Chapter 1: Home is Behind
Éowyn sighed and looked down. Tears ran down her cheeks. She was so tired, and devastated. Her golden hair whipped around her face, and suddenly, the small stream of tears became a raging river.
It was just yesterday her mother had died of grief, and her father had been killed by Orcs only a few days before. She was at their burial ground, watching the funeral procession silently.
Éomer put his arm around his sister and led her to the king. He spoke quietly. "Éowyn, Uncle Théoden has offered to take us in."
She shook her head. "I don't want to live at the palace, Éomer. I feel as if I'm about to die."
Éomer drew her aside. "Éowyn… what is wrong with you? It's not like we have any choice about what we're going to do. He's the king, after all."
She looked at her brother, her grey eyes filled with tears. "Fine, Éomer, but only because you say so."
Later, Éowyn stood on the veranda outside her cousin's bedroom. The wind blew her hair in her face, but she paid no attention to it. Home is behind me, she thought, looking out at the grassy plains of her beloved country. I guess I will live here for the rest of my days.
Éomer appeared next to her. "I don't suppose we'll ever see our cottage ever again."
His sister looked at him, and threw herself into his arms, shuddering with sadness. "Oh, Éomer, why did this have to happen to us?" she cried.
"There is a reason for everything, 'Wyn. We don't always know what it is right away, but we'll find out."