A ROHAN TAPESTRY

Chapter Two: The Barrow of the King

Then the Riders of the King’s House upon white horses rode round about the barrow and sang together a song of Théoden Thengel’s son that Gléowine his minstrel made, and he made no other song after.  The slow voices of the Riders stirred the hearts even of those who did not know the speech of that people; but the words of the song brought a light to the eyes of the folk of the Mark.

But Merry stood at the foot of the green mound, and he wept.

‘Many Partings’, The Return of the King

The funeral of Théoden was completed with great ceremony.  He lay at rest in a newly-constructed barrow, joining those that lined the road outside the gates of Edoras.  At the feast that followed, Éomer was officially acknowledged as king in front of the fairest company ever assembled in the Golden Hall, and he urged his people to now put aside their sorrow.

Many had been surprised when Éomer announced that Faramir and Éowyn were to be wed, but the betrothed couple was so obviously in love, all who saw them rejoiced.  Merry was glad that Éowyn had found such happiness, but for the most part he sat quietly throughout the feast, eating little and saying less.

Meduseld would serve mainly as a dining hall until the host departed, and here also some of the honored guests  -- including King Elessar and his queen, and the hobbits -- were housed.  Most, however, stayed in the tents or open-air pavilions scattered about the wide lawn surrounding the hall.  

“Lady Éowyn is only 24,” Pippin announced the next morning at breakfast.  He inhaled the delicious aroma coming from a basket of freshly-baked bread, and reached for the butter.

“That’s awfully young,” Sam frowned.  “How can her brother allow her to marry?”

“It would be nearly unheard of in the Shire,” Frodo agreed.  “The race of Men come of age younger than do hobbits, but still...” He frowned.  “How old is Faramir?”

“Thirty-six,” Pippin replied instantly.

“You’ve gathered quite a bit of information, you rascal,” Frodo grinned.

“Can I help it if I happen to overhear things?  With all the Elvish and Rohirric flying about, I pay attention whenever I hear a bit of conversation I can understand.”  Pippin put a piece of bread on Merry’s plate.

“Speaking of Rohirric, I believe I heard your name in that song yesterday, Merry,” Frodo said proudly.  “Twice, in fact.”

“That’s a fine thing,” Pippin grumbled good-naturedly.  “Am I the only hobbit to go through this war without hearing his name in song?”

“Perhaps you can teach the minstrels one of Bilbo’s bath songs,” Frodo grinned.  “They’ll soon be singing them the width and breadth of Rohan, and you’ll be remembered as a lore master.  Can you imagine such a thing, Merry?”

But Merry just smiled faintly, and pushed scrambled eggs around on his plate with the bread.

“You’re learnin’ their tongue right quick, Mr. Frodo,” Sam said.  “I felt like I should have understood what they were all singin’ about, but couldn’t quite get it.”

“I felt that way, too,” Pippin admitted.                                          

“It’s an interesting language,” Frodo said.  “We share many words in common with the Rohirrim.  I understand they originally lived up north before settling here.  I’ve spent a lot of time riding with Éomer’s men, learning what I could.”

“I understand, sir,” Sam said quietly.

Frodo nodded.  “I want to be able to tell Bilbo everything when we get back.  He’ll never get the chance now, to meet people like these.”

“Merry, did you understand any of the song?” Pippin ventured.

“A bit,” Merry said.  “If you’ll excuse me, I think... I need to go for a walk.”  He hopped down from the bench and left the room.

The three remaining hobbits sat for awhile in silence, only speaking when one friend or another stopped by their table to offer greetings and wish them a good day.

“Frodo,” Pippin said at last, “we have to do something.  It isn’t good for Merry to go off alone.  He’s just getting quieter and quieter, and has barely eaten since we got here.”

“He formed an unusually close bond with King Théoden,” Frodo sighed.  “He obviously isn’t ready yet to put his grief into words.”

“He didn’t look too good, sir,” Sam added.

