A/N: I own nothing, JRR Tolkien owns everything.

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Treechick1818

Chapter 2

Sword Training

Melowyn awoke with the dawn as she usually did. As quietly as she could she left the warmth of Eowyn's bed and carefully, so as not to wake Eowyn, crept into her own room. Going to the trunk of her clothes she pulled out a billowy tunic, boots and brown leggings. She and Eowyn were to train down with the men for awhile that morning. Originally it was just Eowyn who was to be taught to protect herself, but at Eowyn's insistence Melowyn had been allowed as well.

After getting dressed she gathered her sword and sword belt from the bottom of the trunk. She set them on her bed to come back and get after she had awoken Eowyn. Gathering her long strawberry blonde hair togethershe quickly braided it into one long plait that reached her lower back. Moving quietly into the other roomshe tried not to wake Eowyn as she slipped out the door to go get breakfast. Only Eowyn was sitting up waiting for her.

"Sorry Eowyn, I did not mean to wake you." said Melowyn quickly as she stopped in front of the door.

"Do not worry about it Mel. I suppose I should get dressed. Are we still to train with the men this morning?" said Eowyn as she got up and stretched.

"Yes, I was just going to get breakfast for myself and then bring you back some." said Melowyn.

"All right. Why don't you bring both our breakfast's back here. We will eat together." said Eowyn as she yawned. She wanted to try and get Melowyn to talk. Something that of resent months had gotten harder and harder to do.

"If that is your wish then I will be back shortly."said Melowyn as she moved to the door and quickly left.

Eowyn stood there for a minute wondering why Melowyn had become so distant. It really was not like her. Realizing that the only way she would get answers from Melowyn, was to break through her new walls, Eowyn went to her closet to get dressed. By the time she had finished dressing in garments similar to Melowyn's, Melowyn had come back with a tray of food.

"I have brought mash, two boiled eggs, a little bit of pork and some tea. We will need all our strength for this morning." said Melowyn as she set out their food.

"Yes we will if I know Halomen. He will work us like the page boys." said Eowyn as she sat down to eat.

"Yes but that is what makes him the best weapon's master in all of Rohan. I would not want to be trained by any other." said Melowyn as she too sat down.

"Oh I know that Mel, but my body still is not happy about it." said Eowyn with a laugh, as she began to eat. They ate in silence for a few minutes until Eowyn could stand it no longer.

"Melowyn?"

"Yes?"

"Long have we been friends and sisters by bond." said Eowyn picking her words carefully.

"Yes Eowyn, but what has that to do with anything?" said Melowyn sensing that her friend had something on her mind. She just hoped that it did not involve Eomer.

"It is just that of resent months, maybe even this last year, you have seemed so detached. I am not the only one who has noticed it. You do not seem to truly smile anymore much less laugh. It is almost as if a shadow has passed over you and you have lost your way." said Eowyn gently as she watched to see how Melowyn reacted.

"Who else has noticed this?" said Melowyn quietly.

"Your brother, Hama, Theodred . . . and Eomer. Just yesterday my brother asked me if you had been ill or something for your behavior towards him was so strange." said Eowyn slowly. "And before Theodred left a few months ago he asked me if I knew why you seemed so sad. Hama, well he always asks after you if he has not seen you in awhile, and your brother. . . well he has noticed this change too."

"I-I do not know what to say to that Eowyn. I suppose you are right, I have changed. I fear that it is from my fear of what the future holds. We have all felt the change of late. There is a darkness drawing ever nearer. You can see it most openly in the King. I fear for everything and everyone I hold dear and I do not know why." said Melowyn sadly.

"We all have these fears upon our hearts Mel, but it seems to be more than that for you. Please tell me all that lies on your heart. I want to see you as carefree as you once were. I know my brother would too." said Eowyn gently.

"Why do you bring Eomer into this? True, I unwillingly admitted that I have feelings for him, but that is not something that should be used as a means to get me to talk Eowyn." said Melowyn sharply.

"Oh. . . I am sorry for using such a low tactic. It just seems to me that you could use some happiness in you life Melowyn. Can you not see that you are sad?" said Eowyn as she gently reached across the table and laid her hand atop Melowyn's

"For so long I have been concerned for other's happiness that I have learned to set mine aside Eowyn. I know that one day I will again find happiness, but for now there are more important things to tend to. Come, if you are done eating we should head to the practice yard." said Melowyn as she stood. She could not bring herself to continue the conversation further.

