Chapter 10: Find
Third Age, 2030 February 22
Edoras, Rohan
-Éomer-
Thèoden regained his strength a day after I had returned and sent Erkenbrand after Rachel. He was not pleased that I sent one of his best and most loyal soldiers on this mission.
"Éomer," he said in what I assumed was an attempt at a calm tone "It was foolish to have sent Erkenbrand after her. She left of her own accord."
"Uncle," I explained. "I have a duty to her whether she wants me or not. I took her innocence before marriage."
"In a foolish attempt to keep her. I suppose you didn't think about what your actions might cause. What if she ends up with child?"
"That is why I have sent Erkenbrand after her," I lied. I had no intention of telling Thèoden anything about Rachel's condition. "There are wrongs I need to right."
The king sighed. "What do you plan to do in the meantime? I am well, for now. The Orcs have been cleared from the land."
"I'm traveling the Mark," I said. "I'm going to talk to the people. I want to hear it from them that they don't want Rachel as their queen, not from your less-than-helpful advisors."
He looked like he could explode. "You will never give up on this girl, will you?"
"No, uncle, I will not. I doubt my father would have given up on my mother, either."
His old face was somber. "No, he would not have. When do you leave? What village will you visit first?"
I smiled then, thankful that my uncle was siding with me for the first time.
Third Age 2030, March 8
The Road to Rivendell
-Rachel-
We left the cave after eight days trapped by the snow. The horses were ecstatic and the sun had finally come out of the sky, melting a significant amount of the snow on the ground. I road fast and hard with my companions, happy to be back on the road.
The next week brought on nothing but mountainous terrain, but the weather warmed significantly and I was able to travel with one less layer than before and no scarf on my head, only the hood of my cloak.
Animals emerged and we were able to hunt with much more success, catching rabbits and conies instead of squirrels. My spirits were lifted for the third week, though my mind still dwelled on Éomer constantly. I found myself questioning my decision but I knew it did no good to wonder what might have happened if I had stayed. At the very least, I was positive that he would not find me anytime soon after getting caught in that snowstorm.
By the beginning of the fourth week of our journey, we were only three days from Rivendell by Kelleth's count. I overslept that morning, something I was not prone to do. It was the first night the dreams of the Black Breath did not haunt me since beginning this trip and my body and mind responded accordingly. I was woken by an atrocious smell.
"By the Valar, what are you cooking?" I mumbled, covering my nose with my blanket. I could not describe what it smelled like, but it sent a wave of nausea through the pits of my stomach.
"We did not know you were awake, my lady," Trover muttered. "Alanric found eggs in a nest not far from our campsite. We thought we'd make a feast of it."
"I hate eggs," I said, and it was the truth. I've never liked eggs and always thought them disgusting to smell and taste. But these eggs were rancid. "I think they're bad or something. Don't eat them."
"What is the matter, Lady Rachel?" Kelleth asked.
I didn't have time to answer. My stomach took another roll and that was it. I scrambled out of my cot as fast as I could before I vomited into the dirt. I heard each of my companions call my name, but I could not respond. When my stomach was emptied, I dry-heaved painfully for what seemed like an hour. I felt a gentle hand caress my back.
Finally, I regained my composure, though the nasty smell of the eggs remained. "My lady, why didn't you say you were ill?" Alanric asked.
"I'm not ill," I said. I felt fine now that my stomach was empty, though my head hurt from the dry-heaving. "It was the eggs. I've always had an aversion to eggs, but those are rotten. I would not eat them."
"They are not rotten, my lady. I know how to scavenge in the woods," Al defended.
"Perhaps, if you are feeling better, you should refill your stomach," Kelleth suggested. He had been the one rubbing my back. "Maybe some bread? It is best you eat dense foods."
Trover grabbed a roll from one of our food bags and held it out to me. The smell of the eggs still penetrated the air and I wrinkled my nose at the bread. "I can't eat right now," I said. "I don't want that to happen again. I haven't puked since I was eleven years old."
"Maybe some water, then," Kelleth suggested.
