1CHAPTER 1
I stood motionless. What is he saying? I asked myself.
" You are to leave immediately without hesitation, king's orders." the guard announced. The king's orders.
The words resounding in my head. How could Theodon do this? He had sworn to my brother to protect me and now he is just discarding me? I sat motionless as the guard cleared his throat hoping that I would move without him having to use force. Eomer, where are you?
"What of Eomer? Has there been any word?" I whispered.
"Yes my lady, Sir Grimma wishes to speak to you before you leave about Sir Eomer." the guard said quickly.
OH that snake. I'm sure he does have something to say. It seems he speaks more for the king than the king himself. I can hardly wait to hear the lies that he will spew.
"Well then, let us not keep him waiting shall we." I uttered bitterly.
The sound of our footsteps echoed in the great hall. My heart pounded in my ears. As we reached the king's throne I saw the snake emerge from the dark corner.
"Your majesty you wished to see me?" I bowed in reverence.
"My sweet child." Grimma hissed, "Let us not bother the king with anymore details of your leaving. He has made his decree now let us see to the details of your departure."
I glared at him in disbelief. How could this parasite ever know the true wishes of this magnificent king. He has poisoned his mind somehow. I just wish I knew how.
Grimma led me into a small room just off the great hall.
"I see you are not going to fight the kings decree?" Grimma smiled.
I squared my shoulders. "The guard said you had word of Eomer?"
"Oh yes... Eomer... We received word this morning." Grimma paused looking wily. He paused then turned to me with a smile upon his face. "He is dead!" he laughed.
I felt the blood drain from my face. It felt like the ceiling had fallen in on me. His words rang in my ears. I couldn't hear anything else.
"H..he's dead?" I stuttered.
"Killed while searching for the king's son." Grimma said matter-a-factly. "So you see there will be no one to help you now." He hissed. "You will be in the hands of the Steward of Gondor by tonight, and no one will care."
"You LIAR!!!" I screamed.
Eomer could not be dead. He had to be lying. I would know if he were dead. I would feel it. Wouldn't I?
"Guards!" Grimma shouted. "Take her to the meeting place, and make sure the exchange is made that we discussed."
I couldn't move. I stood there trying to make my feet move to run away, but I couldn't. My feet were like lead. The guards were leading me away. The pain was too much. Tears filled my eyes. I felt my heart being ripped out of my chest. No this cannot be. Eomer. My love, my life, dead?
I don't remember anything more until the carriage stopped and the light of the torch made my eyes squint.
"We are here my lady." the guard spoke
I nodded still unable to understand, but willing to get out of this black box I was in. My legs felt weak and numb. I stretched my legs and looked around. There was King Theoden's trusted guards. I recognized their uniforms, but there were other guards there. I did not recognize their uniforms. They had a large chest they were loading into the carriage where I had been. This must be the exchange Grimma spoke of. What could the Steward of Gondor hope to gain by this exchange. Why would he want me?
"She's all yours." one of the other guards laughed as he finished placing the chest in the carriage. "although I do believe we have gotten the better deal." He ran his fingers through my hair as he passed and I shuddered.
"Enough, Naidir, she is not to be harmed in any way. Denethor's orders." a older looking guard spoke abruptly.
"Yes Beregond, I was just admiring our newest asset for Gondor." Naidir said with a smile. "Let's get her back as quickly as possible." Beregond turned to me. "My lady, this way."
I followed the movement of his arms to show another carriage waiting for me.
I slowly made my way over to it, pulling myself with all my might into the tiny compartment for yet another journey in the dark. I welcomed the dark. All I could see was Eomer's face when it was dark. I held onto it for fear that the light would make it all to real that he was gone. Tears stung my eyes again. Why had I been so short with him at our last meeting. I wasn't really angry he had to leave. I had just wanted him to stay.
"I will be back shortly. do not fret." he spoke softly.
"How is that possible?" I pouted tears in my eyes."It always seem there is something that takes you away from me."
"Even when I am away I am always with you Because you have my heart." He crooned "so where ever I go my heart remains with you."
He gently lifted my chin kissing my tears. I could still feel his warm breath on my cheeks. I touched my cheek softly and ached inside to feel his kiss again.
Somewhere exhaustion took hold and I awoke to a small ray of light streaming into the darkness of the carriage. I tried to stretch but my muscles ached. I could here people talking and the stirrings of a city. We must be here. Gondor. The perfect white city. The city of my ancestors. It had been so long since I had heard the stories of this great city from my brother. Aragon had entertained me many a nights with the stories of old. After I had become old enough to learned the truth of our origins we never spoke of that city again or it's stories . I understood the shame he felt at being Isildur's heir. Isildur's arrogance is the reason we were all suffering now.
The carriage stopped and the door was opened. I stepped out onto the smooth white stone. The gloriousness of the city I beheld took my breath away. It was just as I had imagined those many years ago. Majestic. Noble. I felt stronger in knowing my great ancestors had once walked where I stood.
The guards led me to the great hall. As we stepped inside, my eyes fell on the silent company of tall graven images in cold stone. I stood in awe. I slowly glanced around. All the great kings of old's images stood before me. But there at the far end of the hall there was a stone throne and upon it sat an old man, gazing down at his lap looking troubled.
"Lord Denethor, we have returned with King Theoden's part of the arrangement." Beregond stated.
The old gentleman looked up. His eyes full of pain.
"Excellent work Beregond." Denethor spoke excitedly. "Bring her here."
Beregond motioned for me to come forward. I looked to Denethor wondering what this was all about.
"Now we have a bigger bargaining chip than we had before with our enemies." Denethor smiled wily.
I gasped. He wouldn't dare give me to the enemy. Aragon would kill him. As if reading my mind he spoke.
"My lady did you think that I brought you here to be amused by your beauty." Denethor spat. "I know what is in Gandalf's mind, and he will NOT dethrone me and place your brother into power. Not as long as I have you now will he?"
"My brother?" I questioned.
It all made sense. He thinks that Aragon is coming here to set up the kingdom that is rightly his.
"Sire my brother has no desire...."
"I know what your brother's desire is." He shrieked. "I will not have all my years as Steward taken away by someone who should have never even been born."
He continued to mutter under his breath. I could not make out what he was saying. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Did he really feel that threatened by Aragon or was he simply mad?
"Take her to the dungeon." He said "We wouldn't want our prize to run away before negotiations begin."
The guards grabbed my arms and pulled me away before I had time to speak.
