Consequences by Curiouswombat.
Mar. 23rd, 2016 05:30 pm![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
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lindahoyland said;
Eomer and Lothíriel have a son, Elfwine the Fair, who must be about Eldarion's age. With a name like that, I bet he's a hellion - he'd have to be, wouldn't he? - doubtless with mad equestrian skillz.
This may not have quite gone where she expected it to...
But it also fits 2012 bingo cards - Talents and skill, G46 - writing.
Format: short story - 1515 words
Genre: General
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Characters: Elfwine, mention of his family members and OFC,
Creators' Notes; this is set in the same 'verse' as my Éomer/Lothíriel story 'Cushions', some 20 years after the closing scene.
Dear Grandfather, Mother says that I must write this letter to you myself as I must take responsibility for the consequences of my own actions...
And, Elfwine thought, very enjoyable actions they had been. He looked forward to repeating them regularly although, he recognized, the consequences might mean there would be a pause in the not too distant future.
And those consequences were going to save a lot of arguments even if they had been the cause of some rather loud and hasty words from Father… and Éothain. Mother and Cwengyth hadn’t exactly been backward in giving their opinions either.
It has been in my mind for a long time, probably since I have been old enough to understand such things…
Of course there had been suggestions, and speculation, quite possible since well before he was old enough to understand such things. Some of it wasn’t just pointless but downright silly; Elfwine knew enough about bloodlines, and the problems of in-breeding, to be quite amazed at what he once heard one of his father’s advisors suggest. Fortunately, Father thought exactly the same thing and made the point clearly; truth to tell he probably didn’t realise Elfwine was within hearing distance.
Seriously; how could anyone suggest that ‘to strengthen the line of Éorl it would be best if Elfwine was to marry his cousin Nimwen’? Had she only been his first cousin it might have been reasonable, if they actually desired each other in that way which they certainly didn’t, but she was also his second cousin through the other bloodline! How ridiculous.
Princess Gilraen might have been seen as logical by some, (‘strengthening the ties between our two countries…’), except that anyone with even one eye could see she was always going to marry cousin Boromir, the ties between the two countries were strong enough already, and Elfwine had known, for more than half his life, who he wanted to marry anyway.
I do not think anyone of The Mark will be too upset. After all, I think it is time to put more Rohirric blood back into the House of Éorl.
Elfwine’s own bloodline was five eighths Gondorian. He was more Gondorian than Eldarion. Grandfather would know Elfwine was not criticizing or deriding his own bloodline; he knew how proud Elfwine was of being of the House of Dol Amroth as well as the House of Éorl. But he was also astute enough to recognize that Elfwine had a point.
But this is not based on such considerations.
Oh no. Elfwine wanted her because she was beautiful, clever, headstrong, his equal; she would never be afraid to speak her mind, nor was she intimidated by his status or, for that matter, by Father or Mother. Léofgyth was the only person he had ever wanted to marry, and he couldn’t imagine changing his mind in two years or twenty years.
He wouldn’t be surprised if the thought hadn’t crossed the mind of their parents, either, although they hadn’t given that impression last night. Actually Elfwine and Léofgyth had been both shocked and amused that their parents hadn’t expected this.
The two of them had played together, had lessons in the same group, cared for their horses together – and then begun the explorations together in quiet stables that were part of growing up in The Mark.
We spoke to our parents last night and they agreed to give us their blessing, although they did caution that we should have a long betrothal period…
Well, they did at first.
Of course Léofgyth was her parents’ firstborn just as he was. That they were now adults, she almost twenty and Elfwine eighteen (and a half – not since early childhood had that half seemed so important!), also seemed to have taken their parents by surprise. And that she was firstborn meant, of course, that she had no older brothers to warn Elfwine about keeping his cock in his breeches…
Not only were there nice warm, shady, corners of the Royal Stables but also quiet places, within easy ride of Edoras, where horses could graze whilst their riders enjoyed picnics, and other uses of blankets. He thought the gate-wards would be less astonished about their announcement than their parents had seemed to be; they knew how often the two young people spent afternoons alone together last summer! And in the recent, colder, months they had made use of Meduseld having unused rooms in quiet corners, many with beds that had mattresses if no bedding.
However, they have changed their minds…
When Léofgyth told him he was not surprised – they had tried to be careful but sometimes they lost count of the days, or were enjoying themselves too thoroughly to remember to uncouple during her ‘sweet time’. So they had gone to talk to their parents together.
“Mother, Father, ‘Uncle’ Éothain, ‘Aunt’ Cwengyth – Léofgyth and I would like to ask for your blessings for we have agreed to wed.”
The result had been predictable at this point.
“Are you sure?”
“You are both very young, hardly more than children.”
