Cerimë 27th
Éowyn watched as rain came down in sheets across the balcony, accompanied by gusty winds that made the palm fronds in the garden below shake. She had woken this morning to long, low rumbles of thunder, and the day had hardly improved since. The rain had stopped for a few hours, though the thick gray clouds had lingered on until this new storm blew up. She had not slept well last night, frequently turning and trying to find a comfortable position. She felt the lack of sleep weighing on her as well as a growing irritation. If today went well, nothing would annoy her to the point she could not control her irritation anymore. However, today was already shaping up to be the opposite.
Having ignored her all of yesterday, al-Jahmîr had summoned her to lunch with him today. In the note, he had included a snide remark about how he did not want her to get bored since the weather was not ideal for her daily visit to the stables. Éowyn had ripped up the small sheet of paper without reading the rest.
“I should get a cloak and go anyway, just to spite him,†she had said as Miliani brushed and arranged her hair.
“It's too wet outside,†Miliani chided gently. “You might catch cold.â€
“Ithilien is much cooler at this time of year, and I've yet to catch cold because of it,†she replied, shaking her head slightly. She heard the girl click her tongue as she lost her grip on a swatch of hair.
Now, as she watched the rain, she second-guessed her thoughts. She would not have gone to her own stables in Ithilien in weather like this unless she had to, and in addition, she had discovered that the stones here grew quite slippery after a rain when she had gone onto her balcony for a few minutes between the rain storms. Lately she had found her balance to be slightly off, and she did not need to have a slip and fall to give the healers any ideas about how much activity she should be allowed to have. Teherin either would have had her on bedrest by now or would have been watching her keenly for an excuse to put her to bed.
A knock on the door broke into Éowyn's thoughts, and she knew even before Miliani answered it that it would be one of the Snake's servants, coming to fetch her for the meal. She walked slowly down the familiar hallways, in no rush to meet her host. Passing a room, she glanced in to see some housemaids mopping up water that had seeped in under the window. They were laughing about some joke or another as they wrung their mops out into buckets.
All too soon, Éowyn found herself entering al-Jahmîr's quarters. She wrinkled her nose at the thick scent of incense hanging in the air. She did not recall him having burned any during her previous visits. He was sitting at his table, reading the first of several pages in his hand. His eyes darted up when she entered but immediately flicked back to what he was reading. Hemade no other acknowledgment of her presence. Éowyn took a seat and looked over the platters and trays already on the table, though nothing appealed to her at first glance. She noted a small plate next to al-Jahmîr that had a few slices of bread and what looked like a mixture of olive oil and grated cheese on one side. Without looking away, al-Jahmîr dipped one of the bread slices in the mixture and ate it.
Éowyn refrained from shaking her head. She would rather put up with his silence than his conversation, and she was not going to go out of her way to encourage him to speak. She began putting together her own plate, eyeing some sliced pears and almonds. She ate in silence for several minutes before beginning to feel slightly irritated that the Snake had called her here only to ignore her again. He could have achieved the same effect by leaving her alone in her rooms. But he knows that you'd have been content not having to deal with his presence, she thought wryly. This way he can at least mock you without having to say a word.
Outside the rain had softened to a light drizzle, occasionally breaking completely. The clouds had lightened as well, andoccasionally a sea gull drifted past a window, crying plaintively for something to eat. Éowyn wondered if the sun would come out later in the afternoon. If it did, she might try going down to the stables for awhile. Not to ride. She did not want to deal with all the mud and standing water that would surely be lingering.
As she cut into a piece of fish, al-Jahmîr shuffled the papers into a neat pile and set them aside. Even though he had finished with what he had been reading, he still seemed preoccupied, glancing out the window. “How's the fish?†he asked, rearranging the plates in front of him.
“Fine,†Éowyn said evenly, lifting her gaze to meet his. She saw his eyebrow arch slightly.
“Your girl did not do a very good job of powdering your face,†he commented, studying her. “Those bruises are quite unbecoming for a lady of your stature.â€
“Perhaps you should have a word with the rat who put them there,†she answered.
Al-Jahmîr chuckled. “I would, but she insists on spitting venom at me.†As Éowyn shook her head, he continued, spearing a piece of fish. “You brought that upon yourself. I told you to behave, mind your manners, act the lady that you are, but you insisted, continue to insist, on being impolite and low. I didn't think I would ever have to beat it out of you, but if that is what has to happen, all the worse.â€
“I still find it absurd that you expect me to 'mind my manners', as you put it,†she snapped back. “You say that as though you expect me to one day wake up and become a polished lady for you, as if you expect me to realize that I should love you for some reason. You have nothing worthy of love in you.â€
He leaned back in his chair and folded his hands on the tabletop. He simply watched her for a few moments as she stared back at him, anger and disgust clouding her face. She went on. “Even thugs on a street have more dignity than you. You beat and threaten me, and then you go and beat and shatter a frightened young girl who was only doing her duty to you.†Her revulsion was clear in her tone. “Even the whores in a brothel are treated better. You--†Her words fled.
