Chapter 3

Haldir clenched his fists in impatience and concern. This was the honour, royal title and most importantly, the life of his brother-in-law they were discussing in there. He paced up and down silently, pausing to duck behind an ornately carved pillar of the Palace to allow Grima Wormtongue to pass into Edoras again. He gazed around, knowing that he had to find out who the mysterious man inside the tent was. Peering through the slightest crack in the walls, he found himself staring straight at

Saruman? Why would he be here too? As they've said, the Ring is destroyed. They have no reason to wreak terror and ruin Middle-Earth again. Haldir hurriedly left the post next to the hut, and realized that night, as always, had silently crept upon the unwary and cast a gloomy spell upon Rohan. In this web of spies and treachery, he had no idea who was working for whom. He could only trust his wife and brother-in-law. Quickening his footsteps, he hurried into Edoras and sat Éowyn and Éomer down for a rundown on what he had witnessed.

Éowyn grabbed her brother frantically. "If it is true, and they are trying to impeach you, do not fall into any of their vile traps…it might prove most fatal…most fatal," she warned ominously.

Haldir sighed. "Perhaps not to such a dramatic extent, my dear," he said, placing his hand over hears, "yet you have to be on your guard at all times."

Éomer nodded, yet looked unconvinced. "Who's making Saruman do all this?"

"From the shabby conditions, I'd say that he is working of his own accord," Haldir said softly. "And so we must always play for time,"

Éowyn shook her head. "If this is the case, they cannot be after only the throne of Rohan, or if there's going to be even anything else after they're done," she said slowly. "We have to warn Gondor as well."

Éomer nodded. "Perhaps old ambitions have risen again, and the wretched wizard has decided that he was going to take over Middle-Earth again. Send word to Gondor – or we shall leave for Gondor after this problem has been settled," he said commandingly.

Éowyn walked down the narrow corridors leading up to her room. Despite holding a candle which illuminated the path ahead, she still felt unsafe as she plodded on. The floorboards creaked under her feet and her heart pounded with fear. Perhaps it was unusual to feel so much fear in her home, yet the darkness seemed to close in on her instead of reflecting the familiarity that it once held. Glancing hastily behind her, she could see nobody, yet she quickened her pace. Dashing into the room, she slammed the door shut behind her. Her stomach churned and she felt nauseous. Haldir stared at her momentarily, noticing her flushed cheeks and hair askew. She gazed into his eyes.

"Haldir, I suspect someone was following me down the passage earlier until I glanced backwards and started running," she said, her voice laced with worry. Her hard started spinning and imaged leaped before her. Haldir clasped her close with worry, and stroked her hair gently.

"And this room is a save haven?" he quipped - yet he could not help but feel frightened. If his wife was being stalked, and mysterious people were pacing up and down the corridors at night… serious measures had to be taken. As Éoeyn rested her head on Haldir's shoulder, she felt the energy draining out of her. It had been a terribly long day, and all she needed was rest…

Éowyn awoke the next morning, finding Haldir still asleep next to her, curled up beneath the sheets. Smiling wryly, she got out of bed gingerly. Staring at herself in the mirror, she blinked twice. It might have been her imagination, but her belly been rounding out since…since a fateful night in Lothlorien nearly two months back…that would certainly explain the frazzled nerves and nausea. She shivered slightly as she slid into a dress which had tightened slightly around her waist. She suddenly felt much more aware of the world around of her, and felt as if she was being repeatedly doused into cold and hot water. How was she going to break the news to him, she thought worriedly. After all, she wasn't even sure he would be entirely pleased by the news.

As she stepped out, she realized that he had awoken. She bit her lip nervously at first, but straightened up. She glanced at him momentarily, and caught his eye. Haldir stared at her slowly. Why was she acting all furtive and frightened all of a sudden? He walked over to her and placed an arm over her shoulder. Perhaps she was still upset by the incident yesterday, he thought slowly. She seemed exceptionally jumpy and nervous.

She smiled at him shakily. "Haldir, perhaps you ought to sit down for a moment," she said.

Haldir gazed at her for a moment. "Yes, Éowyn?" He was filled with love for his wife who was staring at him both hopefully and nervously. Perhaps she needed some prodding, and he smiled at what he hoped looked encouraging.

"Haldir…I'm pregnant,"

A/n: Oh, evil, evil cliffhanger. I am so sorry. I have no idea how the story entwines and ended up like this and I have to dig myself out of this mess which I have written myself into. I promise the next chapter will be better. Really. And here's a big THANK YOU to all my reviewers who continued reviewing even though this is getting worse and worse...ominous stare