Chapter 1: The Dead Body

"See you tomorrow!" Éowyn waves at her colleagues and leaves the police station at ten pm. The city is cold at night even in summer, she tugs the collar of her leather jacket close and releases a deep breath after she hops into her car. She texts Éomer, I am coming home, and within seconds her brother replies, Get us some beers. We are running low. She grunts, shuts the door with force more than necessary and heads to the grocery store.

"Hey, Éowyn." Frodo looks up from his phone when she enters the shop. She smiles at the hobbit, whom she has known since childhood, and goes straight to the section for two beer packs. Frodo almost jumps when she drops them on the cashier.

"Bad mood?"

"I am sick of being the errand girl." She sighs, leaning against the counter. "What about you?"

"Sam is worried about me with all the missing people lately. He wants me to stay with him. So I am taking a long holiday."

"Who's taking care of the shop then?"

"Merry and Pippin are having summer break. That's sixteen dollars." The hobbit looks around; there is no other living being in the store. "Do you need anything else?"

Éowyn checks again for safety then nods. "The usual."

Frodo fumbles under the counter and hands her a vial of red liquid. It looks like blood. Éowyn snatches it into her pocket.

"That's totally forty then." Frodo says.

"Wait. Shouldn't it be thirty?" Éowyn takes out the bottle. It looks exactly as before.

"It is hard to come by, now that Gandalf has gone to who knows where. I have to get them from a witch and it is expensive."

Well, she doesn't have any other choice. She doesn't know if there will be side effects if she stops using it. She needs to talk to Gandalf but the warlock has disappeared for some weeks and the old man isn't fond of phone. Once back in the car, she texts Arwen to see if he has gone to the Elvendom.

The Rohan's family owns hectares of farmland near Aldburg. It's one hour drive back to her home from Edoras and she enjoys the quietness after the full day of hectic work. After passing through the stables and barns, a three storey of red bricks and golden roof comes to view.

She curses - there is a Jeep parked right on her usual spot. She has to park on the grass and she storms inside with two packs of beers. She kicks the door shut and walks in; there are voices from the dining room. Sudden anger fuels her tired body when the whole family is there with Aragorn, clearly having a council without her. They stop talking when they notice they have an intruder.

Her eyes fall onto Aragorn with threats. "Your car is on my spot."

Aragorn, the unfortunate victim of her sour mood, raises his eyebrows innocently. "I apologize, my lady."

"Don't call me that," she grits her teeth at his tease and Théoden offers kindly. "Éowyn, you must be tired from work. Go to bed."

"You are not dismissing me," she drops the packs on the table and sits down next to Éomer, who rubs his temples in despair. "Go on. Is there something I shouldn't know about?"

"Perhaps we can postpone." Théodred suggests with hesitation.

"I don't see why she cannot listen to this. We are all in this together." Aragorn says. The male Rohirrim are tough to deal with and way too protective of that fierce woman.

"Thanks, Aragorn. You are more supportive than my own family." Éowyn remarks, arms cross in front of her chest. If her eyes can shoot bullets they are all dead now. Silently they avoid her sharp glance except Aragorn, who actually doesn't see her as a little girl but a woman with ability to handle herself. She looks up to him and wants to be as great as him one day.

Théoden sighs. "All right." He asks Aragorn. "What does Denethor suggest?"

Éowyn listens attentively. Although she is not taught about politics between werewolves, she knows Denethor is the leader of the Gondorian pack, their territory is right next to theirs, separated by Mering Stream in the middle of Firien Wood. There have been some territorial disputes for some months now and Aragorn is acting as the mediator between them.

The leader of the Northern pack shrugs. "He wants to solve this in a civil manner, a meeting with you to clarify confusing facts and settle on terms. It has to be done on a neutral ground, so with you two's permission, I will ask Thranduil and Elrond about that."

"That's good to hear. Thank you for helping this. What about the missing persons? Have they talked to you about it?" Théoden inquires.

It starts two months ago, when Gamling, a beta of their pack, went under radar when he was going back home from a patrol. His scent disappeared in the middle of the road and they have no idea what happened to him.

"It's a more delicate matter. Turns out the Gondorian has missed an alpha. The elves and hobbits are vanishing as well." Aragorn then remembers Éowyn is a police officer. He turns to her. "Maybe you can look out for us. See if the police is digging into the cases."

"Actually, I think a dwarf child is reported missing last week." She frowns at the memory of a frantic mother, crying her daughter has not returned after school and she couldn't find her anywhere. "The police asked around to find any witness, but no one has seen her."

