Chapter Fourteen

It was now April in the first year of the Fourth Age. Frige and Eomer King stood outside the front door of Medusled as they watched the caravan from Dale and Erebor approach. Frige had never met King Thorin Stonehelm, but she would be glad to see King Bard once more. She had not told her husband, but the two of them had been exchanging letters ever since she was in Minas Tirith for the coronation of King Elessar. Officially, he and King Thorin were here to discuss trade between their realms, but unofficially she knew that King Bard was also here to see her and her children. Finally, the party of Men and Dwarves stopped in front of the steps of Meduseld. King Bard and King Thorin walked closer to them along with four guards who walked behind them.

"Well met, King Bard, King Thorin. I bid you welcome to Meduseld. Please take a drink from this cup as a sign of the hospitality of this hall," Frige said, handing the welcoming cap to King Bard. He took a large sip of the mead before he handed it to King Thorin. The dwarf quickly drank the rest of the cup then wiped his beard with one hand.

"It is good to see you both, Queen Frige, Eomer King," King Bard said and then bowed to them both. Frige curtseyed to him while Eomer King bowed. Frige turned to King Thorin.

"I would greet you in the traditional manner of dwarves King Thorin, but given the unfortunate circumstances that occurred when King Dain and Prince Bada did so in Erebor in years past, I will forgo that particular custom. Your father apologized but Bada always thought that might be why the subsequent trade deal with Erebor was somewhat more generous then he had first anticipated," Frige stated. King Thorin nodded. Frige turned and led the group inside Meduseld.

"Your brother Prince Bada, had a way with words as well as a strong sword arm. His presence is missed in the halls of Erebor. The man King Wymond has now appointed as his chief ambassador is crafty, though he has a fondness for the ale of Erebor," King Thorin replied.

"Is there not a saying among dwarves that you should find a seam of value and then work it dry?"

"Aye."

"In other words use the weakness of others against them," King Bard summarized.

"That is rather a harsh way of wording the sentiment. It is more about knowing what goods the other party values and what they are willing to give in return on a contract so that you have a point to begin negotiations. Though the details I will gladly leave to others if possible," Frige explained.

"So you have not haggled with the merchants of Edoras?"

"Of course I have but that is very different from negotiating a contract. Particularly with dwarves, who are master negotiators."

King Bard nodded.

"Is that a new tapestry behind the throne?" asked King Thorin.

"Aye, that tapestry was commissioned when our daughter Etheldred was born," Frige explained. They took a moment to look at the depiction of a mare and her foal running together across the plains.

"It is a fine piece of work. May I meet Etheldred soon?" King Bard requested.

"Aye. I have invited her and the other children of Medusled to the welcoming feast tonight. Speaking of my children, Aelfric wants to hear a story from you, Isabel drew a picture for you, and Hamon wants to show you the colt that he is now learning to ride," Frige informed him. King Bard smiled at her.

"I would be happy to spend time with all of your children while I am here," he replied. Out of the corner of her eye, Frige could see Eomer King try not to scowl at that. Frige paid him no heed as she left the hall and began to walk down the corridors of Meduseld. She stopped several corridors away from the hall in front of a door.

"King Thorin, here is your guest room. King Bard, your guest room is beside his. Would you care for a tour of Medusled, gentlemen?" she offered.

"No thank you. I will see you at the welcoming feast," King Thorin said. He nodded to them and entered his room. One of the dwarf guards who had been walking behind the group took up a position just outside the door of King Thorin.

"I would be happy to see more of your home. Would you care to accompany us, Eomer King?" asked King Bard. Frige looked at her husband who had remained silent all this time. Eomer King glanced between them then shook his head.

"I have correspondence to attend to, but I will see you both at the welcoming feast tonight," Eomer King stated.

He turned on his heel and left them standing there. Frige watched Eomer King walk away in slight confusion. Was he annoyed at her spending time with King Bard? He knew they were kin so why would he object to such a thing? Frige took a deep breath then decided not to scrutinize his manner. Instead, she turned to King Bard and began to lead him through a tour of Meduseld. The tour concluded with them leaving Medusled through the back entrance. They both took a moment to look at the vista of the White Mountains in front of them before Frige spoke.

