Bound to this land
In peaceful starlight,
In darkest chaos.
ALDBURG, ROHAN June T.A. 3011
Summer rain pounded against the roof and into the halls. Mearhe looked up at the wooden rafters and shook her head. The rain drowned out the rest of the world, and washed away the heat of the day before. As time passed she was beginning to forget his physical form everyday a little bit more. His voice was only a memory melting away the last of the winter snow. Yet visions of him burned brightly in her dreams.
The sound of the rain was constant like a drum, filling the quiet hall where only the fire crackled and the logs popped in the heat - soft murmurs from somewhere in the kitchen could be heard in the dim light. Buckets to collect the rainwater gathered around the wooden floor. Sitting by the fire, golden and gentle, Mearhe could not get warm - chills in her body were not from the cold but an all too familiar sense of dread and foreboding .
She had finally received news with possible leads about the warband of orcs near the East Wall. Hidden away from the light. In the shadows, and with his back pressed hard against the wall, a scout had delivered his findings. Fragmented and whispered sentences were all she was told from the secretive man clad in brown and black, bringing in his report – orcs crossing the Great River, more than he had expected.
An ambush. Arrows flying through the air, and his swift retreat had saved him as he fled into the woods for cover. His horse knew the way over the darkened forest floor, lit only by the faint light of the moon, and he had managed to escape. But several of the local farmers had lost their lives, and some suffered injuries. "Riders are tracking their trails and reporting back to Edoras," he said, "...we have not left them out of sight."
Long had Mearhe wondered if this time would come - long had she dreaded the thought. So much to say, so many words to share, but none came. Her heart falters when she thinks of him, yet her mind is made, she will not not remain, nor will she just linger and fade. All this daughter of Rohan must do is to close her eyes and she will hear the sound of pounding hooves and all doubts vanish. Ride she must, to reclaim her family’s honor, and ride soon she will. "I will go today!''
With those words she allowed the cold to fill her, sealing her sorrow from escaping any more than it already had. It was not a time for tears. She moved her gaze to the scout in the shadow, nothing her head. Slowly Mearhe moved out of the hall, sinking ankle deep into thick mud, and in the rain silently she made a vow, a vow only she would ever hear. But in the years to come she would cling to it, remind herself over and over of this promise, when she was faced with loss and grief and the weight of the world bore down upon her.
I will be strong!
Léofwine would be proud of her, he would not question her decision. He was wise in the ways of the woman he married. He would accept Mearhe's decision with pride and grace. Her strength would fuel his love and his passion for her. Léofwine would not stand in her way.
"You need an escort. I will come." Eormir moved next to her.
"No. I travel alone, no escort."
Before Eormir could protest, Mearhe turned away and made her way towards the stable without further words. Freolofe was saddled, her bags secured, and her foot in the stirrup, ready to mount. Eormir followed , taking hold of the reins, keeping the horse calm by rubbing its neck. A woman of her household was also there, with Mearhe's son in her arms. Her heart ached at the sight of Léofara.
"Take care of my son as if he was yours."
Eormir nodded and he slowly came towards her. "I will do so. Lady of Rohan, be safe and be careful. May the blessing of Bema be upon you in your travels."
She closed her eyes and leaned against the horse. "There are things I must do."
"Safe travels, Mearhe !"
Mearhe lifted herself up and mounted Freolofe. Holding the rain in her hands, she looked back once more to her son, before softly kicking her heels in the horse's sides and vanishing down the path in the rain.
Art by me
