Author's Note:
Warning: Chunk of joyousness & Yak of sweetness. Behold!
Disclaimers: I don't own any of the characters, places, names, etc (only the OC). It all belongs to J.R.R Tolkien and Peter Jackson.
~ Chapter Thirty Eight: Lle fiose amin! ~
Aragorn dreams took him back to Rivendell. In the soft light and humid air he would tune into the noises like they were a puzzle. On each conjuring of him sacred place he felt a frisson of joy, the same kind as he felt when he saw Arwen. His dreams could only be filled with her. "I choose a mortal life. I wish I could have seen him, one last time." she would admit in his dream, as he lay down. The Evenstar pendant fell suddenly against the ground and shattered. The Ranger woke up. His breath was lost with a shout. In his confusion he draw his blade. Though, it was only a dream. A soldier stood in the tent doorway.
"Sir? King Théoden awaits you, my Lord." the king's man told him as he was standing outside the doorway of the tent.
Aragorn nodded and stood up. His mind was still upset about the early dream. He walked to the king's tent and entered. Théoden and a cloaked figure were inside the tent. Théoden announced "I take my leave." He gave a light bow and existed his own tent. The cloaked figure approached Aragorn. He finally showed his face.
"My Lord, Elrond." the ranger was taken by surprised bowed with respect.
"I come on behalf of one whom I love." Elrond asserted as he glanced at the Evenstar pendant (that Aragorn was wearing) "Arwen is dying. She will not long survive the evil that now spreads from Mordor. The light of the Evenstar is failing. As Sauron's power grows, her strength wanes. Arwen's life is now tied to the fate of the Ring. The shadow is upon us, Aragorn. The end has come."
"It will not be our end but His." he uttered with confidence in his voice.
"You ride to war but not to victory." Elrond advised him "Sauron's armies march on Minas Tirith, as you know, but in secret He sends another force, which will attack from the river. A fleet of Corsair ships sails from the South. They'll be in the city in two days. You're outnumbered, Aragorn. You need more men."
"There are none." Aragorn responded honest.
"There are those who dwell in the mountain." the Lord of Rivendell revealed.
"Murderers! Traitors! You would call upon them to fight? They believe in nothing! They answer to no one." the ranger cried out loudly.
"They will answer to the King of Gondor!" Elrond voiced up as he revealed a sword. "Andúril Flame of the West. Forged from the shards of Narsil."
"Sauron will not have forgotten the Sword of Elendil." Aragorn commented as he let his finger touch its grip and drew the sword "The blade that was broken shall return to Minas Tirith."
"The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the ranger. Become who you were born to be. Take the Dimholt road." Elrond concluded. "Ónen i-Estel Edain." (I gave Hope to the Dúnedain.)
"Ú-chebin Estel anim." (I have kept no hope for myself.) Aragorn responded.
Suddenly, Ethir walked inside the Tent. She had heard most of their conversation. She was sure that was not the reason that she was called. "You wanted to see me Lord Elrond?" she asked as she bowed in respect. Yet, her gaze was paused against the sword that Aragorn held. "Andúril? But how?" she quizzed confused.
"Arwen had some elves forge it for it's King! She wanted to give more than Hope to the Dúnedain!" Elrond replied as he faced Ethir. "I asked to summon you Ethir!"
Ethir tilted her head, showing her confusion "Me? Why my Lord?"
"Haldir! Has finally woken up. He wanted me to ensure you that he is fine. And to thank you. You two have a lot to talk about. After this forsaken war is over. You two shall meet and talk." Elrond gave her words of hope.
"He is alive, then!" an earnest smile appeared on her face "I will make sure to speak with him. He only wanted me to know that!?"
"I think Lady Ethir you do not wish to know the rest. I think he was really irritated of the way his bleeding had stopped!" Elrond told her with a teasing tone.
Ethir shrugged as Aragorn and Elrond cast her a glance "I just wanted to help!" she mumbled. She bowed and wished Lord Elrond farewell. Walking out of the King's Tent her mind was in a happy place. Since Haldir was alive. And secondly, there was a way to find out about her family. Haldir seemed to know, more than she ever thought. She could even verify if Saruman's last words were true.
Moments later, Ethir found herself standing outside Legola's and Gimli's Tent. Her eyes opened widely, her mind wheeled in strange happy way. She remembered fireworks. She blinked in confusion, with her reaction. She rubbed herself and almost bit her lips in frustration. Yet, she had to inform him. They could not have Aragorn to go on his own and seek for a oath given by the dead.
Ethir stepped inside the tent. The scent of leaves wet and more tough than they appeared, the aroma went right to her brain, intoxicating, rich. Then with a steady gaze she would pick one small place and stare until she had unmasked the camouflage of the creatures hidden in plain sight. It was the 'annoying Elf'. He was dazzling than ever. He seemed more handsome than the winter sun above pristine snow; warmer than spring sunshine on soft new grass; more mesmerizing than the fall leaves. Her mind spun, she felt dizzy. Yet, her eyes were pinned on him.
