Chapter Four

Relicor


Elora woke up the next morning still feeling sore, but now throughly rested. She sat up in bed and looked around. It took a few moments to recall the events of the past day and after she once again got over the shock, she sighed and rubbed her head. Whereupon she stood, stretched her arms, and looked back at the soiled sheets in dismay. She glanced down inspecting her t-shirt and jeans which now resembled something more like garments of mud. Well, there's no helping it now. Walking around the room she took in the Rohirric designs in the walls as she had done the night before, marveling at the craftsmanship clearly visible in the work. There was a window at the far end of the room opposite the door, it was tall and narrow. Tall, so that it let in light and narrow in order to keep the chill winds that blew through Edoras out of the room.

As usual, it was once again a windy day, she could see the flags outside snapping smartly in the cool air. She turned, facing the door as it opened suddenly on old hinges. An older woman looked in, she was dressed all in dark brown, her greying hair was pulled back into a tight braid running down her back. She was matronly in size and tall in stature with a kind smile and a gentle stride.

"Good morning milady, my name is Fetige. I will be serving you this morning." The older woman shut the door behind her and surveyed Elora with a few clicking noises of disapproval. "A mess you are indeed. Do not worry, old Fetige will have you cleaned up in a moment. The woman scurried about the room, laying out various articles of clothing as she found them. Elora watched her with dismay as particle upon particle slowly started to form the shape and undergarments of a dress. It was a gown to be sure, beautiful and simple, but well...she did not wear gowns. This was not even negotiable in Rohan...no gowns.

"Um... Fetige?" The old woman paused in her searching.

"Yes milady?"

"Is these anything else I could wear...besides a dress?"

"Besides a dress milady? What in all that is good would you wear then?" Asked the older woman, clearly surprised.

"I don't know." Elora's face flushed with embarrassment. She wanted to ride with Gandalf today, she had questions that needed to be answered now. "Do you have any...boy clothes?"

"Boy clothes milady?"

"Yes. I mean...well...like a pair of trousers...and a tunic. It's just that I'm going to be riding and...well...with the gown..."

Fetige smiled."I know just what you mean. You are too small to fit into any spares from the armory...but I could get you some of my lad's older things. And you do so much remind me of Lady Eowyn, bless the child. I took care of her when she was a tiny little thing you know. With her parents dying and all, terribly sad. You two are quite alike, indeed you are." Fetige paused, thinking aloud. "We do not have much time... King Theoden has ordered a retreat from the city. We travel to Helm's Deep in a few hours."

"We're going to Helm's Deep!"

"Yes." Fetige sighed. "To think it has come to this at last." Shaking her head, she looked back up at Elora and smiled sadly. "Do not listen to the mutterings of an old woman milady, my mind is in many places today. I'll send my lad up with your clothes and I'll bring some breakfast to you shortly."

"Thank you very much Fetige." Elora said gratefully. The sound of clean pants was sounding more and more inviting...especially in light of her current attire of mud. Besides Fetige being so accommodating had raised the older woman in Elora's favor, and she found herself thinking fondly of the maid.

Fetige closed the door, and as quickly as she had come, she was gone. Elora looked down at the dress lying on the bed. Well... It wouldn't hurt to clean herself up a bit would it? Maybe even try it on? There was a basin of fresh water and a washing cloth next to it on a table by the bed. She reached for it and upon removing what was left of her shirt, she washed away as much dirt and grime from her arms, face, and neck as she possibly could. Nodding in approval as she looked herself over, she quickly slipped the gown on. The dress was light brown in color with large sleeves, trimmed with white and tying up in the front. It was beautiful. She smiled, glancing down at herself and spinning. There was a small mirror in the room, well, it actually looked more polished glass but approaching it, she peered at her reflection.

She kneeled before it, running her fingers through her hair in an effort to get out the knots. It was useless...she needed a bath...a long bath. She sighed, and quickly braided her hair and tied it off with her elastic. Well...she wouldn't say she looked beautiful...she looked...nice. Feeling awkward, she smiled, she was dressed as a Lady of Rohan... how often does that happen? There was a knock at the door, slightly startled, she rose in a rush and dashed to open it.

A boy stood there, an older boy...not much older then herself in years. He had sea blue eyes that were sparkling with laughter as he looked her over. He was tall, and brawny. The sinewy muscles in his arms testified to that, and he stood nearly a full head taller. Elora could not make herself meet his eyes again and felt her face starting to flush a deep, hot red. He smiled and bowed his head slightly in greeting.

"My mother told me to bring these to you milady." He gestured to the pile of neatly folded clothes held in his outstretched arms.

