A/N: Well, here's the second chapter. Read and enjoy...
Whispers of Fear
Auraelya was walking, making her way through the gates of Edoras and out into the plains. A great procession followed her; the women lifting up their husky voices in joyful celebration. Auraelya's smile shined like the sun itself; she couldn't believe this day had finally come. In her hands, she held before her the bouquet of a bride filled with the wildflowers of Rohan. After that day, she and Theodred would be bound for all eternity.
Gradually, she made her way to where her beloved waited, dressed in his finest armor. He beamed at her as she approached him slowly; a radiant woman in white. Theodred held out his hands for her, beckoning her to him. Auraelya met him eagerly and threaded her fingers through Theodred's. Love poured from the couple, and many people in the crowd began to weep at the sight of their happiness. Theodred took his free hand and tucked a strand of hair gently behind her ear, careful not to disturb the little white blossoms that were threaded through her hair.
"I'm glad you took my advice. The simbelmynë looks lovely in you hair." He said, quietly.
Auraelya blushed in reply. Theodred wrapped his hand around hers, so they were both holding the bouquet. Suddenly, Theodred began to walk back, leading her forward.
"Come, my love." He encouraged her. "It's time for us to go."
"Go where, my beloved?" She asked in confusion.
It was then, Auraelya began to notice something strange. With each step forward they took her flowers began to wilt, shriveling and turning brown. Petals broke off and drifted to the ground. When she looked back up, Auraelya saw that Theodred was leading them to an open tomb. Changes started to appear in Theodred's appearance as well. His complexion began to turn a pasty white, and his lips were going blue. Even his touch was frigid…
"Theodred…" She stammered, her tone going high with fear.
"Do not be afraid, Love." He assured her. "It will not be so bad."
Auraelya dropped his hands as if they were on fire, but he still kept moving towards the tomb. It was then she realized that her once white dress was now as black as night. A mourning veil lay over her hair and blew in the passing breeze. The once merry singing of the peasants had now become a mournful wail. Auraelya took a jerky step forward, calling out in terror, "Theodred?"
"It will all be fine, my love." He assured her, disappearing into the bleak depths of the tomb. "You shall see."
"No, Theodred!" She cried, rushing forward.
But without warning, a stone slab slammed shut in front of the tomb…
xXx
"No!" Auraelya shouted, shooting up in bed.
She looked around the room wildly, a little disoriented. Her chest heaved as her breathing was little more than a pant. After scanning the room awhile longer, Auraelya settled back against her pillows, pushing some of her sweaty, tangled hair out of her face. As the sweat on her body began to cool, Auraelya pulled the furs and blankets closer to her for warmth. She stared up at the ceiling, waiting for the pace of her heart to return to normal. Fatigue still lingered over her, but Auraelya couldn't get Theodred's pallid face out of her head. When she closed her eyes, all she could see was the tomb, vaulted shut against her.
T'was only a dream. She told herself, as she settled more comfortably under the covers. Only a dream.
Eventually, Auraelya fell back asleep, though it wasn't restful. She tossed and turned, waking up almost every hour. Her mind was feverish with ill thoughts, fear chilling her heart, and she shivered violently with each new dose. When she finally decided to get up, Auraelya felt as if she hadn't slept at all. Fatigued weighed her down as she walked, her bones seeming to be too heavy for her body to bear. She washed and dressed slowly, each movement costing her more and more of her energy.
Once she was descent, Auraelya wandered from her room. She walked about the castle as if she was a restless spirit, her expression weary and tormented. Images of her dream flashed before her waking eyes, and as she tried to sooth herself by thinking that it had meant nothing, a sense of dark foreboding ate at her conscience. Her feet led her to Éowyn's chambers. The door was open and when Auraelya peered inside, she saw Éowyn herself seated before the fire. Some kind of garment was spread over her lap, which she was intent on trying to mend. Auraelya knocked lightly to get her friend's attention. Éowyn's head shot up in surprise, but her expression softened upon the sight of her friend. She smiled as she said, "Ah, I was wondering when I would be seeing you this morning."
"Can I come in?" Auraelya asked, offering her a weak smile of her own.
"Of course," Éowyn replied with a nod. "I would enjoy the company."
Auraelya entered and pulled up a chair towards the fire, so she could sit facing her friend. Now that she was closer, Auraelya noticed that the garment her friend was mending was in fact a men's tunic. A small smirk played upon her pale lips.
"Doing yet another favor for your brother, are you?" She asked, wryly.
Éowyn looked from the tunic to her friend's teasing expression and gave a soft laugh.
"Yes, once again it appears as if I am at his disposal. Éomer just does not know how to take care of his things." Éowyn answered with a shake of her head. "Though it comes with the lifestyle, I suppose."
"Maybe," Auraelya agreed, her smirk not going away, "or perhaps your brother just finds you convenient."
"I asked him once why he did not just take it to one of the servants, and he told me that my work was far superior to theirs." Éowyn offered.
"I think he was just fluffing your ego, so you would continue to mend his clothes." Auraelya stated.
