The heir of Théodred
Chapter Two
Mayda remained close to her uncle throughout the fray. She did not dare open her eyes, but managed to keep up with Éomer by hanging onto his arm alone. This did have the unfortunate effect of handicapping the King of the Mark, but fortunately they had not stepped ten paces outside the hut before Éomer's men returned to them. Amling, Éomer's highest-ranking rider personally escorted them to the horses they had left behind. It is here that Mayda eventually opened her eyes and she looked up in wonder at her brave uncle. He managed to smile at her before taking the shield from her and lifting her onto one of the horses. Turning on his trusted friend he placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Amling, I wish for you to do me a favour that is of grave importance to the Mark," he said. In an instant the hardened rider knew what his King was asking of him. His eyes flew to the bedraggled child that sat atop the steed who was watching them curiously. " I cannot leave the riders leaderless. My place is with them, and I would not trust none with the task of escorting this child back to Edoras, save you alone."
"You're not coming with me?" Mayda suddenly asked. Éomer looked on her gravely; she looked like the personification of abandonment. The King stepped forward and took his niece's hand in his own.
"I will come to you soon Mayda," he said vehemently. "You have my word on that! A king's place is with his people, how can I expect my rider's to fight in a battle that is not theirs, when their ruler flees from it?" Mayda stared at him once more in awe.
"You never said you were a king," she finally uttered with newfound reverence for her rescuer. Éomer smiled and stepped backwards.
"There is much for you to find out Mayda, and much for you to feel proud of," he said and he indicated to Amling to mount the horse behind his niece. "In Edoras you will meet my wife and sister, ask them anything you like and they will tell you of your great heritage!" With this he exchanged a significant look with Amling, who nodded in response before nudging the steed into a slow walk.
"Wait, when will I see you again?" she called back to her uncle, turning in the saddle so as to see him standing alone.
"When we have rid this land and I have avenged your mother's death," he called back lifting his hand in an effort to wave. " Go now, be safe!" Amling then nudged his steed once more and he rode the young heir out of the village and away from the only home she had ever known.
X X X
Lothiriel had not rested peacefully in days. Every time she attempted to close her eyes in an effort to sleep, her hands would trail helplessly to the other side of the bed, where grasping at the air they found nothing where her husband ought to be. This emptiness would bring her gasping from her dreams with a terrible sense of foreboding. So now she stood, swaying from exhaustion on the steps leading up to the Golden Hall. She would stand here many an afternoon, waiting for a herald or a messenger to bring word of her husband and his army.
"You know it has only been six days sister," a sweet voice came from behind the young queen. Lothiriel smiled dryly and nodded to herself.
"Is it really? Oh Eowyn, to me it feels as though an eternity has passed," she said sighing and she sat down wearily on the steps, lessening her fatigue slightly. Eowyn too lowered herself down next to her brother's beloved, only with much more difficulty that the queen had.
"Oh, I will be glad when my child is born," she chuckled. Lothiriel managed a meek grin and she looked at her panting sister-in-law.
"Is it really as awful as you make it out to be?" she asked fondly. Eowyn glowered at her, but a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"Sister it is as though I am continuously burdened with a half suit of armour. My back is aching from trying to keep upright. If only I could lie down on my front all day and be done with it," she grumbled. Lothiriel laughed out loud as she pictured the beautiful wife of Faramir splayed out on her front, balancing on her large bump.
"Oh well," she said cheerfully. " Not long now. You must be getting excited?" Eowyn smiled, but it was a smile tainted with an indescribable sadness.
"Yes in many ways," she replied. "But I do wish that my first child could be born in the home my dear husband and I have wrought. The heir to Ithilien ought really to be born in Ithilien think you not?" Lothiriel nodded in agreement. "But it seems that that will not come to pass. Even if our husbands conquer the foul people tomorrow, I do not think I could make the long journey back to Henneth Annun ere this child is born."
"It is not all bad sister. Perhaps selfishly, I am glad that I will be able to meet my nephew or niece as soon as they are born," Lothiriel said and she rubbed her friend's shoulder. "It will be all right Eowyn, he will be here to see his first child born." Eowyn looked at her in surprise, but it was not so strange that her close friend could read what was really troubling her. She instead nodded and looked out over the plains that surrounded Edoras. Frowning she heaved herself back onto her feet. Lothiriel followed her gaze and moments later she too had jumped to her feet.
