Tourney's and Shieldmaidens
There is a small village east of Edoras within the Eastemnet that is aware but somewhat unaffected by the events at Helm's Deep. This is where the intrepid travellers ended up staying for the time being, at first they weren't a welcome presence lest they bring war to their relatively peaceful farming community. Eventually the cheerfulness and assistance they gave in improving defences warmed the villagers hearts to a degree.
Both Toniele and Lucania had been content to stay awhile in this quaint little village where horse racing seemed to be a fun past time. The two looked at the makeshift race course and a thought came to Lucania, "do you remember that book we read on Knights and tourneys?"
Toniele tilted her head slightly, "I think so why?"
"I think this village could use something to distract them from their troubles, I was thinking; tournaments." Lucania sat perched on the wooden fence in front of the dirt track before her.
"Tournaments? What sort? I am not well versed in the celebrations and tournaments of man." Toniele admits resting both elbows on the wooden frame next to luca.
"Well then it's time you become versed; we should have jousts. I think that is what they are called, sword fighting, archery, racing, and ofcourse my favourites, dancing and food." Lucania ran through a list of activities.
"That actually sounds like a good way to pass the time, and it could liven the spirits around here." Toniele agreed, she liked the idea of sword fighting the most.
"My Ladies, you two seem to be plotting" Geras teased as he rode up to them, his eyes fell on Toniele who looked away shyly.
Geras was one of the first to welcome them and felt they would be good for their village, his blonde hair and light brown eyes seemed to have a dash of amber in them when the sun hit. A young man in his mid 20s; he was well built and an excellent horseman. He was also taller than the elf maiden by three inches. Geras had spent much of the time showing them around, telling them about the village and what had transpired in the Riddermark before they had arrived. "It put everyone on edge needless to say." He had informed them. Currently he wore his dark blue and black armour and had his broad sword at his side and daggers lining his boots, his smile made Toniele blush sometimes and he knew it. He was also a gentlemen who treated both outsiders with as much respect as he would King Theoden's daughter and the women of his village.
"We are plotting" Lucania answered unaffected by the tall man's looks and winning smile.
"Oh? And what pray tell are we plotting young hobbit? More raiding of the crops perhaps?" he joked.
"I am only making sure those crops are safe for consumption" she assures him with the telltale mischievous glint in her eyes.
"I will try and explain that to Farmer Eodran and his wife Myrwyn." he laughed.
"Thank you, as for what we are plotting; its a tournament. To liven up spirits and let people enjoy themselves and take a break from war and worry about raids. If anything our own way of celebrating victory at Helms Deep; though we werent there. And Honouring those that fell" Lucania pitched her idea to the rider who listened intently.
"I think it's a good idea, Lucania here has a list of what can be done, that is if people want this." Toniele added.
Geras nodded, he liked the idea of tournaments, he remembered such celebrations as a boy and with the way these two put it, it would be good for this small village. If it puts a smile on faire Toni's face I am all for it. He thought casting a lingering gaze towards her. Nothing could come of it of course but as long as she's happy whilst here.
"I like this plan, what is on that list Lady Luca?" He asked
"I am not a Lady but here is the list, can you read Sindarin?" She handed the list to him then wondered if she should have used commontongue.
"No, but maybe you can tell me." he handed back the list and listened.
"Jousting, Archery, Sword Fighting, Racing, Dance, and the most important thing of any party or celebration of any sort; Food." she points for emphasis.
Geras went over the list mentally and liked the idea, he laughed at the "Food" emphasis; he knew little of the Shirefolk and liked them already. "Food is important." He agreed.
"Why not tell everyone else of your plan? Or were you wanting to run it by me first?" he wondered.
"I wanted to compile a list first and run it by Toni, then you; you know the villagers."Lucania said in a matter of factly tone.
Geras nods, he understood her reasoning, "Just take care to use the right words there are some who would not take kindly to such things." he warned.
Toniele and Lucania take the advice and when he goes back to his practice they go over what to say to the villagers later.
Once gathered at the hall Toniele and Lucania stand before them unflinchingly, Toniele surveyed the crowd and noticed more women and children than men. She had seen this before, young men going off to war and some do not come back. Some of these women were grieving or still holding on to the hope their husbands or sons would be back from Helm's Deep.
