Chapter 15
On the Road to Edoras, 24th July, 3019
Life on the road can be hard and the journey to Rohan was known to be a difficult one. It was a hard trip for the ladies. There was no comfort on the road, no luxury, no soft pillows or hot water... Not a pleasant journey for a delicate court flower. But then again, Lothíriel wasn't one and she was enjoying every minute of it! It was a breath of fresh air to be out of the City. It felt so good, so right to be riding again freely in the open. The smell of the grass, the wind in the hair... And at night, they would gather around a warm fire and ate roasted rabbit or dear, telling stories or singing songs. Peregrin Took had the most beautiful voice and his songs were a blessing. And before bed, the girls would gather in their tents and talk.
Lothíriel shared her tent with Éowyn and they would stay up late often, talking nonsense while Nooran slept peacefully near by. They were nearly cousins now and enjoyed each other company. Éowyn had never had a friend as Lothíriel, in whom she could trust and to Lothíriel, her rohan friend was as the truest one she could ever have.
And so the days passed and the journey progressed.
"Lothíriel, I was surprised to see you ride astride." Éowyn asked her. "I was under the impression that the ladies in Gondor rode sideways."
"Many do." She answered, motioning the party far behind with included, unfortunately in Lothíriel's opinion, Lillith and her friends. Why they bothered to come along with their fathers and brothers was a mystery to her, because for the entire trip all she heard from them were complaints. To hot, to cold... Hard floor, not enough quilts...
"But not you."
"No, I'm a woman raised by men." she said looking lovingly at her family. "They taught me what they knew. And besides, when I was old enough to learn sideways, I confess I much rather ride astride. Of course, I shock a few..."
"Of course."
"Namely my Uncle Deneathor, who thought it unfit for a lady of such high family! But my father paid no heed to it and left it to me to decide."
"He seems wise and good."
"The best!" Lothíriel's eyes smiled always as she talked of him. "I could talk about him for hours. He has always been just to us all, never decided for us, never interfered in what it thought was our choices to make. And he remained at our side at all cost. Like with Elphir."
"What do you mean, if I'm not been to forward..."
"No, not at all... It is of common knowledge, I believe. You see, Melian, his wife, isn't exactly of very high familiar relations. Her family has possessions and over the years have acquired status in society because of her father and uncle's business. They are in trade. But to some, such wasn't enough for the future ruler of our land."
"Your Uncle again, I suspect..."
"Yes, but not alone... Certain members of the Dol Amroth court weren't so pleased as well. Of course, a lot of them had daughters who were possible matches to my brother..."
Éowyn chuckled.
"Ah, of course!"
"But my father let it to Elphir to decide." Lothíriel continued. "He told him that if he loved Melian and wanted to be with her, it was all that mattered to my father. The happiness of his children."
For a few moments, they rode in silence.
"You are lucky." Éowyn said. "Many would not be so understanding..."
"True, but my father is not an ordinary man." she added with pride.
"Oh, I see you are a typical daddy's little girl!" Then with a sad tone to her voice, Éowyn said. "I'm afraid I never experienced such joy on my part... My father died when I was very little... I have no recollection of him."
"I'm sorry..."
"It is all right, I guess... I got the compensation of having the greatest and most protective brother ever to walk Midlle Earth!"
They both laughed hardly.
"What are you two chatting and laughing about?" Amrothros wanted to know.
"None of your business, my noisy brother."
"Hum, I bet you were talking about men!"
"Amrothros!!" Lothíriel said, shocked.
"What?! Oh, come on... Don't tell me you don't talk about us, Thíri... I know for a fact that all women love to talk about us!"
"Really? Oh, please unlight us! What do we talk about?"
"About how man talk to you, how they dance... How they make you feel when they kiss you or touch you... And how you sigh and melt away in our fiery embrace!" he ended dramatically.
Éowyn laughed so hard, that Éomer looked behind. He added been listening to the whole conversation from a little ahead and couldn't help to smile as well.
"You are incorrigible!!" Lothíriel uttered.
"But not you, Thíri, you are forbidden to all that!"
"Forbidden?"
"Yes, you're still a child!!"
"Hardly, brother. I'm one and twenty!"
"Still, no touching and sighing and kissing for you. You are our little sister and that is that!"
Lothíriel blushed a little and had to look away to prevent someone noticing.
"Besides, we would most likely kill the bastard that tried something, so its a perfect balance! Am I right Éomer?"
