Disclaimer: I do not own anything! May I repeat anything! Except the
obviously made up characters, pah! R+R, you know you want to. *Tries to say
in her best come hither voice* Oh and Sora means Songbird in Native
American, no I didn't go through that as a child.
Chapter 3
The ride to Minas Tirith was swift and hasty; Aria's mind was on other things though she did not let her speed drop. The pair only stopped twice, Olathe was a resilient steed but he did tire eventually. Aria was pleased to rest also Olathe led them to a stream, bathing the back of her neck and taking generous gulps of the water Aria rested on the banks of the river. Olathe bathed in the water, tossing it high above his head and pleasuring in the feeling once it fell on his back. The water looked so inviting and Aria had not bathed since leaving Ahelstan; she was in the process of undressing when a voice was heard in the distance. Aria became immediately alert and so did Olathe, men. She rushed over to her horse who was on the bank and agilely jumped on her horses back her top still showing the remnants of the nightdress. She patted Olathe and he moved forward stopping because his owner was not steady Aria whispered in his ear "Do not fret I shall be fine just move swiftly, I shall balance just go." Olathe dashed forward, Aria clasped her shirt buttons trying to fix them her weight unbalanced she leaned into Olathe's muscular neck using her under worked leg muscles to keep her grip on the horses back. To her surprise she stayed on and even got her buttons secured correctly.
The men came out of the woods and spoke to each other, the first staring at the figure disappearing in front of them "That is a very good rider. Especially for a man."
The second looked confused "What do you mean man?"
The first smiled "They do not understand horses, well very few do. "
The second still looked somewhat confused "No how do you it is a man?"
The first began walking forward laughing. The second caught up "What did you mean about the man?"
The first spoke clearly "You can tell it is a man by the short hair, you would think you would know!"
The second did not see anything wrong with what he had said; "Well I'm sorry I am just not used to being around short hair." He studied the rider who was now far away "That is good rider, why did he flee when we approached?"
The first crouched staring at the ground and stood back up "He was bathing, shy perhaps. Now we must get back."
They walked over to their horses further down stream.
Aria leaned into Olathe's neck; his repetitive bobbing brought some calm to her erratic heart. She leaned back loosening her aching leg muscles enough to turn around to see the 'voice' from beside the river bank, she could only make out two men on horses coming in the same direction as her, she spurred Olathe on not wanting to meet people in her guise. Her efforts were wasted the men had managed to cover a large amount of ground in such a short amount of time. Aria did still not relent from driving Olathe faster and faster.
The first began to talk to his companion "Do you think that he is trying to avoid us? We warn Aragorn of this person."
The second was more sympathetic "We do not need to be so drastic, let him ride we will soon catch up."
The first continued to stare at the anonymous rider.
"How did YOU let THIS happen!" Queen Helvetin screamed at the scared looking solider. "Who is to blame?"
"I'm very sorry, my Queen I won't let it happen again. The guard that was meant to be on watch has fled. We will search for him and punish him for his incompetence."
The Queen kept her face straight, which was a hard task all she wanted to do was congratulate the ignorant bastard who ended her putrid daughter's life but her motherly duties did call for anger and sadness. She stayed stony faced "I do not wish him to be hunted down for his misconduct, let my daughter lie. She has barley been dead three days and my husband mere days before that. Let me grieve."
The guard nodded and left. The woman covered her mouth so a laugh would not escape. How foolish men were once a woman showed any form of emotion, either running into her arms to comfort her or in the other direction scared. They were the stupidest of all creatures, so easy to control. The woman went over to her chest of drawers and pulled out the letter Lady Arwen had sent her she wondered if Sora might go in Aria's place. Children were a nuisance once they got passed their childhood. Karr was becoming deep and serious not good traits in a man who would be king in a short while, he had to find a wife and no one would go for him if he could not offer them a good time. She smiled at the thought of her childhood and girlhood; it had been a very pleasurable time for all involved. By the time she was Aria's she was very experienced and knew how to give a man a good time. She crept out behind her mother's back almost every night to meet some form of man, it was her last night as a 'girl' or so everyone thought and she crept out for one last night of freedom. To her delight she met with a handsome young man, she got rather drunk but could still remember what was going on he did not want to take her and she reacted badly calling him a c**t tease. He tried to calm her but she kept gadding him until he finally grabbed her and flung her on the bed ripping her clothes off, she was in pure ecstasy all night once the stranger did leave she felt fine. Later she was pregnant but everyone presumed that it from her marriage, all except her husband he knew once the baby was born that it was not his. She soon had another his true heir so that Aria would not get his precious thrown once he was dead; it only added that it was a boy that she bore. Karr was brought up ready for the crown; he even attended Elrond's council when he was a lad with a chaperone of course. Her children were not the fore most thoughts unlike the sad case mother's who lost all identity once they had children, not her she flourished having done all her wifely duties now she could have all the fun.
