Disclaimer: See Chapter 1 for full disclaimers. I've also borrowed lyrics from Natalie Merchant/10,000 Maniacs for this chapter. Perhaps a little modern for the Rohirrim, but it got the point across that I wanted.
Diola lle, my friends!
Evenstar Elanor... Thank you as always for the reviews. You are fabulous, Lady Evenstar (or would you prefer Lady Elanor?).
Utsuri... Thanks for the long review, and I'm so glad you like the story.
Voldie on Varsity Track... Welcome. Glad you're enjoying the story so far. As you read, you'll see some comments on my selection as Carly for a name. Thank you for the offer of the Old English names... I appreciate you being courteous about that; I've had reviewers try to cram things down my throat so I appreciate you offering rather than demanding.... Hope you like the rest of the story (and no, Carly isn't a self-insert - I'm not nearly that domestic and maternal.)
Chapter 6: The Victorious Dead
That afternoon, the Golden Hall had been filled with Rohirrim, all there to honor their fallen comrades and friends. When Theoden-King toasted the victorious dead, the resounding "hail" that answered him shook the very foundations of the building. Carly and the other women busied themselves with serving mead, ale and roasted meet as the men of Rohan mourned their dead by celebrating their lives well into the night. Finally, most of the men returned to their homes or their wives and the Golden Hall grew more subdued.
"Carly," said Gamling, catching his wife's wrist as she came in from the larder room. "You should rest." She had been busy most of the night, helping with the meal and the serving. Even now she brought a skin of wine to the table. She handed it across to Grimbold who thanked her with a smile as he refilled his own tankard.
Theoden allowed himself a moment to simply bask in the warmth of the room, and it was not the warmth of the fire that he drew into his body, into his heart. This was his family. True, as King, all of Rohan was his family, but these people here with him now were his true family. And while he would have given nearly everything he possessed, even his life, to have Theodred still here, the King was grateful for the others. Grateful to not be alone.
Eomer and Eowyn sat near him, playing a strategy game made up of colored rocks and a pair of dice. They were as dear to him as his own children and he loved them dearly, and now, Eomer was the heir to his throne. As this new wave of sadness for his son washed over Theoden, he turned his eyes to the other group near him.
Aragorn and his companions were only new acquaintances to his court, but Theoden counted them as dear friends. They had gone to Helm's Deep with him. They had drawn swords with him. They had been willing to die with him in a final effort to protect his people. For their valor, Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas would always be welcome in his hall and be treated as kin. That would extend, too, for the young Hobbits who now dozed on the hearth, their bellies full of mead and meat.
And then there were Gamling and Grimbold. Only two of the three King's Men had come back from Helm's Deep. It was not an easy life to be the King's Man, but these two had served nobly for many years, sacrificing much and being ever on-call for their King. His eyes shifted slightly as Gamling's wife came into the room.
Glad, I am, that Gamling has found love, even if it came in the autumn of his life, thought Theoden. I remember the comfort and solace that my own wife brought me in times of darkness. I miss that now, but I am pleased he has found it.
"Sing for me, Carly," said Gamling, his voice drawing the King out of his thoughts. "The one you like to sing when you cook."
"Oh, I have no voice for great halls," she said dropping her eyes. It was one thing to sing for her husband while she worked; it was entirely another proposition to sing in front of the King within the confines of the Golden Hall.
"But you have a voice for me," said Gamling.
"Please, Lady," added Aragorn. "I would go to sleep tonight with a woman's voice in my ears, not the sounds of two inebriated Hobbits." He glanced over at Merry and Pippin.
Carly couldn't help but laugh. "As you all wish," she said, resigning herself to the performance. She slid her right arm around Gamling as she stood behind him and he reached up with his to hold her palm against his chest, over his heart. She started to hum for a minute, finding her note, clearing her voice.
"Trouble me. Disturb me with all your cares and your worries.
Trouble me on the days when you feel spent.
Why let your shoulders bend underneath this burden
when my back is sturdy and strong?
Trouble me.
Speak to me. Don't mislead me: the calm I feel means a storm is swelling; There's no telling where it starts or how it ends.
Speak to me, why are you building this thick brick wall to defend me when your silence is my greatest fear?
Why let your shoulders bend underneath this burden
when my back is sturdy and strong?"
She had a voice that was pleasant on the ear, not strong or deep enough for a bardic song, but Theoden had no trouble imagining Carly singing lullabies to her baby, or to help pass the time while she worked. As she sang, Gamling shut his eyes and let his head rest against her. Without thinking, Carly started to use her fingers to comb out the tangles in his unruly red hair as she continued to sing.
"Speak to me.
Let me have a look inside these eyes while I'm learning.
Please don't hide them just because of tears.
Let me send you off to sleep with a 'There, there, now stop your turning and tossing.'
Let me know where the hurt is and how to heal.
Spare me? Don't spare me anything troubling.
Trouble me. Disturb me with all your cares and you worries.
Speak to me and let our words build a shelter from the storm.
And lastly, let me know what I can mend.
There's more, honestly, than my sweet friend, you can see.
Trust is what I'm offering...
If you trouble me."
"A lovely song," said the King when she finished. "Now, Gamling, I think it is time for you to take your young wife home; you've both spent far too much time in my company today. I would feel guilty if I were to keep you apart any longer."
"Yes, Theoden-King," said Gamling.
There is more war afoot, my old friend, Theoden thought as Gamling left the Hall. In too short a time you will ride to battle with me again. Kiss and hold your wife. Feel your child kick inside her belly. Gather all these things to your heart for they will keep you warm as the cold winds of battle swirl around us.
Well, that's it for this chapter. Hope you've enjoyed it. Please read/review and let me know what you think! I'm off to AZ for Thanksgiving, so I probably won't have the chance to post again until I get back. Hope you all have a great Thanksgiving!