A Gift for Valor
The caravan of celebrators from Gondor wason their way to the field of Cormallen for the great rejoicing called by King Elessar, leader of the Men of the West. Princess Lothiriel and her handmaid were getting ready for bed in their blue linen tent. Two Swan Knights stood outside her door, unwilling to leave their posts at her earlier insistence that they not fear. There was no reason to fear an attack, but the steadfast men ignored her and faithfully stood their ground. Lothiriel was glad to see her guards have heart again, her people have heart after so much despair. "I cannot believe you would commit such an act my lady!" Melodine cried in shock at Lothiriel's proposal, "or even think that it would be appropriate!" she added with wide disapproving eyes. The handmaid was a scant three years older than the princess, but considered herself much older and prided herself on teaching elegant conduct. They had grown close over the years, but Melodine could become stubborn, and took things the wrong way at times.
"Melly, you think I would suggest such a thing out of desire for the king! No!" Lothiriel turned slowly to face her handmaid and explained herself. "It is a great and glorious victory for all of middle-Earth that they have defeated the dark Lord and that Peace and joy may reign freely throughout our beloved countries! It is out of joy and indebtedness to those who fought the face of such evil and stood for my freedom that I wish to do this. You should know better than to assume my actions are guided by rash emotions!" Lothiriel gazed at the woman, honesty and goodwill blazing in her eyes as happened in council meetings when her persuasive diplomatic powers were honed in to serve her people. That passion for fairness had won many new regulations for her people and they adored her for it. Now, her handmaid was trying to understand how her capacity for good had suddenly shifted to wanting to kiss the future High King of Gondor.
"Don't you see? They saved me.."she faltered, looking for words as her body fought to maintain control and her knees shook. "They saved me from having to live in despair. They saved both you and I from a life of fear, death, and misery, a life that would have been no life at all,...from having to eventually face him. They protected our innocence," She locked the young woman's eyes and added meaningfully, " in every sense of the word, by sacrificing theirs." The last was a whisper, but it was full of enough conviction to resound through the tent. There was silence as they both digested the thought, and a new vigor came to their senses. The flowery breeze through the tent flap became a blessed fragrance, the evening sun glistening on the grass outside a wonder to behold.
"It is the least I could do to thank them. The purest expression of my joy and gratitude for their toil on my behalf." Lothiriel finished looking Melodine in the eye once again. The handmaid nodded as the breeze touched her face. Her lady was right, it was the purest gesture of thanks that a woman could give a soldier...but the fact that she had chosen not only a soldier, but the heir to the throne of Gondor, the legendary returning King, sent shivers down the woman's spine. I do hope he is as understanding of women as he is of war she thought nervously as she heated Princess Lothiriel's bed with warm stones from the fire.
Little did Melodine know that Lothiriel, despite her deep feeling that what she had decided to do was the most honorable course of action, could not help doubting herself either. Little was yet known about the King from the North, and the last thing Princess Lothiriel wanted to do was give the wrong impression or offend an unknown future Queen. Worried as to how it would appear to the audience, she began to systematically plan out how to place the most chaste and dignified kiss from her noble lips upon his destined brow.
As the caravan of people and wagons from Gondor neared the victory fields, Lothiriel became inwardly more and more anxious. She would have to be as poised and pure as an Elf to pull the exchange off as smoothly as she imagined and wished it to be. Thankfully, some of their graceful blood ran in her young veins and she was grateful for that slight chance that she might not make a fool of herself and Dol Amroth.
Having stayed in Gondor during the battle of the Pellennor Fields, she had proved diligent in aiding the Healers and even the city's defense behind her Uncle's back, holding down the fort until Gandalf had arrived. The way she conveyed Denethor's messages between posts, and the speeches she made after them had given the soldiers of Gondor courage and determination. Few women yet remained in their walls for the war, most had been moved to the mountains for the battle, but this one, this fair sister from the sea-lands believed in them, and then they in each other. The soldiers accompanying them to the feasting adored her because she had restored their faith in the way she carried herself, the nobility and honor that radiated from her. Because of these things, there was no reason for her to fear reaching the fields, her family and the New King, yet she still felt unworthy to dare.
"I believe it is this air, my lady." Melodine spoke up during the ride suddenly. Lothiriel turned a puzzled look to her handmaid.
