A note before I begin. This chapter takes place after the middle of chapter 10 of "Journey through the dark." I highly recommend reading that before reading this so you at least understand what is going on. AND WHY BOROMIR LIVES! Calms down I'm okay...I think.
MAJOR SPOILERS FOR CHAPTER TEN OF 'JOURNEY THROUGH THE DARK'
And I don't own it, on a side note. Dejected sighCheers up as Boromir pats her back
-----
Rhoswen ran from the room, the days event's weighing on her mind. So the King had returned, and Boromir...He lived still, and brought back all the love she could hope to give multiplied a hundredfold! And yet, he had to leave once more, and this time, death was a certainty. She nearly ran to the houses of healing, where she was needed much more than in war councils; to care for someone else's pain gave her some respite. Drying her tears to ask an apprentice where the warden could be found, she walked through the halls of the houses of healing with a certain heaviness in her step.
The warden of the houses greeted her, a smell of herbs not at all unpleasant lingering in the air of the room.
"Milady, I am glad to see you are not the one in death's embrace this time. Could you sit by her side till she wakes?" Rhoswen looked at the sleeping form of a blonde woman, peacefully sailing through the sea of sleep.
"Yes, Master warden. I will alert you when she stirs." Rhoswen beckoned an apprentice to go for her workbasket, and sat down to watch the bird perched on the window sing.
"Where am I? Who are you? This is not the Pelennor!" the blonde woman looked up from her bed at the room around her with some horror. Rhoswen smiled a little-a battle hardened woman seemed to show fear at not knowing where she was.
"Yes milady, it is not. You are in the houses of healing, in the Tower of Guard, and I am Rhoswen. Do you feel well; shall I call for food?" The blonde's stomach rumbled, and she nodded sheepishly. Rhoswen set aside her sewing, and walked to the hall to flag down another apprentice. When she returned, the blonde was staring intently at her sewing- a carefully picked out ivory rose on that field of black fabric. Rhoswen caught her stare, and laid the piece on the invalid's lap.
"What do you think of it thus far? I only started two days ago." The blonde looked at it, running slim fingers over the small stitches, and for a moment she was silent.
"I think it wondrously done indeed. I have not the hands for women's work." She sighed, and looked at her folded hands on the coverlets.
"So you think it easier to ride with the men?"
"Yes. I was raised in a house full of them- my mother died when I was but five, and the aunt I lived with soon after. I had my brother and boy cousin for playmates. Tell me, Rhoswen, how is it that a seamstress such as yourself is in a city full of men- I have seen not one woman pass in the corridor since I have awakened."
"Because they all have left for Lebannin, and the cities of the coast. I am one of the singular few that stayed. And my watching and waiting has come to fulfillment- my lover has returned." She smiled unsurely, and looked at the young woman, her eyes carefully masking something. "Have you some prince of your own?"
"No, and I am glad of it. I loved, but his heart was given to another." Her voice was remorseful at the thought, thinking of, perhaps, some time when she had seen love and not despaired.
"Love is a fickle thing, but when found, reaps more riches than the greatest mines." The sable haired woman quoted, pausing to pick out another stitch.
"And does he ride with the king now- for your glory and his?" Rhoswen's countenance changed to sorrow, and she sighed.
"Yes, at his right hand." The blonde was shocked.
"Your lover is the lord Boromir? Forgive me, madam, but he seemed older when we met." Rhoswen seemed to don her mask again at the young woman's amazement, and smiled a little.
"He is nearly twice my age, but good looking for it. And your cousin, your brother, are they somewhere with the king?"
"My cousin lies in the mounds of Mundberg, and my brother, too, rides at the king's hand. For death and glory." Rhoswen looked at the blonde at her side with curiosity.
"You are the Lady Éowyn? The one they call wraithbane? At last, the pieces of this puzzle fall in place."
"I too, have heard of you, though only as a blessed memory. Boromir spoke often of you. I had thought you were married already, and older..."
"So do most. We were to be married before midsummer last year, but..." her voice faltered here, "He had councils in Imaladris, and a quest to fulfill. I only hope that the king grants that we be married at earliest as can be contrived. I have waited far too long for that day." Éowyn made to rise, but Rhoswen put a hand out.
