Everything was a bright painful blue that made me blink. Slowly I could define other colors, gold green and brown. I was in a field and someone was swinging me back and forth and then around. My father. I laughed with joy amazed that he was here with me now. We spun until the world spun with us, we lay on the ground and watched the sky swirling madly into a blue-gray mess that blurred our eyes and made them water. And Eamon was there too. He ran by and caught me up and lifted me high into the air, he set me back down on the ground again and said . . .

"Try to catch me."

I ran as fast as I could. So fast my feet barely skimmed the ground, so fast that the blades of grass scraped my legs. Running and jumping, my heart beating so hard I could hear it in my temples. I wanted to lift off of the ground and fly. But then with a deep gasp Eamon fell, was still and didn't get up. I ran over to him.

"Get up, get up . . . Everything is going to be all right if you just get up . . . please."

I pleaded with him, but his blank eyes starred up and his body turned into a torrent of Ravens that swirled around me and flew away into the blue sky. I ran to my father who held me to him and sang.

"Oh woe is me for gone are those I loved, across the shining silver sea. Ai! The mists that hide my kin from me, for they shall never be parted. O! See the tears I weep for them for we shall never meet again. Oh, woe is me for gone are those I loved!"

His song was in harmony with my crying. It was such a sad, sad song full of grief and fear. The skin on his hands and arms started to bubble and seethe. I screamed and backed away from him in disbelief.

"No, why! Please not you too. No!"

He reached out to me still singing and worms crawled from him and devoured him from the inside until he was nothing but a puddle of mud and writhing worms.

"No!"

I woke up crying under cold sheets in a cold room. I remembered what really happened, My brother laying broken on the ground, the monster looming over me and the flaming pits of his headless evil, The great wood spear in Eamon's side. I wished that had been a dream too. But I knew it wasn't. Cold tears trickled down my face like a river of ice as I realized I was alone. I didn't know if my brother was dead but it was likely. How I missed him already. I pulled my knees up under my chin and winced at the pain in my side. My dark hair matted with brown blood and gray dust fell around me as I cried covering me with a curtain of sorrow.

"I want my brother."

I whispered softly, twisting the white sheet in my hand as. The noise echoed through the empty room and made an eerie sound. I looked around the room exploring with my eyes, afraid to leave the bed. I saw white walls and dark gray shadow's, a small table beside me with a lamp that burned dull and grim and there was a linen cabinet at the far end of the room. The floor was a gray stone that looked icy.

I stopped crying but the echo was still there, soft and muffled. I realized that the crying was not from a lingering echo but in truth someone wept. I took the small lamp that was on the table, and its light illuminated all my bruises and my cuts glistened red. I got up, the floor felt just as icy as it looked. I was in a white shift that was crisp and soft. Underneath it my legs were dirty and crusted with mud and blood. The pain in my side burned and it hurt to breathe. I lifted up my shift to reveal an ugly black and purple bruise ringed in yellow and green. I felt something cold slide down my back and I jumped startled. I reached my hands to my tender neck and felt the chain, pulled the chain around and held the pendent. "Take it to him." I heard him in my mind.

"But where is he?"

I whispered. Then I heard the crying again. I was curious and afraid of being alone. So I opened the large wooden door that reminded me of the City Gate only in miniature and I stepped out and followed the weeping through the vast gray hall with many archways and doors that led to many rooms. The light from my lamp traveled down the long hall and created slithering shadows that slipped between the columns and skittered up the walls. I followed my shadows until I came on the door I was looking for.

It was slightly open but I could not see inside for the dark. It sounded like a women or a girl was inside. A little thrill ran up my spine. Could it be a girl like me? Someone who could talk to, someone to confide in? I took a deep breath and slowly pushed the door open. It made a creak and the crying abruptly stopped. I shrank back, my light shone in and I could see a woman with her left arm in a sling and tears shimmering on her cheeks. I felt disappointed and afraid of disturbing her but her beauty caught my attention. Never had I seen a woman so pale, so bright with hair like gold and crystalline blue eyes. She wiped her tears and continued to pace. I felt foolish watching her there but something about her had enchanted me.

I wanted a closer look, so I pushed the door open a little more. She stopped.

"Who comes?"

I stood still, not breathing filled with a strange excited fear.

"...Show your self."

