The Dare

I came to suddenly, I was sure I was late for something. I looked around wildly as I heard someone chuckling softly. It was Merith. “What time is it?” I asked in a panicked voice.

“I’d say tis near supper time.” she said as she continued to stitch on a skirt.

“Supper time?!” I exclaimed.

“Yes.” she replied somewhat bemused at my disorientation.

“The last thing I remember was sitting on a bench near the Houses. It was night.” I said slowly. “How long have I been asleep?”

“Only a day.” she reassured me. “You were nigh insensible when that young man brought you.”

“What young man?”

“I believe it was that soldier of yours. He’s been here before. Dior? I think that’s his name.”

I was quite confused by this point. “But how and why?”

“I do not know. Ioreth sent for me to sit with you this afternoon. Said you had become ill.”

“But how did he know where to find me?” I asked myself.

“My clothes?” I asked.

“What can be saved is being washed. I do believe you could use a good wash yourself.” she said. As she spoke, I became aware of my sticky skin and stiff hair. I also smelled worse than some barns I had been in.

“I certainly could!” I agreed.

I soon found myself soaking in a hip bath. I scrubbed until my skin was red and my hair squeaked. I changed into a clean dress and felt better. Then my stomach rumbled. It had been an age since I had last eaten. Silmarië fetched me and I was escorted to Ioreth’s chamber. She bade me enter. The small table was covered with food, which I attacked. After I had finished, she spoke.

“How are you feeling?” she asked gently.

“Better mistress Ioreth.”

“You pushed yourself too hard, my child.” she said quietly.

“I know.” I admitted. “It seems like madness now.”

“Well, you aren’t the first person to lose themselves in their work to ignore the grief and horror around them. Though, I do take some of the blame. I should have watched you more closely.”

“But I am used to hard work.” I protested. “The harvest, foaling wait for no one.”

“That is not the same. And I dare say, you eat better during those times than you did the last few days.” she replied. “You had these in your hand when the boy brought you.” She handed me the rings and the name stone. “I know what they mean. I am sorry for your loss.” A look of sad sympathy crossed her face.

Tears threatened as I closed my hand around them. “How is Elred, my brother?” I asked.

“He is on the mend according to Silmarië.”

“I should go see him. He’s probably worried that I haven’t come to visit him today.”

“Yes, you should. But do not stay long, you still need your rest too.” she admonished.

I thanked her, grabbed my cloak and made my way to the Houses. The evening air was cool but not as foul as it had been. A few stars peeked out. As I came up to Elred’s bed, I found Dior sitting by him describing part of the battle. Both of them looked up at my approach.

“Ah Eolindë.” he smiled in greeting.

“’Lindë!” cried Elred reaching for my hand. “Tis good to see you!” He still looked pale and had shadows under his eyes.

“Well, I’ll be off then. Musn’t interfere with a sibling reunion.” Dior said lightly.

“Before you go,” I said. “I want to thank you for finding me last night.”

He hesitated and then said, “You are most welcome. After all, someone needs to keep an eye on you until your brother can.” he said with a warm smile. Elred looked at me curiously.

“What happened? What did I miss?” he demanded.

“Nothing you need worry about, brother dear.” He hurrumphed. Dior made a slight bow and said, “Your servant, Elred, Eolindë.” With that, he was gone.

Elred turned to me. “Dior told me about the charge. Do you think father was them?” he asked eagerly. His eyes bright with excitement. I took a deep breath and replied, “He was and so was Uncle Leod.” My throat closed up and all I could do was place the rings and stone into his hands. A shadow crossed his face.

“He is gone?” his voice constricted. I nodded. “Uncle Leod sent those to me.” Tears dripped down my face and I had to look away from the grief I saw in his face. He reached up and hugged me. He let go and then put on our father’s falcon ring.

“I am the man of our house now.” he said quietly.

“Well, don’t let it go to your head.” I said with a chuckle. “I am still older than you are.” I remarked. Elred did not smile or answer back to this old argument of ours. I had been born first. At that moment, I sensed a change in Elred. A distance that I had never felt before.

“This fight with the Enemy is not over, Eolindë. he said in a serious voice. “The Dark Lord has more forces behind the Black Gates. There is going to be more fighting”

I was startled. I had naively thought that the fighting was done and all that was left was to pick up the pieces. I sagged at the thought of more wounded, more dead.

“There is something afoot that the Captains of the West know about. There is a way to defeat Sauron forever, they say. Dior said his father had been told but would not tell more except that what remains of our fighting forces will be marching to Mordor in a day or two.”

My heart darkened. “You’re not going try to go too, are you?” I asked in a strangled voice.

“No I am too weak according to the healers. But I can still ride and deliver messages.” he replied.

