Please review, please please please! Silence. Then eyes glare icily as she whips out dagger and presses the cold blade to reader's throat. "It wasn't really a request."

Eowyn's Point of View (referred to as POV from now on)

My heart leapt in my chest as I saw Aragorn returning from his journey, my eyes only for him, I noticed not the slight figure astride him. An imposing figure even afar, his wavy hair flowing behind him, his horse seeming an extension of himself. Too late I noticed a figure behind him, her arms wrapped around his waist, her body pressed into him. "Open the gates!" the call came from below. As he rode into the city I saw a silver glint against his tunic. The necklace. So this was his love. I brushed my fingers over my cheek. No tears would come.

"Eoywn", Aragorn cries out as he strides into the hall, picking me up and enfolding me in a bear hug before I have time to respond. I can feel his warm body pressed tight against me, the rough fabric of his tunic pulling at my breast. Not breathing I run my fingers through his long hair. He was back. Then setting me gently down and smiling like a small child, he announced proudly. "I'd like you to meet Arwen, my wife" I felt as though I'd been punched in the stomach, hard. "Your wife?" I breathed softly. His brow creased in consternation. "Well, no", but then smiling, finished "but soon to be so". From behind him, walked forward the most breathtaking elf I had ever seen. "Pleased to meet you, lady", I mumbled, extending a stiff hand. Ignoring decorum she embraced me and swiftly kissed both of my cheeks. "Greetings, sister", she said warmly. Damn her. I couldn't hate her. She had everything I had ever wanted, Aragorn. And yet I couldn't dislike her, her kind manner and quick smile. "I'm sure you'll be comfortable here, I'll have a room made ready", I said swiftly.

Later I walked the ramparts. Aragorn to be married, I felt that my hopes were forever shattered and shaken out to the four winds. Why had she not gone to the ends of the earth with her people? I knew the answer and could not blame her. Who would leave him? I parted the folds of my skirt concealing my sword and set about performing my daily exercises. "You fight well, milady", came a sweet voice from behind me. I was so startled as to nearly drop my weapon. Her silken garb was beautiful but the impracticality of it made me feel contempt for the soft maiden. "Here women have need to fight." Her smile at my comment told me she knew the motives behind it, and I blushed in shame. She swept back her long cloak to reveal a blade similar to my own. "It is also with my people."

I know not what came over me but I found myself spilling out all of my worries and fears and frustrations to her willing ear. "I wish to fight!" I said passionately, "I see not how people can just stand by and let these things come to pass!" "I know the feelings of which you speak, but no longer do they trouble me as greatly." "How can this be?" "I had my fill of battle long ago, when the fate of nations could still be shaped by blade alone, and had not to trust to destiny to bring about their ends." I looked at her perplexed. "And what if destiny calls me to fight?" I asked hopelessly. "Then fight and care not for tomorrow, accept your destiny or change it, but either course you take you will find yourself with the opportunity to change yourself and all that is around you." A bell rang. "Time to eat, and be a proper lady again", I sighed, tucking the sword once more beneath my skirts. "and to smile and banter politely whilst the men are enduring bloodshed." She replied, and with a wicked smile she was gone.