A/N: Whoa! Good thing I was putting in my replies to reviewers and then started reading this chapter. Somewhere in the upload a chunk of about 2 inches worth of text disappeared! Not to worry, I've added it back in and the entire chapter should be below. If you happen to see anything strange like that in any of my other stories, let me know so I can fix it.

CapriceAnn Hedican-Kocur - Do they have a male equivalent of a "Mary Sue"? After all, Dog is a boy... But he's probably only so awesome cos he's part Elf too (okay, no, he's not but he hangs around a half Elf, so maybe that explains it). I like Dog too.

Lady Anck-su-namun, Jazzcat - Ah, yes, Elrond. True, he was pretty disagreeable at Rivendell, but he gives that little grin when he nudges Arwen toward Aragorn, who isn't expecting to see her, in ROTK so I think he probably can be a decent guy. The movie just tended to show his uptight, intense, Elf snob side mostly. Don't know how the books portray him - will have to check that out. (I haven't fully read the books, but I do refer to them to find out things and have read many passages.)

The Truest Friends

Chapter 6

Faramir had explained the situation of Eomer's recent capture and escape from Orcs, and his recovery from injuries sustained during that time, and that being the reason for he and Eowyn being in Edoras at the present. The injured woman for whom they sought the athelas had been the one to find Eomer and treat his injuries, hiding him from recapture. "Beyond that," Faramir said, "apparently little is known about her. Her name is Kareswen, and she travels with a horse and thiis dog you see with us. Both of them seem to be rather remarkable."

At mention of the woman's name, Elrond's eyebrows knit together - surely this could not be... He brushed the thought aside. It was unlikely to be her.

They entered the room and found Eomer asleep on a nearby cot, but Dog went and nosed him when they entered and he awoke. He sat up slowly, wincing at his still sore injuries and blinked several times, trying to wake up. Then he became aware of the Elf standing near his sister, "Lord Elrond? What brings you here?"

"I am merely traveling through Rohan, but I felt impressed to stop at Edoras for a visit, if that is alright with her King."

"Of course! You are always welcome here," Eomer assured him.

Elrond had turned to study the woman lying in the bed and his face revealed none of his thoughts. Eomer moved over by her bed and took her hand, as Eowyn stepped forward with the bag of athelas. "Lord Elrond has agreed to help treat Kareswen, since his skill is far superior to mine," Eowyn told her brother.

"Thank you. I would be most grateful," Eomer told the Elf.

Elrond moved to a chair on the opposite side of the bed and laid his hand on Kareswen's forehead for a few moments. Quietly he said, "Bring some hot water to put the athelas in." His hands gently explored the rest of her for other injuries, finding the bruised side, but announcing, "I do not think her ribs are broken. She is just badly bruised from where the horse fell on her. How long has she been unconscious?"

"About a day and a half now," Eomer responded.

Faramir returned, with a servant carrying hot water in a bowl, and Linwe, who had come to check on her patients. Seeing that the Elf was tending the woman, she stood off to the side to observe how the athelas was used.

Within minutes the fragrant aroma of the athelas filled the room and Elrond brought it near Kareswen's face. At first, it did not appear to be having any effect, but after a few moments, she slowly began to stir.

As her eyes gradually opened and she saw the ceiling over her, a perplexed look came to her face. She turned her head slowly to the left and as she spotted Eomer, she froze. A slight moan escaped her lips as she closed her eyes. "Oh no...not Edoras," she murmured. She reopened her eyes, but looked to her right, and did not see the hurt look that settled in Eomer's eyes at her reaction to seeing him.

But if her reaction to him was disappointing, her reaction to Elrond was curious. She merely stared at him for several long moments, then said, "You are..." As her voice trailed off, the sentence left unfinished, he responded, "Elrond, of Rivendell." She closed her eyes again.

"Indeed." There was a long pause, and then she asked, "You know who I am?"

"Yes. And you know who I am?"

"Yes."

For the moment, Eomer's hurt was forgotten in this interesting exchange. The two of them seemed to be having a conversation within a conversation. Both seemed to completely understand words that were not being spoken aloud. How was it that they knew each other?

Before Eomer could ask any questions, Elrond spoke again, "How is your father?"

Her jaw tightened and then she tonelessly told him, "He has been dead for eight years."

"How did that happen?"

"He was killed by Orcs. I found the mutilated remains of his body in the woods." Her eyes closed at the remembrance, and Eomer drew a sharp breath. The similarity between her father's death and the circumstances in which she had found him were eerie. He wondered if the resemblance had anything to do with her decision to help him.

"I am sorry to hear that." Elrond held his emotions in check, but there was pain revealed in his eyes at this news. Clearly he had known and cared about her father.

Eomer could not resist asking, "How do you two know each other?" As secretive as Kareswen usually was, he wasn't at all certain he would get an answer, but he hoped Elrond would be more forthcoming.

