Chapter 24
On the road to Imladris, 30th November, 3019
The inn was full as usual. It was a very cheerful place, with good accommodations and great food. And since it was near the road to many important places it was where travelers stopped for the night.
And for the small party coming from Dol Amroth it was no different.
Lothíriel drew her cloak near her neck and looked at the inn. It looked warm and cosy and it was a blessing after the long hours in the cold. Besides it was already time for supper and she was actually very hungry.
Well, it's only normal. She thought. You're eating for two now.
She smiled despite everything in her situation.
She had eventually convinced her father and brothers to let her stay in Imladris for awhile. The journey was not long but still it was tiresome and although the roads were now much safer, danger lurked in some parts. To travel without a escort was out of the question, her father had said. But for the moment Dol Amroth needed attention and her brothers couldn't be spared to accompany her in the next few weeks. A clever move from her family but she would not be moved.
She took the liberty of writing to Lord Elrond, first asking for his permission to stay at his domain and also to ask for his help in getting there.
Promptly, the elf lord replied that he was honoured to have such a guess and that in a fortnight a small party would arrive at Dol Amroth, including one of his sons, to travel with her. Her family wasn't happy... They were hoping to change her mind while making the necessary arrangements for her departure.
So it wasn't a surprise that the goodbye was difficult. She expected to be away for long months and it was hard to be without them. Nooran tried to join her but Lothíriel refused. This was something she had to do on her own.
Elladan, Lord Elrond's son, the eldest of the well known twins of Imladris, was the leader of her escort. He was an imposing figure, a beautiful man, dark hair as his sister Arwen and piercing eyes with the knowledge of centuries but he made Lothíriel comfortable. She felt safe near him.
"Are you ready to leave, my lady?" he had asked, in a melodic voice.
"No... But then I guess I'll never be..."
He smiled and motioned for the other to mount.
She took one last look around and kissed her brothers.
If anything is wrong, will you promise to tell us? All you have to do is send word and I'll be there as fast as my horse can carry me! Amrothros had said.
"I know brother, I promise." She kissed him again, tears in her eyes. "Take care of you."
"You too."
Her father tried to change her mind one last time.
"You don't need to go, you know."
"I know..."
"We love you and we want you to stay."
"Ada... I need to do this."
"Why?"
"I just... I just do. Please understand."
"Well, I don't. But I respect your decision."
"Thank you. I love you."
"I do too."
As she stood now on the outside of the traveling inn, she recalled the last moments as she left her beloved city upon her trusted Galad.
After long hours of travelling, the large house was a sight for sore eyes. The warm coming from inside was inviting and the delicious smell of food was a temptation.
They dismounted, all eager to again feel comfort. Food and a good night sleep could do miracles.
"Gelorn," Elladan said to one of the riders. "Take the horses to the stables. We will go ahead and secure rooms for all."
"Yes, my lord."
From inside, songs of music and laughter reached their ears. By the door, a small child played with a dog. But at the moment, he payed no attention to the furry animal. His eyes were all for the party of elves. Probably he had never seem one of them. As always their race was surrounded by a sense of old and magical. The child was mesmerized.
"What is that?" one asked.
Sounds like a party. Elladan turned to the boy at the door that kept staring in awe. "You, boy."
The child came running quickly.
"Yes, sir." he asked eagerly.
"What goes on here?"
"A party, sir. A group of rohirrim and their king are passing through."
Éomer? Oh Valar...
"You mean Lord Éomer?" Elladan smiled. He had known Éomer for quite some time. "I can't believe it! Middle Earth is a small place indeed! I must have a word with him."
He turned to Lothíriel in time to see her gasp.
"As soon as I find the needed accommodations, of course. I would dream of leaving you, my lady, in the cold of night."
Lothíriel tried to smile and failed terribly.
"I thank you, my lord. That's very kind."
They walked towards the inn with the small boy in toe. He lead them to the owner who gladly gave them his best rooms in the house.
"I know it is not what you must be used to, my lady..." the man said as he showed Lothíriel her room.
"I assure you it is a lovely room." She said to him. "As I'm sure the entire inn is as well."
The man swelled with pride.
"Thank you, my lady. It is most gracious of you. Do you care for something to eat? We have splendid food in the common room, if you like."
"Thank you, Master Keeper, but I'm quite tired. If it isn't a great inconvenience, I could ask you to have something here in my room?"
"Not an inconvenience at all. It is only natural you wish to rest, my lady. Reed, the maid, will bring supper shortly. He bowed to her and then turned to Elrond's son. My lord Elladan, I'll take you now to your usual room."
"I bid you good night, lady Lothíriel. We'll leave first light tomorrow, if it pleases you."
"Yes, of course. First light. I'll be ready."
Elladan was already on the hall when he heard Lothíriel.
"Lord Elladan?" she said by the door.
"Yes?"
"May I ask you not to mention my name to the rohirim group? I would like to remain anonymous for the trip..."
"My lady?"
"A security measure I promised my father. Nothing more."
"I see. Well, Éomer King is friends with you father, so I don't see..."
