Sorry for the delay in chapters. Been VERY busy in school! This will be shorter than usual but hopefully worth the wait.
Returning to Edoras brought mixed emotions. Enzi had expected Legolas, Gimli, and Éowyn to be concerned for her safety, but it seemed that the entire city came out to see her return. Women, men, and children rushed to the main gate as the three came up on the backs of the horses. Children squealed, throwing streams of ribbon on the trio as they continued to travel through the city. Soon they neared the steps of the Golden hall where Legolas, Gimli, Éowyn, and Théoden awaited them with his attendants.
Enzi watched Éomer from the corner of her eye. She still knew so little of Rohirric customs and protocol. He dismounted the horse, stone-faced, and seemed to wait for her to dismount as well. In fact, Aragorn had dismounted as was waiting as well. Exactly what was going on?
Once she'd dismounted, Éomer pulled her by the hand from Lyorest, gently leading her up the steps to his uncle. Aragorn followed them and bowed on one knee respectfully only a few steps up. Éomer continued to guide her up the steps. Then she felt him kneel a few steps later, yet he continued to push her further with his hand, forcing her to kneel at the top step. Not knowing what to do, Enzi bowed as was customary among her people, sitting on her knees palms in her lap. She bowed her head down, leaned down respectfully, and sat back up, not meeting Théoden's gaze and not knowing what to do next.
The king gently nudged her chin up so that she could look him in the eye. His cheeks were dimpled and his lips pulled into a smile. "You came to us as a stranger," he started, "feared and mistrusted. Yet you protected and cared for my people as if they were your own. You risked your own health and safety at Helm's Deep. You trained and protected my niece. And then you left us, not to abandon us but to protect us from another great threat. You turned away a legion of Haradric soldiers, not for your own well-being, but for ours." His smile faltered a bit. "You have done more for us than any other kingdom in seven generations. You have honored us and today, sister, we honor you."
The crowd roared to life and Théoden pulled her up to her feet as the people continued to cheer. Éowyn rushed to embrace each of them, first her brother, then Aragorn, and finally, Enzi.
Enzi was sure that the two men were also treated to a greeting by Théoden but she did not stay to find out. As soon as Éowyn had a grip on her, she was whisked away to her borrowed chambers to be pampered. She took a long, hot bath while attendants cared for her hair. Éowyn saw to the treatment of her gear, ordering women to repair any tears and rips into it after washing it.
After telling her of the trip into the woods and Dingane's recovery and decision to travel back to Mordor, the two were somber. Éowyn could see the fear in Enzi's eyes, but decided that the best way to conquer it was to change the subject. She informed her that there would be a grand feast in her honor that night . . . meaning she would have to don another dress.
"I still don't understand why you hate wearing them so much, "Éowyn commented as Enzi sat on the bed, wrinkling her nose at the many dresses Éowyn offered. "Surely you wore dresses for special occasions at home."
Enzi looked at her friend a bit apologetically. "It's not that I don't appreciate your hospitality, but they're too big, too bulky. Thankfully, they're warm, but I can barely move in those things."
"So, what was it like back home? What did you wear when you had special occasions back home?"
Enzi smirked a bit and leaned back on the cold wall. "You have to understand, it's warm in my country. Very warm. The first time I even saw snow was on a trek to the mountains. Back home, we wore long straight sheath dresses. They would probably look very plain to you, but they were cool and comfortable. Didn't offer much leg room, but at least my arms were free. We dressed things up a bit with jewelry. I think even my parents servants wore gold and silver." Enzi looked off through the window in the distance. "Asana must be beautiful, in the ceremonial collar and crown. I bet she looks just like mother." She looked back at Éowyn. "But me," she said, laughing a bit, "I never liked it." Guess I was always more comfortable in gear than jewelry."
Éowyn smiled at her, patting her hand. "Well, let's find the most comfortable 'bulky dress' we can, ok? Besides, there's no way my uncle will let me allow you to walk out in that," she said, pointing in the direction the maid servant had taken her clothing. She waited a moment for Enzi to stand and pick out a gown. "Do you think your brother will be alright?"
Enzi smiled a bit, still examining the garments. "He will have to be."
A few hours later, Éowyn emerged with Enzi from the chamber to the main hall. They had settled on a red dress with golden trim to represent her heritage. The sleeves were close to her arms and the fabric wasn't as heavy as the other dresses. It was beautiful, she had to admit that. She just hoped the night wasn't too long.
