Chapter 4: In Which Luna Learns to Dance
Luna did her best to stroke the wrinkles from her gown. Since her arrival and endless workload, she hadn't even unpacked the one nice dress she had brought with her, for she doubted there would be a chance to wear it. Even when Lothiriel first told her of Theoden's banquet, she assumed the invitation would not extend to her, especially after the harsh treatment from Lord Grima. But after returning to town with Eomer the day prior, the whole town was buzzing with excitement. Up until this point, the mysterious royal family of Dol Amroth had kept themselves cooped up inside Meduseld. Now, the townsfolk would get to see them up close, all guests of the king.
Luna had rushed through her morning duties of mucking horse stalls to make it back to the inn by midday, but the innkeeper wasn't offering lunch today. Banquets in Rohan, he had explained, began earlier than suppertime, to allow for celebrations after eating.
She had managed to lug a few pails of water from the outside well up to her room and had drawn a small bath to clean herself. Instead of two plaits on either side of her face, as she usually wore it, Luna crafted one long braid down her back and pulled it into a twist behind her head, adding a few of the Evermind flowers she had picked with Eomer as decoration.
Her dress was a soft blue and only somewhat worn. Luna typically reserved use of it for Yuletide celebrations back home or if Dol Amroth was hosting visitors of its own and Imrahil threw his own ball or banquet. She drew the laces in the back as best she could on her own and then pulled her soft leather boots onto her feet. Lothirel would tease her for her normal boots with the fancy dress, but Luna hardly cared. Her dress covered her feet and no one would be looking at her feet.
The smells of Meduseld's kitchens wafted through the air of Edoras and Luna smiled, for it was the first time the air smelt of something. Callum had agreed to finish up her work for the night so that she could make it to the banquet on time, so she had no one to escort her, but she didn't care. She had begun to learn the worn dirt walkways of the village town, but the road to Meduseld was clear as Rohan's people bounded happily toward her hall. Luna blushed amongst the crowd, noting her attire to be rather formal in comparison to the others around her, but she did her best to blend in, excited to finally have some fun with Lothiriel and maybe even see more of a certain horselord.
As much time as she had spent outside of the hall and in its stables, Luna had yet to enter the Golden Hall. Inside, long tables had been set for guests to dine at, and food was already abundant with guests digging into the delicious smells that wafted through the town, mouths full with food and smiles.
Another table sat perpendicular to them, in front of the royal dias. An older man with the same straw-colored hair that littered most of Rohan's citizens sat at the center of the table with Prince Imrahil on his right. An aged crown sat on his brow and Luna knew him to be Theoden, King of Rohan. To his left was a man, almost of Imrahil's age who bore a striking resemblance to the king. Luna assumed this to be Theodred, who was indeed no longer near the age of twenty. He was in conversation with the pretty girl in a white dress who had greeted Luna's arrival, Lady Eowyn, Eomer's sister. On Imrahil's right side sat Amrothos, then Lothiriel at the end of the table, a sour look on her face. Luna took another glance up and down the royal table, but there was no sign of Eomer. So instead, she waved to Lothiriel, who instantly perked up at the sight of her best friend. Lothiriel pointed at her plate and then at the tables full of guests. Eat first, she mouthed. Luna nodded and looked for a friendly face. Mistress Gillwen, the midwife who had been Luna's original chaperone to the Greenwood, sat with Emric, the innkeeper. Luna hesitantly sat down next to the mistress, wishing her father didn't have to be so late or that Lothiriel could have just eaten with her as they did in Dol Amroth.
"Ah, the sea lass has finally joined us!" Gillwen cried as Luna smiled.
Emric passed Luna a plate and gestured to the food. "Have whatever ye want, lassie," he said. "I've seen yer appetite of late. No doubt yer starvin' without proper luncheon."
"It all smells so good," Luna complemented, reaching for a buttered roll. "King Theoden's house staff must have been working since before the dawn."
"Ye bet yer bottom," he said, taking it upon himself to load her plate with cuts of pheasant and mutton and roasted finger potatoes. "Now tuck in, don' be shy."
"Tell us, lass," Gillwen said, turning towards Luna. "What business exactly brings your prince here? We've all been pondering it through the last week and now we hear you're to leave so soon."
"Quiet, Gilly," Emric muttered, ducking his head a bit. "You don' want the Worm to hear ye asking questions. He nearly 'ad Tolifain flogged for speaking to the princess when she got 'ere. He clearly doesn' wan' us askin' questions."
Luna followed his gaze to a dark corner behind the royal dias. Grima stood there, his bloodshot eyes fixed to King Theoden's back.