They rushed down to the bottom of the stairs. Across the plains the rider was approaching with lightening speed. As soon as he came near enough to make out the small passenger he bore the two women looked to each other eagerly.
"They found her," Lothiriel exclaimed in an amazed way. Soon Amling had passed through the gates and ridden up the streets of Edoras to the two ladies, where he bowed his head to them.
"I come bearing news of the King my lady," he said addressing Lothiriel. " He remains to lead the Rohirrim against the foul people." Lothiriel nodded gravely, this at least she had anticipated. "He requested that I bear this child to safety and to ask you to teach her of her heritage." Once more Mayda did not notice the significant look that passed between Eowyn and Lothiriel.
"Thank you for bringing her safely to Edoras Amling," Eowyn said looking on the child gravely. Seeing her brought back many memories of her dear cousin, they brought tears to her eyes. She bit the inside of her mouth, which was all she could do to stop herself from looking away. Amling bowed his head once more and he jumped down, before reaching up and helping his young charge down. She clung nervously to him, refusing to let him go. Lothiriel saw this in an instant.
"Do not be afraid my child," she said soothingly and she crouched down to look the girl in the eye. 'What a precious little thing,' she thought to herself keenly. "My name is Lothiriel, I am the wife of Éomer. Won't you take my hand and let me welcome you to the Riddermark?" With this she held out a slender hand and watched while the little girl contemplated her proposal from behind her mask of dirt and blood. Eventually her question was answered as a much smaller grubbier hand reached out and grasped Lothiriel's with desperation. As Mayda let go of her companion she turned and bowed her head to the tall rider.
"Thank you," she whispered. He bowed his head also, wondering why this child was so important to the King that he would travel across the land to find her and bring her to safety. With this he took his leave, intending on resting a mere few hours and changing steeds before riding out to find his King and the Rohirrim.
Lothiriel led the timid child into the grand hall and allowed her a moment to stare in wonder at the grand surroundings before leading her away down one of the corridors. Eowyn followed at a distance watching the little girl intently. Not a part of her doubted that she was the child they had sought. Her eyes gave her away. Surprisingly Eowyn could not approach, it pained her too much. She had been close to her cousin and thought of him as much of a brother as Éomer was to her.
Lothiriel led the girl to the room she had prepared for her. It was only three doors down from the royal chambers and had a lovely outlook. When the child laid eyes on the luxuries she had once known in her home tears welled up in her eyes, but she staved them ere they could fall and turned to face the kind woman. She decided that she liked Lothiriel, though she feared Eowyn. 'She doesn't like me,' Mayda thought sadly when she caught Eowyn hovering at the door and giving her an unreadable look.
"Do you think you could be comfortable here Théodwyn?" Lothiriel asked. Mayda nodded and laughed once more.
"Mamma and papa used to call me Mayda," she explained. " I think maybe papa called me Théodwyn once when I had been wicked, though I didn't remember this until my uncle told me of my name..." At the door Eowyn let out a muffled anguished noise and rushed away. Mayda looked on Lothiriel tearfully. "She doesn't like me," she stated unhappily. Lothiriel quickly rushed to her side and wrapped and arm around the child's filthy shoulders.
"She misses your father," she said quickly. "They were very close once and I feel she still has not come to terms with the manner in which he was taken from us." At this Mayda looked oddly curious.
"Tell me," she said. Lothiriel backed away slightly. It wasn't really her place to explain everything to this child. "Mamma only ever told me he had died, she never told me how." Lothiriel still looked anxious. " I would really like to know." The child's face was set with not a glimmer of remorse. Mayda it would seem, unlike Eowyn, had come to terms with her father's death long ago.
"Very well," Lothiriel said and she looked in one of the cupboards for a towel. "I will tell you everything, though I would rather you bathed before I take you round Meduseld," she explained calmly and she led the child through to the small bathroom that accompanied the room. The sight of the bath made Mayda look wistful.
"I haven't had a bath since..." She fell silent and gladly took the towel from Lothiriel.
"I will wait outside and find something for you to wear," Lothiriel said and she closed the door behind her. Instantly she rushed to find her sister in law, which was made easy by the fact that Eowyn had only managed to take a few paces before crouching down to stifle her sobs.
"Oh dear sister," Lothiriel cooed and she put her arms around Eowyn's shoulder. "I am sorry, I did not know how hard you would find all this." Eowyn shook her head and wiped her tears on her sleeve.
