A/N: woo hoo! Sky's getting a bit cheeky, isn't she?

animebishieluver: not a bad back up plan, I would think. Kicking, screaming, running away in revulsion...definitely an option if your after deflating his... er, ego...

question: no worries, my duck, all shall be revealed in good time.

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The next morning, I awoke before dawn confused and disoriented. The bed I was in was not my own and neither was the room. And my room definitely did not include a man sleeping in the same bed as me. After a few seconds, though, everything came rushing back—including last night. I almost giggled, thinking, hey—maybe this whole marriage thing isn't so bad. At twenty-four, I was sure Eomer had plenty of experience to make up for any that I lacked—and he did. His promise of "alright" was the understatement of all time. I could almost thank Theoden for throwing me into this mess.

I rolled over and looked upon my husband. It felt odd to think of him like that. He was still Eomer—a naked, slumbering Eomer—but he was my husband. His face, even in sleep, looked serious. And that was odd. When awake, Eomer's face would often break into brief, unexpected smiles before returning to its somber state. I let my eyes roam over his hair, mussed from our—er—activities, and down to a broad, muscular chest that was visible above the blankets. I grinned. Screw you, Danny boy. And teenagers in general.

"Good morning." Almost guiltily I snapped my eyes up to meet Eomer's sleepy, smiling ones. "See? It wasn't so bad, was it?"

"It was alright," I drawled, then laughed shyly. "It was wonderful."

"I'm glad," he said, and winked slyly. "Of course, that will have to satisfy you for the next few weeks or so."

"Why?" I asked, startled. To tell the truth, I'd been kind of looking forward to more of the same.

Eomer's smile flickered and faded. "Do you not remember? We leave for Helmsdeep at dawn."

"Oh," I said in a small voice. "I forgot."

"You can sleep a while longer," he sighed, "but I'd best get up. I'll wake you before I go ready Firefoot. You are going to see us off, yes?"

"Of course," I murmured, and rolled over as Eomer slid out of bed. I was still rather shy and wasn't quite ready to see him completely naked, though I'm sure it was a sight to behold.

As soon as it was safe, I watched Eomer get ready instead of going back to sleep. I wasn't sure I liked the thought of him going away for three weeks—or at all, really. In truth, he was the best friend I had in this place. I spent more time with him than with anyone, even Eowyn, who was more like a bossy older sister than anything. What if something happened and he didn't come back? What if I hadn't conceived? Or worse, what if I had?

"Eomer," I said, biting my lip. "You are—you're coming back, right?"

Eomer paused in donning his armor and came to kneel beside the bed. He took my hands in his and looked me in the eye. He had dark, honest brown eyes that reassured me as much as his words did.

"I will return," he said solemnly. "Most would call me a fool for making such a promise, but I will anyway. I did not marry you only to abandon you after one night as your husband."

"Thank you," I whispered. "That makes me feel better."

Eomer stood. "You should probably get up now. Freda drew you up a bath in that antechamber by the chests."

I waited until he was turned around and then dove out of the bed and all but sprinted into the bathing room. I heard Eomer laughing as he left the room. Shaking my head, I dropped into the wonderfully hot bath and washed my hair. Resisting the urge to soak (I was, understandably, quite sore), I clambered out and dried myself off as Freda came in with my underthings.

"Freda, should I wear something special to see them off or is it not a big thing?"

"Oh, no, my lady, something very simple—but it is big—almost an unofficial ceremony," Freda said. "I always forget that you are not from Rohan—you look as if you were born and bred here. All the women gather on the hill to watch the army leave after saying their farewells. There they may weep, where the soldiers can't see." Seeing my confused look, Freda pointed out, "Well, it's fair difficult to go to war with any amount of confidence if you've just left a sobbing woman."

"Good point," I said, donning the soft, dove gray dress that she handed me. I gestured to my combed, still damp hair. "Should I bother trying to do anything with this?"

"Nay, lady," Freda told me, taking the comb, "leave it loose; it will be lovely."

I ate a hurried breakfast and rushed down to the entrance hall, where Eowyn and a knot of women in soft, muted colors stood together, talking in hushed voices. Eowyn smiled wearily when I arrived and gave me a hug.

"Good morning—sister," she whispered. "Come, the men are waiting for us."

I followed her into the town square where the men were assembled, ready to mount. The village women were already there, saying their good-byes. Scanning the crowd, I quickly found him and waded through the organized chaos until I stood in front of him.

"So," I said softly, fiddling with the embroidered trim on my sleeve. "You're going to Helmsdeep—who are you fighting, anyway?"

"Orcs and Wild Men, most likely," Eomer told me.

I shifted awkwardly. "Well—you're coming back, so what's the point in saying good-bye?"

"None at all," Eomer said. He touched my cheek gently before mounting Firefoot. "I will see you in a few weeks."

I nodded and returned with Eowyn and the others to the steps of Meduseld, where we watched silently as the men mounted and, one by one, exited the gates. A few of the women around me began to cry. Almost without realizing it, I began to sing softly.

