Disclaimer: I own NOTHING. I know, its terribly depressing, but somehow I make it through each day...

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"But, my lord, that isn't right! Grima has no authority here! He is but a a king's advisor!"

Alowyn had to jog in order to keep up with Eomer. News of his banishment had just reached her ears and now she was trying desperately to find him a way out. His stoic face remained the same as she babbled on, ignoring the two guards that were nearly dragging him out towards the barns.

"Alowyn, please stop. There is nothing you can do to help the situation. The King has spoken and I am to depart these lands. There is no avoiding it."

Alowyn nearly tripped at the mention of the king, and stopped her quick pace to let the information sink in. So Theoden had ordered his nephew's banishment from Rohan? She had heard his health was failing, but now it was clear his mind was also. She picked up her skirts and continued after him again. Catching up, she stepped in front and effectively, although temporarily, halted the guards' steps.

"But the king is sick and his mind poisoned, he knows not what he does! You cannot take such an order seriously?" She said, desperation ringing through her voice.

Eomer suddenly stared straight into her eyes at that comment and his gaze could have turned her to stone. "I take all orders from the king with the utmost seriousness. This is not a game, Alowyn. Let it be." At her crestfallen expression his gaze softened, a soft sigh slipping past his lips. The guards, who were now thoroughly annoyed, proceeded to drag Eomer down the steps. Alowyn remained where she was, watching them escape her view as they entered the barns. It wouldn't be long before Rohan was lost without its Third Marshal there to defend it.

She didn't know how long she stood there for, but several shouts brought her attention back to where it was needed. She descended the stone steps and made her way into the barn, finding every stall full of horses ready for travel. The men were beginning to lead them out and mount up, saying their quick goodbyes to their families before setting off. Alowyn navigated her way through the crowd gathered and found Eomer already atop Firefoot.

"Be safe, my lord." She said, looking up at him. "Rohan will need you before her time is done."

What appeared to be an attempt at a small, grateful smile only turned out as a grimace. He leaned down, closer to her so that he could lower his voice. "And her time will come soon. Get yourself out of Edoras should any army approach it. It is not defensible with us gone. Ride to Gondor, and mayhap I shall find you there."

Alowyn nodded, fighting back tears at the mere thought of having to leave Edoras in such a way. Eomer gave a call out to his men and almost in unison they took off, the hoofbeats almost deafening for those standing nearby. She watched as they left, not one rider chancing a glance backwards.

And, tired of fighting, she let the tears flow.

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Edoras was quiet with such a large company gone, too quiet. No reports came in from the surrounding villages, which was only bad news for those in the city. No reports meant no survivors. Saruman's forces were slowly gaining control of Rohan, and there was nothing anybody could do about it. No word came from Eomer. For all Alowyn knew, he could be dead.

Weeks passed and yet it felt like years. A growing sense of dread began to creep into the city, as the people began to realize they were without leadership or defense, and soon there would be an attack.

Alowyn didn't know what to do with herself. With Eomer gone, she had no duty to fulfill. She found herself staring out her window across the plains, as if waiting to see the first black speck of an approaching army. She knew it was inevitable, it was just a matter of when. To fill up some of her spare time, she volunteered to help the ailing Theodred. It wasn't something she wanted to do, in fact, she regretted ever stepping up to the plate. She was ordered to do every horrible job that no one else wanted. Dispose of the used bandages, clean up any spilled blood or vomit, change and clean the soiled bedsheets.

She did every job without complaint. This was the prince, afterall, and cousin to Eomer. She felt useless in the times she wasn't needed. In fact, she almost waited for the call to go to work.

Her job didn't last that long, however. As one cold and overcast morning dawned, she answered her door to what she thought was another call for help. It wasn't.

Theodred was dead.

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AN: Sorry for such a long wait for this chapter. I've been crazy busy with dog shows and traveling, but now I've got a small break until November before I'm off again, so I should get some more updates done quicker. Sorry if this chapter was disappointing, I wrote it rather quickly so that I could get it up here.