Chapter Sixteen
Frige tried not to let her weariness show. This session of the King's Council had lasted most of the day, except for two breaks for a meal. Eomer was ill with a cold and was therefore not in attendance. He was recovering in their bedchamber with periodic visits from the healer.
"This is the last case, my queen. It's a business owner from the Westfold," Elfhelm quietly informed her. He was seated to her right. More then ever, she had appreciated his guidance though he left the final judgment of the cases to her. She was glad that she had studied the law of the Mark along with their language since her marriage, she reflected.
"Step forward and state your case," Frige said. A young and attractive man stepped forward. To his right stood an attractive young woman and to his left was a man who was clearly her father. It was the eldest man who spoke. He bowed to her and she nodded for him to speak.
"Greetings, my queen. I am Cenhelm, son of Hudde. This is my daughter Wassa and her husband Leofwine. He did not seek my approval for their marriage but instead simply wrapped her in a cloak to signify their marriage. I would not have objected but soon after they were wed, I learned she was with child. Because of her condition, she can no longer help me in my work running my alehouse and inn. I wish Leofwine to pay me compensation so that I can train another in her place," Cenhelm explained.
"I see. Leofwine, have you agreed to pay this compensation?"
"No. I see no reason I should compensate Cenhelm. Surely there are many men who would be eager to work with him, as his daughter says he treats his workers well," Leofwine protested.
"Even so, the loss of a daughter is reason enough to pay him his demands," Frige insisted.
Leofwine scoffed.
"Why should I follow the orders of some foreign queen? Eomer King is not present and I do not recognize your authority. You haven't even been able to produce an heir to the throne, so what good are you? Your aid may have helped this land, but I know the people of the Mark would have preferred to feed and rebuild themselves rather than accept charity," he declared. Frige reached out a hand to Elfhelm, who placed her seal into her hand. She held it up to the fading light.
"Do you know what this is? This is the Queen's seal, left to me by Eomer King to use in his absence. It confers the authority of the sovereign in all matters. Unless you wish me to use it to punish you, you will do as I order and then you will leave Edoras at once. Now do I need to order guards to see you and your party out?" she challenged Leofwine. His lips thinned but he did swiftly depart along with his wife and father by marriage. The other spectators quickly left the hall. Once they had gone Frige sat back in her wooden chair and sighed.
"You may have just made an enemy, my queen," said Elfhelm.
"It is possible. You have a brother do you not?"
"Aye. His name is Eadwine."
"Summon him to me. Tell him only that I desire a private meeting."
Elfhelm bowed and swiftly left the room.
The next morn at the first meal, Frige was interrupted in her eating by the appearance of a rather frantic stable master.
"My queen. You should follow me," he insisted. Given that the man was not prone to exaggeration, Frige set down her drink and followed the man out of Medusled. Instead of taking her to the royal stables where Freya was housed, he led her behind Medusled to where the pasture for the older horses lay. Here any horses who were too old for war or riding were tended to until they died.
Once they had entered the pasture and closed the gate behind them, he pointed across to the pasture to where a horse lay down on the ground. Frige paled and raced over when she recognized her old mare Cloud. The horse was clearly dead. She could only hope it was a peaceful death, but given the foam at the mouth of the mare, she suspected that there might be more to the story.
"Tell me all," she demanded of the stable master as she knelt before the horse and stroked her mane.
"I exercised Cloud myself yesterday morn. The weather was fair and so there was no need to move the horses to their stable for the night. When the stable boy came to give the horses food and water this morn, he found Cloud dead in that manner. After some questioning, he admitted that the herd in this pasture had been left alone yesterday after their food and water was given to them shortly after the midday meal."
"So anyone could have walked up to Cloud and fed her something?"
"That is possible. Cloud was an aging horse but she should have lived another year or so naturally."
"I see. Bury Cloud with the other horses of Medusled and tell no one of this."
He nodded. Frige swiftly walked back to the hall and summoned Elfhelm to meet her in her study. It was not as grand of a room as the King's study but it was a good place to work. Once she had told him what had transpired with Cloud, he frowned.
"Do you wish my advice, my queen?"
"Aye. Do you think my mare's death was from old age or was she poisoned?"
"I am uncertain. All the people of the Mark know how valuable a horse is, no matter their age. What would you have me do, my queen?"
"Summon Leofwine back here to tell the truth. The people of this land value truth and I wish to know if that is a virtue he holds. If he is innocent, he can go free. But if he did have anything to do with the death of Cloud, he will be punished. Send men to bring him back to Edoras. Once he arrives he will be questioned. If he is innocent, he may go free. Otherwise, imprison Leofwine for a month."
