THE TALE OF THE LADY MORGOLWEN
The night was dark as the new moon rose over the rolling plains of Rohan. The winds pounded strong and chill across the fields and villages. All was silent as war was preparing to unleash itself upon the helpless and the innocent. The king's son had been sent on a quest to scout the edges of the lands for any movement by the enemy. His home, Meduseld, was full of long and solemn faces. They awaited word from the lord Eomer, who had gone out after the king's son.
"How long has it been now?" asked a young woman. Her hair was long and golden, and it showed traces of red when the sunlight shown upon it. She was dressed in a simple crimson gown lined with silver and golden trims. Her name was Morgolwen. She was a lady of the court of Rohan and sister to Gamling, one of the king's guardsmen.
"It has been nearly a full moon cycle by now. I had hoped to receive word before the new moon had risen. I fear something must have happened to delay them from returning," spoke a woman very much in like appearance to Morgolwen. This woman was the Lady Eowyn, niece to the king, and a shieldmaiden of Rohan.
Morgolwen looked dimly at her lady, for she too had been longing for news for many days now. She dared not show her concern to it's full extent, though, for fear of upsetting her lady even more. Morgolwen had always had a strong spirit, though she was not as well trained in the ways of the shieldmaiden as Eowyn was. She could wield a sword good enough to fight off barbaric creatures, but she would fail against any trained swordsmen. She kept her spirit strong, though, and appeared more fierce than she actually was.
They sat together in a parlor room located off the main hall of Meduseld. Neither knew much to do during these dark times. The Lady Eowyn was doomed to wait upon her crippling uncle and king, who neither gave her praise nor acknowledged her existence. The Lady Morgolwen did her best to help Eowyn with what she could, but she was kept busy herself with the upkeep of the hall and stables. Many days were spent dressing the guardians of the king in their ceremonial and combat armor and tending to their meals. Morgolwen was a good cook and spent many hours over a hot fiery stove. It was in the evenings that she could sit with her lady and attend to her. Though it was partly her duty to serve Eowyn, she also loved her like a sister. Eowyn had always been kind to Morgolwen, and Morgolwen was very thankful for that. The time she was able to spend with her lady was a delight. This night was like so many others for the past weeks. They sat preparing new garments for themselves and for the king's men. They took the duties upon themselves for the king rarely gave orders anymore, and the guardsmen had many holes in their clothing, and the ladies as well. The king sat slumped on his throne only to be seen rarely by his court. He was mainly attended by a snake of a man named Grima. Grima was better known as Wormtongue, a name given because the people of Rohan strongly believed that his words were poisoning to the mind.
"Perhaps Theodred is out on the very edges of the lands. It may take longer for them to return if that were the case," spoke Morgolwen, trying to ease her own fears and longings.
"Perhaps, but my heart will not rest until I hear the horn sound, signaling their return," answered Eowyn.
"Though your heart cannot rest, lady, your body must. I take my leave now so that you may rest and, hopefully, have sweet dreaming." Morgolwen bowed and turned to exit.
"Good night, Morgolwen, and I hope that you have pleasant dreams as well. I pray that you'll awake to see your betrothed return to you safely," and the Lady Eowyn bowed her head to Morgolwen.
Those last words sent a chill down Morgolwen's spine. This whole time her lady saw the pain on her face and believed it was for Theodred. It seems suitable that a wife to be would yearn for her man, but Morgolwen could not face Eowyn if she were to learn that Morgolwen's heart was not resting for another instead. Morgolwen had a love of sorts for Theodred, for they played together as children, but it was not a true love, a passionate love. She didn't know if it was wrong to not passionately love he who would be her husband. She knew that she'd be content with Theodred, as queen one day, but only if the one she truly desired were not around. The sight of Eomer, Eowyn's brother, made her feel faint and sent shivers throughout her body. She knew that she wished to be with him more than Theodred. Her heart could not lie. But she could not express how she felt, because it would be wrong. So, she kept it inside, and she would forever. She had made that decision.
She left the hall of Meduseld that night and went to her cottage in the city on the hill. She preferred to stay there because the hall made her uneasy. She was greeted at the door by her brother, who had finished duty for that day, and she then went straight to her room to sleep, though it was a sleepless night. She had horrible dreams that she could only wish were not visions of what news was to come.