"All right let us go. I am not settled with your answers, but there is no point in trying to get anymore out of you. Just know this Melowyn, you are very dear to me and your sadness brings me sadness." said Eowyn as she stood and walked past Melowyn to collect her sword.

Melowyn ducked and struck towards her opponent. Getting her blow blocked she struck again and again waiting for her opponent's weakness to let through and give her the opening she needed. She was gaining the upper had quickly and bore down upon her opponent. In this battle of wit and strength Melowyn was able to vent all of her emotions. Quickly seeing an opening she twisted her opponent's sword out of their hand and aimed the point of her sword at their throat.

"Do you yield." said Melowyn her voice devoid of any emotion. When she sparred she became aware of only her opponent and the task at hand. Names were forgotten, the world around her dissolved, and there was only her sword and her enemy.

"I yield." came the voice of Eowyn, heavy from exhaustion. Melowyn lowered her blade and stepped back. It was only then that the world around her came back. The sounds of other fighters clamoring reached her ears and she realized that she felt a lot better.

"Well done Melowyn. You have turned into a formidable fighter. You are lucky Eowyn that she has been trained to protect you." said Halomen as he came over to the girls. They were both a little winded and very sweaty. He had been working them hard for well over four hours. "Eowyn remember to use your legs and to move your feet. Do not be blind in your movements. Melowyn keep you body steady. This is not training for war and you do not need to try and kill your every opponent. That will be all for today girls." he finished and then left to go work with someone else.

"Melowyn, you really are a skilled fighter. Where do you get that intensity from? I never would have thought it of you." said Eowyn as both girls sheathed their swords and headed up to the hill to Meduseld.

"I suppose it comes from keeping my emotions inside. I don't know. You are very good yourself." said Melowyn as she wiped sweat off her brow and walked with Eowyn up the hill. The practice yard was down a little ways from the stables.

"I wish you would talk out your emotions instead of beating them into me. Now I know how all of the pages felt when they sparred with you. No wonder they did not want to spar you again." said Eowyn with a laugh as they made their way up the front steps of the hall.

"Yeah I guess that would explain it." said Melowyn with a slight laugh. Just then Hama came out of the hall and towards them.

"Milady Eowyn, Melowyn, you have just returned from sparring?" asked Hama as the girls stopped in front of him.

"Yes why? Has something happened?" said Eowyn suddenly worried by the troubled look on Hama's face.

"Milady I cannot say what has happened, but may I suggest you go in the back way by the kitchens and go change." said Hama quickly.

"Is it not that important that you would have me go change into appropriate clothing?" said Eowyn skeptically. Melowyn could only watch in curiosity tinted with fear.

"It is not that it is not urgent, but it involves Grima Wormtounge's presence and I am sure you would feel better around him properly garbed." said Hama with a knowing look. They had all seen the way Grima's lust filled eyes had followed Eowyn in the last year.

"Yes, thank you Hama. Come we must hurry Melowyn!" said Eowyn as she and Melowyn ran back down the steps. They ran all the way around the corner to the kitchen entrance, through the kitchen, down the hall and rushed into Eowyn's rooms.

Quickly Eowyn stripped out of her clothing while Melowyn ran to the closet and got Eowyn a shift, a dress made of dark red material trimmed in gold and a pair of slippers. They quickly pulled the garments on her and laced up the dress. Taking Eowyn's hair out of it's long braid Melowyn quickly combed her fingers through it and then gathered the sweaty front pieces and twisted them together until they reached the back of Eowyn's head on each side where she tied them together. She then braided it in a twisting fish tail that was fancy enough for the court of Rohan, but still allowed Eowyn to cool off form her morning activities. Grabbing a strip of cloth Melowyn quickly dipped it in cool water for Eowyn to wipe her face and neck off with. Finally Eowyn was ready to go find out what was wrong.

"Come with me Melowyn. My heart tells me that the news is grave and that I shall need you beside me." said Eowyn as she went towards the door.

"I could not possibly go like this." said Melowyn looking down at her dirty leggings and sweat soaked tunic.

"There is no time for you to change, plus if need be, you will be able to protect me." said Eowyn referring to Melowyn's sword.

"All right, but only because the need is great." said Melowyn as she followed Eowyn out the door.

They quickly made their way to the main Hall where they found a small group gathered before the King. Hama, Grima Wormtounge, and Eomer were before the King with the exception of Grima who was at the King's side like the ever clingy snake. Making their way forward Eowyn stepped beside her brother, and Melowyn stood off slightly behind her.

