Main Characters: Éowyn, Frodo
Rating: PG
Pairings: N/A
Genre: Drama
Length: Short story
Summary: Éowyn meets Frodo and he asks her to take the Ring in his place. AU
Author's Note: I had to change a lot of things so Éowyn could actually be in the same room as the Ring. Frodo did try to go alone to Mordor, but Sam convinced him otherwise, and they joined Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli to look for Pippin and Merry. They met Gandalf in Fangorn and together they rode to Rohan.
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Frodo had never seen such a sad yet peaceful place as Edoras. The people were quiet and looked at the fellowship, or what was left of it, like they did not belong there.
Legolas rode a horse with Gimli, Aragorn with Sam, and Frodo with Gandalf.
''Sam...'' Frodo whispered, so that neither Aragorn nor Gandalf would hear him, since Legolas' horse was far distant as always.
''Yes, Mr. Frodo?''
''I do not know if I made the right choice.'' Now he looked down, and Sam could see regret in his face.
''We'll find out, Mr. Frodo.... we'll find out...''
As they entered the Golden Hall, Frodo noticed Éowyn, who stood beside Théoden, the King of Rohan. He thought her fair, and unlike Galadriel, cold. But something in her made him feel comfortable, for he saw Aragorn felt her fairness too.
Everything seemed to happen really fast. Gríma left, Théoden was healthy and looked like a King again, and everyone was making ready to ride to Helm's Deep for a great battle.
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Frodo wandered alone in the halls of the castle. The ring was getting heavier, much heavier, and he felt that it was leading him somewhere.
With no will of his own, he was led to a room, and there he saw Éowyn swinging a sword.
I felt him looking at me. Aragorn, son of Arathorn, a King to be. I know he is the answer, the person that will set me free from my cage. Too long have I lived like this... too long have I felt empty and hopeless, Éowyn thought as she put her sword in a wooden chest.
She turned and noticed Frodo staring at her, looking confused and also hopeless. ''Have you lost your way or do you just wish company?'' she said softly.
''Both.'' He sat in a small chair, and she followed him, sitting in a chair next to him.
There was a pause for a long time, too long for Éowyn. Frodo took the Ring out, for his scarf was covering it all this time, and Éowyn could not help but notice it.
It was bright and it seemed to be calling her name.
She saw herself by Aragorn's side, laughing with bliss, while all that was once dark had gone perfect. Now, as the Queen of Gondor, she did not need to prove herself. Everyone knew how well she could fight, how strong she could be, and she was respected not only as an equal but even higher.
Frodo looked at her, now scared, for the look on her face had changed. She wasn't fair like before. The coldness and hunger for power had taken over her. But then a tear fell down her cold face, and he could see again a little fairness, and her hair started to shine brighter.
Now Éowyn realized that if she took the Ring indeed, people would love her for what she wasn't, for someone else's power, and that was not what she wanted. She wanted to be recognized for her own skills. And so she turned her attention to Frodo's face, and only then she noticed how fair a hobbit could be. She felt pain in him, as he did in her.
Éowyn put her arm around Frodo, drawing a sharp breath as she did so. ''You should not carry that around others. This task must be accomplished by you and no one else, little one.''
Another tear fell down, and Frodo whispered: ''Take this away from me... take the Ring... I cannot do this...'' He was also crying when he finished his lament.
She smiled and answered slowly, feeling herself becoming cautious, for she did not want to say much about her own fears, ''This is not about power, Frodo, it is about innocence. If this was indeed a task that required skill in blade, a rider, a strong woman overall, I would do it... but those who have power only wish for more.''
''So you would trust the fate of Middle-earth to a Hobbit?''
''As long as you trust in yourself.''
''I wish I did.''
''You have loyal friends. Have you not learned from them as I have from you?''
''You, learn from me?'' he stammered.
She laughed, realizing Frodo never seemed to focus on the important parts of a conversation. ''Yes, Frodo... and I believe so do all the others.... constantly...'' She would say no more.
Éowyn looked outside the window and remained quiet, watching the sun slowly disappear behind the neighboring trees, leaving part of the garden in shade.
''Will you not take it?'' insisted Frodo once more, interrupting her view.
''Nay.'' The thoughts of her using the Ring came back to her mind. I do not wish for such triumphs.
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Note: I thought it would be interesting to use a Faramir quote in the end to show how Éowyn is similar to him regarding the Ring. I believe she would never take the ring, even if Middle-earth were falling and she alone could save her, so using the weapon of the Dark Lord for her good and glory. Like him, she would never want to prove herself like that, only by her own power.