Chapter 4
The sun rose slowly over the peaks of the mountainous horizon, blazing brightly until I turned my eyes from it. The dapple-grey gelding beside me was eager to go, prancing to the side with anticipation and boredom. Like me he didn't seem entirely pleased to be waiting on the group of Rohirric riders. As it was, the grey was making foul faces at the other horses as the men lined up beside me, a poor omen for the weeks to come. The moment of departure was a long time coming in my opinion, though I suppose for the men it meant saying farewell to their families.
I'd barely seen the retinue of riders I'd be embarking with during my stay in Edoras. After spending the previous morning with Queen Morwen, I took to a more vigorous cleaning of my weapons and tack. No one bothered me in the barn while I worked but I received several curious glances. My horse had been well housed in a generous stall of the likes he was unaccustomed to; his content chewing of hay the only indication that he was awake.
I saw Thorongil at supper though he spoke little to me. I was seated at the table of the king and his family, Théoden's sisters interested in my training with weaponry. Discussion leapt between their experience in Gondor and my early life in Esgoroth.
"Why did they change the name?" fifteen year old Guthwyn inquired, giving me but a moment to finish chewing a crust of bread.
"Smaug destroyed Lake-town," I replied, aware of the numerous eyes upon me. "We relocated and renamed the town. It seemed proper to leave the past where it was."
"Did you see the dragon?" Théoden asked, his supper all but forgotten on his plate.
"I was only six and I remember very little of that time," I lied. I felt Thorongil's excessively critical eyes watching me from his chair beside the King. A pox on him. I wasn't going to lay bare the painful memories of that time before these strangers. "We learned our lesson, though. No dragonkin will smite Esgaroth again."
"Why is your husband not with you, Lady Hadyn?" Théoden's other sister had been quiet until now, her blue eyes watching me with the composure she shared with her mother. I judged her to be the eldest of Thengel's brood, her long blonde hair plaited with spring flowers, her expression solemn. I did not like how grim these folk appeared, joviality reserved for a select few.
"I do not have a husband, Elfhild." It was a topic I knew was bound to be broached but I was hardly expecting it from a child. Before I could extrapolate Guthwyn beat me to a response, her tone both bemused and matter-of-fact.
"Why? You're pretty enough. And you must be in your twentieth season."
"Guthwyn!" Both Morwen and Elfhild exclaimed disapprovingly. The younger girl sat back in her chair with a frown while Thengel chuckled to himself.
"True," I answered with an affectionate smile to the girl."But my father was blessed with a wealth of sons. Marrying me off was not on his mind. As I said I was very young when the dragon destroyed our town and with it my father. I've lived under the care of brothers who had not the time to bother picking a husband for their tag-a-long little sister."
"How I would love a brother" Théoden muttered into his cup, audible only to myself and Morwen who flanked him at the table. I couldn't help but smile, his comment diverting the conversation from my past. Had anyone else inquired into my personal life their response would've been brusque and unembellished. But children did not ask questions with malevolent or suspicious intent and I felt I couldn't deny young Guthwyn an answer. From then, however, talk turned to Théoden's lack of male siblings, teasing among the family a welcomed break from the discomfiture of interrogation. The evening progressed pleasantly, bringing me to the morning of our departure.
"Are you ready, my Lady?" the leader of our company shot me a glance as we stood before Meduseld, memories from last night fading with the morning dew.
"As ready as the tide," I answered with a small grin. He did not return it, simply donning the helmet and mounting up. I decided Alrik son of Bregdan was a curmudgeon, taking unseen joy in dampening even the brightest of mornings. The fact that he was leading our journey was exceptionally annoying.
"A safe passage North," came the voice of King Thengel from his position at the foot of Meduseld. He stood there with Théoden, Elfhild and Thorongil to bid us farewell. I'd said my goodbyes to Morwen the night before, surprised to hear she'd packed my belongings herself into my satchel. I was glad to say goodbye to her in private, my fondness for the woman creating a small sorrow in my heart. I doubted I'd ever see her again but I made sure to tell her how appreciative I was of her hospitality and kindness.