"What does ye want she elf?" Asked Eodran, an older man who didn't particularly like elves all that much but tolerated her. His wife grabbed his arm then smiled kindly, "Don't mind him" she says. In her eyes is much sorrow, they both had two sons that had rode off to fight and like many here did not return. She was willing to hear what the elf and halfling had to say.
"First off, I am glad you all could be here I will try not to detain you for long. Both myself and Lucania have come up with something that should liven the spirits around here and bring some happiness in these troubled times. I know you have lost much and that is still fresh in your minds, I understand that more than you know." Toniele paused between sentences making sure she didn't sound patronising or condescending, "So as a way to celebrate the lives lost and victory Lucania and I have thought of having a Tourney here, I understand those are or were popular around here.". She finished and looked over each villager, some liked the idea but as Geras predicted some didn't like the idea.
"You propose a party while there is a war going on? I don't know how you do things elf in your little safe havens but we don't have such luxury; incase you haven't noticed we have had orc or mercenary raids around here." Another man called out.
"Would you rather sit here and wallow and wait til you are picked off then?" Lucania asked sharply.
The man looked at her surprised, the hobbit was always so cheery to hear the serious tone was unnerving.
"I am not from here either and Toniele here has seen wars before, she understands. I have not, but I do know your relatives would not want you to be sad. There is nothing wrong with taking a break from your troubles and spending time with friends and family in merriment and celebration. Do you think the surviving soldiers probably over at Edoras are wallowing? No, like toni said they are celebrating victory and honouring friends or brothers who died in battle. Plus they don't have the luxury to grieve as they have more to fight and plan." Lucania said standing tall in front of the villagers who sat.
"She is right, yes there is a war going on; that does not mean there must be doom and gloom all the time. Not to mention I have been told you have been largely unaffected by raids from the orcs. Most of your men have gone off to fight but some have indeed returned they could use some cheer; celebrate that." She adds hoping to reach the younger men present at least.
"It will be fun, Jousting; I am not really sure what that is but it sounds fun, Archery; it's fun to shoot arrows, sword fighting; who doesn't like a good competition, racing, dancing, fireworks! Well actually I am not sure you have those and FOOD!" Lucania's descriptions made the villagers and Toniele laugh.
"The outsiders are right, we could use a day or two away from the horrors visited upon us. I have seen too much grief and sorrow." a young and scarred man named Leofric said with a nod. "I would love to use my sword in competition for once or fire my crossbow at 40 paces." he says as a challenge to the other young men his age.
"I would love to show the halfling what Jousting is" laughed a grey haired man in the back.
A roar of laughter echoed in the village hall after the veteran spoke, the villagers were slowly coming round to the idea as their knights were wanting this. The women loved the idea, especially if they too could get involved somehow.
Eodran and the other man sour faced and beaten left the hall in anger, they didn't see the point of this and they felt the outsiders were only causing more trouble. To them they needed to be dealt with and quickly.
Geras smiled from the back as the villagers all voiced their agreement, "Looks like we get our tourney"
Tournament Day*
"Argh…this is so uncomfortable" Lucania said as Toniele fastened the silver armour onto the hobbit. Being a blacksmith the elf was able to make not only weapons but armour and had created some lightweight yet durable and strong armour for Luca.
"You wanted to joust" She said pulling the sea of unruly curls back into a tight braid for the helm she would be wearing.
"True, I did but-"
"There is a lot of armour to be worn you can't just go out their in travel clothes or the pretty dress."
"I know but-"
"Stop complaining, it's your first time wearing full armour. It is going to be a little uncomfortable"
Luca remained silent as the full suit of armour as toniele was right as usual, inwardly she was nervous yet excited.
"I am surprised they are letting me do this" She says letting her excitement show.
"Well as there are not many men, exceptions were made and I have had to work overtime with Borfor; one of their dwarven smiths." Toniele informed her.
"Even I am wearing armour" She supplied.
"You did a brilliant job as always" Luca smiled encouragingly as she was given the small lance.
