Chapter 10: Simbelmynë on the Burial mounds, reflections of a funeral
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Upon hearing of his son's tragic death, Théoden ordered a funeral for Théodred. Théoden was in his chamber, being adorned in his kingly attire, to mourn for his son. Even though Gandalf broke Saruman's hold over him… the spell of grief would be even harder to break. He looked old once more.
As all was ready, the funeral procession walked out of the Golden Hall slowly, and with great solemnity. The road was lined with the citizens of the city. Théoden slowly… yet woodenly, processed out of the Hall, behind the guards who were carrying Théodred's body up front. Gandalf, Lee, Aragorn, and the others followed the king, as the procession slowly took them out to the burial mounds of the kings, to the resting-place of the heir to Théoden and Second Marshal of the Riddermark.
A congregation of the people of Edoras gathered outside the city, following the king's guards. Éowyn stood by the tomb where her cousin was to be laid in, wearing a solemn black dress, with a golden tiara on her head. She began to weep as she saw the guards bring the body of Théodred to the tombs.
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Théoden and the others stood to the side of Théodred as the guards slowly, and ceremoniously lowered Théodred to carry him into the tomb.
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Lee, the man with a bloody past before him, had been to funerals before. His first ever was when he personally buried the bodies of the two elderly people; his grandparents; who protected him when he was a boy, as well as the intruders who attacked their house, killed by Lee's Father. Memories of that fateful night may have been vague for him now, but it remained a part of him.
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Doug had also arranged a personal funeral for his grandfather, who died in a battle. Kenny, the Former Boat Captain, had perhaps attended the funeral of his father when he saw his head on display as a kid, remembering the reason why he hated the Government.
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And Larry, he was never the man to cry at funerals, especially the funeral he was attending now. However, he and his daughter Lilly had attended the funeral of his sick wife,. Perhaps he had a strong bond with him, unlike the others he worked with before.
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As the guards began to lay Théodred into the tomb… Éowyn began to weep as she sang a song of mourning in the Rohirrim ancestral language…
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Bealocwealm hafað…
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Fréone frecan forth onsended…
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Giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende…
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On Meduselde…
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Éowyn's singing began to stir tears within the people that were gathered around her. The singing had even effected Lee, Kenny, Doug… perhaps even Larry, despite his hard, cold expression he had on his face.
Théoden stood silent, but sad as he saw his only son being carried into the tombs of his forefathers. An event that he believed should not have ever happened. He believed it more so as he heard Éowyn sing even more sadly…
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þat heo mano arer…
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His þruc ne deores…
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On meagorinc deorcas…
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Belu…
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After the funeral ended, Théoden wanted to have a few last moments at the tomb. Gandalf and Lee stayed with him. At the front of the Hall, Kenny stood outside staring off and down towards the tombs where Théodred now lay. Kenny had great sympathy for Théoden after Saruman mercilessly enslaved him. He had meant it when he told himself that Theoden being poisoned by Wormtongue and Saruman by acting friendly was like how the his father, was tricked by the Government.
He even thought back to the time when the Government betrayed his grandfather and his father, setting them up to be a false imperial army. It was how he came to the belief that words were cheap and worth nothing. Back then, he wasn't able to save his father, because he was weak and couldn't do much for anybody.
And for 10 years, Kenny had to work his hardest to be the tough fighter that he was today, so he would be able to prevent unreasonable fighting.
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Aragorn went out of the Hall and spotted Kenny. He went over to his companion as Kenny eyed him.
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"Hey Aragorn," said Kenny as he pointed out to the small mounds outside Edoras, "what are those white flowers out on the hills?"
"…In this land," answered Aragorn, "they are called Simbelmynë. They blossom in all the seasons of the year… and grow where dead men rest. Seven mounds upon the left, and nine upon the right. Many long lives of men it is since the Golden Hall was built."
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"With everything that's been going on lately, do you think Theoden is going to be okay, especially after what Saruman did to him?" Kenny asked hopefully.
"…I have no idea, Kenny," answered an uncertain Aragorn, "…I've known Théoden since he was a child. After hearing about the death of his son, I should expect that things will be quite difficult from this point on."
"Gee, I didn't know you knew the king as a child. I'm guessing you two must've been childhood friends, huh?"
Aragorn paused a moment before he replied, a little sheepishly, "…well… something like that, Kenny."
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"when I was young, the day I met Katjaa, since high school, and my dad, he's a journalist. Not only that… we were both in the family together. And we were both there, when my dad was killed by the Government…
"When I saw how Theoden was controlled by Saruman acting all friendly, it reminded me a little bit about how the people were tricked by the Government when they were making all nice with promises. Some promises can be pretty cheap."
