In The Game

It had been a difficult 2 weeks for Eagan’s family. Theodred had chosen to end his courtship with Brianne to marry another woman though Eagan could not remember her name. Brianne was sick with sadness and disappointment but Queen Lindariel had two other suitors in Minas Tirith that were good matches and so she and his parents left Rohan to seek them out. Eagan remained behind but he wasn’t exactly certain why. Narisa was with Thane...or so she said but he felt something for her still. Something beyond just friendship and so he had chosen to stay in Rohan to figure out exactly what that might be.

They had been close once but his father’s duties had taken him and his family back to Gondor. Narisa had not taken their separation well and thus she had moved on. Eagan though...hadn’t, not really. Unfortunately for Eagan, Thane was a tall, handsome young man who rode very well and, like him, was a lesser noble born to a family who have a long line of men who fought in the war of the ring. He really didn’t have much on Thane save for his swordsmanship and his compassion for others and animals. Thane was kind and understanding when Narisa was around but when she wasn’t he was much less so. Eagan never said anything though, he felt it wasn’t his place. If he was going to win her heart he’d do it on his own merits and not upon the downfall of another.

Today Eagan was to go riding with Narisa, Thane and one of Narisa’s friends named Amathera. She was pretty with long, black hair she had intricately braided, green eyes and tanned skin. Narisa told him that Amathera thought him handsome and wanted to join them. Eagan wanted to cringed but reluctantly agreed. If he refused he knew it would be just Thane and her and he would have them spend as little time as possible alone together if he could help it. They had rode for several miles when they slowed down to chat.

“Eagan...would you help me have a drink from your canteen?” Amathera asked sweetly. This had not been the first time and he suspected it was only to get him close to her. She did smell nice, a clean, herbal scent that filled his nose when he got close to her. She made sure to hold his hand on the canteen when she tilted it back to drink. She looked up at him with her large, green eyes that made him want to flinch back. Oh he was in the game alright. Deflecting Amathera and at the same time, trying to gain Narisa’s interest. This was NOT going to be easy he decided as he recapped the canteen.

“How bout you Thane...Narisa?” Eagan offered. Thane knew full well that Eagan and narisa had been close once. And he also suspected what eagan was trying to do. He drew his horse close to Narisa and whispered to her softly. “Amathera looks like she might try and devour poor Eagan if he’s not careful,” he whispered in jest.

Narisa had not been surprised by her brother's engagement to Elisa...not one bit. She had known for sometime that he was secretly seeing her, but had decided to keep his secret. She had always known that there was something special between the two of them. One could sense it in the air around them...or see it in the glances passed between them when they could not approach one another. What had surprised her about her brother's engagement was that her parents had actually allowed it. It was being kept quiet for now, but many people already knew that something was going on when Brianne and her parents left Edoras...quite unhappily one might add.

Eagan had remained behind for some reason...although Narisa was not entirely sure why. However, it was nice to have her friend back. They had arranged to go on a ride that morning with Thane and Amathera, who was quite smitten with Eagan. She thought Amathera looked quite pretty that day and knew that she was really trying to get Eagan's attention. She continued to ask him to help her drink from his canteen. It was around mid-day and soon they would stop to eat the lunch they had brought. Once again Amathera sweetly asked Eagan to help with his canteen. She tried to stifle back a giggle as she watched Eagan help her to drink. Amathera was really going for it today.

Narisa looked over at Thane as he came up beside her. She giggled at his comment and nodded.

"If Eagan's not careful she might somehow persuade him to let her ride on his horse with him."

“As what...his saddle?” he said softly as he watched how she looked at Eagan. Eagan saw that they were watching and a bite of irritation seized him just then. He reached and with his thumb he gently wiped the side of her mouth. That and he smiled brightly when he did it as if touching her brought him more than a bit of pleasure.

“I hope you enjoy the lunch I prepared for you Eagan,” she said as her horse frisked slightly. He flicked his tail in anticipation of moving again. “Oh I’m sure I’ll enjoy anything you put in front of me Amathera,” he said with more than a little heat. She almost cooed and she had to clear her throat and her cheeks flushed sufficiently. Eagan ofcourse wanted to cringe, he didn’t like playing with people like this. Amathera certainly didn’t deserve to be treated so but he simply couldn’t stop himself. He wanted to make her jealous and at the same time, somehow get her to think about him without Amathera. Not an easy task but like a dog on the scent the chase was on and he would not give up so soon.

