Author's Note: The Anglo-Saxon term "beot" which is used in this chapter means a formal boast. A warrior would proclaim a beot before a challenger in a contest or during a celebratory feast to tell of his prowess.
Disclaimer: All familiar characters, places and events belongs to the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien and its licensees. Anything you don't recognize belong to the authors.
Dedicated to all those who have an inner-Rohirrim lurking in their hearts.
A Hidden Hope – Chapter 8
By Dancingkatz and Rhyselle
Late February T.A. 3019 – Edoras
Theodred still breathed.
Eowyn tried to find some sign that her cousin was rallying but she knew beyond doubt that her hope was vain.
It was that knowledge that sent her to the pile of gear that was still piled in the corner of the room. Inside the abandoned saddlebag was Theodred's Rider's cloak, carefully folded. She pulled it out, the fine wool edged in an ornate silver and gold embroidered border that glimmered in the flickering light of the oil lamp.
Tradition was that an unmarried Rider was entombed with his head pillowed by his Rider's cloak. The cloak of a married Rider was returned, if at all possible, to his widow. Eowyn clutched the folded cloak to her breast and frowned. No one but she knew that Theodred had a wife.
She turned back to the bed once more and blinked back tears as she finally admitted to herself that her cousin would never again gallop across the fields on his beloved bay stallion Brego, never again tease her about her martial ambitions, and never again see or embrace his lady.
Then as if her cousin had tapped her on the shoulder, she turned her head, glimpsing a flash of green and gold. She forgotten seeing the spare cloak that her cousin had kept here at Edoras when she'd opened the clothes press to search for a nightshirt. What better place to hide the cloak he'd wrapped his wife in on their wedding night?
She placed the cloak the press, exchanging it for the spare. "I'll make sure she gets this, Theo. I'll make certain she knows what has happened. I promise," she whispered as she closed the ornately carved lid and set the latch.
June T.A. 3018 – The Gather-Meet
King Theoden and Grima had arrived!
Theodred closed his eyes and dragged in a deep breath. "Where are they now, Frea?"
"They are meeting with the judges at the moment, but will be back here for the feast. His majesty's pavilion is being set up.…"
"The feast…. Frea, pass the word that those to sit at the high table are those who won or placed in the competitions so far."
He couldn't not provide hospitality, but this would keep Grima seated at a lesser table, and away from Edlyn.
Frea nodded. "It would be best if Edlyn came with me now. Erkenbrand is with the King, just in case."
"And I need to read these missives before my father summons me." He squeezed Edlyn's hand and said softly, "I dearly wish that I could own you as my betrothed publicly, but right now.…"
Edlyn reluctantly slipped her hand from Theo's arm. "I understand. Be careful, Theo."
She quickly glanced around and seeing that they were hidden from the sight of anyone except Frea, stood on tiptoe and kissed him. He kissed her back and put her from him, fighting the temptation to just bring her along to his pavilion anyway. "I'll see you at the feast. Both you and your father will sit near me tonight."
Edlyn reluctantly turned to accompany Frea back to the camp kitchen as he started towards his tent.
"You aren't going to be cooking anything with your hands in the state they are," Frea said for the benefit of anyone who might see her and Edlyn emerging from between the tents. "In fact, instead of being in the way of the cooks, you should go back to our tent and rest. Surely, you have to be tired after the day you've had. I'll come get you when the food is ready."
Theodred was two thirds the way back to his own pavilion when he was hailed by Ceorl. The Rider asked, "May I have a moment of your time, Your Highness?"
"Certainly. I'm just heading for my tent. Frea said she didn't want to see me at the feast in such a disreputable state."
"Given who just arrived, I'm not surprised," the Rider commented sourly.
"Frea informed me when I returned from checking the horses." Theodred nodded to Ceorl. "I'm going to have some messages to go back to Helm's Deep tonight. Round up a pair of discreet Riders to carry them for me. They'll have to miss the feast, I'm afraid."
Ceorl nodded then spoke quietly, "Grima has at least three spies here that I've been able to identify. One of them is 'unfortunately' indisposed with the after effects of getting some bad meat. The other two I haven't been able to neutralize yet."
"Who are they?"
Ceorl held the entrance flap aside so Theodred could enter the tent, then followed him inside. "That thin fellow who's been courting Aeled's daughter... hmmm... his name is Thaeran. The other is Eadraeg. He's been unhappy ever since you gave command of the Deep's defenses to Heornlaf." Theo's lieutenant continued as he lit the lanterns that hung from the pavilion's central support pole, "Aeled has made it clear that no man is going to be able to wed his daughter unless he's got money or property of his own. Thaeran probably takes Grima's gold to make himself acceptable as a suitor."
Theodred sighed and sat down at the table and broke the seals on the messages from Helm's Deep. "Do what you must, Ceorl. The girl doesn't have any affection for Thaeren, does she?"
"Not that anyone can tell. Frideswithe told Ganotla that the girl was complaining about his hovering round before we left."
"Then perhaps it would be best if he didn't return home with us. I'd take care of it myself, but I don't trust this wrist in a knife fight yet." Theodred saw that the main gist of the messages were that orcs were again attacking the Westfold in increasing numbers, and about the directive that they'd discussed in the judges tent.
"I'll see to it. Discreetly, of course." Ceorl poured out a cup of mead--some of Frea's best, of course--for Theo and carried it over to where the prince was working. "It's amazing how many men get injured or even killed when they are in their cups, isn't it?"
"Is that a warning to me to watch what I imbibe tonight?" Theo asked as he began to rapidly draft directions to his captains.
"I wouldn't take anything unless I, Frea, or Frideswithe pour it for you, is all. Grima is known to have a hand with poisons, or else the far too conveniently timed deaths of three of your father's oldest counselors were mere coincidence." He sat the cup at Theo's elbow. "Getting rid of Eadraeg is a bit more problematic since the man is practically a teetotaler. There's really something unnatural about that in a Rider, you know."
"He's afflicted with stomach bleeding," the prince said as he dripped sealing wax and pressed his ring on it to seal the first missive. "Frea told me."
Ceorl stepped out of the tent and whistled for one of the boys who were running messages around the camp and asked him to send two particular Riders to the prince's tent, then returned in time to hear Theo's comment. "Hmph. Like I said, unnatural. But an accident with a broken girth now during the melee tomorrow... it wouldn't hurt his horse if the saddle falls in the middle of the confusion."
