A/N: please enjoy, and tell me what you think! –C xoxoxo
Ch. Somehow sundown
It was very late so Winifred decided to stay out with Gandalf. She slept a few hours on the soft, long grass. When the morning came Winifred and Gandalf ate some food that Winifred had packed and made their way to Edoras.
It was late morning when they arrived at the gate.
"Halt, who wish to enter Edoras?" A guard yelled from above the gate. She could not make out who called.
"Lady Winifred, the Blessed Queen wishes to enter." She smiled at Gandalf. Laughing to herself how she had just pulled rank with this poor watchman. Gandalf gave her a tight smile but clearly he had much more important matters to dwell on. They breezed through the gate.
"I am sorry my lady, I had not realized you left." The guard said bowing profusely at her.
"You are just doing your job, no-one can fault you for that." She grinned at him, while she and Gandalf passed by. They started the path to the top of the hill. Soon people noticed the Blessed Queen walking with Gandalf the grey, they lined the road, talking to each other, pointing, staring, and calling to Winifred or Gandalf. Winifred had déjà vu. It reminded her of her arrival to Edoras. She had been wearing the same dress then too. But so much had changed since then. Two years had come and gone. This was now her home. Within these walls there were people she cared deeply for. She recognized the people of Edoras that now stared. She knew the buildings and their purposes. It was strange to think that Gandalf brought her to Edoras and now after he leaves it, she would shortly follow there after.
While Winifred knew of the events to come she also knew that she had to tread carefully. With each passing year that grew harder to do. How could one that loved these people sit back and watch them perish, watch them die when she could save them. When all was said and done Winifred knew she would have to reconcile those feelings of guilt. Until that moment of self-evaluation, she would push those thoughts back.
"You have changed much since I last saw you." Gandalf mentioned, as a group of people had called out to her and she nodded to them.
"Well, you were right. Few people did remember the Blessed Queen legend. But it only takes one." She said trying to keep the frown from her face while among the people. Preoccupied with her remorseful thoughts.
"Hm. What a strange statement." Gandalf murmured to her.
"I think you will find it true with many things. It only takes one to bring a house of cards crashing down." She said distantly, looking forward but not seeing anything. The crowd began to lessen now that they had almost reached the top of the hill.
When they arrived out Meduseld Hama, the door warden, approached the pair.
"Lady Winifred, what business does Gandalf bring to the golden hall?" He said.
"He brings urgent news to the King, and wishes to council with him." Winifred said to Hama.
Hama nodded to them opening the doors to the hall for them.
The King was seated on his throne. Various council members where milling around the hall, as well as guard members and servants.
As they started their journey through the room to Théoden King, Hama called out behind them.
"Théoden King, Gandalf the grey seeks council." He bellowed.
Winifred and Gandalf approached the King. Winifred slowed as they got closer so Gandalf would take center stage. They both Bowed to the king.
"Théoden King, I come bearing grave news, and in need of private council." Théoden understood the words and feebly flicked his wrist. Indicating for everyone to leave. Winifred waited for all to leave until Gandalf gave her a look. She finally gave in and turned on her heel, heading for the door, deciding to wait outside.
She tried to hear what was transpiring but Hama kept her from getting too close. Eventually she started to pace up and down the stone terrace. She wasn't sure how long she had been marching when she heard horses approaching. She was working herself into an anxious state when a broad chest blocked her path. She looked up to see Eomer. She wanted to embrace him but it was too public. He bowed to her and she gave him a small nod.
" I have heard rumors that Gandalf has returned." He asked her.
"Yes, he is inside with the king. They are taking private council. Even Grima is not in there with them." She said, remembering that Grima had disappeared the night before.
"So, this is what takes you away from me." Eomer asked boldly. She could hear the bitterness bleeding from his voice. She did not answer but gave him a meaningful look.
"When will you depart?" He asked swiftly.
"In the morning." She said dejectedly. She yearned for that not to be true. Just then the door of the hall burst opened.
"…Take any horse and be gone!" came the frail yell of Théoden king on the heels of Gandalf. Gandalf flew down the stairs of Meduseld and made for the royal stables. Winifred on his tail, Eomer lagged behind.
"What happened!?" Winifred said to Gandalf catching up to walk in stride with him.
