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The Heir of Théodred
Elfwine: Part two
Mayda wasn't sure what to do. All she knew was that she had to get out of Meduseld. So grabbing a decorative blanket that lay on one of the benches lining the corridors she rushed to the nearest entrance. The air was bitterly cold, but the blanket was thick, if not slightly itchy, so the girl managed to keep out most of the biting wind. She followed her feet and they led her down to the wall and out of the village. Once she saw the howes she let out a gasp, they were sparkling. The frost had already laid its claim on the grass and the simbelmynë flowers, though they would never whither, even when snow covered them, they would remain untouched and await the spring when they would be uncovered once more as beautiful as the day they were buried. The torch light from the wall flickered over the frost and had Mayda ever been into the glittering caves, she may have been able to draw a comparison between the two. Setting her jaw firmly she hurried on until she reached the howe she had visited hundreds of times.
"They want to replace me," was the first thing she uttered as she dropped down onto the damp grass.
'Don't be silly,' a small voice in the back of her mind admonished. 'The king needs and heir, you always knew they would have a child someday.' Mayda narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms angrily, trying to ignore her common sense.
"I did not think it would be now," she grumbled and looked dolefully over the yellowish grass of the howe. The sight of the dying grass depressed her even more so she shut her eyes and fell sideways onto the little mound. " I wish I was where you and mamma are," she whispered into the ground.
X X X
Éomer and Lothiriel sat facing Eowyn and Faramir grimly. They had explained everything and after Eowyn's initial gleeful hysteria and Faramir's slightly drunken yet heartfelt congratulations they explained Mayda's reaction to the news.
"I suspected she might react this way," Éomer said gravely. " She is not accustomed to sharing anything. Her whole life she has been without brother or sister." Eowyn smiled.
"It is more than that brother," she said knowingly. " She is abnormally attached to you both because of her ordeals in the past and your saving her from them, then added to that is the fact that she is not your real daughter and may be fearing that you will care more for your own child than her," she explained. Éomer sighed and nodded.
"I know it, and still there is no way that we can reassure that this is not the case," he said gloomily.
"How can you compare the love you feel from one child to the next?" Lothiriel asked sounding upset. "I love Mayda because she is Mayda, the fact that she is the child of my husband's cousin does not even enter my mind when I think of her. She is ours now, and I am sure that when this baby is born, I will love it for who it is, not for the sole reason that it is my child and I am obliged to do so!" Éomer smiled comfortingly at his love and took her hand. The despair on her face was heart breaking for him. "I so wanted her to look forward to the idea of having a little brother or sister." The group fell silent.
"Perhaps," Faramir finally began. "She should return with us to Ithilien. Maybe if she were to spend more time with Elboron then she might grow excited about having a baby around." Everyone stared at him in surprise, for a drunken man it was a remarkably good idea. " What?" Faramir asked sounding alarmed and he felt his face for anything that might explain the sudden attention he was being given. Eowyn smiled lovingly at him and stroked his cheek.
"It is a good idea," she said turning on the others. "It might help us a great deal actually. In two weeks we are receiving an extended visit from two young cousins of my dear husband. They are a little older than my niece, but I feel they would enjoy her company and her familiarity with the area!" Éomer sighed deeply and felt reluctant to let Mayda go when she was unhappy with them.
"I will let her go on one condition," he said with an evil smile. " She takes that pup of hers with her!"
X X X
And so the very next day Mayda found herself packing a large bag. She was very excited to be going to visit Ithilien as it had been over a year since she had been to the hills of Emyn Arnen where the great White House of the Prince and Lady of Ithilien stood. She had spoken briefly to her foster- parents and it had been far from comfortable. She could not keep the jealousy from her tone and her actions and she felt entirely rotten for herself. Éomer had assured her that they would not feel differently about her when the new baby arrived, but she was beyond listening to them.
It was Eowyn who was helping the young girl pack and ensuring she didn't only pack her most ragged and comfortable clothes, but that she also packed some gowns suitable for court as once a month Eowyn and Faramir visited Minas Tirith. Often Eowyn was reduced to sniggering laughter at Mayda's rather haphazard attempts to sneak out the gowns she was placing in the bag, but eventually they were finished.
"You began to tell me of guests auntie, before I..." Mayda grinned sheepishly.
"Before you interrupted me with yet another outburst about a gown I was packing for you?" Eowyn asked with a twinkling smile. Mayda shrugged and bade her continue. "Yes, well in a fortnight we will be opening our doors to Dior and Huor, third cousins of Faramir. They hail from the isle of Tolfalas where their father Galdor is Lord."
"Why are they coming to Emyn Arnen?" Mayda asked curiously. She had heard of Tolfalas of course, the southernmost point of which marked the furthest south point of Gondor Proper. It was supposedly a very warm island for most of the year and the seas sparkled as blue as a summer's sky, lapping at white sands.
"They wish to experience snow I believe," Eowyn said with a grin. " But the primary reason they are coming is that they are to spend four years of learning in Minas Tirith and have been sent by their father to better acquaint themselves with the city and the northern ways."
"How old are they?" Mayda asked beginning to suspect that they might be too old if they were being sent to study.
"The eldest Dior is thirteen and his brother Huor is eleven," Eowyn replied and she smiled at the delighted expression that grew on Mayda's face. "I am sure you will have a wonderful time showing them the ropes!"
"Will uncle Faramir take me hunting?" Mayda asked hopefully. Eowyn smiled and shrugged.
"I am sure he would love to," she said. " I feel my brother will miss taking you hunting very much. He was telling me how he enjoys taking you out on the hunt." Mayda's smile fell and she looked slightly forlorn.
