Chapter 13
The water around the border of Isengard has gone down considerably overnight. Merry and I pack up some food for the road. When he woke up, I'd told him I suspected the others would arrive today. We agreed on packing up and moving closer to the wall near the forest. We were just waiting for Pippin to wake now.
"Hey, where'd you two go?" Pippin calls out.
"We're down here!" I call from the storage room. There's a moment of shuffling then Pippin sticks his head around the corner. "We're packing some food, then we're going to move to the edge of the forest. I think the others will be here today."
Pippin excitedly helps fill the last of our basket then hurries back up the ladder. We walk on top of the stone wall until were closer to the shallow water. I carry our food basket while the hobbits carry a barrel of pipeweed and a jug of some kind of wine. It's awkward getting down again but we manage with minimal spillage.
We wade through the water while I look for the spot I remember in the movies. All the rock ledges look similar so I focus on finding the forest entrance instead.
"Here!" I say when we come to a dark but clear pathway. I lead them to the outside of the stone wall where a smooth rock ledge sits opposite the entrance to the forest. I hoist our basket up, then Merry and Pippin pass me our other goods to put up there as well. I help them climb up and they reach down to help pull me up so we're all side by side leaning back in the sun. It stings a little but the sun warming my face is worth it.
Merry pulls out his pip and starts to smoke; Pippin follows his lead. They each offer me their pipe but I decline in favour of telling them what I remember of the events we missed. I briefly tell them of the new Gandalf healing Theoden, the battle of Helm's Deep, and the trees we saw yesterday leaving going to destroy the fleeing orcs of Helm's Deep.
They're disappointed they missed out on the battle but are easily distracted by their pipeweed. They also pour themselves a drink. Needless to say they are feeling good. They offer me some but I'm too antsy to drink. I just want the rest of the guys to come back so I can see for myself nothing went wrong.
Merry and Pippin start reminiscing about being back at the Green Dragon. That's one thing I love about these two, nothing keeps them down for too long. And the banter between them is so easy.
"You've never done a hard days work in your life." Merry says and he and Pippin laugh together. Déjà vu nudges at me, I frown in confusion as to why that would trigger Déjà vu. Before I can figure it out Merry stands from his spot beside me. I look up at him but his focus is on the forest.
I follow his gaze and my whole self stops working. Gandalf is riding toward us, followed by Theoden, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and a few others. They all made it out safely.
"Welcome my Lords, to Isengard!" Merry announces. Gimli rants about the chase we led them on while we were here feasting and smoking and drinking.
"We are sitting on a field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts." Pippin corrects him. He mentions the salted pork and Gimli starts drooling. I can't wait any longer. While Merry informs them of treebeards new position over Isengard, I hop down and rush toward Aragorn.
Theoden looks shocked and appalled that a woman is on the battle grounds, but I ignore him as I rush past. Aragorn dismounts with confusion and relief written all over his face. He catches me in a hug when I launch myself at him. I don't care if it's out of character for me, I'm just happy he's alive.
"You survived your fall." I pull back and say in astonishment. He smiles down at me and I pull him back into a hug. Then I laugh and pull back again. God he must think I'm crazy. "Did you also find a new girlfriend?" I tease referring to Eowyn. My lips quiver as I try to hold back a smile and he rolls his eyes at me. I let him go and he pushes me back toward Legolas.
"Hi." I say as he dismounts as well. "I hope we didn't worry you too much." I add.
"Lad was a mess." Gimli quips. Legolas gets the slightest hint of a blush and tosses Gimli a glare. When he turns back to me, he pulls me into a hug. I wrap my arms around him and let his peaceful aura calm me for a moment. I didn't realise how much even just his presence has brought me comfort on our journey so far.
"What of Haldir? Did he show up? Is he alright?" I ask as I pull back. I search Legolas' eyes for any hint of an answer but before he can give me anything Aragorn speaks.
"We will deal with you and your questions later." He says then nods toward Theoden once. I get the message. I'm saying too much in front of people who don't know I know things. "For now, we must deal with Saruman." He motions for me to come to him again and I do.
"King Theoden, this is Lady Brielle, Master Merry, and Master Pippin. They were our travelling companions before our company was split up." Aragorn introduces us.
