It had taken a while to move everything and everyone back to Edoras. But finally we were done and we were having a partay! I walked up to Théoden and offered him a golden cup. He raised it, and everyone in the Hall stood up.
"Tonight, we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country," Théoden said. "Hail the victorious dead!"
"Hail!" everyone in the Hall yelled.
They drank from their cups. Then everyone sat down and ate, drank, and talked with friends. I walked up to Aragorn with another golden cup. I offered it to him, batting my eyelashes. He drank from it. I took it back, and we smiled at each other. I winked at him, but he turned and walked away.
Théoden approached me. "I am happy for you. He is an honorable Man."
"As are you," I said.
"It was not Théoden of Rohan who led our people to victory," Théoden said.
Then he shook his head. "Ah. Don't listen to me. You are young. And tonight is for you."
I smiled at him. Then I watched and laughed as Merry and Pippin danced and sang on a table. Hobbits were so adorable! They had arrived with Aragorn, Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, and Théoden earlier that day. I knew they had just come from seeing Saruman die.
I watched Merry closely, as I knew he and I would be together for the Battle of Helm's Deep. He looked nice enough, and funny.
After everyone had left, I set up a bed on a couch in the Golden Hall. I remembered that Eówyn had done this, though I wasn't sure why. She had a perfectly good bed she could have slept in. But I still curled up on the couch and fell asleep.
I woke up when I felt a hand on me.
"What time is it?" I asked, still half-asleep.
"Not yet dawn," I heard a voice say.
I opened my eyes to see Aragorn. He turned away, but I grabbed his hand.
"I dreamed I saw a wave going over land. It was dark. I could not run," I said.
I knew I hadn't done a great job with that line, but I couldn't remember it very well.
"Night changes many thoughts," Aragorn said. "Sleep, Eówyn. Sleep."
I closed my eyes. I heard him walk away and fell asleep once again.
The next morning, I went to my room to dress. Then I went to the Golden Hall, just in time to hear Gandalf talking. I knew that last night Pippin had looked into the Palantir.
"There was no lie in Pippin's eyes," Gandalf said. "A fool, but an honest fool he remains. He told Sauron nothing of Frodo and the Ring. We've been strangely fortunate. Pippin saw in the Palantir a glimpse of the enemy's plan. Sauron moves to strike the city of Minas Tirith. His defeat at Helm's Deep showed our enemy one thing: he knows the heir of Elendil has come forth, Men are not as weak as he supposed, there is courage still, strength, perhaps enough to challenge him. Sauron fears this. He will not risk the peoples of Middle Earth uniting under one banner. He will raze Minas Tirith to the ground before he sees a King return to the throne of Men. If the beacons of Gondor are lit, Rohan must be ready for war."
"Tell me," Théoden said. "Why should we ride to the aid of those who did not come to ours? What do we owe Gondor?"
"I will go," Aragorn said.
"No," Gandalf said.
"They must be warned," Aragorn protested.
"They will be," Gandalf assured him.
He walked up to Aragorn and whispered some things I couldn't hear.
"Understand this," Gandalf said to Théoden. "Things are now in motion that cannot be undone. I ride for Minas Tirith. And I won't be going alone."
Then I watched as they all left the Hall, except Théoden. I knew Gandalf would take Pippin to Minas Tirith. I was kind of excited to get to know Merry better, even if he was a silly Hobbit.