"I love it also," she said gravely and she turned away from her aunt, hiding the tears that were forming in her eyes. Though she was trapped by her jealousy, she was still dreading being apart from her foster-parents, especially as she wasn't sure when she was going to be allowed to return home again. Eowyn rose to her feet and kissed her niece's cheek before leaving her to pack some personal items in a smaller more mobile bag.
X X X
A few hours later after a subdued lunch the party of Ithilien were ready to leave; much sooner than they had intended, but ready nonetheless. Mayda hugged a knapsack close to her front out of which Lalaith's head was barely visible. She held back tears as she faced Éomer and Lothiriel's ashen faces. Then without warning she lunged at them both and buried her faced between them.
"I will write," she promised and moved back when her passenger began to protest at being squashed. Éomer crouched down before her and took her hands in his.
"You have to understand," he said firmly, gripping her small hands tightly. "There is only one Mayda in this world to us and that is you and if you stay away longer than a half-season I am going to ride out to fetch you myself!" Mayda grinned despite herself and nodded.
"Agreed," she said and she bowed her head to her uncle. He smiled and ruffled her hair before kissing her forehead and allowing his wife to say goodbye to the girl. With all the subdued goodbyes over with the party turned to their horses and when all but Mayda were seated she suddenly squeaked and darted off in the direction of the howes.
"Forgot to say goodbye I believe," Lothiriel laughed and then she turned more seriously on Eowyn. "You will look after her for me won't you? Remember, she is afraid of gales and especially thunder. On these occasions she sleeps with one torch lit and also..." Eowyn interrupted her with a chuckle and nodded.
"She will be fine dear sister," she said with a beaming smile. " And besides, you have already told me all this." Lothiriel nodded reluctantly and sought Éomer's hand for comfort. This farewell was turning out to be too much for her with her heightened emotions and tears were slowly rolling down her lovely face. The group upheld a grim silence until Mayda returned and mounted her steed Lindnîn, being sure not to jiggle her little passenger around too much. The pup was already whining to be let loose.
"You will listen to everything your aunt and uncle tell you, and please for the love of the Valar do not tear the White House to the ground, I could not afford the means to rebuild it again," Éomer told the girl with a smile and when she nodded tiredly he turned on his dear sister and her husband. "Do not, under any circumstance – or you will regret it mark my words – give her anything sweet past sundown!" Eowyn nodded.
"I will remember it," she said with a smile and she bowed her head to her brother. "Till we meet again brother, look after my dear sister, I feel she will need it." Then with one last smile she held onto her son tightly and nudged her stallion into action, following as Faramir led the party away. Mayda was the last to leave and she turned around as Lindnîn walked forward bearing her away from her home and her foster-parents. She managed a small wave, but the sight of Lothiriel burying her face in Éomer's shoulder to weep was too much for the girl and she turned around again swallowing hard, reminding herself they were to have a child of their own and would no longer care so for her.
X X X
The journey from the plains of Rohan to the hills of Emyn Arnen was a pleasant one, but after six days of leisurely travel the small party finally reached a crest one morning that overlooked the magnificent lands of the White House of Ithilien and there in a beautiful secluded valley lay the house itself. Mayda smiled with relief, she ached from the long ride and wished very much to sleep in a comfortable bed once more. Within the hour they had reached the stables beside the house and handed their weary horses to the stable hands.
"You look like you could do with a long bath," Eowyn said and she led her niece to a set of chambers, which had a beautiful outlook and were just down the corridor from hers and Faramir's chambers. Once everyone was much more refreshed Mayda was permitted to change into rather less formal clothes than she had arrived in and rushed out into the gardens to find Faramir playing with Lalaith. Their breath was coming out as thick steam, as winter was pressing near and soon the snow would be falling. Upon seeing her master the little pup yelped and tumbled over to her. Mayda grinned and dropped to her knees as Lalaith covered her face in puppy kisses.
"Should you wish to go hunting, my cook tells me the hunters are yet to have caught a deer and he has prepared a dish around venison and is such in much need of us catching one or two," Faramir said walking over to his niece. Mayda's face lit up.
"Truly?" She sounded elated, as was Faramir and Eowyn's plan to keep her mind off being away from home. "Thank you uncle!" Faramir grinned and sat down next to her.
"There is no need to thank me, but if you can shoot a deer then I will have much cause to thank you. Master Damrod can do miracles with some venison and herbs," he said. "Very refined, not like the sludge my brother tries to pass of as fine cuisine," he said with a cheeky grin. Mayda feigned an insulted expression.
"Should you insult my country or my foster-father again uncle, I shall be forced to challenge you to a duel," she said jumping to her feet and finding a broken branch off a nearby tree. Faramir grinned broadly.
"Éomer smells," he said simply and dived for another stick and so their duel began. It was in a state of giddiness that Eowyn found them much later, their sticks lying broken on the ground, lying flat on their backs exhausted from the sparring match. She laughed out loud and let go of her son's hand.
"Papa!" the boy exclaimed and he toppled over to his father and fell down next to him. "Why are you lying down? Are you going to sleep?" Faramir laughed heartily and shook his head.
"No, just resting my boy," he cheered and he wrapped and arm around Elboron's shoulders.
"Are you going hunting?" Elboron asked, his expression turning into one very effective pout. Eowyn laughed and crouched down with her family pulling her young son onto her lap.
"You still cannot go with them my darling," she said. Elboron's pout grew tenfold.
"Why not?" he whined crossing his arms petulantly. Mayda quickly stepped in.
"Because it is really rather boring," she said in a blasé manner. Elboron looked up at his cousin uncertainly. "Oh yes, most of it is sitting in some sort of bush or other in complete and utter silence, and often it is cold and wet and...and...itchy!" Elboron wrinkled his nose, that didn't sound pleasant at all.
