Firstly, this is not a note, just a thank you to all my reviewers; in particular flipperjlw, anfieldgyul, Rosa Cotton, Salysha (thanks to all of you for your advice and support) and of course the crazy ladies and my best buddy KK (you really are a crazy lady); This story is for all of you guys.

A/N: In this chapter there are some parts of the book. Don't sue me for it; I am mentioning it now. Other parts come from his notes on the book. I dug up some really good stuff on that. They come from the original plot. Some changes made to Elvish and other.

Disclaimer: I keep forgetting to do this. None of the characters in this story are mine; they are the property of the master himself, J.R.R. Tolkien. I hope you are not turning in your grave after what I have done to your story.

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Chapter 7: Musings

Aragorn lay awake for sometime after those words had been uttered. Did she realise what she had said? Was it a conscious thought or was she just mumbling in her sleep? Why would she love him, she was so fair and young? Either way, it had been said, and try as he might, Aragorn could not stop pondering it.

He considered what she been through, and everything that had happened over the past few days. He thought of what Wormtongue had done to her tonight and determined that it was that which must have been the cause for her to say that. She was so troubled by it, poor girl; after all she was still only a child, seventeen, parents dead, cousin dead, having to care for her uncle and fight off Wormtongue.

He must not make her uncomfortable or give her the wrong impression. He could tell that her life had been full of trials, which she still carried with her. He could see it in her eyes, those deep blue eyes…why was he thinking like this? How was she able to affect him in such a way?

Aragorn got up from beside Éowyn and strolled over to the window. He gazed up at the stars shining in the night sky, the beautiful patterns of the clouds and the different shades of moon. It had always fascinated him; he had travelled to so many places, seen so many things that others couldn't begin to conceive; and yet there was so much out there, so near, yet so far away.

He looked over at Éowyn. Why would anyone want to harm her? She was so innocent, so pure, so fair. She was also strong, a shieldmaiden of Rohan, skilled as any of the Rohirrim. But then there was the playful side, the joking side of her, rarely seen but any and one he had just seen. It wasn't child-like, more happy and cheerful. Grief had overcome her at such a young age that she had all but lost her childhood. Having to assume command of a kingdom under the rule of a weak king and a corrupt advisor, she had proven herself worthy of the highest praise.

She had grown up beside soldiers, no life for a young girl. She seemed, as he first saw her, stern as steel, cold as frost, but fair as any flower. Her sorrow was her greatest weakness, it had made her strong but it had also taken its toll. The pain of it was so overwhelming at times, he had seen that, but she did not wish it to be noticed. She dealt with it alone, she did not want sympathy, nor did she wish for condolences. What she longed for was someone who would help her to bear it. Aragorn believed that she considered him to be that person. He had offered support for her before, with Théodred's death, now with this attack by Wormtongue.

Aragorn sat down in a chair next to the window. He continued his musings, every now and then, glancing over at Éowyn as she slept soundly. After a while, he began to feel tired. He closed his eyes. Scenes from the battle flashed before his eyes. Scenes he would rather forget. Both Elves and Men were falling around him all over again. He didn't want to remember. The expression on Haldir's face as he plummeted to the ground, lying beside those he had gathered to fight with him. He remembered his last words, uttered in his dying breath:

"Elessar, hiraethim, ú-dagon hyn." (Elessar, I am sorry, I did not defeat them)

"Ú-hiraetho, Haldir. Nach curua ndagor, maethannenich maer." (Do not apologise, Haldir. You are a mightly warrior, you fought well)

"Mae le anírion, Estel. Namárië." (I wish you luck, Estel. Farewell)

"An govam abdollen, mellon nîn." (Until we meet again, my friend)

Aragorn could see his eyes close. He could see his face as they carried him away after the battle to be buried elsewhere. He deserved that, the captain of the Lothlórien Elves, Aragorn's dear friend. That face would haunt him forever. He would have to relive that fateful moment in his dreams.

