Author's Note: Fedranth, Boromir's Rohirrim stallion (And Brego's half-brother), is the creation of Evendim (go read her stories, they're excellent!) and I hope she doesn't mind my Theodred mentioning him.
Disclaimer: All familiar characters, places and events are the property of J.R.R. Tolkien, his estate, heirs and licensees. This is a work of fan-fiction and is not intended to infringe on the rights owned by the above-named individuals and entities. All other characters, places and events are the property of the fanfic authors.
Dedicated to Rowan, my nine-year old Rohirrim niece, and Starsearch, my equine best friend.
A Hidden Hope - Chapter 7
By Dancingkatz and Rhyselle
Late February T.A. 3019 – Edoras
Eowyn held her breath as the elderly healer bent over her cousin's ominously still body. Theodred was still breathing and the seizure had stopped but it was obvious that he hung onto his life by the merest of threads.
"There is nothing to be done, my lady, save to ease the pain of his passing. The wound is putrid and the infection has spread too far." The old man looked across at her with pity in his eyes; pity for the dying prince and pity for her. He pulled a small vial from his bag and set them on the small table. "Two drops under his tongue, every hour. It should prevent any more seizures as well as dull the pain."
She didn't want to ask it but found the questions passing her lips anyway, "How long?"
The healer looked down at Theodred once more, his face bleak. "I will be very surprised if he lives to see the dawn, my lady." He looked back at Eowyn and frowned at her obvious exhaustion and distress. "You should rest and eat before you collapse. I will have my apprentice keep watch over him."
Eowyn bit back the sob that that was trying to escape and shook her head. "No. I will stay with him, until—" her voice failed her as she reached for Theodred's limp hand.
The healer touched Theodred's head and muttered a blessing before leaving the chamber. He stepped out into the corridor to find himself face to face with the King's Advisor. He frowned as the black-haired man craned his head to look over his shoulder into the room before the door was pulled shut.
"And what is his Highness' state?" Grima asked, turning a worried and concerned gaze to the healer's face.
"He lives, my lord. If you will pardon me, I have other patients to see." The healer shoved past the black haired man and disappeared around the corner.
Grima watched him out of sight and turned to gaze at the door again as if he could see through the heavily carved and gilded wood, his worried expression replaced by a self-satisfied smile. Before the door had been closed he'd seen Eowyn on her knees by the bed sobbing against Theodred's lax hand and the bluish pallor that lay over the prince's features. "He lives… For now, he lives. But not for much longer," he whispered in a voice rich with satisfaction.
June T.A. 3018 - The Gather-Meet
The weather had been good for the Gather-Meet so far; sunny and not too warm, the ground in good condition, not too hard and not mucky. The contingent from Helms Deep had been doing well much to Theodred's pleasure. The Firstborn and their dam had garnered much attention and the prizes for the top foals and broodmare, much to Edlyn's delight. The other five broodmares and foals, including Æblǽcan and her sturdy bay colt, who was the image of his sire, Brego, had placed well and Theodred had been interrupted throughout the following two days by men from other areas of the Riddermark who were interested in bringing such good bloodlines into their herds.
The first day of the Meet had been set aside for the showing and judging of the broodmares and foals, yearlings, and two-year olds who were beginning to show promise for their eventual occupations. The second day was reserved for the trials of the young men who wished to become Riders. Of course, a Marshal could acclaim a youth a Rider when he'd shown that he'd reached the appropriate level of prowess and proficiency, but there was a prestige attached to winning one's green Rider's cloak at the Gather-Meet that a private acclamation didn't have. The youths and their mounts were put through an increasingly difficult set of activities, ending with a huge mock battle and melee. Theodred was planning to keep an eye on the outcome of the trials, as he was looking for more Riders to augment Helm's Deep's eóreds. In the meantime, the horses that were going to participate in the contests and races held during the third through fifth days of the meet were exercised, groomed to within an inch of their lives, and eyed by their opponents.
The first of the races to be run was a grueling cross country event over as varied a terrain as the organizers could find; where there weren't natural obstacles, man made ones had been placed. It was expected that this race would last at least five or six hours before the first of the contestants crossed the finish line. Theodred had himself participated in the event in the three times in the past, and finished second last year. This year Osbearn and his mount Breguswið were to have attempted it, but the chestnut stallion had pulled up lame from a warm-up run the previous morning, and despite Brego's fitness to race, his own right wrist was still recovering from being fractured during the previous month's battle at Sunbury; preventing him from taking Osbearn's place. Helm's Deep would have no competitor entered for the first time in years.
Ring-jousting, archery from horseback, and other riding and martial skill competitions would be held while the race was run. Additionally, there were competitions in non-martial things, such as mead-brewing, saddle-making, and so forth, as well as the large collection of merchants who came from as far away as Tharbad and Dol Amroth to sell their wares at one of the largest gatherings of the Rohirrim each year.
About thirty horses and riders were currently gathered near the starting point for the race. Among the chestnuts, browns, and bays, a golden mare ridden by a youth wearing a green hood over his hair stood out. Theodred, carrying his favorite spear and the narrow lance he was to use in his pass at ring jousting, urged Brego into a trot and headed for the area where those competitions were taking place. By chance, he glanced towards the race start point and did a double take as he recognized the unmistakable golden coat of Edlyn's mare, Gyldenides. "She didn't!" he breathed and pulled Brego up sharply, confusing the stallion, who swung his head around and looked at him with an obvious "What was that about?!" look on his expressive face.
Edlyn whispered reassurances to Gyldenides as the other horses, most of them stallions, jostled for position. She had asked Theodred about letting her ride the race when Osbearn's mount had gone lame and he'd told her no. But since he was unable to ride in it because of his wrist there was no one else available to represent Helms Deep. The points lost by not having a runner in the race would hurt the keep's reputation so she had sneaked from her pavilion before dawn and kept herself and Gyldenides out of sight until time for the race to begin. Suddenly a blast was blown on a horn and the thirty horses surged forwards. Edlyn bent over Gyldenides' neck with a quick prayer to Bema that they at least finish the race.
Theo's lips tightened as he watched her out of sight, remembering last year's race and the treacherous course. He hadn't told her that she wasn't to enter the race on previous day because of some foolish idea that a woman could not ride as well as a man; but because he didn't want the lady of his heart risked by such a dangerous undertaking—particularly on a mount as inexperienced as the young Gyldenides. Brego sidestepped, impatient to be on his way to the tests of skill, catching Theodred unawares for a change.