"But I want to catch something," he complained. Mayda thought hard and her eyes fell on a half buried toy arrow. She had played with similar things when she was a little girl, they were bulky and had padded ends so they did not hurt, but they could travel long distances when expertly shot. So she reached over and pulled it out of the flower bed.
"You can catch me," she said jumping to her feet. Elboron's upset face finally cracked into a smile and he too jumped to his feet, then lost his balance and fell down, but soon was back on his feet and running off to fetch his toy bow and arrows. Eowyn now looked at her niece with a beaming smile.
"You certainly have a way with young children," she said as she too climbed to her feet. Mayda shrugged her shoulders.
"They are often more fun than older children, were I to play such a game with Mathain or one of the others they would strike me with such force I would end the day covered in many bruises," she said cheerfully and upon seeing her little cousin returning already aiming one of his toy arrows at her, she darted off into the gardens to hide with Lalaith bounding behind her.
"Come let us find her some proper hunting equipment, she is to join the hunt this afternoon," Faramir said climbing to his feet and the merry couple left the children and the pup running in and out of the trees for the rest of the morning.
X X X
The manic laughter of children announced the return of Mayda and little Elboron. They were completely giddy with excitement and mirth and tumbled down onto the divans that lay in the parlour Eowyn was reading in. Looking up Eowyn noted that both were filthy and Mayda was sporting some impressive bruises.
"Elboron," she admonished fondly. " How hard were you striking your cousin?" At this the children burst into laughter once more and Mayda shook her head.
"No auntie, that was my doing," she said. "I am not as agile when I do not know the lay of the land and many times I ended up flat on my face while trying to outrun my cousin."
"And she fell out a tree!" Elboron piped up as he sat up yawning. Eowyn smiled fondly at the two rascals and shook her head.
"And where is Lalaith?" she asked curiously.
"She is attempting to drink from the fountain, she is much tired out," Mayda said climbing to her feet.
"But the fountain is frozen over," Eowyn said with raised eyebrows.
"Yes, but I smashed a hole in the ice for her," Mayda replied. " Auntie may I have something to drink, I am so thirsty!" Eowyn closed her book and climbed to her feet.
"Well we are to have lunch now my darling, we were awaiting your return," she said and she led the children to the informal dining room where Faramir was leaning back by the window smoking a pipe. "Oh curse those hobbits for introducing this habit to you," Eowyn called when she entered the normally bright and airy room to find it smoky.
"It was not the hobbits," Faramir retorted in feigned-defensiveness. " It was Elessar." Eowyn grinned broadly.
"How could I forget, your idol," she said cheerfully and she opened a window slightly before sitting down at the table with the children.
"I wish that I could meet a hobbit," Mayda said gravely.
"Ah, well then you are in luck my girl," Faramir said cheerfully as he took the seat at the head of the table. "We are to visit the White City in a few weeks and I do believe that currently Master Meriadoc Brandybuck, Master Peregrim Took and a Hobbit that goes by the name of Diamond of Long Cleeve, are guests of honour there," he explained. Mayda's eyes went wide, she had heard of course of the great tale of the hobbits and the ring.
"Oh it will be good to see Merry again," Eowyn said as she helped her son with his ham and cheese.
"Why are they in Minas Tirith?" Mayda asked as she too began to eat, feeling famished from the exercise in the garden.
"Indeed they have hardly left since they arrived those three and a half long years ago, they always find reasons to return," Faramir explained fondly thinking of the two mischievous hobbits.
"And who is the third hobbit?" the girl asked.
"I believe she is a very dear friend of Peregrim's," he replied, but as Mayda opened her mouth to answer another question he held up his hand and laughed. "Eat now Mayda, later you can ask as many questions as you like, but we must depart with the hunting party in half an hour." The girl turned crimson and she nodded before turning back on her lunch and she hardly spoke another word, though neither did Faramir, as Eowyn made the mistake of suggesting to a very sleepy Elboron that he needed to take a nap. The tantrum that ensued could probably have been heard ten miles away.
X X X
"We are riding?" Mayda asked with a frown as she noticed several horses saddled up in front of the house. Faramir nodded and led Mayda to a young stallion.
"The deer do not graze in these hills this late in the year, they take shelter at the base of the Mountains of Shadow, it is only a short ride to the hunting lodge where we will leave the horses and carry on on foot," he explained and helped his niece onto the stallion's back – it was significantly taller than Lindnîn – before walking over to his friends to see if everyone had gathered.
Mayda looked at the bow she had been given and admired the craftsmanship. It was a beautiful design, one that she hadn't come across before, though part of her missed the familiar horse patterns that adorned her own bow back home. She of course wore her short sword, which had previously been a gift from Faramir and her Elven blade was strapped to her chest under her loose shirt. Her final weapon was a curved hunting blade that Eowyn had lent her. Her hair had been tied back and she wore a cloak to disguise her on the hunt.
So now she sat, ready and waiting, alone...a very strange lump was forming in her throat and her nose began to prickle.
'Do not get sentimental now Mayda!' she told herself firmly, but now her eyes started to water and she looked down at herself, fingering the cloak buckle anxiously, wishing that it were Éomer who was taking her on a hunt. Though she dearly loved her uncle Faramir, Éomer was as a father to the child and she was starting to feel uncomfortably homesick.
"Here take this." Eowyn's voice staved her tears and Mayda looked up to find her aunt handing a pack to her. She took it and peered inside to find some treats and waybread wrapped in cloth, as well as a flask of water. Mayda grinned and nodded, wrapping the strap of the pack around her neck. " Good luck my darling." Mayda grinned and nodded, starting to get excited, it had been long since she had been successful on a hunt.
