A/N

Hello, long time no see... I know, anyone reading this now will have given up on this story, it has been so long since I last updated.

Since I know my leaving this story for so long caused a few of you disappointment and annoyance, I want to explain a little. After what happened with Aedre in the stables I found my readership and reviews/messages in general dropping. I began to doubt the story, my writing and where I was taking it. Without much encouragement and advise on if the direction I took was bad or good, I lost faith in myself. I wrote several more chapters and hated every single one. I just could not get comfortable with the story, the characters and it felt forced. So I deleted them and my muse ran away... and that was the end of that.

Recently, (due to re-watching LOTR and The Hobbit) I decided to re-read a little of my own story and was surprised and shocked by how much I enjoyed it. How much it is something I myself wanted to read and it re-lit the spark that maybe I could finish this, that in truth I had always been writing for myself and while reviews and discussion are very nice and give a boost, the main thing is, I should finish this for myself. I am still most, most grateful for reviews, your thoughts etc and I can't deny they do spur me into writing more, but it is not my sole reason anymore for finishing this. So to anyone who has been with me from the beginning, thank you for reading this, to newcomers, a thank you for taking the time to slog through this unfinished story.

I cannot promise to finish quickly, but I do intended to try and finish this, come what may, if you stay with me until then, you have my deepest heartfelt thanks.

My beta is too busy to check this for me, so it has gone up without a second pair of eyes, please forgive any mistakes i will correct them when I have more time. Blah, blah enough, on with the story!

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The Golden Hall was alive with activity. For many days Edoras and been making ready for a royal visit and the welcoming home of their own shield maiden of Rohan, the Lady Éowyn. Aedre had been called away from the king's side more frequently, their time together had once again become sparse, limited to small smiles in crowded corridors and a fleeting touch of hands when the ebb of people quietened enough for them to steal a moment together.

Today was the day that the guests were due to reach Edoras, but their arrival was yet uncertain, as a summer rainstorm had began to pour in torrents across the plains the night before and the fear was that the muddy grasslands would prove too difficult a journey. Aedre could not say she liked the commotion, everywhere she turned there were people fussing and busying themselves in preparation, it seemed near impossible to find a moment of silence. As she looked past the people in the hall, her eyes focusing upon nothing in particular, her mind continued to drift unbidden back to her last night with Éomer. She wished that they could return to that moment, become trapped within it somehow and stay silent and warm together. But it was not to be, as even her own daydreaming was put to an end as a huge bustle of movement and raised voices signalled that the travellers had indeed arrived, sighted by the guards atop the ramparts, they would be entering Edoras within the hour.

As commanded by an elder serving woman, all the serving women returned to their rooms to arrange their hair and tidy their clothing. Aedre wandered aimlessly back to her own little room, in no real rush to rejoin the crowds. She half-heartedly checked her reflection before sitting down upon her bed in the still dimness. She had always enjoyed the silence and peace of being alone in her own chambers, but of recent days the stillness seemed deafening, she could hear the steady beat of her heart within her ears, the noise brought to mind the look of blood, the look of Guene, black blood oozing from a knife wound on a cold mountain top. These thoughts came unbidden more often now when the silence wrapped its clasping hands around her. She shook her head violently, dismissing the images, before suddenly getting to her feet, unwilling to allow herself to dwell upon her tormenters nor on the serving woman that was no more. What good could such thoughts bring fourth? An inner chant that had become all too familiar in her mind. She set her herself stubbornly to her current task and then left her room to the shadows.

