I slid my fingers through my hair, pulling the front parts back and pinning it off my face with a couple metal pins that I had found. I stepped back and looked at my reflection in the mirror, satisfied that I looked nice without looking too put together. The dress I had been given was of course black, and clung to my ribs right above my waist.
"Not too shabby Nalin." I twirled, reveling in the fact that I was wearing a dress for the first time since Lothlorien. Though I did love wearing pants, there was something that boosted my confidence in wearing something feminine. I stopped twirling when I heard a knock at the door.
"Good afternoon gentlemen." I swung the door open as in walked Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. They were all still in there travelling clothes, but had cleaned themselves up a good bit. Aragorn sat on my bed while Legolas and Gimli stood next to the door.
"Are you about ready Nalin?" Aragorn looked over my outfit and nodded stiffly in approval. I would never understand the man's need to approve my clothing choices, but he had yet to steer me wrong. I still remembered him in Rivendell, telling me how to look and act in order to earn the right to survive.
"You look beautiful Nalin." Legolas looked me over as well, though I doubted for the same reasons. I swore I saw Gimli smirk and roll his eyes.
"Thank you Legolas, but I don't think my goal should be to look beautiful today." I flattened my skirt and pulled my sleeves down before putting my belt on and sliding a dagger on under it. When I noticed the looks I was getting I merely shrugged. "You can't be too careful, I'm just being prepared. What's the plan for the walking down behind Theodred?"
"It's just that, we are walking down with the body, behind Théoden. We'll walk to the crypt, there will be a service and then we will come back up." Aragorn was playing with the covers on my bed. "This is not going to be the most pleasant entrance to Rohan."
"We saved the king, we couldn't save everyone Aragorn." As I said it I forced myself to believe it. After all, Theodred had been mortally wounded even before I had been found. There was little we could blame ourselves for.
"She's right Aragorn, we can't blame ourselves for anything that was out of our control." Legolas was quiet, and stood rigid against the doorframe.
"Aye laddie."
Way to contribute Gimli.
A quiet knock came to the door again and Legolas opened it to reveal Gandalf standing there in all his white glory.
"It's time." We all stood as if he had commanded us and began to file out of the door. Gandalf caught my arm and wrapped his arm around mine, acting as if he needed me to lean on slightly.
"I thought you could walk with me Nalin." The wizard clearly had something in the works, but I was unsure on what it could possibly be. I hadn't been here more than a day, there was only so much trouble I could have gotten in that he would need to act as a barrier. We walked ahead of the other three, our footsteps echoing down the dark hall. When we entered the great hall , I saw King Théoden and his guards. The look that Théoden gave me clued me in that whatever Gandalf was secretly helping me with was because of the King.
I helped save his life, clearly I was a danger that needed to be watched.
"My Lord." I bowed my head slightly when we reached Théoden.
"I did not recognize you at first. Although you must forgive me, seeing a woman fighting as a man is unheard of in Rohan." Théoden bowed his head toward me the slightest. Well now the problem was evident, I had entered into the area where women were to be protected, not do the protecting.
"Théoden it is time to go." Gandalf looked solemn, but began to pull me towards the open doors, where I could see the body of Théoden's son being carried by four warriors. We began walking behind the body, Théoden was in front, followed by his guard, then Gandalf and myself, Aragorn, Legolas and Gimli. If it wasn't for the solemn occasion, I would have made a comment about how beautiful a day it was.
"I've insulted Théoden slightly haven't I?" The question was whispered so only Gandalf could hear, though it wouldn't surprise me if Aragorn and Legolas were picking it up as well.
"Not intentionally." Gandalf gave me a sad, small smile.
"But he takes offense to the fact that a woman helped save him against Saruman doesn't he?"
"Only a small amount, remember Nalin you are one of a kind, he will warm up to you eventually, as we all did."
"And until then I should what? Act as the powerless female who has never seen a battle?"
"Well…..it couldn't hurt to pretend." Gandalf gave me a wink as we exited the city walls. I smiled slightly as we kept walking but on the inside I wanted to scream. I was once again a prisoner it felt like, only this time my body was free, it was just my personality that seemed to be in chains.
xXx
The funeral had been nice. It seemed like the wrong term to use but as I unpinned my hair and laid down on my bed I could not think of a better word to describe it. The entirety of Edoras had joined the royalty of Rohan in saying their goodbyes. There had been singing and kind words, and the proper amount of tears while he was put into the crypt forever.
It had been as nice as a funeral could be.
The afternoon was growing late, and within a couple hours the sun would have set. My stomach growled as I planned out how to follow Gandalf's words of advice and would try to act as a female as much as I could. It would not be easy, I had been surrounded by only men for a long time.
Just when I was about to fall asleep a soft knocking once again hit my door. I sighed and turned away from it, not wanting to deal with the world's problems at the moment. The knocking started again.
"Aragorn go away. I don't need your kingly advice at the moment." I heard the door open and I was ready to kill the man, Gondor would just have to find a new King, I'm sure there was someone.
"I'm serious Aragorn, you have to stop popping into my room whenever you want!" I turned over and my eyes fell on Eowyn, who was standing in my doorway still in her funeral clothes as well.