"Just don't use your own knife on it." Theo sealed the second letter, blessing his friend Boromir for teaching him and his captains how to read and write when they were younger.
"Do you think I'm an idiot? I said I'd be discreet."
Theo chuckled, although it was a grim laugh.
Ceorl sighed. "I know you didn't mean that. I hate this part of the job, though the necessity is beyond question."
Theo nodded. "I wish that I dared to put my knife in the source of it all--but the Worm always manages to keep just on the safe side of the law."
Ceorl snorted and muttered something unprintable and not suitable for polite company. "If we could get rid of him... hah! The King of Gondor and Anor will come back before that happens! Oh, how I wish the Worm were going to be in the melee tomorrow. I'd gladly guarantee that he wouldn't come out of it alive."
The prince handed Ceorl the two sealed messages. "Have Frea provide the messengers with food and drink, and tell them I want them at least ten miles from here before they halt for the night." He put his ring back on, rose from the table, and passed through the hanging that separated the sleeping area from the rest of the pavilion. "I'd better change, since there's no knowing when Father will want to see me."
"I'll see these off to Helm's Deep then." Ceorl picked up the sealed and addressed messages and stepped outside just as the boy and the Rider Cenhelm and Rider Aiken approached.
"By Bema's Teeth!" Theo's slightly muffled voice sounded surprised.
Ceorl gave the messages over to the two men, added his own personal instructions and sent them off to get their mounts and leave immediately. Then he hastened back inside to see what Theodred had sworn about. "My lord, are you all right?"
Theodred stepped out into the main room of the tent, holding out the new tunic. "Someone left me a surprise."
Ceorl raised his eyebrows at the garment that Theodred held. The tunic was made of a rich green lightweight wool, trimmed at the hems and collar with elaborate silver embroidery and the white horse of Rohan and Helm's Horn were appliquéd to the shoulder. It was lined in equally fine white linen.
Theo was smiling broadly. "It's good to get a nice surprise after a day like today."
"Dare I guess who probably made it?" Ceorl grinned. He didn't really have to guess, having accidentally walked in on Edlyn, Frea, Ganotla and a group of the other ladies of the keep while they were working on it, and had been sworn to secrecy about the gift.
"I'm guessing it had to be at least one or more of the ladies of the Deep." Theo ran a finger over the collar embroidery. "Now I don't need to make excuses for my shabby wardrobe tonight, and can properly honour our victorious competitors."
"I'd better make those arrangements before coming back and changing clothes. It might get a little messy."
Theodred nodded. "Father may summon me to his pavilion. If so, I'll leave a note to let you know."
"I'll be back as soon as possible. Oh yes, I've assigned Edlyn's brothers to herd watch during the feast. I gather that Erkenbrand seemed most displeased to see them." Ceorl gave his prince a bow and turned to leave.
"I was most displeased to see them as well. Good, that should keep them away from where they could say something untimely. We'll need to think of something for them to do to keep them out of trouble tomorrow…." Theo's words trailed off as he went to quickly wash and change.
To look at her, no one would know that Freawine was ready to knock heads together. The addition of the King's guard to the population of the camp was causing a problem with seating for the feast. The folding tables that had been brought by cart from Helm's Deep along with the tents and supplies weren't large enough to hold as many people as they would now be required to.
Finally she sent several Riders who had been waiting around and getting in the way of the cooks over to the neighboring camps to borrow more tables. Then after a minute's thought, she sent the older children off to get blankets. The littles could picnic on the grass and would probably be happier than if they had to sit at the board with their parents. Oh, and now she had to find someone to supervise them!
Frideswithe finally turned her sister-in-law around and sternly told her to go to the tent she shared with Lady Edlyn and calm down. "It will be fine. You've fed the King much worse than we have available tonight and he didn't complain a whit. Actually, you aren't serving anyone tonight. You're one of the winners and will be sitting at the Kings table." She steered Frea towards the pavilion where Edlyn was already waiting for the feast to begin. "I'll have Ataellar take care of the children. She'll entertain them with her stories and all will be well."
A half an hour later, King Theoden returned to the camp, with Grima, Erkenbrand, and a number of his guards in tow. If anyone was dismayed at his increasingly frail appearance they said nothing but bowed and greeted him with respect as he made his way to where his spacious pavilion had been set up.
Before he entered the tent he told Erkenbrand to send his son to him.
Theodred was seated at his field desk again, sketching out something with a drawing stick, when Ceorl returned, looking somewhat disheveled. Moments after the Rider had changed clothing, the expected summons came.
The prince didn't pause outside the King's pavilion but moved to pass through the entrance flaps between the two armed guards stationed there. Ceorl frowned as he found himself barred from the tent by the two guards but stopped and listened discreetly to what was being said inside.
"How dare you come into the King's presence armed!" Grima stepped forward to block Theodred's movement towards where Theoden sat.
Theodred's eyes narrowed. "I do only as I have likewise done for all the years since I was old enough to hold a sword in the service of my father and my king. "
The black-haired advisor looked as though he were going to say something but then his expression changed and he stepped back, practically groveling. "Forgive me , my prince. My care for His Majesty's well-being has made me careless of my speech and I pray you forgive my disrespect."
Theodred did not respond other than to shoot a glare at the advisor, and then moved forward to kneel before his father, offering once again his fealty. He managed to hide his shock at his father's frail appearance and bowed his head before the King. Theoden took a moment or two to recognize his son but accepted his fealty and bade him be seated.
"It is good to see you, Father. I had thought that you were not going to attend the Gather-Meet this year." He sat at his father's right hand, and smiled at the older man.
"I had not planned to, but given the fine weather, I was advised that it would be well to take advantage of it and show my people my face, lest sedition rear its head."
"Your people rejoice to see you, Father. They wish to show you their accomplishments of this past year and to share their skills developed to defend and preserve the Riddermark under your rule."
"Sadly, not all of His Majesty's subjects are of your mind," Grima interrupted in an oily voice. "However, his majesty's guard shall ensure his safety even in such an insecure environment as this."
"Yes, Grima. I know," Theoden said testily. "You've mentioned this before. But I am perfectly safe within my son's camp. Go and see that Snowmane has been properly cared for and send Gamling to me before taking your ease until the feast."
Theodred bit back the words he longed to say about the advisor, and continued to ignore him, keeping his eyes on his father. "The people of the Westfold have done well thus far, Father. My cousin, Eomer, has even agreed that the mead brewed by our Frea is superior to any brewed at the Aldburg. I have ordered that the victors of the competitions thus far be seated at the high table this night, so that you might meet them."
