Chapter 2

It was defiantly spring… perhaps March. Not completely sure though. The night that Gandalf left I passed out in my room after we had breakfast. I was going to fully enjoy Rohan while I could, knowing that after we left there wouldn't be so much enjoyment. The next morning after borrowing clothes from Eowyn I joined the others for lunch in the main hall.

'Good Morning.' I state cheerfully as I took a seat next to Merry with Legolas and Gimli across the table

'Good Morning. We weren't sure if we should come and check on you. You have slept most of the morning away.' Merry states smirking at me

'Really?' I murmur surprised. 'Hey… what month is it?'

My question earned chuckling throughout the table before finally Legolas answered, 'It is the 4th of March.'

'Oh… I guessed right then.' I state smiling to myself and ignoring the chuckles

'Did you forget what month it was?' Merry asked snickering to himself

'Hey! Don't judge! I lost track of time while I was in Lothlorien.' I state with a huff

While eating, I found out Aragorn was watching the beacons waiting for Gandalf to work his magic. Gimli was going to the training ground with Legolas and Merry so, not having anything better to do I followed them.

'So what are you going to be training on?' I ask Legolas falling into line with him after we talked down the stairs

'I will help train Merry more on his sword fighting skill.' Legolas states then glancing at me concerned 'You are slowing down. Is something wrong?'

'No, just the death of me…. I am not used to having to walk stairs with such a long dress.' I huff as I was picking up the dress.

Since the dress was Eowyn's it meant that it was a bit long and dragged on the ground. Which made taking each step a challenge unless I held my skirts up so I wouldn't trip and fall on my face.

'I see.' Legolas states raising his eyebrows out at me

'Hush! Or I swear to god!' I stated glaring up at him squinting in the sunlight

When we got to the training ground it was filled with men training; mostly with swords. Gimli left us to examine how good their skills were. Many of the men glanced my way whistling a bit to get my attention. I inwardly groaned… just ignore them. Just a bunch of….

'Godforsaken men….. A pit of testosterone.' I start mumbling to myself as some whistled my way and a strained a smile on my face while muttering some more 'yeah, misogynistic assholes.'

'I never realized you had such a colorful array of language.' Merry teases obviously hearing my muttering

'Yeah well. What can I say.' I state, trying my best to ignore the few men.

'Come here is a spot away from the others.' Legolas states with a smile trying to change the subject

I lean up against the rails as I watch Legolas teach Merry. He was a patient teacher and took his time to explain as well as repeat, which was something I always appreciated when he was training me. It was a beautiful spring day and I enjoyed having the sun out, however after a while I began to get bored and I left them and the men to find Aragorn up at the towers. I skirted between the town people and saw a figure on the tower post.

'Hello Samantha.' Aragorn greets when he saw me coming up from the ladder.

'Hey. You bored up here yet?' I tease brushing my dress down and standing next to him 'This is a great view.'

I looked out onto the plains of Rohan watching the long grass wave in the wind and the ever-rolling plains with the scattering of trees or brushes. This was not a bad sight at all.

'No I am not bored. I am surprised to see you alone and not a certain elf tagging along.' Aragorn states with a smile

'Hahah, very funny. Legolas is helping Merry train and Gimli is with the men of Rohan in the training grounds as well.' I states glancing at him before continuing 'I mean this in no offense Aragorn but… it was too much testosterone going on.' Further elaborating when he looked at me confused.

'Too many men in the same area.'

'I see. You felt out of place.' Aragorn replies nodding in understanding

'I wouldn't mind training or least more with my bow but…. I do not want a crowd.' I state leaning against the battlement

'I understand. Rohan is not the same as when you trained around Elves.' Aragorn begins. It was freaky how well he understood how I felt by what I said or didn't say. 'It is not custom for a woman to be trained in any sort of weapon, where Elves do not cast as much judgement.'

'You have an uncanny ability to read my thoughts…. Without reading my thoughts of course.' I state chuckling

'Thank you. I must ask now that it is just the two of us. I saw that Aegnor came with the Elves from Rivendell, how did that meeting go?' Aragorn asked curious watching to gauge my reaction

'It was… strange at first. A bit awkward as well if I was to be honest. He apologized for not writing and we came to the same realization that because I chose a path with the Fellowship our path ended. We now have restarted our friendship with the best of hopes for each other.' I state my memory going back to Aegnor and then traveling to thinking about Legolas.

