Stories and Pledges
For a moment, time itself seemed to stop. No one moved or said a word as Aragorn charged down the hall's steps toward the little crowd.
"I ASKED you where you've been? I've been going OUT OF MY HEAD with worry and here YOU COME, prancing in on a HORSE with EOWYN, EOWYN like you HAVEN'T a care in the WORLD!"
'Wait a minute-what is she doing with Eowyn? And looking so damn happy about it? This can't be good –please,Eru! Tell me they haven't been comparing stories about me!'
By the time he'd reached the ladies, the other king, and the other king's confused men, Arwen had regained enough of her wits to speak. "I apologize for any worry you may have had, my lord, but I can assure you I am perfectly well."
'And you have been out of your head long before I decided to take a little trip to Fangorn, my good king.'
"Yes, I CAN SEE that. You look as BEAUTIFUL as ever, my LOVE. But I simply cannot have YOU wandering , off ALONE again.
I will NOT tolerate such BEHAVIOUR, even from you, ARWEN. Have I made myself CLEAR?"
At this, Aragorn moved to grab Arwen. Now it was Eowyn's turn to spring into action. Before his hand could even come close to Arwen's arm, Eowyn slapped it away. For a moment Aragorn could only stare at her with his mouth open. And before he could do anything else, the other king at this little party stepped in.
"Aragorn," said Eomer in a tone that made clear he'd suffer no more on the subject, " I'm sure the ladies are weary from their journey. There will be plenty of time for explanations after they refresh themselves and join us for a meal."
'And you'd better have a good explanation, little sister, or I will take a switch to your hide!'
"Thank you, brother. We will retire to my rooms as soon as we've taken care of the horses. Will you ask my maids to have two baths drawn?"
'I never thought I'd live to see the day when Eomer , of all people, would be the voice of reason! And what is going on with Aragorn? Is that crown he's been wearing too tight for his head? He's as mad as a peach orchard bore!'
"The stable hands can take care of your horses, Sister. I'll make sure they do a good job. You and the Lady Arwen go on ahead. We'll see you when you join us at the table."
Knodding to her brother in thanks, and ignoring Aragorn all together, Eowyn led Arwen up the steps and into the hall. "You said he'd become unreasonable", she muttered as soon as they'd passed out of ear shot. "You didn't say he'd become completely deranged! Why does he still behave as if you are a couple?"
Arwen gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry Eowyn….I really didn't think he'd still be going on like this. I made it perfectly clear, as did my father, that I will not marry him. I fear now that perhaps the horrors of the war and the pressures of being king have unseated his reason. Don't worry – I'll have a talk with him. Now, let's get you out of those clothes and into a tub."
' And onto the bed. Valar- who would have thought fighting would so enflame my desire for you, little one!'
While the two ladies spent time doing whatever it is that two ladies do ( well in this case, perhaps a little more) the two kings settled down with some wine in Eomer's private drawing room. The younger man couldn't help but stare as Aragorn sat petting the cat that sprawled across most of his lap.
' What is it with him and that cat? He has barely put it down since he got here. I like the man and will always be grateful to him for saving Eowyn's life, but I think he's starting to go Gollum. Maybe it's the crown? Damn thing's probably too tight – that's why I never wear mine.'
Eomer was so deep in thought he almost jumped when Aragorn finally started to speak – speak, but not to him.
"You should have seen her, CARAD . Acting like she'd done nothing wrong. FIRST she demands I fight a war and claim a kingdom before she'll MARRY me, THEN she says she's changed her mind and NOW she's run off into the woods with Eowyn. You haven't met EOWYN yet, Carad , but I think you'll like her. She's got a lot of spunk….almost REMINDS me of you, my WITTLE PUMPKIN-DUMPKIN."
'That does it….I'm going to see what Elfhelm and Hama are doing. I can't take any more of this man-and-his-cat nonsense.'
"Aragorn, if you'll excuse me, I have some important matters that need seeing to before we eat. Please, you and your…friend…make yourselves comfortable. I'll make sure to leave a paige right outside the door if you should need anything."
'Now with any luck I'll make it out of here without having to hear any more about the damned cat.'
"Thank you, EOMER. Carad is feeling a little TIRED . I don't THINK he's recovered from the trip here ON horseback,yet. Could you have someone bring in a nice SNACK for him? A bowl of milk and maybe a nice chunk of RAW MEAT? Yes, DADDY is going to get you something nummy nummy for your little furry tummy tummy! Will that make you HAPPY, CARAD?"
"Of course, my lord. I'll send word to the kitchen."
' Now I am getting out of here before he says something else creepy. Why aren't Legolas and Gimli ever around when you need them? Off "exploring" in the glittering caves. Exploring, my arse! No, it's not MY arse that's being explored. They're supposed to be his best friends – why can't they keep an eye on him? Why did they dump him and that flea-bitten feline off on my royal doorstep? I'll tell you why…because they know he's gone crazy and they're afraid of him! I'm Eomer Eadig and even I'M afraid of him.'
Now where is Hama? I told him not to leave me alone with him again…..
A short time later, the ladies were "refreshed", Eomer King was relieved from having spent time away from Aragorn, and Aragorn was missing his cat. All sat staring at their plates and not saying anything. Well, expect for Arwen and Eowyn , who stared at each other and whispered and giggled back-and-forth.
"It is wonderful to see you again, Lady Eowyn. And to meet you, Lady Arwen," said Faramir, who had joined them just as they sat down to eat. "Never have I seen such beauty in one place before – it dazzles my eyes."