"I would I were on yonder hill

It's there I'd go and cry my fill

And every tear would turn a mill

Is go dte tu mo mbuirnin slan.

Siuil, siuil, siuil a ruin

Siuil go sochair agus siuil go ciuin

Siuil go doras agus ealaigh liom

Is go dte tu mo mbuirnin slan

I'll sell my rock, I'll sell my reel

I'll sell my only spinning wheel

To buy my love a sword of steel

Is go dte tu mo mburnin slan..."

I continued to sing until the soldiers had galloped out of sight. By the time I stopped, tears stained nearly ever face around me. Even my eyes were a bit watery. I didn't want Eomer to die. I might not have chosen to marry him had I been free to choose, but I didn't want him to die. Please, I thought, I'll never complain again if he comes back alive and well. I promise.

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Over the next week, I learned (started to learn, anyway) how to cook, sew, and even speak a little Rohirric. I did most of this in the afternoon. In the mornings, Eowyn and the few soldiers who had stayed behind helped me improve my archery (I knew a little bit already from gym class and summer camp and whatnot). Eamon, who had stayed behind because he twisted his ankle during the wedding games, started teaching me how to throw and fight with knives (everyone agreed that I was too little to wield a sword). The others taught me the rudiments of staff work. Often Eamon and I and a few others would sing after dinner when the entire household was present. Usually I played my flute, too. It was fun and I met a few people that way.

I was surprised, at first, that they were even allowing me to learn, much less helping me. When I expressed my surprise, Eowyn laughed and told me that the ladies of Rohan were not expected to be delicate flowers as the nobles of other realms were.

"That's why you waited until your father and brother were gone to dress in sensible clothing, I'm sure," I said with a grin.

"Nonsense," Eowyn said, but she was trying not to smile.

She strode through the practice yards easily in worn breeches and boots with a sword hanging at her side. I was dressed in a similar fashion, although my boots were not so broken in as hers and knives hung from my belt instead of a sword. We both carried bows.

"Are you ready to plant your royal behind in the dirt, lady?" my partner,Tholren, joked, poking me with his staff.

"I," I said with a dignified sniff, "am always prepared to plant my behind, royal or otherwise, in the dirt. In fact, I'm quite looking forward to it."

To my surprise, however, it was nearly Tholren who ended up in the dirt. Of course, I inevitably wound up on the ground, but it was a very near thing. Tholren helped me to my feet with a pleased grin on his face.

"Well done, my lady," he said, clapping me on the back. "You're getting quite good, you know. You nearly had me a few times."

"Yes, well, 'nearly' still ends up with me on the ground with a sore behind," I said ruefully.

"My lord Eomer is in for a surprise when he returns, in any case," another soldier said with a laugh.

I would have come back with a witty comment, I'm sure, if a horn had not started to blow.

"What's that?" I asked with a frown.

"Enemies approaching," Tholren said tersely, and ran. Over his shoulder, he called, "My lady, get inside!"

"Come on," Eowyn hissed, taking my arm. "Get your bow."

"What? But--"

"Come on!"

I hesitated a moment only. I grabbed my bow and a quiver of arrows and raced after Eowyn. At the stables, she threw a helmet and leather armor at me and barked out orders for our horses to be readied. Trying not the think too much about what I was doing, I pulled the armor on as quickly as I could and mounted Liadan. Eowyn was already out of the stable yard on Windfola, her snowy mare. Liadan and I raced after her.

Our soldiers had met a mob of nasty-looking men about three hundred yards from the gate. They were more than a little outnumbered, but the enemy was clearly not an army—only a few sported any type of armor at all and spears and axes seemed to be more common than swords. There was even a pitchfork or two. Eowyn had just joined the fray, swinging her sword like a madwoman as Windfola gleefully pummeled the enemy with her hooves. I glanced down at my knives and staff. Both would be near useless on horseback, but there was no way I was going on foot.

I scanned the area quickly. Behind the skirmish there was a small hill. If I could get atop that, I could use my arrows to pick them off at my leisure. Relative leisure, anyway. Taking a deep breath, I urged Liadan forward and we surged straight through the mess, trampling anyone who got in our way (none of our soldiers, thankfully). We flew to the top of the hill and wheeled. With steady hands, I took careful aim and let my first arrow fly. It struck a man in the throat. I loaded another arrow and quickly sought another target. This one found a man's leg.

"Easy," I murmured to Liadan, who snorted and stomped under me. She clearly wanted to rejoin the battle. I tried to shoot another arrow, but Liadan spoiled my shot when she stomped with both feet, joggling me. Hesitating, I dismounted and muttered, "Fine, then."

Liadan took off down the hill with a shrill whinny and plunged into the fray, cheerfully beating the crap out of anyone who came near her. I shot until my arrows ran out. I would have been proud if I'd had time to think about it. More of them hit their marks than didn't. When I reached for an arrow and found none, I didn't know what to do. The battle was still in full swing, although our men had won the advantage.

