Violins and finding things.
The sweet smell of simblemyne filled the air. Ceremonial armor faintly clanked as the funeral procession drew near Theodred's grave. The five of us had been granted positions in the middle of the funeral procession, and had groomed ourselves as well as possible in the short time we had. Slowly, we drew up to the grave under a hill. Townsfolk gathered round, but still gave space around the bier and the king. Eowyn stood by the entrance of her cousins grave. Slowly the funeral procession turned toward the grave, and Eowyn took a deep breath, opened her mouth, and sung.
Belocwealm hafao freone frecan forth onsende
Giedd sculon singen gleomen sorgiende
On Meduselde baet hae ma no waere
His dryhtne dyriest and maega deorost
Bealo…
(an evil death has set forth the noble warrior,
A song shall sing sorrowing minstrels, in meduseld he is no more, to his dearest and kinsmen most belover.
An evil death)
The voice was full of soul, deep and powerful, longing for her cousin to come back from the dead. Unlike my song for Borimer, this song was spoke of true loss. That was admirable. Even more so, Eowyn had managed to make it sound like that, singing haltingly while choking back tears. Hearing this was heart wrenching. Eventually, something large and stone was drawn across the mouth of the tomb,halting Eowyns chant.
People walked up to the tomb to pay their respects, then made their way back to the village. Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli and I walked back in silence depressed by the funeral, and thought that there were to be many more coming. Gandalf had stayed behind to comfort Theoden, who I could hear sobbing behind us. Gandalf turned around and was walking back to the keep as well. That was when I heard hoof-beats come over a hill. The sound of the horse's hooves on the grass belayed exhaustion. A tiny rider of the horse fell off, making the ground vibrate through my polished boots. I ran for Gandalf, but he had also noticed. It was the first sign that we had to leave.
The rider's of the horse had been two children, who were now eating noisily in the great hall. Eowyn sat by them, taking care of them. Gandalf told me that I should look after them, but I didn't know the first thing about children, 'I really should know something about that by now' I thought to myself. Eowyn was now explaining what had happened to them. "They had no warning, they were unarmed. Now wildmen are moving through the westfold, burning and plundering as they go. Rick, cot and tree."The little girl, Freyda, asked "where is mama?" Eowyn laid a blanket over her shoulders, and shushed her.
Gandalf spoke to Theoden. "This is but a taste of the terror Sauruman will unleash. All the more potent in his fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Drive him away from your women and children. You must fight." Aragorn added himself to the conversation. "You have 2000 good men riding north as we speak. Eomer is loyal to Rohan. He and his men will return, and fight for his king." Theoden was angered. I had watched him grow up, as I did with all the heirs to major powers in middle earth. I noticed a rise in his body heat as he got up from his throne and strode toward us. "They will be 300 leagues from here by now. Eomer cannot help us. I know what you want from me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war." I rolled my eyes. It was time I stepped in.
"We did not travel many leagues to warn you, just so you can ignore it. Sauron and Saruman have massive forces at their disposal, but worse odds have won. They will not expect such a move, we will have the advantage." Theoden walked right up to me. His head only reached my nose. Hot breath tickled my face. "I'm not sure who you think you are, hooded man, but I will not risk lives." He spat. "Funny how those who hide in shadows advise open war." His voice went cold and dangerous. I knew that I had to be careful, but not show weakness. "I have fought in many wars, Theoden. I may hide my face, but I don't hide from battle, because it always comes eventually. If you don't go to it, it will come to you." I kept a calm emotionless demeanour. I made no threatening moves, and kept my face blank. "Also, I can reach Eomer and his men within a day and a half if you wish me to. They will come." A slightly awkward silence followed. I could practically hear the cogs whirring in his head. Everything I had said was true, and my offer was not to be lightly batted away.
It was Aragorn who broke the silence. "Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not." Theoden breathed slowly, keeping his composure. "Last time I checked, it was I who was king of Rohan." Gandalf stepped forward. "So what is the kings decision?"
A guard yelled out to the people of Edoras, spreading the proclamation. "By order of the king the city must empty! We flee to the safety of Helm's Deep! Do not burden yourselves with treasures, and only bring provisions you need!"
Gandalf was grumbling. "Helm's deep! They flee to the mountains when they should stand and fight! Who will protect them, if not their king?" Aragorn remained calm and logical. "He only does what he thinks is best for his people. Helms Deep has saved the in the past."
"There is no way out of that ravine. Theoden is walking into a trap. He thinks he leads them to safety, all they'll get is massacre. Theoden has a strong will, but I fear for him. The people of Rohan need us. Their defences have to hold."
Aragorn nodded. "They will."
