The Wild Westfold
By: Lauthica Green Clinkenbeard
Chapter Eleven: Horses, Holes in the Ground, and Stew
"By order of the king, the city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. Do not burden yourself with treasures. Take only what provisions you need."
Hama said that over, and over, and over. I almost had it remember by the time he drew near enough the front of Meduseld for me to hear. I was sitting on the bottom step waiting for him to finish so we could help ready the royal party. My crate was already packed onto the royal caravan. Hundreds of people were already departing, hundreds more were still packing. It was crowded and chaotic. A flashed of white caught the corner of my eye. Gandalf walked past very swiftly followed by Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. Both Aragorn and Legolas did a double take when they saw me in my armor. They stopped and stared. Even Gandalf looked a little surprised when he turned around to see what had caught their attention.
"Why so heavily armed, lassie? Do you have apples stashed in that breastplate?" Gimli said and he laughed out loud. Gandalf rolled his eyes and casted him a look.
"Come on! We have no time to waste!" he said to them. They continued on, heading toward the military stables. Hama did say for me to meet him at the stables but he did not specify a particular one. I stood up and followed behind the wizard, man, dwarf, and elf.
"By order of the king, the city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm's Deep. Do not burden yourself with treasures. Take only what provisions you need." Hama finally made it back to front of the hall, of all time for him to return. I could not let him see me. I tagged along behind Gimli and passed around Hama's back undetected.
"Helm's Deep. Urgh!" Gandalf said as he walked.
"They flee to the mountains when they should stand and flight. Who will defend them if not their king?' Gimli asked. They had reached the stables and they had no idea that I was right behind them. I quickly ducked down into one of the empty horse stalls and leaned against the side to listen.
"He's only doing what he thinks is best for his people. Helm's Deep has saved them in the past." Aragorn said.
"There is no way out of that ravine. Théoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he is leading him to safety…" I heard them stop walking and the creak of a stall gate. "What they will get is a massacre." My eyes widened at the wizards words. Massacre? Gandalf continued.
"Théoden has a strong will but I fear for him. I fear for the survival of Rohan. He will need you before the end, Aragorn. The people of Rohan will need you. The defenses have to hold."
"They will hold." Aragorn said calmly. I heard Gandalf sigh.
"The grey pilgrim…That's what they used to call me. Three hundred lives of men I've walked this earth and now, I have no time." I heard the gate creak again and I heard Gandalf mount his horse as his continued speaking. "With luck, my search will not be in vain. Look to my coming at first light on the fifth day. At dawn, look to the east.
"Go." Aragorn said. I watched as Gandalf galloped out of the stables and down the road.
"I never understand him." Gimli said and I heard him move toward the stall Aragorn was standing.
"He is going to find Eomer." Aragorn said. "Eomer, and his two-thousand men strong Rohhirum. Something is stirring in Isengard that has Gandalf uneasy. I think we underestimate what awaits us."
I felt my heart beat quicken at the mention of Eomer's name. I thought this was as good a time as any to leave and return to Hama before I got into trouble. I slowly rose to my feet and barely peeked over the side of the stall to check the positions of the three. I saw Aragorn facing Gimli by the stall in the very back. Suddenly, my vision became very brown and green. I looked up to find Legolas staring with disapproving eyes. I sighed and stood up fully.
"Deya?" Aragorn asked. "Were you spying on us?" he asked.
"No! I was not spying. I just wanted to know what was going on. I won't pass on anything any of you or Gandalf said, I promise." I said.
"Really? We find you eavesdropping less than an hour after your induction into the Edoras guard and you are shocked to find us suspicious?" Gimli asked. I glared at him.
"I believe you." Aragorn said as he walked over.
"I am just a little excited and restless. I saw you pass and I didn't feel like sitting and waiting for Hama any longer." I said.
"I thought you were traveling with his family, not him himself. "Legolas asked. "I overheard him talking to Gamling about it."
"That was the original plan, but I have been appointed as the third in command of the Edoras defense. I will be with Théoden and his party." I said proudly. All three of them looked surprised as my words soaked in. I noticed Legolas's expression change quickly from surprise to concern with a touch of anger. He reached out and grabbed my arm.
"Are you trying to do this just to obtain a title?" he asked. "Risking your life for a status only is vain and far from noble."
"I do not only want a title. I want E….." I had to stop myself. "I have other intentions as well. I have my hopes and dreams." I said glaring at him.
"Dreams? Or nightmares?" he asked sternly and he left the stables in a brisk walk. I looked back at Aragorn and Gimli who watched with confused faces.
