I woke the next morning in the tower. Merry was still in my arms. He looked so at peace when he slept, that I didn't want to wake him back into this dark world. His eyes fluttered though and his big hazel eyes stared up at me. He smiled and sitting up, rubbed his eyes.

"What time is it?" he asked, yawning.

"I don't know.since the Sun can't show her face, I can't read the sky. It is morning though, I can tell you that. Are you hungry?"

Merry nodded. "Yes I am! I didn't eat dinner last night so I am very hungry!"

I smiled and then frowned. "O! I forgot my duties! I'm gonna be in trouble! From the warden and from Mirthandir when he finds out!" I grabbed Merry's hand and hurried him down the stairs. "I'll get you breakfast as soon as I can, alright?"

"Ok, Anodien.do you need any help?"

"Thanks Merry, but I have Robin to help. Just go back to your room and I'll be there as soon as possible, k?" Merry nodded and I ran off to the kitchen. Robin looked flush and she looked very relieved as I entered the room and hurriedly tied my apron around my waist.

"Where have you been?" Robin whispered, pouring some meat into a pan and placing it over the open flame. "The warden didn't know where you were and I didn't know either.I'm sorry, I think that you're in trouble.I'm sorry that I couldn't help."

"You don't have to apologize! It was my own fault that I wasn't here on time." I set plates on a platter and started to spoon out the apples the Robin had fried and then the thin strips of meat. Robin poured some milk into a large pitcher and wine into another, then set them on the patter. We both lifted it [the platter] up and I kicked the door open. The warden was passing by at that moment and when he saw me, he shook his head.

"Where were you? You left Robin all alone to do the work by herself! That was very irresponsible!"

"I'm sorry, warden.I promise it won't happen again."

"Make sure that it doesn't! Or Mirthandir shall surly hear of it!"

"Yes sir," I muttered. Robin and I made our way to Faramir's room. As I pushed it open I could hear soft laugher coming from the room. Faramir was sitting on the bed and Merry was on the floor. They looked up at us as we entered. Merry smiled at me. I winked back. "Here's your food.would you like wine or milk with your breakfast?"

"Wine, thank you." Faramir said.

"I'll have milk.well.could you mix it?" Merry looked up questioningly.

Robin looked a bit disgusted. I held back a laugh. "Sure Merry." We set the platter down on the table and I poured Faramir some wine and mixed some wine with milk for Merry. Robin got two plates off the platter and handed them to Faramir and Merry. I gave them their drinks. "Here you go.enjoy your breakfast, and if you need anything, we'll be in Eowyn's room."

Faramir glanced up, slightly blushing, and then quickly looked back down at his food. "Uh, yes, we will call if we need anything."

Robin and I smiled at each other. "I'm sure you will." I said. Robin and I burst out laughing as we exited the room.

We heard a puzzled Merry ask, "What was that about?" We were laughing so hard that we didn't hear Faramir's answer.

We entered Eowyn's room still smiling to ourselves. Eowyn was sitting in the window, looking towards Mordor. "M' lady, your breakfast is here.would you like wine or milk?"

"I'm not hungry, thank you."

"M' lady.you must eat something." Robin tried to pursued Eowyn to eat but Eowyn just shook her head.

"Please.just go.give my breakfast to Merry." She turned from us, looking back towards Mordor.

I pulled Robin outside the room and whispered, "Let's go get Faramir."

Robin shook her head. "Don't you think that would just make the situation worse than it is right now? I don't think that Eowyn wants to see anyone at the moment."

I shrugged. "We can always take the chance." A loud crash sounded down the hall. We ran to see what it was. We raced around the corner to see a mob of orcs coming up the hall. Robin screamed and I pushed her into a small side room. I covered her mouth so that she wouldn't make any more noise. The sound of heavy footsteps sounded as they ran past the door. I pushed Robin down so that some barrels hid her. "Stay here.don't make any noise, and don't go outside!" I laid my head against the door and listened for any noise, but there was none. I slipped out the door and ran down the hallway. Screams came from the center room and all the ladies fled. I burst into Eowyn's room in time to see her cut the throat of an orc. Dead orcs lay at her feet. She held a sword and though her cheeks were pale, her eyes were on fire.

She smiled and then nodded at me. "Lets see if the others need any help."

"They've fled, m' lady! The warden might have stayed.I don't think that he would have left, do you? Lord Faramir and Merry are still here though, I'm sure."

"They don't seem to be the kind of people who would run.come on!" We ran down the hall to Faramir's room. The door was open and blood ran a crimson black on the gray stone. We entered the room to see Merry and Faramir fighting. Eowyn joined in the fierce struggle. I ran to the small room were I slept and grabbed my bow and sword. Running back, I saw more orcs crawling up the stairs. I had twenty arrows but they were all spent within seconds. The others came running and fought with such a fire that it was unbelievable.

A scream came from the room where I had left Robin. I ran towards it and as I turned the corner I saw an orc dragging Robin out of the room. I picked an arrow out from a fallen orc and shot the one holding her. Her face was white and her breath came out in short rasps. I handed her a small sword. "You'll have to defend yourself."

A yell came from the front of the House and Faramir's voice rang clear in the air. "They are coming! Look yonder! We have won the War! They come!" The orcs shrunk back in fear for a second but a sudden rage took them and they pounced on Faramir. Eowyn killed many of them. I smiled as I saw the host of Allied peoples ride thru the Gate. I smiled over my shoulder at Robin who was by my side. But her face was white still and she stared in horror behind me. As I turned to see what it was, I met the spear of an orc.

He laughed cruelly as he watched my surprised face. The breath in my lungs left me, blood choked me as it bubbled into my throat. I was still gripping my sword and with the strength that I had left in me, I swung, and met the orc's head. My strength seemed to disappear at that moment and as I fell, gasping for air thru parched lips, I saw Robin stand beside me and protect me from the few orcs left. Merry ran to my side and grabbed my hand. Tears stream down his face. "You promised that you wouldn't leave me yet! You promised! You can't leave me now." Faramir appeared behind him, though he looked a bit hazy to me. He looked at the spear in my stomach. He put his hand on Merry's shoulder. "You promised.you promised." Merry sobbed.

I licked my lips and gasping for air, said, "Merry." Hearing his name, Merry gripped my hand tighter and leaned in to listen. "Merry," I repeated. "I'm sorry.I'm trying.to.to.keep my promise.but.its just."

Darkness swam before my eyes and I felt Eowyn grab my face in her hands and leaning over me, tell me to come back, to not go to sleep. Then, from far away, it seemed that I heard a voice calling to me. It seemed so familiar.I forced my eyes open and saw Lindir's face over mine. Behind him I could dimly see Legolas. Lindir put his hand on my stomach, near the wound and spoke to me. "Come back to the light," he told me in Elvish. "The War is over.don't give into the darkness yet.fight it.Grace is with you.come back to us, come back to the light." My eyelids became heavy and I coughed up more blood. Then I remembered no more.