A/N: From here on, you will occasionally see a time reference in parentheses at a section break. Originally, I put those in for my own reference to keep track of where I was, but I thought they might be of interest to you also, so I left them in the final version.
Today's History Lesson: The sidesaddle has been around since at least 1300. In the earliest form, usually the woman rode sitting facing the side and had little control of her mount, having to be led. By the 16th century, they had begun sitting facing forward and had more independent control of their horse. Some may have begun doing this as early as 1495. So it is quite possible it was fashionable to ride this way in Gondor, as it was considered more 'ladylike'. Strong or powerful women often broke with this tradition (see the Canterbury Tales). If you want more info, Google sidesaddle plus history.
wondereye, t, Blue Eyes, and anyone I missed - yes, this story unfolds more slowly than my others have, and for the moment there doesn't seem to be much between E/L, but there will be. Honest! Trust me!
Chapter 4
Eventually the skies did clear and Lothiriel's riding lessons began in earnest. Even though she had not been able to ride, she had continued to go to the stables for instruction there, and Eothain was quite pleased with her progress. The salve had indeed healed the blisters quickly, and using the gloves prevented more from forming. The sore muscles simply had to become used to the exertion and gradually did, but Eowyn continued the massages with salve until Lothiriel felt she could manage without it.
At long last, Lothiriel found herself sitting on the back of a horse. Somehow she had never realized just how tall the creatures were, but now the ground seemed very far away. Nervously she sat listening attentively to Eothain's instructions on how to properly hold the reins, how to position and use her legs and hands, and the basics of riding in general.
And then he stepped back and she was on her own. Calmly he walked beside her, guiding, instructing and correcting, as Bugan walked around the paddock. When she seemed to have the feel of the horse, and Eothain could detect her relaxing a bit, they attempted a slow trot. This proved more difficult, and Eothain bit back a smile lest she think he was making fun of her. Lothiriel's face wore an expression of intense concentration as she struggled to do all he told her, but still she bounced loosely about in the saddle.
Bugan was used to inexperienced riders, so he gave her no problems and tolerated her thumping against the saddle on every beat. Having mercy on her, Eothain had her slow Bugan to a walk again, and continue working at steering and guiding him with her hands, legs and heels, and then called it a day.
Lothiriel was somewhat disappointed that the lesson was so brief and, suspecting as much, Eothain explained, "If you thought you were sore from the stable work, you will soon discover there are far more muscles in your legs and seat than you think. And every single one of them will be complaining about this." With a knowing grin, he added, "And Eowyn will not be able to massage away your discomfort this time!"
Eothain's assessment proved correct, and by supper that evening Lothiriel was walking gingerly and sitting uncomfortably. Both Eomer and Eowyn eyed her with a mixture of amusement and sympathy, but knew there was little they could do to help. Only time would bring about relief.
Despite her inclination to do nothing more than lie on her bed, unmoving, Eowyn had assured Lothiriel it was best to keep moving and use the sore muscles as much as possible. Though it seemed ridiculous, she claimed it would make the soreness ease sooner, and Lothiriel eventually agreed that it seemed to be true.
Consequently, she spent time each day working in the royal garden. She had made good progress on clearing out the weeds and detritus. Now, she was beginning to add plants, as well as thin and prune those that were overgrown. She was quite pleased with the improvement she had made during this venture.
xxxxx (mid to late Sept)
Eomer rubbed his neck as he wandered out into the garden. The morning session with his advisers had been annoying and stressful, and his head was pounding. Lothiriel's work in the garden was making it a restful place once more, and he was beginning to think of it as his refuge.
As he rounded a tall shrub, he came face to face with Lothiriel, her hands dirty and a small plant in each of them.
"You took me seriously when I said I did not mind if you worked in my garden," he commented.
She smiled at him. "Of course! I did not offer lightly, and autumn is upon us. I need to get some things in the ground quickly so they will be established enough to withstand the winter."
Noticing his expression and the way he was rubbing his neck and shoulders, she asked, "Is something troubling you? Advisers can be wearying..."
He laughed, not surprised she had surmised the cause of his affliction. "Exactly! I have just spent a most unpleasant morning getting their considered opinion on a subject. I do not think they heard a word I said."
She set down the plants she held, and cleaned her hands on the apron she wore over her dress. "Sit down and tell me about it. The pain in your neck and shoulders I may be able to help; the pain of your advisers is less easily dealt with."
