#eotheod

Like I will never say that there isn't a distinct disparity and patronising racial bias on Gondor's side, but Rohan quite literally remains an independant country with it's own distinct language and culture and free law with no need to consult Gondor on any aspect of it BECAUSE of this binding mutual contract that is entirely equal as Cirion and Eorl designed it. They are allies, of equal need and use to the other. Like my god Phillipa I get you just want Rohan to be good and Gondor to be bad and made massive story changes to LotR just to bring about that reality, but come on, be forreal about it at least. You're killing me here.

JRRT you sly bastard!!!!! damn you and your narrative parallels!!!!!

          Borondir was a soldier of Gondor descended from the Northmen of Rhovanion, and like his kin chose to forgo the use of stirrups, earning him the name Udalraph among his warrior companions. At a time when Gondor’s northern borders were threatened by the Balchoth hordes, Steward Círion sent six riders to seek the aid of his people’s the Éothéod who had once been Kings of Rhovanion and even wed their princess Vidumavi to Valacar, the twentieth King of Gondor. Of the messengers, only Borondir survived the journey, though he was waylaid by enemies the entire way from Minas Tirith to Framsburg.           He arrived half-dead from exhaustion and hunger, but still managed to give Círion’s message to Éorl, Lord of the Éothéod. He presented both the Seal of the Stewards and an orc-arrow stained with blood to impress the direness of the situation and urgently called upon Éorl to renew the ancient friendship between their peoples. After much deliberation, Éorl agreed, and Borondir guided the Éothéod southward to the Battle of the Field of Celebrant. The arrival of reinforcements turned the tide of the battle, but amidst the fighting Borondir was killed, much to the grief of both Gondor and the Éothéod.           Borondir was laid to rest in the Hallows of Minas Tirith beside the Kings and Stewards, and his name was long remembered in the song of Rochon Methestel, “Rider of Last Hope.” After his death, Círion granted the Éothéod the land of Calenardhon to become their Kingdom, and he and Éorl swore an Oath of everlasting friendship between their nations, to be called upon by delivery of a Red Arrow after the fashion of Borondir’s fateful symbol of war.           Five centuries later, Borondir’s heroic ride was echoed by Hirgon, an errand-rider of Steward Denethor II. Though his journey was not so far as his predecessor’s, Hirgon nonetheless narrowly escaped orc attacks on his flight, surviving to present the Red Arrow to Théoden King. He did not stay to lead the Rohirrim back to Gondor, instead riding for Minas Tirith the day after Théoden agreed to come to Gondor’s aid.            But before he could reach the White City, Hirgon was caught by Sauron’s forces and slain at the Rammas Echor, where Théoden’s riders found his body when they made their way south. Thus Denethor never received the message that the Rohirrim were coming to Gondor’s aid, and their sudden arrival at the Pelennor Fields was as miraculous as that of Éorl at the Celebrant.

