And so it was that Aragorn came to Edoras and entered the service of Eomer.

Aragorn remembered the people of Rohan from days long passed. He had once ridden with Thengel under the guise of Thorongil, Eagle of the Star. The people of Rohan were proud and willful, but thy were true-hearted, generous in thought and deed; bold but not cruel; wise but unlearned, writing no books but singing many songs, after the manner of the children of Men before the Dark Years. It was in forgotten years long ago that Eorl the Young brought them out of the North, and their kinship is rather with the Bardings of Dale, and with the Beornings of the Wood, among whom there still were many men tall and fair as the Riders of Rohan.

As the months wore on and he rode more often in the host of the Rohirrim, Aragorn rose in the esteem of the people. He could earn no place as marshal, for he was not a son of Eorl, but all respected him and knew that their king revered him above all men. Often the two fought side by side and rode together over the fair plains of Rohan

It was not only Eomer who found affection for the ranger. Eowyn found her eyes following his form from afar. His company she watched often, and she discovered him a great leader of men. Eowyn would watch the glitter of their spears as she stood before the doors of a silent house.

Eowyn's attention did not go unnoticed by her uncle Theoden. Neither was he blind to Eomer's growing love for the man. Though he had spent little time with him, Theoden had already learned of his leadership and recognized him as the prophesized king. A man of sucheight: 150;" class"MsoNormal">It was not only Eomer who found affection for the ranger. Eowyn found her eyes following his form from afar. His company she watched often, and she discovered him a great leader of men. Eowyn would watch the glitter of their spears as she stood before the doors of a silent house.

Eowyn's attention did not go unnoticed by her uncle Theoden. Neither was he blind to Eomer's growing love for the man. Though he had spent little time with him, Theoden had already learned of his leadership and recognized him as the prophesized king. A man of such power would doubtlessly be of value to Rohan.

But what would bind a man of his prime to a land not of his birth, to a people not of his blood? Theoden pondered these things while watching Aragorn grow closer to Eomer and greater in the eyes of the people and fonder in the heart of Eowyn.

All of the Rohirrim loved the Ranger save one – Theodred. It was he who once rode by the king's side and won victories. He never spoke ill of him, though he always watched for fault.

Aragorn passed the months, ever in the esteem and hearts of the people. Arwen meanwhile waited for his return. From afar she watched over him in thought, and in hope, she made for him a great and kingly standard.


A/N: sorry so short, but I wanted this at the end of the OTHER chapter, and it was apparently too many words or something. Kinda boring chapter, but whatever. I have to somehow condense a year or so.