The White Horse Inn, Act III

[Kransha]

Osric still sat, sagging forward and occasionally yanking his beleaguered form up. His eyelids tried to droop, but his strong will flexed them mercilessly, keeping his glazing over orbs from even the satisfaction of a weary blink. Though the inn’s volume level had increased of late, Osric’s quavering ears did not hear the rumbling din within or outside. He merely heard the steady beat he kept, a calming hum that escaped him as he sat, drumming his rough, wrinkled digits upon the tabletop and systematically keeping up with the enervated monotone all around him. At last, recognizable silhouettes bounded across the threshold of the White Horse, for which Osric thanked whatever masters of the relieving of tedium existed amongst Valar or Maiar.

It was Maercwen and Liornung who entered, with oddly subdued looks upon their faces. Osric immediately missed Mearcwen’s youthful vivacity, and Liornung’s jocund gait, for they seemed to be missing from the two figures who strode inside. Osric’s bushy eyebrow of ivory gray perked up as he shot a quizzical glance at the two. He beckoned for Liornung, who caught sight of him in the inn’s more shaded corners and forded the growing waters of folk who were beginning to crowd within. He pulled the sturdy seat across from Osric at the table, placing his limp arms and hands upon the smoothly furnished wooden slate. Osric could see the meager creases upon the fingers of his left hand, signifying his playing of the melodious fiddle. The Rohirrim wasn’t sure if these marks of dedication to the instrument were recent, or a permanent gathering that had followed Liornung over time. His eyes upturned from the man to see Mae nearing them, probably to bid her uncle a good day before she pranced off to see to Miss Alywen’s assignments.

Partially out of the gnawing boredom that had set in upon the attentive old fellow, and partially out of sincere concern for the expressions of seriousness swimming in the eyes of Maercwen, though more tempered in Liornung’s, Osric spoke, his voice raspy at first having not even opened his mouth in a good many hours of the day. His gravelly tone soon smoothed out as his dry lips parted. “Liornung, good sir, I trust you’re adventure in Edoras this day was met well? Oh, what am I saying? Of course it was met well! I do not doubt that the throngs of Rohan have chaired you throughout all the city and chorused your name throughout the hallowed halls of Meduseld and beyond!” Osric’s apparent belatedness managed to snatch a fleeting smile from Liornung, but Maercwen still seemed uncharacteristically humorless, still ready to hurry off to whatever duties she was required to do, much to Osric’s dismay. But, the old Rohirrim stayed her from her mission, pausing only briefly and with a curt breath, considering as he blinked several times, rubbing at the crimson rings that encircled his eyes, and spoke again with more of a reserved pitch. “Forgive me for prying, but is there anything troubling either of you? I would think that any such festive event, won or lost, would bring flavorful winds, rather than what I see on you. Was there a mishap at the Great Hall, perhaps?”

[Nurumaiel]

A deep sigh escaped Liornung yet he smiled. "Nothing is amiss, good Osric, or at least I do not believe it to be so." He sat across from the old man, tracing the patterns on the wood. Lights flickered in his mind. All things seemed strange. Since he had encountered the bracelet he had been led to think of deep things, things he did not understand. It brought confusion to him, and wonder, and a deep peace. "I have been considering things very deep, and it strikes wonder in me. Would you care to hear?"

"If you should care to tell me, I would greatly desire to hear," Osric replied.

So Liornung poured forth all he had told Maercwen. He told of his service as Bard of the King, his service in the War, and of the words of the old man Gandalf. Osric listened carefully to all, saying nothing until Liornung had finished. When his tale was done, the fiddler leaned wearily on the table, gazing into Osric's face.

"Sir, you are older than I and I would believe you to be much wiser," he said. "I believe the words of the old man Gandalf are true and that chance is a fool's word. But if it is not chance, or luck, that causes things to happen, what is it? Who could be so powerful in this world as to plan out a man's life and guide things to happen exactly as he planned? I am bewildered."

