Chapter 21: Sogoneru
King Théoden silently scanned the crowd after Wormtongue departed. Suddenly, he turned to his household and looked upon them as if searching for someone. When he did not find whom he sought, he asked, "Where is Théodred? Where is my son?"
Éowyn stirred by Jack's side and quickly he noted the look upon her face. "This can't be all that good," he muttered to Anamaria. His shipmate only nodded as the other woman walked past the guards and down the steps to the king. She said something quietly to him and suddenly he was as still as stone. His face turned an interesting shade of white and he quickly made his way into Meduseld. Once he was inside, the crowd stood and dispersed, several individuals loudly discussing the miracle that they had witnessed.
The members of the Company were allowed their weapons back, and once all was retrieved, they followed part of Théoden's household inside. Aragorn, Gandalf, Legolas, and Gimli disappeared down a hallway with Théoden and Éowyn, while Jack, Will, and Anamaria stayed in the main hall.
Jack strode up to Will casually and smiled before suddenly becoming serious. "So, Will, you and me, we're good now, eh?" The smile flashed by quickly once more.
The other man studied the captain solemnly before smiling. "Aye, Jack, I think we are. But if you ever insult Elizabeth again-"
"I know, I know, you'll string my innards around this hall as a warning to others. You were inescapably clear before." The quirky smile that belonged to only Jack Sparrow's face flashed quickly by again. "So, uh, I've been thinking. The mates told me that there is no rum in this backwards world we've found ourselves on."
"Horrors."
"I know! It's terrible, isn't it? Anyways, I've been thinking, now that we've finally found civilization and all, I think I'll be able to finally, uh, introduce the drink to the locals."
Will blinked in surprise. "However do you plan on doing that?"
"By making it, o' course. This place is likely to have the supplies, being a palace and all. Well," he amended, "a straw-like palace, but nonetheless a king's house."
Will burst out laughing. "You are going to create rum? All you've ever done is drink it!"
Anamaria, who had been inspecting the various tapestries in the hall with admittedly little interest, heard the laugh. She took the laugh as an excuse to join them and came into earshot in time to hear Will's last sentence. "All he's ever done is drink what?"
"Rum." Will snickered. "He wants to create it."
Jack looked offended by Will's amusement, but he quickly turned to Anamaria with a winning smile. "They don't have rum in Middle-earth, so I'm going to make some. I've had none for far too long. Since Will here seems to think I can't do it, I won't allow him to join the process. You, however, can if you want."
She grinned, but shook her head. "I'll leave the creatin' all to you, Captain. But once you're done, share the spoils!"
"I'll share it with you, love."
Will only shook his head. "If you manage to create it, I will take back what I said and gladly share a drink with you. I am partial to rum myself."
Jack looked at him suspiciously. "We'll see, mate. We'll see."
O0O0O0O
The King knelt at his son's bedside in silence while Éowyn stood in the doorway, watching him. Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli stayed further down the hallway, studying the blonde figure at the entrance of the room quietly.
"She is strong," Legolas muttered.
"Yea, she has to be, to endure living with a worm such as that Gríma. You could see the hate in her eyes for that- that- that creature," Gimli growled.
Aragorn nodded silently as he looked upon her with both appreciation and pity. She was strong, but it was obvious that she had suffered much; it was clear in her cold countenance and chilly eyes.
"Come," Gandalf said. "There will be a burial for the king's son soon. Let us leave them." The others nodded and followed the wizard down the corridor to the main hall.
About an hour later the citizens of Edoras were lined up to pay their respects to Prince Théodred. The king, newly shaved and dressed, followed the men who carried his son to a green mound just outside the city. Following him were the remaining members of the Fellowship, Éowyn, and most of the warriors in Edoras. All held their heads down, and in one case, hat off, in respect.
Éowyn stood right next to the mound as her cousin was put within his dark tomb. The weeping of the women was unbearable to listen to, and an attentive observer could see tears in a few men's eyes; it was clear that the people loved their prince.
The young woman suddenly started to sing, her voice quavering as she did. It was a haunting melody, even to the few that did not understand the tune. But whether it was understood or not, it clearly revealed sorrow.
"Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende on Meduselde þæt he ma no wære, his dryhtne dyrest and mæga deorost. Bealo…"
O0O0O0O
The sun had nearly set and only two people remained at Théodred's grave. Gandalf the White and Théoden King stood in silent reverence beside the mound. On the other side of the hill that held Edoras, sounds of Will, Anamaria, and Jack trying to improve in horseback riding drifted with the wind. Though Éowyn and Aragorn were excellent teachers, this proved to be a difficult task.
The king picked a white flower from the ground and looked at it expressionlessly. Finally, he sighed and let it fall to the ground. "Simbelmynë. Ever has it grown on the tombs of my fore-bearers." He turned to Gandalf, who watched him wordlessly. "Now it covers the grave of my son. Alas that these evil days should be mine. The young perish and the old linger, and that I should live to see the last days of my house."
Gandalf looked the king straight in the eye. "Théodred's death was not of your making."
Théoden only shook his head. "No parent should have to bury their child." The tears he held in throughout the day finally came, and he fell to the ground and wept.
O0O0O0O
"Will, steer your horse to the left… no, the left!" Aragorn sighed in mild frustration as Wistan trotted to the right and Will glanced at him hopelessly. "Did you not ever ride a horse at your home? Or even in Rivendell?"
"No…" Will started. "I never thought about it in Rivendell, and at home I had no need to ride a horse that often. I did a couple of times, but nothing long enough to really count. I am not sure if I have a knack for riding." He shrugged, but then smirked. "At least I am not as horrible as Jack."
"I resent that remark!" Jack retorted as he lightly bounced up and down on the saddle of Nithhad. "It's the bloody horse's fault! He was quite fine to and from that forest, you know." He shook the reins, annoyance written all over his features.
"You were nearly falling off your saddle the whole time!" Anamaria retorted. Unlike her companions, she was doing relatively well. "I bet if that horse stopped tolerating you, he'd kick you off real quick!"
"You were closer to the ground than I was," the man snapped back. "And no, he wouldn't. Would you, horse?" Nithhad ignored him.
Éowyn laughed as she witnessed the banter; it was the first time she released a true laugh in a long time. The Rohir was working with Anamaria, who truly was doing better than her two companions were. The darker woman trotted around the area smoothly, clearly enjoying her time on the horse. Éowyn was secretly pleased that she rode astride the beast instead of sideways as was usually custom for women, though in Rohan women knew how to ride both ways equally well. It was good to see another woman with fortitude.
Suddenly, Jack kicked Nithhad, attempting once again to make him move faster than the slow trot he had thus far been content to stay in. At this bidding, the horse sprang off into a gallop, and the man astride him hung on for dear life. Aragorn and Éowyn tried calling the horse back, but it was to no avail and the animal kept running. Jack's hat quickly flew off as his steed made its way away from the group. Nithhad soon galloped around to the other side of the hill, where Théoden and Gandalf stood among the burial mounds.
"He was strong in life. His spirit will make it to the halls of-" Gandalf started, but the loud beat of hooves interrupted him. He turned to his left and only raised his brow as he watched Jack charging at full speed and with no control over his horse. The man swiftly passed by, Théoden taking no notice of him in his grief, and headed northbound, quickly leaving Edoras behind.
"Stop!" Jack yelled at the horse. "Stop, you bloody animal!" The horse did not heed him and kept on galloping. "St-".
Suddenly the horse did stop, and Jack nearly flew off him. To his relief, he managed to keep his seat, and once he caught his breath, he noticed that Nithhad had stopped for another horse. Upon the strange horse's back was a small blonde girl, and on the ground next to them was a boy, older than the girl was, but not old enough yet to be considered a man.
Jack forgot his anger to Nithhad and raised his eyebrows in surprise. Frowning, he jumped off the horse to the best of his ability- which was not much, to say the least- and went over to the boy. He knelt down beside him and gently shook his shoulder.
"Hey, lad? You all right, mate?" He shook him once more, but the boy did not respond. He did not have, however, any visible wounds or the limpness of a dead body, which relieved him; he really had no desire to tell the little girl that he was dead. As his thoughts went to her, Jack glanced up and eyed the child still on the horse. She did not say anything, but she seemed both frightened and curious about the strange-looking man. Jack, not quite sure what to say to the girl, looked back at the unconscious boy and sighed. "Suppose I should take you back to Edoras, then." He began to pick him up, but heard a small, frightened gasp from the girl. The captain looked up again and tried to ease her fright with a smile. The smile did not seem to do much to alleviate her fears and so he attempted to talk her out of her panic.
