Acceptance
Éowyn padded through the corridors of the palace, wrapped warmly in a long shawl. She didn't need it, she wasn't cold, but it was comforting. She reached the parlour she often sat in with Arwen, and sat. If she couldn't have Faramir, she would have the next best thing - a book describing the geography of the land that would soon be their home. She chuckled inwardly at the title - it was much drier fare than anything she would have willingly read when she was younger.
She sighed. Soon she would be returning to Edoras to spend a last few months as the Lady of Rohan, and four months later she would come once again to the White City (though with considerably more fanfare) to be married. She wished that she could be wed now - but Éomer would throw a fit if she married without him, and it would be nigh impossible to stand being separated from Faramir for weeks at a time if they were actually wed. In the months she would bid farewell to Rohan, Ithilien would be finally subdued, and together they could start the process of rebuilding.
She did not regret her time spent in Minas Tirith for in Aragorn she had found a true friend, and she had come to love the White City even as Faramir would wish. It was not her home, but it was glorious beyond imagining, and its people, though more sombre than those of Rohan, were brave and strong. She was glad she had had the opportunity to know them in the months past - moving away from her home to a new land would be less frightening for that.
These thoughts, absorbing as they could be, were not what kept her wakeful this night. She had made excuses to avoid a royal dinner, saying she felt unwell, but in truth she had simply wanted to sleep. Since the message from the Shire she had been having trouble sleeping. Her dreams were full of a vague darkness - but through the nights they became more intense, until she was reliving her worst moments at Edoras.
She did not want to tell anyone, for she hoped that given time the nightmares would pass away. And until then, what were a few sleepless nights, really? She opened her book and began to read, but she did not really take in the words, her mind still occupied by her fears. It was ridiculous to still be bothered when the man who had inspired her fear, was long since gone, and she knew now, dead.
The door beside her opened as she struggled with her thoughts, and Arwen Evenstar entered. Eowyn stood suddenly, saying "I'm so sorry, I did not realise you would be using this room.." Her voice trailed off, as Arwen merely smiled in that disconcerting manner she had.
Éowyn did not know what to think of Gondor's Queen. At first she had been convinced that Arwen despised her and always would, but since Edoras things between them had been different. After the departure of her father, and her husband Arwen had seemed almost semi-conscious. She had followed Éowyn about her business, yet so quietly as to be almost invisible. Éowyn had found it disconcerting, but had said nothing. And when Arwen had collapsed, dramatically, she had found herself stepping in without a thought. When she thought over it later, she did not know why she did it, yet it had seemed instinctual. The pain of loss that made its mark even on Arwen's elven-perfect face was something she could understand all to well - and she would ease it if she could.
And now they spoke hardly at all - and when they did speak it was polite and meaningless. There was no hostility between them, but there was hardly anything else either. Eowyn hoped they could break the invisible lines that bound them, for she could not imagine a future where they still could not speak - at least she didn't want to.
Arwen watched her with her unreadable eyes, and it made her uncomfortable. She had watched her all the more since Éowyn and Aragorn had become so friendly. She had not said a word, or even given Éowyn a cruel glance, yet Éowyn was sure she disliked their newfound closeness.
Arwen looked at her now, and asked, "What disturbs your slumber this night Éowyn?". Éowyn managed a small smile, and said, "Thoughts of Rohan. I will be glad to return home, even if only for a short while", Arwen looked at her, and some instinct took hold of her and she spoke the truth "Nightmares deny me sleep". She could have bitten off her tongue, for Aragorn entered as she spoke. While she was sure the Queen would maintain polite disinterest, she knew by now that Aragorn would let no such considerations of propriety bind him.
The Queen glanced at her husband sharply and said, "What kind of nightmares, Éowyn?". The White Lady shook her head miserably, and said, "Merely memories, my Queen, of things I thought long forgotten." Aragorn glanced at her sharply, and she knew he guessed what she was speaking of. She cursed herself, why had she even mentioned it? He looked at her gently, and said, "Of the Wormtongue?".
