Summary
It is twenty years past the the war of the ring. Aragorn is king of Gondor, Legolas King of Mirkwood, and Sam mayor of The Shire. But the fellowship is not quite over, through their kids their adventure has just begun. But the question is can their children live up to the standards they were born to. Can the prince of Gondor REALLY live up to the expectations? Can the wild hearted princess of Gondor tame her wild heart? Can love that is forbidden come out from hiding? Can the children of the fellowship live up to the legacy of their fathers? And will they be able to stand up to the great peril and come out victorious.
Chapter one: The house of Mirkwood and Gondor reunited
Authors note: I am finally going through my story to fix what I notice, and add some small details. Thank you to everyone who read it.
Belaraniel sat in wait for her brother to return from his adventure. She stood on the balcony of her room waiting for the large gaits of Gondor to reopen, and her brother to ride through on his gray stallion. Belaraniel was one out of a few of Aragorn's daughters, she was the adventurous and lively one. So the only son of King Aragorn of Gondor, was raised to act as any prince and future king should, therefore he found more comfort in little Belaraniel. They were closest when they grew up, he being the eldest was always protective of her so gradually she began to rely on him.
The gate flung open and the young prince came into view. His brown hair blowing in the wind, matching the flapping of his stallions mane. Belaraniel ran through her beautiful room, and down to where the prince climbed off of his horse. A large smile appeared on the prince's face as his sister ran from the castle doors, and opened his arms so she could happily collide into them. He spun her around, laughing wildly with each turn.
"Wow, Belaraniel… you look so beautiful! Why does it feel like it's been forever since I've seen you?" Eldarion asked as he placed his sister down.
"Because it's been months since I've seen your face my brother," Belaraniel said smiling so big you could see all her teeth, Belaraniel tried to stop smiling when she jokingly said, "though it's gone by so quickly."
"Has it now," he said nudging her before taking her hand and walking into the castle. They walked to the throne room where his mother and father waited. It was a tradition for the princes to go off on an adventure on their own once they were nineteen, and Aragorn was excited to know what happened. King Aragorn had not been on a wild adventure since the battle for Middle Earth. It had been nearly twenty years since the war of the ring. It was not always peaceful, but it was much safer then before. Brother and sister walked into the throne room where their parents sat waiting.
"My son!" Arwen said getting up and running to see her son. She pulled him into her arms and squeezed him tight.
"Mother, you haven't aged a day," he smiled looking at his most beautiful mother. She smiled and kissed his cheek before letting him visit his father.
"Well? What happened? Did you go to Mirkwood to see King Legolas and prince Lómebrilas? Did you visit Rivendell, your mothers home town? What did you see?" Aragorn asked as he walked up to his son, Aragorn's dark brown hair was starting to be invaded by gray, the sign of age.
"Yes father, I saw Lómebrilas, as well as King Legolas. They taught me how to shoot like the elves, then I visited the dwarves their mines are beautiful. As well I saw the forests of many places. Middle earth truly is being rebuilt beautifully father, but nothing is as beautiful as Gondor. I missed my sister, and you as well all of my family very much. However I did enjoy spending time with Prince Lómebrilas he is much like me. I invited him and Legolas to our great nation father, I do hope you do not mind," Eldarion said standing beside his sister again.
"Of course I do not mind, I would love to see my dearest of friends! I do not know why I did not think of it to start with! When do they come?" Aragorn asked standing beside his wife. Arwen smiled at how excited her beloved husband was.
"Tomorrow actually, I was wondering if we could have a welcome party for them," Eldarion asked giving a nervous look. His father nodded and smiled.
"You were always close friends with Lómebrilas, go rest my son your father is pleased of your return. You are now a man," with that the king and queen exited leaving brother and sister alone.
"You do remember Lómebrilas don't you my sister?" he asked Belaraniel who turned to face him. Belaraniel began to think back to when they were younger. Prince Lómebrilas had always come and visited. He would pick on her, as they got older he picked on her more. The young prince would challenge her into pony races, and make fun of how she was a girl and could do nothing. Belaraniel got a funny look on her face. Her brother laughed before talking to her again, "he's changed a lot dear sister… you'll find he's not the rotten egg that picked on you and admired our sisters when he was six or nine, it's been ten years. But to bed Belaraniel night covers the lands, and good dreams will not wait for us. Good night fair sister," Eldarion said kissing his sisters hand before walking off. Belaraniel was not tired though, so she took a stroll to the stables, where she groomed her beautiful black stallion.
"Oh what am I going to Narduril, if Lómebrilas comes my brother will ignore me as usual. Call it boys sport, when they ride off into the forest and have shooting contest's as well as sword fighting contest…" before she could finish she heard a voice behind her.
"Well I thought I taught you well enough to be able to beat those boys," a familiar voice came from behind her.
"Oh… hi Olamwen you very well did teach me, but they were trained for battle I was trained to shoot an arrow, and swing a sword. Unlike my brother and the prince of Mirkwood I cannot show it off to anyone," Belaraniel sighed grooming her horse.
"I taught you what I was taught. I was one of the minor generals in the king of Gondor's army Belaraniel, and I taught you because you are no ordinary girl. Your father will not allow you to leave for battle, but you can show it off. Prove that rotten boy who can pull a string, and crash metal. I remember this boy yes I do, he once stuck a rotten fish under my pillow… that empty headed son of snakes," Olamwen said with a disgusted look on his face. The older man then placed his hand on Belaraniel's shoulder, "now go to bed your majesty, the morning brings fresh air and new possibilities."
Belaraniel walked to her room excitedly, she would show her brother and that snotty Lómebrilas just how skilled with a bow she had become. For the rest of the night her mind raced with battle techniques, as well as how to properly, sit on the horse, aim, and shoot, and because her mother's elvish traits she could aim, hear, and see better. She was also gifted with her father's strength, so she was not as glamorous as her other three sisters.
--
Morning came and with it an aroma of fresh cooked eggs, bacon, and pastries. Belaraniel yawned and then walked onto the porch where she could look over her city. She smiled while her brown hair blew in the wind, she was the only one of the girls to have straight hair instead of curly, which was why Belaraniel always wanted to have curly hair instead of straight. But she was more into horse ridding, sword fighting, joking, and running through the forest instead of putting on fancy hair accessories, and painting her face. Her father loved all his children, but he favored Eldarion. The queen though favored Belaraniel fore Belaraniel reminded Arwen of herself when she was younger. The king indeed saw the same thing in Belaraniel, which concerned him and made him VERY strict with Belaraniel. He would be so angry if he knew that his daughter, who was TOO much like her mother and father, had been secretly learning the art of fighting.
The former general had been more of a military trainer then anything, he taught her brother, but never fully taught him the real power behind it, "time and patience". The prince and warriors were hasty, but Belaraniel had been very patient, for years he taught her, helped her, sculpted her. Her brother was taught the basics in a month, he was good, very good, but Belaraniel… was secretly better. A tap came upon her door, and by the lightness, she could tell it was her friend Calicien.
"Come in!" Belaraniel shouted from her large white balcony. Calicien walked in gracefully, she was very beautiful with golden hair, and green eyes. Calicien smiled before standing in front of Belaraniel.
"Your brother asked someone to ask me to give this to you," she said handing Belaraniel a beautiful velvet crimson dress. The dress was beautiful, in the middle of the arms a golden band wrapped around it tightly and the rest of the sleeve flowed and fanned out. Belaraniel danced around in it, she was in aw as she twirled around. Calicien clasped her hands together and awed at the princess. She was not the most beautiful of her sisters, but she was the funniest, and her own person.
"You always smile Calicien when you say my brothers name, and better yet you blush when he enters the room. I do believe you're love stricken my friend," Belaraniel smiled and hugged her friend. Calicien blushed and hugged Belaraniel.
