When the black breath blows
and death's shadows grows
and all lights pass,
come athelas! come athelas!
Life to the dying
in the king's Hand Lying! (1)
When Eregiel and Calentauriel entered the dining chamber they were told that they should be seated. A footman instructed that they should begin eating as soon as the food was brought, as Lothíriel had some affairs to attend to before she broke her fast.
The food was delicious as usual. Calentauriel did not have to be told twice that she should begin eating before Lothíriel arrived. Eregiel consumed her meal much more slowly.
At last Lothíriel arrived. She seemed out of sorts. She was less than her usual graceful self, and seemed to be suffering from a painful head. Eregiel and Calentauriel stood when Lothíriel entered the room, then sat upon Lothíriel's request.
The princess surveyed the items on the table. When she did not see what sought she motioned to the head footman. She asked him to bring her favorite breakfast drink. In short time the footman returned with a pitcher containing an orange liquid, presumably the juice of some fruit, and poured at glass for each of the ladies. Naturally, he filled Lothíriel's glass first.
Lothíriel's condition seemed to improve after she had eaten some food accompanied with her juice.
'Eregiel,' said Lothíriel, 'will you please share with me your visions from last night?'
'I had but one vision, lady,' said Eregiel. 'I will gladly describe it to you.'
~Eregiel's Sixth Vision~
'Éowyn lies abed as before. There is a bowl of steaming water on the floor near the head of her bed. The herbs in the water have a pleasant aroma. The steam is invigorating. Elessar, Éomer, and Mithrandir stand close by.
Elessar says, 'Awaken, Éowyn, Lady of Rohan!. He takes takes her hand. It is warm. Then he places Éowyn's hand into that of her brother, telling him, "Call her!" Elessar turns and silently leaves the hall.'
Tears of joy fill Éomer's eyes. "Éowyn! Éowyn!" he cries. As her eyes flutter open she says, "Éomer!"'(2)
'So the Lady of Rohan has not fallen to the Shadow. This is wonderful news.' remarked Lothíriel.
'It is indeed!' agreed Calentauriel.
Lothíriel, after she had eaten a few bites of food and sipped more juice, asked, 'You did not see my father at Éowyn's side by any chance? Or perhaps nearby?'
'I did not see him, lady. No doubt he was tending to affairs of the city,' replied Eregiel reassuringly.
~The Debate~
After a moment or two of awkward silence Lothíriel again spoke.
'Eregiel,' said Lothíriel, followed by a sip of juice, 'why is it that your visions are solely of Éowyn?'
'I am not certain, lady, but if pressed to give an answer I might say that my encounter with her in Edoras was the most thought provoking?' Eregiel answered.
'Is that all?' asked Lothíriel.
'Now that you ask, more than thought provoking my interactions with Lady Éowyn evoked emotions, emotions that I had not felt in an age.'
'Pray say more,' Lothíriel requested.
'My first impressions of Éowyn were unfavorable. She was discontent, that was clear, but very headstrong as well. Obstinate, you might say. She had made up her mind about how things were and how she wanted them to be. She would not listen to counsel, even from those who are most wise and only had her best interests in mind.'
'What age is Lady Éowyn?' asked Lothíriel.
'Judging the age of Men is difficult for the Eldar...' Eregiel stammered.
'She is about your age, lady,' Calentauriel said between bites of her food. 'Perhaps a few years older.'
'Do you agree, Eregiel?' asked the princess.
'Yes, I believe Calentauriel's judgement is accurate,' replied Eregiel.
'Do you find me obstinate?' Lothíriel inquired.
'No, of course not, lady,' replied a slightly embarrassed Eregiel.
Calentauriel wanted to laugh, but suppressed it to avoid potential insult.
Eregiel continued her explanation, saying, 'I had a change of mind about Éowyn while Calentauriel and I rode south from the Hill of Erech. I considered that, despite being one of royal status, her young life had been filled with sadness and toil.'
'As I have been told,' said Eregiel, 'Éowyn was young when her father was slain; her mother died from sadness shortly thereafter. Théoden was a wise and loving father to both Éowyn and her brother, but Théoden's mind became poisoned by the lies of Curunír whispered into the king's ear through the lips of Gríma Wormtongue, the king's counselor and Curunír's spy. Théoden's once strong body withered as well his mind and spirit. The king was a mere shell of his former self. Wormtongue ruled Rohan, claiming to speak for the king. Wormtongue also had eyes for the fair Éowyn. She would be his prize for the overthrow of Rohan.'
'How horrible!' said Lothíriel. 'How is it that the king recovered?'
'It was Mithrandir, lady,' interjected Calentauriel.
'Mithrandir, clean air and sunlight,' Eregiel said softly.
'What was it that ultimately changed your opinion of Lady Éowyn?' asked Lothíriel.
'It was the manner in which Calentauriel and I were dismissed from the Grey Company, lady,' said Eregiel. 'We were dismissed as weak ladies, unable to sufficiently contribute to their mission.'
'In all fairness, nésa, they meant to protect us,' claimed Calentauriel.
'So it seemed, nésa, but I think they were actually protecting themselves,' Eregiel countered. 'I deem that they could not bear the emotional distress of losing one or both of us during a battle.'
'They also claimed that they were not accustomed to fighting along ladies,' added Calentauriel. 'I suppose it would have made them uncomfortable.'
'Indeed, for the very reason that I just stated,' said Eregiel.
'I suppose you are correct, nésa,' admitted Calentauriel.
'Only suppose?' asked Eregiel. The sisters laughed.
'Ladies, you have given me much to consider,' Lothíriel said thoughtfully. 'Please enjoy the rest of your day.'
The sisters stood and curtsied as the princess left to tend to her father's city in his absence. Lothíriel's usual grace of movement had returned. It must have been the fruit juice.
~The End~
(1) J.R.R. Tolkien, 'The Return of the King', The Houses of Healing
(2) ibid.
