A/N: I'm back!!! Some of you may have noticed with the two poems I posted,
but I have just realized how emotionally taxing this story is to write. I
didn't get too into her feelings in this one, just because I think I
would've ended up exhausted with a migraine.
Thanks to all the reviewers and readers that choose not to leave a little note!!!! Keep at it!!! I'm working as fast as my schedule can allow! QuickEdit is being extremely difficult right now!
Chapter 30: Welcome to Edoras!
Thirteen-year old Eowyn flew out of her quarters, into the early morning sun, as she heard the sweet call of the horns wafting across the land. Theodred! He had finally come home! She was joined by Eomer, and they gazed across their beloved plains together, waiting for the retinue to come into the gate of Edoras.
The wooden gate seemed so small, not at all like the looming, formidable stone of Minas Tirith, and Elentari gazed anxiously at the fair- haired people that greeted them. They cheered, and were glad their beloved prince was back, but Elentari knew and saw all eyes boring into her, looking her over, making up their minds about her, and forming gossip, before they ever even knew her.
Let them see. Let them look upon me. I will not falter. As she dismounted Talcalina, stroking her head, she held her head up high, her steps never faltering, though she felt weak. She accepted Theodred's arm, and one by one, made it up the stairs, to the awaiting King, and his court.
She bowed low, and it was only after he had bidden her to rise, did Elentari first look upon Theoden King, her father by marriage. He looked upon her with kindly eyes, blue like the sky, and though his face was etched with deep lines, the cares of a declining country, and the wear of time, he smiled at her warmly, as if knowing her insecurity and fear. How different this man seemed from Denethor.
"Welcome home, my son," he greeted Theodred, embracing his son.
"It's been too long since I've seen this lands," Theodred returned, "But I bring home something sweeter to my eyes than all." He motioned to Elentari, who curtseyed again, "This is Elentari, Father." He surveyed her, and smiled again, as if he liked what he saw, "Welcome to Edoras, dear daughter. I have long waited this day, and now I see that Gondor did not speak a falsehood when she praised you."
Color rose to her cheeks, and she murmured, "My Lord is too kind."
Theoden merely smiled, and then beckoned two people standing behind him forth, a lad and a maiden, clearly of the same house, for the resemblance could not be denied.
"Theodred!" the young maid sprang into her cousin's arms.
"How you've grown, Eowyn!" Theodred said as he hugged the girl. As he released her, the lad pushed her aside, and gruffly said, "Enough of that. You're not the only one who hasn't seen him for months." His sister pouted as he greeted his cousin.
Theodred released the both of them, and then motioned to Elentari, who stood, watching the loving scene with a smile upon her face, "Eowyn, Eomer, this is Elentari." She smiled, seeing the young girl, hanging at the edge of womanhood, a flower in the last days of winter.
The younger girl cocked her head, gazing at this newly found sister of hers, and after looking her over, let a slow smile spread over her face. This woman standing before appeared kindly enough, her smile genuine, which was something not often found in this declining land. However, there was something behind her smiling eyes that led Eowyn to falter for a moment; some distant grief that no one could place or understand.
Elentari was glad that Eowyn seemed to approve of her, for that had been one of the only few thin strands of optimism she had held about coming to Rohan. Yet the girl's older brother, standing protectively by her side, as if expecting her to suddenly leap out, brandishing a sword, to attack his sister, looked at her in disdain, untrustingly, his eyes narrowed.
She quickly looked away, and noticed that he had averted his gaze also, as if realizing his rude glare, and hastily made some semblance of a nod for a greeting. Theodred noticed and raised a disapproving eyebrow at Eomer, but did not achieve the subtlety he had planned.
After seeing that everyone was introduced, Theodred motioned to go in. Elentari hesitated for a moment, still unsure of her place, or what to do, but Theoden beckoned her kindly, "Come now child. This is your home. Be not afraid of it," knowing her insecurity.