"What do you speak of? What of the air? Is it not full of the scent of the Anduin and the wildflowers of Gondor?" She asked, startled out of her own musings.
"I believe that it is the air which makes you so nervous." Melodine smiled at her lady, who only looked even more bewildered, staring piercingly at the air for an answer. Melodine laughed, "Not the air in itself my lady, I mean the atmosphere; you are out of your element. It is this new environment which makes you less steady, although I must tell you that there is no place so grand and marvelous as Gondor, and you should not be nervous, but emboldened to be in your own country travelling to meet your new king and all the great men who fought for you…"
She paused and glanced mischievously at the Princess who seemed to have calmed at her explanation, "even if you are planning on kissing him upon arrival!"
At that the Princess tensed and her features reddened. With a squeal of laughter Melodine galloped ahead with Lothiriel in hot pursuit. The joke was light and set Lothiriel at ease for a while, especially when she apprehended her maid and they shared a few moments laughing in the while they waited for the caravan to catch up. The Swan knights were amused and rather puzzled with their Princess's behavior but were glad to see her smile. Once the wagons lumbered up, they joined the procession and continued merrily on their way. After a few hours riding, the sun past the top of the dome of the sky and moving down along the west, they spotted a clustering of tents with banners and ribbons of all colors flying jubilantly in the wind. They had made it and what a grand gathering it was!
As they neared the encampment Lothiriel's heart leapt to see the soldier's tents; there seemed only about the number of Dol Amroth's own army, not what there should have been for two kingdom's armies. Could it be that so few had survived to see the glorious new days? She felt slightly sick to her stomach and could not help but glance in the direction where the Black gate once lay, expecting smoke to be rising from it. The site of a great battle, with many men….lost… However a crisp Easterly wind was blowing across the lands and any smoke that was rising was unseen and the fires were being put out be special soldiers; which accounted for some of the missing men, but certainly not all.
Outside the main tent and at the entrance to the camp they spotted the White Swan banner of Dol Amroth flying beside its kin, the white tree of Gondor, and their renewed ally of old; the white horse of Rohan. Seeing all three flags made her heart leap; her family was here, and many friends, and she had been silly to doubt.
Many people were rushing out to see the newcomers and a great shout went up as their own Swan banner was seen. Some of the noble houses of Gondor had come in the caravan as well as many commoners, and there were shouts of recognition all around. Lothiriel spotted her father moving swiftly through the camp to meet them. I "Atar! Cormamin Lindua elle le!" She said as he came up to her horse and helped her down, giving her a mighty hug before placing her gently on the ground. Tears pricked their eyes and suddenly fearful she remembered her three brothers, "Where are Elphir, Erchirion and Amrothos? Nothing has happened to them has it?" Her father laughed loudly and hugged her to him again.
"No they are fine dearest. Erchirion got nicked by a small blade and is being attended to as we speak, but do not fear, it is only a minor wound, as his skinned knee a few summers ago, which is why he has only now been seen by the surgeon. The others are with him and will see you shortly." At her relieved smile he was gladdened; for a girl he knew a year ago did not know whether there would be victory or defeat, and now that it had come about all right, he needn't worry for her heart. "All is well now Lothi, how was your ride?"
"It was uneventful, but joyous in that way, and I am so happy to be here to see you and my brothers again, and to rejoice in your victory for middle-earth!" She said as her body threatened to burst under the excitement she felt at that moment.
"Well said." A voice behind her father said, and turning, they saw that it was Aragorn, Son of Arathorn, future king of Gondor. He stood there, handsome features, wise eyes, toil-hardened hands and Anduril at his side, with a joy and peace emanating from him. All the people stood still in awe and Lothiriel stared until she remembered what she had wanted to do. Now that he was before her though, she could not bring herself to move, even to speak. He was all their hopes and the nobility of old, that Numenorean blood that only legends held any longer, and she could not bring herself to do anything but stare in amazement and happiness at him.
"I am happy too daughter, but we all did it, not just I. The Lords Aragorn, and Eomer, and every soldier here including me brought about this victory, and all the soldiers who lost their lives on the Pellennor; they all shared in this and deserve equal praise." Imrahil replied grandly and the people around were still to hear such great men speak and bless them with thanks. Lothiriel noticed now a man of lighter coloring than Aragorn, standing only a few feet beside him, but with an air of importance and a strength and dignity in his eyes that mirrored Aragorn's.
