Disclaimer ~ I don't own the characters or the plotline, which are property of J.R.R. Tolkien, but the words are mine.

I shuddered in the warm breaze that blew in through the balcony to my right. I was scared, but I refused to show it. Saruman did not tolerate fear.

There was so much I did not understand, so many doubts I had. I could still feel the path that the tear had taken down my cheak, though all signs of it's presence had been erased- I hoped.

I had never really liked my people, though I had served King Theoden as best I could. I had tried to improove the land, to proove to the Lady Eowyn that I was worthy of her. To proove to my mother that she had not gone wrong. Saruman had offered to help me accomlish this, but he had lied. I now knew that.

He did not wish to save Rohan, he wanted to destroy it, and I had helped him do it. I had betrayed my people, and now they would die while I remained here, safe. Safe and alone.

I remember telling Eowyn of what it must be like for her when she was alone. I had understood her then, or I thought I had. Now I knew for certain what alone was. To have nobody on your side. To know that there is nowhere else to go...

I shuddered again, though this time it had nothing to do with the wind.