The Wild Westfold
By: Lauthica Green Clinkenbeard
Chapter Nineteen: Hobbits, Drunkards, and Farts
I missed the cart full of mead barrels by a finger's length.
"Oh! I am so sorry!" I said looking down at the boy.
"Quite alright, miss. No harm done." The boy said looking up at me. I raised an eyebrow. For a boy he had a very deep voice. He could not have been more than 9, maybe 10 years old. I then looked at his face more closely. He had an oval face and a flat, button nose. His hair was shaggy and a dark blonde. His features were very defined for a mere boy. He must have noticed me staring at him because he looked back up at me after he checked the barrels in the cart to make sure they had not tipped over. "I would offer you a drink, miss, but these are for the feast tonight." He said.
"Merry!"
We both looked down the hall as another boy hurried over to us. "What are you doing? There are still more barrels." He said to the other boy.
"Sorry, Pip." The other boy named Merry said as he started to push the cart back down the hallway. The other boy followed him. I remained standing there very dazed and confused. I jumped slightly when the door to Eomer's room opened. He leaned against the doorframe and crossed his arms. He was wearing breeches now but no shirt. I felt my cheeks redden.
"Can you help me?" he asked.
"With what?" I asked briefly looking at him and then looked back to the boys. They had reached the end of the hall and turned into the archway that lead into the mead hall. Eomer followed my gaze and then he smiled and looked back at me.
"Their Hobbits." He said. I looked at him.
"Hobbits? What are they supposed to be? Hairless dwarves?" I asked. He chuckled.
"Maybe." He said. "Do you want to help me or not?" he asked.
"You still haven't told me with what!" I said crossing my own arms.
"Come inside." He said and he straightened up and gestured his head to the room. I gulped again and hesitated. Was this some kind of test? Eowyn said he had not had any feminine company for a long time. I wanted to enter that room more than anything else but I was still too unsure what Eomer's intentions truly lied. I did not want to simply pass through his life as some kind of living pillow….but I also did not want to pass through my life without him.
"Alright. I'll help you." I said as I set down my crate by his doorframe and I walked passed him into the room. He followed me in. I heard him shut the door and I turned around quickly. "Leave the door open!" I said nervously. He looked at me and raised an eyebrow but he opened the door back up. He walked over to his little table and picked up a chair. I watched his every move. He carried the chair over by the washtub and set it down sitting in it.
"My arms and shoulders are very sore and it was difficult for me to properly wash my hair." He said looking up at me. I stared at him. This was a new side of Eomer. He wasn't the strong hero of my daydreams and he wasn't the raging warrior. He was simply….Eomer. I walked over to him by the wash tub and picked up his damp drying cloth from the floor. I draped it over his shoulders. I ran my fingers through his hair pulling it up over the drying cloth.
"Move the chair closer to the tub." I said. He stood up for a moment, moved the chair, sat back down, and leaned back. I rolled up my sleeves and reached into the water grabbing the floating bar of soap. I worked the soap in my hand getting a good lather and then I started to rub my hands into his hair. He had all kinds of dirt and grime on his scalp and I had to really scrub it down with my fingertips. I cupped my hand dipped it into the water bringing it up to pour it over his hair. I lathered up my hands again and kept scrubbing.
I looked down at him and realized that he had his eyes closed. His cheeks were a little pink but I think my actions were more relaxing that anything. I rinsed his hair out and then I picked up the crying cloth and started to gently rub it over his locks. When I was finished I tossed the drying cloth on the floor by the washtub. Eomer stood up and bowed his head to me.
"Thank you. Your kind actions will not be forgotten." He said and he walked over to his trunk in the corner. He knelt down and opened it starting to dig around for a shirt. I am not really sure what came over me that moment. I walked over to him. He paused in his actions hearing me move. I knelt down behind me on my knees and I wrapped one arm around his neck and shoulder and the other arm around his chest. I pressed my forehead into his damp hair over his back. I felt his bare, dewy skin on my palms and fingers. I could feel his heartbeat quicken.
