Hey guys! Tynsin's back! And as always she doesn't own anything!
Lets have a big round of applause for She who gives Migraines and an even bigger one for Dernhelm, both because of excellent (and very different beta reading!)
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Ill Tidings
Eowyn sighed deeply. The events of her audience with the king kept repeating in her mind, constantly surfacing just when she thought she'd managed to forget it. She felt betrayed and she wondered at that, for the king had no allegiance to her, rather her to him and it was that unquestioning loyalty that bared her way now.
Why must he suffer like this? She wondered. Why does he seem to be the only one whom Wormtounge can completely fool? And yet, we can do naught, for the Worm is both sly and cunning. He has his way with those weaker than he who might see through him- like me.
She shuddered at the thought of his defeat of her that afternoon. While Grima may be called Wormtounge for his devious language and artful plots, he did not see reason to use them on those lesser than him in stature. Though she was young, there was something about her that his usual toleration with others would not stand. So for Eowyn especially, he did not have much patience, and would much sooner be rewarded by a quick fight than a yielding of words. Then again so would she, as she had proved before. The fact that she had won before just made it harder to bear.
The thought of arguments led her mind back to the events of that she'd been trying to forget: her audience with the king. Eowyn remembered the scene vividly. The king siting on his throne, regarding her with those deep warm eyes of his. It was those eyes she loved the most; so different to Wormtounge's eyes which were full of malice and hatred. Her beloved kings' eyes spoke of depth and wisdom, but also of suppressed emotions, as if, secretly, he knew what was being done to him all to well, but was not capable of stopping it on his own.
He had motioned her to come towards him without speaking a word. This she did, her unwilling feet sounding heavy on the stone floor, as if yelling their objection to whatever plan his advisor had in store for them. Theoden had smiled warmly at her, which made her feel a little better, but not enough to chase the fear that was steadily growing inside her away. As long as he was there, it was never a good thing. Wormtounge revelled in other peoples suffering, and would not bother to stay unless it would be something enjoyable for him.
Her uncle took a deep breath and began slowly, as if trying to gain enough confidence for what had to be said. "Eowyn, my child," as he seemed to gain the needed confidence, he began softly and held up a hand to stop her interrupting as she opened her mouth to speak.
"You are now almost eleven years of age and I feel that you know very little of the outside world." He paused and seemed to try and think of how to word what he had to say next.
Eowyn's heart leapt, could he be letting her actually go somewhere? On an adventure? But she looked back at Wormtounge to see what his reaction would be to this seemingly good news, she noticed the way that Wormtounge was smirking at her. The look of relief on her face slowly melted off as she realised she had not won and that this would be something that she was not going to enjoy.
Theoden cleared his throat and continued, "For this reason your schooling will need to be more advanced, if you are to go to the outside world as an ambassador of Rohan, you must lose your common street-boy ways and become a lady".
Eowyn's mind clouded with a rising tide of emotions, confusion and suspicion at the head of the wave. Why was he -the king, telling her this and not her Governess - for Theoden rarely spoke of such matters with her as he was oft far to busy. And what was more, why? What was the point? An ambassador of Rohan? The future White Lady of the Mark was not an ambassador but a pretty court decoration to be admired from afar- little more than a serving maid with a Royal title. The point about her behaviour was true enough, but surely, that was for her father to say? Wasn't it?
Confusion beat suspicion to the surface and she decided to act apon it.
"My Lord," Eowyn blushing slightly at having to question him- the man she respected most- about his actions. "Should it not be my father's job to tell me this? If it is just about my schooling then."
"Your Governess is away with her family." She was very surprised when he cut her off, because if there was one thing she had learned it was that a lady, especially of royal blood, was never interrupted if she was speaking, even the most obnoxious lords would not dare. Then again, it almost seemed like he did not consider her a lady, as he seemed to think she needed to learn how to be come an eye catching court decoration.
"And it is not just about your schooling. You are to be taught to behave properly yes- but you are not going to stay in Rohan to do it." Her white features must have got even paler, and the inner turmoil that she was facing must have shown in her eyes since he began to speak simply as though the answer was obvious. "I'm sending you and Eomer to Minas Tirith."
Her mind stopped working for a moment while she tried to make sense of what she just heard her beloved uncle say.
Minas Tirith.
In Gondor.
She and her brother gone.
The king alone with no defence against Wormtounge.
That was the worst thing, Eowyn mused, she could deal with being sent to Gondor, but both her and Eomer? Eomer was really Grima's strongest protester. Unlike Eowyn, he (being fifteen) , had the strength and body to be able to beat Wormtounge in every fight. Also, as a male and (if very distant) possible heir to the throne he naturally commanded more respect amongst the people who's opinion of him could be Wormtounge's down- falling.
So Grima had no other choice but to try and turn the king against his nephew. It was obviously not working as well as he'd hoped, for otherwise he would not have to persuade the king to send both of them away.
For that is clearly what is going on here. I may be young yet I am not fooled. This is but a cover to get us out of Edoras! Anger burned into her very soul and her heart ached for the king and the malicious mind traps of his servant. , Her raging spirit turned its glare at the petty plot, no doubt constructed by Grima through his coy and deceitful ways.
He will not vanquish our hope so easily. Eomer certainly will not go down without a fight, nor will I so long as my king still stands.
Eowyn stood from where she had been sitting, a new resolve filling her. Walking confidently, she strode off to find her brother.
************************************************************************** ********* Oh, what could that be? Just down there, it looks like. some kind of button? Be a dear why don't you and click it to find out for me.
