So this came together a lot quicker than I thought it would. I hope this posting rate continues but my writers block is infamous for being terrible moody.
Thank you to all of you lovely readers who always come back to read my crazy take on Lord of the Rings. I hope you like this chapter.
"Young Master Gandalf." Saeleth smiled as she watched the humongous tree walk up to them. "I'm glad you've come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master. But there is a wizard to manage here, locked in his tower. "
"Young?" Pippin whispered, behind Elle. "Gandalf is anything but young." Elle's eyes widened and stifled a giggle.
"If you were as old as Treebbeard, you would consider everyone young children, Pip." Saeleth whispered back, catching Merry and Eomer's eyes as she spoke, admiration and respect in her tone. "He's been around for a very, very long time."
"Show yourself." Aragorn whispered, his eyes on the highest part of the tower.
"Be careful, even in defeat Saruman is dangerous." Gandalf warned quietly, his eyes intent on the tower's peak..
"Well let's just have his head and be done with it." Gimli suggested roughly.
"No," Gandalf objected immediately. "We need him alive. We need him to talk." Maethien took a deep breath, touching her pendant for comfort.
"You have fought many wars and slain many men, Theoden King." Saruman's deep voice spoke to them as clearly as if he had been right in front of them, but he revealed himself upon the roof of Orthanc, leaning heavily on his staff. "-And made peace afterwards. Can we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?"
Maethein looked to the King, his gaze on the rippling water below them. "We shall have peace." He said quietly, then his bright eyes rose to meet those of Saruman, and his voice strengthened mightily. "We shall have peace when you answer for the burning of the Westfold and the children that lie dead there!" Up above, Saruman's hands tightened anxiously on his staff as he listened the Kings mighty resolve.
"We shall have peace when the lives of the soldiers whose bodies were thrown even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornburg, are avenged! When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace." Though his words were angry, Theodon also spoke with justice, he spoke for his people, the people of Rohan who turned to him to be their mighty leader. The King of Rohan, had spoken.
"Gibbets and crows?" Saruman spoke gruffly, his words growing angry and unbalanced. "Dotard!" His eyes turned to the white wizard at the center of their company, a sneer forming on his face. "What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess. The key of Orthanc. Or perhaps the keys of Barad-dur itself along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the Five Wizards!" Saruman growled down harshly.
"Your treachery has already cost many lives." Gandald spoke, ignoring the foolish things Saruman had hissed. "Thousands more are at risk. But you can save them, Saruman. You were deep in the enemy's counsel!" Maethien took a deep steadying breath, moving her hand to settle it over Aragorns, the ranger immediately turned his hand to take hers gently, lacing his fingers through hers.
"So. You have come for information." Saruman smiled cruelly down at Gandalf, nodding his head slowly as he thought. "I have something for you." He thrust the palantir forward and gazed into it madly, a wicked smile on his lips. A loud hissing pierced thorugh the sister's ears, a hissing that only they could hear by the look of it. It was high pitched and painful, it took considerable strength for them to restrain their bodies from reacting to the pain. "Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth. Something that you have failed to see... but the Great Eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon." Gandalf moved forward, waving his hand back to stop anyone from following him.
"You are all going to die." Saruman spoke deeply, harshly a look of madness in his wide, dark eyes. He slowly moved to hide away his palantir- taking with the painful hissing- his eyes on Gandalf, who now stood at the base of Orthanc.
"But you knew this, don't you, Gandalf? You cannot think that this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor." Saruman spat. Maethien's fingers tightened around Aragorn's hand, rage roaring mightily inside her. "The exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned king." He sneered, prompting Mae to grit her teeth. "Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those closest to him, those he professes to love." Saeleth's hands tightened on Gadriel's reigns, her nails digging into her palms as she glared dangerously up at Saruman.
"Tell me, what words of comfort did you give the halfling before you sent him to his doom? The path that you have set him on can only lead to death." Maethien felt Aragorn tense behind her, his hand tightening around her waist, his eyes filled with shame.
