Author's Note: A big round of *hugs* and thanks to everyone who reviewed
the last update of Lady Lessons! And more thanks to those of you who read
The Battle of Five Armies as well :) It's really inspiring to hear people
say good things about my stories...if it weren't for you all I probably
wouldn't have the will power to finish it! So THANK YOU once again.
(As always: I own none of this, it all belongs to the Professor, blah blah blah)
Oh, and if *this* chapter doesn't go anywhere, I promise the next one will. Really!
*~*~*~*~*~*
The day of the festival dawned gloriously in pink and blue swirls, but Eowyn missed it. That day was one of the few in her life during which she slept past sunrise. She had lain awake, planning the course and timing she would use to fool her brother, until the small hours of the morning, so it was late when she woke.
Eowyn managed to while away most of the day taking notes from a book on herb-lore she had found in the palace's dusty library. But as the afternoon waned into evening, she could no longer stand the suspense. Gathering up her things, she headed to Arwen's chambers. The Queen had ignored her friend's skepticism and insisted that Eowyn partake of a bit of royal pampering before the eventful night.
When she arrived, Eowyn found Arwen already prepared. Explaining that she and Aragorn had to receive all the guests as they arrived, she remarked,
"It will be ever so boring- I wouldn't recommend coming until at least sundown. You'll have time for a good long soak and primp beforehand. The dressing room is through there-"Arwen gestured to the door behind the potted tree "-help yourself to anything you want!" With that she departed in a sea of midnight-blue velvet.
Eowyn walked to the door. Hesitantly, she cracked it open, then with a gasp of delight she threw the door back and stepped inside.
Thought not by any means a fastidious or proper girl, even the Shieldmaiden of Rohan could appreciate Arwen's dressing room. Simple river- rock covered the floor, but the walls were painted intricately with forest scenes. Candles in tall carven sconces chased away the evening shadows, but Eowyn could see that in the daytime the room would be well-lit by frosted windows. Across the room stood another door, presumably leading to the Royal bedchamber. The focal point of the dressing-room was a gigantic sunken tub, already filled with steaming water, flanked by stands full of the wildest array of colored bottles (filled with floral-scented substances), brushes, and candles Eowyn had ever seen. More sat on a carven dressing-table in a corner. She felt as though she'd stepped into the private retreat of a wood-elf. Which, she realized with a start I have!
The entire setup was completely foreign to Eowyn, who was used to washing with cool water from a basin, or a small, cramped tub in front of a fireplace. Nevertheless, she dove into this haven of femininity without a second thought. She soaked in the water until her muscles were relieved of the day's tension and allowed a maid to wash and comb her hair. Dismissing the servant with a smile, Eowyn then dug through Arwen's perfumes to find one that suited her- subtle but wild. She donned the gold-and-white gown (I must remember to thank Lothiriel in person tonight!) and allowed her hair to fall in gentle waves down her back. Taking a deep breath, she stepped back into the sitting room and faced the mirror.
A lady looked back. Slim and tall, she was pale, with the faintest trace of freckles across her nose to softer her innately haughty beauty. The gold of her gown made her eyes the deep green of the flag of Rohan, but it was rivaled by the glistening shine of her hair. Her face appeared perfectly aloof and cold- until Eowyn smiled. The spell broke. Eowyn grinned in triumph. She looked like a lady! Now, if she could only manage to behave like one for a few hours...
*~*~*
Eowyn entered the Great hall confidently. She strode directly to the dais, bowed, then spoke to Arwen.
"Well, here I am! Have you seen my brother or Faramir?" Arwen nodded almost imperceptibly towards Aragorn, and Eowyn remembered not to say anything of their plan.
"Yes, I believe Eomer is on the balcony speaking with one of the captains. Let me show you the way..." Arwen started to step down, but stopped at her husband's amused voice.
"What are you two plotting, I wonder?" The Queen's back was to the King, but Eowyn saw her dramatic grimace and stifled a laugh.
"Why, whatever are you insinuating, Elessar?"
"Nothing, my love. Only remarking on the fact that Eowyn knows perfectly well where the balcony is and that there's something you don't want me to hear."
"Perhaps I merely want a moment with my dear friend away from this dull receiving line." Arwen glanced around the room. "We're done here, anyway. They'll be serving dinner in a moment. I shall meet you at the table when they do." With that she swept away, Eowyn following behind her.
As soon as they reached the balcony, Arwen drew her behind a column and lowered her voice. "Things are working out beautifully! Eomer hasn't seen Lothiriel yet that I can tell, there are so many people here. We'll all sit at the high table as usual, but as soon as we adjourn to the ballroom I'll take your brother aside and re-introduce him his lady-love. When you see me lead him off, you must grab Faramir and escape to my garden. I've left it unlocked. Will that work, do you think?" Eowyn thought for a moment. Her only fear was that Faramir, in a moment of over-nobility, would refuse to come away with her to comply with her brother's wishes. If he did, she'd think of something. Her wit hadn't deserted her yet. She nodded.
Arwen smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Eowyn felt her own mouth rise into a wide grin. If Eomer and Faramir thought they could outwit the combined strength of Arwen Undomiel of Gondor and Eowyn Shieldmaiden of Rohan, then were in for a lesson in humility.
