Chapter 7: Market

Third Age 3020, February

Aldburg, Rohan

-Rachel-

I sat around the large fire with the three Rangers. I had put Alanric's arm in a sling, wrapped up Trover's chest in a cooling salve and bandages, and set Kelleth's nose. "Again, boys, I'm really sorry about the misunderstanding,"

"Please stop apologizing, Lady Rachel," Kelleth said. "There was fault on both sides. I believe we have cancelled it all out. And you have more than made up for it with this generosity of food."

They had explained that they had been without food for two days. All the plants were barren and animals were in hibernation. They thought I was a traveler headed to the quarterly market in Aldburg. They had been leaving my camp when they realized I didn't have the provisions for that kind of trip, but I had attacked, thinking them to be bandits. "I just feel bad, is all. Sometimes I get overly cautious when traveling by myself."

"As a woman should. Many unkind men roam the outskirts looking for exactly the opportunity you speak of."

"We don't mean to pry, my lady," Trover said, taking another bite of the stew I had made. "But I can't help wondering why you are not in Edoras with Lord Éomer. You are his consort, are you not? Would he allow you to leave?"

"Whether his consort or not, Lord Éomer does not have the authority to make me do anything beyond the battlefield. He is not king yet. But as of late I am…no longer his consort," I admitted. The men looked shocked.

"This is none of our business," Alanric said. "Forgive our brother."

"No, it's fine," I said. "It would probably be good to talk about it to someone other than my horse."

Kelleth smiled. "You speak of a steed, yet we have not seen one. I believe your beast may have run off. Why did you not tie it down?"

"Windfola is half-Meara. She is not meant to be tied down." I let out another whistle.

"Did Gandalf teach you how to do that?" Trover asked.

I nodded. "Do you know the Wizard?"

"We met him a few times traveling along the outskirts of the Shire. Tis one of his favorite places to visit."

"That's another question of mine," I said. "Rangers typically occupy the north, save the ones in Ithilian, so what are you doing so far south in the Riddermark?"

"We are on our way back North. We had a message for King Elessar." Alanric explained.

I wondered what the message was, but it was best not to pry. Lucky for me, Trover didn't care. "The message was from Lady Claire Elliott," he said.

Instantly, I couldn't contain my curiosity, even though the other two brothers were now berating Trover. "You guys know Claire? Where is she? What was the message?"

Alanric looked pissed at his brother. Kelleth less so, but not happy. "We know you are friends with Claire, Lady Rachel, but she specifically meant for the message to be delivered to King Elessar."

"She's my sister!" I shouted. "What if I had a secret about one of you and refused to tell the other two?"

"That is different, my lady—," Kelleth started to say before Trover cut him off.

"She is staying at the Prancing Pony Inn at Bree and had been invited to attend the union of Samwise Gamgee and Rosie Cotton. She feared the timing of the wedding would leave her unable to meet her six month deadline in Ithilian."

"By the Valar, Trover, I will cut out your tongue," Alanric threatened.

"Why would you deliver the message to Aragorn and not Kristen or Faramir?" I asked.

"Tis not our place to say!" Kelleth said, glaring at Trover. If looks could kill flashed through my mind. "My lady, we swore to Claire we would not utter her secret to anyone other than King Elessar. If you wish to ask her yourself, we are headed in that direction, back to our kin. You may accompany us, if you so wish."

I looked between the three brothers. I did not trust them, despite the care I had giving in repairing the wounds I had caused, but I had to admit I did not know the way. I had never traveled further north than the edge of Fanghorn Forrest, nor further west than Dunland. I knew the south quite well, but that would certainly do me little good. Anyway, wasn't the point of this trip to find Claire? I was headed to Lothlorien because that's where I knew her to be last. I had not seen her since the wedding of Aragorn and Arwen, but these men had. "I will accompany you to Bree," I said to the men.

Kelleth nodded. "If the weather fares in our favor, it should take no more than two weeks to reach Rivendell. We had been planning on visiting the Elves for a week of rest. It will be another week of travel before we reach Bree."

I nodded at the three men. "When do we leave?"

"We had planned on attending the quarter market in Aldburg to purchase horses and provisions. Our own steeds had been spent after traveling through all of December and January. We left them in Minas Tirith. We can leave as soon as your supposed horse shows up."

Impatiently, I stood and whistled again, but she had heard me this time. Windfola came through the trees of the small wood, looking rejuvenated after her day alone. "Where the hell have you been?" I asked her. She only tapped her nose onto my face.

I turned back to the men. "I cannot be seen in Aldburg. I can't have anyone knowing my whereabouts."

"I wish you would tell us what transpired between you and the Third Marshal," Trover said, giving Winnie a pat.

"Maybe someday," I said.

"Do you know anyone in Aldburg?" Kelleth asked.

"No, actually. I haven't been there in about eight months. It doesn't fall under the first eored's protection."

"Then I don't see why you can't accompany us. You can keep your hood up and we will not call you by name or title."

"What will you call me, then?"

He studied me a minute. "Rhilen," he said. I raised my eyebrow. "It means—,"

"I know what it means. Pedin edhellen." (I speak Sindarin)

He chuckled. "Amin nauth." (I thought so)

Trover and Alanric looked confused. "My brothers do not speak the Elvish tongue," Kelleth said. "It means 'shining over man'. She bested us so easily, boys. I think she deserves the title."