He chuckled as he moved to a nearby bench. To his surprise, she moved to stand behind him and pushed his hand away from his neck. Replacing it with her own, she began kneading the muscles in neck, back and shoulders with a very firm grip. He felt reasonably certain she had done this before, and she was very good at it, too. He could feel the tension releasing already as his muscles unknotted.
"So what were your advisers on about that distressed you so?" she urged.
With a sigh, he answered, "They have decided it is time I should think about marrying and starting a family. I have been king less than a year and already they hound me about this! My attention is better focused on feeding our people and rebuilding homes than on such frivolous matters!"
"True! On the other hand, with all the various trips you have had to make to Gondor, which have entailed much socializing with noblewomen, perhaps they think you should seize the opportunity to look around. At least this way you do not have to specifically take time out from other tasks to find some lady to woo with flowers and moonlight," she observed jestingly.
"I am afraid I am not a flowery romantic," Eomer admitted ruefully. "Tavern wenches are only concerned that your face does not frighten small children, and you are reasonably gentle."
Lothiriel grinned teasingly and commented, "Then it is fortunate that your face is pleasing enough not to frighten small children and that you are able to occasionally be reasonably gentle!"
Eomer turned and eyed her guardly. "And why is that fortunate?" He wasn't sure he wanted to hear her answer.
"Because no matter what else, at least you know there is a woman somewhere who will have you!" She pushed his head back to facing front and continued her massage.
He blushed and smiled down at his boots. "Perhaps that is so, but kings are expected to marry nobles, not tavern wenches. Such might have me, but the royal court would not likely wlecome her in their midst."
"Oh, I do not know. It would surely enliven things a bit! Such a girl would be refreshing amid all that stuffiness, do you not think?"
He laughed outright. "True! Still, I think more will be demanded of me." His face grew solemn again. "Including an heir."
"You do not think you can find a noblewoman who will also have you? I dare say, I can introduce you to any number of women who would gladly marry a king and mother a future sovereign."
Eomer again looked at her piercingly. "I can find such also, but none that I would wish to..." He broke off, not sure he should even be discussing this with her. She was, after all, the daughter of a prince and a noblewoman herself.
"Not find one who would love Eomer rather than his kingship? Who would make him feel complete and happy? Who, at the end of the day, would make him forget his cares in her loving arms?" she asked softly, with disturbing astuteness, as she came to sit beside him.
Eomer nodded, not looking up from his hands clasped in his lap. "There are many who would warm my bed, but I know of none who would warm my heart. I would wish for what Eowyn has found – someone who truly loves me, whether I was king or soldier," he confessed.
She sighed beside him. "A daunting problem, to be sure. It has long been the difficulty royalty faces, of finding love rather than social or political advantage in a companion. Eowyn was very fortunate...as was Faramir."
Eomer got the impression her comments were not solely about his situation, but included her as well. "I am sorry," he told her. "It was selfish of me to suggest I alone have this problem."
She laughed mirthlessly. "I did not take your comments so, I assure you. You merely voiced what many before you have thought or felt, even if they left it unspoken. At least for some of us 'lesser nobles', we have the option of never marrying nor bearing children. I have no obligation to my country to produce heirs. That task falls more to my brothers, particularly Elphir. If I do not find a man I can love, or at least live with tolerably well, I can choose not to marry and my father would not force me to do so. You, however, must sire an heir, which means you must find a woman you can tolerate well enough to do that much. But such will not likely bring you happiness, I fear."
Standing suddenly, she turned to face him and clapped both hands on his shoulders. "I will tell you what – I will keep my eyes open for someone who may suit you and alert you if I find her! With me searching in Gondor and you searching in Rohan, perhaps we will ferret out someone suitable!"
He broke into laughter at her declaration and responded, "It is a deal, then! And should I find a man I think might appeal to you, I will send word immediately." He paused, then glanced at her with twinkling eye and said, "Speaking of which, Eothain is a good man..."