They stepped out the tent and headed towards the crowd of onlookers and knights getting ready themselves. Luca was helped on her horse and held the lance upwards as she was taught days before. She gazed at the Knight across from her who also had his lance raised, both horses were ready to charge and at the signal of the flags both lowered their lances and raced towards one another; lances pointed at the others chest. Luca was the smaller of the two so the knight had to aim lower in order to hit her at all.
BANG! They made contact and the force nearly knocked Luca off but just barely as she held fast to the reins. Her own lance had hit him in the shoulder and had broken causing a roar from the crowd. They both rode back to the their opposing sides, Luca had apparently gotten more points for breaking her lance and was through to the next round.
The next knight is a little smaller; its a woman this time. She wears heavier armour and looks more like a fortress on a horse then a woman of 5'6". The flag goes down and they charge, Luca holds fast to her reins again and her lance which is pointed at the woman's chest. They get closer and closer, the hobbit's eyes are focused and determined as her lance connects and knocks the woman off her horse. She raises her lance and hears the roar of the crowd again, she smiles enjoying this jousting activity.
She rides back to toniele and gets off the horse for a break, she had made it through to another round for later in the day. Luca still had an adrenaline rush as Toniele unfastened the armour and checked for small injuries. "I want to go back out there!" she said then held her shoulder and winced.
"Later" Toniele said
"What are you going to do?" she asked.
"Swords" Toniele spun her dual bladed silver sword.
The chain mail clinked under her plated armour that was still mobile enough for her to fight but would protect her from the opponent's blade.
Toniele entered the arena wearing her blue cloak over her silver elven armour and waited for her opponent.
The familiar black and blue armour of Geras's family sigil was seen, she smirked. This will be fun.
They put their helms on and drew their swords after a respectful bow, Geras swung his blade towards her shoulder which she met and pushed off with her own. She stepped forwards and feinted a striked at his head before sweeping at his left leg. He didn't move as quickly and heard the clank of steel against armour, "Nice, Sunglade" he says loud enough for her to hear only.
"Not to bad yourself Geras" She said back jumping over his blade when he tried a sweep at her legs himself. In Between strikes they also traded words, which were unheard by the crowd. The crowd was seeing a fine display of speed and agility vs strength and raw power, despite having more armour toniele still managed her rolls, cartwheels, and somersaults to evade and strike quickly. Though he did get in a few strikes it was evident he was becoming tired, with every heavy strike his muscles ached more and he felt more out of breath. Toniele too was getting fatigued as the fight wore on, the audience still enjoyed it judging by their reaction.
It wasn't until he tried a powerful overhead strike that she found an opening and sliced at his stomach as she moved away, she hit his legs knocking him down to his knees. She held the blade to his neck as he dropped his sword in surrender. Toniele had made it to the next round.
They bowed respectfully and left the arena to the next competitors. Geras turned to his opponent and object of his many thoughts; Toniele "You fight well"
Toniele pulls off her helm and smiles, "You're not bad yourself" she then walks away with a few of the women and the hobbit.
He watches her leave and sighs, his brother Edwin pats his shoulder, "Beat by your lady love?"
"Edwin?" he keeps looking at the armoured elf.
"Yes?" His brother asks.
"Shut up" he deadpans.
Edwin laughs and walks away ready for the archery contest down in the fields, where plenty of competitors are getting ready their bows and arrows.
The tournament goes long into the night with Morwen haldir winning the joust against Lucania and Toniele losing to equally faster and agile teenaged Eothraine Doncaster. After the tournaments end it's time for the dancing and feasting by late evening in which the women are now decked out in their colourful dresses and the men are wearing their lighter armour with tans and blacks of their tunics.
Geras approaches a dancing Toniele and offers his hand, "would you care to dance?" He kisses it gently.
Toniele bites her lip, "Well…" She takes his hand and leads him out to the dancefloor, "I suppose so"
Lucania finds a knight from Edoras called Haldor and asks him to dance, "I thought I would change things up and ask instead of the other way around"
He laughs at the young hobbit, "I would love to my lady" He takes her hand and begins to dance with her.
