'Who's there?'
Nalmalu leaned against the gates impatiently. 'We are two travellers - my name is-'
'Nalmalu?'
Nalmalu stopped and looked up in surprise. The man behind the gate had said her name - as if he knew her. The gate opened an inch and a guard, clad in armour came out, closing the gate behind him. He and Nalmalu looked at each other in silence.
'Ghenbay?' she whispered.
The guard smiled and took Nalmalu's hand. 'Nalmalu - it has been many years - what are you doing here?' he asked.
Nalmalu shook herself at these words and looked up at Ghenbay weakly and then looked at Flo. 'We are in need of advice and help. I cannot explain out here-'
'Nalmalu you are wounded.' interrupted Ghenbay, forcing Nalmalu's head back round to him.
'I am alright - please - I wish to see the king - he will know what to do.'
Ghenbay looked at her and then at Flo. His eyes filled with a feeling Flo could not describe. Was it pitty? Or perhaps it was suspician or hate? But then he looked back at Nalmalu and nodded.
'I think it would be better to let you through.' he said.
Flo climbed off Chirrel and followed Nalmalu through the gate. Another guard took the horses and Ghenbay lead Nalmalu and Flo through the city to the palace. Flo felt a little uneasy, her bare feet echoing clumsilly in the hallways. Then Ghenbay halted and indicated to Nalmalu to stay where they were. He knocked on a door and entered a room. Minutes later he returned.
'You can go through - but, Nalmalu - listen to him and do not argue - he is wise and you know in your heart he speaks the truth - whatever the truth may be.'
Flo allowed Nalmalu to lead her into a great room. Guards stood along the walls and a weary man sat at the far end. He looked up as Nalmalu approached him. Nalmalu knelt down, leaving Flo feeling a little awkward.
'You return to us Nalmalu. I do not know whether I am glad of that or not, you left us in a great wrath last time.'
Nalmalu looked up and spoke, 'Forgive me Lord, for my past actions. The Master's call was upon me, I knew not what I was doing. But, Lord, I beg that you house us, Flo and I, for but one week, then we will be on our way.'
The king remained silent for a while, then he stood up, 'Forgiveness you seek? Forgiveness I grant, I know that you were not yourself then. But for you to stay for a week I cannot grant, you must leave tomorrow.'
Nalmalu rose to her feet and took a pace back, 'But Lord! Flo is tired, she has travelled many days without proper rest! I am used to such things, but she...she cannot leave tomorrow!'
'I know Nalmalu, but hobbits are strange creatures, they heal quickly. But she will draw great evil here! We are already in danger! We are at war, Nalmalu - I must ask you to leave as soon as you wake tomorrow for your own sakes and my people's sakes.'
Nalmalu stayed silent, staring at the king. 'But - but Flo is safe here for a time - perhaps I could help you - I am an accomplished warrior - and this is my home.'
'Alas! No - no - you must not. For your past would intervine.'
Nalmalu gazed at him. 'My past?' she asked, swallowing a lump in her throat. 'Why?'
'No - it is best I do not say. Your anger will bring about more danger to yourself and others than is necessary.'
Struck by a sudden thought, Nalmalu looked up. 'Who are you fighting?' she asked.
'Ask me no questions. I will not lie to you - but do not ask for you have no need to know.'
But Nalmalu's face contorted with a sudden pain and anger. 'The Easterlings.' she spat. 'It is they?'
'Nalmalu-'
'I will stay! I will fight with you! For my parents!' she shouted, determindly.
'No! What happened - it happened a long while ago - now you have a new path to follow.'
Nalmalu shook her head. 'No! They killed my parents! I saw them do it!'
'Yes, Nalmalu - I know - that is why I must ask you not to intervine - it will bring us no justice.'
'I will fight them - or die trying!'
'You will bring no justice to your parents by dying in the hands of the enemy. If you die, they will triumph and you have gained nothing - not justice - not anything.'
Then turned to the king once again , and disgust was in her face, 'My father is dead! It no longer surprises me that he left! When the King will no longer allow someone to be free?! What is the house of Eorl but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek, and their brats roll in the hay like dogs?' she spat.
There was a gasp around the room and Flo looked upon Nalmalu in shock, even she knew what that meant. But the King stood his ground, 'Fool! Dotard! Speak not the words of Saruman the Deceitful in my ears Nalmalu! Your Father left of his own free-will! Too much you are like him! I know you mean them not...but in your rage the things that Dinius taught you shine through! I begrudge that I was not careful enough in those days,' the King sighed, 'There is naught I can do now. But you are good Nalmalu. But first you must think! All this depends on you! Do you want the halfling to die?
'Go to war and die in the enemies hands and you will be forgotten, go with the halfling and be renowned in history.'
And to Flo's surpise Nalmalu wept and fell to her knees. The King lifted her chin and said, 'Your father would have wanted it that way.'
'Then I know what I must do.'
The King lifted Nalmalu to her feet and looked at her straight in the eyes, 'It was a hard choice. But you must listen to your heart-not your head. Do what is right. Once you are rested you must make ready to leave.I shall not speak to you again, but I ask that you that you take care of Flo! By all means! She is important. More so than the past-or the war here-it is a mere diversion. Look after her.'
'I shall...King of Rohan.' and she fell into the King's arms, through weariness and hurt.