"Please, lady, stay awhile. Your wounds will heal, but it will take time, and much sleep. Here is lunch; I have need to see another friend who fell on the Pelennor." She folded her work, slipped it in the basket, and went to find where Faramir was, leaving Éowyn to stare sadly at her soup.
----
"Rhoswen? Why is it that the tables have turned on me once more, and you now confine me to my bed?" The two of them were sitting in Faramir's room, each holding cups of the medicinal tea served in the houses to invalids. Rhoswen did not, per se, need it in particular, but having spent much time in the Houses while Boromir was abroad, had grown to like the taste.
"Because, dear brother, justice is swift. Isildur's heir is here, in the city! Have you met him?"
"If not for Isildur's heir, then I would be dead, dear sister. But that is a tale for another time. Have you tidings of the battle? Boromir said nothing."
"Nay. If Boromir told you naught, then I can tell you naught, for I know only what he tells me, and that is nothing as of yet, save only that we won, and there are princes of great renown in this house. And the company of the free peoples has ridden to the black gates." At this, she seemed sad, but her face contained not the slightest sliver of regret as she continued, her face falling into wonder.
"Faramir, I met the wraithbane, the woman they say slaughtered the Witch king and his fell beast with only her sword and her wits. She will be sung of in the halls these nights. But she is sorrowful, although loath to show such feelings. I know she would ask for release before the men return."
"And what am I to say to such an offer?" Rhoswen smiled knowingly. Something had stirred in her heart, and she knew something good would come of this.
"When she comes...you will know."
-----
It was the next day that the warden bowed himself into the lord Faramir's presence with the express request of begging for an audience on the part of the Lady Éowyn. Rhoswen was sitting in the garden-the two had been talking- and she rose and bowed as Éowyn, slightly paler than when they last met, but up and walking, followed the warden in.
"Milord, here is the lady Éowyn, who has lain long in these houses after the battle on the Pelennor, for she was wounded grievously, and now desires audience with the steward of the city, for she is in ill content." The warden bowed courteously as he finished his audience introduction. Faramir drew himself off the bench where he had been sitting; pulling the cloak on his shoulders tighter, he thought for a moment.
"I know not whether the keeping of the city falls to me, as my father still draws breath and my brother, too, also lives. But as neither of the two would, or indeed could, hear the lady, so shall I, at least, hear what she would say." The warden bowed again, and let Éowyn speak.
"Do think me wrong, milord, for it is not for lack of care or keeping that grieves me. I have at my wish all that I could hope for save one thing, and that is my free will. I am not the sort to like being caged, to lie in sloth until all battles are ended. I looked for death in battle, and I faced it down, and still I do not lie with my fathers in the barrows."
"Why would you seek out death, milady?" Faramir looked at her piercingly, and Éowyn looked him straight back, her vibrant blue eyes every match for his calm cornflower ones.
"Because, milord, what use is there in living without love? My uncle is dead, and one I thought would give me what I sought refused me. Because those given to death have more freedom than those permitted to life." Faramir pondered her words for a moment, and looked back at her.
"What would you have me do, for I am a prisoner, as you say, of the healers as well. But what would you wish? If it is in my power, I shall do my best to grant it."
"I would wish you to command the warden, and bid him release me from his keeping."
"Then, I am loath to say, I cannot do what you desire, for authority of the city is not truly mine, and though I am still in his keeping, I still desire of his council, for he is wise in many things."
"But not do I desire healing-I desire death! Glory, or honor well fought for, so that my name will be remembered. I wish it that I would ride to war with my brother, and the captains of this fair city."
"That I also cannot do, madam, for the captains left some time ago, and you could not hope to catch them even with the fastest of horses. But we may meet our death in battle sooner or later, but perhaps not on the battlefields of war you wish of. As time passes freely, so must you too also be given freedom, but not for a time. You and I both must endure hours of waiting, with patience and hope, for the days to come."
"I am not patient, lord, nor am I meek. And the healers would have me lie abed seven days yet." Rhoswen spoke, and her voice, so normally soft and demure, still held that tone, but in a saddened vice.
