The Choices of Lady Éowyn by Zdenka
Fanwork Notes
Started for the Half a Moon Challenge 2017, for Day 6: Choices and finished for the same challenge in 2018, for Day 1: War and Peace.
- Fanwork Information
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Summary:
Éowyn decides to join the Ride of the Rohirrim to Minas Tirith. A poem in alliterative verse.
Canon Source: Lord of the Rings, Tolkien's Poetry
Major Characters: Éowyn
Major Relationships:
Challenges:
Rating: Teens
Warnings: Mature Themes
Chapters: 1 Word Count: 190 Posted on Updated on This fanwork is complete.
The Choices of Lady Éowyn
Read The Choices of Lady Éowyn
Long have I waited, lingering silent,
my stride shortened to steps that faltered,
in bitter silence biting back words,
sought by a craven with crooked mind.
In grief I saw greatness wither,
the House of Eorl dishonored, failing.
Death and danger to dear ones came;
deedless I sat, sunk in mourning.
Shall I always, till old age claim me,
be left behind, the hearth keeping?
Left behind and love denied me,
the love I sought and life with glory?
Where will wants not, a way opens;
in Rider’s garb I go to battle.
With helm and hauberk, swift horse and sword,
I stand arrayed—stay me who dares.
Gladly I greet the grim swordplay;
pain and danger daunt not my heart.
Here is my choice: a hero’s deed,
a hero’s death if doom calls me.
Faithful-faithless, I follow unsought;
Éomund’s daughter with Éomund’s son,
Théodwyn’s daughter with Théodwyn’s brother
rides to Mundburg—red flare the beacons.
The night deepens, darkness falls round us,
men like phantoms fade in shadow.
Let hooves thunder and horns resound,
though silence take all songs hereafter.
Chapter End Notes
“Where will wants not, a way opens” - a proverb quoted by Éowyn in The Return of the King
Éomund’s daughter, Théodwyn’s daughter - Éowyn
Éomund’s son - Éomer
Théodwyn’s brother - Théoden
Mundburg - the Rohirrim’s name for Minas Tirith
