A/N: I'm not very satisfied with this chapter, as I wanted to add more, but it's difficult for me to write any more without being fully decided on how exactly I want this to end. It would mean a lot if you guys could tell me what you want to see. I have two endings in mind, and I've hinted to both of them, and I think one of them is pretty obvious. So what do you want to see happen?

Help Susan!!!

Nayana: What don't you like about these last two chapters? Any specifics?

Chapter 35: Letters of Fire

Ever since Theodred's departure, Elentari had insisted on sitting beside the windows, gazing out into the plains, as if willing him to appear out of the horizon. Theodred's brief return seemed to have done her well, for she appeared to have more energy, did not sleep the day away as much, and a bit of color returned to her, though she still could not keep much down. The healers watched her with eagle sharp eyes, and examined her sheets weekly, anything for a sign that their prognosis was correct.

Less than a week after Theodred's departure, Elentari was awoken from a doze by the familiar sound of horns. She hurriedly summoned two serving maids, who helped her out of her bed, which she had been leaving at regular intervals, though not for very long, for anything other than a short walk exhausted her. It was too early for Theodred to be home, but she kept her hopes up. In the Great Hall, she met Eowyn, who was rushing out as well. She stopped when she saw Elentari, "It's good to see you up and about." It was like Eowyn not to add a title or even address her by name. She was direct, to the point, like Halas, which was something Elentari liked.

"Who is it?"

Eowyn saw the light in her eyes, and felt guilty for having to quench it, "Nay, not Theodred, but my brother, Eomer."

As Eowyn knew, the little joy she had seen in Elentari's eyes faded, and she bowed her head, "Oh."

Right on cue, Eomer appeared, removing his helmet and casting it to one of the serving lads. He looked older than his eighteen years, and as soon as he saw his sister, his furrowed brow loosened, and a grin broke over his face.

"Eowyn!" He ran towards her and swept her into his brotherly embrace.

Elentari felt that familiar wave of longing, followed by pain, come about her again, and she lowered her head. How Eowyn loved her brother, she talked about him constantly, and she could tell that Eomer loved his sister just as much. Seeing the two of them together, made her think of her own brothers: pompous, but courageous Boromir, and sweet Faramir. Iluvatar keep them from harm, she prayed.

Looking up, she caught Eomer's fiery gaze on her, and she nodded her head, "Eomer."

"My Lady," he greeted coolly, "I heard that you were ill." Eowyn looked from Eomer's cool gaze to the slightly bowed head of Elentari, nothing missing her keen eyes.

"I am a little better now," she did not meet his eyes, "Thank you for your concern."

As soon as she was gone, Eomer dropped his gaze, and Eowyn sighed, "You should give her a chance Eomer."

"Give who?" he feigned ignorance.

"You know very well who I am speaking of," Eowyn had just as fiery a temper as her brother, and it was most often released onto him, as well, "Elentari. You'll find that she's very kind."

"And come under her spell as the rest of you have?" Eomer shot back.

"Why do you not like her brother?"

"Why should I?"

Eowyn sighed, drew in a breath, willing herself to be calm, "Because she is part of our family now. Theodred loves her, I love her; why can't you? Why must you be so ornery?"

"She looks about the place disgusted, like she's lowering herself to live here. She always has that tortured, sorrowful look about her, even with Theodred. If she did not wish to come here, why did she marry him?" he spat out the words.

"It is true there is sorrow about her," Eowyn ceded, "But how would you feel if you left Rohan for Gondor?"

"I would not," Eomer replied instantly, "If she did not wish to come here, she should not have consented to marry Theodred."

"Maybe she did not have too much of a choice," Eowyn said softly, remembering the waver in Elentari's eyes the last time Theodred pledged his love for her. She shook her head. She did not understand this marriage business. She could see no good in it, except women becoming wasted and sorrowful, as her mother, and now sister did.

"What are you thinking about?" seeing the distant look within her eyes.

"Nothing," Eowyn replied, "I think you're just scared of her, Eomer."

"Scared of who? The Gondorian?" He barely ever said her name.

"You're scared that if you give her a chance, you'll love her as the rest of us do."

"You've always been a bit touched in the head Eowyn, but this is too much," he tried to keep his look of disgust, though she had struck a nerve. Eowyn made no reply, but caught the hesitation behind his brother's smile, and the look on her face clearly spelled, "Are you so sure I'm wrong?"

"I need to stop chattering here with you and get cleaned up, and report to Uncle," he dismissed himself.

Letters from Theodred had been frequent since he left, always ensuring him that he was fine, and asking about her condition. A young boy, barely her age, had arrived this morning with the latest one. Reading it had brought a smile to her face, as he wrote about the newest misadventures of the Riders, and their fireside conversations at night. He knew how much she enjoyed hearing these tales, never tiring of them, even after years of Boromir's, and kept account of all that he had time to.

The messenger boy had been instructed to wait for a reply, and he was sent to be fed, while Elentari dipped her pen in ink.

Dearest Theodred,

Did Halas really fall into the lake? Or did you accidentally lose your own balance and push him in? Tell him that I expect a full account of the incident when you return, and that if you indeed had some part in the affair, he need only tell me, and I shall deal with you.

I am feeling much better, though Eowyn still will not worry less. Eomer arrived this morning, shortly after your messenger, and I have left the two of them. The healers fawn over me every morning and night, especially at mealtimes. They insist that I eat, and watch me with piercing eyes. Eowyn insists that I have gained weight, for she says my 'clothes are tighter round my waist'. I do not believe her, for I still do not have an appetite for food, and one does not grow rounder from nothing.

I am walking every day, and yesterday Eowyn and I made our way to see her mare. I did not wish to enter the stables, so I waited outside for her to lead a few horses out. There was an adorable foal, beautiful white coat and strong legs, and he was pleading with me for more carrots. The breeder told me that I might name him if I wish to.

I think of you day and night, and I look to the day when you return to me. Best wishes to you and all your eored, especially poor Halas.

Elentari

She looked the letter over, finding no errors, and sealed it. As soon as a serving girl comes back, I shall give it to her for the messenger. She then reached under her pillow for another letter, this time from Gondor-from Faramir. She closed her eyes as she unfolded the paper and set her eyes upon the familiar writing.

He demanded to know why she had not written him, and how she was. She had not told Boromir anything about her infirmity, so she did not expect Faramir to know anything about it. In spite of herself, she brought the letter to her lips, remembering Faramir's as she kissed the parchment.

She had told Boromir to not let Faramir write her, but evidently, he had not listened, or Faramir had not told his brother. She should burn the letter, that she knew, for it blatantly declared his love for her all too many times, but every time she held the parchment over the fire, ready to cast it in, some part of her would break, and she would clutch it to her breast tenderly again.

"You know how much I love you, and I miss you more by the day. I feel you beside me every night, but when I reach out, there's nothing there. Come back to me, my Isilmë," he had written. She shook her head violently, how could she go back? She had to burn it. The letter was far from brotherly concern, which Boromir epitomized. She held it out against the fire once more, the flames shining through his flowing letters of ink, making them almost ethereal. You need only drop it Elentari, and it would be over. Just drop it. Her hand was so close to the fire that she could feel the burn of the flames. Faramir... She saw his face appear in the dancing blaze, and with a sob, she drew her hand back, and collapsed beside the fire, weeping, ashamed of her own weakness.

Love was like the fire in front of her. It's flames caught her be it her will or not, yet whether it would warm her heart, or burn it down, she could not tell.

A/N: Hopefully you liked it better than I did! The only thing I can say is we finally know what's up with Eomer!