Disclaimer: The fictional world of LotR belongs to Tolkien and I make no money from this. I own Andromeda and any subsequent original characters. The Greek world presented in this story is a fictionalised version and myths and gods mentioned are real. Please leave reviews if you like, that's what keeps us writers motivated to continue^^
They reached the Westfold before nightfall to see that Erkenbrand was losing. The forces of Isengard had them cornered to a stronghold. Éomer and his men came behind the forces hoping to surprise them and distract them enough to give Erkenbrand and his men a chance to regroup and join back to the fight.
He was still worried that the help would not be appreciated but he could not let that stop him now. Orcs were upon them and the fight had already started. Éomer was riding with the force of the Rohirrim behind him. Andromeda had her spear aimed at the Uruk-hai in charge and threw it without hesitation. It went through his heart rendering him dead. The orcs looked up from the carcass to the emerging forces upon them. Their spears also aimed and ready to kill some orcs.
Unlike what some believed most battles did not last long, this too would be met with a swift ending. Éomer dropped off Andromeda who immediately ran towards a group of orcs with the same enthusiasm of a child running towards a pile of leaves in the autumn. He had no time to watch her and now that he was fully satisfied about her capabilities as a warrior he did not worry and left her be, knowing his men would not leave her to die. She was not fighting this war alone.
Éomer was trying to find Erkenbrand to reorganise his troops while Andromeda was with the éored fighting the orcs. Isengard had been producing them by the bulk from what they told her and now she knew that to be true. Her sword cut through the arm of an orc, followed by his head. Satisfied, she moved onto other targets.
Her movements were rapid and fluid, she went with the flow of the battle, adjusting to the changes in her environment as they happened. This felt like home. There was calmness in her heart yet it was beating in her chest with excitement. Andromeda felt alive yet death followed her wherever she went on the battlefields. Hades would have his hands full tonight.
From her lips fell a prayer to Ares, calling out to him as one did to a dear friend, lover, a mentor. He was the one who had shaped her, made her wrung out her girlhood so that she could be his. He was the one who taught her how to sharpen her teeth, how to become a mouth, endless and angry. They had no idea how much she could consume…
Endless killing had to end yes but this world had such clear lines and she could cross them easily because orcs were not people and that meant she was free to take as much as she wanted from them.
So she did…
Until the forces of Isengard shrunk and eventually disappeared. They would come back most likely, but for now the people were safe. Perhaps she was a mouth full of teeth and hunger but that did not meant she could not do the right thing. Once she fought for honour, once she had a path and in this place with clear lines of the enemy she could do that once more.
Éomer found her cleaning her sword by the gates, humming to herself. "Erkenbrand welcomes us. We think they will return so I decided to stay for a while. How long has it been since you slept in a proper bed?"
"The day I died" Andromeda snorted but then her face turned serious "They will come back. I would."
"Come, I'll introduce you two and then I'll give you the tour." Éomer gestured towards the castle like structure and placed a hand on the small of her back as he guided her.
The familiarity felt strange but not unwelcomed. "Do you believe I will be welcomed here?"
"Why would you not be?" Éomer seemed surprised by the vulnerable tone of her question.
Andromeda bit the bottom of her lips but did not answer to him, instead she followed him to the side of a man she had not seen before. He looked like most of his people, tall with long hair and pride in his steps as he walked the halls with a woman besides him. He had a red shield and a sword on his hip. He looked up to greet them once the woman alerted him. Both their eyes focused on her instead of Éomer.
Éomer introduced her to them "May I present Andromeda of Sparta, she is here as my guest." He then turned to the man and the woman "Andromeda meet Erkenbrand son of Herebald and his wife Lady Goldwyn."
The lady was her exact opposite, her dress was a beautiful blue and it was modest too, her blond hair had been braided neatly and fashionably. Lady Goldwyn regarded her with curiosity and strange fascination. "Clean dresses and a bath shall be provided for you my lady."
