"The orcs of Saruman slew him, my lord.', Háma answered his king mournfully.
I watched as Théoden closed his eyes in anguish.
"My son... Théodred. While I was smothered in his dark spell the white traitor murdered my son! And I did nothing!', he wept unconsolably. "I did nothing to stop him!"
"Théodred's death was not of your making, Théoden King. He was strong in life, his soul will find it's way to the halls of your forbearers.', Gandalf murmured as he laid a hand on the sobbing man's shoulder.
"And what of Éomer? Has my sister's son also passed beyond this world?" Théoden's voice was stretched, self-loathing evident in his tone.
"Éomer still lives, my lord.', Aragorn assured him.
"And how do you know this?"
Because the orcs had bad karma. They slew Théodred, and Éomer slew them. What goes around comes around.
"Lady Rielásse met him during our journey.', Gandalf nodded in my direction.
"And why did the others not meet him? Forgive me, but in these times one must even question those they call allies."
Théoden had bottled his grief away, growing cold and distant until he could release his tears away from the knowing eyes of his people. An unfeeling mask had descended onto his face as he held our group in a steady gaze.
"Let's just say that I had a little run in with some orcs who weren't exactly happy with me." I crinkled my nose at the memory and rolled my sore shoulder. "Your nephew saved my—"
"He saved her life, my lord.', Aragorn cut me short as we began walking back to the hall.
"I was totally gonna say that!', I whined as we dropped several feet behind the king, who was walking with Aragorn and Gandalf.
"Because that's what you told us.', Legolas sarcastically replied, referring to the time Aragorn disapproved the my use of the word butt.
"Don't you have anything better to do, Goldilocks? Maybe like baking cookies in a tree, or being Santa's little helper?"
"Do I even want to know what that means?', the Silvan elf asked.
"I believe it was an insult.', Boromir helpfully offered.
"I wasn't talking to you!', I muttered.
"No, but you soon will. You have some explaining to do."
Whoops. I had hoped he would have forgotten about the little horn incident.
xXx
"You seriously owe me.', I grouched to Legolas as we ate lunch.
"Oh really? And why is that?"
"Because ever since you told Háma I was Galadriel's granddaughter I've been getting dirty or frightened looks from everyone I come into contact with. They seem convinced that mavwen is a witch."
He laughed.
"I doubt that is the reason,tinwë.Many are simply jealous of your beauty."
"Pfft, as if.', I scowled.
"Would you rather I tell you of your resemblance to wargs?"
I shoved him out of his seat, but his stupid elf abilities kept him glued to the wooded bench and I ended up falling instead.
"I was... how would you put it?... Ah! I was kidding!', he laughed as he helped me up.
"People are looking at us like we're crazy."
"And I would agree: you are most definitely crazy."
"At least they don't think that I'm the one birthing goats!" I stuck my tongue out at him before stomping off to sit at a different table. I muttered inaudibly until a sweet voice startled me from my rally against bratty elvish princes.
"Forgive me, my lady. I believe I caught you at an unfavorable time... Perhaps I should come back?"
I glanced up to see Éowyn fiddling nervously with her sleeves as she spoke, avoiding my eyes.
"Actually, you're in the nick of time. I need something to think about other thanhim."
"Your beau?"
I spluttered on the water I was drinking.
"Legolas as my boyfriend? Heck no!"
She bit her lip.
"Forgive me. I did not mean to make you uncomfortable.', she apologized as she ducked her head.
I didn't say anything as I watched her cheeks flush in embarrassment. At least I thought it was embarrassment, until an unladylike snort came from the shieldmaiden. Éowyn snickered even harder before clamping a hand over her mouth.
"Oh dear. I am terribly sorry! This is not at all proper..."
I rolled my eyes.
"I normally throw propriety to the wind. Go ahead and laugh."
Her giggles were so infectious that she soon had me laughing with her, and tears were streaming down our faces. It really wasn't even that funny, but grief and stress do strange things to people.
"I will never understand women."
We both jerked our heads up to stare at an amused Boromir and Aragorn.
Éowyn quickly whipped the tears away from her face and tried to salvage what dignity she had left.
"My lords.', she bowed.
"My lady."
"I believe I have need of a discussion with your companion, Lady Éowyn.', Boromir said sternly, more to me than to Éomer's sister.
My eyes widened and I sent a panicked look to the shieldmaiden.
"I beg your pardon, Lord Boromir." She was giving me up! Oh crap, crap, crap! I was not ready to tell Boromir that his horn was thrown into the water to drive his dad insane. There is all kinds of things messed up with that statement I just said.
"But I believe I promised my uncle that I would help Lady Rielásse prepare for Théodred's funeral."
Did she just...?