She nodded and turned her face away in frustration. Arwen spoke softly, "How soon before you return to Rohan?". She looked at the Queen and said, "Two weeks." The Queen spoke with great care, as if fearful of giving insult, "There is an elven remedy for night terrors, it can be performed in one night. After all you cannot return to Rohan like this. I do not think Éomer King would ever forgive us."
Éowyn looked at her with wide eyes, as Aragorn spoke "I remember. I could do it tomorrow night.." Éowyn spoke sharply, "No! Would you see?", he nodded "I don't want you to, I don't want you to see it, there are things". She could tell she had hurt him, but it was impossible. Arwen looked at her, and the same instinct possessed her, "Could you do it?"
The elven queen nodded, and said, "Yes. But you would have to trust me." Éowyn met her eyes and said, "I trust you." The Queen nodded slowly and said, "Until tomorrow then." Éowyn smiled slowly, and left the room, avoiding Aragorn's wounded eyes as she went.
* * *
Arwen looked at the young woman where she lay. She was still amazed that Éowyn would allow, nay prefer her, to see into her thoughts, to Aragorn. He had been hurt that the Shieldmaiden had not chosen him, but, imagining what Éowyn might be haunted by, Arwen could see why she did not want him to see it. Now the Shieldmaiden lay half-asleep on the bed before her. Arwen sat on the chair near by, and prepared herself. Aragorn was waiting outside the door, afraid for both of them.
Slowly Arwen concentrated herself, till her mind was still and pure as the night sky. She turned her thoughts to Éowyn, whose presence filled the room. She brought her mind to bear on the White Lady's thoughts.
A barrage of images assaulted her, but Arwen had expected that and kept going. She saw a child sitting on a blonde haired woman's lap, playing with leaves of athelas, the same child looking lost in the hall of Meduseld, that child aged being taught to ride a ridiculously large horse. And suddenly she was in the memory that tortured Éowyn. She could tell from the way every detail was crystal sharp that it had been mused over many times.
Éowyn, younger, softer looking, was bent over a huge book of maps, in a dusty and little used study. Her fingers traced lines on a map of Ithilien, as she muttered names under her breath. Suddenly she straightened up and looked behind her. A dark, oily man stood behind her - too close Arwen could instantly tell. She spoke to him, "Grima son of Gamlod. Do you need something of me." Arwen could feel the contempt in her voice.
The man looked her up and down, and said, "You are fascinated by Gondor are you not?". Éowyn chose her words carefully, "Yea, it is a beautiful country I have been told". He smirked and said, "Yet you have never seen it. There is much you have never seen young Shieldmaiden.". She looked at him carefully, and said, "I am willing to wait until my uncle can allow me to see what I am ready for."
The man grabbed her by the forearm - so violently, so suddenly that Arwen stifled a shriek. He twisted her down beneath him, and kicked her twice, hard, in the ribs. Éowyn cried out, but he hit her head against the stone floor, and she lay stunned as he climbed on top of her. He pulled at her dress, scratching her white skin.
He started to choke her, but slowly she awoke, and when she felt his weight, she started to struggle against him. But she had no leverage, Arwen could tell, and he was much stronger than her. As he ripped her dress tears started to fall down the Shieldmaiden's face. Her hands scrabbled above her head, and eventually caught the book of maps, which had fallen to the floor in the struggle. She hit him hard across the head with it.
As Grima fell to the floor she stood up. He writhed on the floor clutching his head, but she paid no mind to it. Though her dress was torn and finger marks bruised her skin, she stood with the grace of a Queen. Her voice was ice cold as she spoke, "I am Éowyn, Éomund's daughter, sister-daughter to the King of Rohan. You will not touch me again worm or I swear by my ancestors, you shall regret that day for the rest of your short life".