"They used to call me the grey pilgrim. 300 lives of men I have walked this earth, and now I have no time. Hopefully my search will not be in vain."
Then an idea dawned on me. "No Gandalf," I said. "We need you here. You are a master strategist, and will be able to think up a way to defend Helms deep." The others turned towards me. "I will go. I will be much faster, and can endure more. I should be back in around three days."
They all approved of the idea. "But how will you find them lass?" Gimli asked. "Your very capable, but you can't see the horses. And if you say that you can hear or smell them from here, I will eat my helmet."
It was Gandalf who provided me with the answer to that problem. "They are north-east east, and should be around 350 leagues from here by now." I smiled my half smile, but genuinly.
"There you go." I told Gimli. "I can find them now. I will leave at dawn tomorrow."
I was in a forge covered in soot and sweat. I had thought that it was best to replenish my darts before I left, just in case. I had bought and old plow and had melted it down, then began to create darts from the iron. The work was fast, but it was difficult to find a smith who would let me borrow his forge for a while. Eventually I had found one who had lent it to me for a gold coin and the rest of the iron. I had dared to flick back my hood and sweat was now dripping down my forehead and soaking into the material around my eyes. Gratefully I plunged the final 30th dart into a barrel of water and submerged it. Splash, pull it out, shake off the water and put in quiver. I put down the tongs and hammer on the anvil and left the iron by the smelter. Wiping my hand across my brow and flicking up my hood I left the forge.
Halfway back to the hall, I realised that I smelt really bad. Not only was I dirty, but all the sweating since my dip at parth- galen had made me smell almost as bad as Aragorn. All except he had somehow managed to weedle one of the servants to draw him a bath. Also my tunic needed washing, it had a few holes and had patches of orc blood on it. As and afterthought, I decided it would be nice to freshen up my feathers before I left as well.
I entered upon the hall, hoping that I would just happen across one of the maids. I probably didn't cut a very likeable figure, dirty and heavily armed. That was when Eowyn came up to me. "Darke, isnt' it?" She asked me. "Yes" I replied. "Gandalf warned me you might want a bit of freshening up!" She laughed. She was probably the first person to realise that I was actually female. I grinned. "That would be good thank-you." I told her. She put away whatever she had been holding. "Follow me. The bathing rooms are over this way." I followed her, memorizing the twists and turns so I could find my way back.
I wasn't much of a person for small talk, but I felt awkward not talking to her. I searched my mind for something to talk of. "The song you sung for Theodred was quite beautiful." I told her. "It's and old traditional hym isn't it?" She brightened when she figured that I wanted to make conversation. "Yes it is," she replied happily " Theodred did not like funerals, but he was fond of the song." I couldn't help but notice the note of sadness that made its way into her voice as she said this. "He died a noble death. He will not have gone down in vain. I can't help but notice you carry a dagger?" She nodded. "Sword actually." I mentally kicked myself for not realizing its length. "The women of my country have found that those who don't carry swords can still die in battle." I nodded in agreement. "I take it you were practising before I interuppted you?" She blushed. "Yes I was."
"Don't be embarressed. Weapons skill is probably one of the most useful skills you can have."
"I think that too, but many disapprove of a women fighting in battle."
"You believe that there will be a battle?"I asked surprised. Eowyn nodded. "Yes. Helms Deep is a trap, but my uncle will not be swayed."
"I agree, but don't let anyone tell you what to do. I've fought in every major battle since Morgoth and I'm still alive. I really don't understand the deal with not letting women fight."
"I don't either!" She returned, with what I think was a grin.
We got to one of the bathing rooms. She opened the door and led me into the hot steamy area. "The bath is already filled up, and there are towels in the cupboard over there." She gestured somewhere to her left. "If you have clothes that need cleaning or mending put them in the basket by the door. There is soap on the bath." I thanked her and she turned to leave. "By the way," I told her as she left. "I'm leaving tomorrow, but when I get back if you want somebody to spar with, I'd be happy to."" Thank-you." She said happily. I think I had made a friend.
Quickly I stripped down and submerged myself in the warm water. I didn't like having bare skin, it reminded me of Morgoth and Sauron, were I had to wear nothing but a ragged shift for several years on end. It was disgusting, and I had more bare skin than not. So yes I have a fear of short sleeves and dresses, but don't judge.
I groped around for the soap and scrubbed myself down. I used it on my wings and hair as well, they had gotten quite grimy. I was done very quickly, and dressed myself in seconds. As an afterthought I dunked the material around my eyes into the water and cleaned it. It was probably covered in sweat stains. I left the tunic I had been wearing in the basket by the door and wore the nearly identical and very compressable one that was at the bottom of my quiver. I also used it as a backpack, and the tunic made a good protector for the tip of my darts. Flicking up my cowl and tying the cleaned material around my eyes, I left the bathing room.
