Disclaimer: I own only Braenna. All other characters belong to Tolkein
Just as the men were returning to Edoras from Helm's Deep, a female rider rode up to the steps of Mesduseld. Èomer caught her as she fell off her steed in exhaustion. Her hood fell back and he looked up to Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, King Théoden, and Gandalf. The two Hobbits were looking on curiously as well, but didn't recognize the beautiful maiden as the others had.
Her eyes opened as she let out a low moan. "My father...Gandalf, I arrived in search of you. You must stay the madness of my father," she said weakly, her eyes pleading, filled with fear.
"My Lady, you must get some rest, then and only then will I allow you to give us tidings of Minas Tirith," Gandalf stated.
Théoden looked up to his niece, Èowyn. "Ready a chamber for her," he called up. He watched Èowyn nod and rush off to her duty. "Take her horse to the stables," he said to a nearby stableboy, who was soon leading the spirited filly to the stables.
Èomer carried her to the chamber Èowyn had arranged, following Èowyn as the two Halflings now followed him. He gently lowered her to the bed. Èowyn covered her with a sheet.
"Who is she?" Pippin asked softly.
"She is Braenna, only daughter of Findulas and Denethor, sister of Faramir and Boromir," Èowyn replied. "Come, she needs her rest." This she directed more to her brother than the two Hobbits. She lay a gentle hand on his shoulder before he turned to her. He nodded and all four of them left the chamber.
Hours later, Gandalf entered the chamber to see Braenna awakening. He smiled at the sight of Èomer watching over her from a chair in the corner of the room. Èomer genuinely cared for the girl and it was a wonderful thing to see, in Gandalf's opinion, during these tragic times of war and suffering.
Gandalf sat on the edge of Braenna's bed. "I believe now is as good a time as any for you to reveal why you rode here from Minas Tirith without resting once," he suggested.
Braenna propped herself up on the pillows. "Ever since the news of Boromir's untimely death, my father has become...withdrawn. He grieves too much over the loss of what every being knows to be his favorite son. It hurts Faramir and I both deeply, but we have each other. What worries me is...the other night, I was walking back to the Citadel from the Houses of Healing when I saw a bright flash of light come from a window halfway up the tower walls. The next morning I slipped up there unnoticed to find an almost entirely empty room, something sitting on a table, covered in a cloth. I...I pulled the cloth off...underneath was a glass sphere. As I looked into it, I felt my heat drain from my flesh as I watched the Eye of Sauron light up the sphere. I fear that my father is not defending Gondor to the best of his ability out of grief and counseling of the sleepless malice that is Sauron. Gandalf, you must go to him, he'll not listen to any in Gondor, many have tried," she revealed.
"I will leave first thing in the morning," he promised, placing a gentle and assuring hand on her cheek. "I guarantee nothing, but I assure you that Gondor will not fall while this old man is still breathing."
"Thank you, Gandalf," she whispered.
"You will stay here when I go," Gandalf instructed. She was about to protest when he held up a hand. "I will tell Faramir that I have moved you for your own safety. It truly is safer for you here around the Rohirrim, Braenna."
She nodded in defeat, her eyes sliding over to catch the gaze of Èomer. He looked away quickly.
"My uncle is hosting a great feast for our victory at Helm's Deep, my Lady. Your presence is deeply desired by many, if you are up to the festivities that is," Èomer said.
Braenna smiled. "I think some festivities are called for to relieve my heart of worry in these dark times," she accepted.
"Then we will leave you to prepare to join us," Gandalf said. He and Èomer took their leave of the room.
Braenna got to her feet. She was immediately attended to by maids that Èomer sent in. They did her hair simply and dressed her in a simple yet elegant dress that showed off her figure surprisingly well. She smiled as she looked into the mirror before walking into the main hall. It seemed as though all of Edoras had turned up for the festivities.