The heavy bars of the doors were lifted, and doors swung slowly inwards, grumbling on their great hinges, and as Elentari stood still on the great stone steps, she was filled in awe of the renowned Golden Hall before her. The hall was long and wide, filled with shadows and half lights; mighty pillars, crested with gold, held up the high roof. From here and the eastern windows, bright sunbeams fell in glimmering shafts, which was what really gave Meduseld her majestic beauty. As her eyes adjusted to the dimness, she realized that the floor was paved with stones of many hues; branching runes and strange devices intertwined beneath her feet. She instantly promised that she would spend time on her knees, examining these, deciphering and admiring every stroke of the brush, every chisel in the stone to create this intricate beauties. Looking closely, she noticed that the pillars were richly carved, gleaming dully with gold and other half- seen colors. Many woven cloths and tapestries hung upon the walls, and over their wide spaces marched figures of ancient legend, some dim with years, some darkling in the shade. As if to contradict her thought that this hall would've been beautiful, if there had been some light in it, the sunlight fell upon one form: a young man upon a white horse. He looked strangely familiar to her, and she could've sworn she'd seen this before. He was blowing a great horn, and his yellow hair was flying in the wind. The horse's head was lifted, and his nostrils were wide and red as it neighed, smelling battle from afar. Foaming water, green and white, rushed and curled about its knees. Suddenly, it struck her whom this was, "Eorl the Young," she whispered to herself. Yet Theoden had heard her.
"Indeed, that is he," he replied.
"Gondor's savior," she murmured.
"He swore an oath," Theoden said, "And like all good men, he kept it."
Theodred came into the discussion, "I see you have recognized him, our great forefather."
She nodded, and Theoden smiled, "I see my new daughter is well learned."
Theodred chuckled, "You should hear her sing. She knows the lays of all lands, and writes her own, too. She can tell you all about Epona, or the earliest days of Rohan."
Elentari colored, and murmured, "You flatter me, Theodred. Don't swell the King's ears so I can't live up to your sweet words." Yet she smiled, nonetheless.
Theoden changed the subject, "I have arranged for the wedding ceremony to be held tomorrow morn." Elentari's head jerked up from the runes she had been studying on the floor. "I know it is soon, but I trust, since a similar event has already been held in Gondor, it will be nothing but a formality."
Elentari felt the blood rising to her face as Theodred replied, "We did nothing but pledge our troth. Denethor saw to it as a betrothal ceremony, not an actual marriage. And we," he hesitated for a moment, color rising to his pale face, "We have not, we have not," he stuttered, as if trying to find the proper wording, "gone through with the usual proceedings of a newly-wedded couple." He glanced at Elentari, who was determinedly ignoring the heat emitting from her face.
It took Theoden a little thought to finally understand what his son was getting to, but a little "Oh!" seemed to signify his understanding.
"Well, it is still arranged for tomorrow morn, and the people are expecting it, with representatives coming from as far as Snowbourne to witness it. I trust it will be enough time for you," Theodred looked Elentari questioningly, who nodded.
Elentari's chambers for that night were located near Eowyn's, but Theoden had told her that she would be moved once her and Theodred were officially wedded. She settled on the sheepskin bed, missing her silken one in Minas Tirith, but glad to finally be able to sleep in a bed, not a tent in the wilderness, she felt her eyes slowly close, as sweet sleep sealed them, forgetting the events the next dawn would bring.
She was awoken by excited pounding on her door, followed by Eowyn flying in through the door, flanked by two maids.
"Do Gondorians always sleep in this late?" Eowyn questioned, as she drew back the curtains, letting in the blinding morning light.
Elentari groaned, shielding her sensitive eyes from the intrusive light, "What time is it?"
"Quarter till ten in the morning," Eowyn replied, "Little more than an hour from the ceremony!"
"Ceremony?" Elentari was confused.
The maids looked scandalized, and one of them said, "Your wedding ceremony, my Lady!" Elentari groaned, as she forced herself out of bed, but it was more for the maid's words that brought everything into reality.
