The Last Othellan

Fleeing Edoras

We walked into the Golden Hall, and I glanced automatically at the long wooden table in the middle.

Two children I had not seen before sat there, a boy and a girl. The boy looked young, but the girl younger. Their hair was exactly the same shade of gold, and both looked exhausted and grubby. Eowyn was gently coaxing them to eat the warm stew set in front of them.

Aragorn, Legolas and I walked swiftly down the hall to join Gimli. Aragorn sat opposite the dwarf while Legolas and I stood behind him.

I looked curiously down at the children, sitting shyly at the end of a bench. They did not belong in Edoras, I could tell, and they were certainly not high born, by the look of their clothes and the way they seemed so intimidated by their rich surroundings.

"They had no warning" Éowyn stated, straightening up from the boy. "They were unarmed. Now the wild men are moving through the Westfold, burning as they go, rick, cot and tree." I pressed my lips together slightly at her words, and saw Aragorn and Legolas exchange a glance.

"Where is mama?" the little girl squeaked. My heart burned at her words. Who knew where her mother was now, or whether, even, she was still among the living. Eowyn shushed the girl and wrapped a blanket around her tiny shoulders.

The king sat on his throne at the top of the hall, with his head in his hands. Théoden looked utterly defeated, and it was clear that he had no idea what action needed to be taken, or how he would take it.

"This is but a taste of the terror Saruman will unleash", testified Gandalf, one arm stretched out towards the children as proof. "All the more potent for he is driven mad by fear of Sauron. Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight."

"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak. Eomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king", intoned Aragorn.

"They will be three hundred leagues from here by now", snapped the king. "Eomer cannot help us. I know what it is you want of me, but I will not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war"

"Open war is upon you, whether you would risk it or not", retorted Aragorn immediately. Théoden was too proud a man to let that comment pass. He strode slightly closer to our table, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Legolas uncross his arms. I took a tiny step forwards, towards Aragorn.

"When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan", scolded the king. Whether or not Aragorn was speaking out of turn, I thought, he was still correct. My eyebrows creased slightly.

"Then what is the king's decision?" Gandalf asked. Théoden paced for a moment more, considering carefully, while we waited.

***

"By order of the king, the city must empty. We make for the refuge of Helm's deep! Do not burden yourselves with treasures. Take only what provisions you need."

A member of the king's guard gave the message to the people, and Edoras turned immediately into a flurry of activity. People rushed here and there, collecting possessions, children, horses and carts from all over the little city. It somehow made the place seem even smaller.

"Helm's deep!" Spat Gandalf. People parted easily as our group made its harried way to the stables, Gandalf striding purposely in front. We had collected our weapons, and what possessions we had salvaged from the riverside before we came to Rohan. My bow, sword and quiver were strapped to my back, and my belt of daggers, along with the dagger on my thigh, provided a familiar weight as we walked.