Eomer and his men rode all through the night and next day before they arrived at the mouth of the Isen. Sadly they were too late. The men checked every body on the ground to be sure but to no avail. Theodred, his men and friends were all dead. The Marshall returned his body to Edoras. Upon their return, the city went into mourning for their lost Prince. It was a sadness that was felt by all, but none so more than by the Third Marshall. The shame Eomer bore for his indiscretion with Theodred's wife, cut through his core more deadly than any physical wound could have done. More so because whilst he and Lothiriel were in the midst of their betrayal, Theodred was being cut down. During his time in Edoras since the prince's death, the soldier rode out daily with his Eored to kill the orc filth that was spreading ever inwardly in the Mark. Those at court agreed this was the Marshall's way of avenging the death of his sovereign and brother, although Eomer would never reveal the truth. His one man quest was a way of trying to atone for his treachery.

Even his sister, Eowyn could not begin to understand what plagued the soldier's mind. The white lady was a wise for her age, however at present, sickened by her own grief and distressed by the ever watchful eye of Grima, Eowyn was little help to her brother. The once strong woman had witnessed so much destruction and torment at the hands of her uncle's advisor, that she found her resolve was beginning to fail. She began to fear for her own life and dreamt of the most unspeakable things that could befall her, if the situation did not change. Theoden King, could no longer protect her. Eowyn feared the dark spell that had been cast upon the once strong ruler was complete, and she held no hope that anyone could save him now.

The only person that seemed to glean any joy from the situation was Grima. His machinations against the King, with the help of Saruman, were working. It was he that ruled Edoras now in all but name. Nothing happened without his say so. So clever and devious he had become, that Theoden's own men were now duty bound to the nefarian. The slimy creature was able to do anything he wished and no-one could challenge him. With Theoden's mind enslaved and Theodred lying in the ground, the only person that could foil his plans was Eomer. Though the Marshall's absent from court had helped Grima's takeover, this too was beginning to present a problem. Saruman's Uruk-Hai were key to the wizards takeover of Rohan, yet the Third Marshall and his men were finding success in routing them out and deflecting their tactical invasion. However the resourceful man used this as cause to get rid of Eomer once and for all.

Eomer had been summoned by the King before the whole court to answer for his recent actions. He had disobeyed Theoden's direct order, to remain in Edoras with his Eored and defend the city from attacks. Or that had been the charge. The soldier did not deny the accusation but defended his actions. He had ignored the order in attempt to protect the Mark from within.

As Eomer entered the Golden Hall, he was met with stunned silence. An audience of Riders, councilmen and nobility were lined about the room, as his sister stood worriedly behind a pillar near the King's seat. Many of those present were once his friends and comrades, but were now firmly under the command of Grima. He did not hate them for their acquiesce, they were the King's loyal servants and were acting as they believed their King wanted them to. The Third Marshall stood before the King at the bottom of the dais and bowed his head respectfully towards his Uncle.

"Eomer, son of Eomund you stand charged with sedition. How do you plead?" Grima hissed accusingly.

"Not guilty." The determined soldier replied.

Eomer did his best to remain calm in this situation. He did not take the accusation lightly and knew if his Uncle so wished it, he could have been put to death. He hoped that if the King had any shred of his former mind, he would have overlooked the perceived deceit. Deep down, Eomer knew that his summoning to court was down to one man. The same man that had plotted against Theodred and his wife. At that moment, Eomer allowed his mind to wander back to Lothiriel. He had been so determined to forget what he had done and to find absolution, that he had not allowed himself to think about her since he had left. He pushed all memory of her from his mind and returned his attention to the evil man before him.

"You have on numerous occasions taken uncommitted forces from Edoras into the fold and left your King insufficiently defended. Do you deny it?"

"No…but," Eomer answered but was then cut off.

"Now there are reports, you have allowed three strangers to go free...and willingly gifted them horses of the Mark." The slimy man did his best to cover his happiness as he told the court everything.

"My King...I do not disagree with what I am charged with. But know I did so with the hope of ridding our lands... of the Uruk filth that has been given unchallenged access to our borders."

