Lona cringed. She had heard word of Theodred, and as she knelt she felt tears form. They could not press Theoden with their problems. They would simply return to Mordor. Her eyes looke up to the man who stopped Theoden from slaying Grima. He looked too familiar. She would find out more of him.

Theoden was ushered back into the hall before anyone would answer his question. He knew this had to be bad news. He tried to prepare himself for the onslaught, but how much can you really prepare yourself to hear bad news of your son. He sat at one of the long tables and watched as the company followed his suit. Gandalf reached to him and clasped his hands in his own. "Theodred is dead Theoden. I'm sorry." Gandalf bowed his head as Theoden let out a painful cry. "My son!"

Caran followed the company and lingered in the shadows. Her heart broke as Theoden's cry echoed throughout the halls. No one should have to bury their child. Caran bowed her head as a moment of silence tremoured throughout the hall. After, her eyes fell upon the strangers gathered around the table. Gandalf and legolas she knew. The dwarf and man she did not. She was certain she would find out in time.

Gandalf began to talk quietly with Theoden, making arrangements for his only son's funeral. The others gathered around the table turned away and peered around the hall. This was grave news for Theoden to hear, but there was more to come. Neither of them wanted to break the news to him. Not yet. One by one they stood and distanced themselves from Theoden's grief. The man, elf and dwarf looked to Caran. She blushed slightly, hoping to have gone unnoticed.

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Lona watched all the proceedings from nearby, keeping a careful distance. Her eyes were sad as she watched. She felt horrible, for all the dark times Theoden had woken into. She saw the strange company see Caran. It was no wonder they would notice her. She held herself proudly.

The man was the first to approach Caran. He was hesitant. Caran assumed he had had a troubled journey which led to his mistrust. "I am Aragorn of the Dunedain. Who, may I ask, are you?" He held his hand to Caran as a sign of greeting. Caran looked to him, appraising him with a small smile. "Aragorn, I am Caran daughter of Anabel and Edmond Marvyre. I am a fellow Rohirrim. I came here with my companion Lona. We have grave news for our King."
The elf stepped forward. "It would be best to wait after the buriel of his son. I fear he suffers enough already, without being dealt another blow of bad news."
Caran nodded. "We understand that."

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Lona watched with mild fascination, then turned and busied herself when she felt eyes on her. She dropped her eyes away and began messing with her pack. They didn't know she was Lona.

Caran and Lona had been given rooms to stay in while their King adjusted. Gandalf and his company received the same. After a restless night, Caran bathed her face and willed the dark circles under her eyes to disappear. Once she was dressed and was looking fairly presentable she slowly made her way back to the halls of Meduseld.

Shortly after her arrival the company made their way down to the buriel grounds. Lady Eowyn sang the song of their people while Theodred's body was committed to the ground. Caran cast her eyes down to the ground, her hands clasped in front of her. She longed to run as fast as her legs could carry her. She hated this moment. She had to live this moment three times over. Four times was just too much. But then what would everyone think? She steadied herself and listened quietly. Her hand reached to pat away her tears before turning around and returning back to the halls where a feast awaited the company. Only Theoden and Gandalf remained at Theodred's grave. Gandalf did his best to soothe the King, but there was only so much he could say.

Later Theoden and Gandalf returned to the hall. They took their seats around the table. Theoden simply pushed his food around his plate having no desire to eat. There was more pressing matters to deal with. "Lets have it then. What has been happening in my kingdom?" He looked up and stared at each member in the company, his brows raised in question.

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Lona watched, unsure of whether she should speak or not. "My King." she said, steadily but softly. "I apologize for my earlier outburst. I believe what Caran and I have come to tell you is of far less importance than what else has occured." she bowed her head.

"Speak, my child. What troubles you? You have come so far I will have you leave with lighter hearts," Theoden said, glancing at Caran before settling his eyes upon Lona again waiting for her answer.

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"Your Majesty..." she gulped, clearly nervous. She never got nervous. "There has been treason, the captain of the second division of the Rohan army has tried to...has tried to kill Caran and myself. He sent a Mage, which Caran and I defeated, but we believe the heart of the problem lies in Mordor." she heard murmurs throughout the room, and she cringed.

