AN: Well, here I am again, struggling desperately against writer's block. I know the only way to get beyond it is to just sit down and force myself to write something- anything!- but it's difficult. This story should get more interesting once they reach Rohan, but I have a couple things to do before I get that far, so here goes. Reviewers…you guys are the BEST! I LOVE you! Ice cream to all, and I'll give you chocolate syrup if you review this chapter, too. Please? ;)
Oh, and another note: I have absolute no idea how long it takes to ride a horse from Dol Amroth to Edoras, but we're gonna say it can be done in a couple weeks, OK? OK.
The Swanguard overtook us on our 12th day of travel. My father's most highly acclaimed soldiers came galloping up behind us as though their lives depended on it, getting dust all over their elegant blue and silver livery. When they were close enough that I could see who they were, I began to panic. What if they found me out? I could not let that happen! I looked nervously at Calla, but she showed no outward emotion except annoyance.
We halted our horses on the side of the road. The Guard soon caught up, forming a circle around our small party. There were about 10 of them, all looking grouchy and tired, but thankfully, none were familiar to me.
"Who is it that accosts an innocent band of travelers in their own country?" Calla demanded haughtily, for we had crossed into Rohan that morning and were due to arrive at Edoras the next day. "You are not soldiers of Rohan."
"I am Captain Tashos of the Swanguard of Dol Amroth. I have leave from my lord Elessar, the King of Gondor, to search any suspicious parties in his kingdom that I have just cause to believe might be harboring the kidnappers of Princess Lothiriel of Dol Amroth." The leader of the soldiers spoke and nudged his horse forward a step to face Calla squarely. He had a large crest of white feathers on his helmet.
"But this is not his kingdom. This land belongs to Eomer King of Rohan. You have no right to hinder us" Calla snapped.
Captain Tashos glared at her. "Choose your words wisely, woman. Would an innocent protest as much as you are? I ask only to look upon your faces and assuage my conscience that you are no vagrants."
Calla was silent for a moment. "Very well. You outnumber us, so it appears we have no choice. But rest assured, if you harm us the news will reach Edoras swiftly. Boys, move the horses into a line so the good Captain can see that we are no kidnappers of Princesses."
At that moment, I thought my adventure had come to an end before it had really begun. Calla sat calmly on her mount next to me, with Easa on my other side and Jeb after him. Yasni felt my anxiety and pranced a bit. I tried to quiet her, and an idea occurred to me. The soldiers said they suspected a kidnapping, but no doubt they were also on the lookout for a runaway, who would presumably sulk and hide her head in the back. Summoning what little bravery I could, I leaned forward as Captain Tashos approached me.
"Please, honored Captain, Dol Amroth is my city also. I love the house of Imrahil…when was the Princess kidnapped? Who would dare do such a thing, and why?" Trying to pitch my voice as a young boy might, I leaned eagerly forward and looked Tashos straight in the eye. He started for a moment, then relaxed a bit and answered.
"Princess Lothiriel was noticed missing some ten days ago, when she failed to appear for a scheduled dinner with her fiancee. The Prince suspects a kidnapping, but has not yet received a ransom note." He stopped and glanced at Calla. "Your Rohirrim friends might be interested to know that the Lady Eowyn was particularly upset at the Princess' disappearance."
"Her fiancee? I did not know that there was to be a wedding!" This feigning of innocence could grow rapidly annoying, I thought.
Tashos sat back on his horse and chuckled, and I knew I had fooled him. "Yes, well, between you and me, I think the Princess wasn't kidnapped, but actually ran away so she wouldn't have to marry the man her father has chosen for her! Can you believe it- it was just announced the day she disappeared- Princess Lothiriel is to marry Lord Kuthiea of Harad! OUR princess…married to one of those heathens from the South!"
I faked shock. The Captain nodded vehemently. "Oh, yes, it's true. To be fair, Kuthiea isn't a bad sort…But our Princess has some spirit in her, and will be wanting better than a groveling ambassador for a husband."
"Perhaps she will elope." I suggested wickedly. Calla looked at me pointedly, and I realized that I needed to end the conversation soon.
"So long as she elopes with someone more deserving of her than Kuthiea!"
"If you are done gossiping with our new stable-boy, may we go now, Captain?" Calla interjected.
"Oh, er, yes, certainly. I can see you're not hiding anything. I apologize for any inconvenience." Captain Tashos nodded at us and gave the signal for his men to ride off back towards Gondor.
Calla waited until they were mere specks in the distance, then curtly told Easa and Jeb to ride ahead. "I think it's best if we push through to Edoras tonight. The horses can take it, and I don't want to spend any more time on the road than we have to. You two go on ahead…I want to have a private word with Rial."