"Faramir, you know as well as any what this lady suffers; I suffered, and you comforted me, caged as she is behind these white walls, waiting for something that all others have given up hope or want for. At least, let her window look eastward, as mine looked for a time to the north, and let her hope that with each day, hope or death will come." She got up, bowed to Faramir, and then Éowyn. "I would take leave of you, my lord." She kissed his cheek, embracing him, and left, seemingly holding back tears.
"What vexes the lady Rhoswen so, for I am told her lover returned to the city? What is it she desires?"
"To see his face, and not in death's pallor. She may have told you; he has ridden with the king, and her hope is all but spent for his return. Nearly a year she has waited for him, and always looked northward, as you now desire to look east. But her watches were not held in any company save the memory of his love. But, as I cannot release you, at least let me ease your watches as I have eased my sister's. Here in this garden every day you would find me, walking and waiting as my wont lies, and if you desire, you would walk at will with me. It would ease my care greatly, if you would speak to me, or walk at whiles in my company."
"How would that do to ease your care, milord? And I desire no grand speeches to tell me your plain answer-I would have it in the speech of living men."
"Then, Éowyn of Rohan, I would say that you are beautiful, fairer still than all flowers or manner of maid that I have seen in Gondor, and maids and flowers are to be found in plenty here. But I have never seen a beauty like yours that in it's heart keeps sorrow closest. But if the king should fail, and fall to darkness, it should please me nothing more to have spent the last days of mine on this earth in the company of someone so fair. And it would ease my heart if by my company I would ease yours." Éowyn looked up at him from her feet, and spoke, her voice quavering, losing its proud edge.
"I am a shield maid, sir, and such words are wasted on me. I could not hope to give you such solace as you desire, for shadow lies in me still. But I thank you for what small comforts you have given me, that I need not lie abed. I would walk in this garden by the grace the steward has given me, and if.... if he so desires my company, he shall have it."
She turned, and left, and Faramir was left in the silences of the garden to ponder what force drove the universe, and caused man and woman alike to say such reckless words.
Rhoswen came back, her eyes a little bit more bleary, and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Faramir, you've eased my pain a bit, for have seen something unexpected pass your lips."
"What would that be, white rose?"
"The first fruits of love, dear brother. I can see in your eyes a blossom, of hope and all things fair, but first among them is love. It is good to know, brother, that one whom I hold dear to my heart should find such precious a commodity in so dire an hour. And my fondest hope, Faramir, that she returns your love in kind." She sat down, and they talked for many an hour till the sun began to set over long tales and other things besides, but Faramir's mind was never far from the white lady of Rohan.
-----
Sniffles I'm trying to be modest, but that was beautiful, doncha think? Any dialogue you recognize or can cross reference in 'the steward and the king' obviously does not belong to me. Although, I did rework some of those words from the text.
Shout outs-
BIG THANK YOU TO TERREIS, WHO INCLUDED RHOSWEN IN HER FIC, 'ADVENTURES OF THE FANFICTION FELLOWSHIP'. That woman really knows how to flatter me. If you haven't already, go read it. For those of you already directed here via Terreis, thank you much for coming, and I hope you enjoyed the show.
Alainn- GRRR...okay. I'm fine. I updated, I updated! Are you not entertained? What movie?
Sailor Taichichi Vegeta- What can I say? Moving the world, one fan at a time. I'm so glad I made a difference.
Me- I'm pretty sure I didn't' review my own story...but I updated. And can whoever left the seemingly anonymous review go out come to the reference desk-your review wants you.
Dread Lady Freya- Your review made me laugh -they always do. And thanks...I'm sorry for the confusion. I seem to be inserting chapters left and right. Can we talk later about getting me a guest room at this fortress of evil fuzzy bunny slippers? Do you specifically have to have bunny slippers and wear them to commence membership?
Roisin Dubh and Eruanne- I love you both.
Via the small blue button in the corner there, tell me what you think-and no flames because I didn't use the original dialogue, please. The only things flames are useful for are toasting marshmallows and hot dogs. And I'm not camping right now...obviously. So, tell me what you liked/didn't like/think I could do to move this somewhere that's not pink and fluffy...shivers...pink...
