CHAPTER THIRTY
"Rise and shine you two!"
Eldarion and Elboron, who had been inseparable since Eldarion's arrival, had been laying on Elboron's bed talking about everything and anything when Éomer poked his head around the door.
"Why?" asked Elboron, who was facing the door.
"Because we are going riding. And yes I have spoken to Aragorn. You are fully healed and are allowed to ride," said Éomer. "Come on, riding gear, in the stables, twenty minutes."
"Elfwine better be coming with us," muttered Elboron as the pair slid from the warm nest that they had formed.
"Right then," said Éomer, reigning Firefoot to a stop and dismounting about a kilometre away from Edoras. "Dismount and remove the tack. Leave the bridle-and-bits on for the moment, but saddle, stirrups and blankets – off."
Eldarion, Elboron and Elfwine stared at the Rohirric King for a moment. Éomer removed Firefoot's tack and stood with his arms folded waiting for the youths to do the same.
"I am waiting," said Éomer, reminding Elfwine of the King his father truly was. The three quickly did as they were told, piling their equipment neatly beside Éomer's.
"Now you can remount," smiled Éomer. Eldarion managed this part with ease, having ridden Suldal without his saddle before, but Elboron and, surprisingly, Elfwine, had a little difficulty. Eventually both settled for gripping the other side of their mount's neck and jumping, swinging a leg for the horse's back.
Éomer nudged Firefoot to Elboron's side, his hands hanging by his side, the animal taking commands from the shifts in Éomer's balance and slight touches to his skin.
"There is no need to look so worried," he said gently. "Trust your horse. He is sensitive and your fear causes him to panic. Just relax," he said reaching out and patting Gílroch's neck.
"That is easy for you to say," whispered Elboron.
"You will be alright. Do not be frightened. Remember, this is your horse – you know him and he knows you," said Éomer. "Relax and trust him."
Not giving Elboron an opportunity to fully understand the situation he was finding himself in, Éomer moved round Gílroch and delivered a sharp slap to the stallion's hindquarters. Gílroch took off with an understandable start, leaving Elboron with little option but to hang on and to attempt to control his steed. Eldarion shot off after him, closely followed by Elfwine. After about five minutes, Elboron had Gílroch under control and steered him in the direction of Éomer, who sat on Firefoot with a proud smile on his face.
"Do not do that again!" hissed Elboron.
"You would not have ridden otherwise," said Éomer. "You are still stuck in the past. Gílroch will not throw you." Elboron simply scowled at his uncle as Eldarion and Elfwine reigned their respective mounts to a stop.
"That was certainly different," said Elfwine. "I much prefer a saddle though."
"You are all confident in the saddle. The purpose of this lesson is to train you how to ride bareback," said Éomer. "When you are in a saddle, you are separated from your animal, yes it may seem safer or simply more comfortable, but there is no contact between you and the animal you expect to serve you. Riding bareback, you have no way to communicate other than your body language or the spoken word. It requires the utmost trust between you and your horse."
"The saddle is safer," said Elboron.
"There is many a rider who does," conceded Éomer. "But the greatest rider I ever saw rode bareback and such an ability saved his life on many occasion."
"Who?" asked Elfwine.
"My cousin, Théodred," replied Éomer. "Brego and he were a double act. You would never catch Théodred willingly riding another animal and Brego never had another rider, save Aragorn but Brego chose him. There was an incomparable understanding between the two. Brego knew and understood every one of Théodred's commands and in return Théodred understood and trusted Brego completely."
"And you want us to be able to ride like your cousin?" asked Elfwine, raising an eyebrow.
"I could do it by the time I was your age," said Éomer. "The only reason you don't is because we are not at war. Now are you ready to try again?"
The three teenagers spent the rest of the morning practicing riding without the use of their saddles. Eldarion and Suldal were managing fine, Elfwine and Antval were slightly more hesitant but during the morning, grew more confident. Elboron and Gílroch however did not seem to be in tune with each other at all.
"You are still scared of him," said Éomer, after he took Elboron to one side.
"I can't help it," confessed Elboron. "Every time I take him into a cantor I flashback to when I was thrown. At least with a saddle I felt safer."
"Can I make a confession? The first time Théo had me ride without a saddle, I fell off and broken my arm in three places. I was terrified to get back on a horse but then I met Firefoot's father. He was a beautiful animal and had just the right temperament for a nervous rider as well as a war horse. Soon, I was riding again and after about a month and a half I was riding bareback," said Éomer. Elboron smiled slightly.