Theoden nodded, "I would be honoured to share the meal with those who bring the Riddermark honour. Grima, I believe to told you to go." The old King's voice grew sharp as he realized that the advisor hadn't moved. Once the man left the tent, Theoden turned back to his son. "Eomer is agreeing that someone else's mead is superior to Aldburg's? Then I most definitely must taste this paragon of beverages."
Theodred chuckled. "There will be plenty to taste tonight. I believe that Frea brought along a quarter of the year's brewing in order to have enough to share."
"You are looking well, my son. And you are in much better spirits than when we met last." Theoden looked at his son for a few minutes in silence. "I was going to summon you to Edoras but it might be better to discuss such things as we need to discuss here instead of in Meduseld."
"I am yours to command, Father. What do you wish to discuss?" Theodred could not remember the last time he had been in conversation with his father without someone else present. At Edoras, if Grima weren't lurking, there were always his father's aides and guards.
"I grow no younger and I have found no woman who I have ever wished to fill your mother's place. It is time you were to think about being wed. Should anything happen to you, your cousin Eomer will become my heir, but he also is unwed. I would see the succession settled within the next two years."
Theo quelled the rising hope in his heart, and steadily answered, "I, too, father, have been thinking of the need for an heir. After all, I'm nearly 40 years old!"
"I'm glad to see that we are in agreement for once. I will turn my mind to an appropriate match. Unfortunately, Denethor of Gondor sired only sons, else we could strengthen the bonds between our lands by a marriage."
"Do you have any objections should I seek a bride within the Riddermark?"
"No, so long as she is worthy of the House of Eorl." The King continued, "I shall have to approve any bride you may present."
Theodred bowed his head, and determined to have private audience with his father after the feast, once the King had met Edlyn. "Of course, Father."
"Very well. We shall discuss this further at another time. I must change prepare for the feast." The King smiled, "I should not like to disgrace your hospitality."
Theodred rose to his feet and bowed to Theoden, "Father, you are the last person in the world to disgrace anything or anyone. I am very glad that you came. Do you wish me to wait for you and walk with you to the feast?" Hope was definitely singing in his heart, and Theodred's eyes were shining, although his expression remained one of filial affection.
Theoden smiled at his handsome son, pleased that, for once, their conversation hadn't degenerated into an argument. He hadn't expected Theodred to be agreeable to marriage at all. "It would please me much."
"I'll just tell my aide, and send him and Lord Erkenbrand ahead of us. Will you allow me to esquire you this night?"
Theoden nodded and gestured towards the tent flap. "I'm certain that Gamling won't mind being relieved of that duty tonight."
"I'll be right back, Father."
Theodred crossed to the tent flaps and slipped outside, walking a dozen paces away from the guards before informing Ceorl and Erkenbrand quietly what his father had said, and also that he planned on asking Theoden after the feast for permission to marry Edlyn.
Erkenbrand grinned. "I hope his majesty gives his permission. In the meantime, Ceorl, I think we have some protocol lessons to impart to a certain individual in regards to the appropriate place for him to place his backside."
The prince choked back a laugh. "I'm to esquire my father and escort him to the feast. Thank you." He clasped hands with them and returned to the pavilion.
Theodred strode next to his father through middle of the Helm's Deep encampment, doing his best to ignore Grima, who was following a bit too closely behind the king and his heir.
The Riders and their accompanying family members bowed to the King as he progressed slowly through the camp.
Erkenbrand scratched at the door flap of Edlyn's tent, smiling at the sound of feminine laughter coming from beyond the canvas. "Edlyn! 'Tis time!"
"Coming father!" Edlyn pulled Frea off the cot with a last giggle and the two women emerged followed by the other two women who were to join the King and Theodred at the high table.
Erkenbrand led the ladies to where the other competition winners waited near the head table.
They arrived just in time to see Theoden and Theodred arrive at the rear of the feasting area.
Theo, looking ahead, saw them slip into place, standing and awaiting the King's arrival, and smiled wider.
Edlyn smiled as she saw Theodred wearing the new dress tunic. It had been well worth the hours spent with Frea and the other ladies sewing when the daily work of the keep had been done.
"Your Majesty," Theodred said as they approached the high table, "Allow me to present the winners of Helm's Deep thus far in the Gather-meet."
Erkenbrand and the other men bowed while the ladies curtseyed.
Theo guided Theoden to the high seat, and one by one summoned the guests of honour. "Lord Erkenbrand has defended his title as Champion in the Ring-joust for the sixth consecutive year."
Theoden smiled and nodded towards the grizzled Horselord. "Long has Lord Erkenbrand well kept the honour of the Mark and the Hornburg. May you make it seven years or more, Bear!"
Erkenbrand smiled as he rose from his bow to his King. "If young Leofric continues the promise of his performance today, I'll have to look to my title."
"So you think you've found a successor? Who is this young paragon?"
Theo beckoned the young Rider, who was flushing with embarrassment at being called forward.
He went to one knee, bowing before the king.
"Leofric came in third," Theodred said. "And this was his first year competing."
"Congratulations, Leofric. Keep on as you have begun and I suspect that you will have captains fighting to have you in their eoreds."
"It will be an honour to be able to fight for the Riddermark, your majesty."
The youth bowed again and retreated to his spot when Theo nodded to him. "Father, this night you will see why our Frea has won the mead-brewing competition for ten years running."
Frea curtseyed and straightened, the firelight glinting on her braided up silvered blonde hair. "May you never thirst, your majesty."
Theoden nodded to her. "I understand that my nephew has agreed that your mead is the best in the Riddermark. You've made a conquest, as Eomer is quite particular about mead."
"I thank him for the compliment, your majesty."
Theodred continued to introduce the other winners: Maelen for tentpegging, Bathilde for horseback archery, Ceorl for the rescue race, Aelwyth for her saddlerywork, Berthelm for axe throwing, and Waelaf for barrel riding
Waelaf bowed his pleased thanks to the King and retired to join the other winners. Theodred was about to present Edlyn to his father when Eomer arrived and dropped to a knee before Theoden's chair. "I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, and my royal cousin, for my tardiness. I fear I had to take care of a few unexpected problems before I could join you."
Theoden motioned for Eomer to rise, with a smile, "Such as making room for that cask of Mistress Frea's mead?"
Eomer stood and laughed. "I see that Theo has been telling tales on me. Aye, Mistress Frea's mead deserves a place of honour."
