Far and Away
Rating pg-13
Chapter Ten
Eowyn carefully twisted back her golden hair and tied it with a leather cord. She tightened her bootlaces and then slipping her sword into its sheath, walked swiftly down the hall. She approached the courtyard where her brother and cousin were waiting for her.
A smiled spread across her face. Eomer had returned to Edoras only for a few days to report to the King that Orcs had started to invade Rohan, near the Gap of Rohan and strange events had been taking place near Isengard. Eowyn had dearly missed her brother in his absence over the past few months.
Eomer grinned down at his little sister. "Ready for the spar today?"
Eowyn's eyes reflected her willingness. "Ready whenever you are, brother." She moved into a defensive stance.
Theodred smiled to himself and he settled down by a wall. He always enjoyed when his cousins spared; Eomer and Eowyn would always fight like they were in the heat of a battle.
Eomer started forward, attacking to Eowyn's right. Eowyn easily blocked the hit and spun the other side, out of Eomer's reach. Again Eomer charged, this time to Eowyn's left. Since this was Eowyn's weaker side, it wasn't as easy to deflect Eomer's blow.
A small ripple of pain crept through her arm as their swords connected. Eowyn backed up, but when she bumped right into the wall, she knew she should have been paying more attention to where she was. Backing into a corner only made her look scared.
Eomer didn't understand why his sister had backed towards the wall. But Eowyn had always told him not to take it easy on her just because she was his sister. Eomer knew that if he didn't go for the kill point, he was going to hear about it for weeks. So Eomer went in for the kill point.
Eomer almost always beat Eowyn, but she was determined to show Eomer how much better she had become with help from Rohir and Theodred. Theodred watched Eowyn corner herself, and he mentally scolded her. She knew better than that! He had taught her better than that! Theodred sighed, sorry that the spar would end so quickly.
As Eomer brought his sword into position, Eowyn's mind raced. What could she do? Moving quickly, she blocked Eomer's thrust and ducked around him. Eomer swiftly collected himself together and rushed at his sister. Eowyn stood still, sword poised in her outstretched hand. Just as Eomer was upon her, she pulled back her sword and squatted down, causing a surprised Eomer to flip over her and land right on his back.
Eowyn stood up and placing the tip of her sword in the hollow of Eomer's throat, she grinned. "How does it feel to finally be beaten?" Eowyn withdrew her sword and held out a hand to help Eomer up.
He let out a low groan, and once up leaned on Eowyn to regain his breath. "I see that you've been practicing, and with a good teacher also."
Eowyn beamed at her brother's compliment. These compliments were rare, but always welcomed with a warm heart.
~*~ That night at dinner, Theoden seemed tired. Eowyn gazed at her Uncle with concern. He was often tired after a day with the councilors that aided him, but he appeared even more tired than usual.
Theodred had noticed also. He glanced at Eowyn and then turned to his father. "Father," he began. Theoden glanced up from his plate. "Are you feeling well? You look quite ill."
Theoden sighed and stood. "I am not feeling very well. I think that I will retire early this night. Good night."
Eowyn realized that tonight was supposedly the night that the King was to choose his chief advisor. "My lord, who have you chosen to be your head of counseling?"
Theoden faced Eowyn and replied, "I chose Grima."
~*~
Eowyn sat in her cousin's window seat, forehead pressed against the cool pane of glass. Eomer lay on the floor beside Eowyn, his face in his hands. Theodred sat on his bed. All three were in totally shock.
Theodred rolled over so he lay on his stomach. "Why Grima?"
Eomer sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe Grima was the best choice, who knows." Eomer frowned, considering what he had just said. He shook his head. "No, that can't possibly be our Uncle's best choice!"
Eowyn stared out the window as raindrops ran down the window, leaving intricate trails and designs. She turned to face her kin, who were still debating why the King had chosen Grima. Eowyn twirled her hair, still pondering the situation. She really didn't like Grima, and he had been cruel to her when she was younger.
Eowyn sighed, not knowing what else to do and then said, "I'm going to bed. Good night Eomer, Theodred." She kissed both of them good night and then retired to her room.
