Streets of Edoras

[Anwyn]

Edoras sits perched upon a hill, The Golden Hall at its apex, a glittering beacon and welcoming sight to weary soldiers returning home to there wives and beds. Though not all parts are as pleasant to look as this, In the outter reach far from the halls sight sits a small home, its up keep lacking but smoke can always been found rising from inside. Never abscent from this is the sound of many voices, childrens voices. For this is where Children of War and lost Battles are kept. They are fed and clothed and given whatever attention there aged guardian can spare.

In the early evening after there meal several of its current occupants spill out into the street. Two young boys immediately pick up wooden swords and beging to duel in ernest as young girls find places upon barrels to watch the joust. Spurred on by the trill of having an audience, the boys step up the game. Dramatic leaps and bounds and careless thrusting of there toy weapons. Though the sad truth remained that due to there age it would not be many summers before they are given real weapons of there own and called to war. Not that neither fear this for they are eager to claim glory on beahalf of there fallen fathers.

"Behold! Derrion! Great Warrior of Rohan!" The first boy crowed, beating his hand proudly to his chest. The second youth, spurred on by such an action makes a blind lunge towards his occupied friend, the wood casting a glancing blow to the ribs. Derrion cries out and throws himself against his opponent and they collapse to the ground, a tight ball of fists and fists. The girls sit back looking at each other with wide eyes unwilling to interfere in this game but knowing something should be done.


The fight continues until strong calloused hands reach down and pull Derrion off his slightly smaller friend and pull him backwards. His anger still strong, he lunges forward at the one that would interfere with this and finds his hands full of a rich green fabric, closer inspection reveals a full skirt. Knowing that no Soldier would wear such a garment Derrion gathers himself and rises his eyes to meet those of the young woman who had split up the fight.

Though her face was young her eyes told many stories of many worries and fears. The boy released her skirt from his grasp taking a step back, mouth agasp. Anwyn did not release his gaze from her own "Tell me young Master...Is such behavior fitting of a most wise and noble soldier of Rohan" Mouth agasp, the boy shook his head.

Bending over she helped the second boy to his feet and frowned making note of a bloodied lip. Still kneeling at the childs height, she motioned to Derrion "Come here" not one to argue with the Queen he walked over, she placed a hand on his shoulder "I believe you know what you must do now"

Derrion lowered his gaze slightly "I am sorry I beat on you Gareth" Anwyn nodded approvingly "Good. For even though you have lost, you did so honourably. Pride is not a bad thing, but it can be if you allow it to motivate you incorrectly.

Anwyn rose to her feet, taking notice of the boys dirtied faces and hands "Perhaps you should tidy yourselves and prepare for bed" The boys nodded and ran off, jostling over who would get through the door way first. Turning to leave, she caught glimpse of one of the girls hesitantly picking up the fallen toy from the ground, and examining it in her hands. Anwyn watched this with a sense of both mirth and sadness, Children should not be objected to such means of battle and war at such a tender age. They should not know of death and attacks. A babes cry rang out and the sound tore deeply into her heart, wether or not the child would have parents comfort it or not, she did not know.

Turning away, she began to walk slowly down the alley, head bowed low.

[Raithen Anar]

Raithen could truly afford little time away from Harad and its wars, but he wished to see the north, and since the visit by the Kings man from Enedwaith, he had taken ship from Pashaar, on the Seawitch , his private ship, an elegant , swift craft, and sailed around the southern cape, north to Lond Daer, the ancient port at the mouths of the Greyflood river. He noted with interest the Wall across the Gap of Rohan, like to the one he had built in Harad, but probably easier to constantly man, being not as long.
Passing, he came into the wide lands of Calenardhon, as he had known it, long ago. He meant to visit the King of Enedwaith on his return, privately, for he was traveling alone, and he had a purpose. It was said the Rohirrim valued their beautiful horses as close as their nearest kin, and would not sell them. The men of the northern deserts of Harad bred elegant, swift horses also, but he wished to introduce the larger, taller mounts of the north, to breed them with the southern ones, and produce cavalry horses.
He did not believe any amount of gold could buy the blood of the Mearas at all, ( he remembered their sires, the horses of Aman, brought to Middle Earth by the Noldor in the First Age ) - and there was no reason he could think of the Lady of Rohan would give him one, but while here was here, he would inquire, and also sound out the lands he had not seen for so long.