Nalmalu rose early the next morning, her clothes were piled neatly at the end of her bed, and she dressed quickly. She made for the stables, thinking to ready her horse for riding that day. He had been well tended after the manner of the Rohirrim and he looked bright-eyed and perky.
She groomed him and was just saddling him up when she suddenly felt that something was missing. She felt all light. She looked down and realised her sword was missing from her belt.
'Looking for something?' said a voice behind her, she turned around. Ghenbay was standing there, her sword in its sheath in his hand. He passed it over to her.
'Thankyou Ghenbay,' she as she attached it to herself.
'That's alright,' he took a couple of paces into the stable.
'Did you want anything?' asked Nalmalu, looking up.
'No, I just wanted to see you fair face before you left,' he said softly, he carressed her cheek with his shaking hand.
Nalmalu turned away, 'My face it not fair and I am not sure why you would want to see it, or touch it, after all I have done.'
'That's in the past Nalmalu! When all is done, will you not come back to Rohan?'
'I do not know if I shall be able to come back, Ghenbay. I do not know where my path is leading me; but to Dinius' halls I am sure I must go, if I am to save Flo.'
Ghenbay took a step closer to her and took her hand and kissed it, his eyes not leaving hers. And he bent forward and kissed her on the cheek, and she trembled at his touch. He brought his face close to hers and said quietly:
'If I had the choice between seeing the stars for the last time and seeing you, I would see you. You re more beautiful that the stars. And I swear that I will save you from the halls of Dinius-or my name be put to shame for the rest of days and I never love anyone again.'
She took his hands in hers, and he lent forward and their lips brushed each other and they kissed.
But unknown to Nalmalu, Flo had thought of going to see Nalmalu in the stables that morning, and as she reached there she suddenly heard the voice of Nalmalu.
'Ghenbay I can't do this to you! I'm sorry!'
And out came Nalmalu, running, tears falling from her cheeks, and she ran straight past Flo-not seeing her. Ghenbay came close behind. 'Nalmalu!' he cried, but he stopped when he saw the young hobbit standing there.
'Is she alright?' she asked, looking at Ghenbay angrily.
'Yes...she's fine,' he lied, not sure what to say to Flo.
'Maybe I should go and speak to her,' Flo suggested.
'No! No...I'll see her,' he said quickly-not wanting Flo to think that the reason Nalmalu was upset, was because of him.
'Why was she crying?'
'I do not know...she would not say,' he said quietly.
Flo looked down 'Is it ... is it because of me?'
'You? She knows she must save you. But Flo-she must hurt you to save you...so do not be angry with her. It is hard enough for her as it is.'
Flo looked back up again,'Hurt me? I do not understand...'
Ghenbay looked at the hobbit thoughtfully, trying to decide what to say 'You will, when the time comes. But fear not little one! She will save you-by all means available to her.'
Flo hung her head and avoided eye-contact with Ghenbay, she felt so guilty, 'I am sorry for her. I know I have brought great pain and trouble to her.'
Ghenbay sighed, 'She cares for you! If anything she feels she must do this...if only to undo what she has done before.'
'She has spoken often before of her past - but only in riddle - I see why it causes her pain now - and I stop her from bringing justice to that pain.'
'But Flo do you not see? In bringing justice to that she would be as good as killing herself! That would bring no justice to her-or her parents. But she must stamp out her temper and go forward. '
'I am afraid, Ghenbay, not only for myself but for her too - I do not know what she is going to do, but I can sense it is something that will bring danger to herself.'
'Do not think of her. She will be fine...she will be at peace, for the first time in her life. But you have nothing to fear! No, not since she is there-though all the guards of the Dalde stand in her way-she will get in and in doing so save you-in the only way she can.'
Flo looked up into Ghenbay's eyes and nodded, 'Yes, I trust her. still I fear what the future will hold for both of us.'
'Stop worrying little hobbit!' said Ghenbay with a laugh, 'I am no seer. Rest for an hour or so...and I shall find Nalmalu.'
'Alright. I will do so. Thank you.'
Ghenbay said nomore, he ran with all speed he could, to find Nalmalu.
Nalmalu reached her room and stood at the window, looking down at the city below her. She wiped her eyes as she wondered whether she would see the city or any of it's inhabitants again.
Someone knocked on her door and it opened. Instead of the shuffle of bare feet she had expected, she heard the clunk of soldier's boots. She could not bring herself to turn - even when Ghenbay placed his hand on her shoulder.
'Will you not look at me?' he asked.
She turned and looked at him and then down again as though afraid of what she saw. He raised her chin. 'I promise - I will be there. As long as I live - you will have hope.' he smiled.
Nalmalu looked up and smiled weakly. Then fell into Ghenbay's arms, tears falling gently down her face. She felt pleased to have him there - and pleased Flo was not there to see her like that. They broke apart and he held her arms.
'I will remain strong - for both Flo and you - and my people.' she said.
Ghenbay smiled and nodded. 'Goodbye, Nalmalu. Until we meet again.'
'Yes - we will meet again. I have hope and trust in you.'
'And I have in you.'
He kissed her again and this time she did not shudder or break away. They broke apart and went back outside to meet Flo. They gathered the horses and their things together. With one last look at Ghenbay, Nalmalu nodded to him and set off, Flo behind her.