She walked from the room slowly, refusing to show fear in front of him. Then she ran. She tried to tell her uncle, but he merely turned blank eyes to her, refusing to understand what she said. Giving up she went to her own room and collapsed into tears. She clambered into bed, and huddled, wishing for her brother or her cousin, but knowing she could never tell them what had occurred. After many hours she stood, and clenched her blade in her hand. She practised passes and thrusts until she could feel nothing more in her arm.
Arwen sped through the years with the Shieldmaiden, watching as her proficiency with the blade grew. Éowyn watched her uncle fall to darkness, and stayed by his side, in the shadow of the worm. A knot of terror grew within her, never expressed. She stayed while her brothers went out to war, unable even to touch them to say goodbye. She became cold, longing for love and affection, longing for peace, but unable to see any way out of the long dark tunnel she seemed to be traversing. As each loss hit her frayed heart she became harder and harder so that she might not collapse. She found herself almost wishing for the final, devastating, blow that her long struggle might finally be over.
Arwen was driven back inside herself with a start. Éowyn had awoken. She looked at Arwen with wide, frightened eyes. Arwen, her heart wrung from what she had seen, embraced the girl warmly. She felt a few slow tears fall from the White Lady's cheeks, and held her all the tighter. She was furious that Éowyn had been through so much, and felt fiercely protective of the girl's fledgling happiness.
Finally Éowyn looked up at her, and asked, "Did it work?". Arwen smoothed her hair, saying "Yea. You have faced your fear Éowyn, it will haunt you no more". And the White Lady smiled, and looked down and said "Thank you. You know not what a gift you have given me."
And Arwen hugged her once more, and knew that she would love this girl very much, that, at last, the barrier between them was broken, and friendship could grow. And she sat up and said, "I think we should find my husband. He will no doubt, be affeared for our safety." And Éowyn laughed and put her hand to her head, and said, "I would like that my Queen."
And they walked together from the room, and from that day forth Éowyn found peace, even in her sleep.
Author's Note
I know this rememdy was never mentioned in Tolkien's work, but I'm extrapolating that it could be possible. Don't worry this isn't the end, but there's not far to go now.
Éowyn padded through the corridors of the palace, wrapped warmly in a long shawl. She didn't need it, she wasn't cold, but it was comforting. She reached the parlour she often sat in with Arwen, and sat. If she couldn't have Faramir, she would have the next best thing - a book describing the geography of the land that would soon be their home. She chuckled inwardly at the title - it was much drier fare than anything she would have willingly read when she was younger.
She sighed. Soon she would be returning to Edoras to spend a last few months as the Lady of Rohan, and four months later she would come once again to the White City (though with considerably more fanfare) to be married. She wished that she could be wed now - but Éomer would throw a fit if she married without him, and it would be nigh impossible to stand being separated from Faramir for weeks at a time if they were actually wed. In the months she would bid farewell to Rohan, Ithilien would be finally subdued, and together they could start the process of rebuilding.
She did not regret her time spent in Minas Tirith for in Aragorn she had found a true friend, and she had come to love the White City even as Faramir would wish. It was not her home, but it was glorious beyond imagining, and its people, though more sombre than those of Rohan, were brave and strong. She was glad she had had the opportunity to know them in the months past - moving away from her home to a new land would be less frightening for that.
These thoughts, absorbing as they could be, were not what kept her wakeful this night. She had made excuses to avoid a royal dinner, saying she felt unwell, but in truth she had simply wanted to sleep. Since the message from the Shire she had been having trouble sleeping. Her dreams were full of a vague darkness - but through the nights they became more intense, until she was reliving her worst moments at Edoras.
She did not want to tell anyone, for she hoped that given time the nightmares would pass away. And until then, what were a few sleepless nights, really? She opened her book and began to read, but she did not really take in the words, her mind still occupied by her fears. It was ridiculous to still be bothered when the man who had inspired her fear, was long since gone, and she knew now, dead.
The door beside her opened as she struggled with her thoughts, and Arwen Evenstar entered. Eowyn stood suddenly, saying "I'm so sorry, I did not realise you would be using this room.." Her voice trailed off, as Arwen merely smiled in that disconcerting manner she had.