Across her the elf was emotionless. He was bright and shiny, like always. Yet, his heart sank in disappointment. Her dark aura was still there. That meant she was fine. He almost dwelt into the darkness. There was a light feeling of dissatisfaction that showed on his face. Yet, he had not forgotten, the test of her lips. His touch on her body. He glared at her "What do you need?" he said in a deadly tone.
After few seconds of silents Ethir walked closer. "I have to talk to you. Two things you have to know!" she responded, her voice was sweeter than ever. Her eyes kept staring at her 'annoying elf'.
He leaned against the desk that was behind him. He crossed his arms against his chest "Then let me hear your reasons!" he voiced gazing deadly at her.
Ethir stepped even closer, she was only standing few inches away from him. 'Why was it to difficult for her to speak.' "Lord Elrond was here. He brought Andúril to Aragorn." she informed him. Her eyes wide open her fingers were tangling her own hair.
Legolas was baffled "Andúril? The shards of Narsil? But how?" His eyes narrowed, and he uncrossed his hands.
"Arwen had it forged by few Elves in Rivendell." Ethir explained. The view of Legolas was slowly burning her eyes. She had no words to explain what she felt. She ignored every sparkle that appeared in her. She was not used to have such no-named emotions. 'Why was her friend confusing her?'
"For the King of Gondor! Aragorn will..." the elf said, glancing at her worried.
She nodded "Aye. He is leaving tonight. He will take the Dimholt road, to find those who vowed to the King of Gondor once. He should not go alone!"
Legolas placed his hand on her shoulder, his face expression seemed kinder than before "Nay! His friends will go with him!" he declared.
"Inform Gimli, I have not seen him yet. I will not follow you this time!" Ethir revealed as she let him rest his hand on her shoulder.
He arched a sly brow "There is a strange tell to tell. Staying behind, that sounds not like you!" he quizzed. His eyes lightly glaring at her.
"I prefer to stay behind, with the others!" she responded, her gaze dipped into him.
"You will not fight! ..." the 'wicked' girl started to confused him again.
"No! I will fight! You know I would never refuse to be part in a battle so important than this!" she interrupted him "I just will not follow you!"
"You wish to follow the lords of the Mark!" he rose his tone. His heart beat faster and rage started to show in his eyes. "I thought you preferred to fight next to your friends!"
"If I had to follow someone in battle, it would be all of you, and not Lord Éomer! Why would you even think that way! But this time I cannot follow you. Not because I do not want to. Because I should not!" Ethir softly tried to explain him as she stepped a bit closer.
Legolas vowed under his breath, that she was trying to draw him mad. "Explain!? Why should you not?" he shouted as his right hand grabbed her arm.
Ethir sighed staring at him. She never wanted to admit words like those to him. Yet, seeing him suffer made her sad. "Fine! I have heard that Arwen is dying. She will not long survive the evil that now spreads. I have seen how it can affect the elves. This place is already filled with enough darkness. You are going to Dimholt road. There is more darkness there. If I come with you, there will be one more darkness added upon you! Can you handle so much evil?" she dropped her eyes and a tear slowly appeared around her cheeks "I cannot do this Legolas! How could I follow you, and be responsible... To hurt my friends! I will stay away for now! It has nothing to do with Lord Éomer or anyone from Rohan! Why would you ever think that!"
There are feelings that were visible. Things are done to prevent from being miserable. Being honest was what made someone believable, because some feeling might not always be reachable. Only, this time a pixie feeling was revealed. It lightened the Elf's heart. It placed back his smile on his face. He freed her arm and touched her cheek "Well, so much at least is now clear! I respect your decision! Forgive me. I was wrong to despair." he said, his tone kind and sweet.
Ethir smiled "Maybe! I will have to think about that!" she told him with a teasing tone.
"You said you wanted me to see me for two reasons!" Legolas asked her.
He was still smiling at her respond. The 'wicked girl' of his could easy turn his emotions around. Yet, she was right. 'Why would he ever mind, if she would fight with Lord Éomer.' The elf was not naive. He had walk in the mortal world for almost 500 years. Maybe for an Elf he was young at age. Though, he had seen more than Ethir. He could foresee, that he was attracted to her. She was not only his friend. He felt more about that human. Yet, his emotions could not be true. Ethir was a human. And there was no way, an Elf would ever love a human. At least not in a romantic way. Arwen did it, but Arwen was an Half-Elf. His Sindarin heritage, being the only son of King Thranduil, would never allow him to be bonded with a human. Those were surely confused emotions. Like when he thought he was in love with Tauriel. They had to be? He could not have fallen for a mortal, a wicked mortal. His wicked mortal.
Legolas was not the only one who was in denial. Ethir was in a much worse state. Since she never had fallen in love before. She did not know what love was. Nor could she identify it. No one had showed her what being in love meant. She had found out what friends mean. She could tell what love in general was. Yet, any emotion more complicate than those she could not figure them out. That's why she related on her instinct.
