Chapter 20

"You're nervous?"

Lori looked up at the sound of Aragorn's voice, then realized she'd been rubbing her thumb against the reins hard enough to make the skin raw. She closed her hand into a fist and said, "I am nervous. I don't know what people will think of me once I find a place to work."

"You've already shown yourself to be a capable healer."

Théodred's company was returning to Edoras, so Lori and Aragorn had continued to travel with them. That came with the added benefit of security as well as an opportunity for Lori to check on her patients. There had been no complications with their recovery, and Théodred himself had thanked her for her assistance.

"That's not exactly what I'm worried about." She went back to fidgeting with the reins. "People will know just by looking at me that I'm a foreigner. I've already had a few questions about why I traveled so far to come here."

"And what did you tell them?"

Lori sighed and shook her head. "I said I wanted to be somewhere that my skills would matter. It just... It feels shallow to say that to people that are risking their lives every day to protect their families. I do genuinely want to help people, but the truth is that I made this journey for myself."

Aragorn nodded, and they rode in silence for a minute.

"Did you know one of the deadliest foes I ever faced was a bear?"

She sent him a sidelong glance, caught off guard by the change in topic. "What happened?"

"I do not know if it was hungry or driven by some other pain or madness, but it came after me with a ferocity I'd never seen before. Fire did not drive it away, and I knew I'd never wound it without a hunting spear."

Lori knew well enough that Aragorn had survived the encounter, but her stomach still dropped at the thought of him facing down such a massive beast. "Were you alone?"

He nodded. "And it was only an animal. There was no malice, no cruel intelligence, but it aimed to kill me all the same. It was the middle of the night, and I knew the woods well, so I was able to evade it without any injury. But I very well could have lost my life that night." He fixed her with a meaningful look. "A battle does not mean less because no one is there to see it. Whatever reason drove you to come here, it is no less genuine than the reasons these men have chosen to fight."

She didn't know if she believed that, but it was clear Aragorn did. He'd never given her empty words just to make her feel better. If he thought she was making a reasonable choice, she'd be able to live with herself.

"Thanks for that." She offered him a grateful smile. "I'll think about what you said."

"That is all I can ask."

Ahead of them, a murmur went up from the company of soldiers, and Lori looked past their broad shoulders at the broad shape visible on the horizon.

"Edoras," Aragorn said, following her gaze. "Capital of Rohan, and home of the Golden Hall."

They were here already. Lori swallowed down a wave of anxiety and tried to dredge up some form of eagerness instead. This was the end of her journey, the chance for a new beginning that she'd wanted for so long. This was what she had asked for.

She tried to keep her focus on the city instead of the pit in her stomach. As far as capitals went (at least in Lori's limited experience), Edoras wasn't particularly awe-inspiring. Simple buildings with thatched roofs were spread out at the base of a sturdy hill. At the peak was the largest structure, a great wooden hall with a roof that gleamed in the light of the sun. The wooden city lay low to the ground, but Lori still sensed pride in it, a quiet dignity in the strong beams of the surrounding wall and the care with which it had all been constructed.

Outside the wall on one side of the city were several mounds of earth dotted with white flowers. They looked too uniform to be naturally made, and at the base of the closest one was a rectangular shape that might have been a door.

"The Barrowfield," Aragorn said in response to her curious gaze. "All the kings of Rohan are buried there."

The field had a mournful air about it, now that she knew its purpose. But there was peace too in the flowers gently swaying in the wind. It was prettier to look at than the crowded graveyards of her home city. Lori thought briefly about her own tombstone before turning away.

The soldiers seemed not to notice the Barrowfield, or perhaps they had ridden past it so many times that it blended in with the rest of the scenery. They spoke in jovial tones with one another, evidently eager for a few days' rest inside the city. Lori tried to decipher the few Rohirric words she could catch, realizing that she would have to actually start speaking the language now.

As they drew closer to the front gate, Lori noticed Aragorn's horse begin to lag behind, and she turned to him with a questioning look.

"I will not enter the city with you," he said in response to her gaze. "It is time I continued east to carry out the rest of my mission."