I pushed the door fully open and the lamp light flooded in. She looked even more beautiful in the light that streamed through her hair and illuminated her skin giving it a soft glow.

"Are you lost too?"

The flame quivered from my unsteady hand.

"What?"

She asked. Her voice sounded like an icy brook, beautifully sad and bitterly cold.

"But you are only a girl . . . What is your name child?"

"I am Amondine."

I said timidly and she looked at me strange like a kind of pity.

"Come and sit with me."

She said. I hesitated but seeing her hand beckoning me, reaching for me I could not resist. I came to her bedside and she held my hand. Her fingers were long, white and cold just like mine.

"I am Eowyn."

She wiped her tears and put her hand on mine.

"How old are you?"

"I am ten years."

"Only that? Why are you here poor child?"

"I cannot find my brother, we were supposed to go to the Mithrandir and give him this . . . "

I showed her the pendant and tears came to my eyes.

"But I don't know where he is."

I could feel my fear bubbling up inside of me, I couldn't hold it in any longer so I told her th whole story. All of it spilled out of me like a caldron overflowing.

"Hush." She said pulling me closer. "Do not cry little one."

She took the pendant and looked at it carefully, running her fingers over all the curves and the dull stones.

"Yes, I know who you are looking for. Lathspell."

"No, not Lathspell, Mithrandir."

"I know . . . " She said smiling. "He has many names."

"You mean he is really a person, a man?"

"Oh, no . . . He is more than a man. You and I have much in common. I too have lost ones dear to me. My cousin and my uncle, and I fear my brother soon."

"Where is he?"

I asked.

"My brother or the Mithrandir?"

"Both."

"They have gone with the lords to the Black Gate."

A fire filled her eyes and she clenched her fist. Then her face softened and she looked teary.

"They go to their deaths. They will die in glory, but I must wait here . . . helpless until shadow come and take all."

Then a wave of sorrow washed over her and she hid her face from me and cried.

I sat quietly thinking on her words.

"No, that cannot be true. I don't want to be helpless anymore, there must be another way."

Suddenly she took my arm and looked deep into my eyes.

"No. We will not be helpless."

He eyes sparkled with a fierce light.

"Never be helpless. We will not lay idle."

"But what can I do?"

"I will help you find your brother. You must not be left alone in this place there is too much sorrow and death. You and I, we will heal each other and keep each other strong."

She put her arm around me and started to sing in a bright clear voice.

"Raise the banners now, raise your voices high . . . today we fight, to day we die. Be brave good men be strong for them, for King and Land and Family. Now we fight, no we die . . . Death to all our enemies."

The song stirred up all the silty sorrow deep inside us and we cried together until we were utterly spent and then we slept.

I was awakened by someone tearing the sheet off of me. The air was cold and I looked around bewildered.

"There you are! You gave me a fright. Why did you leave your room?"

A woman stood before me frowning with her hands on her hips, and her green eyes staring me down. I was confused. What did she want with me? Lady Eowyn stood behind her frowning down on her. The woman grabbed my arm and started to pull me out of the room.

"No!"

I protested

"Please I will care for her."

Eowyn said.

"Dear Lady you are ill and have little strength, please you must first look to yourself."

She continued to pull me, dragged me toward the door.

"Come on you, you need looking to."

She grumbled

"Who are you to tell me that I am weak?"

Eowyn spoke in a voice so fierce that all activity in the room stopped.

"I stand before you unaided now do I not?"

"Pardon me, my Lady."

She said and met Eowyn's cold gaze. That woman must have been of some strong will, for such a gaze would have frozen any warrior.

"Let her go. I will take care of her. I cannot bare to think of her wandering alone in this place of grief she is only ten years old."

"Lady, she has been intrusted to my care. I will make sure she doesn't wander and she will be rested and healed I assure you."

The woman turned to walk away.

"I insist that she stay with me and her brother be found."

Eowyn said sharply. I could see the worry in her face, like she was afraid to lose me. I didn't think she could ever be afraid.

"My Lady there are so many wounded and dying, I am but a nurse maid and have no time to search through every young boy here."

"What is your name?"

"Iroeth, My Lady."

"Who is in command of this house Iroeth?"

"The Warden my Lady, but he is much busied with the hurts of his people."

