Post by Marieke on Aug 20, 2004 18:49:22 GMT
Here's the story I wrote before I left. I don't know if it's any good, compared to all of the wonderfull stories that have been posted before, but I promised to post it, so here it is! I'm sorry if there are any spelling/grammar mistakes (English is still not my first language, lol)
Too young
The order was almost restored, when the men saw the horse without his rider disappear on the horizon. The rider in the front was almost at his usual speed again, appearantly untouched by the incident, although the other men did not know what was really on his mind. When he turned his head, he saw that another man was approaching, absent, but not missing, and he knew that this man could tell him more. ‘How is he?’ he asked, hiding the sorrow in his voice. ‘How is my brother?’
‘Forth Éorlingas!’ These must be the most beautiful words in my language that have ever been spoken. While we gain speed, I feel the wind blowing on my face, causing tears in my eyes. I feel how my hair flutters like a banner. Even faster, and it feels like we fly. Like I want to pass the future by. When I look down, I can see the green grass and the white flowers. I can almost taste the danger. Just one fall… It makes my heart beat faster, and I enjoy it.
This is not the first time I ride this fast, and feel the way that I feel now, but the rumbling sound of many hooves around me makes this moment even more special. A group of fifty men, small enough for my first ride in an éored. This has been my wish for years. I was not just too young back then – I see some riders who are even younger than I am – most of all, I was too inexperienced.
Suddenly, I notice that someone is riding next to me. I look at my brother’s face, and I see how my name is formed on his mouth: ‘Gyldenrose.’ But the noise is making it impossible for me to hear what else he is trying to say. While smiling, he gestures that it is not of any importance. My brother Gleddan… I thank him for so many things. He taught me how to handle a sword, a spear, a bow… he even taught me how to ride. Gleddan also persuaded our leader to let me ride in his éored.
That leader, Sigwine, now makes us slow down. Even his mighty steed Scir cannot run like this forever. Sigwine… I do not wish to be his friend, nor does he wish to be mine. The idea of having a young woman, a maiden in his éored has never pleased him. It took Gleddan much effort to persuade him. In my opinion, Sigwine is not a good leader, although he does have some qualities. He is, without a doubt, the best rider, with the best horse. He is also able to keep his calm in all circumstances. But in my opinion, he lives in a world of his own, heedless of others, or unaware. Perhaps he feels like he is better than the rest of us, because we come from the little villages, and he is from Edoras.
His brother seems to be the same. Guowine looks very much like his elder brother, and he acts like him as well – although I have to mention that we have not had any real conversations yet. There is something about the way he looks at me, with these cold, grey eyes. The way he handles his horse does not please me either. The rider and the horse do not show much interaction.
We stop, a few more miles to the east. It is time to rest, for our steeds and for ourselves. I seem to be unnoticed by my companions. They politely nod at me when I greet them, but they do not speak to me. A maiden does not belong in an éored. I am seeking my brother, when I see Guowine. ‘Greetings, Gyldenrose,’ he says, while he stares at me again. ‘Does your first ride please you?’
‘This is not my first ride. I learned how to ride years ago.’ I do know what he means, but not which answer will please him, so that I can go on.
I see a meaningless smile appear on Guowine’s face. ‘I see.’ Then he pensively continues: ‘Mylady, can I ask you something? Why does a woman like you ride in our group?’ He sees in my eyes that he said something wrong. ‘Do not get me wrong, in contrary to my brother, I find you a gift to our group. But one does not often see a woman joining the riders. Why do you ride with us?’
‘To protect my beloved Rohan and it’s people.’ A common answer. Guowine understands what I mean to say, and he leaves me alone. I could not tell him the true reason.
It happened years ago, when I was only a young girl. My eldest brother Gamling and me were on our way back home, but all we came across were flames. Fire, lit by the enemy. The Wild Men from the hills. We did not know the fate of our parents, Gleddan and my youngest sister Éarla, only a helpless child back then. Fortunately, they were all able to flee, but our farm, and all of our possessions were forever lost.
That day, I made a promise to myself. I would not live like a peasant, like I always had assumed I would. I would not marry any man, nor would I give birth to his children, while the Wild Men would cause fear and misery in my land. I would have my vengeance, and protect all Rohan inhabitants from the sorrow the enemy brought to me.
