Meremir had been riding for almost a month along the Great West Road when she reached Edoras, greatest city of the Rohirrim and home to the king of Rohan, Theoden, who dwelt in Meduseld. Seeing the beauty of the palace, she decided to stay the night at an inn there. She turned Firewind's head to Edoras and slowed to a trot as she navigated the way up the hill to the gate. She was stopped at the gate, as was customary, and was asked what her business was. She gave the response that she was a traveler on personal business and that she wanted to get a room at the inn. They let her through and pointed her towards the inn and stable. After she had secured a room, she led Firewind to the stables to settle her.
A man was standing at the far end of the stable brushing a horse when she entered. She chose the nearest empty stall and led Firewind into it, then proceeded to take off her saddle and harness. She was brushing Firewind's red mane and whistling when she realized the man from the other end of the stable was now behind her, leaning against the door of the stall. She turned to look at him, still brushing Firewind, and said, "Good day, sir."
"Good day, lady," he replied. His voice was low and gentle, yet firm and commanding, as if he gave orders on a regular basis. "That is a beautiful horse you tend to. Is she yours?"
"Aye, she is. Firewind is her name."
"Firewind. A fitting name for a red roan. Where did you get her?"
"She was a gift from my mother, before she died. She sent away to Rohan, asking for three horses for her three children: a black war horse for my elder brother, Boromir; a sure-footed bay for my twin brother, Faramir; and the swiftest red roan for me, her only daughter."
"Those were fine gifts. You have told me the names of your brothers, but you have not told me your own."
"I am Meremir, daughter of Denethor, Steward of Gondor."
The man bowed. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Lady Meremir. I am Eomer. What brings you so far from home?"
"I am on a journey to seek the advice of the very wise, Eomer. My brothers and I have had visions filled with questions, questions that need answering. I ride to find those answers."
"I wish you well on your journey, then. Are you staying at the inn?"
"Just for tonight. I could not pass by the home of the Horse Lords, not when my own steed was one of their famed herd."
"Indeed. I believe she may even have a little of the Mearas in her, far back along her line. She has that look about her. May I?" He motioned to Firewind, and Meremir stepped aside to let Eomer examine Firewind. He whispered a few words in the horse's ear, who snorted and stamped her foot. Eomer stepped back with a smile. "Yes, she is of the line of Mearas. Far back there must have been a stallion who mated with an ordinary horse, and the horse bore a foal that mated with another normal horse, and so the bloodline became diluted. But she is still a fine horse." Firewind snorted again. Meremir laughed.
The next day, she was in the stable preparing to leave when Eomer showed up again. "I have one last question before you leave, my lady."
She looked at him. "Yes?"
"Why do you dress as a man, and wear a man's haircut?"
She turned away and fussed over the cinch on the saddle, buying time before answering. "It keeps me safe upon the road, to masquerade as a man. And also most of my outfit belonged to my elder brother, Boromir, before he died at the hands of orcs in Osgiliath. I wear them in memory of him."
"I understand the loss, and I am sorry for it. You have my blessing on your journey, and the hope of safe travels in foreign lands. Ride swiftly." He made the traditional hand gesture of farewell, and left the stable.
As Meremir left Edoras, she thought of Boromir and the promise she made to him as he died. She thought of Faramir, alone with Father, waiting for her return so that Denethor's madness may be averted. She urged Firewind into a gallop, steering her to the Gap of Rohan, Isengard, and eventually Rivendell.