I ran quickly back toward the town, I would wait by the hall for Gandalf! He would know what to do and how to help. Every step I took on bare dirt, the dirt transformed into a foot shaped patch of candytuft, the blossoms seemed to reach out as I ran the cluster of flowers were sweetly scented. It only caused my panic to worsen seeing no matter where I stepped beautiful white flowers grew, you wouldn't have to be a good tracker to find me. As I ran higher into the city I looked back dismayed to see the flowers were still there, not disappearing, the dianthus from earlier was still there. From my vantage point higher in the city I could still see the funeral for the fallen prince crowds were now dispersing and walking back towards the city. I squinted trying to see if the purple petunias were still there feeling defeated with my terrible eyes. I continued my trek towards the golden hall begrudgingly, once I reached it I was so relieved to feel the stone steps on my aching feet and not feel the plant growth underneath. I hid behind the far wall not wanting to be a suspect when everyone came back. Is this the gift yavanna gave me? What good are flowers and vines? I could hear steps approaching the hall and sunk closer to the wall I clung to praying I would not be found out.
"Eru has heard our grief my king" a female voice rang out
"Look at the beautiful flowers a path right to where you rule"
"Yes…" the king replied seeming lost in thought
My heart quickened, they think the flowers are good? And beautiful? I used this as my chance to sneak back around the wall I did not want to be caught hiding looking suspicious. As I emerged I saw Aragorn and Gandalf approaching. Aragorn looked exhausted, Gandalf looked at me knowingly. I wanted to run to Gandalf but stopped myself still on the steps not wanting everyone to see. Afraid what might happen. So I stood there on the last step waiting and then hugged him when he reached me.
"My fear overwhelms me Gandalf what am I to do "I said into his hair I didn't want to tell him I caused the flowers though I'm sure he already knew I caused them. But how did I cause them?
"Young Verity you have much to fear, but all the more to not" he said pulling away from our embrace.
His riddles were somehow endearing "My Lords" Éowyn said from behind me causing me to jump. That was the same voice when I was by the wall. She thinks my flowers are beautiful? "And Lady" she said glancing at me
"We have chambers prepared for you; the kitchens are making a meal with the food we have to spare. Pray you would welcome a wash and a rest before eating. I understand you have journeyed far to help us"
I smiled sleepily, following her in a daze, my feet ached and I could not wait to sit down, I don't care about the food or bath right now I just wanted to sit. She led our group up some stairs and down a corridor stopping at the first door on the left. I almost walked into her not paying attention, my face burned in embarrassment at the thought of it. She motioned for the men to go into the room. I turned and noticed Legolas and Gimli were there when did they join us? "Thank you my lady" Aragorn said bowing his head towards her. The faintest blush graced Éowyn face. She turned and led me alone to a room next door. I felt a twinge of guilt getting my own room when they all shared.
"I hope these accommodations are to your liking my lady" she bowed stiffly and turned to leave
"Wait" I called out grabbing for her shoulder then retracting my hand quickly
She turned around expectantly "um do you know where I could get some shoes I have none…" I said quietly embarrassed
She looked down at my feet and gasped; I followed her line of vision and had to hold my own in.
My feet were red and swollen, caked with dried blood and dirt. Deep cuts riddled the soles of my feet and my toes and heels were blistered.
"I will fetch a healer stay here "she said eyes wide not looking up from my feet once "no that's ok I can doctor them myself if you can get me some shoes though that would be greatly appreciated "
She conceded sighing "I will return with boots for you... And salve" she said and shut the door I smiled she seemed very sweet maybe she could also be my friend. My Mellon nin?
