Thank you once more for the reviews and I apologise again for the short
chapter, I must be going through it too fast, because I've planned what is
going to be in each chapter, but they're turning out pretty short... :/
The heir of Théodred
Chapter Eleven
Éomer's eyes flew to the treacherous dog who stood with a smirk on his greasy face. The king jumped to his feet and pointed furiously at him, his face radiating the rage that was making his head throb.
"Imprison this man," he ordered. Guards rushed forward, but Maydir jumped backwards looking confused.
"Well what have I done your Majesty?" he asked glibly. Éomer could not find the words to answer him, so instead he flicked his wrist urging the guards to continue. So they did and Maydir would not go lightly.
"You tell them to release me girl!" he shouted. "I will not be treated this way. You will regret this Éomer..." With this his words turned into muffled noise as he was dragged further into Meduseld. Once silence had fallen Éomer looked down on the shaking form of his niece.
"Come with me," he said softly, looking behind to give Lothiriel a pleading look, noticing for the first time that his wife had been crying softly. She rushed forward to her husband's comfort and together they led the wreck of a girl to Éomer's study, which was by far the closest room where they could talk in private.
"Let us see," Lothiriel said as soon as Éomer had pushed the door shut. Mayda took several steps backward and feigned a very poor confused expression.
"See what?" the girl asked.
"See what that animal has done to you!" Éomer roared, his anger now passing onto Mayda for her stubbornness.
"He has done nothing," she snapped, her eyes locking onto Éomer's.
"Then why have you changed your mind?" Lothiriel asked dropping to her knees by the girl's side. Mayda could not meet her eyes, such was her shame. "You did not want it, you were afraid of the rule. Why do you suddenly wish it?" Mayda's lower lip trembled and she shook her head.
"My father..." She paused and shook her head. No, she would not lie about Théodred, she would not bring him into this. "I just do!" Éomer closed his eyes to push away the tears that were forming. He was helpless.
"I told you I would protect you if you wish for him to sent away," he finally murmured, opening his eyes to see the anger on Mayda's face. It was a sight he would never have wished to see when this anger was directed at him, but he did not close his eyes again.
Mayda felt an incredibly hurt welling up in her chest, sobs were imminent. How could her uncle claim he would protect her, when he had not done so already? She ignored the small voice telling her he had not been able to as she had lied about her uncle in the first place, but her pain and anger was too fresh to listen to it.
"You will release him," she finally uttered. "He has done nothing wrong." With this she ran from the room, trying to stifle her sobs, but hallways out of the door she failed and the sound of her weeping softly drifted away as she headed out to the howes. Lothiriel walked over to Éomer helplessly, tears coursing down her cheeks.
"Éomer..." she whispered. Within seconds she was pulled into a powerful embrace and she buried her face in his chest. "What are we going to do?"
X X X
There was nothing that could be done if Mayda would not tell the truth. Maydir was released and in his anger forbade the King from seeing his niece. After several days this rule was eased to forbidding the king to ever be on his own with his niece. Maydir was always present, so it was impossible for Éomer to speak with her. The reluctant planning of her coronation was underway and the grieved villagers informed. Rarely could you find smiles in Edoras.
In this turbulent time mere days before the coronation a lone rider approached the village. Disinterested faces watched as the hooded rider passed them all heading up to the Golden Hall. It seemed not even the guards at the Golden Hall raised their heads to the white rider passing between them to enter the hall where many were dining. Once inside the rider locked eyes on the person they had travelled so far to meet and they threw their hood off.
"Lady Eowyn," Many shocked voices chorused. Eowyn greeted them kindly, though she never tore her gaze from the little girl that was shaking under her gaze. As she approached she noticed out of the corner of her eye that Maydir was looking slightly afraid also. 'And so you should be,' Eowyn thought maliciously. Finally she reached the pair sitting alone and she contorted her face into a smile.
"Mayda, will you not walk with me my darling?" she asked innocently. Mayda looked to her uncle with a glimmer of hope, but Maydir was looking fierce.
