Chapter Eight
Lothiriel sat before the fireplace in her room reading. Or at least trying to read, for it seemed her thoughts were not on the book at all, but the kept returning to Eomer. She sighed leaning back in her chair. She could not help but wonder what all that had happened between her and Eomer would mean. If it meant anything at all, it could have just been the atmosphere of battle, but she could not imagine Eomer kissing her like that and not meaning it. She closed her eyes a moment, remembering the feel of his lips upon hers, the way his eyes seemed to burn into her very soul, and the way he always seemed to know exactly what she needed. He was a warrior. Anyone could see that from his strong build. She had felt so safe in his arms and so comfortable, as if she had been meant to be there and she had been waiting for those arms all her life.
A knock at the door disturbed her thoughts suddenly. Lothiriel slowly crossed to open it, wondering vaguely who could possibly be searching for her at such a late hour. She opened the door to see Sirridra, the wife of one of the guards, she often helped with Alphros, and was dear to the family's heart.
"Sirridra? What is it?" Lothiriel asked, concerned with the look on the woman's face, as if something terribly had happened.
"My Lady, your nephew was taken ill. Your brother has taken him to the healer's home, he requested you come." She said quickly, wringing her hands.
Lothiriel quickly let the woman in and dressed behind the screen, throwing the rough old dress she had worn to distribute food earlier that day. She quickly braided her hair, "How did he take ill so quickly, why wasn't I informed immediately?" She asked as they left her chamber.
Sirridra shook her head, "I do not know, my Lady. Come quickly!" She said, hurrying her through the quiet house.
The streets of Dol Amroth were silent as they walked. The only sound was that of their footsteps against the stone. Lothiriel suddenly noticed that Sirridra was not leading her to the Healer's, but to the gate of the city.
"Sirridra, this is not the way to the Healer's, where are we going?" She asked
Sirridra turned, guilt in her eyes. "I am sorry my Lady, but my children were hungry, and I have no choice."
"What are you--" Suddenly a cloth went over her mouth from behind. Lothiriel let out a startled scream, but it was muffled by the cloth tight against her mouth. She could not breath and she struggled against her captor, until a bright knife was held against her throat. The cold metal was sharp against the soft flesh of her neck.
"Struggle my Lady, and your throat will be cut." A voice hissed in her ear.
Lothiriel met the eyes of Sirridra, she had been betrayed, but the question was, for what purpose? Suddenly, everything went black, as she was knocked unconscious. The last thing she saw Sirridra, looking down at the young Princess, with sorrow in her eyes.
When Lothiriel opened her eyes she was lying on the ground in a tent. Around her stood tall, large men. All with dark hair and eyes that were looking at her menacingly. She recognized their garb and shuddered with fear. The Corsairs. She had been giving to the Corsairs. She fought the urge to panic as she struggled to her knees. Her hands and feet were bound and she was still gagged.
One of them said something that she did not understand and all the men laughed. Lothiriel's eyes darted around the tent, searching for a way she could escape, but found none. Not while she was bound and surrounded. One of the men, the tallest and most impressive of the bunch, obviously in charge, stepped forward and removed her gag. He then said something to the others harshly and the left. He then turned to her, speaking in Common Tongue.
"Welcome to my camp, Princess Lothiriel." He said. "I am chief here, and I hope we will become very familiar with one another." He smiled at her, but it was not a kind smile. Indeed he made her skin crawl when he looked at her.
Lothiriel shuddered. "What do you plan to do with me?"
He shrugged, "Officially, you are my bargaining tool. Your father's return with horsemen and the rest of Gondor has disrupted my plans. By putting you in danger I am increasing my odds of success." He then grinned at her coldly. "But unofficially...." He trailed off, giving a meaningful look for her to the pile of pillows in the corner of the tent.
Lothiriel's eyes widened and she struggled to back away from the Corsair.
He kneeled before her, "Princess, you have a choice. You may either stay here with me, in some comfort, and enjoy my hospitality, for a small price." He rested a hand on her leg and she struggled to pull away from him. His gaze became harsh. "Or you can be a proper prisoner. Beatings, torture, and all." He leaned in closely, as if he was certain of her answer. "What do you chose, my Lady?"
Lothiriel pulled back her head, meeting his eyes. She then called upon what salvia she had left and spit straight in his eye. She glared at him, doing her best to seem brave.
He stumbled back as if struck, and wiped the spit from his face looking shocked. He glared at her menacingly. "You have made your choice." He said. He then reared back a hand and struck her in the face hard.
Lothiriel's head spun, she had never been hit like this. She struggled not to scream, determined not to cry out. He hit her again and she felt blood dripping from her nose. He continued to pound her senseless, but Lothiriel never cried out. At some point he had hauled her to her feet and called the guards. Now she found herself in the center of camp, being whipped.