Hesitantly, I grabbed his water skin and took a few sips. It did not settle my stomach. I handed it back, almost immediately. "There, I've had water. I'm packing up the campsite. We should head out. Perhaps we can get going soon."
I moved slowly to roll up my bed. "Really, my lady," Trover insisted. "You should eat some breakfast."
"I'll eat when the smell of eggs has cleared," I huffed.
They were not satisfied with my answer. I noticed Alanric pull Trover away for a moment, but I was too engrossed with getting Windfola packed and saddled to care what they had to say. Kelleth remained silent, though his looks at his brothers could have cut like a knife.
I did not talk to them for a few hours. Around midday, Kelleth was concerned again. "Really, my lady, there is surely nothing in your stomach. Are you not hungry?"
"Kelleth, I'm not ill. Please stop worrying. It was the smell of the eggs. I've always detested eggs. That's all."
"Then eat something, please," he said, holding out a piece of bread. I rolled my eyes, grabbing it from him and taking a bite. As soon as it entered my mouth, I realized I was hungry. "See? You just needed food. Would you like to take a rest and lunch?"
"I think I spotted a rabbit's hole not far back," Al called forward from his horse.
I stopped Windfola. Something in their tones brought me to a cautious state. "What's going on?" I asked.
Al tried to look innocent. Kelleth looked a little confused, but mostly concerned for me. "What do you mean, my lady? It is midday and we are hungry. You retched everything in your stomach hours ago. We're concerned you are not as well as you say you are."
"Really, Kelleth. I'm fine."
"Then you are fine to eat," Trover said, hopping off of his horse. "I'll start a fire."
Al jumped off next. "I shall check that rabbit hole."
"I'll go with you," I volunteered, getting off of Winnie.
"No!" Alanric yelled, earning a confused look from his brothers. What the hell? "You seem rather prone to sickness when you smell something foul," Al tried to cover. "I will skin and clean anything I find."
I rolled my eyes. Stupid Rangers.
Third Age, 3020 Late February-March 8
The Road to Rivendell
-Erkenbrand-
I did not want to leave Éomer in his state. But I had to do what he asked of me. It was my duty. For four weeks I tracked the young Bowmaiden, worried for her safety. Tracking Mearas is extremely difficult and I had little experience. She had been seen riding southeast, towards Aldburg, so that is where I started.
I ended up staying the night in the town tavern, leaving my horse, Frost, in the care of the local stables. It was quite crowded as I ordered a dinner and I ended up at a table with an older man, striking up friendly conversation. "You're one of the Riders?" he asked me.
"I am," I admitted.
"Always a pleasure to meet a Rider. I very much enjoyed you lot at the quarterly market."
"Were you one of the vendors?"
"Aye. Run the book stall in Aldburg at every market. Say, do you know a younger chap who bought a purple journal from me? I figured it was for his wife back home. I wondered if she liked it."
"Can't say I know for sure. My apologies."
He waved a hand. "Ah, no matter." He took a sip of his ale. "So I have to ask, what's it like fighting with a woman?"
"Excuse me?"
"Lady Rachel. Saw her at the market. Can't forget a face like that. My family was in refuge at Helm's Deep."
"You saw Lady Rachel at the market?"
He looked confused. "Just said that, I did."
"Where did she go?"
"She was with these three chaps. Rangers by the look of 'em. Heard one of 'em say they was headed for Rivendell. Figured they was friends of the Lady's. Is this not true?"
"No, it is true," I lied. "Rivendell, you said?"
"Aye. Figured she was on some diplomatic mission."
"And that doesn't bother you?" I asked, knowing Éomer would have been curious. "Lady Rachel as a diplomat for Rohan?"
"She's the consort of the King's nephew. Whole country thinks they'll marry. Can't blame her for dipping her toes in the water if she's to be queen."
"Do you want her to be queen if she's not Rohirric?"
"Don't see how it matters much, so long as Lord Éomer is happy. Rather he marry for love than for duty, personally."
"You are absolutely right, my friend," I said. "Thank you for the conversation."
