Chapter 1
Eosani sighed and leafed through the Legends book for the thousandth time. She had read and reread the story of the War of Heroes so many times that she knew every word of it.
"I don't know, Belsi," she sighed, looking over at her brother's horse, "I just don't know." Frustration assailed her. "If only I were born a man!" she whispered, "Then I could ride you, Belsi, and...and...and make something of myself!" She shook her head, knowing it was useless. "A woman," she said dully, repeating the lesson she had heard more times than she cared to remember, "must be gentle. She must never speak unless spoken to. She must make good meals and care for her husband and children. A woman must not be loud. She must be punctual..." her voice trailed off, "Why must I learn that?" she said, still speaking to no one but the horse Belsi. "Why is that more important than this?" She hit the green-backed Legends book for emphasis. "Why is 'A woman must be gentle' any more important than 'A warrior must keep his sword sharp'? The tale of the War of Heroes is certainly more interesting." Eosani plucked a strand of hay from the ground and stuck it in her hair. She smiled, a sudden fancy overtaking her. "Me?" she exclaimed to an invisible person, "Ride to war with you, Lady Merowyn? Why, I would be honored!" She took up an imaginary sword. "Yes, my sword is still sharp. I keep it always in good condition." She twirled around. "I am ready, my Lady!" she said.
"Ready for what?" came a friendly voice from behind her. Eosani whirled around, and her fancies shattered.
"I...I..." she began. Then, seeing who the speaker was, she relaxed. "Oh, Ionar!" she laughed, "I didn't know it was you."
Ionar grinned. "Were you going off to war again?" he asked, half jokingly, half seriously. At Eosani's nod, he continued. "You know, the War of Heroes happened five hundred years ago."
"Yes, Ionar," Eosani sighed, "I know. But it was ever so much more interesting back then, with war, and...and the Lady Merowyn." The last words she uttered quietly, so quietly that no ear could have caught them except one who knew already what was going to be said.
"You admire her so?" Ionar asked, knowing the answer.
"Yes... I... well," Eosani said slowly, not sure how to put her thoughts, "She's just always seemed so real to me. I mean, she's like my sister. I know ever so much about her." Ionar laughed.
"I think you've read every book that was ever written on the subject!" he smiled.
"Yes, as well as several more!" Eosani added. The seriousness of her mood was gone. She looked up at the sun. "I must hurry back to the house. Mother will be worried."
"Be sure you change your clothes first!" Ionar laughed, "Or she'll know something is amiss!"
Eosani looked down at her sturdy brown dress, borrowed from a peasant woman. "Is there something wrong with my dress?" she asked, mock seriously.
"Well, no," Ionar said with a serious face, but a twinkle in his eye, "But if the niece of the Lord of the City is going to smell like horses..." Eosani laughed and ran out of the stable. Ionar ran after her. "Wait...Eosani!"
"I must go!" she called back, "I have no time!" She ran lightly over the fields to a cottage where she changed out of the brown dress, receiving a green, lacy one in return. She groaned at the change, but walked sedately up to the palace.
Ionar sighed. He had known Eosani for the past six years. Even now, he didn't understand her entirely. He ran his fingers through his curly brown hair. "Besides," he murmured to himself, "You're just the son of a warrior, while she is the niece of the Lord of the City. Who are you to even think of such a thing?" With that, he shook himself and ran away up the hill to his father's home.
Chapter 2
Eosani listlessly poked at her food. She pretended to listen to the dull voice of her father's guest, Farandulin, Steward of Dornith. Of course, Dornith had its kings, but there was also a line of Stewards. Eosani wished inwardly that there wasn't. Farandulin was so boring. It was not that he was unintelligent; it was just that she felt he never had anything interesting to say. Farandulin was now describing in great detail the Halls of Dornith. Eosani did not think it would be polite to point out that she had visited Dornith two years ago; or rather, she did not want him to speak of a different subject in which he might ask questions. In her mind, Eosani was galloping over the plains, riding Belsi. She, of course, knew that Belsi was Eodal's horse, not hers; but when is fancy ever constrained by such a thing as reason?
