Assumptions and Accusations
As the sun rose the next morning, its warm rays did nothing to warm the chills that seemed to hold those residing in Edoras in their grasp. Very few of those who had attended the celebrations the previous night had been able to sleep, the attempt on their Lord's life enough to keep their eyes from closing. However, a sleepless night did not prevent the sun from rising, and life went on regardless of what occurred within its bounds.
Kíli licked his fingers of the grease that were coating them from the sausages and bacon he's just eaten as his brother watched him with an incredulous eye, having used his hands in his impatient state, the plate of crumbs in front of him seeming too empty for his tastes. He was still a growing dwarf after all. Even an assassination attempt on his friend couldn't stem his hungry stomach.
Friend.
He didn't know when he started calling the King of the Rohirrim as such, but since he had first met the man almost ten years before, it had been hard to think of him as anything else. It was much the same story with many of the other members of the world he and his brother had visited, no matter what their race was.
Thengel was not the only ruler whom Kíli could name as a comrade. The Steward of Gondor, Ecthelion, son of Turgon, who had come into his reign the same year Thengel had come into his, along with Dáin Ironfoot, whom he had never met before the Battle of Five Armies, and Círdan of the Grey Havens. Beorn had been a great friend since the quest for Erebor, and Aragorn had become more of a brother than a friend, having watched him grow from a young ten year old boy into the leader of his people.
The elves that lived further inland than their harbour based cousins would probably take a little more time to open up, though there were a few who had opened up a little.
Thranduil was not a friend per se, more of an acquaintance, as were the Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn, but Legolas was a constant source of entertainment, and Haldir of Lothlórien would never allow them to go bored, though the blindfolds had yet to have been removed from his welcome. Elrond was also very much a friend, and his sons and daughter… Ah yes, Arwen. Kíli could still remember when Aragorn had seen her for the first time. It was as though he could see nothing but her, and the young dwarf couldn't really blame him; she was a beautiful lady.
Shaking his head, the archer pushed the memories away from his thoughts. Now was not the time to be reminiscing. To linger in the past while the present called for his immediate attention was not something he wished to continue at this moment.
The room which had up until so recently been used for celebration and joy had become solemn, the topic of war on everyone's lips. Sitting in his throne, Thengel had surrounded himself with his advisers, most of whom Kíli didn't recognise, though he did notice Aragorn's familiar frame sitting close to the King's side.
What had surprised him though was the fact that both he and his brother had been summoned to the meeting. They were royal emissaries, and dwarves at that, and while they had earned the respect of Rohan's Royal house, becoming involved in the kingdom's affairs was practically unheard of. It was obvious that not everyone was comfortable with their presence.
Sighing, Thengel drew everyone's attention toward him. "The Dunledings have been growing bolder of late, raiding the villages along the borders of the Westfold. But that does not mean that they caused this attack."
A murmur of disagreement arose from several of the men.
"My lord," one of them said, "it is quite clear from the assassin's features that he was a Dunlending, surely that must mean that-"
"He may also have been from the people of Enedhwait or the Northern Hill people," the King interrupted, "A face does not name a country or a Master."
Several faces turned to glance at the almost black stain on the ground behind them, where the assassin had bled out onto the wooden floor.
"We have no proof that this threat was made by one or many. It pains me to admit it, but there is no course of action that I can take other than to wait and see if what he said is true."
For a moment no one spoke, but then Aragorn shifted slightly. "If I might speak, my lord?"
"Of course, Thorongil. You do not need my permission to speak your mind here."
Nodding, the man turned his attention to those surrounding them. "I took the liberty of asking some of the members of the town if they had noticed anything unusual about this man before he arrived, and I was able to come by some information of his where-abouts some hours before his appearance in this hall. Along with a description of a companion."
Everyone who was not already was now sitting up straight, shocked at the information they had just been told.
"But, if there was a companion, then…" one of them said slowly, "then that must mean that they knew him!"
"Now let's not be too hasty, Leofred," Thengel hushed, "it could have been that this companion was nothing more than company on the road than an accomplice. But never the less, it is important that we know all we can about this strange figure."
"But, my lord," Aragorn said, rubbing his hands together in what looked like trepidation, "it was not a strange figure at all, which was why the villager had not thought much of it when he saw him."
The King frowned. "Not a stranger? Then who was it?"
The Dúnedain Chieftain paused momentarily before facing his inquisitor. "Eomarc, my lord."
A cry of outrage arose from one of the nameless men, but it was soon drowned out by the many other voices that soon joined it. Unfortunately, several ended up accusing the named man as a traitor.
"Silence!" Thengel cried, passing a stern look over his subjects. One by one, the voices ceased, until all that could be heard was the joyful songs of the blackbirds outside, "Thorongil, are you certain that this villager's word is true?"
