THE FORGOTTEN
Not Entirely Unwelcome
Disclaimer: I do not own Lord of the Rings or anything else.
Author's Note: More paraphrasing/quoting. Rather unavoidable with some dialogue.
They rode from Fangorn's borders through sunset and dusk. It was quite dark by the time they stopped for the night. Lothril's horse, Leofa, was quite tired, but unwilling to admit it. Everyone except Gandalf slept that night while they could. They did not sleep more than a few hours before the wizard roused them and informed that they must keep riding. They rode on and watched the moon sink in the western sky.
Then the cold chill before sunrise set in. Soon enough, however, the Eastern sky grew grey, then red. The dawn came bright and clear as the wind rushed through the grass. Suddenly Gandalf halted and commanded them to look. They did and saw the white-tipped mountains of the south and below them the grass-lands and hills still robed in shadows, rolling towards the mountains like waves on the sea.
"Speak, Legolas and tell us what you see before us," Gandalf said.
Legolas shaded his eyes against the rising sun. "I see a white stream issuing down from the snows in the shadow of the vale a green hill rises upon the east. A dike and mighty wall and thorny fence encircle it. Within it there rise the roofs of houses; and in the midst, set upon a green terrace there stands a great hall of Men. It seems to my eyes that it is thatched with gold and golden too are the posts of the doors. There are men standing guard in bright mail, but all else within the courts is asleep."
"The hall is called Meduseld and it sits within the courts of Edoras. That is where Théoden son of Thengal, King of the Mark of Rohan resides. Though our road is plain before us, we must ride more warily for war is abroad and the Rohirrim do not sleep, even if it seems so from here. Draw no weapon, speak no haughty word, I counsel you all, until we are come before Théoden's seat," Gandalf said.
They started off again and as they drew close they came to the foot of a walled hill and before it were many mounds that seemed almost drifted with snow for the small white flowers were so thick upon them.
"Those flowers are called Evermind, or simbelmynë in the language of this land. They blossom all seasons of the year and grow where dead men rest. We have come to the great barrows where Théoden's sires sleep," Gandalf said.
"Seven on the left and nine on the right. Sixteen generations and five hundred years," Lothril said to herself. "How short are the years of men and how often had I felt it before I came here? Indeed, my family was that old. I have touched four generations and have buried members of each, but how many more shall I see? So long ago, so short a time." She heaved a great sigh.
Legolas stared at her thoughtfully. She had started to become elven so soon after their meeting that he sometimes forgot she had once been (or at least lived as) fully human. In that moment he realized she understood something he never would, and that she still had not fully realized how long her years would be. For that brief time she seemed to him the very embodiment of the bittersweetness of both edain and eldar. He saw clearly, for perhaps the first time, how she was perfectly balanced at the meeting of three kinds. She would always retain that understanding of the gift of death that eluded the Elves, but was natural to humans. She would live as an elf for years uncounted, observing their traditions and sharing their customs. She would be more powerful than they, though probably never really show it, and have a sense of kinship with the ainur, but she would never fully be any of them. Something like pity welled up in his heart. Even here, where she belonged, she would be a creature of three worlds, accepted by all of them, but fully understood by none.
"Indeed, and it seems so very long ago to the Riders of the Mark," Aragorn said, pulling the two out of their respective musings. He began to chant something in a strange language that rolled and swelled like the land itself.
"I guess that is the language of the Rohirrim, but what it means I cannot say except that it is full of the sorrows of men," Legolas said, his thoughts turning back to Lothril who was still looking pensive.
Aragorn rendered it into the Common Speech. Lothril looked at Legolas who seemed particularly thoughtful. When they continued on Lothril mentally spoke to Legolas.
"You look thoughtful my love. What are you thinking about so seriously?"
He was silent for a moment then said, "You."
"What about me?"
"How very unique you are," he replied.
She gave him a quizzical look but let the subject drop as they had come to the gates of Edoras where many tall men in bright mail sprang up to greet them with spears. A guard commanded them to stop in the Rohirrim tongue. Gandalf answered in kind and after some discussion and they gave their names to be reported to the king, they were permitted enter. The five riders dismounted and the guards looked upon them with wonder, but unfriendliness. Inside the gate they walked up towards the doors of Meduseld. Lothril kept looking about and found her first glimpse of a city of edain fascinating. The little stream that went babbling down the stone channel leant music to an otherwise quiet morning. Indeed, it seemed most of the city was not yet stirring. Even when she rose early in Mirkwood, she found elves already out and about. Here though, they seemed to observe human hours of sleep, which was something she was, at this point, no longer used to. Being in town was something she was no longer used to. Familiar enough though it was to walk down a street, she felt very out of place. As they drew near the hall of Meduseld though, she started smelling fires being stirred up and breakfasts being made. They reached the top and found more guards with swords upon their knees. When the five approached they stood and held out their jeweled sword hilts towards the strangers and spoke in their own tongue to them.