"I have one more thing to share with you. in case no one of us will survive." she answered.
Ethir slowly moved her head closer to Legolas. He sat against the desk frozen, from both fear and excitement. She leaned in, so her forehead rested against his. They closed their eyes. Both their breaths are shaking. "To repay you for the other night!" she said in barely more than a whisper.
"For what?" He replied, his voice low and husky. He skipped a beat or maybe two.
"For being you." Her voice wavers, exhilarated from the tension between them.
Ethir gently leaned in. Her head tilted as her lips touched his. A kiss was formed. His lips so soft. His scent like the smell of leaves and earth in fall. She kissed him softly. Next, they pull apart and take shaky, shallow breaths. Unable to contain himself anymore, Legolas held Ethir's head in his hands. "I suppose I should give you my reply then!" he spoke under his breath and pulled her into a fiery and passionate kiss.
His hands work their way around her body, feeling each crevasse. He stood up wrapping his arms around her lower parts and lifting her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist. The elf spun her around and placed her against the desk. His lips all over hers. Their breathing deeper than before. Her fingers lining along his perfect physique.
Minutes later they pulled apart and opened their eyes. They stared at each other, deep into each other's eyes. Legolas full of wonder, Ethir's full of passion. No words were spoken but a story worthy of them is communicated. The elf leaned in and softly kissed her forehead. He whispered few words in elfish and stepped back. Ethir lifted her cold hands against her cheeks that were burning. Both of them started laughing.
Suddenly, Gimli walked into the tent. Finding both of them laughing. He was not sure why they were laughing, or why they looked so husky. Honestly, he did not want to think about it. "What happened?" the dwarf asked.
Legolas, was still trying to regain his breath. A smile bigger than ever in his face "We have to follow Aragorn in the Dimholt road. We cannot leave him to ride alone!" Legolas noted.
"All right, what are we waiting then!" Gimli agreed, as he cast a glance to the strange pair.
Ethir leaped of the desk and placed her hand against Legolas chest "Be Careful!" she whispered softly.
The elf nodded and touched her cheek softly "You too! Try not to be reckless in this battle!" he advised.
The 'wicked girl' of his smiled and turned away, tapping Gimli's shoulder and leaving with a bitter smile on her face. "Be safe also Gimli!" she added.
Gimli gazed at her, and then back at Legolas "What? What did I miss?" the Dwarf wanted to know.
Outside Aragorn readied his horse to depart. Éowyn appeared next to him "Why are you doing this? The war lies to the East. You cannot leave on the eve of battle! You cannot abandon the men."
"Éowyn…" the ranger said as he rolled his eyes. They were about to go to battle and the Lady was... well she was too husky.
"We need you here." she said stepping closer.
"Why have you come?" Aragorn asked her trying to be as polite as he could.
"Do you not know?" Éowyn responded with a harsh tone on her voice.
"It is but a shadow and a thought that you love. I cannot give you what you seek. I have you wished you joy since first I saw you." He honestly explained as he turned away.
Éowyn was shocked and saddened. Ethir, who had just left Legolas' tent, walked closer. She placed her hands on her shoulder. "You hope lay false my Lady." she softly told her.
"How would you know!" Éowyn replied with louder tone "Where my heart lays!"
Ethir tried not to laugh "I do not know my lady. Yet, If you heart was honest! It should know, That he cannot give you what you seek. There is already someone else in his life. You should know that. You have to honor, to respect his wishes. Rather, following him around!" Ethir spoke out her mind. She had tried not to offend the lady of Rohan for so long. Yet, she was irritating her.
"You words are poison!" Éowyn cried out, pushed Ethir's hands away and left.
"Indeed, My words can be harsh!" she added and turned around to take her leave. She watched Legolas few yards away. He was smiling and nodding at her. It seemed the Elf had heard her. He smiled at him and left.
Aragorn approached the Dimholt road alone. His way was stopped by Gimli "Just where do you think you're off to?"
"Not this time. This time you must stay, Gimli." Aragorn responded serious.
Legolas appeared with his horse "Have you learned nothing of the stubbornness of dwarves?"
"Might as well accept it. We're going with you, laddie." The dwarf started serious. All three of them started off on the Dimholt road, as soldiers looked on.
One said "What's happening?"
Someone else added "Where's he going?"
"I don't understand." replied another one.
"Lord Aragorn!" called the last one confused as the riders disappeared into the darkness.
"Why does he leave on the eve of battle?" someone else asked.
Gamling responded "He leaves because there is no hope."
Théoden King corrected him with loud a voice "He leaves because he must."
Gamling recalled "Too few have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor."
"No, we cannot. But we will meet them in battle nonetheless." Théoden King gave them hope again. His men nodded in agreement.
((Next Chapter: 39))
Lle fiose amin == You surprised me
More than anything, thank you for taking the time to read this!