"Artists use lies to tell the truth. Yes, I created a lie. But because you believed it, you found something true about yourself." ― Alan Moore

Chapter 15

She ran so fast from the room and down the hall, I could not stop her. My eyes followed the hem of her skirt until it disappeared around the corner and out of the noble halls. I rubbed my eyes. I had ruined everything. Scared her. I had never been good at my timing. It was not often I found favor in women like I did with her. I should not have told her. I should have waited on my impulses.

"She is an interesting creature," Gandalf said, coming out into the hall with me.

"Do you believe her tale?" Aragorn asked. "To me, it seems rather...I am not sure how to describe it."

"Fictional?" Legolas suggested.

Gimli huffed. "Not sure why she would lie. What has she to gain?"

"Mallory is not a liar," I defended, earning looks from the four of them. Damn my tongue. "I have spent countless hours with her in Aldburg. She pours over my maps obsessively. Knows nothing of this world. How could she be lying?"

"Boromir did not think her a liar," Legolas said. "But even I must admit, her story holds no logic."

"Magic is not a source of logic, Legolas Greenleaf," Gandalf interjected. "And some would argue many of its properties over the years have come to seem like fiction to the everyman."

"The king waits for us," I said, cutting them all off. I did not want to be a part of this conversation. "We should not linger."

I led them through the halls to the royal dias where Theodred once held seat. Theoden was waiting, sitting in my cousin's chair. Elfhelm was there as well. He would be taking the seat soon as Second Marshal in Theodred's absence. But custom dictated that he would lend it to Theoden in his visits, just as I would my seat in Aldburg if he were ever to travel there. Erkenbrand stood to the side as well, our savior in this battle.

"I thank you, Gandalf for bringing Erkenbrand and his party to our aid," Theoden said as we arrived, each bowing before my uncle. "Without him this battle would have been lost. Rohan but a speck of the past."

"I have told you, my lord," Gandalf said. "I only wish to serve the realm. To bring peace to the lands of Men once more."

"There will be no peace until Saruman answers for his crimes," Theoden said, standing from his chair. "What of his seat at Orthanc?"

"Of that I know not. I would hope Treebeard and his Ents would have marched on Isengard, but to predict the will of beings so old and slow would be but a guessing game."

"So it is true?" Elfhelm asked. "The Ents of legends have awakened?"

"You saw them yourself, or at least a part of them. The Huorns of Fangorn are also owed your thanks in the victory of this battle. And I think you will find many things of legend have been awakened in this war, young Eorlingas."

"A ride should be made to Orthanc," Theoden demanded. "Let it be known to Saruman the White that he will never have hold over the Riddermark again. Demand his release from the Wizard's council as an answer to his crimes."

"Yes, my lord," Gandalf said, earning Theoden another bow.

"We will ride first thing on the marrow. There is too much to tend to here to leave in this moment. Eomer," Uncle said, calling me forward. "You will ride with us, my sister-son, so that Saruman may know the face of my valiant successor. The face of Rohan's future. Until then, rest. Rest has been earned by all of us for one night."

"As you command, Uncle," I said, bowing, though I knew no rest would come to me until I spoke to her.

I practically tore the helmet off of his head when I saw his small frame. "Thank god, you're alright," I cried, pulling him into a tight hug.

"Lord Eomer took care of me," Fion said, hugging me back. "All of us. Lord Gamling had given us swords but Lord Eomer came and took them away, demanding bows instead. I hardly saw any direct combat."

I thought back to the bodies of the dead, of both Orcs and Rohirrim, and shuttered. Though I was still going to do my best to avoid Eomer, I couldn't deny that I owed him a thanks for Fion's life.

"You must be exhausted," I said, helping him remove his chainmail.

He looked timidly at his bed. "I-I am not all that tired, Mallory."

I laughed. "Fion, you're always tired."

He smiled, though half-heartedly. "You are right. But...might I be left alone for a while?"

Reluctantly, I nodded. "Get some sleep, my dude. You deserve it."

I shut the door on our small room. Vanesse was waiting for me on the other side. "He does not seem like himself."

"I doubt he will, for a while. But I think we should leave him alone for now."