“You are too young to make such a decision yet.”
“I will arrange for you to spend at least a year in Dol Amroth, we have thought of it before, and you can decide about this on your return.”
Elfwine had stood, his fingers entwined with Léofgyth’s, letting the conversation flow past them until there came a lull.
“We are definitely old enough, and we are both quite certain,” he said firmly.
“A long betrothal, then, if you must.”
“We do not think that would be a good idea,” said Léofgyth. Then went on to tell them why.
Thinking back to the immediate outburst of voices made Elfwine laugh out loud.
“Your son has taken advantage of his position!”
“Your daughter is old enough to know better; she has seduced Elfwine!”
“How could he?”
“How could she?”
Elfwine looked at his betrothed. She looked at him.
“Which position do you think gave you the advantage?” she asked him quietly, as their parents continued to argue.
“The one with the three bolsters in the room in the east wing? But I don’t think you really did know better, as it was my idea.”
Suddenly there was a loud burst of laughter – Father. Quickly followed by Cwengyth. (He would have to get used to not calling her ‘Aunt’ anymore.) They must have heard the exchange between their son and daughter amidst the accusations on both sides. And both had enough sense of the ridiculous to begin to see the funny side of things.
Soon all four parents were laughing at their own reactions and Father called for wine.
“Well it will annoy all the ‘court ladies’ when we visit Minas Tirith next,” Mother said eventually, “for they will have been busy lining up their daughters and giving them lessons in how to capture a Prince of Rohan!”
“The ambassador from Rhûn will be disappointed, too,” added Father. “In fact, now I come to think of it, you have made my life a good deal simpler, son. I can just tell them all that my heir is already married and avoid many long and boring encounters.”
He turned to Léofgyth. “Léofgyth, if you did seduce my son then you have my thanks! Although,” he added, “I very much doubt you needed the lunge rein.”
Then Éothain joined in. “Not just that, Éomer. Think how happy the advisors will be! Not only have you and Lothíriel secured the succession with Elfwine and his two brothers, not to mention his sisters, but by becoming a grandfather as well you have secured it for the next generation. Take all the credit, man, and give them the impression it was all your idea.”
Father went a little pale. “Béma! A grandfather. You will be a grandmother, Mðdleófu, even though you…”
He had tailed off. Thinking back Elfwine had a sudden realization of just what that look between his parents might have meant. No wonder they thought of him as too young to marry if they were still… well he preferred not to think of his parents indulging in the same pleasures but they really weren’t that old.
They could tell Grandfather that themselves – ‘take responsibility for the consequences of their own actions.’
He turned back to the page and picked up his pen once more.
So if you wish to attend our wedding you will need to set off soon, for Father says it will be best if any future King of The Mark is born after his parents marry rather than before. And so the date is set for the full moon after the spring equinox.
We would be very happy to have you here all summer, and long enough to meet your first great-grandchild, (unless Alphros has news I do not yet know!). But, if affairs of Gondor mean that you are unable to leave so soon, then Léofgyth thinks our babe will be born by harvest; come for then.
I am your affectionate, and very happy, grandson Elfwine of the House of Éorl.
lindahoyland said;Eomer and Lothíriel have a son, Elfwine the Fair, who must be about Eldarion's age. With a name like that, I bet he's a hellion - he'd have to be, wouldn't he? - doubtless with mad equestrian skillz.
This may not have quite gone where she expected it to...
But it also fits 2012 bingo cards - Talents and skill, G46 - writing.
Format: short story - 1515 words
Genre: General
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: None
Characters: Elfwine, mention of his family members and OFC,
Creators' Notes; this is set in the same 'verse' as my Éomer/Lothíriel story 'Cushions', some 20 years after the closing scene.
Dear Grandfather, Mother says that I must write this letter to you myself as I must take responsibility for the consequences of my own actions...
And, Elfwine thought, very enjoyable actions they had been. He looked forward to repeating them regularly although, he recognized, the consequences might mean there would be a pause in the not too distant future.
And those consequences were going to save a lot of arguments even if they had been the cause of some rather loud and hasty words from Father… and Éothain. Mother and Cwengyth hadn’t exactly been backward in giving their opinions either.
It has been in my mind for a long time, probably since I have been old enough to understand such things…
Of course there had been suggestions, and speculation, quite possible since well before he was old enough to understand such things. Some of it wasn’t just pointless but downright silly; Elfwine knew enough about bloodlines, and the problems of in-breeding, to be quite amazed at what he once heard one of his father’s advisors suggest. Fortunately, Father thought exactly the same thing and made the point clearly; truth to tell he probably didn’t realise Elfwine was within hearing distance.
