A/N: I know. I know. I always take ages. I'm sorry!
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Daphnaie stood abruptly.
"Something the matter?" Eomer asked confused.
"I need some air," she said quickly, her eyes never leaving Boromir. "Is there another exit from this room?" She was trying to keep her voice calm, but it was not cooperating.
"Yes, just over there." Eomer said, confusion on his face, pointing to a door a few paces to her left on the back wall. "Daphnaie, are you sure you're alright?"
"Yes! Really, I'm fine." She said, aware that she sounded anything but. She tried to flash him a reassuring smile. It came out more like a cringe. "Please, finish your meal. I will see you tomorrow."
She sped to the doorway without looking back. It led to a narrow spiraling stairway. She headed down. Hopefully, the stairs led back to the lower levels of the Hornburg where many people were still busily moving about. The stairs were steep and only the barest amount of light was trickling through small windows high up the walls, so she could not move as quickly as she wanted. After a minute of hurrying downward, she stopped to catch her breath.
"Daphnaie?" a voice questioned from a short way up the stairs. She heard heavy footsteps approaching. Oh, no. He had followed her. Why couldn't he just leave well enough alone? She started moving again, flying down the steep stairway as quickly as she could in the dim light. Not fast enough. He caught up with her before she reached the bottom. "My lady, please wait!" Boromir said reaching out to her. She stopped, defeated. Slowly, she turned to face him. She had to crane her neck up for he was several steps above her still.
"What do you want? Can you not just leave me be?" Daphnaie said exasperated. Boromir frowned down at her.
"Not until you have heard me out at." He took a step closer to her. "Just allow me to speak for a moment, and then I will leave you be." Daphnaie sighed audibly.
"Oh, very well." She said unhappily. "What would you say to me? Is there something you forgot, some other accusation you would like to throw at me?" He flinched at that.
"I would…I would beg your pardon." He took another step forward, looking at her seriously. "I have been a fool. I was wrong about you, about everything." He shook his head in frustration and continued angrily, "I seem capable only of dishonoring myself as of late. I have mistrusted and injured you—you, the one who saved my life, the one who sacrificed so much." He took her hands in his. "Might we begin anew?"
"What do you mean?" Daphnaie asked, skeptical.
"Could we put these past few weeks behind us? I do not deserve your forgiveness, but I ask for it." He looked down at her with hopeful eyes. She didn't know what to say. He wanted her forgiveness? Mr. High-and-Mighty was standing in front of her full of remorse. How…odd. She almost laughed, but decided that was likely not the appropriate response. All the same, it did warm her heart. She found, looking up into grey eyes filled with guilt that her anger and hurt were slipping away from her. She also became very aware of the warm hands grasping her own.
"I should tell you, I've never forgiven anyone before." She said. His face fell. "But," she went on, "that might be because I have never had anyone I was angry with before."
"I do not understand." Boromir said. Daphnaie resisted the urge to roll her eyes.
"Have you forgotten everything?" She asked. "I was alone Boromir, remember? There was no one for me to be angry with." Boromir quirked an eyebrow up.
"Well, you are certainly a natural at it my lady." There was a tense pause, then Daphnaie laughed and pulled her hands out of Boromir's in mock annoyance.
"I suppose you are right." She said. "I do seem to have taken to anger rather well. Perhaps I could be just as good at forgiveness, hmm?" Boromir offered her a brilliant smile shining with relief. She felt warm all over. They could be friends again. He trusted her. All would be well.
"Lady, I am so pleased to hear you say that. It would have pained me to leave with you still so upset with me." Daphnaie's eyebrows furrowed.
"Leave? What do you mean?"
"Gandalf has been in conference with King Theoden. He has advised against waiting till tomorrow. We ride for Isengard this very night." He said.
"Oh!" Daphnaie said. " I did not realize, but as I will be going with you to Isengard, even if I had not forgiven you, we still would not have parted ways."
"What? Of course you are not coming." Boromir said shocked. "You will stay here with the rest of the women." Daphnaie's eyes narrowed. Boromir was not her master. It was not in his power to forbid her from doing this or that.