"A pleasure to meet you, my liege." I say and bow my head. Aragorn looks at me like he's surprised I can take something seriously, so I make a face and stick my tongue out at him quickly while the others are distracted by Merry and Pippin joining us. Aragorn's look turns exasperated, and I smile at him sweetly. It feels good to have our normal teasing back.
"You spent too much time with Elladan and Elrohir." He comments.
I'm helped up behind Aragorn, then Pippin sits behind me on the horse. Merry sits with Éomer, and then we ride into the water. Gandalf instructed us to leave the food for now since we'll come back out this way. I don't know how to feel about this confrontation. Saruman will definitely be able to see me but I'm also about to watch him die, if this follows the movie versions.
Our horses stop in front of the tower to wait for Saruman. Gandalf gives us a wanting to be careful and a bad feeling settles in my stomach. I wrap my arms around Aragorn's stomach a little tighter and he places a hand over mine. It's comforting but I can't shake my unease.
Saruman appears atop the tower, where Gandalf would have been trapped at the beginning of this journey. He speaks only to Théoden, but we can all hear him clearly. If he's taken notice of me, he doesn't show it yet. He asks for peace and Théoden, in the most poised manner I've ever seen someone threaten another, basically tells Saruman to go fuck himself.
When manipulating Théoden doesn't work, Saruman switches to Gandalf. Gandalf, gentle as ever, tries to reason with Saruman, and to convince him to come down and help us. Saruman doesn't go for it though. He pulls out the Palantír and gravely warns us of our imminent deaths.
Gandalf moves closer while Saruman keeps running his mouth. He tries to bait Aragorn, but Aragorn doesn't bite. He's unshakeable and will make a great king one day. Saruman then looks to me and I tighten my arms around Aragorn.
"You've collected a most impressive group Gandalf." Something in Saruman's demeanor changes and I subconsciously sit up taller, straighter. "What about this little gem you have here. Hearsay is you are a wealth of knowledge my dear." It's strange. Saruman doesn't have a particularly endearing voice, and I know his power is persuasion, but I still can't help myself from hanging off his words to me.
"Your mind could rival that of the White City's library." He says to me and I can feel my face flush at his strange compliment. I frown at the confusing feeling of knowingly falling for his words. "Don't be confused by my praise dear. You are worthy of much more. You are being overlooked by your current company." Someone moves closer to us but I can't look away from Saruman to see who.
"Come have a word with me. I can help you reach your potential, can show you where you belong." The word sounds like a purr, and my arms fall slack, letting go of Aragorn.
He looks over his shoulder at me, but I ignore him. All I want is to see what Saruman has to say. Maybe if he heard what I know he'll see reason and help us. I try to slide off the horse, but Pippin wraps his arms around my stomach and crushes himself to me. Pain shoots through the wounds on my back and I snap out of whatever spell Saruman had over me. I look around and the group is watching me with various expressions. I look down at Aragorn's back ashamed that Saruman got to me.
"You do not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to you Gandalf. Such a waste of potential this girl is with you. Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the halfling before sending him to his doom?"
I can see Saruman's words affect Gandalf. He sighs, but then I get the feeling that he's not sighing because he believes Saruman but because he realizes there's no hope left to sway him. Still, Gandalf tries once more after stopping Gimli from convincing Legolas to shoot him with an arrow. He offers to spare his life but Saruman refuses.
He jabs his staff at Gandalf and a bright ball of flame hurls toward Gandalf and Shadowfax. Our horses bristle as the fireball reaches its target and the men around me gasp. The fire disperses and Gandalf and Shadowfax stand unharmed. Saruman's staff breaks with Gandalf's words, and Gríma wearily appears and hobbles to the edge of the tower. The wind blows their hair around wildly.
Théoden tries to convince Gríma to come back to Rohan and it looks like he's going to do just that. But Saruman starts speaking ill of Rohan and its people and Gríma hesitates. Saruman claims Gríma will never be free of him and needlessly backhands him.
I feel bad for Gríma. He did bad things, yes, but I can't help but see him as another of Saruman's victims. Gandalf and Saruman share more words, but I can't hear them. I'm stuck watching Gríma like one watches a car crash they can't look away from.
