Chapter Three: Musings of the Past and Future
"Tell me what ails you my love." she finally said when he finally had undressed and was able to lower himself into the warmth of the water in the bathtub. His body ached. The battle had taken a toll physically as well.
He seen the grimace his wife gave him when she seen him fully unclothed and the bruises and wounds to his flesh were revealed. Even with armor, some things always got through in battle.
She wanted to help him, but could do nothing more than offer to let him speak of it. If he did not, then it meant he could not yet. He was silent for a long time. Closing his eyes from the world, and letting the waters and special salts added to it soak out his physical pains.
"It will return. When he does, we must be ready," he said finally without opening his eyes. After a long moment, his eyes finally did open and he stared into her own with a look of painful resolution, "If you let the forest and earth speak as I know you do, you will feel it. The horror we have dreaded will once again march across these lands. Our people must decide what we must do to survive it."
She twisted her hands nervously as she sat by the window in the dwindling light. Yes, she had felt it too. She was sure all of her people had. She only nodded and looked away.
Finally, feeling his eyes still on her she looked at him once more, "What will you have us do?"
"We will do what we must. Long have we protected these lands, I will not let him and his foul creatures overrun it and drive us out so easily."
"Spoken like a true warrior," she said with a sad smile.
"What would you have me do, my love?"
She looked away, down and up, before standing and coming to his side and sitting back down. "I would have you do what you feel is best. Though I would not wish to spill any more of our kinsman's blood I know it will be done, and for such a purpose as this... I would have each of us give it all the strength and valor we can muster."
He reached out and ran his fingers along her cheek, "I know what you worry most though you do not wish to sound selfish. You fear one day I will not return, or if they must face this evil as well, our sons. Please know I am not blind to that."
Tears came to her eyes but she quickly wiped them away, and gave him a reassuring smile, "You know me too well. But I also know that you can not be killed so easily my dearest."
He couldn't help smiling at that, "Well, I'll do my best to not be killed my love. I know you would never forgive me."
"I'm glad you are aware of that."
He chuckled, then fell silent again closing his eyes. Night had finally fallen. The torches and lanterns were lit, the feast would soon begin. The water was growing cool. But he didn't seem to care. She knew why. He needed to just sit there, and know he was home.
She returned to her perch by the window as the maids began bringing in clothes for them to wear. He chose the first outfit that was offered to him, which was a sign of his weariness. Usually it would go on for a quarter of an hour or more. He seemed more interested in her dress than anything. She finally settled on a green dress that would put even the maples in summer to shame with its color. As the undergarments for both were laid out and she watched him lay his head back again with closed eyes she couldn't help being happy he was home – despite him confirming her fears of Mordor's rising.
"Sing for me." she heard him say after several long minutes of silence.
She merely smiled, and began a song of the coming of spring and it's joys. When she was finished, he still sat, silent, eyes closed.
For a moment she thought him to be sleeping until he let out a long sigh and finally stood, getting out of the bath and letting a servant wrap him in a drying cloth. This was the signal it was time for them to get dressed and go into the spotlight once more. Courtly behavior had to be observed, including during the dances.
Once she was dressed, and he was as well, she finally set about choosing her adornments for the evening. But he kept telling her not to wear each thing she chose. Finally, a servant arrived with a small gift bag, and he came to her side with a look like a child about to tell you the most delicious secret.
His voice however had more calm to it than he obviously felt. "I believe this will be more appropriate."
He took her hand in his, and placed the silky bag in her hand. She loosened the drawstrings and emptied it's contents into her hand. A necklace beautiful in a way she could barely describe greeted her -jewels shining with the light of the stars and precious pearls inlaid in it's design.
"I have never seen the like of it," she remarked then looked up at her husband. "It's beautiful."
"It was a gift from the hobbit."
"The hobbit?"
"Yes, he gave it to me in good will and friendship. I can think of no other who should wear it other than you."
He took it from her hand and put it about her neck, fidgeting with the clasp for a moment before he managed it. "But perhaps you shouldn't bother wearing it." He said, a moment later after looking her over.
Her brow creased in confusion and worry, "Why?"
"No one will notice it. They will be too busy gazing at you as if they do the stars. As they always do. None of these trinkets you adorn yourself with ever compares to you."
She scoffed, "You speak of me as if I was Luthien."
He bent down and laid a kiss on her shoulder, "You are my Luthein. I dare say, no matter what is believed about Elrond's daughter Arwen, you are the beauty of the age, and all that follow."
She giggled like a young elf maid at this while at the same time making sure her voice held chiding in it, "Oh, go on... Thranduil my dear, if I didn't know any better I would say you were trying to steal a kiss from me tonight."
He outright laughed at this, then gathered her in his arms, "I intend to steal more than a kiss tonight." Then bent down to lay a hungry kiss on her lips.