"I have a bad feeling about this whole thing," Aragorn whispers. "I sought advice from Galadriel and her mirror last week: there are evil deeds being done in Middle-earth. They are returning."

Éowyn remembers the dark time. Not long ago Sauron tried to take down other creatures to rule the magical world of this land. Her father died defending their home and her mother, grieved by his death, passed away from a broken heart. She was too small to go to battle then. Aragorn led others to victory with help from hobbits, elves, and dwarfs. Sauron was defeated and his spirit was imprisoned in a realm created by wizards and elves. For fifteen years their lands have been peaceful, now there are ominous signs of the evil's return.

Théoden and Théodred see Aragorn off at the door. Éowyn opens two beers and gives one to Éomer.

"It seems my tactic to delay you doesn't work."

"Do you have any idea how humiliating it is to find out I am not included in a meeting? It is like my opinion does not matter. I am part of the family!" Éowyn snaps. The Rohirrim pack is dominated by male and she is often ordered to leave when there is a meeting or patrol. She wants to contribute and prove her worth in the pack. When she is denied the chance to be involved in the politics, she applies to be a police officer. Two years of hard work earn her respect from her colleagues that she cannot get from her own family.

"Isn't that what you want? Live a normal life, like a human."

"I become a police officer because I want to show you guys what I am capable of." She says coldly. "And I want to be involved in the business; I can patrol with the pack and be in the meetings, just that you and uncle keep pushing me back in the house like I am some silly teenager who doesn't know her limits."

"The world is dangerous, Éowyn, especially for werewolves like you." Éomer's voice rises. Can't she see he is worried sick about her? When she presented five years ago his worst fear became truth. Théoden once threatened to slit a wolf's throat to stop the shameless proposals from other packs. They will not let her become a breeding stock. He wouldn't let her go to work if Gimli and Legolas haven't promised to watch over her. She is an easy prey to those with ill intent.

"Everyone is constantly reminding me of what I am and I am aware of my status. Because I am an omega I have to stay behind when you risk your life out there? I know how to fight - I learn it from you and uncle and Théodred. I am not some glass doll to be locked up in a showcase." Éowyn spits bitterly.

"Éomer!" Théodred calls out from the door. It is time for the late night patrol.

"We will talk about this later." Éomer finishes the bottle.

"I am coming too. I want to be my true self tonight." Éowyn shoulders her way through the two alphas. It has been a long time since she is in her wolf form and she wants to run in the woods to feel the wind on her furs.

Théodred, her cousin, takes her hand gently. "You just get off from a twelve hour shift and there are dark circles under your eyes. Take this night off. You can join us tomorrow." He coaxes. She knows this trick; her cousin always looks for a soft spot instead of going head to head with her.

As fury leaves her body, indeed she starts to feel the fatigue creeping in. Yet she insists. She is not going to lose in front of her brother.

"If you are not listening to me, listen to Théodred. You really need rest." Éomer joins in.

Since her brother has softened his attitude, the need to fight back diminishes. They have offered her an easy way out so she takes it. "I am actually tired." On cue, a giant yawn escapes her.

Théodred laughs at her embarrassed face. "Don't wait up."

They shake their clothes off on the porch and let their naked bodies bathe in the moonlight. Their bones crack and in alien ways their bodies twist. Within a blink, they are in their wolf forms. Théodred is dark brown with greyish eyes while Éomer has fur of golden wheat. Their cousin howls to the sky. In the distance there are answering howls. Éomer looks back at her and she nods with a smile, and he is off with their cousin, running across the field. Éowyn closes the door when they disappear behind the horizon.

She locks her door securely before fishing out the vial from her pocket. It is her lifesaver. Ever since she has presented as omega, her scent attracts unwanted attention and the heat is insufferable, since she does not want to sleep with anyone. It is pure torture that lasts for entire week. She learns about the suppressant through Frodo, who introduced her to Gandalf. A master in portions, she buys from him liquid that covers her scent and suppresses her heat. She drains the vial and instantly feels a coldness from her core as if her womb is being put under ice water. Freezing, she takes a hot bath to warm herself up.

The next morning she wakes with a strange feeling in her stomach. She climbs out of her warm bed and prepares for the day. However, her day is officially spoiled; she can smell the greasy hair and sweats coming from downstairs. The worm is here. She tries not to let Gríma's presence bother her, but when she walks into the dining room and locks eyes with him, she is disgusted by the lust he harbours for her. Éowyn ignores his greeting and goes straight to the kitchen where Théoden is making breakfast.