"You can do this Elboron. Gílroch has learnt from his mistake but your lack of trust in him is hampering your progress." Elboron nodded in understanding before the pair returned to Eldarion and Elfwine's side, the two friends currently comparing their respective mounts and arguing over whether Rohan steeds are better than those of Gondor.
After they had something to eat, Elboron climbed resolutely back on to Gílroch's back, holding on to the reigns so tightly that his knuckles were turning white. He started when he felt someone climb up behind him.
"Close your eyes," said Éomer.
"What are you doing?" asked Elboron.
"Eldarion and Elfwine are managing perfectly well on their own. They do not need the continual supervision. You however, are stuck in a rut and I mean to have you out of it before we head back to Edoras for the night," said Éomer. "Now close your eyes."
Elboron took a deep breath and did as he was bid. Éomer gently pried his fingers from the reigns and cupped his hands. Elboron did not like the sensation of being completely vulnerable on a sixteen hand animal but trusted his uncle. Éomer placed his hands, spread out, on the flesh of Gílroch's neck.
"Concentrate on the feel of his coat," he said quietly, moving Elboron's hand in a stroking motion down the stallion's neck. "Feel his breathing and try to match it."
Elboron felt very vulnerable, particularly with his eyes closed. However he kept his eyes closed and allowed Gílroch's hair to mingle with his fingers. Gílroch snorted a couple of times but on the whole stood stock still and allowed his master to stroke his neck in what he viewed to be a very relaxing pattern indeed. Elboron was so caught up in the brushing of Gílroch's mane that he jolted when Éomer started the animal into a slow walk. His eyes snapped open and his breathing quickened.
"Relax Elboron," said Éomer, wrapping an arm gently across his nephew's chest. "Continue concentrating on his breathing and the feel of his coat. Trust him, and me, to keep you safe." Elboron inhaled a shaking breath but again did as Éomer instructed.
Ten minutes later, Éomer tapped Elboron on the shoulder. "Take the reigns, Elboron. It is your turn to handle him." Elboron opened his eyes and accepted the reigns for Éomer who slid to the ground. Éomer whistled for Firefoot and mounted swiftly whilst Eldarion and Elfwine, who had also heard the whistle, trotted up to Elboron's side.
Have courage my brother, thought Eldarion as he watched Elboron regain his confidence like a child learning to walk without the aid of a support. Suldal and Antval walked calmly beside Gílroch providing the stallion with the same support that Eldarion and Elfwine offered his rider. Éomer rode slowly behind the three and smiled gently.
"What do you think Firefoot?" he asked his mount, in a tone that seemed to indicate a previously held conversation. Firefoot neighed, snorted once and tossed his head a couple of times in response and Éomer clapped his neck. "I agree." With that Éomer steered his mount so that he was in view of the other three before kicking Firefoot into a cantor. Antval, Gílroch and Suldal all recognised Firefoot as the superior stallion and took off after him and his rider, leaving their own riders with the option of 'deal with it or get off!'
Elboron was feeling particularly elated that evening when they returned to Edoras. Éomer's idea of riding ahead of the three younger steeds, be it in a cantor, trot or walk, meant that Gílroch followed the lead of something other than his rider, who was still unsure. Such a decision had forced Elboron to trust Gílroch's judgement. If the stallion said walk then that is what they did, if he said cantor Elboron was not going to argue. He bore his rider with surety and by the third switch into cantor, Elboron had instilled a little of his trust back into Gílroch.
"Hannon le," he muttered to the stallion once he was back in the stable. "I should have known better than to believe you threw me deliberately. Can you forgive me?" thank you
Gílroch snorted. The answer to that question all depended on whether Elboron had an apple for him. Elboron chuckled and withdrew the treasure from his pocket, having kept the fruit back from his lunch.
"This what you are looking for?" he asked. Gílroch's eyes widened and he tossed his head.
"Am I forgiven?" asked Elboron holding out the apple. Once Gílroch had devoured the apple, he moved a couple of steps towards Elboron and snuffled his shoulder. Of course he was forgiven. Did Elboron really think he would be allowed this close to him if Gílroch held a grudge against him?
"Hannon le," repeated Elboron, wrapped his arms around Gílroch's neck and rested his forehead against his shoulder. thank you
Gílroch snorted into his hair, causing Elboron to shiver, and then nickered gently to announce the presence of someone else in the stable. Elboron rolled his head and caught sight of Eldarion who was leaning against the wall of Gílroch's box with a smile on his face. Elboron smiled back, a little embarrassed about being caught in such a position.