Finally all the hunters arrived and the party set off. It was a pleasant ride as the hunters amused the girl with their entertaining stories and soon they had reached the hunting lodge. Here they left the horses and the party set out in groups of three, though Mayda and Faramir set off with just the two of them. They walked in absolute silence, carefully avoiding making a noise on the fallen branches and the leaves.
After several hours they finally came across a small group of deer who were grazing in a clearing. Faramir saw them first and pulled Mayda down behind a bush. He held up his hand indicating four deer and then pointed to her and motioned 'one' with his finger and pointed to himself and motioned 'one' again. Mayda nodded in understanding. She grinned happily to herself as she pulled an arrow from her quiver and cocked her bow, next to her Faramir was doing the same thing. He waited for Mayda to take aim and then targeted one of the others. The former Ranger looked to his niece with a questioning expression and she nodded without taking her eye off her target. Then with one nod of his head both let their arrows fly. Success!
X X X
It was a fine feast. Faramir had not lied about the cook's abilities; Mayda had never tasted anything so wonderful. The hunting party and several other old friends of the Lord of the house were invited and it was a very merry affair. Mayda sat beside her aunt and laughed out loud for the entire duration of the meal. As the hour hit midnight two of the hunters were once more entertaining the young girl with drunken party tricks, but she was beginning to yawn and Eowyn was well aware that by now she ought to be lying in bed.
So against much protesting on the hunters' part – they had grown fond of the young rascal – Eowyn led her niece away and helped her get ready. Finally the girl lay tucked up in her new bed.
"Would you like me to leave one torch lit?" Eowyn asked and Mayda nodded quickly as she reached in her knapsack to take out a book she was reading and an old shirt that looked like it was twice the size of the child. Eowyn recalled Lothiriel telling her something about a security blanket and wondered if this had once belonged to Théodred.
"Was that your father's?" she asked sitting down to tuck the girl in. Mayda turned slightly pink and shook her head.
"No, it is uncle Éomer's." With this the girl rolled on her side leaving Eowyn with a broad smile on her face. She quickly kissed her niece's cheek before softly walking over to the door.
"Sleep well my darling," she said, but she received no reply as the exhausted child was already sleeping soundly.
X X X
Mayda settled down so well in Emyn Arnen that one would suspect she had always lived there. As her first week passed she had found several spots where she could hide away and have some adventures. The snow had started falling, turning the hills into some sort of winter wonderland. It looked beautiful on the morning that the guests from Tolfalas were due to arrive.
"When will they get here?" the young girl asked impatiently looking out of the window eagerly. Beside her little Elboron was trying to do the same, but he could not reach. Eowyn smiled at the backs of their heads.
"Soon," she replied and she down in front of the letter Mayda had started writing to her foster-parents, it seemed so strangely impersonal. Eowyn sighed, they had yet to start trying to convince the girl that she was very much wanted back in Rohan.
"They are here!" Mayda suddenly yelped and she raced Elboron to the front door where they waited impatiently for Faramir to lead the young guests from the horses to the house. Finally the handle turned and Faramir walked in brushing the snow off his cloak. He smiled at the children in front of him and stepped aside to reveal two smaller figures wrapped up warmly in large cloaks. They rushed inside to the warmth of the house where they both peeled back their cloaks. Mayda tilted her head to the side and took in the appearance of the two boys.
They were evidently brothers, as they were very similar in stature – tall and thin, yet with the makings broad shoulders – and had similar features. Both had hair the colour of gold with little flecks of whitish blonde in their mops of thick hair, though their brows bore strikingly dark eyebrows. Below these odd eyebrows were eyes more blue than Mayda had ever seen, made to look even paler by the fact that both had olive skin from a lifetime of living under a bright sun. Were Mayda a little older and had the boys grown more into their features she would have seen two very handsome young men standing before her, but such was not the case and Mayda bounded forward and shook their hands.
"My name is Mayda," she said eagerly. " Welcome to Ithilien!" The boys grinned back at her.
"I'm Dior," the taller of the two said and he indicated the shorter boy. " This is my little brother Huor."
"What do you think of the North?" Mayda asked curiously.
"We have not seen much, though it is...rather cold," Huor replied shivering slightly despite himself. Seeing this Eowyn rushed forward.
"Come, let me show you to your chambers, I have a fire burning for you," she said and she led the boys up the stairs and to a set of chambers next to Mayda's. The boys dropped their bags down on the twin beds before falling down on the rugs in front of the fire.
"We will be dining in an hour, until then I shall let you settle in," Eowyn told the boys and she left the room finding Mayda hovering around outside. "Go in you silly girl," Eowyn laughed out loud and she nudged her niece towards the door. Mayda shuffled in and dropped down in the armchair behind the boys.
"So why are you here?" Huor asked as he turned around and faced Mayda. " Faramir told us you are a princess of Rohan, is that not to the North?" Mayda grinned and nodded.
"I am on a visit, the Lady Eowyn is my aunt," she explained.
"Will you be staying long princess?" Dior now asked and Mayda felt something in her stomach flutter. He was just like Mathain.
"For a few months at least," she said and the boys' faces lit up. " Though if I stay any longer than half a season my uncle says he will come and get me."
"He did not want you to come away?" Huor asked. Mayda shrugged and shook her head. "Then why did you leave?"
"It is a long story," she explained. The boys raised their eyebrows.
"Did your aunt not say that we have a whole hour before lunch?" Dior asked and Mayda met his eyes. She looked away blushing.
"Very well," she said. "It all began...well ten years ago I suppose..."
X X X
More to come soon.
A/N – I know Tolfalas is only about 250 miles south of the North of Emyn Arnen, so the difference in climate would not be as great as I make out, but for the sake of my story it's actually far further south to allow it a somewhat tropical climate (like the coast of South France – bluest sea I have ever seen in my life!!! - yet even warmer than the South of France as the boys never experienced weather cold enough for snow).