"Come, come princess, let us fix you up," she joked around, "Besides you haven't seen prince Lómebrilas for awhile, I've heard he is quite the catch Belaraniel," Calicien said pulling out a brush and brushing Belaraniel's long brown hair. With a few clips, Calicien placed red flowers in Belaraniel's hair. Calicien put a touch of pink powder on Belaraniel's cheeks. Though she did not look as beautiful as her sisters, Belaraniel looked beautiful. Calicien dressed up in a plain red dress and exited behind Belaraniel. The castle was buzzing with noise and excitement. Belaraniel watched from the top floor as the doors to the castle swung in and a young servant came in and said, "King Legolas and prince Lómebrilas of Mirkwood."
Belaraniel looked at how much the prince looked like his father, they were almost identical except the age and wrinkles beginning to invade King Legolas' face. Legolas was indeed much younger looking then her father King Aragorn. Men seemed to age faster then elves did. The prince looked up at her then glanced down his eyes then darted back up at her, and dipped his head in a small bow to her. Belaraniel did the same and then disappeared. Belaraniel found the stair case and glided down it with Calicien following not too far behind her. The two princes were transferring their greetings, when both at the same time looked up at Belaraniel who's long dress glided behind her. Her dress brought out her slender figure and all her natural curves. Curves neither of them ever thought they'd see in Belaraniel. She had always hid them well in her large gowns that were to big for her.
"My lady, it has been awhile," Lómebrilas said kissing her hand. Belaraniel curtsied as she was suppose to and then looked to her brother and smiled weakly. He took his sisters hand and kissed it as the prince of Mirkwood had done before her.
"Good morning princess Belaraniel, you were just elbows and knees when I last saw you," Legolas said taking her hand in his and smiling. He bowed and then left to find his friend Aragorn.
"Maybe I should have gotten you a different dress my sister… you will be the envy of our sisters," Eldarion said looking over to Calicien who was looking at him, "Calicien… you look lovely tonight as well."
"Thank you your majesty," Calicien said looking at the ground. Her golden hair was hanging in a braid over her shoulders.
"You know better then to call me that, I feel like I haven't seen you in forever… you look different. Sorry I did not give you the dress to give to Belaraniel in person… call me Eldarion I've known you since childhood," Eldarion said still standing beside his sister.
"Come Eldarion, let us mingle around with others," Lómebrilas said bowing down to Belaraniel.
"Unless your sister would like to accompany us," Lómebrilas laughed.
"Laugh all you want prince of Mirkwood, but I do not need someone to chaperone me I am perfectly capable of mingling by myself," she said feeling her cheeks getting red, no one else could tell as for her cheeks were already pink.
"That is not what I meant your…" before he could say anything Belaraniel walked passed him running into his arm. He laughed while he yelled, "My lady!"
The two girls spent the night fuming about the arrogance of prince Lómebrilas, they sat outside talking about the obvious flirtation of prince Eldarion and Calicien. Shyly Calicien denied that their was any flirting going on, Calicien was very much like Belaraniel. They both had self-esteem issues, though only difference was Belaraniel was loved by many, she was outgoing, and loud. Calicien was quiet, so not many people knew her. However the few that did could not stop themselves from loving her. Her father was never around, because he was always off doing military things. So Calicien was always at the castle helping around when she didn't have to. Belaraniel heard her father and king Legolas talking behind the wall of bushes. She sunk down so she could listen in Calicien smiled as she bent down with Belaraniel, they had always loved to spy on people since they were children.
"Wow, your daughters have grown up Aragorn," Legolas said flipping his blonde hair behind his back.
"Yes they have, so has your son Legolas. He has become a young man, how old is he now about nineteen?" Aragorn said smiling as he thought about his children.
"Yes about the same age as your son Aragorn, he came to visit us he is very talented. But your daughter Belaraniel… she use to be a scrappy little girl, always dirty and off running around," Legolas laughed with his old friend, "now she is very beautiful, and my how she has grown into a woman. Although you Belaraniel is the middle child, she is looking more and more like Arwen when she too was a youth."
"Yes, unfortunately… and no matter how hard I try I can never keep her spirits from going wild like her mothers. She is not easily tamed Legolas, she is hot headed, and when she is set on something… she will not give up. But she is the most kind of my daughters," Aragorn sighed thinking of his daughter, "don't get me wrong I love all of them, but the other girls are so much easier to contain. I just do not want them to end up like their mother almost did… to fade… which is why I've arranged marriages for them. Once Belaraniel finds out, she will not be pleased. Eldarion and Belaraniel are the only ones who take up their mothers traits, the other three girls take after me…" Belaraniel did not want to hear anymore.
She was not going to be able to choose who she marries, she would have to marry some man she did not even know. Belaraniel got up and ran out of the garden and back into the castle. Calicien tried to stop her, but Belaraniel ran with her hands over her face. Everyone stopped dancing and watched the crying princess, including Lómebrilas who stopped dancing with the beautiful maid he had been dancing with. Belaraniel who had ran past him caught his full attention, and he took flight after her. His blonde hair blew behind him and his green tunic and princely party attire gleaming under the light as he finally reached her. He grabbed her arm and she flung herself into his arms thinking it was her brother. He was in shock that she had done that, they usually never got along. Timidly he wrapped his arms around her and felt something he hadn't felt for her or anyone really… compassion.
"Belaraniel?" Lómebrilas asked pulling away. That voice did not seem familiar to her really. Eldarion walked towards them, anger crossing his face as he saw his little sister in the arms of his close friend.
"Lómebrilas! Step away from my sister," Eldarion said walking towards them. Lómebrilas did not obey the prince of Gondor's command.
"It is not as it seems my friend," Lómebrilas said looking down at the crying girl. He stood a half a foot taller then her. He was six feet tall and she was only five feet five inches.
"Lómebrilas? I thought you were my brother…" she said mortified and embarrassed. Her face turned even more red then it had been, stepping backwards away from the scene she took off up the stairs and to her room. Eldarion followed about after her ignoring his friend and then made his way into her room sitting down beside his sister and placing his arm around her.
"What happened?" he asked her as he squeezed her close to him. She told him of what she heard, and how she felt a pair of strong arms grasp her shoulders like he did and had mistaken Lómebrilas as him. He understood and slept in the room with his sister, they didn't really sleep most the night they talked about his trip and he fell asleep. She did not want to awake her brother and tell him to leave, so she let him sleep in there. Something they hadn't done since they were children.
--
Morning came and when Belaraniel had awaken her brother was gone. She heard her brother and Lómebrilas down bellow her balcony, and witnessed them mount their horses and ride off into the forest behind their castle. Belaraniel got dressed in her riding clothes and walked down to the stables. Slowly she crept into the barn and walked to a spot in the wall where a small whole sat, she grabbed a hoof pick and pulled it open. You would have not even been able to know that you could pull out that part of the wall, and that a tiny closet like room sat there behind it. Belaraniel had built it herself when she was bored. It held her bows, arrows, and swords that she had been collecting. She had bought most of her stuff from a mysterious traveler who brought over ancient and magical items over to Gondor to sell for a week during a certain month. The lady did this once a year, and had wonderful things to sale. Belaraniel always bought them, but was never able to use it. Most of her stuff except her plain bow and arrows came from the mysterious lady. She had even a set of ancient armor she had bought from the lady, but never wore fore she never had the chance to. THIS WAS HER CHANCE! So she put on the armor and grabbed one of her special bows. The bow was white and made of elven wood, it had elven symbols melted on it with silver. It was beautiful, and fit her perfectly. The armor was enchanted to feel light, and was made of the strongest material there called "mithril".
Belaraniel placed her bow and quiver on her back, then placed her favorite sword Glamthaus in her scabbard, all of the sword was made of silver, not steel, and it was very light as well. It had golden writing going up the blade, and diamonds engraved into the hilt. The mysterious lady told her it had been enchanted to bond to her and only her… the sword would know her every thought, it would be good council in a time of great need. She slipped on the armor and then she pulled her hair back and placed the helmet onto her head. Belaraniel saddled her horse and climbed on top of him.
