Of horses and swords

[shieldmaiden_rohan]

Eowyn felt that she was almost settled into the island now, though she still felt alien most of the time. She did not speak nor dress like most of the residents and she did not choose to spend her days as most did.

She always spent at least some time each day exercising and caring for one of the horses in the stables at Summerfell. Sometimes it was the same horse but often she rotated so that each horse had attention and care, though she was always careful not to ride those horses that had regular riders.

Training took her time as well, since she did not wish to lose any skills while she was out of her own world. If what others had said was true and she did return unexpectedly, she would not disgrace herself and her people by being unready for it. Unfortunately, she was forced to train with a wooden stick for a sword, which made her feel as if she were a half-trained child rather than a true shieldmaiden.

On this day, she was returning to the stables after training with her horse of the day, which was one of the horses she most often rode. The mare's name was Lorica, but privately Eowyn called her Arod since she looked so much like Lord Legolas' horse.

Comments

[theyoungwolf]

"I believe you," Robb says, "and I'm happy to spar with you, but you don't have to prove anything to me." She's defensive, but it doesn't take a maester of the Citadel to work out why. He may have had the Mormont ladies leading part of his army, back home, but it was hardly a normal occurence, and how many years on the island was it before Arya lost that same look?`

"Tell me, though, are you a lancer as well?"

[shieldmaiden_rohan]

She had always had to prove herself. Not only had she to be as good as Eomer and Theodred, often she had to be better. They could express pain when a hit got past their defenses, but she must not.

Robb, though, seemed honest in his statement that she did not have to do so. She would not believe him yet, but it was good that he said it. It was far more than others did.

"Of course," Eowyn said. "The Rohirrim are known as the Horse Lords. All must be able to fight mounted and unmounted with sword and spear. Why?"

[theyoungwolf]

"I've been teaching some of the islanders that as well," Robb explains. "You'd be welcome to join in, if you like. I'd like to hold a tournament, when the baby's born--we had one once before, years ago. If you think you'd like to?"

[shieldmaiden_rohan]

Now all was confusion. Was he inviting her to join or to help with his class? Perhaps even to participate in the tourney? She must have heard him incorrectly.

"I ... do not know," she said finally, focusing on Lorica to cover her confusion. "But I thank you for the invitation all the same."

[theyoungwolf]

"Well, no hurry," Robb says cheerfully, sensing her confusion but not the causes of it. "But I do think if you want to concentrate on swordwork, that you come along to the class. More people to spar with."

[shieldmaiden_rohan]

Being able to spar with others had its appeal. She might also learn new tactics and styles that would be useful when she returned to Rohan. Eomer would listen if she suggested new styles, she was sure, if she could justify them.

"How many are likely to be in the class?" she asked. "And when is it held?"

[theyoungwolf]

"In the mornings--two mornings a week, but I won't know for sure the dates yet," Robb says. It's usually consistent, but whoever's running it at the time does have the option of changing it.

"And the numbers vary, though I've never had less than four."

[shieldmaiden_rohan]

"That is well-planned," Eowyn replied, "For the days are warm here and it would be unpleasant to learn in the heat of them. The students would tire more easily and be more prone to injury. I will join this class, though I may need some guidance in how to do so."