Far and Away
Rated: pg-13
Chapter Nine
Four and a half years later.
Eowyn stood before her Uncle, head bowed in shame. He looked slowly up at her from his chair. He shook his head. "You are really getting too old for this. You know your punishment."
Eowyn nodded, holding back a groan. "I know. Two weeks of doing laundry for the entire house and a month of working in the kitchen. " Theoden nodded and sent her away.
Just as Eowyn reached the doors, Theoden called her back. He took her small hands in his big, rough ones and looked into her eyes. "I know that being alone here without Theodred or Eomer is hard.but getting into trouble isn't the only thing that you can do to keep you occupied. Why don't after you are done in the kitchen you come and see me and we'll do something productive. Other than that, and your lessons, you can do what ever you want..as long as it won't get you into anymore trouble."
Eowyn smiled. "Thank you, Uncle. I would enjoy that." When Eowyn was outside the room, she leaned back against the wall and sighed.
Theodred and Eomer had gone to Gondor to see the Steward to ask if he would help protect the boarder of Rohan. She envied them; getting to ride to another country, to see things that they had never seen. And the worse thing was, that she wasn't allowed to go with them.
~*~
Eomer and Theodred arrived at the White City of Gondor a week and three days after they left Edoras. When they arrived there, they were both in complete awesome. They had thought that Edoras was a big city, but Minas Tirith was the most magnificent place that they had ever seen. A page was assigned to their horses so they slowly made their way thru the white streets of Minas Tirith.
They came to the Steward's House and ascended up the wide flight of stairs. Vines crept along the pillars and outside stonewalls. A servant let them into the Hall.
Theodred grabbed Eomer's arm, both from excitement and fear. Theodred had never been out of his father's country and everything here was new and fascinating. Eomer had been to Erech (a town over the mountains, south of the Eastfold) once, but that was years ago as a boy, when Eomer had gone with Eomund to attend some business.
The servant led them toward the center of the room, where a man sat upon a throne-like chair. His hair was dark and his gray eyes seemed to pierce the young men. A younger man sat at his right hand, and although he was much older than Eomer and Theodred, he was much younger than the Steward. Eomer assumed that he was the Steward's son, for the younger man's face closely mirrored the face of his father. This man's hair was also dark, though a lighter shade of a dark brown. He also had gray eyes.
Another man also stood beside the Steward, though to the left and a little behind the others. This man was the youngest of the three, and he couldn't have been more than maybe a score and ten years old, or so Eomer guessed. The man gazed curiously at the two blonde-haired men standing in front of him.
Eomer stared at the youngest. He had dark hair, like the other men, but his was the lightest. His eyes were grey also, but they had a hint of blue and green swirled in them. His face was fair, but his eyes betrayed whatever he was hiding for Eomer saw that he hid a lot of sorrow.
If one had witnessed this scene, it would have been obvious that these five men were from different countries and families. Two light-haired, young men stood opposite three older, dark-haired men. Neither side had spoken yet; they just faced one another somewhat nervously.
A rough voice interrupted Eomer's thoughts. "Hail to the messengers of the Mark. What brings you here?" The old man in the chair looked at them questioningly.
Theodred cleared his thought. "Well, my lord, we have come to ask-"
The Steward interrupted, waving his hand. "But of course you must be starved! And it is almost high noon! Sit! Eat! Then we can talk business. But I don't even know your names, my good men!"
Eomer stepped forward. "I am Eomer, sister-son of the King of Rohan, son of the late Eomund, Marshal of the Eastfold, and captain of my eored. This here is my cousin, son of the King of Rohan, Theodred. And might we have your names, lords?"
The son at the right hand of the Steward stood up and held out his hand. "I am Boromir, son of the Steward of Gondor. I am also captain of my company. It is a pleasure that you would come and visit us here in the White City." Boromir turned and gestured toward the youngest man. "This here is my younger brother, Faramir. He is the captain of the Ithilien Rangers, a company that scouts and protects the eastern borders of Gondor." Faramir nodded.