He dropped the shirt he had found and he turned around to look at me. He rested one of his knees on the floor. I had to move my arms from the embrace for him to move but my eyes never left his. He raised his hands and they rested on my cheeks. His thumb gently caressed the side of my face his eyes traveled down to my lips and neck stopping at my lips again before reconnecting our gaze. I leaned forward toward him and I wrapped my arms around his shoulders. One of my hands went back through his hair and caressed the back of his neck. We were so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath. This was a dangerous game. Eomer moved one of his hands to the back of my head through my own hair and he started to pull me to him. I closed my eyes as my heart leaped into my throat.
Footsteps approached in the hall. Eomer released me at once and I nearly tipped over. I had to let go of him to catch myself. He stood up so quickly that he nearly knocked over the shelves that were next to the trunk. Aragorn entered the room. He looked like he was going to say something but when he saw the flustered and embarrassed Eomer standing like an awkward tree and me sitting on the floor dazed and confused he turned bright red.
"Pardon me." He said and averted his gaze to the side of the room. "The door was open."
Curses! Curses! Curses! Curses! A thousand curses! I quickly rose to my feet.
"There is no need for a pardon." I said bluntly as I briskly walked passed Eomer and Aragorn out the door and down the hall. Curses! Curses! I picked up my crate and tucked it under my arm. I walked down the hall taking very long strides out of anger and frustration. What was going on with me? I have always been in control of my actions….for the most part. That man…..that man held a power over me that I did not understand. Yes, I loved him, but this was starting to get ridiculous!
I reached Lady Da's door and I knocked on it hard several times. She opened it looking a little bit worried.
"What the devil is it?" she asked.
"I need a place to get ready for the feast." I said.
"Is that all? The way you knocked I would have guessed that the city was under siege." She said and she led me inside. I set down my crate hard over by her table and I reached behind me and started to untie the cords of my dress angrily. Lady Da came over to me and she took the cords from my fingers. "What had come over you, child?" she asked and she started to loosen the cords from the criss crosses down my back.
"Nothing. I am perfectly fine." I said as I slid the sleeves of the dress down my shoulders and arms. "Wash bowl?" I asked as I stepped out of the dress. Lady Da said nothing but pointed over to the corner of the room by the door. I walked over to it and started to splash water in my face. I untied the front of my chemise and pulled it over my head. Lady Da saw my bruise as I started to wash up.
"How did you get that?" she asked grabbing my arm and lifting it back up to look at it. I pulled my arm back from her and continued washing.
"The battle at Helm's Deep. I was struck but I had on a thick chainmail shirt." I said. I had finished washing and I walked over to my crate. I lifted out the folded up gown of red and I shook it out and laid it over Da's bed. She came over and picked up a sleeve and felt it in her fingers.
"How lovely." She said. "Is this what you are wearing tonight?" she asked.
"Yes." I said as I pulled out the red chemise I had bought. "There will be many nice unclaimed men of Rohan at the feast. Perhaps if I am charming and lucky I may find a husband tonight."
Lady Da raised an eyebrow at me but said nothing. Then she saw me pull the red chemise over my head. "You cannot wear that under a gown like this." I stopped.
"What do you mean?" I asked. "I don't want to soil the gown."
"Heavens, child, sometimes I wonder if you are really a woman." She said and she took the chemise from me. She crossed the room and opened the doors of a wardrobe that was by the window. She pulled out a wooden box and opened it up taking out some kind of white skirt and some kind of undershirt that had long cords that dragged on the floor. She came back over to me and handed me the shirt. It was cotton and had many layers of ruffled up fabric. I stepped into it and pulled it up.
"Turn around and lift your arms up." She said. I did as I was told and she slipped the undershirt over my arms and she adjusted it around my chest.
"What is this thing?" I asked.
"It's a stay." She said. "Hold it up so I can start tightening it." She said. I lowered my arms and held the stay to my chest. "It was a lot more popular in the golden days of Rohan." She said as she started to lace up the cords. "If you wear a chemise with a gown like that, the fabric underneath with bunch up and be visible under the fabric of the gown. Also, with a gown like that, you down want to see the frumpy top of the chemise." She said. She had finished lacing the cords and now she began to tighten them up. Believe me when I say "tighten". By the time she had finished I felt as if my breasts were smooched up against my neck.
"How am I supposed to drink and feast wearing this?" I asked looking at her.
"Don't worry about that. It is more comfortable than it looks." She said and she picked up the red gown from the bed and brought it over to me. I took the dress from her and I stepped into it. She tied the cords of the back.
"Thank you." I said as I adjusted the fabric of the gown around my hips.
"You're not going to wear your hair like that, are you?" she asked.
"What's wrong with it?" I asked. Lady Da rolled her eyes and then forced me to sit down in a chair.
The sun was beginning to set by the time I left Lady Da's room. The halls were starting to fill up with people, servants, and guards all readying for the feast. I felt a little silly walking around all dressed up like I was. Da had brushed out my hair and then half pulled it back. She took sections and made little braids weaving them together to form a pattern. She found some king of gold hairpin that looked like a horse and wove it into the braid on the side of my head. The rest of my hair fell long down my back. A few of the guards nodded their head at me as I passed them.
"My lady." They said.
I walked through the archway and into the mead hall. There were all manner of men in the hall. Some stable hands, some servants, some guards. They were all carrying tables around setting them up. The normally empty hall now held hundreds of tables and chairs. Some of the early birds had already entered the hall and sat near the front door talking with their friends and relatives. The tables closest to the walls had been prepared with all kinds of meats, grains, and breads prepared in different ways. Barrels of mead were piled up in every corner as high as the tallest man could reach. I saw Gamling enter the hall through the front door walking with Eohides. They saw me and walked over smiling.
"Good evening, my lady." Gamling said nodding his head.
"It is a fine night for a feast." Eohides said.
"How are you both this evening?" I asked smiling.
"Very good. I don't get to go out with my husband very often." Eohides said and she look up at Gamling as smiled. I was a little caught off guard. I had no idea that Gamling and Eohides were married. Neither of them ever mentioned the other.
"Who is your escort this evening?" Gamling asked.
"I have no escort." I said. "I am on my own this night, though I am hoping some young and brave man might sweep me off my feet tonight. Not sure who may be up for the challenge.
"Not sure who?" Eohides asked. I panicked a little bit. As far as I knew, Gamling had no idea that I took an interest in Eomer.
"I just realized that I forgot something!" I said quickly. I nodded my head at them as I turned to leave. "I will see you both at the feast.' I called out as I rushed back through the archway.
"There she is!" I looked up and saw the two hobbits walking toward me down the hall. Merry came up to me and then looked back at his friend. "Will you please tell him that I was not dawdling around in the hall with you earlier? He doesn't believe me." He said. I looked down at him and then to the other hobbit.
"I wasn't paying attention to where I was going and I nearly ran into him in the hall. He had to fix the barrels that got knocked over. It was my fault." I said.
"You see?" Merry asked looking at the other one.
"I still don't believe you." The other one said. "Who are you anyway? Are you like some kind of princess?" he asked. I chuckled.
"No, I am not a princess. I am a soldier. My name is Deya." I said.
"My name is Pippin." He said and he held out his hand. "Pippin Took." He said as I shook his hand.
"It is very nice to meet you Pippin Took. And you are Merry, right?" I asked turning to look at the other hobbit.
"That's right. Merry Brandybuck." He said and he too held out his hand for me to shake.
"You two are the first hobbits I have ever met and I must say it has been a pleasure indeed. You are so polite and happy." I said.
"Of course we're happy." Pippin said,
"This is a night of feast." Merry said. "It's like dinner and supper combined into one meal with dessert." I laughed at his comment.
"I hope you guys have a good time." I said and I continued down the hall. I stopped when I realized that I had walked in the direction of Eomer's room. What was I doing? I hurried up and turned back around and walked to the opposite side of the hall. My mind was running away from me again. Servants had begun going around lighting all of the candles and torches in the hall. Everything had a nice open and warm glow. Hallways began to grow thin as more and more people poured in from every corner of the city. The announcement that the king was about to make the first toast brought everyone into the hall.
People filled the tables and chairs and those left were packed into the corners and doorways. Théoden stood proudly in front of his throne next to Eomer. Eomer had kept his hair completely down and he was wearing a very regal green tunic that had golden trim along the skirt. I saw Aragorn who was sitting next to Gamling. Lady Da was sitting next on the bench and then Eohides. There was still a small open spot on the end of the bench next to Eohides. Servants were going around handing everyone a cup full of mead. I saw Eowyn standing by a small table that had a lavish brass goblet and a matching golden pitcher. She was wearing a stunning light, blue gown that had an intricate pattern sewn unto the fabric.
"Thank you." I said as a servant handed me a mug of mead. When everyone had their mug or glass the servants themselves got their own and they turned to the king. Eowyn then picked up the golden pitcher and filled the goblet. She cupped the goblet with two hands and carefully walked toward Théoden. She smiled as she took a step up onto the platform and then she knelt and bowed her head handing the goblet to the king. Théoden took it from her and she rose and joined his side opposite of Eomer. I looked over at him and my eyes met with his. He stared at me with a blazing fire that was more intense than I had seen before. He eyes danced around me taking in the details of my hair and dress. He quickly turned his focus back onto the mead hall as Théoden began to lift his goblet into the air. Aragorn stood up and the rest of the hall followed his example.
"Tonight we remember those you gave their blood to defend this county." Théoden said holding out his goblet. "Hail the victorious dead!"
"Hail!" everyone cried out and then took their first drink. I couldn't help but noticed that Aragorn hesitated in taking a drink. I didn't have time to ponder. When everyone had taken their first drinks everyone began to spread out and move the tables around. Some of men started a card table and a few other men took out some instruments and started playing a merry tune. Ladies curled up new to their men or lovers giggling and snuggling. Servants walked around filling mugs and cups and carried barrels through the crowd.
"Would you like to join us, my lady?" Legolas asked coming up to me. "Do you have an escort?" he asked.
"I have no escort. Where are you guys sitting?" I asked.
"Grimwold has challenged Gimli and I to duel. I am not sure what that means, but our table is over there by the tap barrels." He said pointing. "If you have no escort I would be happy and honored to oblige." He said and he held out his arm for me.
"She already has an escort."
I felt two hands rest on my shoulder and I knew that voice very well. It was Eomer. He stood very close behind me and could feel his chest move as he breathed.
"I am sorry, my friend." Legolas said bowing his head.
"I never said I would let you be my escort, Eomer." I said moving away from him. I wrapped my arm around Legolas's. "In, fact I was just about to join Legolas and Gimli at their table."
Eomer's expression changed very rapidly. His eyes moved from mine to Legolas's with daggers. Legolas's expression turned very nervous very quickly.
"I can assure you, my lord. There is no foul play going on in our party." He said quickly. Eomer looked back at me.
"So you are letting this elf be your escort?" he asked slightly agitated.
"No one is going to be my escort. I am a free woman of Rohan. I can sit in whoever's company I want." I said sternly. Eomer's agitation began to melt into anger.
"So you would tease and embrace any man who would cast you a glance?" he asked.
"Lord Eomer!" Legolas said glaring at him. It was my temper that was rising now.