"Hello, love. Don't worry, I won't harm him. Just goin' to bring him to Edoras, is all." He nodded over to the large city upon the hill. "Suppose you'd like to come too, eh?" She bit her lip, but after a short pause, nodded. He grinned, rather relieved to receive any sort of response from her, and picked the boy up. He used his shoulder and his left arm to support the child while he grabbed the reins of the strange horse with his right hand. He began to lead them to the city, Nithhad obediently following them.
Once they were in sight of Edoras, near the mounds they could see Théoden, who was now calm and composed, Gandalf, and Aragorn, Éowyn, Anamaria, and Will with Anamaria's and Will's horses. They had just arrived to that side of the hill, searching for Jack. Once they clearly saw Jack's figure and the boy in his arms, Aragorn jumped upon Will's horse and galloped over to him.
Aragorn reached Jack and the two children within a minute. He did not dismount the horse, but instead immediately asked, "What happened?"
Jack shook his head. "Don't know, mate. Found him on the ground near this horse."
Aragorn turned to the girl. "What happened to him?" She seemed just as frightened of him as she was of Jack and only lowered her eyes, remaining silent.
Jack handed the boy to Aragorn, who propped him upright on Will's horse, and turned to the little girl again. "Hey, love, don't worry. Aragorn here just wants to help him."
The girl looked back at Jack, and he shot her an encouraging smile, which she seemed to slightly warm up to now. Glancing at the boy supported gently by Aragorn, she turned once more to the captain and whispered, "Éothain fell off Garulf when you came."
Aragorn checked the boy's pulse and was relieved to find a slow, but steady heartbeat. "He just needs some food and rest, as I would assume she needs as well. I will take him to Edoras. Jack, think you can take her to Meduseld?"
"Of course," replied the pirate. "Be sure not to drop the lad."
Aragorn shot him a dry look, but did not bother to reply and sped away with Éothain. He quickly stopped by the others to explain the situation and then rode off into the city. The others spoke with each other for a moment, though their words were inaudible to Jack over such a distance, but soon the king took Anamaria's horse and rode after Aragorn. Éowyn and Gandalf followed him on foot, but Anamaria and Will started over to Jack, who was slowly making his way south towards Edoras.
Instead of riding his horse, Jack preferred to walk alongside Garulf. He shot another warm smile to the little girl, and she gave a timid smile back. He had little experience with children, but his calm voice and odd manner seemed to comfort rather than frighten the young girl.
"So, love, what's your name?" he asked her.
"Freda," she whispered. "What's yours, sir?"
"Jack," he replied simply. "Just call me Jack."
"Is Éothain going to be alright?" she blurted after a moment's silence.
Jack nodded. "He'll be fine. All he needs is some food and rest." He paused. "Is he your brother?"
"Yea," she nodded. "Are you sure he's going to be all right?" she asked again anxiously.
Jack grinned. "Just fine. Now, are you hungry?"
"Very," she said with an eager nod. "Éothain and I have had only bread and water for these past couple of days."
"Well then, let's get on to Meduseld and get some food into you."
Soon they reached the others. Anamaria and Will looked up at her concernedly, but Jack gave them a reassuring smile. Anamaria jumped on Jack's horse, which was still obediently following Jack, took the little girl off Garulf, and the two galloped up to Meduseld to find Freda some food and rest. Jack and Will were content to make their way slowly to the city gate. The sun was just starting to disappear under the mountains in the west and it was darkening quickly, but they would not be locked out.
"Where do you think those two children are from?" Will asked.
Jack shrugged. "Who can say? I've seen many stray children in my time."
"An unfortunate part of life," said Will. He paused. "I hope their parents are well."
"One can only hope. Wouldn't be surprised if they were orphans, though."
The other man nodded. "I was about the boy's age when my mother died, and my father was gone," Will muttered. "I was lucky to survive and live as I did."
"I had no parents meself," Jack said. Suddenly he shot Will a grin. "Why do you think I turned out to be the scoundrel I am today?"
Will grinned back. "Raised in Tortuga by rogues, Jack?"
"They were good enough," Jack retorted, lifting his chin. "Better than that Brown fellow of yours, that's for sure."
