Kindle My Heart

by Lea of Mirkwood

While in the Houses of Healing, Éowyn finds solace, healing, and unexpected joy in the companionship of Meriadoc Brandybuck, and reconsiders her despair. She also finds joy in the company of Faramir, to Meriadoc's growing dismay. Please read and review.

1. As the moon kindles the night

Kindle My Heart

Lea of Mirkwood

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

--- --- ---

Éowyn awoke in a cold sweat, still barely strong enough to lift her head. Her dreams terrified her. They were filled with dark riders, cold shadows and terror. Nothing took them away, except the periodic visits from her brother, Éomer. Shivers racked her body as she remembered standing over the body of her king Théoden and looking at the dark shadow of the Nazgûl King. Flashes of his sword slicing downward into her arm race through her mind and the cold breath washing over her face. She felt a cold rush fly over her clammy skin at the memory. Terror once again gripped her.

If it hadn't died...

Éowyn heard a creak as the heavy wooden door of her room opened. She lifted her head with a great effort. No one. The door simply opened and closed. Éowyn's heart thudded in her chest. Nazgûl were invisible. They had no corporeal form. Men said when their cloaks were off, they were even more deadly and fearsome. No one had entered. They were angry with her for killing their king, and had come for her. The candles on her bedside table didn't cast enough light for her to see a shadow by. Did Nazgûl cast shadows? She was helpless now, with no sword. Nothing to save the shieldmaiden of Rohan now. She heard a small shuffling sound of footsteps. Did Nazgûl make noise when they walked? She lifted her head again.

"Who's there?" she called weakly. "Show yourself!"

A scraping noise came from the left side of her bed. She couldn't turn her head to see. She was too weak.

"Lady Éowyn?" asked a high voice. A small noise escaped her throat. A brown, curly head popped up next to her face. Éowyn recognized a halfling.

"Lady Éowyn, do you remember me?" he asked tentatively, and all the pieces fell into place. The scraping noise was the halfling getting a stool to stand on. "I'm Merry. Meriadoc Brandybuck. You let me ride with you because I was so small."

Éowyn lifted her hand and placed it on Merry's cheek. "Merry," she whispered. He placed his own small hand over hers against his cheek. "My dear, sweet Merry. You saved my life."

--- --- ---