The Heir of Théodred
Elfwine: Part two
Mayda wasn't sure what to do. All she knew was that she had to get out of Meduseld. So grabbing a decorative blanket that lay on one of the benches lining the corridors she rushed to the nearest entrance. The air was bitterly cold, but the blanket was thick, if not slightly itchy, so the girl managed to keep out most of the biting wind. She followed her feet and they led her down to the wall and out of the village. Once she saw the howes she let out a gasp, they were sparkling. The frost had already laid its claim on the grass and the simbelmynë flowers, though they would never whither, even when snow covered them, they would remain untouched and await the spring when they would be uncovered once more as beautiful as the day they were buried. The torch light from the wall flickered over the frost and had Mayda ever been into the glittering caves, she may have been able to draw a comparison between the two. Setting her jaw firmly she hurried on until she reached the howe she had visited hundreds of times.
"They want to replace me," was the first thing she uttered as she dropped down onto the damp grass.
'Don't be silly,' a small voice in the back of her mind admonished. 'The king needs and heir, you always knew they would have a child someday.' Mayda narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms angrily, trying to ignore her common sense.
"I did not think it would be now," she grumbled and looked dolefully over the yellowish grass of the howe. The sight of the dying grass depressed her even more so she shut her eyes and fell sideways onto the little mound. " I wish I was where you and mamma are," she whispered into the ground.
X X X
Éomer and Lothiriel sat facing Eowyn and Faramir grimly. They had explained everything and after Eowyn's initial gleeful hysteria and Faramir's slightly drunken yet heartfelt congratulations they explained Mayda's reaction to the news.
"I suspected she might react this way," Éomer said gravely. " She is not accustomed to sharing anything. Her whole life she has been without brother or sister." Eowyn smiled.
"It is more than that brother," she said knowingly. " She is abnormally attached to you both because of her ordeals in the past and your saving her from them, then added to that is the fact that she is not your real daughter and may be fearing that you will care more for your own child than her," she explained. Éomer sighed and nodded.
"I know it, and still there is no way that we can reassure that this is not the case," he said gloomily.
"How can you compare the love you feel from one child to the next?" Lothiriel asked sounding upset. "I love Mayda because she is Mayda, the fact that she is the child of my husband's cousin does not even enter my mind when I think of her. She is ours now, and I am sure that when this baby is born, I will love it for who it is, not for the sole reason that it is my child and I am obliged to do so!" Éomer smiled comfortingly at his love and took her hand. The despair on her face was heart breaking for him. "I so wanted her to look forward to the idea of having a little brother or sister." The group fell silent.
"Perhaps," Faramir finally began. "She should return with us to Ithilien. Maybe if she were to spend more time with Elboron then she might grow excited about having a baby around." Everyone stared at him in surprise, for a drunken man it was a remarkably good idea. " What?" Faramir asked sounding alarmed and he felt his face for anything that might explain the sudden attention he was being given. Eowyn smiled lovingly at him and stroked his cheek.
"It is a good idea," she said turning on the others. "It might help us a great deal actually. In two weeks we are receiving an extended visit from two young cousins of my dear husband. They are a little older than my niece, but I feel they would enjoy her company and her familiarity with the area!" Éomer sighed deeply and felt reluctant to let Mayda go when she was unhappy with them.
"I will let her go on one condition," he said with an evil smile. " She takes that pup of hers with her!"
X X X
And so the very next day Mayda found herself packing a large bag. She was very excited to be going to visit Ithilien as it had been over a year since she had been to the hills of Emyn Arnen where the great White House of the Prince and Lady of Ithilien stood. She had spoken briefly to her foster- parents and it had been far from comfortable. She could not keep the jealousy from her tone and her actions and she felt entirely rotten for herself. Éomer had assured her that they would not feel differently about her when the new baby arrived, but she was beyond listening to them.
It was Eowyn who was helping the young girl pack and ensuring she didn't only pack her most ragged and comfortable clothes, but that she also packed some gowns suitable for court as once a month Eowyn and Faramir visited Minas Tirith. Often Eowyn was reduced to sniggering laughter at Mayda's rather haphazard attempts to sneak out the gowns she was placing in the bag, but eventually they were finished.
"You began to tell me of guests auntie, before I..." Mayda grinned sheepishly.
"Before you interrupted me with yet another outburst about a gown I was packing for you?" Eowyn asked with a twinkling smile. Mayda shrugged and bade her continue. "Yes, well in a fortnight we will be opening our doors to Dior and Huor, third cousins of Faramir. They hail from the isle of Tolfalas where their father Galdor is Lord."
"Why are they coming to Emyn Arnen?" Mayda asked curiously. She had heard of Tolfalas of course, the southernmost point of which marked the furthest south point of Gondor Proper. It was supposedly a very warm island for most of the year and the seas sparkled as blue as a summer's sky, lapping at white sands.
"They wish to experience snow I believe," Eowyn said with a grin. " But the primary reason they are coming is that they are to spend four years of learning in Minas Tirith and have been sent by their father to better acquaint themselves with the city and the northern ways."
"How old are they?" Mayda asked beginning to suspect that they might be too old if they were being sent to study.
"The eldest Dior is thirteen and his brother Huor is eleven," Eowyn replied and she smiled at the delighted expression that grew on Mayda's face. "I am sure you will have a wonderful time showing them the ropes!"
"Will uncle Faramir take me hunting?" Mayda asked hopefully. Eowyn smiled and shrugged.
"I am sure he would love to," she said. " I feel my brother will miss taking you hunting very much. He was telling me how he enjoys taking you out on the hunt." Mayda's smile fell and she looked slightly forlorn.