Despite all of the accolades, Enzi found herself as she had been before - alone in a room full of strangers. She had been given a ceremonial double-horsehead pendant representing her kinship with the Rohan people and was hugged and kissed by Théoden. The people cheered and the women rushed to her, commenting on the dress that Éowyn found for her and how well it suited her. But soon after they were occupied with tending to the needs of the men or dancing in the center of the hall, or even leaving to prepare their children for bed. Before long, Enzi was completely alone. Even Éowyn left to find Aragorn and pull him to the center of the hall for a dance. Typical.
Loneliness was to be expected, even amongst such a friendly people. No matter how hospitable they were, they would never be able to replace her own people. She thought on her people and the festivals they would have. Harvest festivals were her favorite. It lasted seven days and food from around the nation of Harad was brought into the kingdom. Every type of drum, wind, and string instrument she could imagine made constant music and she would dance around without the least bit of inhibition.
She remembered dressing in a long blue sheath gown, covered from head to toe with gold and silver. She stood next to her mother, which wore a red sheath gown with golden accents and the ornaments of her station. Her father and brother were both handsomely dressed in similar colors, trading the cold jewelry for golden belts and greaves. She remembered sitting on her father's lap laughing as performers graced them with feats of wonder and going to sleep, rocked to the beat of the drums in her mother's arms. Those were good days. If she had known how quickly the memory would fade, she would have held onto her parents longer.
It was one of the few times that the Houses declared a truce, meaning visitors from every corner. And the Games. Her grandfather always loved the Games. It was before her mother had died, before the weight of sadness was too heavy for his old heart to bear. He would watch the competitions with youthful interest, especially when the twins competed. Enzi wished she could have bottled up those feelings of laughter and warmth for the later years, the years after the great Sumayyaa died. It had never been the same after she died.
The thud of someone sitting on the bench beside her broke her from her daydream. A mug was awkwardly handed to her. "You don't like crowds," Éomer commented, taking a long draw of his ale.
She sniffed her cup suspiciously then sighed, relieved that it only contained pear cider. "I've never gotten used to them," she lied, enjoying the cold, frothy mixture and noticing Éomer's hard stare even as she drank.
"What was it like?" he asked. "Celebrations at home?"
Enzi looked down, traveling back to her memories. "Music. Constant music. Drums and dancing . . . and tournaments and contests –"
"Which you, no doubt, won," Éomer offered.
"Not always. Once I was beaten in a kraxis match by one of Dingane's friends. I didn't talk to him for a week!" Enzi chuckled for a moment. "He'd taught Na'man how to beat my hold. But I got my revenge." She chuckled again and half-whispered. "I put frogs in his bath and honey in his undergarments."
Éomer guffawed at this. "You did not?!"
Enzi nodded, thinking of her brother's scream of anger as she'd hidden in her chambers, feigning innocence. "My parents were not too happy with me to say the least, but the punishment was well worth it. He learned to keep his mouth shut from then on."
"Remind me never to anger you," he commented, still chuckling as he walked to a nearby table to refill both of their drinks.
"We were always teamed together after that," Enzi continued, nodding thanks to the man as he returned her cup to her.
"Théodred and I could never team up during competitions," Éomer replied, shaking his head. "We were raised as brothers, but in the end, were both too stubborn to cooperate." He looked around and nodded at the crowd. "He loved gatherings like this."
"And you don't?" Enzi asked, now curious.
"Never quite fit me. I could fight and kill a bear without a second thought, but social niceties were never my strong suit."
Enzi saw Éowyn laughing in the distance as Aragorn kissed her hand before retreating outside and felt a twinge of pity for Éomer. It explained why he was always so stone-faced and still. He simply did not know what to do with himself.
"Perhaps you should take a page from your sister," she offered after a while."
Éomer looked at her skeptically. "In what manner?"
"Be spontaneous. Step out and do something you normally would not."
"Even if it makes me uncomfortable."
"Especially if it makes you uncomfortable. How else will you learn to be comfortable in public situations?"
Éomer's expression didn't change, but she could tell he was muddling through her words in his head. "What would you have me do?"
Enzi thought a moment. "Dance. It doesn't require talking."
Éomer almost spat out his ale. "I-I don't think I'm ready for that, my lady."
It was the first time he'd referred to her in that manner. She assumed it was the nerves. "What else can you do other than drink that requires no talking?" She stood, grabbing his ale and placing both of their mugs on a table.
