The Right Choice

After speaking to Brianne and she had kissed his cheek before she took her leave of him, he was more confused than he had been before. She always had that effect upon him. He dresses, her well mannered way, the curviness of her body...he drew away from those thoughts when he found himself looking at his father. “That’ll be all Tolan, it appears my son has something to speak to me about,” Eomer said as Tolan, one of his Captains, bowed and hurried out of the room.

At the same time Elisa had been led unto the Queen’s sitting chamber. Brianne nor her mother weren’t there but as Lindariel stood, she was in a gold and blue brocaded dress today, to receive her. She had met Elisa a few times, she was one of Theodred’s friends but today her eyes opened wide in surprise at the finery she wore. A dazzling green dress complete with a large Emerald necklace that must have cost a lot. She surveyed her briefly before she nodded to Elisa. Her ladies at court all look up at her as well. Danila actually goggled, she knew Elisa. Knew her to be more of a Tom boy and always had soot or grease on her face. Elisa certainly had changed and her dress was modern and fine. Not to much lace or embroidery. It was classy and she wore it well. After Elisa’s curtsy, not the most graceful Lindariel smiled. “Elisa, it is good to see you, may I ask after the nature of this visit?”

Elisa had never been so nervous in her entire life. Despite maintaining an air of confidence, her heart was pounding and her mouth was dry. Part of her wanted to turn and flee as she walked into the Golden Hall, but the knowledge of Theodred’s love for her kept gave her the strength she needed. Eyes turned to regard her as she was escorted down the hallways. She could hear people whispering in her wake and she felt her hands start to tremble a little.

As she was led into the sitting chamber she immediately dropped her gaze out of respect to the queen and curtsied low. She had been practicing all morning and did it rather gracefully despite her nervousness. Slowly she stood and she raised her gaze slightly as the queen addressed her directly.

“I have come to speak to you M’lady,” she replied. “Would it be possible to speak to you alone?”

Lindariel gave her another look though she kept her expression pleased. She moved up and took hands in greeting to kiss her cheek warmly. She noticed right away she was nervous and as she pulled back she saw the color in the woman’s cheeks and the slight quiver in her voice.

“Ofcourse...Danila...lead the others out I will join you all later,” she said with a gesture. All had paused in what they were doing, most had been working on their embroidery, and set their things down and rose. As they left they all eyed Elisa curiously and it all clicked in Elisa’s head just then.m and she nodded in silent understanding.

“You’re here for...for Theodred, aren’t you?” She said almost accusingly though she hadn’t meant her words to sounds like that. Lindariel was suddenly struck with relief but also irritation and also curiosity as the pieces of this puzzlement over Theodred’s odd behavior. “Tell me all girl, and perhaps I can help you, in a fashion,” she said as she released her.

Eomer began to fume and he turned and slammed the door in the servants face. “You laid with Elisa! Tell me you are jesting Theodred...Brianne and her family are here...how could you be this...this reckless!” He nearly growled.

All through the tirade Theodred had tried to get a word in. “Father...will you bloody listen! I...I think I’m in love with her but...Brianne...I do want to do what's best for Rohan! I came to you for advice not to be berated...I’m not a child!” He barked back. Eomer lurched forward and grabbed his sons lapels and the argument continued….

Elisa was visibly surprised at the queen’s statement, but it was her tone that caused Elisa the most concern. She very nervous at this point, but there was no backing out. For better or worse she needed to do this. She would not be able to live with herself if she fled now. She took a seat beside the queen and drew in a breath before finally speaking.

“As you know I have known Prince Theodred for a very long time. We have been close friends since the start and we have spent countless hours together. However, as our childhood’s ended things began to change. I...I am in love with him and I truly believe he loves me. I know that I am not a princess or even close to royalty, but I care about him and Rohan and am willing to do whatever it takes to be with him. I...I spent every coin I had ever saved just to buy this dress to show him and yourself that. I also know Rohan and it’s people. I am a hardworking woman who understands the hardships people here can face and I would stand by Theodred no matter what difficulties we face. I know that Brianne is here and that I am quite probably overstepping my bounds by being here, but no one will care for your son as I do.”

She had somehow managed to keep her voice from trembling too much and had kept back the tears that had threatened to begin to fall. She looked at the queen and held her breath as she waited for her response.

“So you are the secret Theodred has been keeping from me? He has seemed so...troubled as of late yet he would not speak to me,” Lindariel said after Elisa had finished. “But ofcourse, you are a commoner...and he was worried that that would matter. Well...unfortunately it does and yet...it does not. My father was once a commoner, raised to nobility by his own hand. I would not stand in the way of anyone who justly deserved such but I don’t know if you are such or not,” she continued as if half in thought. She was remarkably dispassionate in her tone as her mind tried to reason out about how long this might have been going on. When she saw Elisa’s expression she tilted her head.