Sweet Jesus, what am I doing? I thought desperately, and sprinted down the hill, drawing both my knives as I ran. I let my momentum carry me into my first opponent. I crashed into him and knocked him down, nearly skewering myself on his sword. Without stopping to think, I slashed at his throat and rolled away.

"Sky! 'Ware sword!"

I spun around and ducked, cursing, as a sword missed my head by inches. I came up under the man's guard plunged my knife into his belly, gagging at the feeling of warm blood spilling over my hands. Heart racing, I jerked the knife free and looked around desperately for Liadan. I had to get out of there. What the hell was I thinking? I was a

skinny little jackrabbit—I was made for jumping and running, not warfare.

I didn't have any more time for mental whining. I met opponent after opponent, several times avoiding death or injury by inches. I wondered giddily how long my luck would hold. Not much longer, it seemed. As lurched away from my fallen enemy, I found myself face to face with a staff-bearing Nasty who immediately swung with all his might at my head. Helmet or no, I dropped like a stone.

I have no idea how long I was out, but it couldn't have been long. Since no one seemed to be paying attention to me and I didn't feel much like getting up anyway, I played dead until the sounds of fighting died away. When I was sure it was safe, I staggered to my feet and looked around, whistling for Liadan. She trotted over with a whicker of greeting and nosed me gently, lipping at my armor. I rubbed her nose wearily and dragged myself into the saddle, ignoring the growing nausea and headache.

"Sky!" I turned carefully and saw Eowyn rushing over. "Oh, I've been looking all over for you, are you alright?"

I looked at the blood splattered across her face and felt the sticky blood between my own fingers. In answer to her question I leaned over and promptly threw up, tumbling out of the saddle as Liadan shied away from the mess. I hit the ground with a groan and clumsily wiped my mouth with a clean patch of grass. I was so, so dizzy. Eowyn knelt beside me worriedly.

"This was your first battle?"

"Yes," I croaked. "Help me up? 'M dizzy..."

"Wait a moment," Eowyn said, tipping my chin up to look into my eyes. "Sky, were you hit in the head?"

"Yeah, with a—a staff or a sword or—something," I answered, closing my eyes. "Whassit matter what I got hit with, anyway?"

"Oh, dear," Eowyn muttered, and lifted me up onto Liadan's back.

She climbed up behind me and turned Liadan toward Edoras. I must have dozed off, because, the next thing I knew, I was in the bathtub and Eowyn was carefully cleaning a cut on my head.

"Almost done, my lass," Eowyn murmured.

"Ugh," I grunted. "What happened?"

"You don't remember?"

"Not really," I replied. My head felt clearer, but my memory of the battle had become a little foggy. "I remember getting hit, kind of, but not much after."

"Well, at least you remember that much," Eowyn said. "You remember what happened before you were hit?"

I nodded. "I was shooting from the top of the hill and I ran out of arrows."

"Good. How old are you?"

"Seventeen," I said with a frown. Then it clicked. I had a concussion. Hopefully not a bad one.

"Who's your husband?"

"Eomer."

"Which is my uncle's favorite horse?"

Oh, my God, am I supposed to know that? I wondered desperately. What if I really did have amnesia or something? "I—I don't know..."

Eowyn looked grave for a moment and then laughed. "Forgive me, that was cruel. My uncle's favorite horse is Snowmane, by the way."

I splashed water at her and grinned in relief. "You're horrible."

I stepped out of the tub and into a nightgown with Eowyn's help and waited as she braided my hair and bandaged my head. As I climbed into bed, something occurred to me for the first time.

"Were the men mad that we fought?" I asked curiously.

"Oh, Hafrin was furious," Eowyn said delightedly. Theoden had left Hafrin in charge of the soldiers. "Of course, I am in charge, technically, in my uncle's absence and he can't order me about. Or you, for that matter."

"I think I'll take Tholren's advice and get inside, next time," I said, touching my bandaged head lightly.

"You did wonderfully, though, for your first fight," Eowyn said, sitting beside me. "Your aim has certainly improved."

"I was surprised," I agreed, and let my eyes drift shut. "I thought I'd be lucky to hit even one."

"You hit plenty," Eowyn told me with a smile. "And there won't be a next time, with any luck. We're leaving in two days."

My eyes snapped open. "Leaving? Where?"

"We can't let this happen again," Eowyn said grimly. "As soon as everyone is ready, we will set out for Dunharrow." Seeing my confused look, she elaborated, "A fortress with plenty of soldiers. Well, more soldiers than we have now, at any rate."

"Oh," I yawned.

"You, however, will drink this and then stay in bed until we leave," Eowyn said firmly, handing me an herbal mixture of some sort.

I drank it down and then protested, "Stay in bed for two days? Are you mad? My arse will rot from inactivity and fall off."

"Oh, hush and go to sleep," Eowyn said cheerfully, and took my cup. "Someone will come in later to give you more of this."

Grumbling, I lay back and was asleep within moments.