~The winds of change often blow in the most unexpected of directions. On this particular morning they brought the leaves from the trees in Rivendell floating down to the ground. The morning was bright and cool. Dewy droplets of water sparkled on every blade of grass, and the cool breeze of morning woke the forest. The songs of birds filled the air, twittering that Shavanna had come to enjoy over the months she had been at Rivendell. It was her own choice she was here currently, her own private exile. It had been hard staying away at first, for the horse lands had called to her, sung to her in her blood. It had been harder still to watch Snowfire gallop away to join his herd, and to release Faroth to the skies where he belonged. Hard, but necessary. So she had refused the title of Third Marshal of the Riddermark. That was her father’s title, and she dare not take it. No matter what she did, he would never approve. Her father was the type to hold grudges, and going against him at the age of 14 to become a Shield-Maiden was all it took for him to never talk to you again. It wasn’t fair, but that was life.~

~Shavanna shook her dark brown hair to straighten it. It had grown longer, longer then she had expected it to. She supposed she fit in more now. That probably meant it was time to get it cut. She sighed and continued to walk through the forest. Her eyes were trained on the ground, irises a deep thoughtful blue, as was the dragon scale that hung on a chain at the hollow of her neck. The scale was a treasure she had found while adventuring in the Misty Mountains. It warned her when danger was near, and changed color with her irises, whenever her mood changed. She kicked a stick out of the way and strode on, deeper into the forest. It had been a peaceful four years. She was now twenty two instead of a naïve eighteen, and knew much more about the world. Shavanna had grown more cautious then she had ever been, her curiosity, for the most part, tamed. The elves had a lot to say for that. They had agreed to let her stay; she had agreed to train their horses. A good deal, she thought.~

~The maiden leaned against a tree, whistling and sticking her wrist out. A small songbird lighted on her hand. She smiled and stroked it. Another trick learned from the elves. Shavanna had a touch for nature. The bird flew off, and she watched it go, remembering her faithful falcon Faroth. Shav felt a hand on her shoulder and spun, one hand reaching for the belt knife she always carried. Her would be attacker grabbed her other arm as her left came up with the knife. When she saw who it was that now held her right wrist in a firm grip, she sighed, her irises losing the bright red tint and fading back to violet, their natural color.~

“Beinion, do not sneak up on me like that.”

~The elf dropped her wrist as Shavanna slipped her belt knife back into its sheath.~ “My Lady Shavanna, it is time for you to be going back to you home.”

~Why did elves always have to be so direct? Shav thought.~ “We talked about that-“

“You have to go back someday. It had been four years. We of Rivendell believe you are ready. Do not cheat yourself. Your country needs you.”

~Shavanna looked down, her eyes turning to blue again.~ “Beinion, I can’t.”

“Can’t means will not, My Lady. You will not fail your people. Ride Shield-Maiden. We have a horse waiting for you.”

~Shavanna met the elf’s eyes with her own. Tears glistened in them.~ “Thank you.”

~The elf bowed his head, but Shavanna was already gone. The rolling hills of her homeland called to her as strongly as the Undying Lands called to elves. She was going home. She arrived in the city of Rivendell, at the stables, to find a black charger standing, waiting, tacked and ready to go with all of her belongings packed on him in saddle bags and bedrolls. She smiled and put one foot in the stirrup, swinging on to his back. Shav had trained this one herself. She bent over to whisper a single word into his ear, and the horse was gone, racing back toward Rohan. Once they had hit the road and left Rivendell she slowed him down. By noon the next day they had reached Bree. Shav rested her horse the rest of the day, and they rode out the next morning and through the night. On the fifth day out they crossed the river Swanfleet. After a full day of rest by the river, they rode into Dunland. On the eighth day they crossed through the Gap of Rohan, and reached Edoras on the tenth.~

~As Shavanna rode in to the great city of Edoras, people began to talk. She trotted her horse steadily up the slope of the city, and could not help but notice the people. The citizens of Rohan, going about their business as usual, gave odd looks. On some faces was recognition. She heard many conversations beginning with, “Is that her?” “No, it can’t be. She left four years ago.” “I heard she died.” Some gave timid waves, but Shavanna would recognize none of it. She did not want to be recognized. Her hair was longer; she had grown older, and taller, now standing at 5’ 4”. It was only an inch or two, but it made her feel good. She heard still more chatter. “It can’t be her. That’s not her horse.” “But that is her cloak. The one with the paint horse on it.” Indeed it was. Her green cloak bore not the white stallion that was the trademark of Rohan, but a paint stallion, for Snowfire. Up and up she climbed, not stopping until she had reached the Golden Hall. At the gates of the hall she stopped. Two stood guard outside, two she knew. Edain and Jarek. Two of her old mates. They did not recognize her at first.~

“What is your business in Edoras My lady? Only those who have appointments with the King can enter the Golden Hall.”

“Edain, Jarek, don’t you recognize me? It’s Shav, guys. I’m back. I’ve returned.”

~The two men exchanged astonished looks.~

“Shav! Why did you leave, why, are you back?”

“I am back to claim what is mine by right.”

“Are you saying you accept-“

“Yes. I wasn’t ready when I was first told that I was a possible heir to the throne. But now, I’m older. I’m wiser. I’m ready, or, at least I think I am.”

“To the King My Lady. The stable hands will take your horse.”