"My Lords, may I present my daughter, Princess Lothiriel of Dol Amroth." Prince Imrahil turned and held her hand as he guided her before the two men. "Lothiriel, this is King Aragorn of Gondor-,"
"I am not King yet, Imrahil." Aragorn said quietly, looking almost sternly at the older man.
"It is more obvious than the sunrise, my Lord. All here know of your lineage! But,... my apologies my liege," he replied as Aragorn fixed him with a look, " Lothi, may I present the future King of Gondor, Aragorn Son of Arathorn, Captain of the Rangers of the North, and leader of the Men of the West." Lothiriel managed to smile weakly at him and he nodded eloquently.
"It is an honor to finally meet the daughter Prince Imrahil has spoken of so much." He said, and sensing her desire to say something waited, looking quizzically at her after a moment. Lothiriel could only fidget and dropped her eyes quickly. Imrahil couldn't figure out what was going on, but thought it best to continue the introductions.
"And now my dear, may I present, King Eomer of Rohan, brother to Eowyn who slew the Witch King of Angmar." Lothiriel looked up at the tall man, who was not so tall as Aragorn but still dwarfed her by a foot. Somehow this man was less intimidating than Aragorn, and suddenly remembering her purpose she strode forward and locked his eyes.
"My Lord I would like to thank you for leading your people and ours into battle and fighting for the freedom of middle-earth. I thank you for facing evil so that I might not have to." King Eomer seemed surprised and bowed his head to hide his embarrassment. She walked slowly up to him and stretching as far as she could managed to place a kiss on his brow. Immediately he jerked his face back up.
"My Lady, it was an honor to fight for you and all of Middle-Earth." He said earnestly, locking her eyes intensely.Suddenly feeling many eyes upon her Lothiriel quickly retreated back to her father's side and bowed her head. Imrahil, whose gaping mouth turned into a wide smile, noticed his daughter's discomfiture and decided to intervene on her behalf.
"My Lords my daughter thanks you with her heart, and my words can do no justice to it. We will leave you till the evening, my family will have many happy reunions thanks to everyone's efforts." He bowed low and regally, Lothiriel following suit beside him, her face low. Only when she arose did she look up, her face clear of all but peace. She looked at Aragorn and Eomer then nodded graciously and departed on her father's arm. Aragorn portrayed no emotions about the whole proceeding but did glance at King Eomer as the Dol Amroth royalty made their exit.
"That did not go as planned at all." Lothiriel murmured to herself. The grass crunched crisply beneath their feet as the cool evening breeze stirred the camp to life in preparation for the feast.
"You planned that? My goodness it was marvelous!" His dark gray eyes bright with sudden mirth and surprise. " It was heartfelt though right darling?" Imrahil turned his daughter to face him, his eyes suddenly serious and firm. She widened her eyes in exasperation.
"Yes father. I wanted to thank everyone for sacrificing so much for my freedom, only I had planned on giving the kiss to Lord Aragorn, but he proved a very ...grand person to behold…. and I lost my nerve. I hope I did not offend Lord Aragorn by giving my kiss to King Eomer. If it were not frowned upon I would give a kiss of thanks to every soldier, but….oh my.. I hope I did not cause a problem." Lothiriel was worriedly talking to her father as he only smiled and led her to their tents.
Her meaning was surely not mistaken, and he had no worries, but there was no way to convince her that what she had done was perfectly fine and diplomatically acceptable– in fact what she had done was purely from her heart and that denied diplomacy from even touching it.
Finally he could take it no longer. "Peace Lothiriel! You behaved yourself royally and did the most honorable and gracious display that has yet been seen between countries and allies." He lowered his voice, looking sidelong at her, then added, "and it will not be overanalyzed. You need have no fear, just keep your intentions pure and let joy guide your actions as you did." With a swish of his blue robes he swiftly kissed her forehead and dispelled her last doubts about the kiss she gave to King Eomer as a gift of thankfulness for Peace.
A/N: Let me know how I can improve this for better understanding and enjoyment! I don't know if there will be more than two chapters, it all depends on my hectic schedule and whether or not I can find a direction to take it. I was inspired to write what is here so far from a painting I've seen in history-books of a maiden in white knighting a medival knight. It just oozes with chivalry, which I love, and I wanted to throw that sort of pure passion into an Eomer/Lothiriel story. Please Review!