"My Lady?" Farandulin's voice broke into her mind. Eosani started.
"I'm sorry," she said smoothly, covering her momentary lapse, "I'm not sure I feel well."
"Perhaps you should adjourn to your chambers?" Farandulin suggested his face anxious.
"Sir, you are too kind," Eosani murmured, pretending both embarrassment and awe, "But I would never wish to leave your presence." She realized she was being somewhat cruel to the poor man by her act, but did not let that bother her.
"Oh, but I insist, my Lady." Farandulin stood, "Do not allow me to hinder you."
"I do thank you," the girl replied, acting the part of a mortified, young, and courtly girl splendidly. "I think, with my lord's permission, that I must say farewell."
"Until tomorrow, then, my fair Lady!" Farandulin said, placing his hand over his heart.
Eosani gasped inwardly and bit her lip to stop herself from saying anything. "Until tomorrow, my lord," she said and glided smoothly out of the hall. Once she gained the safety of her chambers, she fell onto her bed.
"Tomorrow?" she gasped, "Why tomorrow? I thought the Lord Eldamor, liege-lord of Dornith, had invited the Lord of the City, my father, and the Lord's many guests to his city for the Midsummer's Day celebration." She tugged at the pile of hair atop her head until it tumbled down to her waist in golden ripples. Her green eyes looked worriedly about the room. "Could it be that Farandulin will not accompany the rest of the royalty?" she mused.
Pulling off her adornments and reaching for her nightdress, she cursed herself inwardly for being such a fool. If she had thought for only a moment, she would have realized that playing a brainless girl to the Steward of Dornith would have its consequences. Especially now that she was fifteen. Eosani had been afraid for some time that her father would manage to find a suitor for her, but she never had considered the Steward of Dornith as a danger. "Why, Lord Insiam has two daughters both more eligible than I!" she cried aloud, thinking of Wenikaa and Senamii, the Lord of the City's older daughters. They had always been held up to her as an example of the perfect woman she was expected to be. "I am just the crazy, reckless horse-daughter of the brother of the Lord of the City," she whispered, "No one should want to marry me!"
Eosani drew her curtains, blew out her candle, and fell into bed. As she pulled the bedclothes up to her chin, she thought of Ionar and what he would say. "He would never do something so stupid as to seek my hand in marriage," she sighed, reassured. With that thought, Eosani fell into the world of dreams.
Chapter 3
The next morning, Eosani awakened slowly as light from between her curtains streamed onto her face. She stretched. "What's the time?" she asked of her maid.
"Eight o'clock in the morning, Miss," replied the girl with a curtsy. "You have been summoned to the hall at nine to breakfast with the Lord-steward, Farandulin."
Eosani groaned. "Very well, you are dismissed," she told her maid.
When the serving girl left, Eosani stood and began preparing herself for the day. She rinsed her face in a basin of cold water, brushed her hair, and then turned to her closet. "What to wear..." she murmured. All her dresses were in shades of blue and green. They always had been, ever since her mother had proclaimed that yellow made her look sickly, and red made her look outrageous. Eosani shook her head, but picked a light blue dress and tugged it over herself. She pulled her hair into some kind of knot behind her head and was ready.
She held her head high as she left her chambers. She was going to break her fast the Steward of Dornith! Inwardly, however, Eosani could have shrieked. She was desperately afraid that her act the night before had cost her the freedom that she so desperately desired. Entering the dining hall, she saw the huge table only occupied by one man... Farandulin. All the others had left far before the break of day. She curtsied.
"My Lady!" Farandulin said, standing, extending his hand to hers, "You look simply stunning!"
Eosani managed a woeful smile. Now she knew what her efforts last night had done. Utter ruin! she thought to herself.
"Please, sit!" Farandulin pulled a chair out. Eosani sat. "I know I may seem very forward to you," Farandulin said awkwardly, "But I must speak my mind."
Eosani closed her eyes for a moment, restraining herself. She would not, could not, listen to a marriage proposal from this... this... Steward! But under the circumstances, as she could think of no proper way to get out of the entanglement of her own making, she sat silent.