"We ride in your honor, Thengel King," Alrik responded with a bow of his head. His men were dressed for war, not travel though it was not my place to disagree. Their armor glinted in the sun, once more affirming the fine craftsmanship of the Rohirric people.
"Send the folk of Esgaroth Rohan's regards," the King returned with a smile, his gaze shifted to me as I mounted the horse. "Bear the news of our alliance to your Lord, my Lady. May your journey be swift and know you are welcome in the land of the Horselords."
"Thank you, noble King," I answered, gathering the reins of my beast. I caught the gaze of Thorongil, knowing at once that he was going to speak to me and dreading it.
"Keep well, Lady Hadyn," he began respectfully in a low voice. I sensed the others in my party were listening with interest as the King's adviser spoke on. "May you establish a strong and honorable alliance between our lands."
I was expecting more, but he seemed to be finished. I nodded abruptly in response before offering a farewell smile to Théoden. The boy waved exuberantly as we wheeled our horses about, starting down the hill toward the gates. I heard the child say something but it was lost amidst the hoofbeats as we departed Meduseld. Folk had stepped out of their homes to offer nods and stern gazes. It was as if we were riding into battle with the mood these people displayed. And it seemed my companions were equally dour so I dare not smile or offer any farewells, as I might've at home.
We exited Edoras and set off a brisk trot to warm the horses' muscles, the sun warming our skin as she rose higher in the eastern sky. I'd been previously introduced to all six members of my company, but could honestly remember but three. Five seemed about my age, one man clearly older, perhaps late thirties, his expression gloomy as though this were the direst mission he'd been ordered to partake. It troubled me that no one was talking but I kept my thoughts to myself as we rode.
The men immediately adopted a military formation, riding in pairs which left my horse and I awkwardly trotting alongside Alrik. He didn't seem to notice – in fact he'd barely acknowledged my presence since we quit the city. Well he'd have to interact with me at some point for I wouldn't be a silent maid the entire trip.
"The Entwash crossing at Fangorn is surprisingly effortless," I commented congenially, offering a glance to Alrik. Without bothering to look at me he responded in a clipped almost irritated tone.
"We will take a course north through the Wold."
Naturally. I'd avoided riding openly through the wide expanse of Rohirric territory, opting for the potentially perilous path on the edge of Fangorn. Now that I kept company with riders of Thengel's personal Éored I could go just about anywhere I pleased in Rohan. Alrik's intonation implied he was not impressed with my previous efforts to arrive at Edoras. Seeing he wasn't interested in furthering the conversation I dropped back to ride three abreast with the pair behind our leader.
"He's cantankerous in the morning, my Lady," the rider beside me flashed a grin as his chestnut sidled away from my gelding. "But he'll grow on you."
"Haleth," came Alrik's sharp reproach from ahead. The man beside me chuckled and canted his head politely toward me.
"No offense to you, good Alrik," Haleth smirked before lowering his voice. "By midday he'll be kind as a calf."
"I look forward to it," I replied. At least one of these men knew how to smile. The morning and afternoon progressed without incident, my attention divided between the lovely countryside and my new companion. Haleth had a sharp tongue on him but a benevolent nature. He was far more interested in teasing his fellow Éored than riding silently. Every now and again he would swap insults with another man riding behind us, Éadmód. I found myself immediately warming to these two, their banter reminding me of the brothers I left at home. It wasn't until dusk that we broke for water and a momentary rest. We were nearly at the river Entwash, the sound of water rushing echoing over the plains.
We dismounted and allowed the horses time to graze. A few men headed off to relieve themselves while Haleth removed his helmet. Now able to view him from a better angle I saw he was several years my senior but still youthful, a boyish charm to his features. He was perhaps a few inches taller than me and certainly not the tallest. But he held himself as a soldier, tucking his helmet under his arm as he allowed his mare to graze. The other men had also taken the ceremonial helmets off as they tended to their beasts quietly.