"True. Theodred, who else are we honouring this night?"
Theodred drew Edlyn forward. "Edlyn Erkenbrandsdottir won the cross country race on her mare Gyldenides for the honour of Helm's Deep."
Edlyn curtseyed to the King, feeling awkward with the eyes of everyone on her. Many people had observed her betrothal to Theodred, but this was different.
Theoden's eyebrows rose as he looked at Erkenbrand's fair-haired daughter. "The cross country race? That is a challenge for most experienced of men to accomplish. What is your secret, Edlyn Erkenbrandsdottir?"
"I have no secret, your Majesty. Gyldenides did it all herself. I just managed to stay on her back the whole time."
"I should like to meet this golden lady of yours; after the feast?" Theoden somehow managed to make the command sound like a request, and Theodred found himself hoping that it was a good sign.
"I would be glad to introduce you to her, your Majesty." Edlyn stepped back to Erkenbrand's side after curtseying again as Theodred nodded towards Frideswithe who waited with the Stirrup Cup.
Frea's sister-by-law stepped forward and presented the mead-filled Cup to Theoden as the servers quickly distributed smaller cups of mead to the spectators and spoke the traditional words of greeting, praise and blessing. Theoden took the Cup from her hands, raised it and spoke the equally traditional response then drained it. Handing it back to Frideswithe, the King smiled and bade that all be seated to enjoy the feast.
Some minutes later Edlyn shook her head as the server offered her sliced venison. She couldn't hold a spoon, much less deal with a knife! To her personal mortification, Erkenbrand had ended up holding the cup for her during the Cup ceremony. As it was, instead of being seated next to her father (who was seated on Theoden's left) as was usual, in the noise and hub-bub of everyone moving to find seats, Theodred had taken her arm and led her to a seat on the opposite side of the King, saying that his cousin wanted to speak to her about Gyldenides during the feast. There was no way she was going to attempt to eat anything. She'd just have to hope there'd be enough food left over that she could talk someone into bringing a plate to her tent where she could eat it without embarrassing herself or disgracing Theodred in front of his father.
Theo had speared an extra slice of venison and was cutting it up into small pieces. He paused and stabbed a piece on the end of his knife and tasted it. "The cooks have outdone themselves tonight. Here, tell me if you agree?" He stabbed another piece and offered it to Edlyn from the point of his knife.
Edlyn hesitated, worried that someone would take exception to her accepting the offered morsel. Before she could make up her mind, Eomer tapped her on the shoulder and offered a piece of roast game fowl, with a grin. "You ought to try this, too, my lady."
Finding herself caught between the two Riders' offers, she looked from one to the other and dissolved into helpless giggles.
Eomer raised an eyebrow and looked at his cousin. "Are all the lady Riders at Helm's Deep as easily amused, cousin?"
"It depends on who is doing the amusing, I suppose. The venison is getting cold, Lady Edlyn. Will you taste?"
Edlyn managed to stop laughing, nodded and delicately took the meat from the tip of the knife. He was right, the cooks had outdone themselves. The meat practically melted on her tongue in a wash of spices and seasonings.
"Thank you, your Highness."
He smiled at her and bowed his head and turned back to his own plate to find his father looking at him, a quizzical expression on his face. The King had finished his initial conversation with Erkenbrand, who was regaling Frea and Ceorl with a story of questionable veracity.
Eomer turned his grin on Edlyn and gestured at the still proffered fowl. "My Lady?"
Edlyn shook her head with a smile, but accepted the offering. "You should be the one eating your dinner, my Lord. After all, you have to keep up your strength for tomorrow's competitions."
Theo smiled at the King and asked, "What is it, Father?"
Theoden paused before speaking. In spite of the closeness of their talk in his pavilion and continued conversation while Theodred had esquired him, the King was uncertain as to how much he could tease his son over the little scene he'd just witnessed. He knew that Theo wasn't trying to embarrass the girl as he'd seen the bandages on her hands when she was presented to him. But the opportunity was really too good to pass up. Hopefully, the ease which had blossomed between the two men earlier tonight would be enough that Theo wouldn't be offended. "Is that your secret to the fast finishing time in the race? Starve your riders so they don't weigh anything?"
Theodred snickered and used his spoon to scoop up some of the cut up marinated root vegetables that lay on his plate. "Nay, Father. In fact, you may have noticed that we are having trouble feeding Lady Edlyn up this evening. Excuse me a moment." He turned to Edlyn and offered her the spoon. "I know these are your favorites, so no excuses."
Edlyn gave in, hoping that her brothers were still on guard duty with the herds. If they were watching this, they'd never let her live it down.
Theodred turned back to the king without withdrawing the spoon and added, "Lady Edlyn usually manages to lay claim to most of the compote when Frea serves it at the Deep."
Retrieving his spoon, he took another serving for himself and took a bite, and Theoden stared.
"Theodred, did you just voluntarily eat a turnip?"
The prince looked down at his plate and shrugged, grinning as he chewed and then swallowed. "This is the only way I'll eat them."
"I must congratulate Mistress Frea, then."
"Well, it was Lady Edlyn who convinced me to try it."
Theoden gave Edlyn a look of impressed respect. "Really? Well, the lady deserves even more praise then. Surely, the cross-country race was no trial at all, after accomplishing that." He smiled and added, "Lady Edlyn, perhaps the next thing you should convince him of is that greens are not meant just to be fed to the mares and stallions. It would do him good to eat some himself from time to time."
Edlyn smiled back at the King, and glanced mischievously at Theodred. "I'll do my best, your Majesty, but he can be as stubborn as Brego."
Theoden nodded, "More so, actually. If you have enough sugarloaf, Brego will eventually do what you want."
Edlyn laughed out loud at that sally and Theodred's expression.
Theo put his spoon down and sat back in his chair, looking affronted, "If you want to see someone stubborn, he's sitting at your left hand, Lady Edlyn." The corners of his eyes crinkled as he held back laughter. He was amazed and thrilled at his father's good natured ribbing.
"Leave me out of this, Theo!" Eomer laughed. "I, at least, know when to give in."
Erkenbrand, having finished his conversation with Frea and Ceorl, turned towards Theoden and leaned forward to more easily include himself in the conversation. "Well, I have to say any stubbornness that his highness has, he came by it naturally. I remember several occasions when his majesty's father bemoaned the stubbornness of his son."
