I don't bow to crowns LOTR/Legolas love story #Wattys2015

A flower...

The next morning, Nymerial went into the throne room of the Golden Hall. The preparations for the journey to Helm's Deep had started early in the morning so not much was left to do. Nymerial noticed Éowyn coming in and Aragorn was following her quietly. Nymerial didn't think about it very much and went over to a blacksmith. She asked from him noticing the wheel for sharpening swords

"Excuse me but can I borrow that for a minute?"

"Sure, knock yourself out!"

He stood up and left. Nymerial sat down onto the chair and pulled out her sword. She made the wheel move and placed the blade gently onto it. Her sword vibrated as she sharpened it. After a minute or two, she took the sword and put it back. She knew that her daggers would never need sharpening, they were always razor-sharp.

She looked around her and saw Éowyn opening a chest. She pulled out her sword, lifting it to her chest. She then started to swing it around, practicing for a battle she shouldn't be a part of. As Éowyn turned around to swing the blade once more, her sword didn't meet air. It was stopped with a dagger, Aragorn's dagger.

"You have some skill with a blade."

Éowyn's eyes went wide as she pulled back her sword. She then pointed the tip towards Aragorn's neck. He held up his hands in defeat. Éowyn then said to him

"Women of this country learned long ago that those without swords may still die upon them. I fear neither death nor pain."

Aragorn looked her in the eyes and asked

"What do you fear, my lady?"

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

Nymerial laughed in her hand lightly; Éowyn's words were similar to hers yet so different. She fears that she won't be a part  of the people who had been to war. Or that was what Nymerial could understand. Yet she, Nymerial, was afraid of what would come after the war. She focused her attention back to the pair talking. Aragorn said

"You are a daughter of Kings. A shieldmaiden of Rohan. I do not think that will be your fate."

The King then entered the Golden Hall and declared that they are leaving in fifteen minutes. Nymerial picked up her bag that she packed last night and went to the stables. She released Amani from his wooden cage and led him to the others. On the way, she met Freda. Nymerial remembered that she told Freda that she could ride with her so she lifted up the little girl and went on. 

Nymerial led Amani with Freda on him to the gates where everybody was gathering. She went to Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas who were standing near the King. Nymerial greeted them with a small hand-wave. Then there was silence. Soon Théoden started moving into the distance, towards Helm's Deep

.        .        .        .        .

It was midday and the sun was shining. But the air around Nymerial was filled with fear and sorrow. The people of Rohan knew why they were fleeing to the mountains even if their King ignored it for such a long time. Nymerial's thoughts were interrupted by Gimli and the others talking. The Dwarf said to Éowyn

"It is true you do not see many Dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, they are often mistaken for Dwarf men."

The girl looked back and Aragorn whispered

"It is the beards."

while Nymerial moved her hands around her chin as if scratching an invisible beard. Gimli didn't notice that and continued