Éowyn's Lament
Aranel Carnilino; SidraLockel Eltoran; Namárië Ad'u; Elenaro; 2007
("---" signifies change in poet)
My entire life I've waited—
Lingered in the dark
Despaired of ever hoping
To gain that final spark.
A week ago, I saw you,
Noble, strong, and wise.
You turned to me and smiled.
The light dawned in my eyes.
"Could you be the one?" said I,
Once smold'ring heart astir.
I'd never felt this way before,
But then you mentioned her.
This one to whom your heart belonged,
This Arwen Evenstar.
She held your fancy more than I—
Shield-maid of Rohan far.
Your pale-blue eyes then deepened,
You knew I grieved this way.
I heard my saddened self inquire:
"What does she do this day?"
"Traveling to the Havens,
"For to cross the sea."
Gone was Arwen Evenstar?
I looked up hopefully.
"But yet my pledge does linger,
"Forever thoughts remain."
I thought of unfulfillment.
I thought of endless pain.
---
I thought of how I longed for you;
For this strong love of yours,
And how it seemed to be my lot
To stay behind closed doors.
I wondered why you could not see
That I was dead inside.
How I felt trapped inside this place
With no one to confide.
Why was it that I could not fight
Along side those I loved?
My love of realm is strong indeed,
And as pure an any dove's.
All these thoughts thus tumbled round
So fast inside my head.
And my heart cried out to you
To make my soul undead.
For my heart cried that only love
Would free me from my plight!
And only you, with your kind way,
Could lead me to the light!
All this screamed inside my mind
While I nodded in return.
For I could see your steadfast love
And hear your voice's yearn.
You longed to see the one you loved,
And your love was ever true.
And yet I questioned why your love
Was now sailing away from you.
How could she just sail away
And leave you here behind?
Left alone in Middle-Earth;
I did not think her kind.
I could care and love you true
If I was only given the chance.
You and I are so alike,
Like two swords in wild dance.
---
But no, there was no hoping,
Your care for me that of
A loyal father watching o'er,
Not that of my true love.
---
Yet I stand on these hills dreaming,
Hand over my heart,
Of a soul like yours to find me
And sigh in loving part.
Oh, to escape this cage—
To be more than just a queen!
Achieve honor and glory
Is what I want to have seen.
In the midst of battle,
Standing tall and proud.
Golden hair flowing;
My war cry ever so loud.
A shield-maiden am I,
Not a princess to kneel before.
A warrior I want to be
And shall prove it evermore.
My sword unsheathed;
My head held high.
Turmoil all around—
Under a beautiful sky.
Chaos in abundance.
Blood covers my arm.
A foe slain at my feet;
Nothing left to arouse alarm…
A battle ended;
Éowyn left for dead.
Merry beside her.
Aragorn kisses her head.