c l e a n . c o l d . s t e e l

Clean, Cold Steel
[by victoria p.]

Rating: G

Summary: Éowyn sleeps with a dagger under her pillow.

Notes: Thanks to Jen, Melissa-n-Pete, Dot, and Meg. Written for Sarah T., who requested Eowyn, "Cold are the counsels of women."

Date: February 8, 2005

Éowyn sleeps with a dagger under her pillow. It was a gift from Éomer for her fourteenth birthday, soon after he realized the men of Edoras were watching her the way stallions eye mares in heat.

She hadn't felt the need of it then, secure in the protection of her uncle, her cousin, her brother, though she demanded Éomer teach her how to use it, along with the sword and the bow.

It is when the king begins to fail that she notices how Grima's eyes linger on her face, the way his gaze follows her as she walks away. It sends a chill of fear down her spine that only the touch of clean, cold steel could cleanse.

She bears her burdens with unbowed shoulders, serving her king and her people faithfully when their faith seems lost. She holds hard to the hope Éomer says has gone from the land, and whenever Wormtongue tries to stay her with his words, cage her with his glances, she remembers the well-made dagger resting beneath her pillow, its edge honed sharp enough to slit a man's throat, or her own.

end

~*~

Back to Phase Three Index

Back to Lord of the Rings Stories Index

Back to Main Stories Index

~*~

Disclaimer: All LotR characters belong JRR Tolkien and his estate, New Line Cinema, etc. This piece of fan-written fiction intends no infringement on any copyrights.