"I must see him immediately . . . if you will not help us he will."

She said looking to me gravely. Iroeth sighed and releasing my hand muttered . . .

"Follow me, my Lady."

She led us through the halls. The tall archways that seemed to stretch to the very sky and meet the sun that was just beginning to rise. The light fell upon the faces of the sick and dying. The whole place smelled of blood and bitter medicines. The marble floor was still cold under my bare feet and the chill draft made my skin rise in bumps. We came to a man in the hall. He had a long beard and looked tired and angry. In his hands he held a bundle of herbs that smelled sour and the look on his face matched their sent.

"Lady Eowyn insists that she speak with you immediately."

Iroeth said as she bowed and Eowyn nodded to him. I did nothing ignorant of any kind of etiquette. The man looked at me with an eyebrow raised. Someone rushed in, bowed and handed him another bundle of some kind of herb.

"I would like Amondine and her brother to be put in my care."

Eowyn said sternly.

"I am afraid that is not possible."

He said with a sigh.

"You are far to ill to take care of anyone, let alone two children. Besides, Lady you should be in bed yet another seven days. Let the Nurse maids do their duty and tend her while you are rested."

"But we will take care of each other, and Eamon will heal faster that way."

I said, but no one heard me. It was like I was invisible.

"Why does everyone say I am so weak? I am healed save for my arm and . . . "

She trailed off as another nurse took the herbs from him and whispered something to his ear. He nodded and she left in a hurry down the hall. Eowyn gave her an annoyed look.

"Please my Lady, return to your bed, the girl will go with Iroeth and you will rest."

Her face grew flushed and she clenched her fist.

"But she needs my help, She cannot be here alone all by herself, her brother is wounded and he is the only one she has left . . . she is afraid and needs someone, please."

" The girl will live, she has no grave injuries and she will do fine on her own I assure you. Though it seems to me my Lady that you need her more than she needs you."

"Are you so heartless? It is such a little thing that I ask! Why do you deny me this? If you will not let me follow the Lords at least grant me this!"

Everything was quiet for a moment. Then Iroeth took both my arms and started to drag me across the floor my feet slipping on the marble and my shift sliding up over my legs.

"So now we see the truth of the matter Lady."

The Warden said smirking. Eowyn looked him in the eyes fist clenched grinding her teeth.

"Who is in command of the city?" She demanded.

"I am but a healer, I do not know the comings and goings of Lords and . . . "

"Who is in command?" She growled.

"Lord Faramir is the heir of the steward."

He said calmly handing his bundles to a young nurse passing by.

"But he is resting, My Lady I don't . . . "

"Take me to him."

"My Lady I cannot."

"You will."

The Warden sighed and nodded his head to Iroeth. I ran to Eowyn and she enveloped me in her warm arms.

The Warden led us through the house. I learned later the place was called the Houses Of Healing, but to me it seemed more like a prison. The large arches and columns felt like bars and the white walls seemed to close around me tighter and tighter as if they would touch my skin. Suddenly we went through a doorway into a wide-open space full of light, it was a garden and had the light not been tainted by the evil shadow I would have been overjoyed to see such a beautiful sight. The sent of different flowers and herbs split through the stench of burning and death. All around us bustled the healers and nurses of the Houses collecting their medicines and people repairing the city with ropes and pulleys. The Warden strode forward and dismissed the other nurses and healers as he walked toward a wall overlooking the east and there, leaning on the wall was a figure of a man. I could not see his face, his body a dark silhouette against the golden rays. The man turned ans walked toward us and his face was revealed to me. Such a strong kind face with warm brown eyes, Faramir . . . the Steward of Gondor.

His gaze fell upon Eowyn and he smiled. A sharp pain ran through me. Why would he look at her like that? Did he even see me? The Warden pulled him aside and whispered something to him. I was in a wonder watching his face turn to a frown as he nodded listening to the Warden's story. He was so beautiful and I hoped that he would never smile because if he was so wonderful frowning when he smiled I would surly die. He dismissed the Warden and walked toward us.

"My dearest Lady." He said with a bow."Your people are brave, very honorable and very loyal, if there is anything I can do for you . . . "

Their eyes met and a fire burned in my chest. I could feel my face getting hot. I wanted to make him look at me. I wanted to scream Look At Me!

Eowyn grabbed my hand.