Gríma stands silently, hunched over. The sunlight reflects off the dagger in his hand for only a moment before he plunges it into Saruman's back. He manages two stabs before Legolas has an arrow embedded in his heart. Gríma releases Saruman and falls to the black tiles while Saruman falls over the edge.
The wind violently whips his white robes around while he falls. His body flips over and over until he lands on a spike of a mechanical wheel at the base of his tower. There's not a lot of blood but the spike sticks straight through him. The sight makes me sick.
The wheel creaks and slowly starts turning. As he goes into the water headfirst, the Palantír slips from his pocket. Pippin releases me and slides from our horse before I can stop him.
Aragorn calls after him as he wades through the water to the little glass ball. He stares at it with wonder but reluctantly hands it over when Gandalf requests it be relinquished. Pippin returns to us downtrodden, and I do my best to comfort him with a smile and squeeze of the hand.
Théoden, Éomer, and their guard go into the tower to give Gríma a proper goodbye while we head back to the borders to set up a camp for a little break before we have to travel all afternoon. We use our ledge as a table to set out all the food and drag over bigger rocks and tree stumps to use as chairs. Legolas works on racking up the horses and beckons me over when he's done.
"I believe these belong to you." He says and turns to the horse to retrieve something. He turns back around with the sword Glorfindel gave me in his hands.
"You found my sword." I say in awe and appreciation. I hover my fingers over it, it feels weird to have it so near after getting through the past few days without it. He waits patiently for me to take it from him and strap it to my hip. "Thank you."
"I believe this also belongs to you." He reaches in a pocket by his heart and pulls out a small circle. My compass. My eyes blur with tears. The only piece of my sister I have left. I crush him in a tight hug. I can feel him scramble to not drop the compass but once he's got a good grip he brings his arms around me.
"I apologise I did not bring your other worldly possession. We left everything to travel light. It was our best chance of catching you three." He says sadly.
I shake my head telling him there's no need to apologize. Clothes are replaceable, so is a water bottle, and while I'd love to have my cellphone, it doesn't work here and I have no way to charge it when it's finally dead.
"You've returned to me more than I could ask for." I pull back and take the compass from him. I press the little button on the side and watch as the picture opens up to me. I turn my back into his side and hold the image up so we can both see it. "It's my sister, her husband, and their new baby. I'm not sure if he's born yet or if this is an image taken from the future Lady Galadriel's mirror showed me, but I'd like to think it's real and she's happy back home." I turn back to stand in front of him, never taking my eyes off the picture. He brings a hand up to wipe away a tear I didn't know slipped out. I wipe at my face, embarrassed. "Sorry." I say motioning to my tears. He frowns at me.
"Tears are not what you should be apologizing for." It's my turn to frown; in confusion. "Boromir managed a few last words when we found him. He said you tried defending him against a pack of orcs." Oh.
"I had to at least try to save him." I say trying to explain myself.
"They rendered you unconscious and took you with the hobbits." He says with residual worry.
"I couldn't just stand there and watch as Boromir died protecting us." I stress.
"You thought endangering yourself was the answer?" He challenges.
"I didn't really have time to think it through." Legolas looks dismayed at my confession or maybe my recklessness, but I continue before he can say anything. "There wasn't really time for that, and besides I was never in any real danger anyway. The orcs needed us 'alive and unspoiled'." I say mocking the orcs with a bad impression then rolling my eyes dramatically, hopefully to lighten the mood.
My attempt fails and Legolas' expression turned pained. He looks me over as if reassuring himself and it takes my brain a moment to retrieve the reminder that his mother was killed by orcs. Guilt and disgust with myself that I thoughtlessly reminded him of that creeps in.
"Legolas, I'm so sorry. I forgot-" I'm cut off by Aragorn.
"Brielle, Legolas, come join us." He beckons us over. I hesitate and look up at Legolas. He gives me a small polite smile and places a hand on my lower back to guide me to the group.
"We are discussing our plans for return." Aragorn says as we join the group.
I sit across from Aragorn and Legolas sits beside me. Théoden and his company have rejoined us and it's decided we'll eat then travel the rest of the afternoon and into the evening. At dark we'll stop for rest and at first light we'll continue riding for the Meduseld.