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Aedre did as she had been bidden and made her way to the great hall, though her heart felt reluctant. The hall was already full of a great crowd of people; everyone seemed to have gathered here from lowliest serving boys to the richest nobles. Aedre scanned the crowd, her eyes settling for a moment upon the great fur laden throne that stood empty of its occupant. She felt a sharp tug of regret at not seeing the king, his own look of calm would have aided her thoughts. Finally her gaze caught sight of Sunniva and she made her way to stand beside her friend. Sunniva offered her a smile of reassurance but no words. Aedre didn't think she would have been able to hear anything over the insistent dim of conversation anyway. It felt like they stood for an age, the chatter dying down to hurried whispers as time dragged by and the people around her became uncomfortable with the wait. Finally a horn sounded in the distance, signalling that the guests were passing through the main wooden gate. Aedre patted at her hair, making sure any stray wisps were firmly in place as she wondered what these newcomers were like. She had been told by Sunniva that one of the women was Éomer's sister and Aedre couldn't help her eagerness at the thought of seeing her. She wondered how much alike would they look? Would she be able to tell Lady Éowyn apart easily? Would the lady even like her, should they meet? She felt her stomach flip and begin to flutter as nerves crept their way into her mind and body. She clutched her hands together, trying to still the slight tremor she felt. Her hearing was caught as a deep, low horn sounded behind the crowd, alerting all to the king's presence.

Aedre suddenly wanted more than anything to see his gaze directed at her, a smile upon his lips to whisk away her worry, but behind the many people her form was hidden from him and she bit her lip in frustration at the situation. Her attention whipped back to the main entrance as a loud and gruff voice began to greet a hearty formal welcome to those visiting as they ascended the steps. As the party entered the Golden Hall a great cheer rippled through the crowd, causing the guests to pause and wave a greeting with warm smiles. Aedre covered her ears with her hands and squeezed her eyes closed at the sudden commotion, the sudden urge to sink to her knees clutching strongly at her mind, the crowd, the noise all seemed overwhelming, but the sudden touch of warm, welcoming skin upon her hand pulled her suddenly away from the fear and she opened her eyes to see the calm, steady gaze of Sunniva. The older woman twined her fingers with Aedre's and gave her a small smile, aiding in relaxing the young girl's arms down once again to her sides.

After regaining herself, Aedre noticed the hall seemed silent now the crowd stood in respectful quiet. Aedre's curiosity returned and she stood on tip-toe her gaze flitting to each newly arrived guest of the Golden Hall, mentally dismissing servants and guards and settling upon a face she remembered. Hair like a waning sun in a summer dusk sky, muscular yet lean of body, wearing the white tree of Gondor emblazoned upon his tunic. Her mind searched frantically for the name she wanted and finally settled upon Lord Faramir, the friend of Anborn who had travelled with her from Gondor many years ago. Aedre smiled to herself, fiercely proud of remembering these age old details. Her sight drifted to the young woman beside him, her dusky blue silken cloak was splattered with watermarks caused by the rain and as she pulled her hood down and revealed her face, Aedre felt herself take a sharp intake of breath. Even though she was wet and bedraggled, her hair plastered to her white and wind reddened cheeks, Aedre still thought she was one of the most beautiful women she had ever seen. She was tall and her form was lithe and elegant, every move she made seemed to have grace engrained within it. Her deep, intelligent blue eyes searched the hall before she stood for a few moments in perfect stillness as if frozen, her sight fixed upon Éomer who now sat upon his throne. Faramir said something to her which brought her out of her temporary stupor and she smiled a dazzling smile which seemed to add light and warmth to her face, before she allowed a bell of laughter to escape her lips, her jet black hair dancing about her shoulders as she moved.

Aedre continued to stare, revelling in the beauty before her. This must be Éowyn, she was stunning, yet she looked nothing like Éomer, their features and body shape were as if from different kin. Perhaps her gaze would have remained fixed to that striking woman if her attention had not become distracted by the smaller blonde woman who stepped into view from behind Faramir. Aedre quickly realised her mistake, she instantly saw this fair lady as Éomer's sister, everything about her told of being Rohirrim, of being part of Éomer's ancient and noble lineage. Within a moment of thinking this, the lady ran forward and flung herself playfully into the arms of the king who was already upon his feet, a smile of greeting upon his lips, confirming Aedre's guess. They embraced for a moment, their laughter echoing across the room, before they both stood and bowed to the people gathered in the hall. Once again an ear deafening roar leapt into the air in response.