In the common speech one said, "I am Théoden's Door-warden. Hama is my name, and here I must bid you to lay your weapons aside before you enter."
Legolas gave up his knives, quiver, and bow. "Keep these well for they come from the Golden Wood and the Lady Galadriel gave them to me."
The soldier put them against the wall quickly, as if they were cursed. Lothril laid her weapons next to Legolas' and said, "The same is true of mine as well."
Aragorn was unwilling to lay aside his sword.
"Aragorn, I promise you that no harm will come to your sword," Lothril said in the elven tongue.
"Even so," Aragorn said.
"The seer is telling you – no one shall touch your sword," Lothril assured.
He shot her a look, but acquiesced to their request with a stern warning.
Hama the guard watched this conversation with some annoyance as he couldn't understand it, though seemed pleased that the result of it was the stranger Aragorn laying aside his sword. That feeling however quickly turned to one of fear as Aragorn informed him that he was Elendil's heir and that his sword was extremely old and that death would come to any who drew it save him. Gandalf gave Lothril an amused look and willingly put down Glamdring and then Gimli his axe. The guards were hesitant to let Gandalf enter with his staff, but in the end he convinced them that it was a prop of his old age.
The guards lifted the heavy bars and swung the doors inwards. A low grumble was heard from their hinges. Inside was dark and warm, creating a great contrast from the clear, cold air outside. The hall was long, wide, and filled with shadows and half lights. Great pillars upheld the lofty roof. Every now and again there were bright sunbeams that fell in glimmering shafts from the eastern windows. Thin wisps of pale blue smoke could be seen in the sunlight. Lothril and Legolas' eyes adjusted quickly, and once they did, the two saw that the floor was many hued and covered in strange runes and devices. Very interesting and ancient, as far as mortal years go, they seemed. Woven cloths, that we would call tapestries, displayed different events in Rohan's five hundred year history. Upon one tapestry light fell, showing Eorl the Young.
They reached the far side of the hall and found themselves standing in front of the Théoden King. He was very bent over and had thick, long, white hair that fell in large braids from beneath a thin golden circlet that bound a star to his forehead. Behind his chair stood a woman dressed in white. At Théoden's feet sat a wizened man with a pale, wise face with heavy lidded eyes. Immediately Lothril realized that man had to be Wormtongue. She had seen men like him before and was not impressed with any of them.
The hall was silent. Lothril found herself wondering if Théoden was even awake. At length Gandalf said, "Hail, Théoden son of Thengel! I have returned. The storm comes and now all friends must come together or be destroyed."
The king slowly rose to his feet, leaning heavily on a short black staff with a white handle. He stood taller than anyone, save Gandalf, expected him to, but he was still bent over. The king spoke in a cracked, croaking voice, like one who has not spoken in many years, or perhaps has spoken too much.
As Théoden, Gandalf, and Wormtongue spoke; Lothril heeded the conversation with some interest, but kept her gaze fixed on the treacherous councilor of the king. Often he would glance towards her, only to turn away from her piercing gaze. He didn't like it; it was as if she saw his thoughts and motives. Once or twice he even flinched slightly. How unsettled would he have been to know she did? Wormtongue forgot about her though when Gandalf threw aside his tattered cloak and seemed to grow before their eyes as the room darkened.
"Did I not tell you, lord, to forbid his staff?" he hissed. "Hama the fool has betrayed us!" There was a flash like lightening that sent Wormtongue sprawling on his face.
Gandalf led the king outside where a fine rain was falling. Éowyn, for that is who the white clad lady was, was sent off by the king. Lothril, Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn were left standing in the darkly lit hall with nothing to do but gaze about.
"Lothril," Legolas said with ósanwe, "What is the story of King Théoden and his councilor Grima Wormtongue?"
"Wormtongue is in league with Saruman, and has been for some time. If my memory serves me rightly, Saruman contacted Grima first and asked him to poison Théoden's mind and in return get whatever he wanted when the men were all dead," she answered.
"How loathsome! Betraying his own king and then preying upon the weak," Legolas replied.
They were not left standing there too many minutes before Gandalf turned and motioned for the rest to join them outside. Hama was now there and the king was seated in a stone seat just before the topmost stair. Gandalf spoke quickly and quietly to Théoden as the other three stood by patiently then said loudly, "Our hope lies where our greatest fear sits. Doom hangs by a thread, yet hope we still have if we can stand unconquered for a little while."
