*Chapter Nine*
Eomer
I can beat Aragorn - on a horse at least. I reached the stream before him, and laughing we made our way back to the rest of the group. I know I would never have beaten Arwen - I am man enough to admit that!
There was so much to talk about; the Fellowship, our friends, our families. I envy them their families but I would not change my choice. Which reminds me - where is he?
I suggest riding back - it is time to eat, then rest awhile - I will see him in his room then surely.
"Try the herb garden," remarks Arwen and I think I blushed. Why can you not shield your thoughts from an Elf?
Eowyn
I wandered out into the gardens after we had eaten. There he was. Different clothes, greying hair but still the same stoop, the whispering walk that allowed him to creep up on anyone he chose...
I pace quietly until I am almost upon him. It is pleasing to finally turn the tables.
"Your diary is full of lies, snake," I murmur and he wheels around, terrified. Such an innocent lost look! I am not taken in.
"Howbeit that you think my brother could lavish affection on you?"
He cannot speak. Such honeyed words he used to speak.
"Your perverted lies will be exposed tonight. I will not let you stay here, where your desires could bring down my brother. Unless you leave."
I turn and walk away. His reaction is of no use; his actions will plan the night ahead.
Grima
I cannot stay. I cannot explain to him, I cannot even tell him. What bitterness would make her plan this course? She does not realise the harm she would do to her brother.
I try and find my journal but she has it; of course, how she expose me without that proof? My older books are still here and I use a back page to write a note for him to find. He has to know why I have gone. I write as best I can and bundle some clothes together. I will go to our camp place in the woods. It is all I can think of to do.
Eomund asks me what I am doing as I ride out. My hurried explanation does not satisfy him by the look on his face, but I cannot explain, even to him. I ride out.
Eomer.
Where is he?! It is unfair to deprive me of his company and I shall tell him so when we meet up. Eowyn has expressed no word against him and I hope that she is not the reason for his absence. He has only met Arwen, but then he adores her and with good reason.
I return to the Great Hall to dine and Eomund is trying to attract my attention. I know I look confused as he walks over to me and Arwen is looking very strangely at Eowyn, who is happy at my table. Events seem to falling away from, yet I know not how.
"Why did you send Grima out today, my lord?"
"Out?" Eowyn glances at me. And I know she has done something.
"When did he leave?"
"After the afternoon meal. He said something about the campsite?"
"Why?"
"Because he had to leave after I found out about the journal. You are well rid of him and his perverted lies."
She is shaking, struggling to say this; does she realise what she has done? Incredulous, I stare back at her.
"You should see what he wrote about you, about.."
But she is backing away from me and it is only when Aragorn and Faramir put themselves between us that I realise I am advancing on her,".
"It would be better my lord, if we looked for him," suggests Aragorn, and I turn to go to the stables. Eomund is already there, preparing the horses and we ride to find him.
Aragorn, Eomund, Arwen and myself survey the plains but if he has ridden out to Fangorn then it will be a long journey at night and I note that I feel the cold more. And if I am chilled what of him? How will he cope with this night? Fangorn has held fears for him before; why would he go alone? Why would he not confide in Eomund?
"Eomer," states Aragorn and I realise he must be repeating himself, "A light ahead, I think."
There is, but with two figures near it. Who is that standing over Grima?
Eomer
I can beat Aragorn - on a horse at least. I reached the stream before him, and laughing we made our way back to the rest of the group. I know I would never have beaten Arwen - I am man enough to admit that!
There was so much to talk about; the Fellowship, our friends, our families. I envy them their families but I would not change my choice. Which reminds me - where is he?
I suggest riding back - it is time to eat, then rest awhile - I will see him in his room then surely.
"Try the herb garden," remarks Arwen and I think I blushed. Why can you not shield your thoughts from an Elf?
Eowyn
I wandered out into the gardens after we had eaten. There he was. Different clothes, greying hair but still the same stoop, the whispering walk that allowed him to creep up on anyone he chose...
I pace quietly until I am almost upon him. It is pleasing to finally turn the tables.
"Your diary is full of lies, snake," I murmur and he wheels around, terrified. Such an innocent lost look! I am not taken in.
"Howbeit that you think my brother could lavish affection on you?"
He cannot speak. Such honeyed words he used to speak.
"Your perverted lies will be exposed tonight. I will not let you stay here, where your desires could bring down my brother. Unless you leave."
I turn and walk away. His reaction is of no use; his actions will plan the night ahead.
Grima
I cannot stay. I cannot explain to him, I cannot even tell him. What bitterness would make her plan this course? She does not realise the harm she would do to her brother.
I try and find my journal but she has it; of course, how she expose me without that proof? My older books are still here and I use a back page to write a note for him to find. He has to know why I have gone. I write as best I can and bundle some clothes together. I will go to our camp place in the woods. It is all I can think of to do.
Eomund asks me what I am doing as I ride out. My hurried explanation does not satisfy him by the look on his face, but I cannot explain, even to him. I ride out.
Eomer.
Where is he?! It is unfair to deprive me of his company and I shall tell him so when we meet up. Eowyn has expressed no word against him and I hope that she is not the reason for his absence. He has only met Arwen, but then he adores her and with good reason.
I return to the Great Hall to dine and Eomund is trying to attract my attention. I know I look confused as he walks over to me and Arwen is looking very strangely at Eowyn, who is happy at my table. Events seem to falling away from, yet I know not how.
"Why did you send Grima out today, my lord?"
"Out?" Eowyn glances at me. And I know she has done something.
"When did he leave?"
"After the afternoon meal. He said something about the campsite?"
"Why?"
"Because he had to leave after I found out about the journal. You are well rid of him and his perverted lies."
She is shaking, struggling to say this; does she realise what she has done? Incredulous, I stare back at her.
"You should see what he wrote about you, about.."
But she is backing away from me and it is only when Aragorn and Faramir put themselves between us that I realise I am advancing on her,".
"It would be better my lord, if we looked for him," suggests Aragorn, and I turn to go to the stables. Eomund is already there, preparing the horses and we ride to find him.
Aragorn, Eomund, Arwen and myself survey the plains but if he has ridden out to Fangorn then it will be a long journey at night and I note that I feel the cold more. And if I am chilled what of him? How will he cope with this night? Fangorn has held fears for him before; why would he go alone? Why would he not confide in Eomund?
"Eomer," states Aragorn and I realise he must be repeating himself, "A light ahead, I think."
There is, but with two figures near it. Who is that standing over Grima?
