All he ever wanted

A fortnight later, Cimorene and Tyrian reached Edoras. Edoras would be a safe haven for them, for Linhir hated mortals, and was less likely to search a city full of them.

She had reached Edoras in record time. Before she could go inside the Golden Hall, she was stopped by the door warden.

"Ma'am, I need you to leave any weapons you have here." He said.

She nodded, shifted Tyrian to one arm and withdrew a dagger with the other; she laid the dagger down, and said, "I am unarmed now."

"Take down your hood."

"I cannot do that until I am safely inside. King Théoden knows me."

"Very well, go in." The guard said reluctantly."

"Thank you." She said as she was taken to Théoden.

"Who are you, stranger?" Théoden asked, "I bid you to take your hood down."

"As you wish, King Théoden." Cimorene said as she took down her hood.

"Shiara?"

Cimorene nodded.

"It has been so long since you have been here. Are you sure it is safe to be here?" Théoden questioned.

"Rohan is safer than Gondor, and definitely safer than Harad."

"Why are you here? And without your husband?"

Cimorene's face fell. "To hide from one who would hurt me. To save my husband and my son. I am looking for a place to live. Can you find me one within Edoras?"

"You can stay here, in the Golden Hall. You and your family are always welcome here. Éowyn will be pleased to have another woman here. You two look the same age, though you haven't aged a day since I saw you when I was a child."

"No. I have not. I have one request. That I may train with the trainees to be a soldier, just incase I have to fight for my life. I am deadly with a bow and arrow, but my sword fighting is a little bit rusty. Let me work on that, and I will be fine. Just a few times a week.

"I will allow that. What is your son's name?"

"I will call him by his true name in private. In public, he is Anborn."

"I understand. Here comes Éowyn now. I hope you don't mind sharing a room."

Cimorene shook her head. She followed Éowyn to their room. They sat and talked, and Cimorene discovered that Éowyn wanted a friend that was a woman. She said the maids were useless. Being friends with men was useless also.

"What is your son's name?" Éowyn asked.

"Anborn Goldflower. I have not thought of a middle name yet." Cimorene said.

"Then I will help you. Let's see, how about Harding?"

"Anborn Harding Goldflower. I like that. Hanno-" Cimorene cut herself off. "I mean thank you."

"No, what were you saying?"

"Hannon lle." Cimorene said, "It means thank you in Elvish. Please do not tell anyone about my knowing elvish. It could cost me and my son our lives."

"I won't tell a soul. Are you an elf?"

Cimorene nodded. Tyrian reached for his mother's hair, and looked upset when he could not reach it. Cimorene had cut her hair to just below her shoulder, and he wasn't used to it.

"I thought there was something different about you. I suppose your son is an elf too."

"Yes, but you mustn't tell anyone. Again, it could cost our lives."

"I would never. You seem like a good friend and I adore Tyrian."

"Hannon lle." Cimorene said. Weeks came and went, and Théoden's health seemed to deteriorate. He looked like an old man, and he was cranky to boot.