Lets have a big round of applause for She who gives Migraines and an even bigger one for Dernhelm, both because of excellent (and very different beta reading!)
**************************************************************************** ********************************************
Ill Tidings
Eowyn sighed deeply. The events of her audience with the king kept repeating in her mind, constantly surfacing just when she thought she'd managed to forget it. She felt betrayed and she wondered at that, for the king had no allegiance to her, rather her to him and it was that unquestioning loyalty that bared her way now.
Why must he suffer like this? She wondered. Why does he seem to be the only one whom Wormtounge can completely fool? And yet, we can do naught, for the Worm is both sly and cunning. He has his way with those weaker than he who might see through him- like me.
She shuddered at the thought of his defeat of her that afternoon. While Grima may be called Wormtounge for his devious language and artful plots, he did not see reason to use them on those lesser than him in stature. Though she was young, there was something about her that his usual toleration with others would not stand. So for Eowyn especially, he did not have much patience, and would much sooner be rewarded by a quick fight than a yielding of words. Then again so would she, as she had proved before. The fact that she had won before just made it harder to bear.
The thought of arguments led her mind back to the events of that she'd been trying to forget: her audience with the king. Eowyn remembered the scene vividly. The king siting on his throne, regarding her with those deep warm eyes of his. It was those eyes she loved the most; so different to Wormtounge's eyes which were full of malice and hatred. Her beloved kings' eyes spoke of depth and wisdom, but also of suppressed emotions, as if, secretly, he knew what was being done to him all to well, but was not capable of stopping it on his own.
He had motioned her to come towards him without speaking a word. This she did, her unwilling feet sounding heavy on the stone floor, as if yelling their objection to whatever plan his advisor had in store for them. Theoden had smiled warmly at her, which made her feel a little better, but not enough to chase the fear that was steadily growing inside her away. As long as he was there, it was never a good thing. Wormtounge revelled in other peoples suffering, and would not bother to stay unless it would be something enjoyable for him.
Her uncle took a deep breath and began slowly, as if trying to gain enough confidence for what had to be said. "Eowyn, my child," as he seemed to gain the needed confidence, he began softly and held up a hand to stop her interrupting as she opened her mouth to speak.
"You are now almost eleven years of age and I feel that you know very little of the outside world." He paused and seemed to try and think of how to word what he had to say next.
Eowyn's heart leapt, could he be letting her actually go somewhere? On an adventure? But she looked back at Wormtounge to see what his reaction would be to this seemingly good news, she noticed the way that Wormtounge was smirking at her. The look of relief on her face slowly melted off as she realised she had not won and that this would be something that she was not going to enjoy.
Theoden cleared his throat and continued, "For this reason your schooling will need to be more advanced, if you are to go to the outside world as an ambassador of Rohan, you must lose your common street-boy ways and become a lady".
Eowyn's mind clouded with a rising tide of emotions, confusion and suspicion at the head of the wave. Why was he -the king, telling her this and not her Governess - for Theoden rarely spoke of such matters with her as he was oft far to busy. And what was more, why? What was the point? An ambassador of Rohan? The future White Lady of the Mark was not an ambassador but a pretty court decoration to be admired from afar- little more than a serving maid with a Royal title. The point about her behaviour was true enough, but surely, that was for her father to say? Wasn't it?
Confusion beat suspicion to the surface and she decided to act apon it.
"My Lord," Eowyn blushing slightly at having to question him- the man she respected most- about his actions. "Should it not be my father's job to tell me this? If it is just about my schooling then."
"Your Governess is away with her family." She was very surprised when he cut her off, because if there was one thing she had learned it was that a lady, especially of royal blood, was never interrupted if she was speaking, even the most obnoxious lords would not dare. Then again, it almost seemed like he did not consider her a lady, as he seemed to think she needed to learn how to be come an eye catching court decoration.
"And it is not just about your schooling. You are to be taught to behave properly yes- but you are not going to stay in Rohan to do it." Her white features must have got even paler, and the inner turmoil that she was facing must have shown in her eyes since he began to speak simply as though the answer was obvious. "I'm sending you and Eomer to Minas Tirith."
Her mind stopped working for a moment while she tried to make sense of what she just heard her beloved uncle say.
Minas Tirith.
In Gondor.
She and her brother gone.
The king alone with no defence against Wormtounge.
That was the worst thing, Eowyn mused, she could deal with being sent to Gondor, but both her and Eomer? Eomer was really Grima's strongest protester. Unlike Eowyn, he (being fifteen) , had the strength and body to be able to beat Wormtounge in every fight. Also, as a male and (if very distant) possible heir to the throne he naturally commanded more respect amongst the people who's opinion of him could be Wormtounge's down- falling.
So Grima had no other choice but to try and turn the king against his nephew. It was obviously not working as well as he'd hoped, for otherwise he would not have to persuade the king to send both of them away.
For that is clearly what is going on here. I may be young yet I am not fooled. This is but a cover to get us out of Edoras! Anger burned into her very soul and her heart ached for the king and the malicious mind traps of his servant. , Her raging spirit turned its glare at the petty plot, no doubt constructed by Grima through his coy and deceitful ways.
He will not vanquish our hope so easily. Eomer certainly will not go down without a fight, nor will I so long as my king still stands.
Eowyn stood from where she had been sitting, a new resolve filling her. Walking confidently, she strode off to find her brother.
************************************************************************** ********* Oh, what could that be? Just down there, it looks like. some kind of button? Be a dear why don't you and click it to find out for me.