"I love it also," she said gravely and she turned away from her aunt, hiding the tears that were forming in her eyes. Though she was trapped by her jealousy, she was still dreading being apart from her foster-parents, especially as she wasn't sure when she was going to be allowed to return home again. Eowyn rose to her feet and kissed her niece's cheek before leaving her to pack some personal items in a smaller more mobile bag.
X X X
A few hours later after a subdued lunch the party of Ithilien were ready to leave; much sooner than they had intended, but ready nonetheless. Mayda hugged a knapsack close to her front out of which Lalaith's head was barely visible. She held back tears as she faced Éomer and Lothiriel's ashen faces. Then without warning she lunged at them both and buried her faced between them.
"I will write," she promised and moved back when her passenger began to protest at being squashed. Éomer crouched down before her and took her hands in his.
"You have to understand," he said firmly, gripping her small hands tightly. "There is only one Mayda in this world to us and that is you and if you stay away longer than a half-season I am going to ride out to fetch you myself!" Mayda grinned despite herself and nodded.
"Agreed," she said and she bowed her head to her uncle. He smiled and ruffled her hair before kissing her forehead and allowing his wife to say goodbye to the girl. With all the subdued goodbyes over with the party turned to their horses and when all but Mayda were seated she suddenly squeaked and darted off in the direction of the howes.
"Forgot to say goodbye I believe," Lothiriel laughed and then she turned more seriously on Eowyn. "You will look after her for me won't you? Remember, she is afraid of gales and especially thunder. On these occasions she sleeps with one torch lit and also..." Eowyn interrupted her with a chuckle and nodded.
"She will be fine dear sister," she said with a beaming smile. " And besides, you have already told me all this." Lothiriel nodded reluctantly and sought Éomer's hand for comfort. This farewell was turning out to be too much for her with her heightened emotions and tears were slowly rolling down her lovely face. The group upheld a grim silence until Mayda returned and mounted her steed Lindnîn, being sure not to jiggle her little passenger around too much. The pup was already whining to be let loose.
"You will listen to everything your aunt and uncle tell you, and please for the love of the Valar do not tear the White House to the ground, I could not afford the means to rebuild it again," Éomer told the girl with a smile and when she nodded tiredly he turned on his dear sister and her husband. "Do not, under any circumstance – or you will regret it mark my words – give her anything sweet past sundown!" Eowyn nodded.
"I will remember it," she said with a smile and she bowed her head to her brother. "Till we meet again brother, look after my dear sister, I feel she will need it." Then with one last smile she held onto her son tightly and nudged her stallion into action, following as Faramir led the party away. Mayda was the last to leave and she turned around as Lindnîn walked forward bearing her away from her home and her foster-parents. She managed a small wave, but the sight of Lothiriel burying her face in Éomer's shoulder to weep was too much for the girl and she turned around again swallowing hard, reminding herself they were to have a child of their own and would no longer care so for her.
X X X
The journey from the plains of Rohan to the hills of Emyn Arnen was a pleasant one, but after six days of leisurely travel the small party finally reached a crest one morning that overlooked the magnificent lands of the White House of Ithilien and there in a beautiful secluded valley lay the house itself. Mayda smiled with relief, she ached from the long ride and wished very much to sleep in a comfortable bed once more. Within the hour they had reached the stables beside the house and handed their weary horses to the stable hands.
"You look like you could do with a long bath," Eowyn said and she led her niece to a set of chambers, which had a beautiful outlook and were just down the corridor from hers and Faramir's chambers. Once everyone was much more refreshed Mayda was permitted to change into rather less formal clothes than she had arrived in and rushed out into the gardens to find Faramir playing with Lalaith. Their breath was coming out as thick steam, as winter was pressing near and soon the snow would be falling. Upon seeing her master the little pup yelped and tumbled over to her. Mayda grinned and dropped to her knees as Lalaith covered her face in puppy kisses.
"Should you wish to go hunting, my cook tells me the hunters are yet to have caught a deer and he has prepared a dish around venison and is such in much need of us catching one or two," Faramir said walking over to his niece. Mayda's face lit up.
"Truly?" She sounded elated, as was Faramir and Eowyn's plan to keep her mind off being away from home. "Thank you uncle!" Faramir grinned and sat down next to her.
"There is no need to thank me, but if you can shoot a deer then I will have much cause to thank you. Master Damrod can do miracles with some venison and herbs," he said. "Very refined, not like the sludge my brother tries to pass of as fine cuisine," he said with a cheeky grin. Mayda feigned an insulted expression.
"Should you insult my country or my foster-father again uncle, I shall be forced to challenge you to a duel," she said jumping to her feet and finding a broken branch off a nearby tree. Faramir grinned broadly.
"Éomer smells," he said simply and dived for another stick and so their duel began. It was in a state of giddiness that Eowyn found them much later, their sticks lying broken on the ground, lying flat on their backs exhausted from the sparring match. She laughed out loud and let go of her son's hand.
"Papa!" the boy exclaimed and he toppled over to his father and fell down next to him. "Why are you lying down? Are you going to sleep?" Faramir laughed heartily and shook his head.
"No, just resting my boy," he cheered and he wrapped and arm around Elboron's shoulders.
"Are you going hunting?" Elboron asked, his expression turning into one very effective pout. Eowyn laughed and crouched down with her family pulling her young son onto her lap.
"You still cannot go with them my darling," she said. Elboron's pout grew tenfold.
"Why not?" he whined crossing his arms petulantly. Mayda quickly stepped in.
"Because it is really rather boring," she said in a blasé manner. Elboron looked up at his cousin uncertainly. "Oh yes, most of it is sitting in some sort of bush or other in complete and utter silence, and often it is cold and wet and...and...itchy!" Elboron wrinkled his nose, that didn't sound pleasant at all.