Aria arrived at the gates to Minas Tirith looking rather wind swept but it only added to her masculine appearance. A guard stopped her and asked what she wanted she was taken aback and stammered a reply "I wish to see Lady Arwen on the subject of Princess Aria…" Speaking her name stabbed at her fragile heart "…of Ahelstan, she is expecting her but I bring bad news." The guard looked confused but he did what the young traveller asked and sent word to Lady Arwen. A reply came quickly and Aria was rushed into the huge hall where Arwen sat by the fire. She looked up, the beauty of the woman sitting in front of her astounded Aria.
Arwen smiled at the young boy who stood before her "I hear that you have news of Princess Aria."
Aria tried not to wince at the mention of her name; she cleared her throat "Yes she perished in a fire, I was asked to bring you the news."
Arwen covered her mouth "That is the most terrible news, so soon after her father. I feel it for her family."
Aria tried to keep the subject off her family at least until they were alone. She spoke again "Could I speak to you alone?"
The guards took a step forward Arwen shooed them away. Once gone Arwen spoke to Aria "What is it that bothers you?"
Aria sat down beside Arwen "I need your counsel and your help."
Arwen looked deep into Aria's eyes "Then you should speak to my husband, are you a relative of Princess Aria?"
Aria shook her head and pulled back her hair from her face. With her voice no louder than a whisper Aria told Arwen "I am Princess Aria."
Arwen looked suspicious "You have just told me that she died in a fire."
Aria tried not to cry "I had to run away, I…I…I left a guard in my room so they would find…someone." The tears came again even though she tried to hold them back. "You must understand my life was in danger, my m…" She could not bring herself to say the words.
Arwen placed a hand on the girl's shoulder "I feared that something like this would happen. Hush we will protect you."
Aria did not know when the person came in the room but Aria could feel the presence behind her, she turned to see Aragorn looking worried. He looked at Arwen and asked sympathetically "Who is this?"
Arwen sat up "This is Princess Aria of Helvetin. She has come to seek refuge."
Aragorn's eyes looked troubled "I have just heard that she died in a fire. How can this be?"
Arwen lowered her eyes "I will tell you later, for now we have to find you a new identity."
Aria stared at the handsome couple "I thank you for your help but I only have boys clothes with me, I do not wish to impose but could I please have a bath for I have not had one in days."
Pity clouded Aragorn's philosophical eyes "I will get a maid to show you where." Sure enough a young maid came and took Aria away.
Haldir saw the back the head and knew who it was immediately he was walking away with a maid, the rider was very young barely old enough to be considered a man. He was very thin an almost female figure, it was the hair that gave it away. Silently he followed the maid showed him into a room Haldir hid around the corner and waited for the maid to pass. He crept up to the door he could hear the splash of water, it was nothing he hadn't seen before or had. He swung the door open and froze.
Aria was enjoying the water lapping around her she put her head under the water, loving the feeling rush around her face. She lifted the water far above her head and let it fall on her body. She pushed her hair off her face and began to scrub the grime off her limbs. Rubbing her leg she lifted it in the air and saw the bruises that lined the inside of her leg to the top of her thighs. It was then looked down and saw that she was bleeding. She panicked then remembered something Mrs Banks said to her sister when she thought Aria wasn't listening, something about when a girl lost her maidenhood that if it had not been broken then she would bleed, but Aria had nit done anything of the sort. The blood was not heavy but it stained her thighs, Aria stood up to wash it off. It was then that he walked in, at first Aria stood still then she remembered that she was not clothed and grabbed for some clothing. He just stood their eyes wide and a gawping mouth. He muttered "Um, I'm sorry." He promptly left.
Haldir stood outside and leaned against the wall, so the rider was a she not a he. Her legs were all bruised and blooded, he was not surprised she rode a horse with no hands and bareback. She was very beautiful almost exactly like an elf, but her hair was of course short. She had the most perfect figure he had ever seen, much nicer now she was out of the boy clothes. Why was she in boy's clothes? She was the most perfect thing he had ever seen every part of her even where she was injured. She was immaculate. She had the most; he stopped himself for she was too close to be aroused, just a door separating them.