While the festivities go on two men watch from the shadows and are not alone, the man who had first captured the flippant hobbit is watching contemptuously. "Aye, that is the one; and that is her troublesome elf friend."
"They have caused disruption in our village, we would help if it meant their removal" Eodran said glaring at the two flame haired dancing outsiders.
"Good, that hobbit might be the one being searched for by those black riders, much worse than orcs I am told." The man says keeping his eye on the hairy footed harriden in the arms of a knight.
"We will attack tomorrow, the hobbit is mine. Kill the elf." he orders the two men.
"With pleasure" Eodran said darkly, "Mordrain, tell the other mercenaries we attack tomorrow."
The next day...
A young man rushes to the village hall, he had seen a small army amassed close by and wanted to warn the elders and few knights they still had. Geras spotted him, "Galoris? What's wrong?"
"Theres…..theres a…." Galoris panted and bent over breathless
"Take a deep breath and start from the top" the older man said.
"There is a small army amassing in the hills, I think they mean to attack" the teen says urgently.
"Show me boy" Geras's eyes widened but he wanted to make sure this small army wasn't just part of the larger whole heading toward Gondor.
Galoris nodded vigorously and lead the Knight to a place out of the way, he pointed to the army of men and a few dwarves. He counted 30 to 40, Geras knew they did not have the numbers to defend such an attack. "You stay here and monitor the situation, I will get what men I can. Thank you Galoris"
"Geras? Sir? Eodran and Mordrain are in their ranks." He pointed to the familiar faces in the army.
"That does not surprise me" Geras said, "After their sons perished at Helm's Deep they were never the same. Word of advice; don't let grief consume you."
Galoris nodded taking in the older man's words and stayed in his hiding place as Geras crept away to the village.
Geras returned and gathered up the few knights left and any able bodied man in the hall and informed them on the small army marching towards them.
"We don't have the numbers, yes we have better defences but how do we defend our families?" asked Haldor.
"I have thought of this, we could…"
"You could have more numbers" A voice interrupted him at the back of the hall. Geras watched as several women lead by Toniele and Lucania entered. They looked fierce and determined; he knew what she was implying.
"Women? With all due respect this isn't a tournament where swords and lances are dulled and arrows are only fired at targets what could they possibly offer?" One man asked.
"Where do you think they got the skills to even compete? Their fathers and brothers no doubt, with all due respect you need numbers, your pride is going to cost lives" Toniele admonished.
"I am sorry but war is a man's game-" the man doesn't finish his sentence as the thin elven blade is at his throat before he can blink. He looks into the fierce burning sapphires of the elf maiden. "Now you listen to me, I am over 2000 years old. I have seen and been involved in many a battle before your parents even drew their first breath, I have watched as my own kind fell at my side in battles that would make most men cower with fear. I am also a woman now you tell me its a mans game after you consider that. A woman can be just as strong and brave as any man if given the chance and even more vicious if they feel their families or livelihood is threatened." She points over to Lucania, "She is from the shire, a peaceful, comfort loving race where most are happy to stay in their borders. Some however venture out, she has faced down goblins, mercenaries and giant spiders using those two deadly elf blades at her side. She can also shoot with a cross bow and short bow at 40 paces and rarely does she miss do you doubt her resolve and skill because she a woman?" She asked sternly, still holding her blade to his throat and her steely gaze is locked on his now frightened and ashamed brown eyes.
"No…" he says silently and bows his head. Toniele puts her blade away and turns to the other knights and straightens to her full height. She is suddenly imposing and commanding in her walk and her voice is strong and sharp as the blade she carries at her side.
"Do any of you doubt their will and bravery to fight alongside you? They like most of your youths are untrained in combat and war but yet they still wish to defend their home as you do. Would you deny them that simply because of male pride and ego?" She asked looking them all in the eye.
"I understand the need to protect those you love but with your limited numbers you need the ones you love fighting by your side as a team. Now I am not saying send them off to Gondor; just let them fight for their village." She adds a little less imperiously.
"There is plenty of armour still for them to wear, give them a chance to fight for their village." She says gaining hopeful stares from the women who were standing at the back.
