A/N: OK, so this is it...last chapter...I'm glad those of you reading it enjoyed it. Thanks for your wonderful reviews! Let me know what you think...

"Ari? Are you OK? Ari?" She opened her eyes and looked up at Eomer's concerned face. "Are you OK?"

"NO!" Ari hissed. She was in a lot of pain again. She couldn't get a full breath and she was starting to hyperventilate. Bile rose in her throat and she wanted to puke.

"I don't think we'll have to lie to your mother…." Eomer helped her up slowly and they looked around. They were beside the canyon where they'd entered middle earth. "My knee will certainly be black and blue for a month after that fall."

"Those wizards need to learn to make our landing softer." She staggered to her feet and grasped her re-injured ribs. "Fuck they need to learn to make a landing softer." Ari had released her horse on impact and the frightened animal pranced and bucked not understanding what was happening. Eomer limped to catch his mount and then rode to calm Ari's as she stood unsteadily trying to regain her bearings. She held her hair back and looked up at the sun trying to gauge the time but fell to the ground as her head swam.

"I don't think I can sit my own horse." Ari said as Eomer rode back. "I'm feeling kinda dizzy." She slumped and no matter how hard she tried not to, she felt the contents of her stomach heave upwards. Eomer dismounted and gently massaged her back as she retched. Then he boosted her into the saddle and mounted behind her, hissing as his knee burned in pain.

"What's our story going to be?" Ari asked as they started their slow pace back to the ranch house.

"I don't know….we'll come up with something when we get there…"

"It should be the same."

"Your horse spooked and threw you. You don't know what happened…I'll come up with a story for your parents and the doctor." The two of them crested the ridge above the house and saw that her mother and father were both standing outside looking around.

"What the hell happened?" Ari's mother asked as she saw Eomer and Ari coming down the ridge. "Ari?"

"I'll be alright Mama…"

"What was that noise?" Mr. Carver asked. "It sounded like a plane crash or something."

"I don't know, but Ari's horse threw her when it happened." Eomer lied quickly as he lowered Ari into her mother's waiting arms.

It sounded like a freighter landed in your room.

Beth's words bounced through Ari's head momentarily as her mother helped her up to the porch steps.

"Go get the truck---we need to get her to a hospital." Ari hissed as her mother placed her hands on her ribs. "I think she's broken a few…."

"Fuck!"

"Arianna Carver! Don't you let me hear you talk like that. I don't care how hurt you may be that's no excuse to say those things in front of your mother."

"Grandpa cusses like a sailor….You don't get mad…."

"That's your grandfather. That's different."

"Like Hell it is—ow!" Ari's mother struck her lightly upside the head. "Mom!"

"Quiet. Let's get you in the truck." Ari was helped into the truck when her father brought it around. Eomer had already put the horses up and leapt into the front seat as Ari's mom was in the back with her.

"Don't worry baby…we'll have you to the hospital in no time." Her mother stroked Ari's hair back away from her face as she leaned into her shoulder. "Just you stay quiet….don't you worry at all."

"I won't if you won't."

"I'm a mother….I'm allowed to worry…."

"I love you mom."

"I love you too, Arianna."

Ari was released the next day with an arsenal of heavy duty pain killers and a strict regimen for rest and relaxation. She was not permitted to do any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for at least six weeks….which left her largely in her mother's molly coddling care.

"Do you need more pillows, another blanket?" Ari's mother asked as she brought Ari her meal.

"I'm fine mom." Eomer sat on the floor beside Ari as she lay on the couch.

"Do you need anything?"

"Privacy?"

"Arianna Brigid Carver…."

"Mother!" The older woman left grumbling under her breath about her impetuous daughter and cracked ribs.

"You shouldn't antagonize her like that…" Eomer said stroking Ari's arm. "You should be kinder."

"Mmmm… you might be right…but if I'm on bed rest for this long I reserve the right to be grouchy."

"What's your excuse the rest of the time?" Her father asked as he walked past. Ari stuck her tongue out at him.

"If you say so dear." Eomer laughed and kissed her softly. "We'll leave at the end of the week. Then you can convalesce at home…"

"Convalesce…right…cuz I know what that means."

"You will if you want to leave this house young lady!" Ari's mothers' voice echoed into the living room where the two of them sat.

"I'm glad you're alright…" Eomer whispered gently pushing hair off her shoulder.

"Me too…." Ari sighed as she sat back against the cushions of the couch. "Me too….and I'm happy to be home."

"Aye…and when we get home we're going to have to…"

"Then you're DEFINITELY not leaving at the end of the week!" Ari and Eomer laughed at the incredible strength of her mother's hearing.

"Do you suppose she's part elvish?" Eomer whispered.

"Wouldn't surprise me if she was…."

They kissed again happy to be home and safe, wondering when next they'd be returning to Middle Earth.