He began thinking over his options. Judging by his rations, if he started right then he could still reach Isengard. That would be it he supposed. Return to the life he knew. Fight beside his people, and for his master. But how could he? If his people were victorious, then the dark lord would doubtless strike against the elven kingdoms, and she would die. But it's not like he could stop it. It was just him. Alone. For the first time in months, he was alone. He supposed he could simply not join in the war, and wash his hands of it. Not that it would matter, his people would still win without him. He was one Uruk, whatever he did or didn't do meant nothing compared to the armies that warred.

He knew he couldn't do nothing. It would change nothing for him but leave him idle, which he couldn't handle. So Isengard it was. At least he would be fighting. But he would spend the entire time hoping for his side to fail. Which if that did happen, he would die, but if it didn't then she would. Damn it! This was ridiculous!! He should never have cared for her! All it has earned him is stress and pain! That's it, he would go to Isengard, and simply hope for the best, or worst as the case may be.

Pulling himself to his feet, he began walking, snatching up his bag as he did. He stopped as he heard the sound of something falling from his pack and landing with a soft tap upon the soil. He looked back, his eyes landing on the small necklace that she had put in his bag. Of course, miles away and still she plagued him. He knelt down and picked it up, dusting the dirt from it with his thumb. It seemed to glitter and shine even in the dark of the night. He hadn't really looked at it off of her much. Many a time had he seen her wearing it or clutching it, even when she wore nothing it still hung from her neck. Slim and beautiful.

He shook himself. He should just get rid of it, the last thing he needed was trinkets or thoughts of her. He tried to make his hand throw it away but he was frozen staring at it. It meant a great deal to her, "but so do you" or so she said... Not a day had gone by, and yet the loss still weighed heavily on him. He couldn't put her out of his mind, but he needed to move on. He couldn't keep things like this if he was to fight. Did it matter? It was a pointless fight.

He clenched his fist around the trinket, gritting his teeth. There had to be a better option! Nothing he did mattered. There was no way for him to keep her truly safe. There was no way to ensure the fair races came out victorious. But fighting against them probably didn't help. His grip loosened as he suddenly had a thought. No. It wouldn't work, there wasn't a chance. But he supposed there was nothing for him to lose. He was probably going to die whatever he did, but if it meant a chance, however slim, at helping protect her... It was just about impossible, and even if he managed it, he was loathed to do it, but... He looked down to the necklace in his hand. He had nothing to lose if he did, and everything to lose if he didn't... Why not? If he did this he would die and without honor, but it was still better than standing back and doing nothing. Why not...

The necklace was forged for a much slighter neck than his. As idiotic as it was for him to even consider it, the chain would never fit his neck, so he bound it tightly around his bicep. Foolish, maybe, but everything he was doing and had done had been foolish, so to hell with it! Pulling the pack on his shoulder, he began his journey. Not for Isengard, but for Rohan. He would have to be careful and would have to play his cards well, but he was ready and more than willing. Death and dishonor, maybe, but a fighting chance and a chance he was willing to take.

She looked about the room. Just the same. Same bedding, same vanity, same dresser. It was all the same. Well, maybe slightly tidier but mostly the same. She sat down in front of the vanity and looked in the mirror. It had been a while since she had seen her own face so clearly. She looked drawn and tired. She hadn't remembered until then how exhausted she really was. Tired, messy, and... She didn't know... One moment she was traveling to a new home, next she was sitting in her old bedroom. Alone...

Bastard. Damn bastard! All they had to do was finish their journey north and they would be home free! But he just couldn't leave well enough alone!! Now he was gone who knows where and she was stuck in this damned place. What was he thinking! If she ever saw him again-... She wouldn't... War. He would go to war. War ruined everything! She didn't understand it, and she didn't want to be a part of it, and still, it followed her! How she wanted to be back in her hut, waking to another cool morning beside...

She jumped as the door opened behind her. There in the doorway stood a tall, dark-haired woman. Her face had a meek sweetness to it, like that of a mouse being offered a piece of cheese. She gave a sigh, "Oh, it's you, Aldaninna."/ "Yes, my lady. Sorry for disturbing you, but your mother sent me up with some clothes." said the woman in her soft, shy voice. "No, it's fine. Come in." she said. Aldaninna entered carrying a velvet gown of green in a darker shade than the travel clothes she was currently wearing. She wasn't really interested in changing, but she didn't feel like arguing with the woman, and she supposed Aldaninna wanted the time to speak to her.