"Well then," the Steward signaled to the servant and once everyone was seated at a large round table near the back of the Hall, servants brought out mounts of food aloft on trays. "Let us eat and be merry. I am pleased to dine here today in the company of my sons and my new friends! Eat!"
~*~
2 weeks later.
Eowyn finally finished hanging up the last of the washed clothes. Her hands were raw from scrubbing so many sheets. She sighed while she silently counted the number of days she had done laundry. Fourteen days, making two weeks. At least she didn't have to do any more work.
Eowyn sighed once more as she walked to the kitchen and put on an apron. She grabbed a basket of potatoes and set the heavy load on the short table in front of her. Then she began the long, tedious process of peeling them.
Finally, an hour later, all the potatoes were peeling and diced. She placed them in a pot of water, which boiled over the fire. Tarra, who also helped in the kitchen, brought over some small satchels of herbs. They spread the herbs out on a table and began to carefully chop up leaves, slice roots and crush seeds.
Tarra was about ten years older than Eowyn, but she was considered a young maid and didn't really "fit in" with the older maids. Together, Eowyn and Tarra would listen in on the old women's gossip.
Most of the time, it wasn't very interesting, but this day they heard rumors about Orcs invading the surrounding lands, and possibly even the boarders of their own country.
"I heard that the King sent his son and nephew to speak with the Steward of Gondor to see if he would help us. Did you know he turned us down the last time we asked for assistance when there was that raid in the south-east fold?" Ethel told the other ladies. Eowyn and Tarra exchanged glances.
Tarra leaned over. "Isn't that you brother who went with Theodred?" Eowyn nodded. "Do you think that the Steward will turn us away again?"
Eowyn sighed and shrugged. "I don't know. But I hope not."
~*~ What had happened at the meeting between the Rohirrim and the Steward:
The Stewart shook his head. "I cannot spare anymore of my men. I, too, have to protect my lands."
"Sir, you would still be protecting your people. But you could also be aiding a neighboring country, someone who might have to help you in a time of war." Eomer said.
The Steward sighed and shook his head. "I cannot help you."
Eomer glanced at Theodred, who looked very concerned. Eomer turned back to the Steward. "Thank you for your time." Eomer and Theodred stood and walked out of the room.
"What are we going to do?" Theodred asked. "We need that help!"
"I know." Eomer bowed his head. They started down the stairs, but were stopped by a voice that called out to them. They both turned and saw the youngest son, Faramir running after them. They allowed him to catch up with them and then continued down the stairs.
"I'm sorry that we could not help you."
Eomer nodded. "It's alright. Your father has a lot to think of." This was the first time that the young man had spoken all day. "I'm sorry that we didn't get a chance to talk more."
Faramir nodded. "My brother and father usually do most of the talking. I just sit and listen mostly, unless a third opinion is called upon."
Theodred smiled. "So, you're a captain? How old are you?"
"I am thirty-two. I know that it's sort of a young age to be the captain of so many men."
"But with you being the Steward's son and all."
Faramir frowned and shook his head. "No, both Boromir and I were required to work our way up in leadership. Our father doesn't give us special privileges just because we're his sons. He wants us to be hard-working men who have earned their positions."
Eomer nodded. "That makes perfect sense. It probably helped a lot in developing into the man you are today."
Faramir nodded. "In a way."
Theodred looked up at Faramir. "Sir, you always are so serious.and you always look kind of.sad. May I ask why?" Theodred received a jab in the ribs from Eomer's elbow. "Ow."
Faramir laughed sadly. "I don't mind being asked. And Theodred, please don't call me 'sir'. It makes me feel so old! I'm probably not addressing you the way you deserve, being the son of a king. I don't really know why I am so serious all the time. I suppose it's the way I was brought up. I was always told to be quiet, and to not disturb my father. And if my brother or I did, we were whipped. Not badly, I assure you. Just to let us know not to do it again." Faramir frowned. "I don't think I'm always that sad."
"Just around your father," Eomer said quietly. Faramir looked at Eomer.
