Yay! As I've said before...I think it was in one of the previous chapters...I will be updating every other day. I've started watching this movie called Priest and it has the guy who played Eomer in it and...oh I can't spoil it, but yeah. I reccomend it and the movie, Red. He's in both movies lol Anyway, I don't own LotR! Lemme know if anything is amiss. Enjoy!
Chapter Nine
Everyone woke early for the departure. Even as Éowyn protested, Rowan mounted Firestorm and rode beside Éomer. The ride to Isengard wasn't too long, but as they rode through Fangorn Forest, Vivian grew weary. She rode on Firestorm behind Rowan. Wynter was to stay behind and help carry items for the people of Rohan.
"The trees can talk," Vivian whispered to Rowan.
"I think they can hear you," Rowan whispered back with a grin and urged Firestorm forward.
Saruman's once great fortress was now in ruin. Rowan urged Firestorm along the pathway, noticing that smoke rose up above.
"Only you can prevent wild fires," Rowan mumbled to Vivian and the girls began giggling.
Merry and Pippin came into view and Rowan decided that she'd let Merry ride with Vivian while she rode behind Éomer. Pippin rode behind Aragorn and Rowan smiled at Vivian. She knew Vivian was jealous.
"Firestorm will take good care of you both," Rowan assured Vivian and wrapped her arms around Éomer's waist.
As they approached the great tower of Isengard, Rowan gazed up with a grim expression on her face. Vivian gave out a yelp upon seeing a huge tree standing at the base of the tower. Merry assured her it was only Treebeard and he wouldn't harm anyone. Gandalf looked up at the top of the tower and Rowan's eyes bulged out of her head. Saruman stood at the top and Vivian's mouth hung open. It was so high up. No wonder it took a while for Saruman to fall.
"Young master Gandalf. I'mmm…glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master, but there is a wizard to manage here, locked in his tower," Treebeard stated and Vivian sighed.
"Show yourself," Aragorn muttered and Rowan exhaled.
"Hey, you have visitors!" Rowan yelled and Vivian started laughing. Their outburst made Éomer look behind him and Rowan just gave him a smirk.
A few words were spoken before Saruman appeared. He appeased Théoden and Rowan rolled her eyes.
"You're such a mean old man!" Vivian commented and Saruman's gaze locked on to Vivian and Rowan.
"Ah yes, I've heard of you two. Grima was very clear about your…meddling ways. One of you shall fall before the his time is over. The Great Eye has seen it," Saruman yelled.
"What if we don't want to die?" Rowan called up and Saruman chuckled.
"You, warrior, will be tested in more ways than your friend. In the days to come, you will come to realize that you can only protect so many," Saruman stated and Rowan was about ready to dismount. Éomer grabbed her arm to keep her on Firefoot.
Saruman spoke with the others and when it was time to go back to Edoras, Rowan leaned her head on Éomer's shoulder. Everything Saruman said to her weighed on her mind and when she looked over at Vivian, she knew that she'd give her life for her best friend. The images of Saruman plummeting to his death and Grima's death filled Rowan's mind and she closed her eyes more tightly to erase them.
Vivian looked over to her best friend and frowned. If Rowan continued to battle in her condition, she would die. As much as Rowan enjoyed fighting, Vivian knew that she had to prevent Rowan from doing so for a while. It would take some time for her serious wounds to heal. It was only because Éomer had a soft spot for Rowan that he allowed her to fight with him. When Vivian had spoken with Legolas, he assured her that he would keep a better eye on Rowan in the future. As the two continued to speak, Vivian convinced Legolas to teach her how to speak like an elf. Legolas explained that it was Sindarin and he agreed to teach her when there was time.
Once within Edoras, Éomer was about to help Rowan dismount, but Firefoot laid down and let Rowan get off. She hugged Firefoot's neck and rubbed his nose.
"You are such a good boy," Rowan cooed Firefoot and he stood up. Éomer watched in the background and shook his head. Firefoot would probably accept Rowan as his rider if anything happened.
