Secrets
Chapter 2
On the morrow, Amrothos slipped away as soon as he could after breakfast. He figured the scarcer he made himself, the less likely he would get trapped into doing something that would prevent his meeting Danwen, or be put in a position to have to explain where he was going. As a result, he was in town earlier than he thought he could expect her and once again he wandered along, gazing in shop windows, until it was about the time she had indicated. He had located the correct shop first thing and returned there to wait.
His timing proved excellent, as he saw her coming down a sidestreet just as he reached the shop door. He smiled with pleasure at the sight of her, and she could not help responding in kind. With their arms free of bundles, he stepped forward and took her hand, lightly kissing her knuckles.
"A pleasure to see you once more, Lady Danwen. What shall we do today?"
She had given considerable thought to how she could spend time with him, but without being much seen. "It is a pleasant day. Shall we walk out to the Barrowfields?"
He nodded agreeably and offered his arm to her. She guided him to a secluded area, where they would not be much noticed by anyone on the road or in the guard towers, and they sat upon the grass.
"What are these mounds?" Amrothos inquired, sprawling on his side, propped up by his elbow. He already knew the answer, but it made conversation.
"They are the burial places of our kings," came the answer.
He quirked an eyebrow upward in feigned surprise. "Indeed?" Glancing around, to the plains and the mountains on the horizon, he observed, "I think perhaps I prefer Rohan's way of burying their dead. Ours are sealed in cold, stone chambers. I would rather lie beneath sweet grass and flowers, with the winds blowing over me."
She smiled. "How poetic!"
He turned to look at her, grinning. "Do not get used to it. I am rarely so." Looking back out over the plains, he added, "But something about this setting inspired me."
After a few moments of reflection, he turned to her again and said, "So, Danwen of Rohan, tell me about yourself."
Danwen stiffened at his injunction, her mind racing frantically for something to say that would not give her away. "There is not much to tell, my lord. I am just a noblewoman of Edoras. I live with my father now. My mother died when I was not yet grown."
Amrothos eyed her curiously. Most noblewomen of his acquaintance were more than willing to spend hours talking about themselves and extolling their virtues. How intriguing that this one seemed reluctant to do so. "I cannot believe that is all there is to tell about you…Danwen. May I call you Danwen?"
Gulping in surprise, she nodded. "I would like that…Amrothos." His warm grin reassured her he did not mind her following his example.
When she did not offer more about herself, Amrothos queried, "You mention no brothers or sisters, so I assume you are an only child. Have you lived in Edoras all your life?"
She nodded. "Yes. I was born here, in the same house where I still live. And you are correct, I am an only child."
Clearly he was going to have to extract information from her bit by bit, since she did no more than answer his specific questions. "And what sorts of things do you like, Danwen? May I assume that you like horses?" he teased.
She smiled in amusement. "I like horses, but I have little experience with them. Contrary to what you might believe, not everyone in Rohan is accomplished with horses." She paused, then added, "I like gardening and reading. I suppose I follow the usual pursuits of young noblewomen – sewing, embroidery, that sort of thing."
"You follow those pursuits, but do you enjoy them?" he pressed.
She shrugged. "It is expected of me, so I do it. But, no, it is not my favorite thing to do. I prefer being out of doors and too many of the usual pursuits of ladies must be done inside."
He studied her more, bringing a blush to her cheeks at his scrutiny. He started to ask if she liked to dance, but then thought better of the question. If he pursued that line, she might expect him to dance with her at the next celebration – which would be his sister's wedding – and he knew that was impossible.
The silence between them was awkward until finally she broke it by suggesting, "Tell me about your city. And the sea."
Leaning back on both elbows, Amrothos considered this and began describing Dol Amroth and the sea to her. Before either realized it, the sun was high in the sky, and Amrothos' stomach growled with hunger.
She laughed. "Perhaps it is time for us to return."
Reluctantly, Amrothos rose and offered her his hand to help her up. He would have liked to visit with her longer, but knew he ought to put in appearance at Meduseld before anyone became suspicious as to his whereabouts. They walked slowly back to Fromgast's store in companionable silence.
Once there, Danwen was sorry to part from him but could think of no reason to prolong their time together. She offered him her hand. "It has been a pleasure becoming acquainted with you, Amrothos. I hope you enjoy your stay in Edoras."
Catching her hand, he kissed her knuckles, but then did not release it from his grasp. His eyes lifted to hers and he saw there her own disinclination to end their association. Determinedly, he asked, "May I see you again? I will still be in town for several more days."
As much as she had hoped for this, Danwen hesitated. Her mistake was looking into his eyes – eyes that looked on her with favor. She had not had anyone do that for a very long time and she was loath to give it up just yet. "I would like that," she murmured, before she could talk herself out of it.
"Shall we meet here again tomorrow? About the same time?" he asked.
She nodded and smiled at him with pleasure. "I look forward to it."
Amrothos watched her turn and walk away, keeping his gaze upon her until she turned a corner and was out of sight. Lazily, he turned and moved back toward Meduseld, whistling a cheery tune under his breath.
It was probably fortunate that Lothiriel was so wrapped up in that book and her pending wedding, or Amrothos suspected he would find her more in his company and there would be no escaping to visit the young lady who had caught his interest. The more he thought about Danwen, the more he found himself smiling. He still did not clearly understand what had been happening with her and Eomer to make her work so hard to come between Eomer and his sister, but he was now convinced that she was not in love with the king. Something else was at work here, and he was determined to discover what it was.
