Thank you so much for the reviews. Haldir's Heart and Soul – thank you so
much for reviewing every chapter :)
Lady scribe of avandell – Thanks for pointing those out, it was so late when I was typing that last chapter that I hurried it. I've gone back and corrected the errors now.
The heir of Théodred
Chapter Six
As Mayda woke from her sickly stupor the sun had long risen and the tips of her toes were basked in the warmth of the sunlight that was creeping through her shutters. She tried to sit up, but was momentarily overcome by dizziness, causing her to fall onto her side.
"Come on Mayda," she muttered to herself and she sat up once more, only this time more slowly, steadying her aching head as she went. Pulling a blanket around her shoulders she jumped down off her bed into her boots before heading out into the eerily silent corridor.
"Hello?" she called wearily. "Is anyone about?" Silence. Frowning, the young girl dragged her feet along the corridor listening out for anything that might imply that everyone hadn't deserted her in the night. Finally as she reached the great hall she heard jubilant voices and she leaned heavily into the door to see who was inside. Seeing only courtiers she turned to leave, but was hailed by some before she could close the door.
"Young Mayda, have you heard?" one she knew rather well called to her. The girl wrapped her blanket tighter around her shoulders before slinking out to greet her friend. She sat down at his table and accepted the bread and ham being pushed across the table to her. As she looked on it she suddenly realised that she was starving.
"Have I heard what?" she asked before greedily tucking into her meal.
"I cannot believe that you have not heard it," the courtier chuckled, earning him a reproving stare from the youngster. " Lady Eowyn has given birth this morning," he announced and at his words a joyous cheer went round the hall. Mayda spluttered on her mouthful and had to gulp down an entire mug of water before her throat was soothed.
"She has her baby?" she asked quickly. "What is it? Is it healthy? Is my aunt fairing well?" The courtiers laughed once more at the young princess. "Oh please kind sir wont you tell me?"
"Very well my lady," the courtier laughed. "Lord Faramir and Lady Eowyn have indeed had their child and I am delighted to inform you that it is a son and entirely healthy. Your aunt fairs very well indeed, though I doubt you will find any awake at this hour. Not four hours have passed since his happy event and I believe all are still asleep," he explained. Mayda nodded in understanding, though she felt the giddiness rising like flutters in her stomach. From this hour to the next she bothered everyone, from the courtiers, to the horse-masters, the villagers, and even the kitchen staff. The young girl was too excited to remain still and eventually one of the villagers, old master Halethson, distracted her with the season's newborn pups. It was enough to still the child and gave the people of Edoras a few moments of peace.
Though many were also glad in their frustration. It had been a long time since any had encountered the joyous young rascal, as she had taken to sheltering away in the Golden Hall. Many suspected that all was not right with the young princess and pondered at the mysterious rider who had come into their midst a fortnight ago. Where Maydir was this fine afternoon, none could say. He had all but vanished, riding out early that morning heading east, leaving only the message that he would return.
Eventually once the sun had started its descent several cheers went up from the great hall. Mayda looked up from her little friends and knew that could mean only one thing. So she leapt to her feet and ran up to the doors of Meduseld. As she burst in she found the way blocked by dozens of people. It took her a while to push through them all, but eventually she reached the front and her eyes fell on her uncle Éomer presenting Eowyn to the court. Wrapped up in a blanket a little baby struggled. Mayda had never been near a baby before. She had been one of the youngest children in her village. She approached the thrones tentatively and rushed to stand beside Lothiriel, who was holding out her hand to the girl. The pair grinned happily to each other and waited until Eowyn had greeted her friends of old before heading back towards her chambers. Once they had passed out of the great hall Faramir took his son tenderly from his wife and looked on him once more with wonder. He exchanged a proud smile with Eowyn before taking Elboron back to the nursery.
Eowyn held back as the others followed Faramir and she placed a hand on Mayda's back to stop her, but taken by surprise Mayda winced. Eowyn furrowed her brow in suspicion, but she said nothing and led her niece in the opposite direction to the one the others had gone. Soon they had reached a long corridor lined with grand and imposing portraits of the long lost kings of old.
