In Friendship
Eowyn stood in front of the tall elven mirror and doubted. Arwen smirked as she looked at her - she had finally cajoled Éowyn into trying on the dress that Arwen just knew would be perfect. And it was, though it might take a little convincing to make Éowyn see the fact.
Soon the White Lady was to be wed, and Arwen was determined that it would be a joyous occasion - and if beautiful dresses, banquets and flowers could make an occasion joyous, she was bound to succeed. In her heart of hearts Arwen acknowledged that the reason she was so determined to have the perfect wedding, was that she felt guiltier about her cold treatment of Éowyn, even than before. Having seen her girlhood, the Queen wanted to give Éowyn one festival that would not be shadowed by sorrow or fear.
The healing had exhausted her for two days for never before had she called so deeply upon her powers of healing. Though it had been worth it. For the healing process had worked on Éowyn, as it had not on Celebrian. The last remaining shadows had passed from Éowyn's face, and her laughter rang out in the palace. At last Arwen could understand Aragorn's satisfied joy in healing.
The dress was the softest white Arwen could find, for nothing harsh or glaring would do for such a day. Silk covered with the lightest lace possible, it was gathered at the bosom, before falling gently to the floor. The bell shaped sleeves hung to Éowyn's fingertips. Her cornsilk hair fell down her back at this moment - though Arwen was sure that given time she would find another way to style it. It was a dress fit for this maiden - in it she was fairer than, Arwen was sure, any had yet seen her, and yet not hard, not cold, but an image of warmth and joy.
Éowyn continued to look in the mirror, musing. She said aloud, "It was you wasn't it?". Arwen looked at her, and she continued, "Who brought the dress Éomer gave me?". The Queen nodded - she had assumed Éowyn knew. But the White Lady was not finished, "I knew someone had to have helped him, yet I did not think it could have been you, because," she paused, "I'm glad we are friends now my Queen.".
Arwen nodded, glad that Éowyn could say it, for she knew she could not have. Silently she slid an arm around Éowyn's waist. They stood for a moment, glad of each other's company before Éowyn said "And you know, glad though I am my Queen, that you wish to make my wedding special, you do not need to waste your time on the little details. All I love will be there, it will be special no matter whether the flowers match the table cloth." Arwen snorted, "That shows how much you 'mortals' know about perfection." Éowyn shoved her playfully, and Arwen went to sit on the couch.
As Éowyn contemplated herself once more, Arwen asked, "Do you like the dress?". Éowyn looked at her, almost shy, and said, "It is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen but", she paused, looking confused, "I don't know how to put it to you so that you will understand. It feels too much for me - I am not enough for a dress like this." Arwen laughed, and Éowyn bowed her head, blushing. Once she had recovered herself, Arwen said, "If that is all Éowyn, I know of a simple solution. Husband!!" Aragorn entered upon her call, for Arwen had foreseen the need for a male opinion and had asked him to stay close by - for certainly Faramir's opinion could not be sought on this particular gown. Once she might have been loath to ask Aragorn's opinion of Éowyn's appearance, for as their friendship developed she had felt a little excluded. It was only when she began to know Éowyn truly that she realised how baseless such fears were - Aragorn and Éowyn shared a strong bond, one that would last their lifetimes, and for her to attempt to interfere would simply cause awkwardness and unhappiness. Now that she understood it better she no longer felt excluded - she had no desire for her husband to love her as a sister.
However the look of blind awe on her husband's face was enough to make her laugh once again. Honestly were all men so blind or was it just her husband? He stared at Éowyn as if he had never seen her before - how had he not noticed her beauty? Éowyn almost refused to meet his eyes, and her hands twisted in the folds of her skirt. Arwen could hardly control her mirth that is until Éowyn glared at her, saying, "What is it you find so amusing my Queen?"
That brought her husband back down to earth - he looked over at Arwen, saying, "This I take it is the dress?" She nodded, and Éowyn looked at her accusingly. She said, without a trace of guilt, "I knew I would have to convince you to wear it. Now do you think it fitting?" Éowyn blushed right down her neck, and said nothing. Arwen, understanding her feelings, said, "What think you husband? Will it do?"
Aragorn lifted Éowyn's head up by the chin, and said, "I think Arwen, that Faramir will barely be able to speak on his wedding day from awe." He looked Éowyn in the eyes and said, "You look beautiful". At which point Éowyn looked up at him and smiled - then shot Arwen an absolutely poisonous glance.
"Must you always be right my Queen?", she asked. And she went and embraced her Queen, and said softly, "Thank You." Arwen looked at the young girl - for so Éowyn still seemed at times - and replied, "I was happy to Éowyn. Now what flowers shall you carry?". Éowyn groaned and moved away from her.
Aragorn said, "You slew the Witch-King, the beast which terrorised men and elves for more than an age, and you cannot stand a discussion of bouquets?", hoping to irritate his friend, but she merely smiled sweetly and said, "I might ask you the same question my lord."
