#about:eomer

[eohere]

Eomer to Theoden: “But will you parley with this dealer in treachery and murder? Remember Theodred at the Fords, and the grave of Hama in Helm's Deep!”

(...)

Theoden to Saruman: “What will you say of your torches in Westfold and the children that lie dead there? And they hewed Hama's body before the gates of the Hornburg, after he was dead.”

No but like... forreal tho... I know I just fixed the reason for this, but Theoden why to you specifically omit Theodred’s death from the crimes of Saruman that Eomer has listed? Why don’t you mention him as you pass his GRAVE? Why is there nothing from you about your son who died not a week ago? Heroically sacrificing his life to defend the country you allowed to be overrun! Theoden mentions BOROMIR with more sorrow than his own son- Say his name Theoden!!! 

#about:theoden #about:eomer #someone needs to write a theoden so I can get some sweet goddamn catharsis as he slowly realises he's been decieved about his son for #five years and has been taking the word of a traitor over Theodred's begging him to see- to understand what is happening #to listen to him

[eohere]

HEADCANON - Theodred and his reputation

Theodred had to weather abject humiliation during the last five years of his life. This was not a situation where he was a noble bastion, holding onto his honour and integrity and reputation through it all. Grima did absolutely everything in his power to break the chains of loyalty and dedication between Eomer, Theodred and Theoden, he wanted them all angry and resentful of one another, he wanted the country torn apart with it. But most of all he wanted trust between the people and their royal line to be broken. 

And there was no chance that Theodred could preserve both his, and Theoden’s and Eomer’s reputation. Grima deeply enjoyed pushing the narrative of Theodred as the indolent and irresponsible Prince. He used Fengel’s still ever present shadow to paint a comparison between him and his great grandson, twisting and crafting scenarios to cast blame. And Theodred fought it for a little time, his instinct to defend his own hard-won respect ingrained. 

But he quickly realised that this was not an arena he would succeed on. Grima was the better politician, connected and shielded in ways Theodred was not. And if the Prince was not to blame, then someone else had to be. And so, with a great deal of pain, he let the bulk rest on his shoulders. For he could not allow the King to be questioned when in a state of war and Eomer would not claim the Third-Marshall’s seat until a year before his death. 

And so, Theodred was a dallier, Theodred became a callous commander, Theodred was war mongering and selfish and jealous of Saruman’s influence over the King. And each time he was accused he would return to Edoras, hear his crimes and ask for forgiveness, with the kind of restraint he would never have expected from even himself before. 

By 3019 TA the Westfold remains the only province within Rohan that holds him in any kind of respect. Grimbold of Grimslade is one of few men Theodred entrusts with his plans and keeps in his confidences, hence it is he and those few Captains who would follow Theodred into death itself who ride to his muster at the Ford of Isen. 

And this is why Theoden never mentions his son by name for the entirety of the book. Indeed, when Eomer remembers Theodred’s death in the crimes of Saruman, Theoden appears to purposefully exclude him. Because his reputation and legacy is still tarnished in Theoden’s memory and that is true also in a universe where he lives. And I’m realising suddenly... that this is why Theodred abdicates in that situation. There is too much distrust and it would take too much time to scrub the slate clean when Rohan needs a King to recover. And oh, that is a cruel and bitter pill to swallow.

#;;theodredcanon #OH this one... hurt quite a lot actually #about:theoden #about:eomer