Chapter 6: Revelations

This is a collaborative effort of a whole bunch of us - me, Elanor, Finrod, Gilrean, Holly, Lana, Nimbrethil, Witch King and Wizard. Other than the respective characters ie. me (Laurendil); Elanor (Elanor, Haldarin), Gilrean (Gilrean), Holly (Holly), Lana (Lena), Nimbrethil (Nimbrethil), Witch King (Beomir) and Wizard (Wizard), we do not own any of the other great Tolkien works. This was originally an RPG we played and have put together as a story. Hope you enjoy it.

Back at the stables, a very nervous and agitated maiden was pacing the floor. "Éodan" had missed Laurendil and so apologized, but she knew that the time between discovery and the pieces falling together would fly quickly. She had fled deep into Rivendell to gather her thoughts-her hounds following behind.

"Deep breath, lady of Rohan, deep breath," she muttered to herself … but that was the problem! She was a Lady of Rohan!

"Ay and of course the Lady Eowyn has not arrived yet!" she wailed, thinking again. Her beautiful face was fraught with worry, and she felt like she was going to be sick, "Lady Eowyn is my only hope in getting through this without being impaled upon a stick!"

She groaned and mumbled and deliberated, pacing and biting her lips as she thought – such a contrast to the celebration that was beginning outside. Then suddenly a thought struck her. She stood up with renewed hope, then as quickly as the thought came, she pushed it away as being nonsense. Yet, it kept coming back, persistently. Maybe … perhaps … but no. She shook her head again. Yet … maybe the only way to prevent disaster was to try to get to that silvery haired elf maiden first ... and though she WAS an elf (whom she distrusted and disliked) … there is just something about her. Something that made her want to trust the elf, to get her on her side ... Finally, making a decision, she stood straighter. Taking a deep breath (and replacing her hair under her helm that she had luckily remembered) she set off for the celebrations, a grim and determined look on her face ...

Once there though, her courage seemed to leave her. She quickly hid behind an opening and peered in... and groaned. Her luck had failed her again - the elf maiden was sitting with no other than the King and Lady of Rohan! And with Elfwine and Éodan and Eomoth! She almost backed down, her feet taking a step back before she stopped. Summoning all her courage, she steeled herself and thought hard. At that moment, the minstrels started a tune, and mostly everyone got up to dance and cheer in tune with the music. An idea formed in her mind, and whispering to Falas, she commanded him to go and get the elf maiden.

Falas of course was confused, giving her a quizzical look - for he knew how much his master disliked elves. And this was no elf that he knew. But his master was adamant, and he did as his master wished.

Keeping her back against the wall, she watched carefully out of the corner of her eye as Falas wandered up to the maiden, praying that no one would recognize him. She hoped that the music and merriment would conceal Falas, and that everyone else's attention would be on eating and dancing instead. Her heart in her throat, she watched as Falas managed to get alongside the elf maiden.

Laurendil had been feasting joyously with the royals of Rohan when she felt a cold nose on her hand and looked down to see a hound of "Éodan". He nudged her until she took a peek at the door and saw a glimpse of a glinting helm... she who called herself Éodan.

Excited by trying not to show it, Laurendil excused herself, muttering something about unfinished business and gracefully left the room. As she did, she saw the glint of helm again as it went down the halls, turned a corner and entered one of the rooms of King Eomer's sons. Curious, Laurendil followed and entered the room, eager to finally discover the secrets of the mysterious rider.

Nimbrethil was alone, having snuck away from the Halls the moment the minstrels struck up a tune. The uneasiness in her heart did not allow her to stay, so she was now away from the merriment and loud noise … sitting there, she found a little bit of peace by looking up at the brightly shining stars above. Despite it all, she somehow knew she would not be alone for long. She heard foot steps behind her but she didn't move.

"Why do you not join in the merriment?" asked a familiar voice. It was Legolas. She did not answer at first, taking in the night air and the scene before her. A cold wind blew, uncharacteristic for the summer months, and Nimbrethil drew her hood tighter about her.

"I am not at ease, Legolas," she began tentatively, "A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something stirs in the shadows."

"Nimbrethil, you have the keen sense of the Eldar, and I trust you in all matters. But for now, let us try to enjoy ourselves," Legolas answered persuasively, and extended his hand to Nimbrethil, a pleading look in his face, "Now, how about a dance?"

Despite herself, Nimbrethil smiled and took it. Together, they entered the Halls again and many eyes fell upon them – some of the maidens were admittedly grumbling but did not dare do anything openly for the elf maiden in Legolas's arms did not appear the helpless type.

All this was hardly registered by Nimbrethil, for she spied something else more interesting … Lady Laurendil had just got up from the table quite suddenly, with a troubled look on her face. Her keen eyes followed Lauerndil, who appeared to be following a hound out of the hall. There was something familiar about the hound … memory clicking, her eyes widened slightly as she said to herself, "It must have something to do with that strange rider..."

"What?" asked Legolas, puzzled at Nimbrethil having stopped just as they entered the Hall.

Nimbrethil smiled at him, shaking her head, "Nothing. Nothing at all."

Legolas studied her face carefully, but Nimbrethil did not show anything. Smiling back, Legolas took her to the dance floor and they danced – much to the dismay of the maidens looking on. When they finished their dance, Nimbrethil made an excuse of checking up on something and slipped from the hall in the direction Laurendil had gone. Legolas saw her leave, but this time, let her go alone. Perhaps Nimbrethil needed some time to think on some matters, he thought to himself as he turned to talk to the others that came to him.

It was not far that Laurendil had gone - she found them in the adjoining chambers, talking in whispers. Laurendil's back was to the door, which was slightly open and Nimbrethil could just make out the outline of another person inside. The person was definitely the mysterious boy earlier.

