in discomfort.
"I am fine!" I told Legolas as he touched my arm, our horses being put into the stables. I patted Niethen on the neck. "He worries too much..." I whispered to my horse. Niethen rubbed his head onto mine and I smiled.
"I saw your face when we were riding. I am not blind." Legolas argued, "Let me see your arm!" I backed away.
"If you touch it I shall stab you." I said seriously. Aragorn came up behind me and laughed.
"Trust me Legolas, for I have known her many years. If she does not want you to touch something... you will not touch it." I smiled at him. "Fortunately I know how to counter it." Aragorn suddenly said and turned me around quickly, grabbing my left arm. "Let me see your arm." Aragorn said. I looked down.
"No!" I exclaimed and turned away from him. Aragorn looked at me solemnly before holding up a chain. I noticed my necklace on it, decorated with a green leaf and many emeralds, the one that Legolas gave me the night of the battle at Rohan.
"Give it back, Aragorn." I said solemnly. He smiled.
"Then let me see your arm."
Finally sighing I closed my eyes a bit before holding out my arm, still in the sling. Legolas watched, a smile on his face. I scowled at him.
"There." Aragorn said after retying the sling, "That wasnt so bad was it? Your shoulder should stop swelling tomorrow and the arrow wound should stop bleeding then as well. You can take off the sling then." I looked at him, fury rising in my heart for no apparent reason.
"What are you now a Ranger, warrior, and a doctor?" I said, backing away from both of them. Gimli came in the door of the stable, a worried look on his face.
"Rhasslairi-"
"Dont, Aragorn." I said angrily. "I know why you two treat me like this. Always playing caretaker and acting like I'm a child... its because I'm a woman." Aragorn went to protest sadly. "No, Aragorn!" I cut him off, "I cant stand it anymore! I can take care of myself, both of you. I've been doing it for hundreds of years before you were born Aragorn! Who had to carry on alone when Brot killed my family? Me! I took care of myself then, I can take care of myself now. I'm not just some lovely little lady who needs to be looked after because she might get into trouble and hurt herself." I turned to Legolas, "I killed more orcs than you or Gimli!" Legolas opened his mouth. "No!" I exclaimed again, turning, "Just leave me be!" and with that I turned and walked out of the stables, leaving the three men behind me to stare at each other stupidly.