"Please, my Lady," the other begged, "The whole town will be watching, not to mention lords from other regions. We need to get your dressed and readied!" Elentari wanted to dismiss them, but knew that they were only pressing in goodwill. She hurriedly fetched her gown, the same white, silken one she had last worn in Gondor at the other ceremony, from her trunk. The maids quickly snatched it out of her hands, and began pressing it, banishing the wrinkles from the long trip.
As she readied herself, adjusting the long, laced white head shawl over her head, fixing it in place with the Elven headdress Denethor had gifted to her, letting the white gems sparkle in her dark tresses, she noticed Eowyn regarding her carefully.
Deciding to press the matter, she questioned teasingly, "So have you found anything interesting about me yet?"
The young girl was startled suddenly, and after regaining her sense, mumbled, "Why do you ask that, my Lady?"
She laughed at the girl's uncertainty, "I see things too, Eowyn, and I see you regarding me closely, as if you are fascinated, or just curious." Eowyn nodded, and Elentari went on, "And please, I beg you, please don't address me as 'my Lady'. My mother gave me a name at birth, which is about all she did, for a reason. Call me Elentari, please."
At the mention of a mother, Eowyn's lively eyes dimmed a bit, and Elentari wondered why, for she had not heard the tale of Theodwyn.
"Where is your mother?" she broached, rather foolishly.
The young girl quickly closed up, the speed of which startled Elentari and reminded her so much of Denethor, it sent shivers up her spine. After a bit of awkward silence, Eowyn curtseyed, and said, without looking at Elentari, "I must go see how the preparations are. They will come for you soon."
Elentari and Theodred were officially married, with the sun shining down upon them, with the people of Edoras, Dunharrow, Snowbourne, the Westfold, and all over the land watching joyously, as their beloved prince finally took a wife. No one seemed to care, not even Theodred, how this foreign bride was feeling at the moment. She felt like a possession, bartered for and bought from Denethor for a price, forming an alliance, strengthening the Oath of Eorl, with no regard to her own personal feelings or thoughts at all. Theodred claimed he loved her, but he saw naught into her heart.
A/N: More angst? More introspection? More Faramir? Tell me what you think! The description of Meduseld is straight out of the Two Towers book, pg 123, King of the Golden Hall, if you wish to check, though I added a little bit of feeling to make it personal to the story. Review!
Thanks to all the reviewers and readers that choose not to leave a little note!!!! Keep at it!!! I'm working as fast as my schedule can allow! QuickEdit is being extremely difficult right now!
Chapter 30: Welcome to Edoras!
Thirteen-year old Eowyn flew out of her quarters, into the early morning sun, as she heard the sweet call of the horns wafting across the land. Theodred! He had finally come home! She was joined by Eomer, and they gazed across their beloved plains together, waiting for the retinue to come into the gate of Edoras.
The wooden gate seemed so small, not at all like the looming, formidable stone of Minas Tirith, and Elentari gazed anxiously at the fair- haired people that greeted them. They cheered, and were glad their beloved prince was back, but Elentari knew and saw all eyes boring into her, looking her over, making up their minds about her, and forming gossip, before they ever even knew her.
Let them see. Let them look upon me. I will not falter. As she dismounted Talcalina, stroking her head, she held her head up high, her steps never faltering, though she felt weak. She accepted Theodred's arm, and one by one, made it up the stairs, to the awaiting King, and his court.
She bowed low, and it was only after he had bidden her to rise, did Elentari first look upon Theoden King, her father by marriage. He looked upon her with kindly eyes, blue like the sky, and though his face was etched with deep lines, the cares of a declining country, and the wear of time, he smiled at her warmly, as if knowing her insecurity and fear. How different this man seemed from Denethor.
"Welcome home, my son," he greeted Theodred, embracing his son.
"It's been too long since I've seen this lands," Theodred returned, "But I bring home something sweeter to my eyes than all." He motioned to Elentari, who curtseyed again, "This is Elentari, Father." He surveyed her, and smiled again, as if he liked what he saw, "Welcome to Edoras, dear daughter. I have long waited this day, and now I see that Gondor did not speak a falsehood when she praised you."
Color rose to her cheeks, and she murmured, "My Lord is too kind."