"It is quite alright, Legolas. He may speak his mind if that's what he wishes. I take no offence. However, my mug is empty and the company stale. Lead me to your table." I said. Legolas looked at me and then at Eomer. Eomer continued to glare at him. .
"I think perhaps I could do with a bit of fresh air. I will see you at the table, Deya." He said and he released my arm and walked away. Eomer's eyes fell on me. I looked up at him briefly but I was too infuriated to linger my gaze. I turned away from him to head to the table but he reached out and grabbed my arm. He pulled me to him and got very close but this was not a time for romance.
"What is going through your head, woman! One moment I would think you an angel sent to relieve me of the horrors and cruelty of life and then I would feel your claws tear away inside of me. Do you think you are so better than the rest of us? Do you think you are in control? There is no such thing as control. From the day I first laid eyes on you, you have haunted me like an infectious nightmare. I am not a fool. I learned long ago not to repeat reaching for something only to get the back of my hand smacked. I have absolutely no idea what is going on in that pretty little head of yours but if you don't make up your accursed mind….I will stop reaching." He said sternly. I looked up at him. He had the same rage in his eyes he had that day in the infirmary when I challenged him. I could find no words to say. What could I say? I love you? What would that matter if I had no title yet? He tightened his grip on my arm and I winced.
"Speak!" he yelled. A few people that were around stopped to see what the commotion was about.
"You are hurting me!" I yelled back and I pushed his hand away from my arm. I walked away from him and headed for the table Legolas had pointed out. I heard quickened footsteps behind me.
"I will not let you walk away from me, Deya." Eomer said he gently took hold of my shoulders from behind. I stopped. He leaned down and pressed his forehead onto the top of my head. He inhaled deeply in my hair and pulled me flush against him. "Please, Deya….don't walk away from me again." He said in broken words. Was he trying to fight off weeping?
I felt every single emotion I have ever felt rush through my blood at horse speed. My heart pounded in my chest. What am I supposed to do? He is the heir to the throne of Rohan! Can I simple just turn around and expel all that I wanted to say? Can I simply turn around and let my love and affection flow? Wait a minute…..when I ever cared about protocol? When have I ever hesitated in taking what I wanted? I am not some trained and broken housewife. I am not a wallflower like my mother! I am not weak! I am not fearful! People have been telling me what to do for eleven years. No longer!
I turned around and I reached up and gently laid my hand on Eomer's cheek. He looked down at me and his eyes danced wildly from one of my eyes to the other; staring waiting for any sound to come out of my mouth.
"Eomer…." I whispered. He reached out and took my waist pulling me close to him.
"Yes?" he asked impatiently.
"I won't walk away anymore….I…" The words felt like lead in my mouth. He moved one of his hands to my chin to tilt it up.
"Speak Deya…" he whispered.
"I have never wanted to walk away. Every action that had even torn you from my side has cut me like a blade on my soul. I shatter and weep at the mere imagination of you in any harm. If Saruman would have come to me and told me that ripping out my own heart with my bare hands would spare your life I would do it without hesitation." I said staring into his eyes. His lips parted and a tear fell down his cheek. "You claim that I was an infectious nightmare. You…..You! Everything that you are sets my entire being ablaze like a thousand suns…..I may lose my temper quickly. I may snap at you. I may even try to fight you, but….." I looked deep into his eyes and just like in my dream I could see my reflection. I was inside of him. I was branded into him and whatever the future may hold I knew that my brand would remain there forever. I moved my hand to the back of his neck. "Hold Me….." I said pulling him closer to me. "Hold me, kiss me, and never let me go." I said as I stood on my tip toes and closed the gap in between us.
Eomer let out a slight groan when I pressed my lips to his forcefully. His hands gripped my waist and then wrapped around my back pulling me to him as if he meant to absorb me into himself. My other arm wrapped around his shoulders. The kiss broke and was quickly followed by another one as he turned his side to the side and parted his lips slightly. I danced my fingertips across the back of his neck. I felt the tip of his tongue run along my bottom lip. I parted my own lips and tasted the mead on his breath. It was intoxicating.