Faramir nodded slowly. "I suppose."
Eomer rested his hand on Faramir's shoulder. "It's alright. We won't talk of this anymore. Let us be glad that we have a new friend. What do you say we go celebrate, eh, Theodred? Faramir?"
Theodred smiled up at his cousin. Faramir grinned. "Why not?" He said. "Follow me, I know a good pub that we can go to."
Eomer smiled. "Sounds like a plan." Then they went off to get a drink.
~*~
Back in Rohan, one month after Eomer and Theodred left for Gondor.
Eowyn waited lazily for her brother to get back home. She softly strummed her lyre. She had become quite accomplished and played very well. She began to play a song that her mother used to hum to herself while she worked.
The song was slow and the melody sad and sweet, lingering in the air. Eowyn softly sang the words:
"She never watched
The morning rising,
Too busy with the
Days first chores
But oft she would watch
The sun's fading
As the cold of night crept
Across the moors
And in that moment
She felt the loss
Of everything that
Had been missed
So used to feeling
The spirit sink
She had not felt
Her own heart's wish."
(* If any of you readers have the soundtrack from TTT you may recognize this song, although it was sung in Elvish)
As her voice faded into the falling night, she distantly heard through her open window the far off sounds of horses' hoofs drawing near.
She climbed out her window and running down the streets and through the gate into the fields surrounding Edoras, towards the men.
As they drew near, Eomer slowed his horse and grabbed Eowyn's arm. He then swung her upon his horse. Eowyn encircled her arms around her brother's waist and smiled at Theodred as he rode beside them back to Edoras.
*I know that some of you want to hear about Theodred and Eowyn's trip to the East Lake City when they are 16, but I may add that in as a flashback when Theodred's dying later.I hope you liked this chapter, I know one reviewer requested that I write about four - five years later. I hope you're happy with the job I did. Keep R/R and keep the suggestions coming!
*thank you Siberia SOOOOO much!!! Thanks for telling me that the sons of the Steward had black hair, but in the movie they don't and I like their hair. Really lame reason, but still.
Rated: pg-13
Chapter Nine
Four and a half years later.
Eowyn stood before her Uncle, head bowed in shame. He looked slowly up at her from his chair. He shook his head. "You are really getting too old for this. You know your punishment."
Eowyn nodded, holding back a groan. "I know. Two weeks of doing laundry for the entire house and a month of working in the kitchen. " Theoden nodded and sent her away.
Just as Eowyn reached the doors, Theoden called her back. He took her small hands in his big, rough ones and looked into her eyes. "I know that being alone here without Theodred or Eomer is hard.but getting into trouble isn't the only thing that you can do to keep you occupied. Why don't after you are done in the kitchen you come and see me and we'll do something productive. Other than that, and your lessons, you can do what ever you want..as long as it won't get you into anymore trouble."
Eowyn smiled. "Thank you, Uncle. I would enjoy that." When Eowyn was outside the room, she leaned back against the wall and sighed.
Theodred and Eomer had gone to Gondor to see the Steward to ask if he would help protect the boarder of Rohan. She envied them; getting to ride to another country, to see things that they had never seen. And the worse thing was, that she wasn't allowed to go with them.
~*~
Eomer and Theodred arrived at the White City of Gondor a week and three days after they left Edoras. When they arrived there, they were both in complete awesome. They had thought that Edoras was a big city, but Minas Tirith was the most magnificent place that they had ever seen. A page was assigned to their horses so they slowly made their way thru the white streets of Minas Tirith.
They came to the Steward's House and ascended up the wide flight of stairs. Vines crept along the pillars and outside stonewalls. A servant let them into the Hall.
Theodred grabbed Eomer's arm, both from excitement and fear. Theodred had never been out of his father's country and everything here was new and fascinating. Eomer had been to Erech (a town over the mountains, south of the Eastfold) once, but that was years ago as a boy, when Eomer had gone with Eomund to attend some business.
