A/N: This chapter is relatively long, and could've gone on longer, but I decided to cut it and give you guys something to read so I don't get mobbed! Thanks for the great support. Again, I'm having chapter naming issues, so any advice is awesome.
Unicorn: No... Haven't really witnessed the autumn, except through what the media allows my pitiful eyes to see... Yea... We are the sunshine (and smog) state. My mom dreams of Massachusetts; wants to live there. I think she's crazy. No offense. I'm glad you like my 'little boy' comparison.
Nayana: Yay! I'm glad your crazy as well. I'm not alone. Glad you love it, and thanks for being patient!
Frozen world-trapped soul: While I'm glad you love my story, it worries me when you can relate to her... But it's all good!
Elanor-G: I LOVE your review! I'm sure your messages got through to all the character, except for Eowyn of course, because NO, you absolutely CANNOT have her future husband. He's MINE!!! (my precious...)
Anon: Welcome! Nice name. Anon... I almost thought it was just plain anonymous. I'm sorry that I can't satisfy your 'happy ending' love, but I promise I'll do as much as I can to make it a good sad ending. Bring tissues.
Roisin Dubh: Your two cents are always precious, as I've told you before. I shall take that advice of yours, and it shall be 'Leaves in the Wind'.
Lady Falcon Ranger: Thanks for reading! I'm glad, in a cruel way that you'll be depressed, because my story had some effect! Don't be too sad though!!! I'm sorry!
Shallindra: Don't worry. I won't torture you with Boromir and Theodred dying TOO much.
Thanks to everybody who reviewed! Keep up the great support! To those who read and don't review, hope your liking it and hope you'll drop in a little note sometime! I'll try to be a bit quicker with the updates!
Chapter 41: Yes, my Lord
The days following Boromir's departure were taxing on Theodred. He worried about his wife, who had become more withdrawn and anxious since her brother left. An elderly midwife had told him not to worry and that it was natural for her to be anxious about the impending birth, but Theodred could not be completely dissuaded.
To cheer her up, they rode out to the prairie just south of Edoras, the same one Eowyn and Elentari had frequented. They lay in the grass, gazing at the cerulean sky as Elentari wove the wildflowers together (and through Theodred's hair) while he entertained with stories of his eored.
"We delegate tasks every night at camp," Theodred told her, "And every so often Halas and I would land the food preparation job. Halas hates it, and the men hate it when its our turn, because usually they go hungry that night, because Halas ends up burning the food."
Elentari smiled, "Blame it on him. Are you sure it is not you?"
"I can cook better than you," he defended.
"That is why I do not cook," she replied calmly. "There are some things I can do, some I excel at, and others I do not even try for I know I will ruin. I leave those to others."
"What are you putting through my hair?" she slapped his hand away as he reached up to tug at the flowers.
"You'll be a beautiful princess when I'm through."
He moaned and muttered something about women under his breath, which caused her to glare at him.
Unexpectedly, she grimaced and her hand flew to her stomach. Theodred looked at her concernedly. After a few moments, the pain subsided and her features relaxed. He questioned her with his eyes.
"It's nothing. He likes to kick a lot now," her hand still upon her stomach, "I can feel his every movement; he's like you, never staying in one position. He'll be a fighter; flailing his little fists at his mother already."
Theodred relaxed a bit and smiled. He pressed his ear gently onto her stomach and listened intently. "I can hear his heart beat."
"Less than three months now," she murmured.
"Father will want to name him," he peered at her, trying to get her approval of letting Theoden name the child.
She sighed, "You know what I think."
"It's tradition here to let the grandfather name the first child, especially if it is a boy." They'd had this discussion before, "You can name our other children."
She smiled, a slightly wan smile, "How many more do you want?"
It was then that Theodred noticed how tired his wife truly looked, and he felt a tinge of guilt because of it, and replied, "As many as you wish to bear."
Her smile was a tired one, and she nodded slowly, "Alright. I consent. Your father can name him." He tried hard not to look too triumphant, and kissed her tenderly upon the lips, slowly at first. They were still locked into each other when a voice interrupted.
"My Lord?" They both looked up to see a rider standing there, looking highly abashed for being there.
Theodred sighed heavily and tried not to glare at the man, "Yes?"
"I'm sorry to interrupt your erm," the man did not fill in the word, "Theoden King sent me to find you. He requests your presence immediately."
Theodred nodded reluctantly, and soon after the rider got onto his horse, he was helping Elentari onto Brego.
Once in Meduseld, they were greeted by Theoden sitting in his great chair, accompanied by three of his advisors, two of whom Theodred particularly disliked, among them a disfigured man by the name of Grima.
Both of them bowed to Theoden and acknowledged the counselors.
"I'm sorry we had to call you back so early," Theoden spoke slowly, as if it took great labor on his part, "It's been called to attention a conflict in Dunharrow that requires immediate attention from you and your eored Theodred."
"Is there no other force available?" Theodred asked, knowing the answer.
Instead of Theoden answering, the snake-like Grima spoke, "None that will do any significant harm to these Orcs. All the other eoreds are tied up somewhere else. Yours is the only one available, my Lord." His silk-like voice had a treacherous edge to it.
