Royal Rendezvous
Polodrin was keeping watch over the camp while the others slept. Treebeard stood tall beside the river and dozed. The night was clear, and Polodrin was restless. He paced the perimeter of the camp lost in thought. Often his gaze drifted to Jamie, wrapped tightly in her strange bedroll. Her face was the very image of innocence and peace. She was quiet most of the time, shy and timid. She was very soft spoken, but when she sang her voice was strong and clear. Around the fire they had asked her to sing, but she refused. Even Treebeard couldn't change her mind about it. Instead, Legolas had told a story about Lady Miranda and her battle with darkness on the hill of the Pelennor. The story seemed to bother Jamie for some reason. She was very quiet after that and went right to bed.
In the early hours before dawn, Thelyn woke and relieved Polodrin from the watch. He kept his vigil on a hill some fifty yards from the camp where he had a good view of the land around them. All was quiet save the sound of the river running lazily by. There was a light breeze that bent the grass westward toward Edoras. He'd been over this country many times before on errands of great importance, or just to visit. There were no trees for many leagues, but the land was pretty in its own way. The mountains rising in the distance were majestic, and the people were hearty and kind. He wished they had time to see the King of the Rohirrim before they turned northwards.
Jamie woke from a gentle nudge on her shoulder. She opened her eyes suddenly and was greeted by a smile from Alcon.
"We didn't want to wake you, but it is nearly time to go," he said. "There's some fish for you, and I'll get your blanket."
Jamie sat up and looked around groggily. The horses were saddled, the fire was doused, and everyone else's things were packed. She frowned in annoyance. She didn't usually oversleep. They should have waked her sooner. She quickly ate the fish and put her boots on. She walked down to the river and filled her water bottle and closed up her pack.
"Okay, I'm ready," she said. "Sorry I overslept."
"If we were in a hurry, we'd have waked you," Thelyn said. "Now, do you want to sit aloft with Lord Fangorn, or would you like to ride with me for a change?"
Jamie shifted slightly on her feet. She wasn't much of a rider, but she missed having someone to talk to. Treebeard didn't say much, and when he did, he spoke in riddles. She put her pack on her back and gave Thelyn a smile.
"I like change," she said.
Thelyn's smile was nothing short of dazzling. Legolas just rolled his eyes and Alcon coughed dramatically as they climbed into their saddles. Polodrin didn't say a word, he just mounted up. Thelyn reached for Jamie and she climbed up behind him.
He glanced back at her, "Hold on," he said.
As Jamie wrapped her arms around his waist, Treebeard just nodded to Legolas and set off on his usual swift pace along the river banks.
Thelyn closed his eyes and relished the feel of Jamie's arms around him. How could anything so simple feel so wonderful? He sighed and opened his eyes. Polodrin kept pace with him, and Thelyn just smiled. Apparently Jamie wasn't too young to fight over after all. They rode in silence. Only the sounds of hooves and the footfalls of Fangorn pierced the quiet of the countryside. And there was the restful lull of the river, broad and deep.
The river was an important lifeline between Edoras and Gondor. But few ships traveled the Entwash for farther down the river was divided and riddled with sand bars. But Ẻomer had a ship with a shallow draft. It was captained by a daring sailor with river experience, Captain Gilver. When Miranda and Miiriel had been kidnapped, the ship brought help from Rohan in record time. But the ship didn't make the journey often, so everyone was surprised when they saw it on the horizon. Its rich green sails were blazoned with the image of a white running horse, and it was headed right for them.
Treebeard halted at the fork in the river where the Entwash was fed by the Snowbourn from the west, and the Entwade from the north. That is where they met the Rohirrim ship. From aboard they heard the call of one of the sailors.
"Ahoy travelers," he called.
"Hail sailors," Legolas called back.
The ship drew close to the shore and two men leapt from the ship to secure it with mooring lines. They drove two stakes in the banks and tied the lines to them. Then they spoke to Legolas.
"The King is aboard and wishes to see you," they said. "He has invited you all aboard for a meal." Then one of the sailors saw Treebeard and nudged his companion. They quickly amended the invitation. "Or perhaps we will serve the meal ashore."
The sailors returned to make preparations, and Legolas went to talk to Treebeard.
"It is early to make camp," Legolas admitted.
"There is time for the delay," Treebeard said. "We will camp here."
Everyone dismounted and started setting up camp. A few minutes later, Ẻomer emerged on deck and called down to them.
"Here is a fine surprise! A nephew and cousins," he said with a smile. He didn't wait for the men to set up the gang plank; he just leapt over the rail onto the shore. Polodrin was first to embrace him.
