Morning of June 7
Bearn's thoughts at the meeting with King Eomer
Bearn awaits the King's decision. Into his mind come these thoughts. "How long will he remain indecisive! When will he order the forces remaining in Edoras and his household and himself to fall back to Helm's Deep? Are his thoughts so addled that he cannot think of the good of Rohan! Has the recent death of his uncle disturbed his sanity! Then there is the matter of this woman, whom he thinks is his sister. She is as fey as any could be.
"When I think upon their uncle, Theoden King, and his state during his later years, I wonder if madness is a family trait. The people mutter among themselves at this strangeness, some saying she is indeed his sister, and others saying she is an imposter, a thrall of Mordor. Rohan suffered enough under the impotency of Theoden. They shall not suffer it again!
"How long will he keep me waiting here before he decides! Yes, he is young, and perhaps some of this can be credited to his inexperience. But then perhaps it is another thing. He, too, is going mad, as did his uncle and sister. He is not fit to rule Rohan!
"Perhaps I should listen to the others, the powerful ones in his own court, who say this about him too. We have talked long about this over recent days, and even members of his own household guard feel doubts in their hearts about Eomer's competency. Perhaps I should listen to them, and find means to rid Rohan of both King Eomer and his mad sister, and do as they say... make myself regent in his place!
"My friends will support me in this endeavor, I know, because they have already given me their pledges. As my friends say, with this dissent among his own guard, it would be a simple matter to take the King captive and proclaim that he is 'too ill at this time to rule.' Then, perhaps, at a later time, he might succumb to the strange illness that now plagues him.... and Rohan will be rid of its incompetent King! This will be for the good of Rohan... yes.... Rohan.... he is unfit... but who shall rule in his place? Who should rule? Yes... I should rule!
"Yes, I will act upon the urgings of others and set the course in motion.... after I have finished this 'audience' with the mad King of Rohan!"