5: Meduseld
Brin quickly gathered the rest of her arrows and the company rode out from the battle. There were eleven riders and one empty saddle. If any were wounded they did not complain and they rode fast, for each and every man wished to reach Edoras before nightfall. Brin rode with Eomer at the head of the company and as they set out he said to her, "How is it that your kin dwell in the north but you have lived all this time in Gondor?"
"My mother was slain by orcs on the southern borders of your land when I was but a babe-in-arms and I was found in the forest by Mithrandir and taken to Minas Tirith. I was raised there and knew nothing of my mother's people until two years ago. I still know little, only the resting place of her father, but that is a good place to start." Her eyes were distant as she said this and Eomer said gently.
"It was only a few years hence that my father was killed by the orcs. He fell in battle, defending our lands and our people. Those who rode with him say it was a valiant death, but my mother was sorely grieved and did not live through the winter without him. I see now why you ride against the orcs when you have nothing but yourself to defend. But Mithrandir indeed? In our lands he is called Gandalf Greyhame, the grey pilgrim."
They talked long and Eomer became more and more enrapt by his companion as she spoke of her life and all that she had learned and found himself speaking of things that he had told to few. And Brin also only grew fonder of him as he spoke and the sound of his voice seemed to soothe her heart.
They did indeed come to Edoras before nightfall and the sun was setting such that its light still fell upon high Meduseld and it shone bright and golden like a beacon, welcoming the riders home.
Edoras was encircled by a great fence and they had to ride round to the gate that faced eastwards across the plains. They passed through and into the city and Brin wondered at the streets of beaten turf and low wooden houses and saw how they were all open to the sky and though packed closely together seemed not so closed as the houses in the tower of guard. At the foot of the stone stair, carved like rocks in the hillside, that lead up to the great hall of kings, Eomer dismounted for he was to go first to the king and make his report. Brin went with the men to the stables.
There she saw the full extent of the love of that people for horses. Never had she seen beasts better cared for or better understood and she was happy to leave Mîrran in their company and Mîrran, upon seeing the sweet hay in the stall, was happy to stay.
She offered Thalion the choice of resting there with Mîrran but the hound would not be parted from her and she was glad for she had grown fond of his company in the short time they had known each other and would not be parted from him either.
A young lad, perhaps a page in the king's court, met her at the stable door and led her to her lodgings. It was a single room in a long, low stone building under the shadow of Meduseld. The boy left her at the door and she showed herself inside. The last light of the sun still lit the room with a dim red glow but a fire had already been kindled in the small grate. The room was almost completely taken up by the low bed against the far wall. Brin threw herself upon it, in an effort to determine its quality, and found it comfier than her own bed in the Kings Hearth. It had been less than a week since she slept in it last and already it would seem like a lifetime ago if it were not for Haelwen and Beregond that she had left behind. Every time she took food from the cloth bag or drank from the water bottle she was reminded of Haelwen and the love she bore for her and every morning when Brin sat up and felt the weight of the mail shirt about her she thought kindly or Beregond. Now Brin was suddenly aware of the mail shirt and for the first time its weight seemed to drag on her shoulders. She had worn it every second since she had accepted the gift but she took it off now and felt she did no disloyalty to Beregond for she was sure she was safe in this city. She laid it carefully by her pack and, just because she enjoyed the feel of it, threw herself back down on the bed. Thalion, thinking some game was being played, barked and leapt onto the bed with her, pawing her stomach and nuzzling her neck. Brin laughed and joined his game, pawing him back and head butting him in the side.
That was how Eowyn, lady of Rohan, came upon them and smiled at their play but did not know how best to announce her presence. She had no need, for Brin noticed her almost as she entered and whispered a word to Thalion so both stood to greet her. She stood in the door, the fading light shining in her flaxen hair and her long pale gown whispering as it brushed the floor.
Brin spoke first for Eomer had spoken much of his sister and she recognised her straight away. "My Lady, may we be of service to you?"
