Disclaimer: Nope, still don't own Lord of the Rings. If I did I wouldn't be here.

A.N: No, I haven't fall off the face of the earth, but I am very sorry for disappearing and not writing for ages. My final exams are over, but I went overseas and couldn't work on any chapters and then someone died. Also I was suffering from a serious writer's block. My sincerest apologies. Ok, enough of me making excuse and with the show!

Scheming and Other Not-So Devious Deeds

There was much excitement the next morning as Gandalf, Merry and Pippin rushed around to get ready to leave for Gondor. The thought of Gondor made my heart squeeze in an unpleasant manner. I still had some of Boromir's things with me as I hadn't had the heart to throw them away. It would be a few days before we would ride out to help defend Minas Tirith. I was currently pondering over the medicine and drugs section of my chemistry course whilst listing to them rushing around when there was a knock at the door. I looked up, stuffed my books under the bed and slunk over to the door. Gandalf, gleaming white, was looking at me in a rather amused manner.

"May I come in?" he asked in a polite tone, though tinged with amusement.

"Of course. Is there problem Gandalf?" I asked as Gandalf closed the door behind him.

"Yes. It seems that while you have removed Haldir from Megan's spell there are still others under it."

I grimaced and flopped ungracefully onto my bed, gesturing for Gandalf to sit.

"I know. Éomer and Legolas being the main two, I'm assuming."

Gandalf nodded and looked severe.

"I have only a few moments before I have to leave with Master Pippin. Éomer has become more consumed by Megan and it is concerning his uncle and sister. Legolas too is looking unwell. I am seriously concerned for their health and need to know what you can do."

I sat up and frowned. I hadn't thought much about Éomer to be frank and hadn't realised that Megan, in a desperate attempt to claw back male attention, would cling more to the two significant male leads that she had left.

"Legolas has realised that something is amiss. He spoke to me recently. I'm anxious not to alert Megan to the fact that he is aware that something is wrong, I'm afraid that she will do something idiotic and dangerous to keep him under her control. I honestly hadn't realised that Éomer would be in danger. I'll figure something out, but I'm trying not to set off Megan. She desperate and cornered, which is dangerous."

Gandalf inclined his head and then rose.

"I wish you luck Nina, but I have to leave you here."

I rose too and opened the door for him.

"Bye Gandalf. Good luck in Gondor."

I closed the door behind him and decided to get dressed properly. There was a knock as I was pulling on my boots, causing me to fall over onto my rump. I groaned and rubbed my behind before replying to the knock.

"Come in."

Haldir and Caelon entered my room, closely followed by Gimlí.

"Nina, you alright?" asked Caelon.

I sighed, suppressed the ridiculous urge to blush (I mean, come on, they've seen me in worst positions) and nodded.

"I was just pulling on my boots and lost my balance."

I accepted Haldir's offered hand and he tugged me up into an upright position.

"Ta luve."

Haldir blinked and I could clearly see the confusion cross his face before it disappeared into a mask of amusement.

"Your use of Common Tongue is truly fascinating Nina."

Gimlí and Caelon burst into laughter at Haldir's comment and began to recite the phrases I use, causing more laughter and soon we were doubled up, leaning against the furniture for support.

"Ok, back to a more serious point. I need your help."

The gentlemen straightened their backs and Caelon nodded for me to continue.

"We need to help Legolas and Éomer. They are still under Megan's hold and she has increased it now that she has lost Haldir and has lost contact with other…significant and attractive males."

Haldir and Caelon went crimson at this and Gimlí started to laugh at this, muttering something about the benefits of being unattractive to the fairer sex. I chuckled but then became serious again.

"Legolas is aware that something is wrong." I shot a look at Gimlí, who looked back at me calmly.

"He spoke to me yesterday. He seemed anxious. We need to calm him down otherwise Megan will notice and put an even tighter grip on him. I honestly have not checked on Éomer, so I don't know the state that he's in. We need to be careful, we can't alert Megan to what we are going to attempt. We need to decrease the amount of contact Megan has with the pair and this is why I need you three to help me. If it's only me then she will react badly. I hope this works."

I rubbed my temples and sighed. I saw that the others were looking sympathetic. Caelon patted my shoulder and I smiled in gratitude.

"We will help you Nina." Said Gimlí, smiling faintly.

"Thanks gents, I need all the help I can get."

"Gents?" queried Caelon.

"Short for gentlemen."

"Ah."

"Right. Breakfast first and then we tackle Legolas and Éomer."

