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@lordofthemark ⠀⠀ despite the growing urge to pull at her hair, she doesn't say anything. no, she simply follows him- because what else is she supposed to do?   "you do realize that even if nothing happens between us, the fact that we're leaving together suggests one of two things. i'm in deep trouble, or we're doing something entirely different than what we're actually going to do. i know i'm probably not helping, but i'm pointing it out."   she waits for a moment, solely until they're out of the barracks and alone.   "in case you're confused, i've only had two mugs of ale. which, if you did not know, does very little to me. and compared to the others, i'm the second most sober person in that room- second to you, who didn't want to join in the celebration."   she crosses her arms, her lips forming a thin line.   "so yes, i'm sober enough to have this conversation. let's have it, eomer."

Was she drunk? No, maybe he was drunk. Maybe they were both drunk. He had no idea anymore. Was Maerwen really willing to throw everything away for this? He wasn't mad, not in that sense, but he was very confused. Wasn't being a Rider a lifelong dream of hers? Why would she waste it all now on him? She had to have realised that by doing this, she wasn't going to be a Rider anymore. No, that wasn't entirely correct. He wouldn't stop her from that. But the others... they definitely would think less of her and it wasn't worth it. She'd lose her respect, her self esteem, her whole career, for him. "No more drinking. You and I need to discuss this properly and we both need to be sober in order to do so." He half contemplated taking her arm and marching her out of the room but decided against it. Instead, he just beckoned her to follow, heading towards the closest door.

@lordofthemark ⠀⠀ the silence that follows from the only man that she wants to hear is deafening, drowning out the other riders entirely. while she most certainly would grow agitated if he didn't answer her, what he decides to respond with agitates her even more so.   "if i didn't know what i am implying, i would not have spoken such words. i am certain of what i speak, because i have contemplated it for longer than i would care to admit. well, i am not even sure if i know when i developed this desire to be yours. all i know is that i do, and i am quite tired of pretending as though i do not. but now that i have said my peace as publicly as i can, what happens after this is your choice."   a pause, and then a frown.   "preferably after you pour me another ale, because i would not hesitate to kill for another one in this moment."

*it certainly was different, for while Eomer could jest with his fellow Riders, he was still the Captain and he had to maintain some semblance of strength and steadfast courage for the rest of his soldiers to follow. to show any form of weakness in front of them wasn't something he had ever considered. but, of course, such a rule didn't seem to apply to Maerwen, but he found that he didn't seem to mind. it was nice, to be able to just have a conversation with someone other than Eowyn, someone who actually had a better idea of what his life was like * Sometimes I think we need more of the harmless and mundane, when living in such a time of turmoil. We do not give ourselves enough time to simply be human, to enjoy the little things without the constant worrying of all the threats the region is currently facing.

@lordofthemark ⠀⠀ [  the man’s (rather adorable) nod was enough to let the faintest of smiles grace her lips. he was playful when he wanted to be, but he could be so serious too. the duality of men at it’s finest standing right next to her.  ]    you may not have been the only one to notice, but you are one of the only ones who has ever mentioned it.    [  her gaze flickered away from him once more, returning to the halls before them. she could not really explain why, but there were not a lot of moments where she could properly maintain eye contact with him. preparing for battle was one thing, where she was always focused on the fight before her, but in moments where there was no immediate danger? it was hard, which was often why she found herself gazing at him when he was with others, when his attention was not on her but rather anyone else.  ]    this is different, talking about myself in such a… harmless and mundane way.    [  the right word was vulnerable, but she could not let that word slip past her lips. if it did, it would be real—- something she did not know if she could face.  ]

* they were not meant so much as reassuring words as they were the truth. she was a strong, independent woman, one who did the Riders of Rohan justice. her family, regardless of where they may have been, would have no other choice but to be proud of her and the things she had achieved since she had joined the ranks of the elite soldiers * You do not give yourself enough credit. Very few would have chosen the same path that you did. Some would have chosen revenge, others a lifetime of misery. But you, Maerwen, you choose to do something good with a terrible situation. And that is a strength to be admired by all. * he paused for a moment, turning his head to look over at her, giving her a decisive nod as he did * You are more than what you may believe yourself to be. And I am not the only one who has noticed it.

@avernusflames * ⸝⸝⸝   oh nooo oh shuckkkksss

*   @THOUSHALTOBEY     i’m gonna smooch you