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Voilà - my very first Éothiriel fic, which has been inspired by many, many authors and fics over the years! Find the rest of this first chapter of A Starling in Rohan on AO3 (where my username is niamh_cinnoir) or Wattpad (where my username is yavanna_kementari)!
Éomer listened - yes, the distant thunder of hooves against a dry forest path was all too recognisable. He gestured for Aldred and Théoling behind him, to be quiet and be ready, just in case anything happened. Their party slowed as the rider neared the bend up ahead, and Éomer's hand drifted towards his sword-hilt...
The rider came into view, an a sigh of relief rippled unseeingly through them. It was only a young lady, galloping on a huge chestnut gelding so violently that her long dark hair was flung out to the wind and the horse's hooves sent clods of hard-packed earth flying in every direction. Éomer saw the instant the horse noticed them, from years of experience with the animals - before even his rider did. A surprised whinny, a jerk of the head, and a sudden bolt of speed brought on by the unexpectedness of their appearance.
"Whoa!" The young woman fumbled with the reins, but Éomer knew there was nothing she could do, nothing anyone could do in the split second it took for her horse to lose control.
They looked on in horror as the lady tried valiantly to hang on, gripping the horse's mane, but even Éomer or one of his éored would have been hard-pressed to keep their seat as the gelding bucked wildly into the forest. The lady, caught by the momentum, was flung wildly off to the side, striking a young oak with force that rivalled the throwing arm of a mountain-troll. She landed limply in a bed of bluebells. Éowyn let out a low cry of horror, and dismounted, rushing to help; meanwhile Éomer and his men followed the horse into the forest of Emyn Arnen.
Happy New Year! Chapter 2 of A Starling in Rohan has been published!
"Look at how happy they are," Lothíriel sighed happily, leaning her head on the arms she'd folded on the windowsill. So it was - as Aragorn sang, Arwen leaned her head on his shoulder. He put his other hand in hers and looked down at her, and he had no need of smiles or laughter; even from the distance, and past the crowd of people, his level of devotion was obvious. "You and Faramir are very lucky, to share a love as strong as our King and Queen."
"Someday you will have it also," Éowyn hastened to assure her. "I do not even need to hope it for you, because it is a sure certainty."
Lothíriel allowed herself for a brief moment to dream, then reminded herself of her principles by which she seriously doubted such a thing. She knew exactly what Éowyn was feeling - such an unrelenting joy that she felt the need to share it with everyone in her path, that it overflowed from her in a river of need to give it back to the world. Her sister-in-law Meluieth had spoken similar words of assurance the night of her wedding to Elphir, Lothíriel's eldest brother, some five years ago, and though Lothíriel had seen only sixteen summers that time, no suitors had followed that had held her fancy for more than a few days.
Also available on Wattpad where my username is yavanna_kementari!
Chapter 3 of A Starling in Rohan is out!! Thanks for all the support so far <3 do ask if you want to be tagged in further chapter updates!
@konartiste hope you enjoy!
"I shall not be entirely happy today, brother, unless you are. I want everyone to feel as I do! Now come, share your worries."
She sank down into the deep velvet cushions in the window alcove, and patted the nearest chair.
Éomer sighed, and relented, knowing she would not give up until he told her what was on his mind. "A messenger arrived yesterday from one of the marshals. Farms across the Eastfold have reported a disease amongst the potato seedlings that renders them completely useless. Éowyn, unless I am provided with a miracle, Rohan will suffer heavier loss of life this coming winter than in the War of the Ring - I am certain of it."
Éowyn went to bite thoughtfully on her thumbnail, caught herself in time, and smoothed over the folds of her dress instead. "A solution will be found, Éomer. I am sure of it."
Éomer was less sure, but he didn't say this aloud. Already he had cast a shadow over the happiest day of his sister's life, and he didn't intend to add to it. "Perhaps, but not today. Today I don't mean to be King of Rohan - only your brother."