Of Roses and thorns

by Katherine2701

The daughter of Denethor embarks on her most dangerous journey of her life, with death around every corner will she ever find love and relief she deserves after so long kept in the shadows of her sex and position? OC/Eomer. Start is 3rd person before switching to a POV of the OC.

4. Chapter 4: This hand be not freely given

Of Roses and thorns

Chapter 4: This hand be not freely given

(Date: TA - 3rd July 3018 or in Shire Reckoning 1418)

(Location: Minas Tirith)

"Lothiriel!" I cried out in a blind panic.

I awoke panicked and scared apon my bed, covered in my red silk covers and swan feathered pillows that balanced my head above the white sheets below me. The darkness of night hit me like a smothering blanket and my heart stiffened. For a moment all I could think of was where and who I was before the memories rolled back and I began to breathe again. "My lady! Are you alright?" my concerned maid asked as she ran to grasp my hand in reassurance. I clutched her hand and smiled.

"I am fine Melian, 'twas just a nightmare. Be at ease, and rest for we both need our strength for the coming day!" I spoke with fondness towards the young girl. She was a recent addition to my staff, coming from the noble family from the princedom of Cair Andros of which my uncle was the current prince. Uncle. I felt cold again as old memories flooded passed my eyes and I struggled to keep them from pouring out as crystal tears from my eyes. I relaxed my body and my breath rate. I must not show weakness, I reminded myself curtly, before lying back down on my bed. Melian hesitated for a moment before retreating to her cot at the bottom of my bed. I have a team of ladies who look after me and every night, one of them stay by my side to protect and assist in the night. Talia was the oldest, for she attended my mother when she was with child - me - and assisted and lead my other maids Laurelin, Nessa and Melian. My household also included a guard of fifteen men on rotational shifts, a personal tailor, two grooms who looked after my horses, my tutors, a team of cooks and ten maid servants from my city and surrounding households. All of them were devoted to look after my every need and desire.

This night I was with the lady Melian as lady Talia was with her husband as he had just arrived back after time in the war torn city of Ostiliagath. I imagine that she was overjoyed at his return, as I would hate to have my spouse away for such a long time and in such danger so I permitted her leave in order to be with him on this night. 'Tis is the way of her vows to him that allows me so for now Talia, though being wed a year and three days, has not been able to produce issue for her husband's delight. I knew that she was desperate to prove she was of able bodied for the role and so I thought it would be proper to allow her a night of which to help this. I debated a while on the prospects of motherhood and of marriage before succumbing to the trance of sleep.

When I awoke, my ladies were gathered around me in readiness for the day ahead. It was important that I were to be ready for the day with diligence and punctuality. First, I was presented with white slippers so to keep my feet warm by Nessa before Laurelin held out to me a bowl of fresh, warm water and Melian gracefully passed me a small hand towel of which I dried and cleaned my hands for the troubles ahead. Then Nessa produced a linen shift while removing the nightdress from my body. Then they acted as a protective circle to keep my body from prying eyes till we reached the room next door that contained a large golden bath with streams of hot water inside. I walked to the edge of the bath before Talia removed the robe and helped me into the bath for it was most slippery.

I bathed diligently and scrubbed my skin with utmost care. My body had indeed grown for my my age with all of the improvements that corresponds with my age and sex. My ladies let me wash my body myself always as I found it more comfortable and less of an embarrassment for them. However today they were required to make me more of a lady then late and once I signalled to them that I was finished my bath and they are free to beautify me.

They first worked on my hair, by washing it in a blend of rose water and brutally brushing every tangle out with an armada of hairbrushes. Then they brought my hair behind my back and brought out two crimson ribbons with a length of about inches. They then separated two strands from the front of my hair and began to braid the ribbon into one horizontally before doing the other identically before tying the two together using a spare rubber band. The end of the piece was loose; as they decided not to cut off the ribbon in order to make it look more natural. Overall it looked royal and like a reversed crown that defiantly looked perfect for my station.