'I assume you have told Legolas about the change?' Aragorn states…. reading my mind once again

'Yeah, he was pretty upset when he saw Aegnor at Helm's Deep. Which reminds me, I needed to talk to you and get advice.' I state looking at him

'I would imagine Legolas was upset. What did you wish to ask me?' Aragorn replies calmly, allowing me to gather my thoughts in silence

'Well after you had left Lothlorien, one night I was taken to Lady Galadriel and… I looked into the mirror.' I began, before retelling story. When I finished I allowed silence to fall to allow Aragorn time to think about everything.

'This is indeed something to mull over. I assume Legolas already know this?' Aragorn asked and I nod in response, 'What did he say?'

'Legolas felt that I should let the work of Iluvatar be what it is. That I will not find an answer unless he wills it to be so. He offered no real opinion on the thought of the possibility of me becoming an Elf. All he said was that no matter what I chose I would have family here that would support me no matter the decision.' I reply

'I agree on what Legolas has already told you. As far as the possibility of changing forms I have no opinion other than to take Lady Galadriel's warnings serious. Perhaps these things can wait if this war ends. Both to be immortal and mortal have good and bad, and you must follow your heart on what the choice means to you.' Aragorn concludes

'You are right but it frustrates me none the less. I am just scared that I have so many things opened and unanswered. I still don't know where my place is in this World. The worst part is I am slowly adjusting to life here and I can no longer picture myself living or going back to my World.' I exclaim out of frustration 'Can I have a hug? I need a hug.' I state trying not to cry

He smiles and pulled me into a bear hug and I was grateful to have him around to listen to me rant without trying to convince me to have other feelings. I held him tightly until I felt better before pulling us apart

'Thank you. I needed that.' I state smiling sheepishly

'Of course, I do not like to see you so torn.' Aragorn states with a smile, lightening up his face

'So now that I have poured most of my problems onto you. Can I return the favor?' I state trying to focus on the present

'I worry for Frodo and Sam. I wonder where they are and if they are safe.' Aragorn replies softly

'You know what I hate and love about history?' I state out loud, glancing at him before turning to look out into the sea of grass 'that it has the uncanny ability to repeat itself. That no matter how many times we try to keep the bad out, it always seems to come back for each generation.'

'My world is not so much different from here. We have battles that threaten life existence and each generation it seems to reoccur but in another name or fashion. Even though this sounds completely depressing, you know what I like to think about?' I state glancing at him again before continuing

'That the all life must go through a battle of some kinds, so that they know just how strong and resilient they really are. There is a saying for people who believe in a higher power in my world and you know what they say. They say that God does not put more than what you can handle in your way. I believe that is true, that life only gives you what you can deal with. Even when it seems that you can't keep pushing forward.' I fall silent just staring out into the horizon before I turn towards him 'I try to remind myself of that, when I get overwhelmed dealing with being here and I think it is time I shared it with others.'

'Thank you for the reassurance.' Aragorn replies with a smile before we both get lost in our thoughts leaning out into the distance

'Is this some kind of staring contest?' a voice calls out, breaking our thoughts

'Hello, Merry.' I state turning towards his voice 'No it was not a staring contest.'

'It is not strange to be just standing there in silence?' Merry questions looking at the two of oddly

I also glance at Aragorn and we both break into a smile, 'No, no it is not strange at all.' I reply

We were to be collected to come back to the hall before the sunset and dinner was served. They were in a dire need of a bath, I thought as I walked next to them. Gimli and Merry seemed the sweatiest and Legolas… well it was a lot harder to tell on an Elf. I parted ways and headed into my room to relax while they cleaned up. I dozed in and out…. Thinking about…well, life.

God, I was becoming a philosopher with all the time I contemplated life. I snorted and curled up underneath the sheets in comfort. I dozed off at some point and woke when I felt the weight of the bed shift. I moan in annoyance as I wake up to find my room lit with candle light and Legolas moving underneath the covers next to me.

'What are you doing here?' I state confused and a little out of it

'I wanted to be with you.' Legolas replies softly as he stopped as we stared in to each other's eyes

'Oh. Did you knock?' I state confused, because I couldn't remember hearing it

'I did, but I could tell you were not awake. I am sorry I didn't want to wake you.' Legolas replies with a smile

'Oh.' I state as my eye lids started to droop as I try and fight to stay awake

'Sleep.' Legolas murmurs

He reaches overs and pulled me to lay flush against him and I settle into a comfortable spot…. too tired to even argue. Like I wanted to argue…hah! My eye lids close and the last thing I remember is his body warmth and the beat of his heart.