rode into the fortress, at least what was left of it, and were being escorted somewhere, Tinioniel was not sure.
"Eomer." Tinioniel whispered to him. He bent down so that he could hear her soft sweet whisper. "Where are we going?"
"To the King."
"To the..." Tinioniel realized that she yelled a little at her words. "To the King? Why are we doing that?"
"He is my Uncle. I wish for you to meet him. However, do try to think before you speak. He is King and you are to treat him with respect."
"No problem there." The doors a head of them were plain, no engravings, but they were heavy. Two men opened them for Eomer and Tinioniel, and they walked towards a figure seated upon a chair, near the middle of the room.
"Eomer. It is good to see you. And who is this blossom standing beside you?" Tinioniel leaned towards Eomer and sighed.
"I like him already." Eomer smiled and turned to look at the King. He was ready to speak, but was interrupted.
"My name is Tinioniel, my Lord, and I am traveling with Gandalf the White. My task here is unknown, even to myself, and I await Gandalf's command. While doing so, I request, your majesty, that I stay in your sheltering arms until the time comes when I am needed for the meaning of my summoning." Eomer looked at her, perplexed. Tinioniel, herself, was amazed that words that delicately flowed from her own mouth.
"Well then, Lady Tinioniel, you are welcome here. I see that my Nephew has kept you in good company at least that is my hope." Tinioniel smiled devilishly, but then the smile turned sweet.
"Oh yes my Lord. He has been very hospitable and very kind. He is a true gentleman and you should be very proud, at least, that is what I hope, my lord." Theoden grinned at her response.
"Yes dear child I am very proud. I would request something of you, if you are not too weary from your journey."
"Depending on your question, Lord. Your question will affect my answer." Theoden was a little surprised that she had not said 'yes' already.
"Allow my dear son to show you around the Deep. It is not all that much, but it is home to many who have no home left. You might would like to change your… um… grotesque outfit as well."
"Grotesque?" Tinioniel asked a little anger. She looked down at her blue jeans and her fitted sweater. This was her favorite outfit, and he had the audacity to call it 'Grotesque'? Eomer put his head in his hands, knowing that she was going to get angry. "This happens to be the most comfortable thing I own! Are you trying to say that I am ugly? Because believe me your majesty, that is not a suitable thing for a man to tell anyone."
"Are you trying to tell me how to speak to people?"
"Well if you take that tone then I guess someone has to!" The King's body guard withdrew his weapon.
"Do not talk to the King with such disrespect, wench!" The body guard began to advance upon her. Tinioniel ran into Eomer's arms, trying to hide from the blow, but Eomer swiftly answered the man's sword with his own steel.
"If I ever hear those words come from your disgusting, vulgar mouth again, and they are directed towards the lady, then I will personally cut out your tongue, so no more insults can spill from you. and if that does not work, then I will run you threw with your very own sword, and twist it until you no longer breath. Is that clear?" Tinioniel grinned at Eomer's words, feeling all powerful when she was with him. The man relaxed his grip on the sword.
"Yes my Lord." Tinioniel, sensing that it was safe, walked up to the King's chair, and knelt before him.
"Please excuse my juvenile behavior. My indignation sometimes gets out of control. Please, forgive me your highness." Théoden simply looked at her, and motioned for Eowyn to step forward. A beautiful woman erupted from the shadows.
"Please see that the Lady is adequately dressed. She looks as though she may fit into your clothing."
"Yes my Lord." Eowyn gently grabbed Tinioniel's hand, and lead her away from the presence of the King. Before exiting, she curtsied.
"Thank you my Lord, for your graciousness and your forgiveness." With that, the two women had left the room, leaving a confused King, a shamed armament, and a forlorn Eomer. This woman, for some odd reason, had an effect on him, one that got to the inside of him.
- ~ * ~ -
"That was a very interesting thing you said to the King Lady…" Eowyn waited for her name.
"Tinioniel."
"Happily met Tinioniel. I must say, for such a well spoken lady, you surely have a tongue don't you?" Eowyn giggled, the sounds echoing off the walls. "I am only joking Tinioniel. Come; let us pick you out a fine dress that my brother would like."
"Your brother?"
"Yes! Eomer! He cares for you. You know that didn't you?"
"No! Eomer? Why, he is mean! And ruthless, and uncaring, and barbaric, and a mean teacher, but a good rider, and a nice man, with beautiful eyes." Tinioniel wistfully looks out a window, not aware that she was day dreaming of him.
