Okay people, the third chapter is up. hope you like it:)

Eowyn was on her balcony window, looking out into the vast city of Minas Tirith. It was now sunset, and she watched the sky, red and orange, slowly begin to darken. She felt the cool breeze blowing through her hair and the sun's last rays on her face - oh, what she would give now to have not a care in the world. But alas, that was not to be her fate. She, the shieldmaiden, had just confessed all her worries, her secrets, her soul, to a ranger. A particular ranger, that only asked if she had recovered from their encounter the night before, and instead of just answering plainly, she poured out her soul to him. If it was any consolation, she told her self, he most likely knew all this already.

'But I'm a shieldmaiden!' she exclaimed exhuberantly to her surroundings. ' I do not need any man's pleasure.'

But Eowyn knew, in the deepest part of her heart, that she was lying. How else could you explain the fact that when Aragorn made the tiniest complement, such as 'thank you', her heart soared above the clouds? That when he did so much as smile at her, the gloomiest day turned into the most wonderful time of her life? He was the only one that had the power to make her truly, truly happy, and this was why she was so scared of him.

After her confession, though, she had to admit to herself that she felt better. She could probably never look at him again for mortification, but by admiting to herself and to him that he was the cause of her anguish and happiness had eased some of the pain in her heart. All of those feelings were just building up in her, waiting to be let out, but she had never let them. For years, she had inwardly held them, until finally they broke free. Which is why Aragorn now knoew all of her secrets. Eowyn would now have to face the consequences of her actions, which most likely included eternal shame whenever she looked at him. But still, she felt really calm, and she felt that the winter in her heart was melting again and making way for spring, maybe even summer. But now all Eowyn could do was wait.

For even after her confession to Aragorn, she knew that he most likely didn't return her feelings. She knew about Arwen, the elven princess, whose beauty was rumored to surpass even the night sky. It was not jealousy Eowyn felt for Arwen, for Eowyn was far to strong and proud a woman to do so, but envy. What a woman she must be, to claim the affection of such great a man! Eowyn longed for a glimpse of her, just to quench her own curiosity. But somewhere in her heart, even though Eowyn tried to believe that she thought that Aragorn could love her, she had hope. A little glimmer, perhaps, almost invisible, but it was there, and no matter how hard Eowyn tried to force it out of her body, it stayed in its place, with the resolution and stubborness many people admired in Eowyn herself.

Eowyn, to while away the time until nightfall, snuck out to the armory again. She was alot stronger than when she last visited, and she ran through her exercises without a flaw. Feeling exhausted but satisfied, she trudged back down the lonely streets, bathed in the last rays of the sun, until she reached her room. Hopefully no one would have noticed her absence, but to her dismay, she found that she had missed dinner, and the warden was hysterically searching for her. When he saw her, she was treated to a long lecture on telling the healers or himself when she wanted to go somewhere, and that she wasn't even supposed to be out of bed yet. Eowyn tried to put on a sorry face, but when the warden turned to leave the room, she rolled her eyes.

Somewhere in the shadows, there was an inaudible chuckle.

Eowyn sat up. She thought she had heard something outside her balcony, almost like laughter. She grabbed a small dagger she had smuggled from the armory, and cauciously crept onto her porch. After her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she searched for the source of the noise. Her eyes fell upon a small cat, and realising he was probably just meowing, she went inside and fell asleep.

But the cat wasn't the only one there. A man crept out, as soon as he had seen that the figure on the balcony had gone inside. This man was tall, and had a grey cloak, fastened by a brooch with a leaf of lothlorien on it. He petted the cat absentmindedly, but his eyes were still on the balcony, where the woman stood just moments before. A while passed, and the cat crept away, and only at daybreak did the man stand up, sigh wistfully, and go home.

so, how did you like it? sorry, i know it's short, but the next one should be up really soon! if i don't get enough reviews, though, i'll stop the story, so please review! thanks!

lily