Fully expecting a lecture, I dropped back to ride next to the snippy ladies' maid. To my surprise, she was silent for a minute, then spoke kindly but sternly.
"I think you had better drop the 'young boy' disguise. It's all right for the road, where no one's looking that closely, but once we get to Edoras people won't fall for it for long. Good job of hiding in plain sight back there, by the way. It was well done to distract the captain like that."
"Uh…thank you. Do the others know who I am?"
"Probably. But don't worry, they won't tell anyone. Easa hardly talks and Jeb is as faithful as an old hound. Now then, when we reach the King's city tonight, I've got to know what to do with you. What can you do?" Calla looked at me inquiringly, and I realized that she was not that much older that me. Mayhap we could be friends someday.
"Well, I know there's probably always need for stable lads, but if I'm to be a girl that won't work out too well. I can sew, and sing, and cook a bit. And I can speak four languages, including yours." I said the last part in Rohirric, attempting to show off.
Calla grinned finally. "Your accent is horrible, but I can at least understand you. How well can you cook? The King's kitchen is always in need of a hand, and in your spare time you could probably get seamstress work."
I nodded absently. I'd always liked loitering in the palace's kitchens at home. They were always busy, of course, and hot, but everyone always looked like they were having a good time. I had learned quite a few recipes from our head chef. "That sounds lovely. Thank you, Calla. For everything."
We looked at each other for a moment, then hastened to catch up with Jeb and Easa.
It was nearing midnight when we reached the Golden Hall, but there were still many torches lit. I said an excited goodbye to Jeb as he left for his family's home on the outskirts of the town, and to Easa at the royal stables.
"I've grown fond of you, girl. Come and see me if you ever need a good horse." Easa patted my back and went on his way.
We had stopped for a few moments outside of Edoras while I changed into a dress. It was the plainest that I owned, but still much finer than most servants' garb. If anyone asked, I would use it as proof of my excellent sewing ability. What a relief to be wearing soft cloth again! My hair I knotted up under a kerchief to keep anyone from noticing it. Dark reddish brown would not blend in well in Rohan.
Calla and I climbed the steps to Meduseld wearily, for it had been a long day. My body was tired, but my mind was leaping with excitement. Finally, I was here! In Rohan, where, if Eowyn's stories were to be believed, every day brought a new adventure.
"Calla? Is that you, sweet?" A man's overjoyed voice reached us just before his large, mail-clad body bounded away from the great double doors and enveloped Calla in a tight embrace. "We didn't think you'd return so soon! Let me look at you." The soldier released her and stepped back.
"Aye, it's me all right." Calla's voice was softer than I'd ever heard it. "I've missed you, Seith."
"Not so much as I have missed you, Calla."
I cleared my throat and Calla blushed, I think, thought it was dark and I couldn't be sure.
"Ria, this is my fiancee Seith. Seith, I've brought Ria from Dol Amroth. She wants to work in the kitchens or as a seamstress in the King's household, being equally talented in both areas, or so I'm told." Seith bowed politely over my hand, but I could tell he wanted time alone to say a proper hello to Calla.
"Calla, I think I'll just take a walk around the Hall a bit. Is it safe enough?"
She nodded absently, and I made a hasty exit around the corner. It was clear that some sort of feast or festival had just let out, for there were still small groups of people stumbling home. I walked to the far side of the Hall, which was larger than it appeared from a distance, and found that the back doors- also large, double gold-decorated ones- had been thrown open to the cool night air. I peered inside to see several thick pillars scattered around a giant room, all carved and decorated with hunting scenes and other stories. The floor was tiled in an intricate design, but I couldn't tell what it was from my vantagepoint. Dozens of tables were set about the hall, with chairs and benches everywhere. Only a few people were still inside. They must have known each other, because they were all seated around the same long table, sipping mugs of ale and alternating between quiet conversation and hearty laughter. One of the men caught my attention.
He was blonde- they were all blonde- but his hair was a particularly golden shade of yellow. Gold enough to rival the metal bands criss-crossing every pillar in the room. Though he was seated, I could tell that he would be quite tall when standing, and broad-shouldered. He had a light beard and mustache that made him appear as though he simply hadn't bothered to shave in a week, yet even from across the hall I could tell he was clean and well groomed. He had a straight nose and wide cheekbones , with generous lips and a high forehead. Oh yes, he was a sight to look at, but that wasn't what drew my gaze. It was his air of calm assurance, of quiet command. He was superior, physically speaking, to the other men around the table, yet it did not burden him with awkward knowledge, he merely accepted it . I got the impression that he could switch from easy camaraderie to military alertness and supremacy within seconds. I wondered who he was. Then I noticed the thick gold band around his forehead, and the sparkling green gem resting between his eyebrows, and I knew.
This, then, was Eomer.