"Do no listen to him, a desperate man is a cruel and dangerous one." Maethien whispered to him turning her head so that she could see him from the corner of her eyes, moving her free hand so that she could stroke his ring gently. "You are more than just a King, Aragorn. You will see this soon, just as I see it now." Aragorn looked back at her softly and said nothing, but she could read the subtle appreciation in his blue eyes.
"I've heard enough! Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob." Gimli whispered to Legolas, who slowly reached for an arrow, his eyes never leaving Saruman.
"No!" Gandalf repeated. "Come down, Saruman, and your life will be spared!"
"Save your pity ad your mercy! I have no use for it!" Saruman spat out in rage and lifted his staff, shooting a burst of flames at Gandalf.
"Mae! Shield!" Saeleth called out, Maethein's left arm lifted and the golden barrier formed around the riders and horses that had stayed behind, protecting those who did not have the ability to wield magic. From behind the shield, they watched as Gandalf emerged from the flames unharmed, his own incredible power destroying the flames with ease. Mae's shield faded.
"Saruman! Your staff is broken." As if his words had spoken a spell, the old wizards staff broke in to pieces in his hands, his hands quivered with anger, his eyes filled with dark flames.
It was then that Grima appeared, slowly slinking up behind Saruman, to look down upon the riders.
Theoden's eyes widened slightly and he quickly made to speak to the pale man. "Grima, you need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a Man of Rohan." The king's voice spoke proudly, then it softened into a plea. "Come down." Grima's lips quivered, pulling at a corner gently in an attempt to smile gratefully... but he was stopped before he could make to leave.
"A Man of Rohan?" Saruman asked bitterly. "What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands drink in the reek and their brats roll on the floor with the dogs? The victory at Helm's Deep does not belong to you, Theoden Horse-master. You are a lesser son of the greater sires."
"He is more than you ever were, old fool. "Maethien suddenly called out, causing both Aragorn and Saeleth's hearts to skip a beat or two. "He has earned and kept the loyalty and faith of his people. He has earned and kept his honor! I did not ride all this way to exchange insults with a battered and powerless old dolt, tell us what we need to know or forfeit your worthless life." Aragorn's arm tightened around Mae, both to protect and to try to restrain, but her eyes were on the wizard above, her gaze blazing.
"This coming from a worthless girl hiding in a warriors body, frightened and useless." Saruman's cruel words rang in her ears. "Ask yourself, what will happen when the Valar abandon you? Have no doubt that they will. You and your sisters are nothing but orphan children from another realm. Worthless." Both Maethien and Saeleth scoffed.
"At least we are worthless children with honor." Maethien retaliated.
"Grima," The sisters looked to the King, silencing their rage to allow him to speak. "Come down. Be free of him." Theoden offered softly again.
"Free?" Saruman growled. "He will never be free." Grima shook his head, speaking out defiantly, which then earned him the wrath of the old wizard. Baring his teeth, Saruman turned to the man and growled through gritted teeth. "Get down, cur!" His fist lashed out and struck Grima across the face.
"Saruman!" Gandalf called out, drawing his attention away from the fallen man. "You were deep in the enemy's counsel. Tell us what you know!" Gandal's tone had taken on a dangerous edge, he was growing impatient and everyone could see it.
"You withdraw your guard, and I will tell you where your doom will be decided. I will not be held prisoner here." Grima leaped up behind Saruman suddenly, gripping the old wizard firmly and stabbing him repeatedly in the back with his dagger. Legolas reacted instantly, shooting an arrow that lethally wounded Grima, forcing him to release Sruman.
The old wizard fell forward and the sisters gasped, they had forgotten this part.
"Marry, Pippin look away." Saeleth ordered in a whisper, moving so that the hobbits did not have to see when Saruman was impaled with one of his own devices. There was a brief shocked silence as everyone looked at the dead body of the once great wizard, Saruman.