I sat down on the bed in the middle of the room and stretched me feet out looking around the room. There was a wardrobe across the bed and a door next to it. Curiously I stood up, wincing and walked over to the wardrobe, inside I found a soft green dress with billowy sleeves. I grabbed it and laid it onto the bed. I hobbled towards the curious door, opening it to show a bathroom. I smiled and ripped off my sweaty hoodie and bra, filling up the tub with the lukewarm water that poured out of the faucet. I sat down on the edge lifting my leg to take off my leggings and winced. Taking them off along with my underwear standing now naked in front of a small mirror adjacent to the bathtub. I looked curiously at myself. My hair was a rich copper, not quite curly but not quite straight; it flowed down my back stopping just below where my bra strap would be. My eyes were light green; my skin was pale yet seemed to glow akin to Legolas. Huh that's weird. My nose was small and thin, my lips small round. I wasn't ugly, I was very small, and my breasts were large for my frame almost cartoonish. The sound of the tub filling with water snapped me out of my trance, and I turned the water off and stepped inside the tub and began scrubbing.
When I was satisfied with my job of cleaning I stepped out of the tub, the waters now looked murky as I pulled the plug for it to drain. I looked around the bathroom and saw a brush and towel on a shelf next to the mirror and sat on the edge of the tub wrapped in the towel and brushed out my long hair. The soap I used seemed to bring my hair to life, no longer a halfway house between straight and curly my hair had defined shiny waves. I braided my hair in one large Dutch braid from the top of my head down my back. I gasped seeing my ears as I was braiding, they were pointed like Legolas' I quickly undid my hair to hide them. I don't know if I'm elven like him but I think its better that less knows. At least until I can talk to Gandalf. Maybe he would know why my ears are pointed? My feet felt so much better after the good soak in the tub I walked now without wincing, I strode to the bed wrapped in my towel carrying my clothes in my hand. I noticed a small pair of boots, socks, and jars of salve were resting on the bed next to the dress. I smiled thinking of Éowyn. I plopped on the bed taking my bra and underwear putting them back on not wanting to part with all my clothes I arrived in and seeing there was no undergarments in the wardrobe I was stuck with these.
I clasped my bra on and wiggled into my underwear I took the dress and pulled it on over my head. It was simple; the neckline was a bit low which would not be a problem for the local women, or women who did not own a bra. But it seemed to make me look a bit provocative. I frowned opening up the salve and rubbing my feet that now only dully throbbed, the cuts I graced over didn't seem to be quite as deep as they were before. I wonder if the people here did not wear undergarments. Surely they do surely every world has underwear? I slipped on the socks that were scratchy wool and the thick leather boots that seemed to be a perfect fit. I walked back to the bathroom to look in the mirror again. Memorized by how my skin seemed to glow and sparkle maybe I am elven? Do I glow more than Legolas? I noticed the dress was not quite to revealing only showing the tip of my cleavage if I were to stoop down. I walked out of my room and down the hall and steps into the great room we were in earlier, the atmosphere was different, chaotic and bustling. The kings returned mental state lit a spark in his people. Servants rushed past me, I kept my head down trying to find someone familiar, and I felt strange in this dress. I wonder did I dress like this before. Gandalf said before my clothing was strange for this world. Maybe that's all I wore in my world hoodies and leggings. I looked up scanning the hall, maybe they're all still in their rooms? I saw Aragorn leaning against the wall, the same spot earlier I had leaned against when I was looking at…. No nope focus. He waved at me
And I walked up to him, "Verity where did you go during the procession Legolas and I couldn't find you?" he said his eyes showing concern. "Death is new to you?" he asked
My eyes widened and my hands rose to cover my mouth in horror. Oh no he knows my secret. He knows about the flowers.
"I did not mean to it- is not something I can control, it causes me dread." I said my voice, a whisper. I'm not sure how he heard it, as my hands were still raised covering my mouth.
He looked at me perplexed, his eyes moved as if trying to solve a puzzle.
"W-where is Gandalf?" I asked before he could say anything else he has not given me any reason to not trust him. He's done the opposite treated me as a big brother would but what if I do not get the mercy Gríma did ? After all, all I've done since coming to this world is be a burden and hurt that poor guard.
He raised an eyebrow "Gandalf remains with king Théoden"
My stomach growled loudly and I cringed looking down at the abominable noise.