"I...." Farandulin seemed at a loss for words. "I think...you are...that is to say, you show me...." his face turned red, but finally, "I love you and I want you to marry me!" came out quickly all in one breath.
"You... what?
Farandulin seemed to have recovered his vigor. "I love you!" he said distinctly, "And I would be honored if you would marry me and return to Dornith as the Wife of the Steward."
Eosani looked helplessly about her. She had known it was going to happen, but that knowledge didn't help her to know what to do now. "I...have you spoken to my father?" she asked, as a temporary stall.
"Yes..." Farandulin said slowly, his eyes clouding, "And he said that if you agreed, we could be wed... but not otherwise. He did not seem overly pleased with the match."
Eosani stopped herself just in time from heaving a relieved sigh. "I cannot marry anyone without my father's consent," she lied glibly, "My father is the most important man in the world to me, and not to have his full consent would mean nothing but torture to me." This was untrue. She rarely conducted conversation with her father. However, she correctly figured that it would throw Farandulin off, at least for a while.
"But... but if he did consent, would you..." Farandulin's eyes asked the unspoken question.
"I do not know. I think...." Eosani now was at a loss for words. "I am only fifteen, Sir Farandulin!" she exclaimed.
"Yes, but what a lovely fifteen you are!" The Steward looked as if he himself had long contemplated the statement Eosani had asked.
"How will I make a suitable wife for you?" Eosani asked, "I am so young. Too young, I believe to have the responsibilities that come from marrying the Steward of Dornith."
Farandulin sighed dejectedly. "All this is to say," he stood, "That you do not wish to be wedded to me."
Eosani said nothing, but looked relieved.
"Very well," Farandulin had walked to the door of the hall. "I shall leave. Wish me good fortune, Lady Eosani. Wish me good fortune, and wish that my broken heart might heal. I am gone."
Eosani looked up. She stood and reached out a hand, as if to stop the Steward... but too late. He was gone. "Oh!" Eosani gasped. She ran to her chambers, the train of her dress streaming behind her, her hair now frazzled. She threw herself upon her bed. "Oh, oh, oh!" she moaned. Her eyes filled with tears and she let them drop down onto her dress. She had never dreamed that Farandulin would care for her that deeply. "I did not mean to hurt him!" she sobbed. Finally, she shook herself and stood from the bed, sniffing and wiping her eyes. "What's done is done," she said calmly. Then her face contorted and a final tear fell down her cheek. "Oh, that he will soon forget!" she murmured passionately, "Oh, that he will soon forget!"
Chapter 4
Several days later, Eosani was standing on the balcony overlooking her garden. She heard a clatter of footsteps and turned her gaze downwards to the rose walk. She saw the familiar form of Ionar wave up at her.
"Eosani!" the youth said, his eyes alight, "You must come down immediately! There is something I must tell you!"
Eosani nodded in assent and turned from the window. She walked hurriedly through the many corridors, wondering what Ionar wanted. He was not usually so passionately urgent. Once out of doors, she flew over the garden to the rose walk.
"What is it, Ionar?" she asked breathlessly when she reached him.
"It's just this!" Ionar said excitedly. "The Lord Insiam has discovered the den of a troll!"
"No!" breathed Eosani. Trolls had become quite, quite rare, and most people assumed they had been made extinct. Now and again, one was discovered, however, making for a remarkable battle in the peaceful times. "And... what type of troll?" the girl asked wonderingly.
"That's the amazing part!" Ionar could barely restrain himself. "A forest troll would have been exciting, or a hill troll. But this is a real live cave troll!"
"A cave troll!" Eosani's mouth fell open in astonishment. A cave troll had not been unearthed for the past hundred years.
"Yes!" Ionar continued, "The Lord Insiam's most loyal and experienced warriors will go with him, of course. But also, there is to be a small posse of older boys looking for a chance to win honor to the name of their house."
"Amazing!" exclaimed Eosani. But Ionar had not finished.