Ceorl trotted up on his sorrel mare, Selethryth, just in time to steady his prince. "Is your arm giving you trouble?" he asked looking worriedly at his prince. The Rider was competing in the ring-jousting, but his true forte was field-ball and he'd likely be eliminated from the jousting after the first round.
Theodred collected himself and answered his friend, "I just got a bit distracted. I'm all right, and so is my wrist." He gave Brego the office to go on, trotting at Ceorl's side, but his anger at Edlyn's action, born of fear, increased.
Ceorl nodded and jerked his head at a group of riders from Aldburg who were approaching. "Your cousin is here."
Despite his ire at Edlyn's rash act, Theo smiled at the 27-year-old rider who brought his mount, Firefoot, up alongside Brego. "Well met, Eomer! Are you challenging me today in the spear throw?"
"Of course, cousin! I have to uphold the honour of the Aldburg." Eomer grinned at Theo and nodded towards the splinted wrist. "Are you sure you want to risk humiliation?"
"Humiliation, what's that?"
"Oh, that's right. You don't do well with words of more than two syllables. Never mind, I'll point it out to you when you lose," Eomer teased, knowing that even with a compromised wrist, his cousin was one of the best men with a spear in the Mark.
Theo chuckled. "If you win, I'll buy the mead for you and your companions."
"If you win, I'll do likewise." Eomer agreed and the two men shook hands on it. Theodred grinned and added, "And since I'm known to be miserly--don't expect to win." He nudged Brego with his heels and the stallion nickered and picked up speed, heading with purpose to the event field.
By the time Edlyn had reached the halfway point of the race, the sun was just past its zenith and she had long since begun regretting her decision to enter the race. She chose to sacrifice speed for safety in order to guide Gyldenides down a steep escarpment that had already taken five riders out of the race. Now safely at the bottom of the gorge, she spied the bright banner that marked the way she was to go along the stream bed. The water was shallow and the streambed sandy so she decided to take Gyldenides downstream in the water rather than risk slipping on the slate that lined most of the bank.She resolutely kept her eyes on the way ahead in spite of hearing the sound of another horse and rider parting ways on the escarpment. By now, any thought that they might win the race was gone from her head. She just wanted to bring herself and Gyldenides through it unhurt.
Theo's anger simmered inside, and he found himself flinging the spear far harder and faster than ever before as he and Brego faced off competitor after competitor. Why did she do this? If she comes back hurt... I told her how dangerous it was for an untried mount!
Eomer managed to make it to the fifth round before being eliminated, and jogged over to where Theodred awaited his next turn. "I owe you some mead, cousin. Come over to our camp this evening and I'll give you more than you can drink."
"I don't know; I can drink a fair lot, you know. You did well. Last year you only made it to the third round. Are you jousting today?"
"Thanks. Yes, but I don't expect to get very far against Erkenbrand. Really, couldn't you have left him at home and allowed some other fellow the glory for once?"
"He'd never forgive me. And I have reasons to keep on his good side lately."
"Oh?" Eomer raised an eyebrow and looked expectant.
Theodred looked about to be sure he would not be overheard, then urged Eomer away from the other men, moving to stand between their horses for privacy. "You must swear on your most solemn oath to never say a word about this to anyone until I give you leave."
Eomer promised his silence. "I won't even tell Eowyn."
"I am betrothed to Erkenbrand's daughter."
Eomer's eyebrow rose again and he looked thoughtful. "You haven't been to Edoras in months. I take it the King knows nothing of this?"
"He wouldn't even speak with me without that--unspeakable--present."
Eomer nodded. "It just gets worse and worse. Do you want me to come to Edoras with you when the Meet is over? I can distract the Worm and you can talk to your father in private about it."
Theo thought about it then shook his head. "The way he's been, if he sees you supporting me in this, he'll punish you, because I made a choice of my own. I'd rather not cause you more trouble, cousin. I think I prefer to present him with a marriage accomplished and consummated, and ask forgiveness at that point than risk him forbidding Edlyn and me to wed."
"If there's anything I can do to help, you will let me know, won't you?" Eomer squeezed his cousin's shoulder in commiseration then looked over towards the competition field. "They're calling for you. Good luck."
"Thanks, coz. Good luck on the jousting. You'll probably win that mead back from me then."
Theo mounted Brego and returned to the starting point, set Brego into a gallop and envisioned the point of his spear going right through Grima's greasy head--and once again the spear landed perfectly centered it on the target.
Edlyn pulled Gyldenides up for a minute before they left the stream, and allowed her to drink and took a swallow of water from her canteen herself. If she were right, she was more than halfway through the route and the roughest part was yet to come. She had discovered that what made the cross country race truly dangerous was the necessity for speed. If a rider took the course at a walk or slow trot it was possible to successfully navigate the obstacles without any real problems; but when time constraints were added into the picture, it became a challenge for the rider to be able to pick the places and times where speed was a liability rather than an asset. So the race was truly a test for the rider as well as the horse. She spied the next marker and began to guide the mare up and out of the gorge following a "trail" that was little more than scratches on the stone.
Once out of the gorge, she found her way was straight forward over rolling grassland and urged Gyldenides to her best speed only to find that the land was crisscrossed by hidden ditches. Luckily, Gyldenides had realized the first one was there and leapt it easily. Trusting her horse, Edlyn let the mare pick their way and decide where to jump the barriers. They passed several other horses and riders who had come afoul of the hidden traps and a quick calculation told Edlyn that more than half of the starting field had been disqualified.
On the far side of the ditch field were several built up walls of stone and brush of varying heights amid very uneven ground. As Edlyn urged the sweating mare forwards over the first of the obstacles, she saw a sorrel and its rider go down at the furthest wall. Gyldenides was still steady over the walls, though her speed had diminished and her coat was foam flecked and dusty, but she seemed intent on continuing the race.
As they finally reached the last obstacle of that section, Edlyn saw that instead of just a brush covered wall, the ground on the other side had been built up into a dike crossed by two ditches about a man's height apart. The sorrel had mistimed his leaps and gone forefeet first into the second ditch. The animal was obviously gravely injured and his rider lay ominously still. Edlyn continued on, her heart in her throat and sudden tears stinging her eyes. There was nothing she could do except get to the end of the race and tell someone what happened. Or perhaps one of the fallen riders would be able to put the poor beast out of his misery and take the animal's rider to a healer.