"Théoden King is in denial of the true character of Saruman. I feel he wishes all we have learned not to be true." He told her rushed and quietly so none but her ears could hear. "For if it is true, it could be very dangerous for Rohan and its people." He finished as he entered the stables.
Gandalf walked through the stables looking at the horses, seeing which one could bear him best away from these lands.
"You may be interested in Shadowfax." Winifred said softly leading Gandalf further into the stables to one of the back stalls. A horse of pure white had been coaxed into the large stall. It was not happy about it either. It was a daily event to get the horse feed and cleaned without a stable boy getting kicked. Eldwyn had told Winifred much of this horse. Winifred would bring apples over to try to settle the horse. It helped sometimes. She was even the one to take it for exercise if Shadowfax was being particular difficult. Of course Winifred had figured out the identity of the horse. She treated Shadowfax with the utmost respect, asking permission to enter the stall, letting the horse approach her first. She never mounted the horse but Winifred did not take it personally for she knew who would be worthy enough of that feat.
"This is Shadowfax, lord of the all horses. He will bear you better than any in this stable." She told Gandalf, as he entered the stall and slowly approached the feral horse. Eomer had caught up with them at this point.
"He is too wild, untamable." Eomer said to Gandalf.
"No, he is not a horse to tame. Respect him, earn his trust and you will need no other." Winifred said, putting a hand on Eomer's arm. Trying to tell him not to interfere. Winifred could not believe she got to see this. Gandalf spoke lowly and in a strange language. Slowly the horse calmed downed. Winifred beamed at Eomer, he barely noticed as he watched Gandalf interact with Shadowfax.
"See, Eomer. Some things are not meant to be tamed, something's are meant to stay wild. Some times are meant to be understood." Winifred softly said to Eomer while they watched Gandalf with Shadowfax.
Time passed, when finally Gandalf leaped onto Shadowfax, bareback. Winifred opened the stall door. Keeping out of the way.
"Remember Winifred" Gandalf said on top of Shadowfax. "Many pieces are moving, be careful with the pieces you shift." He looked at her for acceptance and Winifred nodded in understanding. His underlining meaning was clear as day, time for the fate of middle earth to be decided. To Rivendell, Winifred would go, unbeknownst to Gandalf the stage for the council of middle earth.
Even Gandalf would not realize how many pieces had indeed been moving, for both the good and the evil. This was a moment Winifred prayed her appearance in middle earth had not changed. So much was soon to be decided, and set into motion. Winifred's burden would be lighten after this part was set.
"Even the smallest of parts, have a role to play." With that Shadowfax was off. Racing out of the stables with people jumping out of its way, through Edoras and into the fields of Rohan heading north.
Winifred stood frozen, still looking at the spot Gandalf had disappeared behind. Her time was up, the real quest has started and she had to leave Edoras. It had become her home. She was like a sister to Eowyn, the thought of leaving her alone to deal with Grima, and Théoden declining health made her feel terrible. The next few months would be hard on Eowyn, the stone cold maiden of Rohan undeniably.
She cared for Theodred as a brother and was grievance to think that she would not see him again in this lifetime. During his last visit Winifred had followed him around, he found it amusing of course. Winifred wished there could be more she could do for him. But it was beyond Winifred. Then Eomer, she would miss him the most.
"What else must be done before your departure?" Eomer asked from behind Winifred. His voice was in a monotone, no emotions played across his lips. He put up walls like this, Winifred hated it. Winifred thought everything through.
"An audience with the king, rations for the journey, and my gear. " She said quickly and decisively. With a swish of her dress she was nearing running out of stables and up to the golden hall. She past many people she knew but had no time to pretend everything was fine and smile at them. People saw how pale her face had become and moved out of her way, watched as she continued to the golden hall. Winifred knew Eomer was following her.
Winifred burst through the front doors of the hall. She was so fast the Hama didn't even have time to open them for her. Once in the hall Winifred spotted a servant and called out to them while still walking purposely through the hall.
"Could you please tell the cook to arrange travel food to last me over a month, and make haste with it, I leave in the morning." The servant nodded and rushed out of the hall, picking up on the importance of this task. Winifred was now reaching the dais that held the king. The King looked like he had more energy, the time away from Grima no doubt. His awareness would take a deep dive in the months to come Winifred thought sadly. Théoden was still himself, but after today he would eventually lose his mind to Saruman. Winifred bowed to the king.
