Open To Anyone For Anything RP Post

[questionablewit]

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[rednightfall]

Useless to remind her that he intends to win, to live. To return. In her bleak state she does not believe it possible, even if she would give him credit for the intention.

But the sorrowing, wistful words that follow are almost harder to hear, for all their softness. "I, too, wish for that," he says. "As we were before these dark times fell, when you were fierce and laughing, and I could afford to be careless." There is the faintest twitch of a smile at his mouth, an echo. "Though I remember one time when I vexed you so badly that you put slugs in my armor. That experience I would not repeat."

[shieldofrohan]

Her mouth twitches in unconscious reflection of his. Oh, she remembers it well, in the days when such childish pranks were fair currency between them, when she was only a girl. Had the chance to be only a girl, and not Edoras' lady or her uncle's nurse or Dernhelm.

"Then you were as well not to vex me again," she says, and for a moment, recaptures that girlish levity and sharpness - only for an instant, before the pain in her arm draws her back to here and now. It feels like another loss, to have almost touched the past, and lost it again. That hint of a smile falls away.

[rednightfall]

It is only an instant of herself, but it gives him some hope. Once again he takes her hand--the same hand that dealt the Witch-king his fatal blow, and the full tale of that is one he both wishes and fears to know, and will not yet ask to hear. "We will know such times again," he says firmly, and there is no doubt in his voice. "And if it is not as it was, yet it shall still be good. For all the changes we have both undergone, you remain the sister I love, and I remain your brother--uncouth and hardheaded and no doubt deserving of a bucket of slops over my hair."

[shieldofrohan]

Her hand tightens on his, and she brings it to her lips, kisses it and then rests her forehead against his knuckles. "If we know such times again," she says at last, shaking her head a little, "if there is yet hope, then let me remember that. For I feel less myself than ever I have, and I fear I know not who Éowyn may be, now."

[rednightfall]

"You are Éowyn of Rohan." With his free hand he brushes a stray hair from her face. "Proud daughter of the house of Eorl, of Éomund and Théodwyn, beloved sister-daughter of Théoden King, who even in his last moments thought of you. You are the slayer of the Witch-king of Angmar, and will likely be remembered as such in song and story long after my reign as king is forgotten." His smile is a little rueful, but not without pride in her accomplishment, despite what it has cost her. Despite not being certain how much it has cost her.

"But in addition to all those things you are also Éowyn, proud and stubborn and quick-tempered, practical and efficient and fearless. Who learned swordwork with the determination of the bravest Riders, and who would sooner ride the entire length of the Eastfold than thread a needle." Another smile, another lock of hair brushed back. "Who I will be much dependent on to rebuild our ravaged homeland, when this war is done. All those things remain part of you, even if you know them not. If you cannot remember it all, I will remember it for you."

[shieldofrohan]

She lets out a little huff, low in her throat, that might be laughter. "You have so much faith that there will be time for song, when all of this is done? That there will be a land to be rebuilt?" Her hand tightens on his, as if to steady herself, and she nods slowly. Whatever she is thinking, she turns it over in her mind time and again, to judge by the space of silence that follows before she nods again. "Yes. You believe it. And I cannot, but Éomer, my brother, my king..." Again, she sighs, and lapses into quietness a second, as if groping for the words. Her tiredness is all but palpable, a tiredness that runs heart-deep. "If you need me, I will be here."

[rednightfall]

"That is all I ask." She has no hope, and Éomer cannot kindle it in her, not with so little time as they have. Perhaps not at all.

But if he can trust that she will be here when he returns, that they will yet have time, that is enough. He knows not how to dispel the dark mood that has overtaken her, but will do whatever necessary to find a way, once the final battle is done. He must have faith and hope for her, since she has none for herself, and whatever fears or doubts he has he shoves down deep, that she might not see them.

He stands and bends over her, kissing her forehead. "I must go. As your king, I command you to heal. If you wish for additional work, consider all the things that have gone undone in recent years while the Worm's will held sway, and how we might amend them. But put your efforts to healing most of all. As your brother..."

He kisses her forehead again, rests his own against it for a moment. "As your brother, I ask you to think well of me despite my faults, and to watch for my return."

[shieldofrohan]

"I have always thought well of thee." She closes her eyes, feels the cool of his forehead against hers. "Even when I was angriest, even when I thought I might hate thee for leaving, I never thought ill of thee. Théoden King could have no better successor."

She lets herself drop heavily back against the pillows, and with a great effort - for it feels heavier than lead - raises her hand to touch his cheek.

"Go, then. And I will watch for your return, as all Rohan must." She takes a long, shivering breath, and manages a little smile. "Good fortune ride with you. It is much needed."

[rednightfall]

Théoden King could have no better successor. Words he had not realized he needed to hear. Éomer takes those words and tucks them away somewhere deep and secure, to keep for steadying himself with in the future. For he is king and proud, but he is young, and he is neither his uncle nor his cousin. To be king on a battlefield is one matter, and even there, where he is most confident, he has already made a grave error, one that cost the lives of many men. But to be king off a battlefield...that will be another matter entirely, and he is not certain of himself.

That is yet to come, but still it helps that Éowyn, at least, believes he will do well. He catches her hand in his and squeezes it briefly before standing. "Good fortune also stay here with thee, for it has been more than earned." He bows his head a little, not wishing to leave. "Look to the East for us, sister. We will return."

A sudden smile flickers across his face, and he adds, "And try, if you will, to keep your esquire friend out of trouble." That he will visit Merry also and make a similar request of him regarding Éowyn, he does not bother to mention.

[shieldofrohan]

"I could hardly do so when I was hale and whole," she retorts, and his smile is reflected in hers, at least for a moment. She softens, and shakes her head. "I am only glad that he survived. I thought that surely he had fallen."

And it had grieved her more, in some ways, than anything else. It was her doing that he had been on that battlefield, that he had come so far - and she cannot regret it, but it would have been a great weight on her if it had led to the Halfling's death.