"My father went to the Lord of the City and put in a good word for me!" His story was growing rushed as he could not contain himself any longer, "And they talked for a while, and... and it was decided that I was to be among the boys taken!" His eyes shone with happiness. "Is not that a great honor, Eosani? For my name and for my house... and for me!"
Eosani now was full of excitement. "Oh, Ionar!" she breathed animatedly, her eyes sparkling, "Don't you understand? This is for me!"
"For you, Eosani?" Ionar looked quizzical, "I know it is a great honor, but the fact that it was such for you as well never occurred to me..."
"Oh, don't be such a fool!" Eosani interrupted, "You must give me your place! I must go! I must, Ionar, you understand. I must!"
Ionar took a pace back. "You must go in my place?" he asked, shaking his head.
"Yes!" Eosani now was impatient. "Ionar, don't be stupid, I know you aren't. You see, this is my adventure. You must let me go! This is my chance to win renown for my house, for the Lady Merowyn."
Ionar looked agonized. "Eosani, you know I would do anything for you... but this? Does it seem so necessary?"
"It does not only seem necessary, Ionar, it is necessary. Do not be such a selfish pig as to think of yourself first! You know how I have been waiting for this my whole life!" Eosani grasped the hilt of her imaginary sword. "And I will enter into that cave..." she said slowly and dreamily, "And single-handedly, I will kill the cave troll. Then I will rip off my disguise, and they will realize who I am. The honor the Lady Merowyn received will be mine at last!"
Ionar clenched his fists in a burst of sudden passion. He threw his head back and yelled aloud to the sky. Then he looked back at Eosani. "There," he said, "There, it's over. You may go." He lifted his chin with pride, as if having overcome some invisible monster.
"Of course I may go!" Eosani seemed perturbed that this was even a question to Ionar. "Now, you must go to the Captain of the Guard and tell him that you are going to allow your cousin to go in your place..." Eosani was off, laying plans and hatching schemes. Ionar listened carefully, knowing he must remember all of it, for Eosani disliked to have to repeat something, anything, no matter how small. Half an hour and several versions of the plan later, Eosani stood. Her blonde hair tumbled down off her head and into her face as it always did when she got excited. She laughed. "I should cut this as well," she said ruefully, fingering the mass.
Ionar brushed her fingers gently away. "No need," he said, "Did not the Lady Merowyn keep her hair whole and unshorn when she went disguised as a man, so 'her bright hair, released from its bonds, gleamed with pale gold upon her shoulders'? Does not the Book of Legends say that?"
Eosani nodded in assent. "Thank you, Ionar," she grinned, "For I have grown rather fond of it." And with that, she skipped off, into the palace. "Do not forget!" she called back, "Your cousin, Habnith, will ride in your stead. Be sure of the name, Habnith!"
Ionar smiled at the use of the name. It was common enough, no one would suspect, but he of course knew why she had chosen that name. It had been the Lady Merowyn's adopted name when she went disguised as a man to fight in the War of Heroes. "Farewell, my Lady Merowyn!" he called after her slight, retreating figure, "Until we meet again!" Then he too ran off in search of the Captain of the Guard.
Chapter 5
Trumpets blasted and horns sounded as the group of men rode out of the city. Eosani, on Belsi, sat tall and proud. No one, she knew, would recognize her, with her hair under her helmet and her brother's armor. She looked down upon the masses, waving and cheering, her eye searching after one person in particular. Then, her gaze fell upon Ionar, leaping and waving at her. She smiled and saluted him calmly. Then she wheeled her horse about and galloped out of the city.
The ride out to the cave was a long one. Eosani was afraid someone would recognize her. When they camped, she ate alone, and she slept with Belsi. No one thought to suspect the small lad, however. "Habnith" was regarded as a quiet boy, rather dull, and not quite worthy of the honor he was partaking in. But Eosani did not care for the general opinion. She believed that when the time came she would prove her worth by slaying the cave troll single handedly. She practiced far into the night, waving her sword and lunging and parrying.
On the third day, they came in sight of the cave. The Lord of the City wheeled his company about and began laying the plans of attack. The group of boys formed their own circle and discussed how best to win honor for themselves and their house. They, of course, were not willing to see the men do all the work; they wished for renown far beyond that of their fathers. Eosani listened, but did not speak. She had already laid her own plan of action; her sword was sharp and her mind attuned.
