Hello everyone!

I hope that you're having a great August so far. The last few days of the month got away from me and I was unable to update so getting these out early. Thanks for sticking with me and this month there will be two updates for sure.

Lots of love,

LSH xxx

A Wild Heart – Part 25:

Éowara took a few more days to recover. The knock to her head had been harder than had first been thought and Aragorn refused to travel until Éowara was able to get through the day without any headaches.

As soon as her sister was recovered enough to the point she didn't have to worry anymore, Éowyn had returned to Minas Tirith with some of Éomer's trusted solders with instructions for Arwen and Faramir. She longed to be reunited with her husband and her sister was in safe hands where she was. Éomer had returned to Edoras so now it was only Éowara and Aragorn remaining under the hospitality of Fríthild and her children. For now the Reece of the Broadacres would also be taking charge in Oserley until Aragorn and Éowara's departure and then she would tackle the task of appointing a new Thane.

"I am ready to depart, as much as there is a heavy feeling in my heart to leave the land I was raised," Éowara spoke a couple of days after Éowyn's departure, "I wish I could remain here forever but, alas, I cannot. My path leads me to Eriador. I cannot deny that my heart desires to see my friends though…"

"My girl," Fríthild spoke as she held Éowara in her arms as they sat looking over the lands of the Broadacres, "Rohan… Edoras… Aldburg and Stoke will never stop being your home. You don't have a true home anymore. Your home is wherever you go. Yes, you always will have a physical home in Rohan and Gondor, but the time to become the woman I've seen since you were a little girl has come. The time for Éowara of Rohan, Gondor and Ithilien has come. Long have you lived in the shadows of everyone, desired nothing for yourself other than to aid those you love, but now, my girl, it is your turn at last."

"How do you know? You are saying the same as Aragorn. Why is everyone suddenly speaking that?"

"Because it is true," Aragorn spoke as he appeared, "Fríthild is correct, as is everyone else… even if you do not believe us Éowara," he said as he sat down beside them and Éowara suddenly caught a glimpse of the Ranger that Aragorn had been. A glint appeared in the King's eye before he turned to the Reeve, "in two days Éowara and I shall depart for the Stonedeans and then cross into Eriador through Isengard and the Gap of Rohan. We shall make for Imladris, Rivendell, for a day or two and then ride to Bree, Esteldín and then finally across to Evendim."

"That is not a swift journey for anyone," Fríthild spoke.

"Roheryn and Gléoda are swift and fast. They will carry us as fast as they can," Aragorn spoke, "we will be making stops throughout the journey. Isengard, Rivendell, Bree, Esteldín will all serve as rest points for us," he said before Éowara excused herself as she heard voices asking for her.

"She doubts herself. She always has," Fríthild spoke as soon as Éowara was out of hearing radar.

"Éowara was the accidental child," Aragorn sighed, "it is something she has known her whole life and it has made her uncertain if she is worth anything at all."

"She killed the Witch-king of Angmar…" Fríthild spoke, "it was with her sister and the hobbit Meriadoc but she did it."

"She did but she followed her sister into battle because she didn't want Éowyn in battle alone. Éowara has always followed and never led. That is why she doubts herself but myself and Arwen can see the leader within her."

"Look after her. You may be the King of Gondor and Arnor but if harm comes to her I will hunt you down…"

Aragorn laughed as he heard Fríthild's words and looked upon the confused face of the Reeve.

"Arwen and Faramir, Éomer too have already spoken those same words to me and I will not let harm come to her. I should have spotted that she and the children had slipped away quicker than I did. None of what happened would have happened then."

"Do not let the guilt take you like it has me," Fríthild spoke, "the three of them are fine and I got to spend more time with Éowara before you depart."

"You said you love her like a daughter…"

"She lost her mother before she could retain any memories of her and was instantly removed to Edoras, just at the tender age of four. Éowyn and Éomer had lessons but she did not, being so young. Théoden allowed her to be a child as long as she could be, possibly due to her being so young and her needing to create happy memories. It was on a summons of all the Reeves to Edoras when I first beheld the two girls aged 11 and 8 so, whilst my husband was sat in these Councils, I befriended Éowyn and Éowara and you know how that finished. You've seen it for yourself. Éowyn had the memories of their mother but, in some ways, I became the mother for Éowara she never knew and she grew attached to me as she grew up. Both girls did and would be allowed to come to Stoke. I was the one who taught them how to be Shield-Maidens and fight for those they love."

"You have played an important role in both their lives and you and the children are welcome to Gondor whenever you wish to come. You shall be treated as family and I will hear no objections Fríthild," Aragorn spoke, "you had an impact on how the War of the Ring ended without knowing it. Éowyn and Éowara are family to me and you are as well. You can recall your memories of the sisters as children when you come and stay with us. I shall leave a note for you to show the Wild Men of Far Anórien to grant you safe passage," he spoke before taking his leave.

A couple of days passed and, early in the morning, Éowara had a tearful parting from Fríthild and the children.

"Write often," Fríthild spoke, "send gifts for the children, anything you wish to them," she said before watching as Éowara took Fríthbert and Edhild in her arms and kissed their heads softly and told them that they would be able to see her soon.

Eventually the moment arrived and she and Aragorn departed for the Stonedeans. Éowara had mixed emotions swirling within her but she was looking forwards to the next part of the journey, even if she wasn't ready for it.