"Um hum…" Eowyn replied smiling, snapping Tinioniel out of her reverie. "Well come, I think I have a dress in mind that you both will like."
"Eowyn?" Eowyn, not stopping her searching, hummed at her name.
"How do you know that he likes me? We have known each other for only a few hours? How can you tell?"
"Well my dear it is quite simple. First sign, when he stood up for you. Normally, he would not stand up to the protector of my Uncle or even my Uncle for that matter for anyone other than me. He is a caring brother, and of course, I have known him for a very long time. I saw the way he looked at you while you departed the room. He fancies you. I can tell. Ah! Here it is. This one will look very beautiful on you, with your fair skin and dark hair. Oh yes this will be splendid. Go on now! Get dressed! I want to see it on you!"
"Thank you." Tinioniel smiled and went to a separate part of the room to change. When she was done, Tinioniel walked out to Eowyn. "Oh yes. That will do perfectly."
- ~ * ~ -
Eomer waited for Tinioniel to come out of his sister's room. 'Why am I waiting for her? Because I am to show her around the deep that is why. Yes, nothing else. Nothing more. Why did I stand up for her? Because she needed protecting, that is why. Nothing else.' But there was something else. 'I want to be the one to protect her. I want to be there for her. But I have just met her, how can this be?' He was stirred from his thoughts by a door shutting not too far off. Eomer straightened up, and brushed himself off. 'What in bloody hell am I doing this for?' He relaxed his posture and waited for Tinioniel. He saw the unadorned periwinkle blue dress flutter into the room, whose sleeves were long and branching, but failed to cover her milky hands. The top of the dress was almost off her shoulders and a little lower then usual. Her ginger hair fell in cascades down her back, and her fair, flawless skin added to her features, as her lips stood out, colored a beautiful burgundy.
"My Lady." Eomer said, slightly bowing.
"There is no need for formality now. I am awaiting a promised tour."
"I am at your command my lady." Eomer extended his arm, as Tinioniel gracefully took it, and he escorted her through the doors of the isolated room.
- ~ * ~ -
The mainstay was a wreckage, bodies still being hauled away, families still grieving, people asking where their loved ones were. Tinioniel, grasping on to Eomer's arm tighter, let the panorama sink in. Eomer glanced at her, her eyes expansive with surprise.
"What has happened?"
"Orcs, Lady Tinioniel. Around ten thousand orcs attacked this citadel, and many died." Tinioniel watched in awe, as many bodies were being taken away. One woman, standing not too far off, cried out a boy's name.
"Girand!" The older woman knelt near the body of the lifeless boy who was being taken away to be buried. "No." The woman spoke in disbelief. "My sweet son! I lose my Husband and my only Boy all in one night." Her voice was soft, but still audible to Tinioniel's ears. Tinioniel looked over to another pile, one that bodies were being carelessly thrown.
"Eomer? Are those orcs? I have seen them before."
"Yes, my lady. Those are a small amount of orcs that attacked the other night." Tinioniel released Eomer's arm, and walked over to the weeping woman. Tinioniel guided her arms around her hunched shoulders, and the Lady looked up at her with shock.
"What is your name, my lady?" The lady hesitated, but answered quickly.
"Breiwia. But, I have not the stature of a Lady." Tinioniel hushed her and whispered in her ears.
"Your son, Girand, and your husband both died, correct?" The older lady shook her head wearily. "I am sorry for your loss, but if I may, please look over in the west." The sun was setting so Tinioniel knew what direction the disfigured bodies lay. "Look at what they did! They did it because they loved their home, but most of all because they loved you. Do not make them sad, I know for certain that they would be if they saw you crying. Keep going. It is because of them that you can, Lady Breiwia." A smile crossed her face. It was a miniature smile, but a grin nonetheless. Tinioniel got to her feet, and resumed her place next to Eomer. Eomer noticed a beautiful blue gem that was around her finger.
"What a beautiful ring. It seems you have a wide variety of jewelry my lady."
"That I do!" As the two of them continued walking, Tinioniel looked back and the woman, and parted her with a grin and a wink. Tears no longer burdened her face, and Tinioniel continued to walk forward. "Eomer," Tinioniel spoke very loudly. "I want to help. What can I do?" Eomer seemed dumbstruck, but his face softened, and his reply was sweet.
"You just did. If you keep doing that, then all of Rohan will be greatly in your debt. You just helped that woman back there."
"I gave her hope. That is all."