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Hearpwine and Asad moved back into the Hall and took their places at the back of the crowds who had gathered to watch. There was an old bard singing at the moment, one whom Hearpwine had heard of even in his far flung corner of the March. The man’s voice, while elderly, was clear and he sung an ancient and well known lay of Brego and the founding of Meduseld. He concluded to a general clamour of applause, for he was popular with the people of Edoras, and his song was well-known. Bowing to the King with great and practised courtesy the man moved back into the crowds as the next bard’s colour was called. A middle-aged man with a long thick beard came forward and began to sing a rousing song. The melody and words were pleasant, and his voice was strong, but he lacked a full ear for music and the feeling of the moment was not right. Hearpwine could feel the crowd shift and ripple about him as they enjoyed the music, but knew that this man was not going to win the Contest this or any day.

As the two young men listened politely, Hearpwine felt a light touch on his shoulder and he turned to see the old bard at his elbow. Hearpwine and Asad bowed to him and congratulated him on his performance. He waved their compliments away with his aged hand saying, “Nay, it was a fine song, but not the best I’ve given. The years have moved too quickly for me, I’m afraid. My best days are behind me now.”

Hearpwine smiled and, remembering to keep his voice low, rejected this politely. “Do not think so Master Eorcyn. Why I still remember the Lay you sang for Theoden King as he was brought back from Gondor at the end of the War. You met us at the border of the Mark and sang of Eorl the Young as the sun rose. It was as though your music were bringing the light to us in our hour of greatest darkness!”

The old man smiled at Hearpwine’s extreme youth. “You honour me,” he said, “you, who sing of that death and that journey so movingly.” He paused for a moment, looking at Hearpwine cautiously before speaking again. “It is an impertinence, but might I ask if you would be willing to let an old man speak plainly to you?”

Hearpwine was a bit taken aback by this, and he exchanged a confused look with Asad before agreeing. Eorcyn spoke slowly and with great care. “You sing a mighty line, my friend, and you do so with a passion that I have rarely seen in one so young. Your skills with the harp, while impressive, could be bettered, but I have no doubt that time and practice will make you a master of the instrument to be told of for years to come.” He paused, somewhat uncomfortably.

“But…” Hearpwine said, urging him to continue. The old man smiled.

“But,” he said again, “you take certain risks with your singing. Risks that the schooled ear thrills to, but which perhaps place too great a demand upon the more, shall we say, casual listener.”

It was Asad who spoke in passionate defence of Hearpwine’s singing. “He is a masterful bard!” he said somewhat too loudly, earning them all a few stares of approbation. He cast his voice lower and continued. “If there are those who cannot hear that for themselves then it is their loss!”

Hearpwine placed his hand on the young man’s shoulder to quiet him, appreciative and touched by his opinion. Eorcyn continued, “Nay, I agree with you Master Asad – do not mistake me. I would not have Master Hearpwine do any different. But to be Bard to the King, you must aspire to entertain more than the King and his courtiers. The Bard is called upon to mark all occasions of celebration and festivity, and thus he must know how to please the crowd. That is a skill that I have spent my life mastering, and as a result I am better known and better loved by more people than many men of greater skill than myself. Your friend, Liornung, whom I saw you with earlier, he is one such person. I can only dream of possessing the skill of that man!” As he contemplated this his eyes shone and his voice rose into a singing register.

Their conversation was stilled by the conclusion of the current song. Instead of another wooden chip being drawn from the cup, though, the Chamberlain stood forth and commended all the Contestants for their performance this day. Like a wave in the Sea it hit Hearpwine that everyone who was to sing that day had performed, and his stomach contracted into a tight knot. Suddenly oblivious to the presence of Asad and Eorcyn, his eyes were locked onto the small group of courtiers and nobles who gathered around the King’s Throne. Everyone in the Hall was equally quiet as they strained to hear the deliberations, but the people gathered about the King kept their voices low. The debate grew quite heated, and some occasional words escaped the tightly knit circle, but nothing that would indicate which way the debate was going. At one point, Hearpwine’s heart flew into his mouth, and there were a few stifled gasps from the people gathered about him, as the Lady Éowyn openly pointed at him while speaking with the King.