"But I want to catch something," he complained. Mayda thought hard and her eyes fell on a half buried toy arrow. She had played with similar things when she was a little girl, they were bulky and had padded ends so they did not hurt, but they could travel long distances when expertly shot. So she reached over and pulled it out of the flower bed.
"You can catch me," she said jumping to her feet. Elboron's upset face finally cracked into a smile and he too jumped to his feet, then lost his balance and fell down, but soon was back on his feet and running off to fetch his toy bow and arrows. Eowyn now looked at her niece with a beaming smile.
"You certainly have a way with young children," she said as she too climbed to her feet. Mayda shrugged her shoulders.
"They are often more fun than older children, were I to play such a game with Mathain or one of the others they would strike me with such force I would end the day covered in many bruises," she said cheerfully and upon seeing her little cousin returning already aiming one of his toy arrows at her, she darted off into the gardens to hide with Lalaith bounding behind her.
"Come let us find her some proper hunting equipment, she is to join the hunt this afternoon," Faramir said climbing to his feet and the merry couple left the children and the pup running in and out of the trees for the rest of the morning.
X X X
The manic laughter of children announced the return of Mayda and little Elboron. They were completely giddy with excitement and mirth and tumbled down onto the divans that lay in the parlour Eowyn was reading in. Looking up Eowyn noted that both were filthy and Mayda was sporting some impressive bruises.
"Elboron," she admonished fondly. " How hard were you striking your cousin?" At this the children burst into laughter once more and Mayda shook her head.
"No auntie, that was my doing," she said. "I am not as agile when I do not know the lay of the land and many times I ended up flat on my face while trying to outrun my cousin."
"And she fell out a tree!" Elboron piped up as he sat up yawning. Eowyn smiled fondly at the two rascals and shook her head.
"And where is Lalaith?" she asked curiously.
"She is attempting to drink from the fountain, she is much tired out," Mayda said climbing to her feet.
"But the fountain is frozen over," Eowyn said with raised eyebrows.
"Yes, but I smashed a hole in the ice for her," Mayda replied. " Auntie may I have something to drink, I am so thirsty!" Eowyn closed her book and climbed to her feet.
"Well we are to have lunch now my darling, we were awaiting your return," she said and she led the children to the informal dining room where Faramir was leaning back by the window smoking a pipe. "Oh curse those hobbits for introducing this habit to you," Eowyn called when she entered the normally bright and airy room to find it smoky.
"It was not the hobbits," Faramir retorted in feigned-defensiveness. " It was Elessar." Eowyn grinned broadly.
"How could I forget, your idol," she said cheerfully and she opened a window slightly before sitting down at the table with the children.
"I wish that I could meet a hobbit," Mayda said gravely.
"Ah, well then you are in luck my girl," Faramir said cheerfully as he took the seat at the head of the table. "We are to visit the White City in a few weeks and I do believe that currently Master Meriadoc Brandybuck, Master Peregrim Took and a Hobbit that goes by the name of Diamond of Long Cleeve, are guests of honour there," he explained. Mayda's eyes went wide, she had heard of course of the great tale of the hobbits and the ring.
"Oh it will be good to see Merry again," Eowyn said as she helped her son with his ham and cheese.
"Why are they in Minas Tirith?" Mayda asked as she too began to eat, feeling famished from the exercise in the garden.
"Indeed they have hardly left since they arrived those three and a half long years ago, they always find reasons to return," Faramir explained fondly thinking of the two mischievous hobbits.
"And who is the third hobbit?" the girl asked.
"I believe she is a very dear friend of Peregrim's," he replied, but as Mayda opened her mouth to answer another question he held up his hand and laughed. "Eat now Mayda, later you can ask as many questions as you like, but we must depart with the hunting party in half an hour." The girl turned crimson and she nodded before turning back on her lunch and she hardly spoke another word, though neither did Faramir, as Eowyn made the mistake of suggesting to a very sleepy Elboron that he needed to take a nap. The tantrum that ensued could probably have been heard ten miles away.
X X X
"We are riding?" Mayda asked with a frown as she noticed several horses saddled up in front of the house. Faramir nodded and led Mayda to a young stallion.
"The deer do not graze in these hills this late in the year, they take shelter at the base of the Mountains of Shadow, it is only a short ride to the hunting lodge where we will leave the horses and carry on on foot," he explained and helped his niece onto the stallion's back – it was significantly taller than Lindnîn – before walking over to his friends to see if everyone had gathered.
Mayda looked at the bow she had been given and admired the craftsmanship. It was a beautiful design, one that she hadn't come across before, though part of her missed the familiar horse patterns that adorned her own bow back home. She of course wore her short sword, which had previously been a gift from Faramir and her Elven blade was strapped to her chest under her loose shirt. Her final weapon was a curved hunting blade that Eowyn had lent her. Her hair had been tied back and she wore a cloak to disguise her on the hunt.
So now she sat, ready and waiting, alone...a very strange lump was forming in her throat and her nose began to prickle.
'Do not get sentimental now Mayda!' she told herself firmly, but now her eyes started to water and she looked down at herself, fingering the cloak buckle anxiously, wishing that it were Éomer who was taking her on a hunt. Though she dearly loved her uncle Faramir, Éomer was as a father to the child and she was starting to feel uncomfortably homesick.
"Here take this." Eowyn's voice staved her tears and Mayda looked up to find her aunt handing a pack to her. She took it and peered inside to find some treats and waybread wrapped in cloth, as well as a flask of water. Mayda grinned and nodded, wrapping the strap of the pack around her neck. " Good luck my darling." Mayda grinned and nodded, starting to get excited, it had been long since she had been successful on a hunt.
