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."