Narisa laughed a little at Thane's remark and then looked back over at Eagan and Amathera. She watched as Eagan suddenly reached up and ever so gently used his thumb to wipe the side of her mouth. She remembered how he used to touch her so and for a moment a bit of jealously flared up. It rather surprised her and she looked away slightly and then back over at Thane.

"We should get moving again if we want to make the river before it's time to stop for lunch."

The rest of the ride went quickly, they alternated trotting and walking. Narisa was in front with Thane behind her then Amathera and Eagan at the rear. They arrive just after mid-day. Narisa and eagan had found this spot years ago. It had large rocks near the shore and the beach, such that it was was fairly large and sandy. Eagan let his red drink while the others just let their horses graze a bit on the soft grasses near the river. Narisa and Amathera got out the bundles of food while Eagan and Thane set out the blankets.

“So, what’s your plan for Narisa? Her elder brother is going to be married soon and,” Thane stopped him with a gesture. “Narisa and I are no business of yours Eagan...best you remember that,” Thane said bluntly. “Fair enough,” Eagan said as he unfolded a blanket and shook it out.

“Is he a good kisser?” Amathera asked Narisa. “I know you two were...a thing once,” she began then turned toward Narisa with a more serious expression. “I mean...since you let him go, you won’t mind if I pick him up?” She whispered. “If you do just say so...I know sometimes even when you let them go you feel attached...at least, I do...sometimes,” Amathera continued. She had been in several courtships but none seemed to be interesting enough to retain her own interest for long. Eagan had her head spinning though Narisa knew by the way she was acting.

Narisa couldn't help but remember the day that she and Eagan had first found this particular spot. It had been a day much like today, although a heavy rain had come in and they had gotten soaked riding back to Edoras. She smiled as she thought about how they both looked dripping wet. Narisa let her horse graze while she helped Amathera put out the food and drinks they had brought. She glanced over at her when she asked her if Eagan was a good kisser. He was in fact...very good. Thane was pretty good...but Eagan had known how to make her feel weak in the knees.

"Oh...no...I don't mind," she replied after a moment when Amathera asked if she would mind if she pursued him. Part of her did mind, but she wasn't sure why. She was with Thane and she wanted Eagan to be happy, right?

"Oh...and you won't find a better kisser than him...I guarantee it," she added with a little grin.

Amathera almost sighed just considering kissing him she knew by her sudden blushes. With the blankets laid out the women came with their baskets and began to lay out the food. Eagan offered to pour the wine and after a few minutes they had sandwiches, cheese, grapes and plums, figs, carrot sticks and walnuts all laid out for them. Eagan sat down cross-legged and ofcourse Amathera tried to get close to him as she sat. Narisa was to their right with Thane across from her. He liked to be served she knew so he waited patiently for her to make his plate. Eagan and Amathera both made their own, each helping the other with what was out of reach from where they sat.

“So Narisa, was there a reason your brother decided to marry a ‘commoner’? There had to be something wrong with Brianne, I’m sure,” Thane said almost flippantly and he winked at Eagan as if daring him to say something.“ Eagan paused about to eat a grape and didn’t dain to look at the man. “Careful Thane,” he said warningly. “Best to keep my sister out of our conversation, I would not take it kindly if you were to insult her honor. We all know Elisa. She has a stout heart and level head. Theodred is lucky to have her,” he said then popped a grape into his mouth. “Well, I think Brianne is beautiful Eagan. Theodred had his reasons I’m sure but none of it was on her account,” Amathera said in defence. Thane only chuckled as they misunderstood him completely. He was actually referring to how his choice did not benefit his wealth or standing at all amongst nobles and commoners alike. He took his plate from Narisa. “Thank you my lady,” he said almost arrogantly though that was a private joke between them. “Regardless, Narisa’s family is now lesser due to the match,” he added as he bit into his sandwich. He was right and they all knew it but it was the way he said it that stung at Eagan.

“Some wine milord?” Amathera said sweetly and she brought the pewter cup up to his lips. He was about to take it from her then paused and allowed her to tilt it back for him. He honestly wasn’t certain of Narisa’s position on all of that. Did she honestly think that way? She had been chewing her sandwich so her response was slow in coming though he wasn’t sure she’d have one at all. He wouldn’t turn to look at her right then either. Instead he said, “Mmm, almost as sweet as you are Thera,” he said but it took effort. He wanted to thump Thane and kiss Narisa right then and there but he only smiled and finally took the cup from her and nodded a thanks.