"Uncle Ẻomer!" Polodrin said. "It is good to see you again."
"And you too, Polodrin. How is your mother?" Ẻomer asked.
"She is well," Polodrin said. "She misses you."
Jamie watched the reunion with interest. This King was quite rugged in appearance, like Polodrin. His hair was long and blonde, and he had a beard with hints of gray in it. But he didn't look old; he was built like an old Viking, broad and strong. His dress was rather casual, but the clothes were obviously very fine.
Ẻomer saw the twins and laughed as he reached out and caught both in a hug. "I see trouble comes in pairs! What have you wild elves been up to in my realm?" Ẻomer asked.
"No trouble this trip," Alcon said. "We are on an errand of great importance to Lord Fangorn."
Ẻomer suddenly remembered his manners and greeted the Ent respectfully. "Welcome, great one. You honor this land with you presence. What aid can I offer you?"
"Gracious King of the grass lands, long have I been your neighbor in peace and turmoil. Your offer of help is most kind, but already I have that which I need." Treebeard glanced at Jamie who stood away from the rest of them trying to look inconspicuous. Treebeard paused a moment and then continued. "See to the needs of the Taure Lirilla, and your kin. I am content."
Ẻomer cocked a brow at Legolas who immediately led him to Jamie to introduce them and explain. "King Ẻomer, Lord of the Mark, allow me to present Lady Jamie," Legolas said. "She is on her way to Entmoot with Lord Fangorn, and we are giving escort."
Ẻomer looked her over, noting her very strange attire. "Welcome to Rohan, Lady Jamie. Now, my elvish isn't very good, what is a Taure Lirilla?"
"Jamie is the Voice of the Forest," Legolas said. "The Ents have been waiting for her."
Ẻomer looked thoughtful for a moment. "Where do you come from?"
"Scotts Valley… the same world that …what was her name? Oh, yeah. The same world Lady Miranda came from," Jamie said.
Ẻomer's eyebrows shot up and then he smiled. "Well, that explains much. You would do with a change of attire, and there are lady's clothes aboard. My daughter is about your size."
With the introductions made, Ẻomer and the men prepared a fire while the sailors brought supplies down from the ship for the meal. Jamie was led aboard where she met Gloorion, Ẻomer's daughter, and Captain Gilver's wife. She found her a riding outfit and a cloak.
"These should fit," Gloorion said as she laid out the sand colored pants and a white linen shirt. "I have two jackets… green and brown." She held them up to Jamie and smiled. "I think green looks best on you."
"But it's your nicest," Jamie protested. "I have a jacket that is quite warm."
"Nonsense!" Gloorion said. "These are only the one's I brought with me. Besides, your clothes are… well, they just won't do."
"I know they look funny to you," Jamie agreed. "Thank you for the clothes, Lady Gloorion."
"My pleasure," she said. "Now, here is a good cloak that matches well. But more importantly, it will keep you warm. It doesn't soak up rain very quickly which is good this time of year. Fangorn Forest gets a lot of rain in the early summer."
"Thank you, it is very nice," Jamie said. "I wish I had something to give you. You could have my clothes in trade, but they…"
"Forget it," Gloorion said. "Tell me about yourself. How did you end up with Polodrin and the Wild Ones?"
"Wild ones?" Jamie asked.
"Yes, my cousins, the twins," Gloorion explained. "They have been called the Wild Ones in my house for years. Father said that they are the last of the true adventurers. When Haldir and Miranda left, the twins traveled a while and got into trouble wherever they went. I doubt they will ever settle down. But here I am telling stories when I asked you to share your story with me."
"Well, I fell into a river near my home and then your wild ones fished me out of a river near their home. Polodrin came to visit them, and then we all went to see the King of… Gondor. After that, I met Treebeard and he asked me to go with him. I guess they didn't want me to go alone, so they came with us."
"That makes sense. If they found you, they probably feel responsible for looking after you," Gloorion said lightly. Then she stopped and looked at Jamie a moment. "Or, they might be interested in more than just keeping you safe," she said thoughtfully.
Jamie chuckled. "Oh, no. I do not even want to go there. They're my friends, that's all. Thelyn promised to take care of me because I was scared at first. Polodrin just wanted a little excitement I think."
Gloorion smiled. Polodrin had just had years of excitement. It would take more than a ride to Fangorn to pique his interest. He'd only just returned from the West. As for the twins, honor aside, Thelyn didn't make rash promises.
