"I can't believe you are leaving us," Éowyn said. Ailith didn't reply. She just concentrated on running the comb through Éowyn's blonde waves. "You were just beginning to be courted as well," her friend continued. Ailith stopped.
"Well, that's just bad luck to my suitor, whoever he is," she said. She pulled the comb again through Éowyn's hair. "I didn't want a suitor anyway," she muttered. "At least now I can avoid the embarrassment of finding out who it is."
"Imagine if it was my brother!" Éowyn laughed. Ailith gasped in horror.
"Or Théodred! That would be awful, I wouldn't be able to look them in the eye again! They are more like brothers to me!"
She dived sideways onto the bed with a wail of hysteria. Éowyn laughed and stood up. She picked up the comb and crossed to the chest with Ailith's clothes.
"Can you take any of these with you?" she asked, opening it and running her fingers over the fabrics.
"I think the Captain is wanting to get back home as quickly as possible. I doubt I will be allowed to take my possessions," Ailith said mournfully, propping herself up on her elbows.
"It doesn't feel like you are going home. It feels like you are being banished!" Éowyn suddenly sobbed. She ran across the room and hugged her friend to her tightly. "You won't forget me, will you?" she wept.
"You have been my friend since I arrived here," Ailith said, hugging her back. "You are my sister in everything but blood..."
Her voice faltered and she sat up quickly. "Let's become blood sisters!" she breathed, her eyes shining.
"Blood sisters?" Éowyn stammered.
"Yes!"
Ailith scurried over to where her practice sword and small dirk hung on a hook by the door. She unsheathed the dirk and carried it back to the bed.
"We make a small cut on our hands and we press them together and make a vow to each other," she explained hurriedly. Éowyn frowned and then she smiled bravely. She took the dirk off Ailith and dug the blade in her white palm. The blood blossomed slowly from the tiny nick. Ailith also pressed it into her hand and then clasped Éowyn's.
"What are we going to say for our vow?" Éowyn giggled.
"Uh, I, Ailith, daughter of Ailred, vow to come to the aid of my sister, Éowyn, whenever she has need of me. Together, we shall defend Rohan like the Shieldmaidens of old," Ailith said shakily.
"I, Éowyn, daughter of Éomund, vow to come to the aid of my sister, Ailith, whenever she has need of me. Together, we shall defend Rohan like the Shieldmaidens of old," Éowyn repeated.
They smiled at each other, their hands still entwined. Now they were sisters, in mind and in blood.