"Always a pleasure, Rider," he repeated.
I was on the road the next morning, but I didn't make it far. Five days into my trip I made it to the base of the Misty Mountains when the great storm passed through. I was forced to turn back into Rohan's boarder and take up at an inn for a week.
Ass-numbingly dull the wait was, but I suffered through it. Frost, true to his name, was good in the snow, and we plunged through the Misty Mountains as fast as possible.
Evidence of a campsite was left at a cave. A large pile of horse manure had started to disappear into the earth, but it was a great amount. Enough for four horses. Inside the cave, a fire pit had been carelessly concealed. Not far from this cave sat another, though much smaller. It was there I found my first real clue. An uncovered fire pit sat in the center. On the floor was a pile of hair, the same color as Lady Rachel's. She had been here. I was headed the right way.
With this new positivity, I sent Frost as fast as he would travel. There were four of them and one of me. I would catch them if I made haste.
It only took another week. Riding hard and fast, I found myself at fresh horse-tracks. A jolt of glee went through my stomach. I was close to the Lady.
"Stop there, Rider!" I heard a voice call. A young man was standing in my path. He wore a green cloak over dark garments, a beard on his face. His hand was rested on the hilt of his sword at his hip. Clearly, he was a Ranger of the North.
"Where is the Lady?" I said, stopping Frost right in front of him.
"Descend your beast so that we may talk," he said, civilly.
I jumped off of Frost and stood in front of the Ranger. He looked slightly nervous. "The Lady Rachel travels with me and my kin," he explained. "But I cannot betray her trust in leading you to her."
"Is she safe?" was the first thing I had to know.
"She is well looked after, though more than capable of taking care of herself."
"I come on behalf of Lord Éomer, Third Marshal of the Riddermark. He would have me plead with the Lady to return to her home, for the Marshal feels he has much to explain."
"She would never just return," the Ranger said. "She says she no longer fairs courtship with the Marshal. Why this is, I know not."
"The reasons she believes are not important. I only beg for her to return home. Thèoden King told her opinions of one man that were not true to the entire country. This must be rectified."
"I am sorry, Rider, but I cannot betray the trust of the Lady by bringing you to her when I know this is not what she wants." He paused, running a hand down the back of his neck. "I do this also because there is something happening that the Marshal should know about as soon as possible."
"Speak," I demanded.
"I cannot say for sure, but my younger brother and I believe her to be…with child," he mumbled. It sounded painful for him to say.
"How can you know this?" I asked.
"Four weeks we have been at her side and not once has she blead in that month. We would have noticed. Her sleep has become more frequent and she tires easily. Though she says nothing, I can tell her body aches with pains. Just this morning, I believe she suffered from pregnancy sickness."
I thought back to what Éomer had told me. Four weeks since we had left to battle Orcs in Aldburg. That was when he bedded her. It was certainly long enough for her to start showing signs of pregnancy. "Have you asked the Lady?"
"She would only lie and say she was fine. I do not even know if she knows for sure."
I nodded. She would lie, indeed. "I will ride for Edoras and inform Lord Éomer. Now that I know her location, he should be able to ride to her easily. Hopefully the worst of winter is behind us. You will get her to a safe location as soon as possible?"
The Ranger nodded. "We ride for Rivendell, but Lady Claire resides in Bree. Lady Rachel will want to be with her sister."
"That she will. Thank you for your help and trust, Ranger."
"I worry about my family's involvement, especially that of my older brother. It has gone too far for us. But do not think I do this for only my brothers. I do this for the Lady," he said, somberly. "For her to bear a child out of wedlock would ruin her, especially if she bears the bastard child of the King of Rohan. I do not wish for her to suffer in that way. In any way."
I jumped back on Frost. "Again, I thank you. And your kin for her safety." I turned around then, and road faster than I ever thought possible.
If Rachel was with child, Éomer had to know. He had to rescue her from this fate, for it was one she could not rescue herself from.
A/N: Alternative Chapter Title: Erkenbrand is a Hufflepuff
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