"She seemed quite adamant," Aragorn replied, nodding his head slightly, "She had asked her husband of his identity as they were passing them on the road, and he was able to confirm her claim."
The King of the Horse Lords frowned, showing how much this news troubled him.
Eomarc had been a close friend for many years, worthy of bearing his forefathers' names and a fierce foe for any who came upon him in battle, but he was a loyal and faithful companion and friend. These accusations against him didn't make any sense!
"Franwulf," he said at long last, "find these villagers and bring them here. I want to hear with my own ears these charges the Chief of my riders has been given."
The guard bowed. "What are their names, my lord?"
"Leoford and Frea," the Ranger supplied, "You should be able to find them close to the city gates."
Bowing once again, the guard took his leave, the glare of the sun entering the dimly lit hall momentarily as he made his exit.
Mulling over the information that had just been given, Kíli wondered what exactly was going on. "Um, excuse me for my ignorance on such matters, but what exactly will you do if they believe what they say?"
One of the men scoffed, the one who had spoken first earlier. "You do not need to know. This matter is none of your business. I don't really know why you're here in the first-"
"That's enough!" Thengel cried, rising to his feet, "Maeron, if you persist in these comments I will be forced to remove you from this council. Am I clear?"
The man winced, bowing his head in submission. "Of course, my lord. My apologies."
Inclining his head, the King accepted the request for forgiveness with scepticism, but he decided it would be best to let this matter slide. "I did not expect you to know of such matters Kíli, as it is not exactly something you would need to know, considering your role here. I doubt even you know, Fíli, what it is exactly that will come to pass."
Being the more versed in the laws of men, the blond dwarf was more capable when it came to their politics, but a situation such as this had not presented itself before this time, and so he was as out of his depth as his brother, though he could guess the basics.
"Would you not ride out to meet him?" Fíli asked, referring to what would befall had someone offended another, but Thengel shook his head.
"I'm afraid it goes a little further than that. Due to the seriousness of the situation, I will be forced to ride out with a host of my men and demand answers."
The older dwarf frowned. "But you don't even know if this rumour is true! Eomarc could take it as a threat and ride out to meet you. It could mean war!"
"I have little choice."
The pair looked at each other, a silent conversation occurring between their locked eyes, before turning back to the situation.
"Why don't you send us instead?" Kíli asked innocently, knowing that if he asked and it was rejected, it could be put down to his ignorance.
Maeron scoffed, but his words remained silent as Thengel sent him a warning glare.
"What are you saying?" he replied, bemused by the proposition.
Pushing himself out of his seat, the younger dwarf moved around the table and into the centre of the group. "Well, if you were to send my brother and myself, since we've made negotiations with him before, it will not seem unusual or strange for us to visit. We could then ask if what the villagers had seen was true. If we find that it was, we can find the answers you want, and all without risking open war."
Murmurs once again arose from the men that now surrounded him, but there were no hash tones or words held within them. Before he could say anything more though, the doors to the hall opened and Franwulf stepped inside, leading a group of about five men and women.
Parting, the council let the small group approach the King, all of whom bowed or lifted their skirts in a curtsy.
"My Lord," the guard said, "The man and woman you requested, and a few others who claim to have seen what had transpired."
Thengel nodded and beckoned them forwards. "Speak."
One of the men took a step closer and bowed again. "My wife and I were travelling with our friends from the market in one of the neighbouring villages when we saw it, my lord," he said, indicating a the others behind him, "There were two riders coming from the West, one of them wore an Eorlingas helm, while the other wore none but had the white tree of Gondor on his tunic. I noticed it didn't fit him very well, but I thought it might have just been that he'd borrowed it or something.
"They must not have noticed us, as they were stood in the middle of the road, talking. I don't know what was said, but it was clear that the Eorling was uncomfortable in his presence. Before we got too close, he removed his helm and… pardon me for making such assumptions, as I have only seen the Chief a few times, but Greymir insisted that it was him."
Thengel looked over at the others. "You all saw the same?"
They all replied the affirmative.
Rubbing the side of his head, the King closed his eyes for a moment. "I see," turning to the two dwarves who were now stood side by side and nodded, "You have three days. If you do not have answers by then, I will have to demand for them myself."
AN - And here you have it, the next chapter! Sure, it my be all talk, but what can I say? It's the direction the story wanted to take.
Thank you to everyone who reviewed, favourited and followed this story (once again), this time, you get a lovely Fíli plushie! Enjoy!
A special thanks to Tara6 for the extra support you're giving both Valandhir and I on our stories!
If anyone wants to look at Valandhir's stories (which I am beta reading/co-authoring), please take a look at her page! They are both amazing! (A Distant Light and Durin's Bane).
Thank you all for reading this chapter, and I look forward to the next one! Until then! #flies away like superman#