“His father...the King, has practically thrown Brianne into Theodred’s lap. It would please him greatly if Theodred wed her but I do not think he is aware of you and of his feelings for you Elisa, you were bold to come here...however you may need to be bolder yet if your heart is truly set upon Theodred. Eomer appreciates boldness,” she said and nodded silently to herself. “I do like Brianne but it is my son’s heart that is at stake here not my own...I will help you Elisa Bautry,” she said and she rose to her feet.

In the King’s study Eomer and Theodred continued to argue. “Alot has been sacrificed for you to have this chance Theodred...and you are my son, you always have a duty as I do. You will end this nonsense with Elisa ‘Bautry’ and marry Brianne...yes?” He said as he shoved Theodred back. Theodred straightened his coat, his face was red and his anger white hot toward his father. “I will admit that I could grow to love Brianne father...but that is NOT today. You would have me ignore my heart to make you happy?” He asked in a near hiss. Eomer’s face was a thunderhead of fury but he knew he could not force Theodred to marry. “If you value what we’ve all fought for….yes,” he snapped. It was then that the double doors opened and in walked Lindariel with Elisa just behind her.

“We have a visitor my King...I think you know of Elisa Bautry?” She said with a warm smile for her husband. They had heard part of the argument from outside the room. As she stepped aside Theodred and Eomer both nearly gasped.

Elisa’s heart was beating so hard in her chest that she feared the queen would be able to hear it. The silence between them was almost unbearable, but she also wasn’t sure she wanted to hear the queen’s response. As the queen finally began to speak, Elisa kept her gaze up and her face strong. She didn’t want the queen to think her weak.The queen’s words both gave Elisa hope and gave her fear all at the same time. For a moment she could feel her heart breaking, but it was then that the queen said something she had not expected...she told her that she would help her.

Still in shock, she stood with the queen and silently followed her out of the sitting room and down to the king’s study. Her heart was pounding so hard that she thought it would burst from her chest. She tried to steady her nerves, knowing she would need all the strength she could get. She had to somehow convince the king that she was worthy of his son and could become the future queen he wanted Theodred to have. Just outside the door she could hear the yelling going on inside and her name being spoken by the king. He was clearly extremely unpleased and she began to momentarily doubt that anything she could say would matter. However, she knew she had to try.

As they walked in behind the queen she waited anxiously, wondering what Theodred would think of what she was doing. As the queen stepped aside her eyes immediately met Theodred’s and she saw from his expression that he at least liked the way she looked. She had never been more uncomfortable in her life.

“Your Majesty,” she said to the king as she once again curtsied low. She stood slowly and looked at him. “It is quite clear that you know about my relationship with your son. I know you may think that I am only after a title and wealth because I am a commoner who spent every coin she had saved for many years to buy this dress. However, that could not be furthest from the truth. I love Theodred...I love him so much that my heart aches for him when he isn’t around and I would still love him even if you threw him out with nothing in his pockets. I am far from being a princess or royalty, but I am the hardest working woman you will ever meet. I know Rohan and it’s people and Brianne could not understand the hardships that sometimes befall these good people like I can because I have lived through them. I know that I am not worthy of Theodred and I have tried to distance myself from him, but I have found that I cannot. I love him...deeply and no one would stand beside him like I would.”

The King narrowed his eyes at her as Lindariel closed the door behind them. He twisted to look back at Theodred who appeared to be looking at something he had never seen before. Something that was completely new to him but also something he liked alot. “Is this ‘your’ doing wife?” Eomer barked and gestured to Elisa. Lindariel shook her head as she stepped up from the doors. “No...Elisa did this on her own. She spent every last copper she owned to impress upon you...husband, that anyone can look noble if they have the coin. What she can ‘offer’ our son and us besides though...best to hear it from her own tongue. I’ll take it unkindly my King if you do not pause to listen to her. And you as well Theodred...most of all,” she said plainly then gestured to Elisa and nodded.

“Elisa...why should Theodred marry you and not Brianne?” She asked as if she had not heard her words just moments ago.

Elisa's knees felt weak as she saw the king's eyes narrow at her. She knew she was risking quite a bit by coming here. She was risking her reputation and possibly her father's business. Somehow though she remained standing and maintained a confident, yet respectful, posture. She was quiet a moment as she considered the queen's question. She looked at Theodred, deciding to speak to him.