Finally, the conversation was over and the King stepped forth. He stood in the middle of the Hall where the bards had sung and spoke to the people. “There have been, as I predicted, many great singers before us today, and much honour have they done to this Hall. Never before has there been such a display here, and I dare say that it will be long ere there is a gathering to match it. As you can all tell, it was difficult for us to reach a decision. The position of the Bard of Meduseld is a weighty one, and it is not to be given lightly.” He paused here as his eyes fell onto Hearpwine, Aras and Eorcyn. All other eyes in the crowd followed his, and those who stood before them fell away to either side, leaving an open space between the trio and the King. The hearts and faces of all the other bards fell. “It is with joy that I see the three mightiest singers this day have found one another out! All of you deserve great praise for what you have done this day, and all of you have my eternal thanks. Only one, however, can I choose as my Bard.” He paused again as he looked from one to the other. “Eorcyn!” he cried. “Step forward, and assume your place as the King’s Bard in the Golden Hall of Meduseld.”

The crash of thunderous applause, and the cries of the crowd were lost upon Hearpwine. As soon as the eyes of the Hall had left him, he moved into the darkness of the furthest corner and cast his cloak about his eyes.

[Aylwen Dreamsong]

"No!" Asad cried, almost spontaneously though he knew exactly what he was doing and exactly what sort of trouble he would get himself into. Asad walked forward from his spot, walking right up to where the King and the others of the court still stood. Most continued clapping despite Asad's cry, but some stopped to watch the spectacle and some looked towards the edgy guards. "No! This cannot be right! Hearpwine was meant to be the winner! He was meant to be the Bard to the King!"

Asad wondered at the words coming from his own mouth, and how he was defending someone else. Why not complain that I am not the bard? Asad second-guessed himself. Because Hearpwine was meant to be the Bard! I could see it in his eyes! In his heart is all that is needed to be where Eorcyn stood now! Asad's gaze became stony as he glared steadily at the King and Lady Eowyn.

"Excuse me?" The King looked down at Asad. "This was not your decision to make. We have chosen he who is best suited for the task appointed. As I said, there were wonderful bards and singers here today, but Master Eorcyn is most talented and most skilled for this job! Do you understand, young man? Do you?"

"Why do you speak to your king in such a manner?" Lady Eowyn spoke, her voice melodic and smooth but somehow strict and demanding at the same time.

"I speak what I know, and I know that Hearpwine was meant to be standing by my king now! With utmost respect to Master Eorcyn, I must say that Hearpwine would be better suited for the task set before us on this day!"

"And how do you know this?" Eowyn asked, and Asad was surprised at how quickly the argument had shifted to be between them and not he and the King.

"It is in his eyes!" Asad began, but was quickly interrupted.

"In his eyes? What about what music springs from him?"

"He has much to learn!" Asad blurted, and Eowyn furrowed her brows in confusion.

"This means that Eorcyn is best suited, for he knows much in the ways of pleasing sounds and melodies. He is more skilled than young Hearpwine!" Eowyn protested.

"But Hearpwine will learn here and prosper here, learning new lays and tunes that will be more pleasing than aught that Eorcyn knows," Asad had given up being as polite as possible to Eorcyn, and when the battle of words ended Asad promised himself that he would approach Eorcyn and prove the real respect he held at heart and not when arguments were being faught. "Hearpwine writes his own music, and inspiration will come easily here!"

The King waved his hands, and Asad felt a tight grip on his shoulder. Two fair-haired guards were grasping his shoulders, ready to lead him out of the Hall.

"You are all making a big mistake!" Asad cried out as he was dragged away. When he went by a shocked Hearpwine, Asad whispered, "Keep fighting! It was meant to be!"

With that, the guards shoved Asad out of the Hall.

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

A stunned silence fell upon the Golden Hall and all eyes slowly turned to Hearpwine where he stood, open mouthed yet speechless, by the great Door. He looked across the room at the range of people staring at him, and his eyes settled on the King, who was now regarding him with open curiosity as to what the young man would do. Hearpwine noticed that the King’s earlier easy manner and gentle countenance had been replaced with something much sterner. The Lady Éowyn regarded him with a kind eye, but her face was full of stern pity. Realising that it was up to him to break the quiet tension that had fallen upon the room in the wake of Asad’s outburst, Hearpwine did his best to square his shoulders and move into the open space between the fire and the King. As he walked across the stone floor his footsteps echoed through the rafters and beams of the Hall, uninterrupted by the slightest noise or word from all those who looked on.

When Hearpwine reached the King, he bowed low before speaking. “My King, I must beg your forgiveness for my young friend’s words. He is passionate and fiery, like all youths. Do not punish him for speaking his mind.”

The King’s face was unmoved as he replied. “You call him friend? Do you stand with him, then? Will you place yourself at his fate?”

