A/N: Yeah! I'm writing again! If only I could get my PotC story moving …
By the way peoples, special thanks to Lindahoyland for giving me more insight into the Germanic version of the story. However, the "cup of dire consequences" doesn't appear here (not in this chapter), and I've decided to go with the Norse version on this one.
Oh, and I've decided that the whole ring thing does happen. Where else would Gandalf be going in such haste? Yeah … so let's assume that all goes well with the eight in the fellowship. Either that or they fin themselves another Ranger!
CH3:Songs of the Eldar
Within Edoras' great hall, Eomer and his men drank ale and were merry. For entertainment, many of the Rohirrim told long winded tales of great deeds and sang songs of old. The Rohirrim were a proud folk, but unlearned. They did not write the annals of their histories, rather they put them into song.
Many songs were sung that night, but all attention was turned to Leod, one of their most revered singers, as he stood and sang of Eorl the Young's ride from the North, an ancient song from poet long ago.
Within Edoras' great hall, Eomer and his men drank ale and were merry. For entertainment, many of the Rohirrim told long winded tales of great deeds and sang songs of old. The Rohirrim were a proud folk, but unlearned. They did not write the annals of their histories, rather they put them into song.
Many songs were sung that night, but all attention was turned to Leod, one of their most revered singers, as he stood and sang of Eorl the Young's ride from the North, an ancient song from poet long ago.
After the song, Theodred called out, "Let us hear a song from this Aragorn from the North." Many of the men, merry with ale, did not catch the tone of distain in his voice. Instead they cheered and pushed Aragorn forward. As he stood before them, he pondered what to sing. Finally, he sang a long low ballad in the ancient tongue of the Numenoreans and the Eldar.
All was quiet in the hall as he concluded, and the fires burned low. A woman's voice was at last heard.
"What, my lord, did you sing so eloquently of? I could only catch snatches of it."
Aragorn turned his attention to the dimly lit figure. song, Theodred called out, "Let us hear a song from this Aragorn from the North." Many of the men, merry with ale, did not catch the tone of distain in his voice. Instead they cheered and pushed Aragorn forward. As he stood before them, he pondered what to sing. Finally, he sang a long low ballad in the ancient tongue of the Numenoreans and the Eldar.
All was quiet in the hall as he concluded, and the fires burned low. A woman's voice was at last heard.
"What, my lord, did you sing so eloquently of? I could only catch snatches of it."
Aragorn turned his attention to the dimly lit figure, the lady who had greeted Eomer. "'Twas an old legend from the North. Arwen the daughter of Elrond, who yet dwells in Imladris, sinned greatly and so was cast into sleep. Should she awake, she must marry the mortal man who woke her. To ensure herself a man of noble means, she was enwreathed by flames as she slept. Many men have sought her, most have failed."
"Most?" asked Eomer, to which Aragorn only shrugged.
Theodred laughed. "Do we walk in legends or on the green earth in daylight?"
"A man may do both," Aragorn answered, "for not we but those who come after will make the legends of our time."
Theodred was silenced, but the other men began to discuss this amongst themselves. However, all solemnities gave way to merriment as new log was added to the fire and more ale was brought out.
"How is it that that lady is familiar with my tongue, Eomer King?" Aragorn asked once things had settled again.
"She knows only parts of it," the king replied. "Thengel our grandfather wed a maid of Gondor, Morwen Steelsheen. Eowyn herself looks very much like our kin from the south, and I too am unusually tall, even for the people of Rohan. She knows more of that tongue than I, however, for two years past she married Halbarad, a ranger such as yourself who served under me. She dwelt a time with him in the North, but she returned here upon his death."
"I knew Halbarad," Aragorn said. "He was a close kinsman of mine, yet I knew not his bride."
"Their joy was short-lived," the king muttered grimly.
Aragorn walked out of the doors of the great hall and leaned on one of the great pillars. Though the sun was high, many of the men, being full of ale, had not yet woken.
As he watched the wind blow over the long grasses on the plains, he noticed the presence of another. On the ramparts of the green terrace stood a solitary figure, the Lady Eowyn.
Though fair was her face, and her long hair like a river of gold, the semblance and proud bearing of a Numenorean woman was evident. Grave and thoughtful was her glance. Slender and tall was she in her white robe girt with silver; but strong she seemed and stern as steel, a daughter of kings. Thus Aragorn for the first time in the full light of day beheld Eowyn, lady of Rohan, and thought her fair – fair and cold, like a morning of pale spring.
The power of his gaze so great, she now was suddenly aware of him: tall heir of kings, wise with many winters, grey cloaked, hiding a power she yet felt. For a moment still as stone she stood, then turning swiftly, she was gone.
A/N: I think I've bombarded you with Tolkien quotes this time (hehe). My favorite was the one about Aragorn and Eowyn meeting. I seriously think he (Tolkien, not Aragorn) favored her sometimes. For Pete's sake! She's the only gal in that series who gets a freaking kiss! I think he liked her better. BUT that's not the point. What was the point? Ah! I've lost my train of thought. Oh well. Review dear reviewers! Sigh, it would have been longer, but for some reason, they wouldn't let me make it longer. oh well.