He had passed the mighty fortress of Helms Deep , and now came to Edoras, as a lone traveller, - for much as he loved beauty and luxury, he could live in the wilds easily, and although he might enjoy ceremony, he was far too self-possesed, and self confident to feel he needed guards, or escorts or entourages. Such things were used, he knew, mainly to impress, not when one wanted to pass through a land un-noticed, simply reconoittering, , in a sense. And he was deeply private, - he needed , at times, to be alone, - as a king, that was a rare thing, because he liked to immerse himself in all aspects of ruling, as in all aspects of warring, knowing everything, not leaving it in others hands. A king , he believed should know more about his land than any-one else.
A deeply cowled cloak over his hair, and shading his eyes, he listened to the language of the Rohirrim in the streets.
A shaft of sunlight edged past a cloud and lit on the golden gables of Meduseld, seated high above him, looking down over its town. After the gold skinned, dark people, from olive to blue-black, of Harad, it was almost strange to see so many fair people and hear their rich, stern, rolling tongue.

[Anwyn]

Anwyn walked through the streets, immersed in the sounds of the day. In the distance dogs barked and Children screamed with laughter as they ran past her a lively current of blonde hair. It was with a deep sense of pleasure that it could be felt that things were beginning to return to normal. No longer did her subjects hide behind locked doors and windows, but instead freely walked the streets and called upon each other. The fear of another silent attack from the Wildmen of the north as they were still known as no longer at the formost of there minds.

Passing by the blacksmiths, where a horse was being fitted for a new pair of shoes by the smithies apprentice, a handsome young man who immediately released the leg he held between his legs and walked quickly towards her, Arms outreached "Anwyn! Or should I say...Queen Anwyn?" he raised an eyebrow at her though the smile never faded from his face "You may call me whatever you wish Ayden, Just remeber that I am Queen and some names are best kept for behind closed doors"

The man roared with laughter and clapped her roughly on the back "I can see you have not changed as I would have thought m'lady"

"I have heard that your wife has had another child, But another Boy? Surely dear friend you do not think we are in such need of Soldiers that you keeping having Sons?" she asked with a smile that was met with another bout of laughter "I would have daughters but am too afraid they may grow to be like you and I do not think that Rohan is prepared for such a thing" at this they both laughed together. There was a low bellow from inside the barn "It appears as though my time for visiting has come to an end, Farewell Anwyn"

Spirits lifted even further by the visit with an old friend she continued to follow the twisting street that she knew would take her to the Golden Hall. When it came to loom in front of her, she paused. For surely, there was much work to be done and like her friend there were also duties to be done. Tilting her head skywards, she savored the few stray beams of light that they had been graced with for lately it had seemed that a dark shadow had settled itself upon them.

Turning slightly she could see the stables, It seemed like such a waste to remain inside on such a glorious day. With a sigh she turned back and began to climb the steps to the Golden Hall.

[Raithen Anar]

' Exuse me, hiril nin ' Raithen had found an inn and stabled his horse, joining the people in the streets, though taller even than these tall, fair folk. he used the Sindarin phrase for ' my lady ', since most people would consider him Elvish.
Except for his eyes, he often thought his mother had gifted him with those as a joke, and a reminder of who he was. But they were still shadowed , by the deep hood, at the moment. ' Does the Lady of Rohan keep court? ' his voice held the merest trace of amusement, his Maia Sight knew who she was, but he understood why people wished to go around unheralded.

[Anwyn]

The women that Raithen had addressed, somewhat taken aback by the mens height, but not wish to appear rude or ignorant "Oh yes" she stammered, face coloring "I believe that she does hold court today for if I am not mistaken I believe I saw her pass this way only a short time ago walking towards the Golden Hall"

[Raithen Anar]

He inclined his head with perfect courtesy, ' I thankyou, lady, ' he spoke , he knew with an antique, ancient accent, rarely heard beyond Valinor, but he saw no reason to change it. He took his path towards Meduseld.