Just then, the Lord of the City drew forth his horn. He blew a loud blast on it. The company charged forward, shouting battle cries to the sky.
Eosani drew her sword and spurred Belsi on, faster, faster, and faster still. She screamed, her high feminine voice carried away by the whipping wind, "Death! Death and glory! To war! For the Lady Merowyn!"
Charging, snorting horses galloped into the cave, hooves clattering, their riders' swords drawn. No noise. Eosani looked around expectantly. How was she to kill a cave troll that would not make an appearance? The only noise in the cave was that of nervous horses stepping and shuffling. The riders sat absolutely silent, every particle of themselves on edge.
Suddenly, a roar burst from the cavern ahead of them, and a huge looming shape emerged, swinging an enormous club. Three horses and riders were caught in the path of the weapon and flung across the cave, smashing on the rocks.
"Forth, my riders of Nodern!" King Insiam cried, a bit pompously and unnecessarily. Eosani held her sword high and spurred Belsi on. In her mind, she imagined herself the Lady Merowyn, charging at an army of trolls surrounding Dornith. So taken was she by this image that she did not see the cave troll's club descending on her. She looked up a second before it would have hit and wheeled Belsi to the side, desperately trying to avoid the fatal blow. The club descended and hit her horse, but what would have been a mortal blow was avoided by Eosani's wheeling. The weapon only grazed Belsi's hindquarters, knocking the horse over, but not throwing Eosani against the rocks. She lost her seat and fall onto the ground! Her sword still brandished high, she charged on, on foot.
The other riders were charging as well, yelling and screaming. But they had not the heart of Eosani, and stayed well away from the cave troll's deadly weapon. They did see the young boy struggling with the troll, and some laughed and others sighed.
Eosani ran head on into the troll, her sword slashing and stabbing. The troll looked down on her and tried to hit her with his club, but she was too close to him. "For the Lady Merowyn!" she yelled over and over again with each cut of her sword. Finally, other warriors came to her aid, stabbing and slashing with their swords and spears as well. "For Nodern!" they yelled, "Glory for Nodern!"
The cave troll continued to sweep riders aside and club them onto the rocks, but now he was fighting a losing battle. Too long had he slept and lived unchallenged, now, old and weary, he could not fight this many fierce warriors and win. Eosani tasted blood in her mouth and her sides ached where she had fallen off her horse, but still she fought on. Sweat poured down her face as she stabbed. Finally, with one last groan, the cave troll fell to the ground.
"Victory!" yelled the riders of Nodern.
"Victory for the Lady Merowyn!" Eosani screamed happily. They had fought the forces of evil and they had won. Oh, what honor she had won for her house! Eosani looked about her, but she deemed the time unripe to unmask herself. Just then, a man turned to Eosani.
"This lad has shown great valor, beyond the promise of his years!" he exclaimed. "What is your name, son?"
"Habnith," Eosani exhaled. Now she felt the weariness of a long battle overtaking her. She realized the pain of her wounds and the soreness of her arms.
"Honor for Habnith!" the warriors cried. "Honor for Habnith!" They lifted her up and carried her out of the cave.
"Lord Insiam, Lord Insiam!" a warrior cried, "Here is a lad who fought bravely and showed much courage! He showed more valor than any of your grown warriors!" He placed Eosani before the Lord of the City. Eosani drew her breath in sharply. Would he recognize her, his own niece? But Lord Insiam was not expecting to see his niece, and so he did not see her. Instead, he saw only a tired boy.
"Bring him in great honor back to the city, where I will award him knighthood!" the Lord declared. All his warriors set up a great cheer.
Then, Eosani looked about her. "My horse!" she exclaimed. Then, quickly, she deepened her voice, "My horse, where is my horse?" She ran back into the cave. "Belsi, oh, Belsi!" she cried, "Where are you?" She looked about, and saw a bay horse limping towards her. "Belsi!" she screamed. "Oh, Belsi, you're alive!" She herself limped towards her injured horse. "We did it, Belsi," she whispered, "Just like I said we would. We did it!"