The Snake had not moved during her speech, but he watched her now with a dangerous look in his eyes, as though daring her to go farther. She swallowed. He leaned forward, and when he spoke, his voice was quiet and hard. “What I do with my consorts is none of your concern,†he said swiftly. “Do not be so foolish as to think you're the first woman to try raise some guilt in me about them. For now you are considered one of them as well,†he continued. “Do not think that anyone will take special note that today you have bruises or tomorrow you sport a fine jewel. Only the gossips will make any noise about it.
“I have told you time and again to mind your manners because I do not want to think that there are fishmongers' daughters with more class and grace than you,†he hissed. “Perhaps your late husband found such crudities charming and quaint, but they will not pass for anything but garbage here.†He smirked. “I seem to recall there was some whispering among other tark nobles about whether you should be seen in public at all, much less socialize with anyone of stature. Perhaps you were indeed best suited to be a brood mare for the late Steward, though it took you long enough to even produce a whelp.â€
“Enough!†Éowyn's voice cracked. She had clutched the cloth napkin in her lap until she could feel her fingernails digging into her skin through the fabric. He could not be in his right mind, she concluded. Or perhaps cruelty was his right mind. She was shocked to find hot tears running down her cheeks even as she shook from anger. “Enough!†she repeated. “You are a monster. Once Gondor is finished with you, even the, the, the ravens will not want to peck at your poisonous corpse.†Despite her anger, she felt rooted to her chair, but even if she could have moved, she would have forced herself to remain in front of him. She would not give him the victory of driving her to walking out on him, though she doubted he would even let her leave without his permission.
Al-Jahmîr toyed with a ring on his finger. “A monster, am I?†he asked quietly. “Do monsters house their guests in luxury and give them all they could desire? Do monsters let their ladies run wild and reprimand them with light taps to the face? Would a monster let you spend your days however you choose, mostly? I have told you before that I can be kind.â€
“I do not think you know what that word means,†Éowyn said through gritted teeth. “What you call kindness is no more than an elaborate ploy, a ruse. I'm a prisoner and yet you dress me in silks. Why? Why go through so much effort? Why did you even bring me here? You've never answered me that.â€
Al-Jahmîr reached for some almonds and popped a couple into his mouth, crunching them placidly. “I haven't answered that question because I don't have to,†he replied. “The peach does not ask why it falls from the tree; it simply lets go.â€
Éowyn shook her head again and looked away. “You're insane,†she murmured.
The Snake laughed. “They say that insanity and genius are easily confused,†he said.
Éowyn threw her napkin on the table. “Are you finished with me? May I go? Or do I have to put up with more of your taunts at your leisure?â€
Al-Jahmîr looked started. “Well now, that's the closest you've come to a polite request,†he drawled, dabbing at his mouth with his own napkin. “But no, I haven't grown frustrated with your company yet.†He rose and bid her to come with him. She stood slowly, not relishing the idea that this meeting would last longer than usual. They entered what Éowyn guessed to be his personal sitting or entertaining room. Several lamps lit the room, making the walls glow. A thick, pale yellow rug covered the center of the floor. Around it were a handful of padded chairs and a long couch with tasseled pillows. She glanced at the far wall and took a step back. Mounted to it were a set of enormous, open jaws filled with sharp, pointed teeth. Even from across the room, she was sure she would have been able to stand inside the jaws without needing to duck her head.
Al-Jahmîr followed her stunned stare. “A moon shark,†he explained. “As you can see, they're capable of snapping a man in half. They prefer deeper water, out in the open sea, but from time to time they'll come into the shallows.â€
Éowyn slipped into the nearest chair and tore her eyes away from the display, unsure why it had unsettled her so much. Al-Jahmîr disappeared into another room and returned a moment later with a pair of books in his hand. “I thought you might like some light reading,†he said, offering her the books. “I haven't had the time to start them.†As he again left the room, Éowyn opened the cover of the top book and stared at the page. She had held a slim hope that the books wouldn't be written in Adûnaic, but her fears were confirmed. She could speak the language well enough, life with Faramir nearly demanded it, but she was lost when it came to the written word. She turned a page as al-Jahmîr returned to the room, more paperwork in hand. He took a seat in a chair opposite her and immediately began studying the documents, oblivious to her presence. She kept turning pages regularly as the hour wore on, determined not to let the Snake have something to base another one of his jibes on.
From time to time, al-Jahmîr looked up from his papers and studied her intently. At one point he seemed on the verge of asking her a question, but settled back in his chair without voicing it. After awhile, she felt herself growing sleepy as well as slightly sick from the incense that scented this room as well. She rubbed her forehead with one hand as she continued her ruse. The Snake had nearly finished reading his papers when a liveried guard strode into the room. His uniform was finer than others Éowyn had seen, and from the way he carried himself, assured and with a dangerous grace, Éowyn suspected that he was an officer, perhaps even a captain, since he had entered his master's chambers without even announcing himself. She watched him as he leaned down to confer quietly with his master. The Snake nodded several times and once looked directly at her, as though regarding her for the first time all afternoon. The captain glanced at her as well, and she was surprised to see bright green eyes instead of the usual dark brown common among Umbarians. He and the Snake spoke again for a few more minutes, then he saluted and quickly left the room. Éowyn went back to “reading†her book, though she noted that al-Jahmîr watched her for quite some time before going back to his papers.