"I am not fond of dresses, they get in the way of many things but if you wish to provide me with clean clothes I am as tall as your men. You will have no trouble hunting me some trousers and a tunic while mine are being washed." Andromeda did not mean to offend them but the idea of dresses troubled her entirely. They were nice to wear in celebrations, and special moments but at times where she need to fight they did get in the way.
The lady sized her up for a moment then smiled which surprised Andromeda "My son has similar size to yours I shall have him fetch you some of his garb."
Erkenbrand looked between his wife and the strange woman who seemed confused by the welcome she was receiving. "We lead modest lives here true and trust runs low at times like these but my lord Éomer spoke highly of you as did my men who fought by you. My own son among them. You will find welcome here."
Andromeda smiled at the pair before changing the subject "They will be back, Éomer suspects as much and if it was me on the other side I would too. You should move out of here when you have the chance."
"The wounded cannot make the trip and those who can are leaving to take refuge elsewhere. If we push them back a second time with the help of the éored it might earn them enough time to get better."
The look that crossed her face was dark and disgusted but it disappeared as fast as it arrived. The three of them had caught the look but only Lady Goldwyn was brave enough to ask her about it "Once a general facing similar situation asked me to cut the throats of the wounded soldiers and civilians alike."
"Did you?" Erkenbrand watched her cautiously.
Éomer placed a hand on her back protectively "I did" she admitted honestly, then turned towards Éomer with a forced smile on her face "Told you I had habits that needed kicking."
The couple did not seem to approve but they decided not to judge her for they did not know her character yet and because they needed all the help they could get.
"I was promised a bath?" Andromeda changed the subject to protect their feelings, none of them knew the things she had done and it was better that way.
Lady Goldwyn brightened up while Éomer seemed disappointed "This way my lady."
Andromeda placed her hand on his arm and ignored the lady for a moment "You need to talk to Erkenbrand and plan your defences, set up watch for the night. Put me up for the watch as well. Then talk to Éothain he is still butt-hurt from what I have done and it affects his fighting. I know not how men heal their bruised egos but I am sure as his leader and friend you will help. I will find you after."
Erkenbrand and Éomer watched her leave in shared amusement. Even his own men would not dare tell him what to do in that absolute tone she had used. Still she had never treated him or his men anything less than her equal. Éomer doubted she had respect for authority in general but at least when it came to his soldiers she always had respect for them. Andromeda was candid and did not shy away from saying what she wanted or how she thought of a situation. Strange thing was that his men did listened to her. It often took them a while to consider someone valued enough to listen but the girl had an aura that made them all listen. Like when she had threatened to take Éomer's manhood, he had not doubted her words and neither did his men.
He told Erkenbrand the story of their meeting as he walked Éomer to a more private room where they could discuss their war strategy and set up patrols for the night. Erkenbrand found the girl to be peculiar as well but his own wife often spoke her mind too which was something he admired in woman. Women of Rohan had always been the strongest amongst other in his opinion. They did not fight like Andromeda maybe but they had love for their country, they were strong, and commanded respect.
Lady Goldwyn took her to the private chambers she would occupy for the duration of their stay. A tub had been carried there earlier and the water was steaming. Andromeda could smell some oils and floral soaps.
Goldwyn smiled at the childish enthusiasm on Andromeda's face "I will hunt down for the clothes I have promised you, please enjoy your bath. Both me and my husband thank you for your help."
Andromeda took the hands of the woman in hers "Your thanks should belong to Éomer but I will help you and your people as much as I can. I lost many friends coming here, and I know not the fate of my companions but I trust Éomer's heart. He will help you through this."
"You are fond of him."
Soft sigh escaped her lips but she would not refute the Lady's observation "He came here despite the possible consequences because that is the right thing to do. He helped my people when he did not have the obligation or the reason to do so. He has a good heart and in my short time with your people I have learned that the Rohirrim are people of endurance, bravery, honour, and love."
Lady was immensely pleased with her answer, like all of Rohirrim she took pride in her people and her culture. "Rest now friend and let us tend to you for a while."
Graciously she accepted her offer and allowed herself a moment to relax. It had been a while since she had the opportunity to bathe. The warm water soothed her aching muscles, and the scents rising from the oils calmed her down.