"Nor did I, but she is so much like him Lothiriel! So much!" she cried and she got to her feet. "I had not expected it. If you do not mind I will return to my chambers. I must rest," she said sheepishly. Lothiriel nodded and led the way, helping the pregnant lady to a daybed in her chamber.
"I am going to tell her everything," Lothiriel stated as she helped Eowyn get comfortable. Eowyn looked resigned, but eventually nodded. " She wants to know everything right away, and I cannot keep it from her. From what Amling told us, it would seem my lord wishes us to tell her of her position and the choice she now holds." Both women looked anxious for a moment before Lothiriel backed away to the door. " Rest well sister," Lothiriel said softly before heading back to Mayda's chambers. Once here she looked back into the cupboard and found a simple dress that looked like it would fit the girl.
She walked over to the door and heard lots of splashes. A smile crept onto her face, evidently the little girl was enjoying this bath, so she left her to it and ambled along the corridor, looking at all the grand paintings. She came upon a portrait of Théodred and instantly she knew how to explain how he had passed to the girl. She waited a few more moments before she heard a door creak open, and turning around her eyes fell on a much more presentable young lady. Though the mass of tangles that lay below her shoulders needed to be cut. It would seem the girl knew it as she fumbled with the ends of a braid and hung her head slightly.
"Come on, let us get it over with," Lothiriel said fondly and she led the child back into the room. Within half an hour Lothiriel had cut off the offending tangles, leaving the girl with an extremely reasonable length of hair falling well below her shoulders. She worked some of it into two braids custom of the Rohirrim and finally they were done and ready for the tour that Lothiriel had in mind.
"Where are we going?" Mayda asked as Lothiriel led her through the breezy corridors.
"You will see shortly," Lothiriel explained. Within moments they had reached the door she sought and she led the girl inside the only library of Edoras. It was grand for the Rohirrim, and its centrepiece was a large mural that had been painted pride of place directly across from the door in the circular chamber. Lothiriel led a silenced Mayda to it and she knew it did not need explaining.
It depicted Théodred's valiant defeat. Mayda took in every detail, and she nodded to herself.
"I knew he died in battle," she said softly. "I just knew it. He was too strong to be killed any other way! He was the best." Lothiriel smiled wanly and crouched down at Mayda's side.
"There is something else that you must know Mayda, and I am rather surprised that you do not know it already," she said. Her words tore Mayda's gaze away from her father's mural and she looked questioningly to Lothiriel. "Did you not know who your father was to Rohan?" Mayda tilted her head to one side and nodded.
"Yes, he was a prince," she said obviously. Lothiriel smiled once more and shook her head.
"He was more than that Mayda, he was going to be King," she said softly. Mayda's eyes went wide and she stepped back.
"King?" she uttered. Lothiriel nodded.
"He was the son of the late King Théoden, my husband's uncle," Lothiriel carried on. "And he did not have any brothers or sisters. When Théodred died his father was distraught, he had come to what he believed was the end of his line." Mayda took another step backwards, already figuring out what Lothiriel was trying to tell her. "And when Théoden was taken in the great battle of the Pelennor fields, the Kingship passed to Éomer as there was none other from Théoden's line."
"But there was me," Mayda croaked, her voice seemingly deserting her. Lothiriel nodded apprehensively and she moved close, only to have the child pull away once more.
"There lies now a choice before you." Mayda shook her head and stepped backwards again, fear and anger crossing her face. "If you would wish it, then you could become a Ruling Queen."
"I don't want to," Mayda exclaimed angrily, hiding a secret fear that Lothiriel could not understand, and she took several steps backwards once more. There was now a great distance between the two. Secretly Lothiriel sighed with relief, but she did not show this on her face.
"That is why you have a choice Mayda, you may choose to reject if you will, and you will live here for the rest of your life if you would like to, as a princess of the Mark," Lothiriel explained and she climbed to her feet approaching the child, who this time, did not back away.
"Then that I will do," Mayda whispered and her anger and fear washed away, to be replaced by a gleeful grin. "So can I have my own horse?" she asked eagerly. Lothiriel laughed out loud and nodded.
"Of course, you may have anything you wish!" With this the pair left the library; Mayda in a state of euphoria and Lothiriel with an overwhelming desire to find out why this young girl was terrified of being granted the rule of Rohan. For now though, everything was working out splendidly.
X X X
More to come soon, not everything is as it seems.
