The Wild Westfold

By: Lauthica Green Clinkenbeard

Chapter Eighteen: Buttocks and Barrels

The caravan was being loaded. I was sitting down on the stairs outside of the hall staring out onto the horizon of the ravine. Eomer had been out of sight now for over an hour now but I could not tear my eyes away. I made him mad again. I was rash and jumped to conclusions and stomped all over his innocent attempt of a romantic gesture. I had come to the realization that I did, in fact, love him. I, however, had absolutely no idea what his conclusions were. He was definitely drawn to me for whatever reason. I do not think he would have been so emotional seeing me after our long absences away, but I was begging to notice a pattern. When I returned to Edoras after eleven years it was near impossible to part him from me and then he turned cold and cruel in the stables. He cried when he found me in the ravine and then he would rip rock out of my face forcefully in spite! There were much larger powers at work here but I could not tell if they were weaving together my and Eomer's threads of fate or crossing our stars.

"Deya?"

I turned around to see Eowyn standing behind me holding a wooden crate.

"Yes, Lady Eowyn?" I asked looking up at her.

"I believe this is yours." She said and handed the crate out to me. "The servants were about to pack it back onto the caravan and I thought you might want to change before we depart." She said smiling. I raised an eyebrow. Well, I suppose Eomer was as abrupt and changeful as Eowyn.

"Thank you." I said and I took the crate and set it beside me returning my gaze out to the ravine. There was now a steady stream of people leaving to return to their homes. Eowyn did not leave. I turned back around and looked up at her.

"Have you eaten?" she asked. "There is some fresh bread on the table." She said pointing into the hall.

"I have not yet eaten but I will find something or other in time." I said and turned away from her again. Still she lingered.

"We should be ready to depart within the hour." She said and she too looked out onto the ravine. I glanced up at her. What was she trying to do? Why was she being so nice to me all of a sudden? I stood and picked up my crate.

"Lady Eowyn, I am the highest ranking soldier in this fortress. Whatever you wish to say you may speak freely. I am under your command now." I said and nodded my head toward her. Her smile faded.

"I was not making conversation because I had a command or chore. I was just trying to be polite." She said quickly.

"I am sorry, Lady Eowyn. If you would excuse me, I would like to go change." I said and I started to walk toward the hall.

"Actually," she said following me, "There was something I wanted to ask you." She said. I stopped and looked at her.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I did not get to see my brother for very long and I was wondering about him. He returned from the ravine with you and then he disappeared for a while into the caves before he left." She said.

"We did not exchange many words. He seemed like he was good health. He did mention that he was eager to return to Edoras to relax." I said.

"That's good. He had not had any leave time for at least two years." She said. "It seems so strange…" she said and then her eyes gloss over and she stared into space.

"Lady Eowyn?" I asked. She broke from her trance.

"I'm sorry. It's just that Eomer and I were best friends when we were children. When our father died he started to grow distant. He had to, he was the man of the house….then when our mother died and we were moved to Meduseld he started partaking in more military duties. Then you came into the picture. I always knew we would grow up and go our separate ways but I must admit I wasn't entirely prepared to share my brother with another woman. It seems silly, I know." She said and she shook her head and wiped some of the excess moisture from her eyes.

"I don't think you have anything to worry about. I do not deny that Eomer and I are closer than the average man and woman but I have no idea how he truly sees me, nor do I have any inkling of what women have been to him in his past." I said.

"Eomer has always been a strong man and a dedicated soldier. There have not been very many women. In his younger days he would visit the brothel on occasion. He never had any serious lovers to my knowledge and now that he is an adult I have not seen him anywhere near a woman romantically for many years." She said.

"What are you saying?" I asked. "Has Eomer never showed any affection to any other woman?"

"I have known my brother for over twenty years. I have never heard him speak a single word about any woman. I have never seen him cry over any woman. I have never seen him day dream off into space over any woman. Except you. When you are near I can see his eyes deceive him. That day you returned to Meduseld we were both standing before Théoden King waiting to tell him of Theodred's condition. When Hama leaned in and whispered something into his ear he reached out and grabbed Hama shoulder's accusing him of jesting. Then he turned on his heels and ran to the doors faster than I have ever seen him run." She said and she smiled. "It was nice to see him act more like a man and less like a soldier."

I could not meet her eye. I looked down to the floor and tried not to react to her words.

"I must get ready." I said quickly and I hurried through the hall. This time I went through the archway that was just behind the king's throne. There was a single hallway with a handful of rooms. I tried the first door but it was locked. The second door opened. I entered the room and closed the door. I set the crate down and then leaned against the door. Why does all this information come to me when Eomer was not around? I wanted nothing more now than to run to him and embrace him. What kind of mess have I found myself in as of late?

I opened the crate and dug around until I found my tan chemise and my green, wool dress. It was to get out of the breeches. They were comfortable but the fabric gripping my legs always made me feel naked. After I finished tying the cords of the dress I found another tie in the crate and I worked my hair into a single, long braid. I folded up the breeches, shirt, and tunic and started to pack them into the crate when I felt velvet graze my fingertips. I froze for a moment and then dug a little deeper and pulled out Eomer's light, green sketch book. I had completely forgotten that I had packed it. I sat down on my knees tucking back the hem of my dress and opened it. I felt my heart sink a little bit in my chest. What was I expecting? Just because I loved him didn't mean that he would fall into my arms. Fighting wargs was tough….fighting Uruk-Hai was tougher….fighting to win Eomer would be my greatest battle yet.

I returned the book to the crate and picked it up. I entered the hall and out the doors to add my crate to the caravan. The stable boys were already starting to ready the horses. I returned to the caves and found my way back to the remains of my fire from earlier. I used water from the pool to put out the last of the red coals and then took down my little rack. I put my laces back into my boots. I picked up my bundle with my guards and breastplate and walked back to the front of the hall. I found Thenhines and attached my sword to his saddle. I wrapped my guards and breastplate and attached them as well.

Eowyn soon came out of the hall and found her horse and mounted it. I mounted Thenhines and trotted him up to her side. I had not realized just how small our party was. Apart from Eowyn and I, only a handful of guards, Lady Da, and a few servants were traveling with us. I was happy that everyone was on horseback this time. The journey would be a lot faster than last time. We had already reached the same lake by the large hill by nightfall. The servants pitched a tent for Eowyn. She offered me to join her but I declined. I found a nice, soft grassy spot near the lake and laid down directly on the ground. I put my hands behind my head and looked up at the moon and stars. One day had passed….three or four more to go before Eomer returned to Edoras and we could have some time alone.

I sat up quickly as a realization passed through my mind. I had never really had any alone time with Eomer before, at least not more than an hour or so. If he had no military duties what would he do? Did he have friends? Did he go riding? Swimming? I knew he sketched but surely he would not do that all day. Would he seek my company or would he ignore me?

I did not sleep well that night and I was one of the first to rise and ready to ride. I lingered to the back of the party. Everyone seemed to be moving slower. I wanted the days to pass quickly. Unfortunately, we reached Edoras just as the sun was setting that day. I was surprised to find that the streets were bustling despite the late hour. Many townsfolk came out to greet and the rest were all rushing around with animals being taken to slaughter. Carts were being drawn up to Meduseld loaded with flour, grains, and vegetables. Théoden King and party were not expected to return for a few days and people were already getting ready for the feast? What kind of feasts do they throw here in Edoras? If this was a feast thrown for a battle I wondered what they did for a birth or good harvest.

Servants were waiting at the front doors of Meduseld to assist Eowyn. I dismounted Thenhines and unbound my sword and parcel from his saddle. I led him to the waiting stable hand. I stopped by the steps of the hall and looked up. It was good to be back. I found my crate on the caravan and entered the hall. Eowyn was sitting at a table eating some kind of stew. I was hungry but I think I will just visit the kitchen before I go to bed. I walked over to Eowyn.

"What will be my duties here, Lady Eowyn?" I asked. She finished her spoonful and then set it on the table. She wiped her mouth on a napkin and then she stood up.

"Your services are no longer required." She said and she walked passed me toward the archway to the halls. I blinked a few times and then I turned around and followed her.

"What do you mean 'my services are no longer required?' " I asked. She stopped and looked at me.

"Did you not speak to Théoden King at all before he left?" she asked.

"No." I said.

"He informed me that on our return to Edoras you were to be moved into reserve status. You will off duty until the need arises." She said and she said it so calmly.

"I can't just be put on the reserve. I am the second in command." I said sternly.

"You were the second in command. Théoden offered the position to Grimwold for his brave actions at the gate of the keep." She said.

"What? I cannot just be replaced on such a folly!" I said feeling my anger rising.

"I cannot read Théoden King's mind. His actions are his own, but they are the final law. You can take it up with him when he returns. I am tired, good night." She said and she walked toward her room. I lingered in the hall clenching my fist. How could Théoden do this? Would I still receive a title for my actions or had he returned to his original plan on making me a ward of Meduseld? Feast or no feast, when the first news reached my ears of their return I would meet him at the gate with a few questions.

I walked down the hall and opened the door to Eomer's room. It was just as I had left it. The clothes still hung from the rafters waiting to be put away and I could still see imprints on the bed from where Freda and I had laid. I set my crate down on the floor by the floor. The sunlight was rapidly dwindling. I lit a fire in the fireplace and started to light some candles around the room. I took down the clothes from the rafters and started to put them in their proper place. I took out Eomer's sketch book from my crate and put it back in his hidden cabinet. I left the rest of my stuff in the crate. When Eomer did return I would most likely be moved to a different room. I took my dress off and folded it up and put it on top of my crate. It was still early in the evening but with Hama gone and Gamling away I doubt that I would receive any visitors.

I tidied up a few things in the room and then I wrapped Eomer's cloak around my shoulders and went to the kitchen. Eohides was the only servant there washing dishes from supper. She looked up at me and smiled.

"Back again? Ha! You should ask for a job." She said. I knew it was a joke but the last thing I wanted was to become a servant again.

"I am hungry." I said. "What is there to eat that does not need to be prepared?" I asked.

"There are still plenty of apples, there is a bit of bread left though it has started to harden. I can get you a bit of cheese if you like." She said as she finished up the dishes.

"An apple sounds fantastic." I said smiling and I went over to the drink well and opened the submerged barrel. I took out two apples and then left the kitchen bidding Eohides a good night. I returned to Eomer's room and I sat down and ate the apples. My mind began to drift away from me. I tossed the apple cores into the waste bucket in the corner and then went over to Eomer. I threw myself onto the blankets and gathered them all around me smelling them. I rolled over onto my back and stared up at the ceiling. Tomorrow night will be the last night I will sleep in this bed. I sighed and stood back up. I blew out the candles and then returned to the bed. I grabbed one of the pillows and hugged it close to me imagining it was Eomer. I may never knew what it really feels like to lie next to him.

The morning seemed to come all too quickly. I rose from the bed and rekindled the fire. I had no pressing matters to attend. I had no chores. I changed into my white chemise and then pulled out my brown dress. I unbraided my hair and let it flow down long. I grabbed Eomer's cloak and wrapped it around my shoulders. I dug around my crate until I found the little pouch of money that Lord Mekastre had given me. Hama wouldn't be giving me free clothes and favours anymore. I was on my own.

There were only a few servants walking around in the halls. Some were cleaning the chamber pots and some were carrying laundry back and forth between the rooms. I walked into the hall. I stopped at a table and took a little corn cake that had been baked for breakfast. I munched on it as I left the hall and began to walk down the road toward the market area.

