Chapter 5: Theodred

Beinion had been steadily crying and I put my arm around his waist to comfort him, and to keep him from falling off the horse. He sniffled and I felt his little hand grip mine. I had become so much of a mother to these two boys during our journey that I had somehow become attached to them. And God only knows that I felt like their mother and protector. Me, the girl who could barely make it through Pre-Algebra was going through something even the bravest of men back home had only dreamed of.

"Maddy," whispered Hallath softly, interrupting my thoughts, "They're gaining on us!" I nodded my head and nudged the horse forward. Hallath's grip tightened around my waist as we began to go faster and the going bumpier. I looked behind us and my heart sank as I noticed that three more riders had joined the others and their pace was quickening. I leaned forward and closed my eyes. Hallath and Beinion trusted me to get them through this, and I was going to.

"Trust me," I whispered and urged the horse forward with all of my might. We were launched forward as Brego began running faster than I had thought possible. He glided easily over the ground with grace and I was overcome with Déjà vu as the feel of racing crept back into my very bones. I looked back again and sighed with relief as I noticed that the riders were falling behind; all except for one. The rider pressed forward, his horse neighing wildly. I turned back to look forward and guide the horse, but noticed with dread that Brego had no intention of letting me lead him. Suddenly, I felt a strong grip on my hair and screamed as I was lifted off my horse and thrown to the ground.

"Hallath! Go!" I cried, sobbing with pain and sorrow for I knew that Hallath was not a strong enough rider to outrun the horsemen. I lay down, sobbing, and didn't even notice when I was picked up and laid down on my back.

When I finally opened my eyes it was morning and I sat up, feeling the warmth of a dying fire to my left. I looked around and gasped as I found that I was in a camp, and worse than that, it was filled with men. I stood and began to creep away, silently avoiding the sleeping figures, spewed out on the ground. Breathing scarcely, I made my way out of the camp and began to walk faster, trying to ignore the pounding pain in my head.

"Leaving so soon?" I stopped dead as the man spoke, and cringed when he laughed.

"Let me go." I said flatly, trying to control the shaking it my voice.

"Why?" He asked, and I turned to look at him. He was tall and fairly handsome with sandy hair and broad shoulders. He smiled halfway and folded his arms.

"Listen you pigheaded brute, I have no intention of staying with you…you…worthless ugly cruel men. Kill me if you like, but I will not come with you willingly." I said angrily through clenched teeth and he laughed.

"I know," he answered, "I've never seen a woman ride so well, and with two children!"

"Where are they?" I demanded and he shook his head.

"I can't show you to them. Don't worry, they are safe and unharmed, but they will be harmed if you don't come with me and my company back to Rohan." I gaped at him as he spoke, thoroughly shocked.

"You…you…you're Theodred, aren't you?" I asked, shocked, and he nodded. I laughed and he smiled watching me.

"Oh my God! We were like so stupid! I mean, we were running because we thought you were orcs or something like that! Can you believe I actually thought for one moment that you guys were Ring Wraiths? I am so stupid! You.. you're not bad. I mean you kinda did start chasing us for no apparent reason and…oh, I'm babbling, aren't I?" I talked so quickly that when I had finished, my breathing was hard and quick and Theodred was almost helpless with laughter.

"Of course," he said, "But for now, let's head back to camp, okay? And don't worry, once we get to Rohan, you'll be perfectly safe. Eowyn's been longing for the company of another woman, and I'm sure she'll find you quite interesting. After all," he smiled at me, "I've never seen a woman ride so fast and gracefully as you. Where did you learn?" We entered into a long conversation about horses and I found out that Brego was indeed his escaped horse, and he was shocked that I knew that Brego was the horse's name. About three hours later we were packed up and fixing to leave. I walked around the group, looking for Brego. I found Theodred saddling him and when I approached he mounted and offered his hand down to me.

"What?" I asked, raising an eyebrow, "You got up and now you need help getting down?" He laughed and grabbed my hand, pulling me up roughly behind him.

"There was one less horse. You're riding with me." He said and urged Brego forward. I sighed and held on tightly to his waist, I had already fallen off a horse once and had no intention of repeating that experience.

We had been riding for what seemed like hours before Theodred finally said, "Look, over that rise is Edoras." And then, waving his hand so quickly that I lost my balance and almost fell off, yelled back to the riders behind him, "Home, at last!"

Author's Note: I hope you liked it, and please, please, please read and review. I'm sorry I took so long to update it and I hope the next chapter won't be so late in coming. Anywho, please R&R(I always appreciate your reviews) and I'll try to update soon.:)