A/N: Aragorn has been understandably frustrated by Éowyn's untimely declaration. But how is our heroine feeling down in the caves of Aglarond? Let's find out.
~MV~
Amidst the fear and horror, the snotty noses of weeping children and the anguished looks of their mothers and grandmothers, Éowyn stood alone. The people relied upon her for guidance, and she, she was hopeless. She had just told a man in love with another woman that she loved him. What a fool she was. How could she lead her people now? How could she calm and encourage them when she was falling apart inside?
Her misery could not silence the low rumble of battle above them. It could not quiet the screams of infants or ease her people's hearts. Éowyn was a daughter of kings. She knew this. So she gathered a wailing toddler into her arms, wiped his nose on her long skirt, and lifted him up to her hip. The shieldmaiden moved from one anxious group to the next, counseling courage. Éowyn inspected the caves and assigned several of the women to discover what makeshift weapons they could assemble. Then she sat down for a few moments with the child in her lap and murmured to him softly of her plans for a last stand if the orcs broke through to Aglarond.
"It will be all right, little one. The Men of the Mark are valiant, aged or over-young though they be. And we have on of the men of Númenor to fight alongside our king. They will prevail over the Uruks. You'll see."
The little boy leaned his head against her shoulder and slowly drifted off as her comforting words lulled him to sleep. Éowyn smiled wistfully. If only her fears could be so easily silenced! But Éowyn was a daughter of kings, a foolish, love struck girl with too many women and children looking to her for protection. Her fears would never be so transient. She could not allow them to master her, but neither could she ignore their presence.
Her mind dwelt on her uncle, who had been confined to his chair mere days before; the Riders she had known from childhood; Gimli and his kindness; the fair, fey Legolas; and all of the soldiers, old as well as young. Éowyn prayed for their safety and victory. Most of all, she thought of Aragorn and his masklike face when she had blurted those unfortunate words. If they both survived this, she would never ask him for anything more than friendship ever again.
Question for the readers: Would you like to see Aragorn and Éowyn actually get together? Or do you prefer a tale that clings more closely to canon and only hints of what might have been?