"I want to tell you a story Mayda," Eowyn finally said and her tone displayed none of the forced-kindness Mayda was accustomed to. She looked up at her aunt and was greeted with a truly fond smile. " I have spoken with my dear sister and I can not possibly understand why no one has told you this tale before." Eowyn stopped walking and she pointed up at a painting that stood out from the rest. It depicted a scene atop a grand hill and showed two figures standing opposite each other, one with a mighty sword held high.
"I have seen this before my lady," Mayda said softly. " Though I never knew what it meant." Eowyn looked slightly pained for a moment and she crouched down with difficulty, as she was still sore from her ordeal.
"My dear child," she whispered and she took the girl's hands in her own. " Will you not call me aunt?" Mayda looked into her aunt's deep blue eyes and saw the friendship that lay there.
"Of course," the little girl finally whispered and before Eowyn realised what was going on the girl had thrown her arms around her neck. Eowyn smiled as her eyes prickled with the makings of tears. Now at last she could finally lay Théodred's ghost to rest.
"Come now, I must tell you of Cirion and Eorl," Eowyn said before she could let the tears fall and she climbed to her feet taking Mayda's hand once more. "For that is who these two legendary men are, see here they stand on the Halfirien, or the Amon Anwar as our brothers in Gondor so call it. This painting tells of the very beginnings of our Kingdom Mayda, this is where your heritage began..."
X X X
"Aunt Eowyn is the best storyteller ever!" Mayda exclaimed resolutely once she had found Lothiriel in a sitting room. The young queen looked up in surprise as Mayda rushed in. "She made it so exciting auntie, if only she were my teacher and not that boring old..." Someone cleared their voice from the other side of the room and the girl spun round to see her uncle holding a scroll and conferring with none other than the lore master. Mayda's cheeks went bright and she sank down on the divan next to her highly amused aunt. The aged scholar quickly excused himself and he could be heard ranting loudly about 'ingrates' as he stalked away. Mayda stayed sunken into the cushions until Éomer stepped into her eye line and sat down opposite her.
"And I believed Master Éorelson to be a liar when he wrote to me complaining of your behaviour," he reprimanded mildly, though Lothiriel could see how difficult he was finding trying to mask his amusement. Mayda sighed dramatically and sat up.
"Well he is boring," she complained. " And old," she added pointedly looking to Lothiriel for support. The young woman smiled charmingly.
"Oh yes, very old indeed," she said adamantly. Éomer glared at his wife childishly, before looking back on his resolute niece.
"That may be, though I am sure he does not appreciate it being pointed out every other day." Mayda crossed her arms and leant back once more. " If he too chooses to leave and join his companions in Minas Tirith then I will not know what to do with you." The girl rolled her eyes and nodded, upset that not one adult could see that the lore master was so obviously against her.
"There is something we wanted to ask you darling," Lothiriel said gently, trying to sooth the petulant child. Mayda looked up at her aunt curiously. "Well it seems that some time this morning your uncle rose before the sun and fled from Edoras." At the mention of Maydir the little girl seized up and a look of fear crossed her face, before it faded into a well-practised calm expression, though not before Éomer could register her reaction.
"Do you know where he has gone, I was under the impression that he wished to have council with me?" Éomer asked. Mayda shook her head earnestly, a small smile forming on her lips.
"May I be excused?" she asked sounding strained. Éomer looked at her intently for a moment.
"Mayda you do know that you may tell me anything you like and I will always listen," he eventually said. The child faltered for a moment, but eventually nodded before getting to her feet with an expectant expression. "Yes of course you may go." With this it took her moments to skip out of the room into the empty corridor, where she leant against the wall for a moment panting hard. Had he finally gone for good? Feeling elated she charged through the corridors until she reached her uncle's room. Finding it devoid of personal affects she dared to hope that perhaps at last she was free, but then her eyes fell on a letter lying on the windowsill, fluttering lightly in the breeze.
Mayda's face fell and her chest started resonating with the rapid meticulous drumming of her heart. Gulping back a shudder she stepped forward and reached out to pick up the letter. It fell open in her hand and her uncle's rough script filled the parchment. Biting her lip she began to read his message. Before she could reach the end a sob wracked her body and she dropped the parchment to the floor before running out into the glorious summer's evening, but no amount of the waning sunshine could bring a smile to the little girl's face.