"My Lady!" I stood so fast I lost my balance for a second which made my bow look even more awkward. "Forgive me, I did not know it was you."
"It is no bother." She smiled at me. "It was clearly a mistake." She stepped into the room and looked around at the slight mess I had created since arriving. "You have found everything comfortable then?"
"Yes my lady, your hospitality is extremely generous."
"Please call me Eowyn, you saved my uncle, you have no need to be so formal."
"Well Gandalf saved your uncle, I was merely part of the party." My protest fell upon her held up hand, and she shook her head.
"You fought against Saruman and Grima, and the guards who would have unintentionally stopped you. You helped save my uncle indeed."
I smiled at her generosity and nodded. "Very well, thank you for your kind words Eowyn."
"I was wondering if you would come and walk with me, I wish to clear my head of the tragedy that has occurred and make sense of what has happened. I also wish to have company, if it is alright with you."
The King's niece wants me to walk around with her. In my mind I could not figure out a downside to this idea, and it seemed that the tiredness I felt minutes earlier was gone.
"Of course Eowyn, I believe a walk will do me well too." I flattened my skirts and followed her out of my room. We walked in silence for awhile, as we passed the corridors and finally into the Great Hall, where my three men were sitting. The eyebrows rose as we walked past them, turning towards outside. I was unsure where Gandalf and Théoden were, but I believed they never came in from the funeral. Once we had crossed into sunlight, Eowyn began to ask me questions.
"Which one of the three sitting there was Aragorn?" She walked with her hands in front of her, I walked with my arms crossed, it was just too hard to give up everything for their more feminine counterpart.
"The dark one, who always looks like he is up to something." I smiled slightly, which I guess Eowyn caught.
"He comes to your room often?" I nodded. "Is he courting you?" I tripped slightly from her question but laughed before I responded.
"Oh no, Aragorn is certainly not. He is more like a very good friend or my older brother. He protects me and gives me advice, even when I do not ask for it."
"It certainly is odd company you keep Nalin, a man, an elf, and a dwarf. I am certain I could never be the lone female in such a group."
"I can honestly say that half the time I want to take my sword to them, but a girl could never ask for a better trio of companions." It was true, as much as they annoyed me I could not imagine my life now without them.
Of course I also couldn't imagine a normal, worry free day anymore, but I digress.
"The elf was very handsome as well." Oh girl talk, I forgot this is what it was about. We were down in the midst of the town now, and Eowyn stopped to hand a bucket of water to a child.
"Legolas is certainly very handsome….but very confusing as well." Eowyn's eyes met mine.
"Confusing?" I might as well open up to her, it would be good to have a woman's opinion on my life from time to time.
"Legolas cares for me deeply, I suspect he has longer than I've actually known. And he's made affections known to me, multiple times. He does not understand that I need time to think."
"What do you need to think about? Is he not a respectable elf?"
I had to smirk. "He's the royal prince of Mirkwood, respectable elves respect him." Eowyn smiled but I knew to still elaborate. "There was another man of our group, a Steward of Gondor, and he and I were courting, I guess you can say that. I'm still trying to move on from him."
"Did he return to Gondor?" Eowyn was an excellent person to open up to, and I could tell she actually did care. My liking for her as a person was growing.
"He died, trying to protect me as well as some other companions from Saruman's orcs. He took three arrows to the chest." The last image I had of him looking at me with his obvious wounds developed into my mind, but for the first time I didn't push it away. I couldn't disgrace his memory, his courage, by trying not to remember it.
"I'm sorry." And I knew she meant it. Right now she understood pain and loss as well as anyone. We kept walking until we reached the entrance to Edoras. It was so quiet, the eeriness of everything hadn't left us yet.
"I must convince now Nalin, I brought you out with a specific conversation in mind." Well this wasn't normal girl talk, this was secretive. I was intrigued.
"You fight, and fight well I might say." I smiled and nodded while avoiding eye contact. Time to look humble. "I saw you fight off men yesterday, without weapons you defeated them. I guess my question is how you came by fighting, how you managed to be a warrior even with the fact that you are a woman."
I paused, my mouth hanging open slightly, trying to figure out what exactly my answer was. I had never really thought about it, I mean, I knew I was unusual, a woman fighter. But I never knew or even thought about why the men in my company ever allowed me to fight.
"Well…I was sort of thrown in this company, The men weren't thrilled at first, but before I joined I had proven that I could fight in battle. I suppose it just never came up, at least at first."
"At first?"
"Well now, I was captured by Saruman's orcs. Obviously I was saved but my three males around me have now seemed to put me under lock and key for safety. It's rather annoying actually, but I know it's from the good of their hearts, that's why I try to pretend I don't notice."
"I can understand. My uncle, brother, everyone around me tells that I cannot fight, that it is not my place, it's as if they believe just because I won't fight means I can't be killed."
I smirked at Eowyn, I had to. "So you're the reason the Théoden seems annoyed with me. He thinks I am going to corrupt you." I made my best evil face, and Eowyn laughed at it. At least now it made sense on why I had annoyed the King so much so fast.