Seriously; how could anyone suggest that ‘to strengthen the line of Éorl it would be best if Elfwine was to marry his cousin Nimwen’? Had she only been his first cousin it might have been reasonable, if they actually desired each other in that way which they certainly didn’t, but she was also his second cousin through the other bloodline! How ridiculous.
Princess Gilraen might have been seen as logical by some, (‘strengthening the ties between our two countries…’), except that anyone with even one eye could see she was always going to marry cousin Boromir, the ties between the two countries were strong enough already, and Elfwine had known, for more than half his life, who he wanted to marry anyway.
I do not think anyone of The Mark will be too upset. After all, I think it is time to put more Rohirric blood back into the House of Éorl.
Elfwine’s own bloodline was five eighths Gondorian. He was more Gondorian than Eldarion. Grandfather would know Elfwine was not criticizing or deriding his own bloodline; he knew how proud Elfwine was of being of the House of Dol Amroth as well as the House of Éorl. But he was also astute enough to recognize that Elfwine had a point.
But this is not based on such considerations.
Oh no. Elfwine wanted her because she was beautiful, clever, headstrong, his equal; she would never be afraid to speak her mind, nor was she intimidated by his status or, for that matter, by Father or Mother. Léofgyth was the only person he had ever wanted to marry, and he couldn’t imagine changing his mind in two years or twenty years.
He wouldn’t be surprised if the thought hadn’t crossed the mind of their parents, either, although they hadn’t given that impression last night. Actually Elfwine and Léofgyth had been both shocked and amused that their parents hadn’t expected this.
The two of them had played together, had lessons in the same group, cared for their horses together – and then begun the explorations together in quiet stables that were part of growing up in The Mark.
We spoke to our parents last night and they agreed to give us their blessing, although they did caution that we should have a long betrothal period…
Well, they did at first.
Of course Léofgyth was her parents’ firstborn just as he was. That they were now adults, she almost twenty and Elfwine eighteen (and a half – not since early childhood had that half seemed so important!), also seemed to have taken their parents by surprise. And that she was firstborn meant, of course, that she had no older brothers to warn Elfwine about keeping his cock in his breeches…
Not only were there nice warm, shady, corners of the Royal Stables but also quiet places, within easy ride of Edoras, where horses could graze whilst their riders enjoyed picnics, and other uses of blankets. He thought the gate-wards would be less astonished about their announcement than their parents had seemed to be; they knew how often the two young people spent afternoons alone together last summer! And in the recent, colder, months they had made use of Meduseld having unused rooms in quiet corners, many with beds that had mattresses if no bedding.
However, they have changed their minds…
When Léofgyth told him he was not surprised – they had tried to be careful but sometimes they lost count of the days, or were enjoying themselves too thoroughly to remember to uncouple during her ‘sweet time’. So they had gone to talk to their parents together.
“Mother, Father, ‘Uncle’ Éothain, ‘Aunt’ Cwengyth – Léofgyth and I would like to ask for your blessings for we have agreed to wed.”
The result had been predictable at this point.
“Are you sure?”
“You are both very young, hardly more than children.”
“You are too young to make such a decision yet.”
“I will arrange for you to spend at least a year in Dol Amroth, we have thought of it before, and you can decide about this on your return.”
Elfwine had stood, his fingers entwined with Léofgyth’s, letting the conversation flow past them until there came a lull.
“We are definitely old enough, and we are both quite certain,” he said firmly.
“A long betrothal, then, if you must.”
“We do not think that would be a good idea,” said Léofgyth. Then went on to tell them why.
Thinking back to the immediate outburst of voices made Elfwine laugh out loud.
“Your son has taken advantage of his position!”
“Your daughter is old enough to know better; she has seduced Elfwine!”
“How could he?”
“How could she?”
Elfwine looked at his betrothed. She looked at him.
“Which position do you think gave you the advantage?” she asked him quietly, as their parents continued to argue.
“The one with the three bolsters in the room in the east wing? But I don’t think you really did know better, as it was my idea.”
Suddenly there was a loud burst of laughter – Father. Quickly followed by Cwengyth. (He would have to get used to not calling her ‘Aunt’ anymore.) They must have heard the exchange between their son and daughter amidst the accusations on both sides. And both had enough sense of the ridiculous to begin to see the funny side of things.
Soon all four parents were laughing at their own reactions and Father called for wine.
“Well it will annoy all the ‘court ladies’ when we visit Minas Tirith next,” Mother said eventually, “for they will have been busy lining up their daughters and giving them lessons in how to capture a Prince of Rohan!”
“The ambassador from Rhûn will be disappointed, too,” added Father. “In fact, now I come to think of it, you have made my life a good deal simpler, son. I can just tell them all that my heir is already married and avoid many long and boring encounters.”
