[littlemanpoet]

"Harreld," said Eodwine, continuing, "I have a question."

"Ask it."

"When Théoden was king and Saruman and Sauron threatened war from both sides, and Wormtongue spoke evil counsel to the king, Eomer was banished from Edoras and told not to allow any foreigners into Rohan, not to disobey his lord. What did he do?"

Harreld grew uncomfortable. The answer was obvious enough to every man and hobbit in the smithy, and all knew it. He studied the tongs a bit, then turned to Eodwine angrily.

"But that was war! All our lives were in gravest danger! Eomer did what had to be done."

"It did not look that way at the time to many. Some saw him as traitor because he did not follow Eorling ways. Instead, he followed his heart, what he thought was the better choice. We all know too well that if not for Eomer's choices, Saruman would have captured the two holbytlan, the whereabouts of the Ringbearer would probably have become known to the dark lord, and we would now be living under evil slavery and you would not even be considering whether to wed Ginna. Is it not so?"

"Aye, 'tis so. But-"

"Ack! Another but!" cried Falco good naturedly.

Harreld grinned. "I cannot help it. Should the Eorl ... of oafs persuade me then all questions must be asked, or I will have doubts all my days." He faced Eodwine. "You are telling me that there are times when a lord should be disobeyed because he is wrong. Is that not your wisdom to me?"

"Aye."

"Tell me this, then. How am I so strongly to know that Randvér is wrong so that I may wed Ginna?"

"Do you love each other?"

"Ack! Love! It is all nonsense!" cried Garreth. "There is no such thing. Women do not love their men, they only seek to leash them and use them for themselves. And men do not love women either. They have no other way to carry on their names."

"Garreth," said Harreld, "you do not know yourself or you would not say such foolery."

"Ach! You are hopeless, Harreld!"

"Hopeless Harreld," echoed Falco with a laugh. "It has a ring to it."

"Yes, Eodwine, we do love each other. Of that I am sure. But what of it? 'Tis not enough to build a marriage on."

"Though it is a good start," Eodwine answered, "you are right. So answer this further question. If nothing stood in your way, is there any woman you would rather bind yourself to than Ginna?"

"No."

"Why not?"

Harreld's voice became gruff. "Without her I am half dead, half a man. She makes me more than I am." His eyes shone.

"And I say to you this," Eodwine smiled gravely. "Randvér will discover, some day, that he has gained in you a son beyond compare. Marry her. Be whole."

"Hear hear!" said Falco, raising his pipe as if it were a pint of mead.

"If you need a woman to be a whole man," growled Garreth, "then you were less than half a man to begin with."

"You are daft and a fool, Garreth," Harreld said. "Eodwine, I will think on your words, and I will think about what you have helped me see is in my heart and in my thought. And I will think on what it means to follow and step away from the Eorling way. When I have done thinking on these things, I will make a choice. I hope it will be my final choice."

"Let it be so," Eodwine said. "I trust it will be a good choice. And now, Garreth, let's hear more about this evil woman who ruined your livelihood and your life!"