Éowyn wondered about the soldier's errand. She had never seen him before, nor had she ever been present when one of his captains brought news. Usually the Snake sent her away when it came time to discuss such things. But they had to have been talking about me, she thought. The Snake could hardly take his eyes off me once the captain began speaking. Was something happening outside the castle walls? Had Faramir returned, leading an army? She realized her grip had tightened on the book until her knuckles had almost turned white. She relaxed her hold quickly, hoping al-Jahmîr had not noticed. Glancing up, she saw that he had returned to his own reading.
Do not get your hopes up, she cautioned herself. Perhaps he is planning something you know nothing about yet. Who knew what other schemes the Snake had in operation? She let out a long breath. This could even be another one of his games, and if it was, surely she was playing right into his hands by getting flustered.
Time passed, and when the Snake had finished his business, he stood and stretched. “This has been enough excitement forone day,†he said, offering her his hand. Éowyn ignored it and stood on her own, giving back the book. “Did you like it?†he asked, for once passing on her refusal.
“Fascinating,†she replied, doing her best to smile. “I'm curious as to what happens to the hero.â€
His face brightened. “Good! I shall have you back to finish it then.†He showed her to the hallway, and as she turned to go back to her apartments, he leaned and whispered in her ear, “It was a report on all the trade my ships carried last year.â€
Éowyn stiffened but did not look back at him as she started down the hallway, fists clenched and quivering.
+
That evening she lay in bed, shivering. The wind blowing off the sea chilled her quarters, and even the fire Miliani had lit seemed to be a poor comfort. The girl had brought her an extra pair of blankets, and these had helped to warm her some. For a little while she had wondered if she was beginning to fever for some reason, but other than being cold she did not feel ill. Her back and joints ached, but that was not unusual for her during her pregnancies. Neither was the exhaustion she now felt. She ran a hand over her rounding belly. Helping a child grow was not an easy task. Faramir had once teased her about it, in the months before Elboron's birth, saying that all she seemed to be doing was eating more and sleeping more and there certainly was nothing difficult about that. He had quickly sobered up, though, when there were days she could hardly keep down more than a few bites of bread or when there were nights she barely got more than a few hours of sleep because the child kept kicking her ribs or weighing down on other organs with increasing discomfort. He had rubbed her feet at the end of the day when they were swollen and red and no longer fit into her regular shoes.
She let out a shaky sigh as the memories drifted through her mind. She missed him deeply. Where was he, she wondered. Had he recovered from his injuries by now? Had he gone back to Khiblat Pharazôn to heal and plan her rescue? Was he in the hills nearby, preparing to launch his attack? Is that what had worried the Snake today? She rolled onto her side, her previous position becoming too uncomfortable. Or had he returned to Gondor, to ask aid from Elessar? She felt her hopes sink slightly. How long would such a journey take, and would Elessar even let him go back south? Surely the king would understand that Faramir would need to be among the rescue efforts and could be trusted not to give into reckless action. She frowned and hugged the blanket closer to herself. But would the king risk his Steward yet again? Even if Faramir had not gone back north, Elessar could still order him to remain out of harm's way and stay at Khiblat Pharazôn or some other secure location.
As the child kicked suddenly, she pressed her hand to the spot. A different set of thoughts sprung up. How would Faramir react when he learned that she was with child? She recalled he had been reluctant to confirm whether he wanted another child. He had claimed to be concerned for her health, but was that his only reservation? Again, she wished they could have made amends before that dreadful night in Kadall, and once more she felt self-reproach rising in her. A completely different thought sprung up and left her even colder. What if he did not believe the child was his? If this ordeal lasted many more months and he only learned of her pregnancy much later, would he have doubts? Would he wonder if the Snake had bedded her by force or – she felt sick – if she had gone to him willingly. You fool, she thought scathingly, you have never given him reason to doubt your faithfulness. Do you really think he would believe you had sought out another man's bed, especially the bed of the man who has kidnapped you and nearly killed those you love? Do you trust him so little?
She wiped teardrops from her cheeks. Part of her said that these thoughts were only upsetting her, and she did not need to make things harder on herself than they already were. But once doubts were raised, it was hard to push them back. She felt weariness weighing on her, but her troubled mind would not let her drift to sleep for several more hours. Once she had fallen asleep, disconcerting dreams haunted her. In one she saw al-Jahmîr holding her dark-haired baby and singing to the little one, calling him “my little princeling.†Then she scene changed and it was Faramir cradling the babe in his arms, whispering gentle words to his “sweet elf-maid.†The dream flickered between the two scenes for a long while, until Éowyn saw al-Jahmîr walking into the distance with a dark-haired toddler clutching his hand firmly. The scene changed for the last time, and it was Faramir placing the swaddled babe in a cradle out in the desert, then turning and walking away, his footprints becoming covered with sand and disappearing entirely as he abandoned the child.
Éowyn woke sharply, shaking and frightened. She rolled over but knew that Faramir would not be beside her, ready with soothing words and assurances that he would never abandon his children, that it was foolish to put any faith in nightmares. Leaning down, she picked up one of the blankets she had thrown off in the night after getting too warm. The air still carried a chill, and as she propped herself up to look out the window, the prospects of a sunny, warm day seemed slim. The morning light had to filter through gray clouds that seemed to promise more rain.