Narisa helped Amathera put out the food and began to fix Thane a plate, knowing he would not fix his own. She felt Eagan watching and could see from his expression that he wasn't pleased that Thane was having his princess serve him. However, she gave him a look which told him to remain quiet about it. She handed him his plate and then began to fix her own. She was rather hungry from the ride and so she grabbed a whole sandwich, instead of a half. As she took a bite, Thane began to question her about Brianne, Elisa, and her brother. She looked over at Eagan slightly as he began to become angry. She remained quiet as the three argued. While Thane was right that it wouldn't look good to outsiders she felt that Theodred was finally happy.

"I don't think my family is any lesser due to the match," she said to Thane after a moment. "My brother loves Elisa and is happy. Does that mean I dislike Brianne? Not at all. I consider her a friend and am sad that she left heartbroken. Yes, Elisa is the daughter of a blacksmith, but as Eagan pointed out she is strong and a hard worker. She will do what it takes...of this I have no doubt."

“I think it's all about love,” Amathera said almost defiantly to Thane’s dispassionate explanation. “Narisa says they had been friends since they were children. It's a match that will last I think, being friends first,” she said plainly as she sucked on a grape. Eagan only lifted his glass to her.” But Thane only scoffed.

“She has no family save for her father. And even if she gets on with the commoners it sets a bad precedent. Commoners need nobility to lead them. When times are hard Commoners need people to look up to. If all they see are commoners on the throne they will be more apt to blame instead of follow,” he explained.

“When it comes to what is right and what is popular, I’ll take what is right everytime though Narisa is a little of both I think and more,” he said plainly then took a sip of wine.

“Well, every person noble or commoner has the right to follow his heart. Theodred would not do himself nor his people any justice to select a woman for personal advantage before love,” Eagan said. “He didn’t choose my own sister and I will still be happy for him because he is not afraid to admit to the world who he loves,” he added but it would be clear to Narisa who he was really speaking about.

Amathera put her hand to her chest and even teared up at his words and nodded in agreement.

Narisa sighed as she listened to Thane. She thought she cared about him, but hearing how he truly felt made her feel upset and confused. She thought she had known Thane, but not she wasn't so sure. Is that really how he felt? Did that mean that he was only with her because it was what was 'right'?

At Eagan's words she looked over at him and her eyes met his for a moment. She knew then that he was speaking about her and she felt herself become rather breathless when she began to realize that he loved her. She held his gaze for a moment before looking back over at Thane.

"So is that why you're with me? Because I'm 'right' for you and what you believe is 'right' for my family?"

Eagan nearly beamed but he managed to keep his expression level. Thane smiled and looked calmly at Narisa. Amathera nearly scowled at him but remained silent with effort.

“My dear Narisa, I am with you because you are beautiful, smart, the best rider which is saying something in Rohan, and come from a great and powerful family that I one day can only hope to be apart of. You have a way with people and animals and will make an excellent queen one day,” he said. Eagan raised his eyebrows at his words but there was no ‘love’ in his words. Like Brianne he hoped to gain that after marriage though Eagan doubted that that mattered much at all. That and Narisa would not be queen, her brother and wife and their children had that right.

Amathera seemed to approve of what he said though Eagan thought she had thought highly of his compliments of her. Eagan remained silent though he wanted to speak out about his own feelings for Narisa.

Listening to Thane made Narisa's blood start to boil. He was complimenting her, yes, but at the same time she realized that he didn't love her...he loved her family and the power it would give him to marry into it. She was trembling now and looked quite upset.

"So, you don't love me...you love my family and some title...I am so glad that I am learning this now," she said as she stood up suddenly, knocking over her glass of wine in the process. "I will never marry someone who doesn't love me...never! Seeing how you feel about Elisa and myself has really opened my eyes today. I thought you were a man with heart and honor, but I see now that you're nothing more than a sniveling title hunter."

She moved over to her horse and mounted her jet black stallion. She then looked at Thane again as she towered over him on her horse. "I also would remind you of who I am! I am your princess and I deserve far more respect than you have been giving me!"

With that she turned her horse and took off away from the others at a full run.

Eagan sighed as she took off, he knew where she was going. “I’ll go get her, you two just pack up and start back,” he said as he stood up and gestured toward his horse. His red came up to him then he mounted and took off after Narisa in a dead run to try and catch her. Her horse had speed but his had endurance. She had made it to the hills and on top of one of the larger hills and she had dismounted near a clump of trees she liked to climb when they were younger. He dismounted himself and let his red walk off a little way to graze. He saw her up there amongst the thick branches but didn’t go up after her immediately. He heard her crying and he eventually made his way up to her.