Chapter Two
Mayda remained close to her uncle throughout the fray. She did not dare open her eyes, but managed to keep up with Éomer by hanging onto his arm alone. This did have the unfortunate effect of handicapping the King of the Mark, but fortunately they had not stepped ten paces outside the hut before Éomer's men returned to them. Amling, Éomer's highest-ranking rider personally escorted them to the horses they had left behind. It is here that Mayda eventually opened her eyes and she looked up in wonder at her brave uncle. He managed to smile at her before taking the shield from her and lifting her onto one of the horses. Turning on his trusted friend he placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Amling, I wish for you to do me a favour that is of grave importance to the Mark," he said. In an instant the hardened rider knew what his King was asking of him. His eyes flew to the bedraggled child that sat atop the steed who was watching them curiously. " I cannot leave the riders leaderless. My place is with them, and I would not trust none with the task of escorting this child back to Edoras, save you alone."
"You're not coming with me?" Mayda suddenly asked. Éomer looked on her gravely; she looked like the personification of abandonment. The King stepped forward and took his niece's hand in his own.
"I will come to you soon Mayda," he said vehemently. "You have my word on that! A king's place is with his people, how can I expect my rider's to fight in a battle that is not theirs, when their ruler flees from it?" Mayda stared at him once more in awe.
"You never said you were a king," she finally uttered with newfound reverence for her rescuer. Éomer smiled and stepped backwards.
"There is much for you to find out Mayda, and much for you to feel proud of," he said and he indicated to Amling to mount the horse behind his niece. "In Edoras you will meet my wife and sister, ask them anything you like and they will tell you of your great heritage!" With this he exchanged a significant look with Amling, who nodded in response before nudging the steed into a slow walk.
"Wait, when will I see you again?" she called back to her uncle, turning in the saddle so as to see him standing alone.
"When we have rid this land and I have avenged your mother's death," he called back lifting his hand in an effort to wave. " Go now, be safe!" Amling then nudged his steed once more and he rode the young heir out of the village and away from the only home she had ever known.
X X X
Lothiriel had not rested peacefully in days. Every time she attempted to close her eyes in an effort to sleep, her hands would trail helplessly to the other side of the bed, where grasping at the air they found nothing where her husband ought to be. This emptiness would bring her gasping from her dreams with a terrible sense of foreboding. So now she stood, swaying from exhaustion on the steps leading up to the Golden Hall. She would stand here many an afternoon, waiting for a herald or a messenger to bring word of her husband and his army.
"You know it has only been six days sister," a sweet voice came from behind the young queen. Lothiriel smiled dryly and nodded to herself.
"Is it really? Oh Eowyn, to me it feels as though an eternity has passed," she said sighing and she sat down wearily on the steps, lessening her fatigue slightly. Eowyn too lowered herself down next to her brother's beloved, only with much more difficulty that the queen had.
"Oh, I will be glad when my child is born," she chuckled. Lothiriel managed a meek grin and she looked at her panting sister-in-law.
"Is it really as awful as you make it out to be?" she asked fondly. Eowyn glowered at her, but a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.
"Sister it is as though I am continuously burdened with a half suit of armour. My back is aching from trying to keep upright. If only I could lie down on my front all day and be done with it," she grumbled. Lothiriel laughed out loud as she pictured the beautiful wife of Faramir splayed out on her front, balancing on her large bump.
"Oh well," she said cheerfully. " Not long now. You must be getting excited?" Eowyn smiled, but it was a smile tainted with an indescribable sadness.
"Yes in many ways," she replied. "But I do wish that my first child could be born in the home my dear husband and I have wrought. The heir to Ithilien ought really to be born in Ithilien think you not?" Lothiriel nodded in agreement. "But it seems that that will not come to pass. Even if our husbands conquer the foul people tomorrow, I do not think I could make the long journey back to Henneth Annun ere this child is born."
"It is not all bad sister. Perhaps selfishly, I am glad that I will be able to meet my nephew or niece as soon as they are born," Lothiriel said and she rubbed her friend's shoulder. "It will be all right Eowyn, he will be here to see his first child born." Eowyn looked at her in surprise, but it was not so strange that her close friend could read what was really troubling her. She instead nodded and looked out over the plains that surrounded Edoras. Frowning she heaved herself back onto her feet. Lothiriel followed her gaze and moments later she too had jumped to her feet.
