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Tibblets : Well thank you for still being here! I really do appreaciate it, more than you know.
Lady of Sign : You're going to get your wish I promise! Thank you though for sticking around, promise to not be too much of a chapter-hoarding hag.
Annalynn shifted the saddle in her hands. Ever since she woke that morning, she felt uneasy. Her stomach was in knots, her hands shook, and her eyes stung as if she could begin crying at a moments notice. It was nerves she simply told herself. She was nervous of the outcome of the battle that was no doubt raging far from them. Many she held dear to her were fighting at this exact moment. And now they were all prepared to leave Dunharrow behind them and make for Edoras. Ready to welcome home their battle torn warriors.
"It would seem we are missing out on the adventure." The old mare shook its mane at her, its tail ends hitting her lightly in the face. She nipped at the sleeves of her dress in comfort. Annalynn brushed her off and wiped the tears from her eyes. Tears wouldn't do any good now. She could cry until they returned home, but it would do nothing to help them.
"Lady Annalynn."
Turn on her heel, she came to face a bullish man. He was tall and stocky, his wild red hair and beard almost reminded her of a taller Gimli. "Yes sir?"
"We can not find Lady Eowyn anywhere. She is not in her tent and her horse is also unreachable."
Annalynn rubbed her temple. Oh course. Eowyn was not going to be left behind. Since her argument with Eomer and Aragorn leaving, something changed inside her. "That's not all my lady. The Halfling is missing as well."
She let out a light laugh as she shook her head. "Eowyn and Merry are exactly where they need to be sir. No need to be alarmed." Annalynn went back to getting her saddle on Eagon's back. She noticed that the guard had yet to move. "Is there anything else I can help you will sir?"
He shifted uncomfortably for a moment, opened his mouth to speak, but immediately closed his mouth. "There may not be a tomorrow sir, there should be nothing unsaid or untold."
Feeding the strap through the loop, Annalynn tugged tightly making sure the saddle was secure then turned to face the guard. "Well…?"
The guard looked at the ground for a moment, shuffling where he stood. "If you have nothing to say, then perhaps you should help the others packing." Annalynn finished her musing and walked off towards the center of activity. They would be departing soon and she needed to make sure everything was in order. They had gotten a late start that morning, and it was closing in on midday. She had no doubt in her mind that Theoden and company had reached Minas Tirith and were in the midst of battle. Perhaps that is where her uneasiness stemmed from. Last night she dreamt of the attack on the capital of Gondor. She could feel the fire, hear the screams, see the destruction that the minions of Sauron were unleashing upon the stronghold. When she woke, she feared that they were too late.
"How are we coming along Berrus?" The older guard gave her a light smile. "Almost done Milady. We should be ready to go at a moments notice."
"Thank you Berr…." Annalynn clutched her chest when pain radiated through her. It was a familiar ache, but entirely different at the same time. The force the pain sent her tumbling to the ground. "Lady Annalynn!" She heard the shouting around her, but the pounding beneath her chest nearly drowned out all noise around her. Then she heard it. The scream. The outcry of pain.
The voice she knew all too well.
She felt someone put their arm underneath her, gently holding her against them. "Milady, are you alright?"
"Eomer.." Her eyes shot open and the pain worsened. Scrambling to her feet, she pushed away her caregiver. Something was wrong, Eomer was hurt. She couldn't explain how she knew, but she just did. He was hurting, she could feel her heart pulling in all different directions, her mind was buzzing with a million different thoughts at once.
Rushing passed the others, she raced for her horse. Gripping tightly onto the horn, she swung herself into the saddle. With a forceful kick, the mare leapt into action. She could see the concerned look on the faces of those she sped by but she couldn't take the time to explain herself. She needed to get to Eomer.
A blur of brown reached her side, she saw a hand reach for the reins. The hand pulled hard, forcing the horse to slow in her speed. Annalynn pulled her long blade from its sheath and held it out at the offender. "What do you think you are doing?"