"AYYYYY!" People around us who were watching our little display held up their mugs smiling and cheering us on. Eomer broke the kiss embarrassed and moved away from me slightly still keeping his hands on me. I moved my hand that was around his shoulders to my face smiling and laughing for our standing ovation. He too smiled down at me and he reached up and caressed my cheek. He took my hand that was covering my face in embarrassment and he brought it up to his lips. He kissed the back of it.
"No matter what happens this night, tomorrow, next year, next life…..you belong to me." He said in a deep, seductive voice. I leaned into him by his ear.
"I think we had better join our friends. You left poor Legolas hanging out on the cliff with no rope." I whispered. He laughed and then he took my hand and laced his fingers with my own leading me toward the table.
Legolas had come back inside already and was standing next to Gimli who was sitting down at the table smoking his pipe. Legolas was the first to notice that Eomer was holding my hand and he smiled. I sat down in a chair that was next to Gimli. A guard that was standing next to the tap barrel came over and put his hand on Eomer's shoulder.
"Eomer! Come and help us judge the challenge!" he said. I laughed. This man was already starting to stumble a bit in his step. I could feel the warmth of the mead spread through me and I'm sure I would reach his state within the next few mugs. Eomer released my hand and walked over to the tap barrel. Other man started to bring over crates full of empty mugs and set them in between the two tap barrels. He reached in and took out two mugs and filled them quickly.
"No pauses…" he said as he held out one mug to Legolas. "No spills." He said setting the other mug in front of Gimli.
"And no regurgitation." Gimli said as he grabbed his mug and took the first drink. The men around us laughed and held up their mugs.
"So, it's a drinking game?" Legolas asked looking at him and Eomer.
"Ayyyy!" Some of the men yelled out clinking their mugs together.
"Last one standing wins!" Gimli said smiling at Legolas and laughed at him. He looked around at everyone confused. Gimli held up his mug with both hands and started to chug down the mead inside.
"What'll we drink to?" a man asked.
"Let's drink to victory!" another man yelled out.
"To victory! AYYYYY!" The men yelled out holding up their mugs.
I looked over to Legolas. He seemed hesitant to take his first drink and Gimli was already near done with his first mug. Legolas finally brought the mug to his lips and started to drink. I laughed watching his reaction. I glanced over through the people of the crowd. I saw Eowyn approach Aragorn with another goblet of wine. I smiled to myself and looked back over to Eomer. I hope she would be as lucky as I this night.
Legolas was matching Gimli mug for mug. Gimli was starting to sway a little bit in his chair. I could not believe that Legolas was still standing. Legolas set his empty mug on the table and Eomer handed him his next. Gimli slammed his mug down on the table. Eomer handed him his next mug as well but instead of starting to drink it he set his hand on the table and lifted himself up. He expelled a huge fart right in my direction! I stood up so fast I spilled half of my mead and knocked the chair back moving over to stand near Legolas. Eomer had started to fill the next mug up with mead and he did a double take and looked at Gimli in shock. Gimli only laughed and smacked the table a couple of time.
"Here Here." He said taking his next mug. Legolas finished his next mug and set it down taking another. Gimli too finished his mug and as he waited for his next he turned to the crowd that had gathered.
"It's the Dwarves that go swimming…with little, hairy women!" he said and he started to laugh and dance around in his chair. Everyone laughed. Gimli let out a loud belch and brought the next mug up to his mouth. Legolas suddenly looked down at his fingers.
"I feel something." He said. Eomer was leaning against one of the tap barrels with the next mug for whoever. He looked at Legolas and raised his eyebrows in shock. Legolas continued. "A slight tingle in my fingers." His expression turned to worry and he looked over at Gimli. "I think it's effecting me." Gimli slammed his mug down on the table and laughed. He pointed his finger at Legolas.
