One night, not long before Tolwyn's fourteenth birthday, she snuck out as usual to visit her mother's grave. She put on Elfwine's old breeches and shirt, and ran through the streets of Edoras. Eventually she made her way outside the gates and into the fields, where she ran unhindered through the tall grass. But something made her stop running after a few minutes. She felt she was being watched by someone…
Tolwyn turned around, facing towards the city. She squinted, her greyish-green eyes searching the shadows beneath the high walls. She couldn't see any movement, nothing was unusual. She was about to go back, when suddenly someone put a hand on her shoulder and another on her mouth. She started to scream, only to find her scream muffled. A familiar voice chuckled behind her and said, "Calm down, sister, 'tis only me." Tolwyn whirled around to see Elfwine standing there, grinning.
"I thought some of my clothes were missing," he said, "But I never would have suspected you to be the thief." His voice took on a more serious tone as he said, "How long have you been coming out here, Tolwyn?" Tolwyn sighed. As long as there was no one there but her and her brother, she might as well tell the truth. "At least three months have passed since the night I first came here," Tolwyn told him. Elfwine, now seventeen years old, was no longer a boy. He was now tall, and strong after the many years of fighting and training he had done. His voice was smooth now and almost as deep as Eomer's. But he could still act immature at times, and he was far from being prepared to be king.
Now, Elfwine looked around them and at the city walls, suspicious. "We are not safe in the open fields. Someone might see us," he whispered. With that, he took Tolwyn's hand and led her back into the city, and up the path towards Meduseld. "Where are we going?" Tolwyn whispered to him. "You'll see," was his quiet reply.
Elfwine led her off the main path, and in a while they ended up in an alley between the royal stables and the armory. Elfwine motioned for her to sit on a nearby bench, and she did. He kneeled in front of her, and took both her hands in his.
"I've seen how you've changed," he began. "Since our mother died-"
"That has nothing to do with it!" Tolwyn hissed. But Elfwine calmed her and spoke again. "Yes it does! Father was worried about you, he kept you protected. He's already lost the most important woman in his life. He doesn't want to lose you, too." Tolwyn frowned, her grey eyes showing her sadness. She just now realized this. Elfwine looked up at her, into her eyes. "I've seen how you never smile anymore. How your eyes have gone from a bright, joyous green to a despairing grey. I want to make you happy again, Tolwyn."
Tolwyn looked away from her brother's eyes- towards the armory. Then she turned her gaze to where the Riders slept, then to the stables. She sighed- it had always been a secret dream of hers to learn how to ride, and fight. Elfwine squeezed her hands gently, making her look back at him. He was grinning, and said, "And I also see all the battle-lust and desire of glory in your eyes- the same look in Father's when he fights." Elfwine glanced at the armory and stable again, and his grin grew broader. "I want to make you happy… and I think I know just how…"