A/N: Alright, I know as an author I totally deserve to be shot… I really did mean to update, but it just didn't happen that way! So… With out further discussion an extremely over due next chapter!
Chapter 5- Something's Never Change"Excuse me my Lord." I said as I brushed past Eomer. I found the whole of the situation quite comical. I was suddenly reminded of similar situations from our youth in which neither of us had flinched at all when presented in a similar situation. "I hate getting older" I thought to myself.
"Oh, of course. You are going to great the party aren't you?" Eomer asked as he kindly averted his eyes and moved to the side to let me pass.
"I hadn't really planned to." I said as I passed him. Walking into the bathroom and removing the last of my meager clothing. "Why?" I asked as I heard his footsteps draw nearer the door.
"Because, on my last count you held many members of the Gondorian party as your friends, they'll be asking for you." He said from just the other side of the door.
I slid delicately into the tub feeling my tense muscles relax as they were submerged. "Is it entirely necessary?" Now that I was relaxed and comfortable the last thing I wanted to do was to move.
"I believe it is Anda. You don't have to ride out with us, but waiting at the gate wouldn't be out of the question. Consider it at least" He said as he took a few steps back from the door.
"You only want me there to encourage your rumors that the lonely King of Rohan finally has a prospective suitor." I meant to say this completely in jest, but I know that isn't the way it came off. Part of my stomach turned, was I admitting to myself that part of me really wanted to be that "prospective" suitor?
"I've said no such thing milady, perhaps you should take a look at your brother. He has a rather guilty countenance at the moment." There were a few more footsteps, "Come Eolas, we must be on our way. I expect to see you at the gate Anda." Eomer said as I heard the door swiftly close behind him.
I submerged myself in the warm lavender water and let my thoughts roll. Why were a few silly remarks about myself and our giant prat of a king effecting me so deeply? Surely I didn't have feelings for him, did I?
It was more than my mind could get around, and definitely more than I wanted to deal with at the moment. This is when I wished desperately for Eowyn. She was a loyal friend, and amazing woman. She would have been able to make heads or tails out of her brothers very strange behavior.
Of course it was a lie, I had every intention of going down and welcoming the party from Gondor. I had many a friend amongst them. Beyond that, from what I could gather from Eomer, the poor elfish queen was going to be traveling from Gondor with a host of men, and not but her maid for female company. To me, this sounded like a grand adventure, but I was sure for a queen this would be difficult.
I dawned my best dress, a rich emerald green with gold and red trimmings. Ceremonial dress was a great pain in the backside if you asked me, but I was quick to note, I was probably one of the few women in the court who felt that way. I imagined all around the city there were women excitedly dawning their formal robes and circlets. Bringing all their pretty, frilly things out of the backs of closets and gossiping loudly about the latest news in regards to their poor, lonely, bachelor of a king. It did thrill me though to think that my name was surfacing somewhere amongst the rubbish, causing women to turn to each other in haste, making faces of disbelief and shock.
"Anda? The Stable Girl?" They would say. Then another would look at them assuredly and say "Aye, the poor girl forced to work as a stable hand to support her brother after the war." Then the gossip rings would circle round and discuss the ills of war and women who fight, and the loss of our own sweet Eowyn because of the evil one's blood lust. I smiled and laughed as I imagined Eowyn and I sitting back and enjoying the humor of the intrigues. How could so few women start such a ruckus.
I twined and braided my hair about my circlet, leaving a shimmering swath of gold across my forehead. Which of course, immediately started itching. I clawed at it idly as I finished getting ready. I was down to the last of my additions, which happened to be my two least favorites. Stalkings and slippers.
They were vile, and I was sure they were really some doing of the darker powers of middle earth, but alas they were needed. What I would have given to have worn my ridding boots.
I looked cautiously both ways out of my house to make sure that no one I knew was standing near by and stepped out into the grand sunlight. I left some of my hair down to cascade down my back in delicate curls, but piled the majority on top of my head to keep it from becoming a tangled mass in the wind.
I was nearly half way to the gate when I heard the sound of rushing footstep hurling themselves down the path in my direction. I spun to see a little girl of no more than five rush toward me, golden curls dancing upon the wind. She looked at me cautiously, the sped on down the hill letting her feet fly as she paced on towards the bottom.
I snickered to myself, thinking about myself at her age. Rushing toward the gate to great the new comers or to welcome the tired Eords home. Someone shouting my name caused me to turn again. This time I was greeted by Ewilyn's friendly face. I was grateful to see her, the idea of entering the massive crowd gathered at the gate, without a friendly face wasn't exactly my idea of a good time.