She made her way down the familiar route from the Golden Hall to the Gate of Edoras without being disturbed and finally came to howes she had lain with for many hours only the day before. Picking a simbelmynë, she began pacing the weathered path to the howe she had visited many a time. It was here, even more so than in the library, that she truly felt close to her father, where she truly felt safe.
"Hello papa," she said softly, kneeling down on the gentle slope at the base of the howe. "He hasn't gone," she uttered fearfully and she dropped the flower she grasped onto the hillock, watching it tumble in the breeze until it landed gently amongst the others. "And I have not the heart to tell my uncle what he is...he says he will kill me if I tell, kill...kill them! I don't know what to do..." She trailed off and lay down against the slope looking up at the vast blueness of the sky. "What would you have done?" Somewhere up above she imagined the kindly face she remembered smiling down on her and for a while the memory of her father stilled all her fears and kept out the dark.
X X X
Brother and sister stood side-by-side looking over the howes from far above. Éomer had gone to his sister as soon as his niece had fled to fully discuss what had occurred during his absence, only to find her seeking him out to discuss exactly the same thing.
"You need not worry, she often goes to his grave," Eowyn explained seeing the concerned look on her brother's face as they watched the little white- clad figure splayed out on the roof of the howe. " Though something is amiss brother, when I touched her back she recoiled in pain...or fear, and I will never forget the look on her face when Maydir arrived. I have seen it many a time, when our people were on the run from the foul folk! She is deathly afraid of him, yet will not have him sent away." Éomer sighed and shook his head.
"I will talk with her," he said eventually turning away from the window. " Whether it takes me ten days or ten years, I will find out what secret they share." He looked into his sister's eyes and smiled. "Come now sister, let us go and see to your son. I am sure Faramir will be at his wits' end by now and will not know what to do with young Elboron." Eowyn laughed heartily and playfully slapped her brother's arm.
"You need not belittle him so, he is a very wise man," she said through a sincerely happy smile. Éomer feigned surprise.
"Truly? I would be surprised if he even knew which end of a baby was which."
X X X
Lady scribe of avandell – Thanks for pointing those out, it was so late when I was typing that last chapter that I hurried it. I've gone back and corrected the errors now.
The heir of Théodred
Chapter Six
As Mayda woke from her sickly stupor the sun had long risen and the tips of her toes were basked in the warmth of the sunlight that was creeping through her shutters. She tried to sit up, but was momentarily overcome by dizziness, causing her to fall onto her side.
"Come on Mayda," she muttered to herself and she sat up once more, only this time more slowly, steadying her aching head as she went. Pulling a blanket around her shoulders she jumped down off her bed into her boots before heading out into the eerily silent corridor.
"Hello?" she called wearily. "Is anyone about?" Silence. Frowning, the young girl dragged her feet along the corridor listening out for anything that might imply that everyone hadn't deserted her in the night. Finally as she reached the great hall she heard jubilant voices and she leaned heavily into the door to see who was inside. Seeing only courtiers she turned to leave, but was hailed by some before she could close the door.
"Young Mayda, have you heard?" one she knew rather well called to her. The girl wrapped her blanket tighter around her shoulders before slinking out to greet her friend. She sat down at his table and accepted the bread and ham being pushed across the table to her. As she looked on it she suddenly realised that she was starving.
"Have I heard what?" she asked before greedily tucking into her meal.
"I cannot believe that you have not heard it," the courtier chuckled, earning him a reproving stare from the youngster. " Lady Eowyn has given birth this morning," he announced and at his words a joyous cheer went round the hall. Mayda spluttered on her mouthful and had to gulp down an entire mug of water before her throat was soothed.
"She has her baby?" she asked quickly. "What is it? Is it healthy? Is my aunt fairing well?" The courtiers laughed once more at the young princess. "Oh please kind sir wont you tell me?"