"Théoden king, I must leave tomorrow with haste and ask for your blessing and that I may return to your halls when my task allows me." She said looking up after finishing her deep bow. Théoden looked slight confused and his eyes a little unfocused but after a moment it cleared and he looked at Winifred questioningly.
"Does this request have any relation with Gandalf's reason for seeking council with me?" He coughed at her.
"I was not present during your council with Gandalf and can not answer that question." Winifred lied smoothly.
"Why must you leave with haste, surely you can wait a few days to properly prepare for it, and find an escort," He asked.
"I have prepared for this departure for two years my king and am more than ready, all I ask is your blessing to leave with and the hopes that when I return I am still welcomed in Meduseld, for both would mean very much to me." She bowed her head again. A moment passed, Winifred could feel Eomer's eyes burn into her back.
"Then you shall have it, and anything else you may desire." He pronounced in his ill voice. Winifred smiled, she would miss him, but was glad she would not watch him slowly slip away, lose himself, it would be too painfully. She dreaded the day she returned here, that day would be hard.
With a finally bow she swept from the hall. Eomer had kept to the side of the hall while she spoke to Théoden but came up behind her now.
"I'm coming with you." Eomer claimed. Winifred did not react to this and continued down the hallway to her room.
"No you're not, we both know this. You remember our conversation from Yuletide. You have things that need doing here, Eomer." Winifred said glancing back at Eomer. She was passing a darken alcove when she was abruptly pulled into the darkest corner of it. Her back was up against the wall and Eomer pressed into her front. She was surprised but not altogether shocked. She had a feeling he would make a last attempt to go with her.
"Winifred," he spoke low and passionately. It brought chills to her arms how intimate he was. "Please don't ask me to give you up." He had brought up his hands to caress her face. His eyes were hallow, empty, naked. These were the moments when he was most vulnerable. The moment where a little boy who lost his father and mother in one year came out. She hated herself for having to leave Eomer, she prayed that one day he would fully understand and until that moment accept that she had to go.
"You never have to give me up Eomer." Winifred spoke warmly up at Eomer. " I'm yours. I'm with you!" She whispered up at him. Eomer looked down at her in pain, as he leaned down and captured her lips in a searing kiss. The kiss was full of fire and passion. It was not the gentle kiss he normally bestowed upon her. This was his private goodbye. As his lips crashed into hers she moved hers into his. He hungrily took her lips, covering them, Winifred let him control this rough kiss, and she followed him this time. They clung to each other, pressing ever closer to each other. Eomer rested his forehead against Winifred's when this kiss finally ended.
"Oh, Winifred" Eomer sighed lightly. "What have you done to me? I feel as if I no longer control my fate in this world." His eyes still closed from the kiss. Winifred slowly opened hers. Looking at Eomer through eyelashes.
"This may be our last stolen moment together, and then it could be nearly half a year before I find you again." Winifred took a deep breath and looked away. This was the moment, the last push. The last time she saw Denny he had told her how she was the only star that would light up his night sky. She felt the same about him. But she was finding herself following her own advice. She told Denny that is was time for the sun to rise.
And rise it had. Eomer was her sun, brightly shining down on her, warming her with love and light. She never felt this… free. Free and in love, what more could anyone ask for. Winifred looked into Eomer's eyes, love pouring though her own.
"You're my sun Eomer, and I'll always come back to you. I gravitate around you, you are always pulling me towards you." she told him her hands had found its way to his check, one hand on each. Trapping Eomer in her hands. Then an idea came to her.
"Do you have your dagger on you?" she asked removing her hands as she bit her lip considered this 'out of the blue idea.' Eomer slightly confused about the abrupt change of topic replied.
"Why" he said concerned.
"Because, I would like to show you something people do in my land when they want to be as close to someone as if they are blood relatives, when they want to make a promise. A blood oath" Really Winifred just got this idea from books she had read, people becoming blood brothers or sisters, or even a blood pack of some sorts. Eomer looked Winifred sternly in the eyes, but she innocently just held out her hand waiting for him to hand it over. After a moment he did what she knew he would, she smirked at this.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" he asked with a strange tone. Winifred did not understand it.