Chapter 3
The ride to Minas Tirith was swift and hasty; Aria's mind was on other things though she did not let her speed drop. The pair only stopped twice, Olathe was a resilient steed but he did tire eventually. Aria was pleased to rest also Olathe led them to a stream, bathing the back of her neck and taking generous gulps of the water Aria rested on the banks of the river. Olathe bathed in the water, tossing it high above his head and pleasuring in the feeling once it fell on his back. The water looked so inviting and Aria had not bathed since leaving Ahelstan; she was in the process of undressing when a voice was heard in the distance. Aria became immediately alert and so did Olathe, men. She rushed over to her horse who was on the bank and agilely jumped on her horses back her top still showing the remnants of the nightdress. She patted Olathe and he moved forward stopping because his owner was not steady Aria whispered in his ear "Do not fret I shall be fine just move swiftly, I shall balance just go." Olathe dashed forward, Aria clasped her shirt buttons trying to fix them her weight unbalanced she leaned into Olathe's muscular neck using her under worked leg muscles to keep her grip on the horses back. To her surprise she stayed on and even got her buttons secured correctly.
The men came out of the woods and spoke to each other, the first staring at the figure disappearing in front of them "That is a very good rider. Especially for a man."
The second looked confused "What do you mean man?"
The first smiled "They do not understand horses, well very few do. "
The second still looked somewhat confused "No how do you it is a man?"
The first began walking forward laughing. The second caught up "What did you mean about the man?"
The first spoke clearly "You can tell it is a man by the short hair, you would think you would know!"
The second did not see anything wrong with what he had said; "Well I'm sorry I am just not used to being around short hair." He studied the rider who was now far away "That is good rider, why did he flee when we approached?"
The first crouched staring at the ground and stood back up "He was bathing, shy perhaps. Now we must get back."
They walked over to their horses further down stream.
Aria leaned into Olathe's neck; his repetitive bobbing brought some calm to her erratic heart. She leaned back loosening her aching leg muscles enough to turn around to see the 'voice' from beside the river bank, she could only make out two men on horses coming in the same direction as her, she spurred Olathe on not wanting to meet people in her guise. Her efforts were wasted the men had managed to cover a large amount of ground in such a short amount of time. Aria did still not relent from driving Olathe faster and faster.
The first began to talk to his companion "Do you think that he is trying to avoid us? We warn Aragorn of this person."
The second was more sympathetic "We do not need to be so drastic, let him ride we will soon catch up."
The first continued to stare at the anonymous rider.
"How did YOU let THIS happen!" Queen Helvetin screamed at the scared looking solider. "Who is to blame?"
"I'm very sorry, my Queen I won't let it happen again. The guard that was meant to be on watch has fled. We will search for him and punish him for his incompetence."
The Queen kept her face straight, which was a hard task all she wanted to do was congratulate the ignorant bastard who ended her putrid daughter's life but her motherly duties did call for anger and sadness. She stayed stony faced "I do not wish him to be hunted down for his misconduct, let my daughter lie. She has barley been dead three days and my husband mere days before that. Let me grieve."
The guard nodded and left. The woman covered her mouth so a laugh would not escape. How foolish men were once a woman showed any form of emotion, either running into her arms to comfort her or in the other direction scared. They were the stupidest of all creatures, so easy to control. The woman went over to her chest of drawers and pulled out the letter Lady Arwen had sent her she wondered if Sora might go in Aria's place. Children were a nuisance once they got passed their childhood. Karr was becoming deep and serious not good traits in a man who would be king in a short while, he had to find a wife and no one would go for him if he could not offer them a good time. She smiled at the thought of her childhood and girlhood; it had been a very pleasurable time for all involved. By the time she was Aria's she was very experienced and knew how to give a man a good time. She crept out behind her mother's back almost every night to meet some form of man, it was her last night as a 'girl' or so everyone thought and she crept out for one last night of freedom. To her delight she met with a handsome young man, she got rather drunk but could still remember what was going on he did not want to take her and she reacted badly calling him a c**t tease. He tried to calm her but she kept gadding him until he finally grabbed her and flung her on the bed ripping her clothes off, she was in pure ecstasy all night once the stranger did leave she felt fine. Later she was pregnant but everyone presumed that it from her marriage, all except her husband he knew once the baby was born that it was not his. She soon had another his true heir so that Aria would not get his precious thrown once he was dead; it only added that it was a boy that she bore. Karr was brought up ready for the crown; he even attended Elrond's council when he was a lad with a chaperone of course. Her children were not the fore most thoughts unlike the sad case mother's who lost all identity once they had children, not her she flourished having done all her wifely duties now she could have all the fun.