Elora staring for a moment and forcing words to be choked out she, she took the clothes from him and clasped them tightly to her chest. "Thank you."

He nodded again, "Your welcome." She looked down, avoiding his kind gaze. "My name is Relicor...might I ask who you are milady? My mother said you are a stranger to Rohan."

"Your mother?"

"Fetige...she was here earlier..."

"Oh. Yes... I'm Elora."

"And you are from...?"

"Um...somewhere...far away..."

Relicor tilted his head in confusion. "Far away is it?"

"Yes...I'm not sure...well...actually...um...to be quite honest...I'm not sure...exactly...how I got here...and well...I'd prefer not to talk-"

"I'm sorry..." Relicor interrupted quickly, "I didn't mean to offend you."

"No, it's fine." Elora said , looking up at Relicor with wide eyes and immediately regretting it. He was smiling again... why did he have to smile?

"So...are you ready to leave the city milady?"

"Yes...I think so. But please, don't call me milady...Elora is fine."

"'Tis proper milady...someone of your status..."

"No...really...I'm not all that...um...important." Why wouldn't the damned words come out right? She wanted to hit herself, she was a fool. A retarded fool, Relicor was after all, only trying to be polite.

Relicor leaned his tall body against the door frame. "Ah, that is the thing the thing, isn't it? You are important. There is not a person who has not wondered of the woman who traveled with Lord Aragorn, Gandalf, an elf and a dwarf. That is something to be questioned...and admired. For you may not see it, but it was you and your companions who returned to us our king once more."

Elora blushed furiously. "I didn't do anything...it was all an accident...I was attacked that's all. I- I was just...defending myself."

"Yet there you are wrong again, my friend was guard at the gates when it happened. Brave deeds are not so easily forgotten here in Rohan, nor do they go unrewarded. According to my friend, this strange maiden fair, fought bravely, though wounded herself."

Elora touched the bandage around her head. She caught herself in mid-motion and dropped it once again to her side. Both were silent for a moment and Elora became dully aware of a painful throbbing in her head...or was it her chest? Relicor was friendly...amiable. There was something about him that made you want to instantly like him.

"If I may say so milady, the gown you wear now is much more beautiful on you then these trousers would be. Why do you feel the need for boy's clothes?" His question was innocent, clear-cut, and curious. Not accusing in the least. Acually...he almost seemed...amused.

Elora blushed once again at his compliment, shifting her weight. "Well, I still plan to ride with Gandalf and the others, and that's rather difficult when you're wearing a dress."

Relicor replied, "Well, I would not know anyway, 'tis not my area of experiance. However, I understand your meaning."

Elora fingered the trim of her dress, avoiding his probing gaze. A horn sounded from outside the window and both turned to look. "That is the call, they warning the people to be ready to leave the city soon." Said Relicor observantly, he caught her gaze again. "I must go to the stables, maybe I will see you again?"

Elora was flattered that anyone in this place would desire her company, but she smiled shyly and replied."Yes, perhaps."

"Then I must leave you but I look forward to our next meeting."He said kindly, then hesitating before he turned to go he added, "Good-bye... Elora."

"Good-bye, Relicor...it was...um... a pleasure to meet you." She answered awkwardly, thinking hard on how to say farewell in a way acceptable in Rohan. Relicor chuckled and nodded,

"As it was I to you." He met her gaze, smiled, and returned down the hall with a quick stride.

Elora stood leaning on the door frame for a moment, slightly dazed by this encounter. Regaining her senses, she retreated once more into the room and slipped out of the dress into a pair of dark brown trousers, a dark, long tan tunic which a leather belt and a pair of high cloth boots. Glancing in the mirror she felt her cheeks and noted with dismay that they were hot, as if inflamed. Stupid, stupid, stupid Elora! She thought as she admonished herself with a groan. Apparently she had found a friend and though she was slightly embarrassed at her withdrawn behaviour, the thought made her smile faintly.

She heard the horn again, it sounded more urgent, slightly louder. She debated for a moment whether or not she should wait for Fetige to return; then growing impatient and slightly nervous, she opened the door and glanced down the hall. It was empty, she darted inside the room, shoved the dress inside a brown, leather jerkin bag she found laying out, (assuming it was for her), she slung it over her shoulders along with the remains her tattered, old denim jacket. Then moving quickly back to the door, she took a deep breath, and darted down the hall in search of her new companions.


This is actually quite fun, re-writing this story. I feel much more accomplished knowing that I've improved from when I first began, and that's a wonderful feeling. -

Namarie,

Luthien Anaclime

TO BE CONTINUED...