Éowyn did not know what to think of Gondor's Queen. At first she had been convinced that Arwen despised her and always would, but since Edoras things between them had been different. After the departure of her father, and her husband Arwen had seemed almost semi-conscious. She had followed Éowyn about her business, yet so quietly as to be almost invisible. Éowyn had found it disconcerting, but had said nothing. And when Arwen had collapsed, dramatically, she had found herself stepping in without a thought. When she thought over it later, she did not know why she did it, yet it had seemed instinctual. The pain of loss that made its mark even on Arwen's elven-perfect face was something she could understand all to well - and she would ease it if she could.
And now they spoke hardly at all - and when they did speak it was polite and meaningless. There was no hostility between them, but there was hardly anything else either. Eowyn hoped they could break the invisible lines that bound them, for she could not imagine a future where they still could not speak - at least she didn't want to.
Arwen watched her with her unreadable eyes, and it made her uncomfortable. She had watched her all the more since Éowyn and Aragorn had become so friendly. She had not said a word, or even given Éowyn a cruel glance, yet Éowyn was sure she disliked their newfound closeness.
Arwen looked at her now, and asked, "What disturbs your slumber this night Éowyn?". Éowyn managed a small smile, and said, "Thoughts of Rohan. I will be glad to return home, even if only for a short while", Arwen looked at her, and some instinct took hold of her and she spoke the truth "Nightmares deny me sleep". She could have bitten off her tongue, for Aragorn entered as she spoke. While she was sure the Queen would maintain polite disinterest, she knew by now that Aragorn would let no such considerations of propriety bind him.
The Queen glanced at her husband sharply and said, "What kind of nightmares, Éowyn?". The White Lady shook her head miserably, and said, "Merely memories, my Queen, of things I thought long forgotten." Aragorn glanced at her sharply, and she knew he guessed what she was speaking of. She cursed herself, why had she even mentioned it? He looked at her gently, and said, "Of the Wormtongue?".
She nodded and turned her face away in frustration. Arwen spoke softly, "How soon before you return to Rohan?". She looked at the Queen and said, "Two weeks." The Queen spoke with great care, as if fearful of giving insult, "There is an elven remedy for night terrors, it can be performed in one night. After all you cannot return to Rohan like this. I do not think Éomer King would ever forgive us."
Éowyn looked at her with wide eyes, as Aragorn spoke "I remember. I could do it tomorrow night.." Éowyn spoke sharply, "No! Would you see?", he nodded "I don't want you to, I don't want you to see it, there are things". She could tell she had hurt him, but it was impossible. Arwen looked at her, and the same instinct possessed her, "Could you do it?"
The elven queen nodded, and said, "Yes. But you would have to trust me." Éowyn met her eyes and said, "I trust you." The Queen nodded slowly and said, "Until tomorrow then." Éowyn smiled slowly, and left the room, avoiding Aragorn's wounded eyes as she went.
* * *
Arwen looked at the young woman where she lay. She was still amazed that Éowyn would allow, nay prefer her, to see into her thoughts, to Aragorn. He had been hurt that the Shieldmaiden had not chosen him, but, imagining what Éowyn might be haunted by, Arwen could see why she did not want him to see it. Now the Shieldmaiden lay half-asleep on the bed before her. Arwen sat on the chair near by, and prepared herself. Aragorn was waiting outside the door, afraid for both of them.
Slowly Arwen concentrated herself, till her mind was still and pure as the night sky. She turned her thoughts to Éowyn, whose presence filled the room. She brought her mind to bear on the White Lady's thoughts.
A barrage of images assaulted her, but Arwen had expected that and kept going. She saw a child sitting on a blonde haired woman's lap, playing with leaves of athelas, the same child looking lost in the hall of Meduseld, that child aged being taught to ride a ridiculously large horse. And suddenly she was in the memory that tortured Éowyn. She could tell from the way every detail was crystal sharp that it had been mused over many times.