"As much as it pains me to say it, the she elf is right. We are outnumbered and could only last for so long before those ruffians get to them anyway why not put a sword and bow in their hands" Borfor spoke up scratching his beard.
"I may not like elves much but she can work hard and create weapons and armour. She also is ready and willing to fight for us and not cower and run to her elven home. As for the Hobbit, I have heard of such bravery from their kind plus she's a better shot than the lot of you combined." He says walking to stand next to the elf.
Geras silently stands by them agreeing with her words and reasoning, not just because he harboured feelings towards but because after fighting her first hand he had begun to respect her as a warrior.
The other knights and men came round and agreed, the one that had his verbal dress down approached Toniele cautiously, "I apologise for my words"
"You were raised to think one thing and now you understand another. Do not let your pride and a woman's appearance guide your thinking again, we are more than you make us out to be" She says then walks away
Geras puts a hand on his shoulder, as Toniele already told him off he says nothing.
By midday the men and women are armoured and on horseback awaiting the small army primed to attack. Toniele lets Geras lead as the men look up to him most and rides with the makeshift army. Lucania is with the archers and has Borfor at her side giving her and the other female archers pointers.
The opposing armies meet in the field outside the village and the leaders approach each other first, "Geras, I see you have women and teenagers at your side? How quaint" says Eodran.
"I see you have become cowardly and bitter" Geras answers back.
"Give over the hobbit girl and this can be over" Eodran demanded.
"She is no mere girl and I will not give her over to those ruffians" Geras said protectively.
"Then you, your little army, and….lastly your elf lover will die" he says peeking over at the armoured elf.
She is not my….oh nevermind; if only that were true. He thought longingly before heading back to his men and women on horseback.
Geras returned, "looks like a fight is inevitable, let's show these band of mercenaries we are not going to give in without a fight." He wasn't sure how to deliver a speech like Toniele could but the look of encouragement from her was good enough, "Let's defend our home and our livelihoods! With all of us working together we can stop these marauders, let's do our relatives who fought in Helm's Deep proud!"
The men and women shout their agreement, Not the best I could have come up with but it did the job. He drew his sword and pointed at the enemies ahead as they did, "CHARGE!" He shouted among the "FOR ROHAN! FOR OUR VILLAGE!" chants and rode forward.
Galloping horses from both sides charged at each other at full speed and crashed into each other with steel meeting steel, many were knocked off their horses and fought on foot once getting their bearings. The swords and shields continued to clash in the midday sun and soon arrows flew and met their marks on both sides. It was pandamonium. The leader of the mercenaries spotted the hobbit and charged at her, intent on taking her alive or dead. He wanted a reward if she had that rumoured ring of power. Once reaching her he swung his sword hard and fast but was met by a shield and sword of a blonde woman who moved in front of the hobbit. He battled her for a few minutes before finally cutting her down when she left an opening, he neared the hobbit who first shot at his legs, the pain in his leg burned as the arrow dug into his skin. He swung his sword at her with more fury than ever, she jumped back and shot again this time at one of his arms. "You are a lousy shot" he taunted. Little did he know she was purposely weakening him before grabbing her twin blades. A few more shots and taunts later and he was on his knees still trying to take her down, "you keep missing….ha!" He said weakly as the blood drained from him with every shot, as he got closer to her she drew both blades quicker than he could swing and disarmed him; quite literally. He yelled in pain as he realised what she had done, "You...clever….girl…" He fell down as realised he was beaten. She silently sheathed her blades and shot one more arrow to finish him off, the cold stare of the halfling was the last thing he saw.
Meanwhile on the other side of things mercenaries had started to attempt raiding only to be stopped by the lethal defences and the unexpected women knights that battled ferociously against them. Eodran had his sights set on the elf and walked slowly towards her as she spun gracefully with her dual swords, he saw an opportunity when Geras was fighting by her side and ran quickly drawing his dagger he dug it into the younger mans side causing him to fall in mid fight.
