Man in Chains - Chapter 1

“The spare horses are to be lent to the strangers.”

There was great wonder among Éomer’s éored when they heard their Marshal’s command. Many of the men cast dark and doubtful glances at each other and their commander. They remained silent though. Éothain got the reins of the three spare horses and led them to Éomer. While he handed the horses over he cocked an eyebrow. His eyes rested upon the strangers.

“It may be well enough for a lord of the race of Gondor, as he claims to be,” the man of Rohan said, ‘but who has ever heard of a horse of the Mark being given to a Dwarf?”

Gimli turned to face him. He put his axe away. “No one. Do not be troubled, for none shall hear of it. I would rather walk, than sit on the back of any beast so great or free.”

Aragorn looked at the Dwarf, whom had been his friend for many miles now. He could understand his reasoning, but nevertheless they were in great need of haste. “But you must ride now, or you will hinder us. And I would not leave you behind.”

A hand was placed on the Dwarf’s shoulder and Gimli looked up. Next to him stood Legolas. He had a smile on his face. “Come, Master Dwarf. You shall sit behind me. Then all will be well.”

Éomer took the reins from Éothain and he led a dark grey horse to Aragorn. The Ranger mounted the horse and scratched it behind his ears. “Hasufel is his name,” the third Marshal said. “May he bear you to better fortune than his former master.”

A smaller and lighter horse was brought to Legolas. It was a fiery and restive steed. Arod was his name. On Legolas’s request the saddle and rein were taken off. “I need them not,” he explained. To strengthen his words the Elf leaped up lightly. To everyone’s wonder Arod was willing and tame beneath him. He moved here and there with but a spoken word, as was the elvish way with all good animals. Gimli was lifted up behind his friend and he clung to him.

Éomer took the reins of his own horse, which was named Firefoot. It was a grey and fiery stallion, who seemed eager to walk. The Marshal mounted him and put his helmet back on his golden head. He looked at Aragorn. “Farewell and may you find what you seek. Return as swiftly as you may, so our swords will shine together afterwards.”

And with that they parted. Swiftly the horses of Rohan ran, so that within a matter of minutes they were small and far away already.

~***~

The éored made good time in their return to Edoras. Their delay by their encounter with the lord Aragorn and his companions would not fall good and they should return to the capital with greater speed than usual. In the front of the group rode Éomer. He was silent as he led his company forward. Many thoughts filled his mind and they troubled him. What he said to Aragorn, that he might have put his very life into the hands of the Dúnadan was true. In the eyes of Théoden King he was already covered by a bad shadow, due to leaving to chase the Orcs against his orders. He did not know what would happen if he were to tell the King about the fact that he allowed three strangers to wander freely across Rohan and even borrowing two of their horses. What lies would Wormtongue feed his uncle? What lies would he hear and could not defend himself against him, for in his uncle’s ears his true words were lies now. Every word he said was twisted to place Wormtongue in a better view.

Wormtongue…

He was the source of all his problems. The King’s state had become worse since he came into view. Ever since Wormtongue became the King’s counsellor the Kingdom of Rohan started to fall. During that time Saruman started to attack Rohan with his Orcs as well and they became more and more frequent. He often wondered if they were related, if they had anything to do with each other. But even though he thought about this he knew he could never prove this to the King. There was no evidence.

“My lord Éomer…”

The son of Éomund looked up and saw that Éothain now rode beside him. “What is the matter, Éothain?”

Éothain’s face was grim and he looked troubled. “Have you thought about the matter, lord, giving our horses to these strangers?”

Éomer sighed. “Yes. It was the right thing to do. One should not forsake their friends.”

“But you have disobeyed the King’s law! Your life could be at stake now.”

“Silence, Éothain.” Éomer growled. “Sometimes the right thing to do is to disobey the law. If my life is forfeit by doing the right thing, then it is so. My conscience is clear. And that will be the last thing I say about this matter.”

“Yes, my lord.”

Firefoot was urged to run faster and the horse did so immediately. The rest of the ride home took place in silence. The only words uttered were orders.