"Please... I'm very aware of their friendship... Nevertheless, I must respect my father's wishes..."
Strange request, in Elladan's mind but it was a simple favour. He nodded towards the princess.
"As you wish."
"Hanon le."
She closed the door and leaned on it. Damn fate. How many inns in the entire Middle Earth existed? It had to be this one that he chose to stay... Tonight, of all nights?
Damned fate!
What in Mordor was he doing here?
A knock on the door brought her back from her thoughts.
"It is Reed, my lady. With your supper."
Lothíriel opened the door and a young maid stood with a trade on her hands. From bellow, probably from the common room, she thought, cheers and all sorts of conversations were heard.
"Good evening, my lady. May I come in?"
"Of course. I'm sorry. Come, that trade must be heavy."
The girl crossed the room and set the food on the nearby table. She looked at Lothíriel like she was a character out of a book.
"You are beautiful..."
"I beg your pardon?"
"My brother said you were the prettiest woman he had ever seen."
Lothíriel was confused.
"You brother?"
"Noeg. The 8 year-old boy who brought you in? The one with the dog?"
"Oh, yes. He's your brother, is he?"
"Yes. I didn't quite believe him when he spoke of you but you really are a most beautiful elf."
Lothíriel smiled.
"Oh, I'm not an elf. See," she drew back her hair and showed the maid her ears. "no pointed ears."
The girl looked disappointed.
"But you look so much like one... You have that special look they have..."
"Hum... Well, my mother's family was descendant from the elves so... I guess there's a lot of them in me."
The girl's eyes lighted up again.
"That's why you look so...elvish! And the ones that come with you, are they family?"
"No, they are not."
Lothíriel uncovered the trade of food and was greeted by a wonderful smell. Roasted meat and boiled potatoes. Simple but so good.
"They are very pretty too..." The girl continued. "The Elves. Specially Lord Elladan. I know his name because he comes to stay with us sometimes, on his journeys. He's really nice and tells us great stories. To Noeg and me."
Lothíriel looked at Reed again. She was about seventeen, she thought.
She's infatuated with him. No wonder, he really is a good looking man... well, elf.
"The men from Rohan are handsome too."
Lothíriel's heart stop for a beat and then resumed it's pace rapidly.
"Oh...?"
"Yes, they're different. They are blond but not like the elves from Lothlórien. No, their hair is the colour of ripe wheat. They have warm eyes and warm smiles... "
"Yes, they are very nice." Lothíriel said quickly.
Could you please not talk about them?
"And their king... Lord Éomer?"
Here we go...
"He's the most handsome man I ever saw. Tall and strong. I hear he was quite the hero in the Pelenor Fields and against the Dark Lord."
"Indeed." Lothíriel said between clenched teeth.
"Golden hair. He has hazel eyes, you know? Very beautiful. A strong jaw..."
"Reed, I don't believe this is proper conversation for a young girl such as yourself."
But the girl kept on going, just like in a dream.
"And a well built body..."
"Young lady!"
Blood disappeared from Reed's face in an instant.
"Forgive me, my lady. I didn't mean to... I just..." she finished quickly. "I'll leave you be. Good night."
She was out of the room faster than the wind.
The nerve of the chit! Describing him like some harlot and not the young respectful girl she was!
The dark part of her mind counteracted.
She is right though... He really has good... features.
She decided not to put another thought to it and finally enjoy her peace.
She sat and ate her food. It was good. And she was really hungry. She then removed her ridding boots and changed to more comfortable clothes.
She wrote some letters and in her journal. She had decided to start writing again and hoped to one day be able to share it with her baby.
After a couple of hours, she was ready to turn in. She lay in bed but she could sleep. She wanted desperately to but sleep would come.
Once again, she looked at the door. Outside it seemed quieter now.
She pondered going down stairs. She wanted to see him... She got up and fetched her cloak.
You can't! What if he sees you?
She bit her bottom lip as she paced the room nervously. She wanted to go down. She so wanted to see him again. And there was something else biting her heart.
Should I tell him? He has a right to know... After all, my child... Our child could the future heir of Rohan... He should know...
She made her decision and opened the door to the hall. She came down the stairs and reached the door to the commom room. She paused by the entrance of it and froze in the shadows.
There he was... At a table with friends, a mug in his hand... Careless... Smiling... And with a woman comfortably siting on his lap, her right arm wrapped around his shoulders and her hand buried him his golden hair... Her lips were red like she had just been kissed...
How ironic... The man she couldn't stop thinking, the one in her mind from sunrise to sunset, was enjoying his evening without a care in the world while she faced the situation of bearing a child, unmarried.
Her heart pinched with hurt.
What did you expected? That he would be pining for you?
Yes, she had... A little, anyway... Hadn't she?
How easy he had spoken of love...
Only a few moments ago as she was walking down the stairs, in her mind, she had pictured the encounter. He would be alone, in the darkness except for the lit fireplace. He sat at the table with a flask in his hand, trying to drown his sorrow. Then, he would lift his eyes to her and all would be forgotten. He would tumble the chair he sat on, cross the room in steady strides and sweep her of her feet. And with a warm kiss, he would ask for her forgiveness and pledge his eternal undying love.