"Yes, Lona and I ventured to Mordor on order of the Captain to scout out what was happening. Unfortunately we were thwarted by the mage and we did not venture further once we defeated him. As you can imagine we were quite shaken up, having unforeseen this obsticle. On our return to the army camp the Captain ordered us into his tent where he attempted to kill us. I assumed he had made a deal with this mage. For what I cannot fathom," Caran shrugged her shoulders.
Theoden shivered slightly. "I cannot even trust my own Captain's anymore. Rest assured this Captain will pay the price for treason." Theoden's fists clenched.

Just then Hama stormed into the hall with two children in tow. "Master there has been trouble in our villages. They burn as we speak. Saruman has corrupted the men and some of our armies..." Theoden lowered his head to his hands. "They come to destroy us here."
"Then we shall fight them."
"Saruman is sending his orcs my lord..."

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Lona's eyes widened at Hama's statement. "My kind, you have my sword, and my life. She stood, her blue eyes turning to Gandalf. She didn't know what to say. But she had to help her king.

Lady Eowyn encourages the children to sit at the table and eat with them. Her hands fingered through their hair as she spoke. "They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the wildmen are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go, Rick, cot and tree." Gandalf leaned foward in his chair and laid his hand upon Theoden's to draw his attention. "This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven now by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children." Theoden looked down at Gandalf's hand warily. "You must fight." Gandalf continued. Theoden looked to Lona. "I thank you for your offer, but we would be outnumbered even with your help."
Aragorn had lit a pipe and was patiently smoking it as everyone spoke around him. He puffed out a cloud of smoke. "You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak. Eomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king."
Theoden sighed. "They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Eomer cannot help us. I know what it is that you want of me. But I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."
"Open war is upon you. Whether you would risk it or not." Aragorn answered.
"When last I looked, Theoden, not Aragorn was king of Rohan." Theoden snapped.
Gandalf rolled his eyes impatiently. "Then what is the king's decision?"
"I will empty my city. Send them to the refuge of Helm's Deep. We shall take the necessary provisions."

~Feel free to play any of the original characters. I don't mind.

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(kk!)

Lona stared open mouthed at the king, color rising to her cheeks as she did. That cannot be! They would be sitting ducks at Helms deep! She turned to Caran, whispering. "He cannot be serious! We will be an easy prey in Helms Deep! It is a trap!" she stopped as she noticed Aragorn and Legolas looking at her sharply, Abd she gazed back boldly.

"It is the King's orders. He only does what he thinks is best." Caran walked out of the hall and began helping the towns people to pack their necessities. "What choice do we have Lona?" She asked, glancing at her over her shoulder.

Gandalf, Aragorn, the elf and the dwarf walked towards the stables. Caran raised her brow. "Do they leave us so soon?" she whispered to Lona, watching them closely. They whispered amongst themselves as they walked.

"Helm's Deep! They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight. Who will defend them if not their king?" The dwarf asked of his friends. Aragorn grimaced at him. "He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past."

"At least they share our view on the subject," Caran murmured as she watched them disappear into the stables. "Lona would you mind helping everyone get ready? I need to retrieve some things from my home..." Her nose was wrinkled in disgust. She had hoped never to return to her home for fear of the memories it would bring up. Reluctantly she walked off down a path and to her home.

Inside her home, everything had remained the way it had been when she had left. Only a thick coating of dust lay upon everything. Caran bit back a sob and moved up the stairs to her mother and fathers bedroom.

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"It is not about choice when people's lives are at stake!" she cried as Caran left. Lona felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Legolas. "I know the king has made his decision, and I know this decision troubles my companions and I, as well as others, but you can do nothing but help at this point." he spoke kindly, and Lona nodded, helping more townspeople.

Caran opened the trunk at the bottom of her parents bed. She found her mothers dagger and her fathers sword. They had been gifts from the elves, passed down from generation to generation. They were now Carans. She placed the sword on a sheath around her belt and the dagger into her boot. Before she left her home, for the last time she assumed, she gathered two mementos. She already had her sisters ring on her finger. Around her neck she placed her mothers favourite necklace and into her pocket she put her father's pipe.

Caran returned to find the towns people nearly ready for their journey.

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