"What news was so important that you did not wish to tell me by letter?" she wondered.

"My lady wife and I will be parents again in several months. I wish for a son but I would also be satisfied with another daughter," King Bard informed her with a smile.

"I congratulate you on that wonderful news."

"Speaking of fathers, how is Eomer King towards your children?"

"He cares more for Etheldred then my own children. But as she is his daughter, that is understandable. Still, my husband has treated my other children courteously, kept them safe, and seen to their education."

"I am glad to hear that. I understand your marriage was for practical reasons but have you come to care for each other?"

Frige sighed deeply.

"I do not love Eomer King. How can I when I still think of Cerdic every time I see my three eldest children?"

He frowned slightly.

"I would never ask you to forget my cousin. I will certainly not do so. But you are the Queen of Rohan now and so you should find happiness in this land."

"I am content here in the Riddermark." Frige loved all of her children, her duties as queen made her feel as if she was helping the Eorlingas, and she cared for the welfare of her husband. She had no reason to feel discontent with her current lot in life.

"For now I am satisfied with that. So would you mind showing me back to my room?" She nodded and they walked back inside Medusled.

That evening at the welcoming feast, Eomer King sat on her right while King Bard sat on her left. King Thorin sat beside King Bard. The food was well prepared and Eomer King remained focused on eating and not talking. Frige decided that she would have to be the more diplomatic one in his stead. King Thorin spoke before she could.

"This is decent ale. Did I ever tell you about the time your brother challenged me to a drinking contest in Erebor? I won. The next morn he told me that he would never challenge a dwarf to a drinking content ever again," declared King Thorin.

"Aye, I did hear that story once Bada returned to Dorwinion," replied Frige.

"I was once present at a feast where the elf Legolas challenged the dwarf Gimli to a drinking contest. Legolas won as Gimli passed out and fell onto the floor," Eomer King recounted.

"I was glad to see their friendship when I was in Minas Tirith. Even so, it is hard to imagine they became friends given that Legolas's father once imprisoned Gimli's father."

"How did you know that?"

"Gloin was one of the twelve dwarves who traveled from the Blue Mountains to reclaim Erebor from Smaug. I would have thought you were aware of that given your friendship with Gimli," Frige told her husband.

"We are friends but we have never discussed Gimli's father."

"I see."

Some men might draw swords together or eat and drink together, but would rarely talk about their families, she thought. Eomer had told her a few tales of his time in Aldburg during their visit there, but he was no bard. Before she could think more on the subject, several of the tables were cleared to the side of the room which left a space for the musicians to approach the table where they sat. The musicians bowed to them then went to the side and began to play some lively music. King Bard smiled when he heard the song. Many of the people in the room stopped talking amongst themselves and chose to listen to it.

"This is one of my favourite songs from Dale," King Bard told her.

"I am aware of that, which is why I requested it from the musicians," she told him.

"Shall we dance?" King Bard asked with an outstretched hand as he stood.

"Are you certain? I have not danced any of the songs of Dale for some time,"

"All the more reason to do so now."

"I would be honoured to dance with you," she accepted. The steps of the Dalish dance were relatively simple compared to the dances of Gondor, but they were more intricate than the Rohirric dances she had learned. Frige found herself remembering when she had once danced these songs with Cerdic, which made her smile.

"It is good to see you smile again," King Bard said before he twirled her away from him for a moment then back into his arms.

"You are here in Medusled which is enough reason to smile," Frige replied as she grasped his shoulders as he lifted her by the waist, spun her around, and then set her back down again. King Bard smiled at her then continued to dance. Once the first song was over he placed his hands on her shoulders and her own hands went to his waist. This song was slower than the first. Frige could see a few other couples in the crowd come to the floor and begin to dance even though they did not know the steps.

"I am afraid that I set a terrible example for the Eorlingas to emulate when it comes to dancing. They will likely wonder why I am dancing with you as I have rarely danced with anyone other then Eomer King."

"Cannot kin by marriage dance together in Rohan?"

"Of course they can but I doubt many of the Eorlingas know of your relation to me."

"If it would cause you trouble then we can sit back down. I am more than willing to hand you over to your husband."

"Thank you for the thought, but my husband is not a frequent dancer. He has not danced with anyone except for myself. Besides, I wish to spend time with you."