Hearpwine considered for a moment before replying. “I do call him friend, but I have known him only the length of this morning. He did me a service, though, that I will every hold dear, and he spoke kindly of my music – always the surest way to my heart!” His light joke sent a slight chuckle through some parts of the room, reducing the tension somewhat. But still King Éomer was unsmiling and displeased by the interruption in his Hall on this day.

“Then you do stand by his words? You feel as though you have been wronged by our decision?”

“Not wronged, my lord! You have the right to choose whom you wish as Bard. But, yes, I do stand by what Asad has said about my singing and my value as a Bard…although I would have had him put his opinions somewhat more gently. I am a great admirer or Eorcyn’s, as I am sure Asad is. But like all those who were not chosen this day, I cannot help but feel that it would have been better had I been so fortunate as to win your favour.”

“If it is our favour that you seek,” said the Lady Éowyn, “then consider yourself the victor. You have won the favour of the King and of Éowyn this day.”

Hearpwine looked at her and asked with the honest heart of a small child, desirous of praise, “Did you like my song, Lady?”

Éowyn smiled and say, “Yes, that I did. It brought back to me that terrible and glorious day, when Theoden Thengel slew the Fell Beast and felled the Serpent. You do that day it’s full measure of honour with your song.”

Hearpwine bowed his head once more, saying “Then with the happiest of hearts do I concede the victory of this day to Eorcyn; for you have rewarded my labours with the greatest prize I could hope for.” He turned to leave.

To the amazement of all, Eorcyn spoke. For the duration of the Asad’s outburst and subsequent conversations, he had stood to one side of the dais, the mantle of the King’s Bard in his hands but not yet about his neck. “Wait,” he said quietly, coming forward. “I feel the honour that you have done me this day, my King, and my heart rejoices at it. But I am an old man, and will not long grace your Hall as its Bard. Perhaps it would be better to give the mantle to a younger man, one who will grow old in your company and delight you even into your own age.” A gasp went through the crowd and the King’s eyes grew wide with shock. For a moment, all stared at him, uncertain which way things would go. But then Éomer began to laugh with such humour that all the tension bled from the room like water, and everyone’s hearts began to beat once more.

He turned to Hearpwine. “Well, young Master Hearpwine, your tongue is indeed magical. Not since the time of Grima Wormtongue has someone been able to usurp the power of the King with little more than the honeyed sound of his words. Nay, nay” he said quickly, seeing the alarm in Hearpwine’s eyes at the comparison, “I do not accuse you of any evil like that wicked man’s. I do but enjoy the prerogative of King to make idle jests in his own Hall, when more serious matter is called for.” He turned once more to Eorcyn. “Your actions do you honour, old friend, but to set aside that burden is not in your power. I have laid the mantle upon you, and you must wear it.”

Eorcyn opened his mouth to protest but before he could, the Lady Éowyn stepped forward and stopped him with a gesture. “My King,” she said, “we have reached an impasse I fear – a welcome one, though it may be. We have two bards, one old and one young, both of whom would do this Hall honour. Only one can be bard, and I agree that Eorcyn is that one. He is older and more experienced; he knows our people well, and they love him in return. But,” she said with a glint in her eye, “is there not room enough in our realms for two Bards?”

A silence fell upon the crowd and there was excited shuffling as the Lady resumed. “Just as there can be only one King, there can only be one Bard to the King. But as the King has his heir, does it not follow that the King’s Bard should also have one to prepare for his place when the day comes he can no longer fill it? Let us bid Eorcyn take Hearpwine as apprentice. Let him learn what he needs to in preparation for the day when he can assume his place in this Hall – when he is ready?”

The King smiled and said to his sister, his love for her easily read to all who stood by. “You speak as truthfully and as wisely as ever! Let us do so. But where shall Hearpwine practice his trade? It would not do to have two bards singing at the Hall, and I doubt that either would relish working under the other’s shadow?”

“Then let Hearpwine come with me and my Lord Faramir back to Ithilien. There will he tarry two seasons of the year as Bard to the Prince of Ithilien. The other seasons, let him come here to learn from Eorcyn and prepare to become the legend that he was so clearly born to be!”