"As if your father didn't say the same about you, Bear," Theoden chided his friend easily. "In any case--"
Theoden was cut off by the unmistakable sound of his Advisor's oily voice. "Is there anything that I can do for your majesty?" Grima had left his seat at the right hand lower table and come up to stand between Theoden and Theodred's chairs.
Edlyn shuddered at the sound of the man's voice and fought to keep her revulsion from being seen. This must be the man that Theo called the snake.
Theodred bit his tongue to keep from giving into his urge to say, "Yes, you may throw yourself under the hooves of the nearest angry stallion."
The king shifted in his seat and looked at his advisor. "Grima, I thank you for your care about my well-being, but did I not instruct you to be at your ease this night?"
"Yes, Grima," Theo managed to say politely, "You have worked hard and deserve some leisure. I will give my father whatever assistance he requires."
"Forgive me, my king. It is merely force of habit. But as I am here, may I offer my congratulations to Lady Edlyn for her surprising victory?" Grima bowed to Theoden and upon straightening stepped to the other side of Theodred's chair.
At the same time, Theo moved his arm to rest his left hand on the top rail of Edlyn's chair back, blocking the Worm from moving between their seats. "Here, my lady, while we talk, you are going hungry." He offered her another bite of venison with his right hand.
"Surely, the bards will be singing of your accomplishment for years to come, dear lady," Grima purred, his eyes fixed on Edlyn's profile. "So brave, so foolish, just the sort of thing that makes up a hero's tale."
Edlyn took the venison, smiled at Theo and tried not to blanch at the tone of Grima's voice. "Thank you, for your kind words, sir," she managed to say in a relatively normal voice. There was something about this man that frightened her.
Grima's eyes had momentarily flashed with anger at Theodred's move to block his access to the young woman but he immediately schooled his features and continued, "Or perhaps I should say heroine's tale. What will happen next, I wonder? Women going off to war?"
"Why not?" Theodred asked. "Surely the courage to make it through the throes of childbirth indicates the same courage as that displayed by the Riders who protect our land."
"We all know your opinion of Shieldmaidens, Grima," Erkenbrand said in a voice tinged with anger. "You've made your congratulations, now if you would be kind enough to leave my daughter in peace so she may eat?"
Grima bowed to the King and returned to his seat, but not before pinning Erkenbrand with an enigmatic look and "accidentally" brushing his hand against the back of Edlyn's head, his fingers catching momentarily in her golden hair. Eomer looked ready to explode and put his knife in the advisor's gut right then.
Thankfully, Theoden had returned his attention to the server who had arrived with the next course and so remained unaware of the interchange between his advisor and the younger generation. Erkenbrand shot a warning look at Grima and turned back to see that Theodred and Eomer were attending to Edlyn, and Theoden was engaged in enjoying the golden egg tart and blue veined cheese that made up the newest course.
Theo's hands tightened around his eating iron and the chair rail. He waited until he was certain that his voice would remain even before he spoke to Edlyn in a whisper barely loud enough for her to hear, "I swear that I will see him dead if he touches you again." Then he masked his anger and asked if she wished more compote.
Edlyn had frozen in her chair at Grima's touch, sickened by the man's proximity. It took a moment for her to process Theodred's question then she closed her eyes for a moment and tried to compose herself before taking the vegetables.
"May I assist you in that endeavour, cousin?" Eomer muttered once the server had passed the servings of egg tart.
The King looked past Erkenbrand to Frea, and said, "Is it possible to lure you to Edoras to run the kitchens there, Mistress Frea? If you can manage such a sumptuous feast here, I can barely imagine what delights you would cook with all of the Meduseld's stores and stoves at your disposal."
Frea blushed, and answered, "I am sorry, your Majesty but my sons and the daughter of my heart are at Helm's Deep, and I do not wish to leave them. Though your invitation is most flattering and appreciated."
Edlyn managed to forget Grima as Theodred and Eomer continued to tease her and fed her more food than she would have chosen to eat had she been able to wield her own eating irons. "Enough, please!" she finally said, holding up her bandaged hands to fend off yet another morsel. "I want to be able to have a piece of Frideswithe's cake."
Theodred turned to his father as the servers approached. "Father, if you think Frea's mead is wonderful, wait until you taste Frideswith's fruitcake. They are marvelous together."
Theoden set down his knife and reached for his goblet. "Then I must certainly have some."
Theo caught Frideswith's eye as he looked along the table, and smiled as he noted her blush from the overheard compliment.
The cake was presented to Theoden along with a special knife so he could make the first cut into it. The King inhaled the aroma of fruits and spices and the sharp bite of something alcoholic as the knife sliced through the covering layer of marzipan, and he smiled wider. "If it is half as good as it smells, no wonder it wins such accolades." Once he had served himself the first piece and tasted it, Theoden nodded to the server to see that it was distributed to everyone else. "Most excellent. And I can see that it would be highly addictive. Mistress Frideswithe, since Mistress Frea refuses to come to Edoras, perhaps you would like to come there?"
Frideswithe paused in directing the servers and curtseyed. "I am most honoured, your Majesty, but like my sister-by-law, my home is in the Hornburg. However, should I ever come to Edoras, I shall gladly make my cake for you."
Theoden nodded. "I will hold you to that, Mistress." He turned towards Theo and in a stage whisper said, "Make certain the next time you come to Edoras that Mistress Frideswith is in the party." His blue eyes twinkled.
Edlyn laughed and found herself catching the King's eye.
He turned his smile to her and said, "Once we have done justice to this delicious cake, and, perhaps had a second slice, I would like to be introduced to your Golden Lady."
"Certainly, your majesty. I'm certain she'd like to meet you, too." Edlyn glanced round to see where Galfol was sitting to find he'd already risen from his place with a grin.
"Shall I bring Gyldenides here?" the youth asked.
"Yes, Galfol, Theodred said. "We've plenty of room and light here. Have you finished eating?" He was considerate of his people and did not want to deprive the loyal young man of his dessert.
"Yes, your highness. I'll bring her directly." The youth bowed and swiftly strode towards where the herd grazed.
Conversations renewed while people took second helpings of the cake and sipped the last of the mead. Edlyn noted that a small piece of the fruitcake remained on Theo's plate and stole it, ignoring the pain in her fingers as she picked it up and popped it into her mouth.
"That was mine!" Theo protested with obviously mock affront. He leaned towards her, his eyes on her mouth where a MFEMF of the cake rested, and then swiped it away with a fingertip that he stuck into his own mouth with a grin. It was daring, and perhaps not quite respectable, but everyone had been drinking enough mead that he thought he could excuse the action.