Luna munched at her food, narrowing her eyes at the strange lord. He seemed to be muttering something, but it was hard to see from where she sat and his face in the shadows. He still dawned a thick, black coat lined with fur. Luna tried to imagine spending all of her time in this hall, as Lothiriel had, with that man and the thought made her shiver. Even if he hadn't shown her and her father such rudeness when they'd arrived, the thought repulsed her. No wonder Lothiriel hated it here, on top of the disappointment that turned out to be Theodred. Luna's gaze moved to the Prince of Rohan. He was tall and broad, as most men of the Mark. To be frank, he was rather plain, a forgettable face. But the crinkles at his eyes told Luna that he smiled a lot. There was at least that.
Luna studied Eowyn next. Her back was stiff and her eyes occasionally shifted in Grima's direction. Theodred held her ear, but it was clear her real attention was on the Lord behind her. She plucked at the wide hems of her white dress sleeves and her golden hair fell around her in gentle waves.
The king was talking to Imrahil, who looked more relaxed than Luna had expected. Amrothos was also part of their conversation and Luna pondered what they could be talking about. Based on Lothiriel's deadpan expression it was more than likely not one concerning her or Prince Theodred. Amorthos briefly looked up and caught Luna staring and gave her a small wink. She smiled back and forced her curiosity to subside, moving her attention back to her tablemates.
"So, lassie," Emric said, turning back to her. "Did ye find all the plants ye was lookin' fer with Eomer?"
"She must have," Gillwen said, reaching over and tucking a loose strand of hair behind Luna's ear. "See the Simbelmynë in her hair? Best be careful, Miss Luna, or you'll become a real Lady of the Mark. You may never return to the sea kingdom."
Luna laughed and reached for a cut of goat cheese. "Rohan is very different from Dol Amroth, it's true, but I must admit, the Mark is growing on me."
"That certainly warms my heart," a new voice said, sitting down next to her.
"Eomer, lad," Emric said, raising his tankard and clanking it against the one Eomer already possessed. "Were 'ave ye been? Food's nearly gone. I smell cakes comin' up from the kitchens!"
"Firefoot," Eomer said, picking up a hard boiled egg. "He tried to pick a fight with Prince Imrahil's stallion. I had told Master Callum that his horses would be fine to roam in the pasture, since none of his mares were in heat. I didn't expect the brute to try something like that."
"Banyan is a bit of an alpha," Luna admitted. "Is that why my father is late?"
"Aye," Eomer said, finishing his egg and downing it with a slug of ale. "I helped him wrangle your horses. He said he'd be right behind me. Doesn't seem to like crowds much, your father."
Luna shook her head. "He never has. He's always preferred to be in the pastures and stables with horses than amongst large groups of people."
"Ah, desert is here, my friends," Gillwen said as the smells of sugar and honey took over the room. Men rose from their seats to assist Theoden's staff with handing out the trays of goods.
"I hope you left some room," Eomer said. "The honeycakes are my favorite."
The honeycakes were indeed remarkable. "We don't cultivate much honey in Dol Amroth," Luna explained. "It's never still in the comb and never this fresh."
"My aunt is a honey trader," he said. "You would like her. She is a plant lover."
Luna managed to fill herself with an apple tart, two blueberry scones and another honeycake as the meal came to a close. She was contemplating taking down just one more sweet when the table started to move away from her. The men in the room had all started pushing the large tables to the walls of the hall.
"What is happening?" she asked Eomer, rising from her bench so it too could be moved.
"It's tradition," Eomer said. "Anytime Rohan hosts a feast, there is dancing afterward."
"But I am stuffed with food. I couldn't possibly dance now."
"Nothing like a bit of a jig to work off the food in your stomach," he chuckled and raised his tankard to the room, calling out, "Makes room for more ale!"
"Ale!" the people cried back.
Luna laughed. "Well, nonetheless, I will probably just watch. I've never been much of a dancer."
Eomer finished off the last few drops in his tankard and handed it off to one of the maids who had begun cleaning the tables. "Suit yourself, Luna, but you will be missing out."
"You dance?" Luna asked, a bit surprised. He didn't seem the type.
He laughed. "Is that so hard to believe?"
"Well, I suppose not, but-," he words were cut off by music. In the bustle of moving the tables, a band had set up near the king's dias. But this was not the ballroom music of Gondor. This was something much more lively. Fast-paced fiddles and flutes sounded throughout the hall and dancers immediately found footing in the center of the large room. Couples and singles alike jumped up and down to the fun and fast beats.
Eomer laughed again. "I suppose music isn't quite like this in Gondor?"
