Caution you now enter a new territory, the one of Rohan. Evaluate for yourself if I can do some Éowyn content as well. Beside that you´ll find some men content and of Legolas. I can proudly tell that for this chapter many argumentations meant teasing came to my mind. As well, I added a scene only to be find in movies.

Enjoy

Ray of hope

The narrowed rest of the Fellowship had left the woods behind and were now climbing hills. Aragorn once again forms the beginning and only Legolas kept pace with him. From time to time they have a halt to look after their wounded companion. Faramir's condition got better each time, proof that Aragorn mastered the subject of healing. Legolas himself has witnessed it many times before, every time he joined his friend in their past adventures. Would they be here for another reason, he would be able to take in the environment more often. Legolas turns around to scout for Boromir and Gimli. Soldier and dwarf lag behind and were nowhere to see. He returns his gaze to Aragorn, to check if he came to a halt as well. Elessar did and used the time to searches for tracks. Legolas could understand why Boromir shows a slow pace. Not so, for the dwarf. The hills in which they wander were likewise to the beauty, the elf knew. He was interrupted in thoughts by a heavy breath. Without a second guess, Legolas ascribes it on Gimli. Hearing the footsteps of Boromir, he turns around.

"I could carry your brother for a while," Legolas offered. "An elf is not as easy out of breath as a dwarf. We hold a strength not easy to compete with," he adds.

"Again, a lie out of this mouth. Dwarfs may not triumph over long periods but not so when it comes to fighting," Gimli declares.

"As seen in last battle," Legolas replies with a smile. The dwarf was about to counter but before that they all apprehend sounds from where Aragorn and Boromir looked after their young companion. Legolas hurried over and Gimli followed. Indeed, Faramir opens his eyes and the elf could see a smile form on Boromir's face. The elf exchanged a look with Aragorn.

"Good to have you with us again young fellow," Gimli states while taking Faramir's right hand.

"Should you ever make an attempt again to give me such a scare...", Boromir states.

"...you will have me for it," the younger one finished, eyes closed again.

"How do you fare?" Aragorn asks. "A bit weary," his patient responded.

"No doubt, you show the same qualities like a dwarf," Gimli said. This ignorance of his friend was expected. Still, he decided to stay silent.

"Do you think you can walk?" Aragorn continued his survey.

Faramir nods, "I'll try." Legolas could discern the worry in the eyes of his friend. The young ranger awakened only now, a rest well-deserved but not possible. For Merry and Pippin' sake they must continue. Boromir helped his little brother up and leaving no way for a discussion puts his brother's arm over his shoulder.

"You leave me no choice, dear brother," the older one declares with a smile and continued, "Until we are reunited with the little ones, you can be sure of my whole attention."

Faramir managed a smile, "Good to know."

"I must have lost sense of direction," Faramir states after a while.

The older one smiled. "Says the one who recently claimed that his skills are better than mine," the older one teases. His brother stayed silent so he adds," Don't worry little brother you'll find back to strength. We stride through the territories of Rohan. I would not wonder when the Rohirrim will find us soon." Boromir's guess proved right one mile later. It took only seconds and the five of them were surrounded. "Legolas could you may help Faramir stand?" the Captain General mumbles towards the elf. Receiving a short nod of the spoken one, Boromir joined Aragorn who was about to meet the leader of the Rohirrim. "Éomer," Boromir spoke aloud. Éomer is the cousin of Théodred. Théodred the son of king Théoden of Rohan.

"Boromir. We haven't expected to see you here," Éomer inquires.

"My excuse to have not announced my coming but the plan is not to stay long," Boromir replies. He would leave it to Aragorn to continue as it is his wish. The Captain General swore to follow his king and even if Aragorn may not be made one officially, Boromir saw of him no less. He was surprised that Aragorn stayed silent and with a smile gestures him to speak. "Faramir you do know. The others are friends of mine. Their names..." he pauses to exchange views with Aragorn and continued," are Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. We followed the tracks of Uruk-hai because they captured our companions, two hobbits."

Éomer seemed rueful by his last sentence. "We recently met the Uruk-hai but left none of the company alive. Your friends may be dead. That was not our intent," the marshal admits. "Take these horses to search for them. Follow the smoke and you will find what you sought," Éomer states while his men handed them the horses.

"Our thanks," Boromir replies. The Rohirrim left without another word. "Only Valar knows what happened in Rohan," Boromir mumbles more to himself but Aragorn heard him.

"Indeed," his king answers. The older one returns to his brother's side. They mounted their horse and followed the smoke.

As Éomer implied no living creature was left to reside here. All of them dismounted to search for signs of the two hobbits. Faramir slid down with care. The younger one touches his chest where the arrow had hit him. Feeling his brother's gaze on him, Faramir's hand found the way to pet his horse. He chuckles in the mane of it. Boromir will watch him very closely from now on, like in old days. One day, war will be over and neither Faramir must fear for Boromir nor the older one for the younger one. Suddenly he heard a cry. Seeking the source of it he found Aragorn, already kneeling to check on his foot. The ranger was already in good care of the other companions but Faramir rushes at his side.