~Shavanna dismounted and followed Edain and Jarek into the Golden Hall. The King awaited in the throne room, and Shavanna knelt to him. It was the same King she had met four years ago. The same person that had told her he was ready to step down. That she was the heir, if she accepted it. The King and future Queen talked long into the night. It was past midnight when they finished, and all servants had gone to bed. Jarek and Edain had fallen asleep at the great long tables that sat in the hall. Shavanna bowed and left the cold, dark room, silently waking her comrades and heading to a guest room. She had a big morning ahead of her.~

~The next morning, Shavanna was up as the sun rose. She had not been able to sleep. She looked down on the whole of Edoras, and across the plains. After today, hopefully, she would own all of this land. It would be her responsibility. She would have to defend her people from the threats of Mordor. Shavanna, ruling a nation that always had a rather large target on its back. It was mind-boggling. She would try her hardest not to fail her people. She was not fully sure of herself. So much could go wrong…she had been on many excursions and scouting missions, but leading the entire army? Commanding the troops? Managing alliances and trade and everything that came along with it? She watched the sun rise, watched the mural of color spread gentle light to the plains. She could see the horses moving even now, waking and galloping, free. She hoped she could keep them that way.~

~One by one, people started to assemble. They came out in small groups assembling right out in their yards, or coming right up to the Golden Hall. Shavanna stood now as a hero, one they recognized. She had cut her long brown hair; it now just dusted her shoulders. Her irises were a golden color, representing honor and good. Her cloak was a new one, green, with a paint stallion and white one together. Her emblem and that of Rohan. Her swords had been given new scabbards, and she wore bracers inlaid with golden thread patterns, as well as a shirt of leather armor with a golden horse head on it. All her clothes were new for the occasion. The sun rose higher in the sky, and more and more people came out. Rohirrim warriors with their families, children both young and old. All came to see what Shavanna would have to say. When they were all assembled, she spoke.~

“Rohirrim, Shield-Maidens, Women, Children, Men, young and old alike, hear me. Four years ago, the current King asked a young girl to replace him as leader of this nation. She said no, and fled Rohan. Yesterday afternoon that girl came back, four years older and four years wiser. I was once a Shield-Maiden, now I will become your leader. But I do not want any of this, ‘Your Highness’ and ‘Mylady’. I am one of you. I have trained with you, played games as a child with you, and grown up as one of you, a citizen of Rohan. I know what it is like to spend full days from dawn to dusk doing hard labor; I know what it is to fight in active combat. So call me, as I am, Shavanna, or, Shav, if you like. I cannot say I am the most experience among you, so if you know something, tell me. I may not be the wisest, so advise me. I can promise you that I will and always have protected Rohan, its citizens, and its horses with all of my heart and soul. I will continue to do so until the Dark Lord himself strikes me down! Rohan is a strong nation, and together we will make it stronger. Dark times are ahead, and we will face them ready and willing. No darkness will break out walls or our spirit. We are the People of Rohan, and we will never give in! Forth Eorlingas!”

~The ancient cry echoed through the captivated city for a moment, and was then answered with the cries of the people. At first nothing could be heard, and then one, two people cried their own ‘For the King’ In response. Soon It grew, and the population was cheering as one, changing their call from ‘For the King’ to, ‘For the Queen!’ Shavanna smiled, awe-struck by the show of support. Her irises were almost a pulsing gold now. She rose a hand to quiet the cheers, resisting the incredible urge to simply burst out laughing. There was one last thing that she had to address. When the cries finally quieted, she spoke.~

“You may have me as your leader, but there is one test that I still must take if I am to truly be called the Queen of Rohan. Our country is famed for our horses, best in all of Middle-Earth. Our true pride, our true greatness, though, lies in the Mearas. Borne of Nahar, Orome’s own steed, they are white or silver grey. The Mearas have intelligence and wisdom beyond normal horses, and wear no saddle nor bridle. They will bear on their backs only ones in the true line of Kings, the only exception being Gandalf the White. If I am truly your destined leader, one of the Mearas must test me.”

~Shavanna whistled, a tune she had long practiced, the only call that would bring a Meara to one. It was the same call Gandalf had used to call Shadowfax after his return to life in the third age. It would suit Shavanna now. She waited precious minutes before hearing the cheers of her people. An acknowledgement. The Meara was on its way. Shavanna gasped when she saw him. His coat was of two shades. One was white, and it shone like a full moon on a starless night. The other was roan. She looked at the stallion now staring at her. It was Snowfire. Shavanna raised a hand to stroke his brow. She had assumed, but never truly known: Snowfire, a full-blooded Meara? Prince of Horses? She shook her head. Snowfire nudged her in the chest with his nose, and gently stomped with his black hoof. Impatience. She smiled. Grabbing his black mane, she mounted with ease borne of years of riding. Snowfire snorted, prancing a bit in place. He gave a small buck that sent Shavanna falling onto his neck, and then reared, pawing the air with his front hooves and whinnying. Shavanna tightened her legs on his flanks and stayed on, as she always had. Feeling secure, Shav let go of Snowfire’s neck, and drew her swords, Daystar and Starfire. This was echoed by many of the Rohirrim in the crowd, who raised spear or bow or sword in allegiance. Snowfire gave one last whicker of triumph, and a peregrine falcon swooped down, screeching and landing on Shavanna’s shoulder. Faroth had returned. ~

~The news would spread like wildfire. Before nightfall all of Rohan would know its new Queen. After that the word would spread to outlying kingdoms, as far north and south as the wind traveled. All would soon know that Shavanna, Shield-Maiden of Rohan, was now the new Queen of Rohan. ~

((OOC: Oh come on! You are totally calling me out with that long of a post! However, I think I'll have to resist your challenge. :P))

((Meh, I've had this written for months. I had to let it out :) And please, resist all you want, oh lord of evil :-P))

((OOC: I'm also Captain Jack "Rum" O'Brien! :P))

((Don't you mean Captain Jack Sparrow? If you don't get that, I'm never speaking to you again :) Anywhoo, I gots to be going to sleep...have to get up at 6:00 tomorrow and it's almost 1 AM...mehehe...Night.))