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Journey Of A Butterfly	By : Mel99Moe Category: -Fourth Age to Modern times and beyond > Het - Male/Female Views: 5714 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or places of Lord of the Rings/Tolkien. No money is being made. This is for personal enjoyment only.

Chapter List
- 58
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Chapter 59 - Goodbyes and Well-wishes

Terrwyn took her time walking through Meduseld and taking in all the architecture and the designs that signified a proud people, the Rohirrim. Despite what her brother told her of her half heritage, she felt she would always connect with these brave people of the open plains. This was truly who she was and how she was raised and she would think of herself as one of them above all.

The rich wood, the carved warhorses, the intricate tapestries, it all dated back for hundreds of years. Brave men her ancestors were, seeking new lands after becoming allies of Gondor. The land was barren, swept with disease and slaughter in the early Third Age, but it was salvageable and so it became their home through all their efforts. From the beginning, the people of Rohan prided themselves on their independence. Terrwyn’s life was an example of this, being able to sustain herself as she saw fit, but this part of her life was about to change. Having Feredir meant having a friend, a lover and a partner to share any challenges that arose. There was a certain amount of comfort knowing this and it was the reason she was able to leave Rohan without any regrets.

Terrwyn rounded the corner and entered the King’s golden hall, thinking that it was empty, but she found Eomer sitting on his throne and her brother sitting beside him. They were deep in conversation, speaking in hushed tones, though it sounded urgent. For a brief moment, Terrwyn thought how odd it was that she could hear them at all, as she stood on the opposite end of the long room. Had she always been able to hear so well, or had she absorbed some elvish abilities through her bond with Feredir?

She turned to leave, feeling like an intruder, but Eomer looked up from his throne just in time to catch a glimpse of her red hair trailing out behind her. “Please, Lady Terrwyn, do not rush off. Hathmund and I were just finishing up our business and I’m sure you both have much catching up to do.”

Terrwyn turned back towards Eomer and smiled as she curtsied. “I’m sorry, Sire. I did not mean to interrupt. I thought the hall was empty and I just came to admire its beauty while I still can.”

Eomer gestured for her to come to his throne, standing as was proper when a lady entered a room. Such was the practices of the King of Rohan. Eomer never thought himself above others, but as an equal. He was a marvelous King, tall and handsome with his sun streaked golden hair and robustness. Had history played out properly, Eomer would never have become king. He was the nephew of the former King Théoden, but the King’s only son and heir to his throne had passed. Then, during the battle of Pelennor, Théoden himself lost his life and with his dying breath, he passed that rite on to Eomer. Anyone who had doubts about the Third Marshall of the Mark was quickly reassured by his strong leadership. Eomer took a land on the brink of destruction and desolation and made it one of the most powerful kingdoms, only second to Gondor. He earned the respect of every citizen of the Riddermark.

Terrwyn approached Eomer and Hathmund. Before she could bow to her King, Eomer took her hand and led her to his throne. “Please, have a seat. Spend this time with your brother. We can continue our discussion later.” With that, Eomer exited the hall.

Terrwyn examined Eomer’s chair, its large and substantial build. It would have to be sturdy to support the solid physique of one of the mighty sons of Rohan. Their soldiers were made strong, larger than the average man, as if they were carved from stone and then transformed into flesh.

She looked to her brother and observed him thoroughly. He was thin for his height, but that was to be expected after so many years in confinement. His face though . . . his face still held traces of the boy she grew up with, only now he was mature, handsome. His golden hair just swept the top of his shoulders. His eyes were just as bright as she remembered. Now there were small creases in the outer corners and they were very prominent when he smiled. He had father’s eyes for sure, the shape and the long lashes. In fact, he looked more like their father now than she had ever remembered. Her thoughts caught her off guard for a moment. Their father, she said to herself . . . his father. Her heart sunk.

“Terrwyn, what is this I hear? Are you leaving soon?” Hathmund inquired as he took her hands in his.

His voice brought her back to the present. “Things are a bit dangerous right now. There are still those who disagree with Eomer’s decision and I fear they will seek me out if I stay much longer,” she answered.

“I know, I too have witnessed the stares of certain people.” He was careful about what he said.