Two days she had been with the Rohirrim yet she felt at home with them, she even trusted them. Éomer most of all. There was no logical explanation for the kinship she felt with them but she did held them in high regards. Out of all the people she had met over these months the Rohirrim were the ones that reminded her of home. People that held similar believes to her own about love, freedom, and honour. It was funny to think such thoughts but if she survived the war of the ring then she would perhaps consider staying in Rohan. Éomer had told her about Edoras and Léofred had promised to show her the lakes nearby after she told him how much she enjoyed swimming. They had welcomed her for no other reason than Éomer's acceptance of her. She knew that was the reason these people opened up to her. Like Spartans they did not trust outsiders much but after fighting alongside with them she knew she would hold her own space separate from her friendship with Éomer.
Andromeda stayed in until the water turned cold and her skin started to prune. Lady Goldwyn had brought her clean clothes some time ago. Before drying herself or putting clothes off she went to the full length mirror in the room. Her body had not changed much, still she had the healthy physique of an athlete but new scars were added to her extensive collection. The one in her throat was the most visible and eye catching, it was pink now and fully healed. The new ones on her thigh and arm were healed as well due to the elven magic but faint scars remained. Her leg where Éomer had kicked her that morning was starting to change colour and bruise. Affectionately she looked at the bruise and smiled, the memory of their fight would always bring a smile upon her face.
Unlike some of the men she fought he had never held back from her. Even Boromir was a bit fearful of hurting her when they first started to spar, it took him a few sessions back in Lórien to fully let go and fight her. Aragorn knew better but she sensed some hesitation in him at times, especially when he had to be physical with her. He tried not to hit her or kick her. Éomer had not feared either and used his full strength and knowledge to his advantage. The only reason he had lost was because he had underestimated her crazy.
Andromeda believed him to be a worthy opponent and a clever one too. If they had been enemies she would have tried to take him down in less than honourable manners since she could not be sure who would have won in a fair fight. However they were friends which meant she did not have to worry but also meant she could ask him for a rematch. The idea excited her, she liked fighting him. It was more of a conversation than most people would have realised, and intimate too.
Éomer would had to wait though for she had orcs to kill first and war called her. Once again in her dreams she had seen war, vision covered in red, bleeding, bruised, and so much pain. The dreams were the reasons she could not sleep some nights, the ghosts haunted her but equally some of the dreams brought her peace. They were familiar, dead, and red was certainly her colour. Andromeda had killed so many people that she often felt like she had killed herself along the way.
At first it did not affect her, she did not enjoyed the killing nor she particularly minded it, it was what war demanded and she would give it to him. They were bad people anyway, soldiers, war lords, corrupt politicians and kings. After the loss of her family, death of everyone and everything she ever dared to love, she started to enjoy. Not the killing but the pain, because pain was all she had and seeing others covered in her own sickness made her feel something. It was hard to explain even to herself so she stopped trying. Once innocent lives stood at the edge of her blade, then she knew she had effectively killed parts of herself to survive. There was no shame in that but now she desperately wished to be alive again.
This was her chance.
Her body started to shiver due to the cold but she kept watching herself in the mirror. How dead she was before and how alive she looked now surprised her. Andromeda smiled at herself and laughed at how much of a wolf she resembled.
Perhaps she had always been more feral than a girl and a woman. Perhaps she had always been a wolf in the skin of a fighter.
Tearing her eyes away from the mirror was hard but she eventually managed to put her clothes on and left her room to find Éomer as she had promised.
The entire place was a mess. The women ran around trying to clean and help the wounded. The men taking stock of the weapons they had and helping with fortifications. A cook was screaming about a chicken and a cat. Two children peeling potatoes in the corner while another one dragged a large sack over to their waiting hands. It was hectic and familiar. How they all were involved with their tasks yet they contributed at large.
The children pointed towards a room guarded by two men when she asked them about the whereabouts of their lords. Confidently she walked towards the room but was stopped by the guard who did not allow her to pass.