"…Indeed they can," replied Kenny, agreeing with him, "…was he your father… Ken?"
Kenny paused a moment as he answered sadly, "…actually yes. My mother was doctor. I took the name Kenny because I looked up to him a lot… because he felt like a father to me, mostly… he was like a king in my eyes. In a way, Theoden and I sort of have something in common. He lost a son… and I lost a father… long ago…
"And now… Théoden's still outside, grieving over his son, feeling a great responsibility for his son's death, as I cursed myself when I was unable to save my father. I'm glad that Gandalf and Lee are there to console him. Lee and the old man seem to have a great mutual understanding towards each other. It's like… a perfect master/apprentice relationship for those two. Maybe Lee feels comforted when Gandalf's around, you know what I mean?"
"Exactly," replied Aragorn with a small smile, "I've been a friend with Gandalf for a long time. Whenever I feel troubled, he always gives me a sense of comfort. But the only father I've ever had was Lord Elrond of Rivendell. I have no memory of my true father… I never really knew him. He died only two years after I was born."
"Sorry to hear that," said a sorrowful Kenny, "I guess I would know that feeling when you don't know who your parents are."
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Aragorn nodded, a little sorrowful
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"Hey, I've been meaning to ask you, Aragorn," said Kenny, "…what would happen if you did wish to be king of Gondor?"
A pause, "well, truthfully, I don't know. I've never actually wanted to be king… ever. Isildur's blood still flows in my veins, with it… his weaknesses."
Kenny listened intently, as well as with pity, to Aragorn's sorrowful answer.
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Aragorn went on, "…I have read the tale of Isildur, my ancestor. The tale speaks of the ring to be called an heirloom of his kingdom… and all those who follow in his bloodline… should be bound to its fate. I never knew about my true ancestry until Elrond told me on my 20th birthday…"
Aragorn lifted his hand, adorned with a ring on it to show Kenny.
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"…I was given this," he said, "the heirloom of my house… the Ring of Barahir. At that moment, when my bloodline was revealed to me… I felt so overcome with grief and guilt… I chose exile. To avoid the corruption of the ring, and to stay away from the throne of Gondor."
"Why would you do that? Don't you think… that you could protect all people… even as a king."
"No Kenny," Aragorn resolved firmly, "…I do not. Because all men, throughout history, have been known to desire power, to which I want no part of. A true example of this was when the Nine Kings of Numenor became enslaved by Sauron's will, taking those nine rings of power, becoming the Ringwraiths. All power corrupts absolutely Sanosuke.
"As a ranger, and wanderer, like Kenny is… I can freely protect… and fight for what I have believed in, than being a man who has power," Aragorn finished compassionately.
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Hearing this heartfelt speech from Aragorn, Kenny smiled with great sympathy.
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"Yeah," agreed Kenny, "I hear you. Funny… hearing you say something like that suddenly reminds me of Lee. He also said something like that."
Aragorn brightened to this revelation that Kenny brought before him.
Kenny went on, "…back in our world, Lee fought a great revolution. He believed in a peaceful way of life. Lee thought that by being a manslayer, he would bring that time of peace. But instead… it caused him great pain that he didn't ever wish to kill again, no matter how creepy his opponents were…
"He also chose your path Aragorn, to be a free wanderer and not take any positions of power. That's how he lives to this very day, until he dies. You remind me more of Lee, than Frodo does, Aragorn."
"…So it appears… that Lee and I have more in common than I thought," Aragorn laughed. Kenny laughed along with him.
"Yeah," continued Kenny, "I never thought that I'd meet someone who's just like Lee, here in Middle-Earth, being a weird, and beautiful place. I definitely know the feeling of being corrupt Aragorn. So far, you don't seem the type to be as corrupt as those greedy imperialists back in my world, so I think you'd make a great king. But if you try to be naughty and greedy just once… you're going to have to answer to me, you got that, Aragorn?"
Kenny lifted a playful fist, which Aragorn grins at.
"I understand, Kenny," said Aragorn.
"Hey, call me, Ken, everyone else does, just don't call me a moron like Larry does, okay?"
Aragorn laughed to himself a little as he replied, "…alright… Ken."
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Outside Edoras, at his son's tomb, Théoden lifted a white flower in front of his face and looked at it, solemnly.