She snapped the reigns and the black horse dashed through the open doors and raced through the open field into forest. She rode through ducking and dodging branches, meanwhile she coud hear her brother about half a mile away shooting an arrow at a bird. Belaraniel shivered when she heard the bird squawk. He had missed, but injured it. This made her sad, she didn't know they shot animals! She pulled out her bow and arrows while her horse trotted past the trees. An arrow flung past her ears, and she knew that it was Lómebrilas fore he was the only one who could hear her from that distance. She let an arrow loose and it flew between the two boys and hit the tree behind them. She rode through the rest of the trees and then pulled her horse to a stop in front of them.
"Who are you mysterious rider?" Eldarion asked sitting on his gray steed. The horse flinched underneath the prince of Gondor.
"The prince asked you who you are," Lómebrilas said loudly lifting his sword up threatening to them the mysterious intruder. They could not see the face of their attacker for "he", as they believed, wore a helmet that showed only the eyes. But many men had such blue eyes, "you are a good shooter, but how are you at hand on hand combat?" with that Lómebrilas charged Belaraniel. She bounced in her seat squeezing her legs and her horse charged the horse Lombrilas sat upon. The horse that carried the elven prince was black with white markings on his face and legs. Prince Eldarion stood back and observed the two challenge each other, he was curious who this invader was.
The swords clashed together ringing through the forest and echoing around them. Belaraniel was quick, as quick as the prince from Mirkwood. Their swords hit each others with tremendous force. He knew that he could not beat his opponent on horse back for they had great balance, so with the hilt of his sword he knocked Belaraniel off her horse. She came crashing to the ground, and from the impact winced in pain. She backed up as she saw Lómebrilas climb off of his horse and walk towards her. Getting up quickly she noticed a shooting pain in her leg, and she knew she had sprained it. She held her sword at him and frantically swung at him, he dodged it and stabbed at her. Belaraniel dodged his attempt of stabbing her and for a few minutes their swords sang together with the sound of metal upon metal. Finally Belaraniel caught him off guard slightly, and cut his arm… this left her open and the prince knocked the sword from Belaraniel's hand.
She ran under his arm as best she could without hurting her leg worst. She grabbed her bow and an arrow, this made him stop in his track. She let go of the arrow and hit the sword with a force that made it fly back and out of his hand. He looked at his opponent for a moment, and before he could run to get his sword she tackled him. This made him wondered why this mysterious person didn't just shoot him, they could have been done with him. He felt the weight upon him and tried pushing the mysterious person over. She sat on him, each leg over him as if she were on her horse holding him down while she punched him in the jaw. Prince Eldarion sat watching, wondering what was going to happen. He held his arrow ready to shoot this intruder if prince Lómebrilas could not handle the situation. Another punch was planted into the jaw of Lómebrilas. He tried punching his opponent back, but realized that the armor hurt when he bare fistedly punched it. For that Belaraniel punched him again this time really feeling the power of the large metal gloves.
Lómebrilas reached over grabbing the arrow beside him and stabbed it into the weak part of armor, right by the shoulder where the arms connect to the breast plate. She screamed out in pain, and instinctually fell off of him. The cry caught them off guard, was this person a… female? Her horse ran in front of her rearing up and kicking at Lómebrilas. She tried to pull out the arrow, but it was stuck in her skin good. She couldn't help but think the prince was much stronger then she had anticipated. She grabbed her sword and held it with one arm, although she was better with two arms, but she would not give up. Blood trickled down her silver armor, and she had finally felt how painful it was to be wounded. She charged Lómebrilas slowly and he met her sword with his own. She was much slower and not as strong, but she was still rather good. She cried out when he pushed her into a tree, and pushed on the arrow in her arm.
"What is your problem? Why don't you just leave us alone," Lómebrilas said holding her against the tree not knowing who she was. Belaraniel head butted him making him stumble back. Something inside her made her not notice the pain, maybe it was the adrenalin, but the prince was having a hard time keeping up with her. Again before he could react she head butted him making him fall to the floor, and now she was on top of him again with her sword to his throat. As this happened an arrow was planted next to them, and naturally she looked up at her brother who held the bow and another arrow aiming at her.
"Who are you? Show your face or I shall be forced to place an arrow in your skull," prince Eldarion said warningly. Belaraniel got off of prince Lómebrilas, and used one arm to try and pull off her helmet. Her hair fell down and sweat dripped from her face as she was breathing very heavily, "Belaraniel?"
"It can't be…" before Lómebrilas couldn't finish his sentence before she interrupted him.
"It can't be what your highness? You lost to a woman… by a princess?" she said with a smile. She had forgotten her injuries for the moment.
"I didn't get beat, you're the one that bleeds," he said angrily.
"That could be arranged, besides I first cut you before you stabbed me," Belaraniel said looking to the arrow, she never had enough time to look at it. The blood made her a little queasy when she saw it. Her brother stood their looking at her with a hurt look on his face, "brother…"
"I don't know you anymore Belaraniel. You've defied our father, the laws, the rules, me… you knew I wanted you to be normal respectable woman. But still you go out and learn to fight," Eldarion said looking at her ashamed, "behind all of our backs…"
"Eldarion… I'm sorry, but I couldn't be left behind just because I am a woman! Why can't I be what I want…" before she could finish an black arrow grazed her cheek. She lifted her hand to her cheek feeling the blood trickle out as she looked back at Lómebrilas thinking it was him. But she noticed it wasn't him when another one came and hit her in her chest. She flew back from the force of the arrow, which had barely punctured the surface of her armor. Eldarion ducked as he saw the small company of funny looking creatures. He had seen a drawing of them in the book of the war of the ring… Orcs.
"Go back Belaraniel! I'll stop them, go back now!" Eldarion yelled to his sister as he picked up an arrow and shot through the trees not sure exactly where they were hiding. Belaraniel hesitated not sure what to do. Lómebrilas got up and picked the tiny girl up placing her on the horse, and although Belaraniel struggled the horse took off towards the castle. The way to the castle had been blocked off swiftly as an arrow flew and knocked her off of her horse. Belaraniel let out a scream as she flung to the forest floor. Her scream echoed through the forest, making Lómebrilas and Eldarion look in her direction.
She scrambled to her feet and pulled out an arrow, one after the other she shot orcs down. Why weren't they attacking the castle? Why were they surrounding them? Why them? Belaraniel's heart could not leave her brother and Lómebrilas behind, so she climbed onto her horse and rode towards them. Before she reached the safety of her brother and the prince of Mirkwood an Orc jumped onto her smelling of blood. With a massive force she hit the floor and felt the Orc on her, he grabbed her hair and held a rusty knife to her throat. A thud could be heard making her flinch, and then the Orc fell onto her. She noticed her horse turned away from her. He had kicked the Orc! He had defended her… something she had never seen before. She pushed him off and felt a sharp pain in her injured arm. Her leg hurt, but not as bad as the arrow in her shoulder. She climbed onto her horse and rode through the way she came before, she could hear the sound of metal clinging. She prayed to the Valar that she made it in time. She pulled her bow out, and shot more Orc's running their way. She sat there shooting Orc after Orc in her brothers lead.
She felt a large pair of hands drag her down so that she fell on her back. As she looked up saw a ugly face look down at her as he said, "take the girl," in between a bunch of horrible grunts. One lifted her up making her screamed and pounded on his back yelling to put her down. Eldarion wasn't able to run after her for he was surrounded. Lómebrilas looked over at her, he pulled out his bow and pulled an arrow from the back of a dead Orc and shot the Orc with Belaraniel on his back. He unexpectedly fell forward onto her legs making her holler out in pain before she could push him off. She ran to her sword laying on the ground, and joined her brother and Lómebrilas. She used all the strength she had in her, but the Orc's seemed to be never ending. When no one was looking one of the Orc's knocked her on the back of her head, and dragged her away from the battle. Finally the Orc's seemed to be retreating further into the forest. The two princes rejoiced, and then finally noticed that Belaraniel was gone.