"Right." She slowed her horse to ride next to him. It always felt like there was never enough time to say goodbye, not in the way she wanted to. "Well…thank you for taking me here."

"I am always glad to help you, Lori," he said with a warm smile.

She leaned over to hug him, nearly losing her balance in the saddle, but he was there to steady her as she wrapped her arms around his neck. She squeezed tightly, even as the lump in her throat obstructed the rest of what she wanted to say: Thank you. I'll miss you. I love you.

"Rohan's people are truly fortunate to have you in their service," Aragorn said once she pulled away. There was warmth in his gaze, tinged with a sadness that nearly made her turn away. "I hope you find happiness here."

"Me too." She tried for a smile. "Whatever you're doing out there, please be safe."

"I will try. Farewell, Lori."

Her voice nearly failed her. "Goodbye."

He turned and spurred his horse eastward. She watched him go, fighting the rising lump in her throat, then looked away. It would be a while before he was completely out of sight, and she didn't want to prolong the pain of watching him leave.

The soldiers were already filing through the gate. Lori took a deep breath to calm herself—she still needed to find work, or at the very least a place to sleep for the night. She made sure her eyes were dry and rode into the city.

The main street of Edoras was plainly constructed but decorated with love—a little like Bree. Most of the buildings were only one story, with thatched roofs and doors carved with intricate designs. The street was already filling with people eager to greet the returning soldiers. Many of the riders had stopped to embrace loved ones or stretch their legs, and Lori did her best to navigate through the crowd towards the front.

Théodred was still leading the remainder of the procession, heading up the slope towards the wooden hall at the top of the hill. Lori nudged her horse to catch up with Théodred's.

"Um, excuse me. Sir." She straightened as he turned to look at her. "I came to Rohan looking for work as a healer, and I was wondering if you…if you knew any towns that were in need of one."

"I am not sure, but you took good care of my men when they were in need. I will find someone who can give you an answer."

"Thank you." Despite her heartache, she didn't have to fake a smile. Théodred had a kind demeanor, and she was glad to have his support in the unfamiliar city.

"What of your companion?"

"Oh, uh, he had to leave. He has business further east." She chewed on her lip for a moment, then added, "I'm sorry it was so abrupt. He usually isn't…"

"I will not pry into your companion's affairs," Théodred said before she could continue rambling. She could tell he wasn't wholly disinterested, but was relieved when he ended the conversation there.

I'd like to know just as much as you, she thought, then tamped down on her frustration. Aragorn had kept his task a secret to protect her. She had to respect that, even if she knew it would keep her awake at night.

The party of riders shrank as they ascended the hill, until it was only Théodred, Lori, and a handful of soldiers, who she assumed were captains and other riders that reported to the marshal. They stopped in the large courtyard outside the main hall, and the men dismounted.

Lori followed suit and stretched as discreetly as possible. The hall was even more impressive up close, supported by broad pillars capped with carvings of horse heads. The entryway was decorated with carvings that shone in the sun. The patterns weren't as delicate as those she'd seen in Rivendell, but were intricate and beautiful nonetheless.

She wasn't sure if she was supposed to continue following Théodred or wait outside, so she stalled by checking on Hithui and making sure all of her belongings were in her bag. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as Théodred and his men ascended the stone steps leading to the hall.

A round-faced man with reddish hair strode through the double doors to greet them as they approached. He met Théodred at the top of the stairs, and the two of them exchanged hushed words. Théodred's jaw tensed, and Lori looked away as his expression darkened.

Her journey through Rohan had left both her mount and her belongings with a healthy coating of dust, and she balled up her sleeve to wipe some of it from her healer's bag. She rubbed her thumb over the letters embossed on the strap.

O môr henion i dhû.

A pang knifed through her chest. God, she missed them all.

"Lori!"

She looked up as Théodred called her name, then slung her bag over one shoulder and hurried up the steps.

His smile was somewhat grim as she approached. Lori clutched her bag with both hands, trying not to feel like she'd somehow messed up already.