“He’ll talk to you, Frodo,” Pippin persisted.  “He always has.  Maybe you should—”

“I will.”  Frodo got to his feet.  “I think I can guess where to find him.”

“You’re not to be walkin’ about too much yet, Mr. Frodo,” Sam warned.  “Remember what Lord Elrond said.”

“I’ll take it slowly,” Frodo smiled.  “You stay here and finish your breakfast.”

“I don’t think Éomer’s folk know anything about second breakfast, or even elevenses,” Pippin said as Frodo left the hall.  “Sam, let’s see if we can talk the cooks into making a few changes to the dining schedule...”

*~*~*~*~*

The barrow of Théoden, constructed of fresh turf laid over a stone house guarding the king’s body, was flanked by torches that would be kept lit day and night for one cycle of the moon.  Frodo found Merry sitting before it, looking wan and sad.  He sat in the grass next to his cousin.

“Hullo, Frodo.  How did you know where I’d be?”

“When my parents died, I visited their graves over and over... only then did I truly believe they were gone,” Frodo said.  “I felt you would be here; but it was encouraging to be told by nearly every Man in Edoras that ‘Sir Meriadoc’ or ‘Théoden King’s swordthain’ had been seen headed down to the gates.”

“I became a thain before Pippin.”

“Never underestimate the tenacity of a Brandybuck,” Frodo said lightly.

“Frodo...” Merry frowned as he noticed his cousin rubbing his feet.

“They’re still a bit tender,” Frodo admitted.  “But it would take more than a few steps down a hill to keep me from finding you.”  Everything about them was still and quiet, no sound except for the wind rustling the grasses around them.  "Merry, are you ready to talk about it?”

““N. . no," Merry said haltingly.  "It was all... too dreadful.  When he was killed, my heart just broke in two.  And then it was so dark...”

“It's all right," Frodo said softly.  "You said that Théoden had become as a father to you.”

“Yes.  He was so kind to me, Frodo.  I wish you had met him.”

“So do I.”

Merry turned to Frodo with a small smile on his face.  “You don’t suppose Pip will teach them any of the more scandalous bath songs, do you?”

“He’s probably singing one right now,” Frodo said.  “He wanted to check out the bathing rooms today.”

“We’d better get back there, then.  I’d hate for the ‘prince of the halflings’ to lose whatever dubious reputation he’s managed to acquire.”  Merry wavered to his feet, then sat down again suddenly.  “I... feel strange...” he managed to say.

Frodo looked closely at his cousin, who appeared to be shivering in spite of the warm sun.  “Are you feeling sick?”

“I hate barrows,” Merry burst out suddenly.  "They're dark, and cold..."

“We’ve certainly seen more than our share of them, from the inside out,” Frodo agreed.  “But there are no wights here, Merry.  Nothing will disturb Théoden’s rest.  He lies in honor among his ancestors, and is well loved by his people.”  He put an arm around his cousin’s shoulders.  “Only the Elves live forever,” he said quietly.

“Everyone tries to leave me,” Merry murmured with a faraway look in his eyes.

“What?” Frodo frowned.  “What did you say?”

“I didn't say anything,” Merry said, confused.

Alarmed, Frodo felt Merry’s hands and forehead.  His cousin’s brow was overly warm, but his right hand and arm were like ice.

“You should be in bed,” Frodo said.  “I’ll go find someone.”  He would run back up that hill to get help, sore feet or no, if he had to. 

“Don’t leave me," Merry murmured.  He closed his eyes and leaned against Frodo.  “I’m so cold...”

Frodo looked around worriedly; there was no one in sight.  There was something very wrong with Merry, and he wished he had thought to bring one of the ponies.

"Stand up,"  Frodo said gently, getting to his feet.  "That's it... now put your arms about my neck, and your legs... there, about my waist.  That's it.  Remember how I used to carry you pig-a-back like this, when you were young?  Close your eyes, and hold on.  You're safe, Merry.  Everything is all right."

Frodo took a deep breath and started back to the gates with Merry on his back, his cousin shivering and murmuring strange things.

** TBC **