"Well, how do I look?" Jamie asked as she straightened the pin on her cloak. "Will I pass for a native?"
Gloorion frowned. "With that hair, you'd pass for a boy. Why is it short?"
Jamie blushed. Long hair was an expected feature on a woman here, and she felt embarrassed. "It's not uncommon where I'm from to… does it look bad, really?"
Gloorion realized she'd embarrassed her guest. "I'm sorry, Jamie. It doesn't look bad, it's just different. But I suggest you let it grow out."
"I will," Jamie said. "Believe me, I will."
"Here is something that will help," Gloorion said as she held up a pale blue gown. "When you take a break from traveling, wear this and I promise they won't mistake you for a boy."
Jamie looked at the gown and smiled. The fabric was like velvet and it was embroidered with small white flowers that reminded her of Edelweiss. "Edelweiss," she said.
"What?"
"The flowers… they look like Edelweiss. It used to grow around my house," Jamie explained.
"Oh, here we call it Simbelmynë," Gloorion said. "Pack that in your bag and we will go ashore."
Around the fire, Ẻomer, Gilver and a couple of Ẻomer's guards visited with the Elves and Polodrin while the food was cooking. Legolas filled them in on the story so far from Jamie's appearance to their hurried journey out of Gondor.
"So you left with naught but the clothes on your backs?" Ẻomer asked.
"The need to depart was urgent," Legolas said.
"Well, you will have whatever provisions you need," Ẻomer said. He turned to his guard and instructed him to gather what they would need. After his guard left he continued. "What does Jamie's voice have to do with the Ents?"
"He speaks little of it," Alcon said. "He said that all will be explained at Entmot."
"You gain a rare privilege to be brought to Entmoot," Ẻomer said. "The last was during the war, but before that… it is not remembered when the Ents last gathered. If they are holding Entmoot because of Jamie, it is truly important."
Gloorion and Jamie stepped back on the shore, and Thelyn and Polodrin stood and stared. Jamie didn't look so out of place anymore. In fact, she looked right at home. Polodrin hugged Gloorion.
"Hello cousin," he said with a smile. "Come, if your husband gives his leave, sit with me."
"Aye, Gloorion," Gilver said with a chuckle. "Go ahead and keep that rascal company."
Thelyn stepped over to Jamie and smiled. "Will you sit with me, Jamie?" he asked.
Jamie smiled, "Sure."
Thelyn took her bag and led her to the fire. The company ate together and the conversation around the fire was warm and friendly. Jamie liked listening to their stories. She even started to pick up on the subtle humor and laughed along with them. She could see how important family was here. Gloorion explained the relationships, and some were just shirt-tail relations. But it didn't matter. To them they were family, and each one was important. Jamie had a hard time relating. Her own family was small and distant. She had loved her father, but he had always been gone. It was nice to see the other side of the coin.
With dinner concluded and the sun going down, there were songs around the fire. Legolas sang of the sea, and Jamie loved it. The twins joined in and she finally understood the charm of the Elves music. Ẻomer answered their song with a song from Rohan. It was a sweeping tale of a King named Helm Hammerhand. Jamie loved epic tales, and these reminded her of really good poetry put to music. That was what she sometimes did, when she was alone in the woods. She had a good memory for poetry. She took poems like The Highwayman, or The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, and set them to a tune. For her it was just fun, but here it was a way of passing down history. It was just fascinating.
After Ẻomer finished his song, Legolas turned to Jamie. "How about a song from you now?"
Jamie's eyes doubled in size. There's just nothing quite as horrifying as being put on the spot. Everyone was staring at her expectantly. "Legolas… I wouldn't know what to…"
"Sing a tale from your world," Ẻomer said. "I would love to hear one. Miranda didn't like to sing."
Jamie could see that she couldn't refuse. It would be an insult to their host, and apparently to her friends. She racked her brain for something remotely appropriate. Then she smiled as she remembered just the right poem. Thankfully she knew it well. She closed her eyes so she could concentrate without being embarrassed. After a brief pause, she started to sing. It was soft at first, "On either side the river lie long fields of barley and of rye, that clothe the world and meet the sky; And through the field the road run by to many-tower'd Camelot; And up and down the people go, gazing where the lilies blow round an island there below, the island of Shalott..." asJaimie got through the first stanza, her voice grew bolder. "...There she weaves by night and day amagic web with colours gay. She has heard a whisper say, acurse is on her if she stay to look down to Camelot. She knows not what the curse may be, and so she weaveth steadily, and little other care hath she, the Lady of Shalott..." The tale was sad, but appropriately medeival. In the end, with the Lady having drifted down the river on her boat, now dead from her curse,the very knight who had tempted her to the window speaks."...But Lancelot mused a little space, he said, "She has a lovely face; God in his mercy lend her grace, the Lady of Shalott." (The Lady of Shalott, Lord Alfred Tennyson)
Around the campfire there had not been a sound as she sang. With the last verse, her voice trailed off and she sighed. When she opened her eyes, she was surprised to see tears in Gloorion's eyes. Even the men seemed moved by the sad story. Jamie shyly looked at the fire as a blush crept over her face.