The servant led them toward the center of the room, where a man sat upon a throne-like chair. His hair was dark and his gray eyes seemed to pierce the young men. A younger man sat at his right hand, and although he was much older than Eomer and Theodred, he was much younger than the Steward. Eomer assumed that he was the Steward's son, for the younger man's face closely mirrored the face of his father. This man's hair was also dark, though a lighter shade of a dark brown. He also had gray eyes.
Another man also stood beside the Steward, though to the left and a little behind the others. This man was the youngest of the three, and he couldn't have been more than maybe a score and ten years old, or so Eomer guessed. The man gazed curiously at the two blonde-haired men standing in front of him.
Eomer stared at the youngest. He had dark hair, like the other men, but his was the lightest. His eyes were grey also, but they had a hint of blue and green swirled in them. His face was fair, but his eyes betrayed whatever he was hiding for Eomer saw that he hid a lot of sorrow.
If one had witnessed this scene, it would have been obvious that these five men were from different countries and families. Two light-haired, young men stood opposite three older, dark-haired men. Neither side had spoken yet; they just faced one another somewhat nervously.
A rough voice interrupted Eomer's thoughts. "Hail to the messengers of the Mark. What brings you here?" The old man in the chair looked at them questioningly.
Theodred cleared his thought. "Well, my lord, we have come to ask-"
The Steward interrupted, waving his hand. "But of course you must be starved! And it is almost high noon! Sit! Eat! Then we can talk business. But I don't even know your names, my good men!"
Eomer stepped forward. "I am Eomer, sister-son of the King of Rohan, son of the late Eomund, Marshal of the Eastfold, and captain of my eored. This here is my cousin, son of the King of Rohan, Theodred. And might we have your names, lords?"
The son at the right hand of the Steward stood up and held out his hand. "I am Boromir, son of the Steward of Gondor. I am also captain of my company. It is a pleasure that you would come and visit us here in the White City." Boromir turned and gestured toward the youngest man. "This here is my younger brother, Faramir. He is the captain of the Ithilien Rangers, a company that scouts and protects the eastern borders of Gondor." Faramir nodded.
"Well then," the Steward signaled to the servant and once everyone was seated at a large round table near the back of the Hall, servants brought out mounts of food aloft on trays. "Let us eat and be merry. I am pleased to dine here today in the company of my sons and my new friends! Eat!"
~*~
2 weeks later.
Eowyn finally finished hanging up the last of the washed clothes. Her hands were raw from scrubbing so many sheets. She sighed while she silently counted the number of days she had done laundry. Fourteen days, making two weeks. At least she didn't have to do any more work.
Eowyn sighed once more as she walked to the kitchen and put on an apron. She grabbed a basket of potatoes and set the heavy load on the short table in front of her. Then she began the long, tedious process of peeling them.
Finally, an hour later, all the potatoes were peeling and diced. She placed them in a pot of water, which boiled over the fire. Tarra, who also helped in the kitchen, brought over some small satchels of herbs. They spread the herbs out on a table and began to carefully chop up leaves, slice roots and crush seeds.
Tarra was about ten years older than Eowyn, but she was considered a young maid and didn't really "fit in" with the older maids. Together, Eowyn and Tarra would listen in on the old women's gossip.
Most of the time, it wasn't very interesting, but this day they heard rumors about Orcs invading the surrounding lands, and possibly even the boarders of their own country.
"I heard that the King sent his son and nephew to speak with the Steward of Gondor to see if he would help us. Did you know he turned us down the last time we asked for assistance when there was that raid in the south-east fold?" Ethel told the other ladies. Eowyn and Tarra exchanged glances.
Tarra leaned over. "Isn't that you brother who went with Theodred?" Eowyn nodded. "Do you think that the Steward will turn us away again?"
Eowyn sighed and shrugged. "I don't know. But I hope not."
~*~ What had happened at the meeting between the Rohirrim and the Steward:
The Stewart shook his head. "I cannot spare anymore of my men. I, too, have to protect my lands."
"Sir, you would still be protecting your people. But you could also be aiding a neighboring country, someone who might have to help you in a time of war." Eomer said.