Eowyn replied. "Nay traveller, my brother sent me to you and bade me give you this. He wishes that you join us at board and I do also for I should greatly like to hear the tales of your journey." She handed over the bundle of green fabric she had been carrying and Brin unrolled it and saw to her surprise that it was a dress, of finer make than she had ever held, much like the one that Eowyn herself wore in style, though green in colour and with a running white horse embroidered on the chest.
"Thank you, lady, but I deserve no such clothing."
"Please, it is mine and I insist that you wear it. The King does not come to meat with his captains anymore, but eats in his chambers. Still it is customary to dress for supper at his table and all the others will have changed from the clothes they travelled in."
Brin bowed and voiced her thanks and she saw that in Eowyn's eyes was something of awe towards her though she could not imagine why. For to her Eowyn looked strong and beautiful and she had a place in middle-earth and though Brin did not think that she was free, she thought that she had duties worthy of pride and honour.
Brin came to the hall, with only Thalion for escort, by the side door as the Captains were still arriving. Eomer was standing almost directly opposite her by the table, speaking with a young man, grim but of noble bearing and in someway like to Eomer himself. He had removed the heavy leather and mail armour he wore when abroad and was dressed simply in a dark shirt, with embroidering at the collar, over his trousers, though the colours he wore had not changed from the red and gold she had met him in. His golden hair had been brushed and laid upon his shoulders and he seemed just as easy in the halls of his king as in the field of battle.
She stepped forwards then, into the light, and he beheld her dressed in the green and white of his people with her long hair unbraided and curling behind her and saw revealed in her a new kind of grace and beauty. He excused himself to his companion and went to greet her.
For a moment he did not speak for he wanted to compliment her somehow but could not find the words to do so. Instead he led her into the hall and said,
"Seldom so all the captains meet together in Edoras for the orcs grow bolder and trouble us now on all fronts. But Théodred, the kings son, is here and men from the company of Erkenbrand who holds the westfold and others from further east and north. You have already met Eowyn, my sister, she will join us also."
When all had arrived and been seated they found they had much to discus for it seemed that each company had been kept as busy as the next and few messengers rode between them in the field. Brin listened intently for she was hungry for all news, but especially that concerning the westfold and the gap, for that way her road lay. The men of Erkenbrand said their captain was concerned for his charge and sent word to Eomer saying only that "if a single orc breaches our borders and causes hurt to the men and horses that live in the fold I will give the order to pull back all dwellings further into the mark."
Brin too was questioned and her news also was regarded with interest for she could tell some of the doings of Gondor. Eowyn questioned her most about her journey and her training and Brin could see that a great deal of thought was going on behind each question, though she could not perceive the nature of this thought. At a time Eowyn looked over her shoulder to where Thalion was lying by the fire, licking the marrow from a bone that some servant had thought to give him. Brin followed her gaze and was pleased to see him content.
"Your hound is well behaved for a wild beast," Eowyn mused.
"He is as wild as I am but no more," Brin replied, "And he is not my property but my friend."
Eowyn smiled and had the maid who was serving bring some meat to him. Thalion, who had known he was being discussed, was pleased.
The talking went on long after the meal was done, but gradually the men took their leave and Eowyn also, though she stayed until she would have fallen from her seat in sleep.
At last only Eomer and Brin remained and still they talked, though the hour was both late and early, and Thalion came and lay by their feet.
As they sat next to each other on the long bench they had moved closer together, so that now their legs almost touched though neither had made a conscious effort to do so, and were now reluctant to remove to the fire. The cold began to creep over them but still they talked, and Eomer put his arm around her and she felt safe and warm but was sad also for her road had not lain to his door when she started out and she could not see that it had changed now.
When at last they retired, Eomer walked her to her lodgings though it was not far. "It is not much, but seldom do we have guests in Edoras. These quarters are kept for errand riders that come from outside our lands, though seldom have I seen those either in my lifetime." He said.
"The room is more than I would ask of anyone."
Eomer smiled at her, "Sleep well and dream sweetly."
Brin squeezed his hand for that seemed to her to say all she could say, but not all that she wanted to say.