Grima surveyed the young soldier from beneath his hooded eyes and countered,

"Unchallenged? Do you mean to accuse your King of failing to protect his people?"

Fired burned beneath Eomer's eyes. The wicked man had his claws so deeply embedded within his Uncle that he knew there maybe no escaping his wrath unless he publicly announced that he knew about Grima's true intentions.

"I do not accuse the King. But I do charge he that speaks so often on his account."

There were mutterings around the room as Eomer openly denounced Grima.

"I say it is you Grima... that is the true enemy. You have poisoned the mind of the King... and have done so with intent to seize power for your own gain."

The once quiet mutterings became louder as those gathered questioned the validity of Eomer's statement. Those men knew him to be an honourable man and loyal to his Uncle. However, they were blindsided to Grima's evil plans.

Beside the scheming Wormtongue came a feeble splutter from the King, "Prison."

Grima smiled maniacally and addressed the court, "Silence. Eomer, son of Eomund... you will be taken into custody to await the King's justice."

Four riders surrounded Eomer their spears and swords drawn. The soldiers grabbed their captain by the arms and began to strap him in irons. Eomer did not struggle nor was he willing to go. He allowed his men to take him, for fear of their safety and that of his sisters should he fight back.

Eowyn watched from behind a pillar as her brother was taken away. She felt a tear streak down her cheek and an uneasy tightness across her chest as she struggled to breath. The white woman was now truly alone.

o0o

The night was dark and cold. The wind howled through the corridors of Meduseld but none more so, than down in the stone dungeons beneath the Golden Hall. It was a dank and terrible place with little to no light inside and no comfort for any prisoner being held there. After all it wasn't a place that was lived in, it was a holding cell for those prisoners that would only be needing it a short while.

Eomer found himself alone in one of the tiny cells. He sat on the cold hard floor, stripped of his armour, weapons and dignity. His knees were bent, arms wrapped loosely around them whilst he held his head low in shame. He sat contemplating all that he had done in his short life. The death, despair and betrayal he had witnessed and been unable to prevent. He thought briefly of his own treason and resided that his situation now was his penance. Whatever the King decided to do with him next, imprisonment, exile or even death; that was the price he was going to pay for his behaviour. He sighed heavily and shifted his feet on the dirty stone. He threw his head back against the rough surface of the cell and closed his eyes as he accepted his defeat.

As Eomer sat there in the darkness he heard a small voice call out his name, and noticed the distinct sound of metal being scraped along the stoney floor. His cell door was being opened and a figure wrapped in a dark cloak entered. He could not see their face as it was shrouded by a hood. The torch they were carrying hurt his eyes as the sudden light shone down on his face.

"Eomer...are you alright?" It was Eowyn.

The soldier jumped up as quickly as he could, but found his limbs stiff from the cold.

"Eowyn what are you doing here?"

"Shh...we don't have much time. Hama can only spare us a few minutes."

Eowyn spoke quickly but kept a watchful eye on the cell door.

"You must leave the city Eowyn. Do you understand? You must get as far away from here as possible."

"No Eomer...I will not leave you. I will speak to our Uncle...there may be still some hope."

Eowyn sounded desperate and despite her words did little to comfort her brother.

"Eowyn listen to me," Eomer grasped his sister by the shoulders and spoke clearly, "You must go as soon as you can...ride for Aldburg...there are a few men there still loyal to me. They will help you escape."

"I cannot go there and risk exposing Lothiriel. Eomer...they think her dead and it must stay that way. With Theodred gone...she is no longer protected by Rohan law. They will find her... and kill her!"

A/N - I have to confess, writing this paragraph was extremely difficult. I sought some advice from Abbyland and she really helped me finally make a decision. Thank you!

For those that know the books well, this is sort of what happens but obviously I have changed a few bits to fit my AU. Hopefully it makes sense. I know I have rushed through Theodred's death and Eomer's imprisonment, but I didn't want to completely re-write Tolkien's words. I love him and the original, please don't be too mad! Please continue to read and review. Thanks Mrs-E x