Author's Note: Another Chapter woot! Let me know what you think! Please review!

Lots of Love

Breaiden0413

Chapter Three

Several hours later we found ourselves back in the hall of the king. Aragorn was leaning against a pillar, Gimli seated at the table near Pippin and Merry. Legolas stood near Aragorn and I sat on the floor beside him. Gandalf was pacing in front of the throne. None of us got much sleep after the incident with Pippin, even the warm breakfast was not so filling and provided no warmth. It was still very much on our mind.

"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes. A fool but an honest fool he remains."

Pippin looked sheepish, I felt bad for the poor lad.

"He told Sauron nothing of Frodo or the Ring," Gandalf continued.

Gimli sighed with relief and I think all of the remaining fellowship visibly relaxed, everyone was worried, although deep down in my heart I knew Pippin wouldn't betray his cousin.

"We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith."

I frowned at that, it was the city of men, and already that city was fighting tooth and nail being so close to Mordor.

"His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing. He knows the Heir of Elendil has come forth."

I glanced at Aragorn, who said nothing but was a little apprehensive. I know for the longest time he didn't want this. But slowly he seemed to be more and more open to the idea.

"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."

Théoden looks up at Gandalf.

"He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King return to the throne of men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit Rohan must be ready for war." Gandalf said seriously.

"Tell me! Why should we ride to those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"

I bristled at that.

"You didn't even send for aid!" I spat out.

Aragorn gave me a warning look as I glared furiously at the Horse Lord.

"You would damn hundreds of men, women, and children for a foolish petty spat?" I asked venomously.

Théoden glared at me and coldly.

"I will go!" Aragorn offered.

"No!" Gandalf disagreed.

"They must be warned!" Aragorn argued.

"They will be,"

Gandalf approached Aragorn and spoke in a low voice.

"You must come to Minas Tirith by another road. Follow the River. Look to the black ships."

He turns back to Théoden.

"Understand this, things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith,"

He looks over at Pippin.

"And I won't be going alone."

There was silence for a few moments, and I could still feel the Horse Lord's eyes on me.

"Is there some sort of personal vendetta you against me, Théoden?" I asked calmly.

Théoden looked at me in surprise and look at the room with the eye that had fallen on the two of us.

"Braelyn," Aragorn warned.

"No, he had no problem arresting me and throwing me in prison in front of the men and women under his reign. I have done nothing to warrant distrust or side line glances... tell me. What have I done?" I asked solidly holding the Horse Master's gaze.

At that Aragorn couldn't argue and I knew he was still upset with the Horse Master for the same reason. Everyone looked at him expectantly.

"She is my apprentice Théoden, I would have thought there would be a larger tolerance for any abilities she may have had," Gandalf stated.

"No one told me she morphed into a beast." Théoden said coldly.

"Several dozen actually," I quipped.

Aragorn slapped me upside my head. I winced and glared at him.

"She is a child, not much younger than Eowyn and as such liability." Théoden bit out.

I chuckled at that.

"I am much older than I look Horse Master,"

He looked at me curiously.

"I have served in the Battle of the Five Armies…"

He looked at me coldly.

"That is not possible." He said.

Gandalf scoffed and Théoden turned his attention to the White Wizard.

"She was there and there are other comrades here that can vouch for her aside from myself, as a member of the Dunedain, she entirely has the probably to have attended."

Théoden's eyes conveyed his shock, but his face was still angry and impassive.

"If we are done with judgment we should get to things at hand," I said diplomatically.

It seemed we weren't going to get past this, the only one who seemed to have a problem with me shifting was the Horse Lord.

"In regards to your company, I'd prefer it if you did flaunt it, the rumors running around this place is becoming deplorable. I will not have my house become that of a brothel."

At this I narrowed my eyes and the room went silent.

"Since we seem to be airing out all the dirty laundry, care to explain that." I said in a clipped tone.

I felt Gandalf's gaze on me warning me silently.

"Men have been coming in and out of your room, have they not?"

I frowned my eyes steely and flinty.

"No. They have not. There has been Gandalf to visit me, and my comrades, I hardly think that makes me a whore." I said icily.

"But you admit other men aside from your tutor has been in your room?"

I had a slow cold smile.

"Deflecting the question will not work with me Horse Master. If it is such a bother that my comrades come to visit me because I am a female I will gladly sleep outside, were I a male, there were wouldn't be an issue." I stood up.

There was silence for several moments.

"It isn't proper for anyone to be visiting at hours of the night."

"I hardly think my visit should cause for concern," Legolas stated.

"You shouldn't be visiting females at the dark of the night." Théoden retorted.

"King Théoden, this is King Thranduil's youngest son." Gandalf responded.

King Théoden's face paled and Legolas's eyes darkened.

"I served with Lady Braelyn at the Battle of the Five Armies, she's served under my command in Mirkwood, and she's been my friend for many ages. I do not appreciate my fiancé being called names."

I flushed scarlet and immediately felt the eyes of my comrade's eyes on me. Tentatively I saw Théoden pale further.

"I'm out," I muttered, I didn't bother to close the door quietly on my exit.

I found myself in the stables with Shadowfax, he was lying peacefully in the hay when I arrived and didn't bother moving when I sat down and leaned against his belly. I don't know how long I was there, but I drifted in and out of sleep.

"There you are,"

Waking up I saw Aragorn, he was grinning at me softly.

"You always did have a way with animals," He murmured looking at ShadowFax.

"Search party?"

"Just Legolas and myself, we were worried you wandered off." He replied.

I peeked up at Aragorn.

"How much trouble am I in?" I asked.

"None at all. I've never seen the King look quite so humiliated and appalled. I don't think I've ever seen Legolas so angry either,"

I remembered the dark flinty look he gave the Horse Lord, he was very angry with the Human Lord.

"How long have you been betrothed?" He asked softly.

His eyes were amused.

"Officially, since Rivendell. Emotionally, probably since we parted after the Battle of the Five Armies." I murmured.

Aragorn raised an eyebrow, I felt my face burn in embarrassment.

"We wanted one another to ourselves for a while. He still need to write to his father…I'm not looking forward to that letter…" I murmured.

"Doesn't he like you?" Aragorn asked helping me stand up.

"Yes, but Thranduil has a need for…flair…" I said struggling trying to find the right words.

"That's an understatement," a voice said amused.

Legolas came into the stable, he was more relaxed now and seemed calm. I wrapped my arms around his waist and he pulled me easily into a hug.

"Cats out of the bag eh?" I mumbled into his chest.

I felt him rumble lightly in laughter.

"So it would seem."

I looked up at him.

"You do realize, he will not be too happy that everyone else found out before him." I stated.

It was the first time I really had seen the elven princeling completely at easy at the mention of his father, he seemed calm and very happy.

"Frankly love, I am not too interested in what he thinks at that prospect."

I heard Aragorn chuckle.

"Good, then you're writing and telling him then," I said smiling.

He frowned slightly.

"Leaving me to the wolves are we?" He asked.

I smiled and snuggled closer.

"I can handle wolves, you're the one with etiquette and manners, you can handle your father." I mumbled.

I felt him squeeze, me closer. And despite everything that was going on, despite all the craziness of the world. I felt relaxed, the most relaxed I've felt in a while. Part of me knew I need to relish this moment, I had a feeling before the end, and it would be quite a ride before we had any relative peace.