Chapter 3 – Falling In Place
(Lothiriel's POV)
The next three days that followed were pleasant. We were left to ourselves mostly in the day as the king had to attend to the affairs of Rohan. We only managed to see King Eomer during dinner. And they were rather boring to say the least.
It is true that Eomer is a not a conversational man or the social type. He always asked the same few questions to which we gave the rather similar replies. There was very little to do in the evenings as well. The Golden Hall was largely a place for men and they would spend most of the time drinking, smoking and talking about the war. There was little or no music, dancing or games for us ladies to play. And it is no wonder that there was nothing much going for the ladies when I found out that there wasn't a queen since Queen Elfhild died.
That evening at dinner, Eomer asked
"So Lady Lana, if you were to describe Meduseld in one word, what might it be?"
Finally, a different question tonight.
Lana couldn't think of anything to say immediately and requested to pass until she composed her thoughts. Then Eomer looked at me and asked. "And Lady Ariel? What would you say in a word?"
"Boring" came my reply straight out of my mouth. And then I realized it was too late to take it back. Oh no! I just insult the King and his household! Lana looked at me with horror. Eomer was peeved but remained calm in his stotic way. I had to think quickly to cover up my slip of the tongue.
"I don't mean to be rude, your Highness" I continued quickly "for I find your hospitality of your hall warm and sincere. But I have also learnt that the people of Rohan treasure honestly above proprietary and that they rather hear the truth than be led to believe otherwise."
Eomer smiled and nodded. "That is true and I am glad you are getting to know us. Since your comment was offered in sincerity, I will not take offense. But do tell me how you came to say that life in Meduseld can be boring". He looked rather amused as I began to list out what I thought could be different to bring more life to the Golden Hall.
"Most of your ideas I gather stems from your perspective as a woman. And you speak very well - as if you were the Queen of the Mark, Lady Ariel."
I looked at Lana and lowered my head respectfully. "But that I will not be. I am just the hand maiden of the Princess. If she is Queen, she will decide if she would do as I have suggested."
"Please forgive her, King Eomer. My Ariel does have a quick tongue and I hope she has not offended you in any manner." Lana quickly added.
"On the contrary, Lady Lana, your Ariel brought up many good points. I have been too busy over the rebuilding of Rohan and have yet to spend time thinking about the affairs of Golden Hall. Moreover, there is no …."
He broke off and drank his wine instead.
Lana and I looked at each other wondering what he would say next. But he never finished what he was saying.
"Let's go out of this place" he continued "and let me show you more of the country. Perhaps a day out will take away a little of the boredom that Lady Ariel spoke of. For I am afraid there is little else I can do about the Golden Hall presently even though I may be King".
"What a wonderful idea" said Lana.
And I just nodded in agreement.
(Eomer's POV)
A picnic was just the thing I need to think out Imrahil's proposal. And it was something different for my guests from Dol Amroth as well. I knew I have been an awful host entertaining the ladies and wished Eowyn was here.
We all dismounted from our horses and before I knew it Princess Lothiriel was busy unpacking the food basket. Then I saw that Ariel was walking to the tree on top of the hill and left the chores of setting up the picnic to the princess. What in Middle Earth does that maid think she is doing?
"Shouldn't this be the work for Ariel" I asked the princess.
"Well, yes. But since we are now under disguise, it is all part of the act" the princess replied.
"But there is no one else here but us. Besides I find that she seems to …"
"Seems to what, King Eomer."
"O never mind." I replied not knowing what I was going to say. I just felt strange that Ariel somehow always stood out before the princess. It was incredible that Lothiriel was not even remotely jealous of this. Maybe it is just part of Lothiriel's good nature – her magnanimity and grace to allow Ariel and maybe all her ladies such freedom of speech and behavior.
But I saw it as my duty to help Lothiriel put her servant in her place.
"Let me go and get her, so that she may do her duty."
"No, please let her be. I am sure she is so excited to be out here. Anyway, by the time you return I would have already finished with the task. Consider that she has my permission to go. "
But I was determined to give Ariel a sound ticking off.
So I trudged up the hill and found her under the tree, looking at the plains below. The wind was blowing into her hair and her eyes were closed, She crossed her arms and her hands were on her heart. It looked as if she was praying or wishing for something.
(Lothiriel's POV)
Eomer came. I could feel the wind carry his warmth toward me. I opened my eyes slowly and found him looking at me strangely.
"What are you doing?" he asked. He looked flustered and sounded angry.
"I am thinking about home" I replied. "And these fields are like the sea - only green."
And then I told Eomer all I felt. The beauty of Rohan and the sea.
His anger left as he heard what I said.
