Part 7

Eowyn awoke, warm and comfortable but alone, in her bedroll.

On the other side of the rock shelter, Sighard was snoring loudly. Eowyn closed her eyes and, concentrating, searched for Legolas, and immediately heard his voice—quiet but firm—coming from somewhere overhead.

“...perhaps some remnant of Sauron’s army,” he was saying, “still lurking in the Mountains of Mordor.”

“Then why have we not heard of them before?”

“They have been lying low,” Legolas replied. “But now they have a need—a need so pressing, it has forced them to break cover.”

“And take Ayleth,” said Haldir, bitterly.

Eowyn could picture the expression of gentle sympathy on Legolas’ face as he tried to reassure his friend. “Whatever they want from her will keep her safe, Haldir; at least for now. She knows that you will come after her, and she is brave and clever—she will bargain for time.”

“Yrch!”

“No,” said Legolas, sadly, “men. Men corrupted by the promise of power.”

...

Eowyn pulled the golden ring from inside her jerkin and, holding it in her palm, admired the way it glowed, warm and bright, in the cool morning light. It was too large for her, even for her thumb, but it was beautiful, and she was glad that she had found it.

She picked it up in her fingers, and examined the heraldic device engraved in its bezel.

Something about the design looked familiar, and she frowned, trying to remember, but she could not recall where she had seen, or even heard of, the intricately-wrought emblem of a heart pierced by a broadsword.