Chapter 11 Tomorrow's Bleeding
She could not move, the guards held her firmly as much as she struggled against them. She was screaming at the top of her lunges, her throat felt strand and bloodied with her never-ending screeching. But it sounded as if she was plunged in icy cold water, the sound carried slowly and softly, distorted. She barely noticed the surroundings of the courtyard in front of the Golden Hall. There was massive amounts of faceless people, and as crowds do, they formed a circle. The center of the circle was the focus of Winifred's distress.
A tall wooden post was the centerpiece of the attention. It was a crude post, sprung out of the ground it seemed, for she had never seen such a post before the Golden hall before. Chained to the post was a bared chested Eomer. He was limp, his head lolling to the side, his body dangling by his strong arms raised above him, his legs unable to support his weight. His eyes were half-open, unfocused, dazed, he was no longer in this space and time, he was gone, elsewhere. She cold see a cold sweat had broken out on his body.
The reason behind his bewilderment was his bloodied, shredded back, and the whip kindly held in Grima's hand. Grima's deranged excitement evident on his face. He whipped Eomer again, Eomer did not make a sound. Winifred struggled more, trying to throw her guards off her but they felt like stone. Again, and again, and again Eomer was hit, his body jerking with each stroke, but he stayed silent. The strikes to Eomer's back lasted an eternity. Grima was crazed, he seemed determined to expose bone. Eomer was not meant to survive the onslaught. Blood was dripping from his mouth, and his lost eyes soon found Winifred's. His face began to come back to life as he started screaming to Winifred, she could not hear it through her muddled ears.
The guards finally pitied Winifred enough and escorted her to Eomer, they slowed her from the speed she wanted to reach him. With every step she took towards Eomer, the more he tried to regain his strength, he was attempting to stand but could not bear his weight, his face was one of pure terror. Finally, Winifred was close enough to comfort him, the guards let her go. His face was beat red, he had tears running down his face as he tried to tell her something. She still could not hear properly, being close to Eomer again brought her warmth, and she smiled deeply at him. While his face was still twisted with grief. She stretched out a hand to caress his face and reassure him.
Just before her fingers could wipe the blood from his mouth, her arm was nearly ripped from her as both arms were forcible brought above her head. Startled, Winifred looked up in time to see irons clapped on her wrists.
She felt a guard take a knife to her dress, ripping it from her form, her unmarked porcelain back exposed. She looked back at Eomer still yelling at her. Winifred was still confused about what was happening when she felt the first sting of the whip, kiss her smooth skin.
"NO, KILL ME! LET HER GO! LET HER LIVE! HAVE MERCY!"
"Lady Winifred." Lord Glorfindel gently shook her. Still cloudy from her nightmare Winifred woke with a start, sitting bolt upright. She could still hear the fading voice of Eomer in her head, him pleading with Grima for her life. She was gasping, and a single tear escaped her eye. She looked at her surroundings. She was bundled tightly in a thick fur blanket, in a small tent. She could feel Winters breath seeping into the shelter.
"Are you well?" The elven lord asked her soothingly.
Winifred nodded, "Yes, just a nightmare. I'm sorry, did I disturb you from rest, Lord Glorfindel?" She asked.
"I have the watch tonight. You have not disturbed a soul, Lady Winifred." Lord Glorfindel said. Winifred was rubbing her eyes, trying to expel the images of her nightmare, a shiver ran through her. "Is there anything I can do to aid you, My Lady?"
"Do you know what time it is." She replied, looking out of the edges of her flap but not seeing anything but the faint glow of the campfire.
"It will be a few more hours until the sun rises, My Lady. You should try to get back to sleep." He started to stand. "We go through the most challenging part of the pass tomorrow."
"Yes, I should. Thank you, Lord Glorfindel." She said. Lord Glorfindel nodded towards her and left her tent, shutting the flap tightly behind him. Winifred snuggled back into the warm soft furs. Her mind still replying her nightmare.
A few days after the fellowships departure from Rivendell, Winifred decided to pay Lord Elrond a visit.
"Enter" Lord Elrond's voice answered Winifred's soft knock on his door. He looked up from a heavy tomb he had been studying. A regal elf, with an intricate crown resting on his head, with long brown hair. While he looked no older than Winifred, she knew he had seen many ages of men. Winifred had been anticipating this meeting. She had told Almund to wait outside, not knowing what Lord Elrond would say or allude too. She came to Lord Elrond's study for three reason, she wanted to know how soon she could leave Rivendell, She wanted his advice on what path to take, and she wanted to know if he could provide a guide.
