A/N: I seem to have picked up steam! I finish one chapter and think I'm done for a while, then something comes to me on the drive home and I have the next chapter and so it goes – slowly. I'm still jumping ahead and writing bits and pieces, but at least I'm keeping on top of the "here and now" fairly well also, so you are getting the chapters a little more often than once a week (or longer). Hopefully, that will continue. I do still have a few tricks up my sleeve as to where this is going, though, so stay tuned!

The Adventures of Theodred, Son of Eomer

Chapter 13 (begins March, 45 IV)

"G'night, Freahelm," the three men said, making their way toward the door, and he raised his hand in salute as he drained the last few swallows of his ale. This particular tavern was more disreputable than the sort he usually patronized, but when the stablehands he was working with during the breeding session had invited him to join them for an early supper, he had allowed them to choose their destination. Wiping his mouth, he tossed a few coins on the table and rose, but didn't make it farther than a couple of tables before he was halted by an exchange in a booth he was passing.

"Com' on over here a little closer," Erduin said, grabbing her waist and sliding her up against him.

Thandwen stiffened in panic. He had never behaved like this with her before, and she was not sure how to act. Pleadingly, she told him, "No, please, I want to go home!"

"Home? The night is still young!" He roughly shoved her hair away from her neck and pressed his lips to her throat as a whimper escaped her, and tears slid down her cheeks.

She twisted her face away from him, just as a male voice commented firmly, "The lady said she wanted to leave." Freahelm had been departing when he overheard the conversation, but he was not about to walk away and abandon a woman in distress.

The man released his hold on the girl, who scooted hastily away from him, and glared up at the intruder. "I'd say it ain't none of your business. Move on!"

He went to reach for his victim again, but Freahelm caught him by the throat and lifted him bodily from his seat. Threateningly he replied, "I am making it my business." As he hissed the words, his eyes flicked to the girl who had looked up in alarm. Thandwen! What on earth was she doing here with such a man?

His eyes twitched back to the girl's assailant, but just at that moment Thandwen gave what turned out to be a warning scream. The man apparently had a friend, who Freahelm never saw coming. The second one snuck up behind him, and struck him over the head with a heavy wooden platter several times. The two men stood gazing at his bleeding head then, panicking, they bolted from the inn before anyone could react to the attack. Recovering herself slightly, Thandwen launched herself at Freahelm, shaking him, and becoming hysterical when he did not waken.

She finally made herself understood enough to tell onlookers that he was a friend of the Steward. That rallied some men to assist her and a rag was pressed to his bleeding head. Then several men agreed to carry Freahelm to Gimilzor's house, which was on this same level and not far away.

Gimilzor was still up, reading by the fire and waiting for his youngest to return home. Belwen had turned in early with a head cold, but was quickly roused as she was the most skilled at healing in their household. Freahelm had been laid in Gimilzor's bed, and at the sight of his bloodied head, Belwen visibly paled, but then set to work. She was greatly relieved to find that it was not so serious as it first appeared, but no doubt he would have a considerable headache come morning.

"What happened, child?" their father implored of Thandwen.

Tearfully, Thandwen confessed, "We...we did not go to The Seven Bells for supper as planned. Erduin took me to another place instead..."

Her voice dropped so low that her father barely caught the name of the other tavern, and when he did, he gave a gasp. "What on earth were you thinking, Thandwen? That is no place for a young lady! He should never have taken you there!"

"I know!" she wailed. "I thought I would be safe with him...but...he has never acted so before. He became very...forward. And he tried to...kiss me..."

Her father's face had gone very pale, and then very red with anger, and she hastily added, "But then Freahelm came and made him leave me alone. But another man snuck up on him and hit him over the head. And then they both ran off. When I said Freahelm was a friend of the Steward, some of the men helped me bring him here."

Gimilzor sighed. "At least in that you did the right thing. Ah, Thandwen, how could you be so foolish?"

"Will he die?" Thandwen asked, beginning to weep.

"No," Belwen answered firmly from the bed, tying off the bandage she had wrapped around Freahelm's head. "His head will hurt, but he will live." Then more softly she added, "I will make certain of it." Finishing with the bandage, she let her hand rest for a moment on his chest, then stood and removed his boots, pulled the covers from beneath him and got them over him, and shooed her family out of the room, dimming the lamp before she followed.