"Not in the slightest," she said. Her body was suddenly bumping up and down to the beat of the music. Luna noticed Lothiriel making her way from the dias toward her and Eomer. The princess's black hair was piled in curls on top of her head, held there by a silver circlet.
"Luna," she said, rushing into a hug. "Is this music not...eclectic?"
"It is different."
"What is music like in Gondor?" Eomer asked.
"Slower," Lothiriel said after a beat. "Are you going to try it, Luna?"
"I think I'll watch first."
Lothiriel chuckled. "Always cautious. Lord Eomer, perhaps you would escort me for my first dance?"
Eomer looked between the two of them and Luna knew it would do more harm than good to refuse Lothiriel. "Go," she said, motioning to the crowd. "I will watch and perhaps join later."
Lothiriel smiled and held out her hand. Eomer took it with a small bow and escorted the princess, disappearing into the crowd.
"My cousin is disappointed," a deep voice said behind her.
"Prince Theodred," she said, bowing to him. "Are you not dancing?"
"No doubt I will after this pint, miss," he said, raising his tankard to her. "Perhaps you would like to accompany me?"
"Of course, if you would wish it of me," Luna said, knowing she could not be rude and refuse the prince. "Though I do not know this dance."
He smiled. "There are few moves to this jig. And no one would notice mistakes. But I can see you are not quite ready. I will not thrust you into it as your princess has my cousin."
Luna wasn't sure what to say to that. She simply smiled and crossed her arms over her chest. She may know more of this situation between Theodred and Lothiriel than most of Rohan's subjects, but she did not know the whole story and she wished the horse-prince would leave her before she said anything of regret. The prince smiled at her again and reached for a tankard on a tray carried by a passing maid. "Some liquid courage, perhaps," he said, offering her the ale. She took it and had a sip. Her parents had only granted her permission to drink spirits this year and Luna knew all too well their effects. "Now, tell me," the prince said. "What, exactly, was Lothiriel expecting before she lay eyes on me?"
Luna nearly choked on her beer. "I-I'm not sure-,"
He held up a hand. "Please, Miss Luna, there is no need to act as if you do not share the princess's confidence. She has avoided me since I arrived and before I offer explanation, I wish to know the answer to this one question. Imrahil Prince will not be clear with me and Amrothos Prince wishes explanation from me first, but how can I defend myself if I do not know what exactly I am defending?"
"I do not wish to speak out of turn," she muttered.
"There is no need to fear that. I ask for no more information than what I am entitled to. Please, miss."
Luna could make out Lothiriel's tall figure amongst the dancers in the crowd, her silver circlet shining in the reflection of the candle from the chandeliers against her black hair. "She was told you were a man of twenty-one and that is all I know of Lothiriel's disappointment. As for Prince Imrahil, you were to greet our party upon arrival, yet you were not even in Edoras when we arrived, and I am only assuming that is where his anger at the situation stems from."
Theodred shook his head. "This whole affair has been muddled. My fathers head councilman, Lord Grima, arranged this visit with Gondor's Steward, Lord Denathor. He mistakenly told me the wrong date of your arrival. I never had any intention of taking Lothiriel's hand at sixteen years of age, I only agreed to meet as a courtesy. As I understand it now, Imrahil Prince is under the assumption Lord Denathor's correspondence was with myself and my father personally. This is not true."
Luna shook her head. "How could you not be aware of this? How could your father not know what Lord Grima was planning?"
"Lord Grima stepped into this role two years ago at the death of his father. That is the same year my post as a Marshal of Rohan moved from Edoras to Helm's Deep. I do not spend much time here in my hometown. It seems I might need to change that."
"I do not think these miscommunications are unsalvageable," Luna said. "But I do hope I've helped and not made things worse."
Theodred quickly shook his head as he finished his tankard. "You have helped immensely, Miss Luna. I am going to speak to Imrahil immediately. Perhaps now that I know what to apologize for, he will be more forthcoming. Now, please. I've taken too much time from the fun you are supposed to be having. Would you like a dance, before I take my leave?"
"I will not refuse you, Prince," she said. "But I'm really more of an observer."
He chuckled. "Fear not, I will not force you. Finish that drink. Maybe another. And do not deprive my cousin of your company. He would be most disappointed."
Luna blushed. "I'm not sure I-,"
"It is a secret I offer you in exchange for the ones you gave me. Have a merry night, Miss Luna."
Luna smiled and bowed her head as the prince left her, making his way towards the door that Theoden, Imrahil, and Grima had disappeared behind moments after the music had started.