"Send word to all our allies," Gandalf turned back to his companions. "-and to every corner of Middle-Earth that still stand free. The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike." A loud groan emitted from the device that held Saruman, causing everyone to turn. Eomer and Elle both refused to let the young hobbits watch as the wheel slowly turned, burying the wizard into a watery grave.
"The filth of Saruman is washing away. Trees will come to live here, young trees... wild trees." Treebeard told them, his gruff voice prompting a smile from Elle as she gazed up at the Ent's haggard face. She was forced to look away when she felt Pippin moving behind her.
"Pippin?" He jumped down from Gadriel and waded away from her, ignoring Elle's calls as he bent down and drew something from the water, the perfectly smooth object captivating him instantly.
"Peregrin Took." Gandalf's firm voice startled Pippin out of his trance. "I'll take that my lad. Quickly now." He urged the hobbit gently, Pippin looked at the palantir once more then slowly reached out to hand it to Gandalf.
Maethien suddenly felt weary and troubled, she felt as if a heavy weight was pressing against her chest. It took her a moment to realize that she was holding onto her pendant and that it was Anoreth's emotions she was feeling, not her own.
"Elle." Maethien called out softly, prompting her sister to look at her. She then glanced down to her pendant and gestured at her with her head, telling her with her eyes that they needed to talk. All three of them. Saeleth nodded her understanding. Mae then released her hold on her pendant and moved to get off of Aragorn's horse, releasing his hand and balancing herself smoothly as she moved.
"Don't wait for us." She said as she hopped off the saddle and turned to smile up at her him. "We'll follow you shortly, I promise." She looked away from Aragorn's curious gaze as she urged Pippin to come to her, helping him settle up behind Aragorn on his horse. She then walked over to Saeleth, taking the hand her sister offered and swung onto Belan's back just behind Elle.
"Mae." Aragorn only said her name, but with just that alone he was able to convey his worry and hesitation to leave her behind.
"Don't worry, Aragorn." Elle said with a confident smile. "We won't be long." She promised, catching a glimpse of Eomer's curious gaze.
"We'll catch up." Mae added, and shot Aragorn one more smile before patting her sisters back. "Let's go." Elle nodded and turned Belan. The sisters and their trusted mare galloped back into the forest where they could be alone with the trees, somewhere where they could relax and speak to Anoreth alone. They had not spoken to their sister since they had separated, only checked up on her and pushed their own magical energy through the pendant to her when they felt she needed a boost.
Maethien gripped her pendant again and focused. "She's feeling so tired and... dark. I'm worried." Mae dropped off of Belan and was closely followed by Elle, the sisters looked at each other for a moment, then simply did what their instincts called for them to do. With one hand gripping their pendants and the other holding on to each other's hands, they closed their eyes and focused all of their energy on their little sister.
"Ann?" Maethien asked tentatively.
"What?" Anorth's voice snapped, causing both Mae and Elle's eyes to snap open in alarm. "Oh, dammit. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Immediately after having snapped at them, Ann's voice returned, sounding weary and quite moody.
"What's wrong, Ann? Are you alright?" Elle asked, panic rising in her tone.
"Not really." Ann muttered quietly. "The closer we get to Mordor, the heavier the darkness becomes. It's getting a little harder to be Frodo's light when the shadows are getting bolder and I'm feeling so tired and... emotional."
"Well... aren't you usually pretty emotional?" Mae teased, loving the sound of her little sisters giggle, she hadn't heard it in so long.
"Yes, but this is different. I just feel so angry and tired all the time! When I was with Faramir and his men I spent every minute snapping and snarling at him, I'm surprised I never snapped at Frodo or Sam. You know I don't hold on to my anger for long, Mae but sometimes it hard to let go."
"It's Melkor." Elle murmured wearily, understanding immediately what he sister was struggling with. "Lady Galadriel said he would target us all, remember? That we would each suffer his wrath in a different way."