Aldaninna was silent for a time as she tried to help her get dressed, though they shared a wordless debate as she was accustomed to dressing herself, but Aldaninna was determined to help. "So, my lady. If it's not too bold, might I ask where you've been so long?" she asked. "Um, mostly in forests, there's little to tell." she replied. "Oh. Well, I had heard that you were-..." but she trailed off. "Gossiping? You?" she said with a smirk, turning the poor woman's face a bright scarlet. "Not gossip, my lady, I was simply... Concerned..." she said. She chuckled, "I know, Dani, but just so you know, yes. You heard correctly. But don't go talking about it." she said. Dani fell quiet for a time until she spoke up saying. "Well, if you don't mind, my lady, I'm glad you've returned home."/ "Home..." she muttered to herself.

Dani finally stopped fighting with the dress, giving a huff of exasperation. "It's no use, my lady, the dratted- um, pardon. The dress won't fit."/ "Well, I would imagine! I've put on some muscle since I was last here." she said. "Well, this won't do." Muttered Dani, "I'll go find my measuring tape, and fit you out with a new gown." she said as she turned and left the room. "I guess it's not just the room that hasn't changed." she muttered with a chuckle.

As she moved through the door, she saw as a figure stood patiently outside the room. Her mother entered the room silently, closing the door behind her, an air of tension in her wake. "Aldaninna is still working here." she stated in an attempt to clear the mood. "Yes, well she would." muttered her mother with disinterest as she slowly paced the room. "I guess, she's more or less family at this point." she added, but her mother said nothing as she leaned her back against the wall. She looked to her for a moment, then sighed. "Just ask what you want."/"Why did you leave?" asked her mother. She said nothing for a time before turning back to the mirror and giving a simple shrug.

"Right, you've been gone years, and you dont even know why." she said. "I just... I dont know, I guess it seemed like a good idea at the time." she muttered. "Thats it?"questioned her mother. "You leave without a word cause "it seemed like a good idea". Well what did you do? What did you get from running away?" she pressed. She said nothing till her mother pressed her saying "Well?" sharply. "Nothing! I dont know, I was just in the forest!" she exclaimed. Her mother passed her hand over her brow in exasperation. "If someone had told me that my daughter would disappear for years to live like a wild woman in the forest, then come back without a word, I would have thought them mad."/ "Hate to disappoint you." she replied, unthinkingly crossing her arms.

"All I asked was for you to fill the role as heir to our estate, and away you run! Many young women would be desperate to be in your place and yet all you can think of is your hunting!" said her mother as she began to pace yet again. Her daughter, on the other hand, was silently quoting phrases from this speech. She'd heard it all before. Learn your manners, "Simply learn your manners," treat people courteously, "treat people courteously" Marry a good man, "marry a good man" and fulfill your duties, "and fulfill your duties. Honestly-"/ "What would my father say." she interrupted. "And id imagine he'd be pretty disappointed. It seems I make a habit of disappointing."

Her mother cast an angered glare upon her but quickly collected herself, taking a deep breath. "Then why come back at all?" she asked. She once again fell silent. She wasn't sure how to answer her questions. She figured saying 'I didn't, my lover made me' wouldn't help, so she went with silence. Her mother shook her head, "Years go by, not a word, not a message, nothing. I didn't know where you were, I didn't know if you needed help, I didn't even know if you were-..." she trailed off pausing for a time before she cleared her throat. "Fine, say nothing. Just so long as you act like my daughter again. Thats the most I can hope for." she said, then she moved for the door. "Mother," she said, and her mother stopped, her back still to her, waiting. "Im sorry. I never meant for... This..." she said. Her mother was still for a moment longer, then moved through the door closing it behind her.

She gave a low sigh. She knew there had to be a better way to handle their reunion, she simply didn't know how. She wasn't prepared! She had just about contented herself with the idea that she would never return home, but there she was, sitting alone in her old room. She looked over her face in the mirror. She wasn't sure how to feel. She felt oddly empty. As if she should feel something but couldn't. She supposed it could be worse, but the thought of how happy she was before... She didn't know. She just didn't know...

A/n: Hey, I may delete this note later, but I wanted to say let me know if the chapters are ok or not, and should I change the chapter names? Or add numbers if they make it difficult to find chapters. Thanks, I hope you enjoyed it!