The days following Eomer's imprisonment were drawn out and fraught with nerves for Eowyn. So much had changed in such a short space of time the young woman constantly found herself reeling, drowning in her sorrow. Though the white lady had suffered alot in her short life her brother, uncle and cousin had always been a constant source of merriment and love for her, she had wanted for nothing. In truth Eowyn counted herself extremely fortunate to have such a close bond with her family and had always striven to give to others the same love she had. Now those closest to her had been taken away.
Eowyn sat in the confines of her room and sobbed. She could not recall a time -since her parents left the world- where she had been so unhappy. She rest her elbows on the wooden desk and lay her head in her hands as tears flowed quietly down her face. She sniffed softly trying to gain control over her breath and senses, but found it difficult. As she wiped a salty tear from the top of her lip she did not hear the door open behind her, but felt the presence of someone in the room. The scared woman turned quickly in her chair and spotted Grima standing in the doorway, an unpleasant smile on his face.
"Why do you hide here my lady?" He spoke oily.
Eowyn stood from her seat and tried to appear strong in front of the villain. She bit back her tears and fixed her face into a firm stare. What could be want with her now?
Grima slunk into her room and began inspecting the things around him. He rest his bony fingers on the high chest opposite the door and began to fondle the ornaments that lived there. Eowyn glanced at the open doorframe and contemplated how quickly she could leave, but stood her ground bravely. The worm's eyes wandered around the room from the drapes at the window, the thick soft furs on the floor and finally the lady's low wooden bed, that sat in the centre of the room. He snapped his gaze on her when he saw the unmade bed. This sent a cold chill down Eowyn's spine.
"I understand it must be hard for you my lady. To have buried your parents at such a young age...and now to have laid your own cousin in the ground. I am astounded how you have not succumbed to your own grief."
Grima did his best impression of supportive encouragement but all Eowyn could hear, were words of corruption and malice.
"Now that your brother had forfeit his life with his hasty behaviour...you must act wisely to secure your future."
Eowyn looked at the menacing creature mouth agape.
"An advantageous match my lady would ensure your survival in these dark times," Grima slid his way closer towards the astonished woman and continued in a whisper, "I would be more than happy to declare my allegiance to you...after all," The slimy man inched his mouth closer to Eowyn's ear as he finished, " I hold the King's ear...and can arrange the match in no short time."
Eowyn drew herself back disgusted and spat back, "Get away from me you vermin."
"Do not mistake me my lady...what other choice do you have? Ally with me and I will make sure your brother does not meet with the hangman's noose."
Eowyn edged towards the door of her chamber and shook her head in disbelief, "You are truly evil!"
The outraged woman fled the room as quickly as she could. She almost ran down the corridors away from her chamber not caring which direction she went, just as long as she put enough distance between herself and the wormtongue. Eventually she stopped and leant against a stone wall, panting to regain her breath. Her mind was swimming at the conversation she just had and briefly she remembered what Eomer had told her the night before. Was now the time to leave? She did not know which men were loyal to her or could help her escape. Whilst her brother lived she vowed she would not leave him and so she wouldn't go back on her word.
As she hid there, there came a loud blast of a horn from outside Meduseld. Eowyn recognised the sound instantly, it was the horn of the mark. The ancient horn of Eorl that was only blown when guests and dignitaries arrived at Edoras. The last time it had been heard, was upon Lothiriel's arrival some months ago, but it had remained unused since then. The white lady rushed toward the Golden Hall to see who this newcomer was.
Of late she had taken to standing behind one of the large wooden pillars that held up the thatched roof of the Golden Hall. Hiding, rather than standing the woman would admit. So now as the newcomers were permitted entrance, this is where she stood.
The strangers were an odd bunch. Four in total. An elderly man she noticed was bent crooked -much like her Uncle- and walked in on the arm of a tall fair haired stranger. The last time she had seen him was some months earlier. Gandalf the grey he was called, a wizard from the south. From this distance and position behind a pillar Eowyn couldn't be sure, but she swore the man whom held Gandalf up was no man at all. He had pointed ears and eyes of truest blue, an elf she was most sure. The third man was unmistakably a dwarf. His stature, extremely long beard and garb were clearly dwarfish. The last in their company was a man as tall and as broad as her brother, but his hair was cut much shorter than his and was infinitely darker. A stark contrast to the flaxen haired men of Rohan. His name she did not know.
Gandalf dressed in grey was the first to speak,
"Hail! Theoden...son of Thengel." His voice was hoarse but there was a certain power and warmth in his words.