"Of course. Forgive me, my lady. I am sorry for your loss."
"Why did you do that?', I whispered as they walked away.
"I do not know. I suppose Lord Boromir simply reminded me of Éomer when he is ready to give me a lecture. My brother thinks that a woman should be ladylike."
It was my turn to snicker.
"I know right! He is a total party pooper— has no appreciation for the finer points in music."
"Finer points?', she asked curiously.
"Ask him what he knows about singing vegetables next time you see him.', I grinned wickedly.
"If your smile is anything to go by, I will remember to do so.', she chuckled. "But I did not lie when I said my uncle wished for me to help you prepare. Come."
"Um, Éowyn? I'm still not sure how all this social standing stuff works, but I'm pretty sure you aren't supposed to act as my maid."
"Béma! Is that what you thought?', she giggled. "I could not tie up a corset myself for the life of me!"
"Corset?', I squeaked.
xXx
Théoden was silent as he followed his son's corpse down the hill to the tombs. Those that wished to have one last glimpse of Théodred did so quickly, showing respect to the king's son. Aragorn laid his hand on his heart and bowed. Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir followed his example as Éowyn's funeral dirge sent chills up and down my spine.
When it was my time to approach Théoden's son, I slowly drew the flag of Rohan. My heart was pounding as I carefully folded the flag into a triangle and placed it in-between Théodred's lifeless hands.
Théoden stared at his son for a moment before letting his eyes drift to me.
"Why?', he croaked.
"In my homeland—', I blinked back tears as I thought of America. "It is a sign of respect to those that have fallen for their country. A flag that resembles their freedom, their unity, and their blood that was spilt for such rights, to be given to the warrior's family. I only wished to show such respect for one who has done so for his own country, though our cultures are very different. Forgive me if I offended you."
"Nay, my son would be flattered were he alive today."
I bit my lip and stepped back into place by Aragorn and Legolas. The funeral soon ended and we walked back up the slope, leaving Théoden and Gandalf behind.
"You are solemn this evening.', Boromir whispered.
"Funerals will do that to you.', I shot back.
It grew quiet for a moment.
"Your love for your country is apparent." I turned to look at Aragorn as he spoke. "What was it like?"
"It was young— only a few hundred years old. And our liberty was fought for with the blood of thousands. To an American, freedom is a necessity. It runs so deep within us that if it were taken away..." I took a deep breath. "You know, I never understood until now."
"Understood what?"
"Freedom. Everyday, Middle Earth faces the chance of giving up its freedom. Everyday, there is fear that a country will have to give up its natural rights. Freedom, it is a precious thing."
"Yes.', Aragorn whispered. "Freedom is beyond precious in this place."
"And I took it for granted while I had it."
"When did you become so wise?', came the gruff voice.
I glared at the sarcastic dwarf who had walked up beside us.
"When did you become so short?"
Valar help me! I just insulted the dwarf.
"Lassie, if I didn't like you so much..." He shook his head.
A soft cry carried on the wind, and my head snapped towards the sound.
"What is it?', Gimli inquired, drawing the attention of Boromir and Aragorn.
"I see... Holy mud pies."
"Is that an answer or an exclamation of surprise?', Boromir remarked.
"Congratulations. For your smart mouth you've just been promoted to babysitter." I shook his hand before sprinting down the hill.
"What is a babysitter?"
xXx
Several minutes later I could be found carrying a small child into the Golden Hall.
"What is your name, munchkin?"
"Freda.', she murmured against my shoulder.
"Freda is a beautiful name. I'm Riley."
"That sounds silly.', she giggled before her eyes lost a little bit of their sparkle. "Will Éothain be alright?"
Her brother had been carried in by Aragorn a few minutes before.
"Yes. He is just really tired after riding for so long."
"But why am I not tired?"
"Maybe the tiredness hasn't caught up to you,penneth."
"What'spenneth?', she asked curiously.
"It means little one."
"But why am I the little one? Why can't you be the little one, too?"
"People still call mepenneth, Freda."
"Really? But you're all grown up!"
"Did you change your mind about me being little?"
"Maybe. Butwhocalls youpenneth?"
"The elves mostly."
She lifted her head to gaze at me with wide brown eyes.
"Elves aren't real. They're made up.', she stated matter-of-factly.
"Are you sure, Freda?"
She nodded in response.
"Am I made up?"
Freda shook her head as I worried my bottom lip to keep from laughing at her baffled face. I pulled a stray piece of hair away from my face and tucked it behind my ear— my very pointed ear.
She stared for several minutes before her eyes turned back to my face.
"You're an elf?"
I smiled and nodded.
"Yep."
"Elves are pretty."
"I thought you said elves were made up. How would you know if they were pretty or not?', I smiled.