"My Lord," said Eowyn curtsying before her Uncle, "I have come on the news that there are grave tidings."

"Yes sister-daughter to Theoden King, grave news has indeed come. It is upon this hour that your liege has receive word that his one and only heir Theodred has been killed in a battle with orcs." said Grima Wormtougne slimily.

"No! This news cannot be true. Tell me it is not so." said Eowyn stumbling back a step. Theodred was her cousin and very dear to her heart.

"It is true Eowyn and now it seems that Grima will not give me leave to avenge our cousin's life." spat Eomer glaring daggers toward the slimy advisor.

"It is the King's wish that war not be fought whether it is for a good cause or not Eomer son of Eomund. Would you go against your liege?" said Grima.

"I would do what the pride of our people calls for Grima, whether it by my liege or not. War is upon us whether wished for or otherwise." snarled Eomer. It seemed to Melowyn that Eomer was on the verge of killing Grima.

"Please! Can you just tell me has Theodred's body been brought back?" said Eowyn quickly before anything broke out.

"I am sorry to say that the body of your cousin was in too many pieces to be brought back." said Grima maliciously. Both Eowyn and Melowyn cringed.

"Very well. I will retire now to mourn in peace." said Eowyn sadly. She and Melowyn then left the hall.

As soon as they reached Eowyn's rooms and had shut the door Eowyn burst into tears. Melowyn quickly enveloped her friend in a hug. Holding her as she cried, Melowyn let a few tears escape too. Her brother had been friends with Theodred and so had she in a small way. His death ripped into her soul in the worst way. She knew in her heart that this was only the beginning of ill tidings. Just then, there was a swift knock on the door. Letting go of Eowyn, who promptly sat on the bed, Melowyn went to answer the door. Opening it slowly, she saw it was Hama.

"What is it Hama?" said Melowyn, letting the door open a few feet.

"I thought that the Lady Eowyn would like to know that her brother has called forth his men and is preparing to leave." said Hama quickly.

"Thank you, the message will be relayed." said Melowyn as her heart dropped. Shutting the door and turning around, she saw that Eowyn had been listening.

"Quickly Melowyn, stop my brother and find out his plans. Give him my wishes of safe journey. Quickly, Fly!" said Eowyn somewhat frantically.

Melowyn turned around and left the room. She ran down the hall and out the door to the stable courtyard, where she saw the tail end of Eomer's men riding out. Without a second thought, she took off running as fast as she could. She took the back ways, knowing that she would have to catch him after he left the last gate. Running blindly, she knew that if anything got in her way, she would not be able to stop. Taking a side gate that led outside Edoras's walls, she ran as fast as she her legs would carry her through the tall grass. As she rounded the corner and came into view of the front gate, she saw Eomer and her brother just riding out of it.

"My Lord Eomer! Eomer!" cried Melowyn, running towards the gate. At hearing his name, Eomer motioned for Meloden to lead the men on, that he would catch up later, and broke away, to canter towards Melowyn.

"Melowyn, what is it? Tell me nothing is wrong with my sister." said Eomer as he pulled Swiftsong up before her.

"No, nothing is wrong. I thought to catch you before you left, but you mounted up quickly." said Melowyn, looking up at Eomer.

"Yes well I had Hama alert my men to be ready to ride, as soon as I saw the messenger arrive." said Eomer looking down at Melowyn. He had to admit to himself that she looked quite beautiful all flushed from running, with wisps of hair that had pulled free of her braid around her face, and in the clothes of men.

"That would explain your quick departure. I have been sent by Eowyn to find out where you ride to and to give you the best of luck on your journey." said Melowyn looking away from Eomer's face when she felt his gaze burn into her skin.

"I ride to avenge my cousin, no matter what the 'snake' says." said Eomer venomously at the thought of Grima.

"Then I send you off with Eowyn's best wishes for safety." said Melowyn quickly as she looked down.

"Thank you." said Eomer after a pause. He had hoped that she would give him her wishes as well. When she did not, he nudged his horse forward. He had not gone ten feet when she called out to him.

"Eomer, tell my brother to be safe." said Melowyn slowly, and then seeing Eomer looking back at her, she gathered her courage. "And stay safe as well, with a quick return." said finished with a slight blush.

"I will Melowyn." said Eomer warmly. His words sent shivers down her spine. He then spurred his horse forward and shot after his men. Melowyn stood there watching him ride to catch up with his men, until she could see them no longer. She hoped that they would return quickly and safely.

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