"Welcome Gandalf...or should I be wary of your presence? Ill news seemed to follow you, whence last we met. My son now lies in the ground...Eomer has abandoned me...and I hear tell from Gondor, that the Dark Lord rises in the east. " Theoden King replied.
Eowyn listened to her Uncle as he spoke, but knew that it was not Theoden's voice that she heard. The aged man had uttered no more than the odd sound in recent days, yet now he spoke in eloquent sentences.
"You speak justly my lord." Grima interjected. The evil man had resumed his usual position at the King's side and surveyed the newcomers with suspicion.
"Such is the hour that this wanderer chooses to return? Why should we welcome you?"
"Be silent! I did not pass through fire and death to bandy crooked words with a servant of Saruman!" Gandalf hissed.
At that moment the aged man raised the staff he leant upon and a roll of thunder was heard throughout the hall. The sunlight seemed to disappear and the room was enveloped in darkness. Gandalf threw back his cloak and emerged all clad in white. A light shone from within him and he appeared to grow in size. He uttered words Eowyn had never heard before, they terrified and bolstered her at the same time. A flash of blinding light splintered from the ceiling towards Theoden King, forcing those around him including Grima to the ground but left the wizard unscathed.
"Hearken to me...Theoden son of Thengel. Not all is dark. Listen to my counsel... for counsel I freely give."
Slowly Theoden King left his chair. The darkness seemed to dissipate in the room and the hall grew light again. The crooked King stood falteringly and appeared as if he would fall. Eowyn rushed to his side and offered her arm to the King. She watched in awe as the decrepitness of old age began to lift from her Uncle, and the once bright spark that shone in his eyes crept back into them. The lines of care were smoothed away from his face as he smiled at her for the first time in what seemed an age.
"Eowyn...my sister-daughter. Is that really you?" He asked shakily
"Yes Uncle." She cried.
The re-born King embraced his niece with genuine love and placed an affectionate kiss on her brow. Theoden looked around his halls and his brow began to furrow,
"Where is Eomer...where is my sister-son?"
"I believe you hold him prisoner, by the counsel of Grima." Gandalf put calmy.
"Send for him at once." Was his immediate reply.
The King looked upon his once trusted servant whom remained on his back on the stone floor beneath him, and his face grew stern. He began to rise to his full height and became angry to those that looked upon him.
"Your sorcery would have left me crawling on my belly like a snake..and taken those that I loved from me. What was your reward for this treachery?I advise you to go quickly or feel my wrath."
The once formidable man was now found to be shrinking at the mere thought of Theoden's fury. As he edged backwards away from his liege-lord, Grima did well to not trip over his long robes before he turned on his heel and made his way quickly and quietly out of the Golden Hall. As the edges of his black cloak disappeared down the stone terrace, Eomer returned to the Hall of his King. He still bore no armour or helm, but had been given back his battle sword by Hama. Once again proving his fealty to not only Theoden King but to his kinsman.
The crowd in the dimly lit hall parted as Eomer made his way swiftly towards his King. The new arrivals too watched with interest as they saw the hardened soldier kneel before Theoden and pledge his sword willingly.
"Forgive me Eomer...sister-son. I great wrong I have done you...that I hope to remedy." Theoden spoke softly towards the younger man. He held great respect for the Marshall. Although he could not remember to particulars yet, he knew deep down that any wrong Eomer had done, was done so in the best interest of Rohan.
"No my King...I do not want your forgiveness. I am still yours and Rohan's loyal servant." The stunned surprise was clear on Eomer's lips as he looked at his King. The Marshall could not believe the transformation of the man before him. Gone was the weak and feeble minded man he had grown accustomed to, instead stood before him the strong and shrewd man he had grown to love like a father in his youth.
Theoden frowned once more as Eomer spoke.
"No Eomer...do not pledge your service to me. Theodred I know is slain. My mind was clouded but that I could not forget. Therefore I name you...Eomer son of Eomund...my heir."
Eomer bowed humbly before his King. It was an honour that he did not deserve, but he loved the man in front of him and was therefore duty bound to accept his wishes.
A/N - Hi everyone, I know this chapter roughly follows the book and apologies if people think I skipped over any essential parts. Like I said in the last chapter, I love Tolkien but want to move the story on to fit my AU storyline and I don't want to fully re-write the plot and do Tolkien a disservice in the process. Hope you are still enjoying the story and continue to read and review! Thanks Mrs- E