Chapter Two

Grimá

I did finish my meal slowly, in some kind of dull stupor. I had a second chance although I did not know why. Eomer had shocked me and some of his people no doubt. Yet not a word was said as the guards took me to new quarters; a chamber with two doors, one to the corridor and one to the chamber adjoining. It was spare, but clean and comfortably furnished. The bed was warm as I lay down, shifting to find the best position that did not hurt as much.

Exhaustion overtook me and I slept, oblivious to the nurse's attention to wounds on my face and ointments left for my body. I awoke to dawn's light streaming into the room, the connecting door opened slightly and movement within, splashing and brushing. This alerts me to my own ablutions and I tend to myself, hearing someone enter the room.

"Good, you are up. We eat, then there are maps we need to go over. I want to examine these areas with teams of men able to repair the damage. We need to see what needs replanting - the orcs either ate or burnt a lot."

you could trade goods for expertise. Gondor would probably be eager to combine forces

"At the Council, to repair.." I trail off, a curious light appeared at the mention of Gondor. When you have dwelt with a wizard inclined to fly in insanity, you judge reactions very carefully.

"Go on," he prompts.

"You would already have close ties with Gondor. Your sister and brother-in-law no doubt would want to help. Perhaps the ranger could provide..."

I stop again, puzzled at the look of amusement on Eomer's face.

"The Ranger, as you term him, is Aragorn, son of Arathorn. Isidur's heir."

"The Ring," I mutter.

"What ring? The Ring of Power was destroyed by the Hobbit."

"Isidur's ring. A hobbit?"

"Come with me to breakfast. You have a lot to catch up on.".

I stumble as we walk down the steps leading to the great hall. His hand seems to be burning me, the rest of me feels cold to the bone.

My mind still whirls at the events of yesterday, a day on which I was sure I would die. Yet I am here, restored to counsels' position at the side of king. If the roles were turned, what would I do?

We sit and eat, the King lapsing into silence after a brief retelling of the War of the Ring. I am impressed with the hobbits confrontation with Shelob; the orcs were terrified of her. Others come and go; preparing for a journey. The King is ride out to survey lands; I am to survey the stores and provisions, then to check our records (and knowing Rohan there will be few of those) to see what can be distributed out to the various villages in Rohan who have suffered under the orcs' attacks.

The King rides off, seeming preoccupied with something. With warmth in my belly and a strange feeling within, I bend to my task, walking slowly and noting things to bring to the king's attention.

I have a second chance. And I have identified this new feeling. It is hope.

Eomer.

He did not stir when I went in to him last night, watching him sleep, by necessity waiting till everyone had left me before opening our adjoining door and going in. Terrible dreams racked him; his eyes moving frantically under the lids, threatening to dislodge the bandage that had been placed there earlier. How I felt then! All the feeling from my past threatened to overwhelm me.

Feigning boredom during my lessons, when I would gaze at him as he gazed at Eowyn; and she so indifferent. His eyes used to absorb me; they are different shades of blue and they would alight, as he would tell tales from the past, legends of our forebears.

My uncle respected him, Theodred wished nothing more than to be out riding or fighting and Eowyn used him for knowledge but nothing more. Others in a court despised him, particularly Hama and Gamling, both suspicious of anyone who did not ride out or wield a sword. They were not alone in their opinion. He was different, an exotic fragile frame in the midst of us. I was fascinated by him, then desirous of him. After that one episode with Theodred I wished to show my teacher what else I knew. He had never guessed of my feelings and I had certainly never told anyone else, for to do so would be folly. I was to marry and sire an heir and the rest would take care of itself.

I had stroked his face before I had left his chamber. It was all I could permit myself to do.

My fellow horseman cautiously enquiring as to whether it would be safe to leave Grimá back there interrupted my reverie.

" If he fails in his appointed tasks then I will have to consider a suitable punishment. I feel that he has changed since his departure from here. I understand your concern though; I promise you I would not let anyone hurt the kingdom of Rohan."

And with that he had to be content.

IT was a week's journey, during which I kept myself busy. There were many repairs to be done many crops to sow; burial teams to rid the land of heaps of stinking orcs. The nights were terrible, for our sleep was disturbed by orcs who had survived the war but were now starving and desperate. I had already had good practice with my sword at despatching them and I did so again. It was a weary team who returned to Edoras and I hoped that I would find everything in good order.

I was not disappointed and a few of my fellow riders were surprised to see Grimá with his many lists and plans. Apparently he had not resorted to his evil ways after all and was working for the good of all. But then Saruman had been killed in the War of the Ring, how I knew not, and Grimá had escaped, outrunning the orcs. His abode had been nothing more than a shell when they found him and a week of rest and food had made a small change in his appearance. His face had regained some colour although dark shadows still remained around his eyes. He had stopped talking and now glanced away.

"You have done well Grimá. You still do not look well though. Perhaps a ride out tomorrow, some fresh air will be better for you."

He nodded his head and backed off as another came forward with news to tell me of the preparations for the upcoming meeting between Faramir, Aragorn and myself, although I looked forward to seeing my sister the most. A long time it had seemed since the wedding. I ate and glanced after Grimá as he left the hall.

My head was filled with thoughts that night and I took myself in hand as I thought of my neighbour next door. My pleasure was interrupted by moans and my first thought was that Grimá had decided on the same actions that night, but it was not so. His moans were due to his nightmares and he shrieked as his eyes rolled in their sockets. I grabbed his arms and shook him.

He awoke panicked and full of terror; I cursed my un-gentle methods and tried to calm him before his raised voice brought others to the door.

"Grimá, be quiet. You are safe here. Be quiet!"

His wet face looked up at me before turning away but my hands stopped him from moving too far. I released my grip and sat on his bed as he glanced into the embers of the fire, almost out now.

"You did not stay long after the meal," I remarked. He glanced down.

"I still need a lot of rest sire," his voice so quiet I could barely hear him, "and I fear my company is not welcome in the Great Hall."

"Your company is desired by me, Grimá," Desired? Dear Eru! "I want someone who knows the workings of the trades, this court. And we have much to do."

I stood up to leave him. "We ride out tomorrow, Grimá. Then we shall plan this meeting with the others. There is a lot to organise."

Why was I repeating jobs to do to this man? Surely I could unburden my feelings; he would understand the depth of emotion I felt. I closed our connecting door and sank against it. This confusion, this conflict would have to be resolved. This distraction was robbing my sleep. I never thought that mere days of his presence would re-awaken all these emotions, long suppressed by habit and more pressing matters.