Will chuckled. "His wife was the one who raised me. After we landed in Port Royal, Governor Swann handed me to them, telling them to turn me into a fine citizen. Mrs. Brown raised me well enough, I suppose, and Mr. Brown taught me well. However, after she died, he started drinking, and turned into the drunken fool that he is today."
"Pity."
"Indeed."
The conversation died and they quietly made their way through the gates of Edoras as the sun set below the western horizon.
O0O0O0O
Later that night they gathered in the main hall of Meduseld. The two children had rested and both of them were eating as only half-starved children could. The boy Éothain had awoken while his sister Freda was sleeping and he had told all of them a shocking tale. He directed his tale to the king, who looked grim as he received the lad's tidings.
"From the North, Wild Men of Dunland came and started to burn everything and kill everyone in their path. I saw one of my friends fall, my lord. Our mother sent my sister and me off to raise the alarm and to warn everyone. For two days we rode, nonstop, eating nothing but bread and water. I received no rest in that amount of time, and I apologize for my sleep and the delay in telling of this news, my lord, but I was extremely weary. I do hope that these men are stopped."
Théoden told him he had nothing to apologize for, and once Freda had awoken, Éowyn had seen to their care. She now stood near the siblings, seeing to it that the children ate as much as they could. Jack, Anamaria, Will, and Gimli were finishing off their dinner, as Aragorn thoughtfully smoked on his pipe beside them. Legolas stood off a bit to the side, deep within his own mind as he observed the hall. The king sat upon his throne, his head in his hand, and Gandalf sat where Gríma used to sit when he advised the ruler.
Freda, once she had appeased her first cravings, looked up suddenly from her soup. "Where is Mama?" she asked. "Where is Papa?" Éowyn shushed her and gave her a piece of buttered bread to eat, but she did not look at it. "Where are Mama and Papa?" she asked frantically, tears starting to roll down her face. The adults about her looked at her silently; they could not say that her parents were well, because none of them knew if they were still even alive.
"Hush, Freda," said Éothain. "They don't know, so don't pester them."
As the two siblings conversed with one another, Freda's tears not abating, Anamaria nudged Jack. "Go comfort her."
"Me? Why me? Do I look like the comforting type to you?"
"She likes you. Told me on the way here."
"Why don't you do it? Kids are..." Jack only shrugged.
Anamaria rolled her eyes and nudged him once more. Rolling his eyes, Jack jumped out of his seat to avoid another nudge and walked over to Freda. He sat down right next to her and looked at her uncertainly. Both of the siblings became silent when he joined them, so he figured he would do as he always did: make up things as they came along.
"Like your brother said, we don't know where your mum or your dad is," Jack started. She started to cry harder, but he shushed her. "But I know that both of them would want you to be strong and not cry, savvy?" Her tears slowed as she absorbed the foreign word. "There, that's better." He shot her a toothy grin, and her tears immediately stopped as she stared at his teeth. His smile faltered and he shot her a slightly suspicious look. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Is that… real silver and gold?" she asked, dumbfounded. Éothain stopped eating and looked over at Jack, casually trying to get a glimpse of his teeth.
"Real as any silver or gold can be," he said, pleased that she had ceased crying. He glanced over to the other table and Anamaria shot him a triumphant look.
"Can I touch them?" she asked innocently.
"Freda!" Éothain started, but Jack interrupted him.
"If you really want to, I suppose," the captain answered with a smirk, and barred out his teeth. The others looked on amusedly as she timidly touched one of Jack's front gold teeth, and quickly pulled away, astonished. He tapped one of his teeth and it made a slight ringing sound, which caused her to giggle. The captain, amused with her fascination, kept her entertained as the others talked about important matters.
"What your people are experiencing in the Westfold is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash," Gandalf started to Théoden. "All the more potent is he for he is driven now by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children." At this statement, Gandalf grasped the arm of the throne, and Théoden looked at his hand warily. "You must fight."
Aragorn took his pipe out of his mouth and looked up at the King of Rohan. "We met with Éomer as we were tracking a band of Uruk-hai. He has many men at the Fords of Isen, and Marshal Erkenbrand is with him and supports him; even now they hold the Fords against Saruman's forces. A good two thousand are in their company, and they all will return and fight for their king."