Edlyn didn't chide him but placed her hand on his forearm, smiling up into his eyes.
Beyond Theoden, Erkenbrand loudly cleared his throat and got to his feet. "A toast! To the Riddermark and our wise King! Theoden Thengelsson!" He raised his cup high.
Theodred caught himself and leapt to his feet to be the first to echo the toast.
Holding a goblet in each hand, his own and Edlyn's, he held hers so that she could lightly touch the stem as he raised them up and shouted out, "Theoden Thengelsson!" along with the rest of the occupants of the feasting area.
Edlyn couldn't help but notice the appreciation in the King's faded blue eyes and glanced around to see that all had risen to their feet, smiling, their cups held high...except for the black clad advisor, Grima, who was just now beginning to rise from his seat, with an insolence that was blatant. She stiffened, outraged on behalf of the King.
Erkenbrand's eyes narrowed as he noted the disrespect, and took a deep quaff from his goblet before bowing to the King. Theodred drank and held Edlyn's cup for her to sip, even as he inclined his head to his sire.
Edlyn sipped from the goblet, her eyes still on the advisor who, while he raised his cup, didn't actually drink. The man frightened her even more with this public show of insolence. It was as though he felt he didn't need to fear the King's displeasure. Suddenly she heard the sound of hooves and the jingle of bells and turned her head to see that Galfol had arrived with Gyldenides. The young man had taken the time to brush her coat clean of any bits of grass and dust, and put a green and gold halter that bore bells on her.
Recognizing that she was the center of attention, the golden mare arched her neck and pranced, her flaxen mane rippling and her tail held high.
"She's showing off," murmured Theo as he sat down the mead cups.
Edlyn didn't wait for permission but rose from her seat and hurried round the table to take the lead rope from Galfol, only to realize that holding the lead wasn't a good idea when she started to close her fingers round the braided rope. Gyldenides gently nudged at Edlyn's shoulder as if to ask what was wrong as the boy stepped back.
Theodred followed her, escorting his Father, and caught the lead rope deftly in his right hand. He whispered to the mare reassuringly, "She'll be all right," and stood still as the king turned to Edlyn.
"Thank you," Edlyn whispered to him as she leaned her cheek against Gyldenides jaw.
"If you would make the introductions, Lady Edlyn?" the prince asked.
"Your Majesty, may I present Gyldenides? Gyldenides, this is Theoden-King who wished to meet you." The mare pricked her ears forward and lifted her head to look the silver-haired King in the face. Then she bowed her neck and touched her nose to her extended foreleg before looking at him again, with what could only be mirth in her liquid eyes.
Theoden extended his hand to her, chuckling at her 'curtsey'. "Greetings, beautiful one." He then stroked his hand along her neck as he ran a veteran eye over her. "One would never think that you ran such a race today to look at you." He then checked her over, running his hand down her foreleg to her fetlock. Turning her head to look at him, Gyldenides politely lifted her hoof.
Theoden chuckled again and finished his examination of the mare. "Not only beautiful, this one has manners." Then he smiled and added, "and a sense of humor as well, I see," as Gyldenides delicately stole a bit of fruitcake that had been left unattended on the closest table and then turned an innocently surprised expression on the King, Theodred and her rider.
Theo laughed, "I think that Brego has been a bad influence on her." He shook a finger at the mare and scolded, "I'd expect something like that from him, not you!"
She responded by giving him a ladylike raspberry and then putting her chin on his right shoulder in a blatant bid for a poll scratch. Theo looked down at his dress tunic, sighed at the light splatters that now marred it and gave in to the inevitable, reaching up to scratch her behind the ears with his left hand.
Theoden chuckled again and clapped Theodred on his free shoulder. "She's a proud one--will throw some lovely foals one of these years, too."
Edlyn laughed and reached up to straighten her mare's forelock when suddenly Grima was at her side, his hand familiarly running over her shoulder blade and down to her waist. She jerked away from him and lost her balance. Gyldenides suddenly forgot about showing off and turned into a protective battle mare, yanking the lead from Theodred's right hand and spinning to place herself between Edlyn and Grima, her ears flat to her skull and teeth bared. Theo bit back a curse as the braided leather ripped through his ungloved palm, taking flesh along with it, and then he realized what was going on. He caught Edlyn around the waist with his uninjured hand and drew her away from the counselor under the guise of keeping her out of the way of the enraged Gyldenides.
Theoden frowned as he sidestepped the upset mare, and waved off his guards who had rushed towards him.
"Be careful, my liege! The beast is dangerous!" Grima cried out raising his arm to fend off Gyldenides. Her response was to rear up and come down with her near forefoot on top of Grima's left boot. Grima howled as the mare put all her weight on his foot and he felt at least two bones crack. She stepped away from him a moment later but not before swinging her head round to catch him in the face, not hard enough to break bone, but succeeding in bloodying his nose. Then, as if nothing had happened, she turned to Edlyn and began snuffling her hair and face as if to ask "Are you all right?"
Theodred held his bleeding hand behind his back and waved for the healer who had tended Edlyn earlier in the day to attend to Grima. He'd have preferred to leave the creature to suffer untended, but that would not be politic.
Theoden scowled at Grima, who was now on the ground and trying to staunch the blood that poured from his nose with his sleeve. "Grima, certainly you should know better than to approach a warhorse from the off side!"
Galfol caught up the leading rein and gently scolded the mare for getting mussed after he'd gone to so much trouble to make her lovely for the King, while the healer commandeered a couple of large Riders who hauled Grima from the ground and carried him towards the advisor's tent.
Edlyn looked at Theoden and bit her lip. "I'm very sorry, your ma--" but Theoden waved her to silence.
"No, my lady. This golden beauty has had a wearying day, in spite of the fact that she doesn't look as though she's done more than trot a furlong." He approached Gyldenides and stroked her neck gently. "She was startled and reacted in the only way she knew. Now, pretty one," he addressed Gyldenides, "Return to your pasture and take your well-deserved rest."
Galfol bowed to Theoden and then the prince and Edlyn before coaxing Gyldenides to return to the pasture.
Edlyn sighed as she watched the golden mare out of sight. She was shaking from reaction to the fear that overwhelmed her when Grima touched her, the relief when Gyldenides came to her protection and Theodred pulled her away from the unsavoury advisor, and worry over Theoden's reaction.
