A/N-
Hello, you guys! So excited for this update!
Borys68- I'm so glad you find this refreshing! Eowyn is 3 at the time this all took place, thus Theodred was roughly 20. He was 41 I believe when he had fallen. I'm not quite sure what you meant by movie or book, though. If it answers anything, I am using whichever works for the stories benefit. :)
KathyG- Yay! People find it cute! That makes me so happy. I, too, am looking forward to how this goes. It started out as a dream on my part (I had fallen asleep while watching The Two Towers), and though I have a story line, how I get to the end is totally up in the air. So, I'm excited. As for your question, maybeeee, but that is for you to find out! ^_^
Knowing Grace- Another person who thinks its cute! :D I'm so happy I was able to please people with this, and I seriously hope I do not let anyone down in this chapter or in chapters to come.
All of these reviews make my day so, so, so much better! (and thanks to the followers as well! Can't leave you out! ^u^) Thanks so much!
Daughter of Honor
Chapter 2: The Mystery
"King?!" Juniper exclaims for the billionth time as the three enter the large hall. She stares at the Theoden with wide eyes that are full of awe.
Theoden and Theodred chuckle at the little girl in front of them. "Yes, Juniper. A king and a prince. Is that really so difficult to believe?" Theodred asks the little girl in pure amusement. Never before had they received shock and giddiness once their identities are known. "Close your mouth, young one. You will catch bugs."
Juniper, after doing as she is told, feels a wave of fear come over her. She begins to shake, and she looks around, as if she were trying to find an escape. "I know I ma'e a mis'ake, but..." she wandered off, her voice fading into silence. "Are you goin' to pu' me in the dun..dun-jons?" she asked, sounding out the word 'dungeons'.
Both father and son look at the child before them in complete confusion. Theoden kneels on one knee so he is eye level with Juniper. He asks the girl, "Pray tell, what would give you such an idea, little one?"
Juniper, whom had her head hanging low in fear, looks up at the royal man before her. "Be'ause that is wha' happens in all of t'e stowies," she says softly.
"Stories? I have heard no such thing in stories of kings and princes," Theoden speaks gently. "So you have nothing to fear. Come, child. Let us get you to a room and something to relieve your hunger. What do you say?" Juniper beams up at the man and his son, walking between the both of them- her tiny hands holding on to the hands of the men beside her.
They walk in silence, until Theodred speaks. His voice is so unexpected that Juniper jumps slightly, but she immediately relaxes. "You know. I have a feeling you would love to meet my little cousin, Eowyn. She seems to be about your age," he says. "She is three."
Juniper giggles, "She's not my age, silly! She is a year yo'nger th'n me!"
"Close enough," Theodred mutters, earning a chuckle from his father.
"Can I reawy mee' her?" Juniper asks Theoden, who gives a single nod in consent.
"Only after you have eaten and rested, child," Theoden says. Almost as soon as the words departed from his mouth, the three arrived at the little girl's room. "This is Lavinia. She will be taking care of you for the time being."
"Hello, Juniper," the nursemaid smiled at the young girl. While Theodred was occupying the young girl with a discussion of legends, Theoden had requested Lavinia's assistance in taking care of this little girl until her family was found. Lavinia is the daughter of Theodred's nursemaid, and a character perfect for watching this child for a time.
"Hi," Juniper shyly speaks. She twirls her left braid around her finger, as Lavinia and Theoden are speaking. Normally, Juniper would try to decipher what grown ups are saying, but it was impossible for her this time for they were speaking in another language. She stops twisting her braid,however, when another man dressed in armor, joins the conversation. Juniper notices the look on King Theoden's face when the guard is speaking to him, and suddenly fears for what is to come.
Lavinia smiles reassuringly at her king, "You need not worry. She will be quite alright." Theoden nodded to the nursemaid and smiled at Juniper before departing. Theodred followed behind his father after only a few brief words to Juniper.
"Lets get you cleaned and fed, Juniper," Lavinia gently comforts.
"Juni."
"Excuse me?" Lavinia asks the red-headed girl.
Juniper looks up at Lavinia and gives a faint smile, "You ca' call me Juni."
Lavinia smiles at little Juni, and she says, "Only if you call me Lavi." Juniper beamed at Lavi and followed her into the room to clean and eat.
Theoden and Theodred are finally relieved. They are now complete with the government affairs, but they still have a pressing matter at hand. What do they do with Juniper Bartleby? The redheaded four year old that was found with pigtail braids and an odd bag hanging on her back. They did not bother asking the little girl where she lived, but the two are positive she lives in Edoras. After all, how far can one girl travel on her own? Surely not far.
To Theoden's request, Eomer (whom had been informed of the situation earlier), Theodred, and a select few guards personally search Edoras for the Bartleby family. They begin knocking on doors, stopping those wandering about the streets, and even trying the stables, but it was to no avail. When Theoden had heard of the failure, he ordered ten guards to search the city throughout the week. Maybe the family is accidentally avoiding the chances to see their child. Maybe they are worried sick over the young ones disappearance and have not been able to find the guards.
However, when this fails, Theoden becomes worried, and even more so, frustrated. He sends out an order for any one in Rohan that has sees a Bartleby, to send them straight to the King's halls- to Meduseld, for they had a child to claim and questions to answer. Alas, after months on in, this also fails.
"Where could this poor child's family possibly be?!" Theoden growls to his nephew and son, after ripping a parchment into pieces. Eomer and Theoden share a look between each other, and turn back to face Theoden. "Even when I ask her, she will not tell me the name of her village!"
"She has told you, but you never listened, Father," Theodred speaks calmly.
"What?" Theoden dared his son to elaborate, in which he had;
"Fairbanks, Alaska, so she tells. Also, she says she comes from a country named America."
"America, nor Fairbanks, nor Alaska have ever been in existence. Check the maps, those places are not there. Check the library, those places of which she speaks are no where written in them," Theoden scoffs.
"We know this," Eomer added, "She is not from anywhere on the maps. She has no home, no family, no friends, other than Eowyn, Theodred, and I- She is alone."
Theoden sighs, "We shall speak to the wandering wizard upon his return, for now," Theoden stands up and walks toward the entryway of his palace. He takes a moment to gaze over his homeland- his people. He memorizes the smell of the air and the sounds of laughter from nearby. Slowly, he turns to Theodred and asks, "What would you say if we took her in as your little sister?"
"That is most welcome," Theodred smiles, selfishly pleased with the outcome. Who cares about her family? They abandoned her, and now she has a better one.
"And what about a little cousin?" Theoden looks to Eomer, who grins. Theodred's smile wavers at the question. He had believed that his answer was enough.
"Eowyn would be thrilled," Eomer said.
Théoden asks, "And you?"
"Just as I am to have another cousin." Truth is, the four members of the royal family [Eowyn included] and Lavinia had grown so accustom to the little girl's antics and stories that they had secretly prayed that the Bartlebys could not be found.
Theoden smiles and looks out to his village, "Then, it is settled."
A/N: What do you guys think? Did I let you down? I will definitely go back and rewrite it if I had, just tell me! :)
I don't know when I can update again. I am only home on Wednesdays and I usually don't feel like writing then, so I wait until Saturday and Sunday. Agggh! Many responsibilities! (which is a good thing, in a way), but still. D:
Oh well.
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Constructive Criticism? ^_^;