Author's Note: Many thanks to my beta, Rhyselle for her invaluable assistance in helping me get this chapter in publishable form. Also many thanks to my readers who have been so very patient with me while I put my life back together during the past two years. I appreciate each and every one of you.

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.

A Hidden Hope – Chapter Eleven

By Dancingkatz

Edoras, February, T. A. 3019

Eowyn sat back in her chair with a sigh and patted Theodred's hand. The fever was definitely fading away and there appeared to be a bit of colour in her cousin's fair face that wasn't caused by the fever.

Cadfal had come twice since his impromptu surgery to clean the wound and check on Theodred's progress but had since been called away to deal with an accident in one of the barns. He had become cautiously--very cautiously--optomistic regarding the Prince's survival and said as much before leaving the room to go deal with his other patients.

"Oh, I hope...." She cut off the words, not wanting to risk Theodred's secret, but the thought was foremost in her mind. I hope that I can send you back to your lady soon, Theo.

"Lady Eowyn?" a deep voice called from the other side of the door. The summons was accompanied by a hesitant rapping on the carved wood.

She gave Theodred's hand a squeeze and got to her feet, crossing to the door. Other than Cadfal, she wasn't letting anyone else into the chamber. "Who is it?"

"Hama, my lady. A messenger has arrived and he needs to speak to you."

She opened the door a bit and peered through the gap at the doorwarden. "Then bring him here. My cousin, the prince..."

The tall Rider shook his head. "Gamling and I don't recognize him and would prefer he remain on the porch. However," he held out his hand, "he gave me this as a surety of the validness of his message." He uncurled his fingers to display a battered-looking leather and silk tassel.

Eowyn stifled a gasp as she recognized the token. Her fingers trembled as she took it from him. "I--I will be out directly. Don't let the messenger leave."

Hama nodded and stepped back from the door. "I'll make certain of it. He's only a lad; a handful of Byrna's biscuits will keep him here for however long you need." He gave her a half bow and strode down the corridor towards the Hall and his usual post.

She closed the door and held the tassel to her heart. "Eomer!" Worry for her banished brother warred with her concerns about leaving Theodred unattended, but there was no one but Cadfal that she trusted to be with him.

Eowyn had no idea of when the healer would be back from the emergency he was attending. She finally opened the door and stepped out into the hall, taking the key from the inside of the lock with her. Closing it carefully, she locked it and attached the key to her chatelaine before whisking down the corridor and around the corner in a flutter of green skirts. She would bring the message back with her and share it with her cousin.

Moments later, Grima approached Theodred's room from the opposite end of the corridor. The scheming advisor was irritated by the fact that the prince hadn't had the decency to die of the wound that would have carried off any other man within a day and a night of receiving it. Given his care to ensure that Theodred's passage to Bema's Hall would be hastened, overhearing Cadfal mention to one of the Riders that it looked possible that the prince would survive had frustrated him no end.

Of course, that was an entirely different kind of frustration than that he felt when he thought about Theoden's sister-daughter. Dear Eowyn; she would be in sore need of comfort with her increasingly demented uncle ailing, her brother banished under pain of death, and her beloved cousin having died... and who else would be there to see that she was... properly tended to… but himself?

He tried the door and hid a grimace at finding it locked. Ah, well. He'd half expected it when he'd overheard Hama and Gamling decide which of them should tell Eowyn of the arrival of a messenger, so he'd armed himself with a master key that would open most of the locks in the building. It took only a half a minute to unlock and open the door.

The room no longer held the feotid odor of necrotic flesh as it had only three days ago. He crossed to the bed and looked down on Theodred, who was now propped up by several pillows. Even pale, with his chestnut hair lank from the fever sweats that had wracked him, the man was still handsome. Grima bit back a snarl as an all too familiar rush of jealousy surged over him. It wasn't fair that the King's son should not only have been born into wealth and power but also be handsome when he... he ruthlessly cut off the thought. He had power and would have more as soon as the prince was out of the way.

It was tempting to end it now with the quick thrust of his belt knife, but there was no way to hide a murder, not here and not now. "Soon. Soon enough, you'll be in Bema's Hall and everything that was yours--and more--will be mine," he whispered before stepping away.

Eowyn wouldn't be gone long, regardless of what the messenger had to say, and he'd better check that the tainted water bucket didn't need to be treated again. Unfortunately, from what he could see, the particular vessel was no longer in the room. His eyes scanned the room, dismissing the pile of armour, the clothes press with the battered gambeson lying atop it, and the brazier as he looked for what he sought.