This race was definitely nothing liked she'd expected!
As Theo was accepting the congratulations of the other Riders for winning the spear throwing competition and earning more overall points for Helm's Deep, he caught sight of several exhausted looking horses and riders, some of them limping, returning from the direction of the cross country course. One of the hobbling mares was almost completely covered with mud and what little of her coat showed through was light enough that, for a moment, he thought it was Gyldenides--and his heart went into his throat. He was about to push Brego through the crowd of riders who were still offering their praise for his skill when the horse was turned and he saw that it was a grey, and not his lady's mount.
Then the call went out that the Ring-jousting competition was about to begin and Theodred headed over to where he could see Erkenbrand waiting with the younger riders who were competing for the first time. His imagination was being particularly strong this day--as witnessed by his ability to clearly picture Wormtongue pinned to the targets he'd thrown his spear at--but it also showed him a whole variety of mishaps, dangers, and evil consequences featuring Edlyn and Gyldenides.
Erkenbrand waved at Theodred from the back of his mount, Whitcalc, a burly black with a white sock on his near foreleg, his lance balanced crosswise across the animal's withers.
Theo put a pleased expression on his face, "Well, I upheld the honour of Helm's Deep." He handed the spear he still carried to one of the youths who were milling about and bade him to return it to his tent at their camp. "Is today going to be five or six times running that you do likewise?"
"Six, if Bema is kind," Erkenbrand said with a smile. "And I'm certain that our novices will acquit themselves honourably."
Brego eyed the lance, took a step forward and rubbed his chin across the wooden shaft.
Theo sighed and pulled him back again. "Idiot beast. I can scratch your chin if you need it; don't go damaging Lord Erkenbrand's gear."
Erkenbrand gave the bay stallion a mock-glare and grabbed for the lance as it wobbled. Whitcalc, an old campaigner and long used to Brego's foibles, merely flicked an ear and cocked his right hind foot, intent on dozing until it was time for the contest to begin.
Another of the horses that had fallen out of the cross-country race arrived, and Theo immediately turned to see who it was.
"That bag of bones could--" Erkenbrand frowned at Theodred's action. "What is it? I thought that Osbearn's mount was gone lame?"
"Oh, I'm wondering who is going to end up with the points we weren't able to get this year." Theo hastily covered his action. "That's one of Eomer's Riders just come back. I wonder where he came to grief?"
"Have a bet on it, do you?" Erkenbrand asked, his gaze drawn to the jousting field as the first of the rings were hung from the arches.
Theo shook his head. "No. I just hope we can accrue enough points from our other matches to make up for it, though."
"Well, the ten we have in the gymkhana tomorrow should get us plenty, and Ceorl is certain to give us a victory in field-ball. Then there are the melees."
"And you will give us the ring-jousting, along with these other fine riders." Theodred saluted the novices and settled his lance more firmly in his stirrup.
The referee called for the first of the competitors and Erkenbrand nodded at the youngest of the Helm's Deep competitors. The youth took a deep breath and trotted his sorrel mare to the starting point with five other young riders from other keeps.
"Leofric's going to be good at this, if he can just get over his nerves," Erkenbrand observed.
"Like I did?" Theo gazed at the youth, remembering when it was he who Erkenbrand had trained and encouraged.
"Yes. Ah, that's it! Good job!" Leofric had dropped his reins and guided his cantering horse with only his legs, picking up all six rings on his lance. Theodred cheered along with the rest of the Helm's Deep contingent as the youth swung back around towards them, blushing and grinning madly. Only one other rider of that group managed to get all six rings and in the end had trotted his mount in order to get the final one.
Eomer and Theodred easily gathered up all six rings, as did Erkenbrand. The rounds continued, the rings getting progressively smaller and more riders becoming disqualified.
Theo made it through five perfect passes but on the sixth pass, he only got three, and on the seventh, he only managed to get one. He resigned from the competition with good grace, and hoped that Erkenbrand hadn't noticed his distraction with the returning racers.
Eomer made it through to the final pass but didn't get a single one of the rings which were now barely larger than a wedding band. Leofric followed the third marshal and managed to get two of the rings. Erkenbrand clapped the boy on the shoulder as he returned to where the competitors waited. "Very good, lad! See me after this is over and I'll show you how to avoid that shake of your lance tip at the gallop."
When Eomer walked his mount up beside Brego, Theodred turned his eyes away from the place where the failed racers were being treated for their injuries and their horses were being cared for. "It seems that I owe you some mead now. Shall we make it an even exchange, a cask of Frea's mead for a cask of your best?"
"For Frea's mead, I'll trade three casks of our best, cousin!"
The remaining riders, while collecting some of the rings failed to get all six, so when Erkenbrand set his mount towards the rings at the gallop, everyone held their breath. "He's going to make it six years running," Theo said with satisfaction, and a moment later Erkenbrand pulled up at the end of the run, all six rings on the tip of his lance. The cheers that rang out came from every holding participating in the meet. This was a record number of perfect runs and wins by one rider.
"HUZZAH!" Theodred bellowed, punching his fist in the air, and Eomer was no less enthusiastic in his cheers.
Theodred clasped wrists in a warrior's grip with Erkenbrand when the older man came to join them.
Erkenbrand thanked him for his congratulations and glanced about, "I'm surprised that Edlyn isn't here. Usually she's the first to tackle me after I've won. Have you seen her?"
"I have not seen her since this morning," Theo truthfully said.
"She's probably showing off the Firstborn again or trailing Frea. When you see her, please share the good news with her, my prince." He bowed his head and rode off to cool his mount and to find something to drink. Theo watched him ride away, and then headed in the opposite direction, to where banners marked the end of the cross-country race.
Edlyn urged Gyldenides on. They had come up on the leaders just as the track turned into a bog. The larger and heavier stallions were having problems wading through the mud and muck, and their heavier riders weren't helping matters. Gyldenides didn't like the mud, but being lighter she was more able for the ground and easily bypassed the four struggling animals.
"That's it, go on!" Edlyn urged Gyldenides as their lead grew. Just as the mare seemed to have a sixth sense for the ditches, she seemed able to pick the best footing and gained in speed. As the mud-spattered mare finally climbed up the bank out of the bog, Edlyn dared hope that they might not only finish but win the race. She moved her weight further forward over the mare's withers and let Gyldenides have her head. She knew that as soon as the stallions got out of the bog, their lead would shorten quickly so it behooved her to make sure it was as long as possible before then.