* * *
They stood on the steps to say goodbye. Arwen was ashamed to find herself almost close to tears. In the sixth months Éowyn had spent in Minas Tirith she had somehow become a part of Arwen's life, and then a tried and true friend. As they embraced, Arwen stifled her tears in Éowyn's shoulder. The White Lady stood back, and said, "My Queen, I shall soon return to your service?"
And Arwen choked out words that seemed meaningless compared to the loss of a friend, "Call me Arwen". They hugged once more, and Éowyn stepped away. She said softly, "I want to thank you, both of you. You've been so kind to me these past months, I, I am glad. I-". And Arwen understood that there were some things for which there were no words, and smiled.
Aragorn and Éowyn embraced, and he said, "We shall meet again soon. Bring my greetings to your brother lady. And now your escort awaits." And she drew back, and said, "Escort, what kind of escort?" And her voice was suspicious, and Arwen knew that although the White Lady no longer bore blade she still disliked excessive protection.
Yet her husband winked at her and said to Éowyn, "One that I am sure shall be to your liking my lady." And Éowyn turned and saw her betrothed awaiting her, and said nothing more, but ran to him, and they embraced. Arwen marvelled to see the light that came into Éowyn's face when she saw Faramir, and though he seemed tired, the same light was in his eyes and he touched her as if she was something precious. And so Éowyn rode away, and Arwen found herself alone at times, and thought longingly of the time when the White Lady would return.
Anfieldgyul: Thank you for your review - I've read and enjoyed the flower and the sword - it's great to get that kind of review from someone you've read. Hope my story continues to please.
Anolinde: You're right - I'm from Ireland so my spelling is almost exactly like British English (it's not the same thing). I'm impressed that you noticed. My pen name is from a character in one of the great Irish sagas, which I'm addicted to. They make really great reading.
Ram: Right, where to begin. I'm starting to find it spooky the way you pick up on things that I'm planning - how do you keep doing that? That sentence irritated the hell out of me when I wrote it because I couldn't figure out where the hell it came from - but I figured it was more right than wrong, so I left it in.
The love triangle thing will sort of raise it's ugly head, but not in quite the way you envisaged. Simply I think Faramir in the book (in the film remains to be seen) is too convinced of Aragorn's inherent goodness to see it that way. However his other doubts about himself could come into play (I won't say more for fear of giving away more than I already have). It's written in my head anyway.
You followed almost exactly the same chain of reasoning I did about the elven remedy thing - except I did in the opposite order. Anyway that's a minor point. Seriously thanks for all the feedback because though it makes me work harder a getting things right, well, it makes me work harder a getting things right and that can only be a good thing.
Eowyn stood in front of the tall elven mirror and doubted. Arwen smirked as she looked at her - she had finally cajoled Éowyn into trying on the dress that Arwen just knew would be perfect. And it was, though it might take a little convincing to make Éowyn see the fact.
Soon the White Lady was to be wed, and Arwen was determined that it would be a joyous occasion - and if beautiful dresses, banquets and flowers could make an occasion joyous, she was bound to succeed. In her heart of hearts Arwen acknowledged that the reason she was so determined to have the perfect wedding, was that she felt guiltier about her cold treatment of Éowyn, even than before. Having seen her girlhood, the Queen wanted to give Éowyn one festival that would not be shadowed by sorrow or fear.
The healing had exhausted her for two days for never before had she called so deeply upon her powers of healing. Though it had been worth it. For the healing process had worked on Éowyn, as it had not on Celebrian. The last remaining shadows had passed from Éowyn's face, and her laughter rang out in the palace. At last Arwen could understand Aragorn's satisfied joy in healing.
The dress was the softest white Arwen could find, for nothing harsh or glaring would do for such a day. Silk covered with the lightest lace possible, it was gathered at the bosom, before falling gently to the floor. The bell shaped sleeves hung to Éowyn's fingertips. Her cornsilk hair fell down her back at this moment - though Arwen was sure that given time she would find another way to style it. It was a dress fit for this maiden - in it she was fairer than, Arwen was sure, any had yet seen her, and yet not hard, not cold, but an image of warmth and joy.
Éowyn continued to look in the mirror, musing. She said aloud, "It was you wasn't it?". Arwen looked at her, and she continued, "Who brought the dress Éomer gave me?". The Queen nodded - she had assumed Éowyn knew. But the White Lady was not finished, "I knew someone had to have helped him, yet I did not think it could have been you, because," she paused, "I'm glad we are friends now my Queen.".
Arwen nodded, glad that Éowyn could say it, for she knew she could not have. Silently she slid an arm around Éowyn's waist. They stood for a moment, glad of each other's company before Éowyn said "And you know, glad though I am my Queen, that you wish to make my wedding special, you do not need to waste your time on the little details. All I love will be there, it will be special no matter whether the flowers match the table cloth." Arwen snorted, "That shows how much you 'mortals' know about perfection." Éowyn shoved her playfully, and Arwen went to sit on the couch.
