Chapter 3: In Which Luna Keeps Her Place

Luna smiled back at the Rohir, glad to have found at least one person to talk to other than Lothiriel. She had started to suspect this was going to be a boring trip with time spent doing little more than chores for her father, despite what Lothiriel had told her before arriving. She resumed combing out the knots in Pepper's tail.

"Are you to tell me your name in return?" Eomer asked.

"I am Luna, Daughter of Callum."

"That is an unusual name. It sounds neither Elvish or Common-tongue."

"It is English." This she still remembered from her time before, for her entire life in this land, she had needed to explain her name to everyone she met. But she stopped immediately. Callum had asked her to keep that part of her life a secret. She cursed herself for breaking yet another rule that had been set in place for her.

"English? I have never heard of that language."

"Do you speak Sindarin?" she asked. Lothiriel and the royal family all knew the Elvish language. Luna herself only knew a couple of phrases, but this was the only lie she could think of off the top of her head.

"I'm afraid not."

She sighed with relief. "It is another word for Common in Sindarin." When he did not protest, she took another sigh as he moved out of the stall door from her view. "Are you leaving so soon?"

"I am finding a chair. Tell me of Dol Amroth. I wish to hear of your kingdom."

She set into a long speech of her homeland, answering questions when asked by the young Rohir. He was so easy to talk to and her work flew by as she finished grooming Pepper and moved onto Amrothos's horse, Cedar. And when Cedar had been cleaned of the road, she moved to Willow, Lothiriel's mare as the time flew by. "And what of you?" she asked after a long description of Dol Amroth's herb gardens that she tended with her mother. "What is your trade here in Edoras."

"I do not live in Edoras. I am visiting family here. I live in Aldburg, in the Eastfold of Rohan."

"How fascinating," a third voice said, and Luna's heart sunk. Her father had returned. "Luna, out of that stall, this instant."

"I am tending the horses as you asked," she explained, exiting Willow's stall. From the corner of her eye, she saw Eomer outside of another stall, but kept her eyes on her father.

"I thought I had said you were to do this alone."

"I am working alone. You said nothing about keeping company."

"You washed all of these saddles?"

"Not yet, I've been grooming the-" and she noticed the smell of tack oil out in the center of the barn, and certainly, all seven saddles had been cleaned and polished. She turned to Eomer. "I told you not to help me."

"Forgive me, sir," he said, ignoring Luna and walking up to her father instead. "I felt as if Rohan owed you and your daughter a kindness for the way Grima had spoken to you. Truely, he does not embody the qualities I value in Men of Rohan. I apologize if I overstepped. Mistress Luna had asked me not to help. I cleaned the saddles quietly as she worked in the stalls. She did not know."

"Your master does not have other duties for you to attend to, lad?" Callum asked.

"Not of late. It is hard for me to find chores in Edoras. Theoden has his men tend to them for me."

"King Theoden?" Callum softly emphasized.

"Aye, sir. My uncle, Theoden King."

Luna wished for a horse to come and kick her before her father could. Yet another rule she had broken. Keep her place. It was hard to do when her best friend was not a part of her place. Let alone, when a stranger did not inform her of his true identity. She had no business being alone in the stables with a member of the foreign king's family.

Callum straightened his back. "Forgive me, my lord."

"None of that, I beg you," Eomer said, holding his palms towards Callum in defense. "I am but twenty-two years sir, in a house that is my uncle's, not my own."

Callum nodded. "As you wish."

"And please allow me to continue helping, sir," Eomer insisted. "For I found Miss Luna's defense of you to Lord Grima a mark of bravery. Such is honored in the Mark, not punished."

Callum let out a breath and gestured back to the saddles. "Very well...Eomer."

The young man smiled and went to grab the saddle blankets to beat out the dust. Callum wasn't completely comfortable with the young lord's help.

"You live in Aldburg then?" Callum asked him, picking up a hoof pick from Luna's pile of tools.

"You know Aldburg, sir?"