By now it was nearing dusk. I couldn't find Legolas, Aragorn, Gimli or Gandalf anywhere. They were probably preparing themselves to leave themselves. The people of Edoras were leaving tomorrow as well, but at a later hour. As night grew fewer people trafficed the main hall. Observing the people come and go was becoming boring, and as long as I had waited I doubted my friends would come by anytime soon. The 36th servant in three hours came past me. I decided to stand up and go to my room. We had all been assigned rooms during our stay in Edoras, but I hadn't set a foot in mine yet.
I sat on the bed. The room was very simple, with a wooden chair and cupboard, and a small bed in the corner. The mattress was soft, but I noticed as I lay my hand on the bed, that the sheets were very rough. Out of boredom I took off my glove and ran a hand over the cupboard. Smooth, light colored, with ornate carvings around the edges. Probably pine or maple. I flexed my fingers gently. I had an old hobby, one that I hadn't practised in a long time. Maybe I should try it again?
I dove my hand into the small pouch at my belt, holding my belongings. A few coins, a tiny whetstone, half a comb, vial of water, a needle and a wooden cube. Not much to live with, but it's what I had. I withdrew the cube from my pouch, and pulled a long wooden object from my quiver. Pulling off my other glove, I squeezed the cube and put it on the bed. Within seconds a full size violin was lying on the bed. A friend of mine had given it to me after I went blind. I wasn't sure how it managed to fit in the cube, but I suspected that is was magic.
Delicately I picked up the instrument. I plucked a string experimentaly. Out of tune, so I twiddled the knobs at the top until they sounded correct. Then I began to play. I started slowly, with easy folk songs and such. Gradually though, I progressed to play more complicated melodies, heard in Imladris and Lorien. Finally I settled on a long lay, I had heard some rangers play about 50 years ago. The slow but complicated melodies flew under my bow, which only muscle memory kept playing. Beautiful notes, melodies and tunes floated through the room and into my ears. I was so absorbed in the music that I didn't even notice when someone came and sat on the chair. As the movement left the climax though, I noticed the chair creak beneath someones weight. Immediately I dropped the violin and bow on the bed and drew my long knife. "Who is it?" I asked threateningly, not having time to identify the person. "Relax Darke, it's just me." Legolas said. I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful he wasn't an enemy.
"What are you doing here? I thought you would be resting." I asked.
"I heard the music, so I came to investigate. It was- one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard." My eartips began to burn red. No-one had complemented my music before. But I wasn't a silly young girl. "Well," I began, "I've had a lot of practise."
"It shows. Your music rivals that of my fathers courts."
"I doubt Thranduils musicians would appreciate being compared to someone who only plays as a hobby." Legolas chuckled.
"I guess your right, but if they knew you they would be honoured to be compared to you." My ears went red again. I wasn't used to being complemented.
"Thank-you." I simply stated.
"By the way, one of the maids asked me to give this to you." He handed me a soft cloth. I unfolded it, and recognized it as my tunic. Quickly I ran my hand over it, checking everything was fixed. Something was pinned to it. I ran my hand over the paper. Dark even shapes across it. Writing. "What does this say?" I asked Legolas. He peered over my shoulder. "It says, sorry about the sewing on the back, the slits were hard to deal with. What slits?" I ran a hand over the tunic once more. Now I realised what was wrong. The two slits in the back for my wings had been sewed up! "Your joking!" I told myself aloud.
"What is it?" Legolas asked.
"They've sewed up my wing slits." I told him, showing him the neat stitches all down the back. "I really should have told the not to do that ." I said with a wry smile. And he began to laugh. A loud clear laugh. Unfourtunately it was contagious. I felt a lopsided grin/vampire smile come across my face, and then I began to laugh. A loud, full, proper laugh. On the inside I was scolding myself. 'The first time I've given a proper laugh or smile in over 4000 years and it was about something as stupid as a wrongly sewed up tunic!' There were much funnier things I could have laughed at, and yet I was laughing at this.
Eventually we stopped laughing and caught our breath. I shoved the tunic into my quiver. "You keep your things in your quiver?" Legolas inquired. "Well packs are a bit difficult." I answered. "Understandable." He replied. A silence followed.
"Would you mind playing another song? It really does sound beautiful."
I was caught offguard at the question. From what I remembered, the prince wasn't very musical. I recalled that his mother was very fond of the flute, but I couldn't recall any musicality from any others in his family. "Well," I said hesitantly, "any preferences?"