Alrik stood to the side of the company with his second in command, Gárulf, likely discussing how best to dump me in the Entwash. The straw blond of Gárulf's hair mirrored that of Haleth's and I realized all my companions had one shade or another of blond. Well, I shouldn't be surprised but it was somewhat comical to me in that moment, looking at their fair heads gathered together like pieces of straw. Alrik's had more of a golden tint to it, cut shorter than the other mens' shoulder length hair. Had he not looked so severe and grave at all times he might've been a handsome man with pleasing features and striking blue eyes. But the perpetual expression of distaste fouled any possibility of attraction.
Gárulf on the other hand was both enjoyable to look at and soft-eyed. While he hadn't been so openly accepting of me, he'd offered me a polite nod and wry smile as the other men joked about. He was probably in his thirtieth year, hazel eyes sharing the same haunted look as Queen Morwen at times. His build was that of a warrior and his tone seemed to temper Alrik's terse commands with lightheartedness. His complexion was like most of these men, generally fair with a certain ruddiness one acquires after hours under the sun. No doubt in summer they would all adopt skin the color of caramel and the texture of leather. I was pleased to be returning to the forest of Mirkwood where a man's complexion stayed the same color year round.
"Water, my Lady?" I turned to see a bear of a man staring down at me with a waterskin extended in one hand. The very height of this fellow blocked the sun, his bright hair a blazing halo about his head. His voice was rough but not all together unkind as he waited for an answer.
"I have my own, but thank you," I replied with a courteous smile. He seemed perplexed for a moment before returning the smile. He was missing at least two teeth but his grin was genuine if not a bit wolfish. He was a huge man by comparison, towering over the rest of our company. I'm not sure how I missed his great height earlier.
"She's not a damsel to be waited upon, Déorbrand," Alrik murmured with a dismissive glance at me. "She undertook this journey once without the assistance of men. She can do it again."
He wasn't exactly defending my honor, the comment feeling slightly more biting than it should've been. I leveled my gaze at our leader with the same expression of challenged I'd bestowed upon Thorongil. Alrik was disagreeably more similar to the King's adviser with each word out of his mouth. Not ready to let him have the final say, I squared my shoulders and raised my chin.
"I have no protest to making this trip alone, were it not for the agreement between our two lords that you join me." Resisting the urge to turn on my heel like an ill-tempered child, I continued to stare at the man until he offered an apathetic shrug and went back to his discussion with Gárulf.
"Did I say irritable in the morning?" Haleth put in with a smirk. "Forgive me, lass, but old Alrik's difficult all hours of the day it seems."
"At least he isn't a scurrilous lout like you," another man put in with a snort.
"A fine talker yourself, Léod! If I hear another cheeky quip from you I'll be forced to ride beside Lord Alrik for the remained of the trip. A fate worse than death I wager."
"Enough you two," came Gárulf's firm admonishment. Quiet fell over the men as we mounted once more and began to ride. It seemed for all his sternness Alrik did allow his men some leniency to joke, for a man who fears rebuke every time he seeks to lighten the mood would keep his mouth shut tight. These men, once comfortable with me, didn't mind breaking into a little lighthearted banter, which pleased me greatly. The sound of the river increased as we rode on from a dim ring to a noisy churning, flowing loudly ahead of our party.
"Will we make camp beyond the river?" I asked the giant, Déorbrand after an hour of silent riding. He looked at me thoughtfully before answering in a slow baritone.
"No, my Lady. We cross the river and continue through the night." He paused to look me over once in a concerned manner. "Is that not to your liking?"
"It does not bother me," I replied with a smile. "I would be glad to cover the terrain quickly and if that means riding through night then I do no object."