          Éorl the Young was but sixteen years old when he became the Lord of the Éothéod, and was still in his youth nine years later when his people’s ancient allies in Gondor sought their aid against their foes, the Balchoth of the east and fearsome Uruk-hai. Steward Círion sent many messengers to the North, but only one, Borondir Udalraph, survived the journey to Framsburg. Borondir bore the Red Arrow and the Seal of the Stewards, calling upon Éorl to renew the ancient friendship between their peoples, and after much deliberation Éorl agreed. He led the Éothéod into war upon the Field of Celebrant, turning the tide of the battle in the favor of Gondor and destroying the Balchoth and the orcs. They chased their remaining enemies across the plains of Calenardhon, ridding that land of evil.           After this great victory, Círion returned to Minas Tirith to recover, but asked Éorl to meet him again in three months upon the banks of the Mering Stream. Éorl led the Éothéod back into the North, and in Framsburg wed Lisswyn the bard, who immediately set about immortalizing her husband’s deeds in song. When the time came, Éorl returned to the South and was led by Círion to the hill of Amon Anwar where Elendil, the first King of the Dúnedain, was buried in secret. Círion offered the land of Calenardhon to the Éothéod in perpetual alliance with Gondor, and Éorl was honored to accept.           Upon Amon Anwar, Círion and Éorl swore an Oath, even in the name of Eru Ilúvatar himself, of lasting friendship between the two realms. This solemn vow was witnessed by Círion’s heir Hallas, Prince Zôrahad of Dol Amroth, two other Councilors of Gondor, and Éorl’s captain and dear friend Éomund. Should ever Gondor or the Éothéod need aid, they needed only to send the Red Arrow born first by Borondir to signify their plight, or else to light the warning beacons of Gondor across the White Mountains to summon support.           Éorl returned to the North bearing the joyous news of a new land and old allies. He led his people back to Calenardhon, where he founded the kingdom of Rohan. That name was coined by Hallas, son of Círion, who was close in friendship with Éorl. As the new King organized his nation, he was supported by Lisswyn his wife and Éomund his captain, both equally dear in his heart; indeed, it was rumored that Éomund was welcome in the bed of the King and Queen.           Éorl ruled from Aldburg, a green hill in the shadow of the White Mountains. Even as he aged, he retained his youthful vigor and his golden-yellow hair, and his bond with Felaróf his mighty steed only grew stronger. But the peace of Rohan could not last forever, and when the Easterlings attacked in vengeance for their defeat upon the Field of Celebrant, Éorl fell in battle attempting to repel them. He was buried in the first royal mound, and Felaróf, who perished alongside his master, was buried with him.           King Éorl was succeeded by his son Brego, who continued to defend the borders of Rohan against the invading Easterlings and the Dunlendings who had dwelt in Calenardhon before the Éothéod’s migration hither. His wife was Meregith, a warrior who fought by his side, and together they had three sons: Baldor, Aldor, and Éofor. After he and Meregith fought off their enemies, Brego began construction on the Golden Hall of Meduseld upon the hill of Edoras.           When Meduseld was completed, Brego hosted a great feast and invited all his people’s allies to attend. Among these were Steward Hallas and Prince Alêthir of Dol Amroth; Alêthir’s son Karsalimir was awed by Brego’s skill in riding upon the son of Felaróf and determined to attempt the feat himself. Karsalimir was denied, but in later years returned to Rohan and perished in an unlawful attempt to mount one of the mearas. This was not the only tragedy foreshadowed upon that night of celebration, for at this time Brego’s eldest son Baldor vowed to pass through the Dark Door and walk the Paths of the Dead.           This mountain pass had been discovered by Brego and Baldor some years earlier, and it was explained by Hallas that it was a relic of another ancient Oath like unto the one sworn by his and Brego’s fathers. King Isildur of Gondor had sworn with the King of the Mountains an Oath of alliance in the name of the One, but when he called upon the Men of the Mountains to fulfill it, they broke their word and refused to go to war against Sauron, whom they had worshipped in years past. Isildur cursed them and their king, proclaiming they would have no rest until the Oath was fulfilled, and as the years passed on the King and his people faded into restless wraiths haunting their former lands, luring unwary travelers into their clutches, never to return.           Baldor balked at the terrible repercussions of such an Oath, so like the one which he himself was bound to as a descendant of Éorl, and determined to traverse the Paths of the Dead to prove the legend false. When a year after Meduseld’s completion Baldor embarked alone upon his journey into darkness, he was lost in a temple of Sauron, starving to death after the ghosts broke his legs. Baldor’s skeleton would not be discovered for five centuries, until Aragorn and the Grey Company passed through the temple on their own adventures.           Upon the loss of his beloved son and heir, Brego withered away in his grief and perished less than a year later. His second son, Aldor, now took up his crown and became the third King of Rohan, while Éofor his youngest son was granted the lordship of Aldburg.

          Léod was a Lord of the Éothéod, a descendant of Fram, who had flourished 500 years earlier. He was a great horseman and a well-loved leader, protecting Framsburg from orcs and wolves and winning great renown among his people. His wife was Godliss, a gentle woman unlike the shieldmaidens Léod’s ancestors had wed, but she also was beloved by the Éothéod and raised their son Éorl in grace and nobility.           In the lands about Framsburg, many horses roamed wild and free. The men of the Éothéod would often capture and tame these beasts, and Léod was renowned for his ability to break proud and wild horses into obedient steeds. While his son was still a youth, Léod captured a white foal more fierce and resistant than any he had before seen, and when it was grown he attempted to mount the creature, confident in his skill.           Alas, this mighty horse was greater than even Léod knew, and he threw his rider, escaping to freedom. Léod hid the ground with great force, his head breaking open upon a rock, and died, leaving Éorl the Lord of the Éothéod. Godliss mourned her husband’s loss and soon wasted away in grief; Éorl, only sixteen years old, was left with a people who doubted his youth and abilities and feared that the loss of their beloved Lord Léod would spell the doom of the Éothéod.           But Éorl was a mighty young man, and he swore to avenge his father’s death. He hunted down the white stallion that had killed his father and recaptured it, determined to break it as Léod had endeavoured. The confrontation between Éorl and the horse was great indeed, but in the end Éorl won and bent his father’s killer to his will.           Éorl named his steed Felaróf and doomed the stallion to carry him for the rest of their lives. Humbled, Felaróf accepted this burden, and in time a great bond was forged between horse and rider. Felaróf could understand the speech of Men—or at least the words of Éorl—and lived a long and glorious life alongside his master. He gave rise to a race of remarkable horses, the mearas, and according to tradition his descendants could only be ridden by the Lord of the Mark, Éorl’s own progeny.

@from-the-coffee-shop-in-edoras I wrote about Marhwini! It turned out a bit grim, though...