As she walked down the darkening hallways of Edoras, she felt something draw nigh to her. She faintly heard the echoing of footsteps coming toward her. She could tell by the fall of the steps that it was probably a man, due to the heaviness of the footfalls and that he also dragged his feet slightly.
As she quickly turned a corner, she made out the form of Grima, following her, slipping from shadow to shadow. Her heart raced as she felt a fear settle over herself. She whispered to herself, "I will not let him haunt me, I will not let him scare me."
But he did scare her, and every time that he was nigh to her, her blood ran cold. He seemed to constantly be haunting her steps.
Eowyn ran silently down the hall the rest of the way to her room. Shutting the door fast behind her, she bolted the lock. She sighed, somewhat out of relief, but as the calling darkness of night and the soundless Halls pressed in around her, she heart rate quickened again.
Eowyn hurriedly changed out of her dress and into her nightclothes. She clumsily braided her hair and then stumbled into bed. She lit a small candle and set it on the table by her bed. As the light from the tiny flame shone about the room, her heart was content and she calmed down. Eowyn tucked her arms beneath her head and closed her eyes.
Soon she drifted off into slumber, out of a world of fear.
As Eowyn fell into dreams, she went back to the days of her childhood.
****Eight-year-old Eowyn ran through the kitchen, with thirteen year old Eomer after her. Their laugher could be heard through out the entire House. She ran into the open, welcoming arms of Theodwyn. Eomund grabbed Eomer and threw him son over his broad shoulder. The Marshal and his wife walked hand- in-hand. They set their children down when they entered the counsel chambers and Eowyn and Eomer ran to a table in the middle of the room. A bowl of strawberries was set in the center, and mugs of milk set in each place.
Eowyn climbed onto the bench and grabbed a handful of the sweet berries. As she and Eomer consumed them, the juice dribbled down their chins. Theodwyn smiled and with the edge of her sleeve, wiped away the red stains from her youngest child's mouth.
Then Eomer ran around the table and grabbed Eowyn's small hand in his, as Eomund took up their mother's. The two children mounted a small pony and then galloped off into the fields of wild grasses. Their parents followed close behind. Eowyn was in heaven.
She sat down in her mother's lap, in the middle of the grasses, as her mother's soft voice drifted into song.
A time of joy
So great as this;
A growing boy
Change to a man.
The times will pass,
With grace will rise
Daughters surpass
Their mothers to excel.
Yet time will come, close at hand
When shadow falls
And darkness covers land
But hope may yet remain
An heir to noble men
Comes out of exile
His choice will rule the fate of men
Isildur's heir, reunite us again.
Eowyn smiled and leaned into Theodwyn's gentle arms. She was happy. But even good things come to an end. For shadow came, and along with it, Orcs. They killed Eomund and full of anger Eomer slaughtered them. Theodwyn's beautiful gray eyes misted and as she looked down at Eowyn, she faked a small smile.
"It will be alright," Theodwyn whispered into her daughter's golden hair. Theodwyn's tears fell, turning to blood before they hit the ground. Eowyn's eyes grew wide with fear and as Eomer gathered her up in his arms, the cold voice of Grima pierced her ears.
"You are banish from Rohan forever, under penalty of death." Eomer struggled, crying out in vain, trying to hold on to Eowyn as invisible hands pulled him away from her.
Eowyn sobbed, feeling so alone, so unprotected. Turning her head, ever so slightly, she saw Theodred lying on a bed, deathly pale. She gasped as she realized that her cousin was dead. No breath came from his parched lips, his clouded eyes never blinking.
Eowyn cast herself onto the floor, weeping uncontrollably. A gentle hand picked her up, and her found herself facing a man. He was tall and his dark, unkempt hair hung loosely around his face.
She immediately fell in love with him, knowing some how that he was a King. Yet he turned his back on her, for he loved another.
