Retrieving my sword from the wooden chest it had so long been confined in,
my face softened as I unsheathed it, looking upon its beauty. Placing a
hand on the edge of the blade, I made a few swift about-faces, then
brandished it as though I battled as though with an invisible adversary. If
there was to be a war, I would be ready. I would fight for a victory for
Rohan, or die trying. With one swift motion, I turned and brought my sword
down, expecting to be met once more with thin air, the nothingness I had
been 'fighting' before.
I know my eyes widened in surprise as the clanging sound of my blade meeting yours echoed through the hall that had previously been unoccupied, save my own self. Blinking once or twice, I looked into your eyes, readying a biting comment. But it never came. for once in my life, words failed me. Staring into your eyes, Lord Aragorn, I suddenly found myself at a loss for words, my heart skipped a beat, and I drew in breath with a sharp intake.
"You've skill with a blade." You gave a nod of his head, and I regained my composure, swinging my arm in a circular motion so our swords were no longer crossed. Turning on my heel, I walked a few paces across the room before replying.
"Women of this country learned long ago those without swords could still die upon them. I fear neither death nor pain." I bragged not, nor did I exaggerate. I merely stated the truth with the calm of someone commenting on the weather. Death and pain were inevitable; I had long ago accepted these self-evident truths. Your response caught me off guard once more.
"What do you fear, milady?"
What do I fear, Lord Aragorn? I fear my emotions. I fear the feelings I have when I look deeply into your eyes, when I watch you from afar, the quicken of my heart beat, and the lightheadedness I feel in your presence. I fear falling for you, a man I hardly know, or any man, and having my heart broken.I fear love.
I paused a moment to consider his question before I formed a reply.
"A cage. To stay behind bars until use and old age accept them, and all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire." My voice was soft, but I knew he heard me as the trace of an emotion, too quick to catch, flickered across his face; usually so well guarded from showing the faintest suggestion. He took a moment to respond, as if choosing his words carefully.
"You are a daughter of kings, a shield maiden of Rohan, I do not believe that will be your fate." With a small nod, you were gone, exiting the hall and leaving me alone once more, free to sort out this tangle of thoughts and emotions I was suddenly experiencing. Was I falling in love with you? I who scorned love so? Who scoffed at the mere thought, ridiculed it, and thought it a fanciful, unrealistic myth, believed only by naïve females, still ignorant in the true ways of the world? It wasn't possible. It just couldn't be!
But it was, and I knew in my heart. I, Eowyn, niece of Theoden King, had fallen, and fallen hard.
I know my eyes widened in surprise as the clanging sound of my blade meeting yours echoed through the hall that had previously been unoccupied, save my own self. Blinking once or twice, I looked into your eyes, readying a biting comment. But it never came. for once in my life, words failed me. Staring into your eyes, Lord Aragorn, I suddenly found myself at a loss for words, my heart skipped a beat, and I drew in breath with a sharp intake.
"You've skill with a blade." You gave a nod of his head, and I regained my composure, swinging my arm in a circular motion so our swords were no longer crossed. Turning on my heel, I walked a few paces across the room before replying.
"Women of this country learned long ago those without swords could still die upon them. I fear neither death nor pain." I bragged not, nor did I exaggerate. I merely stated the truth with the calm of someone commenting on the weather. Death and pain were inevitable; I had long ago accepted these self-evident truths. Your response caught me off guard once more.
"What do you fear, milady?"
What do I fear, Lord Aragorn? I fear my emotions. I fear the feelings I have when I look deeply into your eyes, when I watch you from afar, the quicken of my heart beat, and the lightheadedness I feel in your presence. I fear falling for you, a man I hardly know, or any man, and having my heart broken.I fear love.
I paused a moment to consider his question before I formed a reply.
"A cage. To stay behind bars until use and old age accept them, and all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire." My voice was soft, but I knew he heard me as the trace of an emotion, too quick to catch, flickered across his face; usually so well guarded from showing the faintest suggestion. He took a moment to respond, as if choosing his words carefully.
"You are a daughter of kings, a shield maiden of Rohan, I do not believe that will be your fate." With a small nod, you were gone, exiting the hall and leaving me alone once more, free to sort out this tangle of thoughts and emotions I was suddenly experiencing. Was I falling in love with you? I who scorned love so? Who scoffed at the mere thought, ridiculed it, and thought it a fanciful, unrealistic myth, believed only by naïve females, still ignorant in the true ways of the world? It wasn't possible. It just couldn't be!
But it was, and I knew in my heart. I, Eowyn, niece of Theoden King, had fallen, and fallen hard.