"So how are we this morning love?" I asked her as we drew closer to the gate.
"I'm fine, but I think I should be the one asking you, after all you are the one who apparently spent a good majority of your time last evening embracing the lonely king of Rohan" She said, her eyebrow wagging in exaggeration.
"EWILYN!" I said in exasperation, I was beginning to wonder if there was a soul in this bloody kingdom who did not know of my harmless moment with Eomer.
"According to the local gossip, the wedding date has been set for some time in early spring, Good riddance to it they say, sighting a desire to see a Rohirrian woman on the throne, instead of some foreigner. We sh'ant even discuss what they say this means for you, something about being done chasing foolish dreams and settling into a proper woman's roll." She said amid her snickers, and eye rolls.
I shook my head, "It was one innocent hug! For the love Eru!" I threw my hands up exasperatedly.
Ewilyn apparently found this even funnier, because her snicker was now full out laughter. I pushed on ahead hoping that she would get the hint and drop it all together. I was now wishing I had just stayed in the tub and let illness and coldwater take me.
Trumpets sounded announcing the entrance of the party, everyone smiled and waved. Cheers erupted as the two kings rode in side by side, Eomer was searching the crowd, looking about to for something or someone, then his eyes traveled across me. They froze in their spot, watching me until practicality prevented him from doing so. I felt cold shivers swim down my spine, what in middle earth was going on with me?
A few heads that had caught the kings rather obvious show of favoritism turned to ogle at me. Many swiveling back the other direction just as quickly, hoping to play off the blatant stares as a normal move. Eolas entered the gates with the elf and the dwarf at his side, he stopped and beckoned me over. I said my good byes to Ewilyn and went where my brother called.
"The king wishes you to ride up with me." He said, loud enough of course that all of Rohan probably heard him. I flinched slightly, and extended my hand so he could give me a boost up.
I seated myself side-saddle behind him like a proper lady, looking out over the crowd as a few old hens turned to each other gossiping exaggeratedly over the latest in the scandal.
"Why hello lass." The dwarf said from his position behind the elf on his steed.
"Hello master dwarf, I certainly hope your journey was well." I said, turning myself slightly to look over my shoulder.
"It was, it was; it is certainly nice to be back in the plains of Rohan again, home to people who like their ale almost as much as we dwarves do!" He said, causing all of us to laugh.
I gazed behind us to see that much of the Gondorian party was still streaming through the gates, I was trying to count the number of horses mentally, but when I got above 20 I quit, it was too discouraging trying to think of where we were going to place them all.
Our party came to a stop at the stables, and I was first to dismount. Eomer sent me a little frown and it took me a second to realize I should have waited until I had assistance. I cursed my self internally and quickly went about taking reins and trying to lead the horses into the stables. I was about half way through the doors with the first few, when I felt Eomer's hand close on my shoulder.
I looked at him out of the corner of my eye. "I have to put the horses away my Lord." I said wearily. Eomer shook his head, about that time Enofall appeared out of the shadows of the stable. "Ah, hello milord." He said giving a short bow and a curt nod.
"Hello, Enofall. Are our guests stables ready?" Enofall nodded. I was beginning to feel odd and slightly out of the loop. Enofall turned and motioned for more hands, and like bees to a hive they spread, each taking reins and deftly leading their horses to their appropriate stalls and confines.
Eomer turned to me, and pulled me inside the stables. "You won't be needed at the stables whilst the party from Rohan is here, Enofall and I have already discussed it, he has everything under control." My mouth fell open in shock.
"What?" I said, as the air rushed out of me.
"I want you to be on hand in the hall, you are a member of court Anda I expect you to fulfill your duty." I had a few thoughts on my duty that I would have been more than willing to share with Eomer, but I decided this wasn't the time or place. I did try and make a protest, but Eomer's hand tilted my chin to his face. "Please Anda, it will be good to have you around. Besides, Arowen needs a ladies company, and I am sure you remember how to do that." He said giving me a rye smile.
"How to do what?" I stammered, why was he having this effect on me. He was barely a whisper away from my face, and every single bit of my skin knew it.
"Be a lady!" He said, the grin spreading wider, and a wink finding it's way to rest evilly at the corner of his eye.
"You dog!" I said as I gave him a firm push to the gut. Eomer maybe the grand king of Rohan, but he was still the prattish little boy who picked constantly on his little sisters best-friend.
He caught me before I could make a total break away, and pulled me tightly to him. "Play nice now love, or I shall have to spread another rumor about you." He said, his soft smile and dancing eyes devouring every inth of frustration in me. I rolled my eyes, I would go along, but no one said I had to go quietly.