Erkenbrand had abandoned the high table when the mare had turned against the advisor and stepped up to give his supporting arm to his daughter, so that Theodred had to let go of her waist. Edlyn heard the word 'injuries' and hastily turned worried eyes on Theodred as she accepted her father's support.
Theoden had reached over and pulled Theo's hand from behind his back. "I thought you'd outgrown hiding your injuries, my son."
The prince sighed, "I was caught unawares and didn't let go of the lead in time. It's not that bad," he told his father before Theoden uncurled his fingers, revealing a bloody palm.
"What happened to..." She fell silent as Erkenbrand discreetly squeezed her arm but bit her lip when she saw the blood on Theo's hand.
"Well, you won't be participating in the melee tomorrow, I see," Erkenbrand said. "I suppose I'll have to put my money on Eomer this year."
"I can fight left handed. I never use the reins in battle anyway."
Eomer had practically vaulted the table when he saw Grima touch Edlyn, but had controlled his outrage enough to make a more conventional way to his uncle's side. "And here, I was thinking that I might stand a chance of winning this year!" he said in a teasing voice that only Theodred recognized as forced. "Are you sure you won't change your mind?" He handed the prince the napkin to press against the deep gash.
Theoden pre-empted Theo's potential reply. "We'll see what your healer has to say about it. Now," he added, "These good folk must wish to be around the talefires. Theodred, walk with me to my pavilion; I'm sure we'll encounter your healer once he's finished with Grima." He turned to Erkenbrand and Edlyn, "Your mare is lovely, Lady Edlyn, and I enjoyed meeting her. If she passes on her level of loyalty to her sons and daughters, she will be the mother of a fine strain of war horse. Bear, break fast with me in the morning, if you would. Bring your daughter as well, if she feels up to it."
Erkenbrand bowed and answered in the affirmative and Edlyn curtseyed, glad of her father's arm. Between the stress of the day, the excitement just past, and the fact that the pain draught that Frea had made her drink before the feast was wearing off, she wanted only to go to her tent and collapse onto her cot. She turned her head to meet Theodred's eyes and gave him a shaky smile. "Gyldenides and I will see you in the morning, your highness."
"Good night, my lady." He gave the barest stress on the "my" and bowed his head to her, and to her father, before following the King who had turned in the direction of the Royal Pavilion.
Edlyn bit her lower lip as she watched him out of sight. Then Frea was at her other side, her arm around her waist, suggesting she could miss the tales tonight. Edlyn nodded and walked to her tent between her father and the mother of the heart, as Erkenbrand attempted to distract her with a description of her brothers' reactions to hearing that they would be doing duty as herd guards until the end of the Meet.
Theodred followed his father into the Royal pavilion, his hand beginning to smart where the leather had cut into it. The King unlatched his cloak and dropped it on a chest, laughing as he saw the tray of sandwiches and the accompanying goblets of wine on the small table near his seat. "Do your people always insist on feeding one to bursting?" he asked as he sat down. Noticing that his son remained by the tent's entrance, he frowned. "Sit down, Theodred."
"I don't want to get blood all over your carpet," Theo replied, but obeyed. He took a seat in the chair across from his father's. He looked at the blood soaked napkin and wondered uneasily if the braided leather edge had sliced into a vein.
His father took note of the glance. "Ah, I'm sorry, my son. The Healer should look at it. Gamling!" Theoden bellowed towards the tent flap.
The king's adjutant appeared in the opening, "Yes, your majesty?"
"Get one of those youngsters of yours to bring the Healer for my son. His hand appears to be more severely damaged than I thought."
Gamling cast a quick glance at the prince, bowed and retreated. Theo could hear him calling for a runner as the adjutant moved away from the pavilion. "I hope that the -- incident -- hasn't spoiled your evening, Father," Theo carefully said, unsure of his father's mood after the fracas between Gyldenides and the Worm.
Theoden snorted. "Certainly not! Grima knows better than to startle a horse by approaching from her blind spot. He got what he deserved. He's spent too much time in the council chamber. Shall I send him to you to spend some time in an eóred again?"
The thought of the Worm being at the Hornburg in close proximity to Edlyn made Theo blanch, although he tried to control his expression. "Er, actually, I think that perhaps Eomer might be a better choice to send him to." He sent a rueful thought Eomer's way. Sorry, cousin! "The Aldburg is close enough that when he's been reminded that he's a Rider, he can quickly return to Edoras." He gave a weak smile, hoping his father had intended the suggestion as a jest. Not that I want him anywhere near you, either, Father, he thought.
"No, I think that Gyldenides made the lesson all too clear tonight. Not that I shan't tease him about it later on. He's far too valuable to me as an advisor."
"I'm very fortunate to have Erkenbrand as my advisor," Theo began. "He tells me of how things were when you and he rode together, Father."
"Ah, yes. Bear. Did I ever tell you how he got his nickname?"
"No, and he won't tell me!"
Theoden snickered. "And I don't blame him. It happened on his first Riding after his acclamation and he considers it rather embarrassing."
Theo grinned at the King. "Really?" He couldn't remember ever interacting with his father in this way at Edoras, or during the infrequent times that the King came to the Hornburg, since he was in his teens. Their relationship over the past twenty years had grown more and more strained and their conversations usually ended up as vociferous arguments that found him retreating to the Hornburg to lick his figurative wounds. In the early years of their estrangement he'd put it to the ordinary conflicts that developed between two strong-willed and intelligent men raised to lead and take charge. But the relationship had soured more and more as the years went by, his father becoming more close-minded, bitter and paranoid in regards to his son's purported ambitions, even to the point of refusing to make Theodred's position as Heir official. He prayed that the easier and relaxed conversations he'd had with his father today were signs that things were improving between them at last.
Theoden handed Theo one of the waiting goblets of wine and took one for himself before continuing.
Theo took a sip and then set the cup down as he listened to his father's voice and avidly watched the King's animated face.
"Three scouts had gone missing, and your Ealdfather, Thengel-King, sent myself and twenty Riders to look for them. There had been an unseasonable amount of rain, and it was feared they'd gotten caught in a mudslide or the like."
"I chose Erkenbrand for the party because of his size and strength. Not that he hasn't got brains, but given that we might be hauling injured Riders and horses out of a mudslide... Anyway, we found the Riders, trapped as my Father suspected, and needed to find shelter as it had begun storming again.
