IMPORTANT NOTE!
My twin (Winter Queens on ff.n)has decided to take the idea but replace Natasha and the children with three High-School girls! I would like to point out that I came up with the idea first so no one gets the idea that I was copywriting. Out of professional curiosity, could someone tell me what they think of the comparing stories? I think I might be a little biased.
Blah thought.
"Blah" speech.
Chapter Twelve
Eomer's Point Of View
I watched as the three horses vanished into the distance, absently wondering when or if our paths would cross again. There is a tug on the hem of my tunic, prompting me to look down. It is one of the children that had taken to following Natasha around whenever they could. The child looks up at me, seeming puzzled. "You look like someone just took away your favourite blanket. Except Father says that grown men do not have those."
I can feel the blood rush to my face as just about everyone who heard the statement instantly forms a different implication than the one that the child had in mind.
My sister bursts into a fit of wild coughing. Natasha's younger sibling wears a look of abject horror while her twin looks confused. My uncle turns away to hide his smile, as do Aragorn and Legolas. To their credit, the dwarf and the remaining hobbit do try to stifle their laughter. The remaining by-standers do not bother, several of them having to brace themselves against the wall.
Others have joined the child and they are all looking very confused. "Lord Eomer? What is happening?"
I shook my head, turning toward the small group. Were all children like this? I certainly hope not, otherwise I shall seriously reconsider having any of my own. I answer the pint-sized imp who started the whole mess. "It is nothing to worry about. They will recover their senses soon enough." Hopefully as soon as I schedule the lot of them to muck out the stables for the next month.
Sadly, my sister has not finished in her attempts to make me die of embarrassment. She manages to recover herself and gasps out, "Very well done, Eomer. You will make a good father one day. I think Natasha would make a wonderful sister-in-law."
This starts everyone off again and had the children squealing with joy.
"Natasha and Eomer might get married!"
All right, I had considered the idea. Was it really that obvious?
"I told you so!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
Hey! This is my life we're talking about! Since when did it become everyone else's business?
I opt for a hasty retreat before anything else is said. Not fast enough, as my dratted sister manages to fit in one last comment. "Why, Eomer, you would not be blushing, would you? Whatever for?"
Oh, just wait until you find a man that you become interested in, my darling baby sister, I will make you regret this!
I escape to my room and shut the door, wishing that the ground would open up and swallow me. Knowing how fast gossip can spread, especially concerning such news as this, I had no idea how I was going to explain the rumours before they were blown completely out of proportion and reached Natasha's ears.
I sit down at my desk, reaching for parchment and quill. Better that Natasha hear it from me that from someone who couldn't keep their mouths shut to save a life. She had spent a large amount of time with my occasionally terrifying sister, after all, and I was not sure how much she had taught Natasha about handling weapons.
Writing a quick explanation, along with a plea for mercy if she took offence, I sealed the letter and managed to avoid the rest of the city long enough to find a messenger.
Faramir's Point Of View
We walked up to my father's hall, taking as much time as possible without appearing as though we were trying to postpone the meeting.
I began to see what my older brother saw in this woman, though it was obvious that neither of them were romantically attracted to the other. She was, indeed, an intriguing person. She met the gaze of others, and walked with a confident stride, so unlike our own women, who kept their eyes modestly lowered and their steps small. She seemed old beyond her years at times, showing an unexpected wisdom and maturity. But she also possessed a love of life and sense of humour that is usually only displayed in the very young.
Her appearance was nothing remarkable, easy to overlook in a crowd, yet unlike others of her age, she seemed perfectly content with that, preferring to blend in than stand out.
All too soon, we reached the doors to the hall where my father held court. I noticed that Boromir also looked slightly nervous as we entered, while Natasha's face was a serene mask and her cousin, Bella, looked all around her with an eager innocence.
Looking to the end of the hall, I could see my father scowling at Mithrandir. I sighed inwardly. This did not bode well for whatever my father wanted.
As my father glanced up, seeing us, his expression smoothed into a smile, which faded slightly as my brother swung Bella up onto his shoulders, ignoring the withering look that Natasha shot at him. I fought the urge to shake my head. I loved Boromir dearly, but he could be so stupid at times. Obviously he has yet to learn that there is nothing more dangerous than a mother defending her young. The fact that Bella and Natasha were cousins, rather than parent and child, had nothing to do with it. Sometimes I wonder about my brother's intelligence.
We approached my father's chair, set just below the throne of Gondor, where the king would have sat.
My father frowned, and snapped "Boromir, stop playing with the child and face me!" My brother stopped and handed Bella over to Natasha, finally catching the death glare aimed at him. He gulped slightly and turned back to face Father just as our remaining parent asked for Boromir's report.
My brother took a breath. "After reaching Imladris, I attended the Council of Lord Elrond, where I received the answer to the dream Faramir and I had. The One Ring, the weapon of the Enemy, has been found…"
Here he was interrupted as our father leapt to his feet with a shout, "What? The One Ring? What happened to it? Did you retrieve it to aid us in our fight? Such an object of power could make Gondor great again, and powerful beyond imagining!"
