2. Peter knows something is amiss the moment they descend the treacherous mountain pass and step into Rohan; Narnians are sensitive to magic and they all feel something ill and dark at work, even the dumb mares they bring each year to be covered by the stallions of the Horse Lords are snorting and fretting.
Only their wary, ill ease prevents a devastating loss when the Narnians unexpectedly come upon an uncommonly bold orc band in the Westfold; Peter is shocked that King Theoden appears no longer concerned with defending his own borders and more shocking still, no Rohirrim ride out to their aid – Theodred and Eomer and their Éored are nowhere to be seen on the empty plains.
Lonely and watchful, the Narnians finally gain a sullen welcome at Edoras; the foulness they have felt hangs especially thick around Theoden who, in the last year, has aged a hundred from an illness he does not think Lucy’s cordial would mend and Peter sincerely hopes that he was never perceived as haunting Eowyn’s steps as Gríma does now.
3. The visit is hurried and grim, and his conversations with Eowyn, Eomer, and Theodred all conducted in whispers, for war is coming, Edoras is thoroughly corrupted from within, Gríma’s spies are everywhere and Peter is anxious to return home to guard the passes that he can no longer assume Rohan will, or can, protect. It tears his heart to see Eowyn so burdened and alone – and he loves Eomer and Theodred as near brothers but they do not see her pain or assume it to be a woman’s thankless work.
Peter has learned enough self-control to not offer Eowyn shelter in Narnia when she would abandon her duties no more than he himself would; instead, he confides in a whisper over their linked hands and the parting cup, “The Talking Horses have spoken with Shadowfax and he will instruct your herds; should your people need shelter in Narnia, tell them to follow the horses.”
Re: Peter/Eowyn - the parting cup and still more!
2. Peter knows something is amiss the moment they descend the treacherous mountain pass and step into Rohan; Narnians are sensitive to magic and they all feel something ill and dark at work, even the dumb mares they bring each year to be covered by the stallions of the Horse Lords are snorting and fretting.
Only their wary, ill ease prevents a devastating loss when the Narnians unexpectedly come upon an uncommonly bold orc band in the Westfold; Peter is shocked that King Theoden appears no longer concerned with defending his own borders and more shocking still, no Rohirrim ride out to their aid – Theodred and Eomer and their Éored are nowhere to be seen on the empty plains.
Lonely and watchful, the Narnians finally gain a sullen welcome at Edoras; the foulness they have felt hangs especially thick around Theoden who, in the last year, has aged a hundred from an illness he does not think Lucy’s cordial would mend and Peter sincerely hopes that he was never perceived as haunting Eowyn’s steps as Gríma does now.
3. The visit is hurried and grim, and his conversations with Eowyn, Eomer, and Theodred all conducted in whispers, for war is coming, Edoras is thoroughly corrupted from within, Gríma’s spies are everywhere and Peter is anxious to return home to guard the passes that he can no longer assume Rohan will, or can, protect. It tears his heart to see Eowyn so burdened and alone – and he loves Eomer and Theodred as near brothers but they do not see her pain or assume it to be a woman’s thankless work.
Peter has learned enough self-control to not offer Eowyn shelter in Narnia when she would abandon her duties no more than he himself would; instead, he confides in a whisper over their linked hands and the parting cup, “The Talking Horses have spoken with Shadowfax and he will instruct your herds; should your people need shelter in Narnia, tell them to follow the horses.”