Brin quickly gathered the rest of her arrows and the company rode out from the battle. There were eleven riders and one empty saddle. If any were wounded they did not complain and they rode fast, for each and every man wished to reach Edoras before nightfall. Brin rode with Eomer at the head of the company and as they set out he said to her, "How is it that your kin dwell in the north but you have lived all this time in Gondor?"
"My mother was slain by orcs on the southern borders of your land when I was but a babe-in-arms and I was found in the forest by Mithrandir and taken to Minas Tirith. I was raised there and knew nothing of my mother's people until two years ago. I still know little, only the resting place of her father, but that is a good place to start." Her eyes were distant as she said this and Eomer said gently.
"It was only a few years hence that my father was killed by the orcs. He fell in battle, defending our lands and our people. Those who rode with him say it was a valiant death, but my mother was sorely grieved and did not live through the winter without him. I see now why you ride against the orcs when you have nothing but yourself to defend. But Mithrandir indeed? In our lands he is called Gandalf Greyhame, the grey pilgrim."
They talked long and Eomer became more and more enrapt by his companion as she spoke of her life and all that she had learned and found himself speaking of things that he had told to few. And Brin also only grew fonder of him as he spoke and the sound of his voice seemed to soothe her heart.
They did indeed come to Edoras before nightfall and the sun was setting such that its light still fell upon high Meduseld and it shone bright and golden like a beacon, welcoming the riders home.
Edoras was encircled by a great fence and they had to ride round to the gate that faced eastwards across the plains. They passed through and into the city and Brin wondered at the streets of beaten turf and low wooden houses and saw how they were all open to the sky and though packed closely together seemed not so closed as the houses in the tower of guard. At the foot of the stone stair, carved like rocks in the hillside, that lead up to the great hall of kings, Eomer dismounted for he was to go first to the king and make his report. Brin went with the men to the stables.
There she saw the full extent of the love of that people for horses. Never had she seen beasts better cared for or better understood and she was happy to leave Mîrran in their company and Mîrran, upon seeing the sweet hay in the stall, was happy to stay.
She offered Thalion the choice of resting there with Mîrran but the hound would not be parted from her and she was glad for she had grown fond of his company in the short time they had known each other and would not be parted from him either.
A young lad, perhaps a page in the king's court, met her at the stable door and led her to her lodgings. It was a single room in a long, low stone building under the shadow of Meduseld. The boy left her at the door and she showed herself inside. The last light of the sun still lit the room with a dim red glow but a fire had already been kindled in the small grate. The room was almost completely taken up by the low bed against the far wall. Brin threw herself upon it, in an effort to determine its quality, and found it comfier than her own bed in the Kings Hearth. It had been less than a week since she slept in it last and already it would seem like a lifetime ago if it were not for Haelwen and Beregond that she had left behind. Every time she took food from the cloth bag or drank from the water bottle she was reminded of Haelwen and the love she bore for her and every morning when Brin sat up and felt the weight of the mail shirt about her she thought kindly or Beregond. Now Brin was suddenly aware of the mail shirt and for the first time its weight seemed to drag on her shoulders. She had worn it every second since she had accepted the gift but she took it off now and felt she did no disloyalty to Beregond for she was sure she was safe in this city. She laid it carefully by her pack and, just because she enjoyed the feel of it, threw herself back down on the bed. Thalion, thinking some game was being played, barked and leapt onto the bed with her, pawing her stomach and nuzzling her neck. Brin laughed and joined his game, pawing him back and head butting him in the side.
That was how Eowyn, lady of Rohan, came upon them and smiled at their play but did not know how best to announce her presence. She had no need, for Brin noticed her almost as she entered and whispered a word to Thalion so both stood to greet her. She stood in the door, the fading light shining in her flaxen hair and her long pale gown whispering as it brushed the floor.
Brin spoke first for Eomer had spoken much of his sister and she recognised her straight away. "My Lady, may we be of service to you?"