"So he's making me suffer by making me angry? That's not very smart considering I can use this anger to beat him to a bloody pulp." The sisters laughed.
"He's targeting our strengths, Ann." Elle said, her hand tightening around Maethien's. "He knows that your greatest strength is your emotions, honey. How you can love so unconditionally, forgive so easily, and care so deeply... he's using your feelings, your very personality to make you see nothing but anger and exhaustion and darkness."
"He knows that Elle's strength is in her self control so he's tried to drive her mad by forging a connection between her and his dark magic. Making her feel as if she has no control and is useless and dangerous to everyone she loves. He still tries, constantly to appeal to that dark madness." Maethien continued, understanding what Saeleth was trying to say.
"And he knows that Mae's strength is in her devotion to protect and in her strength. He knows that Mae will protect everyone she loves even if it means her death, he knows that she will always push herself to be stronger so that everyone else won't have to. That's why he sent the balrog to kill her."
"... HE WHAT?!" Ann's shout rang in the sister's ears, making them all grimace from the piercing sound. "He what?" She asked a little quieter.
"Didn't you feel it? When I lost all of my energy?" Maethien asked, surprised.
"No! I was kind of tied up while you were in Helm's Deep. Literally! I was released only in time to feel that you two were alive and safe!."
"Oh... well... surprise?"
"Not funny." Ann muttered, then breathed a sigh, surprised to feel... light. As if the pressure of the darkness had faded from her body and allowed her to breathe easily. Mae and Elle smiled, feeling that their little sister was feeling a lot better than she had when they had first spoken to her. Even they felt much better! The lingering shadows of Saruman's power dissolving away and being replaced by a warm and free feeling.
"That feels so much better. Why the hell did we wait this long to talk?" Ann asked bluntly, prompting a giggle from her sisters.
"Probably because we've all been a little busy trying not to die." Mae pointed out.
"Oh, right. Dammit. I miss you." Ann breathed, feeling a deep longing to be able to hug her sisters and see their pretty smiles.
"We miss you too, Ann. So, so much." Maethien whispered tearfully.
"We'll be together again soon." Elle said, believing with all her might that they would be together again.
"We'd better. Don't either of you go dying on me. I'll kick your asses if you do." The sisters laughed again then said nothing for a long moment, simply breathing in the wonderful feeling that surrounded them, drawing strength from each other in silence. This was what they needed, to be together even if it was just in mind, so that they could regain their strength. Lady Galadriel and the Valar had told them, that their power was strongest when they were together, and they had meant it.
"You guys need to go."Ann said softly, though she did not want them to leave anymore than they wanted to. "This quest isn't over yet."
"That it isn't. But it will be soon. Be careful, Anoreth. Take care of the hobbits."
"I'll guard them with my life, Mae."
"Take care of yourself too, little sister. We're going to be together again, all three of us, no excuses."
"No excuses." Ann agreed. "I love you."
"We love you too, Ann. Stay safe. We'll see you soon."
And with that, the sister's all released their connection to each other, each sister opening their eyes and slowly, almost unwillingly, letting go of their gleaming pendant so that it rested against their chests once again. When they looked up, they realized that they could breathe again, they felt rejuvenated and ready to face the rest of whatever Melkor had in mind for them. They knew that as long as they were together, they could handle anything he threw at them.
"We should go." Elle said, looking over to where she had left Belan, she was surprised when she found that Belan was not alone.
"Talagor! You came back." Mae, happy to see her mare, rushed forward and embraced her mare's long neck sweetly. The mare neighed at her indignantly, as if she was saying "of course I did!" The sisters laughed then moved to mount their horses, hoisting themselves onto the saddles.
"Alright then, let's go." Together they cantered from the trees then galloped across the open plain to catch up with the others, letting themselves feel the wind and freedom of riding. They were so in tuned with the synchronized galloping of their mares that they were plenty surprised when they suddenly heard the sound of another rider coming up fast beside them. Instantly wary, the sisters turned their heads to face whoever was coming at them. Then Maethien's features relaxed as she realized who it was.