"I've been to Rohan once in my youth. I happened upon Adburg then." Luna let out a breath of relief as her father nodded for her to return to grooming Willow. The two men launched into conversation of Eomer's home and how it had changed in the time that had gone by since Callum had visited there. With her father now helping them, the three saw the chores completed much sooner than Luna had originally anticipated. She patted Pepper one last time as the three put their tools away and grabbed their saddle bags.

"I hate to ask this of you, my new young friend," Callum said to Eomer. "But Lord Grima has said we are to be housed in the barracks with your soldiers. If I had come alone, those accommodations would be fine, but with my daughter-"

Eomer held up a hand. "Say no more, Master Callum. There is an inn but a short walk into the village."

Callum smiled. "I thank you for your help with our tack and the good conversation Eomer, Son of Eomund."

Eomer raised an eyebrow. "I don't believe I told you my father's name, sir."

"No, but you look so much like him and you hail from the fortress he titled over. Your father showed me kindness in my travels to this land many years ago. It is good to know his son is of like mind and quality."

Eomer smiled and bowed his head. "I thank you. Both of you, for the calm and peaceful evening. With your lords and lady here, Meduseld will not be quite this quiet again until your departure. I only hope my uncle's illness fades so that you may both be shown the hospitality you deserve, and not what Lord Grima bestowed upon you today."

He turned to Luna next. "Thank you, again, Miss Luna."

His eyes stared into her's so intently, she wasn't sure what to say or do. She cleared her throat and gave a small bow of her head. "Will I-will we get to see more of you while we're here?"

Callum cleared his own throat. A warning. Eomer is the king's nephew. Keep your place.

"My sister Eowyn is tasked with much of the hostess duties of Meduseld in the absence of a queen. I will be in Edoras for the duration of your visit doing what I can to support her. No doubt we will meet again."

"We would welcome it, of course," Callum intervened before Luna could answer. "But the night is late and we must retire. Early morning duties and all."

And with that, Callum pulled Luna from the stable and out into the fresh air. Luna had almost forgotten the scent of the air here. A smell that was empty of smells.

"He was very kind," Luna said. "I had worried after that awful lord, but no longer."

"Yes, he was kind. Much like his father before him. Luna, you know you and I will be busy here. We have trading to do for the prince and you mother has a very long list of native plants for us to track down, not to mention the horses's daily exercises."

"I know, papa."

"Lothiriel may try to pull you away from your duties."

"Am I really not allowed to see Lothiriel while we're here?"

"I never said that. Duties first, that goes for the both of you."

"Understood."

They reached the inn in only a few short minutes. Edoras was not a city, in the same sense as Dol Amroth, but it was a charming little village, full of wooden buildings with thatched roofs. The sprawling citizens that had greeted their party on their arrival had all tucked in for the night, but the candles and lanterns of the inn were still alive, thank goodness. Soon, Callum and Luna had been given a room each, adjacent to each other and Luna, quite tired from the travel and evening of chores, did her best to sponge off the muck and smell that coated her skin. She would draw a bath tomorrow, for the sheets of the bed were calling out to her. She had not slept in a bed for almost a week. Stripping down into her shift, she nestled into the warm blankets. The last thought that entered her mind before she drifted off to sleep was of a certain horselord and his green eyes.


Luna's first few days in Edoras were not the great adventure she was expecting. She exercised the horses. She accompanied her father to multiple vendors of horse supplies. On the evening of the third day was the first Luna got to see of her best friend since arriving.

"Prince Theodren arrived earlier this evening," Callum said, joining Luna at their table in the main hall of the inn. He set a bowl of rabbit stew in front of her and tucked into his own.

"Did he meet Lothiriel?"

"I suppose so. He brought his horse into the stables while I was taking measurements for Cedar and Banyan. Prince Imrahil implied he was a young man."

"Lothirel said he was twenty-one years."

Callum shook his head. "This lad was much older. Perhaps more of thirty-five years, I would wager."

Luna shook her head. "That can't be right."

"Why not?"

Luna rolled her eyes. "If you have not guessed what Prince Imrahil brought Lothiriel here for by now, Papa…"

Callum shook his head. "Lothiriel is the same age as you. Her father would not be proposing a union now."

