A Dialogue
I spent a week in Edoras. (the city) During this time I reevaluated my opinion of the Rider, who I now knew to be Eómer King. When I had first met him, I supposed him to be callous. I spent that week watching the way he dealt with his subjects. He was kind and loving. The mind of our countrymen cannot comprehend the love a good king inspires. I watched especially the way his people reacted to him. They loved and honored him far above what we feel for our president. He in turn loved his people and did everything he could to make their lives easier. Although I had not seen the effects of war in Hobbiton, Edoras was still recovering. The people would shed tears at the mention of their old king, Theóden. Many families were missing a father or brother or son. I identified with them. I knew what it was to lose a loved one.
After the week, I was once again called before the king. This time there were no advisors with him. He smiled as I entered the throne room and stood to greet me.
"Helen of the Havens, hast thou been at rest in thine time with us."
Truly I smiled at the use of such ancient language, but it was fair, and coming from this powerful king it sounded natural. I answered as best I could.
"My time in Edoras has been pleasurable, Eómer King."
He nodded and a bit of his formality eased away. "My country has taken a great interest in your story. You have been called the Wayfarer by many of my people." This was the first time that I thought of my self as Helen Wayfarer, and it was so like my true name that it felt right. "My sister will be coming soon to pay a visit to her homeland." I had heard nothing of the king's sister, and was keen to know more. "She will be fascinated to hear your tale." In truth, I was not entirely certain why he had called me to this meeting. At last he seemed to be ready to say it. "Fair Helen, your grief has been pulling at my heart. It seems that you not only carry the pain of your brother's death, although I know that is a grievous wound indeed, you seem to carry a much deeper pain. You have reminded me greatly of my sister, and that is why I bade her come. Perhaps she can help to heal the wounds."
I was touched that he would care enough to do this, but it was the same care I had seen him give to all of the people under his care. Deep inside, I knew he was right. I did carry much more pain then that caused by the loss of Robert. I believe I was bitter. I was bitter that my sister and brothers had gone off to help in this war while I must stay home. I wanted to do something. I wanted a bit of the glory. I shudder now to look back at how shallow I was. If I had ever seen those battlefields, I am sure that I would not have felt like this at all. I had always felt that I lived on the outside. I was always the insignificant one. I was not the oldest, the youngest, the smartest, the prettiest, or the strongest. I was just Helen.
I spent a week in Edoras. (the city) During this time I reevaluated my opinion of the Rider, who I now knew to be Eómer King. When I had first met him, I supposed him to be callous. I spent that week watching the way he dealt with his subjects. He was kind and loving. The mind of our countrymen cannot comprehend the love a good king inspires. I watched especially the way his people reacted to him. They loved and honored him far above what we feel for our president. He in turn loved his people and did everything he could to make their lives easier. Although I had not seen the effects of war in Hobbiton, Edoras was still recovering. The people would shed tears at the mention of their old king, Theóden. Many families were missing a father or brother or son. I identified with them. I knew what it was to lose a loved one.
After the week, I was once again called before the king. This time there were no advisors with him. He smiled as I entered the throne room and stood to greet me.
"Helen of the Havens, hast thou been at rest in thine time with us."
Truly I smiled at the use of such ancient language, but it was fair, and coming from this powerful king it sounded natural. I answered as best I could.
"My time in Edoras has been pleasurable, Eómer King."
He nodded and a bit of his formality eased away. "My country has taken a great interest in your story. You have been called the Wayfarer by many of my people." This was the first time that I thought of my self as Helen Wayfarer, and it was so like my true name that it felt right. "My sister will be coming soon to pay a visit to her homeland." I had heard nothing of the king's sister, and was keen to know more. "She will be fascinated to hear your tale." In truth, I was not entirely certain why he had called me to this meeting. At last he seemed to be ready to say it. "Fair Helen, your grief has been pulling at my heart. It seems that you not only carry the pain of your brother's death, although I know that is a grievous wound indeed, you seem to carry a much deeper pain. You have reminded me greatly of my sister, and that is why I bade her come. Perhaps she can help to heal the wounds."
I was touched that he would care enough to do this, but it was the same care I had seen him give to all of the people under his care. Deep inside, I knew he was right. I did carry much more pain then that caused by the loss of Robert. I believe I was bitter. I was bitter that my sister and brothers had gone off to help in this war while I must stay home. I wanted to do something. I wanted a bit of the glory. I shudder now to look back at how shallow I was. If I had ever seen those battlefields, I am sure that I would not have felt like this at all. I had always felt that I lived on the outside. I was always the insignificant one. I was not the oldest, the youngest, the smartest, the prettiest, or the strongest. I was just Helen.