"Eomer!" Mae called out. "What are you doing here?" She asked curiously, amiably. Saeleth's question, however, was not as friendly or happy.
"Did you wait for us?" She asked, her tone sharp enough that it made Mae's eyes widen in surprise. Her sister never snapped at people like that, she was usually always in control of herself, sometimes infuriatingly so, and if she didn't care for someone she just treated them with indifference... but right now? She was being,well, rude and there was a wild barrage of emotions flitting across Elle's eyes that Maethien could see even as they galloped toward Rohan. Maethien was even more surprised to see that Eomer was completely unruffled by Elle's sharp words, in fact he looked rather amused. What the hell?
"Elle!" Mae said, her tone slightly chastising.
"Worry not, Maethien. I quickly discovered that your sister is quite an enigma." Eomer called out. Mae blinked in surprise, then suddenly threw back her head and released a sincere and happy laugh.
"I'm honestly not sure whether to deem that a compliment or an insult." Elle muttered, prompting a smile to the warriors face.
"A compliment of course, Elle. I know no woman who is capable of such puzzling mystery, compelling contradiction, or humorous wit while also being strong, loving, and loyal." And for once, Saeleth was utterly speechless, her eyes wide with surprise as she turned her head to look at Eomer. The warrior smiled at the elleth for a moment, allowing her to see the sincerity of what he had just said... then he turned to face forward and shrugged dismissively, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"On the other hand," Eomer suddenly said with a smirk. "Being an enigma could simply mean that you are an infuriatingly contradictory and complex character who doesn't even know what it is that she wants, feels, or believes. There is such a thing as being too complex, Saeleth." Maethien burst into a fit of laughter at the utterly flabbergasted look that crossed her sister's face.
"Why you-" Saeleth growled and drew in a breath. "Infuriating? You want to know what's really infuriating?!" Elle asked, a threat in the tone of her voice as she turned her head slightly toward Eomer. Both riders seemed fully prepared to launch themselves into an argument that would leave Maethien to clutch at her sides from the laughter she would not be able to contain.
The three riders rode all the way up into the stables, the people of Rohan looking after them as they passed, the sound of Maethien's laughter could be heard all around. The two riders with her finally took a break as they lead their mounts into their stalls, she was thankful when Eomer was lead to a stall farther away from theirs. She really needed a chance to take a breath, but when she looked at Elle's face she took off laughing again.
"This isn't funny!" Elle complained and actually pouted as she began to untack Belan.
"Yes, it is actually. My goodness, who would have thought that Eomer could be so..."
"Infuriating? Frustrating? Aggravating?"
"Incisive." Maethien said, smiling when she saw her sister scowl. She finished untacking Talagor then patted her horses nose before walking into her sister's stall and gripping her shoulders to turn her around to face her. "Elle. I think he might like you." It was then that Mae wondered if she had been as incredulously blind to the truth about Aragorn's possible feelings as Elle was of Eomer's possible feelings for her. Immediately after hearing the words, Elle began to shake her head, denial in her eyes.
"And you like him too." Maethien watched Elle open her mouth to object and lifted a brow, challenging her to object. "Elle. Come on. What do you feel when you're with him?" She asked, and grinned when Saeleth let out a sharp breath, lifting a hand to rake it through her hair.
"What don't I feel would be the shorter question! I feel everything! He can make me so damned frustrated, then make me laugh, then so annoyed, then warm. For the lack of a better word, I feel when I'm around him." Elle burst, her words slowly getting quieter and quieter as she slowly began to realize the possibility of the meaning behind her words.
"See?" Mae asked with a smug grin. "I think you like him, Elle. Goodness knows that you've always needed someone that can challenge you and your complexities. That can make you lose control in a good way an make you laugh and, apparently Eomer can do that." Maethien knew she was heading in the right direction when Saeleth said nothing. It was when she knew that she had no argument left to dish out that Elle usually found herself saying absolutely nothing. Mae knew that. Smiling, Mae reached out to take her sister's face into her hands and leaned close to press a quick kiss to her forehead.
