The Exchange at Edoras

The next day, the three travelers started bright and early so that they would reach Edoras by sunset. Prisca walked alongside her human friend as the vanaloke circled above scouting out the path ahead.

She had been quiet since the events of the last night, yet now that Prisca was alone with Claeo again, she felt comfortable enough to speak her opinion.

Glancing up at the green reptile soaring overhead, Prisca muttered, "I don't like her very much." It was an immature thing to say, but the hobbit was tired and grumpy.

"Laemellon's not that bad once you get to know her," Claeo said cheerfully. They were out on the grassy plain now. There was no need to stay under the cover of the woods in the daytime. Claeo took a deep breath and sighed. She seemed to enjoy being out in the open.

"She reminds me too much of those creatures," Prisca said. "I thought she was going to kill me last night. A thief indeed. If one more person calls me that…"

"It was an easy thing to assume. You did have the calling stone without her permission. I wonder how the Owl found it. Why did she give it to you?"

Prisca huffed. "I don't know. She never explained. Whatever reason it was, I certainly failed. I wasn't supposed to touch it and as usual, I mucked it up."

"Everyone makes mistakes," Claeo said softly. "I mean heck, I got Frodo killed in an alternate timeline. You shouldn't be too hard on yourself."

Prisca nodded. She appreciated Claeo trying to encourage her. The human at her side had such a hopeful outlook on the situation. Even in the midst of failure, she pushed forward. Prisca wondered where someone got such a strong sense of hope.

A few hours before sundown, they were at last in sight of Edoras. Far away, the Golden hall shone in the orange glow of evening. Claire was grinning stupidly. She was beginning to relapse into the intense fangirling she had experienced on her last trip. Edoras was a sight! It was set atop a hill and framed by rolling plains and snow capped mountains.

Looking down at her hobbit companion, she noticed that Prisca was also staring in wide-eyed awe, but it was not the same as when they had left Rivendell. Something was bothering her hobbit friend, that much was certain. Once they were finally indoors and had food and a seat by a warm fire, she decided she would try to find out what was bothering Prisca.

They came to a stop about a half a mile from Edoras. Laemellon descended and gave a report.

"I see no sign of the Morloki. There is however a storm in the southeast. A bit odd for this time of year."

"Right, good," Claire said rubbing her hands together. "Prisca and I will enter Edoras and find somewhere to spend the night. You are welcome to join us Laemellon, but you may want to remain cloaked. The people here are most likely not accustomed to the sight of a vanaloke."

Prisca huffed and smirked up at Laemellon. The vanaloke gave her a cold look. "Do you have something to say Prisca," Laemellon asked.

The hobbit shrugged. "I just find it funny that someone as illustrious as yourself has to stay hidden out in the cold like a wild animal. I thought you were supposed to be some great hero of the Siege of Minas Tirith."

Claire thought she heard Laemellon growl.

"I did fight in the Siege," the vanaloke said. "At least I can hold my own in a fight and not cower like a child."

Prisca started to fire off a comeback but Claire stepped between them.

"Ladies," she said putting up her hands. "Come on! Don't be like this. Look, I know you both got off on the wrong foot, but last night is behind us ok?"

"I think I shall stay out here 'in the cold with the wild animals'," Laemellon said as she leaned down to look Prisca square in the eye. "They would be much better company that some people I could name."

Laemellon straightened and turned to Claire. "I'll meet you outside of the City in the morning." And with that word, the vanaloke flew into the air and out of sight.

Prisca seemed quite pleased with herself and began walking towards Edoras. Claire on the other hand was beginning to get annoyed at her attitude.

"Hey," the human said walking up beside her. "What's your damage?"

"My what," the hobbit asked.

Claire stepped in front of her and the hobbit came to halt. "Your attitude. I know that you and Laemellon got off to a bad start, but that's no reason to insult her."

"I'm sorry," Prisca said half heartedly. "I just don't feel comfortable around her that's all."

"Look Prisca, I'm not your mom, but tomorrow morning when we meet Laemellon, you will show her respect. Understand?"

The hobbit nodded. Claire was amazed that someone she had thought was like a sister to her could be such a jerk. She thought back to Anna's comment about siblings. She was beginning to understand it now.

At last Prisca and Claire approached the wide windswept gate of Edoras. Claire informed the gatekeepers that they were travelers on their way to Minas Tirith and needed lodging for the night. When they were allowed to enter, one of the gate wardens noted that Prisca was a hobbit. He subsequently ran off. Claire thought this was odd and hoped that they wouldn't run into any trouble in the city.

As they made their way up the broad stone paved path, Claire began to ask some of the town's folk where a guest house might be found. One woman pointed them in the right direction and commented on how nice it was to have another of the holbytla in their midst. The meaning of her words didn't occur to Claire until they saw someone coming to meet them.

Down the street walked a well dressed individual with a sword hanging from his belt. Yet he was considerably shorter than the rest of the people they had seen in Edoras.

"Well I'll be," the person said. "If it isn't Claeo."