Realizing that the bucket had been removed, he scowled. It would be too difficult to insinuate another poisoned container into the room with Eowyn being so very suspicious. He'd have to take another tack and come back later. It was past the hour that Theoden should have been given his latest dose of the brew that kept the King's mind adrift. He did't dare chance that the old man would become aware of his machinations; he had too much at stake.

He slipped from the room, locking the door behind him. No, he couldn't risk poison, not with the way every morsel of food or drop of water intended for Theoden was checked and examined by Eowyn.

But she took no care with what she ate or drank, from what the kitchen gossip said. A certain draught in her dinner wine--tasteless and odorless--would send her into a sleep deep enough that nothing would awaken her until it had worn off.

And then he could finally act!

The corridor had been empty for only a few minutes when Eowyn hurried back to Theodred's rooms, the tightly folded scrap of parchment tucked securely into the snug cuff of her sleeve. She unlocked the door and ducked back inside the room, her eyes going straight to her cousin's still face. It cheered her to see the steady rise and fall of his chest; still shallow, but his breaths were regular.

After locking the door from the inside, for she did not wish to be disturbed by anyone, she sat down at Theodred's side and gently stroked his brow. His breathing changed slightly and he seemed to stir at the touch but did not wake; a moment or two later his breathing returned to its previous state.

"Oh, Theodred, I just got a message from Eomer!" she spoke softly, not wanting her words to carry too far, shaking the message into her palm and unfolding it. "He's riding north--with his eored. Theo, every one of his men chose to accompany him in his banishment. Such loyalty! But," her voice faltered a moment, "but without them here, we're at the mercy of those loyal only to Wormtongue. He's slowly killing your father, Theodred. I don't know how, but he is."

She looked back down at the scrap of parchment, her eyes on Eomer's familiar scrawl and wondered if she dared to keep it. She looked up at the brazier, knowing that the safest thing would be to burn it, but she was reluctant to lose this last bit of contact with her brother. As she looked away from the fire her eye fell on Theodred's quilted gambeson lying atop the clothes press. It had been cleaned and mended and returned to her by one of the women who seemed to live in the sewing and weaving room of the Hall.

Smiling slightly, she rose to her feet and went to where the garment lay. She was no seamstress but she could sew well enough to stitch the message safely in the heart pocket that had hidden Edlyn's love token. No one would even think to look there.

She settled back in her chair and for the first time in her life set to her needlework with a will.

Helms Deep – July, T.A. 3018

Freya gave Edlyn's hair a final pat and stepped back. "There. I think you're ready."

Edlyn released her lower lip from between her teeth. She'd bitten her lip as the older woman combed and braided and wove green and gold ribbons through her hair, a task that had seemed to take forever. But before she could say a word to Freya...

Just then came a thunderous knock on the door.

She sprang to her feet as the half dozen ladies who were her attendants surrounded her. Finally!

Freya sighed, smiled and went to open the door, pausing to ask who came to disturb the bride's privacy.

"Erkenbrand, her father."

"Why come you to your daughter, Lord?" Freya said the ritual words in a voice loud enough to be heard on the other side of the heavy door.

"To lead her to her husband."

"Open the door, Freya," Edlyn called out, her one ritual statement ringing out clearly.

Erkenbrand looked impressive in his armor over his best shirt and tunic, the leather and mail gleaming and bright, his Rider's cloak flowing in smooth ripples of fabric down his back. He stepped up to the threshold of the door but did not cross it. Smiling he reached his hands out towards his daughter.

Edlyn crossedthe short distance to the doorway and took her father's hands, allowing him to step back and pull her into the hallway. Freya sketched a blessing with her right hand. "Bema, bless thee, Lady and see thee safe into marriage."

Then the older woman followed her heart-daughter into the hallway gesturing for the 6 maidens to follow on.

Edlyn walked on her father's left, his heart side, happy, a bit afraid and excited all at once. She looked up at him as he gave the hand that was tucked in his arm a gentle squeeze. Freya stepped up on Edlyn's left side and the Riders who escorted Erkenbrand fell into a single column behind him. The six maidens slipped into place, walking each next to a Rider, and began to sing, the light feminine voices counterpointing the men's deeper tones.

Erkenbrand whispered under the cover of the chanted song, "You look just like your mother the day I took her to wife."

"I wish she could be here," Edlyn whispered back.