She chuckled and sat back down, shaking her head in amusement. "I do not deny that, but I fear Eothain is no more drawn to me than I am to him. I greatly enjoy his company, but I cannot honestly say I feel anything for him beyond friendship. And I have seen nothing in his eyes to suggest he feels otherwise. So, my friend, you will have to continue your search on my behalf...and Eothain's, since you seem bent on matchmaking!"
xxxxx
By the end of September, most of the outlying villages had been emptied and the villagers relocated closer to or in Edoras. Their scavenging of materials had yielded more than they had expected, so Eomer was feeling somewhat more optimistic about the coming winter. Still, he could not shake the worry away completely. His cousin had been trained for rule, not him. Too many days he felt like a blind man in a strange land, floundering about and feeling his way unseeingly into a frightening future.
The help of both Eowyn and Lothiriel had been immeasurable in easing his burden, but realizing that Eowyn would soon be gone from him, and likely Lothiriel would choose to return home at the same time, weighed heavily on his mind. In some ways, he thought he would miss Lothiriel's counsel even more than Eowyn's. Eowyn had as little experience with this as her brother, and courtly protocol was of no use in resolving these practical matters of urgency. Lothiriel, on the other hand, had stood at her brother's side in Dol Amroth before and during the war. They had struggled with feeding, sheltering and protecting their people also, so she had firsthand knowledge of ways to successfully accomplish their purpose.
The more Eomer wrestled with his responsibilities, the more he found his sleep disturbed. For a time, he had been so exhausted at the end of a day that the nightmares from the war had been unable to surface. But, lately, they seemed to have returned, and now he could add weariness to his list of problems to solve.
As he walked in the garden with Lothiriel one evening after supper, enjoying an autumn sunset, she hesitantly broached a new subject with him.
"May I ask you something, Eomer?"
"Of course," he answered, turning a quizzical eye upon her.
"Please do not misunderstand my question, but...what went on in Rohan that things got so out of hand? I have heard bits and pieces, here and there, but not enough to put it all together with a firm understanding. And I should like to understand."
Were it anyone else asking this, Eomer knew he would have been offended. But he knew Lothiriel well enough by now to know she meant no offense, that she was not passing any kind of judgement on them or their actions. If she was asking, she truly wished to understand.
With a sigh, he began a shortened version of the circumstances in Rohan for the past few years. Wormtongue and Saruman, his own imprisonment, Theodred's murder and all the rest. In many ways, it was rather cathartic to relay it all to her, and see more clearly for himself all the threads that had woven together to cause the end result.
When he finished and lapsed into silence, she did not speak for a time, then murmured, "Eowyn has made reference to Grima Wormtongue, but she has never fully explained who he was. I have long suspected that it entailed more than just his hold over King Theoden."
Defensively, Eomer replied, "I would have done more to protect her if I could! But there was nothing I could do." His tone was almost pleading, asking her to believe him.
She laid a calming hand on his arm, as he sat next to her on a bench. "Eomer, I do not blame you for anything, and I know you would never have allowed any harm to come to Eowyn if it had been in your power to prevent it."
"I should have done more," he commented bitterly.
"There was nothing more you could have done," she assured him.
"How can you be so certain of that? You know only what I have told you. I should have..."
"Eomer," she interrupted, "I know you, and I know how much you care for your sister. You were doing all that you could do, and Eowyn knows that as well as I do. Even so, it does not change what happened. She did what she had to do in her circumstances, just as you did in your circumstances. Regrets will not change anything, or alter the outcome."
"But I should have seen what Eowyn suffered, and helped her more so she never felt such despair, and the need for an honorable death in battle," he asserted. "I failed her, when she needed me most."
"Perhaps, but I am not sure that is so. Eowyn's difficulties and frustrations ran deep, and likely no one would have fully understood them for she confided in no one. As a man, you could not see the world through her eyes and know what she was feeling, and she did not know how to express it so you could understand. She had to choose her own path, and it is unlikely you could have prevented this."
She paused and considered a moment, then added, "Besides, who is to say she was not destined to ride into that battle. Look at the outcome. A legend long ago foretold that no man could slay the Witch King. Had she not been there, what havoc might such evil have wrought upon the forces of Men? Presumably, she did what no man could, and what no other woman would have attempted. Who is to say she was not destined to meet Faramir in the Houses of Healing, so that they both would find love and finally be completely healed of their wounds, inside and out? Both of them feel more loved and valued than at any time previously in their lives. It would have been a very great shame if they had never met."
Eomer sighed, but he could not deny the truth in her words. Maybe he was being too hard on himself, and certainly regrets would do no good now. They had survived and they would move forward, hopefully finding happiness in the rest of their days.