"Not union. Not yet. And Imrahil isn't the one proposing it. We were sent here by Lord Denathor."

"Whatever the reason, it is none of ours, though I suspect you will know more than I soon enough."

"Why is that?"

"Lothiriel has asked for you this evening. Imrahil is releasing her from duties for the night. I agreed as well."

"Really?" Luna said excitedly, as Callum nodded. She leaned over and gave his prickled cheek a small peck. "Thank you, Papa!"

She took two more bites of stew and nearly knocked over her chair as she pulled on her shawl.

"Not too late, Luna."

She practically ran from the inn to the steps of Meduseld. Lothiriel was sitting at the top waiting for her. It had been three days since the two friends had shared a hug.

"By Ulmo's waves, I have missed you," Lothiriel said, pulling Luna into a tight embrace. "I detest it here, Luna. I truly do."

Luna pulled back, looking her in the eye. "Why? I think it's quite lovely, but for the absence of salt water in the air."

Lothirel shook her head. "This isn't at all what Father described to me. This hall is cold and worn. Until today, it's just been us and that man, Grima." She shuddered. "He is not a good man. And he is always around. He stares at Lady Eowyn and I just know the thoughts in his head are not ones for a girl of seventeen."

"Papa said Prince Theodred had arrived earlier today."

"Do not get me started on Prince Theodred! A young, handsome man of twenty-one years, my father told me. This man is older than Elphir," she explained, naming her eldest brother. "A great soldier he may be, but that is the only word of truth spoken of him by my uncle Denathor."

"What does all of this mean?"

"Father is not happy. He feels cheated. Amrothos told me so. He says Father wants to leave early, promises be damned."

"So, we are leaving, then?"

"Not for another couple days, at least. When Prince Theodred arrived, King Theoden all of a sudden broke from his illness that had taken him over since our arrival. Apparently there is a banquet to be held in two night's time. It would be incredibly rude to refuse the king's invitation."

"At least you will have a reason to wear the gown you brought."

Lothirel dared a small smile. "Always looking on the bright side."

"What good is it to dwell on the dark one? And think of it. At least now, your father would never agree to a betrothal."

"It is not that simple, Luna. Father may not have a choice if Lord Denathor has already deemed it so."

"That can happen? Without your father's approval?"

"We will have to see in the morning. Amrothos says Father will question Theodred on any promises made. And my brother will try to find out what he can from the prince's cousin, Lord Eomer."

There it was, the one person other than Lothiriel that Luna cared to know about and the princess noticed her friend perk up at the sound of the horse lord's name. "Do you know Eomer? Did you meet him in the village?"

"No. I haven't seen him since we arrived. He assisted me with untacking the horses as Lord Grima had told his stable boys not too."

Lothiriel smiled. "If there is anything about Rohan that has been the least bit pleasant, it is Lord Eomer. His sister tells me he is to be promoted to Third Marshal of the Riddermark come his next birthday."

"Third Marshal?"

"I suppose the rank is equivalent to Gondor's Captain. He will lead an entire calvary legion."

Luna couldn't help but detect the admiration in Lothiriel's words and she kept her own mouth shut in hopes the princess would not detect the jealousy in her's.


Eventually, Luna and Lothiriel had to depart to the part of their lives that would always remain separate. Luna tried not to dwell on her best friend's blatant attraction to Eomer. It is not as if it mattered anyway. Lothiriel would either be tied to Theodred by her uncle's promises or returned to Dol Amroth as if this whole trip had never happened. And Luna would return either way, probably never to return to this land, at least not in any sort of immediate future. It did her no good to think of the handsome horse lord. Be that as it may, her dreams that night were tinged with visions of her best friend, the girl who got everything she ever wanted, dancing in the arms of Lord Eomer.

Sharp taps on her door woke her to the orange sunrise. "Luna, I told you not to stay out all night!" Callum called from the other side. "Put on boots and bring your gloves. Breakfast will not stay hot much longer."

