Author's Note: I just realized that I never explained this, but that's okay since it features into this part as well. Broir and Soster are words I found in a dictionary on words of Northern Europe. Since one of the sources I read said that Tolkien based the Rohirrim upon a Viking like culture, I tried to use their words and maybe some of their feelings about the working relationship between men and women.
Part 6:
Aragorn walked with Boromir, discussing the dream that had sent the younger man to seek Elrond's counsel. "Almost your dream persuades me to return to Gondor. It seems to be a signal calling me to the White City."
"Can you not think of it as home?" Bitter.
He shook his head. "I have no right to do so, so long have I turned my back upon it."
Boromir shook his head. "I know that you doubt the honor of men, Aragorn, but it is there. It may not be what you are used to, but men's hearts are true."
"It is not men that I fear, Boromir. It is myself." The ranger paused, searching for words to describe his feelings. "You see me before you, right?"
"Yes." Barely hidden exasperation.
"Patience," Aragron counseled him with a slight smile. "As I exist, so does the ring. I fear that if I start down the path to Gondor, the ring's power would lead me astray and destroy your city."
"It still exists? I had thought it lost when Isildur fell."
"Oh, it's real as I. And twice as hard." Harsh voice, but the fear of what he was speaking of was also there.
"Aragorn," Boromir began but stopped. Up in the air, a bird passed over their heads heading for one room. "Hmmm...seems as if Eomer has finally received his answer. Now he can stop bending my ear with his worries."
"To?" Aragorn vaguely recalled meeting the blonde heir of Rohan but the details escaped him. He did remember being impressed by him and thinking that he'd make a good ally in a fight.
Searching look. "You do not recall?"
"No. Should I?" Inwardly, he cursed, trying to think about the encounters he'd had with Eomer but nothing definite surfaced.
"It was the subject of much debate during our first meeting with the counsel." A comforting pat on his shoulder. "But I shouldn't be surprised by this, I have heard of the unfortunate condition your friend, the Lady Arwen, is in."
Boromir paused, allowing the still grieving man a moment to recover. They started walking towards the study, somehow knowing that they'd find Eomer there. "A few days ago, King Theoden died, apparently of natural causes. Saruman showed up, his motives for being there are unclear. Eomer had already written to his sister, asking her to keep an eye on this Istari."
Listening to him speak about it, Aragorn started to remember it. "They were worried that he might have revealed certain things to her that she didn't need to know about. Or that she would let things slip to Saruman. Lord Eomer seemed very upset by the council's words."
"He's very protective of his sister. Mithrandir and he both agreed that she could help. So, he had already asked her to keep an eye on Saruman, find out his plans or at least what he's brought with him. He also asked her to watch out for any strangers to their land, try to determine where they came from."
"He would ask his sister to do such a dangerous thing? That seems a little contradictory for a man who wants to protect her." Aragorn mused.
"I would." A cool voice answered from the doorway. "And you shouldn't speak about things you have no understanding about."
"Why would you subject her to such danger?"
"You mean she isn't in any danger by being around him and his allies? By the raiding orcs that have savaged our land?" Eomer asked, adding sarcastically. "It is refreshing to know that our enemies have manners and a sense of decency, that they will leave her alone as they destroy everything else in their sight."
"That isn't what I meant." The ranger protested, noting that Boromir was silent.
"You understand nothing of our ways. In war, as in peace time, a woman has a vital place outside the home. She is as much a soldier as any man and lives up to the call. My beloved sister would find your behavior offensive towards her and others like her."
Boromir held up a hand, trying to ease the tense situation. "Eomer, calm yourself. Aragorn meant no harm in expressing his opinion."
Eomer turned to Boromir, restraining himself with effort. "I know that you must be civil to him as he may become your king but do not expect the same to be said of me."
Boromir sighed, watching him go. "You really don't know much about the ways of men, do you?"
"I have spent time in Rohan and other cities but I admit that it wasn't long enough to learn any cultures quirks." Aragorn spoke somewhat defensively. "It seems they have a different view on where a woman should be in times of war. The Shield Maids are more than legend."
"They are alive and well. Eowyn herself is among their number. Idis-who was Theoden's daughter-is queen among them. I am surprised that she is not here and that she has sent no one to represent her." Half-questioning.