"Out of the way!" We both turned to the entrance to see Gandalf pushing men out of the way, leading a horse with Théoden behind him carrying a young boy.
"Uncle!" Eowyn ran forward to help Théoden while I ran forward and helped a small girl off the horse, opting instead to carry her. Gandalf nodded to me and had some men lead the horse away while I jogged to keep up with Théoden and Eowyn, the latter of who was asking what had happened.
"They just arrived, the boy fell off the horse." Théoden was extremely to the point, once again I could see why a man was King. The small girl whimpered in my arms, half unconscious herself. While we climbed the stairs to the top of Edoras, Théoden looked back at me, clearly knowing what Eowyn had been talking to me about.
I gave him a look and moved past him, not caring what he thought at the moment.
xXx
Throwing on the last of my gear I placed my funeral attire on my bed, having decided that I was no use in a dress, I had to be prepared for fighting at all moments. Especially with half dead children appearing with news of Saruman attacking villages throughout Rohan, killing all that the orcs could.
Instead of my typical braid I kept the hair pins idea and just pulled it off of my face. Hiking my boots up my calves I opened the door and walked out to the Great Hall once again. When I entered, the clear change in my attire once again caught everyone's attention, but they chose not to say anything at this moment.
"What did I miss?" I took a seat next to Aragorn, who looked to be deep in thought while smoking his pipe. Théoden was standing and giving Aragorn such a look I was surprised Aragorn wasn't shrinking back.
"Open war is coming to meet us, we don't have time to go meet the Rohan warriors led by Eomer for help. You are now caught up." Good ole Gimli, sometimes I did love that dwarf. I stole a piece of chicken off of his plate and began to chew quietly.
"When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was King of Rohan."
Well that explained the look, and why the air in the room was so uncomfortable. Gimli burped very loudly, and I giggled as quietly as I could. I wish I could see life through Gimli's eyes, he never seem to let anything bother him too much.
"Then what is the king's decision?" Gandalf was clearly anxious. Théoden paused before turning to me.
"You are the only one from our visitor's that has not spoken your thoughts. Pray tell, what do you believe that I should do?"
Really, you aren't thrilled with who I am yet you are throwing me into the middle of this? My fingers clenched over and over again under the table as I focused on them, choosing my words carefully.
"You have clearly been a great king aside from being under Saruman's influence. If it is true that we cannot reach your men with Eomer in time for the attack, than I see no way that you can properly defend your people here. I believe your choice will be the proper one to defend…" I rose my eyes to see Théoden looking smug, I guess he approved of my answer. Everyone else looked like I had lost my head, I guess they were not as thrilled.
xXx
I had gone to bed shortly after the conversation, no one had stopped me, and Théoden and Eowyn were the only ones who had said goodnight. My original companions clearly offended slightly that I had not automatically sided with them on facing Saruman.
So it came as a surprise when I woke up the next morning to all four of them in my room, dressed and ready for the day ahead.
"Are you sure Gandalf you can find Eomer in time?" Not exactly what I wanted, waking to the dwarf asking questions to the wizard, and if those two were in here there was no doubt in my mind that the man and elf were lurking somewhere as well.
"I am sure Gimli."
"Can someone explain to me…." I opened my eyes and sat up, making contact with my covered foot and Gimli's hip. Aragorn and Legolas emerged from the far side of my room.
Did I know my group or what.
"What do you need explained now Nalin?" Gandalf gave me a smile but I still wanted to throw something at him.
"Why is it always my sleeping areas that become our meeting areas? You do realize you have the Golden Hall out there to conspire and plan?"
"Yes but then we couldn't be here to wake you all the time." Aragorn had the nerve to look offended before he smiled, like it was my fault that they were always annoying me. Legolas smiled at his friends comment. Sometimes I couldn't stand their relationship.
"Well then," I threw my legs over the side of the bed and started to pull my boots on. "How silly of me to ask."
"You should have known better Nalin." Legolas smirked and I stared at him. The elf becoming the jokester was a little bit more to handle than I thought it would be, maybe because him having a sense of humor made him more endearing than before. I was going to have to be careful around him.
"So what is the plan for today?" I walked over and splashed water on my face.
"Théoden is issuing the order today, actually has probably already issued, that we are to pack and leave Edoras and travel to the strong hold of Helm's Deep. Everyone is evacuating and travelling there."
"Everyone except Gandalf who is playing out his own plan?" I turned to the surprised faces staring at me. "There's a slight obvious problem to having your secret meetings pretty much on my bed. So Gandalf is off to find Eomer then while we are to deal with the whole of Edoras." This was going to be a fun next couple days.
"That is indeed the plan Nalin, and you are to behave yourself while I am gone. I don't want to come back to learn that you have caused more problems than we already have."
"I make no promises, when are you planning to leave?"
"Within the hour."
"Well then," I slid my weapons onto my body, and checked my hair was still pinned back. "I guess I better get all of my trouble making out soon." And with that I walked out my door.
xXx
Ok I'm sorry it's short but I didn't want to get into the journey to Helm's Deep in this chapter. Let me know what you think, I'm pretty sure I have my ideas lined up but not set in stone. Til then thank you for reading!