A crash of thunder sounded, jolting Lucius awake. He got up and looked out the window. It was pouring rain and it showed no sign of stopping. Bright purple lightning flashes quickly upon the sky. He sighed and got dressed.
Lucius wandered around aimlessly for a few minutes till he found a small library. Inside, Eowyn was sitting by the window.
"Good morning, milady," Lucius said. Eowyn looked up from what she was reading.
"Good morning, Mr. Malfoy," She smiled. "It looks like your journey will have to be delayed."
"Yes, I suppose it will be." Lucius said, gazing at the rain-blurred window, "Awful weather, this."
"Isn't it?" Eowyn replied, not looking up from her book. "It used to storm here often; I've actually become fond of watching the rain – hearing the storm."
Lucius glanced back at the storm, but before he could say anything Eowyn spoke again.
"I've come to find it very beautiful."
"That, milady, is where we differ."
Eowyn chuckled lightly at this, still reading her book.
Lucius looked down at her, "What is it you're reading? You seem quite fascinated."
"Utopia."
Lucius looked impressed, "A wonderful book." Despite the fact that it had been written by a squib, even Lucius couldn't deny it was a classic.
"It is." Eowyn agreed with a gleam of wonder in her eyes.
"Though, if you don't mind my asking, how did you come across Utopia? As far as I am aware, Thomas More never traveled to Middle-Earth."
Eowyn chuckled. "My father used to travel a lot. He brought this back from me on his last journey. He died shortly afterwords."
"I'm sorry to hear that."
She shook her head. "It's no trouble. It was a long time ago."
The two talked for a few more minutes until Eowyn stood. As she did, Lucius realized she was still in her nightdress.
"I should go get dressed…I'll see you at breakfast, Mr. Malfoy."
"Please, call me Lucius, milady."
Eowyn smiled. "Then you must call me Eowyn, Lucius."
A Few Days Later
The rain hadn't stopped for three days straight. Seeing as Lucius couldn't travel he had no choice, but to stay. However, he and Eowyn were becoming closer by the day. Lucius couldn't help but wonder if his feelings for her were more than friendship. Just as the thought came to him, Eowyn entered the room. Lucius immediately smiled, but if faded when he saw she was crying.
"What wrong?" He asked her.
"It's my cousin," She sniffed. "He's very ill, I fear the worst."
"I'm sure everything will be fine." He assured her.
Eowyn threw her arms around him. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Lucius."
He held her closer and they stayed like that for a few more moments.
"Mr. Malfoy." Wormtounge's voice made them both jump, breaking their embrace.
"Yes?" Lucius said, rather irritated now.
"I always go hunting Friday mornings, would you care to join me?"
"I would, but it's raining-"
"Well, when it clears up will you?" Something in Wormtongue's voice was strange.
Lucius cocked an eyebrow, "Of course."
"Thank you." With that Wormtongue left.
The next day the rain had let up. As he promised, Lucius told Wormtongue he would go hunting with him. While he was getting ready Eowyn came to see him.
"Eowyn, what are you doing here?" He asked, surprised.
"Lucius, I don't trust Wormtongue, please don't go."
"I have to. I have no reason to not go."
"Lucius-"
"Nothing's going to happen."
"Just promise you'll be careful."
"Always."
It was foggy and Lucius could barley see his hand in front of his face.
"Wormtongue, this doesn't seem like a good day for hunting. Why don't we go back?"
There was no reply.
"Wormtongue? Where-"
Before Lucius knew what was happening he felt a sharp pain rip through his left side. The next thing he knew everything went black.
When Lucius finally came to everything was hazy.
"Awake at last." A sweet voice said.
"Eowyn?" He said weakly.
"Yes." She smiled. Lucius's vision finally cleared.
"How long have a been out?" He asked
"A few hours."
"What happened?"
"Wormtongue says he saw a deer and tied to shoot it, but you stepped in front of it too late."
" I don't see how he could've seen anything in that fog." Lucius said, trying to sit up.
"Don't move!" Eowyn cried. Lucius lay back down. As Eowyn finished stitching up he let out a yelp.
"How did you learn this?" Lucius asked, gasping with pain a moment later.
"My mother, before she married my father she was a nurse. Before she died she taught me." There were a few moments of comfortable silence before Eowyn spoke again, "You're lucky, you know…that arrow almost pierced your heart."
Lucius grasped her hand, "I'm not so sure it didn't." He murmured. Their eyes locked and he leaned up, kissing her slowly on her lips.
From where he was hiding, Wormtongue grimaced. His plan had failed. If it hadn't been for the damn fog, Lucius would be dead.
Just then a thought occurred to him. What was Mr. Malfoy's business in Middle-Earth? He grinned devilishly. The only way to find out was to ask Saruman.
Hope you guy's liked that chapter! I stole a line from Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame.
~Kate