Elrond glanced at her, but she steadfastly kept her gaze fixed on the ceiling, so he turned to Eomer and replied, "Kareswen is my niece. Her father and I were brothers."

Whatever Eomer had expected to hear, that was not it. His thoughts were interrupted as Dog suddenly appeared beside him and jumped up on the bed, to the disapproving look of Elrond. Clearly Kareswen welcomed the beast, however, and Elrond choked back his demand that the dog be removed.

Suddenly Elrond seemed to remember that there was a room full of people gathered behind him, and he turned to them, "Continue to treat her with the athelas steam three times a day. It will help with the headache she is likely to have for awhile." Linwe nodded her understanding as Elrond stood and moved away from the bed.

Eowyn snapped out of her reverie over the events unfolding before her to say, "Lord Elrond, let us find you a guest chamber so you may refresh yourself."

Gamling had been hovering near the door with the party of Elves that had accompanied Elrond, and he now moved forward to take charge of getting them all settled and cared for. Eowyn and Faramir excused themselves as well, and seeing there was nothing for her to do, Linwe left also.

Unexpectedly, Eomer suddenly found himself alone with Kareswen, and was surprised to realize he was unsure what to say to her now that they were face to face. Her earlier words came back to him and he frowned, "You are displeased to see me?" He could not quite hide the hurt in his tone.

She sighed deeply, but finally turned to look at him, "It was not my first choice, no."

"Why? And why did you not read my letter?"

She pondered her response, but then seemed to suddenly register what he had said, "How do you know I did not read your letter?"

He explained the circumstances of her being in Edoras and, presently, in Meduseld. She glanced down at the dog near her left hand looking innocently at her, "Troublemaker!" Dog didn't bother trying to look penitent.

She lay there awhile longer in silence, and Eomer had about decided she was not going to answer his question, when she told him, "I do not want to be part of your world. I am content to live alone, with my companions, in the woods. I am not sorry I helped you, but now you must forget about me and let me get on with my life. I do not belong in the world of Men and I certainly do not belong in the company of a king."

He sat trying to think of an argument to persuade her to change her mind, but could think of nothing. She interrupted his thoughts, "Where is Leander? We fell..."

"He remains at the village where he went down. His leg was injured and he could not make the journey here. I have sent one of my men there to make sure he receives the best care, and to bring him here when he is recovered."

"I must go..." she said, trying to sit up, but fell back with a gasp when a pain like a club smashed into her head. She lay back with a moan, and thought better of her actions.

"I do not think you're going anywhere for awhile," Eomer told her. "Do not worry. I would not let anything happen to Leander. He is safe."

He gave a heavy-hearted sigh, "Get some rest. I will come back to visit again later." She nodded, but made no reply.

xxxxx

Had he been able, Eomer would have been pacing his room in frustration. His injuries not only made such an activity difficult, but even a bit painful, so he had to settle for fidgeting on the sofa. Somehow, he had thought if he could get her back to Edoras and talk to her, everything would be fine. Clearly, it was not going to be as simple as that. There was still so much he did not know about her and her past, and he couldn't even begin to fathom her reasons for avoiding the world of Men, and people in general. He considered querying Elrond, but if he hadn't known of her father's death, Eomer suspected he knew little else about her life. And it wasn't likely he would tell Eomer more than Kareswen had been willing to share.

Meanwhile, Eowyn had been waiting for an opportunity to speak with this woman alone. As her quarters were nearby, she heard when Eomer left the room and took the moment to return. Kareswen's eyes were closed when she entered the room, but opened at the sound of the door, and looked questioningly at her.

"How are you feeling?" she asked.

"I've been better," was the reply. "Is that really why you are here?"

Eowyn remembered Aragorn saying the woman was unique; he hadn't mentioned that she was blunt. However, it made it that much easier to respond in kind, "Actually, no, though I do wish you a speedy recovery." She paused to choose her words, "To begin with, I never got a chance to thank you for saving my brother's life. I am greatly indebted to you." When there was no response, she continued, "However, it has come to my attention that my brother may have feelings for you. He was quite upset when you left so abruptly. I am curious to know if those feelings are returned, though you may think it none of my business."

Eowyn sensed that the woman was reluctant to respond, and perhaps even considered not doing so, but finally she said, "Your brother is a fine man, and I am flattered by his interest but, as I told him, I do not wish to be a part of the world of Men." She turned her head away, but not before Eowyn glimpsed in her eyes what appeared to be confusion. Perhaps her feelings on the matter were not so clear as she would like them to be.

"I see. And how did he receive this news from you, if I may ask?"

"I am sure it was not what he wanted to hear. And it is very possible that, even now, he is trying to think of some way to get me to change my mind on the matter."

"Will he be successful? Is there any way you could be persuaded?" Eowyn asked softly.

