...His...

…His…
Chapter 05


There was a heavy knocking at my door in the middle of the night. The fire was low in the fireplace and I struggled half-asleep to find my shawl. “Who is it?” I called out, making my way to the door.

“Éomer! Open up!” I threw the heavy bar and yanked the door open, falling back as Éomer rushed into the room. “You must pack.”

I was still more asleep than awake. “Are we going on a-“ I suddenly realized I could hear the sounds of knocking, my neighbors also being rousted from their beds in the dark of the night. It was pouring rain, a miserable night to be out. He was in full armor, dressed as if going to battle.

“Aldburg is not safe.” He went to my cupboard and began pulling out my skins and small satchels. I noticed he carried a horse’s satchel over his shoulder. He slung them on the table. “Get dressed, pack as much food as possible and a change of clothing. Dress warmly in many layers.”

“Éomer! What is going on?”

“Orcs and Dunlendings have attacked Théoden’s forces at the Fords of Isen.” He moved back towards the front door. “At sunrise, Aldburg is to hurry to Dunharrow and take refuge there. There are carts to take the elderly-“

I gasped in horror. “The Dwimorberg is haunted-“

Éomer pulled me close. “I fear the creatures at the Fords more!” He turned me loose and returned to the door. “I pray the Dunlendings are afraid of them as well and they will leave the fortress there in peace.”

“I have a cart,” I was pulling down my food stores, separating them on the table, “I can take more food-“

“No. My household staff and stables are preparing already. You may load your cart and take what you are prepared to give, but I prefer you ride the horse. I wish for you to hurry if necessary and not worry of others.” He stopped in thought. “You do ride, do you not?”

“Of course I ride!” I snapped. “I am Rohirrim!”

Éomer suddenly towered over me. “You are Rohan.” He kissed me swiftly, bruising my lip, the nosepiece of his helmet gouging mine. “Go to the fortress in Dunharrow. I will look for you there.” He ran out my door, leaving it standing open. “ROHIRRIM! WE RIDE!”

I watched in the moonlight as he mounted Firefoot, his éored falling in behind him. He looked at me once, his features hidden in the dark behind his helmet before taking off, galloping down the road.

~~~…~~~


We left before sunrise, moving at a painfully slow pace. The elderly were in the carts and I felt almost silly on the large horse, but she was gentle and patient. For most of the journey, I allowed the younger children to pile behind me. Once, I put three on, while I led as they were tired and dragging, however one of the guards quietly informed me that the Marshal had made clear how I was to travel and that was how I was to travel. After that, the little ones then took turns riding behind me or in one of the many carts.

It took two days before we arrived and I was grateful to see refugees from Edoras already arriving. The woods surrounding the refuge were thick and soldiers came from the forest to lead us in. It was well hidden and fortified and once within, as long as I did not think about the ghosts in the mountain behind us, I felt secure.

There was a young woman of my age, quick of step and purpose and I saw the similarities between her and her brother. I cringed when I saw one of Éomer’s men point me out to her and I felt her intense scrutiny of my being. I ducked my head and continued to help with the older citizens who ached from the travel and once they were settled, I helped several mothers with their over-excited little ones.

That evening after most were in their furs, I unrolled my bedroll, laying aside the change of clothing and what few extra foodstuffs I brought. I turned to retrieve something, to find Éowyn next to me. She looked me in the eye and studied me.

“My lady-“

“You are Éomer’s Wudurose.” I nodded in deference. “I have watched you today. I see why he finds you precious and dear.”

I was stunned. “I do not know what to say, my lady.”

She leaned closer, looking about to see if anyone would overhear. I feared her rebuke of to one as low-born as I. “Did you really plant a snowball in his face?”

“Aye.” I ducked my head.

Her grin was almost identical to her brother’s, though perhaps a bit softer. “Good. I like you already. I knew I would.”

Her jocularity immediately relaxed me, but her next words brought me up. “The king’s heir, Théodred, has been killed in a battle at the Fords of Isen. Grima Wormtongue attempted to imprison Éomer, however allies released him and new allies freed my uncle from Grima’s influence. Éomer is now the king’s heir. They ride to the Ford to repel the forces that took Théodred from the king.”

“Éomer is now heir to the throne of Rohan?”

“Aye.” My eyes must have taken a far off gaze, for she shook me gently. “Wudurose? Are you a-right?”

My lover… would be king. I loved a king. I was a simple farmer, the daughter of farmers. What place would I have in his life? I forced myself to focus on her.

“I am fine,” I reassured her. “I am simply tired. The world has changed.”

“Aye,” she agreed. “Uncle and Éomer believe the Ranger that rides with Gandalf is the lost king of Gondor.” She shrugged. “The world has changed.” She turned away from me.

Aye. The world had changed, but in different ways for the two of us.

~~~…~~~

tbc