One Thing after Another

Morning finally came and with it wild gossip of the events of the night before. Everyone knew that the king of Rohan had insulted the entire family of Prince Faramir and sides were being taken. Imrahil did not even desire to get out of bed today but he had to. He had been witness to what transpired between Faramir and Eomer in Faramir’s tents and he knew it was just a misunderstanding that caused the row last night; well at least among the two men. Eowyn’s outburst, though justified, took him by surprise. Now all he had to do was prevent a war from breaking out among friends and allies and things should be fine.

Eomer had been put in his place last night first by Faramir and then by Eowyn. He was a big man but this was going to take might to fix the damage he had allowed his stubborn pride to cause. Eowyn hated him. It was not just her being angry at him trying to impose his will on her anger. It was an anger that had been festering inside her ever since their mother had died. The anger had built up during the time their uncle was under Grima’s spell and finally came out in a seething ball of rage. Yes, he was to blame for it coming to light and now he had to fix it. He needed her even if she did not need him and no longer considered him family. This was going to be a harder day then yesterday.

“Princess Lothiriel, there is a Lady Eowyn to see you,” the guard spoke to her as she changed Alphros.

“She is not armed is she?” It was meant as a joke but the guard took it seriously.

“I will check.”

“NO!” She spun around too quickly and to keep her balance reached out for the changing table. There her hand met with a pin. “See her in,” she said as she pulled it out and put a handkerchief on it to stop the bleeding.

Eowyn did not know what to say first. She had come to apologize for last night but she did not know where to start. She noticed that Lothiriel was bleeding and asked if she needed assistance.

“No, I am fine. This is the third time in about as many days that I have jabbed it into myself.” She pulled the handkerchief away. “See, already stopped bleeding.”

“You will put salve on it?”

“Of course. So what may I do for you my lady?” Lothiriel went to a basket and pulled out a vile of salve.

“I am not fit to be called a lady you majesty,” Eowyn said sheepishly. “Not after last night.”

“I have three brothers myself. I know how difficult they can be when they think that they have my best intentions in mind. But it is always their intentions they have in mind when they try to impose rules and regulations.” Lothiriel had always gotten along well with her brothers, but she had heard from Faramir and her father about the conversations from last night and knew what troubled the fair lady.

“I know! Eomer can be such a boar at times.” They had hit upon something to talk about for the rest of the day.

Eomer walked out of his tent in search of his sister. People avoided him like the plague; it was very disconcerting to be avoided like that. Even the women kept their distance! Was he that much of a piece of horse dung that even whores would not seek his company? He knew the answer to that question, a resounding yes. Yes he was the lowest form of human right now for he had purposefully driven his sister away and had tried to ruin any chance of happiness she might ever know. If he could distance himself from himself he would have gladly done it. All he could do now was beg for his sister’s forgiveness, apologize to Faramir and his family, and make a formal declaration of apology to those who witnessed last nights events.

He knew she would be in the company of those from Dol Amroth. Where else would she go to find shelter since she refused to ever step foot inside the tents of Rohan again? Imrahil’s daughter would probably have taken her in by now. If she would forgive his sister for taking a swing at her. Oh, and what had he said to her? Yes, now he remembered calling the princess an enemy. At least he spoke in Rohirric so there was the possibility she did not understand what he had said in anger. But what if she did? Eowyn would probably still be angry with him and he knew that she could spread malice about him to Faramir’s family. Not that he needed any help on looking like a totally evil fool to Faramir’s family. Hopefully Imrahil would remember his deeds on the battlefields and offer some forgiveness. So he headed toward the Swan tents.

A ball rolled before him as he got closer to the tents. He stopped and picked it up looking for its owner. Sure enough he saw a little boy, no more than a few years he guessed, emerge from the shadows.

“Here you go,” Eomer tossed it to the child.

The child caught it and tossed it back to Eomer. Pretty amazing skill for a toddler Eomer thought. It took the king a second to realize the child wanted to play. The child’s laugh was infectious and he decided that a few tosses would be ok. Things could not get any worse and those he needed to speak to would still be there once he finished playing with the child. Besides, he had to show that he was not a boar without any emotions. He sure had not helped out the stereotype that Gondorians viewed Rohirrim as barbaric.

Lothiriel’s jaw dropped at the site of Alphros playing with Eomer! She motioned toward the open flap for Eowyn to look. Eowyn turned pale and turned back around.

“I do not want to face him Lothiriel. He hates me.”

“We have spent much of the day talking about this Eowyn. You both must speak with each other. He is probably here to do just that. I will take Alphros to see the horses and you two can talk in private here.”

Lothiriel walked toward her nephew then turned to speak to Eowyn. “Besides if Alphros is having so much fun with him he is not that bad. My nephew is an excellent judge of character and since he is not screaming his head off at the sight of you brother I believe that he is not the boar you think him to be.”

Eomer had tossed the ball with the child a few times before he noticed Lothiriel coming toward them. He got nervous but decided that the child offered the best diversion. He continued to throw the ball but Alprhos also saw his aunt coming toward him and took off running to meet her.

She picked up her once again filthy nephew and laughed. Dirt was good for a child and Alphros could attract the dirt. She continued toward Eomer.

“Eowyn waits inside. You need to speak with her. She does not hate you or wish you dead.” She tried to give the king a reassuring smile.

“I am sorry for my actions last night.” He bowed to her and did not rise back up until she spoke.

“Things will get themselves worked out my king. Speak gently to her; I do not want to see her beat you up again.”

For some reason the princess’ joke broke his tension. “You saw that?”

“Everyone saw that,” she turned to leave.

“Princess Lothiriel, may I ask to speak with you later today? In private,” he said the last part in a sheepish manner. “It concerns my sister’s transition to Gondorian life.”

So he had come around! Lothiriel was glad to hear it! “Of course my king. Just let Eowyn know when a good time will be and I will meet with you.”

“Thank you Princess Lothiriel. I do not deserve you or your family’s kindness but since it is offered I will gladly take it.”

As he walked into the tent he had a calm feeling that perhaps things were not going to be so bad. Nope, he was wrong. Only a few seconds of entering the tent Faramir entered unannounced.