At this, Natasha looked over from her place near Mithrandir, who appeared worried. "Mithrandir, aren't those words disturbingly akin to what the legends say Isildur said when he failed to destroy the ring in the first place?"
I was impressed at her subtlety. With one stroke, she had countered any reasons for why the ring should have come to the White City, pointed out the ring's power of manipulation and managed to administer a mild rebuke in a seemingly innocent question. Also, by posing it as a question, she now had ignorance of history to blame if my father took offence.
Our father fell silent and Boromir continued. " The council decided that the ring must be destroyed, so a fellowship of nine was formed, representing the free peoples of Middle Earth. Mithrandir and I were part of the Fellowship, along with an Elf of Mirkwood, a Dwarf of the lonely mountain, four Halflings and a ranger, Aragorn. We travelled toward Mordor, because only the fires of Mount Doom could unmake the ring. The company was forced to travel through Moria, an experience I would not wish to repeat, and then to Lothlorien, where we met Lady Natasha and her cousin, Bella."
The two in question looked towards us in acknowledgement, then returned to fending off the guards who were not on duty and had decided to try flirting to pass the time.
Boromir paused for breath, then pressed on. "We sailed down the Great River, until we were attacked at Amon Hen and the Fellowship was parted. Two of the Halflings were captured by Uruk-Hai and most of the Fellowship pursued them, while the other two Halflings went on to Mordor.
Our pursuit of the Uruk-Hai and Hobbits led us to Rohan, where we again crossed paths with Lady Natasha in the Golden Hall of Theoden. Rohan was being attacked by an army tens of thousands strong so King Theoden decided to retreat to the fortress of Helm's Deep. There we engaged them in Battle and won, then travelled to Isengard where we found the two Hobbits and a Palantir.
The people of Rohan then returned to the Golden Hall, where we learned by chance that Sauron intends to attack Minas Tirith soon."
Father nodded and waved a hand to dismiss Boromir, gesturing for me to stay. My brother bowed then turned to leave when our father suddenly called him back.
"Lady Natasha, what is your relationship with her? Should I be expecting to gain a daughter?"
I was treated to a repeat performance of when I had asked that same question. My brother went pale, took on a faintly green pallor, and vigorously denied everything.
Father then called Natasha over, asking her the same question. I wondered how that would turn out. Natasha seemed a sensible young woman and obviously held no romantic feelings toward my brother. On the other hand, my father has a temper, and I hoped that no offence would be taken and that Natasha would react in a calmer manner than Boromir had.
Natasha blinked. "I mean no offence, Lord Denethor, but I have no romantic interest in either of your sons. I am sure that they are both honourable men, but I am not interested in a union of any kind." She hesitated a moment, then continued, "I would take it as a courtesy if you could pass that on to your soldiers, as they seem to go temporarily deaf whenever I try to tell them that."
At least she was diplomatic. Most of the women I know would have started giggling so hard that it would be hours before you got a coherent word out of them. And she had the sense to find an alternate way out of the guards' attention without creating a scandal.
Father nodded, "You are a brave woman, to speak as such. Most would be too concerned with the consequences of turning down such a match. Or of speaking so boldly on such an issue."
Natasha shrugged, a strange gesture coming from her. "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the knowledge that something else is more important than fear." For some reason, I got the impression that she was not speaking only to our father. He inclined his head and waved both of them away. They were about to leave when a messenger entered the hall.
Natasha's Point Of View
Boromir and I were about to exit the hall when a messenger came in, handing me a letter. Feeling puzzled, I opened it, read it quickly, then turned and thumped my head against the wall.
The letter read as follows
'Dear Natasha,
While I hope the contents of this letter does not offend you, I thought that you might prefer the news from me rather than the rumour mill.
Shortly after your departure from the city, one of the younger children made a passing comment that has been misinterpreted my most of the city by now.
"You look as though someone just took away your favourite blanket. But Father says that grown men do not have those" Quote, unquote.
I pray that you take no offence at this, as I prefer having my skin in one piece. Please understand that I hold you in the highest regard and sincerely hope that you do not take this the wrong way.
Alas, this is not the sort of thing that can be discussed in a letter. I wished to tell you of the events in the hope that you would know the truth of the matter rather than half-truths spawned from rumours.
When our paths cross again, I hope that we may speak further.
Until our next meeting, I remain yours,
Eomer of Rohan.'
Standing next to me, Boromir gave me a confused look. I passed him the letter, watching as he glanced through it. True to my expectations, he burst out laughing. I shot a truly lethal glare in his direction and hit him upside the head, telling him to shut up. In truth, I could not blame him. From someone else's perspective, I suppose it might have been amusing, but I hope you'll excuse me if I found it less so.
I was brought out of my thoughts by a solid 'thump' and a vivid curse.
Bella had taken offence on my behalf and kicked Boromir in the shins. He clutched his knee as snickers erupted from around the hall. I ignored them and focused on Bella, telling her that she shouldn't kick people.
I gave Boromir a look and the three of us left the hall, headed for the guest wing of the palace. I remained quiet, pondering the contents of the letter.
Did this mean that Eomer cared for me as more than his little sister's friend? Or was I reading too much into this, and he only wished not to compromise my honour?
I decided to sleep on it, and think about what the letter might mean in the morning.