He turned to Léofgyth. “Léofgyth, if you did seduce my son then you have my thanks! Although,” he added, “I very much doubt you needed the lunge rein.”
Then Éothain joined in. “Not just that, Éomer. Think how happy the advisors will be! Not only have you and Lothíriel secured the succession with Elfwine and his two brothers, not to mention his sisters, but by becoming a grandfather as well you have secured it for the next generation. Take all the credit, man, and give them the impression it was all your idea.”
Father went a little pale. “Béma! A grandfather. You will be a grandmother, Mðdleófu, even though you…”
He had tailed off. Thinking back Elfwine had a sudden realization of just what that look between his parents might have meant. No wonder they thought of him as too young to marry if they were still… well he preferred not to think of his parents indulging in the same pleasures but they really weren’t that old.
They could tell Grandfather that themselves – ‘take responsibility for the consequences of their own actions.’
He turned back to the page and picked up his pen once more.
So if you wish to attend our wedding you will need to set off soon, for Father says it will be best if any future King of The Mark is born after his parents marry rather than before. And so the date is set for the full moon after the spring equinox.
We would be very happy to have you here all summer, and long enough to meet your first great-grandchild, (unless Alphros has news I do not yet know!). But, if affairs of Gondor mean that you are unable to leave so soon, then Léofgyth thinks our babe will be born by harvest; come for then.
I am your affectionate, and very happy, grandson Elfwine of the House of Éorl.
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Date: 2016-03-23 05:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-03-23 06:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-03-23 05:47 pm (UTC)I don't think Eomer can fault Elfwine for doing with his beloved what Eomer and Lothiriel only wanted to do themselves in the first place when they were Elfwine's age... *giggle*
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Date: 2016-03-24 07:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-03-24 10:08 am (UTC)Ah - actually you did post it - but it has a small note saying 'for Elenbarati' that I didn't notice as I only copied and pasted the heading with the name of the person who posted it and the actual prompt into my 'interesting ideas' file!
I did think it didn't quite sound like your 'voice'!
no subject
Date: 2016-03-25 04:21 am (UTC)When he commented on the bolsters I had to laugh, both for the reference to "Cushions" and to the bawdiness of the comment.
Thanks again for a delightful look at the sexuality of the Men of the Mark! Heh!
no subject
Date: 2016-03-25 11:16 am (UTC)I can see them being a bit like the Gaels in Scotland who, even now, can often recite their male blood line going back ten generations. But the Rohirrim are very well aware that the female bloodline is as important as the male one; sometimes even more so, for a good mare can have a lot fewer foals than a good stallion!
I think the very fact that we are told he looks so much like Imrahil will have made him think, somewhere in his mid-teens, that it would be best to marry within his own folk rather than 'forge alliances' - and so make him feel positively virtuous about going along with a childhood conviction that 'I am going to marry you when we grow up'!
As for the comment about the bolsters - I already knew, before I wrote it, what their parents would say about her seducing him when she should have known better (I rather think that might have come from Lothiriel), and him taking advantage of his position (Éothain...); but the reaction of the two in the centre of the storm only came to me as I wrote - and suddenly seemed very like them!
I'm so pleased you enjoyed it.
no subject
Date: 2016-04-01 07:33 am (UTC)And Elfwine is surely right--there are some hints that not everyone in Rohan was pleased at the obvious Gondorian influence on the royal house in the time of Thengel, so I do think his marrying Leofgyth is going to be a popular move.
no subject
Date: 2016-04-01 09:30 am (UTC)I think that a Gondorian prince would have sown his wild oats with someone of a much lower standing who, if she became pregnant, would either have been ignored and the possibility of a royal bastard denied, sent miles away with a small sum of money or, if she was very fortunate, married off to one of the foot soldiers, or a sailor on a 'naval' ship, with a small dowry and with both her and the husband recognising that his employment relied on them never mentioning that the child wasn't his.
Getting a young lady, who is regarded as an acceptable future queen, pregnant is something new!
In 'my' canon Lothiriel has probably repaired some of that damage by adapting well to life in Rohan - but I, too, think that this marriage will be a very popular move.
(PS - in the comments to this on my journal there are a couple more of the letters Elfwine had to write...)
no subject
Date: 2016-04-06 12:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-04-06 09:53 am (UTC)I just knew that Éothain would say that Elfwine had taken advantage of his position, and that Lothíriel would accuse Léofgyth of taking advantage as an 'older woman' - and as soon as I wrote those things down I could 'hear' Léofgyth asking which position did Elfwine think gave him an advantage - and his reply came to me fully formed, so to speak. Although exactly what position they used the three bolsters to achieve I leave to your imagination!
I think, though, that both sets of parents know both young people very well and would be happy about the match, even if not about the haste required.