Théoden stood up, shaking his head as he did. "The Fords are too far, and they are already engaged in their own battles. They cannot help us." He walked down the hall in a pace-like manner, and suddenly turned to Gandalf, who was up and ready to speak. "I know what it is you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war."
Aragorn exhaled and shook his own head. "Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not. My lord, Saruman is destroying your army at the Fords of Isen; you must call them back and strike the enemy with your full strength."
The king shot Aragorn a cold look. "You may be Isildur's heir, Arathorn's son, but I am still king of Rohan." Jack looked up from where he was speaking with Freda and raised an eyebrow in Aragorn's direction. Anamaria looked away, most likely rolling her eyes or muttering something under her breath; Will and Legolas were silent. Gimli only shook his head wordlessly and drank from his mug. Éowyn stared at Aragorn expressionlessly, and Gandalf was emotionless to the retort, as was his wont.
"Then what is the king's decision upon this matter?" Gandalf broke the uncomfortable silence. "What shall be done against the treachery of Saruman? What would be best for your people?"
Théoden stopped pacing and looked into Gandalf's eyes. He wearily walked up to his throne, where he sat down heavily, his head in his hand once more. Finally he muttered, "All but Gandalf, leave me be. I need to think, and I wish for his counsel."
Aragorn bowed his head. "As you wish it, lord." He stood up, with Gimli soon behind him. Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn left the main hall. Éowyn looked after Aragorn casually, nodded to her king, and helped Éothain up from his seat. She tried taking Freda away from Jack, but she was now happily sitting on his lap and did not wish to leave him. He looked up at the lady with a shrug.
"I'll take her, love," he said nonchalantly, holding the girl like a babe as he stood up. Éowyn gave him a hint of a smile, which left as quickly as it came, and beckoned Jack to follow her. Will and Anamaria looked at one other, glanced at Jack, then smirked at one another and followed Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli.
O0O0O0O
Éowyn silently led Jack down a hallway. Freda was falling asleep in his arms and Éothain seemed weary as well. After a few minutes, they reached a door and Éowyn opened it, revealing a small room with two beds, a tiny drawer, and a small washroom near the back. Éothain climbed into one of the beds while Jack set Freda in the other. She yawned as he set the covers around her.
"Jack?" she whispered.
"Yea?"
"When will I see Papa and Mama again?"
Jack bit his lip. "I don't know, love."
"Can you be my Papa until he comes back?"
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps something can be arranged. Now, err, go to sleep." She gave a small smile, snuggled in her blankets, and quickly fell into her dreams.
Éowyn silently shut the door and beckoned Jack to follow her. "That girl holds some affection for you," she started. "You are excellent with children, my lord."
"Technically, I'm a 'captain', not a 'lord'. But you can call me Jack," he said with a coy smile.
"If you insist, then," said the woman, completely ignoring the expression on his face.
The conversation died, and Jack could not help but note how cold and aloof this young woman was. He was not sure he quite liked it. Rather than insult her with his observation, however, he had a better idea. "Err, lady," he started, "perhaps you could be kind enough to point out the direction of the kitchens?"
Éowyn looked surprised at this request. "Pray, why do you wish to see the kitchens?"
"I am a bit hungry."
"I can have a servant send something to your quarters."
He smiled at her. "I wish to make my own... dish. Something from my- my country, you see. Something not known about here. It's been a dreadfully long time since I've had it and I am really, really wanting some right now."
Éowyn's coldness disappeared as confusion completely took root. "You wish to make some of your own country's food in our kitchens?"
"Precisely."
"Well, if you truly want to do so-"
"I do." He shot her another grin.
She thought about it for a long moment, but finally the young woman gave in. "If you would, follow me." She turned around and Jack silently trailed her, a smirk plastered on his face.
It was not long until they reached the kitchens. She led him inside, where many of the people working there nodded their heads, muttering 'my lady' and occasionally 'my lord'. She talked with one of the servants there, who glanced at Jack curiously, but nodded to Éowyn.
"Jack, this is Edlyn. She will aid you in your task, if you need it." Jack nodded and shot Edlyn a large smile. Before Éowyn left, she asked the man, "What do you intend to make?"
"A little something called rum."
O0O0O0O
Éowyn was gone, and he was left in the kitchens with the servant woman. She was around her late twenties, or early thirties, he guessed, with long blonde hair in a tight bun, brown eyes, and a simple brown dress covered with a dirty apron. She waited silently and patiently as he observed the kitchens, which looked much like the kitchens he had seen in Tortuga, only a great deal calmer and cleaner.
