A/n: This is the first chapter of the sequel to my previous story, The Past that Haunts the Future. So to get a better understanding of what's going on, it would serve you well to read that first.

Chapter 1

The wedding was going perfectly well, with Lothlorien decked out in all its glory. Éowyn had missed Rohan in all her days at Lothlorien, however, she knew that her new life made up for everything that she had lost in many more ways than she could have imagined that it would possibly have. There wasn't anything else that she could possibly have wished for, and Haldir had stood firm by her side despite all the tragedy that she was forced to go through. Yet, even he didn't know all the turmoil that she was being tossed into, banished to the raging waves and current all alone.

-Flashback-

"Lady Éowyn, there is a letter for you, from Rohan," Rumil said to her.

Éowyn shook slightly. "Letter? From Rohan?" she gasped slightly, unsure if she had heard right. With trembling hands, she took the letter and read it out shakily.

King Theoden has died in battle. Return as soon as possible.

Your brother, Éomer

Éowyn felt tears streaming out silently. She had no need to sob, or to cry out loudly. There was inexpressible sadness, pain and hate that she strove to fight back. The pain seemed to drive a stake through her heart, and she felt an overwhelming rush of rage engulf her. The cruel, cold-blooded murderer who had killed her beloved uncle would pay – or would have. There was little she could do now but grieve. She regretted not being there, and she blamed herself for not seeing him before his demise. She hadn't even bade him a farewell before her abrupt departure, and she would be damned for it.

-End flashback-

The soft melodious sounds of the lute gave way to an energetic waltz, and Éowyn was jolted out of her reveries as Haldir swept her around the dancefloor. Éowyn smiled up at Haldir as they twirled around, and Haldir looked at his bride as he smiled with satisfaction. In Lothlorien, safe, with my love – we are finally free, Haldir thought. He could see a faint shadow in her eyes, extremely well concealed, however, he had known her well enough to tell.

"Is everything all right, Éowyn dear?" he asked softly, bending near her cheek and brushing his lips against her skin.

She shivered slightly and murmured, "Perhaps later," and beamed as brightly as she could at Haldir.

Haldir knew that something was wrong, but decided not to pursue it. Instead, he led his bride to the edge of the room where there was a balcony, which overlooked the beautiful Golden Wood. As Éowyn drank in the beauty of the place, as she had done so many times before, she felt the familiar pang of sadness grip her heart, and she felt torrents of tears streaming uncontrollably down her cheeks. She flung herself into Haldir's arms and cried her heart out, for all she was worth. There was no point in holding it all back anymore.

"King Theoden – my uncle – died," she gasped, sobbing. "I'll have to return to Rohan," she added through her tears.

Haldir felt a sudden coldness grip his heart. He knew about Éowyn's attachment to her uncle, and realized that she was on the brink of being inconsolable.

"Éowyn, we'll leave at once," he said soothingly. He realized that there could be no excuse for this sudden departure. He knew that the only thing that they could do was to leave as soon as possible, and under the cover of darkness the two mounted their steeds and rode off to Rohan.

Éomer greeted them at the gates of Rohan. The bitter memories were wiped clean off the slate as brother and sister met in an embrace. He too was mourning for his dead uncle, and the atmosphere in Edoras was thoroughly funereal. As they walked back to the Golden Hall, the people sank in reverential bows to the future ruler of Rohan. Éowyn shivered in the bitter cold wind, and Éomer stared steadily ahead, trying to mask the grief and pain that he felt. As they reached the tomb, Éowyn gave a cry and shook convulsively before breaking down in tears again.

She turned and fled back into the palace, unable to face the weight of her guilt of leaving so abruptly…leaving her uncle here…she regretted deeply not being able to see him for the last time.

"He died an honorable death," Éomer told her. That she knew. She had heard the story of how he'd fought valiantly on the plains of Pelennor, and she knew that he was right. Yet, that did not take much of the pain away, and an aching hollow seemed to remain where her heart ought to be.

-And time passes…-

The Ring had been destroyed, and Éomer's coronation came all too soon. The smiles and congratulations passed easily through the people of Rohan, and Éowyn felt finally at ease once again. The sorrow had taken its toll on her, and as much as she longed for her uncle, she could feel his comforting presence around her even as she got by, and slowly eased back into her daily routine. She let her eyes wander as they lingered on people she had not seen for so long…people from her childhood…she smiled at them as she moved through the crowd. Haldir was waiting for her along the side of the room, and smiled at her as she looked resplendent in a silky gown. She took his arm, and they gazed upon the new King of Rohan. When Éomer took center stage as the newly crowned king, she beamed at her brother proudly. A fleeting movement at the back of the crowded party caught her eye. The pale white face, the shock of stringy black hair, the hunched back, the cold, hard eyes…

A/n: Grins at the cliffhanger (: Thanks for reading! Now, go on and review ((: