Her entire body felt like stone. Every part of her body ached. It took her more effort to open her eyes than she ever thought possible. And she just ended up squeezing her eyes shut again. The soft light from the torches was like knives to her head. She groaned softly. Her thoughts were muddled at best and now it hurt even to try to think.
"My lady," a soft voice floated down to her through the pain. She knew that voice. A hand settled on her shoulder. She tried to breath through the pain. "I apologize." The warden pulled his hand away. Lothíriel hadn't realized she protested. "Your father and brothers are in council. I can send for them." She attempted to nod her head, but pain blossomed through her head.
Instead she managed a whispered affirmative around the cotton lining her throat. The warden chuckled and told her she was through the worst of it. Working up the energy, Lothíriel asked him to dim the flames. Then she tried opening her eyes again.
She was still in the Houses of Healing. A half finished game sat near her elbow. The room had not changed, but the faces of the warden and his assistants were looking at her with a mix of shock, relief and awe. "Thank you, warden." Lothíriel whispered reaching out her hand to him. The warden kissed her hand. And Lothíriel found the more she moved the more the pain ebbed. She struggled to sit up. One of the assistants helped her and settled the pillows behind her.
"Where did my family go?" she asked. This provoked sobs from one the younger assistants. Lothíriel met the warden's gaze. "What happened?"
The warden lowered himself onto his knees. "It is my fault, my lady. The attempt on your life was performed by one under my own tutelage. Your father called a council to deal with the one who poisoned you."
Lothíriel waved her hand. "Help me up."
"My lady," the warden sounded astonished.
"Now," Lothíriel demanded curtly. Anger propelled her as she swung her legs over the edge of the chaise. Her feet touched the cold stone floor and she braced herself as she stood. Fire lit in her feet, traversing up her legs. Breathing slowly she took a small step. The fire raged on but she took another step and felt the flames lose some of their power.
Two assistants wrapped a shawl around her shoulders and the warden offered her his arm. Together they walked through the halls, but when they came to the chamber where the council was meeting Lothíriel stepped forward alone. The warden hovered near her elbow. Lothíriel nodded to the two guards who opened the doors for her.
Many of the warriors stood, prepared to object to an intruder. But no obligation was voiced as Lothíriel stepped into the hall.
At the head of the table, Aragorn presided with the assistant Leofflæd bowed at his side.
Lothíriel ignored the looks and headed straight for Leofflæd. The healer rose to meet the princess. "My lady, you live."
It took all of Lothíriel's will not to slap the assistant for her crime. Instead Lothíriel demanded between gritted teeth. "I have only one question. Why, Leofflæd?"
"I never meant to cause you harm, my lady." The healer bowed before clasping Lothíriel's feet. "I did not realize the poison would bring harm to your person."
Taking a step to the side, Lothíriel removed her feet from Leofflæd's grasp. "That was not my question." Lothíriel clarified, "Why did you want harm to come to you king's heart? To your kingdom's jewel?"
"You are our kingdom's jewel," Leofflæd responded indigently.
The anger vanished from Lothíriel; only to be replaced with a deafening sorrow. She shook her head. "Don't you realize. I would give my life to protect the queen's. I would expect you to do the same." She sighed, turning away from the prostrate healer. "Did you think she would care for you any less than I? Do you think I could do any better than she?" Turning back Lothíriel held Leofflæd's gaze until the healed lowered her gaze.
"We were afraid. The king, most of men here," she waved her hand to the room. "They all come from afar. And even the queen. Who would know us? Who would stand up for us?"
Lothíriel nodded. "And is that to be Gondor's legacy? That they were afraid." She held up her hand as Leofflæd made to object. "You will give the names of all your coconspirators to the king. It is his love that you made to murder. Throw yourself on his mercy. And remember that regardless of what it seems there are Gondorians in this room. Your voice is represented." Taking a step forward Lothíriel placed a hand on the woman's head. "I think we've had enough death for a lifetime."
As Lothíriel left the healer fell huddled on the floor sobbing. The council stood in argument, but Aragorn called for silence and all sound ceased, even the crying. "Imrahil, I assume you and your sons wish to see you daughter so I will make this brief. Leofflæd, if you agree to give names, no harm will come on any you name. I wish to address this strife without bloodshed. Until then you will be kept in the dungeon. Faramir, see that she is well looked after."
~x~
As the meeting broke, Éomer put a hand on Faramir's arm. "I'll take her down. You go see your cousin." Clapping his arm on Éomer's in return, Faramir nodded.
After seeing to the prisoner Éomer made his way to the family of Dol Amroth. Lothíriel sat next to Arwen in the queen's receiving chambers. Her family held her close. Over her father's shoulder, Lothiriel's gaze met Éomer's and she smiled, a silent thank you for his work.
~x~
Two days later the Rohirrim were preparing to return to Rohan. Lothíriel hadn't had the opportunity to thank Rohan's king for helping her. When she'd first woke, her family, friends, and the healers had hovered over her every moment. Then it was as if they had disappeared.
Lothíriel stared at the game board. The pieces were still set as they had been when she woke up. She didn't even remember which color she'd been. Picking up one of the red pieces, Lothíriel sat down on the chaise.
"Still tired?" a voice asked softly. Lothíriel glanced up to find Rohan's king watching her from the doorway. She smiled and set the piece back on the board. "I wanted to thank you."
She looked up at him sharply, her eyebrows coming together in confusion. "Whatever for?" she asked breathlessly.
Éomer stepped forward and sat in the chair opposite her. "I needed a clear focus to see past my demons. That investigation helped me look past myself and focus on what's more important."
He knew she was studying him. "And what was that?" He looked back at her and found that her gaze met his directly. "What is more important?"
"Rohan is more important. My people deserve the best king and since there are no other options available, that's what I'm going to do." Éomer was somber. The decision was one thing. He still had no idea how he was going to accomplish the task before him. But at least he was ready to do whatever needed to be done.
Lothíriel opened her mouth the thank him, but he silenced her with a leveled expression and a hand on hers. Taking her hand in his, he turned her palm up and place her jewel inside. "If there is anything I can do to thank you."
"I think there is enough gratitude to go around. Go to your people, Éomer King. Be the leader they need and deserve. I have faith in you." Her fingers closed softly around her necklace as if in absence of thought.
In silence they rose and headed to the courtyard, the Rohirrim were mounting and readying to for the long journey ahead. Éomer headed to the forefront. Taking his helmet from his marshal Elfhelm, Éomer mounted Firefoot. He would lead the way out of the city. Éowyn, the white lady of Rohan, came to his side. The picture they made, a noble pair to lead a proud people.
With a long blow of the horn, the Rohirrim rode from the city. The people of Gondor lined the streets. They cheered, threw down flowers and cried for their Rohan allies. For the first time in their lifetimes, Gondor and Rohan were true friends and allies.
~x~
Happy Christmas all!