“Well, I didn't see that comin,” he lied as he leaned up against a branch next to her.

Narisa had kept her horse at a dead run for as long as he could hold out. He slowed near the hills and she looked over and spotted the group of trees that she and Eagan had often come to to climb when they were younger. She knew he would come after her, but she wanted to be alone right now. She climbed up into one of the larger trees and sat on a large branch about halfway up. Despite herself, she began to cry. She wasn't there long when she heard a horse come up and she didn't have to look to know it was Eagan. When he finally climbed up into the tree she looked away from him.

"I want to be alone right now Eagan."

OOC-I'm thinking of maybe her getting angry at Eagan when he doesn't leave right away and she yells at him so he leaves, but he hasn't gotten very far when he suddenly hears Narisa screaming for help because she fell out of the tree trying to climb down and is injured.

Eagan only shook his head. “Nope, you can be alone after we get back. I’m not leaving you like this,” he told her simply. He saw her about to yell at him but he pointed his finger and hardened his eyes toward her. “Go ahead….scream your bloody head off, I don’t care a whit, I’m not leaving you right now.”

Narisa's eyes narrowed into a hard gaze as she looked at him. She was visibly trembling.

"As your princess I COMMAND that you leave! Don't forget who I am Eagan! Don't make the same mistake Thane did!"

Eagan’s face hardened. Right then Narisa seemed like a spoiled brat who hadn’t gotten what she wanted. Well, if she was going to pull rank on him like this, he didn’t want to be around her! He clenched his jaw tight for fear he’d say something he would regret as he climbed down. He wouldn’t look at her as he summoned his horse and took its reins. He gave a quick rub of its nose then silently walked away from the cops of trees. Away from Narisa down the hill.

Narisa watched as Eagan began to leave. She felt a few new tears slip down her cheeks as she thought about the fact that she had just yelled at him like that. She knew that he hadn't meant any harm, but she was so upset over Thane that she had taken it out on him. She needed to go after him....she needed to apologize... She began to work her way down out of the tree. However, as she placed her feet on another branch the branch broke under her feet and she began to fall. She hit several branches on the way down before landing on her left side on a large rock. She felt pain begin to shoot down from her left shoulder. However, it was when she began to feel a horrific pain in her left ribs that she began to scream.

"Eagan! Eagan help!"

Eagan pulled up short as soon as he heard the creaks, groans and snap of branches breaking. He rolled into his saddle smoothly when he heard her cries for help. Almost falling himself he flung himself out of his saddle when his red jerked to a halt close to the trees. His mind raced as adrenaline pumped into his veins and he moved quickly up to her. He saw that she had landed hard on the large rocks but as he extended his hand out to grab her up he paused when he saw blood drip down the side of a rock. He came up and went onto his knees beside her.

“Try not to move!” he said louder than he meant as he came to support her head with his hand. He shifted her slightly and winced when he saw her shoulder. It was dislocated but the blood came from her side. “You’re going to be fine Narisa, just,” he tried to say but worry and his attention on what he was doing drew him away from actually speaking. He felt around her sternum and she yelped and grabbed hold of his forearm. Something was surely not right there but he couldn’t certain of what. He felt his own tears fall from his eyes and he leaned over and kissed her cheek as he decided what he would have to do. The bleeding was the worst thing but the pain she would feel from moving her would be severe. She’d just have to bear it he decided in an instant. A hiss of pain escaped her lips as he slowly slid his arm under her. “I’m sorry!” he said loudly and then pulled her to him off of the rocks.

Narisa was sobbing from fear and pain by the time Eagan got to her. She didn't know what she would have done if he hadn't been close enough to hear her screams for help. Despite the fact that she had yelled at him not that long ago, he had come back. She couldn't move without feeling an incredible amount of pain that nearly caused her to blackout. She didn't realize she was bleeding until she saw her blood on Eagan's hands after he felt around her ribs. She had hit her head on a smaller rock and blood was starting to color her hair red on the left side. She was starting to slip in and out of consciousness as Eagan slipped his hands under her. She nearly let out a sob of pain, but tried to brace herself as best she could. As he started to move her the pain became overwhelming and she lost consciousness.

ooc: new thread