"This is Amondine, her brother is wounded and staying in this House. I wish for them to be put in my care that they could be together."

It was then that he finally looked at me. My heart skipped, I held my breath and my face turned an awful shade of crimson. He smiled and warmth flowed over me.

"Never have I had the pleasure of seeing two lovelier Ladies."

He knelt down toward me and searched my face with concerned eyes. I felt like I wanted to shrink into myself. MY bruises and cuts seemed to burn hotter as the blood kept rushed to my face I had to look away, although I felt foolish. I had wished his gaze so hard and yet I could not stand it.

"Unfortunately, I agree with the Warden. Lady please, heal yourself and then you may take care of whomever you wish."

"Please."

I whispered meekly, but again my words went unheard.

"The Warden would have us lay abed, doing nothing when there is so much to be done." Eowyn said teary eyed

"I too am obligated to stay within the walls of this white prison, though I would follow the Lords to their doom. Have you not heard my good friend's title? A warden he is indeed and we are all his prisoners."

Eowyn's face grew long and sad. A tear fell down from her eye.

"...I implore you, Put Amondine and her brother in my care. I have just met her and yet, she means so much to me."

She placed a heavy hand on my head. Faramir looked at her in awe and stepped back slowly.

"Yes, I too have felt much love for someone I have only just met."

"She is so young and I know all too well the burden of caring for someone that you love . . . At least let us share it for we are kindred spirits . . . we have much in common."

He knelt down to me and look right in my eyes.

"Is that what you would like?"

I looked down and slowly nodded my head ashamed of my bashfulness.

"Then it shall be."

He said, and Eowyn was like one of the white rose buds in the garden who shone in the pale light of morning.

We bid Faramir goodbye and followed the Warden as he led us to Eamon. Excitement heated up the inside of me, it felt like there were a thousand crows stirring in my stomach. But then my heart dropped as we walked into the room. To see him lying underneath those thin white sheets, he was so pale and his bandages held a hint of blood that stood out vividly in the gray. Oh, how I tired of the color gray. It was like the Evil had drained all the lifeblood out of the City and it leached out through the fields of Pelennor. But he was still alive. I ran to his bedside and put my head next to his. His skin was cold yet he looked to have a fever.

"Eamon wake up."

I whispered hoping that he would look at me with his bright eyes and smile. But he only groaned and turned his head.

"Please, wake up."

Eowyn came and stood beside me with her hand on my shoulder. Tears came to my eyes, it wasn't supposed to be like this. How could I have been so cowardly?

"Amondine."

He whispered finally opening his eyes that were no longer blue but the tiresome bleak and lonely gray. I wanted to leave I couldn't stand to see him this way. But I had to stay, he needed me.

"I'm here."

I whimpered. Eowyn knelt down next to me and put her arm around me.

"The pendant?"

"Here it is."

I said and showed him, he smiled. The light from the window that looked out on the east shone on the silver and made it sparkle. The reflection danced in his eyes and shone in Eowyn's hair making it look like liquid gold.

"Who is this lovely being? Surely she must be of the sun for its light shines from her face."

Eowyn laughed and it sounded like birds singing.

"This is Eowyn, she helped me find you."

I said as he reached out his hand and touched my face.

"Did you find him?"

I lowered my eyes ashamed. The one task he had ever given me, my first test of courage and I had failed.

"Don't worry." He said and pulled me to him. "You will, you will."

He kissed my forehead

"But how will I know?"

I asked but before he could answer me he went into a coughing fit.

"Lets go now, your brother needs his rest."

Eowyn said as she ushered me out of the room.

That night I crept into Eamon's room. I was sad for him. His breathing was heavy and he was feverish. He did not deserve this. What had he ever done wrong? I should have been in his place, but I knew I wasn't brave enough to be wounded for someone. I crawled into his bed just like he would do when I was sick.

"I'll watch over you, don't worry you can rest. I wont fall asleep, I'll stay awake all night I promise."

I said faithfully, like it was an oath. I owed him that much at least for him to know that I would be by his side. It was the only thing I could promise him.

"I remember when that was my job." He said weakly. "You are growing up now sister."

He turned his head and lifted his hand to my cheek. It felt light and it trembled. He closed his eyes and took my hand.

"The mists are no longer parted, the last ships will leave soon."

