Author's Note

Thank you so much to all my wonderful reviewers! I dedicate this chapter to you all, and I hope you enjoy it! Read and Review! ele15greenleaf x

Chapter 3

We now change our scene to the land of Rohan, the home of the horse lords. Their king, `Eomer, still hasn't found true love, though he is preoccupied by other important business, such as keeping his kingdom safe. While he is away, his sister, `Eowyn, takes care of Edoras, the capital of Rohan. Married to Lord Faramir of Gondor, `Eowyn waits for the return of her brother, who carries important news. ________________________________________________________________________
Looking out from the great palace of Edoras across the plains of Rohan stood a fair and beautiful woman. Long, flowing golden blonde hair and pale blue eyes, Lady `Eowyn wished in her heart that her brother would return soon and safely. With both hands resting on her chest, she whispered her feelings to the strong breeze.

"Please may my dear brother return soon," she pleaded almost silently, "it has been six moons since I last saw him." A small glistening tear fell onto her cheek, which then disappeared.

Weeping, Lady `Eowyn strolled through Edoras, checking all was well. Many stopped to converse with the fair lady, but none were able to lift her dampened spirit.

`Eowyn halted, and took a seat on a beautifully engraved wooden bench, dedicated to her late uncle, Théoden. She sat there, for a moment, still grieving for her brother's safety. Suddenly, she felt a comforting hand on her shivering shoulder.

She turned, and saw the handsome and kind face of her dear son, Haramir.

The perfect image of his father, Haramir was very good-looking, with fair hair which fell to his cheek bones and hazel coloured eyes. It was a mystery to most of the teenage girls of Edoras, why Haramir was so quiet and good natured. He was the age of twenty-nine, and was admired by many women. He was ever so polite to everyone that spoke to him, and he always showed signs of great interest.

"Mother," began Haramir, "you seemed distressed in some way." He smiled warmly, and took his mother's hand.

"Oh Haramir," `Eowyn said, "Your uncle, `Eomer, is late. He was supposed to return last moon."

"Mother, he will be back," said Haramir certainly. "I could go out to look for him, if you wish."

No, thought `Eowyn, if I loose Haramir too, my life will not be worth living.

"When is father back, Mother?" asked Haramir, changing the subject.

"Soon, my Haramir." `Eowyn said quietly.

That particularly cold night in Rohan, a huge storm broke out. It reached to farthest corners of the land, sweeping houses and animals away. Many were left homeless, and were sent to live in the palace, for the time being. Others were staying under propped up cloaks on sticks.

Eowyn and Haramir sat near a warm fire, discussing the possible poverty of the inhabitants of Rohan. The storm was raging outside, and chattering was heard from the walls.

"Haramir, if the villagers have no where to stay, they will surely die of starvation and they will freeze," said `Eowyn shivering with cold.

"They will just have to come here," said Haramir, "most of them are already."

"The palace will-" `Eowyn began, but her words were cut short by the loud sound of a huge door banging open. Screams were heard in the halls outside. Haramir picked up his sword at the side of his chair, and pulled it out of its sheath. He stood behind the door ... it then flew open, revealing a hooded figure drenched from being in the rain. The figure pulled down its hood. `Eowyn gasped. Haramir leapt out from behind the door, his sword raised.

Upon seeing the figure's face, Haramir dropped his sword.

"Uncle `Eomer!" exclaimed Haramir.

`Eomer smiled, and took off his wet cloak and sat beside the fire. He had very striking good looks, dark eyes and fair hair. Though he was no longer young, he still looked a little like an over grown teenager.

"How are you, sister and sister-son?" asked `Eomer kindly.

"`Eomer," began `Eowyn, "I have been out of my mind with worry! Where have you been the last moon?" Even though she was pleased to see her brother, she still suppressed her rage.

"`Eowyn, my dear sister, I bumped into King Aragorn while I was riding," `Eomer said, smiling slightly.

Aragorn, thought `Eowyn. A few years ago, `Eowyn's heart would have fluttered at the sound of Aragorn's name. She used to always be able to see the kind, handsome and noble face of him. Now, `Eowyn had almost forgotten him, after not hearing of him for many years. She was happily married to Faramir, with the most good-natured son she could ask for. Aragorn also had a family; a beautiful wife, with four well-mannered children, well, from what `Eowyn had heard. She had given up on trying to get Aragorn to notice her, given up on trying to get anyone to notice her. But Faramir! He had noticed her! It was something she had never imagined to happen. `Eowyn loved Faramir and Haramir dearly, and would give anything up for them . . . even Aragorn.

"`Eowyn," said `Eomer's voice from what seemed like a great distance. `Eowyn snapped back to her senses.

"Well?" said `Eowyn. "What did Aragorn say?"

"Oh, well he gave me something," said `Eomer still smiling. `Eomer pulled out a piece of parchment from his cloak. He handed it to `Eowyn, who read it rather quickly.

"Aragorn's 30th anniversary as king?" `Eowyn said faintly. "It's been that long since he was crowned?"

"It's hard to believe, isn't it?" `Eomer said doubtfully. "It seems only yesterday. We will be riding for Gondor in two days. We need to arrive before the celebration, as I have more news for Aragorn."

"Is Haramir invited also?" asked `Eowyn.

"Yes. And Aragorn asked me to say that Faramir will be in Gondor when we arrive. He will have some old friends with him," said `Eomer.

"Then I am coming also, uncle?" asked Haramir.

"Certainly, King Aragorn wishes to see what a fine man you have become," said `Eomer. "He also has three daughters," he adds.

Haramir was fed up of his family trying to find him someone, though maybe this time it wouldn't be so bad. Haramir had heard of Aragorn's wife and queen, Arwen, who used to be an Elf. Many said she was the most beautiful woman in the whole of Middle Earth. So, maybe her daughters were like that too. Haramir did not go for looks, though. He believed that a woman's beauty is on the inside. Haramir was sure that his uncle believed the same. That was why `Eomer had not married.

`Eowyn, `Eomer and Haramir all rose from their chairs, and bid each other goodnight.

Haramir was excited. He had never been to Gondor, to Minas Tirith, so it would be a brand new adventure. And then there were Aragorn's daughters. He would enjoy meeting them.