Chapter Text
Three weeks later.
The sun was scorching today, it was a relentless and worthy foe for Wednesday whom had pushed through her morning exercises. Her body was now mostly healed yet restless, mind sharp and focused. Under the watchful eye Enid who stood to the side with a leather-skin full of water that she kept cool in the shade of Edoras.
Her fitness began to reach a new peaks and per both Enid and Balador's direction increased her physical exercises as her body tempered itself and became stronger, more resilient as she put herself through her paces, always mindful of her promise to Enid to only train in accordance with her recovery. Although she pushed it to its absolute limit as she ran in her armour. Getting used to its weight again, flexing her muscles beneath to restore both her agility and dexterity. Sweat poured down her brow and back of her neck.
She gasped as she came to a stop, she stood tall and firm as Enid watched on from the glade and shadow. Enid walked over to her, her face awash with concern, she wordlessly held out the leather bound waterskin and partook in it eagerly, her thirst seemingly unquenchable as she downed half of its contents greedily, she lowered it from her lips as she swallowed and held it out towards Enid who shook her head with a smile. No words spoken between them as Wednesday took another more measured sip before passing it back to Enid who took it with both hands.
“I think that's enough for today.” Enid said gently, looking over Wednesday with concern.
“I'm fine.” Wednesday said instantly, although the way her chest still heaved and the sweat that still poured down her face said something else entirely.
“Wednesday...” Enid said warningly. The other girl seemed to fold inward slightly before sighing in resignation.
“Can we at least...” Wednesday inquired quietly.
Enid beamed softly. “Yes, of course we can.” Wednesday nodded and began to walk, Enid bent down and lifted the sack at her feet. She caught up to Wednesday who stood several paces in front of her, her body twisted to look at her foot rested upon a boulder in front of her.
Together they began to leave the shadow of Edoras under the watchful gaze of the Rohan guard. But Captain Theod was there in one of the towers watching the two walking off into the distance, his eyes narrowed.
“Where are they off to?” Theod asked.
“No idea, Captain.” The guard answered. Theod leaned forwards watching them cross one of the small streams that lay around Edoras.
“Watch them will you? The Elf is of no concern but the other one, I can't say I trust her.”
“Sir?” The guard questioned blinking in surprise. Theod moved backwards to regard his subordinate.
“You can speak freely, Hamir.”
“I have been on watch for the last several weeks, they go out, the Elf watches whilst the other one runs laps around the perimeter or other exercises. Only thrice have they wandered out into the wilds with a sack, they leave our sight for some time before reappearing, the sack empty.”
“And you thought not to report this?”
“It didn't seem suspicious at the time... Sir.” The guard added hastily.
Theod nodded thoughtfully watching Enid jump into the water from a distance, the water's brim coming up to her mid-shin. Wednesday chose to walk around the water's edge rather than join her companion.
“Watch them, we can't take any chances unfortunately, as much as I like them.” Theod said, watching them until he lost sight of them as they entered the shadow of a small hill, obscuring their view.
“Do they go to the same place every time?”
“Yes, Sir. They vanish behind that glade every time.”
Captain Theod nodded to Hamir before making his way down wooden steps. A woman approached, her eyes red with tears. Theod recognised her as one of the healers in training under Balador's tutelage.
“I come bearing grim tidings.” She said quietly.
Theod met her eyes grimly. He nodded in understanding.
He had seen his fair share of death to know what tidings she had brought to him.
“You should have joined me Wends.” Enid said with a pout.
“I don't need my armour rusting nor do my feet need to get wet” Wednesday said with a grimace as she watched Enid climb onto the bank. Wednesday nevertheless held out her hand toward Enid who took it gratefully, Wednesday kept her steady as she clambered out of the stream.
They walked through grassy fields, hand loosely held together as they approached an outcrop of rock. It stood out amongst fields of golden yellow grasses and deep blue water streams, in the forefront of a backdrop of snow capped mountains and peaks. Wednesday looked northward, her brow creased as she looked to the horizon, she held onto the hilt of her blade uneasily. Ever since had begun training again she couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She had overheard the reports from one patrol to another of Warg riders being spotted on the borders of Fangorn and the northern pass.
Wednesday knew they were still being hunted. Her instincts refused to tell her otherwise. For now they were safe in the confines of Edoras but her heart longed to take to the road again, to find a place all their own. A place to call their own. She let her gaze linger on Enid, Enid who had approached the outcrop of rock and stone where a set of black eyes glittered there.