"I know how to handle a dagger, Eomer." She said.
She held the dagger in her right hand and brought up her left hand. Then she pressed the dagger to the palm of her left hand nearly following the crease near her thumb, she cut a straight line, and blood slowly started seeping out of the cut. "My blood" she said looking at Eomer quickly. He took the dagger from her hand and did the same to his left palm as she had to her own. Eomer whispered "My blood." Then clasping his left hand with hers, their blood mingling together between their pressed palms. "Our blood" Winifred finally whispered. She smiled up at Eomer.
"Now our blood is one. I will always be with you, and you will always be with me. I'm with you, Eomer. I will return to you. I love only you." Winifred spoke with clarity. She liked the idea of a mark to represent Eomer on her left palm alongside the tattoo representing her time with Denny. Winifred and Eomer were fated to be together and Eomer showed his love for Winifred with his actions. The way he looked out for her, the way he accepted her. She wanted to make it clear to Eomer of her love for him.
Eomer looked at their clasped hands for a moment before smirking at Winifred. "You have no idea what you have done, do you?" He flashed a half-smile before giving Winifred a gentle kiss on her lips. Using his free hand to pull her into him.
"I will heed the advice you gave me. I will Endeavour to do this. I will wait for the day we are reunited. " He murmured against their lips. Winifred smiled into this soft kiss. Winifred lazily withdraw her hand from Eomer's and clasped hers together behind his head, finishing this leisurely kiss. She smiled up at him.
"Whenever I look at this I'll think of you now." She claimed.
"And I you." Eomer said. Slowly the moment was broken when a servant passed the alcove without noticing the hidden couple still tangled up in each other. Winifred let her arms drop and looked up once more at Eomer, the significance of what was to happen coming back to them.
"I'm leaving tomorrow Eomer, theirs nothing in this world that can stop this departure. But know this." Winifred made sure he was listening closely before continuing. "I will return to you, but before that can happen many things will change." Eomer furor his eyebrows. "This I know with certainty, so keep friends close and you temper" she made sure to exaggerate this point, "even closer. Don't let it control you Eomer." She left out a deep breath and rested her head on his chest. "the last thing I need to worry about is you getting into trouble because of your temper." Though she knew it would get him in trouble, maybe this little plea would some how keep him in control just slightly more.
With that Winifred slipped beneath his arm and continued down the hall. She entered her room and began the last stages of packing. Eomer came to her room a few minutes later.
"Let me bandage your hand before blood gets everywhere." He said to her. He had already bandaged his hand. Winifred smiled as he tended to her, with such gentle care. He gave her palm a kiss when he had finished.
"Give me your blades, I will take them to the black smith. They will need sharpening." He said to her, offering his help. Winifred gave him a small smile, gathering all her blades.
"Thank you." She said softly to him as he left the room. She continued to meticulously go through her room, not wanting to forget anything.
"So it's true, you are leaving?" Winifred turned to see Eowyn entering her room.
"Yes, for a time. But I will be back." Winifred replied. Dropping gear onto her bed, coming to stand in front of Eowyn.
"Why do you have to go?" Eowyn asked Winifred.
"I can't say." Winifred said taking Eowyn's hands into her own. "I go to protect Rohan, and all of Middle Earth. I wouldn't be leaving if it wasn't important." Eowyn nodded. She assisted Winifred with packing. They spoke very little, but Winifred was glad to have her company. Winifred made Eowyn promise to tell Theodred goodbye for her. She warned Eowyn of Grima, telling her to be careful.
"I'd keep a dagger handy just incase." Winifred told Eowyn.
Some time later Eomer deposited her freshly sharpened blades. Both Eomer and Eowyn stayed with Winifred for the rest of the day, is was a somber affair. Winifred took a small meal early and went to bed. Eowyn promised to help her put on her armor early the next morning. She gave them both tight hugs. She went to sleep easier than she expect.