"My sister," Eldarion said running to his horse. Lómebrilas' horse had regretfully been slaughtered by the Orcs so he climbed onto the black horse. They raced down watching the tracks of the Orcs. Finally they came into view of them, and there being dragged behind an Orc was the princess of Gondor. Eldarion's horse in its masters desperation to get to his sister, stumbled and fell to the ground, "go after my sister!"
"I shall not fail," and with that Lómebrilas raced down as fast as possible while Eldarion tried to mend his horse. He pulled out his bow and shot one of the Orcs, he shot the next Orc, and silently they fell with out the rest of the band of Orcs' knowing. He slowed the horse down and picked up the dirt covered girl, there was scrapes and bruises from being drug across the forest floor. He lifted her into his arms and looked down at her face, covered in dirt, with scratches, and the mark from the arrow grazing her face, it was being infected. He lifted her onto her horse, and then quickly climbed behind her holding her in place. Lómebrilas trotted the horse to where Eldarion sat making sure his horse could properly walk. Then together they slowly rode back so that the horse would not re-injure his foot. Finally the white city of Gondor came into view. Both men were sweating and tired, Eldarion's horse limped into the city as Belaraniel's horse walked with his head hung low, he had never ran or worked so much or hard before. They walked through the barn doors at the same time Calicien walked in smiling to see them all return, her mouth dropped and terror struck her face when she saw Belaraniel's limp body.
"Lómebrilas you are an elf, can you mend her injuries while I go and tell my father of what I have seen. Calicien here is good at helping, just wash her off, use a little…" before he could finish Lómebrilas cut him off.
"Go along my dear friend, I will take good care of princess Belaraniel. She saved us today by returning, so I shall not fail in treating her wounds. But you must come to help me take out the arrow, I do not think her friend will be capable to hear her friend cry the way she will you are a little stronger. Now go and warn our fathers, but be wise about what you say…" Lómebrilas said holding Belaraniel in his arms.
"Whatever do you mean?" Eldarion asked confused. Lómebrilas looked down at Belaraniel and the prince of Gondor then understood what he meant. His sister could get into a lot of trouble if their father found out, so he would wait until the proper time. Calicien put the horses away and had the stable hand check out Eldarion's horse, meanwhile Lómebrilas took Belaraniel to her room. Not too long after Calicien met them up there and got a bowl of water and a rag to wash off her face, and a bigger one to wash Belaraniel's hair. He told her what plants to go and get, how to mix them, and to bring it back. He then slowly dabbed at her face and washed off the blood and dirt. The bowl of water was full of blood by the time he was done washing off her face.
The cut on her face wasn't that bad, it didn't need to be stitched up or anything. It stopped bleeding on it's own so he undid her hair and softly placed it in the water. He used some of her soft violet smelling soap and rinsed the dirt and twigs from her hair. He couldn't help but watch her closely, she had actually beaten him today. She had him on the ground, and had him beat. Yet she laid there helpless, asleep, needing him, and he couldn't keep his eyes off of her. She looked like such an angel with her pale skin, closed blue eyes, and the way his rough hands tingled when it touched her smooth soft skin. He quickly shook the thoughts away as he lifted her hair out of the water, and then rested her head on his leg so he could ring her hair out in the small wooden basin. He looked from her pale face down to the blood stained armor, how could something so tiny, fragile, innocent, where such heavy and powerful metal? How could those soft hands grip the bow and pull the string back so hard? How could those tiny arms swing around the sword… who was she? All of the days when they were younger ran through his mind, he had never thought she could be anything but like a little mouse, and here she was a young woman of seventeen.
His head turned to the door and he stopped touching her face when Calicien walked in, and although she did she pretended she hadn't seen anything. She hastily brought over the medicines he had asked for. Together they applied the green stuff over her scratches, and over the large cut on her face so that her soft skin would not scar. He told her to go and get Eldarion, that they needed to look at Belaraniel's leg and pull out the arrow. Calicien left the room, and then he slowly began to unfasten the armor. He worried about what was under the armor, so he laid her on her bed and grabbed a dress from her closet. He returned and laid the dress on her bed, and began to slowly unhooked the armor. Belaraniel woke up and looked at him, then tried to role over but every part of her burned with pain.
"Don't move, you'll only make things worst. Don't worry, I'm here to help you. Now I am only taking off the armor, I need to look at your wounds," Lómebrilas said as he un fastened her breast plate. He then softly took off the bottom part of her armor. All that was left was the shoulder pads, he slowly pulled those off making her wince. He picked up her hand and kissed it softly, "forgive me if that hurt."
"It's fine," she said looking up at him and swallowing, "where is my brother?"
"He went to inform your father of the Orcs, he told me take care of you. I am sure he is on his way up," he said helping her sit up so he could pull the soft purple dress over her head. He then took a knife, and then put it towards her.
"Wait, wait… what are you doing with that, I didn't mean to attack you in the woods," she said hastily trying to move.
"Calm down your majesty, no hard feelings I except that you beat me. I just wonder why someone like yourself would have such skills," he said cutting the material around the neck so that it would be easier to pull out the arrow.
"I'm scared… am I going to die?" Belaraniel asked nervously as a tear formed in her eye.
"No my lady you will not die, and don't be scared… I am here after all I saved you," he said arrogantly. She rolled her eyes but didn't feel like arguing. Her brother entered the room looking at the two. He walked to her side and looked at her leg, he cringed as he realized it had been pulled out of the socket. It didn't look that bad when she was fighting, it must have happened when she was pulled off her horse, and when she had the Orc fall on her legs, or maybe even from when they dragged her fore they dragged her by the legs.
"Look…" Eldarion said to Lómebrilas. Lómebrilas didn't need to… he already knew, he had already seen it.
"I've seen it, but I am not good at that kind of thing," he said to Eldarion nervously.
"Hold her still, and shield her eyes. I have to do it," Eldarion said sitting down at the bottom of the bed. Lómebrilas sat in front of Belaraniel and lifted her into his arms, her face buried in his chest. She screamed out as her brother yanked on her leg and pushed it back in, tears filled her eyes and her nails found Lómebrilas' chest. He clinched tightly because she had a good grip, she was losing her strength and she began to slide down him so he held her tight. She sobbed silently into his arms, why hadn't they gotten hurt? They got by with a few little scratches, and Lómebrilas had the cut on his arm from her. He told her to turn around, she slowly did with tears piercing her burning eyes. He held her there talking into her ear in elvish, his words were comforting even though she couldn't understand because she was in so much pain, "this is going to hurt, we are going to need something to stop the bleeding."
Calicien came in holding a few rags as if knowing what they were thinking. She stayed there and held Belaraniel's hand. Eldarion gripped the arrow, and breathed a couple times with tears in his eyes. In all of his life he never dreamed he'd be pulling an arrow out of his sister. However thankfully It wasn't fatal, unless she bled to death. His grip on the arrow was firm, and he breathed heavier and heavier as he repeated mentally, 'I cant do it, I can't…' and as if Calicien knew what he was thinking she placed a hand on his shoulder. He then closed his eyes, and pulled on it hard as if ripped through her skin fresh blood spattering out and soaking the ripped purple dress staining it black. She screamed out in pain and tried to pull away from Lómebrilas, she squirmed and cried as the others tried to place the rags on it to stop the bleeding.
"LAY HER DOWN!" Eldarion yelled as Lómebrilas held her down. He held her hands to the bed and talked softly into her ear. He was telling her she'd be alright, and all other kinds of soothing things. She nodded to him as she slowly started closing her eyes for she was feeling tired. "Stay awake, Belaraniel, stay awake, it's almost over."
"I'm so tired, I can't…" she said closing her eyes as the blood dripped down her chest and past her neck.