"Is that what the key is for? To open the mists?"

I asked but he was quiet and breathed heavily.

"Amondine, you will go with him wont you? And do whatever he tells you to?"

"Yes, but you're coming too."

I smiled and kissed his cold cheek.

"I love you."

I whispered

"I love you sister."

I lay with my head on his chest and fell asleep to the sound of his raspy breath.

The morning had come again, warm light through the eastward window. Everything was silent and something was wrong. I could feel it like something was missing, like I was alone. I sat up and my heart stopped. It felt like the talon of a great bird was squeezing my chest. Eamon was cold and I couldn't hear him breathing. His face was empty like a hollow crumbled shell. A sound came from me, like a desperate animal, a wale that shook me deep inside. He was just there, hadn't we just spoken and now it was morning and he was gone. The sound echoed through the halls in an eerie noise that scared me almost as much as Eamon's empty shell did. I soon heard someone running to me. It was Iroeth and some of her maids.

"What's wrong child?"

But when she looked at Eamon she knew. My arms instinctively shot out to her, reaching grasping. My whole world was spinning and I needed someone to hold me, someone to steady me. She came forward and patted my hand.

"Hush child."

She walked over to Eamon and pressed her ear to is chest and neck and listened in the silence for a whispery breath.

"You can help him. Please do something."

I pleaded. She looked at me with tears in her eyes.

"There is nothing I can do. He is..." The words seemed to crawl up her throat and spill down her lips. "He is dead."

"No! I didn't even get to say goodbye!"

I wanted to touch him and hold him but that wasn't my brother that, that thing wasn't my brother.

"No!" I screamed in a fury. "You cannot die! I will not let you be dead! The Mithrandir will come back! You have to come with us. You have to!"

I turned and ran out of the room. I felt so foolish saying those things. Eamon was dead and soon I would die too. The world was ended, and the sun need not rise again. Anger boiled inside of me. I could feel my blood turning thick and brown, burning me. My eyes began to sting but I swore I would not cry. I would not give the Dark Lord that satisfaction, never! He would never see me cry, no one would ever see me cry again. I ran and ran but didn't know where I was heading until I got there until I reached the calm and placid Garden that seemed to mock my vivid anger with its solemn quiet.

I ran through the flowers pushing them out of my way ripping the buds from the stems not caring that the thorns cut me, only angry at the beauty. Nothing could be beautiful anymore, it would remind me of him. I leaned over and put my heat down forcing my tears back and my sobs down. I would not cry.

Then I saw them, Eowyn and Faramir deep in conversation, lost in each other. They laughed and smiled, held each other's hand. I clenched my fists squeezing the torn petals so hard that sticky syrup leaked through my fingers. Their lips met and I could see the rapture in there faces. He put his hand on her cheek and looked deep into her eyes. I watched his lips form the words "I love you."

Something inside of me broke. I could feel myself crumble. I was denied my mother, and my father and brother were dead. Was there no one to love me?

The earth shook violently under my feet and a pillar of fire and lightning wrapped in black smoke shot up in the east. We watched in awe as it swirled higher and higher. It crackled and sparked burning and smoking glowing red and sulfur yellow. Then it disappeared and a wave of power blew passed us and for a moment everything was quiet and there was a piercing ringing noise and the earth shook again sounding like someone had broken a potter's jar and the clay crashed to the ground. Then all was still and golden rays pushed away all of the evil dark and all I could see was a yellow globe wreathed in white fire. I fell to my knees struck by the glorious sight.

Something burned my chest. Like molten metal splashed on me, it was the pendant and it burned my fingers when I touched it. A wondrous thing happened then. The stones that once seemed so dull and worthless started to pulse and then blaze with yellow and red fire that came from within. It cooled and I gazed at it in amazement.

"What is this? Who am I?"

Then I remembered what Eamon had said. He knew this would happen, somehow he knew. I couldn't run away anymore, I had to be strong like he was. He knew that he was going to die but he helped me find my way here, so I could be safe . . . So I could live. I realized that something was different about me. I had to find this man who was somehow more than a man, this man who was the key to my future. This was my destiny. I was Amondine, daughter of Haldis, sister to Eamon the brave . . . the protector. No longer would I shy away from fate. I would meet with destiny whenever he would arrive.