The Last Othellan

A New Friendship

Bored of riding, I marched next to Legolas as we came to our camp for the night. Aelfen's reigns were in my right hand, and he was on my left.

The flat landscape provided little shelter in the half-light of dusk. However, the people of Edoras smiled in relief as we started to slow. Fires were lit, kettles boiling over the flames, and people settled onto the ground.

Playing children ran around us as Legolas and I came to a halt, both automatically assessing the surrounding area with keen eyes.

"Where's Gimli?" Legolas asked, turning around to me. I looked around again, and chuckled as I saw him struggling to dismount.

"I'll go, I need to settle Aelfen" I said. Legolas nodded and I took a firmer hold of Aelfen's reigns, jogging over to Gimli.

Just as I let go of her reigns, the dwarf managed to get one leg over the horse. I grabbed him, and he narrowly avoided falling on his rear end for the second time that day. "Thank you" he muttered. I grinned.

At the same time, an unusual smell wafted towards me. Both Gimli and I turned, seeing Éowyn walking past with a stew in her hands. At least, I assumed it was stew. There was an indefinable gloopy substance in the dubious looking gravy. I resolved firmly to keep away from Éowyn until the stew was gone.

Gimli seemed to be having the same thoughts "I would avoid that if I were you" he muttered, eyes on the sloppy substance. I sniggered and nodded.

"Wise advice, friend"

"So, you and the elf?" Gimli asked furtively, taking a sneaky, sideways look into my eyes.

My cheeks brightened, and I couldn't quite meet his eyes, although an irresistible smirk crossed my face. "Please, I've had enough of that from Aragorn"

Gimli laughed raucously, clapping me on the back "I'm only teasing, lass"

He walked away, an unmistakable triumph in his step. This left me to untack my horse and gratefully take a bowl of hot food offered by one of the women, who luckily turned out to be a better cook than I suspected the Lady Éowyn to be.

Sipping on the hot broth, I looked around for my friends. Legolas and Gimli I could not see, but as I walked I spotted Aragorn and Éowyn. I was amused to discover, as I came closer, that Aragorn had not escape Éowyn's stew.

"- But you cannot be 80", she was saying, startled.

"87" answered Aragorn wearily.

"You are one of the Dûnedain, a descendant of Númenor blessed with long life. It was said that your race had passed into legend!" Éowyn realised, a trace of reverence in her voice.

"There are few of us left", said Aragon "The north kingdom was destroyed long ago"

"I'm sorry" breathed Éowyn regretfully "Please, eat!"

Aragorn went unwillingly back to his stew. I finished off my own stew and, unseen by Éowyn, grinned as Aragorn struggled with his food.

At that moment, Éowyn turned and noticed me, smiling. "Would you like some stew?" she asked politely. Behind her, Aragorn tipped some of his bowl not –too- discretely onto the grass.

I held up my bowl in answer. "I have already eaten, thank you". She nodded and turned back to Aragorn, who forced the last of the stew down. Smiling, she walked away.

I only raised my eyebrows at him, as he looked stonily back. "I'm going to find Legolas and Gimli" I smiled. He only nodded grumpily, reaching for water.

I found myself beside Éowyn as she was walking towards her tent. "Come" she said, "I have something to show you." She frowned at me for a second, seeming to decide something, and gestured for me to follow her.