"Very well my lady," the courtier laughed. "Lord Faramir and Lady Eowyn have indeed had their child and I am delighted to inform you that it is a son and entirely healthy. Your aunt fairs very well indeed, though I doubt you will find any awake at this hour. Not four hours have passed since his happy event and I believe all are still asleep," he explained. Mayda nodded in understanding, though she felt the giddiness rising like flutters in her stomach. From this hour to the next she bothered everyone, from the courtiers, to the horse-masters, the villagers, and even the kitchen staff. The young girl was too excited to remain still and eventually one of the villagers, old master Halethson, distracted her with the season's newborn pups. It was enough to still the child and gave the people of Edoras a few moments of peace.
Though many were also glad in their frustration. It had been a long time since any had encountered the joyous young rascal, as she had taken to sheltering away in the Golden Hall. Many suspected that all was not right with the young princess and pondered at the mysterious rider who had come into their midst a fortnight ago. Where Maydir was this fine afternoon, none could say. He had all but vanished, riding out early that morning heading east, leaving only the message that he would return.
Eventually once the sun had started its descent several cheers went up from the great hall. Mayda looked up from her little friends and knew that could mean only one thing. So she leapt to her feet and ran up to the doors of Meduseld. As she burst in she found the way blocked by dozens of people. It took her a while to push through them all, but eventually she reached the front and her eyes fell on her uncle Éomer presenting Eowyn to the court. Wrapped up in a blanket a little baby struggled. Mayda had never been near a baby before. She had been one of the youngest children in her village. She approached the thrones tentatively and rushed to stand beside Lothiriel, who was holding out her hand to the girl. The pair grinned happily to each other and waited until Eowyn had greeted her friends of old before heading back towards her chambers. Once they had passed out of the great hall Faramir took his son tenderly from his wife and looked on him once more with wonder. He exchanged a proud smile with Eowyn before taking Elboron back to the nursery.
Eowyn held back as the others followed Faramir and she placed a hand on Mayda's back to stop her, but taken by surprise Mayda winced. Eowyn furrowed her brow in suspicion, but she said nothing and led her niece in the opposite direction to the one the others had gone. Soon they had reached a long corridor lined with grand and imposing portraits of the long lost kings of old.
"I want to tell you a story Mayda," Eowyn finally said and her tone displayed none of the forced-kindness Mayda was accustomed to. She looked up at her aunt and was greeted with a truly fond smile. " I have spoken with my dear sister and I can not possibly understand why no one has told you this tale before." Eowyn stopped walking and she pointed up at a painting that stood out from the rest. It depicted a scene atop a grand hill and showed two figures standing opposite each other, one with a mighty sword held high.
"I have seen this before my lady," Mayda said softly. " Though I never knew what it meant." Eowyn looked slightly pained for a moment and she crouched down with difficulty, as she was still sore from her ordeal.
"My dear child," she whispered and she took the girl's hands in her own. " Will you not call me aunt?" Mayda looked into her aunt's deep blue eyes and saw the friendship that lay there.
"Of course," the little girl finally whispered and before Eowyn realised what was going on the girl had thrown her arms around her neck. Eowyn smiled as her eyes prickled with the makings of tears. Now at last she could finally lay Théodred's ghost to rest.
"Come now, I must tell you of Cirion and Eorl," Eowyn said before she could let the tears fall and she climbed to her feet taking Mayda's hand once more. "For that is who these two legendary men are, see here they stand on the Halfirien, or the Amon Anwar as our brothers in Gondor so call it. This painting tells of the very beginnings of our Kingdom Mayda, this is where your heritage began..."
X X X
"Aunt Eowyn is the best storyteller ever!" Mayda exclaimed resolutely once she had found Lothiriel in a sitting room. The young queen looked up in surprise as Mayda rushed in. "She made it so exciting auntie, if only she were my teacher and not that boring old..." Someone cleared their voice from the other side of the room and the girl spun round to see her uncle holding a scroll and conferring with none other than the lore master. Mayda's cheeks went bright and she sank down on the divan next to her highly amused aunt. The aged scholar quickly excused himself and he could be heard ranting loudly about 'ingrates' as he stalked away. Mayda stayed sunken into the cushions until Éomer stepped into her eye line and sat down opposite her.
"And I believed Master Éorelson to be a liar when he wrote to me complaining of your behaviour," he reprimanded mildly, though Lothiriel could see how difficult he was finding trying to mask his amusement. Mayda sighed dramatically and sat up.