*~*~*~*~*~* Author's Note: OK. I know this chapter doesn't *seem* to have accomplished much, but I needed it in here. Chap. 10 will cover Arwen distracting Eomer, and Chap. 11 will have Eowyn and Faramir's tryst.
(As always: I own none of this, it all belongs to the Professor, blah blah blah)
Oh, and if *this* chapter doesn't go anywhere, I promise the next one will. Really!
*~*~*~*~*~*
The day of the festival dawned gloriously in pink and blue swirls, but Eowyn missed it. That day was one of the few in her life during which she slept past sunrise. She had lain awake, planning the course and timing she would use to fool her brother, until the small hours of the morning, so it was late when she woke.
Eowyn managed to while away most of the day taking notes from a book on herb-lore she had found in the palace's dusty library. But as the afternoon waned into evening, she could no longer stand the suspense. Gathering up her things, she headed to Arwen's chambers. The Queen had ignored her friend's skepticism and insisted that Eowyn partake of a bit of royal pampering before the eventful night.
When she arrived, Eowyn found Arwen already prepared. Explaining that she and Aragorn had to receive all the guests as they arrived, she remarked,
"It will be ever so boring- I wouldn't recommend coming until at least sundown. You'll have time for a good long soak and primp beforehand. The dressing room is through there-"Arwen gestured to the door behind the potted tree "-help yourself to anything you want!" With that she departed in a sea of midnight-blue velvet.
Eowyn walked to the door. Hesitantly, she cracked it open, then with a gasp of delight she threw the door back and stepped inside.
Thought not by any means a fastidious or proper girl, even the Shieldmaiden of Rohan could appreciate Arwen's dressing room. Simple river- rock covered the floor, but the walls were painted intricately with forest scenes. Candles in tall carven sconces chased away the evening shadows, but Eowyn could see that in the daytime the room would be well-lit by frosted windows. Across the room stood another door, presumably leading to the Royal bedchamber. The focal point of the dressing-room was a gigantic sunken tub, already filled with steaming water, flanked by stands full of the wildest array of colored bottles (filled with floral-scented substances), brushes, and candles Eowyn had ever seen. More sat on a carven dressing-table in a corner. She felt as though she'd stepped into the private retreat of a wood-elf. Which, she realized with a start I have!
The entire setup was completely foreign to Eowyn, who was used to washing with cool water from a basin, or a small, cramped tub in front of a fireplace. Nevertheless, she dove into this haven of femininity without a second thought. She soaked in the water until her muscles were relieved of the day's tension and allowed a maid to wash and comb her hair. Dismissing the servant with a smile, Eowyn then dug through Arwen's perfumes to find one that suited her- subtle but wild. She donned the gold-and-white gown (I must remember to thank Lothiriel in person tonight!) and allowed her hair to fall in gentle waves down her back. Taking a deep breath, she stepped back into the sitting room and faced the mirror.
A lady looked back. Slim and tall, she was pale, with the faintest trace of freckles across her nose to softer her innately haughty beauty. The gold of her gown made her eyes the deep green of the flag of Rohan, but it was rivaled by the glistening shine of her hair. Her face appeared perfectly aloof and cold- until Eowyn smiled. The spell broke. Eowyn grinned in triumph. She looked like a lady! Now, if she could only manage to behave like one for a few hours...
*~*~*
Eowyn entered the Great hall confidently. She strode directly to the dais, bowed, then spoke to Arwen.
"Well, here I am! Have you seen my brother or Faramir?" Arwen nodded almost imperceptibly towards Aragorn, and Eowyn remembered not to say anything of their plan.
"Yes, I believe Eomer is on the balcony speaking with one of the captains. Let me show you the way..." Arwen started to step down, but stopped at her husband's amused voice.
"What are you two plotting, I wonder?" The Queen's back was to the King, but Eowyn saw her dramatic grimace and stifled a laugh.
"Why, whatever are you insinuating, Elessar?"
"Nothing, my love. Only remarking on the fact that Eowyn knows perfectly well where the balcony is and that there's something you don't want me to hear."
"Perhaps I merely want a moment with my dear friend away from this dull receiving line." Arwen glanced around the room. "We're done here, anyway. They'll be serving dinner in a moment. I shall meet you at the table when they do." With that she swept away, Eowyn following behind her.
As soon as they reached the balcony, Arwen drew her behind a column and lowered her voice. "Things are working out beautifully! Eomer hasn't seen Lothiriel yet that I can tell, there are so many people here. We'll all sit at the high table as usual, but as soon as we adjourn to the ballroom I'll take your brother aside and re-introduce him his lady-love. When you see me lead him off, you must grab Faramir and escape to my garden. I've left it unlocked. Will that work, do you think?" Eowyn thought for a moment. Her only fear was that Faramir, in a moment of over-nobility, would refuse to come away with her to comply with her brother's wishes. If he did, she'd think of something. Her wit hadn't deserted her yet. She nodded.
Arwen smiled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. Eowyn felt her own mouth rise into a wide grin. If Eomer and Faramir thought they could outwit the combined strength of Arwen Undomiel of Gondor and Eowyn Shieldmaiden of Rohan, then were in for a lesson in humility.
*~*~*~*~*~* Author's Note: OK. I know this chapter doesn't *seem* to have accomplished much, but I needed it in here. Chap. 10 will cover Arwen distracting Eomer, and Chap. 11 will have Eowyn and Faramir's tryst.