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Lacy here peoples with the next chapter of Zera. We're here, the final movie. This is gonna have some twists and turns for Zera, personally, that you might not see coming but I hope you'll like it. Not sure how far this is going so have fun.

Disclaimer: I own Zera.

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~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Zera rode Riniel behind Legolas and Gimli through Fangorn Forest. Even if the dark woods had returned Gandalf to them, Zera did not like the idea of being back.

"You seem uneasy." Eomer said riding his horse next to Zera's.

Zera looked at him. "It's this forest. While I draw my power from living plants, this one is more alive then others."

Eomer had heard the rumors of the forest and knew what Zera spoke of. "Well breathe easy, we are almost out."

Zera looked ahead and saw Eomer was right. Light could be seen and she knew they'd almost reached Isengard. Once they exited the forest, they saw Merry and Pippin on part of the broken down wall. Zera felt relief in her heart as Merry stood and Pippin laughed.

"Welcome, my Lords and lady, to Isengard!" Merry greeted.

"You, young rascals!" Gimli said. "A merry hunt you've lead us on, and now we find you feasting and...and smoking!"

"We are sitting on the field of victory," Pippin said. "enjoying a few well earned comforts." Merry blew a puff of smoke with a smile. "The salted pork is particularly good."

Zera could almost see Gimli drooling as he repeated the salted pork. She shook her head. That dwarf was always thinking with his stomach.

"Hobbits," Gandalf almost scoffed.

Legolas, Aragorn and Zera smiled at each other. They'd really missed those hobbits.

"We're under orders!" Merry said. "From Treebeard, who's taken over management of Isengard."

They took a moment for Merry to climb on Eomer's horse while Pippin rode with Aragorn before heading over to Orthanc, Saruman's tower, through the flooded ruins of Isengard.

"Young master, Gandalf. I'm glad you've come." Treebeard said. "Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there's a wizard to manage here, locked in his tower."

Zera almost laughed. Only Treebeard could get away with calling Gandalf old when the man was, Zera paused. Actually, she had no idea how old he was.

"And there, Saruman must remain under your guard, Treebeard." Gandalf said.

"Well, let's just have his head and be done with it!" Gimli said.

Gandalf shook his head. "No, he has no power anymore."

"The filth of Saruman is washing away." Treebeard said. "Trees will come back to live here."

Zera noticed Pippin slip off her brother's horse.

"Young trees, wild trees." Treebeard went on.

"Pippin!" Aragorn called everyone else's attention to the young hobbit, who was wading through the water.

Zera watched as Pippin reached into the water and picked up a Palantir. Her heart just about stopped from the evil coming from the stone. She unconsciously forced Riniel back a step and would have gone further had Eomer not put his hand on hers.

"Zera," he said softly.

Zera shook her head. "I am fine."

She could see Eomer didn't believe her but let it go.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

"Aragorn,"

The man in question looked to his left and saw Eomer coming towards him. "It is good to see you, Eomer."

Eomer nodded. "You as well."

Aragorn noticed the look on Eomer's face. "Is something bothering you?"

"I do not wish to over step," Eomer said. "but when Pippin picked up the stone back in Isengard, Zera reacted to it as if it burned her."

Aragorn looked to the corner of the room where Zera stood watching over everything. Her black dress made her nearly invisible in the shadows. He was not concerned as she always did this but the haunted look on her face did concern him.

"I am not sure what happened at Isengard," Aragorn said, once again looking at Eomer. "but I will talk with her about it later."

Eomer nodded again. "That is all I ask."

Aragorn smiled. He knew Eomer cared for his sister. "Go, talk to her."

The Rohan captain nodded and Aragorn watched him make his way over to Zera.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

"You stand alone in a room full of people," Eomer said as he approached Zera. "for what reason?"

Zera smiled. "I am not very good in large crowds. I either stay close to my brother or by myself."

"Well, I hope you do not mind if I join you." Eomer said.

Zera shook her head. "Not at all. But would you not rather be celebrating with everyone else?"

Eomer also shook his head. "I can do so over here just as well as over there." he watched Zera's face. "You seem uneasy again."