“And if by certain people you mean Bregmund’s father--,” she said but was interrupted.

“Bregowine is his name. You should know this now. Terrwyn, you are right to leave. This man loses more of his mind every day. I have heard the whispers of the men he gathers on his side. They mean not to let this rest. He refuses to accept the truth of his deceased son. I fear for your safety too.”

“But I do not want to leave you so soon, Hathmund. We have only just been reunited.” She cupped the side of his face. “Will you come with me? The elves will know where we can go. We can get away from this madness until things settle.”

Hathmund shook his head. “I am afraid I cannot leave Rohan. I have been divulging all the information that I have gathered about the Haradrim over my years in captivity. Eomer will send word to King Elessar in Gondor. They plan on raiding Rhûn and putting an end to the abomination of slavery. I am needed here for now.”

“But what about Bregowine? What if he comes after you too?” she said worriedly.

“He will do no such thing while I am needed by Eomer. Terrwyn, the King plans to give me a title and a place in his court, at least while they seek to strike against the Southrons. I am to become an advisor for anything pertaining to Harad. In this position, I can oversee things and make sure that no others are kidnapped and forced into slavery as I was. This must end. We are entering into an age where Men should respect each other and not use the less fortunate to gain wealth.”

Terrwyn smiled at her brother. She was so very proud of how resilient he was. Lesser men might never recover from years of being held against their will. Hathmund used it to strengthen himself. “You will be a soldier yet, dear brother.”

“And damn proud to serve Eomer King,” he answered.

The siblings spent the rest of their time reminiscing of days long gone. They spoke no more of their harsh ordeals. Enough had been said about that part of their lives. Talking about their parents helped Terrwyn realize that she would never think of the man who raised her as anything less than a father. He had never known she was not his daughter and maybe that was best.

Hathmund eventually got around to questioning her about Feredir. She explained in further detail their relationship and how it developed, how she had always been drawn to him. When she told him that they recently bonded, Hathmund smiled wide and told her he was not surprised. He too had gotten to know the elf better as they journeyed from Rhûn. When he told her that Feredir admitted to him his love for Terrwyn, she blushed. Hathmund laughed and kissed his sister’s forehead, telling her how proud and happy he was that her life was finally her own. So was his for that matter.

When they spoke of parting ways again, tears sprang to her eyes, but Hathmund wiped them away and cupped her face within his hands. “Now, dear sister, no more sadness. Had there not been this gap of years in our lives together, in the natural course of things we would have journeyed away from each other. This is the time of our lives when we are supposed to move on, but at least now we will know where to find each other.”

“I guess you are right,” she said between sobs. “And once we are settled, we can visit.”

“As often as we can spare the time,” he reassured her.

* * *

Morning came much too soon and Terrwyn woke to light kisses upon her face and neck. She cracked her eyes open to see her handsome black haired elf leaning over her, his silver eyes gleaming with new excitement. “Wake up, Naru. Today we start our journey to my begetting place.”

“I am happy to be going,” she said groggily, “but I just wish I had a few more minutes before I must wake.”

“I see your sleep habits are going to remain that of humans,” he teased.

“As long as you keep me up half the night, it will be,” she countered.

“You did not complain last night.”

Terrwyn laughed and reached down, cupping him through his trousers and giving him a light squeeze. “I was taught not to speak with a full mouth.”

Feredir covered her lips with his own, his tongue pushing past and rolling with hers. Instantly, he brought her body to life and she ached for him. Nights with Feredir were wonderful, but to be awakened by him in this way was something much more enticing. Just when she thought he would join her beneath the warm sheets, he abandoned her and grabbed the sheet, flinging it from her body and leaving her lying there in nothing but her nightgown. She gasped but he merely laughed. “Now, up you go and get ready. Orthorien has already prepared our horses. The King has graciously given us enough supplies to get us well on our way and an extra horse to carry them. It will be a long journey and slower than usual. The sooner we start, the sooner we will get there.”

Terrwyn scowled at him for ripping her from her warm and cozy cocoon of blankets and fur throws. “I find your cheerful mood quite irritating.”

“Ah, our first disagreement as a bonded couple, I look forward to having to apologize for my rude behavior later.” He winked and Terrwyn rolled her eyes.