She could hear the hoof beats of the four stallions approaching from behind as she guided Gyldenides towards the last of the obstacles, which looked like nothing more or less than a collapsed barn overgrown by vines and weeds, at the end of the ravine. Kicking her heels hard into Gyldenides sides with a silent apology, she took hold of a generous handful of the flaxen mane and sent a quick heartfelt prayer to Bema.
The golden mare, her legs and belly smeared with black mud from the bog, and her neck covered with foaming sweat, launched herself over the obstacle, coming down mere feet from the other side of it. For a moment Edlyn was afraid she was going to fly over Gyldenides' head but she managed to keep her balance and urged her towards the finish line.
Theodred dismounted and began to walk Brego back and forth as he waited for the racers to come into view of the finish line. His worry and fear increased, and suddenly transmuted in icy fury. How could she do this to him? Didn't she realize how much he feared for her safety?
Eomer was likewise walking Firefoot, cooling him down. He reached out and caught Theo by the shoulder. "I can see the lead racers. Looks live five of them with a pale horse leading."
Theo whipped his head around, having been at the opposite end of the path he'd paced, and stared hard, fearing and hoping at the same time.
Blinded by Gyldenides' flying mane and her own sweat, Edlyn didn't see that Theodred was waiting with Brego as she sought to slow the over-excited and weary mare. The green and gold ribbon that had marked the finish line was fluttering about Gyldenides neck and tangling with her mane as the spectators cheered and shouted. Edlyn was unaware that as they taken the last obstacle her hood had fallen back and her long golden hair streamed out behind her, a match for her horse's coat. Gasps were interspersed with the cheers, for no one could remember a time when a woman had ridden in, much less won, the cross-country trial.
Eomer looked from Theodred to the woman riding the winner and back, and tactfully took hold of Brego's headstall. "I'll take Brego back and get one of the youngsters to start grooming him. You can introduce me later on."
Theo nodded, handing over the reins to his cousin and headed for the circle of people who were now surrounding Gyldenides and Edlyn.
Edlyn didn't know what to do about the hands that kept patting Gyldenides sides and her own legs. "Please, let us move. I have to walk her." She looked about since the crowd wasn't listening to her, and if she didn't get Gyldenides walking very soon the mare's muscles were going to lock up. Then Theodred pushed forward and took hold of Gyldenides' bridle, and called out, "Let us pass!"
Recognizing the King's son, the crowd reluctantly stepped back.
Theo looked up at Edlyn, and offered his congratulations, but the anger was still strong behind his facade of pleasure at the win. He waited for her to slide from the saddle, beckoning for her to walk next to him back to the Helm's Deep encampment.
Edlyn gritted her teeth as she released the reins from suddenly her cramping hands, dismounted, and found her legs collapsing beneath her. Theodred caught her around the waist and held her up.
"Are you injured?" he asked in a very quiet and controlled voice.
Edlyn shook her head, not meeting his eyes, "No, I don't think so. My legs just won't hold me up." She'd never felt so weary and weak in her life.
Theodred looked about, caught sight of a familiar youth and summoned him over. He turned the mare over to the boy and instructed him to walk her until she was cool and then to clean, groom, feed, and water her. The youth nodded and took the reins, murmuring softly to the tired mare as he gently led her towards the open field where the other horses grazed.
"Your father wondered where you were when you didn't congratulate him on winning the ring-jousting competition." Theo didn't look down at her, keeping his eyes on the pavilions and tents that made up the Helm's Deep encampment. Edlyn shuddered and bit her lip as tears trickled down her cheeks. Her father was going to kill her if Theodred didn't do it for him first.
The prince nodded in greeting to those who greeted him and Edlyn, but would not be deterred from his destination. Bypassing his own pavilion, he supported her until they reached the small tent she shared with Frea.
Theo opened the door flap and pushed her inside ahead of him, and then let the flap fall behind him. "Just what in Bema's namedid you think you were doing?" he hissed, trying to keep his voice down so those beyond the tent walls could not hear. His hands were clenched and two spots of high colour burned in his cheeks.
Edlyn couldn't answer. She'd entered the race because she'd been angry with Theodred for his point blank refusal to let her ride. Her father had often said that when anger entered, one's intelligence left by the back door. It certainly seemed that he was right. She hadn't been thinking at all, and it was only by the grace of Bema and sheer unadulterated good luck that she and Gyldenides had made it safely to the finish. As soon as she'd seen Theodred's face, any thought of honour or fame earned for the keep by riding in the race turned as bitter as ashes.
"You could have been killed. Do you know what it was like to see the fallen and failed coming back? Some of them still haven't come back!"
That struck her like a knife. The memory of the crippled sorrel and his too-still rider flashed before her eyes and she dissolved into sobs.
Theodred took her by the upper arms and shook her once, not hard, but enough to emphasize his words. "All I could see was you dead because Gyldenides stumbled or misjudged a jump. Damn it, Edlyn!" He pulled her close and kissed her hard before pushing her down onto her cot. "Stay here until I tell you otherwise!" He whirled and left the tent, and headed for the only comfort he'd ever had in the years of his emotional exile from his father: Brego.
Edlyn stared at the tent flap and then fell sideways onto the blankets, clutching at the pillow and soaking it with her tears. Her silent self-castigation was ended by her weariness; it didn't take long before she had cried herself to sleep.
Brego gave Theodred a long suffering look as Eomer stepped back from the stallion, the Third Marshal stripped to the waist and holding a brush in his hand. Theo stripped off his own tunic, picked up the extra brush, and began to make long sweeping strokes down his mount's near side. Over the bay's back, Eomer looked at Theodred as he continued to groom the off side.
"So that is your lady love," he finally said, "Hand me the hoof pick, please. It should be in the bucket by your feet. I take it that you aren't very happy with your betrothed right now?
Theo handed the implement over and sighed. "I've been terrified for her all day, since I saw her take off when the race started. I told her yesterday she was not to take Osbearn's place. I came in second last year, I know how treacherous that course is, and she hadn't any idea. And to attempt it with an untried mare?" He visibly shuddered. "It was nothing short of a miracle that she and Gyldenides came through unscathed, much less won."
Eomer blanched at the thought. "I don't think even Eowyn would try a stunt like that."
