Meduseld, January 2nd, 3011, Third Age
When Háma announced the arrival of Gandalf the Grey, Éowyn had been certain he had come to see the king. Théoden had been growing ill as of late, and Éowyn could not imagine another reason for Gandalf to come except to reverse the slow weakening of her uncle's body, and to shine a light on the darkness creeping ever closer to Edoras. She was therefore surprised when, after exchanging formal pleasantries, he asked to speak with her instead, and as they moved to her quarters to speak privately and he told her why he'd arrived, her surprise only grew.
"Surely time and age have taken your senses from you," Éowyn said. "I cannot leave Rohan."
"I would not ask such a thing if it were not a matter of great importance, my lady," Gandalf replied. "These are dark times--"
"Do you think I am blind to the darkness?" she asked. "I see it well every time I gaze upon my uncle. And you would have me leave him now, when he needs me more than ever before?"
"Théoden will have a much greater need for you in the time to come. I have come to tell you that you cannot stay here. You are not safe."
As Éowyn was about to ask him to explain himself further, without riddles or idle speech, the door to her chamber was opened, and the privacy of the conversation was broken by Gríma Wormtongue. His gaze was as warm as his pale features could muster as he looked upon Éowyn, but when he turned to Gandalf, he grew cold and bitter. "Is everything well, my lady? I thought I heard raised voices."
"This matter does not concern you, Gríma, son of Gálmód," Gandalf said sharply. "You may take your leave."
"You are an honored guest here, Master Gandalf," Gríma said, his voice dripping with false sincerity. "But I cannot allow you to cause trouble to those already so distressed."
"I am not distressed, Gríma. You may go," Éowyn said. "Tend to the king, as is your duty. I am quite capable of speaking on my own."
There was hesitation in Gríma's eyes before he bowed to her. Éowyn wanted to pretend that Gríma's gaze did not linger upon her as he left, but when she saw the way Gandalf was watching him, she knew he was not blind to it either.
"You are not safe here," he said again. "Not as long as those with ill intentions remain within Meduseld."
"Gríma is no threat. I know how he thinks of me, but he would never do me harm, not with Éomer and Théodred so often at my side."
"And what, my lady, will you do if there is a time when they are not at your side?"
"Then I will defend myself," Éowyn insisted sharply. "To whatever end I must."
Gandalf's gaze softened, and he very nearly smiled at her. "You are a daughter of kings, a brave woman with knowledge of sword and shield, this much I know. But waving your sword about in the stables will not teach you how to wield it as you must."
"I have taught myself enough, and will continue to do so, given that no one else will," Éowyn said.
"I know of a place where you would be taught," Gandalf replied, his eyes twinkling. "A place where you can learn to fight like a man, with skill and honor."
To even suggest that such a place could exist made Éowyn's stomach flutter more than she was willing to admit. "You speak in riddles and lies to play upon my desires," she said, sounding wounded.
"I do no such thing," Gandalf said, taking her by the shoulders and meeting her eyes with his own, so she could see how serious he truly was. "I will speak plainly. You have a role to play in events to come, an important role that will help to turn the tide and drive back the darkness that spreads across Middle-earth. But you cannot do what must be done as you are now, and you cannot be allowed to remain where it is not safe."
"Long have I dreamed of learning to defend our people in battle, but I have always been told that my courage must be used elsewhere," Éowyn said, starting to warm to the idea in spite of herself. "I will not be turned away? I will learn to fight as men do?"
"If that is what you wish," Gandalf said simply.
Éowyn smiled, still caught in disbelief, but her happiness faltered slightly as a new thought occurred to her. "May Éomer and Théodred not come with me?" she asked. "You have spoken only of my travel, and said nothing of them."
"They must stay to guard Rohan and its king," Gandalf said, softening his tone. "Do not let yourself fall into sorrow. You will see them again, and when you return, you will be a stronger woman than they could ever imagine."
That lightened Éowyn's heart greatly, and there was only one more worry on her mind. "Gandalf, will Gríma know where I have gone?"
"He will not be told, and none who know you shall reveal where you have been sent," Gandalf promised. "You will be safe."
"I will need time to gather my belongings," she said, amazed at herself that she was agreeing to this. "And to make my farewells."
"You have the day to do so," Gandalf said. "We shall set out tonight for your new adventure."
[NFB, NFI, and I apologize for the whirring sound of Tolkien spinning in his grave. I AM READY FOR IT TO BE TOMORROW NOW.]