The steel tip tore into the flesh of her back, stinging it like fire. She gasped, but held back her screams. She waited until after what seemed an eternity she was being bound to a pole of one of the tents and being told she would wait there until morning until the Chief came and took her to do some negotiating. It had all happened so quickly she could barely comprehend what was happening, she struggled to raise her head to meet her captor's eyes coolly. With one last kick in the side and a punch to the face, she was left alone to spend a sleepless night of pain.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Eomer awoke far earlier than he would have like to the sound of someone pounding on his door. He rolled over in his bed and groaned, according to his sister he had never been cheerful first thing in the morning, and especially hated being woken up.
The pounding grew louder and Eomer rose, cursing the cold stone floor, to answer the door. "What?" He asked, annoyed at being woken.
Erchirion stood in the doorway, his face twisted in rage. "Where is she?"
"What?" Eomer blinked, still shaking off the groggy feeling of sleep.
Erchirion glared at the King. "My sister! She is not in her chamber! Her bed is unslept in! Where is she?"
"I have not seen her since we parted on the balcony last night." Eomer was concerned, for he did not imagine she would disappear like that without reason. "Have you asked your brothers?"
Erchirion nodded, "Elphir and Amrothos have not spoken to her this morning." He looked helplessly at the young King. "I fear something has happened."
Eomer nodded, also feeling filled with worry. "Go to your brothers, I will be down to the Hall in a moment." He said.
Erchirion nodded, and hurried away. Eomer dressed as quickly as possible, trying to put some order to his usually, stubborn, windblown hair. He then hurried the path to the Hall where the sons of Imrahil waited.
When he reached the Hall he knew right away something terrible had happened. "What has happened?" He asked softly, fearing the worst.
Elphir looked up at the King. His fair features pale and frightened. He swallowed hard, trying to find the words. "A message came from the Corsairs." He swallowed hard and said the three words that filled them all with dread. "They've got Lothiriel."
* * * * * * * * * * *
A/N and such- Oh no! Hehe she's in trouble! Anyway, you know the drill. There's this lovely little thing called a review. Please review! And thanks to all the people who have reviewed, you're lovely wonderful people :-)
Vivian Bennett: Thank you so much for your review. I totally agree that there needs to be more Eomer out there! And he needs to be in the character listings! Let's campaign! Um... more to the point! You asked about Lothiriel's name, and I can't take credit for that :-) In Appendix A of Return of the King is says that Eomer marries Imrahil's daughter, Lothiriel, so I didn't think of that one, although I wish I did because I agree it was an awesome idea! My people always end up with dumb names. I'd just assume call them all Bob and get it over with :-) The brothers are not mentioned in the books, but I found them on a web page while I was researching for information on Lothiriel and then I started thinking that having three brothers would make life difficult, and so the story was born! Thanks for reviewing :-) Check your mail for your cookie :-) And yes, I am one of those dorks who writes replies to reviewers! Mainly because I get really excited when I get reviews! For me it's better than Christmas! And I'm a college student so I don't feel loved and open an empty mailbox everyday! Sob! So reviews make me smile!
Blue Iris: Wow! Thank you so much! Hehe, I feel really special now :-) hehe, you get two cookies! Check your mailbox :-) Although they might be kind of stale.... hehe!
Rabid Cow: Hehe, yes I agree, no Mary-Sues for Eomer! He should not go through what Legolas did! More people need to read the appendices! I would mention this story idea to my friends and they'd be like "Lothiriel who?" I'm glad someone else out there read them! Anyway, thanks for the review :- )
Lotr-junkie: Do you know how cool you are for saying "meh"?? Hehe! My friends and I always say that! Anyway, you're probably thinking I'm really weird... and you'd be right. And you have no idea how long I thought about what color hair to give Lothiriel. And I agree that there are arguments for either way, but then I read the Unfinished Tales and it talked about the elves that lived at Dol Amroth and all that stuff so I began to picture her blonde! Anyway, most stories have her with dark hair and I felt like being different... I'm always different! Anyway thanks for your many reviews and keep them coming! You have no idea how excited I get when I see that I have new reviews! It's like Christmas!
Elwen: Hehe, you're getting more! I promise! I'm posting and writing as fast as I can... sadly these stupid things called classes are going to get in the way! But I'll brainstorm ideas all through geology as always! Thanks so much for your review!
Shy: Hehe, you were my first reviewer! I was so excited! You know I actually printed it out? Hehe I know it sounds dumb but I was happy! It was like my birthday! Hehe! Anyway, I suppose I can try being patient and wait for an Eomer section, but I hate waiting! Eomer deserves a section! And Haldir got one before Eomer?? Sigh. Anyway, thanks for the review! You get the gold star for being the first reviewer! Go you!!