Nimbrethil watched quietly as the boy stood there nervously in front of Laurendil, and it was obvious that the boy had not said anything yet. Laurendil was being patient, letting the boy pace around the room first, before he took a deep breath and faced Laurendil. Nimbrethil was quiet as she listened …

"I know you know that I am not Éodan of Eastfold ... and I sincerely apologize for my attack in the stables but I knew not what else to do ... you so startled me and then the Kings arrived early and, and..."

At this, Nimbrethil eyes opened even wider. What is this? This boy is notÉodan? Attack? Curiouser and curioser.

The mysterious girl trailed off. Laurendil was trying to calm her down, "It's okay, um Éodan, everything will be fine. Just tell me, please what is wrong … and, my name is Laurendil, as I noticed you never asked before."

The maiden smiled at that, and she lifted off her helm. Her golden hair tumbled down, framing a face that Laurendil knew made boys … and men … falter. "My name … my real name, is Elanor. Elanor, sister of Elfwine and Éodan and Eomoth. Elanor, daughter of Lothiriel of Dol Amroth. Elanor, daughter of Eomer King of Rohan."

Laurendil let the surprise show in her face. Although she had known that the 'boy' was not "Éodan", but Elanor? Princess of Rohan?

Meanwhile, outside, Nimbrethil gasped again. This was certainly a turn of events. Eyes narrowing, she studied the small figure. "A shield-maiden of Rohan? But why all this secrecy?" she wondered to herself as she continued to listen....

Inside, Laurendil gaped at her briefly. "My Lady!" Laurendil curtsied slightly, out of habit. "What are you doing here, so far from the Riddermark?"

Elanor sighed. "That is the problem! I am not supposed to be! But I was not to be left home again! I mean, I love Edoras and Meduseld with all my heart, but the farthest I've been from home is Dol Amroth - and that in a large escourt to visit my mother's people. No one knows I left besides my brothers … and they only let me come because they knew that Lossefalme and myself would not be left behind. But if the King and my Lady were to find out, why..." Elanor broke off crying. Laurendil put her arm around the girl, and she did not shirk away, but moved closer.

Laurendil wondered at the girl. She was brave to defy her parents, but young. "My lady, how old are you?"

Elanor sniffed. "Seventeen … well sixteen, but my birthday is March 15 … when the Lady Eowyn killed that WitchKing … and that is my only hope. That Lady Eowyn arrives soon. Only she will support me leaving home – and keep me from being sent back to Edoras and married off to the son of Gamling or another marshall's son!" She cried again.

"You have to help me though! You are the only one who knows … you must help hide me until she arrives … you are my only hope."

"To think an ELF is my only hope!" said Elanor with a small laugh, in spite of herself.

Just at that moment, outside, Nimbrethil felt someone bump into her. With quick reflexes, Nimbrethil caught the one who had done so, but got a scream in response. With that scream, Nimbrethil looked to the door and saw the shield maiden seeing them, and screamed in utter shock as well. Laurendil had also spun around and saw the two of them.

Great.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, I didn't see you …" started the person in Nimbrethil's hold. It was Holly. Earlier, Holly had gone out of the Hall to get some fresh air as all the fun dancing and eating at the feast got too much for her. Unfortunately, she also got slightly lost … all the winding roads appeared the same and now, she was in a dark hall. There were so many rooms … so many turns … trying hard to keep her beating heart down her throat, she was so busy trying to figure out where she was that she ran right into someone that was hiding in the shadows. That person grabbed Holly to steady herself, but Holly – who was completely scared by then, screamed.

Now, she was trying to apologize but Nimbrethil cut her off, motioning that it was okay. Holly then saw what Nimbrethil was looking at, and was surprised to see Laurendil and Éodan ... well she thought it was Éodan but this was a girl... a very terrified looking girl …

Without a word, Nimbrethil and Laurendil exchanged glances. Taking Holly by the arm, Nimbrethil headed towards the room and entered while the Rohirrim princess broke out in sobs again. Laurendil ushered them into the room and took charge...

Back at the celebrations, Lena was done waiting. She had watched as Aragorn entered the Hall, make his speech, waited until the minstrels started playing … she had never waited this long before, and the feast was already in full swing. She was angry, she was annoyed. She would drag Aragorn from the room if need be. She was secure in the knowledge that she could beat him in a knife fight – he may be King, he may be Dunedein, he may be a warrior, but she outlived him with experience by a few hundred years. With a resolute air about her, and a confident stride in her steps, she walked over to him and said "I'm done waiting. We're talking NOW."

Aragorn looked at her with a tilt of his eyebrow. He was used to her ways, and did not take offence. After all, he did say that he would meet with her after the speech. He went with her, and standing behind a curtain, asked, "Alright. What is going on?"

"Shut up and I'll tell you," said Lena, her patience wearing thin, being agitated with the information she had and not liking being set aside so easily, "We have a huge problem. One of my informants has discovered a group of … people, who want you dead. They seem to be the remnants of Sauron's human force."

"That is not possible," Aragorn replied "They were all destroyed!"

"Right.. But their children weren't!"

Aragorn gaped at her, "How do you know this?"

Lena sighed, not wanting to divulge her sources … or reveal who she truly was, "For now, that is all I can say. Gather your most trusted advisors and tell me when you're ready to learn more."

With that, she left swiftly, leaving Aragorn to deal with the information in silence. He stepped out of the curtains then, getting a few curious glances which he ignored. He looked for Legolas and Gimli and whispered a few things to them hurriedly. Their faces grim, they quietly and quickly gathered some people.