Chapter 18
The flet was full of people.
Roswyth, Gilraen and two of the Dúnedain woman filled the siting room of the flet. Traveling bags filled the arms of the second Dúnedain women, a clear sign of their purpose in being there. Gilraen was not surprised. After her conversation with Arathorn that morning she knew the truth of it. Arathorn loved her, or was prepared to love her in a way she was not prepared to love him. And he was ready to leave.
"Will, let's get down to it," Ygerna's clear voice cut through Gilraen's thoughts, "I am Captain Ygerna," she said with a hand over her heart. "This is Garin. She is to be your body servant."
"My body servant?" Gilraen looked at the other woman in confusion. Garin was about Gilraen's height and size with auburn hair that stubbornly curled out of her single braid. Her eyes were wide and a warm hazelnut color. Freckles were scattered around her pale complexion and her mouth was wide and generous. She bowed her head to Gilraen.
"My lady," she said, "I'm to look after all of your needs as we travel. And afterwards."
"I see," Gilraen said, "I thank you."
"No need, my lady," Garin's voice as soft and lilting as Ygerna's was not, "Tis my honor to serve the queen."
"Well, I am not the queen yet," Gilraen said a bit cooly. She looked at Ygerna, "What must we do to prepare?"
"First things first," the captain nodded, "When did you last bleed?"
"What!"
"When was your last moon cycle?" Garin clarified.
"No, I understand," Gilraen traded surprised looks with Roswyth, "I fail to see what that has to do with traveling."
"A bleeding woman is a risk on the road," Ygerna said grimly, "Orcs don't need much reason to attack, but they will track a woman on her cycle faster. We need to move swiftly to avoid being in the wild if your time is near."
Gilraen's head spun, "I had no idea such a thing was possible."
Ygerna nodded, "Very possible. And quite dangerous."
"How do you avoid the danger yourselves?" Gilraen asked the two Dúnedain women, "As rangers."
"We don't bleed," was the short response.
There was no explanation after that. Roswyth and Gilraen gave the two ranger women the information they requested and Garin helped to arrange what clothes would be necessary for the journey. No dresses or gowns. Tunics and leggings only. She would travel as they traveled—as a ranger.
"It is much safer to sit a horse," Garin explained, "More comfortable too. We will make good time. The less time on the road, the better."
"I do not have such clothes," Gilraen said with a look to her companion, "Surely there is no time to make them?"
"Lord Arathorn thought of that," Yerna said crisply, "We have bought clothes to tailor to you. Garin will help you."
The red-haired woman gave a small smile, "I will be glad to help you dress, Lady."
Gilraen nodded and the two moved into the relative privacy of her bedroom where she was helped out of her gown and chemise. A pack reveal a soft linen shirt, a leather tunic in rusty orange color and long, brown leggings. A pair of stout boots and stockings were positioned at the foot of the bed.
"You will have a Dúnedain clock to blend in the company," Gilraen added, "Best to cover your hair as well"
Gilraen listened her eyes serious, "Such secrecy for the journey home."
Garin nodded solemnly, "It is best," she repeated.
"Yes, of course," Gilraen answered.
Garin's eyes studied Gilraen as the young woman slipping into the cool, skin clothes of a ranger. "I understand you met your fair share of trouble, my lady."
"I did," Gilraen pulled the shirt closed over her chest and Garin made short work of the laces, "It was horrible."
"You need not fear that such will happen again, my lady," Garin said firmly, "Lord Arathorn is wise. He sent out several bands of rangers to throw off the trail of any pursuers."
"The Orcs?" Gilraen asked pulling her hair free of the blouse and allowing Garin to make adjustments to the fit.
"Aye, them. And others."
Gilraen's eyes widen as she stared down on Garin's russet braid as the woman pinned the loose fabric snug, "What others?"
"Lord Arathorn will explain. It isn't my place to speak ill of the Lord's court." Garin said in a tone that implied she very much wished too.
"Mhm, are they so very bad?"
Garin's nut brown eyes met Gilraen's and a hint of merriment glinted there, "Like pigs in gowns, my lady."
Gilraen laughed out loud at that, drawing the attention of Roswyth and Ygerna. The captain frowned severely. "Best to save laughter for your arrival, Princess," Ygerna admonished, "We must be silent on the road. The journey long. Time for celebration later."