Everyone helps themselves to their choice of food, or drink, or smoke. I grab a small plate of food but mostly push it around, while Merry and Pippin grab all three and waste no time jumping into the story of our last few days.
They start with Boromir's heroic attempt to save us, then my attempt to save them. Gimli looks impressed while Legolas and Aragorn look like they want to check me over for injury, then when they find I'm fine, lock me up forever. I brush them off saying that the hobbits are being generous, that Boromir did most of the fighting, and that I'm fine. They move onto our time with the orcs, and I bite my lip, worried how much they'll say.
"I am not going into the details: the stench, the filth, their liquor, the running from their whips; it does not bear remembering." Pippin says flippantly. I widen my eyes at Pippin in the best 'what the hell' look I can send him, but he doesn't see it and continues. I literally just finished assuring Legolas I wasn't in danger. I slide my gaze over to Legolas and he is full of restrained anger. I look over to Aragorn to avoid Legolas' ire, but Aragorn is giving me a similar look. Théoden and Éomer can sense the tension but they decide to let Aragorn deal with his company.
While the group cleans up, I move to the horses in hopes of a moment alone. Obviously I couldn't be so lucky, and Legolas and Aragorn corner me. I pretend I don't notice the two standing behind me and continue to scratch the horse's nose. Aragorn clears his throat and I sigh before turning to them.
"I assume you're wanting to check what the hobbits were talking about?" I say beating them to whatever they were going to say first.
"I'd like to assure there are no serious injuries as you are developing a habit of hiding those." Aragorn says sternly. Okay, I guess I kind of earned that one.
I turn back around and stretch the neck of my shirt down my right shoulder as best I can. The fabric only stings slightly now as I pull it over the welts. They're still pink but for the most part I forget they're there now. I hear them both gasp and I pull my shirt back into place.
"They cover my back but Merry and Pippin put salve on them last night. They look worse than they feel." I say turning back around.
"You waited until last night to treat them?" Aragorn asks exasperated.
"There was kind of a lack of resources and other stuff going on." I shrug. Aragorn stares at me blankly for a moment then pinches the bridge of his nose. He rights himself then turns to Legolas.
"I will leave you to address this, my friend." He says and clasps Legolas on the shoulder as he passes.
"I'm not a child, I can deal with myself." I lean around Legolas and call after Aragorn as he walks away. He doesn't even acknowledge I said anything, and I huff before righting myself. I look at Legolas and wait for him to start scolding me.
"We'll address you withholding the truth later. For now, I wish to speak of other important matters. Gimli has agreed to ride with Aragorn, and Merry and Pippin will ride with Gandalf and King Théoden." He says surprising me.
"Oh, okay." Is my brilliant response.
I help him untie the horses and we each walk two over to the groups. Once we've delivered those four to their owners, Aragorn retrieves his, then Legolas and I go back for his horse, Arod.
He helps me up first and I sit anxiously. Legolas quickly mounts behind me and wraps a hand over my stomach. He pulls us together, careful of my back, then shows me what leather straps I can hold on to if I feel the need. Instead, I death grip his hand and forearm while he grabs the reins in his other hand.
We ride in silence through the forest for the first part of the afternoon. It's an eery feeling to have seen these trees come alive from so far away and to now be within them. We're not in the forest for long before we're back out in the sunshine. I release the tension from my shoulders I didn't realise I was holding.
"You guys never answered my question from earlier." I say over my shoulder.
"Which would that be?" He asks in my ear so I can hear him over the wind.
"What happened at Helm's Deep? Did the elves show up? Is Haldir alright?" His grip on my tightens at the mention of Haldir.
"The march wardens arrived just before night fall. Haldir was among them. He was struck during the battle, but the blow was not fatal." Relief floods me at his words.
"I'm happy he's alright. I'm glad you're alright as well. I was worried my involvement would have you too worried or distracted." I say.
"I was." He admits. "However, I was trained well as an elfling and can separate from feelings when others' lives are at stake." I nod and we're quiet for a moment. "I am greatly relieved you are mostly unharmed as well." I squeeze the arm around my stomach in apology.
