A/N: Updated Elvish and other parts, maybe…

Disclaimer: Anything you know is Tolkien's is his; anything else is mine.

Chapter 24: Twilight

            It was just after sunset, hazy shades of pink, orange and purple were splashed across the evening sky. Éowyn stood at the highest tower overlooking Minas Tirith. It was a beautiful sight, the city glistening in the fading light of the sunset. A breeze blew softly, tossing her golden hair about. It was peaceful, and silent as she stood facing the darkening sky. She was lost in thought here. Nothing could disturb her.

She remembered the conversation with Gandalf earlier. Who had he meant by 'he'? Could it be Aragorn? Could it possibly be Faramir? Aragorn had rejected her, and Faramir was maintaining his distance. Whether that was because of his uncertainty about his feelings, or her attitudes towards him that afternoon, or the possible competition with Aragorn, she did not know.

Footsteps could be heard climbing the stone stairway up to the tower. Assuming to see Faramir, she turned around, only to come face to face with Aragorn. Their faces were so close as to almost touch. Aragorn saw Éowyn's expression became rigid, and she backed away hastily.

"Man na anírach o nin?" (What is it that you want of me?) Éowyn snapped.

Her eyes blazed with fury, burning a hole in Aragorn's heart. He could feel her pain; she had every right to be angry with him.

"Im hiraetha, Éowyn," (I am sorry, Éowyn) he said softly. "I never intended to hurt you in any way." His hand reached out to stroke her cheek, but she turned her face cold.

"I desire not sympathy, from anyone," said Éowyn, sharply. "But I desire recognition for my actions. That is all I have ever desired. I do not wish to be pitied."

"And what actions are they," said Aragorn, angrily. "You disobeyed your brother, your uncle, and me. Your uncle now lies cold within the city walls. Is that what you wanted?"

Éowyn was taken aback by this sudden outburst from Aragorn, but frowned.

"No, I did not wish for that," she exclaimed. "But it was not my actions which killed him. Your orders for my safety did nothing. I am not dead, I am well."

"But dead breathed a grave hurt over you. Were it not for the skills of the healers, you would have been lost to us," said Aragorn.

"But I was not lost, so let it be," she protested. "What is done is done, and it was done for a reason, whether we understand its purpose or not. You cannot deny that were it not for Merry and I, all would have been lost and I would have died in one way or another, either by Sauron, or the loss of so many I love in this world."

Éowyn could feel the sting in her eyes as she held back tears of anger and grief. She turned away as she felt one tear trickle down her cheek. She was not going to let him see her cry after what he had said. She must be strong. She closed her eyes tightly and let the tear fall. When she turned back around, her eyes were red, however she tried to hide it. This did anything but lessen her hostile behaviour towards him. There was a long silence between them before anyone spoke again.

"I must leave tomorrow," said Aragorn, impassively. "Sauron must be stopped before he destroys us all. I shall lead our men to the Black Gates."

"I will go with you," Éowyn said, boldly. "I refuse to stay here any longer."

"You will stay," ordered Aragorn. "You shall not march with us."

Éowyn turned on him fiercely.

"I will not be deserted again," she retorted. "I will ride tomorrow morn. With or without your approval."

"You dare to disobey your king, your brother, again," said Aragorn. "I do not wish to bring you out of darkness again."

"Then leave me be if it comes to that," she snapped. "What do I care, if you do not for me."

"I do care for you, Éowyn, can you not see that," cried Aragorn. "You are blinded by your selfish resentment."

"And you are blind to the origin of that resentment," yelled Éowyn. "You do not wish to see it, so you mislead yourself into believing that it does not exist. Do not be a fool, Aragorn. Remove the obstruction from in front of your eyes and see your destiny."

"I know my destiny," said Aragorn.

"Then, let me fulfil mine," Éowyn finished.

They stared at each other for a few moments, unspeaking. Aragorn broke the silence.

"You are destined for greatness," he said, softly. "I see it clearly. But not greatness in battle."

"Who are you to say what I am destined for? You are nothing to me," said Éowyn, coldly. "I am tired of being left behind. I am the only one to say whether or not I fight. I see your place in my future, but you do not see a place for me in yours. I fear that when you find me there, I will no longer be here."

They were silent for some time until Aragorn reached for something, unclasping it from around his neck.

"Then, I believe that this is yours to keep," he said, closing her hand around the cold metal of the item.

Éowyn opened her hand to look at the object. Her face became mingled with fury at the sight of the golden necklace in her hand.

"It was my gift to you, to guard and protect you," she said, bitterly. "You have renounced your love for me by returning it. I have nothing more to say to you." And with that, Éowyn turned to leave, turning back only briefly.

"A lady will only remain as long as she feels she is wanted," Éowyn finished, resentfully. "When she senses her time has past, she will be gone. That is the way of a lady, to fade away when she is no longer desired. But I, I shall not go like that, Aragorn. I will not fade. People will remember me," she said. "But will you?" she added in a whisper.

Aragorn spun around to face her, but she had gone, swift and silent as the passing breeze.

"Renithin le," (I will remember you) he answered, in a whisper.

            Aragorn remained after Éowyn had gone. He wanted to be alone with his thoughts, and here he had the opportunity. He had seen Éowyn and Faramir together and, try as he might, he could not stop the twinge of jealously burning within him. He could plainly see Faramir's affections for her, but Éowyn. Her feelings were reserved, though she accepted his affections. After tonight, he doubted whether Éowyn would ever speak to him.

She had courage and competence, equal to his, and the temper and tenacity to match it. This was the third time he had denied her the chance to fight in battle; though, she had disobeyed once. She had been offended when he returned her necklace, the one she had given him to keep him safe. Her eyes had burned with fury towards him. She would not forgive him for that. He had wounded her heart worse than anything could have.

This was his rejection of her.