Everyone gazed eastwards. Lothril searched mentally and physically for the two hobbits Frodo and Sam. She could see the jagged black line of the mountains of Mordor. She looked for their northern edge knowing that the Dead Marshes were there and that the hobbits were somewhere in that place. She bent her mind and became aware that something evil was searching there as she was. There was nothing she could do from that distance, save what she was doing, or going to do, and so turned her attention back to the present. Just in time as well, for at that moment Théoden was gripping the hilt of Éomer's sword. Éomer was kneeling before the king and Hama was next to him.
Gandalf spoke, "Put your trust in Éomer now, cast aside fear and regret. Do what needs to be done. Every man that can ride should be sent west at once. We must first destroy Saruman, then we will face the next task while the people that are left should fly to the refuges that you have in the mountains. Let them take provisions, but not delay nor burden themselves with any treasures. Their lives are at stake."
"Those words seem good to me Gandalf," Théoden said. "Let my folk get ready as you said. Now, my guests, you have ridden through the night and now the morning wears away, and you have not eaten or slept, and I do not know your names.
"I am Aragorn son of Arathorn, my lord," Aragorn said with a bow.
"I am Gimli son of Gloin, Théoden King, at your service," Gimli proudly announced with a dwarfish bow.
"I am Legolas, son of King Thranduil of Mirkwood," Legolas said.
"And I am Lothril of Imladris," Lothril humbly said with a bow.
"May I ask, good Lothril, why an elven maid would travel with a man, dwarf, wizard, and elf?" Théoden asked.
"You may my lord, but it is a long tale."
"Then let me hear it over refreshments."
"As you wish," she replied. Just then Hama came again from the hall with two other men behind them and Grima in the middle.
"Here, Théoden King, is your sword Herugrim, your ancient blade. It was found locked in Grima's chest. Many other things were there as well that men have missed," Hama said holding the sword out to Théoden.
"You lie!" Grima spat. "He gave it to me for safe keeping!"
"Yes, and I require it of you again," Théoden said. "Does that displease you?"
"Oh no my lord, I only suggest that you do not weary yourself or tax yourself too heavily for your strength. Let others deal with these bothersome guests. Your meat is about to be set on the board. Will you not go to it?"
"I will, with my guests. Now, who said that my guests were bothersome Grima? I think I rather enjoy their company."
"I, um, am certain you do my lord. My apologies!" Grima said turning to Gandalf and his friends.
"Hama, send forth heralds to summon all who dwell nigh. Let every man and strong lad able to bear arms and have horses come and be ready in the saddle at the gate ere the second hour from noon," Théoden said. "You shall go with us as well, Grima."
"My lord! This is madness!" Grima whined. "Do not make your poor, weary servant go off to war! Besides, who will watch the kingdom if I do?"
"Éowyn. I think she is capable of doing it."
Grima's face became long, and only grew longer, a look of malice growing in his eyes as Gandalf revealed he was a servant of Saruman and declared that this snake ought to be executed out of justice, but he did once serve as a man and therefore he should be granted a horse and allowed to go where he would and be judged accordingly. Théoden agreed and told his former councilor that he could either ride to war or go whither he wished, but if he did the latter, there would be no mercy if they were to meet again. Slowly rose the worm and looked at them with such malice that all the men stepped back from him. Lothril instinctively changed her stance and braced herself for an attack. He knew he was no match though for any of them and so sprang down the stairs and fled.
After a hasty meal during which only Gandalf and Théoden spoke, the king turned to the other guests and said, "I offer you such things as may be found in my armory. There are helms and coats of mail of cunning work given to my fathers from Gondor. Choose from these ere we go, and may they serve you well!"
Just then men came bearing the things he had just mentioned from the king's hoard. Aragorn and Legolas both chose a shining mail shirt, a helm, and a round shield. For Lothril a whole suit of armour was found that had once been made for Éomer when he was younger. She put it all on for a lark and asked the others how she looked.
"Give you a beard and you could pass for a man of Rohan," Aragorn said teasingly.
"I would look rather sporting with one, wouldn't I?" she commented.
"No," Legolas said, "I rather think not."
"Aye! Just a short one. Just enough to cover your chin," Gimli said. "That'd make a proper dwarf woman out of you."
A look of mild horror crossed Legolas' face.
"Ah well, it would only go with the armour anyway and I cannot wear this into battle. It is more flexible than I thought it would be, but I am unused to the weight," she said as she started removing it. In the end she kept the mail shirt, helm, shield, and sword.
Théoden rose and Éowyn came forward bearing wine in a cup and bid him good health in his coming and going and offered it to him. He drank from it and proffered it to the guests who all drank from it also. When they had the king went to the doors where the guards awaited him.