"I don't like him in our house." She speaks lowly as she pours a cup of coffee.

Théoden adds salt and flips the eggs. "He says he has something to report to me."

"He could have just called." She wrinkles her nose in distaste. "I do not like the way he looks at me."

"You are thinking too much. He has no one else. I can't exile him." Gríma's parents were slain during the dark time and he has been living alone. A lone wolf cannot survive out there. Théoden pities him and let him act as a scout, collecting information in exchange for the pack's protection. He kisses Éowyn on the cheek. "I have cooked your favorite."

She follows her uncle to the dining room; Théoden puts the plate on the table and asks Gríma out to the porch for discretion. Usually she would protest and argue to be included, this time she is happy to be left alone. She checks her phone for the messages. Her colleagues are texting about gossips as usual. Gimli asks if she can drop by his shop as he has kept a special gun for her, concerning the recent news. Arwen replies her earlier question that no one in Rivendell has seen Gandalf at all and that she would watch out for her.

As she puts the plate and mug in the sink, the hairs on her neck stand. She turns to find Gríma by the door, blocking the only exit.

"What did you inform uncle?" She asks.

"Still trying to get your way into the family business?" Gríma creeps closer, cornering her. "I thought you prefer muddling with humans instead of your own kin."

She can defend herself if Gríma attacks her, but he has an aura about him that makes her heart fright even in her home. He stops just an arm length away and she can smell his stinky breaths. "You are too weak. Omegas are only good for breeding, you know? I do not understand why Théoden is keeping you here while he can gain a great alliance through you."

"I am much more than that," Éowyn controlled her shaky voice, both in fear and in anger.

Gríma laughs. "I am sure those humans would say you are. But you are not them and they can never understand you. What do you think would happen when they know what you are?" His mocking face changes into a horrifying expression. "They will kill you."

Éowyn swallows hard and pushes her way out from Gríma's mental cage. She shouldn't listen to him; his words are poison and he is trying to alienate her from the family.

The drive to work is terrible as she cannot shake his voice out of her head. Meeting the worm is definitely the worst way to start a day.

When she gets to the office, sergeant Shepherd is waiting for her, leaning against her desk. He looks upset so she inquires carefully. "Sergeant?"

"Oh, Dernhelm, you are back." Shepherd is tall for a human with dark hair and brown eyes, similar age to Théodred. He smells like can foods and diapers, probably because he has two cats and a baby at home. "You are coming with me." He immediately leads the way to the yard. Éowyn strides after him and they get into a police car.

"Where are we going?"

"Firien Wood. A dead body."

Éowyn searches his face for any jokes but he is serious. "Shouldn't it be handled by the senior officers?" She has been in the force for mere two years, the youngest in the station.

Shepherd drives steadily. "Those boys from the city don't know shit. I hear you are from the rural."

"I live near Aldburg." Éowyn supplements.

"The park rangers found the body this morning about six. It seems like an animal attack, but they want our opinion on it and we need to carry out procedure for the dead. You haven't got a dead body case before, have you?" He starts talking casually with her once they get onto the straight road that leads to their destination.

"No," she answers, but she has seen dead bodies before during the dark time. One of the barns was transformed as temporary infirmary and she helped there. So many were injured, and some carried back dead, their bodies incomplete.

A dead body in Firien Wood - a forest that situates right on the territories between Rohirrim and Gondorian. Éowyn couldn't help but worry. From the sound of it, there is the potential of a dispute between wolves. With the negotiation taking place, she hopes it is just some random stranger lost in the woods and got chased down by animals.

"My first is an angry wife axed her husband. I vomited, totally lost my shit. So don't be embarrassed." He smiles kindly. "Just curious, are you available on the 29th?"

Éowyn is surprised by that question. "Why?"

"It's my daughter's one year old party. My wife wants me to invite some colleagues over, but you know how barbaric those boys are. You know what to say and do at the right time. My wife will like you."

"She isn't jealous?"

Shepherd laughs wholeheartedly. "I hope she will! Ever since the baby is born I feel like I am just a piece of furniture to her."

She laughs with him, but the next second her laughter dies down. You are not them. Gríma's voice echoes in her head.

"Count me in." She says to Shepherd. She will not let Gríma get into her head. She is not one of them, but she feels more accepted by humans than her own pack. They appreciate her effort and will not brush her off because of what she is, unlike her family and other magical creatures. She needs to think about her future. Does she want to stay with her family, or maybe start a new life as a human?