Author's Note; Well hey everybody:-) FINALLY, I present the second and last chapt. to this fic - I've left it in the lurk for months on end, but last night, I eventually got round to finishin' this off! I was gone for over week out to Medugorje (It's a Catholic based place of pilgrimage out in Bosnia Hertzegovinia), so now that I'm back, I feel quite revitalised - LOL! I suppose that means I'm gonna get workin' on 'The Birthday Boy' and 'A Single Night' soon as well, so be on watch! Also, a very important note is attatched at the bottom of the page reguardin' some of my text, so I ask you guys to please please read it. Anyway, in the mean time, here's mysecond chapter andmy WAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY long overdue thanks to my dear darlin' reviewers :-) (Haven't forgotten ye!)
Dee69; Well, after like an Age (Middle Earth time - LOL) here's the continuation... Hope you like!
RS; Hun, as always, you're indepth reviews makes me feel my writing is all the worth while - dunno what else to say but Thank You! I'm not gonna give this one away, so you'll have to read all the way to the bottom... And I promise I'll get workin' on my other stuff... Will mail you real soon xxxx
Viviana; Ah, the one whom this fic is dedicated:-) LOL! Thnx for the much appreciated praise dear, hope you enjoy this second chapt. (This fic was only supposed to be one chapt., but thnx to my drabblin', you get 2!) Here ya go...
Bubble Sheep; Another faithful fan :-) Glad you liked the very slow start (it doesn't get much better I'm afraid!) but your kind words and encouragement are so appreciated - Thnx a mil!
Lief of Rohan; I am so so sorry about all this wait - I have warned that I never get the time for my writing, and given the fact that I can't help but drabble mercilessly, it just takes me so long to get anythin' done! NEway, the wait is over :-)
IwishChan; Thnxa milfor the compliment! I think my style of writing is very messy, but your words mean so much :-) Hope you like this second part as much!
saraw; Aww, thnx girl :-) I'm afraid your one of many that I've let down with bein' so slow in my update, but I guess it's better than leavin' ye in suspense (I wouldn't want ye losin' any sleep or anythin' - LOL!) Well,thnx again for your sweet words :-)
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Chapter 2
His eyes had remained open now for such time that his sight became adjusted to the darkness. The silver light of the moon peered through the narrow windows above him, gently illuminating the surroundings in an almost paper-like manner. Aragorn lifted his mussed head and scanned the room. His friends continued to sleep as infants around him as he pulled himself to sit upright. He looked around at them all with perhaps a hint of jealousy before resting his back against the hard, cold large stone of the wall. Directly in front of his stare was a round-topped door made of solid oak in the middle of the wooden, silver inter-laced decorated walls. It was obvious he was in a place of royalty.
The room the far side of the door was even more grand than that of where he dwelt, and he could picture it easily. (The Golden Hall itself was long and wide, with mighty richly-carved pillars of gold motifs upholding it's lofty roof. Here and there the light from outside broke in through shafts from the eastern windows, high under the deep eaves. The floor was paved with stones of many hues; branching runes and strange devices intertwined. Many woven cloths were hung upon the walls depicting tales of ancient legend, some dim with years. In the midst of the hall was a long hearth, were clear-wood fire) burned before a red leather couch.
And before the glowing embers, within the regal resting place, would lay the White Lady of Rohan.
In her generosity, she had humbly gave her bed to a noble acquaintance of her uncle, King Theoden, one among those who had indulged in the celebrations after the victory at Helm's Deep. As a honourable woman, she drew no fuss to this one of her many silent sacrifices and in her usual solidarity, she quietly dwelt alone in a magnificent Hall for the week. Her concerns were of much more importance than her bed.
Numerous times had Aragorn seen her slumber as he passed through during a tireless night for air and walk with the comfort of his pipe in the twilight. Often he looked upon her and discovered that she still could not find rest in repose. Even in sleep, Eowyn's pale face still bore hurt and worry. Her blonde waves would become tossed as she would shift her head from side to side, sometimes releasing a short cry. Feeling her sorrows, Aragorn wished he could cease her constant nightmares, just as he hoped someone could cease his. Nightmares and horrors which lead one to never wish to sleep.
When she was awake, Eowyn's tourment was none the better. Her frosted eyes conveyed that she had seen much tragedy and pain, though she fought to hide it. Rather than dwell on herself, she kept busy. The princess' days were spent almost exclusively in the company of men and keeping the city's horses, or she instead directed her attentions to the welfare of her uncle and the people of Rohan. And she did so quietly.
Whenever he looked upon Eowyn, Aragorn saw a person who remarkably reminded him of himself. Like the Princess and her brother, Eomer, Aragorn had been an orphan since childhood. He was also of royal blood and like her, Aragorn too was a figure of isolation. He understood her, and unlike many others, he felt as if she understood him.