Elfhelm nodded and left her study.
The next morn, Frige had nearly finished her morning meal when she saw Eomer walking towards her. His fever appeared gone and he was no longer coughing. She rose to greet him.
"Are you hale, Eomer King?"
"Aye. What has happened in my absence?"
"Eat, and then I will tell you." He did so. Frige was glad to see her husband's normal appetite had returned. After they had finished eating she suggested they walk to her study.
"Please sit down." she gestured to the chairs in front of the fire.
"I am not an invalid," Eomer protested as he remained standing.
"I am well aware of that. I-your councilors are gladded that you are feeling well."
"As am I. I prefer action to rest. Tell me tidings of the King's Council."
She grabbed a large scroll that had been placed on the desk and began to read. Frige was glad that a scribe documented all of what had been said. It was some time before she got to the end of the judgments. Frige had just finished telling him of Leofwine when there was a knock on her study door. She set the scroll aside.
"Come in," she called. Eadwine, brother of Elfhelm, entered. He closed the door behind him and bowed to them.
"Greetings my queen, sire. I received your summons. What do you wish to discuss with me?" he asked.
"I have made inquiries about your character Eadwine. From all accounts, you are an honest man who many say can be trusted not to gossip."
"I would be pleased to serve you in any capacity."
She nodded in appreciation of his loyalty.
"When I became the Queen of Rohan, I had hoped that the people of the Mark would accept me. It has taken time but I believe many of them have. However, not all the people of this land are comfortable with a foreign Queen on the throne. While the Eorlingas are not given to plotting or violence, words can be just as devastating as a sword. What say you?"
"The people of the Mark value honesty highly."
"For which I am grateful. Nonetheless, the possibility of words inciting a riot or unrest exists. Will you set up a network of individuals who can pass on information to you if it is valuable? I do not wish you to listen to every story or rumour, but oft things are said under the influence of ale or the heat of the moment which later prove to be truthful."
"I understand the necessity of this and will do as you ask."
"No. I will not have a network of spies in this kingdom," Eomer interjected.
"You have objections because of the behaviour of Grima Wormtongue, but you fail to see that knowledge of other's opinion is always valuable," Frige observed.
"I am aware of that, my lady. But if you spent more time with the people of the Mark, they would care for you. Once given, their loyalty will not be in question."
"Aye. I need to know as many of the people I am meant to rule or…"
"Or what?"
"When I was ten years of age, there was a series of wind storms that destroyed much of the crops in Dorwinion. The army was told to go amongst the people and distribute aid to ensure there would not be famine. It soon became apparent that there was not enough for all as my father had reserved some of the food for the capital. Many in the country did not consider that decision fair. They organized several raids on the rural storehouses and distributed the food during the night. When my father found out what had happened, he ordered the leader to be brought to the public square at the centre of Brilthen. He had the man whipped and then thrown in the dungeon. Because the healers were not allowed to tend to him, he died of his wounds by the next morn. When his widow demanded reparation, my father dismissed her as a troublemaker and ordered her and her children exiled. They went to live in Dale," Frige paused to take a deep breath before she continued.
"I know you would never turn away someone in need. Neither would I if I can be of assistance. But the Eorlignas do not trust me because they do not know me. That must change in days to come."
"If you wish to be amongst the people of the Mark more often, I would not object. Mayhap your idea of informants will also yield dividends. Eadwine, we will test the queen's idea for six months. If the information proves valuable then we shall continue. You have travelled far to converse with us. You may rest here tonight as a guest at Medusled before you leave in the morn. I believe you know where the guest quarters are?" Eomer concluded.
Eadwine nodded and left the room.
Frige rose from the desk and walked to look out the small window. Eomer came to stand behind her.
"You have done much for the Riddermark as my queen. The aid on our marriage contract helped many of the Eorlingas through the first winter after the war. The trade with Dorwinion continues to keep them fed. It was your advice that led to the peace accord with Dunland, which has been upheld thus far. You were the one to suggest rebuilding Helm's Deep which has employed not only dwarves but Eorlingas. I know the Eorlingas are proud people but they are also kind-hearted. Spend more time with them and they will come to care for you as I have," Eomer said. She turned to look at him in surprise.
"You care for me?" she quietly asked as she met his gaze.
"Was that not clear to you?"
"I- I care for you in return."
He took her in his arms and kissed her. She returned the kiss.
"I am glad to hear that. Now we should attend the midday meal," he declared after they had separated. She nodded and stepped away from him. When she placed her hand in his own, he smiled at her. She smiled in return.