"And if Erkenbrand still doesn't know, he will soon, once the word makes it through the camps." Theo began to detangle Brego's forelock, taking the time to scratch behind the stallion's ears.
Eomer bent to pick up the stallion's forefoot and set to work with the hoof pick. "Erkenbrand didn't know... of course, he didn't know. Are you certain she's going to be alive to marry you once he finds out?"
"He won't kill her. She's the image of his beloved late wife." The prince rested his forehead against Brego's cheek and sighed. "I love her so much--it wasn't her disobeying me that I was angry about as much as how afraid I was for her--that she would put herself in such danger."
Eomer put Brego's foot down and straightened. "I don't think she really understood how dangerous it was. She looked completely overwhelmed." He paused and gave a crooked grin, "Like I was that time I attempted to ride one of the Mearas."
Theo tried to resist it but ended up snickering as the memory rolled forth from the back of his mind. "Your hair was practically standing on end. Father didn't have the heart to punish you like he'd intended after that."
Eomer laughed himself and moved to clean Brego's hind foot. "I certainly never attempted to ride any Mearas after that."
Theo dropped the brush and started untangling a snarl in Brego's mane. "Well, you're my heir presumptive right now, which gives you the right to request a Mearas to bear you. Of course he would have to agree first!"
"Ah, but that was the problem!" Eomer finished with the hoof and straightened, giving the bay a pat on the hindquarters after setting the hoof down. "In any event, I don't think you'll have to worry about your lady trying anything like this again."
Theo reached for the hoof pick to do the hooves on Brego's near side and chuckled. "I can only hope. Hold on beast, let me get your other hooves and then you can go lord it over the mares."
Brego snorted well, get on with it, then! and smartly picked up his near forefoot. The task only took a few minutes and Theodred straightened and slapped Brego on the shoulder. "Off you go, Brego. You did well today."
The stallion turned his head and blew a raspberry at his Rider then trotted off towards the herd of mares and foals that were grazing in the near distance.
Theo scooped up Eomer's tunic and tossed it to the younger man. "Thank you for taking care of Brego for me."
"My pleasure," Eomer said with a grin. "He and I have an agreement. He doesn't bite or step on me, and I don't turn him into glue."
"Assuming Erkenbrand doesn't demand the dissolution of my betrothal, might you make it to Helm's Deep at the end of July for the wedding?" The prince looked down at the trampled grass and added quietly, "I would truly like to have a family member there supporting me."
"I wouldn't miss it. Do you want me to send someone to Mundburg and let your shieldbrother know? I can get someone there with less notice from certain… Worms… than you."
Theo smiled, then sighed. "His father will never allow him to come."
"You're likely right. The last intelligence I received was that they are being hard pressed at the causeway forts. But they still stand." Eomer donned his tunic and shook out his long blond hair. "Eowyn would probably love to be there but she refuses to leave Edoras so long as the Worm is in residence."
Theo raised an eyebrow. "I'd have thought that she'd want to get away from that creeping pestilence."
Eomer sighed. "She would love to get away from him, but she refuses to leave Uncle to the creature's mercies. There doesn't seem to be much she can do, but if there's a chance she can keep regicide out of the Worm's mind--or at least keep him from acting on the thought--she insists on staying."
Theodred flinched at the word regicide. "I have tried so many times to warn my father about the Worm, and ever and ever Grima twists what I say to convince him that I wish Theoden-King to be swiftly replaced by Theodred-King. Which is so far from the truth of my desires that it is laughable to even consider it."
"Come, show me this golden mare your betrothed rides. She must be quite something." Eomer changed the subject swiftly, not liking to see the pain in his cousin's face.
Theo accepted the change of subject gratefully, and scanned the field to find where Gyldenides was. She stood beneath a canvas fly, the youth busily brushing the now dried mud from her side. "Come with me and meet the Golden Lady. If only it hadn't been Edlyn riding, I'd still be cheering that she was able to accomplish that which many experienced stallions aren't able to do."
"It was a record time, wasn't it?
"Actually, I don't know. I was otherwise distracted." They'd reached the mare and Theodred rummaged in his pouch for a bit of sugarloaf. The mare had certainly earned it.
Eomer looked Gyldenides over appreciatively. Even with her coat still partially marred by mud and her mane and tail tangled, she was still a beautiful animal.
Gyldenides raised her head when she smelled Theodred and the sugarloaf, even arching her neck a bit. She pricked her ears forward and delicately took the sugarloaf from Theodred's hand with a minimum of slobbering. Theo smiled at her and stroked her neck where the youth had already brushed off most of the dried mud. "You need to teach Brego to be so neat."
He then stooped and ran his hands down her forelegs, checking each for signs of swelling or heat, and then looked at her hooves.
The youth cleared his throat. "I haven't gotten to picking out her hooves yet, your highness. But I did check for stones and didn't see any."
Eomer watched as his cousin examined the mare for injury. "What are her bloodlines, Theo?"
Theodred told his cousin of Gydenides' sire and dam and forebears as he moved to check her back legs.
"Well, do let me know when you start breeding from her and I'll talk to you about getting one of her foals." Eomer offered the flat of his hand to the mare and murmured nonsense as her soft nose politely sniffed over his palm.
Theodred straightened up, satisfied that the mare had taken no hurt other than a few scratches on her chest and neck, likely from branches and the like. She truly appeared to be merely tired from all her exertions. "Don't laugh, but I'm hoping to maintain the golden coat as well as the stamina from her Sire. Dol Amroth is famous for their greys; why shouldn't Helm's Deep become famous for our golden beauties?"
"Why not? She's beautiful."
Gyldenides had determined there was no more sugarloaf forthcoming and so laid her chin on the Third Marshal's shoulder, patently asking for a neck rub. Eomer laughed and gently rubbed his knuckles against the large muscle on the side of her neck just behind her poll. "She certainly isn't shy, is she?"
"No. Not that."
Their attention was suddenly captured by the sound of Erkenbrand's voice rising in ire over the noise of the camp. "She did WHAT?!"
Theodred actually flinched.
"I think that Erkenbrand has found out, cousin." Eomer gave Theo a sympathetic look.
"I'd better get back and diffuse my future father-by-law's ire." He gave Gyldenides a final pat and then bowed to her. "Thank you for keeping my stubborn lady safe. Next time, do you think you might find a way to completely dissuade her from risking her and your necks?"
Gyldenides lifted her head from Eomer's shoulder and shook it with a whinny.