Winifred was a woken by Eowyn the next morning, shaking her awake. It was still pitch black. Silently Winifred got ready. She put on a brown dress with two slits up the side, wearing dark green leggings beneath, and her soft leather boots. Eowyn put her hair into a tight single braid then helped put her armor on. First the chain mail. Then a thick red leather vest with a prancing horse, for added protection. Shoulder guards were added, then vambrace's and shin guards. She put on her leather belt with the long sword Eowyn had made for Winifred. Short knifes on both sides of her hips. Also a small knife was hidden in one of her boots. Finally she put on her quiver, the bow resting safely inside.
Winifred saw herself in the mirror. She was not the girl who had appeared in middle earth two years ago. She barely recognized herself. She looked serious, and confident. Training for battle for two years had given her muscles, and strength. She looked like she belonged here. She looked like a warrior. It was startling, and Winifred studied herself for a long moment.
"A shield maiden of Rohan indeed." Eowyn said, standing behind Winifred. Winifred turned to her.
"I couldn't have done it without you." Winifred said to Eowyn, and gave her a tight embrace, her eyes watering slightly. "I will miss you dearly, Eowyn." Eowyn returned her affection.
"My dear, dear, sister. Show them what woman are capable of." Eowyn whispered to her. "Show them the strength of shield maidens." Ending their embrace, smiling at each other.
Winifred got her helmet but the rest of her things had disappeared. "I had a servant take them to your horse." Eowyn answered her silent question. Winifred nodded, saying a last goodbye to Eowyn and left her room.
The halls of the Meduseld were empty. Only the guards on duty were present. She passed them with her head held high. They had seen her in full armor at the training fields, but she looked different. She looked as if she was leaving for battle. Most nodded to her. Some said "Lady Winifred." She acknowledged them and eventually exited the hall.
Winifred entered the royal stables to find Eomer in the stall with Barefoot. She also noticed Almund in another stall packing another horse.
"What's going on." She said approaching Eomer. He looked up, having just finished packing her horse and saddling it properly. He looked at Almund quickly, then turned back to Winifred.
"You can not go alone, Winifred. I may not know what expedition you are partaking in. But you must see how I can not let a woman roam the countryside by herself." Winifred flared with anger.
"Eomer, I must pass unseen. I must go quickly and quietly. This is not a leisure trip for pleasure. You cannot accompany me. Rohan will need you. I thought you understood that." She said to him. He shook his head.
"I do not understand it. But I trust you. Which is why I have made arrangements for Almund to go with you." Winifred whipped over to look at Almund, who had silently been approaching the couple.
"You have pledged to serve the King. You cannot leave his service. It would be desertion. That's treason, the King could cut your head off!" Winifred said to Almund she was seeing red. Of course Eomer had silently been working to make sure she would not be alone. Maybe this would explain why he was given the task to guard her more than any other. Had he been training for this? Winifred thought. This was the first time she regretted telling Eomer of her departure. Maybe is had been unwise.
"He had been given his orders by the third marshal of the Riddermark. I am sure the King will understand, he said you should have an escort." Eomer said behind her, she glared back at Eomer. Eomer was making so many assumptions about the future, as he should. How was he to anticipate Grima gaining control of everything and Saruman taking over Theoden's mind with Grima's help.
"You can not guarantee that! I should not have told you of my departure. You assume too much! You have no idea what the future holds." She spat at Eomer, he had never met Winifred's rage. She was not the docile, quite woman of middle earth, no she was a strong independent woman of earth. She was capable. She was not considered feeble, or mentally lacking. Coming to a world were the role of woman was so minute had been hard but this coming for Eomer was most disappointing to Winifred. She turned to address Almund.
"I will not let you leave without a guard, Winifred." Eomer said from behind her, she believed him, he would have Almund tail her. Winifred was so anger at herself for opening her big fat mouth, She barely noticed Almund looking at her and Eomer's bandaged left hands.
"If you leave with me, it can not be because of lord Eomer. You must understand that if you leave the king's service you are forfeiting your life. I will not let you come if you only come because you have been commanded to do so." She felt Eomer step closer. Winifred glanced his way and put her left hand on his chest, keeping him at bay from interfering. Almund looked at Eomer.
