Hope's Renewal

Disclaimer: If I wrote L.o.t.R, I would be Tolkien. If I were Tolkien, I would be dead. If I were dead, I wouldn't have been able to write this story. Therefore, I am not Tolkien and I do not own this.

Chapter two:

We came to the Hall of the Tower seeking the Steward Denethor, to talk to him of Gondor's King, yet we did not find him. We came seeking answers and Denethor's council, yet we found it not.

Instead I found a bed, and on it lying my King and Uncle, surrounded by twelve torches and twelve knights of both Rohan and Gondor. In death, Theoden's face looked young and peaceful, like one who has no more care and simply sleeps. Silent we stood, Prince Imrahil and I, and I watched the Prince bow his head in sorrow and pain.

Like his, my head also bowed, not in sorrow but in righteous anger. For where lay she who I loved most, sister-daughter to the King? Where lay she who had fought so valiantly, who had died so bravely? Where lay the Lady Éowyn?

My fists clenched and I felt a weight on my shoulders, a pain that seemed endless. How I was to blame for her death! That I could lead her to such a fate, I who loved her and knew her more intimately than any other. I, who had raised her, helped her, held her. That I should cause the destruction of Lady Éowyn, and that she should go without honour for it. Cruel, accursed man am I!

"Where is the Steward? And where also is Mithrandir?" Imrahil's voice brought me back from the place of darkness, where my mind feels naught but pain, and returned me to the Hall of the Tower.

"The Steward of Gondor is in the House of Healing." Tears were in the guard's eyes, and I turned my face away, instead resting my gaze on one I knew well, a knight from Rohan. No tears filled his eyes.

My grief overcame me, why do they not cry for her? "Where is the Lady Éowyn, my sister?" I cried, my voice laced with pain. "For surely she should be lying beside the King, and in no less honour?" I gestured wildly to the grander of my Uncle's bed, my eyes blurring with tears. The knight said naught, but stared at me in fear and confusion. Why will he not tell me what they have done with my sister? Am I a madman for wanting to see her? Am I the only one who loved her? Why does he not cry for the White Lady?

"Where have they bestowed her?" I cried, my voice echoing about the room. The guard flinched slightly, as though I had stuck him, and I closed my eyes in pain. Oh, Éowyn, how could I have done this to you?

I felt Imrahil's hand on my shoulder, as if to draw me out of my grief. But why should I return, with nothing before me? I had lost all those I loved, am I not allowed to grieve?

I turned on him in anger, but the look he gave me was not one of pity, but confusion. "But Lady Éowyn was yet living when they bore her hither."

I stared at him and like a child's rag doll I felt my whole body go limp with shock. Could it be true? She had seemed so still and cold…

"Did you not know?" Imrahil said softly, his eyes shining with joy and pity.

Oh, blessed joy! Oh, blessed, blessed man who brings me such news! My sister, alive! That I should see this- nay, to feel this hope restore itself in my heart. My sister lives, and I so close to losing her forever.

And then fear crept into my heart and mixed with my joy. So cold had my sister been when she lay on the fields, so pale and still. What if she tarried not long in this world? Would I lose her yet?

I turned on my heels and left the room, saying nothing as I walked swiftly towards the House of Healing. I must get there soon, I must see her in the world of the living one more time.

For Éowyn.

Death in the morning and at day's ending

Lords took and lowly. Long now they sleep

Under grass in Gondor by the Great River.

Grey now as tears, gleaming silver,

Red then it rolled, roaring water:


A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Carawyn, who inspired me to write it! If you ever see this story, thank you very much! I will probably write one or two more chapters as well, so thank you.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter, if you could once again tell me how I went with my "Tolkien English" that would be great.

Please review and check out my LJ (link is in my profile)! Thanks!