"There is someone else out there", said one of the Riders.
After he had said that all of the others spread out and started to search
for Lilly. While they tried to find her she panicked. Were they going to
kill me? How do I know if they are friendly or not, father told me nothing
about them except that they were under the direction of King Théoden. And
what of this king, was he good or evil?
After a moment of thought Lilly decided to risk being caught.
"Here I am", she said standing with her hands out, palms facing up as a
sign of peace.
The men looking for her tensed a moment but relaxed after they saw that
Lilly was a woman. At this Lilly was a little annoyed, why did they relax
just because she was a women? But she put that thought aside for the
moment.
"And who might you be My Lady?" asked a kind voice behind her.
As Lilly turned she saw one of the Riders take off his helmet; he was an
elf.
"I...I am Lillyana, daughter of Elrond Half-Elven from Rivendell" she said
finding courage behind her words.
"Rivendell?!" the Rider asked with awe and wonder written all over his
face. "That is quite a ways from here, how ever did you end up here?" he
asked with curiosity.
"When I was in Rivendell I was ambushed by the Uruk-Hai and orcs that you
just slaughtered. They were bring me to their leader so he could use me for
some dark purpose." She concluded, looking around at some of the stares
that the other riders were giving her. "So where exactly am I." she said
still gazing around.
"You are in Rohan, Lillyana daughter of Elrond. And may Révin son of
Réamond welcome you to Edoras, as does my master, King Théoden. You may
come and rest yourself if that is what you desire. Or must you be on your
way back to Rivendell?"
"I would like to stay here and rest. For I have not had a decent sleep for
many a night. Then yes, I would like to return home to my father."
"Then come", he said calling to one of the riders to give her their spare
horse. "You may have this one, her name is Lethana."
"Could you please take that saddle and reins, for I do not need them."
After the men had taken off the bridal and reins Lilly sprang lightly up,
and to their wonder Lethana was tame and willing beneath her, moving here
and there with but a spoken word: such was the way of the elves with
animals.
And so they set off towards King Théoden's palace. All the while the riders
kept Lilly busy by asking her about her run in with the Uruk-Hai and orc
horde.
"Did they beat you?"
"Did they feed you?"
"Did you have to clean up after them?"
"Wait a minute! First to answer your questions yes, yes, and no. If you
wouldn't mind I would like to just have some time to myself."
They all agreed to let her be while they rode on.
The palace was about five miles from where they currently were now, so it was about noon by the time they arrived at the palace gates. "Open, It is I Révin!" At once the huge gates began to open to reveal a huge castle built upon a hilltop, that over looked the town below. The town and its inhabitants were an amazing site to Lilly. She saw little children running around chasing some chickens while their mother chatted in a little group. The market was just bursting with life here and there were salesman trying to sell you a piece of jewelry or a fresh fish. The houses were modest, with the roofs made out of straw and baked clay and the foundation was made out of stone and others out of wood. Révin led Lilly and the others to the top of the hill where a young maiden was waiting for them. Her hair was a light golden color that blew in the breeze like a flag shown with pride. She was about as tall as Lilly, give or take an inch. Her dress moved gently in the wind as she greeted them and led their party to the throne room. Later Lilly discovered that her name was Eowyn. The moment they opened Lilly took in everything. Inside it seemed dark and warm after the clear air upon the hill. The hall was long and wide and filled with shadows and half-lights; mighty pillars upheld its lofty roof. But here and there bright sunbeams fell in glimmering shafts from the eastern windows, high under the deep eaves. Through the hole in the roof, above the thin wisps of issuing smoke, the sky showed pale and blue. The floor was paved with stones of many colors. They saw that the pillars were richly carved, gleaming dully with gold and half-seen colors. Numerous tapestries hung from the wall and depicted many battles that were long since past. Finally Lilly's eyes wandered to where King Théoden sat upon a great gilded throne. He had a strong, yet kind face and looked to be a caring and wise leader. He had high cheekbones and smooth cream-colored skin. His hair was a pale blond with a tint of a light brown, which came down to his shoulders. His eyes were a dazzling bright, and right now those stunning blue eyes were fixed on Lilly's. "My Lord Théoden!" Révin said bowing deeply to him. "I present to you Lillyana daughter of Elrond Half-Elven of Rivendell." For a moment Théoden just sat there and continued to gaze intently at Lilly, until after a moment or so (which seemed like eternity to Lilly because she was so nervous) Théoden spoke. "I greet you Lillyana daughter of Elrond Half-Elven of Rivendell. And I welcome you to Edoras."
