Chapter 4

The journey begins

The group that left Vashkah the next morning was a strange one. Moira and Fyrim led the procession along the dark path through the forest, then Diagon riding with Mirghast, with Grima by his side. Mirghast had undergone a change that morning, disguising himself as a Rhunlander by shaving his face and arms of all hair, and lightening his skin with chalk powder.

Legolas, who rode behind, was cloaked and hooded as no amount of dye could change his golden hair or disguise his pointed ears. Grama Grawly rode beside the Elf, who had assuaged his doubts that he was an unwelcome presence, but nevertheless encouraged him not to draw attention to himself unless it became necessary.

The journey to the Royal City proved longer that Eowyn had thought, and urging her mare up beside Grima's, she asked him how much farther they had to go.

"Many more days, I am afraid my Lady. This forest is bigger than Mirkwood twice over."

"But how could that be?" Eowyn cried, "The map I have seen shows it as no bigger than Lorien at best!"

Grima laughed, "Ah, yes…that map is very old, my Lady. It was made when the first rangers reported their impressions of our Middle Earth. I laughed out loud when I saw the map you speak of, not long after I came to Rohan. Clearly, the Ranger who had travelled in my homeland had merely skirted the Sea's edge, for there is far more forest than would fit on that map."

"But why? Surely no Kingsman would be so lax in his duties?"

"It seems you have forgotten what the Rangers were before the King of Gondor took it upon himself to form them into a proper force. In the early days they were mere wanderers; some witless, others mad, outcasts and criminals wandering the wilderness for reasons known only to themselves. Their King knows this himself, having travelled as a Ranger for many years before his ascent to the Throne of his Forbears."

"I can not help but wonder what could hide in a forest of the size you describe." Eowyn replied with a thoughtful expression.

"Then I will enlighten you. We travel to the Olyphant grazing lands."

Eowyn's eyes widened with amazement.

"Is it true? Will we see them?" she gasped.

"If you wish it, it will be done." Grima smiled, "though I hope their numbers have increased in recent years. The Dark Lord captured many to serve in his armies- they were the main reason for his vicious attacks upon my land…the Oliyphaunts, and those he took for slaves." He continued with a trace of bitterness and they continued thence in reflective silence.

In the days that followed an easy camaraderie settled upon the troop, Eowyn building up a strong liking for young Diagon, who would often ride with her instead of Fyrim or Mirghast, who, he told her suppressing a cheeky giggle, smelt of rats.

When they made camp at night, when the evening meal was over, they would gather around the campfire and sing songs or tell stories until late, sometimes Diagon struggling to stay awake to hear one more story, or one more song, but eventually falling asleep with his head resting in Eowyn's lap. While he slept the innocent sleep of his youth, the serious talking would begin, often falling upon the subject of Grima and Eowyn's Marriage and how it would affect Grima's claim to the Throne.

Grama Grawly, to whom Grima had told the entirety of his past and who understood her nephew's desire to keep to the shadows, had pondered the situation whenever she had a spare moment, and had thought through many of the situations that could come to light under the gaze of the Elders. Although outwardly she seemed to accept Grima's reluctance, she thought to herself that Grima should ascend, and that, like Eowyn had also surmised, Grima would be the good king that this dark and secretive country needed after its many years of terror and hardship.

If, She reasoned to the group, problems should arise with Diagon's youth, then the most natural recourse would be for Grimaulkin to adopt him as his son and heir, ruling as regent until Diagon came of age. This seemed prudent to all but Grima, who harboured a bitter resentment that he would thus be allocated the role of "Kings advisor" once again, but kept this to himself as was his want. All Grima wished, he told them, was to return home and live out his life in obscurity.

When at last they came in sight of the black marble towers of Askantai, they made camp for the last time.

Their last meal as a group was a solemn affair, everyone sensing that their brief period of merriment was over, and that the next night they would sleep in real beds once more, after tiring negotiations and questioning by the Elders of Rhun.

That night Grima drew Eowyn and Grama Grawly aside to broach a difficult problem to the Lady of Rohan.

"My Lady…" Grima begun nervously, not wanting to upset his betrothed yet wishing to impress upon her the necessity of this enterprise, "please do not misunderstand me in this, but I have thought on the way here that it might be prudent to conceal your identity, as we have done the Ranger and the Elf."

Eowyn looked at him intently.

"What would you have me do, my Lord? Wear a hood for this whole trip? Or dye my hair?"

"Not quite. At length, it might be necessary to reveal your identity should my worthiness come into question" Grima replied, causing Eowyn to remember the discussion she had had with Grima when the royal messenger had come to their little village.

Grama Grawly took her hand, and told her;

"As a betrothed woman it is expected that you would wear your intended husband's crest upon your clothes, and I have taken the liberty of crafting several dresses for you upon which the Grey emblem might be seen- it is best you wear these while in the City, but also…." She looked to Grima to continue, who bent to retrieve a package that had lain at his feet, drawing from it a small white hood that he gave to her.

"I would wish you to wear this as well, if you do not mind." He said almost anxiously.

Eowyn held up the hood to inspect it. It was a very pretty white hood, really several veils that draped from a headband embroidered in gold and grey, with tiny crystals studding its circumference that would cover her head and hair most adequately. At the front, where sheer cloth would conceal her face yet she would be able to see thorough easily, there was more delicate embroidery, again in grey and gold, in intricate whirls and sigils; it was a stunning thing.