Winifred wanted to take the High pass across the Misty mountains, to avoid the path of the fellowship. She knew that the high pass had been cleared of dangers since Bilbo and his friend's had trekked across the mountain. But no place in all of middle earth was completely devoid of danger. Now in the beginning of winter would make passing through the mountain even more dangerous. Winifred also knew that while getting across the misty mountains as soon as possible was necessary she also knew that the other side of the misty mountains was more dangerous. For on this side of the mountain and across the river Anduin was Dol Guldur, Sauron's stronghold. Winifred's path was indeed dangerous, and she would need a guide, with the courage of a lion, and a fast horse.
"Lord Elrond, I hope I am not disturbing you." She said as she came into the room.
"Of course not. It is not often that Lady Winifred seeks out council." Lord Elrond responded with a slight smile. Winifred smirked at this. "Come, how may I assist you?" Lord Elrond held out an arm, indicating for Winifred to take a seat across from him.
"I was wondering when you might think it safe to leave Rivendell. I would like to begin my journey back home as soon as possible." Winifred said as she took her seat across from the great elven lord.
"It will not be safe to leave Rivendell until the ring has been destroyed. You may have more information pertaining to that." He answered. "But I do not think that is the answer you are looking for."
"No, it is not." She answered simply, avoiding his implications. Lord Elrond gave a sigh.
"I would not wish to see you leave until a week has passed. The path you choose will have to be well thought out." He replied.
"Well yes, that is another reason I have paid you a visit. I have an idea on what path I wish to take but I would like to hear your opinion on the matter, and if need be, a possible guide." Winifred said. She spent the next few hours with Lord Elrond ironing out her departure from the Elven sanctuary.
The last week at Rivendell expired quickly. While Winifred was sad to leave this ethereal home, her heart was yearning to see the open fields of Rohan. She got butterflies in her stomach thinking about seeing Eomer again. Had it really been over three months since she had last seen him?
Lady Winifred's departure fell at the same time the elves of Mirkwood would depart, So Almund and her self would venture with them across the mountains, then turn south for Rohan. Lord Glorfindel offered to travel with the Rohan company as far south as Lothlórien. The Elven lord came with two other elves.
This was not the first nightmare Winifred had experienced. She had been sleep deprived since they set out from Rivendell. It seemed the calming atmosphere of Rivendell had kept her nightmares at bay. Now with her journey home she had no idea what she was walking into. She had a vague idea but at this precarious time she had to be careful. Many pieces were moving around Rohan, she did not want to disturb any of them. She did not want Eomer to miss running into Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. She did not want to have an accidental run in with the party of Uruk- hai headed to attack the fellowship, nor run into the party of Orcs from Moria, and she did not want to spook Grima into putting Théoden King Further into the spell of Saruman. Not to mention the trouble Saruman was stirring up in the Westfold.
Traveling over the misty mountains had been as cold and miserable as Winifred had expected. The company more than made up for it. They provided their sweet breads, and wine. The wine could warm her toes within seconds from the first drop hitting her lips. The sweet breads could fill them, though Winifred and Almund had procured more than bread for their stores. The elves would sing at times, or go hours in complete pensive silence. Winifred spent most of her time with Lord Glorfindel. He seemed more interested in the Rohan company then the elves of Mirkwood, not that Almund minded. Almund was content to have a party while crossing the mountains. Beyond that he looked forward to crossing into the borders of Rohan.
Many decades ago the high pass had been crawling with Goblins. Since then, it had painstakingly purged and kept open. But in a region so foreign to both Winifred and Almund they were happy that they progressed rather quickly over the mountain, only the last stretch remained before the company would split.
The next morning the company set out early. Winifred felt as if she was in cruise control, now used to long journeys by horseback. The company rode in silence for many hours, Winifred barely noticed, so preoccupied with her thoughts over her nightmare. Once they stopped for lunch, Almund sought out Winifred.
"My Lady, are you not well?" Almund discreetly asked Winifred.
"I am fine Almund, thank you." Winifred gave him a brief smile of reassurance, but she could only imagine her appearance. He nodded uncertainly at her lie and handed her some food. When the company was ready to depart again, Lord Glorfindel came to Winifred and Almund.
