A/N – This is the next step in my tale of Eomer's life. Although it is considered a stand alone story, the relationships might be easier to understand if you read the other two stories with this first.

Disclaimer – Anything you recognize belongs to J.R.R.Tolkien and his subsidiaries.


Eomund was awoken ere the sun had raised her head over the valleys and ravines of the Emyn Muil. Immediately he noticed the noise that surrounded him - men shouting, swords clashing, and horses struggling against their holds.

"There are orcs attacking, Eomund," shouted Eolef from the flap of his tent, "The sentries were able to raise the alarm before they were killed. It is not known how many there are and we can not see them coming. It is dark still and men have wasted time getting oriented and ready for battle." Eolef brought him his sword as he finished buckling his armor. The last time orcs had attacked the camp directly was over a year ago, but none of his men had been killed then.

Throwing back the flap of his tent Eomund made way to his horse, followed by several other riders who had also just awoken. From his saddle he surveyed the damage and fighting taking place. It seemed the Rohirrim outnumbered the orcs but they had surprise working in their favor.

Across the campsite, Eomund noticed several of the creatures trapping Brytta, a young soldier who had joined the eored a few years back. Spurring his horse into action, Eomund was able to ride down several of the orcs surrounding him, severing the head of the one he was directly doing battle with.

"Thank you Lord." Brytta told him breathlessly as he killed the last orc in the immediate vicinity.

"Never let yourself be surrounded. Always remain in motion and do your best to keep your back to the eored. There will not always be others there to save you. It makes the difference between a good soldier and a dead one."

Not waiting for a reply, Eomund turned his horse and lent his sword to the others fighting around him. Time stood still as the battle seemed to rage for hours. The sun was just starting to lighten the ebony sky when he heard a shout from behind. Turning to see who was behind him, he noticed Eolef with a stunned expression on his face. A moment later, he slipped from his horse and fell to the ground, an arrow protruding from his chest.

Leaping off his horse, Eomund was beside him almost before Eolef hit the ground. A deep crimson stain started to spread its way down his side as it wrapped around his back. Gripping his tunic with both hands Eomund ripped away the cloth, since he had been not been wearing anything more than a leather jerkin.

The arrow had lodged itself into his upper left shoulder. Knowing what had to be done, Eomund lifted his shoulder and pushed the arrow the rest of the way though, breaking off the head when it cleared the skin. Blood pulsed with each beat of Eolef's heart, wetting his hand more each time.

Eolef's eyes were glazed with pain as he reached for Eomund's hand. He struggled for breath, a watery sound accompanying each one. "I have loved you since I met you, Eomund. Always you have treated me as a brother." The blood streaming down his chest became less as the beats became fewer and fewer. "I will see you in the Halls of Mandos." Eolef took a ragged, gurgling breath, and closed his eyes, never to open them again in this world. Placing a kiss on his forehead Eomund laid his brother back on the ground.

Rage tore through him in that moment, more fierce than any he had felt throughout his entire life. The battle was ending as the orcs began to retreat into Emyn Muil, but mounting a horse he charged after them, his sword reflecting the first breath of dawn.

Riders, noticing his departure, mounted any horse they could find, although there were not many since they had been released to keep the orcs from killing them. By the time enough horses were rounded up, Eomund was no longer in sight. Frantically, the men who could find horses started after him.


Theodwyn woke to see the moonlight steaming in through her window, not knowing what it was that had woken her. After a few moments of silence she closed her eyes and began to drift off, when the distant sound of a horn brought her fully conscious. Throwing off the bedclothes she hurried out of the room, not even stopping the grab her robe or slippers; her only thoughts were of her husband.

Eomund's eored was not due to return for two more days and never would they return at night, unless something was wrong. Trying not to think of what could have happened she ran up the street, not even noticing the rough ground bruising her feet. By the time she had reached the courtyard, others had already gathered, all sharing the same worried expression.

Moments later the call was given to open the gates as the riders rode in, some carrying the mildly wounded in front of them, while others were pulling litters. Theodwyn frantically searched the mounted men for Eomund but could not find him, and looking further she realized she could not find Eolef either.

Trying to come up with some sort of explanation for his absence, she did not notice someone approaching until they stood right in front of her.

"My lady..." Looking up at the man standing in front of her, it took a moment to realize who it was.

"Brytta, where is my husband, I have not been able to find him." She looked into his eyes, hoping to find reassurance, but fearing what his answer would be. Looking down at the ground he continued.

"I am sorry, my lady." His voice cracked as he struggled to restrain his emotions. "We were attacked. We tried to save him but we arrived too late." Brytta could not bring himself to look at her. While he knew in his heart it was not his fault, he could not get his mind to agree. If he had been the better warrior he might have reached him in time, or he might have been able to prevent his charging off alone. Lost in his own thoughts it took a moment to realize he was being spoken to.

"When did this happen?" The sound of her voice nearly broke Brytta's heart even more then it already was. She sounded so frail that he for a moment did not think it was her that spoke.

"We were ambushed. We set out as soon as we could but we could only travel so fast. We could not bring ourselves to leave the dead, so we brought them home with us." His voice dropped off at the memory of finding Eomund's body. The orcs had tried to hew it even after he was dead, and no one wanted to think of what would happen to the bodies if they were to be left behind.

"Brytta, take me to him"

"My lady, I do not think- "

"Take me to him!" Her voice carried over the courtyard, and many people turned to look at her. Most already knew and those who didn't would soon enough. Brytta only nodded his head and turned, indicating for her to follow. As they approached the healer's house Theodwyn noticed the large number of riders standing outside. All moved aside and bowed their heads as they passed.

Inside there were only a few people standing around the long examination tables. Although she could not see what was on them Theodwyn had a good idea.

"My lady, I would advise against this, at least until they have been prepared. Orcs are not known for being delicate with their victims." Once again Brytta tried to discourage her from this, but she would not yield. Silently she shook her head.

Approaching the first table she saw a young man who did not look older than eighteen years. From what she could remember the boy always had a smile. The next few tables were the same, Theodwyn seeing the person they had been in the body that was.

When she approached the body of Eomund, she first noticed the blanket that was placed over his body, knowing that she did not want to see what lie beneath. Until now, it did not seem possible that he was dead, and the sight of his body lying there made everything seem real. Finally, she allowed the tears to fall that had so far been held back.

TBC