Presently the brothers were led into the great hall where they breakfasted with the Lady of Rohan and some other nobles. Conversation was sparse, and there seemed to be an air of waiting, only broken when word came of the Prince's arrival. Two men burst into the Hall, and Eowyn crossed the room to them. Then she led them to the lords of Gondor, who rose in respect. The men of Rohan bowed in greeting and sat down to the meal.
"Forgive us, lords. If we had known of your coming, we would have prepared a better welcome for you," Theodred apologized.
"Apparently our message was lost. No ill feelings, though we hope we have not imposed," Boromir replied.
"Indeed not," Theodred insisted, "for we have just returned from a long journey and will be here for days yet."
The lady Eowyn served her brother and cousin, something the men of Gondor thought curious as nobles were always served. As they finished the meal, the ill-looking man from the night before joined them. The air could not have gotten chillier had a blizzard burst through the room.
Theodred began slowly, "This is Wormtongue, the advisor to my father."
"And his spokesman," Wormtongue added sharply looking to the brothers. Boromir's eyes widened in response to the man's rudeness. "And I told you," dark eyes fixed on Boromir, "it was his will for you to leave."
Boromir looked to Theodred who, to his astonishment, only lowered his eyes.
His temper rising, Boromir threw down his napkin, scraped back his chair, and stood, facing the villain. "Perhaps you are in need of knowing that you are speaking to the next Steward of Gondor, and you, sir, are a mere servant of this Hall." All sat silent and tense waiting for what would happen. Wormtongue began to reply, but Boromir interrupted him. "I will not to continue this discourse, and would prefer to go for a ride. Perhaps you will know your place by the time I return!"
He turned and stalked from the hall while all sat agape, wondering what to do. Slowly Faramir rose and without a word turned to follow his brother, loyally following his lead.
"Wait!" Theodred's voice stopped Faramir, and Theodred strode up to him, "I believe I will join you."
Likewise Eomer and Eowyn rose and walked from the Hall leaving Wormtongue alone to fume.
*
Once they exited the large doors, the young nobles--one of Minas Tirith, the three of Edoras-quickened their speed to the stables where they met Boromir. Theodred went to him. "I know not whether your actions are for good or ill, my lord, but I am grateful. You have said what loyalty to my father prevents me."
"Your father suffers you to be ordered by a lesser servant?" Boromir asked, astonished.
"Times have changed," Theodred returned apologetically. "Ever since Wormtongue's help with the previous evacuation to Helm's Deep, my father has put his trust in him."
"A pity," Boromir commented, "Well then that my father sent us here. Now I see why he was anxious and entreated me to make haste on this errand, one that I am only now beginning to comprehend."
Theodred's puzzlement showed. "Sir, I am confused by your talk, but please, I wish to learn more. Let us ride and discuss far from prying eyes."
After mounting their horses, the party galloped away from the city.
*
Finally, after an hour of riding, Theodred stopped on top of a hill. They dismounted and sat on the grass watching the wind blow across the plains until Theodred began, "Now, my lords, let us talk without fear of listening ears." Boromir looked to the lady and her brother. Theodred noticed the gaze. "There is nothing that you may say to me that you cannot to them. All three of us are as one."
Boromir swallowed, wondering how much to say, while Faramir worried about how much he would.
"Indeed. Let me lay it out before you," Boromir began. "We are presently being attacked on many fronts by Orc raiders, disorganized but persistant. My brother has spent much time in Ithillien as a ranger while I have been rallying defenses of the cities. But if Rohan is not secure, our work would be in vain."
Theodred interrupted. "Rohan has been attacked and raided, but no serious danger threatens us."
"Yet," Boromir challenged.
"What would you ask?" Eomer spoke for the first time.
"Your cavalry is renowned, " Boromir answered, turning to the Prince's cousin, "and in the past you have patrolled both Rohan and Gondor, guarding our troops. Lately that has not been the case. We wish to discover why and see if we could make perhaps a new alliance, a stronger one, where our troops would also protect Rohan. Then perhaps you would be more willing to answer our calls for help and ride with us, as of years gone by."
Theodred shook his head. "Father has lately desired isolation for Rohan, and to stay away from the wars. I doubt he would renew the patrols, or permit Gondorian troops in our land."
"We have been allies for hundreds of years! Why now, in our great danger, can you not agree to mutual support?" Boromir wanted to know.