They rushed down to the bottom of the stairs. Across the plains the rider was approaching with lightening speed. As soon as he came near enough to make out the small passenger he bore the two women looked to each other eagerly.
"They found her," Lothiriel exclaimed in an amazed way. Soon Amling had passed through the gates and ridden up the streets of Edoras to the two ladies, where he bowed his head to them.
"I come bearing news of the King my lady," he said addressing Lothiriel. " He remains to lead the Rohirrim against the foul people." Lothiriel nodded gravely, this at least she had anticipated. "He requested that I bear this child to safety and to ask you to teach her of her heritage." Once more Mayda did not notice the significant look that passed between Eowyn and Lothiriel.
"Thank you for bringing her safely to Edoras Amling," Eowyn said looking on the child gravely. Seeing her brought back many memories of her dear cousin, they brought tears to her eyes. She bit the inside of her mouth, which was all she could do to stop herself from looking away. Amling bowed his head once more and he jumped down, before reaching up and helping his young charge down. She clung nervously to him, refusing to let him go. Lothiriel saw this in an instant.
"Do not be afraid my child," she said soothingly and she crouched down to look the girl in the eye. 'What a precious little thing,' she thought to herself keenly. "My name is Lothiriel, I am the wife of Éomer. Won't you take my hand and let me welcome you to the Riddermark?" With this she held out a slender hand and watched while the little girl contemplated her proposal from behind her mask of dirt and blood. Eventually her question was answered as a much smaller grubbier hand reached out and grasped Lothiriel's with desperation. As Mayda let go of her companion she turned and bowed her head to the tall rider.
"Thank you," she whispered. He bowed his head also, wondering why this child was so important to the King that he would travel across the land to find her and bring her to safety. With this he took his leave, intending on resting a mere few hours and changing steeds before riding out to find his King and the Rohirrim.
Lothiriel led the timid child into the grand hall and allowed her a moment to stare in wonder at the grand surroundings before leading her away down one of the corridors. Eowyn followed at a distance watching the little girl intently. Not a part of her doubted that she was the child they had sought. Her eyes gave her away. Surprisingly Eowyn could not approach, it pained her too much. She had been close to her cousin and thought of him as much of a brother as Éomer was to her.
Lothiriel led the girl to the room she had prepared for her. It was only three doors down from the royal chambers and had a lovely outlook. When the child laid eyes on the luxuries she had once known in her home tears welled up in her eyes, but she staved them ere they could fall and turned to face the kind woman. She decided that she liked Lothiriel, though she feared Eowyn. 'She doesn't like me,' Mayda thought sadly when she caught Eowyn hovering at the door and giving her an unreadable look.
"Do you think you could be comfortable here Théodwyn?" Lothiriel asked. Mayda nodded and laughed once more.
"Mamma and papa used to call me Mayda," she explained. " I think maybe papa called me Théodwyn once when I had been wicked, though I didn't remember this until my uncle told me of my name..." At the door Eowyn let out a muffled anguished noise and rushed away. Mayda looked on Lothiriel tearfully. "She doesn't like me," she stated unhappily. Lothiriel quickly rushed to her side and wrapped and arm around the child's filthy shoulders.
"She misses your father," she said quickly. "They were very close once and I feel she still has not come to terms with the manner in which he was taken from us." At this Mayda looked oddly curious.
"Tell me," she said. Lothiriel backed away slightly. It wasn't really her place to explain everything to this child. "Mamma only ever told me he had died, she never told me how." Lothiriel still looked anxious. " I would really like to know." The child's face was set with not a glimmer of remorse. Mayda it would seem, unlike Eowyn, had come to terms with her father's death long ago.
"Very well," Lothiriel said and she looked in one of the cupboards for a towel. "I will tell you everything, though I would rather you bathed before I take you round Meduseld," she explained calmly and she led the child through to the small bathroom that accompanied the room. The sight of the bath made Mayda look wistful.
"I haven't had a bath since..." She fell silent and gladly took the towel from Lothiriel.
"I will wait outside and find something for you to wear," Lothiriel said and she closed the door behind her. Instantly she rushed to find her sister in law, which was made easy by the fact that Eowyn had only managed to take a few paces before crouching down to stifle her sobs.
"Oh dear sister," Lothiriel cooed and she put her arms around Eowyn's shoulder. "I am sorry, I did not know how hard you would find all this." Eowyn shook her head and wiped her tears on her sleeve.
