(no subject)
Dec. 22nd, 2005 08:19 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
wbearsmom.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
lotr_sesaTitle: Bedtime Story
Author: Jodi![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
wbearsmom
Characters: Theoden, Eowyn, Merry, Eomund, Theodwyn
Rating: PG
Summary: Theoden wants Eowyn to rest
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Fiction. Characters from JRR Tolkien, story from me
Feedback: Always loved
A/N: For Kimber Leigh, who wanted something with Theoden, possibly Theoden/Eowyn. After Helm's Deep but before they leave for Dunharrow.
Theoden stood at the window of his bedchamber overlooking the streets of Edoras. He watched the citizens preparing for war – the women and children helping the men pack their bags, houses being boarded up, gardens being picked clean. He sighed, wondering if he would live to see a day when Rohan could be at peace.
A flash of white caught his eye; Eowyn was rushing around, helping wherever she could. She was accompanied by the hobbit, Merry. The two had become inseparable since Gandalf had left with the other hobbit, Pippin. It seemed they had bonded over a mutual desire to have some part in this war. Theoden smiled wryly to himself as he thought They have the heart and determination of warriors. If they were men I would make them generals. As it is, I must leave them behind.
Perhaps, he continued to muse, if the halfling were to return home he could take Eowyn with him. It would be safe for a while. The war will eventually reach the hobbit’s Shire, but she would hopefully know a few months of peace.
He sighed again. At least her mother is free of this. He thought lovingly of his sister, Theodwyn, and for the first time since her death, relief that she would not have to go through the horrors to come replaced his pain at her loss.
Glancing at the street below once more, he saw Eowyn and Merry carrying armloads of swords to the smithy for sharpening. He shook his head, astounded at their seemingly boundless energy. He wondered if either of them had gotten much sleep since their return from Helm’s Deep and Isengaard.
His stomach rumbled, which sparked an idea. He would make the pair rest for a bit – they would share a meal with him. He called for his young page. “Please have the Lady Eowyn and the halfling, Meriadoc, come to my chambers and have the cook send food for three.”
“Yes, my lord.” The boy ran off to do the king’s bidding.
~*~*~*~*~
Half an hour later, freshly scrubbed but weary looking, Eowyn and Merry appeared at the door to the king’s chamber, followed by the cook and two kitchen helpers with the food. It was not a large feast by any means, but plenty enough to feed Theoden and his guests.
When the servants had left, Theoden motioned for Eowyn and Merry to sit on the comfortable settee that had been placed at one side of the table, while he sat in the chair opposite them. “Please, help yourself.”
“Thank you, sir,” Merry said politely.
“Thank you, uncle.” Eowyn looked at the older man, puzzled. “It is kind of you to have us, but I don’t understand why. We’re quite happy to eat with the people.”
Theoden smiled at her. “You are my niece. Can I not wish to enjoy your company as well as that of our esteemed hobbit guest?”
Eowyn blushed and lowered her eyes. “Yes, of course. But there is yet much to do and little time with which to do it. I feel guilty taking such a luxurious break.”
“And I hardly feel worthy being in the company of a king,” Merry offered. “Although all of the kings and lords I have met on this journey have been very kind and gracious towards us simple Shire-folk.”
Shaking his head, Theoden replied. “You have proven yourself more than worthy, my young friend. Both of you have done your fair share of work, and then some. A small break will do you no harm.”
“There will be time for rest – later,” Eowyn said quietly.
The king looked at her with great fondness. “How like your mother you are. Theodwyn was always rushing around, constantly doing things. However, what she did to keep busy was far from helpful. If she darted down the street past you, it was most likely she was running away from some trouble or other that was her doing.” He grinned with the memories. “It was how she met your father, as a matter of fact.”
“Really?” Eowyn’s eyes sparked with curiosity.
“Yes.” Theoden leaned back in his chair, eager to tell the tale. “Eomund was just a young man – hardly more than a boy – and had just become a member of the King’s Guard. He was on duty one night when Theodwyn was found to be missing from her room, as had happened on numerous occasions. She had a habit of sneaking out at night; even the most vigilant guard couldn’t catch her.
“Anyway, Father called all the guards that were on duty and sent them to look for her. The more experienced guards knew all her usual haunts and checked them first, but she wasn’t at any of them.
“Most of the guards became frightened and a bit angry; they could not return to the Great Hall and face Father without Theodwyn. So they began searching house by house – waking everyone in the city by banging on doors and rooting around the trash bins.
“It was about two hours and half the city later that one man told them he heard strange sounds coming from the back of his house. The guards walked around to investigate. There was a narrow passage between the back of that house and another home. The guards heard nothing at first, and presumed the sounds that the man had heard to be made by some loose animals prowling around.
“But just as they turned to leave, a sound that was definitely strange came to their ears. Shining their torches into the darkness of the alley, they saw something that continues to amuse the guards who are still with us today.
“Your mother was hanging sideways in the passage. It seems she had chased a stray cat into the alley. The cat climbed up the building, and she climbed up after it. Only – she slipped, and the lacing up the back of her bodice had gotten caught on a piece of wood trim on the building. She had been hanging there for hours.”