We come to a walk to let the horses catch their breath for a while. The sun is pleasantly warm against my face and the breeze gently blows the short hairs surrounding my face around. I pull my hair quickly into a roughly done braid so it's not bothering Legolas, then I quickly grip his arm around me again. We're on a flat grassy terrain but that doesn't make me any less nervous on this beast of a horse. Legolas is comfortable though and he pulls his arm from my grip. I grab the straps of the saddle with both hands while Legolas shakes out the knotted mess I just created. He leans back away from me and ties my hair into a much nicer braid.
"I wish to pursue you." He says, returning his hand to my stomach. My brain short circuits at the admission.
"No you don't."
"I do." He states firmly. "Elves have great trust in their fëa, hröa, and the Valar's will." He says as if that explains everything. I sure as hell don't have the same trust in myself. My picks haven't always been the best so even if he does pique my interest, it's not a good idea. And the Valar? Really? How can he trust them when they're being cruel and forcing him to fall for someone with very limited time here, even if I do survive all this?
"No. No, you're just fascinated with me because I'm different, because I'm not from here." I argue.
"I am not." He says confidently.
"Legolas, I don't know how to do that, give what someone else needs. I've spent so long keeping my social group small and even longer avoiding romantic relationships." I try.
"You were cautious after previous partners." He reasons.
"I don't know how to be with another person. And besides, I don't want to saddle you with all my baggage. I may be pleasant and happy around others but when I'm alone I'm exhausted, and sometimes sad, and need to decompress. And I'm a perfectionist. When it comes to my personal things and life, I like, no need, things done a certain way and in order. And in the end you, your going to…" Get sea-longing. Realization hits me that even if we go get past all my crap and manage to make it work, he's going to leave in the end.
"Relax." He says in my ear, and I force myself to take a deep breath. "Take some time to think on my request."
"Why now?" I ask.
"You were not ready nor open to it before." He tightens his hold around me as the group speeds up again. He thinks I'm ready for that now? Has something about me changed? I lean back into him and let my mind wander as the horses start to run again.
Since we've gotten off the horses, Legolas has left me to think in peace. He hasn't avoided me, more so just given me space; he still smiles or acknowledges me when we see each other. Right now, everyone's asleep except for Aragorn, Legolas, and I, but Legolas went to patrol the area so really, it's just Aragorn and I sitting around a small fire.
"What troubles you?" He asks after blowing out a cloud of smoke from his pipe.
"Legolas said he wants to pursue me." I say, continuing to stare at the fire.
"That is a great honour. There are nary many elf-human pairings." I can see from the corner of my eye, him leaning forward in interest. I shake my head.
"No. He just thinks his feelings are real because we're in the midst of battle after battle and emotions are high right now." The fire pops as if on que and little sparks fall to the ground.
"No." He says firmly, and I look at him. "He's an elf. They experience things differently than we do. They are much more in tune with their feelings and are sure of themselves." He holds eye contact while he explains.
"That's what he said." I smirk remembering. "Still, he doesn't really know me." The amusement falls from my face.
"He must know enough. He knows you are kind and selfless and do much in the interest of those around you."
"But I have issues. I don't trust for one." I frown. "I find it hard to trust people, their words, that they'll stay. I think horribly of myself, the way I look, for another. Through I don't think I've really shown it to you all. Being close to someone, touched, makes me nervous as well." I count off on my fingers.
"All things that can be worked through, with assurance and consistency and patience. All of which Legolas possess." He reasons.
"Fine. But I still have anxiety and depression." I point out but Aragorn looks confused. "Um, future official terms for someone who excessively worries unnecessarily, and someone who is sad for periods of time or loses interest in life with no discernable reason." I say and look away embarrassed.
"You do not choose to endure such things; he will understand that." He says softly. "Alas, I suspect once you have someone you can rely on, you shall experience these conditions less often."
He's quiet while I let his words sink in. The hardest depressive episodes to get out of usually involve yearning for comfort from a partner, wanting to be close but being terrified to let myself. My eyes follow Legolas as he makes a wide circle around our camp. A hand gently lands on my shoulder and I look up at Aragorn standing beside me.
