Life After Death

NOTE: I don't own LOTR or any of the characters.

ALSO, I am going by movie versions, so some of the ages will be a bit off (it's NOT my fault that Jackson had a young man play a 41 year old Théodred!) Just thought I should let you all know before you bit off my head.

Okay, I've been taking quite a bit of beef for this, if you do not like or even hate the idea of a owyn/Thodred betrothal then I suggest you stop reading now and exit this story.  I'm sick of getting beef for it and being pointed out that the Rohirrims would never have married their 1st cousins.  I'll this much more, I have never-I repeat-NEVER read the Silmarillion, besides the cousin betrothal thing is more of a plot device.  So there, quit giving me beef about it, please!

It had always been Théodred to be there for me whenever Éomer was not around, that might have been why I loved him so dearly. Even though he was my cousin and I should love him as my kin I had always felt more than that towards him, I loved him more as a brother. Possibly since he treated me not only as a cousin but rather as a younger sister that he never would have.

As children, I remember, it was always Théodred and Éomer to ride out to chase the sun or to practice their swordsmanship while I was to be left by myself to attend my depressed, Uncle who was slowly becoming ill and corpse like. Even as a child I could not tolerate being the one left behind to endure the pains of boredom, so I would follow my brother and cousin wherever they would go, pretending to be a young boy.

I laugh at myself now as I think back on it; neither Théodred nor Éomer fell for my disguise. How could they when I most certainly did not look a like a young man? Not even when I bound my breasts, covered my body in loose clothing, or deepened my voice as low as I could manage. I was so unbelievable that it is ridiculous!

Théodred was most likely the one that decided to allow me to train and ride with them, to be one of the men so to speak. I know Éomer would not have permitted me to do so much if our cousin had not been there to persuade him otherwise. In fact I must wonder if I would have ever learned my skill with a sword if Théodred had not been there to instruct me in the proper manner.

I mused over my childhood memories that seemed to have passed so long ago and so quickly as I made stew for a sickly woman and watched her children until her eldest son returned. What has it been, nearly 16 years since I came to live at Edoras? How time flies by so swiftly.

Soon, very soon I should suppose, I am to marry. Not just to anyone, no, but to Théodred! I am filled with mixed emotions on the subject. On one hand I do not wish to marry for I do not feel that I need nor want a man's protection, yet on the other hand I love my cousin dearly and I know he would respect me as a wife, a cousin, a sister. How could I dare ask for more?

My Uncle has no objections or encouragements on the subject, indeed he hardly ever speaks or even moves anymore, I often wonder if he is even alive anymore. Éomer is silent on the subject; sometimes he offers a small smile or a subtle remark of his silent consent. I am glad to have my brother's approval for this arrangement considering that I have never thought very highly of marriage, or men in that manner.

As I was lost in my thoughts, I stirred the warming broth when the son entered the house hurriedly and out of breathe, he obviously ran up here and for urgent reasons.

"My Lady," he exclaimed between breathes.

"Yes?" I urged feeling that whatever he meant to tell was of the greatest importance. He denied me the pleasure of knowing the problem as he shook his head. "Come, what is the matter?!"

"It is…Lord Éomer," he answered.

Every horrible scenario had conjectured up inside my head after he said this. What had happened to my brother?! I knew he had gone to the Crossings of Isen to seek out our cousin, and my soon to be husband.

Without a second thought I speedily expressed my pardons and departed the little house and walked back to the hall, trying to calm myself and not to make it seem that I was in a hurry. Still that did not stop me from taking large strides and quickening my pace up the stairs, past the guards.

Once inside the hall of Meduseld I did not care if anyone saw me run through the halls with my cousin's pants underneath my dress. I came to a halt as I was passing by a servant girl.

"Where is my brother?!" I demanded breathlessly.

"I…I believe he's in the sick-room," she answered.

"Thank you," I quickly expressed and dashed down the hall to sick-room. As I ran I prayed to find my brother unharmed and well, and even more wished to find my cousin alive and well with a teasing grin plastered on his face when I enter the room.

When I saw the door coming closer to me I began to slow down, only a bit, to regain some composure. It did no good for just the thought of either one of my kin being hurt sent my body back into its flying to the rescue mode. So when I found the door closed, was it any wonder that I just opened it without the consideration of knocking?

The moment I opened the door I found to my pleasure and dismay that Éomer was not injured and was sitting beside the bedside, but it was my beloved cousin who lay in the bed unconscious.

"Théodred," I sighed under my breath before rushing to his side and settling myself on the bed. "Théodred!"

My dear cousin moaned at the sound of my voice and his head tilted in my direction and I could see the grim of the travel and battle on his face, especially the scab of dried blood mixed with fresh on the side of his cheek. Oh, if only he would open his eyes to me and assure me that he was well, that the wound was not much. How I could have welcomed such comfort from him at that instant.

Instead, Éomer leaned forward and pressed his hand to the back of my arm to gauge my attention. I turned to him as I was endeavoring to calm myself, and he nodded to Théodred's torso. I glanced down at the gestured area to see blood soaked covers. Gulping down the lump that had formed in my throat I pulled back the covers only to see my worst fear materialize.

Théodred, my beloved cousin and husband-to-be, was mortally wounded, having been ran through with the orcs' weapons. I closed my eyes, not to keep from having the sensation of nausea wash over me, but to keep back the tears that I knew would soon be swelling in my eyes.

Here laid one of my kin, my own flesh and blood, dying and there was nothing I could do to prevent it. Or was there?

I glanced up at my brother, hoping against hope that he would show me some signs of assurance. There was none to be met with, only a confirming expression in his eyes and grim face. He knew as well as I that our cousin was dying and we were forced to sit by and watch.

This was intolerable! How could such an event have occurred?! Especially to dear, sweet Théodred, who was one of the kindest people anyone could come across. He had not only bestowed his benevolence on Éomer and myself but on the people of Edoras. With his kind heart and teasing, easy manner he was loved by everybody and a great favorite. So why did he have to die?

"Éowyn," Eomer addressed me, breaking the silence that fell between us as I examined Théodred's cheek gently.

I looked up when he spoke my name. My brother always had this commanding voice that demanded people to listen and obey him, perhaps that was why he was the Marshal.

"We should inform Théoden of Théodred's…condition," he suggested.

I nodded my agreement. "He will wish to know how his son fares," I added as I stood up with my fists clenched. Éomer got up as well, but he held something in his hand, at his side causing me to inquire about it.

He glanced down at the object of my questioning then handed it to me. I saw it was a helmet of one of the enemy orcs, and it stirred my blood to a boil until I saw a white hand on its top.

"Saruman?" I inquired as one of my eyebrows raised to emphasis my question. He merely nodded, removing the helmet from my grasp. "So those orcs were not from Mordor?"

"No," Éomer stated gravely before quitting the room.

I turned back to Théodred, how sickly he looked, and I approached his bed one last time. Kneeling beside him I caressed his cheek with the back of my hand, he moaned again and leaned into my caress.

"Théodred," I whispered as I leaned closer, "do not leave me; do not abandon me please." With my desperate and worthless plea whispered, I kissed my cousin's cheek and stood, brushing off my dress, then exited the room, closing the door behind me. I quickly wiped away any trace of the tears that were forming at the ends of my eyes. Now I had to inform my Uncle of the dreadful news concerning his son.