"Mull over that while we go to the celebration, huh?" With that, Saeleth laughed and wrapped her arms around her big sister's waist while Mae wrapped her arms around her little sister's shoulders, the perfect picture of sisterly affection. Together, they wandered out of the stables and made to find their friends.
"Eowyn!" Maethien complained when the princess held out a pretty light blue dress. "Come on, Eowyn, wear something with a little more color. Please?" Maethien pleaded with a smile, hopping up and down on the bed where she sat, watching the princess decide what to wear for the celebration.
"Something like this." Elle spoke up and pulled out a scarlet dress. "Tonight is a celebration! Wear something dazzling!" The princess looked from one sister to the other, then glanced down at the brilliant red dress... and sighed her defeat.
"Alright." She conceded, though she was smiling at that fact. She took the dress and moved to change behind her screen. "Don't you think it's a little... noticeable?" The princess asked hesitantly, making the sisters glance at each other with wide grins.
"That's the point, Eowyn." Mae called out, prompting a giggle from the princess as she stepped out from behind her screen, the sisters gaped. The glimmering fabric clung to her lean body and the golden patterns embroidered on the gown swirled everywhere, shades of scarlet and ruby blending in beautifully with the gold.
"Beautiful." Maethien breathed with a smile.
"That she is." Elle added as she drifted forward to turn the princess around so that she could fix her hair into something a little more celebratory. She braided a thin section of blonde hair on either side of the woman's head, to create a sort of circlet of braids, and overlapped them beneath her head, using a pin the keep the braids in place. She then lifted the most of Eowyns cascading hair and pilled it into a messy, yet enticing, bun at the base of of her neck, leaving the rest of her luscious curls loose in a very simple and pretty half updo. Ah, the perks of having lived in the 21st century.
"There." Elle said. "Perfect."
"Hmm," Mae came up behind the women, tapping her finger to her lips thoughtfully as she gazed upon Eowyn's jewels. "One last thing." She mumbled, then brightened when she spotted what she'd been looking for. "Ah! There we go." She breathed and took a ruby necklace from her jewels and clasped it around her throat gently.
Eowyn smiled at the sisters and quickly powdered her face before standing and turning in a full circle. "Am I ready?" She asked comically, smiling when the sisters flushed subtly and laughed.
"You are ready." Maethien concluded.
"Good. Now it's your turns." Eowyn pointed at both sisters who immediately beamed. The sisters had absolutely no aversion to a little dressing up. Actually, they really enjoyed putting on the long, flowing gowns. The princess laughed pleasantly at their eager expressions and quickly wandered to a corner of her room where a large chest sat alone, she knelt before it and opened it wide.
"My uncle bid me to give you these."Eowyn said softly as she pulled out two bundles, neatly folded within an intricate cloth. "The King wishes you to wear them to this celebration." She added as she approached the surprised sisters, setting one package into Mae's hands and the other into Elle's. "And you cannot refuse the King." Eowyn added with a humorous smile. She looked at the sister's faces once more then proceeded to peal into a fit of giggles. They looked positively stunned.
"I... But... We..." At a loss for words, Mae looked down at the neatly folded package in her hands for a moment, then lifted her tearfully joyous gaze to the smiling woman.
"Thank you, Eowyn." Elle breathed, struggling to speak over the stinging of emotion at her throat. "We'll be sure to the thank the King as well." Mae nodded her eager agreement.
"It is our pleasure. Now go! Get changed! We have a celebration to attend." The princess needn't have told the sisters twice, for immediately the elleth's turned and flew to their rooms to change.