"Belaraniel… you must stay awake… stay with me… look at me…" Lómebrilas said placing his hand on her face. She looked into his eyes and nodded yes, but she started to doze off again, "stay with me! Look into my eyes, if you go to sleep you might not wake up… your brother and friend do not want that to happen… I don't either," he said not wanting her to feel bad. He would be sad if she died, but it would not kill him, he barely knew her. She looked at him and nodded, Calicien got a needle and thread, and they stitched it up quickly. Once the wound was clean and stitched up they let her sleep. They were relieved it was over, because now she'd be fine. Eldarion had never noticed how much blood she had lost, he moved her armor into her closet. Before closing the door to her closet he glanced at the armor once more noticing it was sticky with blood on the inside. He closed her closet just as their father Aragorn walked in and looked at his daughter then to his son.
Chapter 2: They day after tomorrow
"Why did you not tell me of your sister?" Aragorn yelled pushing Lómebrilas away from her so he could sit beside her. He felt her forehead, she had no fever. But he noticed the blood that soaked her sheets, the water in the basin's, the rags, her dress, the arrow that was covered in blood, and the blood on both the boys… blood that was not on Eldarion before he came into the room. He loudly spoke to his son again, "what happened to her? You were to watch her?! Why was she out there?!"
"She followed us father, she wanted to spy on us as she did when she was younger. We were attacked by Orc's father as I told you, Belaraniel had found one of the dead Orc's bow and arrows and she shot them! Not very well, but very good for someone who is not accustomed to it. She is a natural father, that was until she was shot in the arm, knocked off her horse, and dragged through the forest by the Orcs. I think they wanted her though, because once they had her they retreated. Why would they want her? Or was it a coincidence?" Eldarion asked curiously.
"I do not know my son. It could be a coincidence, or they could have a plan. She is not as strong as you…" Aragorn began as Lómebrilas looked at Eldarion like 'yeah right,' for she had surprisingly, un-knowledgably to Aragorn, beaten Lómebrilas, "they could have used her as bait for you… or me, or just to get information. I must tell you though, I sent a scout out after you told me what has happened. I think that we are about to begin another war. Your father was told by Gimli that something was stirring towards the north. Orcs, the ones left over have been regrouping, they have been building troops, they've created a new enemy, a new species… deadlier then Orc's, but weaker."
"If they are weaker, how can they be deadlier?" Lómebrilas asked curiously.
"Well son of Legolas Greenleaf, they are smarter," Aragorn said standing up after kissing his daughters forehead, "but enough of this talk. I only told you this so you know we are doing something. And that your father and I Lómebrilas… may go off to war."
--
A night and day fell and still the princess of Gondor slept. When she awoke she had been bandaged up, and in a fresh dress. She slowly got up and walked to her closet, her armor still sat there. 'My sword!' she thought. She had to go into the woods again. She couldn't ask her brother, he would not go with her and he would not allow her to go alone. 'Oh no I can't ask him, he's so arrogant. He has been kind to me, but he'll make fun of me for losing my sword… but I have no choice fore he will probably go,' she thought to herself with a sigh.
She slowly slipped out of her room and into the guest room that Lómebrilas was staying in. He had been sitting in a chair at a wooden desk writing when she came in. He looked at her in shock when her figure appeared in the dim candle light, and slowly she closed the room behind her quietly. It was getting late and everyone was retiring to their rooms to get some sleep. But why was everyone going to sleep early. She had missed a whole day and a half, so she was a little lost on what time and day it was.
"What are you doing here Belaraniel?" Lómebrilas asked curiously. He set his quill down on his parchment and turned to her full of curiosity.
"What are you doing right now?" Belaraniel said stalling.
"I'm writing down a thought," he said looking to the piece of paper, "for my journal."
"What are you writing about?" she asked swallowing nervously.
"About what happened today, my father agreed with your father that I am too marry your eldest sister," he said thinking of the brown haired beauty, Belaraniel's older sister Crirawen.
"Oh… what? You, are?" she said swallowing again. For an instant their eyes met and he wanted to deny it. Though he did not know why, because the oldest princess of Gondor was the most beautiful girl in all the lands of Gondor. She looked nothing like her mother Arwen so they didn't know where she got her beauty from, however her major flaw was she was very self absorbed.
"Yes, it is what is best for both kingdoms. That is if I come back from battle…" before he could finish Belaraniel cut in.
"Battle?" she gasped and put one hand to her heart and placed her other hand over it in shock.
"Yes… but you are still unstable we should not talk of it just yet. Your brother would not be pleased. Was there something you wanted?" Lómebrilas asked her as he pushed some of his long blonde hair behind his shoulder. Belaraniel tried to say something, but could only back up nervously trying to make it to the door. She only succeeded in mostly making a fool of herself. He wanted to laugh, but found it would be inappropriate. 'He will tell my brother,' she thought as she backed into the door. "Belaraniel? You must want something… if you just wished to talk we can talk tomorrow. You need your rest, I need some rest as well, unless… there is something I could help you with. I'd be more then pleased to help."
"Actually," she said trying to stand tall. She had never faltered like that before, she would not be afraid of someone who tormented her for fun when she was younger. He dipped his head down a little squinted his eyes trying to figure her out. She swallowed and then spoke again, "I've lost my special sword. I need to go back and find it in the forest, and wondered if you would go with me. I'd fear to get caught alone."
"You lost your sword?" he laughed out loud. Belaraniel knew this would happen. She scratched her head and made a hand movement that neither knew what was. Whether she was trying to dismiss him, or swat a fly it was as much a mystery to her as she stumbled to turn around. He got up and grabbed her arm, "I will go with you."
--
The two snuck out of the castle and down to the stables. She heard her horse nicker a greeting to her as she entered the stable. Quickly Belaraniel grabbed her black saddle and saddled up her horse. She then grabbed the hoof pick and opened the door, the prince of Mirkwood looked at her curiously.
"You've hidden your stuff here?" he asked her as he looked at all the weaponry. Beautiful bows, and special arrows. Even special swords, and enchanted arrows. She nodded her head yes as she grabbed a regular sword and a bow like the one from earlier. She grabbed some regular arrows, she never would use her special arrows unless she had to, "you made this place… all by yourself?" he asked her as he touched a beautiful large bow made of gold. She looked at him and smiled, she nodded again as she filled her quiver. He turned to her after lifting a sharp sword, "you have swords, beautiful swords… why do you want to go after a different sword?"
"Because… it's a different sword my lord, a special sword. Enchanted one would say, it knows me best, works with me, and is lighter then rest. Its said that it will help me when I need it the most, when I need council it will give me the advice I seek," she said as she placed a light weight sword into her scabbard around her waist.
"And you believe it?" he asked almost laughing at her again.
"Every word," she said climbing onto her horse without hesitation. He sighed before grabbing one of the brown war horses and saddling him up. Together they grabbed a torch, lit it, then rode out into the night.
They raced through the forest slower then usual, because they couldn't see very well even with their elven sight. She heard some noise moving through the trees, but dismissed it. They came to the spot where they battled, there her beautiful sword laid in the pale moons spot light. It shined and gleamed, and seemed to glow almost the way Lómebrilas and the rest of his full elven kind did.
"Wow, it is beautiful… I never noticed, I suppose that was because you were trying to kill me with it," he said walking his horse behind hers.
"Not kill… teach you a lesson, my dear prince. Now we may leave…" she said before she heard some grunting and a voice again.
"Over here maggots! We need to set up properly. We got the kings foolish scout thinking we are heading towards Rohan and when he leaves for Rohan to fight our tiny army we sent there, the rest of us plus the ten legions that Pirg is sending will destroy Gondor. Along with killing all of their woman and children, and capture that gate bird. So we must be prepared, the day after tomorrow during the night we feast on the flesh of Gondor's villagers… and scummy royal woman. The princess will wish we killed her like we will the rest of her family. Then we take Rohan, and then Mirkwood," the Orc leader said throwing his arms into the air. Around a thousand Orc's that camped in the forest roared with laughter.
"Are their heads full of air? Why are they so thickheaded that they would be this close to the city?" Belaraniel said shaking nervously.