"What did I say? He can't hold his liquor." He said. His eyes became crossed and quite suddenly he started to tip back. The chair keeled over and Gimli's legs stuck up in the air. Everyone burst out laughing. Legolas looked back over to Eomer.
"Game over." He said.
There was a sudden commotion coming from the front of the hall. The men that were playing instruments had all gathered at this table and were playing a tune I did not recognize. I walked over and started to chuckle. The two hobbits, Merry and Pippen were on top of the table that Gamling, Lady Da, and Eohides were all sitting at. They were shouting stuff to the make shift band and dancing around. Eomer appeared at my side smiling looking at them and then to me. Merry and Pippin joined arms and started to sing along with the music.
"Oh, you can search far and wide! You can drink the whole town dry!" they sang and then in the pause of the music they slapped their feet together. Unfortunately for Gamling as Merry brought his foot back down he knocked Gamling's mug into his lap. Gamling was pretty intoxicated and he looked a little angry at first but then was laughing and clapping to the music once more when he was handed another mug. Merry and Pippen continued to sing joining arms and dancing in a circle. I laughed out loud and clapped my hands with the beat.
"But you'll never find a beer so brown, but you'll never find a beer so brown! As the one we drink in our hometown, as the one we drink in our hometown!" They stomped their feet on the table twice to the music and then continued to dance and sing. "You can drink your fancy ales, you can drink 'em by the flagon. But the only brew for the brave and true…."
Pippen stopped and singing and stopped dancing halfway in the line. He stared into the crowd. I followed his gaze to Gandalf who had also come over to watch the festivities. I looked back to Pippen. There was something strange in his eyes I could detect but I had no idea what it was.
"Pippen!" Merry yelled out drawing his attention back to the song. Pippen smiled and continued on with the song.
"But the only brew for the brave and true! Comes from the Green Dragon!" they sang and they clink their mugs together and emptied their contents.
"Thank you! I win!" Merry called out. I laughed and turned around. Eomer had sat down at the next table that had a few open seats. He had his hand on his face and was leaning on his arm. His eyelids were starting to get droopy. The effects of the mead were starting to work its way into his blood. I looked back over to where Gandalf had been standing. I noticed Aragorn walk toward him. I raised an eyebrow and remember back on the conversation I had with him back at the fortress. "There are things and evils at work that are far bigger than Helm's Deep." he had said. I had now reached the bottom of my sixth mug of mead and my better judgment was clouded. I walked away from the table and headed toward them.
I did not dare get too close for fear of being excluded again. I got within earshot and then turned by back to them and slowly took a few steps back.
"No news of Frodo?" Aragorn asked Gandalf.
"No word….nothing." Gandalf said back to him. They were speaking in hushed tones and I had to take a few more steps back to hear clearly.
"We have time." Aragorn said leaning toward Gandalf. Gandalf turned to look at him. Aragorn continued. "Every day, Frodo moves closer to Mordor." He said and he looked back out into the crowd.
"Do we know that?" Gandalf asked him. Aragorn looked back at him and he thought for a moment.
"What does your heart tell you?" he asked. Gandalf thought for a moment and then he smiled.
"That Frodo is alive…..Yes." he said nodding. "Yes, he's alive." They both looked back out into the crowd.
I raised my own eyebrow. Frodo? Who was Frodo? Why was this Frodo person traveling to Mordor of all places? Was this the evil that Aragorn had spoken of? I was surprised when it was Aragorn who took a step back and turned around quickly bumping into me. I dropped my mug and the handle broke off.
"Pardon me, my lady." He said bending over picking up the two pieces. When he saw it was me he smiled. "Good evening, Deya. Are you having fun?" he asked. I was terrified that he would find out I was listening in.