"Ridiculous. I would have to talk to ask a lady for her hand in a dance. Your argument is void."
"Then try me," Enzi regretted it almost as soon as she'd said it but she was running out of ideas. Éomer's eyebrows raised and he stood as well, towering over her. "Teach me your people's dances."
Éomer stared at her for a long time, silent. The only indication of emotion was a small twitch on the left corner of his lips. "This is a foolish idea," he finally said, taking her hand and leading her to a spot in the middle of the hall. "I will beg your pardon early, my lady," Éomer said quietly, stoic and still. "It has been a long while since I've done this."
She had thought that he would lumber around the floor, swinging her about like a weapon on the battlefield. Éomer surprised her with his nimbleness. His hands were nothing but gentle as one held her right hand and the other guided her by applying pressure to her back. He seemed, for all purposes, a very competent dancer. Why was he so awkward earlier?
Across the room, Enzi's eyes met Éowyn's. The blonde woman was sitting with Gimli, smiling. But it wasn't a normal smile. It bore a more devious air. She had been had!
"Do not be angry, Haradress," Éomer whispered into her ear, seeming to instantly pick up on her change in mood. He held her firmly in place and continued to guide her around the floor.
"I do not appreciate being made a fool of for your amusement," she gritted her teeth, taking a moment to shoot Éowyn a glare.
"And you have not been. Nothing I said was a lie. My sister only worried that you were not enjoying yourself."
"And she sent you?" Enzi asked, trading Éowyn's eyes for Éomer's.
A small smile was hinted on his lips. "No. I volunteered." She blinked silently, as Éomer's smile grew a bit. "Barbarians are known for bravery, not wit."
She recovered from her initial shock. "Apparently," she quipped, looking around for Éowyn.
"Are you?"
She looked back at him. "Am I what?"
"Known for bravery? Are you brave enough to dance with me?"
She snorted. "I already have been."
"But that was before." The grin was growing.
"Are you challenging me?" This was ridiculous.
"Are you accepting?"
She still couldn't find Éowyn but now it no longer mattered. The part of her that was always competitive refused to allow her to back down. "Lead, barbarian," she grunted, smiling a bit in spite of herself.
"You will leave soon?"
Éomer turned to the direction of Dingane, fully dressed in his military gear. It was the first time they were on the same level. For a while, the two said nothing. Finally, Éomer responded. "We ride out in a few hours."
"With Gha- with Enzi." It was more of a statement than a question. "She defended you. In spite of everything, she was determined to prove your innocence."
Éomer nodded, wondering where this was going. "Good for you, it seems. You found the source of the aggression."
Dingane walked up slowly to Éomer, searching his eyes. "You owe me, Rohan."
Éomer smirked at the man. "Really?"
"Either due to medical aide, or protection from my men or the wound dealt to me by your hand, you owe me." Silent stares. "I would ask one kindness." He looked over to Enzi. "Protect her."
Éomer thought of denying the man's claims, but a look in his eyes told him that it would be futile. "Protect her from what?"
"Herself." Dingane looked again at Enzi with the horses in the distance. "She's stubborn, too stubborn for her own good. She'll need looking after. She'll hate you for it; she'll buck against it, but help her anyway. "If I can't be there with her, I'd prefer someone who cares for her to stay with her in my stead."
Éomer looked back at Enzi then to the man, nodding his head. "You have my word."
Éomer continued to lead her around the hall, gliding through various couples. Their dances were slower and a bit stiffer than the dances from her homeland but seemed to be closer and more intimate. She missed the drums, but she imagined that drums would not suit this dancing.
Éomer chin now grazed the top of her head. Neither of them spoke, but she could feel his uneven breath, as if he was trying to say something but kept hesitating.
"What are you doing, barbarian?" Enzi replied.
Éomer had toyed with the idea of talking about his conversation with Dingane but thought better of it. "Nothing, Haradress. "Nothing at all."
Suddenly the main doors to the hall burst open and someone rushed through the crowd. "The beacons of Minas Tirith," Aragorn yelled through the room. "The beacons are lit! Gondor calls for aide."
The music stopped. The entire room turned its attention to Théoden who was pondering Aragorn's words. Éomer was still holding her closely, but also said nothing.
"And Rohan will answer!" He finally replied. "Muster the Rohirrim!" He ordered. Enzi felt Éomer press his lips to her forehead and watched him gather his men. It appeared that they'd come back just in time. It was now time to fight for Gondor.
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