Edoras was far from being the largest capital in Middle earth, it's buildings seemed humble and stoic, but as for the market there was none better. Vendors of all trades gathered in the little stalls and sheds to sell anything and everything you could imagine. People came from all corners of Rohan to buy their wares and even some from more distant lands. Many of the vendors were just starting to set up for the day. I say the sign for the fabric and clothing vendor. I entered.

"Good morning, Deya!"

I turned around and was happy and surprised to see Julia. I threw my arms around her.

"Julia! Heavens! How have you been? I have not seen you since….." I didn't dare finish my sentence for fear of bringing up painful memories.

"What can I do you for today? We just finished up looming a fine bolt of red wool that would make a fine evening frock." She said.

"I would rather not buy fabric. I am no stranger to making clothes, but I have so few garments that I seem to have a dire need. What do you have to offer in near my size?" I asked. "I need chemises and a few frocks."

"We have plenty of chemises." She said and she went over to the far side of the room. She looked around on various planks of wood that had labels scribbled on them. "Ah ha!" she said and she pulled out a basket and brought it over to the table. She took the lid off and started to thumb through the folded wares of all different colors.

"I had no idea that you would have so many ready for sale." I said looking into the basket.

"Chemises are worn to death. There is always at least one customer a day coming in to buy them." She said "Here we are. How many do you need?" she asked.

"Five would be fine." I said.

"Any color?" she asked.

"Yes." I said. Julia picked out a white, blue, green, brown, and red chemise and folded them back up and stacked them up in an empty basket.

"Alright, what kind of dresses would you like?" Julia asked going back over to the baskets on the shelves.

"A few simple ones. Any fabric." I said. She started to dug around in the basket and pulled out a few simple wool dresses.

"You know, I think I have a nice evening gown in your size. Would you be interested?" she asked. I thought about it for a moment. I already had a nice evening dress; the one Lady Da gave me.

"No thanks." I said smiling.

"Are you sure. It's a new pattern I came up with." She said. I chuckled.

"I wouldn't mind taking a look at it." I said. Julia folded up the wool dresses and added them to the basket with the chemises.

"It's in the back." She said and she led me through a door in the corner by the shelves and into a back room that was full of all kinds of clothing supplies. She reached up and pulled down a dusty blanket that was covering a horizontal pole. Hanging from the pole was a lovely red gown. It had long flowing sleeves and golden embroidery twisting into leaves and flowers along the hems.

"It is very beautiful." I said looking at it. It was a little different from other gowns I had seen. Most gowns had a collar or rested just off of the shoulders. This one had gathered fabric on the shoulders and dipped down in the front….dipped very low down in the front. I smiled and lifted an eyebrow. That was different indeed.

"I'll take it."

I had not realized just how much money Lord Mekastre had given me. Even with the fine gown I bought from Julia I had barely tapped into the contents of the pouch. I would have to find a safe place to stash it away until I needed something necessary. I stopped at a few more shops on my way back to Meduseld. I did find a nice pair of dark red boots at the cobbler and I ended up buying them as well. They matched the gown, but would also add a nice touch to colour to everything else.

The sun was high in the sky by the time I returned to Meduseld. Eowyn was standing on the corner of the platform that wrapped about the building looking out onto the plains. The wind whipped all around her. I would have said "hello" or at least gestured to her but she did not look at me once. I entered the hall and went straight to Eomer's room. I had to rearrange the contents of my crate to be able to fit in my new clothes, but I was happy that I didn't have such a pressed wardrobe anymore. I was actually starting to feel a little bit like my old self when I lived in the East Emnet. I was about to hang Eomer's cloak back up on the wall when I heard several footsteps hustle around in the hall outside the door.

I opened the door and peeked out. Several servants were running around frantically carrying all sorts of odds and ends in their arms. I managed to catch one and stop her.

"What is going on?" I asked.