"I do not permit her to be left on her own with other people," he said calmly. "Never know what might happen..." Eowyn smiled sweetly.
"Very well, then you will walk with us." There was no arguing with her tone and both Maydir and Mayda got to their feet and followed Eowyn surprisingly into the corridors, rather than out of the door. Eowyn pulled Mayda ahead and they walked with Maydir stalking along behind them. They walked deeper and deeper into Meduseld, to places where Mayda had not been, let alone Maydir who had not explored the palace at all. Finally they reached a corner and Eowyn 'accidentally' knocked over a large statue, barring Maydir's way. She continued her pace with the girl and rounded the corner, leaving Maydir screaming abuse behind them. Finally he escaped his cage and he dashed round the corner to find...
"Where are you?" he shouted into the dark ad empty corridor. He started wildly looking in rooms to find nothing more but emptiness. " Damn you woman, bring her back!"
X X X
Eowyn covered Mayda's mouth as they walked single file down the space between the walls. It was unnecessary though as the girl was too shocked and excited to speak. She had not known that there were secret passageways in Meduseld and for a moment her curiosity won over her fear and anger. Finally Eowyn found the secret door she was looking for and she ushered the pair of them out into the open air. Both blinked rapidly in the bright sunshine, but Eowyn was ushering Mayda down towards the city gate. Neither spoke until they were seated on the grass beside a howe. It was not Théodred's.
"I am very disappointed in you Mayda," Eowyn said sadly. The girl closed her eyes in pain, stung by these words. She looked to the howe for distraction. She could not remember properly, though she thought it might house Théoden, her grandfather.
"That is not important," Mayda finally whispered.
"It is for you," Eowyn countered. "I know it pains you to be separated from those you love." Tears stung at Mayda's eyes. "Many years ago I was as a daughter to my uncle." Eowyn now looked to the howe and stroked the flowers appreciatively. "I would not dream of hurting him."
"I..." Mayda began, but she could not say anything. Eowyn looked up in desperation, she could hear the angry shouting of Maydir approaching.
"Éomer and Lothiriel see you as a daughter Mayda!" she said desperately, reaching out and taking Mayda's hand. "Do not wound them so, they have done nothing but protect you and love you. It is no their fault that you hid the truth from them and they left you with..." Mayda was lifted to the air roughly from behind. She twisted her neck and her eyes fell on Maydir glowering at Eowyn.
"That is the last straw," he hissed. "None of you may see her before the ceremony! None!" he shouted and dragged a very confused child up to the palace where he locked her in her room alone with Eowyn's words whirring round her head.
"They think of me as a daughter," she whispered tearfully. "Oh what have I done?"
X X X
Maydir was true to his word and Mayda had contact with none save him alone before the coronation. Upon the morning of the ceremony waiting ladies dressed the girl in her fineries, with Maydir waiting outside his ear pressed against the door to hear if they were talking, which he had strictly forbidden.
Once the girl was dressed she waited alone behind a locked door, until finally bells started chiming signifying the ceremony had started. The door flew open and Maydir was waiting there, a manic grin on his face.
"It is time," he said joyously. Mayda sighed heavily before stepping forward and allowing herself to be led to the great hall. Upon entering Mayda could do nothing but hang her head. So many had turned out for the event, but all showed nothing save contempt and grief on their faces. They loved their king.
It seemed to take an age before finally she reached the platform that housed the thrones and she turned round to face the crowds. She had to hold back tears when she did not see her uncle or aunt amongst the crowds, but she did not falter and the ceremony began.
Halfway through the main doors opened and a solitary figure walked in. They were clad heavily in armour and helm, so none could see his face, but the sight of him brought memories flooding back to the little girl.
'I am not going to hurt you child... I am looking for you... my name is Éomer, and I was your father's cousin...' Mayda closed her eyes in grief and she was back there, at his side as he single-handedly beat the foul folk back, keeping an iron grip on her shoulder so as she would come to no harm.
'Whatever happens Mayda, do not let go...'
