Night hovers over the lands of Rohan, like a bird of prey, and I find my eyelids grow heavier by the second. Gimli has already gone to bed, but Legolas remains outside, ever watching the eastern horizon. I have joined the elf for a while, but have eventually gotten tired and restless. It is the night before we are all about to set out for Helms Deep and the uneasiness fill all of our hearts. I still feel Théoden has made the wrong decision and it seems Gandalf shares this view. When the wizard has ridden off earlier during the day, he has asked me to look after the people of Rohan. I have sworn to do everything I can for them and I intend to uphold that promise no matter the cost. Silently I stroll through the quiet halls of Meduseld in pursuit of something to do, when suddenly I hear a familiar voice echo from a room nearby.

,,Could you move those baskets down to the village, they are to be brought with us tomorrow. Put them on a carriage." The soft, yet firm, voice belongs to the fair Éowyn. I step over to the door and look inside. I see two soldiers in the room pick up a couple of baskets filled to the brim with bread and then walks towards the open doorway. They smile at me as they pass me and I return the gesture, before they walk off down the corridor. As soon as they are gone, I turn back to look at the fair lady who has her back towards me. She stands alone in the room now but is still working hard to prepare for the next day despite the late hour. She's wearing a green dress and long hair is pulled back. She has rolled up her sleeves and doesn't seem to mind the hard work. I remember the words Théoden has spoken to me earlier. Of the braveness of Éowyn. I have to admit I admire her steadfastness and her drive to help both her people and her uncle pass the shadow in any way possible. I take a few steps into the room, but she still does not notice my presence. I know the fair noble lady must seem tough and cold to those who does not know her, but he also knows that beneath her frosty facade is a warm, loving woman who will go to any means to protect her people. I see someone who is young, but has already lived through hell without the true joys of life. I watch as she takes a sword out of a chest and unsheathes it. She looks at it, begins to swing it around, practicing. I decide to come up behind her and as she turns with the sword, I bring my dagger up to block it. ,,You have some skill with a blade." I compliment her. She swings her sword around, releasing my block and points the sword at me. I lower my dagger.

,,Women of this country learned long ago that those without swords can still die upon them." She sheathes the sword. ,,I fear neither death nor pain."

,,What do you fear, milady?"

,,A cage. To stay behind bars until use and old age accept them. And all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire." I shake my head.

,,You are a daughter of kings. A shieldmaiden of Rohan." I put my dagger back in its hold. ,,I do not think that will be your fate." I give her a soft smile and then look at the work she has done. ,,But why are you still working, milady? The last arrangements can be finished tomorrow morning."

,,I do not much like to wait," She explains. ,,And I do not wish to leave this for tomorrow so that my uncle must worry about it. He already has too much on his mind as it is." I nod in understanding and stride further into the warm, open chamber.

,,Your uncle is burdened by a heavy decision." Éowyn looks at me intently for a few seconds before breaking the silence.

,,He said you did not agree with his decision."

,,And I do not." I breath truthfully. I lower my guard and relax in her company. ,,I understand it but I do not believe hiding in Helms Deep will do him or your people any good."

,,You wish for us to face our enemies head on? With any force we can muster ourselves?" Éowyn asks and takes a timid step towards me. I think I see a small flicker of something within her eyes, but it is so small that when it vanished I'm not sure what I have seen. ,,If that is your suggestion, I will support you, milady. Perhaps I can help you sway the king's mind. Perhaps we can persuade him if we try together."

,,I do not believe there is much that can change your uncle's mind, though I appreciate the sentiment." Éowyn sighs and turns her head to gaze around at the baskets and coffers around her in the otherwise empty room.

,,You and I both know that Helms Deep does not remove the dangers my people face. That it merely places us in a corner. I do wish we would fight, to show our foes that the glory that once was Rohan is not extinguished. That our flame still burns bright. I fear however... I have long now sensed a shadow in these lands." I feel astonished as she speaks words I have thought, down to the very same words. Still, I keep my pondering to myself as I listen to the woman's fiery speech. ,,Much has happened in this world. Much that I wish could be undone. The darkness lingers in a way it never has in the past. But wishing is futile; what is done is done. I cannot change anything, no matter how much I might desire the world to be different." I frown at her cynical words and am about to comment when Éowyn turns to me. ,,But I believe, milady, that there is a chance to escape from this expanding shadow. If we are lead and helped by the right person. My people need to see a light in the darkness, I need to see a light."

,,The light is already here, lady Éowyn." I say in a low voice and step closer. ,,You just have to look within."

,,I fear I cannot see a light within myself, not anymore." Éowyn admits sadly.

,,Do not give up yet, milady. You are a strong woman and you cannot falter in your believes now."

,,I have been faltering for a long time, milady." She smiles humorlessly. ,,I wish I knew hope was waiting for me around the corner, but I cannot seem to find the path to lead me there." With concern pulsating through my veins, I reach out and squeeze her small, cold hands in mine. Startled by my touch, Éowyn is pulled from her thoughts and turns to look up at me. I give her a warm smile.

,,I believe everything will be fine in the end. Gandalf promised he would find help. I have know him for a long time and he always keeps his word."

,,Forgive me, milady Rebecca. But I do not think the wizard will be the one to ease my worries." I crinch a little when she uses my common name instead of my elvish name. I release her hand and step back, a polite smile lingering on my lips. I'm not able to look away from her pale eyes. Perhaps I have gotten too close.

,,You will find new hope, Éowyn. I hope so with all my heart." She opens her mouth to speak, when suddenly Legolas's clear voice echoes in the long halls outside the chamber.

,,Neuma?" The elf calls and soon appears in the open doorway. His blue eyes relaxing as they land on me. ,,There you are. When you are done in here I would like a swift word with you." As he notices Éowyn, he bows his head. ,,Good evening, milady." Éowyn curtsy and I bow my head one last time, bade the woman goodnight too and walk towards the door.

,,Milady?" I turn back around to face Éowyn. ,,Can you teach my the elvish word for hope? I've always wanted to learn the elvish language." I hesitate a beat, because the elvish language is not something I wish to speak with other than Gandalf, Legolas and Chloe. I guess one word isn't that bad, right?

,,Estel." I tell her. ,,Goodnight, milady. Sleep well." I swiftly turn and exited the chamber and walk to a waiting Legolas.