"We will be going through the most difficult part of the pass, it is a narrow ravine with many paths diverting deeper into the mountains. For those who do no know the path can get lost easily. It is also the most dangerous part of the pass. Be on guard." Lord Glorfindel explained.
Lord Glorfindel had been right, the company had to proceed in a single file as they entered the ravine. Winifred could touch both sides of the walls with her hands outstretched during certain sections. As the company was enveloped by this narrow pass, silenced descended.
Almund was behind her, Lord Glorfindel in front. She could not see any companions beyond them but knew she was near the middle of their caravan. She could hear their horses make sounds of uncertainty but not barefoot. Barefoot sauntered on as if she was walking through the fields of Rohan. Nothing seemed to bother her. Even if the narrow ravine spooked her rider. She took comfort in Barefoot. Soon Winifred closed her eyes and imagined herself outside the narrow passage. Eventually, Winifred was able to feel comfortable.
The narrow passage was beginning to expand when Winifred heard distant rocks shifting in the dark cracks in the wall. She opened her eyes with a start, a cold sweat breaking out on her skin and her senses picking up a disturbance. "Does anyone hear that?" Winifred breathed to her companions, as the hairs stood up on the back of her neck. Too frighten to look to her sides, Winifred discreetly placed a hand on her sword, as Barefoot began to become unsettled, huffing and stomping her feet. She could hear Almund's horse being in a similar state of unease.
"Yes." Lord Glorfindel answered before a roaring was heard on either side of her and Orc's where pouring out of the cracks in the ravine, like ants scurrying out of a hole in the ground, all entering the ravine quickly and each heading for a different target. The Elves were already off their horses and in combat with many of the abhorrent creatures. A couple of Elves had been able to fire off a few arrows before drawing their long swords. Winifred was able to withdraw her sword before she was pulled from Barefoot by the claws of an Orc's.
She landed on her back but quickly plunged her sword into the Orc hovering over her with a menacing grin. Orc's were just as sickening and ugly in person as she had imagines. Their skin was grayish, whether from dirt or natural causes was hard to tell. They reeked of death and rotting corpses. No Orc was similar in appearance. All had different physical deficiencies, all were scarred and maimed, no clear-cut uniform among them. A motley crew of chaos. Linked by their love of darkness and all things evil and unnatural.
The sensation of sinking her sword into flesh was new to Winifred and it gave a sickening sound as it smoothly entered under what she assumed was the ribcage. It reminded her of how it felt cutting up raw meat, except the meat her sword was currently cutting into was live flesh. Even with the grotesque black blood flowing from the wound and onto her, and the hideous Orc face that was closer to her face then she liked, she was stunned for a moment as she saw the life fade from its dark cloudy eyes.
"Lady Winifred!" Almund called a few paces away, fighting to his charge. This was enough to bring Winifred back to the present. She heaved the Orc off her blade and stood quickly. She had never fought in she close quarters before, She was more concerned with keeping the Orc's from Barefoot then protecting her own life. Barefoot was neighing and restlessly, jumping at all the activity. She hoped Barefoot didn't hurt herself.
Another Orc charged at Winifred but it was easily disposed of. It ran towards her with both arms raised, leaving his under belly exposed. One swift slash to the gut brought the creature down. It had been unprepared for her knowledge of swordplay and paid for it in blood. With no time to lose she was on to the next opponent. Another Orc replaced the fallen one, this one kept making a screeching sound, and it was off-putting. Winifred met its abrasive advance with equal vigor. The clashing of metal was stinging her ears in such small quarters in never-ending ringing. The Orc left its neck exposed after Winifred had neatly avoided a blow to her side. Seeing nothing but an opportunity, Winifred went for the kill and displaced its head from the rest of its body, blood spraying out from the exposed neck. The head rolling behind her.
She turned as another Orc advanced fast and caught Winifred off guard. Taking a more defenses pose with this Orc. She kept blocking and being pushed back. She needed to advance before she found herself stuck in a corner. After ducking from a blow to her head, she struck at his thigh, leaving a large jagged gap in his leg to the bone. The Orc let out another head-splitting screech, before it continued its offensive attack on Winifred. She slipped on a rock while trying to regain her footing. The Orc took advantage of this and grabbed Winifred's head and slammed it into the stonewall. Winifred crumpled to the ground as her vision doubled. The Orc was laughing down at her. Suddenly an arrow appeared between his eyes. It fell before Winifred. Almund appeared where the Orc had just been, putting his Bow away.
