May 3019
The following morning came quickly and Lothiriel rose early as she had many things to prepare. Meldis brought her breakfast on a tray and readied her things as she ate. She had barely swallowed two mouthfuls when there was a sharp knock at the door. Meldis hurried to it and pulled the ivory door back swiftly. Her shoulders slumped as it revealed the figure that stood there; Gûradan.
Meldis stood back and gestured him to enter. He was wearing a tunic of sea blue with the standard of the prince emblazoned on the front- it wasn't difficult to presume where this man had come from, Lothiriel thought- and was wearing a cloak of deep blue velvet fastened at the collar with a large emerald brooch. He was carrying a large amount of thick creamy papers, bound tightly in dark brown leather. As he approached the princess where she was sitting he bowed lowly and greeted her.
"Good morning, your highness." He didn't wait for a reply, as he seemed earnest to speak with her,
"Your father sends me this morning to run through your schedule. He sends his apologies that he could not breakfast with you and begs me to pass on these messages."
Lothiriel sighed; she would never understand why this incorrigible man continued to grovel in such a demeaning way to her; however she waited for him to continue.
"After breakfast and you are dressed, the prince requests you to stay in your chambers and to wait to be collected." Gûradan seemed to emphasise the last phrase. Had he overheard their conversation last night? How did he do that?
"His royal highness, the crown prince will then escort you to the Pelennor where you will be seated on his right side; your brothers will be seated aft; and your father will be seated in the king's box. After the coronation you will then be presented to the King by your father and then next to,"
Gûradan never finished the sentence as Lothiriel cut him short,
"Guradan, forgive me but it is going to be a long day, and there is much to do. I fear if you do not hurry up I may miss it." Lothiriel did not mean to be rude, but she couldn't help herself when she spoke with this man.
Meldis supressed a laugh and managed only a wry smile, which Lothiriel noticed.
"I understand my lady; however as the prince royal counsel, I must insist you listen carefully!" he retorted.
"During the feast you will be sat next to the King, in place of honour. Now your father has toiled hard to secure you this seat and therefore would like you to remember," Gûradan trailed off. For the first time in his life he seemed at a loss for words.
"What do you mean, he has toiled?" Lothiriel asked, confused. She looked both at Guradan and then at Meldis. Both had a look on their faces that suggested there was something they were not telling her.
"Forgive me your highness, it is difficult." He hesitated,
"Your father wishes you to be genteel and beguiling at the feast." He finished slowly.
"Gûradan, what do you mean?" she insisted. For the second time in days, Lothiriel felt there was undisclosed information that was not being shared with her. It unsettled her and made her believe something ominous was in the making.
"Your highness, the King is a single man, with no known relations."
Gurudan was adroit with words on any normal occasion but today seemed an awkward dupe, tripping over his own tongue and fumbling his announcements.
Meldis felt his unease and under any ordinary circumstance would have enjoyed watching him squirm, however understood the delicacy of the issue so stepped forward quickly and interjected the advisor before he could continue his speech,
"My lord, forgive me, but my lady has much to do this morning. If you would permit me to continue getting her readied, you have my word I will instruct her on everything that is to be expected."
Lothiriel looked at her maid with contempt, her eyes like daggers,
"Meldis, what do you mean 'everything to be expected'?"
When she did not reply Lothiriel stood abruptly from her seat, walked forward two paces and repeated her question. She stood at arm's length from her carer her face full of disdain.
Gûradan cleared his throat and then with a curt bow he twirled his long cape around his heels about to leave the room.
"Wait!" she shouted. "Where is my father?"
"My Lady, as you said there is much to do today and I would not want to keep you any longer." Guradan's voice had returned to the ingratiating tone that Lothiriel despised and he once again tried to flee from the room. As his fingers grasped the handle of the door Lothiriel demanded,
"I want to speak to him!"
As the door closed softly behind him, Lothiriel looked stunned. She could not remove her gaze from the door for several moments until Meldis soft voice brought her back to her senses,
"Lothiriel, come we must get you ready."
She took the princess by the hand and was about to lead her to the dresser to begin fixing her hair; however Lothiriel wrenched her hand away and spat,
"You have never lied to me Meldis. Tell me what is going on."
Meldis paced the floor as she thought of the words to explain to the young princess what was transpiring without her knowledge. She wringed her hands together until they were sore and opened her mouth once to start but then shook her head and continued pacing. Finally Lothiriel could stand it no longer and screamed,
"Tell me!"
"You're father wishes you to marry the King." She blurted.
"What, Aragorn? That's impossible the man is nearly four times my age, he would never pursue me or wish me to pursue him," Lothiriel rambled. She always did when she was upset.
"Meldis please tell me this is not true?" she pleaded. It wasn't that she would be against the match, Lothiriel knew she would always marry one day, but had always thought it would be to a man she loved and ultimately loved her in return.
"Aragorn would never agree to this." She continued,
"You father is counting on it. He knows if you are seen as a favourite of the king then you immediately would be obtainable by any member of his court." Meldis explained fluently. Before Lothiriel could reply her father tore through the door of her bedchamber.
"Daughter what is going on?" he commanded.
Lothiriel turned to face him,
"Am I just a chattel to be traded at your own pleasure and interest?" she sobbed tears beginning to brim in her eyes.
Imrahil starred at his daughter vacantly,
"Who told you?"
"Meldis." Lothiriel hissed.
Imrahil glared at the matron and then back towards Lothiriel. He couldn't believe what she had just asked him. It was true he was doing what he was to achieve some higher aim, but not for himself; for her.
"Daughter let me explain." He initiated.
"Is that why you have had me confined here these past days? So you could complete the final arrangements without my knowing and pass the ownership onto his majesty?" Lothiriel mocked.
Imrahil could not hide his expression, it was true, a union between Dol Amroth and Gondor would strengthen their relations; his own sister- Finduilas- had established the alliance with Gondor some forty years earlier and if Lothiriel did similar by marrying a Gondorian noble, she would ensure a long, peaceful and prosperous life for herself and any children she would bear.
"Daughter, you are of age; eligible and must marry eventually." He began flatteringly,
"When I am gone, I would like to leave this world knowing that you have a husband and will be taken care of."
It offered no comfort to the princess although he made it sound almost encouraging, that he truly was doing this in her best interest. However, Lothiriel could not understand why he allowed her brother and even cousin to choose women they wanted to spend their lives with? Then seemingly it all became clear.
"Is that how it works father? You have had me brought up and educated ready for the highest bidder to choose me as his wife? Do I have no say in my own life?"
She was getting angrier with every word, but the tears and emotion made each question sound more desperate, which she hated.
"I am you daughter!" she finally stated.
"Then obey me, daughter." He demanded more forcefully than he intended, but it was final.
...
I have realised these chapters are very one sided so I've decided to write Eomer's role as a separate story; following the same narrative and timeline, but hopefully it will allow me to explore his POV a little better. Bare with me as I complete his chapters. x
