EP41 began to do the introduction, but was distracted by Grima running about packing. "What are you doing?"

"I'm going to get a Silmaril, of course," he said. EP stared at him, dumbfounded. "What? I'm love-starved!" he said.

"I wasn't serious!" EP blurted. "Look," she said, trying to entice him to stop. "ShelobTinuviel sent you some Grima-snacks. Why don't you eat these and stay here? A muse on the run is of no use to me."

"Fine," said Grima, and he plopped down in the swivel chair next to EP and began to spin.

--------------------------------------------

X. Saved

After a few moments of staring at the closed door in utter shock, Éowyn finally made herself move down the corridor to her bower. She entered and sat down on her bed, feeling rather dizzy. Why in the world had he stopped? She had thought she was all he wanted – or, at least, what he wanted the most out of anything.

What was it he had said?

'Despite any small effort I might make all would fall into darkness, and you would be left full of despondency and self-hatred.'

The memory of the words confused, infuriated, and almost soothed her. Once more, he was telling her of the exact feelings which permeated her mind; indeed, it seemed he could read her thoughts as he would a book.

So what does this mean? she thought. He will do nothing, that is what it means. He will continue to poison Théoden's mind with his foul words, and all will be lost.

She pondered what he had told her just minutes before, and got up, twisting a lock of golden hair around her finger. "Oh, what was the use anyway?" she said aloud, moving to the wardrobe and taking out a far more sensible nightdress. "The man has no sense of what's right and what isn't; he never would have followed through on it."

Perhaps he would have, though, she thought as she changed into the other dress, if he could have. Is it not better that he told you to go without the disgrace of your actions on your mind? He could have taken advantage of you and then still do nothing, and yet he chose to let you leave, to free you, albeit in a rather cold and hasty manner. He has saved you, in a way.

Saved me, as a spider wraps up a fly and saves it for another time, she tried to reason with herself. It was a losing battle.

He would not sink so low. There would be no cause for him to take you unwilling when he had you there for the taking, a lovely bit of golden treasure for him to possess, if only for a while.

Éowyn slid between the cool sheets of her own bed and decided that it would be better if they both acted as if the whole incident had never occurred. After all, how could she possibly see him, face him, speak to him, and act as if things were completely the same? It would be impossible.

Every time she saw him she would remember the chill of his hands; every time he spoke she would recall the feel of his lips on hers. Things could never be the same.

She wondered what he was doing now – probably prowling the corridors as usual or whispering new lies to a helpless king. Yet she now thought she held a new feeling towards the wretch. It was certainly not love, it was hardly like. It seemed more like a small amount of respect. He could have used me... but he did not. I suppose that out of fear that he would not be able to do what I asked, and also the fear of his master's wrath, he turned me away. Perhaps he has a few shreds of dignity left.

It was a weary shieldmaiden who at last stopped worrying and drifted into slumber as Eärendil shone through her window.

But it was a solemn councilor who forsook sleep and neither prowled nor whispered, but stood and watched the stars fade into the pale grey of the morning.

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Short, yes. I know. Okay, here's what's going on. I'm going on vacation for five days, and I've only got a paragraph of the next chapter done. I'm going to try and work on it in the car, but it'll take a while for me to get the next update up, just to let you all know! Review? Please?

Review Responses:

leonsalanna -- Well, in a fair world... yes. But this is my world. ::cackles:: To be serious, though... Grima won't be sticking around much longer. So things'll get better for Eowyn, I swear.
Natara -- Well, he can be pretty surprising at times...
szara -- ::looks abashed:: Sorry... I update when I can...
Verse -- You must have stolen my Palantir and looked into my word file to predict the outcome of chapter 9! Thanks for the nice review, though ;)
Auri -- You looked in my Palantir too! =P Yes, romantic tragedy is wonderful. ::sighs::

I have to thank all you guys for the great reviews, you rock!