Meriadoc Brandybuck ran forward and took Claire's hand. Shaking it he said, "What a delight to see you again Claeo! I had no idea you were here. I was told that there was another hobbit in our midst and I came at once."

Claire was beside herself. What was Merry doing here in Rohan? She knew that he retained his connection to this particular kingdom since he was esquire to the King, but it was a strange coincidence that he should be in Edoras now.

"It's good to see you too Merry," she said cheerfully. "But the report was correct. I have brought a friend with me."

She turned and Prisca stepped into view. Merry's expression changed from wonder to shock.

"Prisca!" he exclaimed. "By the Shire, what are you doing here? Do your parents know about this?"

"Um no, but I have a good reason," Prisca said sheepishly. "It will take a long time to explain."

Merry gazed at her for a moment. At last he embraced the young hobbit girl, but his voice was still filled with concern. "It is good to see you, but I look forward to your explanation." Pulling away from her, he said, "I shall have supper prepared for both of you. And I will see about arranging guest lodging in the Golden Hall. Come."

Merry led them up through the city and into the Golden Hall. He introduced them to King Eomer who welcomed them to Edoras. Claire hadn't had a chance to meet Eomer on her last trip. She had seen him at a distance, but now meeting him face to face, she was quite impressed at this warrior turned king.

Soon Claire and Prisca found themselves around a large table. Attendants brought food and drink and Claire and Prisca had one of the most enjoyable meals they had eaten in a long time. The hot beverages and fresh meats were a welcome change to what they had on the forest road.

"So Prisca," Merry said after they had sufficiently stuffed their faces. "How did you come to be traveling with Claeo?"

Prisca bit into the chicken leg in her hand and mumbled, "I ran away from home." After chewing and swallowing, she added, "I ventured into the Old Forest and ran into Claeo. She agreed to let me go to Rivendel with her. I was told I could go with her to Minas Tirith, so I decided to tag along."

"You did what?" Merry asked in amazement. "Why would you do that Prisca?"

"Personal reasons," the hobbit said. She took another huge bite out of the chicken leg.

"Do your parents know where you are," Merry asked further. "You say you've been in Rivendell. Have you written to them?"

Prisca gazed at her plate and didn't answer.

Merry leaned back in his chair wearily. "Oh Prisca they must be worried sick. I should send you back home at once."

Prisca still didn't say anything. Claire's eyes flitted back and forth trying to read their emotions. Merry was perturbed but not angry. Prisca on the other hand looked properly miffed.

"Peregrin told me all about your last exchange, Prisca," Merry said at last. "How you were so insistent that he take you with him to Minas Tirith. He was here only a few days ago. You just missed him."

Claire nearly choked on her drink. "What Pippin was here?" she sputtered.

"Yes," Merry said. "He received a summons from King Aragorn a few months ago and asked if I would come with him. I hadn't returned to Rohan since the war so I agreed to visit here while he went on alone. He told me he would send word to me and let me know how long he could expect to remain there. We only arrived a few days ago. You must have been just behind us."

Claire turned to Prisca. The hobbit was avoiding her gaze.

"Why didn't you tell me Pippin was…" Then she realized the truth. Perhaps Prisca had been looking for her Mother that night in the wood, but at this account from Merry, another motive was clearly evident.

"Prisca, were you following Peregrin to Minas Tirith?"

"Maybe," the hobbit said softly. "Well, yes. That was my plan."

"So you didn't really want to go to Rivendell. You wanted someone to travel with while you caught up to him."

Claire could see by the hobbit's face that she had been found out. The young human wasn't mad, but she felt a little bit used. Prisca hadn't been completely honest with her and that bothered Claire.

Prisca stared down at her plate and wiped her hands on her lap. Merry was looking at her with the same expression Claire was. Apparently they both were interested in some truth from the hobbit girl.

Prisca cleared her throat and said, "That was true at the time, but when we got to Rivendell and all the stuff with the Owl happened, that changed. I gave up on catching up to Pippin a long while back. But…but my goal has always been to go to Minas Tirith." She looked up at Claire and chuckled nervously. "Quite a coincidence isn't it?"

Claire wasn't amused.

Merry wasn't either. "Alright," he said. "You will not be going to Minas Tirith. You will stay in Rohan until Peregrin returns. Then you can answer to him for running away. How long have you been away from home now? Four, five months? And for what? A trip to see the places you've read about. It's very selfish of you Prisca."

Prisca stood abruptly. "You may be my cousin Merry," she said sharply. "But you have no right to tell me what to do."

The hobbit girl set her napkin on the table. "Please excuse me. I'm not hungry anymore." With that, she strode off and out of the dining room.

Claire was left alone with Merry. She put her elbows on the table and rested her face in her hands.

"I can imagine she's been a handful," the hobbit remarked.

"I suppose you would know," Claire said. "I forgot that you and Peregrin were first cousins which in turn makes you her cousin doesn't it?"