Fortunately, Gimilzor had not undressed for the night and he now drew on his cloak. "I will return shortly. I must let them know where he is so they will not worry."

Once he was gone, Belwen eyed her sister, finally saying quietly, "Get to bed."

Nodding, the girl turned to their shared room, then paused and whispered sorrowfully, "I truly am sorry, Belwen. I would not have Freahelm hurt for anything."

"I know," Belwen replied, then slowly moved over and gave her sister a hug, pulling her close. "I am glad you are safe, and that he was there."

"Belwen?"

"Yes?"

"He did not know it was me – when he came to my aid. Not until he already was helping did he learn it was me. He is a good man."

"Yes, he is. He is a very good man."

"Good night."

"Good night, Thandwen."

Gimilzor had not resented for a moment giving his bed to this young man who had prevented tragedy from befalling his youngest daughter, even if it meant a poor night's sleep on the couch. Nor was he about to object to the amount of time his elder daughter had spent at the young man's bedside, anxiously watching over him through the night. This was an honorable man; he had no need to fear any impropriety on his part.

As it was, Freahelm did not rouse until mid-morning anyway. It made things difficult, but Gimilzor could not bring himself to draw Belwen away to work until they were sure he was out of danger, so she remained behind while he and Thandwen went off to the shop. Once he was awake, and had taken some broth, Freahelm had insisted he could manage on his own, and she should go help them. Even so, she promised to come check on him during the day, though he assured her that Theodred would likely come by, and if he felt able he would return home so as to relieve her of the burden of his care. She had mixed emotions about that, but understood his reasoning and that his concern was for her.

As he had surmised, Theodred turned up before dinnertime, letting himself in through the unlocked door.

"This is new!" he announced teasingly, sauntering into the bedchamber and grinning broadly at his friend. "I have never known you to get into a tavern brawl before!"

"I did not get into a tavern brawl," Freahelm asserted, pressing the heel of his hand to his forehead in a vain attempt to ease the headache pounding there.

"Indeed?" Theodred asked, plunking down on the side of the bed. "So this was an accident, then? A lamp fell from the wall, perhaps, and struck you in the head?"

Freahelm let out a groan of irritation. "How much must I pay you to make you go away?" He slid down in the bed, and reached toward the night table for the wet cloth Belwen had left there.

Theodred beat him to it, and handed it over, saying sincerely, "Sorry. Shall I send for a healer?"

"No," Freahelm sighed. "Belwen likely has done all that can be done. I just have to mend is all."

"What happened?" Theodred asked quietly, this time truly wanting to know.

"Thandwen made an ill-advised visit to an inn with a poor choice of companion. I interceded and the man's friend came at me from behind. It could have been worse. At least she was unharmed."

"Lucky for her that you were there."

"Very lucky – and only accidental, as I never go in that place usually." He opened his eyes. "Will you come back later this afternoon and help me get home? I may be able to manage it by then."

"Of course. I will bring Elboron with me, just in case."

Theodred had left when Belwen turned up to fix Freahelm some dinner, though he confessed he wasn't up to eating much. In the end, he did manage some broth and a dry roll, before lying down once more, lulled to sleep by the sound of Belwen humming as she cleaned the dishes.

When next he woke, Theodred had returned several hours later with Elboron, and bringing a potion from the healers that they'd said might help the headache. They gave it time to work, and when it did seem to have eased the pain in his head a little, the trio set off for the Sixth Level. It was slow going, and they made frequent use of the benches along the way so Freahelm could rest, but at length they made it to the Steward's house, and got him undressed and into his own bed.

Suspecting she might be reluctant to come visit, Theodred ventured out after supper and escorted Belwen back, though the rest of the family came also. Both Thandwen and Gimilzor wanted the opportunity to thank Freahelm for protecting her, and then leaving the bedchamber door open, they left Belwen to visit with him for a moment alone.

Feeling more awkward than she ever before had with him, finally she asked, "How are you feeling? Has the head eased any?"

