"So to clarify, this man attacked you without provocation and drew a dagger with the intent of attacking you further?"
"Yes, my lord."
I answered Théoden clearly and calmly, though my heart was fluttering anxiously in my chest. I hadn't expected there to be so many people in the hall when I entered with Legolas. He had left me to speak with the King alone, sitting down with Aragorn, Gimli and Merry who were surrounding a table to my left. Both Éomer and Éowyn were standing to the side of the king. Several Lords and guards were milling around, listening in interestedly.
Théoden sighed dejectedly, half rising from his chair then deciding against standing and sinking back into it again.
"I am sorry this has happened to you here, lady. Are you quite sure he is a spy of Saruman?"
I nodded grimly. "His dagger was made to look like one used on me by my enemy Saerwen in Mordor. Saruman and Saerwen intend to scare me, to make me suffer. My attacker would not have known about the dagger unless he had been working for them."
"Indeed" Théoden sighed. He did not want to believe what I was saying, I could tell. It was not just me, but his whole kingdom, that was at stake if there were more spies in Rohan.
"This Saerwen you speak of", interjected Éomer, "Is she powerful?"
"Very. I expect she could be of much use to the Dark Lord in the coming events of this war."
"Then she is a risk to everyone" Éomer muttered.
"I'm afraid so" I answered quietly.
"As to this attacker", Théoden said, clearly following his own train of thought, "We have not the time to organise a trial, not when other battles are imminent. We will keep him in the holding cells until further notice. You can be assured that he will not be attacking you, or aiding our enemies indeed, from there."
"What if he escapes?" Came a familiar voice from my left. I turned my head to see Aragorn frowning at the king. Legolas, Merry and Gimli also looked less than happy with the king's decision.
"I can assure you, Lord Aragorn, the cells are secure. He is not housed in the deepest of them, but it is a risk we have to take. The focus needs to be on war, not prisoners." The King replied, a slight edge to his voice.
"I thank you, Théoden King" I said quickly, intervening before any other from the fellowship voiced his worries. Théoden was right – Rohan's focus needed to be on war.
Théoden nodded politely to me and I started towards the fellowship, but a hand on my shoulder stopped me. I turned and smiled at an anxious looking Éowyn.
"I'm fine, Éowyn", I said calmly. She smiled slightly.
"I am at least glad that you were armed. That must have given him a shock!"
"It did" I chuckled "What he thought I'd been doing all these months travelling with the others if I wasn't a fighter I will never know"
Éowyn's smile grew wider. "Men tend to underestimate our abilities far too much. It is time someone proved them wrong".
The meaning of Éowyn's words didn't pass me by. I grinned and turned towards the fellowship as Éowyn rushed away to tend to the king. Aragorn shuffled over and I sat myself between him and Legolas. Gimli and Merry sat opposite us. All four of them had their dinner in front of them and my stomach suddenly seemed astonishingly empty.
"You haven't eaten all day, lass" Gimli said incredulously, pushing towards me a plate piled with rich stew. I smiled and thanked him, taking a contented bite.
YOU ARE READING
The Last Othellan
FanfictionAúthiel has always been alone. Her dark past is splattered with blood and she struggles everyday to live with what she has done. She depends on no-one, and trusts very few. However, when the wizard Gandalf asks her to go in his stead to assist fo...
