I tossed and turned in my bed, unable to sleep. I finally gave up and walked outside. I hadn't changed out of my dress from the previous day. I saw that Théoden was standing on the edge, looking out at the tents spread below him. I walked up to him and stood next to him.

"Aragorn is leaving," he said.

"What?" I asked. "How could he?"

I knew perfectly well why he was going, but I stomped around looking for him. I saw him saddling Brego and marched up to him.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked. "You can't leave right before the battle. You can't abandon the Men."

"Eówyn," he said.

"We need you," I said.

"Why have you come?" he asked.

"You don't know?" I asked.

"It is but a shadow of a thought that you love," he said. "I cannot give you what you seek. I have wished you joy since first I saw you."

He reached out and touched my cheek. Then he turned and walked away, leading Brego. I wasn't really hurt; although I was sad I couldn't flirt with him anymore. I walked to the edge of the cliff and stood watching the sun rise. I heard footsteps behind me, and looked back to see Théoden approaching me.

"I have left instruction," he said. "The people are to follow your rule in my stead. Take up my seat in the Golden Hall. Long may you defend Edoras, if the battle goes ill."

"What other duty should I do, my lord?" I asked.

"Duty?" he asked. "No. I would have you smile again. Not grieve for those whose time has come. You shall live to see these days renewed. No more despair."

Then he turned and walked away. I would have to think about what to do. In the book, Eómer had ruled Gondor and Eówyn was Princess of Ithilien. And in the movie it never said which title she chose. I went back into my tent and took out my mirror.

"Sydney," I said.

Her face appeared.

"Hi," she said.

"We're leaving as soon as the sun rises a bit more," I said. "If you guys are disguised, you can ride with me."

"All right," Sydney said.

"You'll know me because I'll have Merry in front of me," I said.

"Ok," Sydney said. "Bye."

The mirror went black. I quickly changed into my armor and buckled my sword belt. I put a helmet on, which I hoped would cover my face. Then I ran outside and saddled Windfola. Men everywhere were hurrying to get their armor on and their horses ready. I mounted Windfola and trotted her toward the other horses. I saw Merry ahead of me, so I stopped next to him. In the movie, Eówyn had pulled him up, but I couldn't do that.

"Climb up," I hissed.

He used my stirrup to clamber up in front of me. I cantered Windfola forward.

"Ride with me," I said.

"My lady!" Merry said.

"Move out!" Eómer yelled as we rode through the camp.

I saw three strange-looking riders on the edge of the woods. Two were cloaked, and one was very small. I pulled Windfola toward them. I wondered if anyone would notice them, but I supposed that if no one had noticed in the movie when Eówyn had a Hobbit in front of her, no one would notice them.

"Follow me," I said.

The trotted after me. Hannah came up on my right and Erica rode on my left, with Sydney to the left of her. After hours of riding, we stopped to rest. I dismounted Windfola and took off my helmet. Hannah, Erica, and Sydney stayed close, but they couldn't reveal themselves to Merry.

"Take heart, Merry," I said. "It will be over soon."

"My lady," Merry said. "You are fair and brave, and have much to live for and many who love you. I know it is too late to turn aside. I know there is not much point in hoping. If I were a Knight of Rohan, capable of great deeds, but I'm not. I'm a Hobbit. And I know I can't save Middle Earth. I just want to help my friends. Frodo, Sam, Pippin. But more than anything I wish I could see them again."

"Prepare to move out!" I heard Eómer yell.

I put on my helmet and Merry did the same.

"To battle," I said.

"To battle," he replied.

Then we mounted Windfola and cantered away. I hoped that I would be brave enough to endure this battle.