Chapter 6
Eosani had a hard time during the three days of the return journey. She was not badly wounded, but still she needed some treatment. Her pose as Habnith, however, caused trouble. Thus, Eosani pushed aside all requests to treat her, saying she was not in great pain and would wait until they returned to the city. She was in constant fear of being discovered. Now that she was renowned, she could no longer sleep with Belsi and take her meals alone. Every night, the men toasted her great bravery. All the attention went to her head. Eosani began to imagine herself going down in history, the fifteen-year-old girl, niece of the Lord of the City, descendant of the Lady Merowyn herself.
"Habnith!" A voice interrupted Eosani's fancies. "We are approaching the city. The Lord of the City requests that you ride in front, second only to him."
Eosani tilted her chin upwards. "Of course, " she said, a hint of pride in her voice. She squeezed Belsi with her heels and rode to the front of the line.
Ionar flipped over onto his stomach. He was lying in the stable, a wisp of hay in his mouth. Trying to distract himself from the worry that had suddenly overtaken him, he stood and walked out into the sunshine. "She will be fine," he said aloud, "She is Eosani. She cannot come to harm." Then his composure faltered. "If harm should come to her," he whispered, "I could never forgive myself." Suddenly, the seventeen-year-old boy stood straight. By his posture, it was obvious that he had just made an enormous and weighty decision. He now was ready for what lay ahead. "I will tell her," he said confidently, "Think of me what she may. But I will not allow another day to go by without her knowing."
A horn sounded in the distance and Ionar started. Cries came from the city. "The warriors have returned!" Ionar looked to sky. He let forth a loud call of triumph and flew to the gates of the city.
The wide gates of the city swung open. Crowds lined the roads as the riders of Nodern rode through. People cheered and threw flowers. Eosani, underneath her helmet, smiled. Pretending she was the Lady Merowyn, she threw her hand out to the crowd. More people cheered. Even though they did not know if the young boy had accomplished anything, they were still willing to cheer. The cave troll was dead, that much they did know. Eosani's eyes sought Ionar. He was pushing his way through the masses of people, jumping up and down and screaming. She waved to him, bouncing a bit in her saddle, her spurs jingling.
Ionar jumped up, trying to see over the crowds. He waved frantically at Eosani. "Renown?" he yelled.
Eosani heard the question over the din of the populous. "Renown!" she screamed back with a flash of a smile.
Eosani had no time to rest or to talk with Ionar. She was ushered into a room and given clean garments.
"Clean your face and then put these on," a servant told her, "The Lord of the City expects you within an hour for your knighting ceremony."
Eosani hurried off her armor and sweaty clothes. She let her hair down and shook her head. She plucked the clean royal clothes from the chair and dressed. Grabbing a washcloth, she dipped it into the basin of water. Then she paused.
"Renown," she said quietly. She gazed into the mirror, her green eyes suddenly sad. "Did I take that renown away from Ionar?" Realization filled her eyes. "He deserved it," she breathed, "Not me. I know he would have fought every inch as bravely." She sank into the chair, tears filling her eyes. "What have I done?" She buried her face in her hands, her blonde hair cascading around her.
A moment later, she stood. Precision was in her every movement. She climbed out of the window and scaled down the rocky wall. She ran swiftly out of the center of the city into the ordinary housing. Nobody paid her heed. Everyone was hurrying to the center of the city, the house of Lord Insiam, not away from it. Finally, she was at the peasant woman's house.
"Alatoni!" she cried, "Alatoni, quickly!" A young girl of two years emerged, looking bewildered.
"Mama not here," the girl lisped, "Se go to city."
Eosani quickly reassessed her situation. "Then perhaps you can help me," she said the girl. "Do you know where your mama keeps her clothes?" she asked gently.
"In woom," the girl said. "Come, I sow you." She grabbed the corner of Eosani's tunic and toddled into the interior of the house. Soon, she showed Eosani some dresses. They suited Eosani's purposes exactly.