"Caelon and I with speak with Legolas. Megan will be less suspicious of us as we are kin." Offered Haldir.

"Good idea. Gimlí will isolate Éomer for me and then chat to him. Good idea?"

Gimlí nodded in agreement as did the two elves.

"Excellent! Lord I'm starving. Vamos." I cried.

I notice the three gentlemen glance at each other in complete confusion at the last word. I merely grinned in response and practically skipped down to the hall for breakfast.

"She is an odd one." Murmured Caelon.

I cackled at his comment and continued done to the hall.

"Right, let's split up." I murmured

The gentlemen nodded and I went up to Gimlí's room, as he would bring Éomer there. I slipped in and sat down on the chair. I sighed and rested my head on my knees. To be completely frank I was terrified and I had no idea what to say. If I fucked this up then I would put those two in danger of being under Megan's spell permanently. I was sure that there would be mental side effects too. I swallow the bile that rose in my throat and took a shuddering breath. I suddenly bolted upright when I heard two sets of footsteps in the hallway. The door opened and Gimlí and Éomer entered. I saw concern on Gimlí's face and that feeling was reflected in me when I saw Éomer. This was not the Éomer from the films or books or the one I knew. He looked ill and for a young man that was disconcerting. His face was pale under the tan, his pupils were so large that I was amazed that his eyes were not stinging and his hair and beard had not been trimmed in quite awhile.

"Éomer?" I mentally cursed the slightly tremor in her voice.

'What the fuck do I say now?'

"Sit down." I said quietly and shot Gimlí a pleading look.

Éomer blankly sat down and looked at us expectantly.

"How are you feeling Éomer?" asked Gimlí.

I shot him a grateful look. At least this would kick things off.

"Fine."

"Really?" I asked.

Éomer stared at me expressionlessly. However, his fingers twitched.

"Éomer?"

My tone was becoming more pressing and sharper.

"Just a little tired. That is all."

"And how is Megan?" asked Gimlí.

I flashed him a quick look and grasped what he was planning to do in this line of questioning.

"She is well. Merry and looking lovely as ever."

"Are you fond of Megan?" I asked.

Éomer looked at her oddly before speaking.

"I am very fond of Megan."

"And she of you?" asked Gimlí.

"She is."

Éomer was sharp and there was a tinge of anger in it.

"Do you know anything about Megan?" asked Gimlí.

This threw Éomer and it took him longer to reply.

"What do you mean Gimlí?"

"What do you know about her? What's her favorite colour? Where is she from? Does she have any siblings? That sort thing." I listed.

Éomer looked startled and concerned.

"I…I don't know much about her."

"Her last name?" I pressed.

"No. I do not know that."

Éomer looked distressed, his hands wringing in his lap so much that they were going red. I moved forward, grabbed both his hands and held them in my own.

"Calm Éomer, we just wanted to know how you feel about Megan and how she feels about you."

Éomer breathed in a little and shifted in his seat. I still didn't let go of his hands and Gimlí and I waited until he had calmed down enough.

"So you know nothing about Megan?"

"I…I…it seems so." Stuttered Éomer.

'Well shit. Éomer, freaking ÉOMER is stuttering. This bitch is going down!'

"How does she act around you?"

Éomer paused whilst he thought about the answer.

"She is very fond of me. She does not like it when I talk to other women aside from her and my sister. She likes my sister, but Éowyn does not seem to like her very much. She seems to hate you Nina, though I do not understand why."

"She seems to be possessive of you." Murmured Gimlí quietly.

Éomer frowned and went to say something but was interrupted by me.

"Are you…aware of her…relationship with Legolas?"

This was a question I was very interested in. Éomer's eyes widened.

"I'm sorry…what did you just say?"

"Are you aware of a relationship between Megan and Legolas?" asked Gimlí firmly.

Éomer went whiter than before and started to shake.

"We'll take that as a no then." I murmured softly.

"How long?"

Gimlí and I glanced at each other before Gimlí answered.

"Back when we were in Rivendell."

Éomer wrenched himself away from us and started to pace back and forth.

"Are you telling me that Megan, the woman I was considering to marry, was in a relationship with another person?"