Miliani noticed she had begun stirring and came over to wish her a good morning and bring tidings. Breakfast would beserved in the dining room in the women's quarters today, and the master would be joining them for the meal. Éowyn tried to make the excuse that she felt too ill to attend, but Miliani only shook her head and said Bataye had told her the master had been adamant that all his consorts be present.
“I am not one of his consorts,†Éowyn muttered darkly, pulling the blanket close. Miliani smiled weakly and told her thatshe needed to begin getting ready immediately. “Tis only breakfast,†Éowyn said, sitting up reluctantly.
“It's not one you want to attend wearing your night clothes,†Miliani said. “Saribêth's and Rashidah's serving girls have been ironing clothes and fetching fresh creams and lotions for an hour already, and I saw Lael's and Aliyah's girls arguing over a stack of bath towels.â€
“All this fuss for breakfast?†Éowyn wondered, rubbing the small of her back with both hands.
“It's not just breakfast,†Miliani said, lowering her voice. “Don't you see? All the consorts will be together with the master, trying to get his attention.â€
“I could do with a little less of his attention,†Éowyn muttered darkly. Nonetheless, she began getting ready at Miliani's insistence. The girl kept asking if she wanted to wear a particular dress or have her hair styled in a special way, and she grew ever more exasperated when Éowyn said she had no preference. Almost two hours later, Miliani put the final toucheson Éowyn's face, some pale pink powder to brighten her cheeks and a touch of color on her lips. The air smelled of apple blossoms from the lotion that had been rubbed onto her arms and dry elbows.
Éowyn studied her reflection. Miliani had swept her hair up, pinning it in place with small clips and then slipping in two slender jade sticks with tiny leaves carved into the sides. She had taken thin strips of hair and wrapped them around a rod that had been heating in the fire. Éowyn lightly touched the bouncing curls after they had been unwrapped from the rod, but Miliani brushed her hand away, saying that the curl would go flat if she toyed with it too much. Miliani repeated the process on other strips of hair until Éowyn had more than half a dozen curled ribbons of hair falling around her face and neck. Looking at her reflection again, she snorted. The ladies at court would certainly have had something to say about her appearance now, muttering about propriety and extravagance instead of their usual comments about plainness. The girl had swathed her face in creams and powders, doing her best to cover the blue bruises along the jawline. They were still visible, but their color had been dulled greatly. She was certain her eyes were not that big, but she had felt the girl rub something on them with what had looked like a pencil of some kind.
She stood and shook out the skirt on the pale green dress she now wore. The neckline on this one plunged far lower than she thought appropriate, though part of her said she might not have minded so much if she knew Faramir would see her in it. Miliani had added a necklace of clear glass beads with strings of jade beads cascading from the main strand. Éowyn had to admit that the girl had an eye for these things.
She had just slipped on her houseshoes and gone into her sitting room when Aliyah burst through the doors from the
common room, sobbing. “I don't want to see him again,†she cried, running the back of her hand across her eyes. The
serving maid that had followed her in cringed and tried dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief. When she looked up, Éowyn saw how the cream or power or whatever the maid had put on her eyes had gotten wet from the tears and was now smeared around her eyes, making her look like she hadn't slept in weeks. She fell silent when she saw Éowyn, though her breath continued to come in broken gasps. Her face contorted in anger, and before Éowyn could say anything, she cursed loudly, spun around, and rushed out of the room, lifting the skirt of her white dress with indigo splotches so she did not trip over it.
Bewildered, Éowyn watched her go but did not move to follow her. She wasn't sure why or how the girl had gone from sobbing over the Snake to being furious with her. She glanced at Miliani, who merely shrugged. They started for the diningroom, which Éowyn was only mildly surprised to find was the same one in which she had had her spat with Rashidah. The low table had a line of fresh flowers on it, and the large, tasseled cushions looked freshly fluffed and cleaned. Rashidah and Saribêth had already arrived and were sitting across the table from each other. They stopped sending deadly glares at each other long enough to regard Éowyn with the same distaste before resuming their crossfire. Lael lounged on a cushion, seemingly oblivious to the silent catfight at the other end of the table from her as she studied the fingernails on her right hand. But, by the way she flicked her eyes up with Éowyn entered, only a fool would say she was not aware of the situation. Éowyn noted that Lahar and Aliyah had not arrived yet as she carefully lowered herself to a cushion.
“Penny whore.†She heard Saribêth mutter.
“Ship's slut,†Rashidah returned in an equally measured voice.
“I have a cream that'll turn your skin to boils.â€
“I have a soap that'll leave you bald.â€
“Who gave you that rash you've been compl--â€
Rashidah had lunged halfway across the table, fist at the ready, when footsteps sounded in the hall. She slipped back onto her cushion, working to make her face placid, when a servant walked past the doorway without stopping. Her stare at Saribêth was murderous. The other simply smirked and looped a strand of hair around her finger. Éowyn thought Rashidah would take another shot at her, but the sound of more footsteps and a man and woman laughing ended any such plans.
