I'm really not sure why, but this chapter was extremely hard for me to write. I ended up rewriting parts of it. : sigh : I hope it turned out ok. So enjoy! Leave a comment when ur done! Please?


What We Do With It
Chapter 4

Sighing to herself, Crysta turned her back toward the palace and started walking down the dirt roads of city. She didn't know her way around, but Eowyn had told, or more correctly demanded, that she remain within the royal household. Crysta needed time alone to think, and since you can see the palace from a mile away, decided she couldn't get lost as long as she remained within the city walls.

Eowyn had insisted she wear an old cloak that the shield maiden had long ago abandoned. Crysta was quietly grateful for this, because it allowed her to cover her clothes and hide her face, making it easier to blend into the crowd. Crysta herself was not ashamed of her outfit, but it was foreign to this place, and since she had nothing else to wear, would have to make due with it.

Turning behind a small shop, Crysta began thinking of a logical argument to help her remain near Eowyn, receive food, a place to sleep, and give her some chance of figuring out how she was brought here…

oOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Closing the door softly behind her, Eowyn made her was toward the library. One reason for this was because she could over look most of the city, and hopefully be able to tell if Crysta got into any type of trouble. Other reason was because she had spotted Grima heading towards her personally chambers.

Upon reaching the library, Eowyn was surprised to find the door cracked open, and a soft fire glowing inside. The figure sitting near the fire surprised her even more. "Uncle, are you well?"

Théoden was sitting near the fire staring blankly into its flames. Eowyn cautiously moved towards him and lowered herself beside him on the small sofa. "Surely you can't be cold. It's still mid summer." When he didn't reply Eowyn placed her hand on top of his right one. His was as cold as ice.

This gesture seemed to draw the King out of his hypnotic staring. He turned to face her. He slowly raised a hand and ran it down her cheek, as if checking to make sure she was real. "Eowyn, my niece,…where have you been? I have missed you for so long?"

Choking back a tear Eowyn replied, "I've been right here uncle. I've been here, right by your side." Finally, her uncle was starting to come out of the comma he'd been living with.

Théoden's eyes glossed over with moister, realizing that he must have somehow brought grief upon his house. He turned back to face the fire. "I feel so tired, weakened…as if my very soul were being taken from me, not all at once, but bit by bit, slowly and painfully."

"Uncle, you should seek help. Our healers, they're quite experienced."

"Nay, my advisor warns me this is a battle I must win on my own, healers can't fight the demons from within one's soul."

"It was Grima who told you this," Eowyn didn't even try to hide the coldness in her voice. From the perspective of her one tracked mind, that man was the source of all her problems.

"I know not why you scorn him; he has helped us many times. Remember the battle against the Orcs at the border of Fangorn? It was not two years ago. He was the one that advised us to wait out and besiege our enemy instead of charging them. If it were not for him, the men of our city would be at a lesser number." Théoden's eyes had not left the fire at he spoke, but the empty glaze that they had posses for the last few months was gone, for this brief moment at least.

"This I know uncle, but also remember that it was his advice which forced that particular battle upon our people."

Once again Théoden turned to look at his niece. She sat there, calmly, trying to look as if nothing was bothering her. Yet Théoden knew her well, and could tell she was dying inside. Slowly, he took his left hand, and placed it on top of hers that were currently resting on his other hand. "Fear not for what has happened these past few months shall not happen again. This state of unknowing, and oblivion frightens me. I feel inefficient to be ruler if this is how I act. Tomorrow, would you care to accompany me for a ride, out on the plains, away from the troubles we face here?"

Smiling, Eowyn threw herself on her uncle and embraced him as if he had just come back to her from the dead. Muttering her acceptance to his invitation, Théoden told her to go rest for the night. Eowyn decided not to disagree. She was weary and to argue this fact would be childish. Bidding her uncle goodnight, she left the library, securely closing the door behind her.

"You carry such heavy weights upon your delicate shoulders, why do you bring this upon yourself?"

"Leave, Wormtongue."

"Tsk, my only concern is your well being, milady."

Deliberately brushing past her, Grima entered the library. Eowyn turned in a furry and tried to go in after him, but the door was securely closed so that no other could enter. Cursing her luck, Eowyn made her way toward her sleeping chambers. Half way there she decided against it, and instead turned toward her brother's chambers hoping to have a word with him.

Eomer was indeed awake, inspecting his sword. The door was ajar, so Eowyn decided to sneak in on him. However, when she went to open the door so that she could pass through, a most audible creaking came from the hinges. Eomer turned his head, nodded toward his sister and set his sword down. Eowyn took this to mean she had his attention, so she went to sit next to him.

"Why are you inspecting your sword?"

"My men and I have decided to ride out tomorrow."

"Despite orders to wait?"

"None of us feel comfortable. Something is in the air, an ill feeling. We will not be out for long if luck and good fortune are on our side." Eowyn turned her eyes toward the ground.

"What's this, no begging to accompany us? No pleading for me to stay? No petty insults? Not even a glare! Why sister I am appalled. Perhaps there is hope yet that you may be turned into a proper lady."

Eowyn playfully punched his arm and shot him a mock glare.

"But this is not why you came here…tell me sister, what is on your mind?"

"It's Théoden. I fear for him. You know he's not himself, something has come over him."

"It's his age, Eowyn."

"That's what I thought. But tonight, I found him in the library," here Eowyn slowed down, recalling and trying not to cry, remembering the look of oblivion on his face, "He recognized…and he asked where I have been." She turned to look at Eomer. "Eomer, he doesn't know what is happening around him. He barely remembered me."

Eomer wrapped his arms around his sister, comforting her. Poor Eowyn, she tried so hard to be strong, but no one can be strong all the time.

"I agree with you, something must be taking him. But I don't know what it is-"

"It's Grima; he's speaking poison to him."

"I don't like him anymore than you, but we have no proof against him. We'll have to wait it out. And I'm sorry Eowyn, but I must ride out tomorrow."

"Please, find Theodred. He'll know what to do."

Eomer looked down at his sister. Somehow, he didn't think anyone could fix this. No one even knew what to fix.

Early that morning, before the sun was even near rising, Eomer was in the stables tending his horse. As he went to retrieve his saddle, he noticed someone starring out over the horizon. The cloak said person was wearing was extremely familiar. He went to go tell the person to get back home, but when he got closer he saw the cloak was his sister's.

"Crysta?"

The figure turned and sure enough it was Crysta. Dirt covered her head to toe and she looked as if she hadn't slept at all. The two stared at each other, both recalling their last conversation in the garden.

"Go up to the palace, Eowyn needs someone more than ever now."

Crysta nodded her head and turned out of the stable, following the dirt path up to the palace. Eomer watched her go. His head told him he shouldn't be kind and let her stay, it would only cause problems. But his gut, it told him this was the right thing to do.

TBC……..


Holy Sheep! This one drove me crazy! Making it all go smoothly and everything. Well I hope you guys liked it! Leave a comment. This one was a doozy