Theodred found the remains of his anger draining away as the mare's reaction made him laugh. "I'll see you later, cousin. Feel free to join our evening meal if you wish." Theo added slyly, "Frea's cooking."
"It was a pleasure, my lady," Eomer said to the mare as he, too, bowed. Then he laughed at Theo's words. "Frea's cooking and the mead? I'll definitely be there. Besides, I do want to meet your paragon. 'Til later, cousin." The Third Marshal strode off towards his own camp.
Theodred slipped the boy who was finishing up the grooming a token to use in bartering for goods in the merchants' tents, and headed back to where he'd left Edlyn.
Erkenbrand was in front of Edlyn's pavilion facing off with Frea, who was adamantly refusing to let him enter.
"Not until you calm down. You can rant at her later." The shorter woman crossed her arms and frowned up at the tall grizzled rider. "She already knows she's in more trouble than she's ever been in. You can ream her out when she wakes up."
Erkenbrand took a deep breath and looked as though he were about to explode with anger. The young man who Theodred had set as a guard on the pavilion looked as though he wanted to be anywhere but where he was, with the formidable lieutenant and the equally formidable Frea at loggerheads.
Theodred strode up to the pair. "Dare I hope she stayed put, like I told her to?"
Frea turned towards Theo, dipped a curtsey and answered. "She hasn't moved from her cot, your highness."
"Good. Gyldenides is all right--came through far better than rego did last year."
Erkenbrand turned towards Theo, still angry. "You knew about this?"
"I knew she wanted to do it, and I forbade her to do so last night." Theo added dryly, "I'm surprised you didn't hear our argument."
Erkenbrand had the grace to look embarrassed, as he had been deeply involved in his own argument concerning certain matters, and the succeeding wrestling match, to notice much of anything the evening before.
"I assumed she'd obey and then, just as the race started, I recognized Gyldenides in the pack. Before I could call her out, they dropped the starting flag, and it was too late."
Erkenbrand deflated somewhat. "She wasn't hurt?"
"Not from the race, and I resisted the temptation to turn her over my knee when I walked her back here after."
Erkenbrand was silent a moment. "Since she disobeyed you, I'll leave her punishment up to you. And if you still want to turn her over your knee I won't stop you. I'd expect something like this from her brothers, but not her."
"Her brothers wouldn't have lasted a third of that race," Frea snorted.
"I have to agree with you on that." Theo bit back a smile.
Ceorl arrived on the scene in time to hear Frea's and Theo's words. "I think those two boys have taken a few too many hits to the helm, actually. Thank goodness they're back at Helm's Deep."
Suddenly a crash came from inside the tent, pre-empting Erkenbrand's response.
Theo immediately pushed past Frea and the guard, shoving the flap aside. "Edlyn!"
Edlyn was sprawled on the ground, the cot and washstand fallen, the ewer and bowl broken into pieces. It appeared that she'd been wakened by the noise outside of the tent and had collapsed in her attempt to get off the cot.
Erkenbrand was right behind Theodred, while Frea looked in from the outside. The woman then turned to Ceorl and had him send to get a healer.
Theo dropped to his knees next to Edlyn, ignoring the shattered pottery. He took her into his arms, brushing her hair out of her face and looking worriedly at her. "Edlyn?"
She groaned and opened her eyes, wincing. "I can't move. It hurts..."
Theo winced, knowing that it was his fault for not allowing her to walk and settle her muscles after the difficult ride.
Erkenbrand righted the cot and assisted Theodred with getting Edlyn back on it. Once she was lying down, Theo impersonally ran his hands along her arms, down to her hands; uncurling her fingers and discovering blisters on them from the reins.
Edlyn hadn't realized it was possible to hurt so much. She tried to pull away from Theodred's attentions, but her muscles were completely uncooperative, and if anything the pain grew worse.
Theo winced in sympathy, remembering his the previous year and called out, "Frea, get hot water, and get a tub in here! I know it feels horrible, Edlyn, but we'll fix that. I'm sorry, I should have let you walk it out. Forgive me?" he whispered to her, stroking her cheek gently.
She couldn't answer him, but pressed her face against his hand as she tried to stifle her sobs.
Erkenbrand shot a worried glance towards the tent flap. "Where is that healer?"
In short order, the tub was brought and the first of the hot water arrived, along with the healer, who Ceorl had finally routed out from the Aldburg camp. Frea pulled aside the door flap and ordered both Theodred and Erkenbrand out of the tent. "There isn't enough room for a flea to move in here and you're not married to her yet, your highness."
Theo gently kissed Edlyn's blistered fingers and whispered, "I'm not angry anymore, min heorte. I'll be back when the healer and Frea are done." He followed Erkenbrand from the tent and bit back a sigh at the sight of the men and women and children crowded around.
Ceorl had made sure to keep a small space free of the crowd directly in front of the doorway. He didn't have to say anything; the question in his eyes was the same as that of everyone else present.
Theodred gave Erkenbrand a few moments to say something, then, when the older man remained silent, stepped up on top of a small barrel that rested by the tent opening.
While Theodred addressed the crowd, Ceorl quietly moved to stand beside Erkenbrand. The man looked very old, tired, and most definitely worried to Ceorl's eye. He hadn't missed the lieutenant's angry shouting earlier, and if he didn't know better he wouldn't believe that this was the same man.
"Lady Edlyn is feeling the effects of her remarkable race this afternoon," Theo announced.
The crowd was pretty evenly split between those who had seen Gyldenides cross the finish line and those who had only heard of it and a quiet murmur of comment ran through it.
"However, I am sure she will be joining us at our celebratory feast this evening. Now, since I've been otherwise occupied for a while; would someone please inform me of our standings in the competitions are so far?" He made himself grin at his people, hiding his worry for his betrothed.
Ceorl spoke up. "Erkenbrand has outdone himself by winning not only the ring-jousting for a sixth year in a row, but also winning the tent-pegging competition."
At this Erkenbrand stirred. "Maelen Cedrigson took third in the ring-jousting in his first year of competition. And all twenty-eight of those who came to compete for acclamation as Riders passed their trials yesterday with the highest standings."
Theodred punched the air, "HUZZAH!"
One of the women called out, "The Firstborn took highest rank among the foals, and our yearlings took four of the top five places in their competition."
Others spoke up about the various competitions and it appeared that with the points earned by Edlyn's win, Helm's Deep led the other holdings in overall scores.