"Elrond did not ask her to be here. Elves hold beliefs similar to those in Gondor, except for a very few, women are healers, not leaders. In all honesty, I think Queen Idis intimidates him much the same way Galadriel does." Gandalf explained, glancing into the study. "Eomer sent me a message asking to meet me here, where is he?"
"I offended his beliefs, quite unintentionally and he left." Aragorn said, feeling more self-conscious than he liked.
"Then I'll find him in the stables." It was said with a sigh. "With all the assembled to chose from, one would think he'd seek more amenable company."
"He like horses. Correction, he loves the beasts. If he could get away with it, he'd spend his whole life with them." Boromir offered with a smile. "Besides, Eomer and I aren't comfortable with much of the guests." Though he tried to keep his tone light, the unease seeped through.
Wisely, Gandalf said nothing and withdrew into the shadows. He did have another reluctant heir to find and this was a problem that needed to be resolved now, though he was surprised by the repot the two had established.
"Even around me, Boromir?" Aragorn's voice was soft.
"Sometimes you condemnation for man's fallen state shows all to clearly in your eyes and can be heard in your voice." Equally soft.
"I regret that."
"You cannot help what you feel." The Steward's son pointed out.
"Even if what I feel is obviously wrong in your eyes?" Aragorn pressed.
"Is it? Who am I to judge what is right or wrong for you?" He was being strangely philosophical about it all. "You will learn, as I have, that things are not always what they appear to be."
Aragorn shook his head, trying to figure out what was going on in the other man's head.
"Elessar?" Elrohir spoke quietly. "I hate to disturb you, but Arwen is calling for you."
"She's awake?" Hope flared in his grey eyes, painful to see.
"I wish that I could say she was, but that would be a cruel lie. She is more aware of what is going on around her, has a faint recognition of things that are going on. Father barely managed to calm her down when she asked about the fate of Frodo Baggins." Elrohir's response was as gentle as he could make it.
Clasping his hand, Aragorn thanked him for his honesty.
Boromir watched him go, wondering what he was supposed to do now.
Elrohir took pity on him, though he'd never been found on humans. "I'm going out to practice, want to join me?"
Though surprised, he allowed a small smile to cross his face. "Why not?"
"Why not indeed." The two made their way down the hall and out into the fresh evening air.
***
Gandalf found Eomer in the stables. He was speaking softly to his horse as he brushed his coat and the wizard watched for a while, waiting for him to notice him. When it became apparent that he wouldn't, he cleared his throat. "If I am disturbing you, I can come back later."
Eomer jumped, turning to glare at him. "You know some people consider it rude to sneak up on others."
"I apologize." He mildly replied, not bothering to point out that he had tried to let him know that he was there.
Running a hand through his long hair, Eomer sighed tiredly. "No, I should, Gandalf, to you and to Aragorn. But I'm not used to having people question my people's ways."
"Or insult your sister?"
"My soster would be ashamed of my actions." He paused, thinking to the words she'd hollered at him before he left. "She wrote that all is well, so far. Raiders have ceased ravaging the countryside. As for Saruman, he hasn't revealed what he intends for her to do. He has shown nothing but the highest regard for her, nothing else."
"Did he bring anything besides his staff with him?" Urgent question.
"Eowyn said that a few boxes had arrived, but he hadn't unpacked anything yet." He shrugged, ignoring the impatient shove of his horse for the moment. "She'll have more later, I'm sure."
"Ask her to..." Gandalf began, shaking his head. "Let me write to her, I know what she should watch out for. I can also give her better descriptions."
"Not a good idea, sir. Why don't you write it down and give it to me, then I can transfer it into our code?"
"Something could get lost in the translation." Gandalf sighed, thinking hard.
Turning back to the horse, Eomer scratched his nose. Then he turned around, staring at him. "Do you know anything about the way the Shield Maids encode their messages?"
The Istari slowly nodded, quickly figuring out what the Rohan man was implying. "I have a basic knowledge and your sister has been trained."
"Exactly." Eomer and he shared a smile of satisfaction.
Gandalf turned to leave, "I'll get to work and leave you to your horse."
"Listen, if you see Aragorn, let him know that I'd like to speak to him."
