Setting the Record Straight [Lord of the Rings, Eowyn]
Title: Setting the Record Straight
Author: kawaiigami
Rating: G
Warnings: Worksafe.
Word count: 451
Summary: Eowyn has no need to brag.
Author's Notes:Hmmm...I think this turned out okay. I had a bit of trouble reconciling bragging with Eowyn's (bookverse) declaration that she will no longer revel in war. Hope this works!
Eowyn was well accustomed to the tradition of soldiers bragging of their deeds. She had, after all, grown up listening to the men recently returned from the battlefield telling their stories and boasting of how many of the enemy they had slain. Young as she had been, and longing for her chance to prove herself and defend her home, she had listened eagerly even as she mourned the loss of those who had died in battle. Even the dead had their share of the bragging as those that had fought with them told of their bravery. Eowyn had listened to them all, occasionally requesting to hear a particular story again.
After the War of the Ring, however, the stories lost their appeal. Having sworn off reveling in battle and war, listening to soldiers boast of past deeds brought more pain than pleasure, though she did not deny them the right to speak of what they had done. Those who knew her well (Faramir and the rest of their household) were respectfully silent on the subject in her presence at least-she had made it known that they may speak as they chose amongst themselves. Those unfamiliar with her were not always so gracious.
Well, maybe not all of them were ungracious. The Prince of Dol Amroth was a good friend to her and her husband; to some degree they each owed him their lives, and she was loath to think poorly of him. Still, on this visit, with the war so recent in memory, his men were bragging to the point at which those of her house had to respond in kind to avoid insult. At least the prince himself refrained, merely speaking quietly with Faramir.
Eventually a general call went up among the men for her to give an account of her own part in the battle. She frowned, and Faramir cast a worried look in her direction. Their guest, however, seemed unperturbed. “Perhaps it would be wise for my cousin to lay rumor to rest-I myself have heard that she slew over 100 men and all the Nazgul.”
“Then I’m afraid you were misinformed, cousin.” Eowyn knew her smile probably did not reach her eyes. “The real number is much smaller.”
“Oh?”
Eowyn exchanged a quick glance with Faramir before continuing in a voice loud enough for all to hear. “Yes. Actually, it was 49 men; along with 70 orcs, one Oliphant, and The King of the Nazgul.”
The silence that followed was deafening. A moment later, Faramir resumed his conversation, this time drawing her into a discussion of Rohan. Gradually conversation among the others resumed, but no reference to the war was made for the rest of the evening.
Author: kawaiigami
Rating: G
Warnings: Worksafe.
Word count: 451
Summary: Eowyn has no need to brag.
Author's Notes:Hmmm...I think this turned out okay. I had a bit of trouble reconciling bragging with Eowyn's (bookverse) declaration that she will no longer revel in war. Hope this works!
Eowyn was well accustomed to the tradition of soldiers bragging of their deeds. She had, after all, grown up listening to the men recently returned from the battlefield telling their stories and boasting of how many of the enemy they had slain. Young as she had been, and longing for her chance to prove herself and defend her home, she had listened eagerly even as she mourned the loss of those who had died in battle. Even the dead had their share of the bragging as those that had fought with them told of their bravery. Eowyn had listened to them all, occasionally requesting to hear a particular story again.
After the War of the Ring, however, the stories lost their appeal. Having sworn off reveling in battle and war, listening to soldiers boast of past deeds brought more pain than pleasure, though she did not deny them the right to speak of what they had done. Those who knew her well (Faramir and the rest of their household) were respectfully silent on the subject in her presence at least-she had made it known that they may speak as they chose amongst themselves. Those unfamiliar with her were not always so gracious.
Well, maybe not all of them were ungracious. The Prince of Dol Amroth was a good friend to her and her husband; to some degree they each owed him their lives, and she was loath to think poorly of him. Still, on this visit, with the war so recent in memory, his men were bragging to the point at which those of her house had to respond in kind to avoid insult. At least the prince himself refrained, merely speaking quietly with Faramir.
Eventually a general call went up among the men for her to give an account of her own part in the battle. She frowned, and Faramir cast a worried look in her direction. Their guest, however, seemed unperturbed. “Perhaps it would be wise for my cousin to lay rumor to rest-I myself have heard that she slew over 100 men and all the Nazgul.”
“Then I’m afraid you were misinformed, cousin.” Eowyn knew her smile probably did not reach her eyes. “The real number is much smaller.”
“Oh?”
Eowyn exchanged a quick glance with Faramir before continuing in a voice loud enough for all to hear. “Yes. Actually, it was 49 men; along with 70 orcs, one Oliphant, and The King of the Nazgul.”
The silence that followed was deafening. A moment later, Faramir resumed his conversation, this time drawing her into a discussion of Rohan. Gradually conversation among the others resumed, but no reference to the war was made for the rest of the evening.