The announcement of the king's decision came the following morning: they would make for Helm's Deep.
As she learned from Éowyn, Helm's Deep was a great stone fortress, supposedly impenetrable. For the first time in her life, Marian was about to be involved in a war- for even as the people of Rohan hurriedly packed whatever supplies they could carry and Marian herself dashed about, trying to rustle up at least one other dress, Saruman mustered his vast army.
"Here!" Háryth said breathlessly, entering the room with her arms full of supplies. "I found some things for you."
She dumped the items onto the bed for Marian to see, including a couple dresses and some much needed undergarments.
"I can't thank you enough, Háryth!" Marian hugged her, then began stuffing her new belongings into a satchel. "You'd think I would've packed a little earlier, but then I wouldn't be me. I always do this- one time I nearly missed a flight because-"
She paused, seeing the confused look on Háryth's face.
"I mean, I was almost late departing for a… journey. To another land. And all because I put off packing!"
Háryth suddenly seemed a little shy, staring past Marian and out the window, where they could hear the footsteps and voices of the townspeople preparing to leave.
"I have never gone on a journey before," she admitted. "I was born in Edoras, and here I have always been." She looked at Marian then, biting her lip uncertainly. "What is it like?"
Marian smiled. "It can be scary to leave home, but exploring new places is really exciting. I promise."
She thought briefly of her more recent travels- being stabbed in the woods, narrowly escaping death by waterfall, and wandering through the plains of Rohan to the point of delirium- and then decided Háryth could probably do without those details. Marian didn't want to scare her, especially since everyone was already so on edge with the approaching war.
A light sparked in Háryth's eyes. "Let us hope," she said, and turned to the door. "I must go find my family and help prepare for the journey. Will you be well without me?"
Marian nodded. "Yes, and thank you so much for your help!"
As Háryth left, Marian shouldered her bag and frowned. Who would she travel with, if not Háryth? And should she walk, or find a horse? Surely there wouldn't be a free horse she could use, so walking it would be- but then, it might get lonely walking by herself.
She heaved a sigh of frustration. This felt too much like being back in school, wondering where to sit at lunch. Making a split second decision, Marian left the room in search of a friendly face- or at least, someone to tell her what to do.
Approaching the stables, distracted by the hustle and bustle surrounding her, Marian ran smack into a tall, armored man. As she staggered back and he reached out a hand to steady her, she realized that she knew him- it was Éowyn's brother, Éomer!
"Pardon me, Lady-" he said, distracted, and then seemed to recognize her. "Marian! That is, Lady Marian- how do you fare?"
"Oh, I'm good," she said, feeling a little awkward. "Sorry for running into you."
"All is well," Éomer assured her, searching her face. "Are you sure you are feeling strong enough for travel?"
Marian nodded quickly. "Yes, I'm fine! Really. And thank you for bringing me here, to safety. I really am in your debt."
Éomer seemed satisfied now that she had recovered fully, and inclined his head. "Of course. I am glad you have regained your health."
Someone shouted Éomer's name, and he turned toward the voice, clearly needed elsewhere.
"I must go," he said, pulling on his helmet.
As he walked away, something was persistently nagging at Marian, and she heard herself blurt out the question, louder than she intended: "Is it true that you carried me all the way up to Meduseld?"
Éomer looked back at Marian, who stood mortified, one hand over her mouth. Oh, she would kill Háryth for ever saying that.
"Yes, I did," he said, graciously ignoring Marian's embarrassment.
This time she kept her mouth resolutely shut as he left, turning back toward the stables and hoping desperately that no one else heard the question she had just asked.
Marian found Legolas in the stables, saddling up a white horse. She approached cautiously, not wanting to startle him or the animal, but he turned around almost the moment she entered.
"Marian," he said by way of greeting.
"What's up?" she replied.
Legolas slowly looked toward the ceiling, slightly nonplussed, and Marian grinned, fighting back laughter.
"No, it's- I'm just asking how you're doing."
He raised his eyebrows. "I have never heard such an expression." Fastening another buckle on the saddle, he added, "You speak Westron, and yet it is different from what I know."
"Well, I'm not exactly from here," Marian answered, shrugging.
Finishing with the horse, Legolas took the reins and led the animal out of the stall. Marian stepped back, unsure.
"Have you ridden a horse before?" he asked, taking note of Marian's response.
"No," she said apprehensively. "But I can just walk, right? Yeah, I'll just walk beside you, it's no big deal."
Legolas smiled and shook his head. "No, you will ride. I can teach you."
She looked at the horse, taking in the way its mane fell over its forehead, and the brown eyes that observed her.
"It's pretty," she decided. "Okay, I'll give it a go. But don't you dare let me fall off!"
"His name is Arod," Legolas said, and then gave Marian a funny look. "You make your decision to ride simply because he is pretty?"
"It does help a little. I mean, I'm sure people trust you more because-" she broke off, appalled at herself. "You know, you… look very trustworthy, like Arod here! Okay, let's be off!"
She whirled around and marched toward the stable doors, praying that Legolas was oblivious to what she almost said. Hearing him follow with the horse, Marian stepped outside and looked out at the line of people beginning to leave Edoras.
Their journey had begun.