“Mother never told me this,” Eowyn said, trying to hold back a yawn.
Theoden glanced at her and smiled to himself – it wouldn’t take much more for her to fall asleep. Merry was already out, snoring lightly with his head resting on the table.
The king continued his tale. “Well, it was rather embarrassing for her – the daughter of the king swinging about in the breeze like a flag. The guards laughed for quite some time before trying to figure out how to get her down.
“It was eventually decided that Eomund, being the youngest and thinnest of the guards, would enter the narrow alley and free Theodwyn. He was reluctant to do so; after all, this was the king’s daughter. If he made a wrong move there would be serious repercussions. However, he was not given a choice. His superior had given him a direct order.
“He slid into that alleyway and introduced himself to Theodwyn. And then he set to work. He found that the only way to free her was to stand in front of her, wrap his arms around her, and untie her lacings. She found that the only way to stop herself – and her bodice – from falling down was to wrap her arms around his neck. It was a rather – uncomfortable – position for both of them, but they made small talk to pass the time.
“It took twenty minutes, but Eomund finally managed to free Theodwyn. And ever the gentleman, he immediately re-laced her bodice to save my sister any more embarrassment.
“As the left the alley, Eomund discovered that Theodwyn was hurt; she had twisted her ankle in the fall, and was unable to walk far. He immediately picked her up and carried her all the way up the hill to the Great Hall.
“The two of them bonded in that journey. Father noticed this right away. Eomund was assigned to guard and protect Theodwyn, and to try to keep her in line – which he surprisingly succeeded in quite well.
“As soon as Theodwyn came of age, Eomund asked Father for her hand in marriage; a request that was gladly granted.” Theoden stopped speaking and looked at his niece, who was now sound asleep with her head resting against the arm of the settee.
He nodded, pleased with himself, and then he rose and walked around the table. He gently, tenderly, lifted Eowyn in his arms and carried her to his bed, where he lay her down and covered her with a warm blanket. Grabbing another blanket, he returned to the settee where he eased Merry away from the table, stretching him out on the couch and tucking the blanket around the hobbit.
Walking once more to his bed, Theoden placed a soft kiss on Eowyn’s cheek. “Sleep well, beautiful child.” He left the chamber and the Great Hall to stroll the streets of his beloved Edoras one final time.
Author: Jodi
wbearsmomCharacters: Theoden, Eowyn, Merry, Eomund, Theodwyn
Rating: PG
Summary: Theoden wants Eowyn to rest
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Fiction. Characters from JRR Tolkien, story from me
Feedback: Always loved
A/N: For Kimber Leigh, who wanted something with Theoden, possibly Theoden/Eowyn. After Helm's Deep but before they leave for Dunharrow.
Theoden stood at the window of his bedchamber overlooking the streets of Edoras. He watched the citizens preparing for war – the women and children helping the men pack their bags, houses being boarded up, gardens being picked clean. He sighed, wondering if he would live to see a day when Rohan could be at peace.
A flash of white caught his eye; Eowyn was rushing around, helping wherever she could. She was accompanied by the hobbit, Merry. The two had become inseparable since Gandalf had left with the other hobbit, Pippin. It seemed they had bonded over a mutual desire to have some part in this war. Theoden smiled wryly to himself as he thought They have the heart and determination of warriors. If they were men I would make them generals. As it is, I must leave them behind.
Perhaps, he continued to muse, if the halfling were to return home he could take Eowyn with him. It would be safe for a while. The war will eventually reach the hobbit’s Shire, but she would hopefully know a few months of peace.
He sighed again. At least her mother is free of this. He thought lovingly of his sister, Theodwyn, and for the first time since her death, relief that she would not have to go through the horrors to come replaced his pain at her loss.
Glancing at the street below once more, he saw Eowyn and Merry carrying armloads of swords to the smithy for sharpening. He shook his head, astounded at their seemingly boundless energy. He wondered if either of them had gotten much sleep since their return from Helm’s Deep and Isengaard.
His stomach rumbled, which sparked an idea. He would make the pair rest for a bit – they would share a meal with him. He called for his young page. “Please have the Lady Eowyn and the halfling, Meriadoc, come to my chambers and have the cook send food for three.”
“Yes, my lord.” The boy ran off to do the king’s bidding.
Half an hour later, freshly scrubbed but weary looking, Eowyn and Merry appeared at the door to the king’s chamber, followed by the cook and two kitchen helpers with the food. It was not a large feast by any means, but plenty enough to feed Theoden and his guests.
When the servants had left, Theoden motioned for Eowyn and Merry to sit on the comfortable settee that had been placed at one side of the table, while he sat in the chair opposite them. “Please, help yourself.”
“Thank you, sir,” Merry said politely.
“Thank you, uncle.” Eowyn looked at the older man, puzzled. “It is kind of you to have us, but I don’t understand why. We’re quite happy to eat with the people.”
Theoden smiled at her. “You are my niece. Can I not wish to enjoy your company as well as that of our esteemed hobbit guest?”
