For hours upon hours, the orcs pushed through the city. The first and second levels were in flames. The soldiers of Gondor fought fiercely for the safety of the White City and its people.

Faramir was thankfully saved by Gandalf and brought to the Houses of Healing, where Soriel immediately began treating him. The poison had spread a great deal because of Denethor's delay of treatment, but there was hope for him. Soriel forced herself to focus on this, as the threat climbed up the walls of the city, and many people fled.

Eventually, the sound of a Horn of Rohan rang out through the city from the Field of Pelennor. Théoden's riders had arrived. Soriel sprinted to the courtyard to see it. The Rohirrim had also brought the sun. She looked out, knowing that Éomer was out there somewhere, about to go into the hoard of orcs and the fight of his life. Leila would as well. She watched the Rohirrim charge down the hill and hit the orc army like a great wave bursting through a dam. It was a majestic sight. Soriel felt her heart grow with hope. Knowing that Éomer and Leila were fighting made her believe she could fight too, in her way. With that in mind, she returned inside.

It was afternoon before Soriel knew much else. She was kept busy, and there always had to be a healer with Faramir in case his condition worsened. It was only when the Warden came and announced that the battle was over that Soriel went back outside.

In the lower levels of the city, what appeared to be green smoke swept through. She guessed that Aragorn had succeeded in winning the allegiance of the undead army. The city grew eerily quiet, as if holding its very breath. Then the soldiers came flooding in.

Éomer returned, unharmed, but with him came Éowyn, who had an injury Soriel had not seen before, and Aragorn would need to heal. Théoden, she learned, had not survived the battle, so Éomer, on top of his worry for his sister was also devastated by the loss of his uncle who practically raised him.

When he entered the Houses, Soriel ran and threw herself into him. She flung her arms around his neck, and his found their way around her waist. He buried his face in her golden locks and they both released a breath they did know they were holding.

"I am so happy you made it," she whispered.

He only nodded and buried his face deeper before choking out a muffled sob. She let him grieve into her shoulder while she stroked his hair, offering soft words of comfort. When he calmed down, he pulled away from the embrace and looked at her. They held each other's gaze for a long moment.

"I should go to my sister now," he said at last. He gave her hands a squeeze, and started toward Éowyn's bed.

"Éomer!" she called after him and he turned.

With a burst of boldness, she kissed him hard. She put a lot of unsaid things into this kiss. It was a thank you for everything he had done, a promise to be there for him, and even a declaration of love. When they parted, no words needed to be spoken. They locked eyes briefly, then went where they were needed respectively.

After delivering bandages and herbs, Soriel heard a familiar voice calling to her. She whipped around and a delight met her eyes. It was Leila! She was as nervous as Soriel ever remembered her being, clutching Legolas's arm so hard her knuckles were white. Soriel understood why. The Men of Gondor were a reminder of her worst trauma. Also, there was a red stain on her arm where she had been wounded.

"Leila!" Soriel cried, and rushed to her. "You're hurt!"

"It's just a scratch," Leila insisted.

Soriel thought it was more than that, but got straight to work patching it up.

"It is wonderful to see you, by the way," she said, and then added to Legolas and Gimli. "All of you. But where is Aragorn?"

"He is tending to Captain Faramir," Legolas answered.

"Oh, I meant to be with him when he woke," Soriel said. "I am nearly finished, Leila, and you should rest when I do."

"Soriel," Leila said. "Who hit you?"

Soriel had nearly forgotten the bruise forming on her cheek. She hoped it was not too horrible, as she had no desire to upset Éomer further.

"Is it bad?" she returned, poking it lightly.

"Well, it is only a light purple," Leila told her. "But who on earth did it?" Her tone indicated a growing anger.

"It was Denethor," Soriel told her. "I inconvenienced him."

"Doesn't he know what you meant to his son?" Leila wondered.

"Yes, and he hated me for it," Soriel explained. "But I have not time to give details now, and Denethor is dead. Leila, get some sleep so that gash will heal. I will check on you later. Legolas, you are not to leave her side."

"Never," he said with a nod.

She hugged Leila tightly before heading to Faramir's room. She stood in the door and watched the end of Aragorn healing him. When he woke, Soriel knelt at his side. Aragorn told him to rest, and then the king departed.

"How are you?" Soriel asked Faramir.

"Tired," he replied. He looked at her. "You need not stay with me. I know how much you long to be with your friends."

"You are my friend," she reminded him.

He smiled. "I must sleep. Go. Be with the others and come back to me later."

She nodded and he was sound asleep before she even closed the door behind her. She then followed Aragorn to where Éowyn was. Éomer saw Soriel coming and gave her a pleading look. She hurried, and when she finally sat beside him, she took his hand. He squeezed it in thanks, but did not take his eyes off of Aragorn and Éowyn. Aragorn called to her, assured her that the enemy was gone, but she did not wake. Soriel saw Legolas and Leila appear in the doorway, and she did not mind that Leila had disobeyed her. Leila and Éowyn were very close as well.

Aragorn turned to Éomer. "Call her!" he commanded and swept from the room.

"Éowyn!" Éomer cried, taking his sister's hand in both of his, and tears began to escape his eyes once more. "Éowyn!"

Soriel placed her hands on his shoulders in support. He called to his sister once more, and her eyes fluttered open. They locked eyes and smiled at one another. Soriel looked to Legolas and Leila, and they nonverbally agreed to depart, leaving the siblings to have this tender moment to themselves.