"It is not like Legolas to give into his emotions. If you punched Aragorn, than what did you do to him?" Gimli asked.
"I have done nothing." I said. "I need to return to Hama." I said and I turned to leave but I was stopped. Aragorn grabbed my arm.
"I would like a word with you before we depart." He said.
"I already know that you intend to apologize. I can assure you there is no need." I said.
"Please let me say my piece. I feel that you have a greater purpose to serve in the fate of Rohan and I want us to trust each other. Théoden would not let just any maid into his personal guard. I am sorry that I doubted you yesterday. It was wrong for me to assume without a full understanding." He said and he bowed his head in respect. I didn't say anything, but I nodded back at him. He let go of my arm and I left the stables to find Hama.
I started to head back to the mead hall but I stopped at the top of the stairs. I looked out onto the plains. Edoras was nearly empty and the people flowed out of the main gate like a great river. I could not help wonder if they would ever return? Would I ever return? Would Eomer? Was all this truly vain as Gandalf had said?
I saw Aragorn leave the military stables and walk around Meduseld toward the royal stables. There was much still left to do.
"There you are!" Hama said walking up to me. "You, Gamling, and I will be the head of the scouts. We are required to be on horseback at all times while the party is in motion."
"I have no horse." I said.
"I know, come with me." He said and he heading down the stairs. I followed him. We turned at the bottom of the stairs and headed toward the royal stables.
"I have spoken to Théoden and we have agreed that you are to have Theodred's horse, Brego." He said as we walked.
"Theodred's? Are there no other horses with no master?" I asked. It seemed wrong to claim the horse of a dead within a day of his death.
"This is Rohan, Deya! There are always other horses." Hama said chuckling. We rounded the corner of the hall.
"I would much rather have another horse." I said.
"That's what I told Théoden." Hama said stopping by the entrance to the stables. "He said Brego was very docile and has experience in battle. He said he doesn't want you to ride any other horse." Hama said.
"I…." I started to say but a loud whinny quickly claimed both Hama and mine's attention. A horse bolted out of the stables. Hama had to dive into a pile of hay to avoid being knocked over. The horse galloped around the hall to the main road. I rushed over to Hama to help him to his feet.
"What the devil?" Hama said when he was finally back on his feet. He looked around to see which way the horse took off.
"What horse was that?" I asked.
"Well….that was Brego." He said and he sighed. I raised an eyebrow. Docile? Eowyn walked out of the stables with her horse.
"My lady!" Hama asked stopping her.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Who let Brego escape?" he asked.
"Brego did not escape. Lord Aragorn told the men to set him free." She said. Hama sighed again.
"Thank you, my lady." He said bowing his head to her. She started toward the front of Meduseld but when she saw me her eyes widened and she stopped.
"Why on earth are you wearing that?' she asked looking me over.
"I am the third in command of the Edoras guard, lady Eowyn." I said. "Fret not, I have skills and can hold my own in battle. I will let no ill will come to you or your kin." I said and I too nodded my head in respect. Her expression turned to anger very quickly. She said nothing and hurried away toward the front of the hall. I found it funny that so many people would claim that I was abrupt and changeful. Had they ever met Eowyn?
Hama entered the stables and returned with a massive grey horse. "This is Thenhines. He is young and strong. He has not yet had a master so for a second choice there is no better stud in Rohan." He said and he handed me his bridle. I looked up at the horse. He had magnificent blue eyes. I pet his nose.
"He is lovely!" I said. "Thank you."
"The king is almost ready. Tie up your horse at the post at the front of the hall. I need to ready my own horse. We will meet the king in the mead hall. He will lead the party out of the gates. Gamling and I will ride by his side. I want you to join Lord Aragorn and Lady Eowyn behind the king. After we get a fair distance from the city things will get more casual, but you must remember that you must be mounted and on guard at all times. Do you understand?" he asked.
"Yes, sir." I said and I bowed my head to him. Hama sighed and looked at me. He closed his eyes and shook his head back and forth.
"Deya….." he whispered.
"What is it?" I asked concerned.
"I know why you are doing this. I am no fool. Maybe you should stop and think with a mind unclouded by browns eyes and figure out if you are not one as well. No good will come of this. Please promise me that you will be careful." He said. I stared at him for a moment and then nodded.
"I promise." I said as seriously as I could.
"Up to the mead hall with you then." He said and he patted my shoulder. I watched him as we walked away. Something wasn't right about him. I feared the sun did not rise in his favour today.