"It seems fortune has favored us with your arrival," Théodred said. "Our Golden Hall is in need of a new healer."

Lori's lips moved silently for a moment before she was able to form words. "Oh. Um…"

Théodred exchanged a knowing glance with the other man, who nodded and disappeared through the double doors.

"We had a healer that served our court. Wídfara." A frown twitched on his face. "It seems in my absence, he has been dismissed from the hall."

"Dismissed?" Lori echoed weakly, glancing at the dark opening between the carven doors.

"I misspoke. He was advanced in his years, and chose to return to his family in the Eastfold." He turned to her, smoothing the frustration from his face. "In any case, the fact remains that Meduseld is in need of a new healer. You would be given full meals and a place to sleep, in addition to compensation for your work."

Lori took a deep breath, trying hide her uncertainty. Nobles had the same physiology as anyone else. If anything, they were more likely to be in good health. She had no reason to refuse Théodred's offer, but she couldn't shake her foreboding. The previous healer had been dismissed, but officially he hadn't. Something about the shadow on Théodred's face gave her the feeling of stepping into the woods on a moonless night.

"You should know that I don't have any experience working in a place like this," she said, gently probing for more information.

"I imagine you will find treating nobles easier than stitching up battle wounds." Théodred laid a hand on her shoulder, and she relaxed a little. "I am sorry if this change in circumstance disquiets you. I give you my word that you will not be unjustly treated while you are in my family's household."

"Your family?" she echoed, wondering if she'd misheard.

He nodded. "The king is my father."

Oh, god. I'm talking to a prince. She'd never met royalty before. Elrond had technically been the ruler of his own domain, but she'd been more concerned with him being of a completely different species.

She blinked and reminded herself to get a grip. Théodred was still a human being, and a nice one at that. It was a relief to have an ally in him, status aside.

"I appreciate your support." She loosened her grip on her bag. "And I would be honored to serve your hall."

A genuine smile broke over his features, and he gestured for her to follow him through the doors. "There are duties I must attend to, but if she is not otherwise occupied, I will leave you in the capable hands of my cousin. She will help you settle in."

Lori nodded and followed him inside. The room immediately beyond the entryway was large, lined with carven pillars and banners depicting a white horse galloping across a field of deep red and green. In the center was an ornately decorated fire pit. At the far end of the room, a window in the ceiling illuminated a large wooden chair—a throne, she realized with a jolt—though it was empty for the moment.

Lori adjusted her grip on her bag and took a deep breath. Thirty minutes in Edoras, and she'd landed a job in the highest-ranking household in the country. Aragorn would have been proud, she hoped. She wished he would have stayed long enough to see it.

Théodred approached one of the men standing by a table in the back corner. "Grimbold."

The man straightened, his expression brightening. "Théodred. I am glad to see you have returned safely."

"I am glad to be home." He clasped elbows with Grimbold. "Where is my father?"

"In his study, conferring with Gríma."

A hint of a frown passed over Théodred's face. "And Éowyn?"

"With the laundresses, last I saw her. What news from the Westfold?"

"I will tell you everything when I can spare a moment." Théodred turned to Lori and nodded for her to continue following him.

She gave what she hoped was a friendly smile to Grimbold as she passed, while he eyed her with an unreadable expression. Trying not to take that personally, she fell into step next to Théodred as they entered a hallway leading further into the building.

She reminded herself of what Aragorn had told her weeks ago—if she was kind and honest and a good worker, the Rohirrim would see her as more than just an outsider. She fervently hoped that was true. At the moment, it was all she could do to keep up with Théodred's long strides.

Towards the end of the hallway, they ran into a pretty woman with long blonde hair. She was about Lori's age, perhaps a little younger, and her face broke into a grin when she caught sight of Théodred.

"I did not expect you to return so soon."

"Perhaps I simply missed my favorite cousin," he said, wrapping her in a bear hug.

When they pulled apart, she set her face in a mock-serious expression. "Then you will be disappointed to know that Éomer has not returned from the Wold."