"He would be a worthy partner to you." He says, then moves to his bedroll to catch a few hours of sleep.
I stay up and watch the fire a while longer. He is patient with me. He's never pushed me for information and he's respected my personal space. And he seems to know me at least in the sense of what I'm ready for, maybe somehow better than I do. Could I be ready to try another relationship; with him? I shake my head. It'd never work. I have no idea what's going to happen to me after all this, and he's going to get sea-longing and sail, well, he will if the events follow the book anyway.
"You should get some rest." I look up from the glowing embers.
Legolas stands beside me, illuminated by the moon and faint orange of what's left of the fire. Everything about him seems perfect and I frown. My heart hurts for the loss of something I haven't had yet. His face creases with concern and he sits next to me.
"What troubles you?" He questions. I shake my head not wanting to explain. He looks like he wants to question me but instead he supresses a smile and surprises me. "Do you require comfort, no attachments or expectations?"
I let out a laugh at his reference to that one night in Lothlórien and he grins. That's exactly what I need. My brief amusement fades and we share a look before I nod hesitantly. He stands and holds a hand out to me. I take it and let him help me up.
We stop by Arod to grab the bedroll Legolas is borrowing, then we make our way toward the edge of the camp. He sets the roll up with the head near a tree then slips off his boots and sits on the inside edge with his back against the tree. He holds the open side up for me. I slip off my shoes and lay down on my side, facing him. I shimmy closer and throw my arm over his legs. I rest my cheek on his thigh, and he tucks the blanket around my shoulders. I fall asleep to the sensation of Legolas drawing senseless pictures on my back.
The first light of the day is trying to peak through when I wake. The sun's still hidden, and birds are still quiet; so are my camp mates, except Aragorn. He's kneeling by the fire trying to get it going again. When I lift my head to look around, he looks over at me and Legolas with a proud but gentle smile. Legolas shifts and Aragorn looks back to the fire.
"Good morning sleepy head." I say up to Legolas.
"Indeed, it is." He half smiles. "It has been some time since I slept so well. I feel well rested."
The fact that Aragorn is mere feet from us doesn't seem to faze Legolas. I'm embarrassed but I'm also so warm and cozy that I don't want to move. He starts playing with my hair and my decision is made; I'm going to allow myself a few more moments. I close my eyes and settle in.
"How did you sleep?" He asks me quietly. I hum and smile and he chuckles.
Eventually we get up and help Aragorn prepare the rest of the food we brought. When we've set up, I sit back and let the others get theirs first. I'm surprised when Legolas grabs a generous plate; he doesn't usually eat with us and if he does it's a smaller portion. He comes to me and offers me the plate.
"You don't need-"
"I insist. Still no expectations." He interrupts me.
"Okay." I say and take the food. I start eating while he sits beside me and talks with Gimli. When I'm finished, he insists on continuing his care for me by taking my plate away to be cleaned.
After the group's eaten breakfast, we clean up the camp and head back to our horses. Before I can pull myself up, Legolas turns me away from himself and re-braids my hair in a long plait that hangs down the side of my shoulder and breast when he's done. I'm riding with Legolas again and today I feel more comfortable. I only need to hold onto his arm around my middle rather than him and the straps of the saddle.
It's another beautiful day today. The air is warm, the sun is shining, and the big fluffy white clouds give us occasional shady spots. I hope Frodo and Sam get a moment to appreciate the weather wherever they are. I think they're travelling now but should meet Faramir soon if I'm not mistaken.
We ride for most of the day. Sometimes we run, sometimes we walk. Whenever we walk, Legolas and I talk about whatever light, quest unrelated topics we can think of. He asks me how I spent my free time back home. I tell him I liked reading, archery, and MMO games. That fuels his curiosity for hours. What kind of books do I like? Fantasy. What was my archery set up at home like? 20lb training long bow with hay bale targets. What are em-em-oh games? That required a longer explanation of the internet and technology and video games.
When my hobbies are exhausted, I inquire about his. Archery, of course. Tending the forest and herb gardens around the kingdom. Many parties with Dorwinion wine. Occasionally sitting in on a dignitary meeting. But his favourite recently is travelling. He has already made a pact with Gimli to visit each others' desired locations after the quest is done.