They were rather impersonal questions, but she couldn't think of anything else to say at the moment. Without realizing it, her fingers began running lightly over where his hand lay on the bedcovers. Up until now, he had avoided most physical contact with her because it always seemed to make her uncomfortable. His own family was a very warm group that often had their arms around one another, and so it felt perfectly natural for him to embrace others. And doing so was rather commonplace in the Mark. But he had discovered that Gondor was much more reserved about such things, and he had to consciously restrain himself from taking her hand, touching her arm or hugging her close on more than one occasion. This was the first time she had initiated any sort of contact with him, and he did not want to do anything that might dissuade her from continuing the gesture.

With husky voice, he answered, "It is a bit better. The healers sent me something that seems to have helped."

"Good." Then, quite naturally, her fingers intertwined with his, and she smiled. "Thank you," she whispered.

"You are welcome," he replied, equally softly, then added, "and thank you for caring for me."

"You are also welcome."

The spell was broken when her father cleared his throat from the door, though reluctant to do so. "We should go, Belwen, and let him rest."

"Yes, Father. Of course."

"Will you come again?" Freahelm asked hopefully.

With a grin, she questioned, "Has your appetite returned at all?"

He nodded slightly. "Yes, somewhat. Why?"

"I know a bakery that makes the most delicious cinnamon rolls..." she teased.

xx

It took several days for Freahelm to truly be up and around. The headaches plagued him for a few days beyond that, but the healers' potion stood him in good stead and allowed him to be somewhat functional. The man who had attacked him had been identified and brought to justice, and with Freahelm being a friend of the Steward, there was no shortage of witnesses to the attack.

Theodred was pleased to have him recovered and so obviously happy. Any reticence on Belwen's part seemed to have been melted away by the attack, and Freahelm's defense of her sister. While no formal betrothal was yet in place, and he had not asked for her hand, Theodred felt certain it was only a matter of time.

Time. They were nearing the end of March, so surely Kata would be coming through Minas Tirith soon on her way to Edoras, and he was no closer to knowing what to say to her than before. Further, he was undecided whether to speak with her here, and then travel with her to Edoras and speak to Arawine there, or go to Edoras and speak to Arawine first. While he pondered what course to pursue, he remained stalled in inaction.

In the meantime, Esgalmir had been his sounding board on ideas for how to manage the various interviews that had already been collected. He was hesitant to bind them, since he did not yet know how he wanted to organize them until more had been gathered. To that end, Esgalmir indicated that there was a bindery connected with the archives on the Fifth Level, and she agreed to accompany him there and introduce him to a man she had met on several occasions. She thought perhaps he could offer some worthwhile suggestions for Theodred to consider.

They had just left the man's office and were making their way back to the stationer's shop, when they rounded a corner and Theodred came up short, drawing a quick, sharp breath at the sight of a man that resembled him rather closely. For a moment, the two men stood some fifty paces apart, staring hard at one another, and Esgalmir eyed them curiously. Then it occurred to her who this was – "Twin".

She recognized the couple with the other man as Prince Eldarion and his wife Luthiel, and both stood uncertainly watching the two young men. It was evident they were aware of the difficulty between them and were not sure how to proceed. It appeared everyone was frozen in place, and would simply stand there and stare unless someone took the first step.

Slowly Esgalmir let her hand come up and rest upon Theodred's shoulder. Softly she encouraged, "Put this to rest. Talk to him, Theodred."

Her words seemed to have almost a magical effect on him. Tears began to stream down his face and he let out a pain-filled gasp. Striding hurriedly forward, he quickly closed the gap and pulled his nephew into a strong, warm embrace, that was immediately returned. "Forgive me, Ara! I have been such a fool! But I wish you both nothing but happiness! I swear it!"

Arawine gripped him tighter, weeping freely himself and mumbled, "You idiot! Of course, I forgive you! We both do!"

The two stood there in the middle of the street for quite some time, causing many curious looks from passersby. When finally they separated, it suddenly occurred to Theodred that Esgalmir was gone, but then he realized he shouldn't be surprised by that. Likely she understood that he would need to spend time with Arawine, and that she should go on without him. He would thank her later.

Eldarion and Luthiel had moved on also. The twins were reunited. They did not need or desire others' company just now. They had much to talk over.

TBC

6-20-06

Thandwen is 19 in 45 IV

Erduin – "lone river"