Eowyn quickly changed into a long, white gown, tossing her t-shirt and jeans haphazardly on the bed. She smiled at the thought of meeting Uncle Theoden for dinner wearing jeans instead of a dress. He'd probably choke, he was such a traditionalist. And yet, she loved him dearly – he was like a father to her and had always treated her kindly and fairly. Although, she suspected that he only humored her interests in polo and fencing.
Not wanting to keep either her brother or uncle waiting, Eowyn hurriedly took her hair out of the ponytail so that it fell loose around her shoulders and grabbed her purse and room key. As she darted out of the dorm room at a half run she ran straight into a man who had obviously been standing just in front of her door.
“Oh!” Eowyn exclaimed, quickly stepping back only to come up against her door as it slammed shut behind her.
The man smiled at her leeringly, enjoying her discomfort for a moment before he spoke. “You seem to be in an awful hurry, young lady.”
“Well, I, uhm, I’m supposed to meet someone for dinner.” Eowyn found herself stuttering, wondering why the man didn’t step back. She felt almost claustrophobic trapped between him and the door.
“I see,” he replied slowly, letting his eyes travel over her rudely.
“Who are you?” Eowyn asked rather forcefully, discomfort beginning to give way to anger.
“How rude of me not to mention,” the man said. “I’m Grima. I’m the RA for this floor of Edoras Hall. Didn’t anyone tell you that all new students need to check in with the RA before moving in?”
Eowyn looked puzzled as she replied, “No, no one told me that. Are you sure –?“
“Am I sure of the rules?” Grima cut her off sarcastically. “Yes, I think that I’m slightly more familiar with them than you.” And again he let his eyes wander over Eowyn. “Since you’re on your way out perhaps we should postpone this until tomorrow, say, after your biology class?”
Eowyn tried in vain to think of a reason why she couldn’t meet Grima after biology and finally gave up, agreeing with a quick nod of her head.
A victorious look flashed across his face as he stepped back from Eowyn. “Fine. I’ll see you at my room then.”
“No!” Eowyn recoiled from the thought of being alone with this man. “I mean, my brother wouldn’t like me going to a strange man’s room. I’ll meet you in the common room.”
Grima turned back towards Eowyn looking displeased but before he could speak Eomer walked up.
“Hey, sis, what’s been taking you so long?”
Before Eowyn could think of an answer, Eomer swept a disdainful look at Grima. “What do you want, Grima?”
“Nothing that concerns you, Eomer.” Grima practically snarled. He cast a last look at Eowyn and stalked away.
“He’s such a toady,” Eomer snorted as Grima disappeared around the corner of the hallway. “Well, come on! We’ve kept Theoden waiting long enough.”
As Eowyn walked alongside her brother out of the Hall she suddenly wondered how Grima knew that she was taking biology? Frowning, she glanced over at Eomer, “Why didn’t you tell me that freshmen have to check in with the RA?”
“What?” said Eomer.
Eowyn caught sight of Theoden as they took the steps down from the hall and decided that this discussion could wait. “Nevermind,” she replied quickly. Then turning her attention to her uncle she smiled warmly, “Hello, Uncle.”
Theoden wrapped his arms around Eowyn for a hug, then stepped back, holding each of her hands in his. His face was beaming as he spoke.
“It’s good to see you here, Eowyn. Are you getting settled into Edoras Hall alright?”
Still thinking about the uncomfortable encounter with Grima, Eowyn couldn’t meet her Uncle’s eyes as she replied, “Yes, I think so.”
Eowyn felt a comforting arm across her shoulders as Eomer stepped to her side, “Of course she is. She’s got me to help her, doesn’t she?”
“I would say that your kind of help is debatable,” Theoden turned a stern eye to his nephew. “I hope that this year you’re not planning on flouting the rules as you did last year – in school OR on the polo team.”
Eowyn smiled to herself at her uncle’s unyielding manner with Eomer. Theoden wasn’t the sort to show affection to another man -- especially someone he thought of as a son.
“I swear to follow the rules this year,” Eomer stated mock seriously, winking slyly at Eowyn. “Come on, you two, I’m starving,” Eomer urged the three of them forward. “Let’s head over to The Sirannon. They have GREAT barbecue, and they’re only a block off campus,” Eomer added for Eowyn’s benefit.