"Beautiful, though sad," Ẻomer said. "Thank you."
Jamie just nodded in acknowledgement of his praise. Soon after, everyone broke up from around the fire to go to bed. Jamie was grateful for the chance to get away, but she didn't get as far as her sleeping bag before Polodrin caught up to her.
"Jamie, why are all your songs so sad?" he asked her seriously. "I see sadness in your eyes. How can I put joy in its place?"
"I am not sad, I'm just tired," she said as she turned away.
Polodrin caught her under the chin and gently turned her to face him. She looked into his eyes questioningly. "Tell me, Jamie, when is your birthday?" he asked softly.
"Mid summer, in July," she said. "Why?"
"Because I would court you, when you reach the proper age," he said. "Sixteen is too young, but seventeen is acceptable courting age."
"I uh, Polodrin, I should…" Jamie stammered. Thankfully, Thelyn interrupted them.
"What's going on?" he asked suspiciously.
"Nothing," Jamie said. "Polodrin was just saying goodnight."
Polodrin let his hand drop from her chin and glanced at Thelyn. He knew the Elf had overheard and interrupted on purpose. Well, that was fine. He'd made his intentions quite clear, and now it was up to Jamie.
"Well, goodnight, Polodrin," Thelyn said as he took Jamie's arm and escorted her to her bedroll.
Polodrin frowned and went to bed. He wondered what was going to happen when they reached Entmoot. One thing was for certain, he intended to keep a close eye on Jamie. Mid summer wasn't very far away.
Thelyn handed Jamie her bag and sighed. He didn't know what to say. Her reaction to Polodrin's confession was an obvious sign that she wasn't ready for a suitor. He opted to keep her friendship rather that frighten her any further tonight.
"Want to talk about it?" Thelyn asked.
"I don't think you'd understand," she said.
"I heard what he said, and how upset it made you," Thelyn said. "I am your friend, Jamie. Talk to me."
"He's nice and all, well, everyone I've met is. It's just that with everything that's happened to me, the last thing I need right now is a boyfriend," Jamie said in exasperation.
"A boyfriend," Thelyn said thoughtfully. "Polodrin would be more than a friend if you showed him any interest."
"That's what it means," Jamie explained. "You can have lots of friends, but just one boyfriend, or in your case, girlfriend. He called it courting, where I'm from its called dating."
"Oh, I see," Thelyn said, finally understanding her strange terminology. "If you do not wish to be his girlfriend, just tell him. He has honor, he will respect your wishes."
Jamie frowned and shook her head. She liked the attention a little. She found herself wondering what it would be like to have Polodrin court her. She honestly didn't know what she wanted. As her mind debated she looked back up at Thelyn and suddenly all thoughts of Polodrin fled. In the moonlight, his eyes sparkled. He stared at her with unmasked desire, and Jamie realized he had feelings for her. What startled her even more was finding that she had feelings for him too.
"Goodnight, Thelyn," she finally said.
"Sleep well, Jamie," he said with a warm smile. "My brother and I will be near, and Legolas is keeping watch."
"Thanks, Thelyn, for everything."
He gave her a bow and then returned to his blanket beside Alcon's. His brother looked at him a moment before asking, "Well?"
"Polodrin has spoken to her of courtship," Thelyn said bitterly.
"And?"
"She is not ready."
"And what do you intend to do?"
"Keep him away from her," Thelyn said firmly.
"How noble," Alcon said sarcastically. "It is good to see a selfless elf."
"Shut up, Alcon."
Jamie zipped herself in her sleeping bag and looked over the camp. The twins were on one side of the fire with Polodrin on the other. Legolas kept watch near the water and Treebeard stood farther up stream, sleeping. Since she'd come here, all she could think about was going home, but now she felt more like staying. The only problem was she didn't know which one she wanted to stay for. At present, she was content with them keeping their distance. Before she could think of men, she wanted to know why she was here. She wanted to get to Entmoot. If her singing was so important, she wanted to know why.