Chapter 5--IN which: Awkward first meetings and secrets revealed.
Author: Sabine Hawks
Disclaimer: Yup, same as Chapter One! :) Still don't reproduce without my permission! BIG thanks to Lorelei for proofing, etc, you're the best!
Feedback: It would be fabulous, as always!
"You are Narcirya, from the lands of Lady Galadriel," Faramir announced as the doors to his quarters shut behind them. Eowyn stared at him; how had he known that? Despite her surprise, Narcirya merely bowed her head respectfully and watched the Steward place himself in a rustic chair near an enormous fireplace. She stood with her hands clasped in front of her, waiting for the correct time to speak. Faramir's gaze upon her was unwavering.
"Why have you come to this house?"
"I seek audience with King Eomer," Narcirya matched his eyes, though the spasm in her cheek when saying that name--it alerted Faramir to greater things.
"There is a feast in one week's time, until then you shall not tread in the King's sight," Faramir told her, watching for the tell-tale signs of disappointment. Narcirya remained nonplussed.
"What is the reason for this delay?"
The man was on his feet and within an inch of her face before she could protest. She glared at him angrily, violated by his imprudence. She did not, however, step back. Faramir sneered.
"You know my reasons, Elf. Can you deny that King Eomer was more than just a visitor within your wood? I know the story which you would not dare to tell and as a friend and advisor to the King I will not allow potential threats near him. Whatever your motivations are they will come to light in time and I will be there when they do. Know this, Elf, that the torture you have put that man through will not go unchecked by me," Faramir's voice, though low, was heard by all within the room. Eowyn stepped forward compulsively, one hand at her throat as she gaped at the two of them. Linelei stalked the corner of the room, watching with distaste as her friend was berated.
"You know very little indeed if that is how you perceive this so-called torture," Narcirya replied without malice, her eyes wonderig to Eowyn, "for one who is truly in love can easily spot another struggling within its net."
Faramir calculated his response carefully. This Elf was a greater challenge than he had expected--though he had not expected her at all. So far, she had surprised him with her attitude and her ability to tiptoe around his verbal traps. He was beginning to understand exactly how profound the bond between King Eomer and her was. He snorted quietly, backing away as he too looked at his wife.
"I am not accountable for the veils you creatures weave over your emotions," Faramir answered her quietly. Eowyn was frozen, watching with growing trepidation. "There are guest lodgings in the the western part of Edoras, I will take you there directly. You will wait for my word before going anywhere." Faramir's directions left no room for argument and Narcirya nodded solemnly, leaving the room with Linelei just behind Faramir's man.
"What is going on?" Eowyn asked as the door closed. She could not process the information that she had gathered from Eomer's speech. How had he known this woman? Why was such caution being taken before presenting them to the King? And several mentions of love--how could any of this have transpired without her knowing?
"That Elf is the reason Eomer has been hiding away in his quarters for the last twelve months," Faramir explained curtly, pacing back and forth before the hearth. Eowyn's brow furrowed, her hands falling to her sides, "What do you mean? Why did Eomer not tell me about her..."
"Is it really such a mystery, Eowyn? How would you have reacted to such information? Eomer wanting to marry an Elf, would that have pleased you? He knows his sister well, better than you think," Faramir did not look her in the eyes for he feared the rage he would find there.
"He chose Rohan over her--"
"He chose solitude over social misgivings," Faramir corrected, stopping to rest his hand against the mantle. His wife came to him, touched his arm, searched his face, "What are we going to do?"
"We are going to fix everything in one careful move."
"My Lord we must help the peasants! Their horses are dying, their entire way of life crumbling--we cannot sit in this hall and wait for these troubles to right themselves! Where is your compassion? Where is the Lord of Rohan? Who now sits on the throne?" Eowyn was furious with her brother, now more than ever because she knew the source of his sloth. A woman, a lost love, was keeping him from his duties. He was failing his late uncle and she could not bear to watch.
