Far and Away
Rated: pg-13
Chapter six
Eowyn and Theodred ran down the halls, laughing. The shrill voice of their teacher called after them. They ran into Theodred's room and climbed out the window. Theodred whistled for his horse and once they were mounted, they spend off out of the Gates of Edoras.
They rode into the field and Eowyn fell off, and lay on the ground laugh, clutching her sides. Theodred dismounted and grabbed Eowyn, sending both into a wrestling fight. Theodred won and then they lay in the sweet, golden grasses.
Eowyn sighed. "This is so much fun! I can't believe that we got way from Ethel.oh, your father is going to be furious at us for skipping class again."
Theodred smiled. "But that's half of the fun!" They laughed. Theodred got up, and helped his cousin. "The only thing that I don't wish to miss is our swordplay though." Eowyn nodded and they rode back toward Edoras.
~*~
Theoden stood in the Throne room, waiting for his son and niece to come back. Ethel stood beside him, with an angry glare set on her face. Laugher sounded as the doors opened and Theodred and Eowyn entered, arm in arm, Rohir following close behind.
Both teenagers stopped in their tracks when they saw Ethel beside the King. Eowyn face fell, as did her heart. Theodred glanced nervously at his younger cousin.
Theoden walked up to them, looking from one to the other. He finally looked directly at his child and cleared his throat. "Theodred.you have done this before.please.you really mustn't do it again.Go to your room son, I'll be there in a minute." Theodred bowed and throwing Eowyn a worried glance, left the room.
Eowyn twirled a bit of her loose hair nervously and bit her fingernail. Her Uncle paced before her, as if thinking of something. Eowyn glanced toward Ethel and caught her [Ethel's] scowling face. Theoden sighed and put his hand on Eowyn's shoulder.
"I know that you dislike schooling.but you have been skipping your classes lately."
"That is a understatement, your highness! She doesn't just skip, she has missed every class for two straight months! She never comes to any class on time!" Ethel huffed.
"On the contrary, Eowyn has never missed a swordplay lesson since she has been living under your roof, my lord." Rohir stated behind Eowyn, smiling.
Theoden nodded. "I believe I see the problem here. Eowyn, I know that you dearly love riding and swordplay, but I am going to limit your lessons on both to only twice a week." Eowyn's mouth dropped. "But Uncle!" Theoden raised his hand and she fell silent.
"Let me finish, sister-daughter. You will be taking court lessons, not every week, but only once every month, but it will be a two-hour lesson, with no breaks. In stead, you will be taking History of Rohan and the History of Middle Earth with Theodred. You will also be taking Astronomy with him. I think that you should also learn to play an instrument, it would be a good way to.uh, met a suitable husband in court for you." Here Eowyn nearly burst out laughing at such a falsehood, but when her uncle stared at her in confusion, she went into a fit of fake coughs. Theoden gave her a funny look, but continued ".we have three instruments that young women can play: the harp, the flute and the lyre. It is your choice."
Eowyn's head spun. "These lessons will fill my day.I suppose the lyre."
Theoden nodded. "That is a good choice. You may go now.if you decide to skip any other classes, I'm afraid I'll have to put you in full court lessons, sowing lessons and singing lessons." Eowyn nodded. "You may go now, Grima can escort you back to your room." Theoden kissed his niece's forehead.
Eowyn didn't dare tell the King that she didn't wish to be within ten feet of Grima Wormtongue, but she didn't want to upset him. She walked as far away from the pale man as she could, at least as far as she dared. Not that she was scared of him, but that she didn't want him to touch her, at all.
Grima keep glancing at Eowyn, looking her up and down. He was about a score and four or five years old. He was more pale now than as a boy, if that was truly possible.
"My, you have indeed grown, my lady Eowyn." Eowyn nodded, sickened to even hear his voice. She quickened her pace and soon arrived outside her bedroom door.
"Thank you for walking me to my room, you may leave now." Eowyn pushed open her door, stepped inside and started to shut it when a long pale hand stopped it.
"Why so hasty, young one?" Grima licked his long tongue along his thin lips.
"Alright fine, I won't be so hasty." Eowyn counted to five and then hissed, "Ok, now go away!" She slammed the door, right on Grima's hand. Grima screeched and cursed.