"That's not the problem, come on lets go…" he said grabbing her hand and pulling her to their horses. They both climbed onto the horses and ran off towards the castle. Twenty minutes later they reached the stables and put their horses up. "What do we do? your father will kill me if he finds out I took you out there. But they must know, I have an Idea! I'll tell him I lost my sword, and I'll ask your brother to cover me saying he went as well that we saw the Orc's and heard them. You were never there ok? Now put your sword away," he ordered hastily looking around. Once she put the sword in the closet and shut it he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of there. He was walking so fast she had to jog cause he was pulling her along.
"Careful…" she wined talking about her shoulder. The scratches on her face reminded her of the day when they battled the horrible Orcs.
"I'm sorry," he held her hand leading her through the dark. Eldarion walked out and saw the two outside with their hands together. They both stopped and looked at the prince. dropping the other's hand. They knew what Eldarion was going to think.
"What is going on?" he said trying to keep his cool, "you are marrying Crirawen. You're going to hurt my sister," he said grabbing his sisters hand and pulling her to him.
"It's not what it seems… I know I am marrying her I was just trying to lead her safely through the dark. We have something we must tell you, but you must not get angry," Lómebrilas said nervously.
"Oh no… you didn't do anything disgraceful did you?" Eldarion said letting go of his sisters hand.
"Of course not! With him? NEVER!" Belaraniel said looking at her brother with a disgusted look on her face. Lómebrilas' face turned red slightly from anger, and Eldarion laughed out loud.
"Of course not… come tell me of what you wish to share," Eldarion said to his friend. They walked into the castle and Lómebrilas told him everything that happened. Eldarion stopped his sister and looked to his friend, "you risked my sisters safety! Why didn't you come to me? We could have went and looked for it."
"That is not the problem at hand Eldarion, the day after tomorrow we go off to battle my friend, to a battle that is a trap. They are sending a tiny band of Orc… the rest will stay here… and destroy this city. Take your sister, and by the way they said the one who got away, I am assuming Belaraniel. We have to tell the king, but he must not know of your sisters adventure into the dangerous woods. It must be that you and I left…" prince Lómebrilas said looking to Belaraniel.
"Lie?" Eldarion asked nervously. He was not good at lying, he had never really lied in his life. Lómebrilas nodded his head yes.
"You did it earlier Eldarion think of your sister, and we won't be… lying… only not telling the full truth. This is important Eldarion…" Lómebrilas said looking at Eldarion. The prince of Gondor agreed and they awoke their fathers. They told them everything, except about Belaraniel.
"Our scouts saw them heading towards Rohan boys… you must be mistaken," Aragorn said looking at Legolas.
"Aragorn… I think that we should leave half of your men, I shall send some of my men from Mirkwood here to defend as well. I think we should listen to our sons, our peoples future kings. They would not pull such pranks my friend," Legolas said looking at the boys.
"We should take Belaraniel with us," Lómebrilas said looking to king Aragorn.
"We will not take my daughter! She had just been wounded. She will stay here," Aragorn said standing up.
"But they are going to try and take your daughter your majesty! You will never see her again without us here to protect her or to take her with us," Lómebrilas said thinking that the king would not chose them to stay.
"Then stay, you can choose stay and protect my daughter… or go to war with the rest of us men," Aragorn said looking at the son of Legolas, he looked so much like him, and was becoming very skilled like his father. It was like looking at Legolas back in the war of the ring, "well what is your choice?"
"I choose to go to war," Lómebrilas said looking down. He had betrayed his instinct to stay with his friends sister… his friend. Eldarion looked at unsure what to think Lómebrilas.
"She will be safe, I more then anyone want my daughter to be safe," Aragorn said still standing. Lómebrilas walked towards the door, where Belaraniel sat listening.
"Obviously not enough," he said opening the door, Belaraniel looked in at her father. Belaraniel looked at Lómebrilas, he took her hand and led her away from the room. They all watched the two turn the corner.
"Is there something going on between…" before Legolas could finish his sentence Eldarion interrupted.
"They deny it… so I assume that is a negative King Legolas," Eldarion said as he started walking towards the door. And when he turned the corner he ran after his sister and his friend. Eldarion found them talking on the staircase.
"You did not need to say such things Lómebrilas," Eldarion said thinking of his father who was very worried, "he cares…"
"He did nothing…" Lómebrilas began before Eldarion interrupted him.
"You did nothing! You had the choice to stay with her… but you want to prove you are a man," Eldarion said quickly.
"But I still tried to defend her unlike you Eldarion. Look at her, will you be able to forgive yourself if someone takes her life?" Lómebrilas said still standing beside Belaraniel. Why did he care? They didn't know each other that well, and Belaraniel still had problems with him for the way he use to treat her.
"Why are you so close to my sister? Why do you care? You've got our fathers thinking you two are an item… and I am not too convinced that you aren't myself," Eldarion said changing the subject.
"There is nothing going on, I've always seen her as a sister to me," he said lying to them and to himself.
"You will never love her more then I do Lómebrilas," Eldarion said grabbing his sisters hand.
"Never said that I would Eldarion, I'm just saying… I've always seen her as a sister, and recently… I've gotten to know her better. I love her like a sister," he said trying to defend himself. Was he being serious? Did he really see her as a sister? None of them could seem to figure it out, especially Lómebrilas.
"Enough Lómebrilas… get some sleep tomorrow night we have a celebration, then the morning after tomorrow we ride for Rohan. Belaraniel… let us go," Eldarion said walking his sister to her room. Belaraniel stopped before entering her room fully and turned to her brother.
"Eldarion… he is right I should go I am not safe here," Belaraniel said nervously, "I'm scared."
"You know I would never do anything that would jeopardize your life. But I must go for Rohan, they need Gondor. We must not let the enemy know our plan…" Eldarion said nervously.
"Are you ready though brother? To leave your home? to possibly die… to leave me behind?" Belaraniel said shaking from nervousness.
"I am afraid to lose you… not to die, not to be lost, but for you to die my dear sister. But we must not think of that, go to sleep morning shall come and with it many possibilities," Eldarion said kissing his sisters hand and leaving. Belaraniel stood there watching him disappear down the halls.
--
Eldarion was right, morning came and with it fresh air, new possibilities, new obstacles, and new promise for something better. She ran to her closet and put on a fresh dress. She noticed her mithril armor sitting there still blood soaked. She made a mental note that after the party she would wash it off, and place it back in her little closet where it belonged. Hastily she walked to the dinning hall. Fresh pastries, fruit, eggs, bacon, ham, and all kinds of delicious foods awaited amongst the eating crowd. She looked at her father and mother sitting at the head of the table, Legolas sat beside his son, but her brother was not present. Calicien had also been at the table wondering where Eldarion was. Lómebrilas looked over at Belaraniel and for an instant their eyes met, he then turned his attention to the oldest princess sitting in front of him. They joked and laughed, making Belaraniel slightly mad. She grabbed a pastry and left to find her brother.
She looked all over the castle and decided that she would check one more spot… the stables. She walked swiftly still picking at her jelly filled pastry. When she entered the stables she saw her brother sitting in a stall. She quickly opened the door her maroon dress stuck to the breeze around her. She heard some whining coming from the horses, and some soft snorts. She fell to her knees, her brother smelled of fire whisky. 'Eldarion,' she said to her self.
"Eldarion…" she said nudging him. He looked up at her with blood shot eyes. His hand found her face.
"Dear Belaraniel, kind maid, sweet sister," he said sitting in the hay. Belaraniel felt a tear run down her cheek, why did she always have to say the wrong things to her brother.
"I'm so sorry Eldarion…" she cried grabbing his hand and holding it with her own.
"Don't cry, don't be sorry I am sorry, I should stay with you… I will stay with you," he said looking down almost falling forward.
"You are drunk, you know not what you say," she said lifting up his face with both of her hands. He shook her hands away.
"I am not drunk! I do know what I am saying! I will be here for you! I will… I will not fail you as I always do," he said pushing her away.
"Stay here, I'll be back…" she said shutting the barn door and locking it so he couldn't get out. She ran into the castle and into the dining hall. Breathing heavily she spoke, "Prince Lómebrilas… please come with me."
