3. Rider of Rohan

- Late Oct SR 2957 -

Thorongil was now a Rider of Rohan. A proud rider of the Mark, under Second Marshal Fastred; and a wet miserable rider, shivering in the cold. His nose felt numb and his cheeks might crack if he sneezed.

As he reached the gates of Edoras, the bored guards waved him through wordlessly. They all knew him now, after six months in Rohan. Fastred's pet project, he'd been called. One of the first few phrases he'd learned in Rohirric, the rolling tongue of the Mark.

They knew he returned bringing news. The news were rarely good these days. The orcs on their borders were getting bolder. Now, all the nomadic herdsmen travelled with armed guards and their women taught weaponry.

He, himself, had just returned from yet another skirmish, bringing news and reports from Fastred. It had taken him two days' hard riding from the borders of Fangorn Forrest to Edoras. The messenger task had fallen to him now that three messengers had been ambushed and killed. Fastred would not risk another young inexperienced rider for the dangerous journey. Thorongil himself had managed to avoid two ambushes and stayed just ahead of his pursuers. They had finally given up on him when he neared Edoras.

When he finally arrived, he and his horse were exhausted. Thorongil was relieved to give his horse to the grooms and started the long climb to Meduseld. He reported in and passed the dispatches to the clerks. Finally, he collapsed into his bed.

"Fifteen days and three hours! I broke Elrohir's records. Here's the message pouch, Erestor."

"Willowbark is good for headache and small pain. Smell this."

The air smelled of lavender. A cool hand pressed against his cheek. "Are you awake, Estel? Here's a letter from Miriwen. Shall I read it to you?"

The air smelled of leather oil and horse and milk. Thorongil groaned inwardly. He forgot to undress again. And of the last, Théoden had come to pay him a visit.

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Théoden had not stopped his prattle since he woke Thorongil up. As Thorongil ate his breakfast, Théoden had went on to the latest escapades that involved annoying one of his many sisters, or maybe all three of them. Something he never repeated within hearing distance of his parents. Thorongil could catch about four words in five now, in the jumble of Sindarin, Westron and Rohirric. Enough to be able to get the gist of his story.

Since their first unfortunate meeting and Thorongil's slow recovery, Théoden seemed to feel the need to talked enough for both of them. Especially since Thorongil was incapable of much talking himself. That lent an air of secrecy to him that Théoden had taken full advantage of. It went without saying that every word that Théoden told him, bits of gossip, mischief and childish secrets, would remain a secret with Thorongil. And Thorongil treated every bit of information with equal gravity, never mocking or belittling him.

Thorongil noticed that Théoden seemed to be winding down. He was fidgeting, running his finger along the wood-grains of the table and swinging his short legs. Taking an educated guess, Thorongil said, "What is it you wanted to ask me?"

"Well ... Do you know if Fastred is coming home? Soon? Before winter-time?" he gushed hopefully.

Thorongil suppressed a smile. He had known Théoden was truly fond of Fastred, even hero-worshiped him. His own standing in Théoden's eyes had risen dramatically when Fastred had taken him into his éored. Gravely, Thorongil shook his head. "He is busy guarding the Fords of Isen, little one. He will winter there and at Hornburg this year."

Disappointed, Théoden was silent for a few moments. Then, after heaving a mighty sigh, he brightened up once more. Thorongil had hard time keeping a straight face. For a moment, he sounded just like his father, when confronted with Théoden's latest mischief. "Do you have to leave immediately, Thorongil? Are you going to be busy the whole day?"

"I am at your disposal this morning."

"Good. There's something I want to show you. Come!" Jumping to his feet, he grabbed Thorongil's hand and led him away in a trot, skipping two steps to Thorongil's long stride.

Théoden soon led him to parts of Edoras he haven't been before. It appears to be the royal armoury, with two guards outside. They stood at attention as Théoden passed and offered no challenge. Thorongil was relieved. It appeared that Théoden was expected and he need not explain why he had allowed a child into a room full of dangerous weapons.

The room was large and brightly lit from high windows. An open space was demarcated in the centre. A training ring. Against the walls were various parts of armour and weapons. Shields, helms and coats of mail gleamed in the sunlight, no few of Gondorrim-make. Ornate swords were mounted on walls and plain ones thrown together in bins. Long spears displayed in racks or bunched into thickets.

Théoden ignored the gleaming arrays and head straight for a work table. "Look, Thorongil!" He held up a small shield. It bore the running horse, white upon green, that was the emblem of the House of Eorl. "It's mine. Father let me choose the shield and Grimbold helped me paint it."

Thorongil took it from him and tested the balance. "It is sturdy and light. A good and fitting shield. May it keep you well!"

But Théoden was looking for something more. "Help me strap it on," he urged. "Father said I can start on sword-work as soon as I have mastered the shield. Now that you are here, I intend to master it today!"


Footnotes:

1. (TTT - I have been in this land before, more than once, and ridden with the host of the Rohirrim, though under other name and in other guise. You I have not seen before, for you are young, but I have spoken with Éomund your father, and with Théoden son of Thengel.)

2. Théoden, at this time, had at least two sisters, one elder and one younger, both born in Gondor. Théoden's third sister was born between 2953 (Thengel's return to Rohan) and 2963 (Theodwyn's birth). Conjecture - Third sister would be born by now, perhaps, one or two years old.

3. Conjecture - Théoden was born and brought up in Gondor until five. He would have been taught Westron and Sindarin as was customary to a child born in a noble family. High probability, Morwen would have continued his education in both languages in Rohan. Being multi-lingual from birth, children tend to speak in a mixture of languages before they learn to distinguish one from another. And if kept in practice in all the languages, will speak all fluently or the jumble with ease even when grown up.

4. (TTT - Théoden : And to you my other guests I will offer such things as may be found in my armoury. Swords you do not need, but there are helms and coats of mail of cunning work, gifts to my fathers out of Gondor.)

5. (TTT - ... a small shield he/Gimli/ also took. It bore the running horse, white upon green, that was the emblem of the House of Eorl.)

6. (TTT - 'May it keep you well!' said Théoden. 'It was made for me in Thengel's day, while still I was a boy.')

7. Blooper in Chapter 3 (Rider of Rohan). The rank of First Marshal may or may not be that of the King. What is known in Théoden's time, Théodred was Second Marshal, Éomer was Third Marshal. Most likely, King Théoden himself may have been the implicit First Marshal, rather than some unnamed person, especially in such an important post. Changing Fastred from First to Second Marshal, especially when he was in charge of West-mark, like Théodred, guarding the troubled western border.

In 2957, the canon characters are :
Age - Name
09 - Théoden, son of Thengel
26 - Aragorn, son of Arathorn
36 - Morwen of Lossarnach, mother of Théoden
50 - Gilraen, daughter of Dirhael, mother of Aragorn
53 - Thengel, son of Fengel, King of Rohan