"No!"
X X X
The story is drawing to an end, but there is one twist left...
The heir of Théodred
Chapter Eleven
Éomer's eyes flew to the treacherous dog who stood with a smirk on his greasy face. The king jumped to his feet and pointed furiously at him, his face radiating the rage that was making his head throb.
"Imprison this man," he ordered. Guards rushed forward, but Maydir jumped backwards looking confused.
"Well what have I done your Majesty?" he asked glibly. Éomer could not find the words to answer him, so instead he flicked his wrist urging the guards to continue. So they did and Maydir would not go lightly.
"You tell them to release me girl!" he shouted. "I will not be treated this way. You will regret this Éomer..." With this his words turned into muffled noise as he was dragged further into Meduseld. Once silence had fallen Éomer looked down on the shaking form of his niece.
"Come with me," he said softly, looking behind to give Lothiriel a pleading look, noticing for the first time that his wife had been crying softly. She rushed forward to her husband's comfort and together they led the wreck of a girl to Éomer's study, which was by far the closest room where they could talk in private.
"Let us see," Lothiriel said as soon as Éomer had pushed the door shut. Mayda took several steps backward and feigned a very poor confused expression.
"See what?" the girl asked.
"See what that animal has done to you!" Éomer roared, his anger now passing onto Mayda for her stubbornness.
"He has done nothing," she snapped, her eyes locking onto Éomer's.
"Then why have you changed your mind?" Lothiriel asked dropping to her knees by the girl's side. Mayda could not meet her eyes, such was her shame. "You did not want it, you were afraid of the rule. Why do you suddenly wish it?" Mayda's lower lip trembled and she shook her head.
"My father..." She paused and shook her head. No, she would not lie about Théodred, she would not bring him into this. "I just do!" Éomer closed his eyes to push away the tears that were forming. He was helpless.
"I told you I would protect you if you wish for him to sent away," he finally murmured, opening his eyes to see the anger on Mayda's face. It was a sight he would never have wished to see when this anger was directed at him, but he did not close his eyes again.
Mayda felt an incredibly hurt welling up in her chest, sobs were imminent. How could her uncle claim he would protect her, when he had not done so already? She ignored the small voice telling her he had not been able to as she had lied about her uncle in the first place, but her pain and anger was too fresh to listen to it.
"You will release him," she finally uttered. "He has done nothing wrong." With this she ran from the room, trying to stifle her sobs, but hallways out of the door she failed and the sound of her weeping softly drifted away as she headed out to the howes. Lothiriel walked over to Éomer helplessly, tears coursing down her cheeks.
"Éomer..." she whispered. Within seconds she was pulled into a powerful embrace and she buried her face in his chest. "What are we going to do?"
X X X
There was nothing that could be done if Mayda would not tell the truth. Maydir was released and in his anger forbade the King from seeing his niece. After several days this rule was eased to forbidding the king to ever be on his own with his niece. Maydir was always present, so it was impossible for Éomer to speak with her. The reluctant planning of her coronation was underway and the grieved villagers informed. Rarely could you find smiles in Edoras.
In this turbulent time mere days before the coronation a lone rider approached the village. Disinterested faces watched as the hooded rider passed them all heading up to the Golden Hall. It seemed not even the guards at the Golden Hall raised their heads to the white rider passing between them to enter the hall where many were dining. Once inside the rider locked eyes on the person they had travelled so far to meet and they threw their hood off.
"Lady Eowyn," Many shocked voices chorused. Eowyn greeted them kindly, though she never tore her gaze from the little girl that was shaking under her gaze. As she approached she noticed out of the corner of her eye that Maydir was looking slightly afraid also. 'And so you should be,' Eowyn thought maliciously. Finally she reached the pair sitting alone and she contorted her face into a smile.
"Mayda, will you not walk with me my darling?" she asked innocently. Mayda looked to her uncle with a glimmer of hope, but Maydir was looking fierce.
"I do not permit her to be left on her own with other people," he said calmly. "Never know what might happen..." Eowyn smiled sweetly.