The dress was made of red velvet and cloth that was rich in colour and feel. My shoulders were bare of straps, instead they were hung onto my arms with wide hanging sleeves. The bodice was tight around my chest, and refined the curves I had gained in age. Golden thread was stitched into flowered embroidery down the hemline that ran vertically down my chest from the top of the bodice to my waist. The skirt started at the bottom of the tight bodice and was very large and loose. An inch away from the bottom of the dress was a golden hemline where the bottom had been folded and sowed back into the fabric. Underneath that were two underskirts of white Muslin and red linen that decently covered my legs from view. Then my feet were shoved into a pair of red, flat, slippers that I had to take of in order to stop them falling off my feet.

We then went to our doom.

It was a perfect summers day, with the yellow orb of fire glaring overhead with no clouds to hide it's gaze. Underneath the sunlight, I saw the white marble of the city shine like a glimmering mirror. It seems that Minas Tirith is torch, a beacon if you will, of light against the threat of Mordor. Especially in these dark times for I know that it is so, for the shadow from the east is growing with each passing day. We all feel the chill now and I know that war will soon be apon us.

The bow of the city, aside to the white tree of Gondor that lay forever bare, stood my father cloaked in his black robes that I thought drowned him. Along side him was a man I despised beyond all others yet never looked apon. I knew of him from the gossip that had plagued me ever since I knew of his arrival. This ... this was the man I was to marry? A scandalous man who beat his servants and raped his maids violently, leaving them barren. A man who by all accounts, is the most hated man in the realm. Oh papa, please do not do this to me. I looked at his features, too sharp I think, and then to his eyes, a dull blue. Then his robes, that while rich and fine, seemed vulgar and cheap apon him. His hair was slimy and his stature was weak. No, I shall not marry this man. I would rather plead on my hands and knees then marry this ... this pig!

"My I present lady Luthien!" my father's plump fingers clamped around my shoulders and I struggled to stop myself from forcing his hand off me. He looked at me with those raven eyes of his, and instantly I felt the pressure of pleasing my father become like a stone in my inner gut. I was not to shame him, or there would be consequences beyond my imagination with none of them being appreciated. "Lady Luthien, this is Sir Hathor of the city of Erech. He is a trader of many valuable resources and his father is a great friend of mine!" my father was a fool. Could he not see that this man's house was built on the slavery of others nor of his questionable honour for I knew that many a maiden had been left by the wayside by this man and his menfolk. I have heard stories that the father's of daughters weep apon seeing their standard for the fox always plays with the pigeons before ruthlessly snapping their necks with his jaws. Many a kin strife has been called about this family and I heartily near fainted on the spot in fear.

"My lady Luthien, it is an honnor to see such an honnorable and virtuous madam as yourself after such a long ride. I have heard many rumors of your beauty but none now meet the real thing. Forgive me if I do stare at you for I am not accustomed such fine and graceful young lady as yourself!" your words are like poison sir, and I know that you do speak as a ruiner of ladies and not as a lover of one's heart.

"Then you have not met any woman of Minas Tirith Sir, for there are many flowers on the branches of this city that do bloom in this summer day. I am but one of them!" the words were deceptive. He had most certainly seen a great deal of our women and I had in forethought warned any maid to never walk unaccompanied passed him nor attend him without another there. Each were scared by him for the amount of maids in his own household that held and nursed babes that were fathered brutally by him. Father, please, please don't make me do this!

"My daughter is too modest. Sir Hathor, I believe we have some points to discuss but first I must talk in private with my daughter!" daughter? I have never been called by that term since I was born of my mother's womb! So I took my father's slimy hand and allowed him to lead me like a dog on a lead towards a small room in the Citidel, for this needed an explanation.

"Father, what is he doing here! You know the web of scandal that surrounds him, and what he has done. Are you really prepared to sell your own daughter to such a ... a pig!" I shouted at him with a wave of anger that I spurred towards him. How could he do this to me! I have done everything I can to appease him, and have not even raised my voice against any of his unjust or immoral decisions all year.