Eowyn pushed her back up against the door, holding it shut, praying that Grima won't be able to force it open. Grima's curses stopped short as the soft voice of Theodred reached Eowyn's ears. Theodred opened the door and sent Grima away. The pale-faced man slunk down the hall and melted into the shadows.
Theodred held Eowyn. "Its ok, cousin. Eomer won't let him harm you and neither will I.Do you wish me to stay with you thru the night?"
"Will you?" Eowyn looked up into the boy's face. He nodded and smiled. "I'm going to write Eomer.I hope that he's alright."
Theodred settled himself in Eowyn's window seat. "He's fine, don't worry.he will like that letter though."
Eowyn nodded and sat down at her writing table, which was pushed up against the wall near the window. She lit six small candles and held her ink over one to warm it. She removed her featherbone pen from a small wooden box.
Eowyn leaned her elbows against the table. She glanced over at Theodred. "So, what are you going to tell him?" Theodred asked, pulling an apple from an inside pocket of his tunic and biting into it thoughtfully.
Eowyn sighed. She carefully dipped her pen in the ink and chewed her lip, thinking.
~*~ A Few Days Later.
Eomer sat down on the dirt floor of his small tent and opened the envelope he had received earlier that day from a rider. It was addressed to his in his sister's smooth and flowing script. Eomer pulled back the wax seal and took out the letter. He slowly unfolded it and began to read:
Mid-summer's night. June
My dear brother,
Theodred and I just got into the most trouble, though it was wonderful! We have been skipping Lady Ethel's classes, which make her quite mad. Tis so much fun! It is such a shame that you cannot be here to enjoy it..well, Uncle punished us for it and now I have to take twice as many classes, but they are almost all of them with Theodred. Its not all bad, and I shall actually learn something maybe. The only bad thing is that Uncle has limited my horse riding and swordplay to only twice a week now. Master Rohir was quite upset at this, he said that I was the finest shield maiden he had ever taught and that t'would be an awful shame to derive me of this gift.
Theodred sends you his love, as do I. He wishes that you will take him on your next eored, if Uncle Theoden allows it. I wish to go also, but I will not, for it wouldn't be fit. At least, that is what Ethel says. But you must know by now that I don't listen to her.
Oh! Theodred and I are planning to skip a whole day of everything and we will sneak off to the East Lake City and dress so that no one will know who we are. We want to find out what it feels like to no be waited on hand and foot. We want to be treated like normal persons. I think it would be wonderful not to be told to do this, don't do think, isn't lady-like and such. You must come with us on one of these adventures when you get back.
You may be gone for six months and maybe a year, but you mustn't be away a year and two months from now, or you shall miss my sixteenth christening. Then I will truly be a woman of Rohan, a truly shield-maiden. I don't want you to miss that..
Oh, part of my "punishment" from Uncle is that I must learn to play an instrument. He says that it will help me to find a suitable husband in court if I know how to play something, though I know it is a falsehood. He gave me three choices: the harp, the flute, and the lyre. If you don't know which one I chose, then you don't know me one bit! Of course, I chose the lyre, because Mother played that when she was young.
I hope that the weather is fair and that you are safe. I miss you very much and I love you with all my heart. I pray for your safely day-by-day and night-by-night. I send my love the best I can in this letter.
Sent with the undying love of your sister,
Eowyn, daughter of the House of Eomund,
The White Star of Rohan.
Eomer smiled and refolded the letter, bringing it to his lips for a moment, then putting it in his tunic pocket. He stepped outside and gazed up at the clear stars. He smiled, imagining his sister and cousin running thru the halls, skipping classes and sneaking out into another city. He sighed. He missed them. Eomer rubbed his eyes. He was tired. He looked up at the stars one last time before retiring to his tent.
Do you like it? Tell me!!! R/R!! any questions or suggestions are welcome!! (no flamers please!) I'm trying to show how Eowyn was as a young girl, trying to fit in with the only family that she has left. She misses her brother, but she and Theodred develop a strong bond also. So.the next chapter will still be about her childhood, then I'm going to go to her 16th year's christening and then I'll start into her life during Lord of the Rings and into the War of the Ring and beyond (hehe, when she and Faramir get married!! ^__^ ) so, any suggestions are welcome!!
Thank you, all of my faithful reviewers and readers for putting up with me!! You guys are awesome!!