"I will not be left behind." She said chin raised.
"You most certainly will." Boromir said sternly. "King Theoden would never allow you to come, and neither would I." Daphnaie crossed her arms defiantly.
"I am not a citizen of Rohan, nor am I a prisoner here. King Theoden has no power over me. He has no right to prevent my going."
"You are a guest in his halls. He has every right! If nothing else, you cannot command him to give you a horse, and as you have none of your own—" She waved her hand dismissively and turned to leave before he could finish that thought. She had heard enough. Boromir placed a hand on her arm to stop her. "You must understand." He said gently. "Though he sent the larger part of his host here, Saruman is not to be underestimated, and foul creatures still roam these lands. It is not safe. If you came along you'd be frightened out of your skin or worse." He did not elaborate on exactly what "worse" entailed, but Daphnaie could guess. She shivered.
"Very well, Boromir." She said, looking down at the cold stone steps. "Just—" She looked up into his eyes once more. "Be safe." He held her gaze for a moment longer.
"I will be sorry to leave you, Daphnaie." He finally said. She smiled sadly at him.
"Not as sorry as I will be to watch you leave." Then she turned and waked down the few remaining steps and out the door.
She would be sorry to see him leave. If only she could go with him, but he was right. She wouldbe frightened out of her skin, and even if King Theoden could be persuaded to give her a horse, she still didn't know how to ride. She would be a burden. But it was almost worse to be left behind. Without Boromir, she would be on her own. What was she to do now? She felt herself falling into despair when it suddenly came to her.
Leofric.
Of course! She must find Leofric. He would help her. Now where could he be?
The stairs had brought her to the base of the Burg and into an expansive room filled with bustling people. Men moved supplies around, and women either tended to the children or the wounded. It all seemed quite miserable to Daphnaie. The people were dirty and starved and every so often the pained cry of the suffering and the grieving could be heard above the din. The last stronghold of Rohan was crafted of cold and unyielding stone that brought little comfort to the people residing within. Daphnaie felt very uncomfortable in the middle of it all. She still wasn't used to the horrors of war. It was difficult to block out the suffering of others, to continue on with her own business when so much emotion was whirling around her. She would be glad to leave this place. Yet as she continued watching the people moving about she saw something in their eyes that made her pause. There was hope left in them. They had just won a great victory, and they were proud and relieved, and they were grateful for the sacrifice of those who would never return. That was enough to keep them going. And Daphnaie supposed, if it was enough for them, it ought to be enough for her. With that, she stepped out of her momentary despair and remembered what she was doing. She was trying to find Leofric.
She steadily pushed her way through the throng of people. A series of enormous columns and archways supported one end of the room and led out to a terrace overlooking the great keep. She stepped out onto the terrace and felt immediately refreshed by the chill breeze blowing and whipping her hair around her face. She strode down a central stair to the inner court and pushed through more people and carts of supplies, down some more stairs to the outer court, where she had last seen Leofric. She found where he had tied up the horse. It was still there along with several other horses, and a young boy, maybe nine and looking very dirty but full of energy, was brushing it down. Daphnaie approached him cautiously. How was one supposed to talk to a child? She wasn't sure. She never interacted with any. Certainly no child had ever travelled by Amen Hen during her time there, at least not that she could remember. Could it even speak? When did children learn language? The boy glanced over at her but continued brushing the horse.
"Hello there. My name is Daphnaie." She said awkwardly, crouching down to his level. The boy kept brushing, but he looked over and smiled brightly at her.
"Hi. I'm Aldhelm." The boy could speak! Thank the Valar for small mercies. Daphnaie sighed inwardly with relief.
"You're doing a lovely job taking care of these horses, Aldhelm." The boy smiled proudly up at her.
"Thank you miss. Father says I've got real talent. He says I might even be stable hand for the king some day!" Daphnaie was warmed by the child's enthusiasm.
"That's quite impressive." She praised. "I wonder, do you think you can help me?" Aldhelm nodded enthusiastically. "I'm looking for a soldier, the man who owns this horse," she said indicating the one Aldhelm was presently grooming. "Do you know where he's gone?" Aldhelm scrunched his face up, thinking.
