A/N: I really hope you enjoy this chapter. It's the lead up to the best one of all. Warning: Contains spoilers, do not read unless you have read The Lord of the Rings.

Updated Elvish, and maybe a few other things.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters; they are the wonderful work of J.R.R. Tolkien, the master himself.

Chapter 12: Namárië

Éowyn caught these last words, and as soon as he had closed the door behind him, tears began to fall from her beautiful blue eyes. She knew that he would not return to her, even if he did make it through the Paths of the Dead. He had denied his love for her silently and veiled.

When he arrived at Edoras, she had allowed herself to hope in such a way as she had never hoped before. It was this new hope that had revived her and brought her back into the sunlight from the shadows, which had concealed her. She became almost a new person because of him.

But now, she had returned to her stern and icy self, such as it was before him. Such as she was with Gríma. She never wanted to go back to that again, but this conversation had turned her from all hope and into despair. She sat down on her bed, buried her face into the soft pillow and cried herself to sleep. Something she had not done since the times of Gríma's evil.

The darkness had returned.

The next morning, Aragorn prepared to leave for the Paths of the Dead. With him were to go Legolas, Gimli, Elrohir and Elladan, and their company of Dúnedain. They all made their way to the main hall where Théoden, Éomer and Éowyn sat at the table. They joined them to eat and sat discussing their journey. Éowyn spoke little to anyone and glanced at Aragorn every so often during the course of the meal. Aragorn sat in silence, occasionally conversing with Elladan and Elrohir.

Legolas noticed his discomfort and Éowyn's also. He guessed that their discussion had not gone well the night before. Breakfast ended and the company went away to their rooms to pack up the last of their possessions. Éowyn, too, went to her chambers. Aragorn's eyes followed her as she left. She did not return to the hall again.

When the party were ready, they assembled themselves outside and mounted their horses. Aragorn now came outside and down the steps of the Golden Hall to where his horse, Roheryn, stood waiting with the other riders. He was just about to leave when he caught sight of Éowyn descending the steps from the great doors.

She was dressed as a rider, in a cream chemise with a brown leather chest plate fastened over the top. A long sword hung from her waist. She bore with her in one hand, a cup, from which she took a sip and then proceeded to offer it to each man, wishing him a good journey. She offered the cup to Legolas to drink.

"An govam abdollen, híril nîn," (Until we next meet, my lady) he said.

"Maer aníra, Legolas," (Good luck, Legolas) she replied. "Merin ethelithach tirnen o gûr" (May you return safe from death)

She embraced the elf warmly and kissed his cheek. She offered the cup, now to Gimli.

"Fare you well, my friend," she said, "I hope that we may talk of happy times again."

"Goodbye, fair Éowyn," he answered, "I wish you and your people good fortune in the time ahead."

She smiled and bent down to kiss his forehead. Gimli blushed furiously.

At last she came to Aragorn and held out the cup to him to drink from.

"Namárië, Éowyn, Híril o Rohan," (Farewell, Éowyn, Lady of Rohan) he said, taking the cup and sipping. "I drink to you and to the House of Eorl. May it see you safe and well until my return. Tell your brother, I hope to see him on the field of battle."

Éowyn wept before him, but none except Legolas or Gimli observed this. In one so stern and proud, it seemed more grievous.

"Aragorn, wilt thou go?" she sobbed as she lifted her head to look into his blue-grey eyes.

"Yes, I must," he replied.

"Then, will you let me ride with your party, as I asked before?"

"I cannot grant that without the approval of the king and your brother. I must leave you now. Farewell." He mounted Roheryn and led the band out of Edoras.

Aragorn turned back as he rode away. She stood now, atop the steps of Meduseld, leaning on the hilt of her sword. She was as still as a stone figure except for her golden hair, which billowed in the wind. Her face was stern as steel, as it had been when he had first seen her. Something had left her. Hope had left her heart. She had returned to despair. None but Legolas and Gimli saw the pain which he bore as he rode away, leaving the one person he loved behind.

            Éowyn watched, also, as Aragorn and his party rode off to the Paths of the Dead. She felt no pain anymore, nor anger or sorrow. There was no emotion to express the feelings inside of her. She stared impassively as the horses and their riders became smaller and faded into the distance.

Her path was set before her, different to the one that Aragorn had to take. Her course was clear now. Her duty. To her people. No tears fell from her eyes now; no pain was felt, as he grew further away from her. She turned to go back inside, but before she did, she turned back to stare at the horizon, watching their steady movement and whispered something to the wind which none heard.

"Namárië, meleth nîn." (Farewell, my love)

As if in reply, a whispered wind came.

"Namárië." (Farewell)

A/N: Don't you just love this ending; it's just so cute. Aww :)