"What is wrong?" Aragorn asked looking at his frantic daughter. Belaraniel turned around to leave, Lómebrilas bowed to the King of Gondor and then ran off after her. Belaraniel stopped where no one would see her. Lómebrilas turned down the corner and saw Belaraniel standing there waiting for him.
"Are you alright? What happened?" Lómebrilas asked holding her elbows and looking down at her.
"Just… follow me," she contemplated before running off towards the stables. Finally the two closed in on the large stables that held many of the royal horses. She heard Eldarion yelling and shaking the stable door, which caused Lómebrilas to look at her curiously. He then walked to the stable door and opened it, a shoulder lengthen brown haired young man fell out. The prince of Mirkwood then identified the man as the prince of Gondor, Eldarion. The liquor protruded from the prince of men.
"Let me go," Eldarion said pushing his friend away from him. The next thing they knew Eldarion was pushing Lómebrilas.
"You've been trying to take my sister away from me. You are aren't you? Trying to make her prefer you… aren't you? You can have her…" Eldarion began, before he could finish his sentence Lómebrilas punched the prince in the face so hard Eldarion fell to the floor and was unconscious. Belaraniel screamed as her brother hit the floor.
"I'm sorry… are you ok?" Lómebrilas asked walking to her and placing his hands on her shoulders. She nodded yes, then slowly and timidly walked to her brother.
"Let us take my brother to my room, here help me carry him," Belaraniel said lifting up her brother. Together they carried Eldarion to Belaraniel's room. She gathered some water and a rag, she soaked his face while he slept it off. Calicien came up to check on Belaraniel and saw the prince sleeping on his sisters bed, so she took over cooling off the sweat coming from Eldarion's face. Prince Lómebrilas walked her down to the stables so she could grab a sword for protection to place in her room. They didn't say a word, for they were still a little uncomfortable.
"I bet you must be ready to return home…" Belaraniel said laughing.
"What ever do you mean my lady?" Lómebrilas asked curiously as he turned his head to glance at her. She did not return the stare, merely fiddled with her dress.
"Well… our family is quite odd. Barely fit to rule our great nation," she said putting her head down.
"Don't not talk with such foolishness Belaraniel. You will make whomever you must marry very happy, you will be a great queen. I must admit that you are very outspoken, rebellious, and adventurous to be a queen, but never will you be a regular… boring queen like your sisters will. I guarantee wherever you rule… it will be the most favorite place to travel. I am glad I came," he said looking at her as they stood in the stables. He had never noticed how exhilarating it was to not be near a normal woman. Her childishness was something hard to find, something that made the days fun. He smiled as he said, "besides, I don't think that anyone will be attacking your nation once they see the queens great skills."
"Oh please my lord your flattery is unbefitting… you say that cause you have to, you are trying so hard I almost feel bad," she laughed before walking past him to the door.
"Belaraniel…" he said seriously. She stopped and turned to face him caught off guard when he walked up to her slowly, "I mean it… and when I must go I shall miss you," she looked at him in shock. What had he said? He was standing so close she thought she could feel him breathing, but it was probably just the pounding of her heart. She was not the most beautiful woman and she knew this, but her personality blinded you from seeing that. Just then the doors open and Arwen walked in. She stood there looking at the two and then turned in shock quickly exiting. Belaraniel looked back at him then turned to run, but before she could he grabbed her arm stopping her.
"What do you want?" she asked looking at him and then to the door that just closed, "my mother probably thinks…"
"I don't care what anyone thinks Belaraniel. You asked me what I wanted… and I will not lie to you. There is something about you… something that's got me thinking," he said interrupting her.
"You teased me when I was a younger, this kind of teasing hurts and will not be tolerated," she said trying to pull her wrist from his large hands.
"I am not teasing, I am not kidding, I am not joking… Belaraniel listen to me," he said quickly as he watched her blue eyes fill wither anger and sadness. The confusion was well concealed behind both other emotions.
"You're marrying my sister!" she yelled finally succeeding in freeing herself from his grasp. She ran out the door ignoring him calling out her name and just kept running trying to get the scene burnt into her head out. He ran out after her finally catching up to her and stopping her.
"I don't care that I am Belaraniel!" he yelled to her, she walked faster trying to hold back tears. This was not a funny joke at all.
"I do! Now leave me alone!" she yelled before jogging off to the castle again leaving a shocked Lómebrilas standing in the grassy field.
For the rest of the day she attended to her brother thinking of her and Lómebrilas' conversation. Calicien was the one there when the prince of Gondor had awaken. He smiled at her glowing face, he no longer was drunk. He had slept for a long time, they had half an hour until the party started. It was out in the great garden this time, large decorations were being hung, and a new dress for the princesses were being made. The ladies came in took down measures from every end. They joked and laughed like they always could with Belaraniel, unlike her sisters who hated jokes and laughter especially from servants and people working for them. But that time she was nor laughing or joking with them like she use to. When they asked her what was wrong she told them gloomily. They all awed as they thought of how handsome the young princess was.
Elf's were always the center of attention, beautiful, graceful, and pleasing to look at. But Belaraniel looked passed all that, the king and prince of Mirkwood were the only elf's she had really seen, besides her mother and grandfather that is. Her grandfather had left over the sea long ago, but he loved her, he enjoyed her company, she missed him dearly. Finally her brother was feeling better and he dressed up in his formal wear. He smiled at his sister who twirled around in a royal blue dress, it looked like the one that Eldarion picked up in Rohan. Only this time their was a band around the waist and the dress flowed out beautiful, and dragged behind her longer then the other one. At the end of the long wing like arms was a silver ring that went on each middle finger. A beautiful necklace and crown were crafted from silver by the craftsmen's. She felt beautiful. To many she looked beautiful.
Her brother and her walked side by side down the stairs, and out the castle doors into the courtyard and garden. It was full of laughter, joy, music, and liveliness. Did they not know that this party was because their men would be living? Their king was leaving? And that their prince was leaving? Her brother and her had not really talked since he woke up, he was ashamed, and she was scared. But still they looked beautiful together, like brother and sister, like one. Blood to blood they were bonded together in friendship, and in the love of a family. He smiled at her shyly, he then held out his hand and she laughed as she took it. He twirled her around her dress flowing out before he led her to the dance floor. For awhile they danced around the floor alongside all the other men and woman. She caught Lómebrilas looking over at them, he was dancing with her older sister Crirawen. She stared at him as her brother and her danced, her brother caught notice of this.
"Sister, let us take a walk," he said letting go of one of her hands and leading her with the other hand. Belaraniel followed her brother out further into the garden where no one was.
"Beautiful night isn't it?" Belaraniel asked looking out over her city, and to the sky. The stars twinkled and danced along with the happy folk.
"It is," he said walking alongside her with his hands behind his back as he looked around the garden, "I always took it for granted, never thinking that one day I could stop looking at this beautiful garden."
"Oh Eldarion!" she cried out turning around and hugging him, "please don't go, you said you wouldn't and I know you were drunk when you said it but please don't go!"
"I have to I can't stay here. You know I want to, I want to stay here with you… and Calicien," he said squeezing her tight. She cried in his arms. He swallowed before speaking again, "but my most concern is your relationship with prince Lómebrilas. I know that you both say there is nothing going on between you two… physically. But what about your hearts? What goes on between you two in your hearts?"
"Eldarion…" she said pulling away and walking to a wall looking out to the mountains and forests far away, places she wanted to see but never got to see.
"Seriously A'maelamin erya (Seriously My dear sister)," Eldarion said speaking the language of his mothers people. Both his mother and father spoke elven so they thought it wise to teach their children if they were willing to learn.
"Seriously what?" she asked not looking at him.
"What is going on? I saw the way you two watched each other," Eldarion said seriously.
"It's another cruel joke of his," she said sourly.
"There was no joke in his eyes Arwenamin (My lady)," Eldarion said seriously. She just gazed off at the stars.
"He is marrying Crirawen, I can not compete with that. I want nothing to do with him," she lied to herself more so then him.