Neither of us knew how to answer that awkward question so we remained silent. Éomer stared at us quietly before sitting down again. He didn't look at us and for one terrifying moment I thought he was crying. Gimlí looked at me signaled that he should go and check on the others. I suspected he didn't want to be there if Éomer was crying. He left quietly and I had to admit that he was very different to what I imagined him to be like. He was quieter, cleverer and interesting than was shown. I shook my head and concentrate on the heartbroken man in front of me. I stared at Éomer for a moment before dragging my chair over to his, sat down and hugged him. I didn't know what else to do, the man was clearly devastated. I'm not sure how long we sat there for, but by the time I let go of him my arms were aching. He sighed and rested his head against my shoulder, just for a moment. I felt a painful squeeze around my chest as I suddenly flashed back to Boromir, but I determinedly ignored it. There was nothing I could for him, but there was something I could do for Éomer. He sat up and rubbed a hand over his face.

"Éomer?"

"Mmh."

"I think you should get someone to give you a trim."

Éomer looked at me through his fingers and laughed slightly.

"It will make you feel more human. And drink some water."

Éomer smiled, rose and left. Just before he left he turned to me.

"Thank you Nina."

I smiled at him and noted his eyes carefully. There was still some of the glazed look left, but his pupils were no longer dilated.

'Good. We're making progress.'

I sighed and peered outside. I saw Gimlí, Haldir and Caelon make their way towards me. I opened the door wide and frowned. They were looking anxious and frustrated.

"What's wrong?" I asked as soon as they were seated.

"Did you make progress with Éomer?" asked Caelon instead.

I glanced at Gimlí and we both nodded.

"She still has some hold on him, but it is definitely weaker now. We just keep working on it. He'll be fine."

'I think.'

"What about you?"

I was worried. Their faces were grim and stiff.

"Legolas was hard to calm down. He is usually level headed and unflappable. He became distressed and kept talking nonsense."

I stared at Haldir as he spoke. He looked more anxious than the others. It was natural as Haldir was a friend of Legolas' and had been for a long time. I sighed and slid my fingers through my hair.

'Well Nina? What are you going to do now? You're the one who's meant to help this people! Fuck, I'm so screwed!'

I looked up and saw the others were deep in thought. They all, by a freakish coincidence, looked up at me at the exact same time. I shrugged helplessly.

"We need to limit the contact she has with pair. I'll get Éowyn to help. I…I don't know what else to do."

Haldir, Caelon and Gimlí all looked at me in an amused manner.

"Nina, you are the youngest in our little group here and yet you expect to come up with all the ideas. We agreed to help, so let us."

I smiled sheepishly and shrugged while Caelon laughed and squeezed my shoulder reassuringly. We all looked up when we heard a knock of Gimlí's door, who rose and opened the door. It was Éomer, who was looking more like himself than previously.

"Hooray! Human again." I cheered.

"Come in laddie." Said Gimlí, his voice tinged with amusement.

Éomer smiled faintly at this when we all heard footsteps. Haldir tugged Éomer into the room while Gimlí moved forward and peered around the corner.

"It's just Éowyn."

We all breathed a sigh of relief as Éowyn entered the room, looking confused and amused.

"We're just plotting to get rid of Megan. Wanna help?" I asked brightly.

Éowyn paused for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Of course! That girl has been following me around and pestering me ever since she got here."

'How odd. I wonder why she likes Éowyn so much…'

My musings were interrupted before Éowyn hugging her brother before she made her announcement.

"Dinner is ready."

"What?! Didn't we just have lunch?"

Everyone stared at me.

"Sorry, I just didn't realise how much time had passed." I murmured, feeling abashed.

The others merely chuckled at my usual antics and we all left for dinner. My stomach rumbled angrily just before we entered. I flushed, feeling irritated and desperately hungry. Caelon must have noticed my expression as he patted me on the arm gently. We entered and I noticed that Legolas was sitting with Megan. They both looked unwell. Legolas was looking sickly pale, nervous and his pupils were monstrously large. He looked up at me and once again I saw that terrified, pleading look. I felt sick that Megan had put him in such a state, but she wasn't looking too great either. She looked exhausted and strained and her knuckles were white due to the fact she was gripping her cutlery so tightly. She looked up at me and I noticed that Éowyn had moved Éomer away from our little group. I glanced at Gimlí and realised that he must have informed her of our plan. I smiled grateful at him as my stomach let out another growl. Gimlí chuckled and nodded at me.

'Well, today hasn't been a complete failure. I have help now, Éomer's getting better. But still…'

"Cheer up Nina. It's not the end of the world yet." Murmur Gimlí.

I laughed as the plates of food arrived. Tomorrow we will work on Legolas and Éomer. Tonight we would eat like kings.

A.N: Please, please, please review. Be kind, as I am out of practice, but be honest.