"Very well, then you will walk with us." There was no arguing with her tone and both Maydir and Mayda got to their feet and followed Eowyn surprisingly into the corridors, rather than out of the door. Eowyn pulled Mayda ahead and they walked with Maydir stalking along behind them. They walked deeper and deeper into Meduseld, to places where Mayda had not been, let alone Maydir who had not explored the palace at all. Finally they reached a corner and Eowyn 'accidentally' knocked over a large statue, barring Maydir's way. She continued her pace with the girl and rounded the corner, leaving Maydir screaming abuse behind them. Finally he escaped his cage and he dashed round the corner to find...
"Where are you?" he shouted into the dark ad empty corridor. He started wildly looking in rooms to find nothing more but emptiness. " Damn you woman, bring her back!"
X X X
Eowyn covered Mayda's mouth as they walked single file down the space between the walls. It was unnecessary though as the girl was too shocked and excited to speak. She had not known that there were secret passageways in Meduseld and for a moment her curiosity won over her fear and anger. Finally Eowyn found the secret door she was looking for and she ushered the pair of them out into the open air. Both blinked rapidly in the bright sunshine, but Eowyn was ushering Mayda down towards the city gate. Neither spoke until they were seated on the grass beside a howe. It was not Théodred's.
"I am very disappointed in you Mayda," Eowyn said sadly. The girl closed her eyes in pain, stung by these words. She looked to the howe for distraction. She could not remember properly, though she thought it might house Théoden, her grandfather.
"That is not important," Mayda finally whispered.
"It is for you," Eowyn countered. "I know it pains you to be separated from those you love." Tears stung at Mayda's eyes. "Many years ago I was as a daughter to my uncle." Eowyn now looked to the howe and stroked the flowers appreciatively. "I would not dream of hurting him."
"I..." Mayda began, but she could not say anything. Eowyn looked up in desperation, she could hear the angry shouting of Maydir approaching.
"Éomer and Lothiriel see you as a daughter Mayda!" she said desperately, reaching out and taking Mayda's hand. "Do not wound them so, they have done nothing but protect you and love you. It is no their fault that you hid the truth from them and they left you with..." Mayda was lifted to the air roughly from behind. She twisted her neck and her eyes fell on Maydir glowering at Eowyn.
"That is the last straw," he hissed. "None of you may see her before the ceremony! None!" he shouted and dragged a very confused child up to the palace where he locked her in her room alone with Eowyn's words whirring round her head.
"They think of me as a daughter," she whispered tearfully. "Oh what have I done?"
X X X
Maydir was true to his word and Mayda had contact with none save him alone before the coronation. Upon the morning of the ceremony waiting ladies dressed the girl in her fineries, with Maydir waiting outside his ear pressed against the door to hear if they were talking, which he had strictly forbidden.
Once the girl was dressed she waited alone behind a locked door, until finally bells started chiming signifying the ceremony had started. The door flew open and Maydir was waiting there, a manic grin on his face.
"It is time," he said joyously. Mayda sighed heavily before stepping forward and allowing herself to be led to the great hall. Upon entering Mayda could do nothing but hang her head. So many had turned out for the event, but all showed nothing save contempt and grief on their faces. They loved their king.
It seemed to take an age before finally she reached the platform that housed the thrones and she turned round to face the crowds. She had to hold back tears when she did not see her uncle or aunt amongst the crowds, but she did not falter and the ceremony began.
Halfway through the main doors opened and a solitary figure walked in. They were clad heavily in armour and helm, so none could see his face, but the sight of him brought memories flooding back to the little girl.
'I am not going to hurt you child... I am looking for you... my name is Éomer, and I was your father's cousin...' Mayda closed her eyes in grief and she was back there, at his side as he single-handedly beat the foul folk back, keeping an iron grip on her shoulder so as she would come to no harm.
'Whatever happens Mayda, do not let go...'
"No!"
X X X
The story is drawing to an end, but there is one twist left...