Disclaimer: ME NO OWN!!!!! You can't sue me!!

A young girl stood at the top of the tower. She was twelve years old, but already could fight nearly as well as some of the men, and at the same time was well on her way to womanhood. Finally, far out on the horizon, she saw what she was looking for. A large group of warriors, smaller then when they had left, yet still a good size. She turned and ran to the steps, down through the tower. Her feet guided her through the palace in her search of her brother and mother.

"Mother! Eomer! Father and the soldiers are back!" she shouted, running through the not so empty throne room.

King Theoden and his advisors chuckled at the girl's behavior. They had become accustomed to Lady Eowyn's excitement. She was, after all, only a child.

Eowyn burst into her brother's room, where Eomer was speaking with their cousin, Theodred, as the two boys cleaned their weapons.

"Eomer, couldn't you hear me? Father is back!"

"Yes Eowyn, we heard you, I think all of Edoras did. Can't it wait a moment? Knowing you, they're still a half-mile away."

"Come on Eomer! Firstly, if you ever went outside, you'd know it was much too foggy to even see that far. Also, don't you want to see them return?"

"Eowyn, they will get here soon enough! Now leave us alone!" Theodred shouted. Unfortunately, he was a prince, and Eowyn was rather sure that he meant it as a royal order. Her manner changed quickly, and she curtsied to Theodred, and began backing out of the room.

But she was interrupted by a sudden wail. The wail of a mother that has lost a child, a human who has lost a sibling. . .a woman who has lost her husband. The three children ran hard and fast, through the halls, out of the now abandoned throne room, and outside into sorrow.

For there, lying on the stone, was the father of Eomer and Eowyn, dead. Their mother was crying, as only one who has lost a beloved family member is capable of crying. One of the soldiers was speaking. Eomer, Eowyn, and Theodred got there just in time to hear the words, "They were ambushed by orcs. . ."

And I am transported twelve years ahead in time. I hear my brother saying those same words, the words that had caused the death of my father, and the words that would probably be the death of my beloved cousin, who is now lying on his bed, unconscious, not knowing the world around him. But the king does not realize this. He knows only what the evil Wormtongue tells him. And I know not when, if ever, I shall speak with my cousin, or even my half-dead uncle, once more. THE END

~~~~~~~~~ SO????? This is a pretty sad fic, more or less the only one I've ever written. I hope you like it, and that you review. And if you like it, please read my other stories! Elfklutz1200