"My son… is dead…" the king slowly turned and walked back up the stone steps to the hall.

He looks half-dead again. Poor guy.

"I killed my son," he said.

"No. His death had nothing to do with you," said Ed sternly. The king looked at him blankly. "Even if he died under your order, you weren't thinking straight- or not at all. None of it was your doing. None of it."

"How would you know of killing, child? You cannot know the pain of this burden."

"I think I know that burden quite well," I growled. I never showed respect to my superiors, why the hell start now? "A little better than yourself. Considering the fact that I basically killed my brother twice." The girl in my arms, Eowyn, stiffened slightly at those words. "It was never really my doing, but I always led to it. The thought always hurts."

Theoden nodded and turned slowly into the Hall. I released Eowyn and she looked at me.

"I am sure your brother does not hold you responsible either," she said. Her voice was soft, but strong and decisive. It was as though she was sure of her words despite the fact that she had never met Al or Ed really. She kissed his cheek lightly. "Thank you." With that, she followed the king into the hall. Ed felt a blush creep up his neck.

"Ah, laddie. She is a fair lady indeed," said Gimli. He patted Ed's shoulder playfully. "But she is royalty, mind. Related to the king."

"So? It was nothing. You like you've never given comfort to another when someone died." With that, Ed ran down the steps and into the little city surrounding the kings' home. Ed heard someone try to come after him, but Aragorn must have stopped the pursuer.

$$#&&$$$$&$#$

Ed sat on the rooftop of one of the stables in Edoras. He watched the sunset over the hills and marveled at how fast the stars came out in the night sky.

I'm spending too much time in Central- this kind of stuff always happened in Resembol. He searched the sky for an endless span of time before Al came to his mind. Why did this have to happen? It's my entire fault. If I hadn't wanted to try to bring Flamel to us, we wouldn't have ended up stuck here. And Al wouldn't have been taken away from me. He became angry with himself, and out of pure frustration, he forced his right fist effortlessly through the planked roof. Horses inside neighed and reared dangerously at the intruder.

"Holy shit, I need you here Al. Or at least something to keep me in check," he grumbled. Quickly, he clapped his hands and repaired the roof. "I miss you, brother."

"How did he die?"

Ed jerked up and turned. Coming onto the roof was Eowyn, her fair hair glowing in the darkness. He turned back to the sky, but felt her sit down next to him.

"What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be inside or something? The funeral's tomorrow, isn't it?"

"Yes. How did you know? You haven't been back all day."

"I hear people talking."

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Eowyn tried conversation again. "Your name is Edward, correct?" He nodded. "Son of whom?"

"I'd rather not talk about that." They grew silent once more.

A breeze blew across the roof, causing Eowyn to shiver. Ed looked to her. "You should go inside, before you get sick. Or hurt. Sitting on rooftops isn't exactly safe. Especially for royalty."

She looked closely at him. "True, I suppose. But you must come with me. With the cold of the steel of your arm, you risk becoming ill much more then myself."

"Sure."

With that, they both made their way down the ladder and back to the Hall.

&&&&&Next Day&&&&&

Ed stood next to Legolas in the funeral procession, at the front of the city's residents. Théodred's body was brought outside the gates of Edoras, carried by 6 men of the Rohan Royal Guard. People of Edoras, Théoden King, Gandalf and Aragorn were slowly following them. Éowyn was waiting with the other women at the burial mound. When Théodred's body was handed over to the women to bring him into the tomb, Éowyn burst into a chant.

"Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended
giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende
on Meduselde þæt he ma no wære
his dryhtne dyrest and mæga deorost.
Bealocwealm…"

('An evil death has set forth the noble warrior
A song shall sing sorrowing minstrels
in Meduseld that he is no more,
to his lord dearest and kinsmen most belover.
'An evil death...)

The harsh sound of the shutting Tomb doors punctuated the end of Éowyn's lament. Ed watched her, and studied the tears in her eyes and the look of death upon her face. He knew it well, for he wore it often now that Al was gone.

As the crowd began to give it's final prayers and disperse, Ed moved to the back and stood by himself, thinking.

"Edward?" asked Eowyn. He jumped. "I'm sorry for scaring you, but I thought something was wrong when you didn't react to me touching you."

"You touched me?"

"I still am."

Ed turned and saw her grip was firm on his right shoulder. "I can't feel anything with that arm. I don't even know how hard I grip something. Sorry to scare you."

"It's alright. Come- let us go inside. You seem tired."

With a shake of his head, Ed allowed her to lead him back through the gates of Edoras to the Golden Hall.

"Where do you come from?" she asked as they walked.

"Amestris. It's a long way from here, in a whole other… kingdom." Ed didn't know how to describe his home.

Eowyn was about to ask another question when a horse could be heard coming up behind them. They both turned to see Theoden and Gandalf leading the animal and two small children up to the Hall.

"My lord! What happened? They look to be half dead!" Eowyn cried, running forward. The young girl began to weep as Eowyn removed her from the horseback. The boy in front of her, from the looks her brother, awoke after appearing to have passed out. Behind the boy, Ed swore he could see his own brother, a human being, and sitting there staring at him.