The Istari nodded, then left Eomer alone.
*
*
*
*
*
Next part, Arwen finally makes another appearance. Legolas and Gimli have their second meeting, unsupervised this time.
Part 6:
Aragorn walked with Boromir, discussing the dream that had sent the younger man to seek Elrond's counsel. "Almost your dream persuades me to return to Gondor. It seems to be a signal calling me to the White City."
"Can you not think of it as home?" Bitter.
He shook his head. "I have no right to do so, so long have I turned my back upon it."
Boromir shook his head. "I know that you doubt the honor of men, Aragorn, but it is there. It may not be what you are used to, but men's hearts are true."
"It is not men that I fear, Boromir. It is myself." The ranger paused, searching for words to describe his feelings. "You see me before you, right?"
"Yes." Barely hidden exasperation.
"Patience," Aragron counseled him with a slight smile. "As I exist, so does the ring. I fear that if I start down the path to Gondor, the ring's power would lead me astray and destroy your city."
"It still exists? I had thought it lost when Isildur fell."
"Oh, it's real as I. And twice as hard." Harsh voice, but the fear of what he was speaking of was also there.
"Aragorn," Boromir began but stopped. Up in the air, a bird passed over their heads heading for one room. "Hmmm...seems as if Eomer has finally received his answer. Now he can stop bending my ear with his worries."
"To?" Aragorn vaguely recalled meeting the blonde heir of Rohan but the details escaped him. He did remember being impressed by him and thinking that he'd make a good ally in a fight.
Searching look. "You do not recall?"
"No. Should I?" Inwardly, he cursed, trying to think about the encounters he'd had with Eomer but nothing definite surfaced.
"It was the subject of much debate during our first meeting with the counsel." A comforting pat on his shoulder. "But I shouldn't be surprised by this, I have heard of the unfortunate condition your friend, the Lady Arwen, is in."
Boromir paused, allowing the still grieving man a moment to recover. They started walking towards the study, somehow knowing that they'd find Eomer there. "A few days ago, King Theoden died, apparently of natural causes. Saruman showed up, his motives for being there are unclear. Eomer had already written to his sister, asking her to keep an eye on this Istari."
Listening to him speak about it, Aragorn started to remember it. "They were worried that he might have revealed certain things to her that she didn't need to know about. Or that she would let things slip to Saruman. Lord Eomer seemed very upset by the council's words."
"He's very protective of his sister. Mithrandir and he both agreed that she could help. So, he had already asked her to keep an eye on Saruman, find out his plans or at least what he's brought with him. He also asked her to watch out for any strangers to their land, try to determine where they came from."
"He would ask his sister to do such a dangerous thing? That seems a little contradictory for a man who wants to protect her." Aragorn mused.
"I would." A cool voice answered from the doorway. "And you shouldn't speak about things you have no understanding about."
"Why would you subject her to such danger?"
"You mean she isn't in any danger by being around him and his allies? By the raiding orcs that have savaged our land?" Eomer asked, adding sarcastically. "It is refreshing to know that our enemies have manners and a sense of decency, that they will leave her alone as they destroy everything else in their sight."
"That isn't what I meant." The ranger protested, noting that Boromir was silent.
"You understand nothing of our ways. In war, as in peace time, a woman has a vital place outside the home. She is as much a soldier as any man and lives up to the call. My beloved sister would find your behavior offensive towards her and others like her."
Boromir held up a hand, trying to ease the tense situation. "Eomer, calm yourself. Aragorn meant no harm in expressing his opinion."
Eomer turned to Boromir, restraining himself with effort. "I know that you must be civil to him as he may become your king but do not expect the same to be said of me."
Boromir sighed, watching him go. "You really don't know much about the ways of men, do you?"
"I have spent time in Rohan and other cities but I admit that it wasn't long enough to learn any cultures quirks." Aragorn spoke somewhat defensively. "It seems they have a different view on where a woman should be in times of war. The Shield Maids are more than legend."
"They are alive and well. Eowyn herself is among their number. Idis-who was Theoden's daughter-is queen among them. I am surprised that she is not here and that she has sent no one to represent her." Half-questioning.