Murky the spider crawled from within, pincers chattered a little as Enid crouched down toward her, examining the creature's face. She had suffered in light of Xavier's horse attack, She was lucky that Xavier had been seeking to escape rather than to engage. They had been visiting this space once a week since Murky had finally caught up with them eighty miles southward. She was loyal to a fault, to Murky, the elf and warrior maiden were now kin, something only ever shared with a nest, with a colony. Her evil nature overcome with kindness and great acts of good. For Murky, a spider of Mirkwood, had been corrupted by Sauron's pollutant poison.
But now, such acts had rendered the lesser Spider to be able to travel in Sunlight and no longer suffered the pull of evil and acts of maliciousness. Enid brought her sack forth and withdrew the Spider's prize. A small pig, already slaughtered several hours past. The Spider took it into her possession greedily, retreating into her small nest to safely store the week's worth of meals with her web.
“She's doing better” Enid said happily. “She isn't fully recovered but give it another week or so and she will be fit to travel again.” Enid said, twisting her body to look at Wednesday, whose eyes hadn't left the horizon. “I know your restless.” Enid said sympathetically. “But neither of you are fit to travel again just yet.”
“Have you told Balador?” Wednesday asked softly, not meeting Enid's gaze.
“I don't think I can, it would break his heart.” Enid said sadly. Wednesday hummed in agreement. The three of them had grown very close in the weeks that they had been confined to Edoras. Enid especially, lacking a father figure for so very long had formed a bond with him, and he to her, having lost his own family some time ago, his son to the war. His daughters to the Wildmen of Dundland, the burning of the west-fold had sent many to the capital, himself included.
“We could take him with us.” Wednesday said after a moment.
Enid chuckled. “He probably would as well” She sighed. “I don't think he has long left.” Enid said grimly. Wednesday narrowed her eyes.
“He recovered from his bout of illness did he not?” Enid turned to meet her eyes.
“His spirit wanes, the halls of his father have begun to call to him.”
Wednesday took this in, locking her jaw, she looked away. Tears formed there, she would be remiss to say she didn't love the old man like family, after everything he had done for them. She blinked them back.
“Then let his final days be on the road, free and fearless. Let him face his fate upon his feet.” Wednesday said, her tone was almost angry but Enid saw it for what it was and rose to her feet and moved carefully toward Wednesday, taking her hand in her own and pressing a kiss to her temple as tearful eyes turned to regard her.
“We can ask.” Enid said simply. Wednesday nodded solemnly. “I don't think he would say no.” Enid reassured, squeezing Wednesday's hand tight.
Wednesday squeezed just as hard back.
Enid pulled Wednesday with her away gently and they made their way back toward Edoras, Enid made a point to avoid the streams this time, although she washed her feet in the basin, she would rather not tread mud into the infirmary, the heat of the sun and the grass would dry her soles by the time they had returned.
Hamir watched intently from atop the tower as the two girls hand intertwined. Still, he saw nothing suspicious from the two non-natives. He loosed his grip upon his spear as he watched them approach the gate. Enid gave him a happy wave whilst Wednesday starred in half disgust and half reverence. Their sweet and growing relationship was Edoras' worst kept secret. He waved back.
“Open the gate!”
The wooden palisade opened inward as the two girls walked through. Their hands separated as they passed through. Hamir chuckled at their clear lack of subtly. He resumed his watch. Wednesday and Enid walked up the hill, the smile on Enid's face began to fall as she noticed the people watching them, most with saddened expressions, the closer they got to home.
The company of men that stood watch outside the Infirmary told them all they needed to know as they approached, Wednesday's face became passive, stony as Captain Theod stepped outside and catching sight of them he moved toward them.
His lips moved but Wednesday heard no sound as she starred passed him. There was movement inside, a hustle and bustle that was unusual for their abode. Balador was nowhere in sight. She moved forwards in haste, Theod tried to catch her arm but missed for she was too quick. The company of men made to block her way, a shout from Theod had stopped them in their tracks. She assumed so because she could not heed his words nor discern their meaning for the ringing in her ears were too great.
She pushed her way inside, several sets of eyes lay upon her, but she cared not, she pushed towards Balador's private quarters and pushed her way inside.
There lay Balador, his face gaunt, pale and lifeless. His eyes closed peacefully. His body drained of the warmth that had so dominated his personality. Her legs gave out beneath her, Enid's arms caught her before she could fall to the ground in a numb heap. A scream laden with grief and sorrow overcame them all as Wednesday suffered the pain of loss. Enid rocked her gently as tears careened down her own face, her eyes having never left the body so bereft of the life it once so beautify extruded.