"How much of that did you see?" he asked, releasing Gílroch's neck and clapping him gratefully just behind his ear. Gílroch lost interest in the two humans and wandered off to have a conversation with Antval and Suldal.
"Since you gave him his apple," replied Eldarion. He cocked his head. "Why are you embarrassed? I talk to Suldal all the time. He is definitely more intelligent than some of the people I know."
"Have you ever had to ask you horse for forgiveness?" asked Elboron, shoving his hands into his pockets. Eldarion shook his head.
"But I have never been thrown," he replied.
"True, but you have the disposition that would charm an Oliphant into allowing you to ride it," smiled Elboron as the pair exited the stables.
"And I would wish to do so because…."
"You could," grinned Elboron. "I wonder if the fox pack of Imladris would recognise you now."
"They do. Or at least they did six months ago," confirmed Eldarion. Elboron grin widened in a way that clearly showed Eldarion had proved his point.
Eldarion and Aragorn stayed in Rohan for six weeks in total. During the latter half of their stay Éomer continued his training, watching proudly as Elboron regained his complete confidence. Before the three separate families were due to follow their separate paths once again, Eldarion, Elboron and Elfwine were all capable of walking and trotting without a saddle or bit.
"It is going to be odd, riding with a saddle again," commented Eldarion. He was in his room packing for his journey back to Annúminas the following day. Elboron was sitting on the windowsill watching Eldarion place neatly folded items into his pack.
"Made my job a lot easier though," smiled Elboron. "Colts really do not enjoy having a saddle put on them…. Your travel cloak is under your bed…. If I don't have to fight with them over that detail then they won't try and buck me off."
"I can't say I envy you," said Eldarion pulling out the offending item of clothing.
"Belfalas is alright and I get along with most of the stud workers. Halhigil on the other hand enjoys the fact that he can lord over me," replied Elboron.
"And there was us thinking we would be rid of him when he became an esquire."
"We can't get everything we wish for. Do you know who you will be enlisted under when you turn fifteen?" asked Elboron. Eldarion shook his head and dropped to the bed.
"There is no one to become an esquire to in Annúminas and I doubt Nana will let me travel as far as Gondor on my own. I am still her 'little Eldarion'"
"Mothers!" chuckled Elboron. "Can't live with them but wouldn't have a leg to stand on if they weren't there."
"Here here," smiled Eldarion.
"It is certainly nice to be appreciated," said Éowyn as she appeared in the doorway. "Elboron, have you packed or are you going to leave it till the last minute as usual?"
"See what I mean?" Elboron said to Eldarion. "Yes, mother. I packed this afternoon. All expect my riding gear, sleeping clothes and the clothes I am standing in."
"That makes a change I must say. Now are you sure that you can make the journey back? I am sure Éomer wouldn't mind extending his hospitality for a couple more weeks."
"Mother! I am fine. Uncle Aragorn pronounced me fit three weeks ago, I have regained my confidence in the saddle and I really don't think Lord Gílorn can grant me anymore leave," replied Elboron, folding his arms. Eldarion bit his tongue as he watched mother and son prepare to lock verbal horns.
"Very well," sighed Éowyn. "I will trust your judgement."
"Thank you," smiled Elboron. "Now. Are you all packed?"
The departure for Edoras was easier than the departure from Minas Tirith. Both Eldarion and Elboron had matured enough to understand that it was not a permanent separation. Though they had said something similar the last time the had parted, this time they knew what they said to be true. The bond between them had also matured sufficiently that they could open and close it at will. To a certain extent anyway.
Eldarion's main concern was how far the knowledge of his rare link had spread through the northern city. He hoped that what Elboron said was true, that the people would accept it because it was just part of who he was but he couldn't help but be nervous.
"Next time make your trip because of a pleasant excuse," smiled Éomer as he shook Aragorn's hand.
"I will try," agreed Aragorn with a smile in response. "Come on Eldarion."
Eldarion extracted himself, a little begrudgingly, from Elboron's embrace and mounted Suldal. Digging into one of his saddle bags, Eldarion extracted a small package. He tossed it to Elboron who caught it, his head cocked in question.
"Do not open it until your return to Minas Tirith," warned Eldarion. Elboron nodded and stowed the package in his pocket.
"Namárië gwador nîn," said Elboron as Eldarion and Aragorn took off across the plains of Rohan. He fingered the package in his pocket, trying to figure out what the token was. farewell my brother
Hey guys, I am going to beg your patience with me. I have just restarted Uni and have no internet access at my flat. As such, it is most likely that my updates will occur on a Saturday (Scotland) rather than the Friday.
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