The Rising of the Sun
by jenelin

Author's note: I'm not Tolkien - No one belongs to me but Telëariel...and the random messenger in this chapter.

This chapter is pretty short - the next one should be quite a bit longer, and I can promise that things will move into the warm and fuzzy zone. That chapter is halfway written and will hopefully get posted either tonight or tomorrow morning.

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IV: The Cold Lady of Rohan

The Lady Éowyn was unhappy. Telëariel had, at first, thought her very cold, but the longer she knew her, the more she just found her sad. Éowyn talked little, but Telëariel felt close to her, for she saw the sadness of love in her eyes. She wished to speak to her of it, but knew that the woman would not appreciate it.

And one evening, Éowyn brought it up herself.

They sat in front of a fire, eating a small dinner. The day had been long, and Éowyn declared that she would eat in peace with her elven guest. Telëariel was grateful, for she had heard news of the battles being fought, and they worried her.

"You have loved, have you not?" asked Éowyn as they drank glasses of sweet wine.

"Twice have I loved, and twice have I been hurt. The first left me, and the second passed away."

"Boromir of Gondor, correct?" She noticed Telëariel's shocked look. "People talk."

"I did not think many knew. But I did love him, though I saw him for only a short time."

"I understand," said Éowyn softly. "For my heart too has been taken in a moment. Long have people said that my heart was frozen, and I had begun to believe it myself. The Cold Lady of Rohan. But I know now why my heart did not live, for it had not yet seen any worthy of its affection." She paused, fingering the threads of her dress. "I'm sorry. You do not want to hear this."

"No, please. I know what you feel. Long did my heart remain silent, and when it came to life the passion was almost more than I could bear. I did not know how to act. I hardly knew what I was feeling. And then he left me. For centuries my heart slept until Boromir appeared in Lórien. And then it was as if the sun had risen, casting all shadows out of my life."

"And now?"

"Now? The sun has set, and it will not rise again. My heart cannot bear another loss." Telëariel smiled sadly. "I should not speak of this; it will depress you."

"Speak of what you will, my mind is dark. But if it pains you, we can speak of other things. Tell me, Telëariel of the Wood, of your travels this past while. A strange company you are."

"Indeed, and it was strange for me to travel with them. And though I did not want to go with them when I first found my love was gone, I am thankful they were there when I could not return home."

"How hard that must be! To be cut off from your home and your people. But it must have been some comfort to be with another of the Elves."

Telëariel stood quickly and spoke bitterly. "There is no friendship between myself and Legolas Greenleaf."

"Forgive me for speaking of it then, and do not turn away from me, Telëariel." Éowyn rose also, and placed her hand on Telëariel's arm. "Let us be friends, for we have much in common."

Telëariel turned and grasped Éowyn's hands. "I would like nothing more."

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After Éowyn went to her rooms, Telëariel remained, watching the lingering fire die out. Though they had not really spoken for long, she was glad to have done so.

Somehow my heart does not seem as tired. Sharing my pain has relieved it, though it was hard to do so. And I am glad that somebody understands.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of a man, dirty and obviously travel-worn.

"You are not the Lady Éowyn," said the man in surprise. "They told me she would be here."

"She has retired for the night."

"I came with messages for her."

Telëariel stood tall before him. "Any tidings you have, I can bear to the Lady Éowyn. For the time, I serve her, as I have served my Lady Galadriel."

The man looked at her for the first time. "That things should be so changed that an elf of the Golden Wood resides at Dunharrow," he muttered, but he agreed to give his messages to her. "I bring good tidings, for victory has been had, and Orthanc has been defeated. Even now some who fought there are headed this way, and they will arrive soon."

"I thank you for your news, for we have had little during this time, and have been much worried. Do you know who we are expecting?"

"Only that one called Aragorn leads them."

"Éowyn will be glad to hear it."

The man took his leave of her, and Telëariel remained with her thoughts. She thought of Éowyn, and knew that the woman would be glad to see Aragorn again. But the more she dwelled on the subject, the more she wondered if she had done right in not mentioning what she knew about the Man.

For I saw Elessar and Elrond's daughter in the Wood, and I know that she gifted him the stone he wears now. But how can I speak of such things, when it would hurt Éowyn so? It will have to be a matter between the two of them, for I do not think I can bring myself to speak of it to her.

Then Telëariel rested, anxious for what the next day would bring.


Continued...