“You are a wicked, wicked elf,” she smiled.

Before long, Terrwyn was up and dressed. Her pack was ready with a few personal items, along with her dresses from Lindiel and her treasured butterfly. Lucky for her, Eomer gave Terrwyn one of Éowyn’s old riding outfits so she would not have to ride in a skirt. The generosity of the King was too much, she had told him, but he would see it done no other way.

Feredir escorted her through the King’s halls and through the wide doors leading out of Meduseld. They descended the stairs and joined Orthorien and Horphen who waited with the horses. She also found Lindiel and Taldred waiting to say goodbye, and with them was Hathmund.

Lindiel took Terrwyn’s hands and squeezed them. “You take care of yourself and come back to see us after the baby arrives.”

“I will, Lindiel. And you give that sweet baby a kiss for me,” Terrwyn smiled. The two women hugged each other, both with tears forming in their eyes.

Lindiel released her friend and Terrwyn turned to Taldred. She embraced him and whispered in his ear. “This was exactly what I wanted for you and exactly what you deserve. You are a most wonderful and loving man and you will make a great father, Taldred.”

He leaned back to see Terrwyn’s face and smiled. “Your happiness was always my fondest wish, and now I have seen it. You and Feredir belong together. Good luck in all you do.”

Lastly, Terrwyn went to her brother and the two wrapped their arms around each other, holding one another tight. “I wish I did not have to go so soon, Hathmund. I feel as if I have searched forever just to let you go again. It was not enough time,” Terrwyn said.

“We will see each other again. We will take this time to rediscover ourselves and our lives,” Hathmund answered.

“Are you sure there was nothing else in Mother’s letter explaining who my real father was?”

“All that the letter held, I have already told you. I don’t think even Mother knew anything about him but for the fact that he was an elf traveling to the Grey Havens. I am sorry there was nothing more and I wish you could have met him, but it seems that he has long sailed over the ocean to his secret lands by now.” Hathmund brought her face up to meet his. “No matter what you know about your heritage now, you are still the same person you have always been. You are brave and loving, independent . . . a true woman of Rohan and you should be proud. You will be able to come home one day. This animosity cannot last forever.”

“I know, Hathmund, it will all work out, but for now I will miss you.” Terrwyn brought him close and held her brother a moment longer. Then she released him and went to Feredir who was standing next to a large brown horse that they would share. The elf lovingly placed his hand at her waist and kissed her cheek.

“Terrwyn,” Hathmund called before she mounted her ride. She turned to him and he continued. “Do you know what ever happened to my elvish knife?”

“I found it at our old home in the Westfold and kept it for many years. But I was stripped of my belongings in Gondor. I had to leave it behind. I do not know what happened to it, nor do I know what happened to the other things that I kept. I hated losing them.”

“No matter then, I was just curious,” Hathmund answered. “Stay safe, dear sister.”

Terrwyn nodded and smiled, then Feredir helped her onto their horse. When she was settled, he leapt upon the horse seated behind her. Orthorien and Horphen were already mounted on their horses with the extra horse between them. They all looked down to their guests one last time, smiled and turned their horses towards the road leading to the gates of Edoras. They left at a slow canter so not to draw too much attention to themselves.

Terrwyn wrapped her cloak around her tighter, pulling the hood down to hide her face. Most people they passed paid them no attention. The fancier wood homes gave way to smaller huts with women busy scurrying around chasing children or hanging laundry. Seeing them made Terrwyn long for a home of her own and maybe one day a child. That day seemed far off yet. Feredir pulled her tighter against his chest when he heard her sigh and she eased into the feel of his firm grip.

They were almost to the gates when they came upon a small group of men standing off to the side of the road. Immediately, Orthorien signaled to Horphen to stay in the back as he rode up ahead of Feredir and Terrwyn. He sensed trouble and unnoticeably removed his bow from his back, bringing it in front of him and resting it on his lap. This was more of a warning than a threat to anyone that might cause them harm.

Dark eyes peered out from beneath their hoods as they glared at the traveling party. Terrwyn recognized one of them right away, Bregowine, Bregmund’s father. He seemed to be the leader of the group, standing out in front, his steely eyes never leaving her. Something about the way he watched her made her uneasy. She did not trust this man and hoped it would be the last she would see of him. That was when Terrwyn knew it would be a very long time before she would return to Rohan, at least not as long as this man waited for her.