Lastly, one of the younger Riders added, "And of course, Frea's mead took the honours in the tasting tent."
Theo chuckled, leading a wave of amused laughter.
"Additionally his Highness won the spear-throwing," Ceorl added once the laughter died down. "How many years have you done that now?"
Theo looked at Erkenbrand and quirked an eyebrow. "What was it this time? Six or seven?"
Erkenbrand snorted, "You're asking an old man like me to remember?"
"All right, then I'll claim seven," Theodred joked.
Erkenbrand snorted again, but looked a bit brighter.
Theodred continued, "Now we've shown them our quality in competition, let's show the rest of the Riddermark what the word celebration really means! I'll expect to see all of you at your very best this night--we must outshine my cousin Eomer's camp! Go and prepare!"
Chattering happily and cheering, the crowd scattered, leaving Theodred alone with Ceorl and Erkenbrand. Erkenbrand kept looking at the door flap of his daughter's tent, worriedly.
The prince stepped down from the barrel and staggered a bit, accepting Ceorl's arm to balance himself.
Ceorl released Theodred and quipped, "Were you at Frea's mead like the six Rider recruits I caught yesterday evening?"
"I wish I had that excuse. My mind is elsewhere, that's all."
"If Lady Edlyn is suffering the aftereffects of her ride that I expect she is, the healer is going to be at least another hour. I heard that a message rider from Edoras arrived while you were taking care of Brego. He's supposed to be at the judge's pavilion," Ceorl told him. "Given just who is and isn't in Edoras right now, it might be a good idea to see what the man is carrying."
The prince nodded. "True. I'll go see about that. Ceorl, find my new squire and set him to making sure that my good dress tunic is brushed and ready for the feast this night. I can't have the rest of you outshining me." He grinned crookedly and headed for the Judges' pavilion, accompanied by Erkenbrand, hiding his reluctance to see just what missive had arrived.
"This is wrong! Always we have offered hospitality out in the marches. How can he ask this of us?" Theodred fretted a quarter of an hour later, glaring at the parchment that lay on the table, held open by two apples, a spare stirrup and a sheathed dagger.
Eomer was equally distressed. "We know how to determine friend from foe! Are we to slaughter women and children as well?" He glared at the messenger, who was obviously uncomfortable with the contents of his message.
Erkenbrand looked as though he wanted to spit. "That is the King's mark right enough, but the words can only have come from one creature."
"Yes, only the Worm would word it in this way--forcing us to lose our honour if we murder strangers in our land instead of hosting them, or to leave our lands undefended while we bring them to the Courts."
Suddenly, Eomer got a crafty look in his eye. "Ah, but the edict says 'stranger'. Theodred, do you remember what my mother always said about 'every man is my brother and friend'?"
Theodred glanced at Erkenbrand to see his reaction, and smiled slowly. Erkenbrand gave a great guffaw and smiled broadly. "Yes, that works, and none of us would be in violation of the text of this edict, either!"
The others quickly caught on, and the messenger looked relieved.
Theodred turned to the messenger. "You will report back to my Father that we have received his instruction and will carry it out." He motioned for someone to bring the man something to drink. "And that will be all you report in regards to this matter. Use just the words I have told you."
The messenger saluted Theodred, still smiling. "Yes, your highness. Thank you."
"However, wait to make your departure for Edoras until tomorrow. You are welcome to join us as we celebrate Helm's Deep's winnings at this Gather-Meet."
"Gladly, your highness." The messenger bowed, and stepped back from the table.
Eomer nudged Theodred with his elbow. "Celebrating a bit early, aren't you? There's still four days to go before we know who wins all."
"Ah, but we celebrate our wins each night," Theo grinned.
"Well, then I'm sure that you have better food at your camp than we do at mine. So I'll gladly accept your invitation to supper."
Erkenbrand grinned. "Of course, Frea's mead has absolutely nothing to do with it, right?"
Theo picked up the scroll, pulling it free of the makeshift paperweights, and rolling it up. "I'll hold onto this. Let us put this matter out of our minds for now and go and enjoy each other's company."
There was a susurrus of agreement and the men departed to their camps and the evening meal, and, in the case of those from Helm's Deep, to the nightly celebration.
Theo and Erkenbrand walked with the messenger back to the Helm's Deep encampment, asking after the rider and his family. Eomer walked with them for a short way then turned off to his own encampment to change into more festive garb. Once they reached the camp, Erkenbrand took the messenger off to wash up and rest until the feast began, leaving Theodred free to go to Edlyn's tent, hoping Frea would allow him to see her.
The prince found Frea busily reigning over the camp kitchen and the final feast preparation but she paused in her work and waved him towards Edlyn's tent. "She's awake and waiting for you."
Theodred nodded and increased his pace until he halted before the closed tent flap, murmuring to the Rider who he'd earlier commandeered to guard Edlyn that he could stand down. The Rider saluted and left as Theo scratched at the canvas and called, "My lady, it's Theodred. May I enter?"
Edlyn answered him in the affirmative, and Theo ducked through the entrance. He hesitated a moment as his eyes adjusted to the dimness of the tent's interior compared to the late afternoon sunlight outside. Edlyn was lying on her cot, her hair braided and dressed in a green linen gown over a white chemise, Frea's pillow added to her own to prop her up.
Theodred crossed to kneel next to the cot, reaching for her hands. "How do you feel? I'm sorry--"
He noted the bandages that covered the blisters and adjusted his grip so he couldn't cause her more pain.
Her response was to lean over and kiss him. "No, I'm sorry, Theo. I shouldn't have disobeyed you."
"I shouldn't have underestimated you." He reached up and brushed her cheek with the back of the knuckles on his right hand. "Gyldenides is just fine. A few scratches from brushing against something but nothing at all serious. But now do you understand why I didn't want you to race?"
"Yes. It was so hard, but I couldn't stop. I had to finish it. Especially.…" Her voice trailed off.
"Especially?" Theo prompted.
She stopped talking and looked down at her bandaged hands, tears spilling down her cheeks.
"Come, love, tell me." He reached for the small towel that lay on the table by the cot and used a corner of it to wipe her face.
"I saw a Rider and his horse go down. The Rider... his neck was broken and his horse... both his front legs were shattered."
Theodred sighed. "Last year, the reason I came in second was because I stopped to give mercy to a gelding that had broken his back coming down into a ravine. I still have nightmares about it."
