Mistress of the Fellowship (LOTR)

* 74 * Friend and Ally

"Is this what you want?" Éomer asked once he was seated at the small table with Kordelia seated across from him.

She hardly knew how to answer the direct question but after a few moments she answered with her head high, "I will continue to uphold my honor. I was there the day when Aragorn took his vow to marry the woman of prophesy which has come to pass and has spoke of me."

"Explain this prophecy." He stated.

She looked him in the eye for a moment before she looked out the window and told of it. "It was long ago and until now I have surpressed the memory but now the words are clear in my mind." She sighed and continued, "In the days of darkness preceding the return of the Dark Lord Sauron all hope of Middle Earth surviving shall be futile. A war will rage needing more than the race of Elves, Men, and Dwarves to triumph over such evil. Corruption, cowardice, and greed shall spread like wildfire leaving only chaos and death in its wake. Hopeless shall be the times as the throne of Gondor stands empty. Forces shall come and overtake the kingdom, destroying the white tree and all in which surrounds it. The protectors of Middle Earth shall vanquish. All hope shall be lost without the service and heart of the most unlikely of creatures. With the spirit of a warrior and the haunted soul of a woman she will carry the fate of Middle Earth. A shield maiden withholding many sorrows, anger, and torment shall walk amongst the shadows having turmoil follow her every step. It is she whom holds the future of Middle Earth and it shall rely much on the influence of all those in which cross her path. Her sufferings and fury will weigh on her to the point where she will break and whence broken she will rise from the ashes having decided the fate of middle earth and there shall be no stopping the chaos she will unleash." She looked back at him and as usual he was very stoic and so she continued, "Lady Galadriel was the one to speak of this prophesy when she finished speaking Aragorn was brought forth and bowed before her and said, "I vow before you and the world to find this shield maiden and I shall give her my hand and make her a queen. I vow to do all I can to make her see and feel the beauty of this world and help heal her tattered heart and suede her to spare the destruction of this wondrous world."

Eomer nodded his head now understanding and knowing she would not break a vow. She and Aragorn were to be married and she was to be queen of Gondor.

Awkward silence filled the room until Eomer asked, "Shall I begin to call you you majesty now or wait until tomorrow?"

She scoffed and he chuckled before she said, "You dare call me your majesty and I shall have to help you up from the polished floor since it will have been my fist knocking you there in the first place. So you prefer looking out the right eye or the left?" she giggled.

For the rest of the evening they sat talking, laughing while sharing a flagon of wine although Kordelia was still very cautious about how much and how fast she sipped it.

As the dawn began to break they walked to one of the terraces on the east side of the palace where they watched the sun rise. Eomer placed one arm over her shoulders, a display of friendship she found to enjoy and in return she put an arm around his waist.

The sun rise was glorious and Kordelia found herself pondering as to why she had never taken the time to watch such beauty in all her days. She recalled many dawns but never had she simply sat to witness and bask in its artistry and to add to the humbling undertaking she greatly enjoyed the company she beheld. Of course there was not any perception of romance but the present friendship was a very meaningful feat.

Witnessing life being awakened in Gondor by the rays of sun was magnificent and made Kordelia smile until she knew it was time to leave.

Eomer placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head before they wordlessly escorted one another to her chambers where she thanked him for his time.

He smiled, "When you are queen I hope you do not find yourself a stranger to Rohan."

"There is nothing that could keep me from a friend. I just hope the king of Rohan has the time to write often."

"I will greatly miss our times together, although I don't know which I will miss more, our talks or witnessing the Last of the Wilds dance both in battle and amongst a crowd."

They both chuckled and she replied, "I believe our days of battle have come to a standstill."

"They may be dramatically decreased in number and intensity but we shall always be fighters. I look forward to seeing the most beautiful bride this evening."

She gave him a half smile and allowed him to kiss her hand before she bowed her head to him and retreated into her room.

Standing alone she felt trapped in the stone walls and hugged herself, fearing this life she was about to take on.

She had better get used to it for she would soon be finding herself confined to these walls until the day she died.

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