"Then we shall dance until my feet grow sore from your stepping on them," he lightly remarked. She laughed and he joined her a moment later. Two dances later, King Bard finally stopped her. Frige stepped away from him.

"Enough. Or I will be forced to limp to the healer to see to my feet."

"Let us sit back down. I know that I am not a good dancer but it could be worse. You could have been forced to dance with Lady Jocosa once more," Frige said as she took his offered arm as they walked back to their table.

"With all due respect to your aunt, one dance with her at your wedding to Cerdic was enough for a lifetime. She spent the entire time trying to get me to spend more time with her daughters. While your cousins are both lovely young ladies, I had no desire to marry either of them."

"Yet you cannot deny that your courtship with the woman whom you wed a year after your first meeting had all of Dale talking for some time. As I recall, you were meant to travel to Calembel for a trade deal with the Lord of Lamedon but not to court his daughter."

"I did secure a trade deal for Dale, but I also happened to fall in love as well. You know that my wife Elfreda has a way of getting everyone to go along with her wishes, one way or another. I cannot say whether it is her wit or beauty that compels them to do so but I am glad of it," King Bard said as they both took their seats at their table once more. Frige waved to a servant to refill their drinks.

"It gladdens my heart to know that you are well cared for. Now, why not tell the Eorlingas the tale of your namesake? You did bring the bow for that purpose, did you not?"

"Aye," King Bard said and then gestured to one of his servants, who quickly left the room.

"When you mention my namesake, I hope you will not slander his actions." King Thorin said.

"Your cousin proved he was not his grandfather by fighting alongside his kin. That act is well remembered by the people of Dale." Before King Thorin could reply, Bard's servant returned with a long case which he sat before Bard.

"How shall I begin? I would tell the story in Dalish but there are none here save you and your children that speak that tongue. I would speak in Westron but I understand that is not common in Rohan except amongst the court," King Bard wondered as he opened the case to reveal the longbow his namesake had used to kill Smaug.

"Then allow me to translate from Dalish into Rohirric from you," Frige offered.

"May we proceed with the story, King Eomer?"

"Go on," her husband encouraged him. King Bard turned to face the crowd. Frige rose then tapped her mug with a spoon. She had to do so several times before the room finally fell silent and turned to her.

"Eorlingas, it is good to see you all enjoying yourselves. Thank you to our musicians for entertaining us," Frige said, then nodded to the musicians who all bowed in her direction.

"There will be more dancing later but first King Bard wishes to tell you a tale of Smaug. I will translate for him," she said and then walked over to stand beside Bard.

"My namesake, King Bard the First, began his life as a simple bargeman and archer from Laketown. In days of old…," King Bard began as he told of how Dale had been attacked by Smaug and the Lord of Dale had been killed trying to kill Smaug before he reached Erebor. He talked of the sack of Erebor and how the proud dwarves ventured across Middle Earth until they found a new home in the Blue Mountains. He talked about how the companions of the Quest for Erebor had awoken Smaug after a sixty-year sleep and how the dragon had attacked Laketown. At this he removed the bow and demonstrated how his namesake had killed the beast from high atop a tower with the last of the Black Arrows. He talked of Bilbo Baggins and the Arkenstone and how Bard the First had fought in the Battle of Five Armies and afterward been crowned King of Dale. Frige was not surprised when her son Aelfric was the first to speak.

"Thank you for that tale. But I know that Dale and Erebor were only at peace for sixty years. Will you not talk about the Battle of Dale?" he asked.

"You are too young to hear such a tale. When you are older then perhaps I might talk about such things," King Bard told him firmly as he packed away the bow.

"I am not a child anymore. I know your father and King Thorin's father died in that battle, but so did my own. Tell me of the manner of his death."

"Enough, Aelfric. We will not speak on such matters. Now sit down and remain silent or return to your room," Frige demanded. He glared at her but then turned and hurried out of the hall.

"My apologies for my son. I should have anticipated that he would ask you such a question. Aelfric may think he is no longer a child but he remains one for the moment. One day you should tell him of the Battle of Dale, but today is not that day," she told King Bard as they resumed their seats. A moment later the musicians started playing a song again. Soon members of the crowd began to dance once more.

