A/N
Lady Cleo, Alaize, Neesh, Ceylon and Scholar!
Thank you so much for your reviews! They have kept me going. This portion of the story has been very difficult to get into words. I hope it does not disappoint.
Eowyn recognized the man from Gondor as she entered the hall of the Steward and reprimanded herself for instantly feeling a little giddy. Why could a charming man always make her act the fool?
Shaking off her rebuke, she allowed herself to feel the joy of seeing Eomer, and they embraced. She curtsied to Boromir who flashed her a great grin causing her face to light up so that it shined through her eyes.
Then she was guided to the throne where the Steward sat in a seat to the side. She curtsied again as Boromir introduced her to his father. The Steward responded by grinning wickedly as he warned Boromir that a marriage should happen soon or else he might be tempted to do the duty. Eowyn laughed demurely in response, almost flirting with the older man for she knew that he was not serious.
And she was no fool.
*
The last of the meal was cleared away, but Boromir, Eomer and Theodred continued to drink. The Steward had retired early. Eowyn knew where this was leading and was not surprised when the men bowed to her, late as it was, and rode from the Steward's residence
So it was the she went into her quarters. Glancing around she noticed how spacious they were. Upon arriving she had found many gifts for her from the Steward and was presented with a servant all to herself.
Then she sighed. She was welcomed as one already in the family. But was she really gone from Rohan forever? She walked to her balcony and looked over her new home. Was this merely another place for her to languish while the men rode to glory? She perceived them riding away from the Citadel, this time only to their fun. What recreation was there for one as her?
She called for the servant then, requesting drink and help in undressing. Then in her white nightdress, she lay upon the bed, drinking as she hummed a Rohan fight song of heroes past.
*
She missed her uncle.
Eowyn was again looking out over the balcony in her quarters. She was surprised to see Boromir also looking out of his, considering the Sun had just arisen and the men had been out all night. He nodded to her and called out whether he may join her. Eowyn smiled, and called back assenting.
Soon they were standing together, watching Minas Tirith come alive. Boromir was smoking, and his voice and eyes were gentle. "Do not fear," he suddenly spoke and touched her hand, "There is hope. For you more than ever."
"Yes," Eowyn replied, looking up at him. "Safe here."
"We will protect you, even unto our deaths." Boromir pledged.
"I am honored. Often I have dreamed that men would see my fears and spare me the humiliation of asking for help." She looked straight at him. "We prefer it when a man offers."
"By we, I am assuming you refer to your gentle sex. Though I have observed that women wish to be offered help only in a manner in which they may participate."
Eowyn smiled, "You have observed wisely."
Boromir, "Only with the passing of years." He laughed, "You should have seen me at 25. I was a complete idiot!"
Now Eowyn laughed, and shook off the temptation to ask with which women he had been educated in the female sensibilities. A stab of jealousy went through her as she considered. One such woman he may have been with the night before.
She changed the subject.
"I have heard the word 'hope' in the past few days more than in all my short years combined." She turned again to him. "Won't our marriage will be a sign of hope as well?"
Boromir's brows knit in confusion. "Our marriage?" He looked again at her, and then said kindly, "It is not I, but my brother Faramir who will marry you." He looked alarmed at her expression. "I am sorry if you were under another impression."
Eowyn bowed her head in embarrassment and answered, "No, I am sorry for my presumption. I had assumed that as the eldest you would marry."
"My brother is the best man I know," Boromir said quietly.
Eowyn nodded, still not looking at him. "I know of his goodness. He was very kind to me last year." She looked at him anxiously, "Please do not mistake my confusion for disappointment. My happiness in coming here was marrying into the family of such good brothers, and to ensure my security. I am very grateful."
Boromir smiled, "I thank you for that, and as happy as I am to see my brother married to a woman such as you, I am happier that I will have her as my sister." He leaned down, and kissed her hand.
Eowyn accepted his affection. He had almost convinced her, but it would take some time to alter her expectations and set her mind now upon the youngest.