It was the man burly man from earlier. "Keeping my promise." He huffed out. From his seat, he held tightly onto the old mare, keeping Annalynn in her place. "I have no time for promises, I need to…"
"Lord Eomer made me promise to look after you."
Annalynn stopped in her ranting at his words. "Eomer…did what?"
"Before he left, he asked me to stay behind. I wanted nothing more than to head out into battle, but he asked me to look after you, to keep you safe."
"Why….why would he do that?"
"I cannot say Milady, but I made a promise to my Captain, and it's a promise I intend to keep."
Realization dawned on her, why else would he do that if he did not still care for her. "I am to take you back to Edoras and watch after you until he returns."
Edoras, no. She can't return to Edoras.
"I must go to Minas Tirith."
"I'm afraid I can't allow that." He tugged the reins, leading the horse back to the encampment. Raising her blade back at the guard. "I can't go back. Eomer….there's something wrong. I have to go."
"I am sorry milday, but I cannot let you."
"I'm sorry to sir." She did not wait for a response as she flipped her blade in her hand, bringing the hilt to his head. She knew there wasn't enough force for him to go unconscious, but it was enough for her to regain command of her horse. Turning around, she kicked again. Flying away from the encampment.
'Hold on Eomer.'
Dawn was on the horizon when Minas Tirith came into view. All that was visible were the tiny flickering flames coming from the torches. Annalynn slowed her horse when she came to the battle ground. Orcs, goblins, and men littered the ground. Annalynn felt her stomach give way, her hands trembled as her eyes filled with tears.
Moving her way through the dead, she tried to only focus on finding the front gate. Out of all her travels, Gondor was one place she had yet to see. Her cousin spoke of its Steward on occasion, but yet he had a rather close connection with the Prince of Dol Amroth, how she wasn't aware, but the two were constantly exchanging correspondence.
She came to what she assumed was once the entrance. The doors were reduced to splinters, hanging off its hinges. Slowly Annalynn made her way in. The city was silent, eerily silent. Tightening her cloak around her, she moved closer in.
A clatter from behind her caused Annalynn to pull her sword. With a clang, she stared at the person behind her. "Took you long enough." She huffed, putting her sword back in it's place. She was not one to use the weapon, but it was the closet. Her polearm was still wrapped and in the holster on the saddle. "You gave that beast wings." The guard grunted as he moved next to her.
"If you insist on tagging along, you can help me." With a nudge, she and her new companion entered deeper into the depths of the destruction. Maneuvering their way around the rubble and the dead. For each soldier they passed, Annalynn sent out prayers for them. Bidding them safe passage to the afterlife.
"I do not think we can move any further on horseback." Annalynn was inclined to agree with him. The further in they got, the worse the rubble became. Large chunks of stone blocked the path, unable to let them pass with their horses. Clambering off her horse, she tied the reins to a near by post. Gathering her things, she hooked her polearm across her back with her staff held tightly in her hand. Her long blades and sword attached to her hip, thankfully making little noise as they walked.
"Do you know where you're going?" He asked. Annalynn rolled her eyes as she led them through. "If I did, do you think I would be traveling at such a slow pace sir?"
"Rodrick."
Annalynn stopped for a moment, looking back at him. "Sorry?"
"My name is Rodrick, not sir, milady."
"Annalynn." She shot back at him. She's always disliked how they gave her a title. She was no one of such great importance. She never wanted a title.
Rodrick motioned for her to continue. Shaking her head at him, Annalynn used her hand as leverage over a fallen column. They made their way through the city, not seeing a soul in sight. She was almost tempted to knock on one of the numerous doors they've passed and ask for help. When they came to an open hallway, Annalynn stopped and stared out the carnage that was Pelennor Fields.