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It was late into the night when the feast to welcome Éomer's younger sister home had finally come to an end. Éomer King had been polite and courteous to the princess Lothíriel, but his excitement at seeing his old friend Faramir, sister and his little nephew meant the young woman was often left out of the majority of conversation, although Éowyn made every effort to include her. Éomer had suddenly felt like his sister had a soft fondness for Lothíriel and between them lay a bond of friendship. He returned to his own chambers in high spirits, and the feeling like all was once again right in his life had calmly settled across his mind. The home-coming of his sister, his only kin, stilled any disquiet his soul had become accustomed to over the many passing seasons. He slumped down into his chair by the silent fireplace, a lone candle giving a glimmer of light to the room. He started a little at the sudden, yet familiar rap upon his door, the pattern of knocks whisking his memories back to childhood. He quickly opened the door and greeted Éowyn with a smile.

"You still remember our code?" he asked teasingly.

"Of course! How else would I have played games with you and Théodred late into the night without our secret signals?" She replied lightly. "Nights of fighting imaginary wizards and great powers of evil are not so easy to forget."

Éomer laughed, happy to once again be reassured that Éowyn's light would never be dampened, no matter the many hardships their family had been made to wade through. "True." He gestured for her to enter his room. "Have you left your husband to sleep off his drink?"

Éowyn laughed, the sound lifting the heavy atmosphere of his chambers. "I have." She said with a smirk. "He never listens to me."

"Perhaps he only drinks so much to block out your constant scolding, like an old washer woman." His eyes sparkled with teasing and Éowyn quickly pushed playfully against him causing them both to laugh.

"And Elboron?" Éomer enquired after his nephew.

"He was asleep when I returned; he will sleep on till morning."

"Good." Éomer said with a certain nod. "Then what brings you here when all your family sleeps?"

Éowyn gave a wan smile. "This place." She said letting her eyes glance across the walls. "Being home again brings back so many memories, both good and ill. I found I could not be still, so I roamed the corridors and empty rooms, allowing all of it to wash over me."

Éomer nodded in understanding and offered Éowyn a drink, which she gladly accepted.

"I see you no longer keep his room." She lowered her gaze. "It is now just an open store room, or so it seemed?" Éowyn took a seat and Éomer followed suit.

"You mean Grima's room?" Éomer's lip curled in disgust. "I could not bear to keep it, his scent lingered as did his shadows. I dismantled the walls and gave away his belongings to those who needed them most."

"I am glad." Éowyn said softly. "I feared seeing that room again."

Éomer covered her hand with his own. "And now there is nothing to fear."

"Yes." She said the lightness returning to her tone. "As always brother, you deal with all that frightens me."

"As it should be." They both laughed once again.

"Edoras and Meduseld seem the same and yet changed. It feels like I only went to sleep in my old room and upon awaking found that all around me had moved on."

Éomer took a sip of his drink. "But you too have moved on Éowyn, your husband and son, your new life. All must move forward with time."

They sat in a comfortable silence for many moments, enjoying each other's company.

"I assume the council have already been at your chamber door." Éomer said, knowing there was another reason for Éowyn's visit. He has always found it easy to read his sister's motives.

"Yes." Éowyn said, knowing how his mind worked. "I had heard some of it through news and letters, but I will listen to none of it before I hear it from you, brother."

Éomer gave a nod of thanks.

"It is true that you have no wish to marry princess Lothíriel, is it not?"

"Yes, it is." Éomer said, feeling a wave of great relief to be so open and honest with his thoughts and words.

"Does she displease you?" Éowyn asked.

"I know her not to say if she displeases me Éowyn and you must have heard I have set my will on another?"

Éowyn nodded slowly taking in not only what he was speaking but the tone too. "Yes, I had heard that rumour of recent days."

"The council believes bringing you here will aid in convincing me of my foolish folly." He smiled slyly.

Éowyn laughed. "Is that what they think?" She gave a bold grin. "Then they have forgotten the Éowyn they once knew."

Éomer let out a low chuckle. "Of that they have." He paused, seeing the curiosity glinting behind her eyes.