"You!" Toniele shouted and raised her front blade for an attack, she narrowly dodged the dagger and used her back blade to overwhelm and knock it out of his hands. He fell to his knees and before she could deliver a killing blow or atleast one to subdue him his wife came running out, "NO! Please! He's not in his right mind! Please! AHHH!" She was shot by a mercenary who had been blinded earlier by a bag of flour falling onto his head. "Myrwyn!" Eodran screamed and forgetting his hatred for the she elf ran to his fallen wife, "Please dont leave me to my love I am sorry" He held her in his arms as she caressed his face, "I…" she managed before fading "no, this isn't what I wanted" he cried and rocked her in his arms.
Toniele had seen this play out and motioned for two men to take Eodran away, they removed the instigator and his wife from the battlefield. Toniele kept pressure on the wound Geras had sustained, her heart was beating fast; for the possibility of losing him or because of battle? She didn't know. Hold on Geras.
The battle went on til dusk with the last of the mercenaries being hauled away, there had been injuries and casualties on both sides but none could doubt now the tenacity of their shieldmaidens.
Toniele used what healing remedies she had and started to chant in sindarin, she looked over at Geras's barely conscious form and felt her heart flutter. You will make it my brave fool. She thought of him that way at times.
Lucania was in the cells looking at the sorrowful Eodran, "Happy now?" she asked coldly. He does not speak or look up at the voice, he lost his wife and it was his fault. "This didn't have to happen, your selfish and hateful actions caused many deaths today including that of your wife. She was a sweet lady, she didn't have to die." the hobbit continued in her biting cold voice, he looked up at her and was about to speak. "I don't want to hear it, I am sorry you lost your sons and now wife but you shouldn't have expected those around you to feel as miserable as you did all the time; everyone lost someone. You acted selfishly and now you can see the results of your actions" her words hit him harder than his sons death or even his wife because that is what she said before he went out to seek the mercenaries. "You are acting selfish Eodran, so what if the people want to start enjoying life again; are we to stay in a perpetual state of grief? It is not what Aeothin or Bailor would want. Please let it be" Was what his wife had said, his gentle Myrwyn. The hobbit was right and when he looked into the cold steel gaze he felt the weight of what he had caused. "You brought a war to your village, I don't care what you do but it had better be spending your days making up for it." Her words bit into him again before she left him a mess of a man.
Geras awoke a day later when the villagers were rebuilding and talking over recent events, they still had to bury their dead and deal with the prisoners. They had asked Toniele and Lucania to help with that but the two declined stating that it was not their village. He watched as Toniele packed and walked up to her, "I wanted to thank you, and I wonder if we shall see each other again?"
Toniele looks at him warmly, "I am always happy to return and both us have been welcomed back should we come by here again"
"You are dodging the question" he said looking into her eyes.
"Don't...look at me like that" she turns away to tend to her horse.
"Why not? Do you not feel the same way?" he asked reaching to turn her chin to face him.
'It's not that...its…" she paused as she felt like she could get lost in those amber/brown eyes.
"What is it?" He stepped closer and grabbed her hand.
"Its…" Toniele finds she can't finish the sentence and leans in at the same time as him for a kiss.
"Horses are ready!" Lucania interrupts the would be kiss unknowingly and smiles brightly at the two who let go of each others hands.
Geras and Toniele smile and take a step away from each other, "thank you Luca"
"Well come on! Adventure awaits!" Lucania personally wanted to leave this place and maybe come back...not for along while but...if I can see Haldor...She sighed outwardly.
"Til we meet again Geras" Toniele placed her cloak over her shoulders and let him kiss her hand as they parted.
"Farewell my faire elf maiden of rivendell" He said and watched as she rode off into the sunrise with her hobbit companion in toe.
Afterword….
Eodran would remain in prison but was ordered to help with rebuilding when he wasn't in his cell. The mercenaries were freed but if they returned it would be under pain of death.
Geras became the de facto leader and arranged for the women of the village to receive proper training should another event like last time present itself they would be ready as shieldmaidens. He still thought of the elf he loved and hoped one day to see her again, as for Haldor he marched south towards Gondor but had the memory and thoughts of the hobbit lass to keep him smiling.
* If you want to immerse yourself within the tournament atmosphere listen to "The Tournament Begins" from the merlin soundtrack or "Arthur and Knight Valiant" whilst reading.
Authors note: might need help with sindarin in future chapters….thank you for reading.