Freya smiled wistfully, and said softly, "She is here... in our hearts"

Several corridors away, a similar scene was playing out between Theodred, Eomer and Boromir. Unable to decide which man he wanted (his shield-brother or his cousin) to stand as Giver and Witness, Eomer and Boromir had solemnly tossed a coin during the Bachelor's Wake the night before. The fall of the coin made Boromir the Witness and Eomer the Giver; a result both seemed content with.

As they approached the doorway to the back of the great hall a counter point melody, more martial in flavor, could be heard over the song of Edlyn's attendent's as Theodred's own attendents sang him to his place within the hall.

It had been long since the Great Hall of Helm's Deep had seen a ceremony and celebration like today's and the Hall was packed with nearly every soul resident in the Keep, only the herd and wall guards that remained on duty were absent.

Even though it was mid-day and the sun was streaming in through the high windows of the stone hall, the place was ablaze with torches, brightening it as had not been seen in an age.

The songs ended just as the two parties met in the center of the room before the dais, which was empty except for two beautifully carved chairs.

Edlyn only had eyes for Theodred who was resplendent in a robe of emerald green silk and velvet, heavy with gold embroidery at the neck, cuffs and hem. A heavy gold belt made from links in the shapes of running horses clasped his waist and held his sword rig, though he wore no armor.

As she stood gazing at him she was vaguely aware that her father had stepped behind her and draped his Rider's cloak over her. At the same time Eomer, who also wore his armor and Rider's cloak with a dress tunic stepped behind Theodred as Freya and Boromir moved to stand next to each other, facing the Hall.

After a moment of silence Boromir, in perfectly accented Rohirric, intoned "Who brings the bride to her husband?"

Erkenbrand stepped forward, holding Edlyn's hand in his. "I, her father, bring the bride to her husband and give her into his keeping."

Freya's clear voice then rang through the hall, "Who brings the groom to his wife?"

Eomer then stepped forward, mirroring Erkenbrand's stance and posture. "I, his cousin, bring the groom to his wife and give him into her keeping."

As Eomer nudged the Prince forward, Erkenbrand laid Edlyn's hand in Theodred's, but kept her under his own cloak for the moment.

"Edlyn Erkenbrandsdottir, you pledged to wed your betrothed within a year and a day," Freya said, reaching into a pouch she wore at her waist and withdrawing a golden cord, "is this still your intent?"

"Aye, with all my heart it is my intent." Edlyn's happy voice was clear and heard by all in the Hall as she spoke her eyes still fixed on Theodred's face.

"Theodred Theodensson," Boromir's eyes smiled even as his mien remained serious, "you pledged to wed your betrothed within a year and a day. Is this still your intent?" A green cord lay across his palm.

"Aye, with all my heart it is my intent." The prince's eyes were locked on Edlyn's, his face serious and loving at the same time.

Eomer and Erkenbrand placed the couple's hands in each others. Then Eomer waited while Erkenbrand spoke the next part of the ceremony.

"I give you my heart, my son. Cherish her." With that he gently pulled his Rider's cloak from Edlyn's shoulders and stepped back.

Eomer smiled at Edlyn over Theodred's shoulder and said, "I give you my heart, my daughter. Cherish him." He took a step back, leaving the couple alone before the witnesses.

Theodred felt like he would fall into Edlyn's love-filled eyes as he gazed at her, a part of him half afraid that the great doors at the far end of the hall waould slam open and his father would burst in, forbidding the marriage.

"Bride, what gift do you bring your husband in earnest of your love?" Boromir asked.

I should have had it barred. he thought and then his mind focused on the vows he was about to say and he left it in the hands of Bema.

Using her free hand, Edlyn pulled the silken token she'd sewn and embroidered with silks, pearls, bullion and strands of her own hair from her belt and offered it to Throdred. "This is my gift in earnest of my love for my husband. May it remind him that he is ever in my thoughts, in my prayers, and in my heart."

Theodred took it from her fingers with his free hand and let his eyes drop from hers long enough to look at the gift. His breath caught as he recognized the golden strands of her hair outlining the words of lifelong love around the border of the token. Boromir gave him a moment more to gaze at the gift then lifted it from Theodred's hand and held it up to display to the men, women and children in the hall.

A murmur of delight and appreciation ran throughthe room then quieted as their prince's shield brother handed the token to Eomer to hold untilthe end of thee cceremony.

Freya looked at Theodred and smiing asked the same question of him.