"I sent Erkenbrand and another Rider to see if they could find a cave we could use. An hour later the Rider I sent with him came back to lead us to a cave they'd found; one large enough to hold all of us and the horses. Erkenbrand had managed to get a fire started while waiting for us. But we weren't the only ones seeking shelter that night. Just before we arrived, a bear lumbered into the cave to escape the storm." Then Theoden, with all the timing of a master bard, paused to refresh his throat with a swallow of wine before continuing.
"Well, imagine our surprise to find Erkenbrand wrestling with the bear and roaring his head off! He'd actually wrapped his arms around the beast and lifted it off the ground, snarling as madly as the beast was. Then he carried it out of the cave and flung it down the mountain. The poor thing landed some distance away, scrambled to its feet, and ran off into the storm as fast as it could."
"He threw it out of the cave?" Theodred burst into laughter, although it did not occur to him to doubt what his father had said or to think it an exaggeration. "That is a feat worthy of a beot," he finally got out when his laughter died down.
"He most certainly did. Unfortunately, he didn't realize that the bear had clawed his back to near shreds until I brought it to his attention. He snarled and growled even more when we cauterized the gashes. Ever since he's been known as Bear to myself and the other Riders who accompanied us on the mission."
"And he's been your good friend." Theo took another drink of the wine and wondered where the healer was. He didn't want to admit how much his hand was beginning to throb.
"Yes. We've been best friends ever since. He's a good man, Theo. I'm very glad you have him to depend on."
"He's my right hand." The prince looked wryly down at his injured palm. "Figuratively, and now, literally. It's a shame that his sons don't appear to have inherited his brains. I had to give them two months of middens duty because of their idiocy last spring, and they still don't seem to have learned respect for their--" he almost said 'sister' but changed it at the last moment. "Their betters. Not that they intend to be disrespectful," he added. "It's just that they don't think before they open their mouths."
"A pity. However, his daughter certainly has inherited his bravery. Though I'm surprised that he allowed her to ride the race."
Theo shook his head. "I don't believe she spoke with her father before deciding to test Gylenides in the cross-country trial. I'm sure he would have forbidden it. I certainly--would have." He caught himself again and wondered if it would simply be easier to confess to the King that he was betrothed to Edlyn. "It was a magnificent performance, though," he added.
"I'd have liked to have seen it. I'm actually surprised she was in any condition to attend the feast. I know veteran Riders who would have been in a state of collapse afterwards. You and your cousin certainly seemed taken with her this evening."
Theodred felt his ears go hot but then nodded. "She's... well, you can see she's beautiful. But she is also kind and very good with the horses. She's responsible for training up the twins who were selected best foals for this year."
Theoden sent a roguish glance towards his son. "If you would prefer a bride from the Mark, you could do worse than to consider Bear's daughter."
Theodred opened his mouth and began, "Father-- about that--" and the healer's annoyed voice was heard outside the tent flap, interrupting him and catching the king's attention.
"Don't lambast me for tardiness, Gamling. I can't help it if one of my patients wouldn't stop whining about his pain until I dosed him just to shut him up."
"Enter!" Theoden called. "Took you long enough to get here, man."
The healer passed through the tent flap and bowed. "I beg your pardon, your majesty. I understand that Prince Theodred requires my services?"
Pre-empted by the healer's entry, Theo sat back in his chair, resolving to talk privately with his father about Edlyn as soon as the healer was done with him. "Aye, I'm sorry to pull you away from the talefires." He held out his right hand, fingers still clenched around the scarlet-stained napkin.
"My missing the tales matters not, your highness. However, this does matter, particularly if you are participating in the melees tomorrow." The Healer bent over the injured hand.
Theo hissed as the napkin was peeled away and his palm filled up with blood once more. Why is it that injuries to the hands and feet hurt worse than anything else? he wondered, closing his eyes as the healer began to examine the tear across his palm.
"Hmmm. This needs to be cleaned and stitched. I'd prefer to do that in your own pavilion. The pain draught is a soporific and I'm sure that you don't wish to be carried to your bed this night."
"After all the mead consumed this evening, would anyone notice?" Theo quipped. "But, yes, I would prefer to walk there on my own feet."
Theoden spoke up. "You may sleep here tonight, Theodred. That way I can make certain that you will do as the Healer orders--and I shan't be fobbed off with a story as to how minor the injury is and that you are 'perfectly fine'." The king mimicked Theo's voice on the last two words, reminding his son of the numerous times the prince had done just that as a youth. "Gamling can send one of his runners to get your things and let Ceorl know where you are."
Theo could recognize a lost cause when he saw one and bowed his head to his father. "I will do as you wish, father." And I can speak to you about Edlyn after the healer leaves.
Gamling had entered the tent behind the healer and waited by the doorway. "I'll see to it, your majesty. As his highness will be using my bed here, I'm sure he won't mind if I make use of his tent tonight."
"Just don't drink any of the spirits that Ceorl has in the flask on my desk," Theo warned him, "Unless you want to feel like you have three heads in the morning, all of them ringing like a blacksmith's anvil in use."
Gamling guffawed, knowing exactly how Theodred knew that, and left the tent, grinning.
Theoden gestured towards the hanging that divided the pavilion in two. "See to my son, Master Healer, and when you are finished let me know what he may or may not do."
Theodred got to his feet and headed in the indicated direction. "Father, after this is taken care of, there's something I would like to speak about privately with you."
Theoden nodded, and waved him towards the sleeping area. "We can speak more later, my son."
Theo stopped and turned back to the King. "Father--" He dropped to one knee and bowed to Theoden, staying there, silently asking for his father's blessing.
Theoden smiled down at his son, and laid his hand on Theo's chestnut head. For once, the fact that Theo reminded him of his long lost love didn't stab at his heart, his temper was quiet, and Theodred hadn't been belligerently disagreeing with him, so he was able to speak the traditional words of blessing without hesitation: "May Bema guard your waking and your sleeping, may he keep you well in the day and the night, may he make you prosperous and well of heart, mind and body, and may you always live with honour and grace. Bless you, my son."
Theo looked up and caught Theoden's hand and kissed the King's ring. "May Bema bless you likewise, my father and my king, and know that your welfare is ever in my heart--as is my love for you."
"Thank you, my son. Now go with the healer, else I shall have to get my Bear to carry you to your bed."
Theo stood once more, and said lightly, still moved by the blessing his father had finally given to him, "It won't be the first time he's done so--although not recently!"
He ducked through the partition that the healer held aside for him, still smiling.
TBC