"Solitude will do us all a comfort," she agreed. "The little ones and Lia are asleep."

"Lia too? Thank god."

My companion smiled. "I thought she would never find rest, poor thing."

I looked at her for a moment then. Her long blonde hair, almost to her waist that she kept in a long braid behind her back. Her small nose and green eyes, though they were nothing like Eomer's. "How did you get this job, Vanesse?"

"My uncle was married to Lady Theodel. She founded the orphanage in Aldburg. Before her, they were distributed as fosters to families across the Mark. I spent many days of my childhood helping them build it and tending to the orphans it held. I was an orphan myself, you see. After the death of my uncle and his wife, I took it over. That was not all that long ago. Maybe four years."

"Who's Theodel?"

"The king's late sister. Lord Eomer's aunt. I do not know the Marshal well, but he treats me somewhat like family and for that I am grateful." She paused, giving me a small smile. "It brings me joy to see you and Lord Eomer. I know he fancies you."

I shook my head. "It's not like that. It can't be like that."

"Why not?"

"He'll ask me to stay. I can't stay here," I said. "I'm not from here. I don't belong. And the place I do belong...even if I found a way for him to follow me, he couldn't. He's the heir to Rohan now."

"Have you found a way to get back?" she asked. "Any progress at all?"

I shook my head. "I honestly don't know if I ever will."

"I pray to Bema every night for you, Mallory. I want you to find a way home, I really do. But please never say that you do not belong here. In the month and a half you have been with these children, they have grown to love you. They consider you the only family they have left. You and I." She paused again and I could see her eyes growing wet. "My husband passed two years ago, leaving me a young widow. These children are all I have left. And you. But they and I are not all you have. You could have so much more. Never forget how many blessings you have been given."

I didn't know what to say. This girl, who had endured more than I could ever imagine. The loss of parents, I understood. My mom died when I was seventeen. And while my father was still alive, all I saw from him was the occasional birthday card with no return address. After I graduated high school, my aunt sent me off to college and I was left to myself. What all did I really have back there, on Earth? A job? I loved my job, but the one I had found here...I couldn't deny it left me more fulfilled when I went to bed at night. Friends? Yes of course, but none that I would call my family like the one who sat beside me now. Technology?

Then it hit me. My whole life I had been surrounded by computers. Of a phone with a dozen social media apps. Apps that made me feel satisfied with how I viewed my world and the people in it. With the click of a button, I could figure out where anyone was. How they chose to tell the world how they were feeling. People here weren't magically perceptive. They had just learned to understand people in a way I never got the chance.

The right way to love people.

"Have I upset you, Mallory?" Vanesse asked.

I smiled and pulled her into a hug. "Thank you." I pulled back. "I have to find Eomer."

She smiled, her tears still lingering in her eyes. "Go to him. I will watch the little ones."

I ran through the halls, back towards the nobles' quarters. People stared at me at I darted past them, but I didn't care about their stares anymore. When I reached the landing to the main keep, I found an older Rider there, sharpening a steel point that I assumed would eventually serve at the head of a spear. A red shield sat at his feet.

"Can I help you miss?" he asked, looking up.

"I came to see Lord Eomer?"

"Why?" he demanded, suddenly defensive.

I took a minute to catch my breath. Of course the men here would be suspicious. He was heir to the throne. That probably meant he wasn't as accessible to me as he was in Aldburg.

"I owe him my gratitude. He called for the position of the younger children drafted to be in the towers. I saw the battlements, sir. I know without his kindness that the young boys would likely be dead if it weren't for his call."

He stood, setting down his whetstone and spearhead. "What do they call you?"

"Mallory Gilmore."

He nodded. "Aye I have heard that name. Since my arrival it has circulated through the keep, even from the mouth of Gandalf himself. Eomer is not in his quarters at this time."

"Where is he?"

"The stables, tending to Firefoot. Theoden King has demanded him to journey on the morrow."

"Where? Back to Aldburg?"

The old Rider shook his head. "Nay, miss. I doubt Eomer will return to Aldburg for some time. They make to ride to Isengard. You would do well to find him soon."

"Thank you, um…"

"Erkenbrand. Now, go. Make haste."