Zera sighed as her gaze fell to the ground. "I was honestly afraid I was not going to make it back at Helm's Deep. I am still unsure of how I did."

"You are a great sorceress." Eomer said.

Zera shook her head. "No, I am just a mere human."

Eomer moved to stand in front of Zera, causing her to look up. "Whether you are a sorceress or mere human," he smiled. "I am glad you made it."

Zera smiled softly as she and Eomer went back to watching the people in the room.

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Zera stood beside Legolas outside the Golden Hall, facing the direction of Mordor. Both had the hoods of their cloaks pulled up and their eyes seemed almost unfocused, as if they were seeing right through everything in front of them.

"The stars are veiled." Zera said, almost sensing her brother moving closer to them.

"Something stirs in the East," Legolas said. "A sleepless malice." he looked at Aragorn. "The Eye of the enemy is moving."

Zera felt a cold shiver fall down her spine as she spun to face the Golden Hall.

"Zera?" Aragorn said, concern clear in his voice.

"He is here!" Legolas said, alarmed.

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Zera stood with Pippin and Merry, the next morning as Gandalf explained what Pippin had seen when he foolishly touched the Palantir the night before. Zera rested her hand on Pippin's shoulder and gave him the best reassuring smile she could but the young hobbit couldn't return it. She could see he was haunted by what he saw.

"Pippin saw in the Palantír a glimpse of the enemy's plan." Gandalf said. "Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing." Zera tensed, knowing what the wizard was about to say. "He knows the heirs of Elendil have come forth. Men are not as weak as He supposed, there is courage still. Strength enough perhaps to challenge Him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King return to the throne of Men." Gandalf focused on Theoden. "If the Beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."

"Tell me," Theoden said. "why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours?"

Zera and Aragorn looked at the king, not quite believing what he was saying.

"What do we owe Gondor?" Theoden asked.

Zera stepped forward. "You would allow countless women and children and good men to die merely because the Steward decided he was going to be selfish? You ask what you owe Gondor. Tell me, King, even if you do not owe them anything, would you really be able to have all those deaths resting on your shoulders?"

"I will go." Aragorn said before Theoden could respond to Zera.

"No." Gandalf said.

Aragorn looked at him. "They must be warned."

"They will be." Gandalf reassured him. He moved closer, motioning Zera over as well. "You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the river and look to the Black ships."

Aragorn and Zera met Gandalf's eyes before the wizard turned back to the others.

"Understand this," he said. "things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith." he looked at Pippin. "And I won't be going alone."

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Zera stood with Eowyn, Theoden and Eomer inside Meduseld. Zera was trying to convince the king that he needed to be prepared for when Gondor needed help. She wasn't sure she was getting through.

"The Beacons of Minas Tirith!" Aragorn shouted, running in. "The Beacons are lit!" he stopped. "Gondor calls for aid."

Everyone in the room stopped and looked to Theoden, waiting for the king's response.

"And Rohan will answer." Theoden said finally. "Muster the Rohirrim."

Zera looked at Eomer as he bowed. She watched him gently pat his sister's arm before leaving. Zera exhaled slowly. She moved outside with the others, securing her cloak around her neck as she moved. While the others still wore the elven cloaks they were given, Zera had started using her black one again. Something about it made her feel safer. She did still wear the leaf clasp though, showing herself as part of the fellowship.

Quickly securing Riniel's saddle, Zera mounted her horse and moved to wait for the others. She watched Eomer mount his horse and look her way. Their eyes met and a silent word was exchanged before Eomer turned to his men.

"Now is the hour," he called out. "Riders of Rohan, oaths you have taken! Now, fulfill them all! To Lord and Land!"

Filing out of the city at the front of the group with her brother, friends, Eomer and the king, Zera glanced back at Edoras wondering if it would be the last time she saw the great city.

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Yeah, go figure. I break just as they're getting ready for war. I'm sensing a pattern but that could be lack of sleep talking. So, kids, let me know what you think, flame policy stands and thanks, as always, for reading.

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