Title: A Moment Between Cousins
Author: Elly
Character: Éomer, Theodred
Rating: PG
Summary: Advice from a friend and cousin.
Notes: First challenge response, it was fun. Feedback is always appreciated, but I'm afraid that my responses will be late- limited net time right now. Crossposted to my journal. Right, now here's the fic.
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Éomer stormed out of the golden hall, moving at a near run to the stables. Careful to control his rage while tacking his horse, he moved with deliberate caution and care. Then he mounted and took off into the Riddermark, making for a place he had found in his first few months in Edoras. As the horse pounded through the shallow puddles left by the recent rain, Éomer sat tall in the saddle, wishing that there were someone besides his sister who felt the same as he did about Théoden King's trusted advisor. Éomer curled his lips at the very thought of Wormtounge, and snarled in distaste. He hated the man, no, the worm- that much was easy to understand. It was harder for him to think about why he hated the counselor so forcefully. Something about Grima was wrong, there was something malicious tangled up in all the subservient words and posturing. Éomer didn't trust him, but being only fifteen, no one thought much of his opinion, King's sister-son or no. Éomer had hoped that Theodred would listen to him, now that he was back with his eored, but the boy had no such luck. Theodred had listened patiently to Éomer's complaints, and though he too had some reservations, he didn't see fit to bring the matter before his father. When Theodred said as much to his cousin, Éomer despaired. He had shouted and raged, as was his wont, called his cousin a coward, then left in a tightly wound ball of emotions. Now here he was, quickly coming upon the small creek of his childhood, one of the rare tributaries of the river Snowbourn. He pulled the horse up and checked him over once, with suprising care. He was so intent on his duties to the horse that he didn't notice the sound of hoof beats until the other horseman was only a short distance away. Éomer frowned as Theodred rode up alongside him and looked down at the boy. "Have you come to collect me and take me back to Edoras?" The question was only half sarcastic, He was no longer sure of what consequences his actions would bring. "No, Éomer, you are not a child any longer, you are free to go about as you please." Theodred dismounted and quickly preformed the same once over on his horse that Éomer had done only minutes before. "Then why have you followed me, cousin? What is it that you want?" "Just a moment of your time, and a question answered." Theodred drew near his cousin, motioning for them both to sit on the bank of the creek. Éomer cautiously sat down as he replied. "You may have both, then, ask what you will." Theodred said nothing for a long moment, and then spoke softly, "Does it really bother you all that much? Now that you have had time to cool that fire in your heart?" "It does, Theodred. And Éowyn as well- can you not see that?" "I cannot see what it is that upsets you both so, but I can see that you are upset. Éomer, I will speak to my father, and tell him of your dislike, but I can not guarantee that he will agree with you. I myself do not agree." "But you will speak to him? Promise you will, even though you don't agree." "I swear it to you, Éomer." Theodred sat back on the bank as he spoke, and Éomer, content with his cousin's response, did likewise. It was a long moment of companionable silence that settled between them, and Éomer shut his eyes and relaxed as he let go of his tension from earlier in the day. He lay contentedly in the grass, only half aware of his surroundings, until Theodred spoke again. "Éomer? Will you allow me one more question?" "What is it?" "Do you really think me a coward?" Éomer looked at Theodred in surprise at the question. He had nearly forgotten the argument that lay between them. "No, Theodred, I do not," Éomer answered honestly. "Except, of course, when you deny my request for a race. Then I know you only do so out of fear that you will lose, to a younger, better horseman." A grin accompanied Éomer's words, hoping that this would be enough to sooth the animosity left over from that morning. "Is that so? Well now I suppose I am compelled to defend my honor, cousin! What say you?" The cousins looked at each other for a moment, then rushed to the horses, troubles abandoned for another day. |