"Brother…" said Al sadly.

"I'll, uh, I'll take the horse to a stable," Ed said. Gandalf nodded, removing the boy and allowing Ed to take the reins.

"Is something wrong? You look pale Edward," said Eowyn.

"It's nothing. Really. Just feeling a little light-headed," he mumbled, leading the animal to a stable.

&&&&Scene Change&&&&

"Damn. Why did I do that? Why do I keep thinking on the bad? (A/N: I have that same problem) I don't even know why I was thinking about Al then. Why the hell is this haunting me?" In frustration, Ed bashed the pole he was leaning on in half. "SHIT!" he cried out.

"Need help child?" asked a deep voice from behind him.

"Who the hell are you calling a child you- Oh no," Ed couldn't breathe. Behind him was a big man, muscularly built. But that was not why he was afraid. What scared him the most… were the bright pink sparkles.

"Let me help you boy! I know you cannot get the pole back together with your small stature!" he boomed loudly.

"WHO THE HELL ARE YOU CALLING SO SMALL HE COULD GET CRUSHED BY A PLANK OF WOOD?" he cried out. Back to my old self it seems, for now. The man just stared. "Never mind, I'll…" Before Ed could even clap, the man had drawn a transmutation circle and mended the wood. "Wow."

"It is a talent I hope to pass down the line of my family!" The man held out his beefy hand to Ed. "I am Alax, son of Lewald, knight of Rohan."

"Edward Elric, military dog of Central." Before the man could speak again, Ed was waving him good-bye and was out the door and up the stone steps.

&&&&Scene Change&&&&

Ed reached the top of the steps and pushed through the doors

"They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the wildmen are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot and tree," said Eowyn emotionally.

"Where's mama?" asked a scared and tiny voice.

"Shh..."

Ed walked out into the main room and stood by a far pillar, watching the scenario unfold. He wasn't entirely up to speed, but he guessed something big was about to happen- possibly a fight.

The Wizard was seated next to the king, with the others at a table, eating. "This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash," said Gandalf. "All the more potent for he is driven now by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children." Gandalf leaned forward and put a hand on Théoden's chair. Théoden looked at his hand warily, untrusting. "You must fight."

"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak," said Aragorn. "Éomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king."

"Any and all soldiers you can get will help you," added Ed. The king stared at the alchemist for a moment before continuing.

"They will be three hundred leagues from here by now. Éomer cannot help us." Aragorn opened his mouth to contradict the king, but Ed was faster.

"If you send a message to them now, they can return and help you," he said. God damn, think a bit. You're not helpless you moron.

"I know what it is that you want of me. But I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war," insisted Theoden.

Gimli took a bite of his bread as he watched the exchange.

"Open war is upon you. Whether you would risk it or not," countered Aragorn.

The air in the room became tense, and Eowyn shared her gaze between Aragorn, her uncle and Ed. He watched the proceedings with caution. Things could get bad, quickly.

The king became spiteful towards the man. "When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan."

The tension grew thicker, and Ed almost lost the ability to breathe. Gimli took a drink and burped. Ed tried not to laugh as almost everything loosened up.

"Then what is the king's decision?" asked Gandalf.

Silence deafened the observers as the king looked at them all.

"We will go to Helm's Deep. We will hold up there until such times pass. I will protect my people from further death." With that, Theoden left.

Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Gandalf all joined in council and them exited the hall as well. Ed slid down the pillar he was leaning against and sat on the floor. He didn't want to fight- not if the enemy was going to be human. He couldn't bring himself to even attempt killing anyone- except Roy- even as human artillery for the military. This whole thing sucked ass.

Eowyn sat down next to him. "War is a scary prospect for all to comprehend. Especially for one so young."

"I'm 18 (A/N: I know I said 13 in an earlier chapter, but I lied! I need the older age for ideas. FORGIVE ME!). And I'm a soldier of sorts where I come from. I fight when nothing else will. But I'm a pacifist- so it's all a downside for me."

"I am sorry. That must be a terrible position for you to be in."

"It's what I do." Ed stood up and stretched. Sudden frustration came over him. He would have to fight, no matter what. Running away wouldn't stop anything- the enemy would keep coming after them. He reared back and kicked the pillar he had been sitting against.

"Edward!" He looked at her. "Are you not in pain?"

"No. Why, should I be?"

"That pillar is solid stone. It would crush any man's leg, even Alax's- he is the strongest man in Rohan."

"Really. Then I hope my foot is okay." Ed sat down and removed his boot and sock to examine his automail. All the parts seemed to be in the right place, and he could still move it so the nerves were alive. Eowyn stared in wonder at the sight. Ed stopped watching his foot and watched her as she followed his toes and ankle up and down. "It's made of the same stuff as my arm."

"How? What happened?"

"I did something awful- and this is my punishment. I'm paying the price for going against-" Ed stopped abruptly. "I've gotta go. Sorry for distracting you, you must be busy with the leaving." With that, he was gone through the door.