I led Thenhines to the front of the hall as instructed and tied him off to a waiting post. I double checked the saddle straps to make sure they were secure. I unfastened my sword from the breastplate and attached it to the saddle. I kept my dagger attached in the unlikely event I would ever fall off my horse….my horse. Seems like a silly thing. I have never actually had my own horse. So much had happened in the last few days. My life was soaring like a bird. Everything I had ever wanted to happened in my childhood was coming true. I only hoped now that everything I wanted in adulthood would come true as well.
I hurried up the stairs. The entire mead hall was bustling. People were grabbing food and clothes. I saw Eowyn standing by one of the old, decorative trunks by a column. She opened it and pulled out a dusty sword. She looked like she was going to set it down to reach something that was underneath it in the trunk but she hesitated. I raised an eyebrow. She looked over the scabbard and then pulled it out.
She raised it up and stared at the blade running her hand over the flatter surface. Then, quite suddenly, she spun around and swung it taking a fighting stance.
"That's an ancient sword of kings of old." Aragorn said in a whisper appearing next to me. I looked up at him. He was staring at her and had a slight smile on his face. His smile widened, "Watch this." He said and he started walking toward her quietly. I chuckled and watched the brief entertainment. Eowyn swung the sword again and took a stabbing stance. Aragorn snuck up behind her. When she swung the blade around again he swiftly pulled out his dagger and met her blade. The clashing of the metal rang in the hall. Eowyn's eyes widened and she stared at him.
"You have some skill with a blade." Aragorn said. Eowyn quickly swung the sword again and threw off Aragorn's dagger. Catching him off guard she held the blade proudly no more than a finger length from his chest. For only a moment I saw her eyes spark. It was the same spark that emitted from Eomer's eyes the day I challenged him in the infirmary. I thought for a moment she would slash him or trip him, but then I remembered that I was the one known for rashness.
Aragorn lowered his dagger in defeat. Eowyn sighed and walked back over to the trunk.
"Women of this country learned long ago. Those without swords can still die upon them." She said as she returned the sword to its sheath. "I fear neither death nor pain."
"What do you fear, my lady?" Aragorn asked. There was a change in his voice. He seemed gentler and less intimidating. Eowyn had set the sword down to retrieve whatever it was she wanted from the trunk. However, upon hearing Aragorn's question she stopped and looked up at him. She stared at him for several moments before she finally answered.
"A cage. To stay behind bars until use and old age accept them. And all chance of valor has gone beyond recall or desire." She said sternly. Aragorn stared at her in amazement. He shook his head slightly.
"You're a daughter of kings...a shield maiden of Rohan." He said and he returned his dagger to his belt. "I do not think that will be your fate."
Eowyn's expression softened immediately. She stared at him and something new came to her eyes. Aragorn bowed his head and turned to leave. He bowed his head to me as well by the front door. Eowyn noticed me and she looked down at the trunk. Her cheeks turned pink. I chuckled to myself. Romance was apparently abound in Rohan.
My attention quickly turned to Théoden as he walked into the mead hall. He stopped by Eowyn.
"Is everything almost ready?" he asked.
"Yes. The horses are posted out front." She said grabbing a small bundle from the trunk and then as if secretly she set the bundle on top of the sword to shut the trunk. When she picked up the bundle she picked up the sword as well.
"Very well. Hama? Gamling?" he called out and then he saw me and he smiled. "Deya?" he asked. I smiled back. Gamling came from the archway with Lady Da. He bowed to Théoden.
Hama was waiting on his horse when the royal party descended the stairs. Soon Legolas came up on his horse with Gimli behind him. Théoden, Eowyn, Gamling, and myself all mounted their horses. The servants rode with the royal caravan in front of us as well as the large cart with the provisions. Théoden trotted off first followed by Gamling and Hama. Eowyn, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and myself behind them. There was no need to rush. Soon all of the departing parties would converge at the first rest stop and we would all continue one as a single unit.
Theoden stopped at the top of the very hill I had stopped and Eomer had stopped. He looked back at the empty city. There were no little dots walking around. There were no fire smokes rising. He looked as if his heart was broken.
The party rode straight for the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon. Finally, just as the sun passed high noon the party slowed. We had met up with a couple of other parties that had some who were on foot. Hama raised his hand and we slowed. Theoden fell back to trot next to Aragorn. Hama and Gamling stayed near. Legolas fell back as well but fell into trot next to me.
"I am sorry if I was rude earlier. The thought of you in battle frightened me." He said.
"Are you mad? She brought Aragorn to his knees. I would hate to see what she would do to an orc." Gimli said.
"You do not yet know the situation." Legolas said to him. I turned to them.