Luna sipped at her ale, watching the people dance. She noticed partners often changed and no one seemed to mind dancing alone. Every now and then, Lothirel's circlet would catch her eye. It was harder to catch a glimpse of Eomer, who blended right into the straw-headed crowd. How long were they going to dance? She wondered, setting her now empty tankard on the nearest table. As her feet tapped along to the music, another head of black hair appeared beside her, taking her hand. "You are not to sit and watch all through the night," Amrothos said, pulling her into the crowd.
"Amrothos, no! I'll look a fool!"
"Then we shall be fools together," he said.
Luna laughed as he tried to imitate the Rohirrim around him. She bobbed up and down on her feet, but made no move close to dancing.
"Luna, so help me, I will purposefully ride Cedar through mud on the way home if you do not dance with me."
She knew he would never do that to her on purpose. And if he did, he would feel too guilty about it and help her clean the mess. With one last glance at the Rohirrim around her she took a deep breath and began to move her feet to the jig. Amrothos let out a laugh and pulled her into his arms, helping her keep to the beat of the fiddles. Within minutes, sweat pooled at her brow and she found herself gasping, breathless from the exercise. "I think we've successfully dipped our toes in," Amrothos said. "I won't keep you from Lothiriel. She misses you. I just knew you wouldn't try to dance without some amount of force."
"Thank you, Amrothos," she said, giving his hair a ruffle and maneuvering her way out of the middle of the crowd.
Back at the edges of the hall, Luna was able to catch her breath. It had grown hot as the bodies around her continued to move and sweat. She grabbed another ale from a passing maid and quenched her thirst, looking around for a familiar face.
Lothiriel was spotted back near the dias, speaking with Enir, the younger of the swan knights who had accompanied them to Rohan. Luna started to make her way towards them, but before she could get there, the two had disappeared back into the crowd of dancers.
Normally, this would have upset Luna, but now she had an excuse to find the only other person in Rohan she wanted to talk to right now. Luna tried to scan the crown, but it had nearly doubled in size since she had quit her spectating. She moved toward one of the benches against the wall and stood on the seat, gaining higher ground and further sight, but she still couldn't make him out in the crowd.
"Eomer is out on the terrace." Luna looked down to find Mistress Gillwen. "Saw him head that way only a few minutes ago."
Luna thanked her and made for the doors to the outside. When the breeze of fresh air hit her skin, she welcomed it, spreading her arms and taking a deep breath. For the first time since arriving here, she didn't mind the air's emptiness. In fact, she was beginning to think of it, not as empty, but as clean. The night sky was clear and bright with the moon casting shadows on the stone around her feet.
Leaning over the half-wall of the terrace, Eomer was sipping from a tankard. With one more deep breath and the words of encouragement from Prince Theodred, Luna, for the first time since arriving in Rohan, purposefully ignored her place.
"Do the stars always shine so bright here?" she said, walking up behind him.
The horselord cleared his throat, but did not look up at her. "I have no other stars to compare them too." He took another swig of his ale, and set the empty tankard down with a small clank. "Does your swan-prince not wish for another dance?"
"Amrothos? No, not with me at least."
He let out a dry laugh. Luna had never heard him laugh without heart. "I had thought him a decent man."
"He is a decent man. Eomer, what is the matter?"
"You would dance with him, but not with me?"
"Only because he practically forced me."
"You did not look to be forced into anything."
Luna's confusion began to subside. Was he...jealous? "Eomer, I came out here to find you."
At those words, his shoulders began to unstiffen and he turned just a bit in her direction. "Please do not think me a fool. I have heard Amrothos speak of you. I only assumed you did not feel the same way."
"I know not what you are talking about," she said, moving closer towards him and gripping his shoulder, moving it so that he faced her. "Amrothos is like a brother to me, as Lothiriel is like my sister."
Eomer shook his head. "I've heard the swan-prince in the barracks when he visits with the knights that accompanied you here. He does not speak of you in the same manner he does his sister."
"I know not what you heard Amrothos say," Luna said, pushing this new revelation to the back of her mind. "And it should matter little when paired against what I have to say."
"And what is that?"
She took one last deep breath of the fresh, clean air. "I wish I had danced with you first instead of Amrothos."
He did not respond immediately and Luna cursed Amrothos and the talk she would have to have with him when they returned home. He did not speak for so long that Luna feared the night to be ruined. But, eventually, the corners of his mouth started to turn just slightly upward. "I have a better idea. Would you care for a walk?"
Luna let out a sigh of relief and nodded. He offered his hand and she took it, leading her down the steps of Meduseld. His hand was warm and calloused with the marks of a swordsman. "My father will expect me back at the inn before the festivities have ended."
"It will not be a long walk, I promise."
"Where are we going?"
"Just outside the village. I wish to show you something."
