Here is the next chapter! This one took awhile to write. I hope you enjoy!
The air was heavy in the great hall, and it weighed down on everyone. No one else felt it as much as Lothíriel. She knew the guards were loyal and Éomer was nearby to protect her if anything should happen. But she felt her stomach churning and came close to being sick a few times. Just when she thought she couldn't bear the anticipation anymore, Captain Harrick arrived.
"My lady, Lord Baugdȋr is here", he said.
"Show him in", she said.
Captain Harrick left through the back door of the hall. Lothíriel took a moment to steady herself; there was no backing out now. A man in his mid-forties flounced into the room. His expensive clothing and prideful air made his features all the more grotesque than they were. He had black, vacant eyes that sent a chill down Lothíriel's back.
He bowed before her and held out his hand to accept hers. She fought back the bile that was in her throat as she reluctantly extended her hand. She felt her skin crawl through her glove as he took her hand and kissed it hard. Éomer's grip on his sword tightened. Lothíriel pulled her hand from Baugdȋr's grasp and stood near Éomer.
Getting to his feet he said, "If it is possible, my lady, you have grown even more beautiful since last we met."
"I find it interesting that you can fawn over me, but you fail to notice that you are in the presence of a king", Lothíriel said curtly.
A look of confusion crossed Baugdȋr's face. In his arrogance, he had not even seen Éomer as he had entered the room. With an upturned nose, Baugdȋr saw the King of Rohan for the first time.
With a look of disgust he said, "King? King of what?"
Lothíriel held out her hand, preventing Éomer from drawing his sword.
She said through gritted teeth, "This is King Éomer of Rohan, and I expect you to show him the respect he deserves."
Baugdȋr's eyes became pitch black as he hastily bowed before Éomer.
"Forgive me, my lord, I am grateful for what you have done for my people", he said bitterly.
Lothíriel spoke first before Éomer had time to respond, fearing that it might lead to bloodshed right there.
"Yes, we are extremely grateful for all the help he has given us."
Turning to Éomer she said, "As you may have guessed, I intend to lead the forces of Amroth. Will you fight beside me as you fought beside my father and brothers on the fields of Pelennor?"
Outraged, Baugdír sidestepped in front of Éomer and stood only an inch or two from Lothíriel.
"You cannot be serious", he said, "a mere woman leading an army!"
Éomer grabbed his shirt and said, "And you will not come near her again!"
Baugdȋr spat on his boots and said, "How dare you lay a hand on me, you filthy barbarian!"
Éomer growled as he threw Baugdȋr to the ground. He drew his sword and placed it at his throat. Acting quickly, Lothíriel motioned for the guards then, she placed her hand on Éomer's hand as he gripped his sword. Clearing her throat, she spoke calming words in Rohirric. She said each word slowly and carefully as she had a heavy Westron accent. Éomer loosened his grip on his sword and pulled it away from Baugdȋr's throat. The guards took a hold of Baugdȋr, preventing him from wriggling out of their reach.
Éomer turned to Lothȋriel, his blue eyes shimmering as she continued to speak. He responded to her and the two of them conversed in Rohirric for a few minutes. She let go of his hand and he put away his sword. Lothíriel turned to the door at the back of the room and nodded to the guard. He opened the door and went into the next room. Baugdȋr struggled to free himself from the two guards.
Addressing Lothíriel, "What right do you have to hold me? Have I committed any crimes?"
"You have not been accused of any crimes…"
He grinned and said, "Then have the guards release me."
"I was not finished, do not interrupt me again", she said.
The grin on Baugdȋr's face became a grimace. The guard returned to the room along with Captain Harrick and the counsel.
"You have not been accused of any crimes yet, my lord", she said.
Lothíriel went over to the large dining table where the counsel now stood. They talked in hushed tones, pointing now and then to some pieces of paper on the table. She looked to each counselor and each in turn nodded in agreement.
Lothíriel turned to Baugdȋr and said, "After the attack a year ago that killed my mother, my father and his counsel decided to take certain precautions to protect the line of succession…"
"I don't see how that has anything to do with me", Baugdȋr spat.
Lothíriel glared at him and said, "I have warned you once not to interrupt me and I will not stand for it again!"
She continued, "My father knew that the battle would soon come to Minas Tirith, and he knew there would be no way to prevent the youngest of my brothers, Amrothos, from riding with them. That would leave me as the only descendant of Imrahil who would be capable of commanding the forces here."
One of the counselors spoke up, "There is another, and your father wanted to make sure that he was safe."
"Yes. My nephew but he is only two years of age. The council agreed to name me commander if my father and brothers went to war. When they rode for Minas Tirith, there was little hope they would return alive."
