Between Two Worlds

13

The next day after we spend the rest of that evening in mourning and depressing sadness... only spending my time comforting Éowyn until she wanted to be left alone, and not seeing the king anywhere that day... I wake up, the sorrow of the previous day finally running low in my blood and besides feeling sorry for my friend and her uncle, I feel better... I am sure they will need days to recover but... since I didn't know Théodred personally I cannot share in the same kind of grief.

This sadness was indeed unexpected... and it crushed me to see Éowyn in such a state.

But if I stay in a good mood I think it would make her feel better and as a friend, making her feel better and helping her move on from her heartbreaking tragedies is my job.

I wake up staring at the ceiling that morning... thinking it's a normal day here in Edoras... But I forget who all is here now.

I suddenly sit up, rubbing my eyes and then run my fingers through my hair to untangle it a bit, and hop out of bed. After the funeral I had come straight here and slept in my clothes. Even so, I stretch and hear voices outside in the halls. I walk out from the room of the east wing and the first person I see is the little dwarf, sitting at a table and drinking their mead.

I see a few others, but Éowyn, Théoden, and Gandalf are no where to be found.

Strider leans against a pillar smoking his pipe. I walk down the steps and over to where he stands, grabbing a breakfast roll before standing next to him. "Well, I didn't expect to see you again," I say to him and pinch off a bite of bread to stick in my mouth.

"I was just about to say the same, my lady," he responds, looking at me with a kind grin. "How are you?"

"I've been well. I'm a bit trapped but other than that..."

"How so?" he makes a playful smile.

"I can't get back to Mirkwood from here. I've lost my ride."

"So you took up residence in the Woodland Realm?"

"Yes they have been very hospitable."

He nods. "I am glad."

I glance over my shoulder at the dwarf at the table behind me who burps. Geez.

But my eyes flash around the room... I see guards and other men...

I sigh. But before I draw attention to how hard I look I stop. But I turn and walk up to the barracks casually. Empty. I look over my shoulder. No one is looking. I run into the room and open the door out onto the cement overlook. I step out into the sunlight and look left... I see someone in a cloak, straight, blonde long hair with part of it tied into a braid, a bow in the person's hand... an elven bow. I can't help but smile as my insides leap.

I run forward without thought and hug him from behind. I feel him raise his arms in surprise and I squeeze him like a brother away from home.

I giggle and let go so he can turn around. He looks confused at first but then makes an amused smile and looks down but then back up.

I try to hold back my smile but I can't. "...Hi," is all I can manage to say excitedly.

He twitches his head but laughs. "Hello, Miss Stormborn."

"What are you doing here?" I still have not wiped this embarrassing smile form my face.

But he hasn't either. "I... It's a long story, my lady."

"Well I like long stories."

"Do you?" he laughs.

"Yup. Tell me."