"Nor did I, but she is so much like him Lothiriel! So much!" she cried and she got to her feet. "I had not expected it. If you do not mind I will return to my chambers. I must rest," she said sheepishly. Lothiriel nodded and led the way, helping the pregnant lady to a daybed in her chamber.
"I am going to tell her everything," Lothiriel stated as she helped Eowyn get comfortable. Eowyn looked resigned, but eventually nodded. " She wants to know everything right away, and I cannot keep it from her. From what Amling told us, it would seem my lord wishes us to tell her of her position and the choice she now holds." Both women looked anxious for a moment before Lothiriel backed away to the door. " Rest well sister," Lothiriel said softly before heading back to Mayda's chambers. Once here she looked back into the cupboard and found a simple dress that looked like it would fit the girl.
She walked over to the door and heard lots of splashes. A smile crept onto her face, evidently the little girl was enjoying this bath, so she left her to it and ambled along the corridor, looking at all the grand paintings. She came upon a portrait of Théodred and instantly she knew how to explain how he had passed to the girl. She waited a few more moments before she heard a door creak open, and turning around her eyes fell on a much more presentable young lady. Though the mass of tangles that lay below her shoulders needed to be cut. It would seem the girl knew it as she fumbled with the ends of a braid and hung her head slightly.
"Come on, let us get it over with," Lothiriel said fondly and she led the child back into the room. Within half an hour Lothiriel had cut off the offending tangles, leaving the girl with an extremely reasonable length of hair falling well below her shoulders. She worked some of it into two braids custom of the Rohirrim and finally they were done and ready for the tour that Lothiriel had in mind.
"Where are we going?" Mayda asked as Lothiriel led her through the breezy corridors.
"You will see shortly," Lothiriel explained. Within moments they had reached the door she sought and she led the girl inside the only library of Edoras. It was grand for the Rohirrim, and its centrepiece was a large mural that had been painted pride of place directly across from the door in the circular chamber. Lothiriel led a silenced Mayda to it and she knew it did not need explaining.
It depicted Théodred's valiant defeat. Mayda took in every detail, and she nodded to herself.
"I knew he died in battle," she said softly. "I just knew it. He was too strong to be killed any other way! He was the best." Lothiriel smiled wanly and crouched down at Mayda's side.
"There is something else that you must know Mayda, and I am rather surprised that you do not know it already," she said. Her words tore Mayda's gaze away from her father's mural and she looked questioningly to Lothiriel. "Did you not know who your father was to Rohan?" Mayda tilted her head to one side and nodded.
"Yes, he was a prince," she said obviously. Lothiriel smiled once more and shook her head.
"He was more than that Mayda, he was going to be King," she said softly. Mayda's eyes went wide and she stepped back.
"King?" she uttered. Lothiriel nodded.
"He was the son of the late King Théoden, my husband's uncle," Lothiriel carried on. "And he did not have any brothers or sisters. When Théodred died his father was distraught, he had come to what he believed was the end of his line." Mayda took another step backwards, already figuring out what Lothiriel was trying to tell her. "And when Théoden was taken in the great battle of the Pelennor fields, the Kingship passed to Éomer as there was none other from Théoden's line."
"But there was me," Mayda croaked, her voice seemingly deserting her. Lothiriel nodded apprehensively and she moved close, only to have the child pull away once more.
"There lies now a choice before you." Mayda shook her head and stepped backwards again, fear and anger crossing her face. "If you would wish it, then you could become a Ruling Queen."
"I don't want to," Mayda exclaimed angrily, hiding a secret fear that Lothiriel could not understand, and she took several steps backwards once more. There was now a great distance between the two. Secretly Lothiriel sighed with relief, but she did not show this on her face.
"That is why you have a choice Mayda, you may choose to reject if you will, and you will live here for the rest of your life if you would like to, as a princess of the Mark," Lothiriel explained and she climbed to her feet approaching the child, who this time, did not back away.
"Then that I will do," Mayda whispered and her anger and fear washed away, to be replaced by a gleeful grin. "So can I have my own horse?" she asked eagerly. Lothiriel laughed out loud and nodded.
"Of course, you may have anything you wish!" With this the pair left the library; Mayda in a state of euphoria and Lothiriel with an overwhelming desire to find out why this young girl was terrified of being granted the rule of Rohan. For now though, everything was working out splendidly.
X X X
More to come soon, not everything is as it seems.