Wow. Two chapters in one night. I'm on a roll.

Chapter 12

"Eowyn, are you alright?" asked Anwyn as her cousin stormed out of the room where she had been visiting their cousin, Theodred. "Did Grima do something to you?" While both girls were suffering, Eowyn suffered the most. She had all the problems her cousin had, plus Grim's advances.

"I'm fine, Anwyn," Eowyn replied angrily.

"Are you sure?" Eowyn didn't reply.

Anwyn sighed. Her cousin had been distant recently, ever since Grima's advances had started. Theoden's failing health and Eomer's exile didn't help, nor did what had happened to Theodred. Seeing as Eowyn hadn't responded, nor was likely to, Anwyn decided to see their cousin.

The young blond entered the room to find Grima standin there, unmoving, and Theodred lying on his bed.

"Grima?" The greasy haired man looked up.

"My lady," he murmured.

Anwyn shuddered. Grima's feelings for Eowyn weren't love, but lust. She panicked momentarily. She looked rather similar to her cousin, with bright eyes and long golden hair. The main difference was that Anwyn had green eyes as opposed to blue, and was slightly paler. If he couldn't have Eowyn, would he go after her? She hoped not. She doubted she could stand up to him. She was a strong shieldmaiden, like her cousin, but not as strong. She was somewhat softer-spoken than Eowyn, but could still hold her own in battle. But Eowyn was still far superior to her. If Grima were to go after her, Anwyn was certain she wouldn't last long.

"My cousin does not appreciate your advances," she told him. "Leave her alone."

Grima looked like he was about to protest, but he silenced him.

"As the King's daughter, I command you to leave Eoowyn alone," Anwyn told him sternly.

Grima sneered before exiting the room. His eyes never left her as he left. Anwyn felt rather small and helpless under his gaze. She wondered how long Grima would remember her command to him. He'll probably forget it by tomorrow, she thought. But at least I got Eowyn some time.

She crossed the room to her brother. "Please, Theodred," she whispered. "You have to live. We need you here."

The fellowship rode towards the pile of burning carcasses. They reached it rather quickly.

"Your horse knows you too well," Legolas said to Morwen as she and Boromir dismounted Morbein.

"I told you, she comes when I call her," Morwen replied.

"Its not natural," Legolas responded.

Malinaduial rolled her eyes as Legolas helped her dismount. "Honestly, Legolas, stop looking for trouble."

Morwen would have been tempted to laugh if they weren't in the middle of a serious situation.

Gimli race toward the burning carcasses the second he was down from behind Caranduin. Using his axe, he shifted the pile until he found something.

"Its one of their wee belts," he said, holding it up.

Aragorn kicked a helmet and yelled in anger. Legolas murmured something in elvish.

"We failed them," Gimli said softly.

Then Aragorn spoke. "A hobbit lay here," he murmured. "And another." Morwen stepped closer. "They crawled. Their hands were bound." He moved forward and picked up some rope. "Their bonds were cut." Aragorn stood and headed towards the forest. "They ran over here. They were followed." He stopped. "The tracks lead away from the battle. Into Fangorn forest."

"Fangorn," murmured Gimli. "What madness drove them in there?"

"Theodred," murmured Anwyn. Her brother was dead. Eowyn was crying. Anwyn went over to her and hugged her cousin. There would be time enough for her own tears. Right now she could only imagine how helpless Eowyn must feel. The last male relative capable of holding back Grima was gone.

"Oh, he must have died sometime in the night." Anwyn turned, gently releasing Eowyn.

"Get out of here, Grima," she whispered coldly, stepping towards him. "You're not welcome here." He ignored her.

"What a tragedy for the King to lose his only son and heir," he said, advancing towards Eowyn. Anwyn glared at him as he sat on the bed, quite close to Eowyn. "I understand his passing is hard to accept, especially since your brother has abandoned you."

"Grima..." said Anwyn coldly.

"Leave me alone, snake!" cired Eowyn, jumping up and moving away from him.

"Oh, but you are alone,"" said Grima, standing and moving closer to her. "Who knows what you've spoken to in the darkness, in the bitter watched os the night, when all your life seems to shrink. The walls of your bower closing in around you. A hatch to trammel some wil thing. So fair, and so cold like a morning of pale spring still clinging to winer's chill..." he had put his hand to her face by now. Eowyn's eyes closed and she took a deep breath before backing away.

"Your words are poison," she said angrily before storming out.

"I told you to stay away from her," Anwyn said, walking over to Grima. "I will tell you one last time: Leave my cousin alone!"

Grima glared at the young princess before turning away. Anwyn turned and left the room to go join her cousin.

Gandalf was alive. And he trusted Morwen. Morwen. Boromir smiled and thought about the events leading up to that point. Much had changed since she had joined the Fellowship by being 'rescued from drowning' by Legolas. At that point in time, he had never imagined he'd be sharing her horse while riding up to Edoras.

As they drew near the city, a flag was ripped from it's pole by the wind, and blew down in front of Aragorn. Boromir looked up to see two beautiful, young, blond women. He found himself suddenly lost. All he could see was a beautiful young woman with long golden hair and bright greem eyes wearing a pale blue dress. She was watching them, and he imagined that she was looking at him in particular.

"Boromir?" He was brought back by Morwen's voice. He shook his head. They had passed through the gate. "We're in Edoras now.

"You'd find more cheer in a graveyard," murmured Gimli.

Boromir looked back up hopefully, and saw her walking away. They dismounted and walked up the stairs to the golden hall.