The lords had demanded that there be no interruptions unless it was an emergency. One of them had his hand placed on her shoulder and slightly pushed back. Yet she did not move. "My lady you cannot go in there, please leave."
Her chin was up in defiance while her eyes focused on his hand with an intensity. There was no anger in her voice or her actions, just certainty that she would get what she wanted "Remove your hand and let me in or I will break that door open."
"Let it be on her head." The second guard wanted to get her in trouble, not enjoying her tone of voice.
Opening the door she was greeted by the sight of men gathered around a table, they all looked up to her and Éomer motioned for her to come "Take a look at these."
Giving the guards a one last smug look she walked off to join Éomer and Erkenbrand, both surrounded by their second in command. For the last hour they had been discussing their defences and what could be done to improve. They had found few weaknesses, some spots that needed repairs, and they still needed to make further arrangements for the additional two hundred men in the compound.
Quickly Andromeda scanned the plans in front of her. There were few things she suggested to be done differently but in general she agreed with them. Éomer was diligent and strategic, and Erkenbrand knew the land and layout better than anyone, he also had more knowledge about the attack patterns of the enemy. This was a beautiful strategic collaboration on their part.
"I'll get our men to start on these improvements" Éadmód, son of Erkenbrand saluted his lords before taking his leave.
Léofred left soon after to organise the men for the patrol schedules. It was Andromeda, Éomer, and Erkenbrand now. The three of them looked over the plans one more time, refusing to leave anything to chance.
Erkenbrand looked up from the plans and schedules, rubbing his temple in exhaustion "We need a break, dinner should be served soon at the main hall. We will reconvene after."
Both of them understood his desire to be alone for a moment. Perhaps to finally mourn the dead, or to enjoy a bit of solitude in the midst of the war. Éomer held the door open for her and asked that she take a walk with him before they served mass.
He held out his arm for her which she took without much consideration, "I had a moment to talk to Éothain as you suggested. He is ordered to apologise but I don't understand why he would act in such anger and cowardice to you."
Andromeda looked genuinely surprised but she supposed men never had to experience what it meant to be seen as less. By the virtue of being men alone they had value. "Of course you do, as do I. It is because I am a woman." He looked down to his feet in shame yet she continued "Your kind are born believing that you are everything and think women are somehow less, not acknowledging the fact that it was men who put us into that position in the first place. Made us weak by cutting our access to education, training, and of course the public and political sphere. The idea of powerful women was so scary that you would not risk it so you cut us out of the system and made decisions on our behalf. I understand. Then came women like me, some armed with swords and some cut men with sharp words or a pretty smile but we hold our own power. Sparta accepts women of power but I had to fight the rest of the world to be counted as a person. You by the virtue of being men had value and me, I had to earn mine. There will be no end to my fight but when women like me come it reminds men like Éothain that they are insignificant. I dominate a field they believe only they have the right to dominate. I speak to you as my equal and demand that you do the same. I am more than he ever will be and that idea clashes deeply with the way he was raised. So he attacks from behind like a coward and lurks in the shadows waiting for women to make mistakes so he can prove his point that women are inferior. I need not his apology or yours. If you truly regret the actions of your men, my suggestion for you is to raise better men."
Her voice was not raised, and her body was relaxed all through their one sided conversation. She spoke with the calmness of a woman who had done this before. Andromeda was not one of a kind. There had been many woman like her before and during her time in Greece, and there would be many after her time came to pass. Éothain was not the first and she knew he would not be the last. They refused to see value in her unless she opened her legs, not knowing she could snap a men's neck with her thighs alone. Those cowards attacked in the night, came from behind, fully knowing they could not win on equal terms. They no longer angered Andromeda, all she felt was pity. Pity on the behalf of their mothers, their sisters, and daughters. Pity for she knew that these men would eventually drown in their self-hatred and insignificance.
Éomer did not dare interrupt her but he could hear the echoes of her own sister in her speech. Éowyn would worship the ground she walked on. He was proud of his sister, he knew how strong she had been and guilt swelled in his gut because he knew Andromeda was right. He, himself had been guilty of dismissing Éowyn on the grounds of her gender alone. He had left her behind with that worm because he didn't believe she could survive here.