"You are probably right." The blonde laughed before giving her companion a sly look. "Before long, though, you will be the one working upon my cousin's clothes."
"As if I don't already?" Auraelya replied with a laugh.
Éowyn joined in, having to set down her work until she was composed. Once she too had calmed down, Auraelya's gaze drifted to the fire. Not for the life of her could she feel the warmth radiating from within the hearth. The distraction of her friend's conversation could not completely banish the remainder of her dream from her thoughts. The dying flowers, the peasants' anguished crooning, Theodred's ashen face…it all struck her with such pain. It must have shown on her face for Éowyn's features filled with concern as she asked, "Lya, are you all right?"
The sound of her worried voice brought Auraelya back from whatever dismal part of her mind she had been lost in. She blinked a few times to clear her head before her veiled green eyes settled upon Éowyn's face. She gave her friend a tired, half-hearted smile before saying, quietly, "Yes, I'm fine."
But Éowyn was unconvinced. She set down her work again and reached out to the woman across from her. When she took hold of her hands, Éowyn was shocked at the difference in temperature.
"No, you are most certainly not all right." She stated, holding Auraelya's hands a little more firmly. "Lya, your skin is like ice."
At once, Éowyn was on her feet and hurrying to her bed. She grabbed a heavy blanket of wolf's fur and draped it over Auraelya's shoulders. Auraelya sat unmoving as Éowyn enveloped her securely, knowing better than to protest.
"Are you not feeling well, Lya?" Éowyn asked, kneeling in front of her, her bright blue eyes searching her friend's pale and weary face.
"I am well, Éowyn." She explained with a slight smile. "I just did not sleep well is all."
"Why not?"
As Auraelya stared down at her, she couldn't bring herself to mention the dream. She did not want to trouble her friend with such foolish thoughts. So, Auraelya simply sighed and let her eyes drift down to her fur-covered lap so as Éowyn couldn't tell that she was lying.
"I am just concerned about the wedding." She told her, realizing herself that this statement was not completely false. "Theodred said his father wants us to wait another season. I just…I don't understand it. I always thought His Majesty saw me as like a daughter."
"He does, Lya." Éowyn assured her, taking her still frigid hands and rubbing them comfortingly. "He always has."
"Then, why does he delay?" Auraelya asked a tone of desperation in her voice. "What could be wrong?"
Éowyn didn't reply for she herself did not know the answer either. She too had noticed the forlornness of the king; watching as he seemed to grow older and more brittle with each day that passed. This dark cloud that had come to settle around her dear uncle frightened her, but for her friend's sake she hid it. With a warm smile, Éowyn patted her hands and brushed a few stray locks of her hair away from Auraelya's face.
"I am sure it is nothing for you to be losing sleep over." Éowyn stated, feigning confidence. "Maybe, His Grace just wants to make the feasting season even grander this year."
"You think so?" Auraelya questioned, hoping glinting in her emerald orbs.
"I am certain." Éowyn assured her before rising to her feet. "Now, come on. I think a walk in the sunlight will cure you of this chill in your heart."
"All right," Auraelya agreed with a slight nod, rising from her chair.
She swept off the fur and laid it carefully over the back of her chair. Then, smiling cheerfully at her friend and threading her arm through hers, Auraelya walked with Éowyn from her room. The girls made their way through the castle, chatting amiably as they went. Before long, they passed into the Great Hall. The king, once again, was absent. Only a few servants tended to the tables and fire, otherwise the hall was empty. Silence hung like an eerie veil over the chamber, the hall so quiet that Auraelya could hear the whisper of their gowns as they rustled along the ground to the rhythm of their strides.
As they ventured towards the main doors, something out of the corner of Auraelya's eye caught her attention. When she turned to see where the movement had come from, her eyes narrowed in distain. Lurking in the shadows of the hall in his usual skulking manner was Grima Wormtongue. His sickly pale face stood out among his black robes and greasy dark hair. Long, bony fingers clung to the wooden beam that he tried to use to shield himself from view. The sneer on Auraelya's face darkened as she saw those greedy, opaque eyes follow Éowyn's every step. They gazed upon her friend with a hunger and longing that Auraelya did not welcome. When Grima detected Auraelya's stare, he stiffened and his eyes widened slightly before narrowing with their own deep hatred.
Auraelya turned from his glare and whispered, coolly into Éowyn's ear, "I spy a rat in lord's clothing."
Éowyn followed Auraelya's gesture and saw Grima ogling them from his hiding spot. When her gaze settled on him, Grima got spooked and fled off deeper into the shadows. Éowyn shivered as if her skin was crawling.
"I hate the way he looks at you." Auraelya stated with a grimace.
"He will not act on anything." Éowyn assured, her placing a calming hand upon her friend's. "The king would never allow it."
"And I think Éomer would have his head if he tried to put his slimy hands on you." Auraelya commented with a smirk.
"Yes," Éowyn laughed as the guards opened the doors for them, "yes, I dare say he would."
"Grima has always given me the chills," Auraelya said, her expression darkening, "even when I was a child. I sense a evil about him."
