A/N: Hello again! Nice to see you all back again to read yet another chapter of my story. Thank you all for joining me for Aragorn's return from battle and arrival in Minas Tirith. I hope you like it. The next chapter is the crowning and maybe a wedding. Thanks so much to all my reviewers: Rosa Cotton, so many reviews from you, I've lost count; anfieldgyul, I recognised you on my MSN contact list; Salysha, I'd love to read more of the story, no luck with the lyrics, sorry; yagirl-123, don't worry, I have every intention of getting Aragorn and Éowyn back together, I mean, how could they not, but you'll have to read the sequel to see any major improvements; and to my best friend KK of the crazy ladies, loved the new chappie hun, get the rude poem one up soon, that will be fantastic. And my new reviewers, Jessica, Marina and Malinda, I'm so happy you like the story, there will be more to come.

Maybe updated. Don't care. Nothing important.

Disclaimer: Yada, yada, yada, you know the drill. This is mainly mine anyway, except the characters.

Chapter 27: Open Your Heart To Me

             Éowyn rode swiftly on Windfola across the Pelennor Fields, heading north-eastward to the Crossroads and then north to the Field of Cormallen, where she had been told the army were camped. The road was easy and pleasant until she passed the Crossroads and started north to the Black Gates. The scenery became desolate and dead rather than green and healthy.

She knew she was coming closer to Mordor. The Dark Lord may have been defeated but Mordor still remained an uninhabited wasteland. As the sun set over the horizon, Éowyn began to wonder when she would arrive at the campsite.

She turned north-east again and followed the line of the Shadow Mountains. She came out onto a vast plain stretching as far as she could see. This was close to Ithilien, she could tell. The land here had become so lush and green. She wondered if this was the Field of Cormallen.

Éowyn rode through the grasses for a time before she caught sight of a camp in the distance. She raced towards it with all speed. It was the campsite, situated near a small brook running by them. Many soldiers were wandering around the tents, one of which was much larger than the rest. Éowyn dismounted and led Windfola to the main tent. Leaving Windfola outside, she entered the tent.

            Heads turned as she came in and approached her brother and Aragorn who were standing in the centre of the tent. She ignored the gazes and continued forward. Éomer looked towards his sister, an expression of great joy spreading across his face. Aragorn smiled and bowed courteously to her. Éowyn's face remained cold and stern as she came before them.

"Greetings, Éowyn," cried Éomer, embracing his sister.

"It is good to see you safe, my dear brother," she said, still unsmiling.

"As it is you," he said. "You have recovered since our departure."

"I have," she answered plainly.

Aragorn stepped forward to greet her now; his face was almost harsh as he stared at her.

"Would you do me the honour of walking with me, Lady Éowyn?" he asked. "For I wish to speak with you, alone."

Éowyn stared at him in fury. How dare he ask her after all that has gone between them? She turned her face away, trying to think of something to say; but in vain.

"Éowyn," said a voice sharply. "Will you deny response to the future King of Gondor?" It was Éomer.

"I am uncertain as to why the king would wish my presence alone," she replied.

Aragorn said nothing, but his face was filled with sorrow and regret. Éowyn wished to ignore these looks but they were there, yet, as he stared at her. Aragorn extended his hand for her to take. Éowyn stared at it for a time before taking it and following Aragorn outside.

            It was a beautiful day; a warm breeze blew lightly across the grass. Éowyn walked beside Aragorn, her face towards the ground, not looking up at his face. They made their way up onto a hilltop not far from the camp. There they stood, gazing out at the plains.

"Éowyn," he said. "I do not wish for you to dwell on these thoughts, these memories. You will only bring yourself further pain."

"You have brought me pain enough," she said. "Let me be. I am done with you. I am content."

"You fool only yourself," said Aragorn. "You still long for my love."

"You fool yourself, my lord," replied Éowyn, indignantly. "I say to you now, again, I am done with you. I look now on a happy life without you."

"Faramir knows, Éowyn," he said.

"I understand that," she answered. "But he would have me as I am. He loves me."

Aragorn nodded. "I cannot not deny that," he said. "He loves you so deeply, but can you live with the truth that you do not possess that same love for he? Can you accept him?"

Éowyn was silent, and she looked into Aragorn's eyes. What was he saying? She stared deeper, trying to find answers.

"I do not wish to be lonely forever, Aragorn," said Éowyn.

"I would not see you so, lady," he said. "But, as you told me long ago, you do not wished to be caged."

"That is true," she replied contemptuously. "And here am I caged in this city, unable to return to my people."

"Soon shall you return to the place you desire to be once more," said Aragorn, gently.

Éowyn paused a moment and then turned away. Was Rohan where she desired to be? She longed to see the grassy hillsides of her homeland, but where did her heart lie?

"When first I saw you, Éowyn," Aragorn began, "you stood atop the steps of Meduseld, gazing out at the gates of Edoras. On my return from the Black Gates, you watched from the walls of the city as we came to the citadel. You seemed the same as in Edoras, my lady. Please tell me, what has brought this grief upon you once again?" he asked.

Éowyn walked further away from him and stood silent on the hilltop, staring out at the cloudless skies and the rolling plains in front of her. Her golden hair fluttered in the warm breeze. But although it was so pleasant a day, Éowyn appeared as cold as the winter's snow.

"When I return to Edoras, I shall weep for you, but there will be none to wipe away my tears," she said, sadly.

This made Aragorn's heart break. Éowyn's grief was greater than he had once thought. So cold she was, standing still as a statue. He could see the shadow in her eyes, still remains of her former life, never to be gone, always to haunt her. Her beauty would stay forever cold and hard as the winter's snow, but as delicate as the snowflakes falling from the sky. She did not wish to change.

Éowyn began to walk away from Aragorn and back down the hill. But she paused and turned slowly around to face him again. Her gaze was cold and dark, but the sadness remained. She spoke quietly to him.

"I thought I had been alone until you entered my life, when I felt warmth return to my heart; but now I find I was alone then too."

And with that, she turned away and went down the hill and back to the main tent. Aragorn stared after her as she walked away from him. She did not want to give up on any hope that she may have with him. But Faramir's heart would be broken if she continued this.

He loved her and was prepared to deal with the fact that there was another to whom her heart belonged. But Éowyn refused to admit to it.