Eomer looked up from his slouched position on the throne of Rohan, "What would you have me do, sister? I have no magic cure for the brown grass and shrinking pools." The light in his eyes was fading, clinging hopelessly to an idea he could not forget. Eowyn sighed, frustrated with her brother and his blindness.
"Then let them die, they cannot blame you, can they? You are the King, with more important matters, more important concerns," she hoped her words would stir him to action, but she had a feeling they would not. Eowyn left the Golden Hall in a flurry of flowing fabric and defeat. Eomer called after her but she ignored his cries, there was nothing left to say to him. Her horse waited below and as she descended the stairs to the main road she caught a glimmer in the corner of her eye. Lord Faramir would have alerted her to any movement the Elves were making--so why were they roaming free now? She road out of Edoras and across the hills with deliberate speed, surprised to find the two women speaking with a group of Rohirrim.
Eowyn waited outside the ring of humans still atop her mount, listening carefully to the exchange.
"This is the essence of the elanor flower mixed with sugar, the reason your animals are not eating the grass is because of how bitter it tastes. It may not give as much nourishment as green grasses, but at least it will keep them from starving," Linelei explained. The villagers looked at the flask in her hand suspiciously. Narcirya then took her own horse by the reigns and commanded her quietly in Elvish to eat. The animal sniffed the dying grass distastefully before shaking its head. She then sprinkled a tiny amount of the mixture on the ground and her steed gradually began to eat, eventually grazing steadily.
"It will not harm the horse, it is healthier than sweet cubes," she went on to explain, patting her horse's nose fondly as it ate. Linelei held out a few flasks toward the villagers, who accepted them gratefully, small smiles growing on their faces. As the Rohirrim broke up to return to their homes, Eowyn dismounted and approached the Elves.
"Does Lord Faramir know of this?" she asked with authority.
"No, my Lady," Narcirya replied calmly. Eowyn looked between the Elves with a smirk she could not contain, "Flouting Lord Faramir's orders already?" She managed a small laugh, realizing that perhaps these women were not so very different from herself. As she was chewing over this revelation, a small figure pushed its way past her skirts to the Elves. The young girl gazed up at the immortal women in wonderment.
"Are your ears really pointy like they say in the legends?" her voice was hewn with fear as she addressed them. Linelei and Narcirya exchanged a secret smile before the latter knelt down and pushed her hair behind her left ear. The child gasped with delight, her blue eyes growing wide. Narcirya took the girl's hand gently in hers and touched the human's fingers to the point of her ear. The child giggled happily, exploring the odd phenomena for herself.
Narcirya reached inside the pouch belted at her side and withdrew a flattened yellow flower, crisp and dried. She held it out to the girl, saying, "This is an elanor flower from Lorien, it is sweet no matter how it is prepared--cooked or raw, distilled or crushed." She plucked a petal for herself and chewed it. The little Rohirrim did the same, making a small exclamation of glee to find that it truly did taste sweet. The Elf placed the remainder of the flower in the girl's hand, "A gift."
The girl looked up at Eowyn excitedly before running off to join her mother and father. Narcirya raised herself back up to her full height, watching the tot scamper away. She looked into the distance, over the rocky valleys of Rohan, the sloping hills and the cottages that dotted the countryside--all of this belonged to Eomer. It seemed strange to her that a man she had thought no more than a boy looked after this land. Her eyes turned to Eowyn, sister to the man she loved. For a moment they shared a gaze that sparked understanding--comprehension despite their differences. Seeing Rohan hurting made Narcirya wonder if she had come too late--if this grasp for the past was unwanted, even shameful.
"If you can change my brother's mind and make him realize he is indeed King of Rohan, then together we shall repair the damage that has been done. And that damage is no one's fault," Eowyn knew that there was only one way to sway her brother. His feelings for this woman were not only strong but justified, for she saw that same strength in her as she felt within.
"Come," Eowyn extended her hand, "there are preparations to be made for this feast."