"Will you not tell me of her?" She asked with a small smile of encouragement. "The woman that holds my brother's heart so strongly, I wish to know of her, meet her."

Éomer felt a jolt of displeasure course through his body. He had been expecting his sister to ask this of him but now the time had come he found he suddenly felt protective of Aedre, of what his younger sister would think of his would-be wife.

Éowyn noticed his hesitation and reached out, placing a hand tenderly upon his forearm. "When have we kept such secrets?" She breathed. "After the war was done we promised to be true Éomer." She coaxed, harking back to a heated conversation they had after she had recovered from the battle outside the great walls of Minas Tirith and her near death at the hands of the Witch-King of Angmar. Éomer had been convinced he would lose his only kin, left alone in a world with no comfort and no light to guide him.

He'd blamed himself for not noticing her within the crowd of fellow warriors and berated her for keeping such a dangerous deception from him. Since that moment, they had promised to always be open with each other, to never conceal what their hearts spoke.

Éomer sighed. "She is here in Edoras."

Éowyn nodded, making a small noise of confirmation that she already knew this fact.

"She is a serving woman, of lowly rank, she is not a Rohirrim." The words spilled from him as if he had just uncorked a bottle containing them.

"How long has she been in Edoras?"

Éomer found that he could not think on Aedre's presence in terms of time. "Many winter's, since before the birth of your boy." He finally said thinking this was an acceptable answer. "She came here broken, Éowyn, barely even a child of man."

Éowyn's brows rose in surprise. "Of what do you speak?"

Éomer studied her a moment, unknowing if she would understand the next words he would speak, but hoping that Faramir was indeed the man Éomer thought he was, one who shared all with his wife.

"She is the woman that Faramir and Anborn brought to serve in the hall, the girl Anborn found in the wilds."

Éowyn's expression was puzzled for a moment before understanding rippled across her features as her mind put all the pieces into their rightful place. "That girl." She breathed her hand flying to her throat. "The girl Anborn discovered amongst Orcs."

Éomer gave a defeated nod at his sister's reaction, reluctantly feeling a little pinch of guilt for his relationship with Aedre.

"Her name is Aedre." He said lowly.

For a moment Éowyn seemed lost for words. "Faramir told me of her, I felt great pity for her plight..." She paused and Éomer meet her eyes.

"You would say more, say it." Éomer said a hint of gruffness brushing his tone.

"I was told she was insensible, that her mind..." she paused suddenly at the glowering look Éomer gave her. "Has she recovered?" Her eyes were wide with wonder and a little disbelief.

"She has recovered to some extent, though she is still meek." He glanced away. 'Though I know not if any child of man could fully recover from such a life.'

Éowyn bit her lip fretfully.

"Say all of what you would say Éowyn."

"I fear to." She replied in a small voice.

"Say it!" Éomer commanded, frowning.

"Does she have the strength to be a queen Éomer?"

Éomer suddenly felt his mouth become dry. It was a question he had asked himself internally many times, but to hear it spoken so plainly, he knew suddenly that his doubts loomed hard and heavy over him.

Éowyn suddenly felt a sharp stab of regret as Éomer's face crumpled from its stern look of only moments ago and instead before her was her brother as a young boy, lost and alone.

"I am sorry." She whispered. "It was a question I must ask, for Rohan."

"She is a good woman Éowyn, a woman whom I love. I can imagine no other by my side. Must a queen be of a certain quality? Can she not be by my side without the burden of rules as to what kind of woman should be by a ruler's side? Is it not enough if she would give me heirs and I am happy?"

Éowyn found his argument flawed and fair all within the same breath. "I know not." She said quietly. "I only know what was expected of those before us and what is expected of you, if that can be changed, I have no answer." She sighed deeply. "I wish for you to be happy, I wish for you to love and be loved." She placed her hand upon his arm once again. "I know how it feels to be caged in the formalities of what should be, you know this."

Éomer gave a certain nod.

"I will support which ever path you decide upon, but changing the ways of old will not be easy, and Éomer." She said bringing his attention back to her face. "I can see pain in this path, I cannot lie to you."