"I said that was my father's wish, and I must honor it." Theodred answered softly.
"Yes," Boromir said slowly, comprehending the Prince's predicament. "You must know then that if you will not be present for us in our need, it is likely Gondor will not be present for Rohan when you are attacked?"
"I understand there are two-sides to an alliance," Theodred replied, "and I wish that Gondor would be generous to us, even if we are not."
"As it has always been," Boromir said bitterly. "Gondor pays the price in blood while you are kept safe. Elves and dwarves, too, have been leeches living on our people's sacrifices. Though not for long, I fear."
Boromir exchanged a glance with Faramir who had sat silently not wishing to usurp his brother, as it appeared Eomer and Eowyn were also doing for their cousin.
"I am sorry, my lord," Theodred replied, bringing Boromir's attention back to him. "As long as my father is king, this will not change. We have tried." He bit his lip, clearly his thoughts in turmoil. "I know that if we do not unite again, nobody will be safe in the world of men."
Then came a long pause as Boromir considered bringing up another point. His mind made up, he changed the focus "There is another possibility to help this situation." He began slowly, his eyes turning to Eowyn. "Both my brother and I are unmarried."
This received a response from Eomer who was visibly startled. "You understand me, do you not?" Boromir asked.
"Indeed." Eomer looked to his sister next to him, whose eyes widened, and she instinctively moved closer to her brother. "Surely you must not have a sister, sir, to speak so boldly!"
"I have not, but I see what you feel, and know how I would respond had I a sister." Boromir turned to Eowyn, "And I must ask your pardon, my lady. But your cousin said that you are all as one, and I would mislead nobody." Eowyn still did not speak.
"Would Gondor truly wish to marry one from another land?" Theodred asked.
"Yes, in these dark times."
"So a new alliance may be achieved unofficially because we would come to the aid of family." Theodred spoke aloud his thoughts.
Boromir nodded.
"And if my sister does not wish it?" Eomer asked sharply.
"There will be nothing done against anyone's will," Bormomir replied. "We know not how this will play out. Except that we must unite! Perhaps I spoke too soon, but I must repeat that I did not wish to hide our intentions." Silence. "And see if they would not be unwelcome."
A look passed between the Prince and Eomer. It seemed as though a silent conversation were occurring, one which ended when Theodred said to Boromir. "My cousin and I must confer."
"By all means."
And in awkward silence the young nobles mounted their horses and returned to the Golden Hall.
"Forgive us, lords. If we had known of your coming, we would have prepared a better welcome for you," Theodred apologized.
"Apparently our message was lost. No ill feelings, though we hope we have not imposed," Boromir replied.
"Indeed not," Theodred insisted, "for we have just returned from a long journey and will be here for days yet."
The lady Eowyn served her brother and cousin, something the men of Gondor thought curious as nobles were always served. As they finished the meal, the ill-looking man from the night before joined them. The air could not have gotten chillier had a blizzard burst through the room.
Theodred began slowly, "This is Wormtongue, the advisor to my father."
"And his spokesman," Wormtongue added sharply looking to the brothers. Boromir's eyes widened in response to the man's rudeness. "And I told you," dark eyes fixed on Boromir, "it was his will for you to leave."
Boromir looked to Theodred who, to his astonishment, only lowered his eyes.
His temper rising, Boromir threw down his napkin, scraped back his chair, and stood, facing the villain. "Perhaps you are in need of knowing that you are speaking to the next Steward of Gondor, and you, sir, are a mere servant of this Hall." All sat silent and tense waiting for what would happen. Wormtongue began to reply, but Boromir interrupted him. "I will not to continue this discourse, and would prefer to go for a ride. Perhaps you will know your place by the time I return!"
He turned and stalked from the hall while all sat agape, wondering what to do. Slowly Faramir rose and without a word turned to follow his brother, loyally following his lead.
"Wait!" Theodred's voice stopped Faramir, and Theodred strode up to him, "I believe I will join you."
Likewise Eomer and Eowyn rose and walked from the Hall leaving Wormtongue alone to fume.
*
Once they exited the large doors, the young nobles--one of Minas Tirith, the three of Edoras-quickened their speed to the stables where they met Boromir. Theodred went to him. "I know not whether your actions are for good or ill, my lord, but I am grateful. You have said what loyalty to my father prevents me."
"Your father suffers you to be ordered by a lesser servant?" Boromir asked, astonished.