Theodred closed his eyes slowly, and squeezed Elentari's hand, which he had been holding since they entered, and slowly, his head down in resignation, he said, "When must I leave?"
"Immediately."
He nodded, "Might I request a private audience with my father?"
Theoden looked up tiredly at his son, "Of course. What is it you wish to discuss, my son?"
"Something I wish to speak to you alone."
Theoden nodded and rose, "In my quarters then."
Theodred pressed her hand again, before letting her go. She stood as a stone, her eyes downcast as he followed his father into another room, leaving her with the three counselors, circling her inconspicuously like hawks. They watched her as she stood there, lost in her own thoughts, each observing her, each calculating his best interests with this foreign lady bearing their next prince. She seemed not to see them though, her eyes either downcast or raised momentarily to dwell upon the door of Theoden's chambers. They were cloudy, filled with a faint fire, one that looked as if it could be smothered within moments, yet if that were tried, they would burn in endurance.
Inside the doors that barred her, Theodred reasoned with his father.
"Father why must I leave? I cannot believe there is no other force available."
Theoden peered at his son, "You are the Prince. If you do not do your duty, no one will."
"It is not a question of duty Father. If it were any other time I would gladly go, but I fear for Elentari."
Theoden cocked an eyebrow in concern, bidding his son to go on.
"She laments for Boromir's departure, missing her brother, as well as getting a bit homesick for Gondor. Please Father, I do not wish to leave her alone. I hear her trying to cover up her crying in the depths of the night from her fear of childbirth. She hears the stories of the midwives, and remembers that both her mother, and mine died from childbirth," his voice broke guiltily at this.
Theoden looked down at the mention of his beloved Queen Elfhild who was taken hours after Theodred's birth.
"Please Father. She needs me," he pleaded with his father, his desperation showing in his blue eyes.
His son was his only living memory of his wife, and ever since her death, all his love had been bestowed upon him, and Theoden wanted to grant his son's wish. The parental and the kingly parts of him battled fiercely, until he finally said, "Let us hear what my counselors have to say on the matter." He walked towards the door and called in the three men.
After informing them on what Theodred had pleaded on, leaving out the more personal aspects of Elentari's fears, Theoden asked the men to speak their thoughts.
Grima was the first to let his oily words flow, "It is natural, my liege that you would wish to stay with your expecting wife, but is it not your first and foremost duty to your country? As prince, all the men look to you for leadership and example, and if every man were allowed to stay home because of their family, Rohan would most certainly fall."
Theodred spoke not a word, though inside he was seething. Eomer had often voiced hate for the counselors, especially this one rising in power, and though he did not go as far as his rash cousin, at this moment, Theodred knew what Eomer meant.
The counselor went on, "Certainly, if another force were available, your wish could be granted, but at this time, there is not, and Rohan's need is dire."
Theodred watched his father's face and knew that he had lost, though his father had not officially realized it yet.
Slowly, his shoulders slumped, eyes downcast, he bowed his head in resignation, and in a toneless voice said, "I shall inform the men. We will ride out this afternoon."
He bowed to his father turgidly and left the room, leaving Theoden King with a pinched, guilty expression upon his face, though he said nothing to stop his son.
Theodred left Edoras that afternoon, like he had pledged after bidding his lady a quick farewell. She said nothing, just nodded her head after giving him a kiss to show that she understood and accepted it. He made Eowyn promise him five times to take care of Elentari before he finally mounted Brego, kissed Elentari's hand one last time, and called his eored out and away of Edoras.
Elentari said nothing, merely stared into the distance, allowing Eowyn to lead her back to her rooms, where she sat down upon the bed and continued her reading on Fëanor calmly.
As night fell upon Meduseld, Theoden sat alone in his study, still seeing his son's desperate eyes in front of him. His proud strong shoulders had slumped, his eyes lost their sheen, as he realized that he would lose the plea, and in a toneless voice had acquiesced.
Yet how had his son lost? Theoden had not voiced a word. How did his son know that he had lost? Theodred was not one to give up, but Theoden had not missed the brief, penetrating, all-knowing glance his son had flashed through him.
Frightened. He had said that she was frightened, even terrified at the prospect of childbirth. The words took him back almost three decades, Theodred's face being replaced by his beloved Elfhild. She had sat beside him in this very room, when his father Thengel was still Lord of Rohan, throwing back her golden head, and smiling at him lovingly. She had been so happy, so enthusiastic about their first child, one that she wanted desperately. Labor had come for her, and not long after Theodred had arrived, perfectly healthy and beautiful. She had been fine. She had held the swaddled baby to her chest, kissing his delicate forehead, whispering his name, as Theoden looked on lovingly, kissing his wife. Thengel had looked on proudly at his grandson from the doorway, giving his son and daughter time with their new child.
It had been perfect. They were so happy, Theoden reminisced at the happy moments that did not last. Even the healers had said she was fine. Yet a few hours later, she lay there motionless, her blue eyes passed on to her son wide open, lifeless. He did not know what had happened.