Lothiriel sat before the fireplace in her room reading. Or at least trying to read, for it seemed her thoughts were not on the book at all, but the kept returning to Eomer. She sighed leaning back in her chair. She could not help but wonder what all that had happened between her and Eomer would mean. If it meant anything at all, it could have just been the atmosphere of battle, but she could not imagine Eomer kissing her like that and not meaning it. She closed her eyes a moment, remembering the feel of his lips upon hers, the way his eyes seemed to burn into her very soul, and the way he always seemed to know exactly what she needed. He was a warrior. Anyone could see that from his strong build. She had felt so safe in his arms and so comfortable, as if she had been meant to be there and she had been waiting for those arms all her life.
A knock at the door disturbed her thoughts suddenly. Lothiriel slowly crossed to open it, wondering vaguely who could possibly be searching for her at such a late hour. She opened the door to see Sirridra, the wife of one of the guards, she often helped with Alphros, and was dear to the family's heart.
"Sirridra? What is it?" Lothiriel asked, concerned with the look on the woman's face, as if something terribly had happened.
"My Lady, your nephew was taken ill. Your brother has taken him to the healer's home, he requested you come." She said quickly, wringing her hands.
Lothiriel quickly let the woman in and dressed behind the screen, throwing the rough old dress she had worn to distribute food earlier that day. She quickly braided her hair, "How did he take ill so quickly, why wasn't I informed immediately?" She asked as they left her chamber.
Sirridra shook her head, "I do not know, my Lady. Come quickly!" She said, hurrying her through the quiet house.
The streets of Dol Amroth were silent as they walked. The only sound was that of their footsteps against the stone. Lothiriel suddenly noticed that Sirridra was not leading her to the Healer's, but to the gate of the city.
"Sirridra, this is not the way to the Healer's, where are we going?" She asked
Sirridra turned, guilt in her eyes. "I am sorry my Lady, but my children were hungry, and I have no choice."
"What are you--" Suddenly a cloth went over her mouth from behind. Lothiriel let out a startled scream, but it was muffled by the cloth tight against her mouth. She could not breath and she struggled against her captor, until a bright knife was held against her throat. The cold metal was sharp against the soft flesh of her neck.
"Struggle my Lady, and your throat will be cut." A voice hissed in her ear.
Lothiriel met the eyes of Sirridra, she had been betrayed, but the question was, for what purpose? Suddenly, everything went black, as she was knocked unconscious. The last thing she saw Sirridra, looking down at the young Princess, with sorrow in her eyes.
When Lothiriel opened her eyes she was lying on the ground in a tent. Around her stood tall, large men. All with dark hair and eyes that were looking at her menacingly. She recognized their garb and shuddered with fear. The Corsairs. She had been giving to the Corsairs. She fought the urge to panic as she struggled to her knees. Her hands and feet were bound and she was still gagged.
One of them said something that she did not understand and all the men laughed. Lothiriel's eyes darted around the tent, searching for a way she could escape, but found none. Not while she was bound and surrounded. One of the men, the tallest and most impressive of the bunch, obviously in charge, stepped forward and removed her gag. He then said something to the others harshly and the left. He then turned to her, speaking in Common Tongue.
"Welcome to my camp, Princess Lothiriel." He said. "I am chief here, and I hope we will become very familiar with one another." He smiled at her, but it was not a kind smile. Indeed he made her skin crawl when he looked at her.
Lothiriel shuddered. "What do you plan to do with me?"
He shrugged, "Officially, you are my bargaining tool. Your father's return with horsemen and the rest of Gondor has disrupted my plans. By putting you in danger I am increasing my odds of success." He then grinned at her coldly. "But unofficially...." He trailed off, giving a meaningful look for her to the pile of pillows in the corner of the tent.
Lothiriel's eyes widened and she struggled to back away from the Corsair.
He kneeled before her, "Princess, you have a choice. You may either stay here with me, in some comfort, and enjoy my hospitality, for a small price." He rested a hand on her leg and she struggled to pull away from him. His gaze became harsh. "Or you can be a proper prisoner. Beatings, torture, and all." He leaned in closely, as if he was certain of her answer. "What do you chose, my Lady?"
Lothiriel pulled back her head, meeting his eyes. She then called upon what salvia she had left and spit straight in his eye. She glared at him, doing her best to seem brave.
He stumbled back as if struck, and wiped the spit from his face looking shocked. He glared at her menacingly. "You have made your choice." He said. He then reared back a hand and struck her in the face hard.
Lothiriel's head spun, she had never been hit like this. She struggled not to scream, determined not to cry out. He hit her again and she felt blood dripping from her nose. He continued to pound her senseless, but Lothiriel never cried out. At some point he had hauled her to her feet and called the guards. Now she found herself in the center of camp, being whipped.