Éowyn was not surprised to see the Snake walk in, but she was startled to see Lahar on his arm, batting her eyes and
giggling at something he leaned to whisper in her ear. She lightly touched her sister's shoulder as they passed and arched her plucked and sculpted eyebrows at Rashidah who returned the gesture with a sickly sweet smile. Rashidah had brightened up considerably when the Snake walked in, as had Saribêth and, to some extent, Lael. While the other two had turned into simpering maids, she had merely leaned back on her cushion and gave a relaxed half-smile.
“Good morning, my beauties,†the al-Jahmîr said jovially. “Perhaps I should send you all outside to brighten up the day as you've lit up this room.â€
Several variations on “good morning†and “thank you†popped up around the table. Éowyn counted the petals on the flower nearest her seat. When he reached the head of the table, Lahar still at his side, al-Jahmîr glanced around the table. His eyebrows furrowed slightly, as though something were amiss, then let the feeling pass. As he began to sit, he told Rashidah, “Would you move down one place.†Éowyn glanced up in time to see the bright smile freeze on the consort's face. As Rashidah slowly changed seats, Lahar pulled the empty cushion beside the Snake's and sat down serenely. From her place at the end of the table, Éowyn wondered how long Rashidah could keep her face still before it shattered.
The sound of soft slippers scuffing the floor broke into her thoughts, and a moment later Aliyah appeared in the doorway, lifted her gaze long enough to glance around the room, and sat at the first available cushion, her eyes fixed on the table. The dark patches around her eyes had been cleaned off hurriedly, leaving the skin a rosy red color. Éowyn suspected that the redness wasn't solely from scrubbing. Her hair looked like someone had tried to change the style on short notice, ran out of time, and clipped it in place wherever possible. When Lael reached over to clasp her hand, she jerked it away awkwardly.
“Now that we're all here,†al-Jahmîr said dryly, “let's begin.†On cue, servants appeared carrying trays laden with food, and for awhile the room was a flutter of activity as they offered al-Jahmîr and his consorts a variety of fruits, porridges, egg-dishes, and other options. Once the rush was over, Éowyn was surprised to find her plate had far more food than anyone else's. Saribêth glanced at her and sniffed. Rashidah had recovered from her shock and was keen on ignoring everyone else except the pair at the head of the table. Aliyah had taken only a peach and a hard-boiled egg, and she stared at them as though they contained a great secret. Lael dropped her reserved attitude long enough to smile, lean across the table, and whisper, “Don't feel bad. You're carrying a child after all.â€
Éowyn smiled back weakly. Miliani had been right about the competition factor here, but she had not guessed that it would rub off on her as well, if only a little bit. Conversation began to drift around the table. Saribêth kept a civil tongue with Lahar, talking about something she had seen the other day in the garden. Rashidah spoke up from time to time, but judging by her comments, Éowyn guessed the closest she had come to the gardens was looking over the railing of her balcony. The Snake spoke up occasionally, but he mostly listened and watched the girls interact.
Lael leaned across the table again. “Let those two biddies squabble,†she whispered. “Sooner or later one of them'll prove she's an ass.â€
“He seems to be doting on your sister,†Éowyn said, glancing to the pair as they shared a brief kiss.
Lael shrugged. “Perhaps. He sent for her last night.â€
“What secrets are you two whispering?†al-Jahmîr called, raising his voice above the conversation in front of him. All three girls there did not appear to be pleased with the interruption; Lahar looked mildly annoyed, Rashidah and Saribêth greatly irritated.
“What makes you think we're telling secrets, urug?†Lael answered, arching an eyebrow.
Al-Jahmîr returned the gesture. “Two women with heads close together, talking so nobody can hear them? Sounds like either secrets or conspiracies to me, urgî.â€
Lael sighed. “I'm afraid we'll just have to disappoint you this time. We were talking about how lovely that consort at your side looks in her blue dress and pearls. I wish I could be as pretty as she is.†She winked as Lahar laughed softly.
“Oh sister,†Lahar said, “everyone knows you're the pretty one.â€
Al-Jahmîr chuckled. “I think both of you should join me tonight, and I'll be judge of which of you is prettier.†His next words were cut short as Lahar kissed him swiftly. Lael leaned back against her cushion, looking quite pleased with herself. Rashidah and Saribêth stabbed at the food on their plates while Aliyah continued to stare at her egg and peach.
“Izrêyî!†Rashidah said suddenly in a sweet voice, “Tell us a secret!â€
“Tell you a secret?†he repeated, looking puzzled. “What secret could I possibly tell you and keep it safe? I know what gossips you are; the whole countryside would know within an hour, an Umbar in two.†Lahar giggled and rested her cheek against his shoulder.
“No!†Saribêth exclaimed, looking abashed. “It would take at least three to get to Umbar. We aren't that good, yet.â€
“We promise not to tell anyone,†Rashidah added. “Not even the gold fish.â€
“The gold fish would be the best ones to tell,†Lael said suddenly, “since they died two months ago.â€
Rashidah gave her a withering stare. “We got new ones,†she snapped.
“Right,†Lael said pointedly, rolling her eyes.