"Well he is boring," she complained. " And old," she added pointedly looking to Lothiriel for support. The young woman smiled charmingly.
"Oh yes, very old indeed," she said adamantly. Éomer glared at his wife childishly, before looking back on his resolute niece.
"That may be, though I am sure he does not appreciate it being pointed out every other day." Mayda crossed her arms and leant back once more. " If he too chooses to leave and join his companions in Minas Tirith then I will not know what to do with you." The girl rolled her eyes and nodded, upset that not one adult could see that the lore master was so obviously against her.
"There is something we wanted to ask you darling," Lothiriel said gently, trying to sooth the petulant child. Mayda looked up at her aunt curiously. "Well it seems that some time this morning your uncle rose before the sun and fled from Edoras." At the mention of Maydir the little girl seized up and a look of fear crossed her face, before it faded into a well-practised calm expression, though not before Éomer could register her reaction.
"Do you know where he has gone, I was under the impression that he wished to have council with me?" Éomer asked. Mayda shook her head earnestly, a small smile forming on her lips.
"May I be excused?" she asked sounding strained. Éomer looked at her intently for a moment.
"Mayda you do know that you may tell me anything you like and I will always listen," he eventually said. The child faltered for a moment, but eventually nodded before getting to her feet with an expectant expression. "Yes of course you may go." With this it took her moments to skip out of the room into the empty corridor, where she leant against the wall for a moment panting hard. Had he finally gone for good? Feeling elated she charged through the corridors until she reached her uncle's room. Finding it devoid of personal affects she dared to hope that perhaps at last she was free, but then her eyes fell on a letter lying on the windowsill, fluttering lightly in the breeze.
Mayda's face fell and her chest started resonating with the rapid meticulous drumming of her heart. Gulping back a shudder she stepped forward and reached out to pick up the letter. It fell open in her hand and her uncle's rough script filled the parchment. Biting her lip she began to read his message. Before she could reach the end a sob wracked her body and she dropped the parchment to the floor before running out into the glorious summer's evening, but no amount of the waning sunshine could bring a smile to the little girl's face.
She made her way down the familiar route from the Golden Hall to the Gate of Edoras without being disturbed and finally came to howes she had lain with for many hours only the day before. Picking a simbelmynë, she began pacing the weathered path to the howe she had visited many a time. It was here, even more so than in the library, that she truly felt close to her father, where she truly felt safe.
"Hello papa," she said softly, kneeling down on the gentle slope at the base of the howe. "He hasn't gone," she uttered fearfully and she dropped the flower she grasped onto the hillock, watching it tumble in the breeze until it landed gently amongst the others. "And I have not the heart to tell my uncle what he is...he says he will kill me if I tell, kill...kill them! I don't know what to do..." She trailed off and lay down against the slope looking up at the vast blueness of the sky. "What would you have done?" Somewhere up above she imagined the kindly face she remembered smiling down on her and for a while the memory of her father stilled all her fears and kept out the dark.
X X X
Brother and sister stood side-by-side looking over the howes from far above. Éomer had gone to his sister as soon as his niece had fled to fully discuss what had occurred during his absence, only to find her seeking him out to discuss exactly the same thing.
"You need not worry, she often goes to his grave," Eowyn explained seeing the concerned look on her brother's face as they watched the little white- clad figure splayed out on the roof of the howe. " Though something is amiss brother, when I touched her back she recoiled in pain...or fear, and I will never forget the look on her face when Maydir arrived. I have seen it many a time, when our people were on the run from the foul folk! She is deathly afraid of him, yet will not have him sent away." Éomer sighed and shook his head.
"I will talk with her," he said eventually turning away from the window. " Whether it takes me ten days or ten years, I will find out what secret they share." He looked into his sister's eyes and smiled. "Come now sister, let us go and see to your son. I am sure Faramir will be at his wits' end by now and will not know what to do with young Elboron." Eowyn laughed heartily and playfully slapped her brother's arm.
"You need not belittle him so, he is a very wise man," she said through a sincerely happy smile. Éomer feigned surprise.
"Truly? I would be surprised if he even knew which end of a baby was which."
X X X