Advisory Note: I am rating this chapter M just in case; it deals with some touchy subject matter, and has some blood, but should be mostly T rating.
And please, I honestly appreciate reviews! I did notice someone favorited this story; thank you!
5. A Foolhardy Mission
Back in her chambers that night, Quirna reflected on the day's events. For some reason, seeing the fury in Eolred's eyes change to care and compassion made her feel special. He's so handsome, so stoic! she thought to herself. Then a revelation came to her: I am falling in love with Eolred! What am I thinking? Things can never work out between us because he thinks I am a boy, and it's too dangerous for me to tell anyone just yet. Can I be satisfied with only friendship? When he grabbed me today, he was close enough to kiss! She physically slapped herself. Stop it! You know that kind of relationship was never meant to be, so forget about it.
Quirna's dreams that night were plagued with visions of Eolred in the fire that took her parents' lives. She awoke several times, his name on her lips as she tried to find him in the fire. The cold sweat she broke into, as well as the fear in her heart, made her sleep quite fitfully. Although her longings for him were strong, she knew she had to stay strong and resist them.
A few weeks after their arrival, Cadoc prepared to embark on a long journey and decided to tell his friend Éothain goodbye, not knowing if and when he would return. He knocked on the door before dawn but received no answer, so after rapping once more he tried the knob. The door opened with ease and he stepped inside, taking a moment to allow his eyes to adjust to the darkness. He spotted Éothain's prostrate form, quietly sleeping on his side. Then, he noticed his body was curved where a man's is straight, and there were some linen strips lying on the floor beside his bed. The truth suddenly dawned on him: Éothain is a woman! Angry yet curious, he approached the lad and gently shook his, or should he say her, shoulder. "Éothain! It's Eolred. Wake up!"
The young woman, slightly dazed, slowly sat up and yawned delicately. Then, as she became more fully awake, she hugged the blankets to her chest. "Eolred? What are you doing here?" she inquired nervously.
"I wanted to say goodbye before I left. However, there are some matters with you to which I must attend before leaving on my trip." The man tried to be gentle, but his curiosity grew.
"Yes?" she faltered.
"Are you a woman, Éothain?" he asked gruffly.
Letting out a mournful sigh, tears silently falling, Quirna realized it was time to reveal the whole truth or her identity. "Yes, Eolred, I am a woman. I had to let the corsairs, and now the Rohirrim, believe that because I had to protect myself. I'm so sorry; I should have told you sooner, but I felt being a boy would be better, safer for me. I'm actually 20, and that's why no one would take me in, not even for a wife!" Her tear-streaked face looked into his, wondering what he'd do about this revelation.
Shaking his head in amazement he sat down, "You fooled me," he said, unable to find the right words. "And it's not Eolred. Most of my people call me Cadoc, the Old Tongued. Don't worry about your safety with the Rohirrim; they are a good people. Helm will understand; you just might leave out the corsair part. Speaking of which," he said, "I am to leave soon, Helm's son, Hama, is leading a sortie and I have been chosen to go. But," he added, "I have some minutes to spare, how about we talk?"
"Yes, I did. I am so sorry! I would love to talk. Do you mind if I change my clothes first? It is rather embarrassing for you to see me like this, now that you know I'm a woman." She blushed attractively, hoping the darkness hid it. "It won't take long, or if you really don't have time I can just keep this blanket wrapped around me."
"Umm, yes," he replied awkwardly.
He stepped out and walked to a nearby fire and lit his pipe. Smoking Old Toby was soothing. A girl he thought. How is h…she responsible for …her parent's death? Their conversation after the duel replayed in his mind.
Quirna donned her dress, the same one she wore as herself. For the past few weeks she had wandered about the Hornburg as a woman, taking on her Rohirric persona only when necessary. In fact, she had seen the Ranger several times but hurried away before he could recognize her. She stepped out of her room, coming up to Eolred – no, Cadoc – and laying her hand on his shoulder. "I'm Quirna, which means 'humor'," she began.
He turned around, Éothain…no…Quirna now. It was different seeing hi…her in a dress and despite her short hair she was rather pretty.
"Cadoc," he smiled, taking the pipe out of his mouth. "Let's see now…I'm well…not an ordinary Ranger. My people are the Dúnedain."
"I'm not familiar with them. They sound special!" she returned his grin, finally getting to hear about this mysterious man.
"Well," he said, trying to explain his race. "We tend to wander, our chieftain is a direct descendant of Isildur, we all…well live longer than most men."
"Really? That's amazing!"
"But what about you?" Cadoc asked. "Where do you hail from?"
"I grew up in South Gondor, along the Harnen River. That's why I found the corsairs so quickly after I was orphaned; their hideout was not too far from my home," she replied sadly, fondly recalling her parents.
"Orphaned. There is our similarity."
"Really? But it is your fault your parents died?" She suspected they might have something like this in common.