"No, do not look at Eomer. Look at me! I will be traveling a far way from here. And the minute we leave the safety of Rohan you must follow my orders. If I tell you that someone is a friend and not a foe, you must believe me. If I tell you to stay your hand, you must. If I tell you not to repeat anything you hear, you must not breathe a word. I cannot have you going against my orders to follow whatever orders Eomer has given you. It will be essential that you obey me, for no reason then it is what I say. Can you do that? " Winifred said looking intently at Almund for an extended moment. Almund fell to a knee, bowing his head to Winifred.
"An Oath of fealty is an unbreakable vow, and one that I shall carry until my blessed queen or death release me. Here now, I pledge myself to you, Lady Winifred. I will be a shield in times of peace and a sword in times of war. My council, my honor, and my name are yours." Almund said. She had never heard him speak so.
"Until we return safely to Edoras will do." Winifred added. Almund remained silent. Giving a loud huff she said "Alright, I accept. Please take the horses outside, I will join you in a moment. I would like to have a word with Lord Eomer." Almund stood, bowed once more and lead the horses out of the stable. Winifred turned to Eomer. He looked solemn, and worried.
"I should not have told you of my departure." Winifred said sternly. Eomer looked down at his feet. "You must understand that when I tell you things it is for your knowledge, not for you to act upon." She whispered to him trying to look him in the eyes. "I should not have told you. That was my mistake. I will not make it again." Eomer looked up at her, Hurt by this.
"You can not think that you can go riding into the wilderness without protection." He told her.
"It is none of your concern! Gandalf told you to trust me. He said I had wisdom even beyond his talents. He was right." She said to him, her anger dissipating.
"None of my concern? I care deeply for you, Winifred. It is my right to be concerned." He told her, hurt still in his expression.
"But you must trust my judgment. Please. It is the only way. One day soon it won't have to be this way, I will give up my sword, never to hold it again. I promise you. But that day wont be today, tomorrow or 6 months from now." Winifred said "I know you put up with a lot from me. I know that many men would not be so trusting and understanding of a woman. I am thankful for that. And though I am annoyed at you doing this behind my back, I can appreciate it. I will be gone soon. And you wont see me for some time." She stepped closer to him, putting her arms around his neck.
"So goodbye Eomer, son of Rohan." Winifred said then leaned up to give him a soft kiss. Eomer gripped her tightly, prolonging this embrace. Finally he released her. He did not say anything. She could see it in his face. She could feel it in his kiss. She did not need any other assurance of his love. She turned and left the stables. Eomer followed. Soon she was mounted on Barefoot and was trotting down the hill with Almund, the sun was just about to crest over the horizon. Winifred looked back for one last glance at Eomer. His face had become emotionless, his eyes had nothing in them. He was preparing to be closed off from the world again. She gave him a last wave.
"Where are we headed, Lady Winifred?" Almund asked. She turned to look at him.
"We are going north to see the Elves, Almund." She looked to see his look of distain spread across his face. This would be a culturally enriched experience for Almund. Winifred looked out to the vast fields of Rohan, Winifred thought of all that was to happen, reminding herself why she needed to leave Edoras.
Winifred needed to make sure her appearance in middle earth had not changed what was to happen in Rivendell. The council of Rivendell was extremely important, countless things were happening through the lands of middle earth. This council exposed many of them. She needed to make sure the fellowship was formed, with no member being left out. She needed to make sure they left on the 25th of December, just as they had in the book. Only after they began their journey would Winifred depart from Rivendell, taking a different path from the fellowship back to Rohan. She wanted to make sure she was back in Edoras by the time Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli crossed paths with Eomer in the East Mark, So that she could journey with them to helms deep.
She hoped to find a guide in Rivendell to lead them over the misty mountains directly east of Rivendell. Then she and Almund would follow the river Anduin south. They would go around Lorien. Though Winifred desperately wanted to enter, she did not want to enter the elven realm before the fellowship, and if this trip went as swiftly as she expect she did not want to risk it. Winifred and Almund would skirt around Fangorn forest and ride directly to Edoras. After the fellowship left, she would ask Elrond his opinion of this route, and about a guide. She had told Eomer to not expect her until just under half a year, but Winifred expected to be safely back by late January. Since she did not know the true distance and time it took on horse back, she did not want to give them a shorter time frame and then have them worry that something had happened to her.
With all of this in mind Winifred stared into the distance, the sun slowly rising behind her.