MAJOR SPOILERS FOR CHAPTER TEN OF 'JOURNEY THROUGH THE DARK'
And I don't own it, on a side note. Dejected sighCheers up as Boromir pats her back
-----
Rhoswen ran from the room, the days event's weighing on her mind. So the King had returned, and Boromir...He lived still, and brought back all the love she could hope to give multiplied a hundredfold! And yet, he had to leave once more, and this time, death was a certainty. She nearly ran to the houses of healing, where she was needed much more than in war councils; to care for someone else's pain gave her some respite. Drying her tears to ask an apprentice where the warden could be found, she walked through the halls of the houses of healing with a certain heaviness in her step.
The warden of the houses greeted her, a smell of herbs not at all unpleasant lingering in the air of the room.
"Milady, I am glad to see you are not the one in death's embrace this time. Could you sit by her side till she wakes?" Rhoswen looked at the sleeping form of a blonde woman, peacefully sailing through the sea of sleep.
"Yes, Master warden. I will alert you when she stirs." Rhoswen beckoned an apprentice to go for her workbasket, and sat down to watch the bird perched on the window sing.
"Where am I? Who are you? This is not the Pelennor!" the blonde woman looked up from her bed at the room around her with some horror. Rhoswen smiled a little-a battle hardened woman seemed to show fear at not knowing where she was.
"Yes milady, it is not. You are in the houses of healing, in the Tower of Guard, and I am Rhoswen. Do you feel well; shall I call for food?" The blonde's stomach rumbled, and she nodded sheepishly. Rhoswen set aside her sewing, and walked to the hall to flag down another apprentice. When she returned, the blonde was staring intently at her sewing- a carefully picked out ivory rose on that field of black fabric. Rhoswen caught her stare, and laid the piece on the invalid's lap.
"What do you think of it thus far? I only started two days ago." The blonde looked at it, running slim fingers over the small stitches, and for a moment she was silent.
"I think it wondrously done indeed. I have not the hands for women's work." She sighed, and looked at her folded hands on the coverlets.
"So you think it easier to ride with the men?"
"Yes. I was raised in a house full of them- my mother died when I was but five, and the aunt I lived with soon after. I had my brother and boy cousin for playmates. Tell me, Rhoswen, how is it that a seamstress such as yourself is in a city full of men- I have seen not one woman pass in the corridor since I have awakened."
"Because they all have left for Lebannin, and the cities of the coast. I am one of the singular few that stayed. And my watching and waiting has come to fulfillment- my lover has returned." She smiled unsurely, and looked at the young woman, her eyes carefully masking something. "Have you some prince of your own?"
"No, and I am glad of it. I loved, but his heart was given to another." Her voice was remorseful at the thought, thinking of, perhaps, some time when she had seen love and not despaired.
"Love is a fickle thing, but when found, reaps more riches than the greatest mines." The sable haired woman quoted, pausing to pick out another stitch.
"And does he ride with the king now- for your glory and his?" Rhoswen's countenance changed to sorrow, and she sighed.
"Yes, at his right hand." The blonde was shocked.
"Your lover is the lord Boromir? Forgive me, madam, but he seemed older when we met." Rhoswen seemed to don her mask again at the young woman's amazement, and smiled a little.
"He is nearly twice my age, but good looking for it. And your cousin, your brother, are they somewhere with the king?"
"My cousin lies in the mounds of Mundberg, and my brother, too, rides at the king's hand. For death and glory." Rhoswen looked at the blonde at her side with curiosity.
"You are the Lady Éowyn? The one they call wraithbane? At last, the pieces of this puzzle fall in place."
"I too, have heard of you, though only as a blessed memory. Boromir spoke often of you. I had thought you were married already, and older..."
"So do most. We were to be married before midsummer last year, but..." her voice faltered here, "He had councils in Imaladris, and a quest to fulfill. I only hope that the king grants that we be married at earliest as can be contrived. I have waited far too long for that day." Éowyn made to rise, but Rhoswen put a hand out.