The next day proved just as pleasant as the first had. They again talked on the Barrowfields. Apparently both of them had their reasons for not being seen much in the city. This time, as they returned, Amrothos begged, "Let me walk you to your door, please."
Danwen didn't really think that a good idea, but was unwilling to dissuade him from his eagerness to spend just a few more minutes with her, so she gave in. Once there, however, she grew agitated when he began pressing her to let him come in and meet her father.
They stood discussing it just outside the front gate, Danwen making every effort to keep her voice down so she would not be heard inside the house, and casting worried glances in that direction. Her worst fears were realized as the door jerked open suddenly and Danwen's father stood glaring at the two of them. "Who is this, girl? Bring him inside and make a proper introduction!"
Danwen closed her eyes with regret. She had hoped to avoid this, but she supposed she should have known it wasn't possible to do so. Amrothos glanced between the two of them and then offered her his arm. When she took it, they moved to the door and followed Lord Grimdred into the sitting room. The man sat stiffly in the largest chair, frowning at the two of them with dissatisfaction.
"Well, who are you, boy?" he demanded, not bothering to tell them they could sit.
With great purpose, Amrothos ushered Danwen to a chair and saw her seated, then took the chair next to it and turned his attention back to Lord Grimdred. "I am Amrothos of Dol Amroth, my lord," he introduced politely.
With a sneer, Grimdred asked, "Yes, but WHO are you, Amrothos of Dol Amroth? What gives you the right to be sneaking around with my daughter?"
"I am the son of a nobleman of Dol Amroth, and I have not been sneaking around with your daughter. We made our acquaintance several days ago, and have encountered one another a few times while I have been in your city." He knew that wasn't strictly the truth, but he had the distinct impression the man would be outraged with the actual facts.
"And I thought my daughter could stoop no lower! A Gondorian! Finally she is scraping the bottom of the barrel!" Grimdred spat.
In an instant, Amrothos was on his feet. That the man did not like Gondorians mattered little to him, but he would not tolerate such things said about Danwen, or any other lady. And how could he speak so ill of his own daughter! Before he could make a retort, Danwen was in front of him. "My lord, I think it would be better if you left." She looked up at him pleadingly and mouthed "please!".
For a moment he considered ignoring her plea, but realized it would likely do little good, and only cause more trouble for her. He took a step back and bowed to her. "Lady Danwen, if you will excuse me." He did not bother to acknowledge her father further, but turned on his heel and headed out the door.
When he was gone, Danwen fearfully turned to face her father, not daring to meet his gaze. She stood waiting for the verbal berating she knew he would give, and it was not long coming. "I am ashamed to call you my flesh! Is this how you reward my kindnesses to you? By taking up with a Gondorian? Have you no pride at all, girl!"
For a moment, she was tempted to extol Amrothos' fine qualities and point out he was of noble blood, but she knew her father's prejudices ran deep and nothing she could say would really matter to him, so she kept silent. When finally he tired of belittling her, he stormed from the room, still muttering under his breath and she wearily crept to her room to bury her face in a pillow to weep.
As her tears finally subsided, she rolled onto her back and stared at the roof over her head. Surely, now, Amrothos would not wish to be acquainted further with her. Like every other man she had ever known, he wouldn't endure her father just to be with her when there were so many other amiable girls willing to spend time with a handsome young man. She hadn't expected the pang of sorrow that realization brought. She had become fonder of him than she had known. But she should have accepted that it could not last. He would leave soon for home and she would remain here, with her father.
She pondered for a moment her father's words to her earlier, when he had told her to find a man who would have her because he would not support her forever. The thought was frightening. If he turned her out, she had nowhere to go. There were no living relatives that she knew of, and she had no way to make a living. Thanks to her father, she could not even say that she had any real friends. The other ladies of Rohan's nobility tolerated her, but most of the time they avoided her.
She was so dispirited that she remained in her room the rest of the day. She had no appetite, but knew it would only draw more of her father's ire if she did not put in appearance and go through the motions. And, much as she hated the idea, the royal wedding was to take place this evening. Lethargically she dressed herself and stood waiting for her father to join her, and lead the way to Meduseld.
Once they were seated, Danwen kept her eyes focused on the back of the person in front of her. Coming to this wedding was as salt in a wound, especially after the disastrous events earlier. A pounding headache had taken up residence behind her right eye, but she knew her father would never allow her to leave no matter how unwell she was.
It was both a surprise and a relief when Lady Lothiriel arrived and announced the wedding was postponed. Eomer had not yet returned from his travel outside the city. All the way home she was forced to listen to her father's thoughts that perhaps the king had reconsidered and realized he did not want a foreigner for a bride.
There was no escape once they reached home, for her father immediately began strategizing the next move Danwen should make in securing the king. She listened in silence, agreeing with whatever he said. Deep in her heart, she felt very certain that Eomer had not changed his mind and the wedding to Lothiriel would take place, but there was no point in arguing with her father.
As soon as she was able to withdraw, she returned to her room. For a time she tried to read, but could not concentrate for long. She kept imagining Amrothos' face – his smile, his laughing eyes and the way his dark hair framed his face. And now he was lost to her. Unable to hold back, she fell on her pillow and cried herself to sleep.