My father grabbed me and threw me into a nearby wooden cabinet. "Curb your dissolute tongue Luthien or I shall have one of the guards cut it from you!" he threatened while pressing on my arms to keep me in place. I struggled against him and tried to force him off me, while my head burned. Everything was too loud, too big and too foul. A ferocious headache awoke inside me and I began to feel weak and dizzy. "You will treat Sir Hathor with respect Luthien, for he a very close ally of ours and his family supports one-fifth of Minas Tirith's finances. We cannot afford to loose his family's wealth, not at this time of imminent war! Lives are at risk, so put your selfish ways behind you and smile at him. And if he likes you, and wishes to marry you, you must accept it. It will save the lives of all of ours if a marriage occurs and will provide for the army that will protect us from the shadow of the East. So smile, wave and be merry for all our sakes and try not to be so selfish and outspoken!" he roared at me. The headache pounded in my head as I cringed at his words. i was trapped! We need money desperately for the war effort and if i were to do this; our troubles will be resolved. But I will be left a wife. A wife of a man who will hurt me; and a wife of a man who would act and treat me like a mere object enslaved to his wishes.

"Father please, your hurting me!" I yelled at him as his fingers punctured my skin and left bruises and cuts. He shoved me again before releasing me and strode towards the door. "Why are you so cruel to me father? Why do you hate me so?" I murmured as I lay on the floor, bruised and sick at heart. My legs seemed unable to hold me properly and I could feel my headache worsen still.

"I treat you this way because you are my daughter; and you alone killed her!" he responded as cold as a bath of icy water of which I refused to lie in. Her? I asked myself a moment before I looked up confused and disturbed by the statement. My father looked at me for a moment and I was not sure he actually saw me but another. "You murdered my sweet wife Luthien, by living while she did not. Why could you not of been born?" he was distant now and I felt sick.

"Mother died in childbirth father, not murder. It was not my fault!" I looked at him, all of him and wondered; was it my fault? No, a voice seemed to say in my mind's eye. It was not your fault, it spoke again in a voice that reminded me of Brúnith. Sweet Brúnith, who served me so many summers ago. The lady who hugged me tight and kissed away my hurts, who by all means was the only mother I knew. The lady who was pulled away from me and taken by death by the form of Tuberculosis. I never even got to say goodbye.

"It was not my fault!" I stated again before storming out of the door in utter disgust at the wreck of my father. It was not my fault!

I ran to my quarters before bursting into tears apon kneeling at the side of my bed. I could recognise the footsteps of my ladies as they approached me with instant concern. Talia must of hugged me close and dabbed away my tears but I could not tell really. Everything was numb and cold. I felt the walls of my city converge on me and for an instant I thought about giving up. What did life matter? What is it's cost? How could anyone bare it? My mind seemed to betray me for answers and so I just kneeled there untill my ladies got the point and retreated to the outside corridor.

"Nienna, what should I do? I ask for your compassion to tell me what I should do? I can't do this anymore! Why must I make such choices when others around me are free to love and hate? It is not fair to ask me to exchange my freedom for the lives of my people. My life yes, instantly and without hesitation. But my freedom? How can you ask any of your people to forgo that? Please, please help me! I need your pity more now then ever before. To you I pray, to you I serve and to you I question!" I prayed passionately.

"Vaire, what should I do? I ask for your guidance to tell me what I should do? Is this my destiny or am I destined for other things? Do I have another part to play in this production? Or is this it? Please, please help me! I need your knowledge more now then ever before. To you I pray, to you I serve and to you I question!" I asked again.

"Varda, what should I do? I ask for your strength to tell me what I should do? Is it better to die then live in servitude even if it saves those I love? Is it right to do this? Please, please help me! I need your might more now then ever before. To you I pray, to you I serve and to you I question!" I asked finally.

"I have asked for you all; compassion, fate and strength, and now I beg your answers. Please help a maiden who loves none other then to serve. In you I seek guidance, in you I seek knowledge and in you I seek protection. In your light I thrive, in your mercy I am protected and in your wisdom I am humbled. I live to serve you and my life is yours!" I ended the prayer and stood up before going to the mirror and looking at myself. My long, flowing sleeves could hide the marks already forming at my arms. I straightened my dress and hair before stopping for a drink of water delivered by Talia, who knew better then to speak in this circumstance. I drank half of it before taking out a small, concealed, silver flask of questionable contents and taking a hearty swell of it. All of my ladies carried such flasks apon our persons for strength in the coming ordeals of the day.