Finally all the hunters arrived and the party set off. It was a pleasant ride as the hunters amused the girl with their entertaining stories and soon they had reached the hunting lodge. Here they left the horses and the party set out in groups of three, though Mayda and Faramir set off with just the two of them. They walked in absolute silence, carefully avoiding making a noise on the fallen branches and the leaves.
After several hours they finally came across a small group of deer who were grazing in a clearing. Faramir saw them first and pulled Mayda down behind a bush. He held up his hand indicating four deer and then pointed to her and motioned 'one' with his finger and pointed to himself and motioned 'one' again. Mayda nodded in understanding. She grinned happily to herself as she pulled an arrow from her quiver and cocked her bow, next to her Faramir was doing the same thing. He waited for Mayda to take aim and then targeted one of the others. The former Ranger looked to his niece with a questioning expression and she nodded without taking her eye off her target. Then with one nod of his head both let their arrows fly. Success!
X X X
It was a fine feast. Faramir had not lied about the cook's abilities; Mayda had never tasted anything so wonderful. The hunting party and several other old friends of the Lord of the house were invited and it was a very merry affair. Mayda sat beside her aunt and laughed out loud for the entire duration of the meal. As the hour hit midnight two of the hunters were once more entertaining the young girl with drunken party tricks, but she was beginning to yawn and Eowyn was well aware that by now she ought to be lying in bed.
So against much protesting on the hunters' part – they had grown fond of the young rascal – Eowyn led her niece away and helped her get ready. Finally the girl lay tucked up in her new bed.
"Would you like me to leave one torch lit?" Eowyn asked and Mayda nodded quickly as she reached in her knapsack to take out a book she was reading and an old shirt that looked like it was twice the size of the child. Eowyn recalled Lothiriel telling her something about a security blanket and wondered if this had once belonged to Théodred.
"Was that your father's?" she asked sitting down to tuck the girl in. Mayda turned slightly pink and shook her head.
"No, it is uncle Éomer's." With this the girl rolled on her side leaving Eowyn with a broad smile on her face. She quickly kissed her niece's cheek before softly walking over to the door.
"Sleep well my darling," she said, but she received no reply as the exhausted child was already sleeping soundly.
X X X
Mayda settled down so well in Emyn Arnen that one would suspect she had always lived there. As her first week passed she had found several spots where she could hide away and have some adventures. The snow had started falling, turning the hills into some sort of winter wonderland. It looked beautiful on the morning that the guests from Tolfalas were due to arrive.
"When will they get here?" the young girl asked impatiently looking out of the window eagerly. Beside her little Elboron was trying to do the same, but he could not reach. Eowyn smiled at the backs of their heads.
"Soon," she replied and she down in front of the letter Mayda had started writing to her foster-parents, it seemed so strangely impersonal. Eowyn sighed, they had yet to start trying to convince the girl that she was very much wanted back in Rohan.
"They are here!" Mayda suddenly yelped and she raced Elboron to the front door where they waited impatiently for Faramir to lead the young guests from the horses to the house. Finally the handle turned and Faramir walked in brushing the snow off his cloak. He smiled at the children in front of him and stepped aside to reveal two smaller figures wrapped up warmly in large cloaks. They rushed inside to the warmth of the house where they both peeled back their cloaks. Mayda tilted her head to the side and took in the appearance of the two boys.
They were evidently brothers, as they were very similar in stature – tall and thin, yet with the makings broad shoulders – and had similar features. Both had hair the colour of gold with little flecks of whitish blonde in their mops of thick hair, though their brows bore strikingly dark eyebrows. Below these odd eyebrows were eyes more blue than Mayda had ever seen, made to look even paler by the fact that both had olive skin from a lifetime of living under a bright sun. Were Mayda a little older and had the boys grown more into their features she would have seen two very handsome young men standing before her, but such was not the case and Mayda bounded forward and shook their hands.
"My name is Mayda," she said eagerly. " Welcome to Ithilien!" The boys grinned back at her.
"I'm Dior," the taller of the two said and he indicated the shorter boy. " This is my little brother Huor."
"What do you think of the North?" Mayda asked curiously.
"We have not seen much, though it is...rather cold," Huor replied shivering slightly despite himself. Seeing this Eowyn rushed forward.
"Come, let me show you to your chambers, I have a fire burning for you," she said and she led the boys up the stairs and to a set of chambers next to Mayda's. The boys dropped their bags down on the twin beds before falling down on the rugs in front of the fire.
"We will be dining in an hour, until then I shall let you settle in," Eowyn told the boys and she left the room finding Mayda hovering around outside. "Go in you silly girl," Eowyn laughed out loud and she nudged her niece towards the door. Mayda shuffled in and dropped down in the armchair behind the boys.
"So why are you here?" Huor asked as he turned around and faced Mayda. " Faramir told us you are a princess of Rohan, is that not to the North?" Mayda grinned and nodded.
"I am on a visit, the Lady Eowyn is my aunt," she explained.
"Will you be staying long princess?" Dior now asked and Mayda felt something in her stomach flutter. He was just like Mathain.
"For a few months at least," she said and the boys' faces lit up. " Though if I stay any longer than half a season my uncle says he will come and get me."
"He did not want you to come away?" Huor asked. Mayda shrugged and shook her head. "Then why did you leave?"
"It is a long story," she explained. The boys raised their eyebrows.
"Did your aunt not say that we have a whole hour before lunch?" Dior asked and Mayda met his eyes. She looked away blushing.
"Very well," she said. "It all began...well ten years ago I suppose..."
X X X
More to come soon.
A/N – I know Tolfalas is only about 250 miles south of the North of Emyn Arnen, so the difference in climate would not be as great as I make out, but for the sake of my story it's actually far further south to allow it a somewhat tropical climate (like the coast of South France – bluest sea I have ever seen in my life!!! - yet even warmer than the South of France as the boys never experienced weather cold enough for snow).