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"…Simbelmynë," he said, sadly as he released the flower and it let it spiral down to land among similar flowers, in front of the tomb, "ever has it grown on the tombs of my forebears…"
The king then turned to look at Lee and Gandalf and added, "…now it shall cover the grave of my son. Alas, that these evil days should be mine. The young perish and the old linger…
"…That I should live… to see the last days of my house," finished Théoden
"Théodred's death," stated Gandalf, "was not of your making."
"Indeed," interjected Lee softly, "you should beat yourself about what Saruman did to you, that you shouldn't. Besides… I was directly responsible for the death of someone that I loved as deeply as you loved your son. Even then… I was under someone's control, but it wasn't the way you were controlled Theoden."
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Gandalf and Theoden deeply sympathized with Lee's feelings as they listened…
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Lee sadly went on, "I felt that I couldn't bear to go to their graves and mourn for them for ten long years, until recently…
"…I finally had the courage to go and put flowers over their graves. I hope to visit their graves again someday. No one should mourn their loved one's death forever Theoden, that they shouldn't."
"Well," said Theoden as he began to cry, "…no parent… should have to bury their child, Lee."
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Théoden continued to cry for sad, solemn, brief moments, before he dropped to his knees, continuing to bear his tears away. For he felt that it should've been him who died instead of him because of all the tragedies that he allowed coming to pass when he was controlled by Saruman.
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A few moments passed before Lee replied, silently, "…your son would not have you grieve for him, Théoden. He would've wanted you to be strong and willing to serve your people to the best of your ability… that he most certainly would."
"He was strong in life," lamented Gandalf, "…his spirit shall find its way to the halls of your fathers."
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Despite all of Lee and Gandalf's words of comfort, Theoden still continued to cry his heart out, for long, sorrowful moments, finding no comfort, or solace… without the warmth of his son.
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"Westu hál," said Gandalf, wishing the fallen heir to Théoden, a blessed afterlife, "…Ferðu, Théodred. Ferðu."
"Rest in peace… Théodred," Lee added his blessing as he bowed.
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Gandalf and Lee turned to go back to the hall to leave Théoden to grieve in private. Then… Lee spotted something…
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Back at Edoras, Eowyn still dressed gracefully in her funeral clothing, walked in on the two men at the front of the Hall.
"Are you alright here?" she asked them.
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"…Yes, my lady," answered Aragorn.
"Don't mind us," added Kenny.
Éowyn then went beside Aragorn and Kenny, watching towards the tomb of Théodred. Tears also stirred within her eyes as she eyed her cousin's resting-place.
"Théodred was my cousin," said Éowyn sadly and sorrowfully as tears fell down her face, "…he was like… he was like a second brother to me when we were younger. And now he's gone… gone away forever."
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Kenny and Aragorn deeply felt sorry for the Lady of Rohan as Aragorn wrapped his arm gently around her, letting her weep on his shoulder. Kenny especially felt that he had something in common with Éowyn. In fact… he found that he liked the Land of Rohan, along with its fearless riders since they wanted to fight head on like he did.
Moments later… Éowyn lifted he head a little, meeting her eyes with Aragorn's eyes. In that moment…
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They both stared at each other lovingly, as if they both enchanted a little… yet found great solace with each other. Éowyn suddenly felt attracted to his solemn blue eyes, seeing his sorrowful, mournful… and sad expressions that lie within them. Éowyn slowly recovered her wits and lifted her head to face both Aragorn and Kenny.
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"My lords," said Eowyn, with a sad smile, " …I never had the chance to thank you… all of you… for what you've done this day."
"No problem," answered Kenny, with a bittersweet expression, "always here to help. I'm Kenny, this is Aragorn."
"I am Eowyn, the white lady of Rohan," introduced Eowyn, "it's a great honor to meet you Kenny… Lord Aragorn."
Eowyn said passionately as she looked at Aragorn. Aragorn in turn bowed his head in gratitude. But then… Sanosuke looked outwards, and saw something over the horizon…
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"Hey," he said pointing to the landscape outside Edoras, "look over there."
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Aragorn and Eowyn turned their gazes at Kenny's direction…
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"Gandalf," spoke Lee.
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Gandalf faced Lee as he pointed to his side. They looked over…
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And spot two children on horseback. It was Eothain and Freda. The horse just stood there with its weary passengers upon its back. As it stood still, Eothain slowly toppled from the saddle, as he was famished so much. But even so, after being sent by their mother on such a toilsome ride… they've finally made it to Edoras.
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Disclaimer: I do not own Telltale Series The Walking Dead or Lord of the Rings. TWD is the property of Darrell Rodriguez and Lord of the Rings is the property of Professor J. R. R. Tolkien.
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