"Well, whatever you call it," Eomer brought his hand up to her face. "you made the burden of someone's loss considerably less." Tinioniel brought her own hand up to meet Eomer's, and gently beamed at him. Her attention was taken away from his eyes, when she saw a most percular thing. There was a beautiful blonde man walking by, with perfect hair, and startling blue eyes.
"Who is that?" Tinioniel asked. Eomer sighed. 'After seeing him, she will want nothing to do with me.'
"That, my lady, is Legolas."
"I want to speak with him." Eomer felt disappointment fill him.
"Yes, Lady Tinioniel." He led her over to the elf, and called out his name. "Legolas! Come! I would like you to meet someone!" The elf turned, and saw the lovely mortal standing beside Eomer.
"Yes Eomer?" His voice was melodic, soft and deep.
"This is Lady Tinioniel, she travels in the company of Gandalf the White."
"It is very nice to meet you my lady." He slightly bowed before her, and made eye contact. His blue orbs stared into her jade ones, and Tinioniel walked closer to the man. Eomer began to fall into despair, thinking that the one he loved, the one he knew he loved, was going to fall for a far more beautiful creature. Her voice, tender and sickly sweet filled the silence.
"If you do not mind me saying, you have rather pointy ears. Is that how you were born? I was drawn to you, I must confess, by your oddly shaped ears. I am sorry if I am rude, but I must know how exactly you have ears that look so cool." Eomer stifled a laugh, as Legolas replied to her.
"I am an elf my lady. This is how all my kindred's ears are formed." Tinioniel gasped, realizing how insulting her question must have sounded.
"I am sorry if I offended you. It was not my intent."
"I am not offended. Do not worry.
I must say that your features are odd as well. Your teeth are unusually white, and your hair
is a little frizzy." Tinioniel started
to get frustrated.
"My hair? Well I guess we all can not have such flattering hair as you, but at least I know that you are with out!"
"With out what?"
"Where shall I begin?" Tinioniel retorted, smirking. Eomer could not help but snicker at her remark, saying an elf is lacking something.
"Who is this young vision of exquisiteness? I saw her radiance from the other side of the deep I did." A grumbly voice called from below them.
"Gimli, my friend, this is Lady Tinioniel, and she has as much of an opinionated mind as you." Legolas replied, answering the dwarf's question.
"Then my lady I think we shall get a long." Gimli told her.
"It may be I with a sharp tongue, but at least I am not the one whose hair looks like a complete mess right now." Legolas, reacting to her remark, tried to smooth down his hair. Tinioniel laughed at him, because he had fallen for it. "Gulible aren't we?" Tinioniel asked Legolas.
"I like her already." Gimli spoke, in his heavy Scottish accent. Legolas glared at her playfully, when they were interrupted by a pleasant, but commanding voice.
"Who is this, Eomer?" A man, clad in black, stood above them on a few rocks. Eomer opened his mouth, but was cut off by Tinioniel.
"Tinioniel. Just Tinioniel, no lady in front of it. I am not lady, as your buddies here can assure you. I am a, in the words of your friends, a viper tongued, opinionated, back talker, and in my own words, I stand up for what I believe and I do not take crap from anyone. So there you have it. Tinioniel. Great first impression, I know, but I am a little tired of being introduced as a 'lady'. Sure I am a lady, but don't address me like that. I do not deserve that title. Eowyn is someone who deserves that title. There is your vision of loveliness."
"Never in my life have a heard a woman talk so much so fast." Legolas sparred. Tinioniel shot him and icy look, which rid his face of the smirk that was just present.
"Her looks alone can scare an elf into silence. I think we shall become great friends la… um… Tinioniel." She flashed him a quick, lighthearted smile, and then walked over to Eomer.
"If you would be so kind, Eomer, I would like to meet your other friends here, possibly ones that aren't blond and self conscious!" Tinioniel smiled teasingly at Legolas. "It was nice meeting all of you, no matter how I acted, you all are very nice, and it was an honor meeting you." Tinioniel turned and walked with Eomer down a few steps until they were out of the trio's sight.
"I like her." Gimli reported.
"Did you tell us that before, or was it someone else you were talking about the last eight times?" Gimli smirked, Aragorn sighed, and Legolas kicked some dirt. "She really was lovely, was she not? Not like the others here, who keep their mind where it is supposed to be. But I like her. I think she could benefit us all with a friendship, but nothing more then friends. For it seems that Eomer is quite taken with the lady." The three looked at the place were the two bodies were absent, and cleverly smiled.