Never Meant to Be

By LollyLady

Disclaimer: I unfortunately own not a single one of Tolkien's amazing characters, I only own Sheres and her family.

Chapter 1 - It should never have happened to us

Sheres closed her hazel eyes to the tears which threatened to spill over, and sighed exhaustedly. Her hand leaning on the steady wooden table, her whole body shaking she progressed to tell her mother and two young children that her father, brother and husband had all died in combat. The boys didn't really understand, they kept frowning and asking when their Daddy was coming home and the whole experience would have killed Sheres if it hadn't been for her mother hushing them, taking her hand and leading her away, to cry, so she wouldn't have to do it infront of the kids.

"King Eomer says they fought bravely beside him mama. He says they fought, and died in the greatest honour." She whipered bitterly, closed her eyes and leaned into her mother, sobbing violently. "Why did they have to..."-

"Hush child." Replied her mother, her tearstained cheeks glistening in the candlelight. "They were proud men. They fought for their country. They fought for the Rohirrim."

"They shouldn't have fought at all." She pulled away from her mother biting her lip. "Would Gondor have fought for us? Did Gondor fight for us in our time of need? No. And I have lost the man I love, my little brother and my papa to a selfish city!"

"Curse you for thinking such a thing! King Theoden was a good man! A very good man! And the new Gondorian king wont allow selfishness. They died to save us all, and if you can't see that, then you have been brought up trully spoilt girl!" Her mother shouted suddenly, but seeing the broken, hurt expression on her only child's face, she pulled her close again. "Oh Sheres... What are we going to do?"

Sheres took a deep breath. "I'm going to go and talk to Eowyn before she heads back. I may not have spoken to her for a while..." He mother shot her a warning glance. "but she was my friend once and I love her."

-----

Eowyn cast her face up to the golden halls of Edoras, tears glinting in her beautiful pale blue eyes and also down her cheeks. She would hate to leave this place. This place with its high golden walls, its beautiful horses...its beautiful people. Her people. She sighed. "I love you sir."

Faramir looked upon his wife and sighed. "I love you also... but do not wish to tear you from this place."

Eowyn bit her lip, her eyes falling on the brother she loved so dearly. "But I would follow you to the ends of the earth if you'd let me. You know that as well as I do."

He leaned over her and kissed her cheek, her pain and her fear reflected in her eyes. "I know My Lady and that will be your down fall."

-----

"Sheres?"

Sheres bowed her head, her beautiful blond curls falling across her face as she curtsied. "My Lady Eowyn. How do you fare?"

Eowyn looked over the girl. "Its been so long Sheres."

She smiled sadly. "I know my Lady, but you must know also that it wasn't my own doing. I would have loved to have seen you! It was just... my father, your uncle. Everything was just so complicated but I do hope you have found happiness."

"Come into my room. There is no point standing outside."

-----

Eomer looked out across his lands. Locked inside his chambers, he wept for his uncle, for his cousin, and for the many thousands of men lost in battle. He was so scared that he wouldn't be able to do it, that he'd be a bad king and that he'd lead the city to ruin. He found it hard just returning as normal, when his whole world had been tipped upside down.

"My Lord?"

He didn't answer, he chose instead, to listen to the soft sound of hooves in the courtyard below and ignore the voice which pierced his tears.