Eowyn blushed and lowered her eyes. “Yes, of course. But there is yet much to do and little time with which to do it. I feel guilty taking such a luxurious break.”
“And I hardly feel worthy being in the company of a king,” Merry offered. “Although all of the kings and lords I have met on this journey have been very kind and gracious towards us simple Shire-folk.”
Shaking his head, Theoden replied. “You have proven yourself more than worthy, my young friend. Both of you have done your fair share of work, and then some. A small break will do you no harm.”
“There will be time for rest – later,” Eowyn said quietly.
The king looked at her with great fondness. “How like your mother you are. Theodwyn was always rushing around, constantly doing things. However, what she did to keep busy was far from helpful. If she darted down the street past you, it was most likely she was running away from some trouble or other that was her doing.” He grinned with the memories. “It was how she met your father, as a matter of fact.”
“Really?” Eowyn’s eyes sparked with curiosity.
“Yes.” Theoden leaned back in his chair, eager to tell the tale. “Eomund was just a young man – hardly more than a boy – and had just become a member of the King’s Guard. He was on duty one night when Theodwyn was found to be missing from her room, as had happened on numerous occasions. She had a habit of sneaking out at night; even the most vigilant guard couldn’t catch her.
“Anyway, Father called all the guards that were on duty and sent them to look for her. The more experienced guards knew all her usual haunts and checked them first, but she wasn’t at any of them.
“Most of the guards became frightened and a bit angry; they could not return to the Great Hall and face Father without Theodwyn. So they began searching house by house – waking everyone in the city by banging on doors and rooting around the trash bins.
“It was about two hours and half the city later that one man told them he heard strange sounds coming from the back of his house. The guards walked around to investigate. There was a narrow passage between the back of that house and another home. The guards heard nothing at first, and presumed the sounds that the man had heard to be made by some loose animals prowling around.
“But just as they turned to leave, a sound that was definitely strange came to their ears. Shining their torches into the darkness of the alley, they saw something that continues to amuse the guards who are still with us today.
“Your mother was hanging sideways in the passage. It seems she had chased a stray cat into the alley. The cat climbed up the building, and she climbed up after it. Only – she slipped, and the lacing up the back of her bodice had gotten caught on a piece of wood trim on the building. She had been hanging there for hours.”
“Mother never told me this,” Eowyn said, trying to hold back a yawn.
Theoden glanced at her and smiled to himself – it wouldn’t take much more for her to fall asleep. Merry was already out, snoring lightly with his head resting on the table.
The king continued his tale. “Well, it was rather embarrassing for her – the daughter of the king swinging about in the breeze like a flag. The guards laughed for quite some time before trying to figure out how to get her down.
“It was eventually decided that Eomund, being the youngest and thinnest of the guards, would enter the narrow alley and free Theodwyn. He was reluctant to do so; after all, this was the king’s daughter. If he made a wrong move there would be serious repercussions. However, he was not given a choice. His superior had given him a direct order.
“He slid into that alleyway and introduced himself to Theodwyn. And then he set to work. He found that the only way to free her was to stand in front of her, wrap his arms around her, and untie her lacings. She found that the only way to stop herself – and her bodice – from falling down was to wrap her arms around his neck. It was a rather – uncomfortable – position for both of them, but they made small talk to pass the time.
“It took twenty minutes, but Eomund finally managed to free Theodwyn. And ever the gentleman, he immediately re-laced her bodice to save my sister any more embarrassment.
“As the left the alley, Eomund discovered that Theodwyn was hurt; she had twisted her ankle in the fall, and was unable to walk far. He immediately picked her up and carried her all the way up the hill to the Great Hall.
“The two of them bonded in that journey. Father noticed this right away. Eomund was assigned to guard and protect Theodwyn, and to try to keep her in line – which he surprisingly succeeded in quite well.
“As soon as Theodwyn came of age, Eomund asked Father for her hand in marriage; a request that was gladly granted.” Theoden stopped speaking and looked at his niece, who was now sound asleep with her head resting against the arm of the settee.
He nodded, pleased with himself, and then he rose and walked around the table. He gently, tenderly, lifted Eowyn in his arms and carried her to his bed, where he lay her down and covered her with a warm blanket. Grabbing another blanket, he returned to the settee where he eased Merry away from the table, stretching him out on the couch and tucking the blanket around the hobbit.
Walking once more to his bed, Theoden placed a soft kiss on Eowyn’s cheek. “Sleep well, beautiful child.” He left the chamber and the Great Hall to stroll the streets of his beloved Edoras one final time.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2006-01-02 03:03 am (UTC)I love the relationship in the book and movie between Theoden and Eowyn, and could almost see him really trying to figure out a way to get her to the Shire. (Hopefully he could see that she would never agree!)
no subject
Date: 2006-02-20 07:37 am (UTC)This was beautiful, thank you soso much. I loved how you brought in Eomund and Theodwyn, made me smile. Your Theoden is so wonderfully written, and the last line made me alittle bit sad.
Once again sorry for the tardiness of my feedback and thank you :)