As he remained in among his dishevelled blankets, he could not help but think of the White Lady of Rohan. It was rare for him to find someone in which he could so connect with, and most surprising was that he found such a similar soul in the form of a beautiful young woman. None could deny Eowyn her easy good looks. Her large ice blue eyes, rose lips and winter complexion, framed with a river of golden curls, had even melted the blackened, corrupted heart of Saruman's aide, Grima Wormtounge. But Aragorn found what he saw through her rounded glistening eyes to be her most precious quality. The delicate, decent and woundedsoul that she tried to hide could not be more evident. For, as she was so like him, Aragorn knew that her strength was often just an act. Pain and hurt prevented Eowyn from being the true warm lady in which she was, and only love could melt her wintry nature into that of spring.
There was many times in which the Princess may have hinted a softness for Aragorn, and though he could not exactly deny it, he did not wish to encourage her perhaps small affections. At most, he dismissed her feelings as merely an infatuation. Eowyn did mean much to him, but there was no space for another to be part of his heart. He had held onto his deep love for Arwen, and until this night, he also held onto the hope of meeting her again. But for the first time in his life, he had now accepted the bitter fate of his love for an immortal creature, and if she had not already made her way to the Grey Havens and beyond, she soon would.
As he thought of life without her, Aragorn would sooner be without life itself. His throne and destiny meant nothingif she were not theretospend it with him.She was his only wish and all he ever wanted. It was his single request, but perhaps he was being too selfish? When he told her their future was only a dream as he was leaving Rivendell, he scarcely believed it himself. But he had to believe it now, despite what he wanted to believe.
Aragorn had no choice in the matter of his life, whether it be in love or duty. It was never promised easy, but he had to continue the struggling route in which he had come. He had to now fight with the people of Middle Earth against the pure evil that threatened to effect each single living thing. Lord Elrond and Gandalf had many times informed him ofthe responsibilities of his blood and only he could rightfully lead the battle against Sauron's forces. The land of Gondor and the world of men sat heavily upon his shoulders. No other could claim the white Throne of Minas Tirith and unite the ancient lands of his ancestors, Gondor and Arnor. He had no choice but to moved on, and he had to do it without her.
"Nothing more than a memory," he whispered, relieving the Evenstar of his large hands and placing it on the cold stone ground beside him. Taking a deep breath, he reached around him for his most constant and trusted companion, his beloved pipe. He was now ready to leave his bed and go see Eowyn.
All of sudden, a haste wind brushed past him. Quicker than he could blink, the huge door leading into the Hall was shielded by a blinding mass of white light. The darkness dispelled from before and around him and the light faded into a formation of another place. The stone room where he dwelt was being transformed into a landing of regal structure with lush foliage seeping around the slim tall pillars.
Before him, he saw a small child run to the light and toward a tall figure which stood looking out the balcony. As the little boy came closer, the figure turned to meet him and jubilantly made his way down the steps. The man was him! It was Aragorn, robed in fine attire as if he were a King! His hair beneath a neat crown had slightly greyed and he appeared to have aged, but Aragorn was looking at himself when he looked at the man in his vision! He watched himself scoop the boy up in his arms and proceeded to spin the laughing child around in a playful act. The little boy giggled in delight as his father kissed his cheek and the scene became more settled.
The little boy turned out toward him as his future self held him aloft in his arms. Aragorn could see the child in detail now – he was no older than six, with a round face, a button nose and his crystalline grey eyes stared out into his own with a piercing gaze. His hair was of a honey brown and long in length. He wore a loose shirt of a beaming white with brown velvet mid trousers and matching shoes. The shirt's laces were open at the front, but what Aragorn noticed most before him was not clothing….Instead, he could only fix his sight upon the most beautiful jewel draped around the child's neck. It was of a precious silver, with a ring of six white sparkling diamonds surrounding a middle matching stone, echoing a star-like shape. Two leaf patterns emerged from behind, and a trail of two entwining delicate silver spirals fell beneath it. Only the elves could create such beauty, and Aragorn had known this jewel only too well.
Realising what the vision meant, he shut his eyes in pure delight and emotion, trapping the tears that were soon to fall.When they opened again, they only saw darkness. The vision had went as sudden as it came, and before him once more was the large round topped door, leading into the hall.
Throwing his blankets back over him, Aragorn reached around him and searched until his fingers met the familiar shape of the necklace. Loosening it out, Aragorn opened the tie and placed the Evenstar back around his neck.
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NB; The text between the brackets ( ) in thesecond paragraph above indicates that the writing there is from the actual 'Lord of the Rings' Book, 'The Two Towers', ('The Golden Hall' Chapter). I dunno how illegal it might be, but I'm not takin' credit for the description of Tolkien's Golden Hall itself, but his writing of it was so beautiful (and I couldn't compare) so I why not use the most perfect despcription there is, right! LOL! NEway, I made lil minor adjustments, but the body of what I have used is from the actual book.