"You lie and I know it, your eyes give it away. But it is good that you stay away, do not forget sister, we are part elf love could destroy us. That is why father wishes to choose your husband, so that you cannot die of heart break like mother almost did. She told me that she was going to leave Middle Earth during the war, until she saw an image of the future. She saw me running into our fathers arms. She would have and could have died, father and mother do not wish such a fate on you, or any of us," Eldarion said thinking of the fact he could never be with Calicien.
"They should let us choose whether we want to risk it or not, love is worth risking it. But do not worry brother, I will not bother with prince Lómebrilas," she said very monotone.
"Do not worry sister… I will return to you. Shall we go back?" Eldarion said seeing Calicien walking out of the castle dressed beautifully.
"She is dressed up because her father is here tonight, he is leaving with you and the men tomorrow morning. So he thought he'd come home a day early so he could see his daughter," Belaraniel said walking towards the party where a group of elves also had joined in.
"Those are the generals of Legolas' army. That there is Thrédith, very young is he not? He is second to best in fighting in Mirkwood, Lómebrilas and Legolas are obviously in first. He is young to, but such talent he has. Though he is how should I put it… a Ascarer (impetuous one) he doesn't think sometimes kind of like you," he laughed. Belaraniel got an angry face and punched him in the arm hard. He laughed harder, "you hit like a princess," he teased, with that he got a hard punch in the chest making him stumble back and gasp for air a minute. He looked at her in shock, he was only kidding. Belaraniel walked up to the elf generals and introduced herself.
"Well introduced my lady, it is a pleasure to meet a princess of Gondor," Thrédith said his long blond hair falling forward as he kissed her hand. She blushed and he smiled wider, by the way he pranced around through the place, you could tell he was arrogant. He followed her around, dancing with her most of the night. This made Lómebrilas jealous, though he tried to shrug it off. He mostly wondered why she chose to spend the night dancing with that air headed fool, rather then him… the prince of Mirkwood. In fact he was going to ask her. He walked up to her while she was dancing with the handsome general. The general did not mind, he went around and flirted with other high woman of Gondor. Though he was being stalked and idolized by the youngest princess of Gondor Kaoiwia, she was only fifteen.
The second oldest daughter Haiweth was talking to her father, that was when she was told she was being married off to the prince of Rohan. He was indeed a well known prince, brave and strong, not the cutest… but he was not ugly, which Haiweth thanked the Valar for. Haiweth went to her sister Belaraniel and told her of the news. Belaraniel smiled and hugged her sister, Lómebrilas got impatient as he saw his future wife walking towards him and not with a happy face. He never realized how a beautiful face could look so ugly to him, and a face so plain to him like Belaraniel's could look so unbelievably beautiful. She never did go out of her way to look nice like the other princesses, but if she did she would look lovely, like tonight. When he asked her his question of why she'd rather spend the night dancing with the general, then spend it with him the prince of Mirkwood, she simply told him… 'Because you use your title to when the hearts of those who wish to not be won over,' she had then ran off and that was her response. He ran after her again. She had barely made it to the stairs before he caught up to her.
"What do you want from me?" she asked not understanding why he wasn't leaving her alone.
"I've been always told what I can and can't be, what I can and can't do, then I was giving up and giving in, and then I came here and you showed me a new way to be. Belaraniel you were holding the key to my cell, and now I am… show me the way and I'll try and get there. I know that this life sentence that I am suppose to serve, I admit I am every bit deserving, but something no one knows is that I've been housing doubt and insecurity about becoming the king, about being someone that I don't want to be, and I… when we were younger I fought you for so long. I should have let you in, and I regret it, everything I did, I did it because I wanted to know you and not seem like I wanted to… teasing you was the closest I could be to you, because your other sisters didn't care, I was nothing to them, and now I am only a pair of blue eyes, and a title. Yet some how you made me feel like someone else," he said nervously, his hands were shaking as he held her wrist. She sat there in shock, she would not give in so easily.
"Why now? Why… why?" she asked not knowing what else to say.
"Because until recently I never understood why you were so exhilarating to be around, you're your own person Belaraniel. You don't let people tell you who to be, you aren't what everyone thinks you should be like your sister, you make up your own mind. You have it all together," he said walking closer to her and touching her face. She pulled away not realizing she was killing him inside.
"That's not enough," she said looking up into his deep blue eyes, they seemed to surround her, getting deep into her, into her heart.
"Nothing is enough, except you. I know I'll never be the kind of person you deserve to be near you, but I can't help it. I am getting into you… because you got to me. You've bettered me, you've made me want to be better… for you," he said swallowing before saying, "I want to love you with me life."
"But," she said letting a tear fall and looking away, he pulled her to him and his lips found hers. She did not pull away, but once his lips left her she softly said, "what am I getting myself into?"
"I love you Belaraniel, that's what your getting yourself into," he smiled down at her.
"I cannot do this… I can't," she cried and ran up the stairs. He sat on the staircase and his head fell into his hands. Why did he care, why did it hurt, why? Why was a good question, he was afraid to know the answer… because his heart was falling faster. There was one thing he forgot to tell her. That he had waited for a reason to see her, that every time she walked into a room she made him weak, that he loved her since they were children. Though what he thought was playfulness, she found harsh and hated him for. Now he had to try anything to be with her.
--
Morning came and with it sadness and eagerness. So much was going on, everyone was packing to leave for war, and an prince and princess from two different countries cried inside their hearts. She slowly brushed her hair and placed on another dress. She had a bunch of new dresses made, and threw out all her old baggy ones. She looked at her new beautiful collection, including a pair of riding clothes. She sighed as she flattened out the red cotton dress and tied her hair back with a bow. She wiped her hand across a tear as she looked at herself in her mirror. For a second Belaraniel looked at the sword that was placed behind the large mirror. She then walked out and down to the dinning hall where the generals, kings, and princes had their last meals with the queen and princesses of Gondor.
Everyone looked at her walk to the table and sit down beside her best friend Calicien who was talking happily to her father. There was an unpleasant look on Eldarion's face, he glared at Lómebrilas, when he looked at her he looked disappointed. She tried to brush it off as a bad day, and ate her food quietly. It was the first time that she was quiet at any meal time, usually she was lively, making the whole table laugh with her jokes, and the things she did to get on peoples nerves. She looked to Lómebrilas who sat by Crirawen, he glanced over at her before looking down. She looked at her brother who was still glaring at both of them. Calicien got up and cleared plates before going to prepare the horses. As this happened Eldarion got up and left out the opposite doors. Belaraniel thought she should talk to her brother before he left so she got up to go and find him. Lómebrilas waited a few minutes before getting up not wanting it to be obvious. Belaraniel walked around the corner and saw Calicien and Eldarion in a tender embrace. She smiled before walking off. Lómebrilas came to her and stood in front of her.
"You do not need to say anything, but I wanted to say good bye. Maybe we will see each other again," he bowed before leaving her there. She sat there feeling her bottom lip shake trying to hold back tears. He had changed his mind about her. She wanted to tell him about her dream… one she had since he had returned. The dream that kept haunting her. Eldarion walked around the corner and stopped looking at his teary eyed sister.
"I told you you'd get hurt," he said walking past her.
"You don't even want to say good bye," she cried to him.
"You lied to me, you promised you'd stay away from him… I saw you two last night kissing," with that her brother walked off. Tears fell from her eyes as both men she loved walked away from her, leaving for battle. One with a goodbye she wished would not come, and one without. She stood in line next to her sister. Lómebrilas said goodbye too each one. He kissed each princess's hand, then he came to Belaraniel's hand and kissed hers. He looked up at her and bowed before walking down the white steps. She stood and watched the kings, princes, and knights climb their horses and ride off. Belaraniel ran off to the stables and jumped on her horse bareback and raced off until she reached the steep hill which the others rode down. Tears ran down her face as Lómebrilas and Eldarion looked back at the girl sitting on the black stallion with tears running from her beautiful blue eyes down her rosy cheeks.