"May I ask of your sister?" He asks hesitantly. Longing fills me but I find I want to share her with him. I tell him of how we fought all the time when we were younger. We were complete opposites; me perpetually early for everything, her perpetually late, me a clean freak, her not so much. Then we got older and got our own spaces and that tension went away for a while. In college we got a house together; she matured and cleaned after herself, I went to lots of therapy and learned to let go of things that weren't in my control and weren't mine. We became each others' best friends.
I tell him of all the recreational things we did together. Get gym memberships and run on the treadmill at 7am to the show Mayday, compete on the same cheerleading and dance teams, bought a pole to take up pole dancing. Legolas seemed unsure of that last one.
I tell him of all the things she's good at; of the two of us she's the outgoing one, of how kind she is bringing me into her friend groups, of how insanely intelligent she is, of how incredibly talented and life like her drawings are. When I feel like I've gone on too long I ask him of his parents.
He tells me of Thranduil; of how he can be intimidating upon meeting but once you have his approval there is no one better to have on your side, how his skill as a warrior is nearly unmatched, how his rulings are just but compassionate, how behind closed doors he was an excellent father. He taught him all he knows of the bow and sword, of patience and strategy, taught him when it's important to hold your cards close to your chest.
He's silent for a moment before telling me of his mother. From what he remembers, she was his father's perfect match. She was more trusting of new folk, she wasn't afraid to display her gentleness and kind heart, she was patient and vulnerable, a great teacher when it came to interpersonal matters. She would read to him, teach him to braid his hair, care for himself, others, and the world. She taught him not to hide his feelings away from those he cares for.
"She sounds lovely. I wish I could have met her." I say and squeeze the hand resting on the bottom of my ribcage.
"Perhaps someday." He says. I stay quiet, I know he has this idea in his head that someday he'll find a match and they'll eventually sail and reunite with his mother, but there's too much uncertainty for me to give him any promises I'm unsure I can keep. Plus, I don't know even if we did bond, if I could follow him when he sails.
In the distance a large set of structures come into view. It looks like a collection of buildings surrounded by a tall brown log fence. The gates are open, and a worn dirt path leads through them.
King Théoden takes the lead, followed by Éomer and their guard, then Gandalf, Aragorn, and us. We ride past a few wooden buildings on each side and come to a stop at the bottom of some stone stairs.
We dismount and some stable hands come take the horses from us. Some towns people have gathered and are whispering while staring at me. I guess it's uncommon for a woman to travel, or maybe they think I'm this group of men's courtesan. I ignore them as the king starts ascending the stairs.
The smooth stone steps lead to an elevated, clearly important, large building. The wooden and finely gold-detailed arches are protected by two guards. A woman in a billowy white dress stands on the corner of the stone platform waiting for us. That must be Éowyn.
"What news do you bring of our enemy?" She questions as her uncle reaches the top of the steps.
"Saruman could not tell us that which we do not already know. Only that our enemy shall strike sooner than we'd hoped. Come, how go the preparations of tonight's celebration?" The two talk as we follow the king into the Great Hall. He sits on his throne while Éowyn informs him of the activities in his absence.
"Good, you've done well in my stead." She beams at his praise. "Leave the tasks to their specialists now. But perhaps you could tend to Lady Brielle," he motions to me and she follows his outstretched hand. "The lady has had a trying few days and could use a change of clothes for tonight." She pulls her wide eyes away from me and back to her uncle.
"At once." She agrees.
"My thanks. Off with you two. We," he looks at Aragorn and Gandalf, "have some correspondents to prepare before tonight's celebration." He dismisses us and I assume Legolas, Gimli, and the hobbits, but they don't leave so maybe not.
"Come with me," she says, "we will have you a warm bath and new clothing." She grabs my hand and I follow her to the left of the throne. She explains this is where my group will be staying; it's the guest rooms for important guests and dignitaries. Connected is the latrine and baths.
I followed her to the third room, with the baths, and she latches the doors. If my mental layout is correct, we're behind the throne alcove right now. The latrine is in the corner and our room is along the left wall. Shouldn't be too hard to navigate even with my directional challenges.