A/N: I was tired; so I forgot to add Éomer's POV to the previous chapter, boo on me. So he's got his very own chapter. Twist and shout! Sidebar – as a writer, I'd really appreciate for my readers to give me a hint that what I'm writing is at least mediocre. And to everyone who has reviewed, I love you to bits! I'm writing for y'all. Forth Eorlingas and Toaster Strudels! S
Chapter 19: The Toil of Kings
Complete madness. Éomer repeated those words in his head as a buffer to the darker thoughts that threatened to edge their way in. he and his company had been riding hours and the skies had only just turned charcoal with rain. It fell in freezing ropes, stinging the skin and blurring vision. Both horses and riders were quite used to this weather, but it did not make the mission easier.
What could the Dunlendings want with Lothíriel and Elfhelm? Oh, the possibilities. Éomer refused to allow the options to present themselves, certain that he would take vengeance against them for this and other crimes. But what if it was a ransom? What could they want? Complete immunity from Rohirric attacks and a seat in the Golden Hall. Éomer almost snorted at the notion, but the seriousness of the situation prevented it.
"My lord!" Éomer rode toward one of his men, who was pointing at something. Dismounting into the wet mud, Éomer squinted against the rain to see what the soldier was pointing at. It was a shiny flash in the dull light. Crouching down, the young King realized it was the sword he'd given his wife before she left. It looked as though it'd slipped from the saddle, as some of the buckles were still looped around the hilt.
Éomer swore into the rain, picking it up. There was no blood on it, which could be a good or bad thing. Alerted by the call of another man, Éomer looked up to see a shadowy figure near the outcropping of rocks. It was a horse. He moved toward it on foot, slowly and deliberately so as not to scare the poor wet beast. It was Lothíriel's Dergh. He looked at Éomer with fright and agitation in his watery eyes. Allowing Éomer to approach him, the horse's curiosity got the better of his apprehension and he extended his nose toward the man, searching for a treat. Éomer smiled slightly, producing a hardened molasses square from his pocket to offer Dergh. Pleased with this gift, the horse let the King run his hand across his wet coat as he chewed contentedly.
Éomer saw that the saddle had fallen to the side and now hung uncomfortably on the horse's flank. He released the girth and the tack fell into the mud. Dergh tossed his head appreciatively and Éomer patted his neck.
"Where is she?" he whispered, glancing back to his éored. "Any tracks have been destroyed with the rain," he said loudly, not bothering to mask the frustration in his voice. "Where was the camp?"
"Over here, my lord." Éomer followed the man on foot, his horse and Dergh in his shadow quietly. The King of Rohan suppressed an enraged cry when he saw the bodies of his men strewn about the place, limbs hacked.
"This savagery will not be forgotten," he seethed, crouching near one of the slain men. The poor lad couldn't have been older than twenty. The rain mixed with the sweat on Éomer's face and just might've camouflaged the tears of anger and despair from his men as he turned away from them.
"It will be easier to search for the Queen and Lord Elfhelm once this storm passes," a mounted guard said. "Let us retire to the rock's caves, my lord."
Éomer nodded and walked toward one of the outcropping of monolithic stones. They found one with suitable depth for the horses and men alike. It was not deep, but it would keep them dry. Tending to the beasts, the company was hauntingly silent, each within his own thoughts. Most were probably wondering at the rage of their King, should they find the Dunlendings.
The man himself had wiped any trace of tears from his face and held a grim expression. It was almost like the days of old, when Théoden would send him to pursue a miscreant band of Dunlendings or orcs. Except this time, Éomer was King. And he was in search of those who'd taken his wife from him. he wasn't entirely sure if what he felt for Lothíriel was love, but didn't bother to analyze it. All he knew was that he wanted her safe and in his arms. And he wanted those who'd made her suffer to pay their dues.
The morning broke cold and desolate. The rain had stopped a few hours before dawn. Éomer should know, he was awake for most of the night, staring at the ceiling of rock. They returned to the site of massacre with severe determination. After collecting and naming the bodies, the éored tried to make sense of the scene.
"The Dunlendings surrounded them," Éomer repeated. One of his men had come to that conclusion an hour before, but it seemed appropriate to remind anyone who'd forgotten. The warriors discussed among themselves the various theories.
"Do you suppose it was deliberate? Was this a planned attack?"
"How could it have been?"
"Perhaps they were following the Lady's company out of Edoras."
"Could they've known about the letter?"
"Where did that messenger say he was from?" all eyes turned to Éomer, who was looking at the western horizon, his expression troubled.
"A northern village, my lord."
"Yes, but which one?"
"The magistrate's name was Deor. The village of Mirais, if I am correct."
"We haven't heard from them in years," Éomer mused. "This is all very strange. I don't trust the source. What was the name of that messenger?"
"Ceorl, my lord."
"Brego, take your men further north. Find this village and Ceorl. When you do, bring him to me." Brego bowed to his King and gathered his group.
"My lord, if the Dunlendings do have the Queen and Lord Elfhelm in captivity, I do not suppose they've gone too far. Especially not with the rain last night."
"They have no horses," another soldier noted, studying prints in the mud that escaped the rain. "On foot. Certainly they could not be many leagues away."
"Indeed," Éomer nodded. "They are probably using the rock caves for protection and hiding. Comb the valley," he said with a grim voice. "If you are correct, they should still be within the area."