Eregiel and Calentauriel rode at an easy pace, conversing as they travelled south.
'Nésa,' Eregiel addressed her sister, 'I have given Éowyn's circumstance much thought, particularly since our parting from the Grey Company.'
'Have your thoughts about her changed?' asked Calentauriel.
'Indeed they have,' replied Eregiel. 'Being told you cannot or must not do something merely because you are a lady is a bit--how shall I put it?'
'Disconcerting?' offered Calentauriel.
'Yes, I suppose,' answered Eregiel, 'but perhaps condescending is closer to the mark.'
'I had the same feeling, nésa,' replied Calentauriel, 'but was reluctant to express it. It reassures me that you feel as I do.'
'I observed that none of these lords offered Lúthien as an example,' Eregiel said with a tinge of bitterness. 'Beren's quest to obtain a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown would have been a complete failure if she--
'And Huan,' interjected Calentaurel, who is very fond of dogs.
'--if she and Huan had not come to his rescue,' continued Eregiel. 'There, I think I have proven my point.'
'You have, nésa,' said Calentauriel. 'It is a shame that Halbarad was not with us to hear it.'
The sisters laughed.
~Calembel~
The journey from the Hill of Erech to Dol Amroth was not all pleasant conversation and laughter. While traversing the rolling hills near the town of Calembel the sisters encountered a herd of massive aurochs, and were nearly trampled when the beasts stampeded. Fortunately, the swift horses of Rohan carried the sisters to safety.
'What spooked those aurochs, I wonder?' mused Calentauriel.
'Could it be that Elessar and the Army of the Dead are near?' asked Eregiel.
'If so we had best quicken our pace!' replied Calentauriel. 'Our horses, proud and strong though they may be, will not react well to the Dead Men's presence.'
'Indeed!' said Eregiel, exhorting her steed Vanima into a gallop.
~End of Part 9~