"Yes!" He said excitedly after a moment. "He said he was going to the caves. He asked me to brush down his horse, and I've done a good job of it, I have."
"Oh thank you!" Daphnaie said. "I better be off now, but thanks so much." She turned to go then stopped abruptly and turned back around. "Sorry but, where exactly are the caves?" She asked slightly embarrassed.
"There's a way in at the back of the Burg. Mum doesn't normally let me go in the caves, but I got to stay all last night like a grownup!" He said .Daphnaie paused. She was glad that he didn't seem to realize why exactly he stayed in the caves last night. Let him keep his innocence as long as he can. Before she could leave, Aldhelm spoke again. "When you find him, the soldier, could you tell him what a good job I've done with the horse?" Daphnaie smiled warmly down at the boy, so young and eager to please.
"Yes, of course I will, and I'll be sure to mention what a great service you've done me as well." Aldhelm simply beamed at that. "Good-bye," Daphnaie said and then she was off. She rushed up the slope of the outer court, then the inner court, then finally the steps up to the Burg, and didn't stop running till she had reached the entrance of the caves, and not then by choice. Awe and wonder stopped her feet mid-step.
The caves behind Helm's Deep were magnificent. The walls were veined with shining metals and set with glittering gemstones. The ceilings were vaulted high, so high, and they gleamed brilliantly in the torchlight. The yawning caverns of Helm's Deep were vast and grand, and they glittered and shined so strikingly no description could do them justice. The caves were the most beautiful thing she had ever beheld, always had been.
Wait.
Always had been? But she'd never seen them before. Of course not. How could she have? And yet…
"Daphnaie? What are you doing here?" A familiar voice said from beside her. Daphnaie turned abruptly towards Leofric nearly colliding with him.
"Oh I'm sorry!" She said embarrassed. Looking for you as it so happens." He looked momentarily startled, then smiled down at her.
"How may I be of service, my lady?" He said with a small bow. Daphnaie turned away again to look back at the caves.
"First you can tell me about this place." Perhaps something would jog her memory.
"The caves? Yes, they are a spectacle. We don't often come to Helm's Deep. I had forgotten the beauty hidden here. This place is called the glittering caves in the common tongue, but among the Rohirrim this is the—."
"Glæmscrafu," she finished for him.
"Yes that's right." He said looking a bit surprised. "How did you know?"
"Oh I didn't... I mean, I must have just overheard someone talking about it is all." Daphnaie lied. She recalled it as if from a half-remembered dream. It was too much. She didn't want to think about it right now.
"What does it mean in Rohirric?" She asked. She needed him to keep talking, to distract her thoughts.
"Caves of radiance, but the name hardly does the place justice. There is a rumor going 'round that the dwarf, the one travelling with Lord Aragorn, said that he has never seen such beauty in any of the dwarven dwellings. " A look of pride passed over Leofric's face at such a description of one of his people's homes.
"Indeed? High praise. "
"Yes, very." He agreed. "Anyway, was there some other reason that you sought me out?" He asked kindly. Daphnaie felt suddenly awkward, not sure what to say. 'Please take care of me' seemed a tad pathetic.
"Oh, yes well…I…as I'm sure you know, King Theoden is riding out this evening with a small guard."
"Yes, I had heard. I wish he would take a larger company, but I suppose time is an issue. Still, I wish I could go, but I am assigned to escort the people back to Edoras."
"Yes, that is part of what I wanted to talk to you about. I am not allowed to ride out with the company either."
"Not surprising." He said matter-of-factly. "It's really not the place for a—"
"A what?" Daphnaie asked tightly.
"A…novice rider." Leofric said in a heroic effort to avoid a verbal thrashing. Daphnaie decided to be merciful as she did still need him.
"Indeed." She said simply. "Since I cannot go with Theoden, I shall be accompanying the rest of the people back to Edoras."
"Yes, quite right. I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I still don't understand what you need from me."