Merry nodded. "She was always closer to Pippin. He was like a brother to her at times. I'm not surprised she would want to go with him, but running away seems out of character for her."

"She said she was looking for her mother," Claire said.

"Her mother? You mean Estella?"

"No her birth mother. She said that her uncle told her that he found her in the Old Forest and that her birth mother might still be out there."

Merry looked at Claire gravely. "That's not the story I heard. Prisca's birth mother has a earned a bad name in the Shire. Rumors run rampant in that place. I'm afraid she has received a lot of grief because of it."

"Something is bothering her Merry, but I don't know what it is. I suppose I just need to sit down with her and find out."

"Well, you won't have to put up with her much longer," Merry said. "She will stay here with me until Pip and I return to the Shire."

Claire bit her lip. "I respect your authority as her cousin, but I would actually argue that she needs to come with me."

Merry's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Really? Why?"

"It's hard to say," Claire said. "But she is a part of my mission somehow. Plus she's come all this way. I would be crushed if I was this close to Minas Tirith and didn't get to see it. If you will allow me, I can make sure she reaches the city safely. I'll leave her with Peregrin and he can take her home."

Merry nodded thoughfully. "I suppose if she has come this far." He smiled and rose from his chair. "I'll arrange a horse for you. It will be waiting for you in the stables tomorrow morning."

Claire stood and walked over to the hobbit. Shaking his hand, Claire said, "Thank you Merry. It was wonderful to see you again. Best of luck to you."

"And to you Claeo," the hobbit said. "Give my regards to Pippin when you meet him in Minas Tirith."

"I will," Claire said. "You can count on it."

When Claire returned to their room, she found Prisca already asleep. Their room was very similar to the one in Bree with two beds on either side. Prisca was wrapped tightly in her blanket with her back to Claire. Claire wondered if she was faking sleep to avoid talking about what had just happened, but she decided it was best for them to turn in early anyway.

The next morning, Claire woke to find Prisca already in the dining room having breakfast with Merry. The hobbit girl seemed very troubled despite the fact that Merry had told her that she would be allowed to continue her journey to Minas Tirith.

After bidding farewell to Merry, the two walked down to the stables. As they waited for the horse to be brought out to them, Claire too the opportunity to have a heart to heart with her hobbit companion.

"Prisca, are you ok? You haven't been yourself for a while. And last night with Merry...I'm sorry if we came on too strong. I know you had a harrowing experience the night before."

"It's not that," Prisca muttered. "I just...I'm ready to get to Minas Tirith and get this over with."

Claire chuckled. "I remember thinking the same thing when I was in your place. Right before I was supposed to start my first mission."

"You were never in my place," the hobbit said softly.

Claire looked down at her in surprise. "What do you mean? I was once a Realm Jumper like you, just starting out."

"Well I'm not a Realm Jumper," Prisca said sharply.

"What do you mean you're not a Realm Jumper? Of course you are."

"No I'm not, Claeo." Prisca looked up at the young girl, anger burning in her eyes. "Will you please stop being so positive about this whole thing! I've never been to the Wood Between the Worlds and I don't have a ring."

Claire was taken aback. "Prisca," she said calmly. "The Owl said…"

"The Owl is wrong! I'm not like you."

"I know it seems impossible, but Eru is with -"

"No He's not!" Prisca shouted. One of the horses in the stable stirred at her raised voice. "If He's so powerful and good like you say, then He must hate me because He forgot about me a long time ago. If He cared so much, why did he let my mother abandon me?"

Tears welled up in the hobbit's eyes as she said, "I'm just a hobbit. I'm not an adventurer. I tried to be one, but I'm not. I can't even write a stupid poem!"

The two females stood in silence for a moment. Claire was speechless. At last Prisca caught her breath and said. "I'm sorry, but I can't be what you want me to be. I just want to get to Minas Tirith. Then you can leave me with Peregrin and do whatever it is you need to do there. I'm sorry I used you. I just…" She looked down at her bare hobbit feet shamefully. "I want to go home."

Prisca loosed her sword belt and handed the sheathed blade to Claire. "I'm no good with this anyway. There's no point in me carrying it any longer."

Claire took the blade from Prisca. Her voice was low as she said, "If you want to go home, you could just stay in Rohan. I asked for Merry to let you go with me because I believed you had a bigger purpose ahead of you."

"I want to go to Minas Tirith," Prisca said in a small voice. Claire had seen the hobbit girl act childish before, yet now more than ever, Prisca looked like the winy 13-year old that she acted like. Despite the fact that she was being very selfish, tears welled up in Claire's eyes at hearing the hobbit's despairing conclusion to her situation. She wanted to say words of encouragement, but her own anger was too high at the moment. She needed to process this.

"Ok," she said softly. And that was that.

An attendant arrived with their horse. It was saddled and laden with supplies. Claire mounted the horse and after her came Prisca with the help of a high step stool. With the hobbit riding in the saddle behind her, Claire led the horse out of the stable and onto the main street. They rode through the gate in silence and thus the hobbit and the young girl left Edoras for good.