"Thank you very much!" she said, giving the girl a hug. Then, she donned a simple red dress and ran out of the house. Again, she swiftly covered the distance between the woman's house and the palace. She paused only to leave a message with Ionar's father. She needed Ionar to come to her so that she could complete her plan. She scaled up the rocky wall and was in the room again not forty minutes after she left it. Still having a few minutes, Eosani arranged her hair becomingly on her shoulders. When it was almost time for her to leave, she heard a low noise from beneath her window. She hurried to the sill and looked down.
"Ionar!" she breathed. "Quickly, come up here!" Ionar scaled the wall with no more trouble than when Eosani had.
"It is wonderful to see you!" he said, "I hear you are going to be knighted!" He smiled at her.
"No," she said, "That was why I called you here."
"No?" Ionar looked quizzically at Eosani. "The rumors on the streets are untrue, then? But everyone has come to attend the ceremony!"
"That was not what I meant," Eosani amended, "The Lord of the City intends to knight me, but I will not let him."
"Eosani, why?" Ionar asked. "This is a chance for honor!"
"Yes," Eosani said with a slow smile, "But it is not my honor." Ionar threw her a glance telling her plainly that he did not understand. "Come, quickly!" She grabbed his arm and walked to the door of the room. Then she paused. "And whatever happens," she added, "Follow my lead!"
Chapter 7
King Insiam looked over the crowds of people from his seat on the balcony. He was impatient to have the knighting ceremony over and done with. He had more important things to do. The people, however, thought that nothing could be more important than seeing a young boy award knighthood for his puissant actions. They whispered excitedly and shuffled their feet a bit impatiently. Suddenly, a door off to the side of the balcony creaked open. The crowds hushed. This was the moment they had been waiting for! The young warrior was about to make his appearance!
Eosani shoved Ionar in front of her. "Walk out onto the balcony," she hissed down his neck. Ionar threw her a puzzled look, but obeyed. The frosty spring breeze whipped through his brown curls. The people erupted into applause. Ionar looked down at them.
"Stop!" he said amazedly, "Stop, I am not..."
Eosani cut him off. She sprang from the interior room. The breeze snagged her loose hair as she addressed the people. "Do you see me?" she said.
King Insiam stood. "Niece!" he cried, recognizing Eosani, "What are you doing here?" Eosani would not be stopped.
"This boy," she said loudly, "This boy who you see here was elected as one of the chosen few who would accompany the Lord of the City on his journey to kill the cave troll!" The people cheered. King Insiam sat down again on his makeshift throne. The situation was clearly out of his control.
Eosani continued. "However, he did not go!"
The people gasped. The thought had never occurred to them that Ionar was not the brave youth who had killed the troll.
"No, he did not go," Eosani persisted. "Although it was to be great honor for him and his house, he chose not to go."
Ionar had, by this time, given up trying to restrain Eosani. He looked at her, still unsure of what she was going to do.
"Instead," here Eosani paused, being sure she had the full attention of the audience, "instead, he chose to give his place to his friend so she could gain honor!"
The people erupted into uncontrolled applause. They liked sacrifice and camaraderie even better than glory in battle. Then the use of Eosani's pronoun struck home. Whispers ran through the crowd. She?
"I was that friend," Eosani proclaimed, "I traveled under the name of Habnith."
The people grew afraid. Habnith? That was the name of the brave young warrior, they thought.
"I fought the cave troll," Eosani continued, "But that does not give me honor!" She turned to Ionar. His gaze was tender. "This boy, this man, this Ionar deserves honor! He would have fought just as bravely as I, if not more so!" Eosani stretched her hands out to the crowd, her young voice strong. "Ionar deserves glory! Ionar deserves to be knighted! Ionar deserves every honor that can be bestowed upon a warrior!"
The people exploded. They cheered, screamed, wept, and chanted. "Ionar! Ionar!" was the rising call among the people.
Eosani turned to her uncle. He looked sternly at her. "Not now, Uncle," she said gently, "Now is not the time for reprimands." She looked pleadingly at him. "Please, knight Ionar in my place." Then she was silent. To say anything more would only push her uncle farther away from her.
King Insiam stood. "My people!" he proclaimed, "There will be two people coming to the honor of knighthood today!" He turned to Ionar and Eosani. "These two young people have proved their determination to win honor for each other. Both must be awarded!"
"Ionar and Eosani! Ionar and Eosani!" the crowds chanted.
Eosani turned to her uncle with tears in her eyes.
"Today, my niece," King Insiam said softly, "You have won honor for your house."
Ionar looked into Eosani's eyes, his own eyes full of meaning. "And the Lady Merowyn!" he said.
Chapter 8
The sun was setting over Nodern as Eosani made her way home. The day had been full of honor and glory. Eosani had been knighted side by side with Ionar. The two had grinned at each other, happy that each had managed to win honor for the other. Then, there was a feast. It was sumptuous, beyond anything Eosani had ever seen. The people had rejoiced and celebrated. Eosani had been very happy. She had won honor for the Lady Merowyn and glory for Nodern. Poets began to write songs about Ionar and Eosani, how they won great battles with the force of friendship. Eosani sighed now, looking over the busy city. She slowly opened the door of her house and walked in. She sank into a chair, looking about the dimly lit room. Standing, Eosani stretched and headed towards her room. Before she had taken two steps, a sound arrested her. She turned, startled.
"Eosani?" It was Ionar. He stretched out a hand in greeting to her. "Could I have a moment?"
Eosani smiled merrily, her former heavy heartedness gone. "Certainly, my liege," she said with mock solemnity, reaching out her hand to meet his. Ionar did not laugh. He led her out of her house into the garden.
"I have something to tell you," he began softly, "That might hurt you." He paused, "But I have decided to tell you anyway because you must know."
Eosani touched Ionar's arm. "You can tell me anything," she whispered.
Ionar drew in a breath and ran his hands through his hair. "I..." He plucked a rose from a nearby bush and placed it in Eosani's hair. "Right now," he began again, "you are the most beautiful person in all of Nodern... in all the world."
Eosani bit her lip and dropped her eyes to the floor. She could meet cave trolls in battle and fight off angry words with her stubbornness...but this? She did not know.
"I have always thought you beautiful," Ionar continued, taking Eosani's hand, "But over the years I have come to respect who you are. Your character is more beautiful than your person."
Eosani looked at Ionar.
"I want you to know," Ionar said quietly, "That I love you more than anything in the world."
Eosani drew her breath in sharply. She had been expecting it ever since Ionar had called her beautiful, but that did not make the words less wonderful.
"I will not ask you to be my bride," Ionar continued, dropping Eosani's hand, his gaze lowered, "because I know your royal position. I know I should never even dare to lift my eyes up to you, but love isn't a choice, is it?" He took the dropped hand. "I just wanted you to know that I loved you. I thought you needed to know." Then he dropped her hand once more and turned away.
Eosani stood, frozen, her heart beating wildly inside her ribcage. "Wait!" she cried after Ionar's retreating figure. Then shaking herself from her statue-like state, she ran after him. "Oh, Ionar, wait!"
Ionar turned. He saw the girl running frantically towards him and paused. A moment later, Eosani was in his arms. "You..." Ionar looked down at the form of Eosani. "You mean you care for me?"
"Ionar!" was all Eosani said. It was enough.
Ionar shook himself free of her embrace. He kneeled down before her. "I come to you, Knight Eosani, niece of the Lord of the City, as a humble Knight of Nodern. I ask you to be my bride not because I feel it would be best for Nodern, but because I deeply love you out of the bottom of my heart."
Eosani drew a shuddering breath. She smiled through her tears. "I love you, Ionar. If you would accept me as your wife, I would be honored." Ionar stood and the two embraced once more. Then Eosani laughed. "How wonderful!" she smiled, "I wanted so badly to win honor for the Lady Merowyn. I did that, and it did not make me as happy as it should have. When you asked me to marry you, I knew that was what I needed to make me happy. You were what I needed all along."
"Yes," Ionar said, looking deep into Eosani's eyes, "It is wonderful."