"Well…" she hesitated. "You see, I'll be on my own, and I'm at a loss for what to do. I had Boromir before, but he'll be leaving with Theoden and now I…"
"Oh, of course. I'm such a fool. I didn't even think." Leofric said sympathetically. "We must find someone to look out for you. I'd let you ride with me again, but I will be on duty. Have no fear, though, I know the perfect person. Follow me." Leofric took her by the hand and led her deeper into the caves. They pushed through dozens of people still packing and preparing for the journey home. Daphnaie noticed a number of narrow passageways leading away from the large cavern they now occupied. They passed one such path that might have been mistaken for only a shallow fissure in the wall, except that a few women were entering it and some writing that Daphnaie couldn't make out was carved into the wall. Her eyes followed the women down the path, into the darkness, until she could not see them anymore, and then a vision passed before her waking eyes.
Blackness and a chill wind. Water, dark water. She couldn't breathe. She was drowning!
"Daphnaie, what's wrong? Why have you stopped?" Leofric asked pulling lightly on her hand. Daphnaie snapped back to the present.
"Nothing! I'm fine. I'm sorry. Please, lead on." Leofric continued walking then, but before they had walked more than a few steps Daphnaie gathered the courage to ask: "Leofric, is there a lake somewhere in the caves?"
"Yes," he answered without stopping or turning around. "Down one of the side passages. It's in quite a massive cavern, bigger than this one. It's good water besides, invaluable during a siege."
"Yes, yes I'd imagine so." Daphnaie said, but she wasn't really listening. What was she seeing? What was wrong with her?
Loefric stopped inside a small alcove where many women were busy prepping wounded soldiers for travel. Some men were being carried out on cots; others were given canes or crutches if their wounds weren't as severe. Ordinary looking women in long brown and grey dresses were changing bandages or else packing up supplies. One younger looking woman was in the middle of the room and seemed to be in charge. She looked tired and dirty, but she passed out instructions with the cool confidence of one accustomed to giving orders. She looked up then and smiled when she saw Leofric. Her whole appearance changed with the smile. She looked younger, healthier.
"Leofric, how are you?" she said by way of greeting.
"Quite well, Lady Eowyn, thank you. " Leofric answered walking up to her. "I have a favor to ask, my lady."
"Oh?" she asked, amusement in her eyes.
"Allow me to introduce Daphnaie." He said pulling Daphnaie in front of him. Daphnaie curtsied uncomfortably and then stood silent until Leofric gave her a look that clearly said she should say something.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, my lady. I've heard a lot about you."
"And I, you." She said grinning widely now. "What can I do for you two?"
"Lady Daphnaie has been denied permission to join the King's journey to Isengard." Leofric said.
"Then Lady Daphnaie is not alone." Eowyn said, losing some of her humor. "I take it you are to be sent safely home with me and the rest of the weaker sex."
"Daphnaie is to travel back to Edoras with us, yes." Leofric said. "Only, Daphnaie is a stranger to these lands. The King left her under Gandalf's charge but he too will be traveling to Isengard."
"And you would like me to take her under my wing. Is that it?" Eowyn said, not unkindly.
"If it's not too much trouble." Leofric smiled charmingly.
"No, of course it isn't. I would be honored if you would travel with me, Daphnaie. I've heard such tales about you. I'm curious to know how much I've heard is true." Daphnaie just smiled nervously.
"Excellent." Leofric said brightly. Then I shall leave her in your capable hands. I'm sure you will be a good influence on her." Daphnaie spared him an annoyed glance for that.
"I shall take good care of her. Now, off with you Leofric. I'm sure you have work to do." Eowyn said.
"Yes, goodbye Lady Eowyn." He said with a small bow. "I will see you in Edoras, Daphnaie." And then he left, disappearing into the throng of people moving about the caves. Daphnaie watched him go, then turned slowly to Eowyn.
"You are too generous, my lady. Thank you for allowing me to travel to Edoras with you." Daphnaie said smiling, grateful to not be traveling alone.
"Don't be ridiculous, you aren't going to Edoras." Eowyn said dismissively, then the corners of a mouth turned up in a sly grin.
"You're going to Isengard."
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A/N: Sorry again about the wait. I don't even have a good excuse. Let me know what you think!