"I am ready!" I lost my joy that moment and my voice was hollow and cold. I was already dead inside.

I marched towards the great hall of my forefathers and stood in front of the menfolk who were already sat at the table. As if by instinct, I nodded to them respectfully before taking my place at the table. Foodstuffs had already been served and by the rosy cheeks of the men, so was the wine. My father was present, so was some of the close courtiers, Hathor and a group of court musicians who I recognised from my music lessons so long ago. They were dressed very finely in good quality cloth but now I didn't see it as beautiful rather as horrible works of art that could feed a family for years apon end. I saw selfish men rather then diplomats and in response I did not smile but sat quietly until I were to be addressed.

"Play daughter, and entertain our guests with your musical skill!" my father commanded me. No, he only wanted to show me off like a new born calf at market but I had no choice. It was either prancing like a wild mare or a shameful show of aggression to a man who may or may not be my future consort. I stood, nodded and went to the musicians to ask for a violin to play. I picked it up, tuned it correctly before poisoning it in readiness. I thought of a melody quickly within my head before playing with the help of the court musicians. The melody was sad, empty and lost alike to myself. It was full of grief and despair yet so much longing for a love that cannot be. I wanted to love, and to be loved, by a man who actually cared for me personally and not my looks or station. I want it to be real, not as false like this. I wanted true love, and that is the only thing my heart craves. I do not care for jewels or riches, nor do I care for fear or force but true, undeniable, insatiable love between a willing man and woman.

I played for that hope and that hope alone.

After the foul some dinner, we all retired to our separate rooms but I could not sleep. So I wandered the city in a unconscious trance while I tried to dull my emotions and think no more of the subject that frightened me more then death itself. But then, just as I nearly succeeded I heard male voices ahead. panicked by the sound, I hid behind a tapestry that I knew to have a large, empty impression behind it from a removed fireplace that no one thought to fill.

"So what do you think of my daughter Sir Hathor? Speak honestly!" My father's voice seemed to echo in my ear. No, not father. Never father, from now on it is Denethor and not father. I will treat him with the same venom that he poisons me with.

"She is very beautiful Denethor, exotic even, with those golden eyes of hers alike to a fire or a drop of sunlight, sparkling like the glittering cave I hear about from the wild lands of Rohan in the cold fortress of Helm's deep. Her whitened skin is unmarred by blemishes like a fresh patch of snow atop the mountain of Silvertine. She in my opinion, is the epitome of feminine loveliness and a fair match for all maidens my eyes have seen!" The harsh sound of Hathor's laughter was alike to a dragon trying it's hand at singing - a bad idea and very tiresome after a while - and I certainly didn't have a clue why any woman would lose her heart to him. His looks are foul, his personality is bleak and his humour in bad taste.

"That is of good news Sir Hathor, for I think my daughter to be a fine prize for you. Now we must talk of the dowry and of the subject that I must talk to about the agreement you have promised me for allowing you to marry my fine daughter!" I rolled my eyes, Denethor has never stopped plotting since he was born so why should he stop now? "Of course the added forces you have commissioned will be very welcome to our army along with the added ships you've stationed to protect from those annoying Corsairs. I dare say that they are quite ... appreciated in these dark times. And so your marriage to my daughter will be very welcome!"

"Of course, she is very respectable and would very much be a good standard to which to raise my family banner. No doubt that she will bare me many sons!" he laughed again. Oh by the high father, I hadn't even thought till then of children. I felt quite sick at the prospect. "As a result of her beauty I have even come up with a motto for her; a rose without a thorn for I see no imperfection!" Oh shut up you great annoying idiot. Of course I like the motto, but come on! Be a little bit more original. Then of course it hit me like a great tone of marble, I did not like this man one bit and if I didn't like him then our marriage will be a utter disaster. And therefore I must get out of this marriage, and quickly! But how do I do that?

Then it hit me.

R&S if you liked this chapter and thanks for all the helpful reviews. Also the melody from this chapter is the love theme from the Tv show Merlin, you know the one between Gwen and Arthur.

Anyway adieu,

Katherine2701