The old Rider Erkenbrand had not lied. In the stables I found Eomer with ease, Firefoot's coat standing out from the surrounding horses. There were a few stable hands, but other than that, we were alone.

"Eomer?" I called.

He turned, Firefoot's brush in his hand. He looked surprised, but I hardly cared. I ran into his arms, jumping up and wrapping my own around his neck. He caught me, my feet dangling off of the ground as he held me. I heard Firefoot's brush hit the floor.

"Oh, Mallory," he breathed into my ear, holding me tightly. "I feared you were angry with me."

"I was," I muttered. "But I've had some time to think things over." I pulled away and he placed my feet back on the ground. "Thank you for keeping your promise. I don't know what would have happened to Fion if you hadn't."

He shook his head. "I have broken too many promises to you. I had to keep at least one."

"I'm done asking for them. I spoke to Gandalf. He doesn't know how to help me."

"You do not seem upset by that."

I shook my head, sitting down on a bench. "I was. But like I said, I've had time to think things over."

He sat beside me, wrapping my hands inside his own. "Mallory, before the battle...I shouldn't have...it was impulsive of me."

I squeezed his hands back. "Eomer, I needed you to do what you did. I certainly wouldn't have done it. I'm just glad I was able to figure things out before I rejected you. But I'm not going to anymore. Don't worry."

"What about your home?"

I hesitated. "My home...it was all I had ever known. The thought of leaving it all behind for the unknown forever...But Rohan is not unknown to me anymore. I've learned the language. Made friends. Found a family. That's more than was ever given to me back on Earth." I paused and moved my hands to either side of his face, feeling the fibers of his beard there. "I didn't choose South Carolina. I choose Rohan."

He smiled, grabbing hold of my wrist and giving it a squeeze. "And I choose you, Mallory Gilmore."

He laid his lips on mine and I melted into the kiss, wrapping my arms around him once again. Taking in his scent of hay, summer sun, and honey. I had never been this close to him before. I felt his hand entangle with my hair and he pulled me deeper in, bringing me closer to the warmth of his body. He wore no armor, only a thin cotton shirt and I could feel his hard muscles contract as he held me tighter and tighter. I put my own hand into his golden mane of hair. I could feel the small dampness that lingered from a bath. I stroked the braids there, the braids of a warrior.

Someone was coughing, but I gave them no mind as his arm moved to my waist and pulled me onto his lap. "Um...Lord Eomer?"

He broke the kiss then, his magnificent green eyes growing dark as he glanced over my shoulder. "What?" he growled.

I looked over. It was one of the younger Riders. "Theoden King bids you join him for evening meal."

"Tell my uncle I will join him when I am less distracted."

The Rider nodded and practically ran away. "You should go," I muttered, beginning to stand up, but he pulled me back onto his lap.

"I will in a moment. This is the most peace I have known in years. Let me relish in it a moment longer." And he wrapped his arms around me again as I lay my head on his shoulder, closing my eyes, taking in the scent of him as much as I could.

But a thought crept into my mind. "One of the Riders told me you're going to Isengard tomorrow."

"Aye," he breathed. "Uncle wishes to parlay with Saruman. Have him answer for his crimes."

"What about after?" I said, remembering Erkenbrand's words about Eomer not going back to Aldburg for some time.

"Edoras. There are many men to lay to rest. A feast will be given to the combatants. It is Rohan tradition." He pulled me up to face him. "You'll be coming with me, have no fear, min breostcea. I will meet you there. You, Vanesse, and the children."

I smiled, laying my head back down on his shoulder. I could have fallen asleep there, I was so comfortable.

And I must have. I woke to a heavy breathing in the corner of the room. Eomer must have carried me back to my chambers. Fion was sitting up in his cot, his eyes bloodshot and watery, sweat dripping down his face.

"Hey," I said, jumping out of bed and crawling in beside him. "It's alright," I whispered, wrapping him in my arms. "It's all over. It's alright."

I held him until he calmed back into sleep and I placed his head gently onto a pillow, kissing his sticky forehead.

I crawled back under my own covers. The sun had set and I could see the twinkling of stars against the light of the moon through our tiny window.

This battle was over, but it was not yet gone from Rohan. I could see that now.