She bowed her head in shame, wishing to seek death, for all had left her. Eowyn then heard the voices of the death rising around her and she heard her mother say, "Daughter of King, weep not, and go not unto battle seeking the sword and death. One there is who loves you, yet you will see it not, for you shall take it as pity, as is given to the old and hopeless. Yet turn him not away, see with your true heart, and see through the growing shadow that will cloud your mind and soul.
"Valor has not gone, not yet and you will be honored as no other shield maiden has ever before. Daughter, fear not the dark, instead, conqueror it. Do not stray too far and away from the truth.
"See through the shadow, turn him not away, and see with your true heart." ****
Eowyn woke in a cold sweat. Her heart was racing and tears were upon her cheeks. She sniffed, running the sleeve of her gown across her nose. She slowly managed to get her breath under control.
Eowyn closed her eyes. She had had this dream before, twice. Once when she was eight years old, and when she was fourteen, right before her parents died. Shivers ran up and down her spine. Eowyn pulled the covers around her for warmth.
The dream weighted heavily on her mind. Fresh tears sprang into her already clouded eyes. She didn't ponder over the dream from long because sleep overtook her and she slipped into a silent, dreamless slumber.
*I hope that ya'll like this (oh no! my country accent! ^__^) I'm so sorry that it took me so long to write this and to update it, but here is my excuse, no matter how lame it is: I have been swamped with homework, actually the entire ninth grade at my school, (small school) and the entire high school has an English rough draft of a paper and is half of our grade for this third nine weeks (which is actually ten weeks, er, don't ask) anyways! I just got home from youth group and now I'm posting this!! I really hope that you guys like this and please, I enjoy feedback, as long as it is helpfully and not a FLAME!! Thank you, all of my reviewers, I'm going to start to answer your questions at the beginning of the chapters, just like in lots of other fics, you know? Anyways, I'm rambling now! Anyways, happy reading (and hopefully reviewing!!) OH! And something that I have never put:
DISCLAIMER: (for all my chapters!) I don't own Lord of the Rings (sobs) I wish I did, I REALLY wish I did, but anyways there it is! My disclaimer, all I own is four dollars and a quarter in my pocket right now, but hey, its more than nothing, oh and I own my guitar!! ^__^
Rating pg-13
Chapter Ten
Eowyn carefully twisted back her golden hair and tied it with a leather cord. She tightened her bootlaces and then slipping her sword into its sheath, walked swiftly down the hall. She approached the courtyard where her brother and cousin were waiting for her.
A smiled spread across her face. Eomer had returned to Edoras only for a few days to report to the King that Orcs had started to invade Rohan, near the Gap of Rohan and strange events had been taking place near Isengard. Eowyn had dearly missed her brother in his absence over the past few months.
Eomer grinned down at his little sister. "Ready for the spar today?"
Eowyn's eyes reflected her willingness. "Ready whenever you are, brother." She moved into a defensive stance.
Theodred smiled to himself and he settled down by a wall. He always enjoyed when his cousins spared; Eomer and Eowyn would always fight like they were in the heat of a battle.
Eomer started forward, attacking to Eowyn's right. Eowyn easily blocked the hit and spun the other side, out of Eomer's reach. Again Eomer charged, this time to Eowyn's left. Since this was Eowyn's weaker side, it wasn't as easy to deflect Eomer's blow.
A small ripple of pain crept through her arm as their swords connected. Eowyn backed up, but when she bumped right into the wall, she knew she should have been paying more attention to where she was. Backing into a corner only made her look scared.
Eomer didn't understand why his sister had backed towards the wall. But Eowyn had always told him not to take it easy on her just because she was his sister. Eomer knew that if he didn't go for the kill point, he was going to hear about it for weeks. So Eomer went in for the kill point.
Eomer almost always beat Eowyn, but she was determined to show Eomer how much better she had become with help from Rohir and Theodred. Theodred watched Eowyn corner herself, and he mentally scolded her. She knew better than that! He had taught her better than that! Theodred sighed, sorry that the spar would end so quickly.
As Eomer brought his sword into position, Eowyn's mind raced. What could she do? Moving quickly, she blocked Eomer's thrust and ducked around him. Eomer swiftly collected himself together and rushed at his sister. Eowyn stood still, sword poised in her outstretched hand. Just as Eomer was upon her, she pulled back her sword and squatted down, causing a surprised Eomer to flip over her and land right on his back.