A quiet hush fell over the room; no one dared to speak a word. Lothíriel gazed into each and every face; there was fear and worry in their eyes. Her eyes turned to Baugdȋr, struggling to get free from the guards. His eyes were cold and empty; there was no emotion in them.
"You asked what crimes you have been accused of, and I will state them now. By our laws, there must be absolute proof to be found guilty. Some of that proof will come from the counselors themselves; the ones you tried to pay off", Lothíriel said.
Baugdȋr said through gritted teeth, "All lies! I never…"
She continued, "And that falls under the heading of attempted bribery. Not to mention the stocks of food you have horded away for yourself."
Lothíriel glared at Baugdȋr, daring him to speak again.
"Along with the horded supplies, you have yet to come forth with your sword to fight in battle."
"My lady, please…" Baugdȋr begged.
Counting off on her fingers she said, "That is attempted bribery, extortion, failure to supply necessities, failure to render aide, and breaking your oath to your lord and prince."
Baugdȋr pleaded, "My lady, please have mercy."
Lothíriel started to tremble with anger all over her body. Her eyes were full of fire, and she pressed her lips into a fine line. She gripped the hilt of her sword as she tried to regain control. She mumbled something softly but no one could hear what she said.
"Have mercy", she whispered.
She spoke louder, "Have mercy on you."
Lothíriel slowly relaxed the tight grip on her sword and let go. She would not let this man get the better of her.
"You have already been shown mercy. Now, onto the most serious crimes you have committed. You are now charged with plotting assassination and with treason."
Baugdȋr desperately tried to free himself from the hands of the two guards that held him. Lothíriel signaled to a guard who brought forth a set of metal irons. Baugdȋr's eyes widened as the guard stepped forward to place them on his hands. He struggled free from the guards and approached Lothíriel. Baugdȋr stopped short when he found Éomer's sword blocking his path.
Falling to his knees before Lothíriel he said, "My lady, when have I been disloyal to you or your father? I have always been a willing servant."
Lothíriel scoffed, "A willing servant to Dol Amroth or to someone else, perhaps the Dark Lord Sauron himself?"
A gasp of shock went around the room. Distracted, Éomer lowered his sword and looked at Lothíriel. Quickly, Baugdȋr pulled the hidden dagger from his belt, stabbed the nearest guard, and taking the guard's sword lunged at Lothíriel. Éomer saw the commotion from the corner of his eye and turned to intercept Baugdȋr.
Before Éomer could reach his target, Lothíriel had drawn her sword from its sheath. Swinging the sword through the air, she blocked several blows from Baugdȋr. He stepped backwards, trying to avoid her. She slashed his right hand, causing him to drop his sword. He instinctively moved his left hand to his injured hand, dropping his dagger in the process. Still holding his bleeding hand, Baugdȋr backed into the wall.
Several guards took up position around Lothíriel with their swords drawn on Baugdȋr.
With her sword poised, Lothíriel said, "Bad move, Baugdȋr. You forget that I was trained in the art of sword fighting by Captain Hirvegil himself."
Baugdȋr's eyes widened as he hurriedly tried to seek a way out of this mess. He watched as two men tended to the wounded guard. Lothíriel looked away for a fleeting moment to instruct the two men to get the wounded man to a healer. Baugdȋr seizing this last chance carefully slid his left hand behind his back. His actions went unnoticed by the guards as he reached for another dagger.
With and evil smirk he said, "Of course. Hirvegil, meaning 'sword master'. I am told he is an excellent teacher."
Baugdȋr slid his left hand holding the dagger to his side. All he needed was to get close enough.
Looking at him, Lothíriel said, "Yes, he is a very good teacher. I am very glad that he survived the siege at Minas Tirith."
She noticed his left hand without raising any suspicion. Slowly, she inched her free hand beneath her cloak. Lothíriel had to keep him distracted so he wouldn't see.
Narrowing her eyes she said, "I remember the first lesson he taught me. He told me to 'expect the unexpected'."
She was so close to reaching it, only another inch or two. He was about to make his move, she had to hurry. Her searching hand finally grasped the hilt of her dagger. Lothíriel pulled it quietly from its sheath, trying not to make a sound.
"That's good advice, too bad you didn't take that lesson to heart", Baugdȋr taunted.
In a blind rage, he came at her with the dagger. Wielding sword and dagger, Lothíriel challenged his charge. She drove him back towards the wall, placing her dagger at his left wrist pinning it there. With Lothíriel's sword as his throat, Baugdȋr dropped his weapon.
Moving her dagger to his throat Lothíriel said, "One more move like that and you're as good as dead."
Keeping her eyes on Baugdȋr, Lothíriel spoke to the guards nearby.
She said, "Clap him in irons and see to his wounds. I would hate for the accused to bleed to death before the council could pass judgment on him."
With the dagger still at his throat, Baudȋr swallowed nervously.