It was not just Eomer she feared for. Eowyn, Merry, Geoff, and Garreth also rode off into battle. She was unsure if Legolas, Aragorn, and Gimli found their way into mayhem, but she was almost sure they had. "We should keep moving. We do not know who the victor is, Orcs may still lurk these halls." Annalynn gave him a nod of agreement and the two set off again.
"Do you suppo…."
Annalynn was cut off by yell. Disconnecting her staff, she stopped the sword before it came into contact with her skin. Pushing off her attack, she swung herself. "Rodrick!" She yelled for the guard as she continued fighting off the assailant.
She yell must have distracted him because with one skilled swing, his sword went flying away from him. "Why did you attack?" She asked, holding the tip of her blade against his throat. "I..I..I thought you…"
Annalynn did not catch his words as she was tackled to the ground. Her staff clattered to the ground as it fell from her hands. Pinned beneath this new person, Annalynn struggled to free herself. His hand wrapped around her neck, squeezing tightly. She could hear the man she just disarmed yelling something, but her blood thumped in her ears. She tried to pry his hands away from her, but his hold was too strong. Bright lights and blurs invaded her vision as her head began to swim.
Air rushed into her lungs, breathing in deeply she fell into a fit of hoarse coughs. Turning onto her side, she could see Rodrick holding the man by the scruff of his shirt. "Let him go." She cried out, her throat was raw and beginning to sting. Rodrick threw him to the ground and rushed to her side. "Are you alright?" Annalynn nodded her head lightly. A headache began to form, but despite that and her sore neck, she felt fine.
"What gives you the right to attack us." He demanded from the other two. The first man stood, "I do apologize for that. We thought you might have been the enemy."
"Do we look that grotesque to you?" Rodrick sneered at them. Snubbing them, he turned back to Annalynn, helping her to her feet. Rubbing her neck, she went for her staff pieces. Once they were reconnected, she used to hold her weight. She felt a light pop in her hip when she was tackled to the ground, of course it had to be her bum leg. "We wish you now ill will sirs. We are merely looking for our friends. Please, can you tell us where those from Rohan are."
"Rohan? You are of Rohan." The second man asked.
"Yes. My name is Annalynn, this is my guard Rodrick." She pointed between the two of them.
"What is going on down here?" A new voice entered and Annalynn almost had to do a double take. While the features were much softer, she swore she was staring directly at Boromir. "Lord Faramir. You should be resting." The first soldier told the newcomer. "I am fine, but it seems our friend is not." His gaze turned towards her.
"We thought they were the enemy my Lord. We let our judgment cloud us."
"So you attacked them." It was more a statement than a question Annalynn gathered. Both guards nodded their heads. "Come on then, to the Houses of Healing." He motioned from her to follow. "Wait sir! We came for a specific purpose."
"What purpose might that be?"
"I'm looking for someone. A soldier to be exact."
"My dear, we are still combing through the dead." He saw how her head lowered and took pity on her. "Give me his name and I shall personally inform you of any news of your friend."
Annalynn shivered at the thought of being told that Eomer was dead. She refused to believe it. He was a very skilled warrior and would not likely be taken down so easily. "Eomer. His name is Eomer."
The look on his face told Annalynn that he was familiar with the name. "You know him. Tell me what you know." She pleaded.
Faramir let out a light sigh. "He is fine,' Annalynn felt a large smile spread across her face, "but I'm afraid his sister has been gravely injured."
Eowyn, by the Valar.
"Take me to her."
Faramir nodded his head and bade them to follow. Limping after him, Rodrick swept her up into her arms. "Rodrick, put me down."
"Not likely. You have injured yourself, I fear for what Lord Eomer would do to me if you further damaged yourself." She wanted to protest, but not having weight on her leg was better than walking in agony. Surrendering, she let Rodrick carry her as they followed Faramir and the two guards.