Theoden merely smiled, and then beckoned two people standing behind him forth, a lad and a maiden, clearly of the same house, for the resemblance could not be denied.
"Theodred!" the young maid sprang into her cousin's arms.
"How you've grown, Eowyn!" Theodred said as he hugged the girl. As he released her, the lad pushed her aside, and gruffly said, "Enough of that. You're not the only one who hasn't seen him for months." His sister pouted as he greeted his cousin.
Theodred released the both of them, and then motioned to Elentari, who stood, watching the loving scene with a smile upon her face, "Eowyn, Eomer, this is Elentari." She smiled, seeing the young girl, hanging at the edge of womanhood, a flower in the last days of winter.
The younger girl cocked her head, gazing at this newly found sister of hers, and after looking her over, let a slow smile spread over her face. This woman standing before appeared kindly enough, her smile genuine, which was something not often found in this declining land. However, there was something behind her smiling eyes that led Eowyn to falter for a moment; some distant grief that no one could place or understand.
Elentari was glad that Eowyn seemed to approve of her, for that had been one of the only few thin strands of optimism she had held about coming to Rohan. Yet the girl's older brother, standing protectively by her side, as if expecting her to suddenly leap out, brandishing a sword, to attack his sister, looked at her in disdain, untrustingly, his eyes narrowed.
She quickly looked away, and noticed that he had averted his gaze also, as if realizing his rude glare, and hastily made some semblance of a nod for a greeting. Theodred noticed and raised a disapproving eyebrow at Eomer, but did not achieve the subtlety he had planned.
After seeing that everyone was introduced, Theodred motioned to go in. Elentari hesitated for a moment, still unsure of her place, or what to do, but Theoden beckoned her kindly, "Come now child. This is your home. Be not afraid of it," knowing her insecurity.
The heavy bars of the doors were lifted, and doors swung slowly inwards, grumbling on their great hinges, and as Elentari stood still on the great stone steps, she was filled in awe of the renowned Golden Hall before her. The hall was long and wide, filled with shadows and half lights; mighty pillars, crested with gold, held up the high roof. From here and the eastern windows, bright sunbeams fell in glimmering shafts, which was what really gave Meduseld her majestic beauty. As her eyes adjusted to the dimness, she realized that the floor was paved with stones of many hues; branching runes and strange devices intertwined beneath her feet. She instantly promised that she would spend time on her knees, examining these, deciphering and admiring every stroke of the brush, every chisel in the stone to create this intricate beauties. Looking closely, she noticed that the pillars were richly carved, gleaming dully with gold and other half- seen colors. Many woven cloths and tapestries hung upon the walls, and over their wide spaces marched figures of ancient legend, some dim with years, some darkling in the shade. As if to contradict her thought that this hall would've been beautiful, if there had been some light in it, the sunlight fell upon one form: a young man upon a white horse. He looked strangely familiar to her, and she could've sworn she'd seen this before. He was blowing a great horn, and his yellow hair was flying in the wind. The horse's head was lifted, and his nostrils were wide and red as it neighed, smelling battle from afar. Foaming water, green and white, rushed and curled about its knees. Suddenly, it struck her whom this was, "Eorl the Young," she whispered to herself. Yet Theoden had heard her.
"Indeed, that is he," he replied.
"Gondor's savior," she murmured.
"He swore an oath," Theoden said, "And like all good men, he kept it."
Theodred came into the discussion, "I see you have recognized him, our great forefather."
She nodded, and Theoden smiled, "I see my new daughter is well learned."
Theodred chuckled, "You should hear her sing. She knows the lays of all lands, and writes her own, too. She can tell you all about Epona, or the earliest days of Rohan."
Elentari colored, and murmured, "You flatter me, Theodred. Don't swell the King's ears so I can't live up to your sweet words." Yet she smiled, nonetheless.
Theoden changed the subject, "I have arranged for the wedding ceremony to be held tomorrow morn." Elentari's head jerked up from the runes she had been studying on the floor. "I know it is soon, but I trust, since a similar event has already been held in Gondor, it will be nothing but a formality."