Eowyn stood up and placing the tip of her sword in the hollow of Eomer's throat, she grinned. "How does it feel to finally be beaten?" Eowyn withdrew her sword and held out a hand to help Eomer up.
He let out a low groan, and once up leaned on Eowyn to regain his breath. "I see that you've been practicing, and with a good teacher also."
Eowyn beamed at her brother's compliment. These compliments were rare, but always welcomed with a warm heart.
~*~ That night at dinner, Theoden seemed tired. Eowyn gazed at her Uncle with concern. He was often tired after a day with the councilors that aided him, but he appeared even more tired than usual.
Theodred had noticed also. He glanced at Eowyn and then turned to his father. "Father," he began. Theoden glanced up from his plate. "Are you feeling well? You look quite ill."
Theoden sighed and stood. "I am not feeling very well. I think that I will retire early this night. Good night."
Eowyn realized that tonight was supposedly the night that the King was to choose his chief advisor. "My lord, who have you chosen to be your head of counseling?"
Theoden faced Eowyn and replied, "I chose Grima."
~*~
Eowyn sat in her cousin's window seat, forehead pressed against the cool pane of glass. Eomer lay on the floor beside Eowyn, his face in his hands. Theodred sat on his bed. All three were in totally shock.
Theodred rolled over so he lay on his stomach. "Why Grima?"
Eomer sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe Grima was the best choice, who knows." Eomer frowned, considering what he had just said. He shook his head. "No, that can't possibly be our Uncle's best choice!"
Eowyn stared out the window as raindrops ran down the window, leaving intricate trails and designs. She turned to face her kin, who were still debating why the King had chosen Grima. Eowyn twirled her hair, still pondering the situation. She really didn't like Grima, and he had been cruel to her when she was younger.
Eowyn sighed, not knowing what else to do and then said, "I'm going to bed. Good night Eomer, Theodred." She kissed both of them good night and then retired to her room.
As she walked down the darkening hallways of Edoras, she felt something draw nigh to her. She faintly heard the echoing of footsteps coming toward her. She could tell by the fall of the steps that it was probably a man, due to the heaviness of the footfalls and that he also dragged his feet slightly.
As she quickly turned a corner, she made out the form of Grima, following her, slipping from shadow to shadow. Her heart raced as she felt a fear settle over herself. She whispered to herself, "I will not let him haunt me, I will not let him scare me."
But he did scare her, and every time that he was nigh to her, her blood ran cold. He seemed to constantly be haunting her steps.
Eowyn ran silently down the hall the rest of the way to her room. Shutting the door fast behind her, she bolted the lock. She sighed, somewhat out of relief, but as the calling darkness of night and the soundless Halls pressed in around her, she heart rate quickened again.
Eowyn hurriedly changed out of her dress and into her nightclothes. She clumsily braided her hair and then stumbled into bed. She lit a small candle and set it on the table by her bed. As the light from the tiny flame shone about the room, her heart was content and she calmed down. Eowyn tucked her arms beneath her head and closed her eyes.
Soon she drifted off into slumber, out of a world of fear.
As Eowyn fell into dreams, she went back to the days of her childhood.
****Eight-year-old Eowyn ran through the kitchen, with thirteen year old Eomer after her. Their laugher could be heard through out the entire House. She ran into the open, welcoming arms of Theodwyn. Eomund grabbed Eomer and threw him son over his broad shoulder. The Marshal and his wife walked hand- in-hand. They set their children down when they entered the counsel chambers and Eowyn and Eomer ran to a table in the middle of the room. A bowl of strawberries was set in the center, and mugs of milk set in each place.
Eowyn climbed onto the bench and grabbed a handful of the sweet berries. As she and Eomer consumed them, the juice dribbled down their chins. Theodwyn smiled and with the edge of her sleeve, wiped away the red stains from her youngest child's mouth.