"Grima! It is beautiful! Of course I will wear it. But tell me; do women dress like this in Askantai?"

"It is a traditional garment for an unmarried Royal woman, and my crest upon your dress will show to whom you belong, so you will not be accosted or challenged in any way."

Eowyn drew out one of the dresses from the package; it seemed they were all to be in white, grey and gold. The sleeves were voluminous, which pleased her. To be wearing any short-sleeved garment irritated her, accustomed by her rank to the marks of nobility of Rohan; the long trailing sleeves.

Grima's Crest adorned the breast of the garment, very prominent in its size, almost covering her torso completely. She laughed when she saw it; the emblem was appropriate. A grey shield edged in gold, with three green snakes against a background of clouds and stars, picked out in gold and tiny crystals to match the veil.

"They are beautiful, Grima; I will be honoured to wear your crest." She smiled, giving him a chaste yet tender kiss, under the watchful eye of Grama Grawly.

Eowyn sighed in his embrace, knowing that tomorrow he would no longer wear the buckskin leggings and rough cloth tunic she had become accustomed to seeing him in. instead he would wear a black velvet robe, his crest emblazoned upon his chest, with his grey cape and boots. He would also wear his sword and dagger; Eowyn was pleased when she was informed of this. Although Grima came on legitimate business, he was also a known accomplice in the Great War of the Ring, and she feared for his safety amongst strangers. Subconsciously, Eowyn was aware that in his black finery her Betrothed would seem more like the Grima who had aided the White Wizard, but put these thoughts firmly away, not wishing to ponder this visual reminder of his past. It seemed Grima was aware of this too, and hastened to remind her that he would only have to wear robes before the Elders, and that he would never wear black robes again. If he became king, he would wear green and grey instead of black and grey.

Eowyn was also secretly glad to don robes again; she had devised a way to secrete her sword and several other weapons upon her person without their being noticed, but such deception needed the insurance of voluminous clothing.

That morning they breakfasted on cold cooked meats and fruits, before setting out to greet the dark towers before them. The jagged black spires soon came into greater focus as they left the forest and could see the city in all its imposing glory.

Seemingly hewn from a mountain of black marble, carved and polished until it shone in the early morning light, Eowyn gasped at the sight. Immediately she understood that this remarkable edifice resembled the people whose capital it was; dark and imposing, yet strong and resilient. Yet as they approached she noticed that the lower levels had suffered terribly; during the attacks by the Orcs of Mordor, she supposed. The surrounding fields seemed littered with small pieces of black rubble, the intricately carved buildings scored and broken.

As they approached the gates the Guards, very fierce looking in their red leather uniforms and vicious looking halberds came forward to question them, understandingly distrustful of their innocent looking troop. Grima answered their questions unflinchingly, informing them that they were here representing The Heirs of Ogrem from Vashkah in the south. Legolas and Mirghast were ignored; it seemed their disguises had the required effect. On regarding Eowyn, however, veiled and anonymous, they began a more thorough enquiry.

"Who is this Lady who bears your crest, Lord Greymist?" they asked suspiciously. Grima replied with a tone that showed his resentment at this lack of proper etiquette.

"This Noble Lady is my Betrothed, her name is Gwyn, of Far Harad." And with this terse comment they would have to be content, for Grima led his people through the gates, heeding no more questions from the incredulous guards. Eowyn was glad of this; she had felt sure they had intended to require her veil to be removed, and did not wish to be recognised for a Rohirrim. She supposed she must also answer to "Gwyn" from now on.

Upon reaching the castle Grima repeated their names and reasons and were shown rooms in the north tower. Eowyn and Thalie elected to share a room, as did Legolas and Mirghast, taking a room beside Eowyn and Thalie. Diagon and his adopted parents took the room at the other side, Grima the one opposite, with his Aunt.

That afternoon was spent unpacking and settling in before taking supper with the rest of the court that evening. Soon after they arrived Thalie drew a bath for Eowyn, laughing that she had found herself back in her former role of handmaiden after all this time. But this was said in fun, and Eowyn laughed with her as she bathed her weary limbs and allowed Thalie to brush out her hair.

Their rooms were very pleasant, Eowyn considered. Although of necessity dark, carved as they were from black marble, she wound the white wall hangings countered this, as did the wide windows with their trailing white drapes. The floors were warmed by numerous fur rugs, and the wooden furniture gleamed a warm brown shade; a pleasant room indeed.

For that evening's meal, Eowyn chose another crested robe, one with a pale green underskirt and slashed furbelows, and Asked Thalie to coil her hair high upon her head before donning the white veil Grima had given her. After this Thalie pronounced her ready, and they joined their troop once more as they were directed to the great hall by numerous scurrying pages.

Upon reaching the crowded hall they were seated together and were served their meal of assorted Rhunland delicacies, all of which, Grima assured a doubtful Eowyn, were perfectly palatable. Leaving a neglected plate of strange squirming things that a smiling page had served her, Eowyn was thankful that the meal was soon over, and left Grima to introduce himself to the Elders in preparation for the inevitable debate which should begin within the week, when all those who stood for the old king had arrived. As Grama Grawly was one of the Elders, She trusted that Grima should have no troubles that night; his aunt would make sure of that.

Returning to her rooms, accompanied by Legolas and Mirghast, the four friends talked for a time and played some dice before retiring to their beds, sleeping restlessly for what would be the outcome of this adventure.