Chapter 8 - Journey

Breakfast was rushed. It would take us nearly a week to reach Edoras, and everyone was in a hurry to get started. We would be traveling at a liesurly pace and would be taking many things with us. It did not make sense to hurry through a meal when we would not hurry the entire journey, but I kept my thoughts to myself. Because we would not be able to stop every night in a town to eat and sleep, bedding and cooking utensils, as well as food was packed in a number of wagons. We would be traveling with a guard for protection. I found this again useless, as it would slow us down and because we were all able to defend ourselves already. However, Lord Denethor’s wishes must be obeyed. He wished us to be protected and so we would be. I would not complain - the soldiers would occupy my cousin’s time and keep her out of trouble en rout.

There was little talk that morning. The boys finished first and left the great hall to oversee the packing and to saddle our horses. I was happy that we would not be expected to ride in a wagon. It would be a warm day and without the breeze, things would become quite uncomfortable, and I hated the way the wagons rattled and shook. I did not mind the way the wind messed my hair… It could take it anywhere it pleased. It felt good to have it free. Though I had been taught to be quiet and gentle, like a lady, the outdoors could not be trained out of me. I loved nature too much… it was too much a part of me.

Lady Finduilas rose when we finished eating. Unlike most days, Lord Denethor waited until we finished to leave the table. When he looked at his wife, I saw a man that was quite unlike the one I heared speaking the night before. There was neither anger nor sternness. There was only love and regret at the prospect of the absence of his wife. As they took leave of each other, I could see that he loved her. He moved past her and addressed me and Finduilas. As he spoke, he gave us the same smile that we saw the first time we stood before him. He placed his hands on my shoulders as he spoke to me.

“You have changed so much since you came to us, Inwë. You are no longer the wild girl from the plains. You’ve turned into a young woman.” He turned to Finduilas. “You have worked hard to learn. I am proud of you both. Do not let the wild change you back.”

He placed a kiss on her head. She remained silent, unsure of what to say.

“We have been tamed, my lord.” I looked up into his eyes. “I think the wild will always linger in our hearts. It is our home and as much as we love our new home, the past cannot be replaced.”

“Not mine,” replied Finduilas. “I will not be looking back into the wild… not for the world.”

“Maybe not yet, Finduilas,” Denethor spoke gently. “Our pasts always linger. Whether they are welcome or not.” I wondered if I detected a hint of bitterness in his voice. I brushed it aside as nothing, hoping that nothing would ruin the visit to Rohan.

“Do not allow trivial worries to burden us now, loves. We must enjoy ourselves while we may,” the lady chimed. “Now come…. We must be on our way.” Lord Denethor nodded. He turned to Éowyn.

“Thank you for visiting us. You and your family will always be welcome in our home. I hope you will honor us with a visit again soon.” She curtsied and thanked him for this. We made our good-byes and met the travelling group outside. I searched the wagons and wondered where my quiver had been packed. I had become accostumed to having it on my back when I rode, but had been told that it would not be ladylike to wear it while travelling.

“Goodness,” I had thought. “Would there be no end?”

I wondered if we would be able to hunt while we travelled. I thought not, since ample food had been packed for a week and a half for the entire party. The four of us stood in the doorway and waited for out horses. A breeze played with our skirts as we stood in the shade. A number of dogs joined in the activity around us, playing and bouncing in between the soldiers and drivers. Some of them would be riding in the wagons to keep and eye on the rear. The sky was a crystal clear blue… travelling today would be a dream.

Faramir appeared in the barn doorway leading Finduilas’ and Éowyn’s horses, both of them blood bays. Boromir followed him with mine and his mother’s. Finduilas and I boosted ourselves into the sidesaddles as the boys helped Éowyn and the lady onto their horses. There would still be twenty minute’s wait as the final preparations were made and thing were tied down. It felt like an eternity now that I was on my horse. Before coming here, my cousin and I would pack out few things into a sack and be on our way. Here, there was no end to loose ends to tie. I sied at the fussing and business.

The boys rode up on their own horses, dressed in Gondorian soldiers’ uniforms. Éowyn passed Faramir a quick, admiring glance, then looked away before anyone could detect it. I did not blame her… the uniform looked well on him, though he was not one to like it much. Boromir held the uniform better. He was more muscular and ready to jump into action if needed. While Faramir maintained his boyish, playful look and posture, Boromir intimidated me a bit now. He looked almost like a man, though he spoke and moved with the same mannerisms. I was stunned into silence.

My mount, Fëanor, began to fidget in his place. I walked him in a circle around the wagons while the others chatted to pass the time. I spotted my cousin’s quiver nearby and considered inquiring after my own, but decided not to. I was distracted by Lady Finduilas’ voice.

“Inwë!” I turned Fëanor around to face my family. She gestured for me to return. “Do not be impatient, love. We will be along shortly.”

“How long will we be staying in Edoras?” I asked after a short pause.

“A month, or more,” Boromir replied. Faramir’s eyes sad that he hoped it would be less.

It had been decided the night before that the boys would be allowed to stay in Rohan with us the entirety of our stay. After traveling for two weeks, they would only be home two weeks before they were required to travel another fortnight to escort us home. They had not had much free time since Éowyn had arrived, so their mother interveined and had their father allow them a holiday. Though Faramier’s glance said he did not want to stay long, both brothers were happy for it. They were looking forward to seeing Éomer and hoped to know him better before returning home. His sister praised him often. Though I understood him to be quiet and serious, I had seen a friendly and kind look in his eyes. I hoped to necome friends as well.

My cousin had an endless list of questions about Éowyn’s family and the people of Rohan. Our friend’s replied rendered them to be much the same as the people of Gondor. Nevertheless, Finsuilas was determined to consider them an alien race and continued to search for a difference. The wait ended and half of the guard moved forward to lead us onward. We moved ourselves at a walk behind them. The wagons followed us, with the remaining guard taking up the rear.

“I detest these ladies’ saddles your mother insists that we use,” I said to Faramir when Lady Finduilas was out of hearing range. He rode between me and Éowyn while Boromir rode with his mother and my cousin. “Sitting in this position feels so unnatural.”

“It becomes you, though,” he replied. “You look regal.” I searched his face for mockery but saw only honesty.

“Keeping up an appearance is a poor excuse, I think,” said Éowyn. “My uncle allows me to ride astride much of the time.”

“I do wish long skirts allowed for this more.” I grinned. My skirt had to be held down with one hand if I rode stride and was moving too quickly. However, I would much rather take this than sitting half-turned for hours on end. Sitting so twisted put an ache in my back and shoulders. Ahead of us, Finduilas was having trouble controlling her horse. She had not taken to riding as she had other activities, and she could not make the horse go where she should. She was constantly crabstepping out of line, stopping, and nibbling at the grass. My cousin would feebly nudge the mare until she would become too frustrated to do anything. After a while, Boromir took hold of the reigns and led the mare along while Finduilas held the mane.

We stopped for a short meal at midday, and continued on quickly. When we stopped for the evening, I helped the Lady Finduilas prepare a meal. I spotted the wagon that carried our quivers and stole away when I had a chance to search for my bow and arrows. I did not intend to use it, but I liked the feel of it pressing against my back as I rode. I placed it inside the tent the females would share with my saddle. After taking our time to eat, we stretched out on our cots and dozed off. I spent an hour awake, listening to the men whispering outside, still sitting around their fires. It was a comforting sound.