"Let's get you some food" he said to me reaching for my hand, I hesitated grabbing it gently as he led me. I kept my head down uncomfortable walking through the hall with my hand in his. A table he led me to was at the far end of the hall Gimli and Legolas were already seated. Legolas had his back to us seeming in deep thought
"There's the lass! " Gimli exclaimed joyfully looking at me. I smiled my cheeks tinged at the attention. I felt wholly uncomfortable in this dress, it didn't have a hood I could hide behind and clung to certain areas of my body making me feel exposed. Legolas turned around in his seat as we approached and his eyes bore into me. I felt I would be swallowed by his stare. I tried to read the emotion in his eyes, was he angry? Did he find out what I did to the guard? Does he know about the flowers? Aragorn sat down next to Legolas leaving me across from him next to Gimli. I would not have minded if Legolas weren't still staring at me. I coughed uncomfortable with gaze. Shifting slightly, hunching over with my head down.
Gimli hit him on the shoulder snapping him out of whatever trance he seemed to be in. Maybe he was just in deep thought? "Well are you gonna just sit there? Get the lassie some food she needs some meat on her wee bones" I giggled putting my hand to cover my mouth seeing Gimli now jump in top of the table pointing his finger at Legolas teasingly. Legolas hopped up and left the table. Not once looking at me again. I turned to Gimli who was enthralled with his food I wanted to tell him that making Legolas get up to serve me was completely unneeded. I might not be able to ride a horse but I can get my own food! But I'm grateful he left and was no longer boring into me. I looked out at the hall sighing seeing the previous grief stricken faces of Rohan now laughing and joyous. Some of the men at a far right table even began to chant and sing softly in their native tongue. I noticed Rhun was one of them. He caught my eye and made to wave just as Legolas not so gently set down a plate of food and a pint in front of me. I look at the plate not daring to look at him.
"Thank you, you didn't have to, I can get my own food, I'm not used to horses, but I'm not completely inept" I muttered quietly
The plate had a thick stew and bread that was already getting soaked in the stews juices. I grinned and squirmed on the bench elated over the sight. Never have I been so happy to have food.
Gimli laughed and Aragorn smiled warmly. I guess they noticed how happy I was. I looked down and began eating quietly giving small replies when the conversation was directed at me. Legolas and Aragorn began speaking in elvish again. Gimli jumped on the table, this time I think he might have swayed a bit. How much has he had to drink?
"You dirty elf speak so the rest of us can hear!" his words were slightly slurred his finger pointed I followed the direction with my eyes until they met Legolas. I held his gaze with curiosity I felt safe in it, albeit it was still unnerving as if he knew my every thought. But there was something about it, something familiar something safe? His eyes held an unknown emotion, they were soft he twirled his spoon in his hand idly. Aragorn spoke next "I think-"
The doors to the golden hall burst open Théoden and Gandalf ran in causing a commotion, my companions jumped up to meet them I stayed seated, I mean I'm not a warrior do I even belong with them? Gandalf I did but the rest of them? They were shouting now.
"If what you say is true Edoras has not the strength to combat Saruman's forces "Théoden said irritation clear in his voice.
Aragorn piped raising his voice "you have two thousand good men riding north as we speak, Éomer is loyal to you. They will return and fight for their king. For their people. "
"They will be three hundred leagues from here by now!" Théoden turned away clearly done speaking about it. he said quieter this time "I know what it is you want from me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war"
The king turned hurrying away Aragorn admonished "open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not." He was solemn and noble in what he said
The king whipped around his face red with anger "when last I looked Théoden not Aragorn was king of Rohan!"
My jaw clenched at the disrespect Théoden was showing Aragorn.
"What is the kings' decision?" Gandalf spoke calmly not at all riled up by either side
Théoden blinked several times his face furrowed in concentration; the whole room seemed to quiet the chanting and singing of earlier was gone. Even the soft crackle of fire somewhere in the kitchens hearth seemed to only whisper as we all craned to hear what the king was to say.
"We will not go forth to battle. Neither will we linger here until Saruman has pillaged us for all of our worth… we will... Make ready the people! We will make for Helms deep at first light."