What a fool you are, Lothíriel... What a fool...
With a heavy heart and tears in her eyes, she took a step back and retraced her steps back to her room.
She placed her hand on her stomach and whispered.
"You'll be mine alone, sweetheart. It will be just you and me..."
.*****.
He couldn't forget her. Not even now as a very willing maid sat in his lap, doing her best to get his attention. Alas, she couldn't cure what ailed him. Over and over, memories flooded his mind, haunted his sleep and played tricks when he was awake. Memories of her laughter, the smell of her black raven hair, the light in her green eyes...
Damn it!
He grabbed his cup and took a deep swig of ale as he let his gaze wonder around. Éothain sat opposite him, a girl in his arms, nuzzling her golden hair and whispering in her ear as she giggled flirtatiously.
Why couldn't he be himself again? Free of thoughts of her?
He clenched his fingers around the waist of the girl. The girl turned to him and hoping she finally got his attention she leaned down and kissed him hard.
Éomer tried to respond with all he got but he could. She wasn't her. All he could think was that she wasn't Lothíriel.
She ruined me... I'm dead...
"You know," Éothain said in rohir, making the conversation understandable only to them. "When I suggested to stop here for the night and celebrate with the men, I thought I was doing you a favour. I thought I was helping."
Éomer smiled.
"And I appreciated. This is helping."
"Really?" Éothain asked. "Because from the look on your face it looks more like punishment rather than pleasure."
Éomer lowered his gaze and rubbed his neck.
"It's just one of those days."
"I wish you would talk to me...You need to talk about this and let it out."
"Éothain..."
"It might help... Certainly wouldn't hurt."
Yeah, want to bet?
He raised his eyes to try to dissuade his friend from the conversation. But as he did he caught a glimpse of something in the darkness by the entrance of the common room.
What the...
"Éomer!"
The rohan king turned and stared at Elrond's older son's deep blue eyes.
"Elladan! I'm surprised to see you. What brings you here?"
Éomer got up and the girl on his knees realized her time was over. She quietly moved across the table and sat, annoyed.
The elf prince reached him and took his hand. He then pulled him to an embrace.
"On my way home, actually."
"Well, it's good to see you."
Elladan took a seat at the table. He nodded to Éothain.
"Éothain."
"My lord."
"So, what's new? Is your sister married yet?"
Éomer hissed and winced at the same time.
Éothain answered for him.
"He made Faramir agree for a long engagement."
"How long, exactly?"
"Over a year."
Elladan laughed out loud.
"Over a year?"
Éomer shrugged his shoulders.
"Hey, I figure if he loves her as he says he does, he'll wait."
"Sure, but over a year? That's cruel!"
"Well, I'm her brother and I'm losing her to a guy I hardly know, to a place miles away from Edoras."
Elladan raised his hands in surrender.
"I'm with you. I felt the same with my sister. And I did spent thousands of years with her and her husband his like a brother to me."
"See?" Éomer said to Éothain. "He understands."
"Are you going to Ithilien? Keeping the future brother-in-law in check?"
"Exactly." Éomer said as he leaned back.
"And Rohan? How are you handling this kingship thing?"
"Alright, I think. It coming to me. Slowly. And things are improving. The realm is flourishing. That's what's important."
Elladan smiled. He leaned in to Éothain and said.
"Look at him talking... A true king."
Éomer changed the subject.
"And you, on your way home. From where?"
"Dol Amroth."
Éomer's heart skipped a beat but he hid it well.
"Dol Amroth?"
"Yes but nothing important. I'm just escorting someone to Imladris."
"A royal escort? I'm impressed! You don't see that everyday."
"Well, it's not for a mere guest."
Silence fell on the room.
Éothain finally asked.
"Suspense is killing us. Who is it?"
"I'm not alowed to say."
"Come on. Seriously?"
"Seriously. In fact I should go to bed, get some sleep. We leave at dawn."
He got up and so did Éomer and Éothain.
"It was very good to see you and I hope next time we have more time." Éomer said.
"My feelings exactly."
They shook hands and parted.
"I think I'm gonna turn in too." Éothain said.
"And I'll go up in a while." The rohan king said.
But morning came and Éomer sat by the fireplace, alone, a flask in his hand, trying to drow his sorrows. Thinking of her.
Outside, the party to Imladris was getting ready to leave. In fact, as Éomer stepped out of the inn he could just see some riders leaving, at a slow pace. Elladan was the last one behind and already on his horse.
"Up so early?" he asked.
"Yeah... Leaving already?"
"Time stops for no one."
Éomer looked in the direction of the riders leaving and then finaly asked.
"Who is it? The one you're escorting."
"Curious?"
"Come on."
Elladan just smiled. He kicked his horse into moving but at the last minute he turned and answered.
"Lothíriel, Princess of Dol Amroth."
Éomer paled. It was her in the shadows. And he missed her.
.
.
A|N Hey there. Here's another chapter and I hope you keep enjoyed the story.
And thank you, very much, for all the lovely reviews. =)