He reached into the embroidered pouch that he wore at his waist and withdrew a glimmering necklace of gold, each link cast in the form of a running horse, with different precious and semi-precious stones inlaid so that each steed was a different colour. It was heavy and beautiful and he looked forward to telling Edlyn its history. It had belonged to his mother who had given it to Eomer's mother as a bride gift a few months before he was born.

Edlyn pulled her eyes away from her groom's and looked at the gleaming piece of jewelry in his hand. Gasping at it's beauty, she laid her free hand upon it as Theodred said, his voice rich with emotion, "This is my gift in earnest of my love for my wife. May it remind her that she is ever in my thoughts, my prayers and my heart."

He poured the links into her hand, and the smile that he could not repress was filled with the joy and love he felt.

Edlyn looked back up at Theo, smiling delightedly as Freya displayed the necklace to the crowd. The murmur of approval and pleased surprise was even louder this time for the gift was most definitely a royal one..

Erkenbrand raised an eyebrow in surprise as Freya handed him the necklace; it was familiar to him and he shot a glance at Eomer who nodded slightly. He has immediately recognised the necklace, having seen it around the throat of Eomer's mother, Theodwyn on her wedding day. Eomer's agreement with the gifting proved that not all of Theodred's family were against his marriage.

In unison Freya and Boromir said, "Having declared your intents, speak you your vows that you may be bound through this life until Bema calls you."

Theodred inhaled deeply and said in a clear voice that carried throughout the hall, "I, Theodred Theodenson, vow to cherish and love thee, care for and nurture thee, to grant thee my worldly goods and property, to serve thee with the strength of my hands, to be the father of thy children, to entwine my life with thine, forsaking all others until death takes me, or the world ends. This I swear before Bema, my forefathers and all here present."

Edlyn then spoke her vow, her eyes still locked with Theodred's, a thrill filling her heart that at last she would be his and he hers. "I, Edlyn Erkenbrandsdottir, vow to cherish and love thee, care for and nuture thee, to grant thee my worldly goods and property, to serve thee with the skill of my hands, to be the mother of thy children, to entwine my life with thine, forsaking all others until death take me or the world ends. This I swear before Bema, my foremothers and all here present

"Heard and witnessed!" Freya and Boromir exclaimed, which was folowed by teh shout of all within the Hall, "Heard and witnessed!"

Boromir stepped forward and laid the green cord he held across their linked right hands. "Let this cord," he pronounced as he wrapped it about their hands twice more and knotted it neatly, " be a sign of the vows that bind you one to another. May your love flourish as green as the field of the Riddermark all the days of your lives."

Freya likewise laid the gold cord she held across their hands, saying, "My your love shine warmly as the sun upon each other and your children all the days of your lives." Then taking a white cord from her belt pouch she handed one end to Boromir. Together she and the Steward's son bound it round Theodred's and Edlyn's wrists over its green and gold fellows, saying, "May your love for each other bring hope to you and all who look to you, gleaming like the stars that shine above us all all the days of your lives," as the knot was secured.

The hall erupted into cheers as Freya dropped her hands from the binding with a broad smile.

Theodred's free hand clasped the edge of his cloak and he held it out from his side as he pulled Edlyn into his embrace by their bound hands. As she pressed close to his side he draped the gold embroidered green velvet to totally enclose her, and lowered his lips to hers for their first kiss as husband and wife.

The hall errupted into even louder cheers and the attendants broke forth in a celebratory song. Not that Edlyn heard any of it, her complete attention being on the bliss of feeling her husband's lips on hers and his arms about her body. She was equally unaware of Eomer shifting Theodred's cloak from the prince's shoulders onto her own.

When they finally broke the kiss, Erkenbrand fastened the clasp of the cloak at his daughter's throat and reminded them that there was yet one more custom to be fulfilled. Theodred nodded at his father in law, and turned himself and Edlyn towards the double doors at the end of the hall. Pressing another quick kiss on Edlyn's forehead he led her out of the hall and thence into the outer bailey of the keep. "Come Lady Wife. Let us announce our marriage to the Herd."

Edlyn smiled at her husband-- oh, how she liked that word!--and as she walked ran her finger along the intricate traditional gold embroidery that ran along on the edge of his cloak. Freya had said that once the marriage had been consummated it would be her responsibility to add another motif to the pattern, making it unique. "A visible expression of your love for your husband," she'd explained with a smile as she'd given Edlyn a basket containing the gold spun thread and a set of delicate needles--along with some rather interesting advice--the night before.