Rated: pg-13
Chapter six
Eowyn and Theodred ran down the halls, laughing. The shrill voice of their teacher called after them. They ran into Theodred's room and climbed out the window. Theodred whistled for his horse and once they were mounted, they spend off out of the Gates of Edoras.
They rode into the field and Eowyn fell off, and lay on the ground laugh, clutching her sides. Theodred dismounted and grabbed Eowyn, sending both into a wrestling fight. Theodred won and then they lay in the sweet, golden grasses.
Eowyn sighed. "This is so much fun! I can't believe that we got way from Ethel.oh, your father is going to be furious at us for skipping class again."
Theodred smiled. "But that's half of the fun!" They laughed. Theodred got up, and helped his cousin. "The only thing that I don't wish to miss is our swordplay though." Eowyn nodded and they rode back toward Edoras.
~*~
Theoden stood in the Throne room, waiting for his son and niece to come back. Ethel stood beside him, with an angry glare set on her face. Laugher sounded as the doors opened and Theodred and Eowyn entered, arm in arm, Rohir following close behind.
Both teenagers stopped in their tracks when they saw Ethel beside the King. Eowyn face fell, as did her heart. Theodred glanced nervously at his younger cousin.
Theoden walked up to them, looking from one to the other. He finally looked directly at his child and cleared his throat. "Theodred.you have done this before.please.you really mustn't do it again.Go to your room son, I'll be there in a minute." Theodred bowed and throwing Eowyn a worried glance, left the room.
Eowyn twirled a bit of her loose hair nervously and bit her fingernail. Her Uncle paced before her, as if thinking of something. Eowyn glanced toward Ethel and caught her [Ethel's] scowling face. Theoden sighed and put his hand on Eowyn's shoulder.
"I know that you dislike schooling.but you have been skipping your classes lately."
"That is a understatement, your highness! She doesn't just skip, she has missed every class for two straight months! She never comes to any class on time!" Ethel huffed.
"On the contrary, Eowyn has never missed a swordplay lesson since she has been living under your roof, my lord." Rohir stated behind Eowyn, smiling.
Theoden nodded. "I believe I see the problem here. Eowyn, I know that you dearly love riding and swordplay, but I am going to limit your lessons on both to only twice a week." Eowyn's mouth dropped. "But Uncle!" Theoden raised his hand and she fell silent.
"Let me finish, sister-daughter. You will be taking court lessons, not every week, but only once every month, but it will be a two-hour lesson, with no breaks. In stead, you will be taking History of Rohan and the History of Middle Earth with Theodred. You will also be taking Astronomy with him. I think that you should also learn to play an instrument, it would be a good way to.uh, met a suitable husband in court for you." Here Eowyn nearly burst out laughing at such a falsehood, but when her uncle stared at her in confusion, she went into a fit of fake coughs. Theoden gave her a funny look, but continued ".we have three instruments that young women can play: the harp, the flute and the lyre. It is your choice."
Eowyn's head spun. "These lessons will fill my day.I suppose the lyre."
Theoden nodded. "That is a good choice. You may go now.if you decide to skip any other classes, I'm afraid I'll have to put you in full court lessons, sowing lessons and singing lessons." Eowyn nodded. "You may go now, Grima can escort you back to your room." Theoden kissed his niece's forehead.
Eowyn didn't dare tell the King that she didn't wish to be within ten feet of Grima Wormtongue, but she didn't want to upset him. She walked as far away from the pale man as she could, at least as far as she dared. Not that she was scared of him, but that she didn't want him to touch her, at all.
Grima keep glancing at Eowyn, looking her up and down. He was about a score and four or five years old. He was more pale now than as a boy, if that was truly possible.
"My, you have indeed grown, my lady Eowyn." Eowyn nodded, sickened to even hear his voice. She quickened her pace and soon arrived outside her bedroom door.
"Thank you for walking me to my room, you may leave now." Eowyn pushed open her door, stepped inside and started to shut it when a long pale hand stopped it.
"Why so hasty, young one?" Grima licked his long tongue along his thin lips.
"Alright fine, I won't be so hasty." Eowyn counted to five and then hissed, "Ok, now go away!" She slammed the door, right on Grima's hand. Grima screeched and cursed.