"Thank..thank you your majesty." Lilly said bowing imitating Révin's
bow. "You may call me Lilly, if you wish." She said bowing quickly
again. "Lilly. That is such a beautiful name, a beautiful name for a beautiful young woman." At this Lilly blushed a deep crimson. "Thank you your majesty. It is very generous of you to let me stay here. I hope I do not become to much trouble." "No not at all. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish." "I will stay as long as time will allow, for I should return home soon so as not to worry my father. For I have been away for about a week." After Lilly and King Théoden talked for some time he ordered that a feast be prepared for their guest. Lilly was to be the highlight of the banquet.
The palace was about five miles from where they currently were now, so it was about noon by the time they arrived at the palace gates. "Open, It is I Révin!" At once the huge gates began to open to reveal a huge castle built upon a hilltop, that over looked the town below. The town and its inhabitants were an amazing site to Lilly. She saw little children running around chasing some chickens while their mother chatted in a little group. The market was just bursting with life here and there were salesman trying to sell you a piece of jewelry or a fresh fish. The houses were modest, with the roofs made out of straw and baked clay and the foundation was made out of stone and others out of wood. Révin led Lilly and the others to the top of the hill where a young maiden was waiting for them. Her hair was a light golden color that blew in the breeze like a flag shown with pride. She was about as tall as Lilly, give or take an inch. Her dress moved gently in the wind as she greeted them and led their party to the throne room. Later Lilly discovered that her name was Eowyn. The moment they opened Lilly took in everything. Inside it seemed dark and warm after the clear air upon the hill. The hall was long and wide and filled with shadows and half-lights; mighty pillars upheld its lofty roof. But here and there bright sunbeams fell in glimmering shafts from the eastern windows, high under the deep eaves. Through the hole in the roof, above the thin wisps of issuing smoke, the sky showed pale and blue. The floor was paved with stones of many colors. They saw that the pillars were richly carved, gleaming dully with gold and half-seen colors. Numerous tapestries hung from the wall and depicted many battles that were long since past. Finally Lilly's eyes wandered to where King Théoden sat upon a great gilded throne. He had a strong, yet kind face and looked to be a caring and wise leader. He had high cheekbones and smooth cream-colored skin. His hair was a pale blond with a tint of a light brown, which came down to his shoulders. His eyes were a dazzling bright, and right now those stunning blue eyes were fixed on Lilly's. "My Lord Théoden!" Révin said bowing deeply to him. "I present to you Lillyana daughter of Elrond Half-Elven of Rivendell." For a moment Théoden just sat there and continued to gaze intently at Lilly, until after a moment or so (which seemed like eternity to Lilly because she was so nervous) Théoden spoke. "I greet you Lillyana daughter of Elrond Half-Elven of Rivendell. And I welcome you to Edoras."
"Thank..thank you your majesty." Lilly said bowing imitating Révin's
bow. "You may call me Lilly, if you wish." She said bowing quickly
again. "Lilly. That is such a beautiful name, a beautiful name for a beautiful young woman." At this Lilly blushed a deep crimson. "Thank you your majesty. It is very generous of you to let me stay here. I hope I do not become to much trouble." "No not at all. You are welcome to stay as long as you wish." "I will stay as long as time will allow, for I should return home soon so as not to worry my father. For I have been away for about a week." After Lilly and King Théoden talked for some time he ordered that a feast be prepared for their guest. Lilly was to be the highlight of the banquet.