"There was no apologies needed. As you say, one day I shall speak of the Battle of Dale with Aelfric. But I would be glad if that conversation was some time away. Has Isabel or Hamon asked about how Cerdic died?" he wondered.

"No. Isabel misses her father but she told me she wanted to remember him as he was, not how he died. Hamon was too young to remember much of Cerdic."

"I have not talked about the Battle of Dale with my wife or my daughters. I do not intend to change that."

"Many women would not wish to hear tales of battles, but would instead care more about their dresses and jewellery or which handsome man had paid them attention in the marketplace."

"As I recall such feminine ideas did not interest you overly much."

"No. I left such pursuits to Hilda, much to the dismay of Royse. I can still recall her lecturing me about how silver jewelry must go with darker colours while gold jewelry must go with lighter colours. Was my mother that flighty?"

"No. I remember your mother as a skilled diplomat who could talk about wine shipments with men with as much knowledge as she could discuss fashion with women," King Thorin declared.

"King Thorin, might you answer a question about Erebor?"

"That would depend on your question."

"I understand the goats of Erebor graze on the slopes of the Lonely Mountain during the day and then are stabled at night. Tell me, are those animals used for anything other then battle steeds or to transport goods?"

"When the goats are too old or injured to fight or haul goods, we kill them for food and use their hides as rugs. Goat meat is tough but it is quite tasty if you cook it the right way."

"I see. Tell me, have you ever visited the fortress of Helm's Deep?" She could sense Eomer King turn his head to look at her when he heard that.

"No, but I would wish to while I am in Rohan."

"I believe I can do more than show you Helm's Deep. As the Riders no longer hold prisoners there, the Eorlingas could use individuals who are skilled with stone in order to restore the fortress to what it once was in days of old. I know dwarves are unparalleled masters of stone. A group of dwarves worked to restore Minas Tirith after the war, did they not?"

"Aye, and some of the stonemasons of Erebor were among them. They might be willing to travel for work even though Rohan is quite a distance from Erebor. I will work out a contract with King Eomer to restore Helm's Deep if you can do something for me in return."

"What is that?"

"Gimli has told me much of the Glittering Caves that lay behind the Deeping Wall of Helm's Deep and extend for many miles into the White Mountains. I wish to see them for myself."

"That can be arranged. Perhaps in time, there could be a settlement of dwarves there. Or we could share the fortress of Helm's Deep between our two realms."

"We shall see. I wish to examine these caves for myself before I commit to anything further."

"Of course. King Bard, perhaps you would like to meet Etheldred now?"

"Indeed I would."

They both rose and left Eomer King and King Thorin at their table. As King Bard held her youngest daughter and Isabel talked to her, Frige spared a glance at her husband and King Thorin who now sat close together in conversation. Hilda had told her once that it was the place of women to set plans in motion and then step aside to leave the men to work out the details. That was the only piece of advice that her half-sister had given Frige that she had found worked very well over the years, she thought. Isabel asked for a story and so Frige left with her daughter to read her a tale before she fell asleep. Although she did not have as much time to spend with her children as she would like, she was gladded to spend time with her children most evenings.

Sometime later Frige had just changed into her nightclothes when there was a knock on the door of the bedchamber.

"Enter," she called. Eomer came inside then closed the door behind him.

"I wish to thank you," he said as he walked closer and put his hands on her arms.

"Why?"

"King Thorin has agreed to begin negotiations on a contract to restore Helm's Deep once he inspects the Glittering Caves. We leave on the morrow to ride there."

"Good. We cannot have the Riders shivering in the cold because of leaks in the roof. Though the comfort of the Riders is not the primary reason I suggested such a project."

"I know. Helm's Deep serves as a major line of defense and so should be maintained. But like King Bard, I have no desire to discuss details of war with you."

"Then mayhap we can go to sleep."

Eomer wrapped his arms around his waist and pulled her closer to him.

"What if sleep is not what I had hoped for this night?"

"I am open to other ideas if you prove persuasive enough," Frige remarked as she placed her hands on his chest. In response, Eomer lifted her chin and kissed her thoroughly. Frige readily responded to the kiss. Her husband proved persuasive enough that night that Frige gave no thought to anything except him until the morn.