"Lady Winifred!" Almund kneeled before her, checking her head. Winifred was feeling dizzy, while she knew she was stationary, the world around her moved in a twisted uneven picture frame. She could see the blood that stained her hands, the smell of the death at her feet, the bitter taste of adrenaline lingering in her mouth. She turned from Almund seeking fresh air and saw the rock she had stumbled on was the head of the Orc she had decapitated. Winifred vomited.
"My lady!" Another voice called out. Winifred vaguely noted the sounds of battle had died down. The Orc's had been dispatched by the Elven company. Lord Glorfindel came into Winifred's view, she gave him a drugged stare.
"Her head has sustained an injury." Almund said as he brought a water skin to Winifred mouth for her to drink. Winifred choked down the water, dispelling the taste of waste in her mouth.
"I'll be alright, I just need a moment." Winifred breathed to the men.
"We must leave this area, it will be too dangerous to linger. Can you ride, Lady Winifred?" Lord Glorfindel asked his companion. She nodded haphazardly as the two fuzzy imagines of Lord Glorfindel slowly became one again.
"Yea, let's get out of here." Winifred replied and with the help of Almund, she was back in the saddle. The pace of the company had picked up. By nightfall Winifred had a splitting headache and a lump on the side of her head.
Hours later they found a place to rest for the night. Two guards were chosen to keep watch. Winifred was perched on an ice-cold rock with her fur cloak wrapped tightly around her, and a handful of snow pressed to the side of her head. They did not risk a fire this night.
"You did well today, My Lady." Almund said as he brought her the evening meal. Winifred accepted it but only nibbled at the rations.
She gave him a harsh laugh, "my head feels like it's been split in two. I got by today."
"It was a difficult first encounter. Not much room to maneuver, you reacted quickly enough. You did well, better than most on their first battle." Almund doing his best to reassure Winifred.
"If you say so," she mumbled back at him as she continued to pick at her food. She did not feel like eating after her first encounter in killing something. While the Orc's would undoubtedly have killed her, she had never killed before. She could not get the horrid dead faces out of her head, the smell from her nose, or lose the sensation of her sword cutting into their flesh from her hands. She felt liable to another round of sickness at a moments notice. Lord Glorfindel approached the pair.
"Tomorrow we will reach the bottom of the passage and part ways with our Mirkwood companions, and begin our journey south." Lord Glorfindel said.
"Thank you for accompanying us, Lord Glorfindel. With the events of today I feel better having extra sets of eyes until we are closer to Rohan." Winifred said to the Elven lord. She had wanted only a guide to show Almund and herself through the pass, but when it was realized that the Mirkwood company would also be departing, Winifred did not see a need in it. Lord Glorfindel had insisted on going as far as Lothlórien. At first Winifred did not like a fuss being made on her behalf. Now she was sorry to see the Mirkwood company depart. They had been pleasant and accommodating, though no showed any interest in humans, that was not all together unusual for their race and Winifred took no offense. Their silence was comfortable.
"Let me see your wound." Lord Glorfindel said as he moved closer to Winifred. She removed the snow as his fingers undid her braid and began probing her head. She gave soft moans of pain when his fingers touched a sore spot. When he had finished his examination his skilled hands braided her hair quickly and pulled the hood of her cloak over her head.
"There is no open wound. Your head will be sore for a few days. Here, drink some wine and then rest." Lord Glorfindel handed her the wine from Rivendell. Winifred followed his instruction with obedience and slipped into dreamless sleep once she entered her small tent.
Winifred was excited for this next foot of the journey. Now that they had gone through the rocky mountainous terrain, the next part would be a breeze for their four-legged companions. Winifred hoped to be back in Edoras by the end of January. She would feel better the further south the group traveled.
The Mirkwood Elves departed after the midday meal. With Lord Glorfindel in the lead the group of five made their way south. Soon the group found a rhythm to their liking and they fell into a comfortable pattern. The elves always took the night watch since they did not require the same sleep as humans did. They could sleep with their eyes open while horseback riding. Lunch was done quickly, enough time to stretch out sore muscles, grab a snack from your pack and get back on your steed. Generally, they set up camp in the same pattern of tents. Almund's tent being closest of course. The group would eat the last meal of the day around a campfire together.