Al-Jahmîr raised a hand. “Enough sniping you two.†He took a sip of his drink, then looked thoughtful. “I think I will tell you a secret,†he said. Lahar lifted her head, her eyes bright; Rashidah and Saribêth squealed; Lael leaned forward, betraying her interest; Aliah continued staring down her breakfast. Éowyn was disgusted with the whole situation. She was not surprised that the ones she knew to be whores were filling their roles perfectly. She was a bit unsettled by how easily the twins fawned and performed for their master. And she was quite concerned at how Aliyah appeared to be nothing more than a large doll, sitting at a table in a game of playing house.
“Tell us,†Saribêth pouted.
“All right,†al-Jahmîr said, “since you promised to keep it secret. In about ten days time I am going to host an evening dinner party in the house gardens and I would like all of you to attend.†Gasps erupted from the girls in front (Lael rolled her eyes and murmured, “Some secret.â€)
“That's wonderful, izrêyî,†Rashidah squealed. “What do you want me to wear?â€
“Whatever you want,†al-Jahmîr answered. “I want you all to look your best so that everyone will be jealous that I have all these beautiful women living with me.â€
“Who's coming?†Saribêth asked.
Al-Jahmîr shrugged. “Some friends, some businessmen, but you don't need to worry about that. You just need to show up slim and pretty.â€
“You'll have some trouble with that, won't you kishka?†Rashidah said under her breath, giving Éowyn a smug look.
“Éowyn has some special considerations,†al-Jahmîr said evenly, “though I fully expect her to show up and be civil.â€
“I'm sure she won't have a problem doing that,†Lael interjected, bringing some relief to the suddenly tense
atmosphere. “We know she can be civil, don't we Rashidah?â€
“Quite,†Rashidah said stiffly.
“And I'd prefer if you left your squabbles indoors, if only for a few hours,†al-Jahmîr continued. “I know how difficult that will be for some of you.â€
“Stop being so facetious,†Lahar chided him gently, running her fingers through his hair. “We can behave when we have to.â€
“Can you?†he teased, leaning to kiss her again.
The meal continued a while longer, and when it was time for al-Jahmîr to leave, he went around the table fare welling each of them with a kiss or a caress and some whispered word. Éowyn flinched as he slipped his arm around her shoulders. “You will attend,†he murmured in her ear, “and I expect you to act like a lady, even if I have to beat it into you every day until then.â€
“I hope you don't complain when the bruises mar my complexion,†she replied in a normal voice, well aware that every head spun in her direction.
“Other places bruise just as easily,†he hissed, gripping her shoulder tightly. He moved on to Aliyah, who flinched as soon as he touched her. He whispered something in her ear and paused as though awaiting a reply. When none came, he spoke again. This time Aliyah smiled weakly, the corners of her mouth barely lifting, and nodded slowly. “Good,†the Snake said aloud, lifting her chin to kiss her fully on the mouth. When he stood, Aliyah ducked her head again, looking slightly abashed but with a growing smile. She began peeling her peach.
Al-Jahmîr bid them all farewell again and left, followed by a chorus of “goodbyeâ€s and “miss youâ€s. The room filled with a strained silence until the sound of his footsteps faded down the hallway. Rashidah and Saribêth began standing at the same time, then froze, giving each other wary looks. Rashidah slowly sank back onto her cushion, her eyes narrowing. She waited until the other had passed through the doorway before gathering the shawl she had brought with her and standing. “Whore,†she spat at Lahar as she turned on her heel and stormed out of the room.
“That's like the sea complaining that rain's wet,†Lahar yelled after her. Rolling her eyes, she muttered, “Tramp.†She stood and went to sit by her sister, wrapping her arms around her loosely and resting her head on her shoulder.
“Didn't you sleep last night?†Lael teased, reaching over to brush back some hair that had fallen across her sister's face.
“No,†Lahar groaned. “He kept waking me up, wretched man.†She reached out and touched one of Éowyn's curls. “I love how these look on you. You should wear them more often. And you,†she leaned to peer at Aliyah, “what was that all about at the end there? I was almost jealous.â€
Aliyah blushed. “Nothing.â€
“Right,†Lael said. “In case you didn't notice, well, you couldn't have noticed because you were too busy getting the breath kissed out of you,†she teased, “those whores up front looked ready to strangle you. I'd beware any new soaps or creams that mysteriously show up at your bath.†Aliyah blushed even deeper and dropped her gaze, though she did look pleased with herself.
“How's the baby?†Lahar asked, sitting up.
“Keeping me awake at night and giving me headaches,†Éowyn said, running a hand over her belly.
“Sounds like someone else I know,†Lahar grumbled.
Éowyn had fought a rising anger ever since the Snake had spoken to her at the end of breakfast, and now it flared up again.
“I've told you before, it's not his,†she said crossly.
“I know, I'm just--â€
“And even though you may be amused at being one of his whores, I am not happy with being considered and treated like one.â€
“There's no need to be rude,†Lael said softly.
“Look around, idiot!†Lahar snapped. “You are one of us now. Just because you're convinced that your dead husband is going to come from beyond the grave to save you doesn't mean it's true. In case you haven't noticed, you're living with the consorts, you're dressing like a consort, and you're eating with the consorts. Just because he hasn't brought you to his bed yet doesn't make you something special or better than us. Last night he called me by your name twice, and that really doesn't make me happy,†she snarled.