A letter bearing both their names rested upon the table at his bedside, sealed with wax.
Wednesday shook herself out of Enid's grasp and almost crawled towards it, she reached out a trembling hand and took it into her possession. She broke the seal as Enid came up behind her.
My dearest Wednesday and Enid.
My days have grown dark. My sudden recovery was when I knew this summer would be my last upon this Middle-Earth. Do not weep for me, I have lived a long and fulfilling life of which you both got to be a part of for a short time. You both allowed me to feel alive again, to have a family in my last days. I said to Enid once that all I see for you both is an endless sunrise. I still believe that, even if I all I see is an endless night ahead of me.
Wednesday, you are headstrong, brash and brave. Never lose that, continue to be the warrior and spirited fighter I know you to be.
Enid, you are kind, loving and compassionate. These are gifts that are so rare in the world, worth more than all the Mithril in Moria. The world needs that. Wednesday needs that, more than you could ever know.
Look after each other, protect each other.
Love each other.
You are my daughters, and I was so very grateful, so very proud to consider you as such.
I love you both.
Balador.
Wednesday and Enid clung to each other in their sorrow.
Wednesday led the procession out of the gate. Enid brought up the rear of the bier, her eyes having never left the bier in which Balador lay upon. Wednesday had offered to lead the procession immediately as details of his forthcoming burial had been discussed. She would not be denied, discouraged nor dismissed. She held her blade to her chest, tip pointing towards the ground as they walked. Her face set, eyes wide as she starred ahead, meeting the eyes of none. She could not falter, nor fail, for she would break apart like broken glass if she did.
Enid watched with worry from behind her as they made their way down stone steps into the shadow of Edoras. Wednesday had said almost nothing upon reading the letter, the girl had gone almost mute in her grief, the only times she spoke was to Enid or that one time where she demanded that she lead the bier to it's final resting place.
The King followed soon after, taking the rear.
A tomb awaited them. Under the hill, white flowers adorned every grave here and soon they would spread across freshly tilled earth and cover his grave just like they had many others before them.
The soldiers turned toward the tomb under the hillside. Enid's eyes brimmed with tears as she watched. Wednesday could not bear to look upon the bier, staring off into the distance, sword held tightly too her like a vice.
Enid began to sing. Her voice carried like an ocean tide on the wind.
Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
The night is falling
You have come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore
The soldiers moved forwards toward the tomb, lowering Balador's body as they went.
Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping
Wednesday's lips trembled but she held strong as Enid's words moved her beyond comprehension. Enid's voice grew louder as she sang her sorrowful heart out.
What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home
And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All Souls pass
The soldiers began to carry his body in. Wednesday finally allowed her eyes to meet Balador's peaceful features.
Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say
We have come now to the end
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping
Wednesday and Enid met their eyes as tears began to streak down Enid's cheeks, her composure gone and yet her voice grew more passionate, her grief absolute.
And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West
The tomb slammed shut.
And finally,
Wednesday let the tears fall.
Wednesday and Enid kept their visual well into the night as they stood side by side. Words were not spoken, how could they? No tongue would ever be able to convey the meaning of their sorrow and of their grief. Enid rested her head upon Wednesday's shoulder and she drew both strength and warmth from the Elf as she found herself rooted the spot. For hours they stood, their adobe now too empty and bereft of the man they had grown to care for and love like family.
Wednesday mused on the journey not taken. Balador should have been on the road with them, for however long that would have been. Wednesday would have taken it upon herself to give a warriors burial in the wild when the time came. She can still remember the respect and customs the men of Harad had for the dead. She would have treated him just the same upon his passing, but Rohan was his people and was buried in accordance with their culture, and for that Wednesday could not begrudge them for that.
Enid still struggled with the concept of death. It was called the gift of man, and the Elves saw it as such. Eventually even the Valar in their power and wisdom would come to crave the gift of man, for they were bound to the world until its very end. Enid now, having surrendered the life of Eldar upon her first kiss with Wednesday, bore that gift and would face the same fate as Wednesday when they left the circles of the world together, just as Balador had to a place and fate unknown even to Manwë, lord of the Valar.
Enid let her eyes rest upon Wednesday.
Death was just another journey that they would both take together.
If death was the gift of man, then Wednesday was hers.