"Wear it on your head but beware if laid down," Boromir philosophizes.

"One day I will hear that in one of your bedtime stories," Faramir states. "And on this day, you will have no other chance than listen to it," his brother teased him.

"Gimli and Legolas. You two. It is honour to listen to your arguments. I could not compete," Aragorn declares smiling. Ever will the two brothers tease each other.

"He makes me to," Gimli says in a defending voice.

"Do I?" Legolas replies, obviously finding it difficult not to laugh.

"Let's find our two cherish hobbits. I found their track," Aragorn states reminding them of the reason they came here.

The track that was followed lead into the Fangorn Forest. "Don't they were rumours that these trees are alive?" Boromir mumbles.

"Not rumours. Once elves procured these trees to speak," Legolas explained.

"Reassuring," Boromir replies. They entered the forest and all fell silent. After a few steps Aragorn saw a light. He gestures the others to arm themselves and draw Andruil. It was a white light and it could only be Saruman. Still, something was different so Aragorn refused to attack. Boromir followed his example. Gimli and Legolas did attack but their assault was blocked.

"Mithrandir," Faramir whispers.

"You attack an old friend?" the wizard says.

Aragorn shook his head in disbelief while replying, "We thought you dead." Gandalf explained that it was a difficult task to fight the Balrog but in the end the wizard was successful. When brought back into life he became Gandalf the White.

"You will be relieved to hear that Merry and Pippin are safe. They as well were surprised to see the white wizard. Treebeard agreed to take them along. My friends we must hurry to Edoras. Over there lay a dark shadow that need to be removed and King Théoden be freed," Mithrandir finished. Things were as Aragorn and Boromir suspected.

"I hope we brought Éomer in no trouble because he let us pass," Faramir thoughts aloud. Then they left the Fangorn forest behind and rode with their reborn companion in the direction of Edoras, capital city of Rohan.

Éowyn never felt so cold in the halls of Edoras. Her cousin Théodred was at the brink of dead. Rohan's king was not faring better and showed no interest in his son. Then there was Grima Wormtongue. Éomer defended his sister when this snake got to near. Afterwards her brother was banned, with him Éowyn's last ray of hope. What annoys her most is the fact that there was nothing she could do about it. She was there for good-looking and to care for the people. Her secret wish to fight for her land was ignored. Even Éomer refused to listen to hear. It was not that she could not understand his intents. Still, would she have been at Théodred's side, her cousin may would not have succumbed to his wounds. Éowyn needed fresh air so she made her way to the entrance of the Golden Hall. She watched the flag of Rohan drifting in the wind. It described perfectly Éowyn's nature. She longed to be wild and free but was bound to the duties of a shieldmaiden of Rohan. When Éowyn lowered her gaze, she saw riders who crossed the gate of the city.

She hurried inside to inform her king but was stopped by Wormtongue. "Get of me, snake," Éowyn declared angry.

"I could be wrong but it seemed you have something to tell your king should know about," Grima replies remaining close to her.

"Exactly but you are not our king therefore it is not meant for your ears," Éowyn counters still struggling to get away of this snake of a man.

"I will tell the king. Be sure of it. Now speak," Wormtongue appoints.

With the knowledge that she has to answer him and avoiding eye contact, Éowyn answers, "There are riders who will be here in the Golden Hall soon. One wears a white robe, the others I could not get a close look on." Finally, taking steps back and without another word Grima left. Éowyn released a breath she doesn´t knew she hold. Then she hurried back to the chambers of her cousin, only to find Théodred without breath. The prince was dead but she could not tell why. Fighting back tears the shieldmaiden took the hand of her beloved cousin one last time.

Éowyn remained at the side of her prince for a little longer. Then she heard noices of fighting coming from the throne room. The shieldmaiden released her cousin's hand to seek the cause of it. Taking in the side that opens up in front her, Éowyn could tell it were the riders she saw. The man in the white cloak did something to her uncle. Éowyn tried to intervene but was gently hold back by one of the men. Then the wizard, obviously content lowered his staff and Éowyn was able to look after Théoden. Her king found back to his former self.

"Saruman cursed you but now he can affect no longer," the white wizard declares. So, magic has been at work, it was not the king they knew. The one who would have never abandoned Théodred is back. Éowyn decided to inform the king of her cousin's death later after the untruthful snake was dismissed. She followed the crowd among the king outside.

"For what you have brought over Rohan you shall be punished," Théoden decides.

"My lord. We should let him go. He was under influence of Saruman," another one of the men intervenes. The king of Rohan nods and Grima left the city. Much to the relief of Éowyn.

I sincerely hope it was clear who advised to let Wormtongue go. In case it was not… it was Aragorn.

Guessed the scene who is only found in movies? It was the moment when Aragorn hurt his foot. Did you know that it was not planned like this? Poor Viggo actually hurt his foot in real life during one shot. Back then in NZ a tour guide told us that.

Hope I got the spirit of Éowyn´s part right. Will do Éomer as well, I guess…

Thanks for reading.