Theoden buried his face into his hands to escape the haunting memories. His son had pleaded to stay with his wife, to care for her, something Theoden felt he had not done. Yet he had not let him. He had forced his son to ride away to defend their borders. Was it right? Theodred was a Marshal, and all men of Rohan must do their duty, and there were no exceptions. When your land needs you, you must fight. Every Rohirric boy entering the army took those oaths, to lord and land, and they must fulfill them.
Yet the whole country watched Theodred and his wife, hanging on her pregnancy; they didn't do that to any other couple in the land. Is that sufficient reason that Theodred should be able to stay home? Theoden did not know. He stood up, tightening his robe, and took a side door to the veranda.
He rounded the corner to have soft singing drift to his ears. He recognized the voice after he let the melodic notes sink in.
Only night will ever know
Why the heavens never show
All the dreams that are to know
Paint the sky with stars
Night has brought to those who sleep
Only dreams they cannot keep
I have legends in the deep
Paint the sky with stars
Who has paced the midnight sky?
So a spirit has to fly
As the heavens seem so far
Now who will paint the midnight star?
Place a name upon the night
One to set your heart alight
And to make the darkness bright
Paint the sky with stars.
He watched her as she drew her cloak closer around her, gazing back up at Elbereth's mystifying creations.
Then, another tune came from her lips, one he had heard as a child in Gondor, so many years ago.
A! Elbereth Githoniel!
Silivren penna miriel
O menel aglar elenath
Slowly, he felt the words return to him, and he sang softly along with her, though his voice was not fair like hers.
Githoniel, A! Elbereth!
We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land beneath the trees
The starlight on the Western Seas
She turned as the last notes faded from her lips, hearing his voice mingle with hers. As soon as she realized who it was, she tried hurriedly to rise, but he stayed her with his hand.
"My Lord," she bowed her head.
"You sing beautifully, Elentari, a trait I hope you shall pass to my grandchildren," he said as she blushed, "You shall be the nightingale of Meduseld."
She smiled gratefully, "Father used to call me little sparrow." It was one of her fond memories of Denethor, and they did not span a great number.
"He was not foolish to do so," Theoden commended, "Yet you should not be out here. The wind will pierce through your bones. You must mind your health, my Lady."
Elentari scowled, "All anybody cares about is my health anymore, not me. It's not, 'Go ahead Elentari; sit outside as Lady Elbereth's creations are your only comfort. It's always, 'Go back inside Elentari. Rest. You need your health.'" Abruptly, she realized who she was talking to, and bowed her head shamefully, "Forgive me, my Lord."
Theoden waved her apology away, and grinned, a rare treat that lessened the years upon his face, making him look like his son, "I won't tell if you won't," earning her grateful smile in return. In the year she had been here, she had never spoken to the King in this way, and this night, he was no longer Theoden King, only Theoden, a father caring for his son and his wife.
"Why are you out here, my Lord? I've never seen you here before, at least not at this hour."
"Sleep eluded me. There were too things on my mind, and I felt I needed air," he explained, "By your words I take you frequent this place at this hour."
She looked a bit abashed, "Yes," she answered softly, "When Theodred is not here."
Her words carried another statement with them, a silent accusation at Theoden for taking away her husband so much.
He took her hands in his, "I'm sorry, Elentari, but his duty is not only to you, but also to his country."
She nodded, her eyes closed in surrender, knowing that there was no other way.
"My wife used to wish that she had married a peasant instead of the Prince. That way she would actually see her husband. She used to tell me that all the time."
Elentari nodded, a knowing, rueful smile appearing upon her face, "She spoke wisely." She paused for a moment, and then went on, "Back home, Boromir and Faramir never stayed at home for long either. Boromir was always off somewhere with his company, and because he was so much older than us, Faramir and I became accustomed to it, and didn't mind, though it was a treat when he was around. It was hard though, when Faramir joined the White Company, because there was no longer anyone around. I sat around the Citadel gazing out the windows, hoping that at least one of them would ride back from Osgiliath or Ithilien."
"Osgiliath," Theoden mused, "I remember Osgiliath. It was a beautiful city, a place of light, beauty, and music."
"It will be again one day," Elentari hoped, knowing how much Boromir loved that city, "Did you spend time there before?" Theoden spoke of Gondor so fondly that she was sure he had spent time there.
"I was born in Minas Tirith, and raised there, for a time," Theoden answered, "Do not look so surprised. My father loved Gondor and was reluctant to return here after his father died. I loved it there as a child."
"I love it as well, though the waters of Dol Amroth called to me," she replied, her eyes distant as she dreamt of home.
"My mother was of Lossarnach, and often she took me to the Sea, when I was a small child. I spoke not the speech of the Rohirrim for many a year since we came, and finally my father ordered me to learn it, for he insisted that I could not be a good ruler unless I spoke the speech of the people. One day we should visit together, and you shall take me around the White City, Elentari of Minas Tirith."
The title was so endearing to her she nearly choked upon forming tears, "Yes, my Lord. Yes. We shall."
A/N: I'm having issues with naming chapters lately... Any suggestions people? Review!