Author's Note: This story will go deeper into Aragorn's relationship with Eowyn and it will be told from alternating points of view (Mostly Aragorn and Eowyn). It will have elements of the books and movies but it will veer off in some places. It has been a long time since I read the books so I apologize for any inaccuracies regarding people, places, etc. Rating is currently T but it may to change to M in later chapters.

Synopsis: Aragorn arrives in Edoras burdened by his failure to hold the fellowship together and his grief over his choice to end his relationship with Arwen. There he meets the Lady Eowyn, a fair maiden with a strong will. Though he continues to dwell on memories of his beloved Arwen, he cannot deny that he is beginning to develop feelings for Eowyn that he hadn't expected.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

The sun rose behind them as their horses bore them over the hills and plains of Rohan, the new light urging them onwards despite the feeling of unrelenting wariness. Aragorn had felt renewed energy upon Gandalf's unexpected arrival in the forest, but it was waning quickly. Days of travel with little rest or food, most of which had been on foot, appeared to have finally caught up with him. He could only hope that some rest could be found in Edoras, though he sensed that there was more evil to face before the time to replenish would come.

In his heart, Aragorn knew that their journey to rescue Merry and Pippin had not been in vain. There was a greater purpose in his coming here that had not been revealed thus far. And yet… he could not help but wonder if he had chosen the right path. What of Frodo now? Should he have gone with him? Would the quest fail?

These doubts continued to weigh upon him as he rode on, the cold wind biting at his face and blowing his hair into his eyes, making it impossible for him to get a clear view of the land in front of him. The party slowed as they reached the top of a small slope and they paused for a moment to gaze across the plains below.

As Aragorn brushed his hair from his face, he beheld from across the valley a great edifice atop a rocky hill with a cluster of houses below. A low wall made of stone wrapped its way around the hill, stopping at a tall gate. It was as he remembered it, though it had been decades since he had last visited this city.

He turned to Gandalf who was staring ahead thoughtfully.

"That is Edoras," said Gandalf. "And there dwells Theodan, King of Rohan…"

His voice trailed off, as if he had had another thought but he did not say more. After a slight pause, he leaned forward on his horse and shouted, "Make haste!"

Shadowfax took off in a gallop and Aragorn and the others followed close behind.

Eowyn opened the doors of the great hall and breathed in the cold morning. The sky was clear and as she walked to the edge of the balcony she could see far into the distance where the open plains disappeared into small slopes and grass-covered hills.

As was common for her these days, she felt tears clinging to her eyelids and threatening to dribble down her cheeks should she blink too hard. Theodred had died the previous night and her last shred of hope seemed to have gone with him. With the King's failing health, Eomer's forced absence, and Grima ever haunting her steps, she feared that there was little left for her in this wretched kingdom. If her uncle died and the throne fell completely into the hands of evil, then she would have no choice but to take her leave and escape before the door of her prison was sealed shut forever.

But that day was not today. And while her uncle continued to breath, she would stay by his side and fulfill her duties to the people of Rohan.

As her thoughts drifted, her gaze fell upon three riders galloping towards the city at great speed. As they came closer to the gate they began to slow and she was able to make them out more clearly.

There were three horses but four riders. Atop the first horse was an old man with long white hair and a matching beard. He wore a white cloak and carried a long staff that was carved into a strange design at the top. She stiffened with fear as her first thought was of Saruman, but at second glance she noticed that he seemed to glow with a peculiar light. Although she could not explain it, she immediately knew it in her heart that this man was not evil.

The second horse carried two riders, one with golden blond hair reaching his waist and tucked behind pointy ears. He was clad in green garb and carried a bow and a quiver full of arrows on his back. He was unmistakably an elf and behind him on the same horse sat a dwarf with a long auburn beard, an axe at his side. She thought it strange that they traveled together. For all she had heard of elves and dwarves, there was a deep-seated hate between the two races that went back centuries. She was again filled with a sense of goodwill that she could not explain.

The last rider was a man with dark hair that fell into his face. He also appeared to be clad in elven garb and he had a long sword hanging from his belt. She felt something stir in her as she watched this man, though she could not name it. As her eyes followed him, one of Rohan's flags was ripped from its poll by the wind. The man's face turned upwards briefly following the flag's progress as it sailed towards the ground. She could not be sure, but she thought his eyes swept over her before he turned to follow the others through the gates.

She stood for another moment before turning and retreating into the hall. Who were these strange travelers?

Hope budded within her once more.

TBC... Please leave a review if you want more!