A Friend Remembered

Title: A Friend remembered
Author:Jade (aka aragornsfavorite)
Beta:Jen
Rated:R now NC-17 later
Pairing:Eomer/OFC
Warning: First chapter is a sad one
Archived: Elves R Us Yahoo Group
Disclaimer:The Privilege and Honor of owning anything from LOTR goes
to Tolkien. All other stuff is mine.
Summary: Eomer comforted Nessa during a sad time. Will their
friendship turn to something else when they meet again......
A/N I had written this when I had to have my horse put down. At the
time I had intended it only to be one chapter. I have since decided
to continue with the story.
Shihan is Korean for Master-Teac.. I.. I was her master she was my
teacher....


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The soft sound of a door being opened, a light breeze reaching her
followed
by the sound of footsteps. Nessa sighed deeply as she looked down at
the
creature laying before her. Many years they had known each other,
many
paths taken in hope of finding adventure.
"Nessa?"Looking up at his voice she had not expected it to be him.
His
sister maybe since she and Eowyn had been friends. Giving Eomer a sad
smile she blinked back the tears that again threatened to fall.
"She's dying."
Eomer heard the sadness in her voice. His eyes taking in the scene
before
him. Nessa sitting on a blanket beside her horse. The horse laying
on it's
side with it's head resting on Nessa's legs as it's master stroked
her
long black main.
"She is sick?"
"Aye she has been sick for some time now, She no longer has the
strength to
fight it."
Bringing himself slowly to his knee next to Nessa, He gently placed
a hand
on the horses head in respect for the beautiful creature. Even now
on it's
death bed the horse held a great beauty above others. A light brown
color
with a mane of pure black. Eyes as blue as the Sea.
"I can see how much you care for her"
Nessa let out a soft sigh as she leaned forward placing a soft kiss
on the
horses head before her reply was heard.
"She saved my life once and I had made her a promise that we would be
therther forever. That promise will be broken tonight"
"Ang ang as you remember her then that promise shall never be
broken"Eomer
took a seat on the blanket just beside Nessa and took her hand in
his. "Tell me her story"
"I do not wish to burden you with this"
"It is no burden for I as well have a deep respect for horses" He
placed a
gentle kiss on the back of her hand. "What is her name?"
"Shihan"
"A fit name for a horse with such beauty, Now Tell me how Shihan
saved your
life"
Nessa closed her eyes letting her mind wander back to that day a few
years
before.....

~~~Flashback~~~

Nessa had just finished placing the saddle onto Shihan and was ready
to
mount her.
"Nessa why must you insist on riding that one?" Her mothers worried
voice
had startled her.
"I can't explain it mother but I somehow feel connected with her"
"She is dangerous, Even king Theoden has said so, she has a temper
and many
riders have been thrown from her back"
"She will not throw me, I am more safe on her back then I am on my
own
feet" Nessa gave her mother a smile as she urged the horse forward
slowly.
"Be careful"
"I always am"
Nessa relaxed herself into the saddle. She learned that it was
better to
let the horse lead then it was to try and control her. They spent
the day
just wandering around enjoying the peaceful surroundings.Nessa
smiled as
the horse suddenly stopped, one ear turned slightly to the side and
instantly Nessa knew what the horse wanted.
Placing her feet properly in the sturrips, gripping the reins. Nessa
leaned
forward and gave the command the horse had been waiting for.
"Run."
With a small leap forward the horse took off across the fields,
Every muscle
in it's legs straining as it gained more speed
Nessa's eyes were closed as the wind cooled her face, Her hair
blowing
freely. It was a time both horse and rider felt more alive then
anything
feeling as if no danger could touch them....They were about to be
proven
wrong.
With a sudden jolt the horse veered to the left,Nessa almost fell
off but
had managed to regain her balance. It wasn't until she felt a sharp
pain in
her shoulder did she realize what had happened. An arrow has pierced
her
shoulder, the tip digging deep into the flesh. Trying to keep her
grip on
the reins Nessa felt herself slipping into darkness.

Nessa felt herself being nudged softly. Opening her eyes she saw that
she was now surrounded by trees. There was a numb feeling in her
shoulder.
She yelped in pain when she tried to move her arm. Her head felt
heavy
suddenly and she knew she was about to again slip back into the
darkness
when a sudden nudge seem to waken her.
"you didn't leave" Her voice sounded distant even to her own ears.
What
amazed her the most was the fact that the horse was crouching on the
ground
next to her, watching her. Nessa was sure she saw concern in it's
eyes.
Trying her best to look around at where they were proved useless the
more
she tired to move the greater the pain. Bringing her hand to her
head she
felt a warm think liquid meet her touch. She was bleeding.
"I must of hit my head when I fell off" She stated more for her own
benefit
then the horses.
Nessa was unsure of what she should do, she was alone and hurt and
most of
all scared. No one really knew where she was only that she had gone
riding.
She never told anyone where she would ride and for the first time in
her
life did she regret that.
Closing her eyes again she felt another nudge to her side. It took a
few
seconds to realize it was the horse who was nudging her.
"I'm ok"She closed her eyes again." I just need to rest"
Like the time before as soon as her eyes closed the horse nudged her
this
time a little harder then before. Nessa slowly realized the horse was
purposely trying to keep her awake.

Not sure of how much time had passed as she laid there, Her head was
still
bleeding though not as much.
"we can't stay here"Nessa heard a voice telling her vaguely aware
that it
was her own "you have to get up".
Using every bit of strength she could muster, Nessa rolled herself
onto
her side, realizing it too late that she had moved over onto the
wounded
shoulder. Crying out from the pain that shot right through her.
"I Can't do this" She whimpered.
Nessa felt another nudge against her and looked directly into the
eyes of
her horse. A sudden feeling of peace and calmness surrounded her and
she
found herself willing to try again.
After a few more tries she had finally managed to put herself into a
sitting position. She felt whatever strength she had slowly
diminishing.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she tried to get to her feet only to
fall to
her knee's and almost back over if something had not blocked her
fall.
Taking a few deeps breaths she realized she was leaning against the
horse.
Shihan was couched very low to the ground in front of her. All Nessa
had
to do was lean forward a little more and the horse slowly got to
it's feet
with her again on it's back. The pain in her arm was getting
unbearable, The
blood from her head now dripping over her eyes.
Nessa somehow managed to hold on as the horse very slowly made it's
way
back to Rohan. The closer they got the harder it was for her to stay
awake.
Her head felt heavy and slowly her vision began to blur till she
slipped
into Unconsciousness.

Had Nessa remained conscious for just awhile longer she would of
known
that the horse had brought her right up to the steps of the palace
and that
she had slipped off landing directly into the Arms of Theoden
himself.

~~~~End of Flashback~~~

Nessa snapped out of the memory when Eomer placed a gentle kiss on
her
cheek as he wiped away her tears.
"I have only ridden her ever since" She spoke softly as she again
looked
down at the horse.
They sat in silence for a long while. Nessa listening only to the
shallowed breathing of Shihan. She knew the horse would not last the
night
already the spark had gone from the eyes that once held such life in
them.
Leaning forward she rested her head on Shihan's neck, gently
caressing
along the horse's jaw. She closed her eyes as she felt fresh tears
when the
horse seem to nudge her as she took her last breath.
"Goodbye my friend" Nessa whispered softly then let her grief take
her.
The tears flowing freely.
She had forgotten that Eomer was still there until she felt him pull
her
towards him an soon found herself wrapped in his strong arms.
Eomer knew no words that would comfort her. All he could do was hold
her
hoping she felt his comfort even in his silence.......

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To be continued