Éowyn, younger, softer looking, was bent over a huge book of maps, in a dusty and little used study. Her fingers traced lines on a map of Ithilien, as she muttered names under her breath. Suddenly she straightened up and looked behind her. A dark, oily man stood behind her - too close Arwen could instantly tell. She spoke to him, "Grima son of Gamlod. Do you need something of me." Arwen could feel the contempt in her voice.
The man looked her up and down, and said, "You are fascinated by Gondor are you not?". Éowyn chose her words carefully, "Yea, it is a beautiful country I have been told". He smirked and said, "Yet you have never seen it. There is much you have never seen young Shieldmaiden.". She looked at him carefully, and said, "I am willing to wait until my uncle can allow me to see what I am ready for."
The man grabbed her by the forearm - so violently, so suddenly that Arwen stifled a shriek. He twisted her down beneath him, and kicked her twice, hard, in the ribs. Éowyn cried out, but he hit her head against the stone floor, and she lay stunned as he climbed on top of her. He pulled at her dress, scratching her white skin.
He started to choke her, but slowly she awoke, and when she felt his weight, she started to struggle against him. But she had no leverage, Arwen could tell, and he was much stronger than her. As he ripped her dress tears started to fall down the Shieldmaiden's face. Her hands scrabbled above her head, and eventually caught the book of maps, which had fallen to the floor in the struggle. She hit him hard across the head with it.
As Grima fell to the floor she stood up. He writhed on the floor clutching his head, but she paid no mind to it. Though her dress was torn and finger marks bruised her skin, she stood with the grace of a Queen. Her voice was ice cold as she spoke, "I am Éowyn, Éomund's daughter, sister-daughter to the King of Rohan. You will not touch me again worm or I swear by my ancestors, you shall regret that day for the rest of your short life".
She walked from the room slowly, refusing to show fear in front of him. Then she ran. She tried to tell her uncle, but he merely turned blank eyes to her, refusing to understand what she said. Giving up she went to her own room and collapsed into tears. She clambered into bed, and huddled, wishing for her brother or her cousin, but knowing she could never tell them what had occurred. After many hours she stood, and clenched her blade in her hand. She practised passes and thrusts until she could feel nothing more in her arm.
Arwen sped through the years with the Shieldmaiden, watching as her proficiency with the blade grew. Éowyn watched her uncle fall to darkness, and stayed by his side, in the shadow of the worm. A knot of terror grew within her, never expressed. She stayed while her brothers went out to war, unable even to touch them to say goodbye. She became cold, longing for love and affection, longing for peace, but unable to see any way out of the long dark tunnel she seemed to be traversing. As each loss hit her frayed heart she became harder and harder so that she might not collapse. She found herself almost wishing for the final, devastating, blow that her long struggle might finally be over.
Arwen was driven back inside herself with a start. Éowyn had awoken. She looked at Arwen with wide, frightened eyes. Arwen, her heart wrung from what she had seen, embraced the girl warmly. She felt a few slow tears fall from the White Lady's cheeks, and held her all the tighter. She was furious that Éowyn had been through so much, and felt fiercely protective of the girl's fledgling happiness.
Finally Éowyn looked up at her, and asked, "Did it work?". Arwen smoothed her hair, saying "Yea. You have faced your fear Éowyn, it will haunt you no more". And the White Lady smiled, and looked down and said "Thank you. You know not what a gift you have given me."
And Arwen hugged her once more, and knew that she would love this girl very much, that, at last, the barrier between them was broken, and friendship could grow. And she sat up and said, "I think we should find my husband. He will no doubt, be affeared for our safety." And Éowyn laughed and put her hand to her head, and said, "I would like that my Queen."
And they walked together from the room, and from that day forth Éowyn found peace, even in her sleep.
Author's Note
I know this rememdy was never mentioned in Tolkien's work, but I'm extrapolating that it could be possible. Don't worry this isn't the end, but there's not far to go now.