Sleep
Denethor stood outside the door to his chamber. He had stood there as one carven in stone for five whole minutes. It was late yet again and he knew his wife would already be asleep. He hated coming in late from work because he always some how managed to wake his wife. If it was not the thump of his heavy, worn boots on the floor, it was the clatter of his sword against a table leg. He sighed deeply, leaning against the wall.
Finduilas rapped her fingers against the mattress. She had tried to sleep but could not, despite her tiredness. She had been tired all day, and longed for the arms of the man she loved. The day had been dark and she suspected that that same darkness was what had kept her husband away from her all day. He was so busy of late. She had tried to sleep, but as with many nights she could not without her husband beside her. She sat up impatiently. She yawned but reached for her over gown. She stood from the bed and took a sip of water. She tapped her foot, while her mind rushed. "Oh, what matter that I am in my night clothes!" she whispered to no one in particular. She walked towards the door and undid the latch.
She almost let out a yelp of fright as she saw a man sat outside her chamber. But that was followed by a short burst of laughter from the young woman. She put a hand to her mouth to restrain the giggle. She crouched so that she was level with the man sat on the floor. He was asleep; she smiled. She gently took hold of his hand. "Denethor," she whispered, grinning, "Why do you sleep out here when there is a warm bed waiting for you inside?" Denethor's eyes fluttered open. A look of surprised flashed across his face as he realised what was happening, which only made Finduilas's grin widen. They both stood up together, Finduilas helping Denethor with the hand she still held. "What were you doing out here?" she asked, more amused than angry.
"I'm sorry, my love, I did not want to wake you but it seems I have in spite of my efforts." Finduilas laughed and playfully poked at her husband.
"I was awake! I had yet to sleep. And now I find my husband asleep without me! I should feel insulted…" Denethor sensed her mood and joined in her light laughing.
"Ah, I have no answer for that, my lady! But please, do not scorn a tired old man!" He opened the door and they both went back into the chamber.
Finduilas sat on the side of the bed as her husband changed into his nightclothes. "Another busy day?" she asked casually.
"Aye, it was. It must have been to make me fall asleep without my wife, no?" Finduilas saw the mischievous glint in Denethor's eyes and smiled at the indirect compliment. Denethor smiled back. "How was your day?"
"Quiet," came the response, "Yet tiring. I was waiting for you to come back so that I could finally get some sleep!"
"You should not have waited for me, my love. I'll only disappoint." Finduilas was already lying under the sheets of the bed, waiting for Denethor.
"Do not start that again. You are my husband, so there is very little chance that you can disappoint me. Don't forget the candle by the door before you come to bed." Denethor put his clothes on the back of a chair and went to put out the candle. Then coming back to his wife he sat on the edge of the bed to extinguish the flame by their bedside. Denethor climbed into bed and held his wife tightly, her head resting against his chest. Moonbeams darted across the bed, dancing on Finduilas's dark hair. He kissed her head.
"You really should not have been waiting for me, Fin. I hope you were not waiting awake for too long, my love?" There came in answer a deep sigh of contentment from the woman in his arms, who was already asleep.
The End