Summary: Éowyn and Merry know why they fight. Movieverse, tiny hint of onesided Merry/Éowyn.
Universe: Movies; missing scene
Author's Note: I always loved the bond that seems to form between Merry and Éowyn, especially in the movies (What? I can't like the movies on their own merit?). Also, I always thought that Éowyn's motives for riding off into battle were different in the movies than in the books, so that carries over to here.
Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings.
The sun weeps on them in little droplets of amber light, and Merry watches Éowyn, waiting for her answer.
It leaves Merry mystified, confounded. He can not truthfully speak to knowing Lady Éowyn's heart, but here he sees someone who has much to live for. Éowyn has many who love her and would grieve were she to fall wounded or dead.
And, yes, beautiful. There are few women would remain lovely to look at, dressed in mail and leather like a man, with their cheeks smudged with soot and their hair tousled and lusterless, but Éowyn is beautiful still. Like a warrior woman of legends borne out of the mist. Strong and stern and beautiful in a terrible sort of way. Remote as a distant star.
And sad, too. It's not immediately apparent with Éowyn, who remains inscrutable and enigmatic, wearing the perfect court mask, but in these unguarded moments when they may all be dead in a few hours, Merry can see it. Her clear, translucent gray eyes stare and stare but do not really seem to see anything. Éowyn is seeing something else when she looks upon the camp.
She turns her head, and Merry follows her gaze and begins to understand. Éowyn's eyes have fallen upon the forms of her uncle and brother. "Because," she whispers, voice distant and far away, "because everyone I love has ridden off to war. And I could never fall back and wait for them to return, or wait to see if they return. I have not the strength for that.
"When everyone you bear love for is in riding into danger and uncertainty, you have a duty to stand at their side, even if they do not wish it. Because if you love them, you would do no less." Finally, she turns her gaze back to Merry, and tries to smile, if a little lamely. "You understand, do you not, Merry?"
The hobbit finds nothing to do but smile ruefully. "Yes, my Lady."
Éowyn nods. "I thought you would."