Even those who stood outside the Hall could hear the cries of joy that greeted this. And when they looked up the steps to see who would emerge as the winner of the Contest, there came two men: Eorcyn bearing the mantle of the Bard, and just behind him came Hearpwine in the colours of the Lady Éowyn, with tears flowing upon his cheeks unashamedly.

[Nurumaiel]

The sound of cheering soon reached those at the Inn. Maercwen straightened up, her heart beating quickly, and she returned to Aylwen, an unvoiced question in her eyes. The Innkeeper hesitated only briefly before she smiled and nodded. Maercwen gestured wildly to her uncle, who was sitting by Osric, and flew out the door on light feet.

Not far from the door to the Inn was the crowd gathered about Hearpwine and an older bard. Maercwen pushed through the swarms of people with as much courtesy as could be allowed until she reached Hearpwine. Liornung shook his head at her pushing and shoving and with experienced ease slipped in between and under people, chuckling as he thought of the time he had helped Frodides through a crowd just as thick.

Tears were flowing from Hearpwine's eyes and down his face, tears of great joy. No doubt he had become Bard of the King, yet... this older bard wore the mantle that came with the title. Maercwen pulled at Hearpwine's sleeve until he turned to her, and a smile came to his face. She gazed up at him in puzzlement. "Hearpwine, are you Bard of the King?" she questioned, doubt apparent in her voice.

He shook his head but continued to smile. "Nay, Mae, the Bard of the King is Eorcyn, and well he deserved it."

"Then why your tears of joy?" She stopped and looked him up and down and her cheeks became a trifle pale though it was just barely visible that she had lost color. "Why do you wear the colors of the Lady?"

[Fordim Hedgethistle]

Hearpwine was too caught up in his own joy to notice the distress in Maercwen’s voice and face. Looking past her to another well-wisher who cried out to him, he took another man’s hand in his own and spoke quickly to a third while the girl waited for an answer to her question with increasing anxiety. When finally Hearpwine turned his attention back to her he spoke through his grin while dashing the tears from his face with the back of his hand. “I am to be apprentice to Eorcyn, and heir to the title of Bard to the King! Do you hear that Mae! Someday I will stand before the Throne of the King and my song will fill the Hall to its Rafters!” He laughed like the ringing of a clear bell and swept Mae up in his arms, swinging her clear off her feet.

By the time he put her down again, Mae was breathless and becoming impatient. As Hearpwine turned away to speak with yet another well-wisher, she clasped him by the arm. “But why do you wear the coat of the Lady Éowyn?” she cried, and for the first time Hearpwine saw the tears of frustration starting from her eyes.

Those tears sent a chill to Hearpwine’s heart, for until that moment he had not realised how deeply the girl’s feelings had perhaps gone for him. Surely he had not done anything to lead her to think that he and she… But as he remembered the dancing of last night, and thought over his manner this morning as he had begged Aylwen to allow Mae to accompany him to the Hall; and his disturbance when they had thought she had been lost… A deep swell of shame came over his heart. He regarded Mae as a fair and happy lass, one whom he desired to look on, and whose looks he liked to draw himself. The sight of her bright eyes lighting up as he sang was one deeply to be desired, but beyond these trivialities his mind had not yet gone. He had been so caught up in his desire to become Bard that it had never occurred to him that his attentions might have been misunderstood by the girl… But still, there was no knowing what was in her heart, and perhaps things were just as they appeared: she had asked a question of him that he had not yet answered, and she was growing impatient with him for it.

He took Mae by the hand and led her away from the crowds so he could speak to her with greater attention. “The King has decided that it would not be best for there to be two Bards at the Hall throughout the year. Even though I am apprentice to Eorcyn, there can be only one Bard to sing the praises of the Rohirrim, and nobody wants there to be differences of opinion amongst the people of Edoras as to whom they would rather hear sing those praises! So I shall spend half the year in Ithilien with my Lady Éowyn, to whom I am now in service, and the other half of the year will I dwell in Meduseld, where I will hone my abilities under the strict tutelage of my new Master. Oh Mae!” he broke out once more, “is it not wonderful? Why this is better than my dreams of winning the Contest! Now I can spend years in travelling the length of Rohan and Gondor, seeing the peoples and places I have only dreamed of, learning the songs of all the lands about us, and then, when I am mature and growing stiff in my bones, I can settle myself here and sing of these things to my King until either he or I is laid in our tomb.”