Things in Edoras were grim, as the people grieved the death of the king's only son and the banishment of Éomer. Grima continued to try and grow his influence within the court, even going so far as to approach Éowyn directly and try to woo her. Kiana had done her best to stay by Éowyn's side, but Grima banned her from the Golden Hall and told her she was lucky not to have been banished alongside Éomer. So Kiana did what she could from outside of Meduseld, doing her best to ensure that the healers had everything they needed by way of bandages and clean linens.
Within mere days of Éomer's banishment, word spreads of the arrival of a small party, and among them was the wizard, Gandalf the Grey. Kiana hurried to Meduseld, reaching the stone stairs leading up to the Golden Hall just as Théoden advanced on Grima. Before the king could slay his once trusted advisor, a strange Man that Kiana had never seen before stopped him. Grima took the opportunity to flee and those immediately present hailed their king. Kiana was relieved to see that whatever hold Grima and his master had over Théoden was broken, but her heart sank when the king asked for his son.
Funeral preparations were finally underway and Kiana stood with Éowyn as she sang a lament for Théodred. The funeral procession carried Théodred from Meduseld to the burial grounds, dressed in his finest armor and decorated with the white flower, simbelmyne.
"Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended, giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende on Meduselde. Thæt he ma no wære his dryhtne dyrest and maga deorost."
Kiana watched with a heavy heart as her friend was set in his tomb. 'Farewell, my lord...' She waited with Éowyn until she was ready to take her leave. As she turned to leave with the young lady, though, she worried about leaving the king alone. She saw that the wizard who had freed him moved closer, however, and was relieved that he would have some company. She escorted Éowyn back to Meduseld and offered to make her some tea.
"Thank you, Kiana..."
"Of course, my lady. I'll be right back." Kiana passed by the Man who stopped the king from slaying Grima, stopping a moment when he asked how Éowyn was doing. "She's grieving, but she is strong." She looked at the Man. "Thank you, for stopping the king, he would have regretted it to the end of his days despite all Grima has done." He offered him a small bow, then took her leave.
Not long after the funeral processions ended, word came by the mouths of two children who had fled a Dunlending attack on their village. Éowyn saw to it that they were fed and kept warm after such a long journey as her uncle discussed their options with the wizard and the other newcomers. Kiana took her leave when it was decided that rather than risk open war and further harm to his people, they would flee to Helm's Deep- a large stronghold in the Mountains.
She hurried home and gathered her things together, stowing away what little valuables she had and saying goodbye to the home she had grown to love.
"I hope that I will return someday..." she thought aloud.
She quickly made her way back to Meduseld but spotted the wizard heading to the stables with his companions. She hurried to catch him before he left.
"Gandalf, please wait!"
"What is it?"
Kiana looked up at the wizard, astride a white stallion. "Éomer and his riders, they need to know what's happened." Her grip tightened around the strap of her pack. "Please, you must bring them home."
Gandalf nodded. "That is precisely what I plan to do. Do not worry, Kiana, they will return."
Kiana nodded, not even questioning how he knew her name, and stepped back as he urged his stallion forward. "May the winds guide you safely to him..."
The long trek to Helm's Deep began as the city emptied. Many had never left the confines of the city walls and all were fearful of the road ahead. They would be incredibly vulnerable should the enemy attack them, so those trained in combat remained on guard.
Kiana walked with Éowyn for much of the journey, but her worry that Éomer would not make it back in time was strong. Éowyn did her best to comfort her friend in turn, telling her to keep faith.
As they journeyed to Helm's Deep, Aragorn- whose name was revealed to Kiana at the stables- and Éowyn began to form a close relationship. Aragorn told her about the woman he loved leaving Middle-earth to be with her people in the Undying Lands. Kiana surmised that his love was an elf and her heart sank, knowing how hard that must be for him.
After a few hours had already passed, the alarm was sounded as Saruman's Warg-riders launched an attack. Those able to fight were called to battle while Éowyn was tasked with leading the people to Helm's Deep. Éowyn tried to protest, saying that she could fight, but the king would hear none of it.
"My lady, we must go!" Kiana said, grabbing her hand. "Now is not the time to argue with the king."
Éowyn looked at Kiana, seeing her fear and worry. "You're right."
Kiana looked to the king. "Go, sire, we'll make haste."
Théoden nodded, urging his horse forward while Kiana and his niece turned away to help the people to safety.
Kiana and Éowyn ushered the people onward, helping any that fell behind as best as they could. They pressed forward as hard as they could, trying to put as much distance between them and the enemy.
'Please, let them survive.'