The Steward sighed and shook his head. "I cannot help you."
Eomer glanced at Theodred, who looked very concerned. Eomer turned back to the Steward. "Thank you for your time." Eomer and Theodred stood and walked out of the room.
"What are we going to do?" Theodred asked. "We need that help!"
"I know." Eomer bowed his head. They started down the stairs, but were stopped by a voice that called out to them. They both turned and saw the youngest son, Faramir running after them. They allowed him to catch up with them and then continued down the stairs.
"I'm sorry that we could not help you."
Eomer nodded. "It's alright. Your father has a lot to think of." This was the first time that the young man had spoken all day. "I'm sorry that we didn't get a chance to talk more."
Faramir nodded. "My brother and father usually do most of the talking. I just sit and listen mostly, unless a third opinion is called upon."
Theodred smiled. "So, you're a captain? How old are you?"
"I am thirty-two. I know that it's sort of a young age to be the captain of so many men."
"But with you being the Steward's son and all."
Faramir frowned and shook his head. "No, both Boromir and I were required to work our way up in leadership. Our father doesn't give us special privileges just because we're his sons. He wants us to be hard-working men who have earned their positions."
Eomer nodded. "That makes perfect sense. It probably helped a lot in developing into the man you are today."
Faramir nodded. "In a way."
Theodred looked up at Faramir. "Sir, you always are so serious.and you always look kind of.sad. May I ask why?" Theodred received a jab in the ribs from Eomer's elbow. "Ow."
Faramir laughed sadly. "I don't mind being asked. And Theodred, please don't call me 'sir'. It makes me feel so old! I'm probably not addressing you the way you deserve, being the son of a king. I don't really know why I am so serious all the time. I suppose it's the way I was brought up. I was always told to be quiet, and to not disturb my father. And if my brother or I did, we were whipped. Not badly, I assure you. Just to let us know not to do it again." Faramir frowned. "I don't think I'm always that sad."
"Just around your father," Eomer said quietly. Faramir looked at Eomer.
Faramir nodded slowly. "I suppose."
Eomer rested his hand on Faramir's shoulder. "It's alright. We won't talk of this anymore. Let us be glad that we have a new friend. What do you say we go celebrate, eh, Theodred? Faramir?"
Theodred smiled up at his cousin. Faramir grinned. "Why not?" He said. "Follow me, I know a good pub that we can go to."
Eomer smiled. "Sounds like a plan." Then they went off to get a drink.
~*~
Back in Rohan, one month after Eomer and Theodred left for Gondor.
Eowyn waited lazily for her brother to get back home. She softly strummed her lyre. She had become quite accomplished and played very well. She began to play a song that her mother used to hum to herself while she worked.
The song was slow and the melody sad and sweet, lingering in the air. Eowyn softly sang the words:
"She never watched
The morning rising,
Too busy with the
Days first chores
But oft she would watch
The sun's fading
As the cold of night crept
Across the moors
And in that moment
She felt the loss
Of everything that
Had been missed
So used to feeling
The spirit sink
She had not felt
Her own heart's wish."
(* If any of you readers have the soundtrack from TTT you may recognize this song, although it was sung in Elvish)
As her voice faded into the falling night, she distantly heard through her open window the far off sounds of horses' hoofs drawing near.
She climbed out her window and running down the streets and through the gate into the fields surrounding Edoras, towards the men.
As they drew near, Eomer slowed his horse and grabbed Eowyn's arm. He then swung her upon his horse. Eowyn encircled her arms around her brother's waist and smiled at Theodred as he rode beside them back to Edoras.
*I know that some of you want to hear about Theodred and Eowyn's trip to the East Lake City when they are 16, but I may add that in as a flashback when Theodred's dying later.I hope you liked this chapter, I know one reviewer requested that I write about four - five years later. I hope you're happy with the job I did. Keep R/R and keep the suggestions coming!
*thank you Siberia SOOOOO much!!! Thanks for telling me that the sons of the Steward had black hair, but in the movie they don't and I like their hair. Really lame reason, but still.