Trover seemed to like it a lot better than Alanric. Hell, Trover seemed to like me better than Alanric did. With that, my new companions and I set out on our journey.

Aldburg was the second largest city in Rohan, behind Edoras. In fact, one could say that they were the only two cities in Rohan. There were many villages scattered around the Mark, but the quarterly markets were held at these locations. I loved the quarterly market. It was my favorite day back in Edoras. This would have been my third quarterly market and the first where Éomer and I would be separated. I knew my companions did not understand my hesitation in attending the market for this reason of nostalgia, but if we were to make the journey to Rivendell, we would need horses.

It was midday when we reached the city, and to no surprise, it was extremely crowded.

"Should we split up, or tackle the hoards together?" I asked.

"Perhaps we should not split," Alanric suggested. "There are many people. More than I had expected."

I tried to enjoy the market like the brothers were, but I didn't have it in me. Trover tried to buy me a candied apple, but I waved him off. "Do you not have a favorite stall?" he asked, taking a large bite.

"I fear my favorite stall would serve little purpose in lowering my defenses. I shouldn't be near the people of Rohan now."

"No one can see your face, Rhilen," Kelleth said. "You have very little to fear, but we will not have much pleasure on the trip to Rivendell that awaits us. Please do not stifle our joy. Now tell us your favorite stall."

I smiled weakly. "The book stalls have always been my favorite."

"To the book stall, then!" Trover yelled, grabbing my hand and pulling me toward the said stall.

"Beautiful winter's day," the vendor greeted us.

"To you as well," I replied. "I do hope your business has been well this market?"

"Tis always a good day when the Riders are in town."

"The Riders?" Alanric asked, my stomach sinking.

"Why yes, lad. The third eored, I believe, took down the last Orc party roaming the outskirts just last night. They shop for gifts for their families before returning to the capital. Why, here's one now!"

I stood completely still. Random vendors from outlying villages would not recognize my face, that was certain. But members of Éomer's eored would. I served with them for two months. Many were my friends.

"Rhilen, there is a food stall over there," Kelleth said darkly. "We should not linger."

I felt Alanric's grip on my shoulder lead me away from the stall. "Do not look back just yet," he whispered in my ear.

When we were at what they judged to be a safe distance, I turned back. A tall figure stood at the stall, grasping a purple book. His blond hair fell past his broad shoulders and under his arm was a helm baring a horse-mane of white color. Éomer.

I ran from the market square. Surely there were more Riders here. I had to get away. The pain of what I had selflessly done had resurfaced and I felt the spasms of breathing coming back. Seeing him was something I did not expect. I found Windfola where I left her and jumped on her back, riding to the edge of the village. The boys would find me here.

I hugged my horse tightly from the saddle, though she protested slightly. I remembered suddenly why I needed Claire in this moment. I wasn't equipped to deal with this. I needed the comfort of one I loved. I so desperately wanted to run back to Éomer now and let him hold me in his arms while I cried, telling him of the things Thèoden had said to me. I wanted to tell him about my condition and why I felt that I had done the necessary thing. But I knew if I went back now, he would never let me leave. And he would resent me for it forever.

"Rhilen!" I heard a voice calling. It was Kelleth. "Rhilen, why did you flee?"

"Did you not see him?" I asked, mustering up the will to stop this insane hyperventilation. "He could have seen my face then all my efforts would have been in vain."

"Your efforts at what?" he asked, exasperated. "You ask me to understand, yet you have explained nothing. Why do you flee from the Third Marshal? You must tell me. My brothers are not here. They are still at the market purchasing the horses. It is just I. Please, Rhilen. Tell me what transpired between you and the Marshal that makes you weep so."

I hopped off Winnie and slumped against a nearby tree. "I left him," I said. "He cannot be with me for the good of this kingdom. I am not right for its throne, nor am I deserving of such titles."

I felt his arms wrap around me. It was strange, his informality. Truly, only Aragorn or Legolas showed me this kind of intimacy outside of my courtship. "There is more to your story," he mumbled into my hood. "Please, Rhilen, I do not wish for you to be burdened with secrets."

I felt the tears start to fall from my eyes at his insistence and his arms tightened as I shook. "I cannot bear him an heir," I admitted. "My body is incapable and for that reason, I would be the fall of this kingdom."

"And you have not told him this," he said. "You left your home at the Golden Hall, this secret a burden on your shoulders."

"He would not care," I said. "He would keep me despite my condition. I cannot let him choose between me and the good of the Riddermark."

"You truly love this land, don't you?" he said. I nodded, the furs covering my head scraping against his chest.

"Kelleth!" I heard Alanric call. I felt the eldest Ranger's arms tighten momentarily before dropping them and backing away from me. His brothers were back now, with new horses and our purchased provisions strapped to the sides of the beasts.

"Forgive me, Lady Rachel," Kelleth said, looking pissed at his middle brother. "But you were right about entering the city. I do not wish to ruin your attempts to hide from those who would know your face. I did not expect Riders to occupy the market, especially the Third Marshal. Nor did I mean to invade your personal space. Please, forgive me."

"All is well," I said, grabbing Winnie's reigns. "We mustn't linger. The sooner we depart, the sooner we shall make it to Rivendell."

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