"I thank you, lord", said Éomer, bowing curtly to
Gildor. Though he had said he'd gather his thoughts, he wasn't sure if they were gathered at all.
These are strange days, he thought.
Dreams and legends spring to life out of the grass. Indeed I wondered at the peculiar combination of the fellowship: along with me and my cousin Théodred there was to be sent a strange old woman who barely reaches my waist, hobbit they call her, a halfling come to life from the stories of old (though a little less spectacular than I'd have expected); a ranger from the north, who seemed to me a good solid man; a dwarven king, weird but honourable; elves, and many of them too: these twins seemed to be honourable folk, high in both wisdom and valour, that Gildor fellow looked trustworthy as well, but of the Lady of the Golden Wood I had heard much, and not much of it praise. Net-weaver and sorcerer she is told to be, and only a few escape her nets. Mayhaps she holds that hateful Saruman in her grasp? I wouldn't find it impossible, after all the devilry that wizard has done to our land... Also I wondered at the other wizard, that Radagast, he seemed more like a rather senile old fellow talking to birds than a wizard of power and highness; but old Gandalf at least can mayhaps be trusted, though I was uneasy with those he calls friends. But the strangest of all was this singing fellow with the yellow boots. What does he do here, I wonder? Sing ill-rhymed songs (really, I'd make loads better!) and dance and hop around like a maniac rabbit? And an orc? I respect Uglúk as a captain respects another, but I didn't relish the idea of being in a fellowship with an orc.
Travelling with the company had cleared Éomer's head somewhat, and changed his impressions on the peculiar cretures he was travelling with. He cleared his throat, as the others had started to look at him expectantly.
"I have to disagree with lord
Bombadil with his words:
Quote:
So look closely the hasty accusations,
as they may reveal darker aspirations.
|
I do not see it so; actually, lord, you seem to contradict yourself. First, you urge us to discuss with substance, and then say hasty accusations are not to be trusted? Hasty accusations, I fear, are all we have to go on with for now.
"The sincerity of the
Lady of the Golden Wood I doubt. I do not like the way she flows around the place with only a few careful words into someone's ear as she passes. I do not trust her. A sorceress she is called, and mayhaps not in vain. No smoke without fire, they say in my land.
"Though I hold no love for the race of orcs, I do not suspect this Uglúk a traitor. He looks to me sincere in the way of his own fell people. On the other hand, lord
Elladan seems overly eager to accuse him based on only his race. I do not think we can afford to hold our personal grudges here, for the benefit of all.
"And, on top of this tangle, I fear what this elf
Gildor might be hiding behind his mask of fair courtesy."
Éomer sighed. He still grudged that they had to go on foot.
Wish I had my Firefoot with me, he thought.
But I'm not going to complain. One must adapt to the conditions. He missed horses and swordplay and deeds of honour, he missed leading his
éored through the green plains of the Riddermark. He was annoyed with all these weird creatures he should travel with. They were a marvel and a wonder, but not as satisfying company as the honest, valiant men of his land. That thought in mind, Éomer joined his cousin
Théodred.
EDIT: x-ed with Lobelia, Halbarad, Elrohir and Radagast