Chapter Two: Simbemynë, the Evermind
"At the foot of the walled hill the way ran under the shadow of many mounds, high and green. Upon their western sides the grass was hite as with a drifted snow: small flowers sprang there like countless stars amid the turf"
--The Two Towers
Elfhelm did not see Éowyn again for many years.
He lost his parents the following year. After that he had grown to be a Rider of the Riddermark, fearless and strong. He traveled far and wide, from Fangorn to Gondor. He often came back to his home by Snowbourn, but he seldom went to Edoras and few times did he behold the splendours of the Golden Hall of Meduseld.
He served under the command of Émound of Eastfold, the Chief Marshal of Rohan whom he loved like a father. Émound liked the young man well, he often took Elfhelm with him and taught him many things. From him Elfhelm learned the history of the Rohirrim, the stories of the First Age that almost all Men had forgotten save a few.
"You are like my son Éomer, " Émound would often say to Elfhelm, "you would like him I think. Alas, when there are no more Orcs on our borders I will take you to see my family. You shall live with us."
"You are like a father to me, lord," Elfhelm often thought when he looked upon Émound's face with awe, but he never spoke to him openly.
So it came to pass that the news of an Orc raid on the eastern Anduin reached Émound's ears. As usual he would ride with his own company to war. But this time he rode with fewer riders than usual, for there was need elsewhere. He sent Elfhelm away.
"You shall be no more useful with me than staying at home, for I hear that it was a small band of Orcs. I think you should rely on me less now, I deem you ready, Elfhelm. Go swiftly and join the King's heir! There needs calls you," said Émound at their parting, "and when I come back, I want to hear you recite the whole history of Cirion and Eorl to me. "
"Lord, why should you not go with me? It is a small band of Orcs you say," said Elfhelm.
"I love Eastfold, and I would not sleep until I clear it from the dirty steps of the Orcs," said Émound. He bid Elfhelm farewell and rode away.
It was the last ride of Émound of Eastfold, the husband of Théodwyn the Fair.
Elfhelm did not receive the news until three months after Émound's burial. He took leave and rode back to Edoras as soon as he could. At dawn of the mid-autumn day he arrived.
The sun was setting behind the white mountains. At the end of the horizon the sky was painted red with its rays. Elfhelm immediately recognized Émound's tomb: it was new and little green could be seen on top of it, but nonetheless the small white flowers of Simbemynë covered it like a crown. He jumped off his horse and silently stood in front of it, his heart full of sorrow and grief.
"Who are you?" a sweet voice said behind him. He turned around. It was a woman with the same fair face, grey eyes and golden hair he had seen many years ago and had never forgotten. He was very surprised, the face that he had held most sacred in his memory was there right before him. He did not know what to say, he stood there just as he did many years ago.
"I asked you a question, sir," said the young woman, "who are you that stands before my father's tomb?" Her voice was cold.
"Lord Émound was your father?" Elfhelm was again surprised.
"Yes," said the young woman.
"My daughter Éowyn is like her brother, "Elfhelm suddenly remembered that Émound had once spoken of her, "she has a wild spirit and a stubborn character, a most unfortunate inheritence of a daughter from me." Émound laughed when he said so.
"You must be Lady Éowyn then," bowed Elfhelm, "my name is Elfhelm, I once served under your father. " He turned towards the mound, "I am sorry that he is gone now. It pains me to see his tomb. " He said those words with true affection and Éowyn noticed a few drops of tears from his face. Her face softened. She quietly took a step forward and stood beside Elfhelm. She kneeled down and picked up a Simbemynë.
"They call this flower the Evermind, it grows on the dead's mounds so we would remember them, " she said with great sorrow, "Master Elfhelm, do not let grief fill your heart! Take this flower as a token, remember him well when you see it, sir! He then remains here with us, and he shall see that we have avenged his death."
Elfhelm took the flower with a trembling hand.
"Fear not, my lady!" said he, "I will remember and love your father always."
Éowyn smiled and turned away. He watched her until she disappeared from his view.
"As I do you, my lady," he muttured, kissed the Simbemynë in his hand.