"Times have changed," Theodred returned apologetically. "Ever since Wormtongue's help with the previous evacuation to Helm's Deep, my father has put his trust in him."
"A pity," Boromir commented, "Well then that my father sent us here. Now I see why he was anxious and entreated me to make haste on this errand, one that I am only now beginning to comprehend."
Theodred's puzzlement showed. "Sir, I am confused by your talk, but please, I wish to learn more. Let us ride and discuss far from prying eyes."
After mounting their horses, the party galloped away from the city.
*
Finally, after an hour of riding, Theodred stopped on top of a hill. They dismounted and sat on the grass watching the wind blow across the plains until Theodred began, "Now, my lords, let us talk without fear of listening ears." Boromir looked to the lady and her brother. Theodred noticed the gaze. "There is nothing that you may say to me that you cannot to them. All three of us are as one."
Boromir swallowed, wondering how much to say, while Faramir worried about how much he would.
"Indeed. Let me lay it out before you," Boromir began. "We are presently being attacked on many fronts by Orc raiders, disorganized but persistant. My brother has spent much time in Ithillien as a ranger while I have been rallying defenses of the cities. But if Rohan is not secure, our work would be in vain."
Theodred interrupted. "Rohan has been attacked and raided, but no serious danger threatens us."
"Yet," Boromir challenged.
"What would you ask?" Eomer spoke for the first time.
"Your cavalry is renowned, " Boromir answered, turning to the Prince's cousin, "and in the past you have patrolled both Rohan and Gondor, guarding our troops. Lately that has not been the case. We wish to discover why and see if we could make perhaps a new alliance, a stronger one, where our troops would also protect Rohan. Then perhaps you would be more willing to answer our calls for help and ride with us, as of years gone by."
Theodred shook his head. "Father has lately desired isolation for Rohan, and to stay away from the wars. I doubt he would renew the patrols, or permit Gondorian troops in our land."
"We have been allies for hundreds of years! Why now, in our great danger, can you not agree to mutual support?" Boromir wanted to know.
"I said that was my father's wish, and I must honor it." Theodred answered softly.
"Yes," Boromir said slowly, comprehending the Prince's predicament. "You must know then that if you will not be present for us in our need, it is likely Gondor will not be present for Rohan when you are attacked?"
"I understand there are two-sides to an alliance," Theodred replied, "and I wish that Gondor would be generous to us, even if we are not."
"As it has always been," Boromir said bitterly. "Gondor pays the price in blood while you are kept safe. Elves and dwarves, too, have been leeches living on our people's sacrifices. Though not for long, I fear."
Boromir exchanged a glance with Faramir who had sat silently not wishing to usurp his brother, as it appeared Eomer and Eowyn were also doing for their cousin.
"I am sorry, my lord," Theodred replied, bringing Boromir's attention back to him. "As long as my father is king, this will not change. We have tried." He bit his lip, clearly his thoughts in turmoil. "I know that if we do not unite again, nobody will be safe in the world of men."
Then came a long pause as Boromir considered bringing up another point. His mind made up, he changed the focus "There is another possibility to help this situation." He began slowly, his eyes turning to Eowyn. "Both my brother and I are unmarried."
This received a response from Eomer who was visibly startled. "You understand me, do you not?" Boromir asked.
"Indeed." Eomer looked to his sister next to him, whose eyes widened, and she instinctively moved closer to her brother. "Surely you must not have a sister, sir, to speak so boldly!"
"I have not, but I see what you feel, and know how I would respond had I a sister." Boromir turned to Eowyn, "And I must ask your pardon, my lady. But your cousin said that you are all as one, and I would mislead nobody." Eowyn still did not speak.
"Would Gondor truly wish to marry one from another land?" Theodred asked.
"Yes, in these dark times."
"So a new alliance may be achieved unofficially because we would come to the aid of family." Theodred spoke aloud his thoughts.
Boromir nodded.
"And if my sister does not wish it?" Eomer asked sharply.
"There will be nothing done against anyone's will," Bormomir replied. "We know not how this will play out. Except that we must unite! Perhaps I spoke too soon, but I must repeat that I did not wish to hide our intentions." Silence. "And see if they would not be unwelcome."
A look passed between the Prince and Eomer. It seemed as though a silent conversation were occurring, one which ended when Theodred said to Boromir. "My cousin and I must confer."
"By all means."
And in awkward silence the young nobles mounted their horses and returned to the Golden Hall.