Part 13

They watched the fireworks, and the dressing of the Yule Tree, and they ate hot pies, and Melannen tried a few sips of mulled wine, and Legolas and Eowyn did their utmost to reassure the elfling, and to make him feel safe; but later, back in the tavern’s warm parlour, the child sat quietly on Eowyn’s knee, his little lip trembling.

“Do not get him a separate room tonight, Lassui,” said Eowyn, hugging the boy. “Let him stay with us…”

Legolas leaned down, and kissed her forehead.

…

The landlord’s wife put them in the same room as before but, this time, she had a small bed brought in, and made it up for Melannen and, whilst Legolas stoked the fire, Eowyn helped the elfling undress, and wash, and get into bed, and tucked him in with his toy rabbit.

“Can we have a story, melmenya?” asked Legolas, laying down the poker.

“A story?” Eowyn frowned. “What sort of story?”

“Oh, I do not know… What sort of story would you like to hear, Melannen?”

“One about Gwanur Eowyn,” said Melannen, with a sniff, “when she was an elfling.”

“Good idea,” said Legolas. “Tell us about when you were an elfling, melmenya.”

“Well…” Eowyn pulled a chair up to Melannen’s bed and sat down. “There was the time that Eomer and I climbed onto the roof of the Golden Hall.” She smiled down at the boy. “Eomer is my brother—my big brother—and, when we were young, he and I were always getting into trouble together.”

Melannen managed a little smile.

“We lived,” Eowyn continued, “in a great Mead Hall, known as The Golden Hall—”

“Because its roof gleams in the sun, like gold, Melannen,” said Legolas, sitting on the end of the child’s bed, “and all its wall hangings are woven with golden threads, and all the carvings on its doors and its pillars are gilded. Your Gwanur Eowyn comes from a strange country called Rohan, the land of the horse lords.”

“Who is telling this story?”

“You are melmenya—I am sorry. Why did you climb up onto the roof?”

“To see the oliphaunts,” said Eowyn, as though the answer were obvious. “Theodred—that was my cousin—Theodred had told me that a herd of oliphaunts had come to live on the downs. I was sure that if we climbed up onto the roof we would see them.”

Melannen sniffed. “And did you?”

“No,” said Eowyn, stroking the boy’s hair.

“Why?”

“Because Theodred was just teasing. There were no oliphaunts. And Eomer knew it, but he climbed up with me anyway. And then I got my skirts caught; and, however hard I tried, I could not get them loose, and Eomer wanted to cut me free with his new hunting knife—but I would not let him ruin my gown.”

“How did you get down?” asked Legolas.

“I…” She hesitated.

“You are blushing, Eowyn nín!”

“I took my gown off. It was Eomer’s idea. I had to climb down, and run back to my bedchamber, wearing nothing but my shift and boots.”

She looked down at the elfling—and smiled, for his eyes were already closed in healing sleep.

…

Later

Lying awake, staring up at the firelight dancing on the ceiling, Legolas heard the creak of bedsprings, and the patter of little feet, and he lifted the covers and let a small person climb up over him, and snuggle down between himself and Eowyn.