"Behold! I go forth, and it seems like to be my last riding," Théoden said. "I name Éomer my sister-son to be my heir. If neither of us returns, then choose a new lord as you will. While I am gone, Éowyn shall stay and govern the people."
The king went down the stair with Gandalf beside and everyone else behind. As Gimli and Legolas were speaking, Lothril handed the elf her helm, which he took without even looking at her as she unslung her pack from her shoulders and rummaged through it with one hand while holding it with the other. She found a large green kerchief she had been holding onto since Rivendell. She closed her pack and shouldered it once more then folded the kerchief into a large triangle and proceeded to wrap her it around her head so as to keep her hair contained. This was a trick she had learned from her grandma whenever she put her hair in rollers. She tied the knot tight and rolled down the open edges so everything was neat and then took her helm back from Legolas, put it on, and smiled.
"What are doing, Lothril?" Legolas asked as she took the off the helm and undid the kerchief. She had little intention of wearing it until they reached helm's deep. "Why did you wrap your head like that?"
"To keep my hair from getting in the way and to keep the rain from echoing in my ears as it bounces off this thing," she answered.
"Rain?" he asked.
"Oh yes. It shall be pouring by the time the battle starts," she answered.
"You are making free," he commented.
She held her hand up as if feeling for rain. "Can you not feel it in the air?"
He paused and glanced up at the sky and sniffed the air. "My apologies," he said with a sheepish grin.
They reached the gate and met Éomer once more. "Hail, Gimli Gloin's son! Though I have not yet learned gentle speech under your rod as you promised, I shall speak no evil again of the Lady of the Wood. May we put aside our quarrel?"
"For now, Éomer son of Éomund," answered Gimli. "But if by chance you ever see the Lady Galadriel yourself then you shall acknowledge her as the fairest of ladies or our friendship will be over."
"So be it," said Éomer. "But until then and as a token of pardon, I ask you ride with me. Gandalf will be at the head with Théoden King, but Firefoot my horse shall bear us both."
"I thank you," Gimli said. "I will gladly as long as Legolas my comrade, and Lothril his lady may ride beside us."
Éomer gave the pair of elves a strange look. "It shall be so. Legolas and his lady upon my left, and Aragorn upon my right and none will dare to stand before us!" he paused. "So then Lothril, is Legolas part of the reason you are traveling with these men?"
She smiled. "Oh Éomer, you keep asking for a tale that is too long for the time we have. However, if Gimli will suffer me to wedge myself between him and Legolas, I shall tell you my tale in full as I may while we ride. Or else you shall have to wait some time yet before you hear it."
"I can suffer her company as well as that of Legolas," Gimli said.
"Very good! But it shall be hard to hear over the sound of the horses," Éomer said.
Lothril's brown eyes twinkled as she said, "I do not think it shall be problem."
They heard Gandalf call for Shadowfax. While they were waiting for him to come to back to Gandalf, Legolas turned to Lothril and quietly said, "Are you ready to go into battle?"
"Ready or not, I am heading into it."
"I shall aid you as I can," he said.
"Thank you," she said, "that comforts me."
"I try. It is part of my duty as your lover," he teased.
"Oh? And what other duties does that entail?" she asked flirtatiously.
"Minding you and making sure you do not get yourself into trouble, though clearly I am failing as you have been striving with Orthanc under my very nose," he answered with feigned annoyance.
"I am merely carrying out my mission," she replied, looking particularly innocent.
"You are right, but it does not mean I have to like it," Legolas said sassily.
"If you want to keep giving me lip, go right ahead. I'll be happy to make it fat for you," she answered, her eyes blazed for a minute and Éomer wondered what had happened and if they would come to blows, but then her lips started forming into a grin in spite of herself and she cried, "You – you! Oh forget it!"
Éomer leaned down to Gimli and asked, "Do they do this often?"
"Whenever they do not wish to be understood," Gimli answered. "I think they argue in elvish so I do not worry about them."
Lothril by this time had jumped up onto her horse, leaving Legolas standing beside Éomer and Gimli.
"I had a horse like her once," Éomer said to Legolas.
Legolas was about to reply but Shadowfax came running up and everyone mounted their horses. "So did I," Legolas said to himself as he mounted Arod, smiling. Of course he had heard Gimli's comment, and of course he was terribly wrong, but he was not about to tell the dwarf or man that they were flirting with each other. It was none of their business. Besides, he found it all terribly amusing.
"Behold! The White Rider!" Aragorn cried, and everyone began shouting the same. The trumpets began sounding, the horses reared and neighed, and spears clashed on shields. The king raised his hand and a loud, low rumbling like great thunder was heard as everyone rode away.
