/Do not fear the sword my child', a soft voice instructed as the sound of metal clashing paused allowing the songs of birds to once again
be heard in the trees.
'but its sharp mama, i don't want to cause harm', the child of seven winters whispered staring down at the weapon in her hand
with tears of frustration in her eyes. Seeing the emotions rise in her only daughter the queen Elfhild lowered her own sword her heart
heavy at the girls sorrow.
'my child', she soother kneeling in front of her and wrapping her hand around the blade of her blunt training sword. 'look at me'.
swallowing the golden haired girl looked up her waterlogged grey eyes meeting the blue eyes of her mother.
'A sword is not evil, nor are all who wield them. I master a sword as does your father are we evil?'.
Tilting her head she shook her head, her mother could never be evil. And her father was the most jolly, soft-hearted man in the Rivermark.
'A sword is used for a great many things and yes there are those who wish to cause nothing but harm with the blade and because of this many
people do die by a sword'. the girl once again lowered her head but Elfhild gently cupped her chin once again rising her eyes back to her own.
'But that is not your intention is it?'.
She shook her head firmly her golden braids almost hitting her mother in the face causing her to suppress a laugh.
'As long as you hold good intentions within your heart you could never be evil. Like me you need to master the blade so you can protect the
people of Rohan. I pray you will never have to see battle but if you do then you will need to learn that your sword is an extension of you.
You have control, not the blade. Do you understand?'
She silently processed the wise words of her mother. She wanted to keep her people safe like her mother did, she wanted to be able to protect
her father, brother and cousins and if the only way she could was to learn how to swing a sword properly then that's what she will learn. Nodding
determinedly she looked back up at her mother a familiar stubborn glint in the grey eyes she received from her father.
'I understand mama'.
suppressing a smile Elfhild masked her expression to match that of her serious daughter.
'Good, are you ready to try again Theowyn before we return to your father and brother?'
'Yes, mama'/

Walking the familiar path towards the royal hall Theowyn, now a woman of three and twenty winters old attempted not to look to long at the people wondering the village their faces aged beyond their years with hardship and even as they bore burdens of their own and grief was a daily visitor to them. on this day all those she passed gazed upon her with empathy and understanding in an attempt to give her comfort. The loyalty of her battered people almost made her weep. Almost. Regardless of the day, regardless of the situation they needed her to be strong if she wasn't then they would begin to loose hope of a lighter future. But walking back from her mothers grave she found as she always did on the anniversary of Elfhilds death that it was harder for her to keep her emotions under her tight hold. swallowing thickly the princess inhaled deeply before clearing her face of grief and lifting her chin as she ascended the stairs up to the great hall. Upon entering her eyes automatically moved to find the king, her father in his throne. Exactly where he'd been for years his skin sunken and gray. His glazed white eyes staring ahead unseeing. It wasn't her mothers death that caused the kings diminishing health, no the cause was must more sinister. A wave of anger engulfed her as the door to the kings personal chambers opened and her fathers snake tongued adviser exited. His dark greasy hair mused and his pale skin dotted with water droplets. No doubt he had enjoyed a restful night in the kings bed and used his basin for his morning wash as well while the king remained on the throne not moving a finger as he was advised not to her disgust continued to rise Grima turned after closing the door pausing as he caught sight of her cold eyes fixed upon him. Her fingers twitched displaying her inner struggle not to grasp a sword and remove the snakes head from his shoulders. swallowing thickly at the rage radiating from the young woman Grima took a step back ready to flee back into to kings chambers before movement over the woman's shoulders drew his gaze and he relaxed at the sight of his guards exiting the kitchen. Sensing the added danger Theowyn glanced at the wildmen with a sneer their own eyes were eager for the chance to attack her. Clenching her jaw she forced herself to turn toward the hallway and stride away from the man responsible for the crumbling of her village and its people. One day she will have the chance to kill him she silently swore to herself as she heard the wildmen laughing at her retreat. As she imagined all of the painful ways she could kill Grima she heard a female voice call behind her and turned to see her cousin Eowyn walking towards her. The people of Rohan saw Eowyn as their shinning light as their jewel in the surrounding darkness and it was no wonder. She was a beautiful woman slightly older then Theowyn at seven and twenty hair was long gently flowing down her back in wheat coloured waves while her eyes were the color of a calm sea. Theowyn used to be jealous of the beauty her cousin held when she and her brother Eomer came to live in Rohan after the death of their mother Theowyn the 1 and their father Eomund. She had been four and ten winters then while Eowyn had been seven and ten winters. But the death of her mother brought the two women closer together and Theowyn was suddenly the lady of Rohan she no longer had the energy for such pointless emotions not when she had the whole country looking to her.

'Eowyn?' she greeted as the older woman fell into step beside her.
'Our brothers, they have yet to return', she said unnecessarily and Theowyn nodded waiting for her to continue.
'I worry for them', Eowyn finally admitted as they paused outside Theowyns door.
Sighting the princess turned to face the older woman taking in how she worried her thin pale hands and the dark circles beneath her eyes.
'Both Theodred and Eomer are skilled marksmen, they will return. Worry not cousin', she finally said reaching out to grasp her cousins hands in her own stilling their movement and frowning at how cold her hands felt.
Eowyn did not respond, she didn't need to both women knew the dangers that lay outside the village and while Eomer and Theorderd were usually gone for long periods of time they always sent a messenger to inform them of their health. But no messenger had found them for over three months.
'If they have not returned by this time on the morrow i will send out a scout party to find them', she finally promised and Eowyn's shoulders slumped in relief before she took a deep breath and moved to leave giving Theowyns hands a gentle squeeze before releasing them.