"The king has been spotted on the west road and will arrive at the hall within the hour." She said. My eyes widened my eyes and my heart pounded out of my chest. I slammed the door shut in the face of the servant. Why have they returned so soon? What did they do? Knock on the door and then shoot Saruman in the face with an arrow? Legolas, curse you! I hurried over to the bed and threw the pillows on the floor. I stripped off the blankets and put them in a basket to take to the laundry room. I dug out fresh sheets and blankets from a trunk and quickly re-dressed the bed. I fluffed up the pillows and then grabbed the basket with the old sheets. I hurried down to the laundry room and gave it to a servant telling her it was from Eomer's room.

I now had a few questions to ask Théoden. I started to head toward the kitchen to exit the hall to the stables but I stopped. What would Eomer think if I charged up to Théoden and started yelling at him? No….No, my questions would have to wait. I returned to Eomer's room and sat down on his bed. What am I supposed to do? Should I leave now, or wait for him to tell me to leave? I felt my spirits rise as an idea popped into my head. I rose to my feet and hurried out of the room and down the hall. I went to the kitchen.

There were at least fifty servants packed into that small kitchen working on making all manner of foods, breads, and cakes. I looked around.

"Eohides!" I called out. She emerged from the chaos.

"What is it now? I am very busy. There is a feast to prepare for." She said.

"Where do they keep the wash tubs?" I asked.

"They keep them out in storage barn when not in use. Why? You don't intend to bathe right now do you?" she asked.

"No, the bath is not for me." I said and I rushed back into the hall. With the kitchen as packed as it was there was no way I would be able to bring in a tub through that door. I ran around the hall to the storage barn. I flung open the doors and went inside. I groaned when I saw that the heavy tubs had been stacked on top of each other. There were also tubs of various sizes. I left the barn and hurried over to the stables.

There was a young boy who was napping in a pile of hay.

"Boy!" I called out. He jumped to his feet and rubbed his eyes.

"Yes, my lady?" he asked.

"I will give you an ingot of gold if you aid me." I said. He smiled at me and nodded his head. I grabbed his arm. "Quickly!" I said dragging him back to the storage barn. A couple of men were already taking a tub out. It was the biggest and most lavish so I assumed it was for Théoden.

"Help me lift this and carry it through the door of the laundry room into the hall to Lord Eomer's room." I said.

"Yes, my lady." The boy said and he did as he was told. It took several minutes before we finally got the tub into the room.

"Come boy! Hot water! Hot water!" I said as I rushed from the room. The boy was on my heels. We carted bucket, after bucket, after bucket of hot water from the laundry room to Eomer's. When the boy brought the last buckets from the laundry room I stopped him and handed him his gold.

"Bless you, child!" I said ruffling his hair. He left the room. I started to lift and pour the remaining buckets into the tub. Just as I lifted the last bucket up to pour it in I heard the clicking of armour and heavy footsteps approached from the hall. I held my breath and looked toward the open door. Eomer entered with a plate of food in his hand and a chuck of bread in his mouth. He reached up and tore a chuck off chewing it. When he saw me he stopped chewing and almost dropped the plate.

"What are you doing in here?" he asked swallowing so quickly he almost choked.

"When you were banished I was given your room to stay in." I said pouring in the rest of the water. I stood up and smiled at him. His eyes flared for a moment but then his eyes started to drift around the room.

"What the hell have you done to my room?" he asked setting the plate down on the small table.

"I just cleaned it a bit and put everything away. I even washed your clothes for you." I said taking a few steps toward him. His expression changed to one of embarrassment.

"I had been away for so long before you returned…I had to leave quickly….I didn't have time…" he said.

"It's ok, Eomer." I said laughing. "I don't mind cleaning." His eyes suddenly turned toward his bed and to his hidden cabinet. He looked back at me.

"How much did you clean?" he asked worried.

"I saw the drawings." I said and I crossed my arms. All the color drained from his face.

"Those weren't mine…..I…..found them." He said quickly. Good lord, he looked like he was going to pass out any second.

"I thought they were quite good." I said smiling up at him. He did not say anything but his gaze began to burn as he gazed into my eyes. I felt my heart start to pound.

"I took the liberty of making you a bath. It is still very hot, though." I said.