Gilraen felt a stir of annoyance bubble up in her chest at the reproof. Ranger she may not be, but child she must certainly was not. There was a dismissive manner from the Captain that rubbed Gilraen the wrong way.
"Captain," she called. Ygerna stood to attention. She stretched out her arms as Garin moved to pin the sleeves of her shirt, "I know that we have just met, but you will find me a quite able to control myself while we travel. After all, I did reach Lothlorien alone."
"My apologies," Ygerna said tight lipped, "I meant no offense."
Gilraen's eyes bored into Ygerna's for a long moment, "I'm sure you did not. Now if you have no other duties with me, I release you to your other obligations. Garin will look after me here."
The silence that stretched between them was pregnant with animosity. Garin looked to Roswyth, who stared frankly back before sliding her gaze back to the women. Ygerna crossed her fist to her heart and bowed stiffly.
"As you wish," she said quietly.
The tall, dark-haired woman strode from the room and was gone. A collective breath seemed to escape the remaining three and Gilraen laughed a little nervously.
"Now I feel silly," she said "I've never ordered anyone around before."
"It will not be the last time," Roswyth said coming close to her friend and examining the ranger's grab she now wore, "Whatever are you wearing?"
"Riding clothes, ranger's clothes," Gilraen explained turning briskly to Garin, "Speaking of, I shall need riding practice. I haven't sat a horse in years."
Garin looked dumbstruck, "You don't know how to ride?"
"Of course, I know how, but my mother did not let me sit aside after my coming of age." Gilraen said with some embarrassment, "I should love to refresh myself."
"Well," Garin grinned broadly, "Let's get started."
Ygerna burst into the clearing where the remaining Dúnedain gathered plotting the routes back to their kingdom. Arathorn stood with one foot on a large root, his hand resting on his knee as he lent over the map spread before them. For one brief second, Ygerna relished the sight. He was her king. Her Lord. Her—
"Captain," Arathorn said straightening, "How goes it with the Princess?"
"She cannot ride, my Lord," Ygerna bite out.
A ripple of shock went through the company and Arathorn's sharp grey eyes took in her expression along with her news. He pulled her away and said slowly, "I know you don't mean to speak ill of your future queen, Captain. But you will not speak of the Princess like that before the company."
"Arathorn," she said breaking rank further, "The Princess cannot ride."
"She cannot—ride?" Arathorn said disbelieving. His grey eyes lit with amusement.
"No, she knows less then a Dúnedain babe about survival in the wild."
"She was raised to be a Lady. I don't expect her to have a working knowledge of ranger training," Arathorn said, "But not know how to ride? Are you sure?"
"She told Garin as I was leaving." Ygerna said bitterly, "I was dismissed."
Arathorn's dark brows pinched, "Dismissed, eh? Come, Captain, what did you do?"
Ygerna saw the humor in his eyes and stiffened, "My duty. She didn't take kindly to it."
"And you are brimming with reasons why she should not return with us," Arathorn mused. Ygerna suddenly flushed scarlet to the roots of her dark hair.
"I would never—It is not my place to-," she forced the words out.
"And yet?" Arathorn prompted.
Ygerna turned pleading eyes to her Lord, "She is too young. She is inexperienced. She is-,"
"Say it all now," Arathorn said cooly, "This is your chance."
"She is weak." Ygerna said finally, "She is not the wife you deserve."
Arathorn stood considering her for a long moment. He crossed him arms over his chest and leaned back. Ygerna was not afraid. She could never be afraid with Arathorn. They were soldiers, companions in arms. They had trained together childhood. But Gilraen was a subject on which she knew nothing of Arathorn's thoughts. Her chest heaved with her breath she waited for his reply.
"Ygerna," he said gently.
She softened at her name. He never called her by her name anymore.
"Gilraen is my chosen wife. She will be my bride and your queen. If she is lacking then it is your duty to aid and protect her," His eyes bored into hers, "If you find yourself unable to do this, then I will be forced to move you to a different posting. I cannot have you serve in court if you will not give the queen your full support."
He allowed the silence of the wood to fall between them, "Do you feel you can look past these-concerns and serve my queen faithfully?"
Ygerna's jaw tightened. She squared her shoulders and stared over his shoulder, "Yes, Lord."
"Thank you," he answered and stepped close placing a hand on her shoulder, "And Captain? Never speak of my wife in such a way to me ever again."
"Yes, my Lord" she swallowed.
