A/N I know another short chapter. But that was where I wanted to cut it off so sorry!
I keep on forgetting to do the disclaimer so here goes: I do not own Eomer (I wish I did though), Eowyn, or any other of the usual characters. Falinwe, Gunlan, Brandan, Yanulf and Ganf ARE mine, and probably others later on.
The story starts just before the attack on Theodred at the Fords of the Isen, and carries on through the War of the Ring. Please don't kill me if I get some things wrong in events, this is MY story, and Ishall bend it to my will. MWAHAHAHAHA!
Please ignore that last bit lol.
Eomer! Falinwe thought later. The Third Marshal of the Mark! No wonder her father had wanted her to meet him
She remembered his smile as he had spoken to her of trivial things, his laugh, deep and booming as she had responded to his comments with razor sharp wit.
His men had found the slain orcs not long after they had found her, and he asked about the ones who had clearly fallen to a blade, her blade. He wanted to know where she had learnt to defend herself.
She had shied away from the question as she had been taught, and not long after he had changed the subject to her horse, Ganf.
She told him of the horse's valor, and of his unique personality, Eomer had responded by telling her of his own horse, Firefoot, and of how he too, had a distinct personality.
They had laughed so much, and liked so many of the same things, it was like talking to an old friend.
Falinwe's mind shied away from that thought.
He had been so solicitous of her wound and had asked her several times how it was feeling, she eventually told him to quit being a nursemaid and that she would be fine, it was merely annoying her.
xxxxxx
What Eomer hadn't known when Falinwe complained of her shoulder, was that it was the burning that ailed her, and not the itching that accompanied a healing wound.
The next day Falinwe could not be roused from her sleep, and Brandan, the healer among Eomer's company, began to worry that the arrow had been poisoned. Sending for the town's healer, he discovered the only healer in the vicinity was lying in the bed before him!
"My lord Eomer. She is failing fast, and she is the healer for this place. I cannot save her alone." Brandon said as Eomer entered the room.
"Will she make it to Edoras?" Eomer asked, feeling somewhat angry about something, anything. What was he if he couldn't even save one girl?
"My lord, if we make haste she will make it there. You intend for your sister to tend her?"
"Then make haste Brandan. And yes, if anyone can help, it's Eowyn."
"My lord. We have received word that Lord Theodred has been overrun at the fords. We must make haste and help them." Gunlan burst into the room.
Eomer growled low in his throat. Too many things were happening, too fast. He wanted to help Falinwe, but he had to help Theodred, his cousin.
"Very well Gunlan. Brandan, take Falinwe to Edoras and my sister. Gunlan, marshal the men, we ride to the Fords to help my cousin." Eomer commanded in a crisp tone that brooked no argument from either man.
As Gunlan and Brandon left to their chores, Eomer bent over Falinwe.
"Falinwe. Can you hear me? I have to lave you in Brandon's care. He will take you to Edoras and to my sister, Eowyn. She will care for you and you will heal. She's so stubborn she'll make you do it. Falinwe?"
The pale face before him stirred a little, but she did not wake. Eomer sighed. He didn't know how he'd become so attached to her in such a short time, but he had.
She had a quiet strength he'd come to admire already. He'd listened to stories from the townsfolk of the area as they worried about her. What he'd heard had reminded him greatly of Eowyn.
He hoped that the two of them wouldn't clash too greatly before he returned to Edoras.
Reaching out, he put his hand on her forehead and found it was cold and clammy, not a good sign. He hoped she made it to Edoras.
xxxxxx
She was burning inside, and she couldn't make her limbs move. Her shoulder was the only place that didn't burn, no it was freezing cold. She knew in the back of her mind that the arrow must have been poisoned. Just her luck, she finally meets a man she might be able to accept and now she was going to die.
The man who had been sent to tend her was efficient, but he didn't know poisons. Her hearing seemed to be working and she'd heard him tell Eomer she was the only one that could help her! Well that was terrific.
She so wanted to open her eyes and see what was going on. She listened to the conversation between Eomer and his second in command, Gunlan.
No, it couldn't be, Lord Theodred, overrun!
She heard the authority in Eomer's voice as he ordered her sent to Edoras for healing and as he told Gunlan to muster the men. A true leader, he knew exactly what needed to be done.
She wasn't expecting to feel his hand on her forehead, a warm, calloused hand that was somehow tender as he felt her skin.
She also wasn't expecting the words that came next and the tone they were said in. It was as though he were speaking to a loved one, not the injured daughter of a minor noble.
She tried to open her eyes again, to show him she understood, but failed again.
As Eomer strode from the room, he didn't see the single glistening tear slide down her cheek.