Eowyn replied. "Nay traveller, my brother sent me to you and bade me give you this. He wishes that you join us at board and I do also for I should greatly like to hear the tales of your journey." She handed over the bundle of green fabric she had been carrying and Brin unrolled it and saw to her surprise that it was a dress, of finer make than she had ever held, much like the one that Eowyn herself wore in style, though green in colour and with a running white horse embroidered on the chest.
"Thank you, lady, but I deserve no such clothing."
"Please, it is mine and I insist that you wear it. The King does not come to meat with his captains anymore, but eats in his chambers. Still it is customary to dress for supper at his table and all the others will have changed from the clothes they travelled in."
Brin bowed and voiced her thanks and she saw that in Eowyn's eyes was something of awe towards her though she could not imagine why. For to her Eowyn looked strong and beautiful and she had a place in middle-earth and though Brin did not think that she was free, she thought that she had duties worthy of pride and honour.
Brin came to the hall, with only Thalion for escort, by the side door as the Captains were still arriving. Eomer was standing almost directly opposite her by the table, speaking with a young man, grim but of noble bearing and in someway like to Eomer himself. He had removed the heavy leather and mail armour he wore when abroad and was dressed simply in a dark shirt, with embroidering at the collar, over his trousers, though the colours he wore had not changed from the red and gold she had met him in. His golden hair had been brushed and laid upon his shoulders and he seemed just as easy in the halls of his king as in the field of battle.
She stepped forwards then, into the light, and he beheld her dressed in the green and white of his people with her long hair unbraided and curling behind her and saw revealed in her a new kind of grace and beauty. He excused himself to his companion and went to greet her.
For a moment he did not speak for he wanted to compliment her somehow but could not find the words to do so. Instead he led her into the hall and said,
"Seldom so all the captains meet together in Edoras for the orcs grow bolder and trouble us now on all fronts. But Théodred, the kings son, is here and men from the company of Erkenbrand who holds the westfold and others from further east and north. You have already met Eowyn, my sister, she will join us also."
When all had arrived and been seated they found they had much to discus for it seemed that each company had been kept as busy as the next and few messengers rode between them in the field. Brin listened intently for she was hungry for all news, but especially that concerning the westfold and the gap, for that way her road lay. The men of Erkenbrand said their captain was concerned for his charge and sent word to Eomer saying only that "if a single orc breaches our borders and causes hurt to the men and horses that live in the fold I will give the order to pull back all dwellings further into the mark."
Brin too was questioned and her news also was regarded with interest for she could tell some of the doings of Gondor. Eowyn questioned her most about her journey and her training and Brin could see that a great deal of thought was going on behind each question, though she could not perceive the nature of this thought. At a time Eowyn looked over her shoulder to where Thalion was lying by the fire, licking the marrow from a bone that some servant had thought to give him. Brin followed her gaze and was pleased to see him content.
"Your hound is well behaved for a wild beast," Eowyn mused.
"He is as wild as I am but no more," Brin replied, "And he is not my property but my friend."
Eowyn smiled and had the maid who was serving bring some meat to him. Thalion, who had known he was being discussed, was pleased.
The talking went on long after the meal was done, but gradually the men took their leave and Eowyn also, though she stayed until she would have fallen from her seat in sleep.
At last only Eomer and Brin remained and still they talked, though the hour was both late and early, and Thalion came and lay by their feet.
As they sat next to each other on the long bench they had moved closer together, so that now their legs almost touched though neither had made a conscious effort to do so, and were now reluctant to remove to the fire. The cold began to creep over them but still they talked, and Eomer put his arm around her and she felt safe and warm but was sad also for her road had not lain to his door when she started out and she could not see that it had changed now.
When at last they retired, Eomer walked her to her lodgings though it was not far. "It is not much, but seldom do we have guests in Edoras. These quarters are kept for errand riders that come from outside our lands, though seldom have I seen those either in my lifetime." He said.
"The room is more than I would ask of anyone."
Eomer smiled at her, "Sleep well and dream sweetly."
Brin squeezed his hand for that seemed to her to say all she could say, but not all that she wanted to say.