I relax on the wide, paved terrace in front of Meduseld, the golden hall of Edoras and look out at the homily city beneath me. Theodred's funeral has been hold that very afternoon and no one has seen the king smile since. The light of life has yet to return to his worn body. After the funeral has ended, two young children has arrived on horseback to warn their king of the dangers that is sweeping through their lands like a malady. The children's home town has been attacked by Wild Men and Gandalf has advised Théoden to go to war, but the king has openly refused. Instead, the king has ordered the citizens of Rohan to leave for the stronghold Helms Deep in the mountains. From where I stand now, I see citizens move, preparing for the long journey across the open lands. Their steps are heavy and with sorrow and concern.

,,Why do you frown, milady Rebecca?" I voice interrupts my solemn thoughts. I turn and see Théoden step out of the mead hall, walking towards me. The king stops at my side and together we look down at the people below.

,,I think it is futile to try and hide from this war. When my companions and I traveled across your country I could feel the shadow spreading across the lands. It is coming for you. Why do you run when you should face this darkness headstrong? Once and for all."

,,Because, Rebecca, daughter of Aragost." Théoden begins, refusing to use my elvish name, his voice darkens with each word he speaks. ,,I will not see my people suffer any longer. No more!" The king inhales slowly. ,,And I believe you are wrong about my home. Rohan has never been lost to any shadow and will not be lost to it any time soon. We will endure this evil."

,,You are right, lord Théoden." I say and feel my own mood sour in return. I had come to offer help and assistance to a country on the brink of destruction, but I am constantly met with disdain from the king himself. How can he not see that he is dooming his own people? ,,Your people are not yet lost. But I am not alone in seeing the desolation in their eyes. They need a strong hand to lead them into a brighter tomorrow."

,,And you are proposing you are the one to lead them?" I sense the tension rising and quickly back down. I have no intention of seeking a quarrel with the noble man. I raise my hands.

,,I did not mean to offend. You should lead your own people, Théoden."

,,I am." Théoden comment shortly and turn back to watch his people below. His anger seems to fade in and out of focus. ,,I lost my son, Rebecca. My only child. He was taken from me too young and I could do nothing to save him. His mother, Elfhild, died in childbirth. There was of course my sister, too. Strong Théodwyn. The gracious, brave mother of Éomer and Éowyn. She succumbed to illness when the children were still very young. Their father had passed not long before that."

,,I am sorry to hear that." I say.

,,My niece, Éowyn, has suffered through the same pains that I have and have yet to succumb to despair. Perhaps she possesses a strength that I do not. Indeed, she probably does... Either way, I believe the hollowness I have felt in life lead me to a place where dark magic could enter my mind. Now, look at my people. They are counting on me to protect them. And I will. I am free of the darkness, at last, and will be there for them like I could not be there for my son. I hope to match the strength and courage of Éowyn as we move forward." His eyes once more darkens as he looks at me. ,,You let me worry about my people, strider. You can worry about your own. Come back and argue when you are leading your own people."

,,Do not let it come to a foul use of words." A voice speaks in a stern tongue behind us. Théoden and I both turn to Gandalf, who stands behind us with his staff ready in hand. The wizard seems to be on the move, with a grey cape thrown across his shoulders.

,,Are you going somewhere, Gandalf?" Théoden asks. Gandalf ignores the question and instead asks.

,,Tell me, Théoden king, where is your nephew?" The look on Théoden's face falters and a shadow sweeps across his features.

,,Beloved Éomer was banished. Grima, the worm, executed the deed, but I gave my ready consent to it."

,,You were under a dark spell, my friend." Gandalf says as he steps forward. ,,You had no control over your actions... or should I say your lack of actions."

,,If you only had come sooner, Gandalf." Théoden says and his voice breaks again. ,,Perhaps then my son would not be dead now."

,,What is done is done, Théoden. Not even this old wizard can change the past. Instead, I require you to answer my question; will you tell me where your nephew might have gone?"

,,North. To Alburg, where he and his soldiers most dwell. I believe he would seek out his fortress and ready his soldiers for battle against any and all enemies that will pass this way. But if you hope to ride to him, then I believe you are wasting yourself on a futile journey. If our enemy attacks, there will not be enough time to bring his men to our aid."

,,You should not speak of things you cannot be certain of, Théoden." Gandalf disagrees with the king and then turns to me. ,,Come, Neuma, for we have much to discuss and we must do so quickly. Walk with me to the stables. Time is of the essence and I must leave straight away." Without waiting for my response, Gandalf strides down the wide, dusty stairs towards the stables below. I bow my head to Théoden before rushing down the steps and follow the wizard.

,,Neuma," the wizard tells me the moment I step into the stables. ,,There is no way out of that ravine." Gandalf explains Helm Deep to me, as he stops at the stable where Shadowfax is. ,,Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he's leading them to safety. What they will get is a massacre. Théoden has a strong will, but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan." He looks at me sternly. ,,He will need you before the end, Neuma. The people of Rohan will need you. Their defenses have to hold."

,,They will hold." I say. Gandalf strikes Shadowfax.

,,The Grey Pilgrim, that's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men I've walked this earth and now I have no time." He mounts his horse and looks down at me. ,,With luck, my search will not be in vain. Look at my coming at the first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the East." He says.

,,Go." I say and watch Gandalf ride off through the stables. Gimli and Legolas quickly move out of his way. Legolas calls me over to him as stable men try to hold a brown horse. The horse struggles against the ropes and rears onto its hind legs. Éowyn, taking care of another horse, turns to watch what is happening. I put the saddle down and walk over to the wild horse. ,,Faeste, stille nú, faeste, stille nú. Lac is drefed, gefraegon ( Fast, be quiet now, fast, be quiet now. A battle is stirred up, they heard )." I whisper to the horse in complete calm. Chloe taught me the ways to talk to horses. To calm them down. The horse calms down a bit, yet it still is showing the whites of its eyes. I reach out, touching the horse and releasing one of its ropes. The horse stands still and quiet. ,,Hwaet nemnað ðe? Hm? Hwaet nemnað ðe? ( What is your name? Hm? What is your name? )."

,,His name is Brego." I look up at Éowyn who hands over a saddle to one of the stable boys. ,,He was my cousin's horse."

,,Brego? Din nama is cynglic ( Brego? Your name is kingly )." Éowyn moves towards us while I still talk in Elvish to the horse. Brego is now calm, submitting to my touch and voice. ,,Man le trasta, Brego? Man cenich? ( What troubles you, Brego? What did you see? )." I ask Brego.

,,I have heard of the magic of Elves, but I did not look for it in a ranger before." I look at her. ,,You speak as one of their own."

,,I have lived in Mirkwood and Lothlórien for a time." I explained to her. ,,Turn this fellow free, he's seen enough of war." I leave Éowyn with the horse and, take the saddle I put down to calm down the horse back from a stable boy, before leaving the stables and feel that Éowyn's eyes look after me.