"All the stories say they are the most beautiful creatures on Arda. And I think the stories are right. You are pretty."
I laughed as we entered the throne room.
"Don't inflate my ego anymore, Freda. I want to be able to fit through doors."
xXx
"They had no warning. They were unarmed!" Éowyn shook her head in disbelief as she handed bowls of soup to Freda and her brother. Éothain had given his story to Gandalf and Théoden in the time it took for his sister and I to walk to the hall. Now he ate his soup heartily, shoveling it down so fast he reminded me of Elladan whenever he got ahold of my mac n' cheese.
I miss them... and I did not even know them for more than three months.
"The wild men are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go. Rick, cot, and tree.', Éowyn declared, the hate in her voice directed to the evil men. Aragorn exchanged a look with Legolas as he puffed on his pipe. I smirked as I noticed how the Silvan elf leaned as far away from the vapor as possible.
"Where is momma? She promised she would find us!', Freda wailed. Éowyn gently shushed her and wrapped a green blanket around her shoulders. I gave the child a hug before moving to the other side of the room to stand by my friends.
"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is now driven by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children.', Gandalf suggested as he laid a hand on the king's arm. Théoden rested his head in his hands as he mulled over the new information.
"You have two-thousand men riding north as we speak. Éomer is loyal. His men will return and fight for their king." Aragorn leaned back in his seat.
"They shall be three-hundred leagues from here by now. No, Éomer cannot help us now.', Théoden replied dejectedly. Éowyn bowed her head and swallowed at the mention of her brother. "I know what it is you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people.', he said as he stood from the throne and began to pace. "I will not risk open war."
"Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not.', Aragorn muttered.
Théoden shot him a glare.
"Last I looked Théoden, not Aragorn, was King of Rohan."
"Then what is the king's decision?', Gandalf asked as he descended the stairs that led to the throne.
"We leave for Helm's Deep at dawn."
Silence descended until a loud belch made several people glance in Gimli's direction.
"Always ruining the moment, huh?', I snickered.
xXx
"I leave at first light to find the Rohirrim. Éomer will return, just as Aragorn has said."
I caught Gandalf's words as I entered the dinner hall for supper.
"Ah! Riley! I had hope that you would make an appearance. I believe you had a question for this old wizard?"
"Yes.', I grinned.
"And what would that question be?"
"She wants to know why the people think she is a witch.', Legolas jested.
I rolled my eyes.
"Actually, I think the people of Rohan have grown quite fond of her. Especially after she honored Théodred as she would her own people.', Boromir helpfully came to my defense.
"Thank ya, thank ya very much!', I quipped.
"Is that one of those strange voices Haldir spoke of?', Aragorn joined in the conversation.
"Yep. Elvis Presley, twentieth-century heartthrob. His least favorite."
"Back to the main topic..."
"Right. Sorry, Gandalf. I was going to ask you about my necklace?"
"Yes? What about it?"
"A burn appeared on Gríma's hand when he touched it."
"So?"
I gape at the wizard.
"So? Isn't that the slightest bit odd to you? Itburneda man's hand!"
"As it should have. It burns those who are not worthy of touching it."
"That still makes no sense.', I grumbled. "Jewelry does not just randomlyburnpeople."
"True. Do you know the history behind your necklace?', he asked.
"Nope. I only know the Valar made it somehow."
"Yes, and it bears the rune of Varda, Queen of the Stars."
"Isn't Varda the one that hallowed the Silmarills so that they would burn those who are evil?"
"Ah! You know more history than I had first supposed. Yes, that would be Varda. And she did the same to your necklace. That, dear Riley, is the reason your pendant burns the hands of orcs and evil men."
"Why didn't I think of that?"
"I have always heard that witches are stupid.', Legolas teased.
I opened my mouth to retort but a bundle of giggles hopped into my lap.
"Freda?', I wondered as I tried to look at the squirming child's face.
A frazzled Éowyn came running around the corner.
"There you are! You little rascal!', she scolded laughingly as Freda hid behind me. "Come along now. It is time for little people to be in bed."
"But Riley is a little person! She said so herself!', the girl argued.
Éowyn raised an amused eyebrow in my direction.
"Did she now?"
"Yes. She has to come to bed, too."
Freda clamped her chubby little arms around my leg and held on for dear life.
I sighed and gave my group of friends a pleading look that said 'go get the butter and a crowbar'.
"I believe you are right, Miss Freda. Riley is a little one who needs to go to bed. One might even call her—" Legolas leaned in like he was about to tell Freda a big secret. "— a baby."
"And I call you Santa's little helper.', I muttered darkly.
"I agree with Boromir, lad. That was definitely an insult.', Gimli chuckled as I was hauled behind a happy Freda.