"I must see it for myself one day" he said. "I must see if this sea of yours can outmatch the beauty of these fields"
"We shall know when you come to our fair city, King Eomer." I added "But your Highness, were you angry over something as you came. You looked annoyed."
"Well… now that you mentioned it, Lady Ariel" he said "I thought that I come to remind you that you shouldn't have left the princess down there setting up the picnic..."
And then I realized that I was out of line again. Being a maid in waiting was a lot harder than I thought.
"Indeed, you are right your Highness. I should be the one setting up the picnic… it is just take I was carried away by the beauty of your country and came up here in my excitement. Please, excuse me. I will go now to do what is required of me." I said quickly and started to go down the hill.
"There is no need. The princess has given you permission to stay up here."
"Then why did you still come, King Eomer".
"I thought that I should tell you off for her sake. I feel she is not able to …."
"Not able to ..what?"
"Keep you under control."
"Really?" I raised my eyebrows knowing that Lana would not dare say such things "Did she say that?"
"No … but I just did."
Now who does Eomer think he is? Keep me under control indeed. How dare he!
"Then I think O King that it could be that you are the one that is not able to keep me under control. But then I don't owe my allegiance to you." I retorted, not caring if I was rude or not.
"Not yet." he smirked.
Not yet? What does he mean by 'not yet'. For a moment, I thought he was serious about the arranged marriage.
"And by that do you mean you are planning on marrying Princess Lothiriel?" I questioned.
"Why not? She will make a good queen. I find her kind and beautiful. Fair and generous. And now, I also add patience and magnanimity in her dealings with her servants."
"But are you in love with her?" I shot back.
He did not answer me and looked troubled at my last question.
And I perceived that my moment has arrived.
(Eomer's POV)
She asked me if I loved her.
I didn't know what to say.
Who can understand where I am now in? It feels like I am caught in a web of fear. I wished not to offend Imrahil and finally reasoned that the best way is to fall in love with the princess. And now that I have met her, it does not appear to be so hard. Yet my heart tells me - I don't understand why – she is not the one. Do I love her? I can, perhaps with time.
"It is a matter of time. I believe I will." I said slowly.
"And if in time, you don't … what will the princess be?" she asked looking concerned.
"I don't know! I wished I could say that I love her now but…" I blurted, feeling flustered and blank.
"You do not?"
"No. Not yet. I am sure that in time things will change" I was becoming confused by Ariel's interrogation.
"Will you really love the princess?"
"I am sure I will."
"Why are you so sure?"
"Because I choose to. If we had more time with each other I am sure I can find out how I could love her for what she is. It is the only way."
"And you are sure she is everything you want?"
"I have to make it so." I replied in exasperation.
Ariel was quiet for sometime as she looked out to the plains. Then she continued,
"King Eomer, it is clear that you will love your queen whoever she may be. You could choose to do this with any other woman you please but why Princess Lothiriel? It sounds to me that there is more to this. If I may say your Highness, perhaps you were forced upon this path of action."
She was right. I was forced into this in the first place. Ariel looked at me very kindly and her eyes were gentle. It seemed she could understand what I was going through.
I did not say anything.
"So you are forced into this" she added. "And would you trust me if I told you I could help you?" she asked.
And so I told her all about my meeting with Imrahil and my reasons for my present course of action.
At the end, Ariel curtsied before me and said "King Eomer, I thank you for your kindness to the Prince and his household. The Prince was right and he has mentioned that you are a man of valour and deeds. I am glad you told me of this. And I can tell you that Princess Lothiriel is also here under forced circumstances for she desires only to please her father, the Prince above all things. She is not in love with you and I am sure if we work together, there will be a way out of this trap. "
"But I can't think of a way out of this at all." I said.
"Perhaps, it not for you to do anything. For the source of this trouble starts with the Prince…And if there is a way to change his mind, I reckon both you and my mistress will be free from this arrangement"
Then she continued "I have a plan. But I need you to promise you will not go to the Prince and seek for the princess' hand or my plan will not work."
"And what is your plan?"
"It is a secret, my King. I am afraid I cannot say."
I was uncomfortable with Ariel's proposal at this point. I just didn't like the fact that she was so secretive and that I had to follow her. Yet this seemed better than trying to fall in love with the princess which had a small chance of success. Given my observation of Ariel's intelligence and wit so far, peharps she could think of something.
"Well, I agree and promise not to ask the Prince Imrahil for Princess Lothiriel's hand. However, I have a condition."
"And what is that?"
"If it should happen that I truly realize in my heart that I will love the princess after her stay in Rohan is passed, I reserve the right to seek her hand."
"But if she refuses you?"
"Lady Ariel, I don't intend to cause the one I love lifelong misery by marrying her. Is it clear that I will only ask for her hand if she agrees to marry me."
And Ariel did not ask any more of me and we started down the hill.