Éowyn tried getting to her feet quickly, but swayed halfway up and found herself suddenly leaning on Miliani, who had rushed to her side. The girl helped her to her feet and, without another word, she marched out of the room and back to her apartments, hot anger and disgust still bubbling within her. So the Snake was thinking about her when he was bedding another of his consorts, was he? The idea made her want to take a bath and scrub herself clean. I will never be yours, Snake. You are the delusional one, not me.
When she got to her rooms, Miliani helped her into a more comfortable (and warmer) dress and brushed out her hair, tying it back simply with a ribbon. Éowyn curled up in her bed, tucking the blankets around her. The day had not gotten much warmer, and the breeze had driven away what warmth there was. Miliani brought a brazier and set it near the bed. The heat helped her relax, even when thoughts of the Snake rekindled her anger. The sleep that had deserted her during the night now beckoned, and before long she had drifted off.
+
The afternoon she spent in her sitting room, working on the embroidery for another blanket. At one point in her life, the thought of such needlework would have seemed loathsome, for what good was embroidery when there was need for heroes and deeds of valor? Even now she would not say it was her first choice when she needed something to do, but she did get a sense of pride when she saw her little ones wrapped in a blanket she had sewn or saw one carrying it wherever he went. Though her boys were generally more fond of their horsey-dolls, she recalled that Meriadoc had grown quite attached to the little green blanket she had made for him.
As usual, thoughts of her children both brightened and dampened her mood. She wondered what sort of things they were doing, what things they had learned, how much they had grown. The longing to see them washed over her again, as well as fears and doubts. Would they still remember her? Small children had small memories, after all. But surely they would not forget their mother so easily. She had not been parted from them yet nearly as long as Faramir had when the Snake had imprisoned him on Tolfalas, and Elboron had recognized him when he returned that beautiful day in the gardens. But, she thought with a twinge, as the months had worn on, it had become more of a struggle to make sure he remembered his dadi.
She banished such dreary thoughts from her mind. Faramir was working to rescue her, and it seemed that Azrahil and
Narejde at least were already in the city. She would be gone from here soon, most likely on a ship bound for the north, a much shorter journey than its land-locked counterpart.
The rest of the afternoon and evening she spent indoors. The weather outside, though it had brightened eventually, still did not seem friendly to any who didn't have to be outside, and she also realized that she did not have the energy to visit her horse and go for a ride this day. With the wind like it was, the horses would likely be frisky, and she did not want to deal with a nervous animal spooking at every shadow and blowing leaf. A quiet day inside, by her choice, of course, was more appealing.
+
That night she was woken from a deep slumber by one of Inzilbêth's maids, to her surprise. “Forgive me for waking you,†the girl said, her face stricken in the pale yellow lamplight, “but my lady is having trouble with her baby and begs for your help.â€
Éowyn rubbed her eyes and groaned inwardly. What could possibly be so bad that Inzilbêth would send for her? At this hour of the night? Wouldn't one of the healers have been more appropriate if something were wrong with the child? “Alright,†she said finally, “I will come.â€
She heard the child wailing even before she entered Inzilbêth's quarters, the short, broken cries of a still-newborn baby. A couple small lamps had been lit, their light barely illuminating half the room. She saw Inzilbêth walking in frantic circles, bouncing the child in her arms. When the new mother looked up at her as she entered, she saw that her eyes were red and puffy, evidence of her own distress.
“She won't s-stop crying,†Inzilbêth stammered.
Éowyn closed her eyes briefly. She had feared it would be something like this: nothing to worry about overall, but horribly dramatic for an exhausted and easily-worried first-time mother.
“The healers said nothing's wrong with her, but she doesn't want to eat, and she's not wet, but I can't get her to quiet, and Adûn tried and couldn't quiet her and neither could the healers and--â€
Éowyn raised a hand. “She may just need to cry until she tires herself out,†she said gently. “Sometimes that's all you can do.†As Inzilbêth bit her lip, she saw a fresh round of tears beginning to glisten in her eyes. She sighed. “Let me take her for a few minutes. I know my way around fussy babies.†Relief flooded Inzilbêth's face, and she quickly handed her child over. Éowyn adjusted her hold on the squirming infant. “Oh, it's so hard being a baby, isn't it,†she said softly, starting the slow, swaying walk that had helped soothe her own children. “Nobody understands what you want, and so you just have to cry and cry until someone figures out what you need. So hard, so hard...†As she rubbed the baby's back with one hand, she saw Inzilbêth sit on the edge of her bed, which she had not noticed before since the ring of lamplight did not quite reach that far across the room. As the woman buried her face in her hands, Éowyn saw her husband prop himself up on one elbow and stroke her hair.
Turning from them, she continued to rub the baby's back, noticing how it seemed to lengthen the pauses between cries. She frowned. “Are you cold, little one?†she asked in the same soft sing-song voice. “Is that why you will not go to sleep for your mami?†She walked over to the cradle and picked up one of the soft blankets folded at the foot and wrapped it over the thin one already around the baby. “I think you might be. It got cold today,†she continued, still walking around the room. “Not as cold as what I am used to, but rather cold for this place.†After several more minutes of walking and talking, shesaw that it was taking more and more effort for the child to open her eyes when she blinked, and when Éowyn looked down again, she had fallen asleep.