The sun was attempting to shine through the mass of black clouds by the time they reached the Houses of Healing. Rodrick angled in his way through the door that Faramir held open for them. Annalynn motioned for pack mule, as she started calling him, to set her down. With a light limp and the assistance of her staff, she let Faramir lead them further in.
"If you take a left at the corridor, you'll find your friends."
"You aren't coming with us?"
"I think it best not too. I myself am supposed to be confined to my own bed. If my nurse sees me outside it, I fear for my well being."
The thought made her think of Havlor and Freyga, so she entirely understood. "Thank you for your assistance Faramir." With a nod of his head, Faramir headed in the opposite direction. "Come on then." With her staff leading her, Annalynn followed the stretch of hallway and rounded the corner like she was told.
She could see Eowyn sleeping peacefully in her bed. Showing no tell tale signs of being injured like Faramir had said. Stepping lightly into the room, she made her way towards the bed. Setting her staff against the wall, she sat herself down on the edge of the bed. Running her fingers through the younger woman's hair. Feeling her move beneath her fingers, Annalynn sat back a little as she began to wake up. "Annie?"
The soft tone took her back to when Eowyn was just a young girl. Right after she came to live at Edoras, when Theoden put her in charge of Eowyn. She often woke the young girl in a similar manner. "Oh my dear girl, what have you done?"
Eowyn adjusted herself in her bed, fully facing Annalynn now. "I slayed the beast."
"You did? How terrifying."
"I wasn't scared."
Annalynn chuckled at her. "Oh course not. You're the bravest woman I know." Tucking her back in, Annalynn kissed her forehead. "Go back to sleep my dear." Eowyn hummed a sleepy response, but almost immediately went back to sleep.
"What are you doing here?" A harsh whisper came from behind her. Annalynn slightly jumped from the bed when she heard it. Turning her face towards the door, he stood there, still covered in blood and dirt from the battle. Without the use of her staff, Annalynn clumsily limped towards him. Throwing her arms around him, she pressed her face in the warmth of his tunic. She felt the tips of his fingers balancing on her waist, almost as if he was afraid to hold her. "I'm sorry."
"What?"
Annalynn pulled away from his body, wiping the stare tears from her eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything Eomer." He pushed her hair away from her face, his thumb caressing her cheek. "Come with me." Pulling her arms from around him, he took her hand in his. In a silent agreement, Rodrick took to standing outside Eowyn's door.
Eomer led her down hallways and corridors, never once saying a word. He was slow in his pace, taking notice of the limp in her leg. When they stopped at a door, Eomer opened it and pulled her inside. As she stood in awkward silence, she heard the click of the lock latching in place. "Eomer, what…"
"No disruptions. No interruptions. No leaving."
"I'm afraid I don't….." For the third time that morning, Annalynn was cut off. This time, it wasn't by an attacker, but by a lover. Eomer took hold of her, pulling her to him. His lips crashing down on her as one hand knotted in her hair and the other arm wrapping around her waist. Annalynn melted against his kiss. She felt his pent up frustrations, his anger, his sorrow. She felt betrayal, passion, and love.
When the back of her thighs knocked into something, she slowly came to her senses. "Eomer…" Her hands on his chest, she pushed him back. "Wait. I…"
"I love you."
"But, what about.."
"Celdeth meant nothing. She could never mean anything to me as much as you."
Eomer leaned back in for another kiss, but Annalynn moved her head. "Yes, okay, but I…"
Putting his thumb against her lips, effectively shushing her. "None of that matters anymore. I love you Annalynn, there is absolutely nothing in this world or any other that would make me think otherwise." Resting his forehead against hers, kissing the bridge of her nose. "Do you still love me?"
She heard the want and anticipation in his voice. Threading her fingers through his hair, she resting her hand against the nape of his neck. "Oh course I love you Eomer. Nothing could ever change that."
"Good."
Annalynn wrapped her legs around his waist as he laid her down. In that moment, there was no war, no death, no evil. It was just them. Falling into the moment of pure bliss and passion.