"We do take a rest," Éadmód put in from behind us. They'd lined up in their pairs but I was clearly allowed some flexibility to ride where I pleased so I dropped back to his line. "But the moon is bright in spring, almost like riding during the day."
"The sky is so vast here," I commented with a glance to the young man. He was the youngest of our company, barely twenty and somewhat shy of the teasing of the others. "I had not the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of Rohan on my journey here."
"We are at the river crossing," Alrik's voice rose above the water. He'd halted the party and I pulled my gelding to a halt beside him. The Entwash was neither roaring nor dangerously fast, but maintained a quick current and a smooth surface. Where I'd traversed by Fangorn was significantly less wide and the flow was slower. I glanced at Alrik with a raised eyebrow. I'd expected some manner of bridge but it appeared we'd be forging across. He simply encouraged his black mare on, her narrow hooves crushing the pebbles before sinking into the riverbed. They proceeded in single file, Gárulf's mare following Alrik. Haleth and Léod fell in line, their horses unperturbed by the water. My foolish beast, on the other hand, was drastically put out at not being the first one across. He skittered across the bank, wide eyed and aggressively glaring at the other equines.
"Is he alright?" Éadmód inquired concernedly, pulling his own sorrel mare up close to me. I nodded with a frown, sitting deep in the saddle to prevent the flighty animal from taking off.
"Yes, just foul tempered and hasty," I muttered as Déorbrand watched patiently. The others were nearly across the river, Alrik's black mare barely visible in the fading light. Haleth had turned in his saddle, trying to see what the delay was. My grey horse was beside himself, blowing loudly from flaring nostrils, his tail whipping back and forth like a flag. It took a great deal of muscle to keep him from diving nose first into the water, my torso leaning back as leverage against his impending forward momentum.
"You'd best let him ahead, my Lady," Déorbrand murmured with a nod to the gelding. "He's pitching to be the lead horse and if we set off first he'll likely never get across."
Sound advice. I nodded in agreement and allowed the horse to move. He practically leapt into the water, pushing against the current with strong legs. It wasn't deep at this crossing, his hooves connecting with the river bottom as he surged forward with no encouragement from his rider. The water reached my knees and I held the reins in one hand while lifting my satchel with the other to avoid water-logging the contents. We'd almost made up the distance between Léod's steed and us by the time Éadmód and Déorbrand entered the river. After making it across without incident, the gelding made a final push to trot onto the bank where the others were halted, shaking himself free of water and snorting.
"Feisty one, isn't he," Gárulf nodded to the grey as I dropped the satchel back to the saddle.
"Unexpectedly so," I replied with a slight scowl.
But it seemed the ordeal had put me in a better light, for all the men, save Alrik, were grinning. I suppose of all things I could gain their respect for horse mastery was superior. The moon hung low in the sky, but the stars were out casting a shimmering silver haze over the countryside. We waited until the last two were free of the river before resuming the trek. I rode beside Haleth, listening to him recount a story of his first horse, glad these men spoke the language of Gondor. It would've been a frightfully uncomfortable trip if we had a language barrier. After a while, the men fell silent and we walked calmly across the plains, the pairings broken with the rocky terrain. Allowing the gelding to stretch his neck I found myself beside Alrik who rode alone at the head of our company.
"Perhaps he should be the first horse across the rivers from here on," he stated without looking at me. His tone, though still unfriendly, had lost its edge.
"Or he'll learn his place among the herd," I answered with a frown. If he was suggesting it because he thought I couldn't control my own horse then he sorely incorrect. I was no horselord but neither was I trained on some dainty lady's pleasure horse. I broke foals with my brothers and had a fair share of bucks and hard landings. I stared at the man who offered me a glance, my expression giving him no doubt that I firm on this matter.
"As you see fit, my Lady." There was a note of respect in his voice. I'm not entirely certain how I managed his esteem, but I appreciated it. Though I could still see he disliked my company I at least held merit in one aspect he deemed important. Nothing more was said between us and I eventually dropped back to let him lead the way in solitude.