Lady Cleo, Alaize, Neesh, Ceylon and Scholar!
Thank you so much for your reviews! They have kept me going. This portion of the story has been very difficult to get into words. I hope it does not disappoint.
Eowyn recognized the man from Gondor as she entered the hall of the Steward and reprimanded herself for instantly feeling a little giddy. Why could a charming man always make her act the fool?
Shaking off her rebuke, she allowed herself to feel the joy of seeing Eomer, and they embraced. She curtsied to Boromir who flashed her a great grin causing her face to light up so that it shined through her eyes.
Then she was guided to the throne where the Steward sat in a seat to the side. She curtsied again as Boromir introduced her to his father. The Steward responded by grinning wickedly as he warned Boromir that a marriage should happen soon or else he might be tempted to do the duty. Eowyn laughed demurely in response, almost flirting with the older man for she knew that he was not serious.
And she was no fool.
*
The last of the meal was cleared away, but Boromir, Eomer and Theodred continued to drink. The Steward had retired early. Eowyn knew where this was leading and was not surprised when the men bowed to her, late as it was, and rode from the Steward's residence
So it was the she went into her quarters. Glancing around she noticed how spacious they were. Upon arriving she had found many gifts for her from the Steward and was presented with a servant all to herself.
Then she sighed. She was welcomed as one already in the family. But was she really gone from Rohan forever? She walked to her balcony and looked over her new home. Was this merely another place for her to languish while the men rode to glory? She perceived them riding away from the Citadel, this time only to their fun. What recreation was there for one as her?
She called for the servant then, requesting drink and help in undressing. Then in her white nightdress, she lay upon the bed, drinking as she hummed a Rohan fight song of heroes past.
*
She missed her uncle.
Eowyn was again looking out over the balcony in her quarters. She was surprised to see Boromir also looking out of his, considering the Sun had just arisen and the men had been out all night. He nodded to her and called out whether he may join her. Eowyn smiled, and called back assenting.
Soon they were standing together, watching Minas Tirith come alive. Boromir was smoking, and his voice and eyes were gentle. "Do not fear," he suddenly spoke and touched her hand, "There is hope. For you more than ever."
"Yes," Eowyn replied, looking up at him. "Safe here."
"We will protect you, even unto our deaths." Boromir pledged.
"I am honored. Often I have dreamed that men would see my fears and spare me the humiliation of asking for help." She looked straight at him. "We prefer it when a man offers."
"By we, I am assuming you refer to your gentle sex. Though I have observed that women wish to be offered help only in a manner in which they may participate."
Eowyn smiled, "You have observed wisely."
Boromir, "Only with the passing of years." He laughed, "You should have seen me at 25. I was a complete idiot!"
Now Eowyn laughed, and shook off the temptation to ask with which women he had been educated in the female sensibilities. A stab of jealousy went through her as she considered. One such woman he may have been with the night before.
She changed the subject.
"I have heard the word 'hope' in the past few days more than in all my short years combined." She turned again to him. "Won't our marriage will be a sign of hope as well?"
Boromir's brows knit in confusion. "Our marriage?" He looked again at her, and then said kindly, "It is not I, but my brother Faramir who will marry you." He looked alarmed at her expression. "I am sorry if you were under another impression."
Eowyn bowed her head in embarrassment and answered, "No, I am sorry for my presumption. I had assumed that as the eldest you would marry."
"My brother is the best man I know," Boromir said quietly.
Eowyn nodded, still not looking at him. "I know of his goodness. He was very kind to me last year." She looked at him anxiously, "Please do not mistake my confusion for disappointment. My happiness in coming here was marrying into the family of such good brothers, and to ensure my security. I am very grateful."
Boromir smiled, "I thank you for that, and as happy as I am to see my brother married to a woman such as you, I am happier that I will have her as my sister." He leaned down, and kissed her hand.
Eowyn accepted his affection. He had almost convinced her, but it would take some time to alter her expectations and set her mind now upon the youngest.