Alright chapter 4. Em… There is going to be a bit of Eomer's past that I made up because there's little actually know about him so try and bear with me here.

CH. 4

The two Gondorians blinked a few times, but dismount as well. Although unsure of the reason behind it, they thought it best to ask a bit later. They found a river nearby and took the horses there to drink while they relaxed a bit.

Eventually, Faramir asked: "So… why did we have to stop again?" as he sat on the ground.

"The horses are tired. A few minutes of rest will make sure they hold until we reach the foothills," Eomer answered, sitting with his back against a tree trunk.

"And you know this how exactly? They didn't show any signs of exhaustion to me, and I consider myself good with animals," Aragorn sat on a large rock and smoked his pipe.

There was a silence as the Rohirrim male looked at the ground. It looked like he was debating whether or not to tell them something.

"It's…" he started and lifted his gaze to meet those of his comrades. "It is something I've had since I was a child. I am… able to understand what the horses say…" he mumbled but they still heard and understood every word.

The two Rangers looked at him in shock and surprise. They saying really is true, 'you learn something new every day'.

"So… you speak horse?" the Steward tilted his head as he asked.

The King of Rohan almost fell to the side at the question but quickly collected himself. "No! I don't speak horse! I just… understand what they say…" he said the last part under his breath.

"They say it has something do with my blood line. I'm not really sure because not one really paid it much mind."

"So… it's similar to Faramir," Strider let out a puff of smoke.

"Yes, I believe so. The elders always said that the Númenor blood ran deep inside me, like my father and his father. Yet Boromir possessed very little of it. That always seemed odd to me."

"So you are able to read people's hearts?" Eomer asked his brother-in-law.

"Something along that line yes. I can understand what they need or want," Faramir explained.

"Don't forget you can inspire them," Aragorn smiled. "The soldiers would follow you anywhere, even under the shadow of the black wings."

"I guess that is true as well. But you must also have some 'blood lineage'."

"What do you mean? He's Isildur's heir! Is that not enough?"

"Yes, yet I didn't not chose that lineage. If I had a choice, I would have been someone else…" he lowered his gaze and pulled in a deep breath of smoke.

A silence arose and the only thing that was heard was the water.

"Because of it, my father was killed, when I was but two years of age. My mother then went to the Elves in Rivendell where we lived and where they watch over me and keep my family a secret. It was not until I came of the age of twenty, that my real name and past were revealed to me," King of Gondor broke the silence and let out a ring of smoke.

"As for my mother… she died at the age of 100 me being 76. Her grave is still in Rivendell," and so came another silence.

"My mother died when I was five. And that's when my father fully turned cold… Back then I never even understood…"

"He should have told you, or at least Boromir. He had no right to act like that…" the former Marshal sighed.

"A son does not choose his father…" the Steward murmured under his breath after a silence, yet his companions still heard him.

"Nor does he control his actions…" the King of Rohan added and put his head back.

"But I guess I have no right to speak of such, compared to you two," he added, smiling sadly.

"We all know what my father was like. We just found out about King Elessar. And, if you want, you know you can share. Each man as his own fears does he not?" the Gondorian looked at his brother.

The King hesitated for a while before, hanging his head.

"He… he had his times, when I truly saw him as a father. But he was always more of a soldier than father. At least, that's what it was before he… went mad…"

The two listened closely, as Firefoot came closer and nuzzled his master.

"No one really knows what drove him to it, but one day he just… lost it. He started drinking, disobeying orders and fighting with his superiors. Some say he even challenged Theoden to a battle. I don't know how it ended, but he was never the same before. And a year later, he was killed by Orcs. When I was 11 and Eowyn 7, so she didn't understand anything. My mother died shortly after form grief, leaving me and my sister to my uncle who adopted us as his own."

Another silence, another secret, another wound reopened. "I guess I should count myself lucky my father thought to highly of himself to get drunk," the second eldest broke the silence.

"We each have our own demons from the past that will haunt us. But, we need to leave the past in the past. There is nothing we can do to change it," Strider's voice was low.

"But, think of it this way," he added, voice lighter. "If it wasn't for that, we wouldn't be who we are today. We might never have even met, and that is something I would regret."

The other two gave him a sincere smile before Eomer said: "We better get going. The horses are all rested."

"No, I think its best we stay here for the night," the eldest man said.

The other two looked at him, eyebrows raised and eyes wondering.

"When we leave, who knows when we'll find another river? No, we rest here for the night and leave at first light."

"But won't the guards be looking for us?" Faramir had worry in his voice.

"No, I'm sure Arwen has everything covered," he assured.

"My Queen! My Queen!" a guard yelled as he ran into the throne room.

There he saw Arwen sitting in the throne, seemingly board and looking at him with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes, what is it?" she asked when the guard bowed before her.

"I have just received word that King Elessar, King Eomer and Steward Faramir have all gone! Their horses are not in the stables and the gate guards claimed they saw them leave! What shall we do my Lady?"

She took a deep breath and said: "We do nothing. I can assure everyone, that the Kings and Steward are all safe. There for we-" but she was interrupted when a bulky, blond man, covered in mud ran in and kneeled before her.

"Queen Arwen!" he started. "I am Hama, one of Kings Eomer's personal guards! Please, tell me the whispers are not true! That our King has not gone out into danger alone!" his eyes begged her to tell him he was wrong and that the King was here.

"Unfortunately, that is correct, but he is not alone. My husband and his brother-in-law are also accompanying him."

"Then we must go after-" but he was cut off. "I have a letter for you here, from the King personally," she handed the Rider a letter.

"He is ordering us to stay here in Gondor and wait for his return…" he read and looked up at the She-elf.

"Yes, now gather your men and rest. I am sure you must all be tired," she smiled.

"But my Lord-" "Has given you specific orders to stay and wait for him here. You wouldn't want to disobey him would you?"

Hama gave an unsure nod, bowed and left the room. And like it was said, he gathered all of the Riders and told them of their orders. None of them liked it but orders were orders. And so they were taken care of by the Gondorians.

"Well no fire tonight. Just try and get some sleep you two. I'll wake you for your turn," Aragorn made himself comfortable on the grass, taking 1st, watch while Eomer leaned against the tree and Faramir on a pile of leaves.

"I'll be going next. Leave Faramir to rest longer," the King whispered to the other as he gave a nod.

A little while later, the younger two fell asleep, as the eldest sang an Elvin song.

And done with chapter 4. Tell me what you think of their pasts, namely Eomer's (like it, hate it, think it's ridiculous…)