A/N: I love my reviewers!

Lindahoyland – I knew that Tolkien had modeled them largely off of mythology, thus my sparked interest. Then I read some and fell in love!

Gingerbeer – Ooops! I'm so sorry. I think I've fixed all references to it, but if I'm wrong again, correct me.

Otherworlder – I haven't read Wagner's actual stuff, but I've read the plot summary and how it's different from the Elder Edda and Volsungsaga. I kinda found Gudrun a lot harder to sympathize with in that version. In the others, I really liked her. I have taken a few elements from the Germanic tale however. Oh, and about who suits who … banging head on wall! I hadn't even thought of it. Arggg. Now I'm tearing out my hair. I originally read the tale in Edith Hamilton's Mythology. It gave an EXTREMELY condensed version, centering on Brynhild. From that my ideas began formulating. I figured that Eowyn's family fit the role (her having a brother and all). Nothing was mentioned of Brynhild's family in that version, except that she was the daughter of a god. In that respect, I figured Arwen fit best, considering her elfishness (OMG! That's actually a word!). And Gudrun's later life (according to EE and VS) really fit Eowyn … sort of. Basically, I totally see your point. It's kinda late, though, cause I've written several chapters. You write that version!!! I'll read it and love it and wish it were mine!

By the way, folks, if you read the 1st chappie a while back, reread, or at least read the end. I added a little bit more.

In this chapter (and all of them really) try to spot the Tolkien quotes! They're all over. The stuff in italics is from the translated version of Volsungsaga or the Elder Edda (with proper names and such changed to fit the story).


CH2: Many Meetings

Eowyn pulled her hair from her face wearily.

"What troubles you, lady?" Frea, her cousin asked.

"A dream."

"What did you see?"

"I saw a bird, swift and glinting like gold in the sunlight. It perched in the window of a great lady, her nobility great, yet it flew from her. It came and alighted on my gloved hand; and I loved it, for a fairer creature I have never seen. Then it left my hand, but stayed above me, and ever was I in its shadow."

"Let not dreams trouble you, for I do not think it was evil," Frea reassured.

Eowyn smiled at her. "Fear not, cousin, for the dream comforted me. 'Twas not the dreaming which made my heart ache, 'twas the waking."


Aragorn headed south, desiring once again to see the mountains of Gondor, yet not even a day into his journey, he was delayed. Mithrandir had come into Rohan on a great task needing a steed to bear him to the house of Elrond. The king denied him a horse, though, for Gandalf was not as welcome as Saruman in the days that had come. Aragorn came across the wizard and stopped to converse with him. On discovering his predicament, Aragorn lent him his horse, knowing his mission was great and hoping to find another among those of Rohan.

A foreboding in his heart told Aragorn that he would not see the Grey Pilgrim again, so he begged to know of his fate. "Hide nothing from me however hard."

Gandalf answered:

"Thou knowest that I will not lie.

Never shalt thou be stained by baseness.

Yet a day of doom shall come upon thee,

A day of wrath and a day of anguish.

But ever remember, ruler of men,

That fortune lies in the hero's life.

And nobler man shall never live

Beneath the sun than Aragorn."

Aragorn was both troubled and comforted by these words. Thanking Gandalf, he left him. Two days he traveled on foot finding neither man nor beast to help or guide him. It was on the third day that he saw horsemen approaching.

The riders approached swiftly, giving him little time to react. He stood still as their host swept past him, but once they were only a short distance, he called, "Hail riders of Rohan!"

Almost instantly, the riders turned in formation and swept back down the hill, circling him. Soon he found himself encompassed by many beasts and many spears.

"Who are you stranger, and whom do you serve?" the tallest man, and leader, asked roughly.

"I am a traveler here," Aragorn replied. "I knew not that Rohan's hospitality had waned."

The captain's eyes narrowed. "These are dark times, and as Eomer King, I have the right to know whom you serve before I give you access to my lands."

"I serve no man, but the servants of evil I pursue into whatever land they may go."

"You would pursue an enemy on foot and unarmed?" another of the company scoffed.

"Theodred!" Eomer snapped, silencing him.

"In need such a man that has not horse will go on foot, and he will not ask for leave to follow the trail. Nor will he count the heads of the enemy save with a sword. I am not weaponless," Aragorn answered. Then he unsheathed Anduril, its blade glittering in the sun. "I am Aragorn the son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar, the Elfstone, Dunadan, the heir of Isildur Elendil's son of Gondor. Here is the sword that was Broken, and it is forged again."

Eomer cast down his proud eyes. "These are indeed strange days. Dreams and legends spring to life out of the ground." Then looking up, he smiled. "Come my lord, if you will, with us to Edoras. For we have been gone many a month and will receive warm welcome."

"I do not know if I can stray from my journey, yet I will come, for the companionship of men is good for the heart. Long have I wandered alone," he replied.

This so, an extra horse was given to him, and he rode with them to Edoras.

When Eomer and his men arrived, Eowyn met them on the green terrace upon which the Golden Hall rested. The two siblings greeted one another, and it was apparent to all that a great bond of love was between them. As the evening had come and all was dark, Eowyn bade the men come into the fire-lit hall.