"Theodred should have the right to marry whomever he wishes. I have bared myself entirely to him and I will be able to leave knowing that I have said everything that's in my heart. I will not collapse onto the floor and beg him to marry me...nor would I resent him if he chooses Brianne. He must do whatever is right, not just for Rohan...but for himself."

The shock of her new look and of her words had been caused Eomer to pause and consider her. He knew of her. He knew her father well and knew she aided him, he was getting on in years, with his work. He now looked back to remember all the times he saw her or heard her banging away at the anvil or shoeing a horse or quenching a length of metal. But she always seemed more...gangly and dirty. Not at all like the woman before her now. For Theodred’s part, wordlessly he stepped forward to take her hands in his. He didn’t kiss her he only closed his eyes and touched his head to hers. For a brief moment she was all to him. Her scent, the memories of them together, the way she talked to him when he was sad or upset. She had always been a part of his life it seemed to him. He could not remember a time that she wasn’t there. Eomer’s eyes shifted over to them and then back to Lindariel. He knew Lindariel liked Brianne and neither of them really knew Elisa but it appeared that Theodred truly cared deeply for her and her for him or she would not have done all of this. Eomer sighed and his stance seemed to relax right then.

“Theodred, I will only ask this once, is it your wish to be with Elisa?” He asked plainly, most of the harshness that had been in his voice a moment ago had seemingly drained away.

“It is,” he replied as he opened his eyes and saw hers looking at him. “Then it shall be so,” Eomer said quickly…”Some wife, we have...much to discuss,” he said as he moved to exit the room. Lindariel moved to squeeze their arms and she smiled then withdrew to leave them alone in the room.

“You Elisa, are completely mad,” Theodred told her warmly then kissed her quite thoroughly as he held her hands in his.

Elisa was holding her breath as she waited for anyone to say anything. The silence almost drove her mad. She could see the king eyeing her and thinking and she nearly shied away from his probing gaze. However, at that moment, when she felt that the last ounce of courage she had would disappear, Theodred approached her and took her hands into his. As he placed his forehead against hers she almost began to cry because she knew in that moment what his decision was. However, hearing him say it did cause a few tears of happiness to slip down her cheeks. She opened her eyes to look deeply into Theodred's and was unaware of anything but him. The realization of what all this meant had not completely sunk in yet, and she was just happy to be with him.

"You wouldn't have me any other way," she replied with a grin as she kissed him back.

Lindariel followed her husband out of his study. He was quiet and she could tell he still wasn't completely happy.

"Are you angry with me?" she finally asked after a few long moments of silence.

He was angry with Lindariel, to a degree. They blind-sided him and he did not like it. He had Theodred almost there, agreeing but only now did he see the folly in that. When she actually asked he stopped and whirled to face her.

“I am NOT!” He began but seeing her calm, almost pleased expression, he moderated his tone. “Angry...I just don’t like to be the last one to know these things,” he said as he stepped forward to take up her hands. “Obviously things outpaced our plans, did you know he has lain with her...more than once already?” he said. A servant passed by them but upon hearing that the man blinked and gasped then hurried on. Eomer’s eyes flickered over to him briefly then looked back into Lindariel’s eyes. “Though I suppose that was us so many years ago,” he said reluctantly.

Lindariel was not surprised by Eomer's reaction. Even before they were married she knew of his temper. She just stood and looked at him as he claimed not to be angry. She knew, after many years of marriage, that the only thing to do was to wait quietly while he calmed down. Within a few seconds he seemed better and he actually stepped forward to take her hands into his own. She didn't react to his announcement that Theodred had already been with her. She had guessed that from his behavior lately.

"Yes, that once was so we should not punish him too harshly for that, although we shouldn't encourage it either. I think that, with some training, Elisa will prove to be a strong wife for Theodred."

“You will see to it then?” He said and then nodded as if that part was done. “Perhaps you could...bring her into the palace, give her rooms and make sure that they are not left alone together until they are wed. Fill her time with what she will need to learn?” He nodded again as if it all was now as good as done. He would not concede since she had already started this without consulting him. “I...I will go and tell the Commander and his wife. However I leave it to you to work on finding Brianne a suitable husband,” he added. “I feel we owe them that at least. I saw how she looked at Theodred, these next days will be difficult for her.”

Lindariel remained quiet as her husband spoke. Everything he had sat she had already been planning to do, but she did not tell him this. She thought it best for him to feel he was in charge of the situation. She did feel badly for Brianne, but at this point she had no intention of forcing them to marry. It made her happy to see her son so happy and she had confidence that things would turn out well.

OOC-new thread?

ooc: yes, where to go from here?

OOC-well we could go back to Narisa or we could go to Cole and Aviana.

ooc: Well, start something up and Ill join in?

New thread