Too young
The order was almost restored, when the men saw the horse without his rider disappear on the horizon. The rider in the front was almost at his usual speed again, appearantly untouched by the incident, although the other men did not know what was really on his mind. When he turned his head, he saw that another man was approaching, absent, but not missing, and he knew that this man could tell him more. ‘How is he?’ he asked, hiding the sorrow in his voice. ‘How is my brother?’
‘Forth Éorlingas!’ These must be the most beautiful words in my language that have ever been spoken. While we gain speed, I feel the wind blowing on my face, causing tears in my eyes. I feel how my hair flutters like a banner. Even faster, and it feels like we fly. Like I want to pass the future by. When I look down, I can see the green grass and the white flowers. I can almost taste the danger. Just one fall… It makes my heart beat faster, and I enjoy it.
This is not the first time I ride this fast, and feel the way that I feel now, but the rumbling sound of many hooves around me makes this moment even more special. A group of fifty men, small enough for my first ride in an éored. This has been my wish for years. I was not just too young back then – I see some riders who are even younger than I am – most of all, I was too inexperienced.
Suddenly, I notice that someone is riding next to me. I look at my brother’s face, and I see how my name is formed on his mouth: ‘Gyldenrose.’ But the noise is making it impossible for me to hear what else he is trying to say. While smiling, he gestures that it is not of any importance. My brother Gleddan… I thank him for so many things. He taught me how to handle a sword, a spear, a bow… he even taught me how to ride. Gleddan also persuaded our leader to let me ride in his éored.
That leader, Sigwine, now makes us slow down. Even his mighty steed Scir cannot run like this forever. Sigwine… I do not wish to be his friend, nor does he wish to be mine. The idea of having a young woman, a maiden in his éored has never pleased him. It took Gleddan much effort to persuade him. In my opinion, Sigwine is not a good leader, although he does have some qualities. He is, without a doubt, the best rider, with the best horse. He is also able to keep his calm in all circumstances. But in my opinion, he lives in a world of his own, heedless of others, or unaware. Perhaps he feels like he is better than the rest of us, because we come from the little villages, and he is from Edoras.
His brother seems to be the same. Guowine looks very much like his elder brother, and he acts like him as well – although I have to mention that we have not had any real conversations yet. There is something about the way he looks at me, with these cold, grey eyes. The way he handles his horse does not please me either. The rider and the horse do not show much interaction.
We stop, a few more miles to the east. It is time to rest, for our steeds and for ourselves. I seem to be unnoticed by my companions. They politely nod at me when I greet them, but they do not speak to me. A maiden does not belong in an éored. I am seeking my brother, when I see Guowine. ‘Greetings, Gyldenrose,’ he says, while he stares at me again. ‘Does your first ride please you?’
‘This is not my first ride. I learned how to ride years ago.’ I do know what he means, but not which answer will please him, so that I can go on.
I see a meaningless smile appear on Guowine’s face. ‘I see.’ Then he pensively continues: ‘Mylady, can I ask you something? Why does a woman like you ride in our group?’ He sees in my eyes that he said something wrong. ‘Do not get me wrong, in contrary to my brother, I find you a gift to our group. But one does not often see a woman joining the riders. Why do you ride with us?’
‘To protect my beloved Rohan and it’s people.’ A common answer. Guowine understands what I mean to say, and he leaves me alone. I could not tell him the true reason.
It happened years ago, when I was only a young girl. My eldest brother Gamling and me were on our way back home, but all we came across were flames. Fire, lit by the enemy. The Wild Men from the hills. We did not know the fate of our parents, Gleddan and my youngest sister Éarla, only a helpless child back then. Fortunately, they were all able to flee, but our farm, and all of our possessions were forever lost.
That day, I made a promise to myself. I would not live like a peasant, like I always had assumed I would. I would not marry any man, nor would I give birth to his children, while the Wild Men would cause fear and misery in my land. I would have my vengeance, and protect all Rohan inhabitants from the sorrow the enemy brought to me.
Anyway, here's part 2)))
And the whole story, of course! 
Thanks!