"So who pulls you back to Rohan with such fervor?" Lord Glorfindel boldly asked one night around the campfire. Winifred blushed. Lord Glorfindel and Winifred had developed a sort of friendship. While no other elf would dream of being so bold, Lord Glorfindel felt comfortable in asking such a question.
"What makes you say that, Lord Glorfindel?" She asked him in return. Lord Glorfindel gave a small smile before looking over at his Elven brethren.
"From my knowledge of men, they do not suffer from night terrors unless they fear for a loved one." He said gently to her. Winifred gave a small smile as she avoided his gaze, embarrassed. It was true she was still have disturbing dreams, though none as bad as the one Lord Glorfindel had to wake her from.
"Am I that easy to read, Lord Glorfindel?" Winifred said, feeling heat in her cheeks. Almund sitting silently besides her, eating his meal.
"Do you want me to answer you, Lady Winifred?" He replied. Winifred gave him a laugh for his candor.
"Yes, Lord Glorfindel. I do have a loved one I worry for in my absences." She finally answered his inquiry. "My Beloved is Lord Eomer, Third Marshal of the Riddermark." It seemed odd to Winifred. Eomer and Winifred had been hiding their relationship for so long, it seemed as if she would get jumped by unknown terrors if she spoke the words out loud. At times in the golden hall she felt like Juliet, sneaking away in to the night with her Romeo for sweet kisses. Though she wished it had happened more than a handful of times. With every step closer to Rohan her hands felt a tingle in them, as if her body was so attuned to Eomer that she felt herself getting closer.
She would love for the secrecy not to be needed but that would mean going against all of Rohan's hopes and wishes, since all of Rohan was under the impression she was the saving grace of Rohan, destined to be Theodred's Queen, saving the land from darkness. If only she had never left her room and waited for a maid to remember her last yuletide. Winifred gave a soft sigh.
"He must be an impressive man. To have captured your heart." Lord Glorfindel smiled at her.
"He is a good man, an honorable man, he's everything I could ever ask for. In truth, I'm not sure what he sees in me. And I'm shocked at the ease he accepts my unorthodox ways." She answered in mirth.
"You are a strong and honorable Lady, Lady Winifred. Lord Eomer would be quick to point this out if he were present." Almund said dismissively, still paying attention to his meal.
"A smart man to be sure." Lord Glorfindel ended the conversation.
At the end of the next day the group crest over a hill and in the far distance spotted a forest covering the east, and the river Anduin disappearing into its depths.
"Is that the Golden Wood?" Winifred asked squinting far ahead. Almund drew his horse besides her and she heard him whisper " Dwimordene." His cool blank face was altered for a moment, Winifred thought she saw trepidation in his eyes.
"Yes, Men call it the Golden Wood. It has many names in many tongues. We now call it Lothlórien, Lórien of the Blossom. It is the heart of Elfdom in all of Middle Earth." Lord Glorfindel spoke with such adoration, his face softening at the sight. Winifred could hear Almund murmuring under his breath in Rohirric.
"How long until we reach Lothlórien?" Winifred asked Lord Glorfindel.
" A little over two days. Another day or so to go around Lothlórien. Once we are on the southern side, I will depart from your company and you will continue your journey south." Lord Glorfindel replied. Winifred nodded at him.
"And soon we will be back within the borders of Rohan, Almund." She casted Almund a warm look. This seemed to brighten his spirits. "What do you think Almund, maybe a week at most before we are warming our feet in the Golden hall?" She laughed at him. He gave her a smile in return, glad to be so close to home.
"We shall rest here tonight." Lord Glorfindel called out to the group. Their campsite was fully formed in an hour. The horses watered, a lively fire set, tents raised, now all companions were seated around the fire with their simple meals at hand. One of Lord Glorfindel's elven companions had been compelled to sing. Though Winifred did not know what the elf was saying it was soothing. He had the magically, musically voice of his kind.
Winifred tighten her cloak around her as she stare absent-mindedly into the fire, listening to the song. It was not long before Winifred felt herself nodding to sleep. While she was on the cusp of sleep she heard the warning call of Barefoot. Her eyes snapped open as a pack of Orc's descended upon the small group.
Hope you enjoyed. - C xoxo