Kareswen was silent for so long that Eowyn again thought perhaps she would not answer, but eventually she replied, "I don't know. I hope not."

Eowyn stood awkwardly for a moment, wondering whether she should leave at this point, but something made her stay. At last, she sat in the chair Eomer had occupied by the bed and looked closely at the woman before her, "What is it you fear about the world of Men that makes you avoid it so? I was told that you are half-Elf and half-mortal, yet you seem to reject both peoples, along with everyone else." Eowyn stopped, wondering at her temerity; who was she to expect this stranger to take her into her confidence?

But perhaps Kareswen had wanted a reason to vocalize her thoughts, "I am both, and neither. I am too much of an Elf for Men to be comfortable with my ways, and I am tainted with mortal blood so the Elves see me as inferior. So I have chosen companions who do not care what my heritage is and are willing to let me live my life as I see fit. In the world of both Men and Elves, there are expectations for women, and they are not expectations that I choose to accept for myself." The last was said with a bit of defiance, and Eowyn could not honestly say she didn't understand the sentiment. She herself had rebelled not so long ago at the proscribed role she was expected to take.

Nonetheless, Eowyn felt some obligation to say something in her brother's behalf, "Eomer is comfortable with your ways. He cares for you just as you are."

"He does now. How long do you think that will last? Now that we are out of the forest and back in a palace, there will be expectations on him, and anyone he consorts with. They will be expected to comply, just as he will. The royal court will not tolerate the likes of me at his side. Like it or not, he must accept that."

Eowyn was a bit startled at her understanding. It was easy to think of her as an unlearned rustic by her appearance and behavior, but clearly there was much more inside her head than met the eye.

"And you are not willing to change anything for him?" she asked gently.

Kareswen closed her eyes, as if to make the whole matter go away, but responded, "I cannot be what he will want me to be. It is not who I am."

Eowyn sighed and stood, "Thank you for being honest with me. Truly, I understand, more than you think I do. Hopefully, while you are recuperating here, we can help him to understand as well."

xxxxx

Not long after Eowyn departed, Kareswen heard another knock at her door. She half-suspected who it might be but called out, "Come in." As anticipated, Elrond stepped through the door. His eyes seemed to be appraising her physical condition and he must have decided she was up to a visitor, "May we speak?"

Curiosity was warring with animosity, and curiosity won. She waved him to a chair, leaving him to begin the conversation.

What she knew of Elrond had invariably made her envision someone who was always confident and in control, yet the Elf before her was clearly ill at ease. "What did your father tell you about me?" he asked.

"You mean other than your complete lack of regard for any Elf who would consort with mortals, and even deign to marry one?" She made no attempt to hide the resentment in her tone. It wasn't as satisfying as she had expected to see the hurt in his eyes.

"Kareswen, I cannot change what I did in the past, but I realize now that I was shortsighted and inflexible. I let my own prejudices against Men blind me to the feelings of others, and I very much regret losing my brother over it."

She turned her head away from him. The last thing she had expected from him was an apology. Quietly, she told him, "He never spoke ill of you. It hurt him deeply that you would not accept his chosen course, but he never wanted us to hate or dislike you for it."

"I understand you have met Aragorn - King Elessar of Gondor." She nodded and he continued, "My daughter Arwen was wed to him not too long ago." He paused and then added, "Perhaps that is one of the things that has made me realize I can't make choices for other people. And I must accept their choices whether I agree with them or not."

She moved to face him again, but kept silent, not sure what to say. He apparently had certain things in mind to bring up, however, "I am headed for Minas Tirith to see my daughter one last time, before I sail to the Undying Lands. That is what has led me to Rohan at this time. I hope to make peace with her before I depart and never see her again." There was a long pause before he added, "I had not expected to meet you here, but I would hope to make peace with you as well."

She lay on her back, staring at the ceiling for a time, then told him, "Did you know he taught me all about healing and always said you were much better at it than he was? He told me much of Elrond of Rivendell - he was very proud of his brother, no matter what."

Elrond seemed to be holding his breath, not sure what her comments were leading to, but then she explained, "He would have made peace with you in an instant if he could. He would want me to do the same." Slowly she held out her hand to him, and he took it as a small smile began to play around his mouth.

"You do him much credit. I have heard a good deal about you, as well. Indeed, I have gone out of my way to learn anything I could about my niece, though I was most careful to try not to appear too interested!"

She laughed at the sheepish look on his face. "Maybe that is why he wasn't angry with you. He knew you cared, no matter what you might say aloud."

Their eyes met and understanding passed between them. "You should rest. I will stop in to say goodbye before we leave tomorrow. I had a vague sense that I needed to stop at Edoras for some reason - now I know what it was I came here to do."

He moved quietly out the door while she lay back and contemplated their exchange. "Be at peace, father," she whispered to the walls. "It is over."