Elentari felt the blood rising to her face as Theodred replied, "We did nothing but pledge our troth. Denethor saw to it as a betrothal ceremony, not an actual marriage. And we," he hesitated for a moment, color rising to his pale face, "We have not, we have not," he stuttered, as if trying to find the proper wording, "gone through with the usual proceedings of a newly-wedded couple." He glanced at Elentari, who was determinedly ignoring the heat emitting from her face.
It took Theoden a little thought to finally understand what his son was getting to, but a little "Oh!" seemed to signify his understanding.
"Well, it is still arranged for tomorrow morn, and the people are expecting it, with representatives coming from as far as Snowbourne to witness it. I trust it will be enough time for you," Theodred looked Elentari questioningly, who nodded.
Elentari's chambers for that night were located near Eowyn's, but Theoden had told her that she would be moved once her and Theodred were officially wedded. She settled on the sheepskin bed, missing her silken one in Minas Tirith, but glad to finally be able to sleep in a bed, not a tent in the wilderness, she felt her eyes slowly close, as sweet sleep sealed them, forgetting the events the next dawn would bring.
She was awoken by excited pounding on her door, followed by Eowyn flying in through the door, flanked by two maids.
"Do Gondorians always sleep in this late?" Eowyn questioned, as she drew back the curtains, letting in the blinding morning light.
Elentari groaned, shielding her sensitive eyes from the intrusive light, "What time is it?"
"Quarter till ten in the morning," Eowyn replied, "Little more than an hour from the ceremony!"
"Ceremony?" Elentari was confused.
The maids looked scandalized, and one of them said, "Your wedding ceremony, my Lady!" Elentari groaned, as she forced herself out of bed, but it was more for the maid's words that brought everything into reality.
"Please, my Lady," the other begged, "The whole town will be watching, not to mention lords from other regions. We need to get your dressed and readied!" Elentari wanted to dismiss them, but knew that they were only pressing in goodwill. She hurriedly fetched her gown, the same white, silken one she had last worn in Gondor at the other ceremony, from her trunk. The maids quickly snatched it out of her hands, and began pressing it, banishing the wrinkles from the long trip.
As she readied herself, adjusting the long, laced white head shawl over her head, fixing it in place with the Elven headdress Denethor had gifted to her, letting the white gems sparkle in her dark tresses, she noticed Eowyn regarding her carefully.
Deciding to press the matter, she questioned teasingly, "So have you found anything interesting about me yet?"
The young girl was startled suddenly, and after regaining her sense, mumbled, "Why do you ask that, my Lady?"
She laughed at the girl's uncertainty, "I see things too, Eowyn, and I see you regarding me closely, as if you are fascinated, or just curious." Eowyn nodded, and Elentari went on, "And please, I beg you, please don't address me as 'my Lady'. My mother gave me a name at birth, which is about all she did, for a reason. Call me Elentari, please."
At the mention of a mother, Eowyn's lively eyes dimmed a bit, and Elentari wondered why, for she had not heard the tale of Theodwyn.
"Where is your mother?" she broached, rather foolishly.
The young girl quickly closed up, the speed of which startled Elentari and reminded her so much of Denethor, it sent shivers up her spine. After a bit of awkward silence, Eowyn curtseyed, and said, without looking at Elentari, "I must go see how the preparations are. They will come for you soon."
Elentari and Theodred were officially married, with the sun shining down upon them, with the people of Edoras, Dunharrow, Snowbourne, the Westfold, and all over the land watching joyously, as their beloved prince finally took a wife. No one seemed to care, not even Theodred, how this foreign bride was feeling at the moment. She felt like a possession, bartered for and bought from Denethor for a price, forming an alliance, strengthening the Oath of Eorl, with no regard to her own personal feelings or thoughts at all. Theodred claimed he loved her, but he saw naught into her heart.
A/N: More angst? More introspection? More Faramir? Tell me what you think! The description of Meduseld is straight out of the Two Towers book, pg 123, King of the Golden Hall, if you wish to check, though I added a little bit of feeling to make it personal to the story. Review!