What was his name? The one with the gift?

He put his hand over his chest and bowed. He had long blonde hair that was braided on the sides of his temple.

"This is Gimli son of Glóin "I looked in his direction. He was a short man with red hair, and a long beard. He held an axe, but somehow looked inviting and not intimidating? Maybe it was the height?

I nodded feeling overwhelmed; Gandalf noticed and took my hand from Aragorn's

"One stage of your journey is over; another begins," Gandalf said as he began walking leading the group through the forest

"Saruman has betrayed his master, as I'm sure you have already guessed. We must journey to Edoras with all haste, for he will set his sights soon on Rohan. He knows that the Rohirrim have slain his servants, and fears also that they might have slain the hobbits. He fears they have taken the ring and he will not risk the chance that they might discover its power. He will wage war on the country and we must be ready when he does."

I gasped softly covering my mouth with my hands. War?! I don't even have shoes on and war? I'm in no place to fight in a war.

"For some time now his sights have been set on Rohan, we have word from the Rohirrim it goes ill with the king" Aragorn said exasperated

A large hand touched my back sending a jolt through my body I whipped my head around turning Legolas stood there concern in his eyes. His hand still resting on my back. As we walked I tried my best to stay by Gandalf I didn't realize he was behind me.

"Are you alright Nifred pant er?" [Fearful one] I stared at him not knowing the answer, am I alright? What a loaded question, I think if someone asked me that before I would have given them a thin lipped I'm fine. But here with memories that seem underwater and a world so foreign and hearing that tongue again. That was the tongue they spoke in, the ones that sent me here.

"I- I ... "I tried to stutter out an excuse or conjure up something to at least make him think I was alright. But I couldn't. Opening my mouth and shutting it no words came out but stutters I finally sighed looking at my feet.

"I have no memory before I came it is as if I were underwater all I know is Gandalf. " Should I elaborate? Should I tell this stranger that my heart aches and is mourning for a life I can't even remember? I know I am not of this world, but how far away am I from? My feet have become numb from the pain. He removed his hand from my back seeming to give me space. The jolts spreading through my body instantly went away causing me to shake slightly missing the touch. I blushed at the thought and shook my head at myself. We continued on walking. Gandalf took the lead; I tried to stay as close to him as possible but it was difficult to keep up with his strides. I had to jog to keep pace with is brisk walk. I could hear Legolas and Aragorn conversing in that language behind me.

I tried to focus on keeping up with Gandalf, the vines and brambles we walked through seemed to grip me like nobody else. Gimli who was shorter, the underbrush came up to his waist as some points still never got as stuck as I did. It was as if forest didn't want me to leave.

My head perked up hearing what sounded like my name in that strange language

"veritui Polod hen fea na- limb"

I turned my head curiously looking back at the both of them. I wonder what they're taking about I wish I could understand them. I wished even more desperately I could have understood the man and woman who spoke it before. We approached the edge of the forest, stepping out onto a wide grassy plain was like a breath of fresh air. The forest was dark making it appear much later in the day than it actually was. I blinked and rubbed my eyes trying to get them to adjust to the new harsh bright light. Gandalf gave a loud, piercing whistle. It echoed against the hills of the plains. The ground beneath my feet began to tremble as we heard the sound of hooves trampling across the plains. She could see distantly approaching were three horses. The leader of the horses was larger than the other two, all white almost silver, faintly glowing underneath the sunlight.

"That is one of the Mearas" Legolas spoke softly behind me causes me to jump. He smirked at my reaction

"It is Shadowfax" Gandalf spoke with authority as the horse slowed down to a walk before stopping before them "He is the lord of all horses, and he has been my friend through many dangers"

Gandalf reached out his hand and stroked the animals' neck and side, then leapt onto its back. The others jumped into action Legolas and Gimli mounted the far right horse and Aragorn mounted the one on the left. They all either forgot I was there or assumed I'd know what to do.

I slowly backed taking baby steps back into the familiar forest. I twig snapped underneath me causing the group to notice me once more.

"Can you ride?" Gandalf asked me gently striding over to where I stood I looked up at him, and shook my head. I bit my lip trying to hold in my shame and disappointment. besides there was only three horses and Legolas and Gimli were already sharing.

"I don't think so I don't think I ever have before I don't know"

Gandalf smiled reassuringly "Aragorn she will ride with you "

Aragorn approached already dismounted and walked over holding the reins of his horse. I froze. What am I going to do without Gandalf what if we get separated? He's all I have here I don't know there people and they tried to hurt him earlier what if they try to hurt me? He walked the horse to my side and mounted and reached out his hand to help me up, I took it clumsily and climbed behind him. This was very intimate I thought. I've never been this close I don't think to a man before? Maybe I have and I don't remember. My face burned with a blush as I tried to scoot as far away on the moving horse from Aragorn as possible.

He chuckled and said "you will have wanted to hold on when we ride, unless you rather fall"

I wanted to die of embarrassment. But my feet ache less sitting on the horse so for that I am thankful a much needed respite.

"Edoras and the golden hall of Meduseld" Gandalf said pointing ahead.

I could see a city built on a hill far in the distance; a small smile graced my lips looking at the city.

"There dwells Théoden king of Rohan. His mind is overthrown. Saruman's hold over him has grown very strong. Do not look for welcome here… not in these dark days."

I yelped as the horse beneath me surged forward and grasped onto Aragorn's cloak. He laughed into the wind knowingly. The same type of laughter a brother would have after pulling of a prank on his younger sister. No matter how fast we went I tried my best to grab the cloak and not him himself. The thought of holding a man that intimately a stranger no less! We slowed down getting closer to the city; there was a tall wooden fence with a gate. There were men posted along the fence and nodded towards Gandalf.

As they passed through I ducked down desperate to hide myself from all the unwanted attention.

"You'd find more cheer in a graveyard." Gimli said

I had to agree, the entire city felt as though there was a shadow upon it deep and dark and violent, inside the thatched houses I could see children and women peeking out of the windows at us. Their eyes full of distrust, people in the street glared at them as they rode by. I gripped tighter on Aragorn's cloak.

We wound our way to the top of the of the city, shallow stone steps led to the golden hall before us. I was starting to find comfort in horse riding; this isn't as scary as I thought. And now that were walking its almost peaceful. Gandalf dismounted followed by Legolas and Gimli, Aragorn turned craning his neck, so close to me seeming to ask me a question without words.

"I- I don't know how to get down…" I said my face a deep shade of scarlet. Of course watching the others get down and then doing that same task, I knew I wouldn't be able to, I'd fall right onto the steps.

Gandalf outstretched a hand from next to me; he was still slightly taller than me, even on a horse. I grabbed it timidly and he put his other hand on my side and lifted me off the horse placing me on the ground as if I were fragile cargo. I stared at the ground to embarrassed to make eye contact with any of them. I followed the others up the steps making sure not to look up. My face was still burning. Two enormous thick wooden doors burst open in front ofus. A slurry of armed guards surrounded us. I tried to hold my breath to calm myself. Their faces were grim the same distrust in their eyes as all the other people before looked at us. They had swords along their belt one of the guards placed his hand tentatively only its shaft and spoke

"I cannot allow you before the king so armed, Gandalf Grayhame" he stepped forward as if daring him his hand still resting on his sword. "You must leave your weapons at the door."