Theodred didn't think he could stop smiling if he tried. As he gazed down at at his bride, he felt like he was filled with sunlight, and it seemed so appropriate that, as they went through the door, the sun emerged from behind a high cloud and shone brilliantly upon them.

Once they had made their way down the causeway, followed by Erkenbrand, Eomer, Boromir and Freya, to the first pasture it seemed that every member of the herd was waiting for them, ears pricked forward and expectant. Brego and Gyldenlac stood in front of the rest of the herd their coats glossy with brushing. The four accompanying them halted at the foot of the ramp as Theodred and Edlyn continued on to where their mounts waited.

Theodred halted right in front of their mounts and held out their bound hands. "My friends I have joyful tidings to share with you. I have taken Edlyn Erkenbrandsdottir to wife and I ask that you accept her as your mistress and grant her your good will and obedience from this day forth."

A bay mare moved forward towards Edlyn, nudging Gyldenlac out of the way. The herd matriarch, the oldest of the broodmares, halted right next to Brego and gazed at the new princess.

She nuzzled the couple's joined hands then dropped her head, bowing before Edlyn who caught her breath, and curtsied deeply in response.

The mare lifted her head and nickered softly at the couple before giving Brego a shoulder check and trotting back to the main herd. Then one by one, the other horses moved forward between Brego and Gyldenlac, as if introducing themselves. As the procession of horses continued to come forward Theodred softly told her the names of the ones she was not familiar with, mainly the bloodstock that had been bartered for at the gathermeet.

The entire proceeding took over an hour and finally Gyldenlac stepped forward. She nuzzled Edlyn's cheek then snatched one of the flowers from her wreath before going over to Theodredand giving him a look that said You'd better take care of my Rider or you'll sorely regret it!

Brego was the last of the Herd to approach her and he had a wicked gleam in his eye as he bowed his head to her. Theodred recognized the look and stood ready to snatch Edlyn away from the hooves that all too often landed on human feet. But the stallion gently blew into her face before dropping his chin to her and Theo's clasped hands. When he turned away to join Gyldenlac he snorted at Theodred as if to say "Gotcha!"

The prince chuckled and shook his head. "He's always been unpredictable."

Edlyn laughed along with him. "So the herd approves?"

"Most definitely. I remember, when I wasquite small, my father told me about the herds welcoming my mother...." he blinked and pushed back the wave of sorrow that threatened; he was not going to let the schism with his father ruin this day when, finally, his dreams had come true. "My mother had to stand for almost three hours because every one of the members of the combined Edoras and Aldburg herds wanted to meet her."

"She must have been a lovely and wonderful woman for them to do that," Edlyn told him as they turned to go bck up into the keep.

"I wish I had gotten to know her for real instead of just from the stories told around the talefire." Theodred squeezed her hand and turned her towards the keep and the four who stood at he foot of the ramp. "I think, my dear wife, it's time for us to receive the congratulations of our friends, and commence the feast that everyone has been waiting for."

Boromir smiled at Edlyn then turned a slightly sardonic look on Theodred. "For a minute there I thought that Brego was going to disgrace himself. It seems he took my threat of never tasting sugarloaf again to heart."

"Don't believe it... I've tried that before and all it got me was a trodden-on foot!" Theodred laughed, and motioned for their witnesses to accompany them back to the feast hall, where he and Edlyn stood just inside the doorway to receive the well-wishes of the residents of the fortress, while Freya's staff was setting up the trestle tables for the feast.

AHH - AHH - AHH - AHH - AHH

After a long afternoon and evening of feasting and revelry, Freya escorted the bride and groom to the door of Theodred's room while Boromir and Erkenbrand called for toasts to the newlywed couple in the Hall.

Only as they stood in the open doorway were their hands untied. "Once you enter I shall seal the latch with these," Freya told them as she deftly plaited the three cords together. "You shall not be disturbed, I promise."

Edlyn blushed but smiled her thanks and allowed Throdred to draw her into the candle lit room. The foor closed and latched she found herself pulled into his arms and gave herself up to his kiss. Moments later, he unfastened the clasp of his cloak which, he dropped to lie across the foot of his bed. "Come, min heorte", he said softly, tugging at the lacing of her gown. "Let us begin the rest of our lives…"

"…together."

"Together."

The word was said in unison and then words were forgotten.

TBC