"What situation?" Gimli asked.
"Yes, pray tell." I said raising an eyebrow.
"You have an agreement with The Third Marshall." Legolas said to me.
"An agreement?" Gimli asked. "What did you do? Spill his drink on his tunic?" I gave Legolas a questioned looked.
"I have seen the way to react at the mere mention of his name. We encountered him on the plains." Legolas said.
"You spoke to Eomer?" I asked urging Thenhines closer to their horse.
"Eomer? That rude horseman that called us spies? I would like to see how tough he talks when he is not surrounded by the spears of his middle men!" Gimli said.
"His mind was heavily occupied. I could read it in his eyes." Legolas. I felt my heart leap out of my chest.
"What do mean by agreement? I have barely spoken to him. The day I returned to Edoras was the same day his was banished." I asked. Legolas gave me a shocked looked.
"You and Eomer are not engaged?" he asked. I felt my face grow hot and I looked away from him.
"Of course not! I barely know him." I said. "Marriage is a serious matter. One does not dive into the abyss unless they are sure they will be caught at the bottom."
"I am sorry. I assumed such since you both seem distracted and since you are staying in his room." He said. I didn't say anything back to him. Legolas stopped the horse and dismounted.
"Where are you going?" Gimli asked.
"I am going toward the front of the party and keep watch." He said and he walked off. Gimli scooted forward on the horse and took the bridle.
I stopped my own horse to look around and take a sweep of the surroundings. Eowyn had dismounted her horse as well. King Theoden, Hama, and Gamling had fallen back behind Aragorn who was behind Gimli. I began to trot again and rejoined by Gimli's side.
"I don't understand romance, lass. No good has ever come from it." He said.
"You have no love waiting for you at home?" I asked.
"No, no. I have plenty of time to deal with that later." He said.
"Deal with what?" Eowyn asked as she walked up next to Gimli.
"Gimli is trying to profess the evils of romance. He says he has plenty of time to find his special lady." I said chuckling. Eowyn chuckled as well.
"What will you do if your special lady comes along and you dismiss her on accident?" she asked. Gimli laughed.
"Clearly you have never met a dwarf woman." He said.
"Are they as lovely as Eowyn and I? Perhaps us in miniature form?" I asked.
"I have never seen a female dwarf." Eowyn said chuckling again.
"It's true, you don't see many dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance…" he chuckled, "That they're often mistaken for Dwarf men." Eowyn smiled and then looked back toward Aragorn who was nearing us.
"It's the beards." He whispered and gestured his hand to a long beard shape under his chin. I started laughing as Eowyn shushed him. Gimli continued on.
"This is turn, has given rise to the belief that there are no Dwarf women…." He said looking down to Eowyn. She smiled and looked up at him. He continued. "And that Dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground."
I could not hold back my laughter and I nearly tipped off the horse. Eowyn laughed very loudly. I don't think I had ever heard her laugh like that before. Gimli laughed as well.
"Which is, of course, ridiculous." Gimli said. Suddenly his horse whinnied and took off. "Whoah!" he said but it was too late. The horse galloped off and Gimli tumbled off to the ground. His axe went flying out of his hand and he landed on his back. Eowyn and I laughed but she looked a little concerned for a moment and rushed over to make sure he was ok. Aragorn had finally reached my side and was laughing as well.
"It's alright. It's alright. Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate." Gimli said and Eowyn crouched down to help him up. She brushed off his back. Theoden had reached us well. He was chuckling watching Gimli try to get to his feet. He looked at me and then looked at Aragorn.
"I haven't seen my niece smile for a long time. She was a girl when they brought her father back dead. Cut down by orcs." He said and he turned toward Aragorn. "She watched her mother succumb to grief. Then she was left alone to tend her king in growing fear. Doomed to wait upon an old man who should have loved her as a father."
Both Aragorn and I looked back to Eowyn who was still brushing off Gimli's back. She looked up at us but something strange happened when her eyes met Aragorn's. Her smiled faded but her face remained content and her expression softened. I knew that look very well and I smiled to myself. I wasn't the only maiden in Rohan who was kindling romance.
"Deya?" Theoden asked.
"Yes, my lord?" I asked.
"Ride ahead and ask Legolas if he can see whether the others have stopped yet." He said. I nodded my head toward him and gave Thenhines and gently kick to quicken his pace. Legolas had gotten far ahead indeed. I found him standing on a boulder. I could just barely see our party when I looked over my shoulder.
"Legolas?" I called out. He looked at me and swiftly jumped back down to the plains. He walked over to me. I halted the horse. "Theoden King asks the location of the others." I said.
