Author's Note: Thank you Nclphx, Vix, Aemilia Rose, Kez, and Eowyn006 for all the wonderful reviews. I am glad you are enjoying this story so far.

Eowyn006: Arwen will not be appearing in this fic, so there will be no meeting between the Elf and shieldmaiden – or catfight. The only fighting Eowyn will do in this fic is with a sword *whispers* which will be soon. *winks*

I had a bit of trouble writing this chapter so I apologize if it isn't as good as the others. Don't forget to let me know what you think.

Chapter 3: Calming and Preparations

The explosion is deafening. Dirt showers down on the refugees. The ground shakes under them. Children cry out in terror. Women cling to each other.

Eowyn hands the frightened child to his mother and attempts to stand. She leans against the trembling wall for balance.

She wonders what happened.

"We all are going to die!" a woman's scream interrupts Eowyn's thoughts.

She part walks, part stumbles to the woman as the cavern settles. She places her hands on the woman's shoulders.

"Please, do not panic! We have a chance to survive," Eowyn tries to calm the woman.

"We will die, child! We are trapped!"

Other women and children watch them, eyes wide.

Eowyn cringes. She has not been called a "child" for a long while. She shakes the woman gently. "We are not trapped!"

The woman meets her firm gaze, tries to register her words.

"We are not trapped," Eowyn repeats, more gently. "There is a way of escape if it comes down to it. There is a secret passage that would lead us into the mountains. Someone will warn us if all seems lost."

She watches as the woman's eyes seem to clear.

She adds, "I do not think the fortress is lost yet. It sounds like they are still fighting."

Straining their ears, they can make out the faint clashing of blade against blade.

The woman draws a deep breath. Eowyn lets go of her shoulders and steps back. She gazes reassuringly at the woman and goes back to sit in front of the doors.

Will the fighting never end? It seems like ages have passed. How many are dead? Does the king still live? Gimli? Legolas? Lord Aragorn?

Please, Eowyn silently prays to the Valar. Keep those dear to me safe. Théoden, Eomer, Aragorn. Please bring them back to me.

If she leads the refugees through the passage, it will be the second time that she has led them to safety – the second time she will abandon those she loves.

She straps her sword around her waist and double-checks the basket. She listens intently at the noise above them. And waits.