"Anything." He said waving his hand in the air. "ave maria it is then," I said turning away with a raised eyebrow. Unfortunately due to my great prowess with knots, the movement made the material around my eyes slip a little. I ignored it. Picking up the violin and bow, I began to play the song ave maria. The low notes floated off the instrument, and to our ears. Finally the song slowed down and finished at a tapering note. That was followed by a silence, but not an awkward one. It held a feeling of companionship. I pressed a knob at the bottom of the violin and it folded back up into a tiny cube. I put the bow back in my quiver and slipped my gloves back on.
It was Legolas who spoke first. "That was the most beautiful song I have ever heard in my life."
I smiled wryly. "Thank-you but I really don't think so."
"You don't have enough self confidence. But still I guess you're right," He joked.
"I told you." I replied neutrally.
"It was the second most beautiful song I've ever heard."
"Liar. What was the first?" I asked interested.
"The version that my mother played. She sung it as well." He said sadly.
I gave a wry smile. "Well I couldn't sing for my life, so she wins."
He gave a small chuckle. "Your song for Borimer was quite nice."
"That is the only song in the world I can sing, and only because I have practise." It was me who chuckled this time, when my loose eye strip fell off. I felt it flutter down near my leg. 'Oh.' I muttered, my ears going red. I swept my hand across the floor, trying to find it.
"I've got it." Legolas said, handing it to me. I muttered a thank-you, before attempting to quickly tie it around my face. I failed epically. "Here, let me," Legolas began.
"There is no need, I have done this before," just as it fell again. He picked it up again, and flicked back my cowl. I grabbed it just before it fell and pulled it back up. I raised an eyebrow at him, and held out my hand. "Give it over if you please." I swear he was smirking. "And what if I don't?"
I raised my eyebrow again."You're being given the raised eyebrow and that's your answer? You're stupider than I thought." I said with a smile.
"Still not giving it over." He said crossing his arms and pretending to be childish.
"Please." I asked.
"No."
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because it's funny."
"How?"
"It just is."
"I'm fighting a losing battle aren't I?"
"I'm afraid so."
I gave up. "I hate you," I said indifferently, but with a wry smile. I flicked back my hood to allow him to tie the material around my face. "Really, why do you insist?" I asked him, curious. "Because, according to my father, princes are meant to be gentlemen." I gave a short chuckle. "Because what you just did was soooo gentlemanly, and I am veeerry ladylike."
"I blame my father."
"Everyone does."
He gently placed the strip around my eyes and pulled it around the back of my head. Quickly flattening my hair with his fingers, he tied the strip at the back of my head. His hand gently brushed my cheek, going over the scar . I shivered at the touch. "Are you cold?" He asked surprised. "No," I said, "Just memories."
"Of what exactly?"
"Silly things. How I got the scar on my face. It doesn't matter though."
"Hmm." We sat until Legolas gave a yawn. "You should probably go rest." I told him. The hour was getting late and a chill was starting to settle throughout the room. "You're right." He said. The bed creaked as he got up. He paced to the door, but turned back to look at me. "Darke, I need you to promise me something." He abruptly said.
It was so random, I didn't know what to think. "What is it?" I finally asked him. "When your gone- stay safe." I gave him a proper smile. Not my half smile for every occasion, but a full. Because of the scar on my left cheek it was lopsided and probably looked like a vampire smile, but it was the closest I could get to a grin. "Why wouldn't I? I've fought more battles than I can count. I promise I'll come back alive." I meant it. "Thank-you." He simply stated. He turned to leave again. I puled something out from under my shirt and tunic. A brass chain with a rectangle hanging from it. Etched into the rectangle it said 'believe'. "Catch" I told him. "Now you can hold me to my promise."
"I will." He simply said.
Dawn rose and our small company was standing on a balcony of the golden hall. Eowyn was also watching from the shadows, but I didn't tell anyone. She was probably curious of why I was leaving from the balcony and not the front gate. "Well." I said. "Help Theoden. Stay safe. And nobody get killed without me." Gandalf and Legolas nodded. "You to Darke," Gimli replied. "Fly well" Aragorn said forlornly. "I hope the wind wind bears you swiftly."
I took off my cloak and hood and shoved them into my belt. I would need to fly fast. I heard Eowyn give a sharp intake of breath from behind the pole. It was only to be expected when you saw a person with wings. "We will miss you." Gandalf stated as I unfolded my wings from their tight place against my back and shoulders. "Me too." I said. I gave a wry smile, then turned and ran. Jumping off the edge of the balcony I soared off through the early morning fog, to find the riders of Rohan.
Yay for fluff! Please review and give constructive criticism. Thank-you everyone for reading. :)