"They have stopped to camp just beyond that hill." He said pointing. I looked and saw the blur of the hill.
"Thank you." I said and turned the horse around to return to Theoden. Gimli had somehow managed to get back up on the horse. Eowyn was walking at Aragorn's side. Theoden had returned to the back by Gamling and Hama. I trotted up to Théoden.
"There is a large hill ahead. An hour's trot, I think. That is where camps are being set." I said. Théoden nodded. I followed along by Hama's side.
We reached the hill in less than an hour. Théoden handed his horse to a servant. Hama, Gamling, and myself all dismounted. We started to follow Théoden over to where his servants were pitching his tent. He stopped and turned around to us.
"Go ahead and be with your families. I will be fine." He said smiling and continued on toward the tent. Gamling nodded to Hama and I and he walked off through the camps of the hundreds of people.
"You may come and join my family." Hama said to me.
"I would rather camp with my friends." I said.
"Your friends?" he asked.
"Lord Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and Eowyn." I said.
"Oh," he said a little saddened. "Yes, of course." He said and he too nodded and walked off.
I found my friends near the base of the hill. Legolas was sitting down eating some kind of flat bread wrapped in leaves. Aragorn was sitting a little ways away cleaning his sword. Gimli was talking to him leaning on his axe. Eowyn had lit a small fire and she had a small pot hanging from a hook over it.
"That smells good." I said walking over. I started to undo the straps of the breastplate.
"Thank you. I have never cooked before so it is very simple she said. Digging around in a small pouch she had. She took out a large chunk of salt and threw it into the pot stirring it. I raised an eyebrow. I had finally undone the breastplate and I slid it off. I sat down next to Legolas and set it on the ground. I undid the shoulder guards as well and set them aside.
Eowyn walked over to the next fire and came back with a small piece of meat. The meat had a giant piece of fat and gristle still attached. She threw the whole thing in. Both Legolas and I looked at each other. He handed me a bit of the flat bread he was eating.
"Hurry up and eat this before she finishes that." He whispered. I nodded and took it. I put it in my mouth. It was sweet, but very dry. In a few moments I was no longer hungry and Eowyn's concoction no longer smelled as good as it did. She carefully took the pot off of the fire.
"Deya, would you like the first bowl?" she asked.
"I would, Lady Eowyn, but Legolas offered me a bit of his bread and I am quite full." I said. She didn't say anything, but looked at Legolas.
"Magic elvish bread. I am quite full as well. Sorry, my lady." He said. Eowyn glanced over to Aragorn and a pink hue came to her cheeks. She grabbed a bowl and a spoon from her pouch and started to walk toward him. Legolas leaned over to me.
"We must watch this." He said. Gimli was finished talking with Aragorn and he was heading toward us.
"Gimli?" Eowyn asked holding out her little pot. Gimli glanced into the pot. It only took one whiff and one look.
"Ah! No! I couldn't!" he said and continued walking toward us. Eowyn kept walking toward Aragorn. Gimli came over and sat by me.
"I really couldn't." he said. "Was that supposed to be food or fertilizer?" he asked.
"She is going to try and give some to Aragorn. Look!" I said pointing. Gimli turned around. We all watched as Eowyn went up to Aragorn. She dipped the bowl in and handed it to him. I could not hear what they were saying but I had a feeling the scene would be sufficient enough entertainment. We all watched as Aragorn smiled at her. He took what looked to be a very large spoonful and put it to his mouth. Legolas, Gimli, and I all chuckled when instant regret came to his face. That poor man. He did his best not to react. Gimli burst out laughing when Eowyn turned her back to him and he went to dump it on the ground. Legolas gave me another small piece of his flat bread. I almost choked laughing when Eowyn turned back around to Aragorn and he had to grab the now steaming bowl wincing. Gimli handed me a small bowl of water.
"Thank you." I said taking a drink. He also patted me on the back. I looked back toward Eowyn and Aragorn. I sighed. Would I ever cook for Eomer? At least I can be confident he would always return home for supper.
Authors Note:
Lauthica here. I want to thank everyone who has added this story to their alert list and favourites list. I also want to thank those who took the time to review. Your feedback and opinions keep me going. I love you all. Also don't forget to check me out on Facebook for updates about my other works as well. You can find my two fiction short stories on for the Kindle. Thank you all so much. Don't be afraid to be honest about your thoughts about the story. Also if you find any typos or grammar errors please let me know. I am happy to hear from all of you good or bad. I will never grow as an author if I do not learn from my mistakes.