In her room, Maethien softly unwrapped the gown from it's protective cloth and breathed in a soft gasp when she set eyes on the beautiful gown the Eowyn and the King of Rohan had given her. It was a bold indigo with long flowing sleeves and a deep brown leather corset that would hug to the curved of Maethien's abdomen; adorning the rich brown of the gown was a deep lavender jeweled belt that wrapped neatly around the center of the corset, the silk on the inner skirt an equally deep lavender as the jewels at the midsection. Maethien was enchanted by it's beauty and she smiled the entire time that she slid carefully into the beautiful garment.
Meanwhile, Saeleth was slipping into her own gown, loving the feel of the silky fabric as it tickled her skin softly. All she could seem to do was smile, the King of Rohan had been incredibly generous in his gift, and Elle couldn't seem to calm the rush of happy emotions whirring inside her. The gown was a midnight blue with a flowing silky mantle clasped at her shoulders with blue jewels and intricate bead-work, long angel wing sleeves smooth against her skin in a material so fine it looked as if it had been spun by spiders. The gown was long, simple, and flowing, the only trace of sparkle on the neckline of the gown where an intricate web of deep blue gems and gold and silvery bead-work adorned the bodice like stars.
Eowyn beamed when Maethien emerged from her room, looking like much like a warrior princess. She had been right to suggest to her uncle that the gown wold suit Maethien well. The elleth spun around gracefully and Eowyn was happy to see that her friend enjoyed the gift immensely.
"You look like a vision, Maethien." She breathed, then turned when Saeleth emerged from her room next, gleaming in a gown like the night sky, her golden hair flowing down like a waterfall of golden starlight against the midnight blue. Maethien released a wolf whistle, making her sister laugh and spin in a circle so that the flowing dress would fly around her.
"Looking good, little sister." Mae said with a genuine smile.
"Thanks, Mae. You look stunning, yourself." Elle grinned, nodding appreciatively at the flowing indigo gown that her sister wore.
"I am happy that you liked your gifts." Eowyn said, smiling grandly at the sisters who returned her brilliant smile.
"We love them." Elle corrected as Maethien gave into temptation and spun around in a circle once more, prompting the princess to laugh again. It amazed Eowyn, how two elleths as mighty as they could suddenly become beaming children with something as simple a pretty gown... they truly cherished every little thing that came their way.
The sisters watched solemnly as Eowyn walked slowly up to where King Theoden stood at his throne, his kind eyes on his lovely niece. The princess of Rohan bowed her head respectfully and offered the holden goblet to her uncle, then moved to stand to his side when Theoden took the goblet into his hands. Eomer, now the prince of Rohan, stood proudly beside his uncle as well, his gaze solemn and regal.
The King raised his goblet in his hands and faced his people, everyone stood immediately, lifting their goblets as well as Theoden King spoke.
"Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country." The King raised his goblet high. "Hail the victorious dead!" He declared.
"Hail!" Everyone echoed and lifted their goblets and tankards high before taking a hearty sip in honor of their fallen warriors.
I'm having fun with this Eomer personality. I actually had to do a little research before I started with Eomer's dialogue... it's rather nerve-wracking. I fear that I don't bring justice to the character.
Thanks so so much for reading!
Angel897
I ate loads of chocolate! No regrets! Thanks so much for coming back to read Nel Muinthil! It's never a complete chapter until I see your name in the reviews :D Thank you so so much!
Guest
Now that is definitely and idea to consider. I'd love it if Maethien could meet Glorfindel! it would be so much fun! If I had any idea how to make it so Aragorn could be immortal I would totally consider it but... who knows. :D Thanks soooo much for commenting! Definitely something to think about :D
Woman of Letters
Oh I love it! Why did i never think about sending Maethien to kick writers block booty? I might have to do just that if it decided to rear back its ugly head. Thanks so much for always leaving a comment, review, feedback, or opinion! I truly love and appreciate every last one of them. There was more Mae and Aragorn cuteness here and even some Elle and Eomer! I have fun writing a little sweetness after writing chaos. I really hope you enjoyed this chapter! Thanks again!