As Éowyn contemplated herself once more, Arwen asked, "Do you like the dress?". Éowyn looked at her, almost shy, and said, "It is the most beautiful dress I have ever seen but", she paused, looking confused, "I don't know how to put it to you so that you will understand. It feels too much for me - I am not enough for a dress like this." Arwen laughed, and Éowyn bowed her head, blushing. Once she had recovered herself, Arwen said, "If that is all Éowyn, I know of a simple solution. Husband!!" Aragorn entered upon her call, for Arwen had foreseen the need for a male opinion and had asked him to stay close by - for certainly Faramir's opinion could not be sought on this particular gown. Once she might have been loath to ask Aragorn's opinion of Éowyn's appearance, for as their friendship developed she had felt a little excluded. It was only when she began to know Éowyn truly that she realised how baseless such fears were - Aragorn and Éowyn shared a strong bond, one that would last their lifetimes, and for her to attempt to interfere would simply cause awkwardness and unhappiness. Now that she understood it better she no longer felt excluded - she had no desire for her husband to love her as a sister.
However the look of blind awe on her husband's face was enough to make her laugh once again. Honestly were all men so blind or was it just her husband? He stared at Éowyn as if he had never seen her before - how had he not noticed her beauty? Éowyn almost refused to meet his eyes, and her hands twisted in the folds of her skirt. Arwen could hardly control her mirth that is until Éowyn glared at her, saying, "What is it you find so amusing my Queen?"
That brought her husband back down to earth - he looked over at Arwen, saying, "This I take it is the dress?" She nodded, and Éowyn looked at her accusingly. She said, without a trace of guilt, "I knew I would have to convince you to wear it. Now do you think it fitting?" Éowyn blushed right down her neck, and said nothing. Arwen, understanding her feelings, said, "What think you husband? Will it do?"
Aragorn lifted Éowyn's head up by the chin, and said, "I think Arwen, that Faramir will barely be able to speak on his wedding day from awe." He looked Éowyn in the eyes and said, "You look beautiful". At which point Éowyn looked up at him and smiled - then shot Arwen an absolutely poisonous glance.
"Must you always be right my Queen?", she asked. And she went and embraced her Queen, and said softly, "Thank You." Arwen looked at the young girl - for so Éowyn still seemed at times - and replied, "I was happy to Éowyn. Now what flowers shall you carry?". Éowyn groaned and moved away from her.
Aragorn said, "You slew the Witch-King, the beast which terrorised men and elves for more than an age, and you cannot stand a discussion of bouquets?", hoping to irritate his friend, but she merely smiled sweetly and said, "I might ask you the same question my lord."
* * *
They stood on the steps to say goodbye. Arwen was ashamed to find herself almost close to tears. In the sixth months Éowyn had spent in Minas Tirith she had somehow become a part of Arwen's life, and then a tried and true friend. As they embraced, Arwen stifled her tears in Éowyn's shoulder. The White Lady stood back, and said, "My Queen, I shall soon return to your service?"
And Arwen choked out words that seemed meaningless compared to the loss of a friend, "Call me Arwen". They hugged once more, and Éowyn stepped away. She said softly, "I want to thank you, both of you. You've been so kind to me these past months, I, I am glad. I-". And Arwen understood that there were some things for which there were no words, and smiled.
Aragorn and Éowyn embraced, and he said, "We shall meet again soon. Bring my greetings to your brother lady. And now your escort awaits." And she drew back, and said, "Escort, what kind of escort?" And her voice was suspicious, and Arwen knew that although the White Lady no longer bore blade she still disliked excessive protection.
Yet her husband winked at her and said to Éowyn, "One that I am sure shall be to your liking my lady." And Éowyn turned and saw her betrothed awaiting her, and said nothing more, but ran to him, and they embraced. Arwen marvelled to see the light that came into Éowyn's face when she saw Faramir, and though he seemed tired, the same light was in his eyes and he touched her as if she was something precious. And so Éowyn rode away, and Arwen found herself alone at times, and thought longingly of the time when the White Lady would return.
Anfieldgyul: Thank you for your review - I've read and enjoyed the flower and the sword - it's great to get that kind of review from someone you've read. Hope my story continues to please.
Anolinde: You're right - I'm from Ireland so my spelling is almost exactly like British English (it's not the same thing). I'm impressed that you noticed. My pen name is from a character in one of the great Irish sagas, which I'm addicted to. They make really great reading.
Ram: Right, where to begin. I'm starting to find it spooky the way you pick up on things that I'm planning - how do you keep doing that? That sentence irritated the hell out of me when I wrote it because I couldn't figure out where the hell it came from - but I figured it was more right than wrong, so I left it in.
The love triangle thing will sort of raise it's ugly head, but not in quite the way you envisaged. Simply I think Faramir in the book (in the film remains to be seen) is too convinced of Aragorn's inherent goodness to see it that way. However his other doubts about himself could come into play (I won't say more for fear of giving away more than I already have). It's written in my head anyway.
You followed almost exactly the same chain of reasoning I did about the elven remedy thing - except I did in the opposite order. Anyway that's a minor point. Seriously thanks for all the feedback because though it makes me work harder a getting things right, well, it makes me work harder a getting things right and that can only be a good thing.