Yuletidings

The late Ringarë wind caught Éomer across the face as he turned toward Edoras at last. It was frigid, just one symptom of a night grown chill too early. Up the hill, Meduseld waited for him and his men, windows alight with flickering fire, but something unnerved the Third Marshal. Firefoot slowed, feeling his rider’s unease.

“What is it, milord?” his man asked, reining in as well.

What was it indeed? A fleeting shadow? A premonition? What distressed him about this homecoming?

“Relief,” Éomer replied woodenly. “I am glad to see my home in time for the holiday. Ride on.”

A.N.:
Ringarë = roughly December in the Gregorian calendar. The exact date I had in mind is 30 Ringarë or December 21, the day before the Winter Solstice, one of the three shortest days of the year.

A blessed, happy and bright holiday to you all, whatever festival you celebrate!