"Yes! I am having quite a time! Excuse me," I said and I hurried away from him back into the crowd. The night was growing late. Gimli wasn't the only one who had passed out. Men and even some women were slumped over in their chairs at their tables. I was starting to feel lightheaded myself. I guessed that I would be returning to Lady Da's room until I was given a room of my own. I had left my crate in there anyway. I had not seen her in the crowd for a long time and assumed that she retired early. I thought about looking for Legolas and talking to him for a bit….until I felt my feet lift off of the floor. I gasped as Eomer grabbed my waist and lifted me up. I laughed and held onto him as he threw me over his shoulder.
"I think we have exhausted this night." He said and he started to head toward the archway of the halls.
"Yes, I am very tired and intoxicated." I said.
"Then it is bedtime." He said laughing. He kissed my arm with a peck and then he laughed.
"I will stay with Lady Da this night. I haven't gotten my own room yet." I said laughing with him.
"Nonsense. You will stay in my room." He said.
The warning bells started to ring and my happiness and laughter quickly faded.
"Wait a minute. No, Eomer. I can't stay in your room." I said quickly. He did not stop nor put down.
"Why not?" he asked.
"I would think it was obvious." I said blushing. He did stop this time and he did put me down. He leaned over but he lost his balance and had to catch himself on the wall pinning me between his arms like a fence.
"Deya," he said but had to pause to burp. "The women of Rohan are not known for their chastity. Healthy children and happy people are the top priority. And this is also a night of feast! Of celebration! Come with me, I want to celebrate it with you." He said and he leaned in for another kiss. I held up my hand to his lips.
"Eomer, you are heir to the throne. There are a lot more restrictions on your 'celebrations' than other men and their women." I said.
"Come on! You cannot be serious? Yes, I am royalty. Yes, I have obligations, but this is not some romp on a summer's night of lust's spontaneity." He said.
"You have had quite a bit to drink and I have had quite a bit to drink, neither of us are thinking with clear heads, but I know that this is not a good idea." I said.
"I can't believe you." He said and he straightened up and turned away from me. I saw that his shoulders had tensed up. He was getting angry. I reached out for his shoulder but she shrugged me off.
"Eomer…" I said feeling a little hurt. He turned back to me and pointed an infuriated finger in my direction.
"I knew you would do this! I knew it! You are a harpy and a siren! Masochist I name you! You knew all along that you would tell me exactly what I wanted to hear just so you could take it all back again. You have only ever wanted to see me in misery and I was a fool to think otherwise!" he yelled and he turned away me and staggered down the hall toward his room. I felt tears roll down my cheeks but I also felt my jaw clench. Every single muscle in my body tensed up and pulsed with rage. I ran down the hall after him. I grabbed his arm and forced him to turn around to face me. He nearly lost his balance turning around so quick and he stumbled a bit. I pulled by arm back and I let the back of my hand strike him across the face as hard as I could muster. The blow knocked him over and he fell onto his side hard on the floor. He reached up and rubbed his face and moved his jaw around wincing. I spat on him.
"Find your pleasurable company with the horses, swine!" I screamed at him and I ran back down the hall. I came to Lady Da's door and tried to open it but it was locked. I slammed my hand against the door.
"Let me in!" I yelled out. I glanced down the hall to see if Eomer would come after me, but he was gone. The door opened.
"Do you not know the hour?" she asked. I did not answer her. I stormed into the room reaching back and untying the laces of the dress as I walked over to my crate. Lady Da didn't even bother asking what was wrong. She knew better than to try and pry and just climbed back into her bed.
When the laces were loose I slipped the gown off and I crumbled it up and threw it down on the floor. I untied the stay as fast as I could and stepped out of the skirt. I threw them in the pile and dug out the first chemise my fingers found. I pulled it on quickly and then started to take my hair down. My anger was melting away. Now I could only feel the pain. My eyes blurred as tears poured down my face. Curse Eomer! I should have known this was all too good to be true. It wasn't meant to be….then why did I feel so dead inside?