They had arrived at the balcony now, the moon reflected her image to the lake below and they both watched it for a moment in silence. "I have a sister, Éowyn." His voice no louder than a whisper "I worry about her all of the time. Father died when we were both young and my mom fell into grief soon after. If it wasn't for Théoden the King then we both would be orphans. The idea of something happening to her scares me so much."
Andromeda did not have siblings, according to her mom she was equal to a whole herd of them. "You left her in there with a weakened king and the enemy." There was disappointment in her tone and she did not hide it to spare his feelings "Worry not, women know how to survive the ill decisions of men. Otherwise we would have died out many ages ago."
Éomer looked down once again, watching the lake to avoid looking at her. "I am sorry."
Her eyes were kind to him, her voice soft but still she did not allow him escape "I am not the one you owe that to. However, I understand your desire to protect your family."
It was bold of him to act in such familiarity with her but he reached out to take her hand in his, and was surprised when she intertwined their fingers together. "Family is all I have left. I wouldn't know what to do without Éowyn."
His words twisted like a knife in her gut, reminding her the family she once had. They tried to console her by saying that time would heal everything but time had been cruel. It mocked her at any chance and reminded her that she was an unholy thing that would not die. "I remember the first time I managed to land a hit on my father as we practiced the sword. He had paraded me around the city on his shoulders as if I was a hero of legends. That night he brought home a feast to celebrate. Both he and mother were so proud. One day he left for war and never came back. I remember the day I met my husband, he had trained under my father and my father being my father often gloated about me. Aristide found me by the fields and attacked me on sight. He wanted to see if I was all he had heard me to be. When I had him at my mercy he gave an arrogant smirk saying 'even if they have you at the sharp of their spear, give them a smirk' and I knew I was in love then. He married me as fast as the elders allowed, he said he did not want to go to war without the guarantee of returning to me. I learned of his death towards the end of the first year of our marriage, he had died while saving his troops. In grief I went into labour and gave him a son he would never know. I loved my son but I could not bear to look at him, he resembled Aristide so much. I was a mother though so I stayed as much as I could. Eventually I could not and so I left Sparta once more. I learned of his death as well as my mother's months later. Helots rebelled and did not spare a child. I returned to Sparta only to bury them. The king whom I entrusted my family was as broken, he loved my little boy as his own son, and he enjoyed being a great-uncle. In my anger and grief I tried to strangle him but he knew why so he told me to leave Sparta and return only when I was ready. Castor I named my boy and I did not held him in my arms as much as I should have, I did not kiss his red cheeks and I can't remember the smell of his hair. I am cursed you see, I was made for war. I am of stone and fire. It was foolish of me to assume I could have peace."
Éomer knew there was noting that could be said, so he did not speak. Instead he watched Andromeda tell her story with complete composure. Her face was made of stone but he could feel her hand slightly tremble in his. Her eyes wet with tears she did not allowed to fall. Éomer had been wrong about her. The first time they met he believed her to be impervious to damage and hurt. Who else could laugh full volume in the middle of a confrontation, wear calmness in the chaos of a battle and smile. He believed that she was unfeeling but now he knew this to be untrue. Andromeda was vulnerable deep inside, hurting more than he could ever understand, but what surprised him the most was her willingness to share that vulnerability with him in order to comfort him. She was more human than he had known. Andromeda was not impervious to damage as he thought, she was strong and deeply hurt. Éomer could not imagine how a person could survive that and still laugh, still dance, and still be kind. He had respected her as a warrior, but now he saw her as more than just a warrior. He wished there was comfort to be offered, he truly wished for it but he was no god and he could not bring the dead back for her.
Andromeda turned to face him, their eyes met and she smiled in such sadness and grace "So to answer your question, you live. You live all the days that were meant for them. You live and you try but what do you do when your body becomes a wound that will never heal. When it becomes a constant ache in your bones, your heart, and your gut. There is nothing temporary about this madness. Yet you still live."
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