"I still have to take my armor off." He said and chuckled. "I don't feel like scrubbing rust off anytime soon."

"I was going to have food ready for you too, but I can see you went for that first. I can leave if you would like to eat in peace." I said.

"No!" he said loudly and then he looked embarrassed again. "Stay….stay for a little while."

I looked up at him. He stared at me. His face was now calm and peaceful I couldn't help but smile at him. It was so good to see him. He was here. Right here standing before me. I gulped and then bit my bottom lip. I crossed the room over to him. He immediately held out his arms as if to embrace me but I only smiled at him and walked around him. I reached up and started to undo one of the straps of his shoulder guards. I noticed that his ears and his cheeks began to take on a pinkish hue. I smiled again and slid the guard down his arm. I tossed it on the floor. I did the same to his other guard and it too fell to the floor. I went around to the front of him and reached up to the strap of his breastplate. His hands rose up and rested on top of my hips. He leaned in a little closer to me. His eyes watched my every move as I worked to undo the strap.

I moved my hands down to undo the strap that was resting on his hip. His breathing quickened and one of his hands moved smoothly to the small of my back. I gulped again trying to keep my cool as best as I could. I undid the strap and I had to move away from him to slide it off. It joined the guards on the floor. When I reached for the buckle of his belt he inhaled sharply and tensed up a bit. I undid his belt and let it drop to the floor. He slowly lifted off his chainmail shirt and let it fall to the floor as well. He sat down on his bed and he untied the cords of his boots and slipped them off letting them lie wherever they fell. He stood up and reached out to touch me again but I moved away from him. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion as I walked away from him.

"I need to get ready for the feast." I said turning away from him. "And so do you." I walked over to where my crate was. I will take the upper hand of this game we were playing. I knelt down and opened it looking inside to make sure I had everything that was mine. I heard him take a few steps. Probably to the table to return to his food. I had a little trouble finding my dagger and it took me several moments before I finally found it tucked in between the folds of the black and gold gown Lady Da had given me. I picked up the crate and rose to my feet turning around. The crate clashed onto the floor immediately as I gasped and raised my hands to cover my mouth in shock.

Eomer stood facing the wash tub with his back to me…..and he was completely nude. This was no accident either. He undressed as silent as he could. He meant for me to see him like this. My hands slowly fell back to my side as my eyes began to study the creature before me. They focused in on the thick and defined muscles of his shoulders and neck. He had a few scars of wounds of old but not nearly as deformed or widespread as my own. My gaze traveled to his arms. His muscles rippled like the waves of the sea under his skin. My eyes danced all the way down his tight, strong back and eventually came to stop at his firm, square buttocks.

He turned his head back to look at me and for a moment I thought he would turn to face me fully. I thought I would faint at that very moment, but he only turned his face. My eyes locked with his. His face held no modesty or any signs of nervousness. His gaze was ablaze but there was something new in his eyes now. They held just the slightest detection of vulnerability. He was trying to tell me something that was not the obvious answer to his gesture. He trusted me as well as wanting me.

My thoughts waged a grappling battle within my head. My brain was telling me one thing, my heart was telling me another, and my body had an entirely different response from the other two. My heart was fluttering and I felt it would explode at any moment. His expression began to take on a look of worry and regret as the seconds ticked by.

"Say something, Deya." He said. My eyes looked over his body one more time before I bent over to pick up my crate.

"I must ready for the feast." I said as I walked swiftly out of his room. I closed the door behind me but I had to linger. I felt feverish and hot and had to catch my breath before I walked down the hall to knock on Lady Da's door. I was so flustered that I nearly rammed into the poor boy that was wheeling a cart of barrels full of mead.

Author's Note:

I would like to apologize to WillowDamon17 for misspelling their name in my author's note in the last chapter. You still reviewed so I happy that you were not upset. Also I want to thank LocaGirl2010 for reviewing with honesty and insightfulness. I hope you all enjoy this chapter.