As the three of them made their way across the campus, following a winding path between various halls and towers of study and even passing through a small wood that surrounded the Library of Lorien, Eowyn was content to be silent, not really listening to her brother and uncle banter back and forth about the polo team. Suddenly she became aware that Eomer was upset about something that Theoden had said.
“You can’t be serious about this!” Eomer fumed.
“Have a care that you remember who the Head Coach for the Team is, Eomer,” Theoden warned. “Every player, including yourself, plays at my will.”
Eomer fell silent, obviously in anger, and no more was said until they reached the restaurant. After they were seated at the table, Theoden looked again at Eowyn.
“Were you able to get all your classes?” he asked, smiling warmly at her.
“Oh, yes,” Eowyn answered, casting a sidelong look at Eomer who looked as though he’d like to kill someone. “Let’s see, I have Freshman Elvish and Biology I, for my requirements, Early Childhood Development and Introduction to Educational Theory for my major, and Mythology of Middle Earth just for fun.”
“I’m glad to see you taking care of those requirements,” Theoden praised her, “some people choose to put them off and end up regretting it later.”
Theoden looked over at Eomer, “And how is your schedule? Did you decide whether to take that Survey of Middle Earth History?”
Eomer nodded in answer, attempting to put aside his anger for Eowyn’s sake. “Yes, although I’m still a little worried about it. I’ve heard some terrible things about the prof. A lot of people say she’s a real witch.”
Theoden looked thoughtful. “It’s usually best not to listen to the whisperings of other students, and instead judge for yourself.”
Before Eomer could counter these wise words with a suitable sarcastic comment, an orc waiter arrived and took their order. As the waiter was about to leave the table he turned to Theoden.
“Excuse me, Professor. You probably don’t remember me but I was in your International Relations class last spring. The word’s being spread around campus that you’ve opened the Polo Team to all races? Is that true?”
“Yes, it is,” Theoden answered looking rather annoyed at the interruption.
Eowyn quickly stifled her gasp of surprise which caused the orc waiter to look at her, leering in a very unappealing way. Bringing her napkin to her face, Eowyn faked a cough so she wouldn’t have to look at him.
“I suppose the tryouts will be posted?” the orc waiter asked.
“Of course,” Theoden glowered then turned away from the waiter signaling an end to the conversation.
After the waiter had left, Theoden sat silently brooding and neither Eowyn nor Eomer dared to break the silence. Finally he looked up at his niece and nephew and smiled rather ruefully. “Believe me, if there was another way,…”
“How is it that Professor White was able to sway the entire board of regents against you?” Eomer burst out angrily.
Theoden frowned at Eomer as he spoke, “We are not going to discuss this further. The decision has been made and that’s the end of it, as I told you earlier.”
The rest of the meal passed by uncomfortably for Eowyn as she and Theoden tried to talk pleasantly of how things were back at their home in Rohan, and Eomer ate in angry silence. After the meal, Theoden walked Eomer and Eowyn back to Edoras Hall.
Eowyn was exhausted from the day of new experiences and new faces. She said her goodbyes to Theoden and then walked quietly with her brother to the door of her room.
“Well, see you tomorrow,” she said as she unlocked her door.
“Yeah,” Eomer replied, still preoccupied with his thoughts on the polo team. He started to leave then suddenly turned around and caught her door before it closed. “Hey, what was that you said about checking in with the RA, earlier tonight before dinner?”
The last thing Eowyn felt like doing now was talking about Grima. Even the thought of him in her current mood made her nauseous. “Oh, it was nothing,” she lied, feeling too exhausted to care that she’d never lied to Eomer before. “I thought that I heard one of the other students saying something about that.”
“Well, it’s not true,” Eomer continued. “And if that Grima guy gives you any trouble let me know. I’d be glad to sort him out,” Eomer said menacingly, his hand clenching unconsciously into a fist.
Noticing the clenched fist, Eowyn began wondering what would happen to her brother if he assaulted Grima. After all, Grima was in a position of authority over both her and Eomer. At the least it would be a suspension, she guessed, and at the worst…
Forcing herself to appear cheerful, Eowyn quickly gave Eomer a kiss on the cheek. “Don’t worry so much, big brother. I can take care of myself you know.”
Eomer unclenched his fist as he smiled back at her, “Yeah. I guess I should know that by now. Well, goodnight.”
Staring at the inside of the door after it had closed, Eowyn suddenly felt rather small and alone. This was sure going to be a long year.
***
Click here to return to the index page.
Click here to go back to the previous story.
Click here to continue to the next story.