Luna wanted to ask more questions, but she stopped herself and savored the warmth of his hand instead. Listened to the soft thuds of their boots on the grass, their shallow breaths in the cool air. She studied his face in the crisp moonlight. His long, blond hair, with small braids sporadically placed throughout. His thin beard. His green eyes that reflected the stars above them. He was so unlike anyone in all of Belfalas. A warrior, she thought, feeling more of his calloused hand. A protector. She sensed these qualities in him, along with his warm nature and steadfast heart. Could he see her in ways she seemed to see him? And if he could, what did he see?
"Do you hear that?" he asked after a few minutes. They were a bit far from the village now. The music and lights of the banquet had left and Luna concentrated on her surroundings.
"Is that...water?" she asked, hearing a small rush in the distance.
"Aye," he said, quickening his pace, pulling her with him. Eventually, they reached the base of a wide river. It's stream was fast, but not rough and it was full of that fresh, clean smell of this country. "It is the closest thing we have to an ocean here," Eomer explained. "I thought, before you took your long journey home, you could maybe dip your toes in and think of Dol Amroth's waters waiting for you."
Luna smiled and immediately pulled her hand from his and bent to pull off her boots and stockings. Without words, she moved to the edge of the river, sitting down. She plunged her feet into the water,, feeling the rush of it between her toes, not caring at all about the temperature. She sighed and fell back into the grass. Eomer watched her, a curious look on his face. "Is something the matter?" she asked.
"Your toes are blue."
"The water is not that cold."
"No," he said, sitting down beside her and pointing. "Your toes are painted blue."
"Damn it," she cursed, pulling her feet out of the water and tucking her painted toe nails under her dress. "No one was supposed to see that."
"Is it some big Amrothian secret?" he teased. But when he saw her very serious expression, he stopped. "You do not have to tell me."
She shook her head. "It was not fair of my father to ask me to keep it a secret. You already know most of it anyway, and I don't wish to keep it a secret from you."
"I don't wish to cause animosity between you and your father."
"No, I want to tell you." And she did, recounting the story of her appearance in the Bay of Belfalas. Callum's rescue and adoption of her. Imrahil's reluctance for anyone to know the truth of her situation outside of Dol Amroth's people.
"That is...quite a tale," he admitted. "But it doesn't explain your blue toes."
"My mother-not Melyanna-my birth mother, would paint my toenails all kinds of different colors. There were entire shops dedicated to paint for one's nails in my homeland. Rows and rows of tiny bottles with every color one could imagine.
"There is no such thing in Dol Amroth. And, as I eventually grew to understand, there really wasn't such a thing anywhere. It was the first thing I had ever asked Melyanna for. She purchased a small, colorful bottle of paint and Callum crafted me a small paintbrush fashioned from horsehair. And I've kept my toes painted ever since." She glanced in Eomer's direction, but could not read his face. "It is silly, I know."
"It is not," he said. "In ten months I will inherit my father's title of Third Marshal and Lord of Aldburg. I could have joined an eored closer to here, where I trained and grew as a soldier, but I chose Aldburg's eored because I thought it would bring me closer to my father."
"Did it?"
"In a way, I suppose. My aunt Theodel knew my mother and father better than anyone and she still resides in Aldburg. The people there remember them and can tell me stories that my uncle cannot. I find comfort in that, at least."
"Aldburg must be a special place."
"I make to return there in the morning."
Luna's heart sank. "I expected you to be here until I departed."
"As did I, but my circumstances have changed. That is the life of a soldier."
"That life must be hard, to pull you from your family at a moment's notice."
"It does seem that you will be departed sooner rather than later, so you will not miss much of me. Luna?" he asked after a short pause.
"Mmm?"
"May I write to you?"
She smiled at the suggestion. "Letters will take a long time to travel from Aldburg to Dol Amroth."
"I can be patient, when I choose to be."
"Then I look forward to receiving a letter from you."
He stood and reached for her boots, handing them to her. "We should get you back to the inn, before your father questions my intentions with you."
Luna blushed as she pulled her shoes back on. They held hands again until they reached the lights of the village lampposts.
"I am not much of a writer," he said as they neared the inn. "But I am happy that we are not parting with a permanent farewell."
"It is still a farewell in most ways," she said. "And I find that I don't want to say it. Only the Valar can know if I will ever make my way back to Rohan in this lifetime."
"There is one thing I know for sure of you, Luna, Daughter of Callum. You are meant for adventure."
Without any more words, he took her hand one last time and placed a small kiss on her knuckle. Then, he turned back towards the street and made his way back to Meduseld.
Luna would not see the horselord again for nearly six years.