As her horse approached Bregowine, he took a step towards the road. Feredir had been watching him the entire time and quickly pulled a small dagger from his boot. The polished metal reflected the sun and flashed in the man’s eyes, making him squint and look away. The dark elf slid the knife back into its hiding place and gave Bregowine a cold stare. “It would not be wise to make trouble. A threat to her is a threat to us,” he told the man. Bregowine’s lip curled in a sneer, but he did not speak.

At that exact moment, a pair of Rohirrim soldiers were making their way up the street. They had probably just come back from duty and were returning to their homes. Bregowine gave some sort of signal with a nod of his head, and his group of men disbursed. The guards’ attention was never drawn to them. Everything seemed normal and one of the soldier’s nodded to the man. “Good morning, Lord Bregowine,” the tall guard greeted him.

The man smiled and gave the soldier his own greeting as they passed. By now, Terrwyn and the elves were past Bregowine and almost to the gates. Orthorien fell back until he rode next to Feredir. He glanced over his shoulder and saw the suspicious man heading back toward Meduseld, his group of followers tagging along behind him. “I do not trust that man,” Orthorien said in a hushed voice to his brother. “I think it is a good thing we left this morning.”

“I agree, brother,” Feredir answered. “I don’t expect we’ll be seeing him again though, not as long as we keep our distance from Edoras.” He leaned towards Terrwyn. “I’m sorry, Naru. I know you wish to see your brother again soon.”

“It is alright,” she said with a brave voice. No longer wanting to hide, she lowered her hood from her head and raised her chin as she sat tall upon her horse. “I will stay away for now, but he will not keep me from my home for good. I have faced the hangman’s noose. This man does not threaten me.”

Orthorien laughed. “Feredir, what have you done to our sweet Terrwyn? She has a new fire in her belly.”

“I have done nothing. She has always been like this. You have just never seen it before. Try being her warden for the day and you will see what I mean. Isn’t that right . . . Lag,” Feredir teased. He was answered with a sharp elbow to his stomach as he doubled over.

Horphen laughed from behind. “Finally, someone to keep him in line other than me. You have your work cut out for you, Terrwyn.”

“Yes well, I have my ways,” Terrwyn said as she patted Feredir on the knee. He sat back up and rubbed his stomach, groaning.

As they passed through the gates of the city, Terrwyn watched as three young women stood by, one with a white rose in her folded hands. They smiled at her as she passed them and the girl with the flower stepped forward. Terrwyn held her hand out, signaling to Feredir to stop, which he did. The young woman handed the rose to Terrwyn.

“Thank you, Lady Terrwyn. You have made life easier for us now.” The woman smiled and backed away to join the others.

Terrwyn seemed confused. “I’m sorry, I don’t understand.”

“Those two men that accused you of a crime, they have also threatened us. We tried to have them seized, but they are crooked men. Now that they have been exposed for their true iniquity, they are no longer trusted and are watched carefully,” the young woman explained. “It is because you stood up to them that we do not live in fear now. Should they try anything mischievous now, we will be believed and they will be sent to the cells. We just wanted to show our gratitude to you.”

Terrwyn was surprised by this. She smiled to them and sniffed the flower. “Always stay true to yourselves. You are women of Rohan, strong women. Hold you head high and follow your pride. You do not need to be victims.” Terrwyn touched Feredir’s knee, letting him know that they could continue on their way. He clicked his tongue and the horse started walking once more. Terrwyn smiled to herself as they finally passed through the gates. It was good to know that she made a small difference somehow.

When they were outside to the city, Feredir’s body relaxed and he wrapped an arm around Terrwyn’s waist. He nudged his nose against her neck and breathed deep. “How is it you can make me love you more? Just when I think my feelings can soar no higher, you lift my soul to another summit.” He was never prouder of her than he was then after hearing her words of wisdom.

Terrwyn smiled and settled in against his chest. This was what she had always dreamed of, this sense of security and belonging. She was finally free of her past and she could only imagine what her future held.
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Journey Of A Butterfly