Éowyn

The Approach to Gondor

The next morning when all the swordsmen and archers were ready, they rode a little more. It was midday by the time they reached Gondor, and luckily, there were no orcs. They started towards the palace, and suddenly, Éowyn had thought; who was the new steward of Gondor? Denethor had died during the War for the One Ring, and Faramir had died three years ago. Would this mean that Elboron was the new steward of Gondor? Not likely, because Elboron had never been outside of Rohan before this, so he couldn't have been it.

She rode up next to Aragorn and asked, "Aragorn, Who is the Steward of Gondor?"

"Hasn't Arwen told you already?" Éowyn thought of the hug and comforting words they had shared and shook her head. She didn't remember any mention of the new steward. "It is Pippin, of course, until young Elboron grows," Aragorn said, looking quite surprised.

Éowyn was happy for small Pippin. She couldn't have thought of a man, hobbit, dwarf or elf that would fit the job better than Pippin. She had tried being the stewardess of Gondor herself once, right after Faramir's death. She had decided she couldn't handle it, so she went back to Rohan. After that, she had never even thought about who would be the next steward.

When they reached the gates, they were welcomed by a bunch of guards who surrounded a handsome young man. He had long, wavy hair, such a dark shade of brown that it almost looked black. He had skin white and fair as the moon, with a strong structure. To Éowyn, he looked like the type of person who would be good in close combat. Maybe Éowyn could teach him a few of her best moves if they had the time.

"Father, Mother, who have you brought along with you?" he asked with a bow to everyone.

Of course, he was Eldarion! This answered a few questions that Éowyn had had ever since she had found Aragorn and Arwen in Éomer's room. Of course, now Eldarion was old enough to rule Gondor for a few days until his father came back from any short journeys like going to Rohan to ask for their help.

"I am Éowyn, Queen of Rohan." Éowyn answered, not waiting for any introductions from Arwen or Aragorn. "You have grown, young Eldarion. Last time I saw you, you were a small child, younger than my own is now."

Eldarion looked puzzled for a second. "Your own? Lady Éowyn, I don't remember seeing any child of yours." Then Elboron jumped off his horse and ran straight up to Eldarion.

"Are you Eldarion? The one that the kind, bearded man was talking about? You are so tall!" Elboron exclaimed with wide eyes. Eldarion had an expression on his face that screamed both "Oooohhh" and "He is so cute!" Then, his face turned back into the normal face that all kings or princes were supposed to have.

"Yes, I am Eldarion. What must be your name, young one?" Eldarion asked.

"I am Elboron of Rohan. Son of Faramir and Éowyn," Elboron answered with a hilarious imitation of Eldarion's face. Éowyn guessed he was trying to make a good impression on Eldarion, who must have looked so strong and wise in Elboron's eyes.

Then, they were greeted by another important person. "MERRY!!!!!" Pippin yelled at the top of his lungs while running as fast as his hairy hobbit feet could go.

"Merry!!!!" Pippin shouted again as he got closer. Merry jumped off his horse and embraced Pippin with wide arms. "Merry, it's been so long! They made me Steward of Gondor, Merry can you believe it?! Why haven't you ever come to Gondor? It has been so long! I promise, I might even have matured!" He exclaimed, louder than any hobbit Éowyn had ever seen or heard of.

"Well, Pippin, you certainly don't look like you've matured," Merry said, gently pulling away to look at Pippin. "Running to me and yelling my name as loud as you can. I would think that you haven't changed at all."

After that quick reunion, they all headed to the palace, with Arwen and Aragorn in the front and Eldarion and Elboron following. Everyone looked so happy for a group of men, women, and hobbits that were about to fight in a war.

As the evening came, so did the darkness. Éowyn suspected they had a few hours at most until the orcs came. The other fighters from Rohan had arrived, and they were just getting some food to eat. Éowyn thought that the palace of Gondor was the most beautiful place on Middle Earth, but that would probably be Rivendell or Mirkwood, which was apparently what everyone else who had been to the elf kingdoms thought.

As she took a walk around the palace, enjoying it's breathtaking beauty and history, she heard someone panting. She followed her ears until she found a large courtyard, with amazing trees, though they weren't nearly as beautiful as the White Tree of Gondor in front of the palace.

In the middle of the courtyard she saw Eldarion practicing with his sword. He was quite good, almost as good as his father. She quietly walked behind Eldarion and unsheathed her sword. He turned around, and was surprised to see Éowyn standing there. She took advantage of his surprise, and jabbed at his side. He dodged. They kept fighting, until finally, Éowyn knocked aside his sword, and as it clattered to the ground, she pointed hers to his chest, not hurting him, but showing him that she had won.

"Where do you learn your skills?" He asked her, wondering if he could learn to be as good as the woman in front of him.

"They are the Ancient Ways. A long time ago, women were the protectors of Rohan. Since then, the ways have been passed down through women from generation to generation." Eldarion looked amazed.

"I would not like to break the tradition, but what should happen if a woman taught a man the Ancient Ways?" Eldarion asked, evidently wanting to learn it very much.

"I shall teach you, young Eldarion," was Éowyn's reply. And so they trained away, with the sun sinking behind them.