"I couldn't save them. My father died in battle with…my mother died of grief. That's when I became a thief."
Tears once again shone in Quirna's eyes as she recounted the tragic event that took her parents' lives. "I am so sorry, Cadoc! At least your parents did not die at your hands. I could have saved my parents! I have no idea how it happened, but there was a house fire. My father…Let's just say he was not the hardest worker but always slept like a rock. Nothing could wake him up. I noticed the fire first and went to warn my parents. Mother told me to go on out, that she would wake Father up. So I ran outside. After waiting a few minutes, I tried to check on them but couldn't get inside the house. The river was too far away to get water for the fire, thus I was forced to watch as my house and parents were consumed with fire. I should have insisted Mother come with me; I could have saved her! Why did I listen?" She looked down, weeping softly.
"It sounds like you couldn't, not wouldn't, save them." Cadoc tried to reassure.
Hama's horn resounded in the mountains.
"I must go." he said quietly.
The tears fell harder. "I will miss you, Cadoc," she sniffed, then threw her arms around him and snuggled against him.
Cadoc returned the hug awkwardly, then with a smile and goodbye pulled his hood up and joined King Helm. Silver snorted with pleasure as they rode out the gates. The Dunlenders were taken by surprise but that soon changed as they rode farther into the camp.
"Retreat!" bellowed Hama.
They were out of the camp the Dunlendings hot on their trail. Suddenly something hit Cadoc hard on the back of his head. Dazed, he toppled backwards, his vison clearing enough after his fall to see a giant Dunlending. Groggily he drew his sword barely avoiding the Dunlending's spear thrusts. The giant rammed his shield into Cadoc's ribcage sending him flying against a pile of rocks. He watched helplessly as the spear descended. He cried out when the spear dug into his side then ripped out again. Distracted the Dunlending moved away and Cadoc sank to the ground.
Quirna had walked silently with Cadoc, weeping the whole way, which really wasn't far. Once he had ridden off and she could no longer make out his form, she returned to her chambers. There she sobbed her broken heart out, wondering if her man would ever come back. She knew it was rather unlikely that he returned her love, but her heart told her it had completely fallen for him, perhaps hopelessly.
After a couple of hours, she washed her face and prepared to request an audience before King Helm so she could share her real identity. After freshening herself the best she could, she walked towards the great hall, where the king would likely be found. A footman greeted her at the doorway and smiled. "What can I do for you, milady?" he inquired kindly.
"I would like to speak with King Helm, if that is possible," she quickly asked, before she could change her mind.
"One minute and I shall see." He returned and beckoned her inside.
"Thank you!" she told him as he led her to the king.
The large and majestic King Helm sat on a fancy chair, looking haggard and exhausted. "I was told you wished to see me. What is your name, little one?"
"Your majesty, I am Quirna. However, you know me by another name."
"Yes?" the ruler inquired, curious now.
"I am actually your armor-bearer, Éothain."
"What? You are a girl! I would never place a woman in such a position of danger." He was confused.
"I know, sire. However, I misled you into thinking I was a boy in order to protect myself. I had nowhere else to go and wanted to join the Rohirrim." She dared to look up, wondering just how Helm would respond.
He laughed. "My goodness! You could have told us up-front you were a girl and we would have ensured your safety. However, all is forgiven."
Just then, a servant interrupted them, whispering in the king's ear. Helm visibly paled, then shook and lowered his head.
"King Helm?" Quirna inquired unsure of what to do.
Emotion gleaming from his eyes, the ruler informed her, "My dear son, Hama, led many men to their deaths, against my better judgement. I warned him it was a foolhardy venture, but he refused to listen to me."
She gently patted his hand, offering silent comfort. Then it dawned on her: Cadoc was with that group! But he couldn't be dead, could he? No, impossible! Disregarding any code of conduct, she ran from the room and all the way down to the gate, fear and dread raging inside her. Helm, too deep in sorrow, barely noticed her departure.
The survivors, just returning to safety, made their way up to the great hall to regroup. There were only half a dozen at most. Quirna searched every face, and after a while stopped a soldier to ask about Cadoc.
"Sir, do you know Eolred?"
"Yes, I did."
That answer frightened the young lady. "Did? What do you mean?"
"I am afraid a Dunlending killed him. I'm sorry, dear one." With that he went on his way, leaving Quirna in a sea of misery. However, her heart told her there was still hope. So she went to the gate and asked the gatekeepers to let her out for a few minutes. At first they refused, because of the winter storm brewing, but gave in when she threatened to scale the wall. They offered to leave the gate open a little bit so she could return, and she accepted. Fearfully, she slowly stepped outside the safety of the Hornburg and scanned the horizon. A dark figure lay prostrate near the gate, and she timidly approached it. Upon further inspection, who could it be but Cadoc! She ran to his side and kissed him on the mouth. The metallic taste of blood assaulted her tongue and she drew back, knowing he needed help as quickly as possible.