The steel tip tore into the flesh of her back, stinging it like fire. She gasped, but held back her screams. She waited until after what seemed an eternity she was being bound to a pole of one of the tents and being told she would wait there until morning until the Chief came and took her to do some negotiating. It had all happened so quickly she could barely comprehend what was happening, she struggled to raise her head to meet her captor's eyes coolly. With one last kick in the side and a punch to the face, she was left alone to spend a sleepless night of pain.
* * * * * * * * * * *
Eomer awoke far earlier than he would have like to the sound of someone pounding on his door. He rolled over in his bed and groaned, according to his sister he had never been cheerful first thing in the morning, and especially hated being woken up.
The pounding grew louder and Eomer rose, cursing the cold stone floor, to answer the door. "What?" He asked, annoyed at being woken.
Erchirion stood in the doorway, his face twisted in rage. "Where is she?"
"What?" Eomer blinked, still shaking off the groggy feeling of sleep.
Erchirion glared at the King. "My sister! She is not in her chamber! Her bed is unslept in! Where is she?"
"I have not seen her since we parted on the balcony last night." Eomer was concerned, for he did not imagine she would disappear like that without reason. "Have you asked your brothers?"
Erchirion nodded, "Elphir and Amrothos have not spoken to her this morning." He looked helplessly at the young King. "I fear something has happened."
Eomer nodded, also feeling filled with worry. "Go to your brothers, I will be down to the Hall in a moment." He said.
Erchirion nodded, and hurried away. Eomer dressed as quickly as possible, trying to put some order to his usually, stubborn, windblown hair. He then hurried the path to the Hall where the sons of Imrahil waited.
When he reached the Hall he knew right away something terrible had happened. "What has happened?" He asked softly, fearing the worst.
Elphir looked up at the King. His fair features pale and frightened. He swallowed hard, trying to find the words. "A message came from the Corsairs." He swallowed hard and said the three words that filled them all with dread. "They've got Lothiriel."
* * * * * * * * * * *
A/N and such- Oh no! Hehe she's in trouble! Anyway, you know the drill. There's this lovely little thing called a review. Please review! And thanks to all the people who have reviewed, you're lovely wonderful people :-)
Vivian Bennett: Thank you so much for your review. I totally agree that there needs to be more Eomer out there! And he needs to be in the character listings! Let's campaign! Um... more to the point! You asked about Lothiriel's name, and I can't take credit for that :-) In Appendix A of Return of the King is says that Eomer marries Imrahil's daughter, Lothiriel, so I didn't think of that one, although I wish I did because I agree it was an awesome idea! My people always end up with dumb names. I'd just assume call them all Bob and get it over with :-) The brothers are not mentioned in the books, but I found them on a web page while I was researching for information on Lothiriel and then I started thinking that having three brothers would make life difficult, and so the story was born! Thanks for reviewing :-) Check your mail for your cookie :-) And yes, I am one of those dorks who writes replies to reviewers! Mainly because I get really excited when I get reviews! For me it's better than Christmas! And I'm a college student so I don't feel loved and open an empty mailbox everyday! Sob! So reviews make me smile!
Blue Iris: Wow! Thank you so much! Hehe, I feel really special now :-) hehe, you get two cookies! Check your mailbox :-) Although they might be kind of stale.... hehe!
Rabid Cow: Hehe, yes I agree, no Mary-Sues for Eomer! He should not go through what Legolas did! More people need to read the appendices! I would mention this story idea to my friends and they'd be like "Lothiriel who?" I'm glad someone else out there read them! Anyway, thanks for the review :- )
Lotr-junkie: Do you know how cool you are for saying "meh"?? Hehe! My friends and I always say that! Anyway, you're probably thinking I'm really weird... and you'd be right. And you have no idea how long I thought about what color hair to give Lothiriel. And I agree that there are arguments for either way, but then I read the Unfinished Tales and it talked about the elves that lived at Dol Amroth and all that stuff so I began to picture her blonde! Anyway, most stories have her with dark hair and I felt like being different... I'm always different! Anyway thanks for your many reviews and keep them coming! You have no idea how excited I get when I see that I have new reviews! It's like Christmas!
Elwen: Hehe, you're getting more! I promise! I'm posting and writing as fast as I can... sadly these stupid things called classes are going to get in the way! But I'll brainstorm ideas all through geology as always! Thanks so much for your review!
Shy: Hehe, you were my first reviewer! I was so excited! You know I actually printed it out? Hehe I know it sounds dumb but I was happy! It was like my birthday! Hehe! Anyway, I suppose I can try being patient and wait for an Eomer section, but I hate waiting! Eomer deserves a section! And Haldir got one before Eomer?? Sigh. Anyway, thanks for the review! You get the gold star for being the first reviewer! Go you!!