"Please, lady, stay awhile. Your wounds will heal, but it will take time, and much sleep. Here is lunch; I have need to see another friend who fell on the Pelennor." She folded her work, slipped it in the basket, and went to find where Faramir was, leaving Éowyn to stare sadly at her soup.
----
"Rhoswen? Why is it that the tables have turned on me once more, and you now confine me to my bed?" The two of them were sitting in Faramir's room, each holding cups of the medicinal tea served in the houses to invalids. Rhoswen did not, per se, need it in particular, but having spent much time in the Houses while Boromir was abroad, had grown to like the taste.
"Because, dear brother, justice is swift. Isildur's heir is here, in the city! Have you met him?"
"If not for Isildur's heir, then I would be dead, dear sister. But that is a tale for another time. Have you tidings of the battle? Boromir said nothing."
"Nay. If Boromir told you naught, then I can tell you naught, for I know only what he tells me, and that is nothing as of yet, save only that we won, and there are princes of great renown in this house. And the company of the free peoples has ridden to the black gates." At this, she seemed sad, but her face contained not the slightest sliver of regret as she continued, her face falling into wonder.
"Faramir, I met the wraithbane, the woman they say slaughtered the Witch king and his fell beast with only her sword and her wits. She will be sung of in the halls these nights. But she is sorrowful, although loath to show such feelings. I know she would ask for release before the men return."
"And what am I to say to such an offer?" Rhoswen smiled knowingly. Something had stirred in her heart, and she knew something good would come of this.
"When she comes...you will know."
-----
It was the next day that the warden bowed himself into the lord Faramir's presence with the express request of begging for an audience on the part of the Lady Éowyn. Rhoswen was sitting in the garden-the two had been talking- and she rose and bowed as Éowyn, slightly paler than when they last met, but up and walking, followed the warden in.
"Milord, here is the lady Éowyn, who has lain long in these houses after the battle on the Pelennor, for she was wounded grievously, and now desires audience with the steward of the city, for she is in ill content." The warden bowed courteously as he finished his audience introduction. Faramir drew himself off the bench where he had been sitting; pulling the cloak on his shoulders tighter, he thought for a moment.
"I know not whether the keeping of the city falls to me, as my father still draws breath and my brother, too, also lives. But as neither of the two would, or indeed could, hear the lady, so shall I, at least, hear what she would say." The warden bowed again, and let Éowyn speak.
"Do think me wrong, milord, for it is not for lack of care or keeping that grieves me. I have at my wish all that I could hope for save one thing, and that is my free will. I am not the sort to like being caged, to lie in sloth until all battles are ended. I looked for death in battle, and I faced it down, and still I do not lie with my fathers in the barrows."
"Why would you seek out death, milady?" Faramir looked at her piercingly, and Éowyn looked him straight back, her vibrant blue eyes every match for his calm cornflower ones.
"Because, milord, what use is there in living without love? My uncle is dead, and one I thought would give me what I sought refused me. Because those given to death have more freedom than those permitted to life." Faramir pondered her words for a moment, and looked back at her.
"What would you have me do, for I am a prisoner, as you say, of the healers as well. But what would you wish? If it is in my power, I shall do my best to grant it."
"I would wish you to command the warden, and bid him release me from his keeping."
"Then, I am loath to say, I cannot do what you desire, for authority of the city is not truly mine, and though I am still in his keeping, I still desire of his council, for he is wise in many things."
"But not do I desire healing-I desire death! Glory, or honor well fought for, so that my name will be remembered. I wish it that I would ride to war with my brother, and the captains of this fair city."
"That I also cannot do, madam, for the captains left some time ago, and you could not hope to catch them even with the fastest of horses. But we may meet our death in battle sooner or later, but perhaps not on the battlefields of war you wish of. As time passes freely, so must you too also be given freedom, but not for a time. You and I both must endure hours of waiting, with patience and hope, for the days to come."
"I am not patient, lord, nor am I meek. And the healers would have me lie abed seven days yet." Rhoswen spoke, and her voice, so normally soft and demure, still held that tone, but in a saddened vice.