As she carefully placed the baby in her cradle, Inzilbêth stood and came over, wiping her eyes. “How did you do that?â€
“She didn't mind an extra blanket, so I think she might have been cold,†Éowyn said gently. “Then it was just a matter of waiting for her to settle down.â€
Inzilbêth nodded. “I'm just so afraid of hurting her, or not knowing what she wants or how to help her. I just wanted to help her so she would stop crying, but she wouldn't stop, and I felt so helpless, and...â€
“You are not expected to know everything about comforting a baby right away,†Éowyn said. “She is still learning how to be a baby. You are still learning how to be a mother. She is not even two weeks old yet; you have hardly had time to begin to learn all the little things about her. Take a breath. The night only makes these things seem worse than they are.â€
“That's true,†Inzilbêth agreed, her voice still quivering. “Thank you for coming. I didn't want to wake you because I know how you need to sleep, but I couldn't think of anything else to do.â€
“As long as you do not make a habit out of it,†Éowyn told her, patting her arm.
“I'll try not to.â€
Éowyn went back to her quarters and tried to get back to the slumber she had been enjoying, but her late-night excursion seemed to have woken her own child, which now moved and rolled within her. “Now, if only I could figure out how to calm you down,†she murmured, pressing a hand to her belly. Several times throughout the rest of the night she nearly drifted off to sleep or fell into a light doze when a noise or something else would startle her awake again. She managed to get a few hours of sleep, but once she woke after dawn, something told her that this time she would not drift off again.
As she ate her breakfast, she watched the fog lighten and burn off as the sun poked through the morning clouds. The day already seemed warmer, and she decided to visit the stables before al-Jahmîr could send for her or something else could bother her plans. The flagstones glistened still in the morning light, and here and there puddles remained from the previous days' rain. When she reached the stables, she found that the horses appreciated the nicer weather as well, some tossing their heads or kicking at stall doors. Her horse neighed when she approached, arching its neck and pacing around in the stall.
“You have some extra energy today, don't you,†she said, offering a pear on one palm as she stroked the mare's forehead with the other. After finishing the treat, the horse snorted and sniffed up her arm before blowing in her hair.
“I thought I heard a commotion this way.†Éowyn looked over her shoulder as Hazadai came into view, leading a spotted mare. “We were beginning to wonder about you.â€
“The weather didn't agree with me,†Éowyn said.
“It didn't agree with most people, it seems,†Hazadai agreed. He put the horse away and came back by her. “If you take her out today, keep a tight rein. They're all feeling like foals today. Even a tired errand rider's horse just arrived this morning kicked its heels a bit in the cool-down yard.â€
“What news?†Éowyn asked, watching him from the corner of her eye.
He shrugged. “Didn't say, didn't appear to be concerned, though you can rarely tell with them. The sea could cover Umbar city and they'd say things were a bit damp.†Errand riders could be a cynical bunch. They almost had to be, since often they carried messages that interested parties other than the intended recipient.
Éowyn set to work on grooming her horse and then tacked up and led the animal outside. Her guard, again Roshin, was already waiting for her, holding the reins to the chestnut colt she remembered Hazadai schooling the week before. The horse tossed its head and shifted its weight restlessly. Her mare nickered and shied to one side.
“The Widow's Harvest is today, and you are not to go within two rows of the edge of the New Orchard,†Roshin stated. “They don't want the peasants seeing someone from the house and run over to beg coins or more.†Despite the disdain in hisvoice, Éowyn suspected that little more than his position as one of the Snake's guards distinguished him from the peasants harvesting today.
Hazadai appeared to see them off. “Remember what I said about a tight rein,†he told Éowyn, checking the bridle out of habit. “And you,†he looked at Roshin, “keep an eye on that fellow. He'll cause mischief if you let him have his way. Don't stray too far from the main trails,†he added after a pause. “It's still quite muddy and slick out there.â€
They started out of the stable-yard, the horses' ears up and swiveling. Sunlight played on the puddles at the side of the lane and warmed Éowyn's back and shoulders. She took a deep breath of the fresh air, glad to be outdoors and on a horse again. The healers might say bedrest was good for her body, but it was torture on her spirit. Entering the orchard area, she eyed the mud situation and decided that it was not too terrible to ride through, despite the shlop-shlop of the horses' hooves.
These rows of peach trees had not been harvested yet, but it appeared that they soon would be since trees farther into the orchard appeared bare. From time to time a soft thud sounded as a ripe, heavy fruit broke its stem and crashed to the ground. The horses turned their heads whenever these sweet missiles fell, and Éowyn found herself frequently using hands and legs to keep her horse from lunging to one side or another. A slow breeze drifted through the trees, shaking limbs and causing more thuds. Éowyn heard Roshin grumbling several feet behind her as his horse snorted repeatedly and chewed on the bit.
When she got close to her two-row boundary, she could hear the people taking part in the Widow's Harvest before she saw them. Children laughed and shouted; someone struck up a bawdy song about the corsair and his five wives who accidentally met in the marketplace. Éowyn bit back a laugh as she heard Roshin hum along to the chorus.