When Rowan saw Vivian, she kissed Firefoot's nose and ran over to Firestorm. She helped Merry off first and then Vivian. Firestorm stomped his hooves against the stone and Rowan kissed his nose as well.
"Thank you for carrying them safely," Rowan muttered and Vivian cried out with joy. Wynter was standing in the stables.
As Vivian caught up with Wynter, Rowan walked inside Meduseld with Merry and Éomer. Pippin, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, Gandalf, and Théoden were already inside. Upon seeing her brother, Éowyn hugged him and then gave Rowan a scrutinizing look.
"You are a reckless girl," Éowyn stated and Rowan shrugged.
"Eh, I'm a wild child," Rowan concluded and Éowyn laughed, giving Rowan a hug.
"Tonight, I would like to celebrate our victory and honor the lives of those who have passed," Théoden announced.
"It's party time!" Vivian yelled, running into the room and suddenly stopped upon seeing everyone staring at her.
"Not yet," Rowan muttered and shook her head, laughing.
When everyone dispersed, Rowan and Vivian ran to their old rooms. Éowyn entered Vivian's with a smile.
"I apologize, Lady Vivian, but because there are so many guests, you must share a room with Lady Rowan," Éowyn explained.
"I think that would be fine. You know, you can just call me Vivian…and the same goes for Rowan. She dislikes formalities," Vivian pointed out.
"Very well, Vivian. You may call me Éowyn. You should inform Rowan that you will be sharing a room," Éowyn stated and left.
Vivian skipped down the hall and found Rowan pulling out her weapons.
"I wouldn't unpack so soon. Éowyn said that we have a share a room because of the party," Vivian spoke up and Rowan laughed.
"You seem overly excited about the celebration tonight," Rowan mused, repacking her weapons.
"It's a party. I need to have my fill of merriment," Vivian pointed out.
"You have no idea how they party in Middle Earth," Rowan added as Vivian sighed.
"We saw what they did in the extended edition of the movie! It's a harmless celebration where we get to drink! It's going to be my first drink…before twenty-one!" Vivian stated and Rowan rolled her eyes.
"When did you start drinking? I don't recall you ever wanting to go near any sort of alcohol," Rowan realized and Vivian shrugged her shoulders.
"I figured that since we're here we might as well follow suit," Vivian stated.
"Well, you can drink all you want, but I'm not going to be holding your hair when you throw up…or pity you when you have a hangover in the morning," Rowan warned.
"I'm not going to drink too much," Vivian assured Rowan and the two best friends walked back to Vivian's room.
Tables and benches were being placed in the hall and Rowan decided to change her outfit into something better for the occasion. Rowan found a tunic with a corset attached and put that on with a pair of black riding pants and black boots. When Rowan emerged from behind the changing screen, Vivian rolled her eyes. In contrast to Rowan's clothing, Vivian chose to wear a brown and white gown.
"Are you ready for this momentous occasion?" Rowan asked as she brushed her hair. For the first time in a while, she let it down as it was. Compared to Vivian's blonde hair, hers was thick and hung straight. Because Rowan wore it up so much, it started to wave and Vivian told Rowan that she liked it better that way. Vivian's hair was lighter in color than Rowan's and a tad bit longer.
"Of course I'm ready," Vivian agreed and met Rowan's hazel eyes. It had been a while since Vivian even gave her friend fashion advice. Rowan's hazel eyes stuck out from the dark colors she wore and her blonde hair seemed brighter than usual. Rowan always envied Vivian because she had blue eyes, but there was nothing to be done. On occasion, Rowan's eyes would turn a cloudy gray, but that was when Rowan was sick.
As they walked into the hall, they came upon a silent group gathering. Everyone took their seat at one of the many tables and benches. Rowan and Vivian took a seat near the back and noticed Aragorn at the front. Théoden emerged with Éomer at his side and Rowan bit her lip. It was one of the rare occasions where Éomer was without armor. Vivian nudged Rowan and she and shrugged.
"Fun's about to start," Vivian mumbled to Rowan.
So the celebration scene is coming up yay! I'm so excited because the celebration is one of my favorites scenes from the movie...especially the extended edition!