"Faramir, you know as well as any what this lady suffers; I suffered, and you comforted me, caged as she is behind these white walls, waiting for something that all others have given up hope or want for. At least, let her window look eastward, as mine looked for a time to the north, and let her hope that with each day, hope or death will come." She got up, bowed to Faramir, and then Éowyn. "I would take leave of you, my lord." She kissed his cheek, embracing him, and left, seemingly holding back tears.
"What vexes the lady Rhoswen so, for I am told her lover returned to the city? What is it she desires?"
"To see his face, and not in death's pallor. She may have told you; he has ridden with the king, and her hope is all but spent for his return. Nearly a year she has waited for him, and always looked northward, as you now desire to look east. But her watches were not held in any company save the memory of his love. But, as I cannot release you, at least let me ease your watches as I have eased my sister's. Here in this garden every day you would find me, walking and waiting as my wont lies, and if you desire, you would walk at will with me. It would ease my care greatly, if you would speak to me, or walk at whiles in my company."
"How would that do to ease your care, milord? And I desire no grand speeches to tell me your plain answer-I would have it in the speech of living men."
"Then, Éowyn of Rohan, I would say that you are beautiful, fairer still than all flowers or manner of maid that I have seen in Gondor, and maids and flowers are to be found in plenty here. But I have never seen a beauty like yours that in it's heart keeps sorrow closest. But if the king should fail, and fall to darkness, it should please me nothing more to have spent the last days of mine on this earth in the company of someone so fair. And it would ease my heart if by my company I would ease yours." Éowyn looked up at him from her feet, and spoke, her voice quavering, losing its proud edge.
"I am a shield maid, sir, and such words are wasted on me. I could not hope to give you such solace as you desire, for shadow lies in me still. But I thank you for what small comforts you have given me, that I need not lie abed. I would walk in this garden by the grace the steward has given me, and if.... if he so desires my company, he shall have it."
She turned, and left, and Faramir was left in the silences of the garden to ponder what force drove the universe, and caused man and woman alike to say such reckless words.
Rhoswen came back, her eyes a little bit more bleary, and laid a hand on his shoulder.
"Faramir, you've eased my pain a bit, for have seen something unexpected pass your lips."
"What would that be, white rose?"
"The first fruits of love, dear brother. I can see in your eyes a blossom, of hope and all things fair, but first among them is love. It is good to know, brother, that one whom I hold dear to my heart should find such precious a commodity in so dire an hour. And my fondest hope, Faramir, that she returns your love in kind." She sat down, and they talked for many an hour till the sun began to set over long tales and other things besides, but Faramir's mind was never far from the white lady of Rohan.
-----
Sniffles I'm trying to be modest, but that was beautiful, doncha think? Any dialogue you recognize or can cross reference in 'the steward and the king' obviously does not belong to me. Although, I did rework some of those words from the text.
Shout outs-
BIG THANK YOU TO TERREIS, WHO INCLUDED RHOSWEN IN HER FIC, 'ADVENTURES OF THE FANFICTION FELLOWSHIP'. That woman really knows how to flatter me. If you haven't already, go read it. For those of you already directed here via Terreis, thank you much for coming, and I hope you enjoyed the show.
Alainn- GRRR...okay. I'm fine. I updated, I updated! Are you not entertained? What movie?
Sailor Taichichi Vegeta- What can I say? Moving the world, one fan at a time. I'm so glad I made a difference.
Me- I'm pretty sure I didn't' review my own story...but I updated. And can whoever left the seemingly anonymous review go out come to the reference desk-your review wants you.
Dread Lady Freya- Your review made me laugh -they always do. And thanks...I'm sorry for the confusion. I seem to be inserting chapters left and right. Can we talk later about getting me a guest room at this fortress of evil fuzzy bunny slippers? Do you specifically have to have bunny slippers and wear them to commence membership?
Roisin Dubh and Eruanne- I love you both.
Via the small blue button in the corner there, tell me what you think-and no flames because I didn't use the original dialogue, please. The only things flames are useful for are toasting marshmallows and hot dogs. And I'm not camping right now...obviously. So, tell me what you liked/didn't like/think I could do to move this somewhere that's not pink and fluffy...shivers...pink...