I do not own any of Tolkien's works.

I hope you like this...just something that wouldn't leave my mind!

The ride to Minas Tirith was a long one. She had left Edoras with only the thought of bringing her armour and weapons for protection rather than to fight, but his words, spoken so softly, yet enough to tear her heart in two, still lingered in her mind.

"It is but a shadow and a thought that you love."

She blinked away the tears, careful not to wake Merry in front of her as they sat upon her charger. Aragorn had been the last straw. Too long had she sat in the shadows, helpless to not only herself, but to those around her. She had suffered through her parents death, grieving for what was lost and silently cursing herself for not being able to help them. Too long had she been forced to bear with Gríma's lustful stares, his sickly hands reaching out to her to drag her even further into the dark when Éomer was too long gone to help her. She had been forced to watch her beloved country crumble.

Then Aragorn had come, her knight in shining armour, daring her to feel, to release the river of emotions she had so carefully locked away in her mind. He had dared her to feel powerful, with his speeches and remarks, as if she could change the fate of many.

Then, on the eve of battle, he had said, "It is but a shadow and a thought that you love," and left.

He had dropped her, willingly or not, and she had landed hard, reaching out in blind fear of being drowned in the same darkness that he had saved her from.

But as much as she felt Aragorn had deceived her, he had also awoken in her a new hunger. She knew they thought her weak, in the way men do of women.

She would prove them wrong. She would ride with the Eorlings as one of them, and prove to them the strength that was hers. She would prove her brother she could look after herself. She would prove to her uncle she could be a shield maiden worthy of the splendour of Rohan. She would fight the Battle for Minas Tirith for her country. And if she survived, she would see Rohan's glory renewed, its pride rebuilt, and its people safe.

Now, looking over the vast mass of the Mordor army, Éowyn, Lady of Rohan, sent a prayer to her forefathers. At her uncle's signal, her horse leapt forth and she shouted out her war cry, and she thought, 'for Rohan.'

Please R&R!