Luna groaned and rose from her bed, rubbing the crust from her eyes, cursing her dreams from the night before. She shuffled over to her water basin and splashed the cool contents onto her face, but it did little to help wake her. Quickly pulling a brush through her hair, she fashioned the silver locks into its usual two braids on either side of her face and pulled on her working dress. She had no need for under-trousers or her split skirt today. She wasn't working her father's trade, but rather her mother's. A local midwife and healer was taking her out to the nearby woods this morning to forage for plants and herbs native to the Mark that her mother had requested. Such items were rare in Belfalas, for Rohan's merchant trade route only extended to Minas Tirith and it was Melyanna's only request from the trip.

Luna gave one last stretch, hoping she could scarf down her breakfast in time. The sun was already gaining height in the sky. She took a quick pace down the stairs and almost collided with a tall figure at the bottom.

"Pardon me," she said, hurrying so quickly past the man, she almost didn't recognize him.

"There is little to pardon, Miss Luna," Lord Eomer said, giving her a small tilt of his head.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, and jumped as her father startled her from behind.

"Lord Eomer is accompanying you this morning. Mistress Gillwen had to see to a woman gone into labor early this morning."

"Are you not coming, Papa?"

"Lord Imrahil has called me to Meduseld. I believe our time here might be cut a bit short. When you return, we may need to begin readying the horses. Now, I must leave you, but please be quick about this, if you can."

Luna nodded and ignored her growling stomach, turning back to Eomer. "We best be off."

"You've not eaten," he said, motioning to a table.

She shook her head. "Did you not hear him? We must be quick." She grabbed an apple from a bowl sitting on the edge of the bar, placing it in her basket for later, and set out the door, Eomer following close behind.

"I thought this would be a more leisurely activity," he said, matching her quick stride.

"Not much time for leisure. Too much to do, I'm afraid."

"I did not know you were leaving so soon. Eowyn and Uncle said you were here until the end of the month."

"I know little about the Prince's plans, Lord Eomer." She wished he would stop asking questions. It would be just her luck that her big mouth would somehow insult his king or his country by letting slip Lothiriel's opinions and disappointment with this land.

"You have never called me 'lord'."

"I have met you once and did not know you were a lord at the time. My father would not want me to forget my place."

"And what place is that?"

"I am a commoner and a servant, Lord Eomer. And that is something I often forget. But I have promised my father that while I am in these lands, I will keep my place."

"Luna, please, stop for a moment," he said, moving in front of her, making her halt her quick pace. "There is no place you need to keep with me. Sister-son of the king I may be, but I wish to be treated no different than you. I am a rider in the king's eoreds. I hold no titles in that position."

She shook her head. "This is a pointless conversation. It matters not what you wish, only what is actually true. Now please, we must make haste."

He let out a gruff sigh and moved to let her pass. "May we at least hold conversation? Surely that is permitted?"

She gritted her teeth. "Of course, my lord."

"Princess Lothiriel tells me you two are good friends," he said, continuing down the path that led them out of the village limits.

There it was; he did not care to talk of Luna, he wished to talk of beautiful, royal Lothiriel. Luna only wished she were surprised. "We have been best friends since childhood," she admitted, gripping her basket handle

"Perhaps you could tell me, as her best friend, why she wishes to leave Rohan sooner than expected? I understand it is very different from Dol Amroth, but surely the Mark is not off putting?"

Luna shook her head. "I would not be a very good friend if I betrayed her trust like that."

"I meant no harm in asking. Uncle was to throw a banquet tomorrow night. When Theodred arrived yesterday, his illness passed rather quickly. I would hope you would be here to enjoy the festivities, is all."

"I very much doubt I would be invited to the King's Banquet, my lord."

"Banquets in Rohan are not the stuffy affairs of the south I've heard about. They are large and welcoming. Everyone in Edoras will attend, regardless of title."

Luna let out another sigh. "When last I spoke to Lothiriel, she told me of the banquet and assumed we would be staying long enough for her and her family to attend."

"And you will not tell me why those plans have changed?"

"Is that why you volunteered for this? Did your uncle need you to pry into Prince Imrahil's affairs? Did you figure Lothiriel's best friend would be the best way to do that?"

"Luna, I beg of you, please stop assuming the worst of me. I truly mean no harm."