For a moment, panic flashed in Lothíriel's eyes. However, Éomer looked as calm as ever. But inside his chest, his heart was pounding fast.
Béma, help me...
He waited for the younger prince of Dol Amroth to continue.
"I mean, wouldn't you kill any man that tried something with your sister? In fact, I bet Faramir is on quite a tight leach until the wedding!"
Now it was Éowyn's time to blush.
"I trust my sister to be wise. And she is her own woman... She can make decisions for herself and choose the path to follow."
"Ah, nice words." Amrothros said. "But it's not what you think or feel, my friend. Little sisters will always remain little sisters."
He patted Éomer on the shoulder and turned to Erchirion.
"Brother! Do you feel up to a race!?"
Erchirion raised his right hand.
"Always glad to teach you a lesson!"
"You wish!" he yelled back. "What say you Éomer? Are you with us?"
"I never turn away from a dare."
"Good man! Up to that hill then?"
"When ever you are ready."
"Three, two, one. GO!"
They sprinted away, fast as the wind, leaving the sisters behind to continue their conversation.
That night, Lothíriel felt restless and sleep simply wouldn't come to her. Tossing in her bed wasn't helping so she drew her shawl around her shoulders and headed out the tent. Sounds of the men talking, gathering around the fire, came to her. She carefully moved away from them but not to far. She wasn't foolish to wonder far from the encampment. She sat by a low tree and enjoyed the solitude of the night. A light wind swept across the plain and the round moon crowned a very starlit sky. In the distance, the soft sound of running water could be heard.
"Couldn't sleep?"
She turned her head up and found Éomer standing by her side. How could he have moved without her hearing him?
"Yes... I don't know why... It is so peaceful out here."
"True... I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it... The silence, the solitude."
She smiled in the dark. So different yet so alike...
"I didn't hear you coming..."
He sat by her in the soft thick grass.
"Well... It's a gift, what can I say?"
She nudged him with her shoulder and they laughed. He gathered her in his arms bringing her closer to him in order to keep her warm.
"Are you enjoying the journey?"
"Very much. I had no idea it would be so beautiful around here."
"It has its moments." He said with pride. "And it is not to tiresome, I hope?"
"No, not at all. I like these times outside. And fear not, I'm used to this. With three bothers, I had more then my share of such!"
He pulled her even close and kissed the top of her head.
"I can't wait for you to see my home." he whispered.
"I'm looking forward to it... Éowyn has told me so much about it, I feel like I already know it!"
"I will show you all the perfect places to watch the view. All the little secret passageways and gardens." he turned her faced to him and his gaze was fixed on her lips. "All the hidden corners."
He placed a gentle kiss on her and she felt a different kind of heat spreading through her.
I should get back... Now, while I can still gather an intelligent thought!
But somehow she couldn't force herself to leave. It felt so right to be there in his arms, surrounded by his embrace.
The hours flew by as they talk about anything and nothing. Neither of them realized it... nor did they realized they were being watched.
*****
After a forth night on the road, they finally reached Rohan and Lothíriel loved the endless sea of grass and the wild wind blowing. But it was her first sight of Edoras that did it for her. It was a spectacular view, the Golden Hall set high up in the mountain with its golden roof and white banners.
Éowyn, at her side, sighed.
"Home... Home at last..."
Lothíriel turned to her just in time to see Faramir reach over and gather her hand in his looking into her eyes, a look full of love. She smiled and found herself searching for Éomer up ahead but failing to see him. Until...
"Liking the view?" a voice came from behind her.
Startled, she looked towards the voice.
Damn it... Why does he have to look so damn good on a horse?!
"I love it..." she answered truthfully, swallowing hard. " It's so beautiful..."
"You should see it at dawn. It is the most beautiful picture." he took a deep breath and went on. "When we soldiers return home, the sight of its golden roof warms our hearts."
Éothain was close by and added in whisper. "And the thought of a warm woman waiting..."
Lothíriel blushed and lowered her gaze.
"Éothain..."
"Béma! I'm sorry, my lady, I sometimes forget in whose company we travel."
"It is alright." She sad smiling. "I'm used to it, remember? Three brothers?"
They continued to ride towards the glowing city. As they passed thought the gates, the crowd came around them. Théoden was dead and there was a sad note to the arrival. But Éomer was king and the happiness that brought was etched upon the faces of rohir. Happiness and pride.
A\N Hope you keep enjoying! And the next chapter is almost ready so I'll see you soon!