Again, he would cry out to his dear friend to retreat, he would see him nod his head and turn to fight a small band of orcs. Again he would watch the orcs attack him, one striking him from behind. Again he would see him fall into the mud beneath his feet, fall beside his archers, so many innocent men and elves.

Aragorn's eyes snapped open again. He stared into the darkness of the room. Two bright eyes were staring back at him from his position.

"My lord? Aragorn, is something wrong?" came the sweet sound of Éowyn's voice. The moon came out from behind the clouds and shone through the window onto her pale face.

"It is nothing, lady, Sleep now," he said.

Éowyn lay back and put her head on the pillow but did not close her eyes. She continued to watch Aragorn as he sat silent in his chair. She watched him for some time without him noticing her, at last, though, she fell asleep. Aragorn was asleep shortly after her, his dreams haunted by that fateful night.

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            Aragorn woke the next morning from his chair. Éowyn was standing silently by the windowsill, staring out at the clear morning. The storm had gone from the night before, leaving a battlefield scattered with the remains of their foe. Her face was expressionless as she stared out of the window but Aragorn could just catch a hint of sorrow in her eye.

"Who did you mourn for, Aragorn? Last night, what friend did you lose to this?"

Aragorn got up slowly from his chair and walked over to join her.

"He was an elf; Haldir, Captain of the Lórien Elves. Those archers who fought with us, sent by Galadriel, Lady of the Golden Wood. He was a fine warrior and a very dear friend of mine."

"I am sorry," replied Éowyn, softly, "did you see him fall?"

"It haunts my dreams, I will never forget."

He turned away from the window sharply and stared down at the ground. Éowyn wanted to comfort him, but she thought it best to leave him. She knew how she'd feel if it was her. Aragorn moved towards the door, slowly opening it and setting off to the main hall for breakfast. She followed but some way behind, watching him intently.

When they reached the hall, it was already bustling with people. At the back of the hall was Théoden, ordering for things to be organised for the journey back to Edoras. He was eager to get back and observe the damage caused by the Uruk-hai since they had left. They would all be returning home soon and were all pleased to be packing up and preparing for their departure. They had been through quite a bit in only one day of being there. All were tired and longed to return to their homes.

Éowyn was readying herself also. She had gathered what few possessions she had brought with her and packed them onto her horse, Windfola. She was glad to be leaving at last, although their time there had been incredibly brief. She didn't want Aragorn to be so out of sorts. Getting away from this place would be good for him. It would take his mind of his friend, hopefully.

Théoden caught sight of the two and hurried over enthusiastically; ready to inform them of his plans, choosing to ignore the solemn looks of both Aragorn and Éowyn.

"We shall leave as soon as we have all breakfasted," he declared, "I long to return to my hall at Edoras."

"As do I, uncle," she said quietly, glancing quickly at Aragorn, who still wore a vague expression on his face and a concerned look in his eyes.

"Aragorn, I trust you will be pleased to return to Edoras and to forget the events that occurred here?" questioned Théoden.

Aragorn snapped back to reality. "Yes, Théoden," he said, "I do wish to forget the events of last night, but that will, I fear, never happen."

"I am sorry for that, my friend," answered Théoden, with a sad tone.

Both Aragorn and Éowyn ate with little conversation to anyone. Others were talking hurriedly around them about the trip back. Théoden was having a conversation with his chief guard about the situation of orcs in the region, as he didn't want to face another attack as they had on their way there. The chief had replied that there was no word from any scouts as to danger in the area and he was confident that all would be well. In a last flurry, everyone checked that they had everything ready for the ride home.

They left in a large mass, moving slowly southwest, to Edoras. They met no trouble over the two days; it was a peaceful journey. They took their time, as there was now no rush. On the second day, late in the afternoon, they arrived at Edoras. It had not been ransacked by the Uruk-hai, thankfully, and everything was in fine condition. They were welcomed by a small handful of scouts who had ridden a day ahead of the party.

"My, it is good to be home," said Théoden, as he rode through the city and up to the Golden Hall.

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A/N: Yeah, yeah, I know. Boring, and no real changes. Maybe a few.