"Those are the Greenwoods?" she asked, pointing to where the trees began to grow thick. Eomer nodded. "My mother requests quite a few herbs and flowers found in your lands."

"I know of a few, though probably not as much as your mother."

"I already see one. Couch grass, over there," she pointed. "And there are thickets of Evermind scattered all about the plains. I saw them riding into Edoras."

"Evermind?"

Luna walked over to a small patch of them and plucked a small, white flower. "I don't believe there is much medicinal use. My mother uses the petals to brew tea."

Eomer chuckled. "We call it Simbelmynë here."

Luna bent down and began plucking the flowers, placing them gently in her basket. "Mother has a few friends in Minas Tirith that purchase them from traders. They make their way to us every now and then."

"And what does she use the couch grass for?"

"The roots can be a remedy for pain. Elder aches, mostly."

He walked over to a nearby patch of couch grass and began plucking. Luna called out, "If you once again insist on helping me, you will need to know to keep the root intact. Pull gently from the base of the frond."

"No protests to my assistance this time?" he teased.

"I do not know you well, my lord, but I know it would do me little good to argue with you."

He laughed, helping her with her work. Luna had to admit, it was the best chore she had been tasked with since arriving in Edoras and the best company she had kept. The two worked through the morning gathering yarrow, agrimony, and sativa until Luna's basket was overflowing.

"We should get you back to the village," Eomer said, wiping his hands together to sid them of soil. "Midday nears and all you've had to eat is an apple."

Luna looked up at the sky. The sun had risen significantly, not quite to its peak. "I suppose you're right. Papa will need my help with the horses."

The two began to walk back toward Edoras and Luna tried to ignore that their pace was significantly slower than when they had first set out this morning.

"Do you think Prince Imrahil will have announced your upcoming departure when we return?"

"I honestly don't know. Best friend of Lothiriel I may be, I still can never tell what goes on in Imrahil's mind."

Eomer picked at the caked dirt under his fingernails. "I know you will not tell me Lothiriel's secrets, and I admire that. But there is something I heard her say to Amrothos that had me puzzled."

"I doubt I will give you an answer, but you may ask me, nonetheless"

"They seemed to imply that Master Callum isn't actually your father."

Luna pursed her lips. She did not want to lie, but she also had to keep her ture past a secret, as Callum had made very clear. "He is my father in all that actually matters."

"I do not doubt that, and I do not wish to insult you, or him. It's just...your parents, the ones who sired you? They are not alive anymore?"

"I know not where they are or what happened to them. I just know that Callum and Melyanna gave me a home when I didn't have one. I used to ask questions all the time. 'Where are my parents? What happened to me? Would I ever find them again?' Then, I stopped asking. As I grew older, I realized no matter what the answer was, it didn't bring me any solace. If they didn't want me, that was a tragedy. If they lost me to no fault of their own and found me years later, I would lose Callum and Melyanna." They neared the edge of the village. "Why do you ask me this?"

"My father died when I was very young," he said, still picking at his nails. "My mother passed not long after. My sister and I were raised in Edoras by Theoden after they passed."

That seemed to be all the answer she would be given, and Luna found it was enough. They returned to the inn in calm silence, keeping each other's leisurely pace. Unfortunately, they reached it all too soon and Eomer was forced to break the silence. "If you find that Imrahil has indeed made up his mind and you will be departing, please do not leave without saying goodbye."

She nodded. "Thank you for your help, Eomer."

He grinned. "So it's Eomer again, is it?"

"Careful," she warned. "Tease me not, or I shall part with a curtsy."

She left him outside, finding her father sitting at their usual table with broth, bread, and cheese for a midday meal laid out in front of him. "Did you find everything your mother requested?" he asked.

"And then some. Deeper into Greenwood, we found small patches of yarrow." She took her seat next to him. "Did you speak to Imrahil? Are we to depart?"

Her father sighed. "We are leaving early, but not today. King Theoden is hosting a banquet for the village. Imrahil does not wish to part without attending. Lord Denathor would not approve."

Luna did her best to hide her giddiness as she pulled her bowl closer. She would not have to say goodbye to the horselord quite yet.