"I should have stopped and done something but I was afraid…."
"It was better that you went on," he interrupted her. "Or it could have been you and Gyldenides who lay out there shattered--and I could not have borne that."
She looked at him. "What did my father say? I know he's angry with me."
"Well, he was... but he was just exasperated, and then worried about you. He said--and I quote--'I expect something like this from Deor and Ceorlaf, not from my daughter!'--unquote."
Edlyn couldn't help the giggle that escaped her lips. She really didn't know what had possessed her to enter the race against Theo's direction except that it had seemed like a good idea at the time. "Can I plead temporary insanity?"
Theo pretended to hem and haw for a moment, then relented. "Let us call it in the past, and start afresh tonight."
Edlyn sighed and than asked him, "Do I have to stay in here? I really want to check on Gyldenides."
"Your grounding is over, my lady, and we'll go together to reassure you about your golden lady." He assisted her to her feet. "My cousin, Eomer, has already asked that when she is bred, if he might have one of the foals."
Edlyn looked surprised but said, "Of course, he can. But she won't be bred for at least three years."
"Eomer is infinitely patient when it comes to developing bloodlines. He and I are discussing the possibility of Helm's Deep becoming as famous for our golden ladies as Dol Amroth is for their greys."
"That would be wonderful."
Gyldenides was dozing when Edlyn and Theo walked out to the herd.
"There she is." Theodred made a nickering sound, alerting not only the mare but also Brego, who walked over to seek for a treat, snuffling at Theo's belt pouch.
Edlyn crooned appreciatively at Gyldenides and reached up to put her arms around the mare's neck. "You did wonderfully, my beauty."
Theo gave in and held out a fragment of sugarloaf on the palm of his hand to his stallion. "Here you are, consider it a reward for how well you did today, too."
The mare gently bumped her nose against Edlyn's shoulder and lipped at a loose strand of her hair before politely accepting the carrot that Edlyn had snagged from Frea's cooking supplies.
"You do realize that sugarloaf is bad for their teeth, don't you?" Edlyn teased Theo as Brego finished demolishing his treat.
"Only in excess, and Brego is sparing in comparison to his brother, Fedranth. Now, that one is a menace if you have even the slightest trace of it on your person."
"That's the stallion you gave your shieldbrother, isn't it?" Edlyn asked as she stooped to check Gyldenides' legs for any swelling or heat, and frowning as the bandages on her hands interfered with the task.
"Aye." Theo noted her expression and glanced at her bandaged hands. "I checked her this afternoon while Galfol was grooming her, and her legs were fine."
A gentle tap on the back of the pastern and the mare politely lifted up her hoof so Edlyn could inspect the frog and the condition of her shoe. "I know, but I always like to check her myself; just for my own peace of mind. It doesn't mean I don't trust you."
"I understand. I'm the same way with Brego." Theo scratched at Brego's favorite spot on his neck and the stallion half closed his eyes in enjoyment as his ears flopped over in a most undignified manner.
Edlyn carefully checked all four of the mare's legs and feet, finding nothing wrong, and returned to rubbing Gyldenides neck. "I am sorry for not listening to you about the race. I didn't think about how worried you and father would be. Frankly, I didn't think at all."
The sun was approaching the horizon and other Riders were coming out to the herd to check on their mounts before the feast. But none approached Theodred and Edlyn, and were far enough away that they still had privacy.
"I accept you apology, Edlyn. But don't let anyone from Edoras or the Aldburg know you weren't supposed to have entered. Let them think you were our secret weapon this year." He smiled down at her.
Edlyn grinned at him. "My lips are sealed." She chuckled as Gyldenides moved so another spot could be scratched. "Frea said a messenger came from Edoras. Was it bad news?"
Theo's expression sobered, "It was a directive in how we are to treat strangers who travel through our lands."
"Like we always have, surely. With respect and courtesy."
"That is how we are--interpreting--it. Although the wording of the order--" He sighed. "We are to either bring strangers to Edoras, or we are to--kill them." The last words were filled with distaste.
While Edlyn was still staring at Theodred in dismay at the instructions from Edoras, they were interrupted by a loud, and to Edlyn familiar, whistle.
"Thanks to your father--" Theo cut off his words at the whistle.
Gyldenides threw her head up and danced away from Edlyn, her eyes showing white as two newcomers cantered up to them. Theodred scowled and moved so that Brego's bulk hid him from the approaching riders.
"Deor! Ceorlaf! What do you think you're doing! You know better than that! And what are you doing here anyway?" She glared at her two older brothers. "Ceorl was right; you both have taken too many hits to the helm."
Deor at least had the grace to look sheepish as he dismounted. "Sorry, little sister. Heremod sent us with messages for His Highness and father."
Ceorlaf stayed in Ǽfenglóm's saddle and patted the pouch at his belt. "But what's this we hear about you?"
Theodred stepped into view, still keeping his hand on Brego's neck. "I don't know, what have you heard about your lady sister?"
Edlyn turned away from her brothers and soothed Gyldenides, who settled but continued to look distrustfully at the brothers and their mounts.
Ceorlaf gulped and saluted. "Your Highness. Um, the guards were talking about a woman winning the cross-country trial and from the description of the rider and horse, it had to be Edlyn. Is it true?"
"Yes, it is true." Theodred's tone informed them that nothing more would be forthcoming on the topic. After a moment, he added pointedly, "You said you had messages for me."
Deor wisely--for once--kept his mouth shut, and handed over an oilskin wrapped packet then he took a second packet from Ceorlaf and also handed it over to Theodred. In the meantime, Edlyn was blushing furiously and counting backwards from one hundred in order to prevent herself from laying violent hands on her idiot siblings.
Theodred tucked the packets under his arm and offered his elbow to Edlyn. "Take care of your mounts and then report to Ceorl for your duty assignments."
Edlyn gave Gyldenides a final pat and took Theodred's arm, ignoring her brothers completely as Theodred headed for the newly lit torches that rimmed the Helm's Deep encampment, accommodating his long legged pace to hers. "I sometimes wonder whether father and mother found them under a rock," Edlyn muttered once they were out of earshot.
The prince snickered. "I guess Heremod and Heornlaf got tired of having them underfoot and in trouble."
Frea spotted the two of them as they approached and, giving the ladle she was holding to one of the other women, walked to intercept them. In a soft voice, she told Theodred that there was a problem. King Theoden and Grima had arrived!
TBC