"Do you have any molasses?" he asked her.
She looked surprised by his request. "Yes, lord, we do."
"Captain, actually, but you can call me Jack," he said as he brought out a large container from the storage area. "Now, I am going to make alcohol, but it will have molasses in it instead of whatever any other ingredient you usually put in. You follow?"
"Lord-"
"Jack."
"… Jack, I have made many ales and wines in my time, but never have I made a drink with molasses in it. What exactly is this drink called?"
"Rum, the best of all drinks- and it's a bloody sin that you don't people don't know it. Had to invent a word for it in Elvish, even, though at least it was a good one- doesn't Sogoneru simply flow on the tongue?" She only blinked, likely confused by his ramble. He did not seem to care. "Now, can you find some molasses and distill it?"
Happy she did not have to respond to his strange questions, she did what she was told. After a few minutes of preparation, Jack began to wait patiently for the molasses to distill. Edlyn watched silently by his side.
"So…" Jack tried to think of a casual topic for conversation. "How long have you been working in the kitchens?"
"Many years," she replied. "Ever since my husband died in battle."
"Oh." So much for casual conversation.
An awkward silence lay between the two for a couple more minutes. The other workers in the kitchen glanced at them occasionally with curiosity, but said nothing to them. Suddenly, Jack said, "Take it off the fire and let it sit for a while." She obeyed without question.
For how long they sat, waiting for it to be done, none can say. This man, who looked like no man she had ever seen before, intimidated Edlyn. He wore the strangest garments, wore his hair in an arrangement that reminded her of a bird's nest, had gold and silver teeth, and had some sort of black substance around his eyes. His manner of movement and speaking was so casual that it made her only more uncomfortable. She idly wondered where he was from, but asked no questions.
Suddenly, Jack stirred and looked into the pot. He saw a clear liquid sitting in it. He grinned and asked Edlyn for a cup. She handed him a plain wooden goblet and he gently dipped it into the solution.
"Let's see how newly-made rum tastes!" he said, raising his cup to his lips. He took a gulp, and visibly grimaced. The expression soon faded into one of delight. "Quite a shock at first, but leaves a lovely feeling on your tongue," he partially explained to Edlyn, partially to himself. "Lo and behold! I have created rum!" He drank the cup dry, and dipped it again into the pot. "Come, you can taste yourself!" he exclaimed, offering the cup to the woman. She took it cautiously, sniffed it, and reluctantly took a sip. Edlyn immediately regretted it. She handed the cup quickly back to Jack and made a face as she forced the vile drink down her throat.
"Suit yerself," the man shrugged, quickly drinking the cup dry and dipping it into the pot again. This he did several times more, clearly trying to make up for all the months in Middle-earth without rum.
Soon, he had taken so many draughts of the drink that he was anything but sober. Edlyn observed this and became even more alarmed of this stranger. The other servants in the kitchen also had noticed this, but to their relief, everything was cleaned up and it was time for them to go to bed. Soon, only Edlyn and Jack were in the kitchen.
"Y'know, I have a ship," he started, slightly slurring as he spoke. "Black Pearl it's called, and it was stolen from me!"
"Oh?" she mildly asked.
"Yup. 'bout twelve years ago, now. A pirate named Bar- Barbossa."
She nodded slowly, not believing a word he said.
"He stole it from me," he repeated. "I was sailing along the ocean, looking for treasure, and he took it! Stranded me on an island, he did. Then, though, I got off the island, I did! I rode a sea turtle to Tortuga."
Now she had no doubt that he was completely out of his mind.
Suddenly, he swayed and nearly fell into her, but she quickly stepped aside before he could. Instead of landing on her, he landed on top of a high counter. "Perhaps you should go back to your room," she suggested.
"Perhaps," he agreed slowly. "Where's that?"
Edlyn held back a sigh. "I shall escort you." Taking the cup from his hand, she led the swaying man to the guest quarters of Meduseld. She opened the door to his room, where Éowyn had told her he was staying with others, and watched expressionlessly as he nearly fell on his face inside. She closed the door behind him; Edlyn thought that, while he was in the company of great lords, he was not very lordly himself, and she hoped never to see him again.