"Elrond did not ask her to be here. Elves hold beliefs similar to those in Gondor, except for a very few, women are healers, not leaders. In all honesty, I think Queen Idis intimidates him much the same way Galadriel does." Gandalf explained, glancing into the study. "Eomer sent me a message asking to meet me here, where is he?"
"I offended his beliefs, quite unintentionally and he left." Aragorn said, feeling more self-conscious than he liked.
"Then I'll find him in the stables." It was said with a sigh. "With all the assembled to chose from, one would think he'd seek more amenable company."
"He like horses. Correction, he loves the beasts. If he could get away with it, he'd spend his whole life with them." Boromir offered with a smile. "Besides, Eomer and I aren't comfortable with much of the guests." Though he tried to keep his tone light, the unease seeped through.
Wisely, Gandalf said nothing and withdrew into the shadows. He did have another reluctant heir to find and this was a problem that needed to be resolved now, though he was surprised by the repot the two had established.
"Even around me, Boromir?" Aragorn's voice was soft.
"Sometimes you condemnation for man's fallen state shows all to clearly in your eyes and can be heard in your voice." Equally soft.
"I regret that."
"You cannot help what you feel." The Steward's son pointed out.
"Even if what I feel is obviously wrong in your eyes?" Aragorn pressed.
"Is it? Who am I to judge what is right or wrong for you?" He was being strangely philosophical about it all. "You will learn, as I have, that things are not always what they appear to be."
Aragorn shook his head, trying to figure out what was going on in the other man's head.
"Elessar?" Elrohir spoke quietly. "I hate to disturb you, but Arwen is calling for you."
"She's awake?" Hope flared in his grey eyes, painful to see.
"I wish that I could say she was, but that would be a cruel lie. She is more aware of what is going on around her, has a faint recognition of things that are going on. Father barely managed to calm her down when she asked about the fate of Frodo Baggins." Elrohir's response was as gentle as he could make it.
Clasping his hand, Aragorn thanked him for his honesty.
Boromir watched him go, wondering what he was supposed to do now.
Elrohir took pity on him, though he'd never been found on humans. "I'm going out to practice, want to join me?"
Though surprised, he allowed a small smile to cross his face. "Why not?"
"Why not indeed." The two made their way down the hall and out into the fresh evening air.
***
Gandalf found Eomer in the stables. He was speaking softly to his horse as he brushed his coat and the wizard watched for a while, waiting for him to notice him. When it became apparent that he wouldn't, he cleared his throat. "If I am disturbing you, I can come back later."
Eomer jumped, turning to glare at him. "You know some people consider it rude to sneak up on others."
"I apologize." He mildly replied, not bothering to point out that he had tried to let him know that he was there.
Running a hand through his long hair, Eomer sighed tiredly. "No, I should, Gandalf, to you and to Aragorn. But I'm not used to having people question my people's ways."
"Or insult your sister?"
"My soster would be ashamed of my actions." He paused, thinking to the words she'd hollered at him before he left. "She wrote that all is well, so far. Raiders have ceased ravaging the countryside. As for Saruman, he hasn't revealed what he intends for her to do. He has shown nothing but the highest regard for her, nothing else."
"Did he bring anything besides his staff with him?" Urgent question.
"Eowyn said that a few boxes had arrived, but he hadn't unpacked anything yet." He shrugged, ignoring the impatient shove of his horse for the moment. "She'll have more later, I'm sure."
"Ask her to..." Gandalf began, shaking his head. "Let me write to her, I know what she should watch out for. I can also give her better descriptions."
"Not a good idea, sir. Why don't you write it down and give it to me, then I can transfer it into our code?"
"Something could get lost in the translation." Gandalf sighed, thinking hard.
Turning back to the horse, Eomer scratched his nose. Then he turned around, staring at him. "Do you know anything about the way the Shield Maids encode their messages?"
The Istari slowly nodded, quickly figuring out what the Rohan man was implying. "I have a basic knowledge and your sister has been trained."
"Exactly." Eomer and he shared a smile of satisfaction.
Gandalf turned to leave, "I'll get to work and leave you to your horse."
"Listen, if you see Aragorn, let him know that I'd like to speak to him."
The Istari nodded, then left Eomer alone.
*
*
*
*
*
Next part, Arwen finally makes another appearance. Legolas and Gimli have their second meeting, unsupervised this time.