Then Eomer ran around the table and grabbed Eowyn's small hand in his, as Eomund took up their mother's. The two children mounted a small pony and then galloped off into the fields of wild grasses. Their parents followed close behind. Eowyn was in heaven.
She sat down in her mother's lap, in the middle of the grasses, as her mother's soft voice drifted into song.
A time of joy
So great as this;
A growing boy
Change to a man.
The times will pass,
With grace will rise
Daughters surpass
Their mothers to excel.
Yet time will come, close at hand
When shadow falls
And darkness covers land
But hope may yet remain
An heir to noble men
Comes out of exile
His choice will rule the fate of men
Isildur's heir, reunite us again.
Eowyn smiled and leaned into Theodwyn's gentle arms. She was happy. But even good things come to an end. For shadow came, and along with it, Orcs. They killed Eomund and full of anger Eomer slaughtered them. Theodwyn's beautiful gray eyes misted and as she looked down at Eowyn, she faked a small smile.
"It will be alright," Theodwyn whispered into her daughter's golden hair. Theodwyn's tears fell, turning to blood before they hit the ground. Eowyn's eyes grew wide with fear and as Eomer gathered her up in his arms, the cold voice of Grima pierced her ears.
"You are banish from Rohan forever, under penalty of death." Eomer struggled, crying out in vain, trying to hold on to Eowyn as invisible hands pulled him away from her.
Eowyn sobbed, feeling so alone, so unprotected. Turning her head, ever so slightly, she saw Theodred lying on a bed, deathly pale. She gasped as she realized that her cousin was dead. No breath came from his parched lips, his clouded eyes never blinking.
Eowyn cast herself onto the floor, weeping uncontrollably. A gentle hand picked her up, and her found herself facing a man. He was tall and his dark, unkempt hair hung loosely around his face.
She immediately fell in love with him, knowing some how that he was a King. Yet he turned his back on her, for he loved another.
She bowed her head in shame, wishing to seek death, for all had left her. Eowyn then heard the voices of the death rising around her and she heard her mother say, "Daughter of King, weep not, and go not unto battle seeking the sword and death. One there is who loves you, yet you will see it not, for you shall take it as pity, as is given to the old and hopeless. Yet turn him not away, see with your true heart, and see through the growing shadow that will cloud your mind and soul.
"Valor has not gone, not yet and you will be honored as no other shield maiden has ever before. Daughter, fear not the dark, instead, conqueror it. Do not stray too far and away from the truth.
"See through the shadow, turn him not away, and see with your true heart." ****
Eowyn woke in a cold sweat. Her heart was racing and tears were upon her cheeks. She sniffed, running the sleeve of her gown across her nose. She slowly managed to get her breath under control.
Eowyn closed her eyes. She had had this dream before, twice. Once when she was eight years old, and when she was fourteen, right before her parents died. Shivers ran up and down her spine. Eowyn pulled the covers around her for warmth.
The dream weighted heavily on her mind. Fresh tears sprang into her already clouded eyes. She didn't ponder over the dream from long because sleep overtook her and she slipped into a silent, dreamless slumber.
*I hope that ya'll like this (oh no! my country accent! ^__^) I'm so sorry that it took me so long to write this and to update it, but here is my excuse, no matter how lame it is: I have been swamped with homework, actually the entire ninth grade at my school, (small school) and the entire high school has an English rough draft of a paper and is half of our grade for this third nine weeks (which is actually ten weeks, er, don't ask) anyways! I just got home from youth group and now I'm posting this!! I really hope that you guys like this and please, I enjoy feedback, as long as it is helpfully and not a FLAME!! Thank you, all of my reviewers, I'm going to start to answer your questions at the beginning of the chapters, just like in lots of other fics, you know? Anyways, I'm rambling now! Anyways, happy reading (and hopefully reviewing!!) OH! And something that I have never put:
DISCLAIMER: (for all my chapters!) I don't own Lord of the Rings (sobs) I wish I did, I REALLY wish I did, but anyways there it is! My disclaimer, all I own is four dollars and a quarter in my pocket right now, but hey, its more than nothing, oh and I own my guitar!! ^__^