August 10th
Funeral of King Théoden.
Today is a day of grief and celebration. It’s normal to feel sorrow for the loss of life, especially a life that had affected so many. King Théoden’s death struck many of those who knew him with grief, he was a father-figure to Éomer and Éowyn, he was a leader to many, and he was a brother in arms to Aragorn. Many kings before him had done great things, many kings before him hadn’t, it is certain that Théoden will be remembered as one of the greatest kings that ruled in Middle-earth.
Songs were sung, tears were shed, kings were remembered, and Théoden’s life was celebrated. We want to share with you and excerpt after Théoden’s burial mound was laid.
“Then the Riders of the King’s House upon white horses rode round about the barrow and sang together a song of Théoden Thengel’s son that Gléowine his minstrel made, and he made no other song after. The slow voices of the Riders stirred the hearts even of those who did not know the speech of that people; but the words of the song brought a light to the eyes of the folk of the Mark as they heard again afar the thunder of the hooves of the North and the voice of Eorl crying above the battle upon the Field of Celebrant; and the tale of the kings rolled on, and the horn of Helm was loud in the mountains, until the Darkness came and King Théoden arose and rode through the Shadow to the fire, and died in splendour, even as the Sun, returning beyond hope, gleamed upon Mindolluin in the morning.
Out of doubt, out of dark, to the day’s rising
he rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing.
Hope he rekindled, and in hope ended;
over death, over dread, over doom lifted
out of loss, out of life, unto long glory.”
This passage fills us with the emotions of this moment. Kings and trumpets and battle cries filled the hearts of the people of the Mark, together they all felt King Théoden rise in splendor and glory. It’s such a beautiful passage to remember a fallen king and celebrate his glory.
Finally after tears were shed, the feast began, Éomer was crowned King of the Mark, and Éowyn’s engagement to Faramir was announced to the crowd. The day truly ended in celebration, as we lose people in out lives we must do our best to celebrate the moments we had with them. Understand that not all tears are evil, but honor their memory, hold a feast in their honor, drink to their memory, and celebrate. Celebrate life, love, and what’s to come.
Thank you so much for your time and remember, out of doubt, out of dark, to the day’s rising he rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing.
– The Wandering One
Of Blades and Kings 