Chapter 17 - Quarrel amongst Siblings
Haldir stared at Éomer in disbelief. His brothers, the leaders of a troop of soldiers? No, it could
not be. But he had to be sure, "Did you say..." Éomer interrupted, "Yes, Rúmil and Orophin. I believe
they wish to see their brother. Legolas told me," he added seeing Haldir's eyes widen in surprise.
"And I believe they won't be in the best of moods when they arrive here..." his voice trailed off as
his mouth widened in a satisfied smile.
Éowyn couldn't understand a thing. Haldir's brothers? To this moment she had been oblivious of the
fact that her love had any siblings. And why wouldn't they be happy to see their brother again? And
then understanding came over her. Haldir had almost died! At Helm's Deep they had almost lost him.
And instead of returning to his home once he was fully healed he joined the Rohirrim in battle once
more ... because of her. If Haldir's brothers were angry with him it was her fault.
She felt her brother ease his hold of her and slowly he let go of her completely, rising from the
bed. The pale elven face made him smile to himself and with a sparkle in his eyes he questioned the
one before him, "Are you quite alright? You look rather shaken, friend." The way he spoke the word
'friend' held nothing but hostility.
Éowyn was shocked, never before had she seen her brother like this. Hadn't he just said that he
wouldn't stand in her way? But apparently his loathing for Haldir, the 'seducer' of his sister went
deeper than she had imagined. And it was only a matter of time until Haldir would explode, wouldn't
be able to hold back his anger anymore. "Éomer," she whispered, "don't." Almost pleading, but her
brother ignored her.
"I think I should call a healer, we wouldn't want your brothers to think bad of the race of men. I
believe they will take you home with them as soon as possible. No more adventures for you..." Haldir
took a step towards the King of Rohan, "What I do or not is none of your concern, friend..." His
voice betrayed the rage he felt. How could the man speak to him like this? Only the look upon Éowyn's
face made him fight his anger.
"My sister says she loves you, so I think that your deeds are my business after all." Éowyn couldn't
believe that this was her beloved brother speaking. The man who now stood by the side of her bed was
unknown to her. She tried to catch his eyes, in vain. "Éomer, no!" Her voice was stronger, more
urgent. Haldir snapped back, "Not unless she wishes for your help." This was going to end in a
catastrophe. There were the two men she loved more than anything else in this world, ready to kill
each other.
"Éomer, I warned you. Don't make me choose ... don't make me," tears were beginning to run down her
cheeks but she didn't even notice. Her brother's head spun around, his gaze locking with hers. "Don't
tell me you'd choose him. You're nothing to him, how could you? No matter how often he professes his
love, it's a lie. Don't you see? He is immortal. How many have heard these words before you, I
wonder? And how many will follow?" - "What about this light that you saw within me? Doesn't my
happiness mean anything to you, brother?"
Haldir could not help but smile at Éowyn. He went towards the bed and stood behind his beloved. Éomer
glared at him and challenged, "How many, elf? How many have called themselves your lovers? And how
many will follow? Tell her, tell her who you really are!" Haldir replied calmly, almost too calmly,
"I do not deny the existence of others before your sister. But none will ever follow. I love Éowyn,
and if Gandalf has taught you something, then you should know that elves do not use these words
lightly." He reached out and touched Éowyn's shoulder, feeling her hand creep up to hold on to it.
"You warned me not to hurt her. Now I am warning you of the same..."
But the King of the Riddermark was not finished yet, "I will not allow you to have your way with her.
She will not be your toy and finally be brushed aside. She will find the one who is destined for her,
and will be with him." Éowyn's eyes were ablaze, "How often do I have to tell you..." - "You are not
master of your own feelings right now. The news that Aragorn..."
This was the last straw for the Shield-maiden. "King Éomer, it was my destiny to be with Haldir. Not
even the King of Rohan can oppose this. I believed you when you said you wouldn't stand in my path,
but obviously I was mistaken to trust you. I told you that it would tear me apart to choose between
my brother and my love. But I can't see my brother in the man before me anymore..." Her voice was
steady and soft as she spoke these words. Her face was set.
Éomer's face fell; he hadn't expected this. "Éowyn, don't you see ... he can't love you, not like you
should be loved. Not like you deserve to be loved. A man of Rohan would be able to heal all the
wounds that cover your soul." - "A man of the Riddermark?" She laughed, but it was filled not with
joy but bitterness. "How often did you let me see that no man of the Mark would be good enough for
me? You have raised stakes that no one could ever bridge, no one. But my happiness is no longer your
concern. Go back to your soldiers and order them around. For I shall not do your bidding anymore."
He was crushed, deep down inside of him he knew that he had overstepped a border he should never have
breached. Éowyn had turned against him; eventually she would forgive him he knew. But right now... He
turned his gaze towards the elf who was still holding on to Éowyn. "See what you're already doing to
her? You made her revolt against her own people, her family."
Haldir smiled weakly, "No, my King, you gave her no choice. If this were to break her it would be
your fault. And yours alone. I did not wish for this, I would never have thought that your hatred for
me would turn you into such a vile being. King of Rohan, reconsider what you value more, the loathing
for me or the love of your sister. If it helped her, I would gladly step aside. Rather would I be
parted with her forever than see her suffering for only one moment."
And finally Éomer saw that the elf was sincere, that he indeed loved Éowyn. He remembered the words
of the old wizard, 'Elves only love once...' and felt shaken to his very core. All his life had he
watched over Éowyn, all his life had he tried to protect her from harm. After failing to shield her
from the hurt that came to her through Aragorn, he had sworn to himself to keep her away from more
grief and sorrow. But now he himself had caused her what he had tried to shelter her from. He saw her
eyes filled with tears and knew that he was their cause.
His voice was shaking when he whispered, "Éowyn, forgive me ... I did not see. I thought, I thought
he took advantage of you. I was a fool. Do you hear me? Dearest Éowyn, forgive me." He fell to his
knees next to her, looking up at her, crestfallen. She let go of Haldir's hand and touched her
brother's cheek. "Will you try to accept my decision? Or will you stand between me any the one I
love."
"All I ever wanted for you was happiness. And Éowyn, if he makes you happy, truly happy, I swear to
you that I will never say anything against the one you chose again. Sister, I just don't want you to
go through more pain. But this path led me to causing you grief, no, I will not pursue it any
longer." He looked at Haldir and nodded, "You said that a cage would be her undoing, you're right. I
will set her free, free to do what she wants to. Free to be with whom she deems worthy. And if that
is you..."
Haldir surprised both siblings and even himself when he walked around the bed and extended his hand
to Éomer. "If you can be sure of one thing then it is this. Your sister will never lack being loved.
By both you and me."
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