"Thank you, Lord Faramir. Eowyn has told me how lovely – (and at this she shot Eowyn a sidelong glance) - your manners are and I can see she spoke the truth. Are you enjoying your visit to Rohan?"
"Oh, yes, my lady. I have fallen in love with the fresh air and open plains. Gondor will always be home, of course, but I confess I am enchanted with the Mark – and its people." And at that he shot a sidelong glance of his own towards the king and his sister.
At the exact same time, both Arwen and Eomer shared the exact same thought.
' Did he just give her a look? Yes, I'm positive he just gave her a look. Enchanted with her people, my foot! Something tells me this steward of Gondor still carries love in his heart for my Eowyn. I will have to do something about that.'
Before any plots could be hatched that would put Faramir's life in danger, Aragorn picked just that moment to finally say something. " Well…..I'm WAITING. You two OWE me and everyone ELSE here an explanation for where you've been and how you wound UP in each other's COMPANY. So come on, ENTERTAIN us with this tale."
Eowyn and Arwen exchanged glances before Eowyn finally started to speak. Eomer's eyes went wide and he clutched his fork with such force it almost bent when she got to the part about the orc. Then he turned to study Arwen with a new sense of appreciation when he heard how she'd saved his sister.
' Is it my imagination, or is Eowyn actually glowing? I don't know what happened in that cursed forest, but I wager we're not getting all of the story….not by half! If I didn't know better…..no, that's impossible. They are both maids! Things like that only happen in the stories Hama tells when he's had one too many mugs of ale. Not with my innocent little sister. It's that damned Faramir I'm going to have to keep my eye on when it comes to her. He seems nice enough, but no man is ever going to do…things…to my sister. Not while I'm breathing.'
"That is an amazing story, my ladies", said Faramir when Eowyn had finally stopped speaking. "Who says all adventures ended with the war? I now have an even greater respect for your courage and bravery. You must tell me more about the ents, sometime Lady Arwen."
"It would be my sincere pleasure, my Lord Faramir. It was quite an adventure….one I'd not trade for anything in the world." Arwen practically beamed at Eowyn as she said this. "And now, if you will pardon us, My Kings, my lords, I think the Lady Eowyn and I should retire for the night."
As the men all stood, Arwen took Eowyn's arm and steered her out of the room, stopping just long enough to allow Eowyn to kiss her brother good night. But before they reached the end of the hall, Aragorn's voice boomed out. "If you think that STORY explained anything, ARWEN, then you are sadly mistaken. I expect TO have words with you first THING in the morning. Get some REST – you're going to NEEEEDDD it."
At this, Arwen didn't even turn her head to give him a look and instead tightened her grip on Eowyn's arm. She'd spent days imagining what it would be like to have Eowyn in a real bed and she wasn't about to let the deluded commands of Aragorn spoil her pleasure. Upon reaching their chamber, Arwen dismissed the handmaids and bolted the door behind them. Anyone watching would only have seen the light go out a few minutes later, followed by the sounds of rustling sheets and quiet giggles.
Eomer ,Faramir and everyone else at the table also left for their rooms as quickly as possible. Not that any of them were all that exhausted. They just wanted to get away from Aragorn before he and that blasted cat of his could keep them up half the night listening to the man try and sing the cat to sleep. They'd endured it before and none of them were anxious to see –or hear – it again. Ever again.
The next morning found Eowyn awake before Arwen. She left her lover sleeping and made her way down to the royal stables to check on the horses. On her way, she ran into Faramir who'd just left his own room with the plan to take a morning walk.
"Good morning, my lady. Do you mind if I join you? I would like to speak with you, if you'll allow it."
"Of course, Faramir. And what is this "my lady" foolishness? Aren't we friends? Then speak as such and call me Eowyn as you used to do."
Faramir smiled and held out his arm for her as they made their way down to the stables. After Eowyn was satisfied that their horses had been well cared for the night before, she slipped them- and Eomer's stallion- an apple. "Come, Faramir. I'll show you the best place in all of Rohan to have a conversation."
She'd led him to a garden below one of the great balconies. It was a beautiful garden full of many of the plants her grandmother had brought from Gondor. They settled on a bench and Faramir looked a bit uncomfortable before he started to speak.
"Eowyn….I think I owe you an apology. Please, let me finish before you speak. I'm afraid I may have frightened you with my advances before you left Gondor. You are so beautiful and I thought myself quite in love with you. Now I see that you never returned those feelings and likely never will. I understand. I really do. And I care for you too much to lose you from my life. If all you feel for me is friendship, then it is a friendship I will cherish for the rest of my days. Please, Eowyn, may we continue to be friends?"
"Oh, Faramir," Eowyn sighed as she reached for his hands and pressed them between her own. "Of course we are friends, we have never not been friends. You are right, I didn't love you as a woman should love a husband. But that does not mean I do not love you as I would the dearest of brothers. Faramir, I have found such joy since we last met. My heart is full of enough love to give it freely to those I choose. And I choose you, my friend."
Eowyn reached up to cup the side of his face with her hand and Faramir looked deep into her eyes for the first time since she'd left Gondor. And he saw there a joy and a peace such as he could never have imagined for the sad maiden he'd first met. He turned his lips to brush her palm and covered her hand with his own. "Eowyn of Rohan…I make to you this vow….to love and protect you as a friend and as a brother for as long as I walk this earth."
Eowyn had to blink back tears as she looked into Faramir's blue eyes. "And I make the same pledge to you….to love and protect you as a friend and as a sister for as long as I walk this earth." At those words they fell into each other arms and held one another until a very distinct sound caught their attention. The sound of a sword blade moving thru the air with great speed.