“But Beleg…” I trailed off. “You want to use Halan.”

“He is a war horse, ‘lindë. He needs to be ridden.”

“I know!” I snapped. “Elred, I don’t think you are strong enough to ride, even Halan.”

“I can try! I can’t just lay here useless” he yelled, waking some of the other patients in his ward.

“Not useless, Elred my friend.” I jumped when I saw who it was that spoke. It was Faramir. “Captain.” we both said somewhat sheepishly.

He stood across from me, his arm still in a sling. “Elred, I am in the keeping of the Warden myself. Would not be better to let yourself heal? I will need good men to be a last defense if things go ill.” Elred nodded in understanding.

“Yes, sir.” he said slowly. Faramir smiled and my heart melted as it always did at his smile. He nodded and walked to another bed.

“I’m sorry I yelled.” he said quietly

“I am sorry too. I should let you rest.” I said briskly.

“I suppose.” he replied. I hugged him and kissed his cheek. “I am so happy that you are alive.” I whispered. He hugged me back and I left him. I was still troubled by the shadow that seemed to lay between us, however.

When I returned to the House, a note was waiting for me. It had Dior’s family seal.

“Eolindë, I would like to see you tomorrow morning. I have something to tell you. Meet me at the stables at dawn. Your servant, Dior.” I was puzzled as I lay down to sleep.

“What could he possibly have to tell me?”





The sunlight trickled through my narrow window. I awoke, pulled on some clothes and grabbed my cloak. I looked around. Only a few of the women seemed to be stirring. I quietly made my way through the kitchen. Ivorwen was stoking the fire, her back to the door. I tried to slip past her.

“Now just where are you going, miss?” she asked.

“Um, I was going to check on my horse. I haven’t seen him in several days. I don’t even know if someone has looked after him.” I trailed off, though it was the truth, partially.

“I see.” she said with a twinkle in her eyes. “And it wouldn’t have anything to do with the note that was delivered by a servant in the livery of the house of Eldacar would it?”

I was caught. “And how did you know about that?” I said.

“I have eyes and ears, child.” she replied with humor.

I blushed. “It’s not really proper is it?”

“Propriety is overrated, especially these days.” she said. “Just don’t stay overlong and come back in by this door. I was young once too.” she said with a smile and she shooed me out.

Dior was pacing by Halan’s stall. His face seemed to light up when he saw me. “Thank you for meeting me. Was it hard to get away?” he asked.

“I had a little help from Ivorwen.” I smiled. I saw Halan’s trough had hay and he looked like he had been brushed. He looked at me and seemed to say, “And where have you been?” I rubbed his nose. “I missed you too, you brat. But who has been taking care of you? They have done a pretty good job.”

“I did.” Dior said quietly.

“You did?” I asked surprised.

“I knew you couldn’t get here. Halan and I became friends while I was a messenger. And though I can never do as good a job as you, he seemed to be agreeable to it.” he replied patting Halan’s neck. Halan whinned and shook his head. I shook my head in amazement.

“You said in your note you had something to tell me?”

“Ah yes, well did Elred say anything about our forces marching on the Black Gates?”

“He mentioned it, yes. It sounds foolhardy to me.” I replied.

“The Captains have their reason. It is my duty to obey.” he said formally. Then he paused. “I would ask a boon of you.” he said quickly.

“A boon?” I asked surprised by his request.

“It would help me face the coming battle if I had something of yours to carry with me.” he looked at the ground, his ears turning slightly red.

“You want something of mine to take with you?” I said somewhat stupidly.

“Yes, it would mean much to me.”

I was at a loss. What could I possibly give him? And then it came to me. I reached around my neck and unclasped my necklace. It was a square piece of beaten silver with a small horse etched on the front, an “E” rune on the back. I handed it to him. “This was given to me on my naming day by my mother. It has never left my neck until now. Wear it and may good fortune come of it.”

He put it around his neck. The chain was small on him and we both laughed. Then he pulled me into an embrace and kissed me fiercely. After he broke the kiss, he said hoarsely, “I can speak the tongue of the elves, the ancient language of Nummenor and yet I struggle to tell you that I love you Eolindë of Rohan.” My eyes widened and my breath caught in my chest for a moment.

“You?”

“Shh.” he said laying a finger on my lips. “Do not answer me now. If I come back, you can tell me if I love in vain.”

I nodded mutely, too stunned to speak. He kissed me again and then bade me to go.

I wandered back to the House in a fog. “Dior loves me?” I asked myself over and over again. I entered through the kitchen door. Ivorwen winked at me and gave me a tray to take out to the dining area. I helped put the food out but I hardly knew what I was doing. I pushed the thought away and tried to focus on the talk around me.