Eowyn pushed her back up against the door, holding it shut, praying that Grima won't be able to force it open. Grima's curses stopped short as the soft voice of Theodred reached Eowyn's ears. Theodred opened the door and sent Grima away. The pale-faced man slunk down the hall and melted into the shadows.
Theodred held Eowyn. "Its ok, cousin. Eomer won't let him harm you and neither will I.Do you wish me to stay with you thru the night?"
"Will you?" Eowyn looked up into the boy's face. He nodded and smiled. "I'm going to write Eomer.I hope that he's alright."
Theodred settled himself in Eowyn's window seat. "He's fine, don't worry.he will like that letter though."
Eowyn nodded and sat down at her writing table, which was pushed up against the wall near the window. She lit six small candles and held her ink over one to warm it. She removed her featherbone pen from a small wooden box.
Eowyn leaned her elbows against the table. She glanced over at Theodred. "So, what are you going to tell him?" Theodred asked, pulling an apple from an inside pocket of his tunic and biting into it thoughtfully.
Eowyn sighed. She carefully dipped her pen in the ink and chewed her lip, thinking.
~*~ A Few Days Later.
Eomer sat down on the dirt floor of his small tent and opened the envelope he had received earlier that day from a rider. It was addressed to his in his sister's smooth and flowing script. Eomer pulled back the wax seal and took out the letter. He slowly unfolded it and began to read:
Mid-summer's night. June
My dear brother,
Theodred and I just got into the most trouble, though it was wonderful! We have been skipping Lady Ethel's classes, which make her quite mad. Tis so much fun! It is such a shame that you cannot be here to enjoy it..well, Uncle punished us for it and now I have to take twice as many classes, but they are almost all of them with Theodred. Its not all bad, and I shall actually learn something maybe. The only bad thing is that Uncle has limited my horse riding and swordplay to only twice a week now. Master Rohir was quite upset at this, he said that I was the finest shield maiden he had ever taught and that t'would be an awful shame to derive me of this gift.
Theodred sends you his love, as do I. He wishes that you will take him on your next eored, if Uncle Theoden allows it. I wish to go also, but I will not, for it wouldn't be fit. At least, that is what Ethel says. But you must know by now that I don't listen to her.
Oh! Theodred and I are planning to skip a whole day of everything and we will sneak off to the East Lake City and dress so that no one will know who we are. We want to find out what it feels like to no be waited on hand and foot. We want to be treated like normal persons. I think it would be wonderful not to be told to do this, don't do think, isn't lady-like and such. You must come with us on one of these adventures when you get back.
You may be gone for six months and maybe a year, but you mustn't be away a year and two months from now, or you shall miss my sixteenth christening. Then I will truly be a woman of Rohan, a truly shield-maiden. I don't want you to miss that..
Oh, part of my "punishment" from Uncle is that I must learn to play an instrument. He says that it will help me to find a suitable husband in court if I know how to play something, though I know it is a falsehood. He gave me three choices: the harp, the flute, and the lyre. If you don't know which one I chose, then you don't know me one bit! Of course, I chose the lyre, because Mother played that when she was young.
I hope that the weather is fair and that you are safe. I miss you very much and I love you with all my heart. I pray for your safely day-by-day and night-by-night. I send my love the best I can in this letter.
Sent with the undying love of your sister,
Eowyn, daughter of the House of Eomund,
The White Star of Rohan.
Eomer smiled and refolded the letter, bringing it to his lips for a moment, then putting it in his tunic pocket. He stepped outside and gazed up at the clear stars. He smiled, imagining his sister and cousin running thru the halls, skipping classes and sneaking out into another city. He sighed. He missed them. Eomer rubbed his eyes. He was tired. He looked up at the stars one last time before retiring to his tent.
Do you like it? Tell me!!! R/R!! any questions or suggestions are welcome!! (no flamers please!) I'm trying to show how Eowyn was as a young girl, trying to fit in with the only family that she has left. She misses her brother, but she and Theodred develop a strong bond also. So.the next chapter will still be about her childhood, then I'm going to go to her 16th year's christening and then I'll start into her life during Lord of the Rings and into the War of the Ring and beyond (hehe, when she and Faramir get married!! ^__^ ) so, any suggestions are welcome!!
Thank you, all of my faithful reviewers and readers for putting up with me!! You guys are awesome!!