He laughed aloud and gave her shoulder an affectionate squeeze before turning to Lori. "This is my cousin, the Lady Éowyn. Éowyn, this Lori. She is a healer from the Northlands, and she has come to serve in Meduseld."

One eyebrow arched at the statement. "How did you find someone so quickly after Wídfara's departure?"

"She found us. She treated a few of my men after we were attacked by Wildmen." He turned to Lori and gestured with his chin for her to step forward. "Fortune has graced our hall today."

Lori moved closer and dropped into what she hoped was an acceptable curtsy. "Mé lícaþ þé tó métanne."

Éowyn's eyebrows shot up, and Théodred said, "You speak Rohirric?"

"Only a little," Lori said as she straightened. "I, uh, hope my pronunciation isn't too bad."

"It is not terrible." Éowyn's hands were warm as she grasped both of Lori's. "Welcome to Edoras."

And her smile was bright enough to sweep away the remainder of Lori's anxiety.

"We've not had a chance to clear out the infirmary since Wídfara left, so I'm afraid it's in a bit of disarray."

Lori held her bag close and followed Éowyn as she swept down the hallway. She had the air of someone who was in the middle of a busy day, though she'd taken Lori's arrival in stride. Théodred may have named her a lady, but with her hair tied back in a simple braid and her sleeves rolled up to the elbow, she didn't exactly like a noble. The only giveaways were her aristocratic features and dignified posture—she had the demeanor of someone who could command with a single glance.

They stopped at a door carved with wreaths of flowers and vines. Lori hardly had time to admire the woodwork before Éowyn pushed it open and beckoned her inside.

The room was fairly spacious. A worktable and a small shelf of herbs and other supplies stood at one end. Across from them were two cots and a fireplace in between. The bedsheets were rumpled and parts of the shelf had clearly been emptied in a hurry, but it was a huge improvement from having no workspace at all. And unlike Adela's cottage, this room was her own.

"I can send someone to put everything in order," Éowyn said, watching her expression. "If you have need for anything else, I will see what I can do."

"No, no, this is perfect." Lori walked the length of the room, taking in the space. A window on the far wall would let in a decent amount of light, depending on the time of day. "I can straighten everything by myself." She deposited her bag on the nearest cot.

"Did you not wish to see your living quarters?" Éowyn folded her hands in front of her.

"Oh." Lori blinked. "I'm not sleeping here?"

"Of course not." With a glimmer of a smile, she motioned for Lori to step back into the hall. "We have room enough in Meduseld for everyone to have their own quarters."

Lori slung her bag over her shoulder, and they set off down the hallway again. "Sorry. I didn't want to be presumptuous."

"You have no need to apologize." Éowyn glanced at her. "Théodred said you came down from the Northlands."

"I used to work in Bree," she replied, careful of her wording.

"Did you make the journey all by yourself?"

She shook her head, ignoring the pang in her chest. "I was traveling with someone, but he…he had to move on."

A flash of sympathy appeared on Éowyn's face, and Lori looked away. She didn't need to be reminded of her situation—that she was alone, miles from any place she might have considered home.

A gentle touch on her arm made her turn back. Éowyn was looking at her not with pity, but with kindness.

"When I first came to live in Meduseld, I felt utterly lost, even with my kin to welcome me. If my cousin has taken a liking to you, then I have no doubt you will find your place here. I will make sure of it."

There was a steely conviction in her voice—not the confidence of someone with power, but the determination of one who had been without it. It was the most reassuring thing Lori had heard all day.

"Thank you," she said, surprised at how difficult it was to keep her voice steady. "That means a lot to me."

And for the first time since leaving Rivendell, her doubts about coming to Rohan weren't quite so loud.

How does everyone feel about this new development? This is a definite stroke of luck for Lori, but it doesn't mean she's catching a break. I'm excited to write more with the Rohan crew, so stay tuned for that!

There aren't any comprehensive sources on Rohirric, so I'm just using Old English. The þ is pronounced like "th" I think. Don't quote me on it.

Also, apologies if I am narratively a huge simp for Eowyn. She is one of my favorite characters and I'm very excited to introduce her to the story and have her interact with Lori.