Life and Loss
Chapter 1
A young Theodred squirmed in his best clothes. They itched. He casually moved his gaze side ways and upwards to see if his father had caught him. He had, but was smiling kindly, indulgently at him. Yet there was a sadness there, behind the eyes that had nothing to do with Theodred. Theodred felt it too. The loss of his mother had left an empty space in his heart as it had his father. And now his father's sister and brother-in-law were dead, joining his mother in the Great Halls of their ancestors. Theodred was happy for them to be together and yet saddened all the same. One day he would join her there, and his father, after fulfilling his destiny to lead Rohan to glory by being fair and just, by protecting his people. It was a great responsibility his father always told him so he tried to learn everything he could. But he found the battle training to be the most fun. He found these clothes for ceremony restricting and bothersome. He wanted to be outside training. But he stayed inside for now. Not only for his father's sake, but out of respect for his father's sister-son and sister-daughter. Theodred had never seen them as they lived so far away. He was curious and compassionate. They had lost both their parents and were to be brought up with him.
A messenger announced their arrival and a second later in came his two cousins. Theodred watched them appraisingly. He realized how different he looked from his cousins. He was dark-haired like his mother and these two were blonde like Theoden, but had longer hair than he. Both were very handsome and were both older than he by some years. Their looks were of Rohan, proud, and some what defiant, and serious. Their loss had been recent so despite their serious looks that they were unafraid of coming into the care of relatives they too had never met, their eyes betrayed them. Theodred could see sadness there. The older brother, Eomer, hide his pain more deeply, for his sister's sake he supposed, a thought that made Theodred admire him even now. As for his sister, Eowyn, for he too felt a feeling of deep admiration and compassion. He wanted to speak to them, to comfort them, but it was his father's place to speak and so he did.
But Theoden did not speak first. Eomer did. Eomer and Eowyn bowed, showing their respect and allegience.
"Great King," began Eomer, but that was as far as he was allowed to speak.
"Nay, nay," said Theoden rising quickly from his throne and descending the few quick steps. He lifted Eomer and Eowyn up from bowing and clasp a hand on each of their shoulders. "You are most welcome here, although I am deeply grieved at the reason. You're mother was my only sister, my only sibling, and I loved her as deeply as you both did. That love I bestow on you as I do my own child."
At their mutual glance at Theodred, he too moved forward to greet his cousins. Theoden's kindness was as great as he knew it would be.
Theoden turned to his wards now and said. "You will be hereafter called my sister-son and sister- daughter. In recognition of your parents bond of love as well as my own. For you shall be as my own son and daughter."
Theodred bowed his head at his two cousins and said, with sincerity and affection so like the father, "And you shall be my own brother and sister, for I have none and you are they."
Then, in spite of the sadness, in spite of the fear, some of the sadness and all of the fear faded away for Eomer and Eowyn. Smiles broke out upon their faces. Their sadness would be a shared sadness and happiness would be a shared happiness. They had lost a home, but here in Rohan they would find another.
Theodred turned excitedly to his father. He had many friends, being an out-going, friendly young boy, a natural charismatic leader would could not help but drawn people at their loyalty to him, much like his father, but Theodred had never had the joy of siblings before. "May I show them around Rohan, father?"
Theoden let his hands fall off Eomer and Eowyn's shoulders. He smiled at his son. It was hard to deny him anything after losing his mother and yet he was pleased that his indulgence was never used for ill by his son. "Theodred, they have had a long journey. I'm sure they are very tired."
They looked to Eomer and Eowyn. Eowyn glanced at her brother. He nodded his assent. Eowyn smiled and said, "Sir, we are not so tired. We would enjoy seeing Rohan with our..." Eowyn hesitated for just a moment, deciding to use their new bond, and finding that she liked it, "brother."
Theodred again eagerly looked to his father who smiled and nodded.
Theodred walked up between the Eomer and Eowyn, smiled and said, "Come, there is so much to see and do! You will find a good home here!"
Theoden smiled as he watched the three leave. Theodred did most of the talking but the other two began to talk more and more, so by the time they crossed out of the door, Theoden was sure that the bonds of familial love were sown and would continue to grow.
Eomer and Eowyn began to love their new father and brother. Their love for them would grow deep and strong over the coming years and would never leave them, would never be stopped, not even by death.