Disclaimer: I don't LotR, or any of these characters except for Erendis.

Okay, this chapter might have a trifle more explicit material than the previous chapter. Just thought I'd give fair warning. As always, please read and review.

Chapter 2

The queen's funeral was a sad affair. King Aragorn had a huge monument erected for her right above the vault where her body was to lie until the sands of time claimed her. It nearly broke my heart to see the young prince, Eldarion, tearfully set flowers upon his mother's breast before the lid of the vault sealed her away forever. He was only seven years old at the time, and it was likely that he had no inkling as to why his mother was taken from him.

Emissaries from all over Middle Earth came to offer their condolences to the grieving Gondorian king. Lord Faramir and his wife, the lady Eowyn, came from Ithilien. It was widely whispered that there had once been a love affair between Eowyn and Aragorn long ago during the War of the Ring, but Aragorn chose the elf maiden over the Rohirric lady. Lady Eowyn had already born the lord Faramir six children, and I wondered how she must have felt now that her old love was now free again. I watched from afar as she embraced the stony faced King. Like everyone else who offer comfort, he showed no emotion to her whatsoever. Eowyn's brother, the King of Rohan, was also in attendance, as were several dwarf lords, and diplomats from as far as Dale. There were almost no Elves in attendance. There were hardly any left in Middle Earth at this time. As King Aragorn's most trusted friend and confidante, the prince Legolas had dwelled in Minas Tirith for as long as I could remember. Yet even he found himself distanced from Aragorn.

For the next few days, there were funeral feasts which meant more work for us servants. I also had to attend to not only Aragorn's chambers, but also Eowyn and Faramir's guest chamber, and King Eomer of Rohan's as well. Eomer was especially irritating as he was quit prone to sloth. He was yet unwed, and it showed. However, the other maids' attempts at flirtation were all for naught. He had a very stern nature, and had no taste for playful bantering.

In the days that followed, everyone began to fear that the grief-stricken King of Gondor was descending into madness. He left affairs of state to his advisors, and sought solitude day and night. Night seemed to be the worse for him. He would rail into the dark of his chambers, crying out and throwing things. There was always a lot of cleaning to be done, but he seldom let any of us maids in to do so. Thus, did the palace descend into utter gloom. Aragorn's advisors, headed by Legolas, were quite competent; the country was at peace and prosperous. It was only those within close contact of the King that suffered. He seemed to be unable to find a good outlet for his volatile grief. Thus, endeared him all the more to me.

It was not my design to cavort with the king Aragorn. As enticing as I found him, I was a mere chambermaid. I knew my place. I was not a woman to seduce a man for power and wealth. I was content with my lot in life, save for the unfulfilled carnal desires that ever plagued me. It is a strange fate that only a mere five weeks after the death of the Queen that my life would become entwined with his.

It had been a few days since we maids last cleaned Aragorn's chambers. The King's grief had its highs and lows, but was never truly alleviated. This certain week had been particularly dark for him. The day we again attempted to enter his room he shouted and railed to leave him be. The other girls shrunk away in fear, but I stayed. Some innate desire compelled me to somehow, breach the fortress Aragorn had made for himself. I went in.

"I said leave me be," shouted the King.

I looked around, the room was filthy. Bed linens and clothes were strewn about. A number of miscellaneous objects lay shattered on the floor, and plates with half-eaten old food lay about as well. It's good that he's eating at least, I thought.

"Do as I command, Erendis. I wish to be left alone," Aragorn yelled again. It was obvious he hadn't changed clothes in a few days. His hair was unkempt, and there were dark circles under his deep set eyes. Apart from being a little pale and thin, he was still as handsome as ever.

"My lord, your chambers need to be cleaned, and your clothes laundered. I ask only that you let me to my work and then I'll leave you be." To show I was not leaving, I set about picking some of the clothes on the floor. Aragorn grunted and cursed. I hazarded to speak again.

"The Queen would not have wanted you to grieve this way." This was dangerous ground, I knew it, but someone had to breach the topic. I glanced at the King, a dark shadow seemed to have overtaken his face as I spoke of his wife. "You need to stop being a hermit, and live again."

That did it.

"How dare you speak of her?! You impetuous wench!" He fairly lunged at me, and stuck me hard across the face. Gods, it was pure ecstasy! Such a sensation as I'd never felt before.

Aragorn blanched when he realized what he'd just done. He passed his hand over his face as though a malevolent spirit had just departed from him.

"Erendis…" he struggled to speak, "Child, forgive me. I don't know why I…" He then, caught sight of the look on my face. He was a seasoned man, he knew what he saw. "By the Valar," he muttered, "you enjoyed that." A strange look of awe came across his face.

I merely nodded. I then noticed that the awe on Aragorn's face had fled as suddenly as it had appeared. It was replaced by that same darkness that he had earlier. The king put his hand up to my face whence he had struck, it tingled still and I delighted in it. I shuddered with pleasure. He then moved his to the back of my head and grasped the fullness of my hair that was caught back in a bun. His grasped tightened and he yanked my head back. He leaned his towards me so his lips brushed my ear.

"So," he whispered, "you will not be adverse to what I am about to do?"

My entire body tingled. I could barely let out a whisper. "I yield myself to you, my lord."

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