Aria arrived at the gates to Minas Tirith looking rather wind swept but it only added to her masculine appearance. A guard stopped her and asked what she wanted she was taken aback and stammered a reply "I wish to see Lady Arwen on the subject of Princess Aria…" Speaking her name stabbed at her fragile heart "…of Ahelstan, she is expecting her but I bring bad news." The guard looked confused but he did what the young traveller asked and sent word to Lady Arwen. A reply came quickly and Aria was rushed into the huge hall where Arwen sat by the fire. She looked up, the beauty of the woman sitting in front of her astounded Aria.
Arwen smiled at the young boy who stood before her "I hear that you have news of Princess Aria."
Aria tried not to wince at the mention of her name; she cleared her throat "Yes she perished in a fire, I was asked to bring you the news."
Arwen covered her mouth "That is the most terrible news, so soon after her father. I feel it for her family."
Aria tried to keep the subject off her family at least until they were alone. She spoke again "Could I speak to you alone?"
The guards took a step forward Arwen shooed them away. Once gone Arwen spoke to Aria "What is it that bothers you?"
Aria sat down beside Arwen "I need your counsel and your help."
Arwen looked deep into Aria's eyes "Then you should speak to my husband, are you a relative of Princess Aria?"
Aria shook her head and pulled back her hair from her face. With her voice no louder than a whisper Aria told Arwen "I am Princess Aria."
Arwen looked suspicious "You have just told me that she died in a fire."
Aria tried not to cry "I had to run away, I…I…I left a guard in my room so they would find…someone." The tears came again even though she tried to hold them back. "You must understand my life was in danger, my m…" She could not bring herself to say the words.
Arwen placed a hand on the girl's shoulder "I feared that something like this would happen. Hush we will protect you."
Aria did not know when the person came in the room but Aria could feel the presence behind her, she turned to see Aragorn looking worried. He looked at Arwen and asked sympathetically "Who is this?"
Arwen sat up "This is Princess Aria of Helvetin. She has come to seek refuge."
Aragorn's eyes looked troubled "I have just heard that she died in a fire. How can this be?"
Arwen lowered her eyes "I will tell you later, for now we have to find you a new identity."
Aria stared at the handsome couple "I thank you for your help but I only have boys clothes with me, I do not wish to impose but could I please have a bath for I have not had one in days."
Pity clouded Aragorn's philosophical eyes "I will get a maid to show you where." Sure enough a young maid came and took Aria away.
Haldir saw the back the head and knew who it was immediately he was walking away with a maid, the rider was very young barely old enough to be considered a man. He was very thin an almost female figure, it was the hair that gave it away. Silently he followed the maid showed him into a room Haldir hid around the corner and waited for the maid to pass. He crept up to the door he could hear the splash of water, it was nothing he hadn't seen before or had. He swung the door open and froze.
Aria was enjoying the water lapping around her she put her head under the water, loving the feeling rush around her face. She lifted the water far above her head and let it fall on her body. She pushed her hair off her face and began to scrub the grime off her limbs. Rubbing her leg she lifted it in the air and saw the bruises that lined the inside of her leg to the top of her thighs. It was then looked down and saw that she was bleeding. She panicked then remembered something Mrs Banks said to her sister when she thought Aria wasn't listening, something about when a girl lost her maidenhood that if it had not been broken then she would bleed, but Aria had nit done anything of the sort. The blood was not heavy but it stained her thighs, Aria stood up to wash it off. It was then that he walked in, at first Aria stood still then she remembered that she was not clothed and grabbed for some clothing. He just stood their eyes wide and a gawping mouth. He muttered "Um, I'm sorry." He promptly left.
Haldir stood outside and leaned against the wall, so the rider was a she not a he. Her legs were all bruised and blooded, he was not surprised she rode a horse with no hands and bareback. She was very beautiful almost exactly like an elf, but her hair was of course short. She had the most perfect figure he had ever seen, much nicer now she was out of the boy clothes. Why was she in boy's clothes? She was the most perfect thing he had ever seen every part of her even where she was injured. She was immaculate. She had the most; he stopped himself for she was too close to be aroused, just a door separating them.