"Oh come now," Éowyn scolded her, "he is harmless. Beside, I believe Theodred would have Grima's head if he even said one unkind word to you."
Auraelya laughed; a faint blush settling upon her cheeks. As they descended the steps of the castle, the girls saw quite a bit of activity coming from the royal stables. Theodred and Éomer strode out of the stables in the depths of an intent conversation. The two turned and gave each other a confused look.
"I wonder what all the commotion is about." Auraelya asked before gathering her skirts and rushing down the steps.
Éowyn hurried after her as Auraelya flew towards Theodred.
"My lord," Auraelya called out, catching both Theodred and Éomer's attention, "my love, what is all this?"
"The king has decided to act on the invasion on his lands. Éomer and I are to lead out scouting parties and destroy the intruders." Theodred explained as some servants brought out two horses.
"What?" Auraelya exclaimed, fear grasping her heart once more. "He…how could he command such a thing of you?"
"Beloved, you need not fear." Theodred assured her, taking her hands in his and stroking her soft skin with his thumb. "I will be back to you in seven days time."
"Surely, you must not go!" She persisted, gripping his hands as if she were clinging to life itself. "Why must you go? Why cannot someone else go in your stead and lead the parties on your behalf?"
"The king has commanded me to go. I cannot refuse my father and my king." He explained, gently. "Why do you worry so, Dearest? I have gone on scouting parties before and returned with but a few mere scrapes. What troubles you so now?"
Auraelya looked around, her expression uncertain. Theodred palmed her cheek and drew her vibrant gaze to his warm brown eyes.
"My love, please…tell me what is wrong." He pleaded, softly.
Auraelya glanced around uneasily for a minute, making sure no one was close enough to hear. Éowyn was over with Éomer, who held the reigns for his and Theodred's horses. All the other men were all too pre-occupied in their own work. Finally, she took a deep, calming breath and said in a hushed tone, "I dreamt last night that we were to be married on the plains. The whole of Edoras emptied and followed me to where I was to meet you. But when we hand-fasted, you began to lead me towards a tomb. My flowers died, my bridal gown turned into a mourning gown, you turned as cold and pale as a corpse…"
"Oh, Auraelya…" Theodred hushed her, enveloping her into his arms and held her to him protectively.
Tears fell from her eyes and dampened his neck. She clung to him frantically as if she would never let him leave her arms. Theodred stroked her hair and whispered comforting words in her ear.
"I am afraid of losing you." She confessed, brokenly. "My heart would surely break if I did."
"I will not leave you," He promised her, pulling back to cup her face, "not when you are not yet mine."
At this, Auraelya gave him a weak smile and murmured, softly, "I have always been yours."
Theodred smiled and kissed away the moisture on her face tenderly.
"I will return to you. You need not fear my departure." He assured her. "I will come back to you as fit as you see me now."
"I wish I could come with you." She whispered, nuzzling her forehead against his.
"I would not put you anywhere near harm." Theodred told her, seriously. "No, you have to stay here. If you are here, it will give me cause to make this mission swift."
"I shall miss you." She replied.
"And I you." Theodred said, taking her hands and kissing the knuckles. "And when I return, I shall press upon my father to let us marry by the end of the month. I will make you my wife."
"Theodred…"
Without another word, Theodred drew Auraelya to him and kissed her ardently. Her hands cupped his neck as she tilted her head up to deepen the kiss. He fed off of her mouth like he would never have the chance to perform such an act again. Auraelya's heart fluttered and felt like it was about to burst from her chest. When he reluctantly drew away, Auraelya saw the desire in her eyes reflected in Theodred's. His brown eyes shone with love and life, and Auraelya wanted to always remember him this way. She reached up and tucked his golden brown hair behind his ear, caressing his now-flushed face.
"Come back to me safely, my love." She said with a sad smile.
"I shall." He vowed, taking his horses reigns from Éomer. "Brego shall carry me safely back into your arms."
Expertly, Theodred swung himself up into the saddle and smiled down at Auraelya.
"I love you." She called, stepping back towards Éowyn.
"And I love you, my queen." Theodred announced, bowing to her elaborately from his saddle before shouting out to his men, "Now…we ride out!"
With a collection of shouts and whistles, the men spurred their horses into action and started to flood out of the city. When Theodred reached the gate, he wheeled Brego around and waved farewell to Auraelya one final time. She waved in return, unable to stop the single tear that escaped from the corner of her eye.
"He will be fine, Lya." Éowyn assured her friend as Auraelya watched him turn and fly out of her sight. "It will take a lot more than a few Orcs to bring Theodred down."
"I know," Auraelya replied, idly, "he will return."
Éowyn smiled and put a comforting hand on her shoulder. As Auraelya watched the spot where Theodred had been just minutes ago, she couldn't help, but feel that terrible sense of gloom in the pit of her stomach. Even though she tried to ignore it, she couldn't get the images of her dream out of her mind. The open tomb stared back at her, and the voice she had drowned out when she had woken that morning now resonated throughout her mind.
"This is his fate, and so it shall be…"
A/N: I hope you all liked it. Please give me lots of lovely reviews!