Chapter Thirty-Eight

Daniyel

"Ahlinniel" I exclaimed as I reached for my friend's hand. "Where have you been?"

"If you have need of me I'll be in the Great Hall." Gandalf nodded at Ahlinniel, "It was a pleasure to meet you, Ahlinniel."

"Yes, it was a pleasure to meet you too, Gandalf."

"Thank you, Gandalf," I said as I closed my bedroom door.

I turned back to Ahlinniel and led her to the bench at the foot of my bed. "Did you find word of Hirion?"

"Not much. I followed word of him to the Gap of Rohan, but it wasn't safe there. After that there wasn't anything, so I came straight here."

Ahlinniel told me about how she had heard of a young man with mystical powers headed toward the Gap of Rohan matching the description of her son. When she finally reached it, there were goblins and even Orcs crawling all over. She quickly retreated and when she couldn't find any further sign or word of her son, she came to Gondor.

Her head hung low, both from exhaustion and sadness. Her love for her son still radiated from her and I knew that her effort in finding her son was in hope that she could somehow change him; a hope that she could have her little boy back.

I searched my heart for an answer, something to say to her, but I couldn't think of anything helpful. I didn't understand the bond of a parent to their child, for I had no children of my own. I hoped that one day Legolas and I would.

I shook my head as I tried to focus on my friend and her needs.

"Please, don't worry about me." Ahlinniel said softly. "There is a wedding tomorrow, all of Gondor and every other town is a buzz with news of Aragorn and Arwen's wedding tomorrow. That should be your focus, not my problems that clearly are not going to be solved anytime soon."

I took Ahlinniel's hand in mine, "Your problems are my problems too. Remember, you are the one who found me and asked for my help. You are the one who warned me about your son seeking revenge and searching for Aragorn. I told you I would help and I still intend to help you, regardless of the other events in my life."

Ahlinniel squeezed my hand, "Even your own wedding?"

I smiled at her, "My wedding is still far off and you needn't worry about it."

Ahlinniel nodded, exhaustion weighing down her shoulders. "I'm so happy I was able to find you."

I snickered, "While I am happy too, I do wish that you could have found another means of doing it."

She winced, "I'm sorry, I swear that I tried other means. The Fire was my last attempt."

"You should rest now." I said standing up, not addressing her apology. For some reason I wasn't entirely ready to offer her forgiveness for the pain that she put me through.

"I'll leave and find a room—"

"Nonsense, you can stay here. I need to go and talk to Gandalf and find you a proper gown for the wedding." I smiled weakly at her, "I'll let you sleep as long as I can."

Before I actually knew it, I was outside the door. I leaned against the door and internally I raged at myself for being unkind. I should have told her I forgave her; I should have told her there was nothing to worry about and I was happy she had found me, regardless of the method. But if I had told her any of that, I would have been lying.

I was fine with only memories of her. I probably could have lived my life happily without her interference. I could have gone without all the physical pain she had put me through. But if she hadn't found me, we would never have known that someone was after Aragorn and wanted him dead. We would never have known that Aragorn needed protecting.

As my emotions waged war within me I headed down the hall to find Gandalf. I was so absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't hear the steps of the Ranger behind me. Aragorn startled me when he placed his hand on the small of my back.

"I hear that Ahlinniel made her way here, how is she?"

"Aragorn!" I exclaimed in surprise, my hand on my chest trying to steady my heart beat.

He chuckled, "It's not often that I can catch you off guard. You must have been deep in thought. About what I wonder?"

I shook my head, "Nothing, why are you not in bed? And on the night before your wedding!" I slid my hand into the crook of his elbow that he offered me.

He sighed, with a wide grin on his face, "I still cannot believe that I am finally getting to marry her! I guess you would say I am just too excited to sleep this night."

"I can understand that."

"You never answered my question, how is Ahlinniel?"

"She is fine, I guess. She still hasn't found her son."

We entered the great hall where Gandalf sat smoking on his pipe. "I did not expect to see you up so late… Or is it early? I'm afraid I have lost all sense of time."

"I'm not really certain myself, to be honest." Aragorn said as he released my hand. "I found her wandering the halls."

"I was not wandering!" I interjected and crossed my arms.

Gandalf chuckled, "You are a wanderer, my dear. And there is no shame in that."

"He's right. You are always wandering." Aragorn added.

"This coming from a Ranger!" I blurted out.

Aragorn smiled, "I have no reason to wander any longer. My people need me here. Besides, more important than that is Arwen, and she is here with me. We will build a family here."

I sat down with Aragorn and Gandalf, we spent quite some time talking and laughing together. Waiting for the dawn hours to come to and then we all sigh heavily.

Gandalf is the first to stand up, "I think that I shall go and rest for small while." He turns toward Aragorn, "You should do the same, soon enough you will have a wife and would think that she would rather you be somewhat rested rather than sleepy."

Aragorn nodded, "Your right."

Gandalf placed a hand on my shoulder, "Make sure that Ahlinniel gets some food."

I nodded and smiled up at him. "I will."

I watched as the two of them walked away, passing Legolas down the hall. He nodded kindly to them and then smiled happily at me.

"How long have you been up?" He sat down beside me and tenderly brushed my cheek.

My hand instantly moved to his cheek, gently brushing it, then wrapped around his neck. I still could not believe that he cared so much for me. How was I lucky enough win his heart?

His hand slid down my back and wrapped around my waist. "Is everything alright, Daniyel?" He asked.

I smiled reassuringly at him and nodded, "Yes, everything is fine."

He rested his forehead against mine. "Did you sleep well?"

"Actually, I didn't get much sleep. Ahlinniel arrived last night."

His eyes widened with surprise, "Is she alright? Where did she go? Did she find her son?"

I giggled, "That's a lot of questions, my love. All I know right now is that she did not find her son." I told Legolas everything that Ahlinniel had told me.

"Where is she going now?"

I was shocked by his question, "What do you mean?"

"I was just wondering where she intended to go." He furrowed his brow at me.

"I guess I assumed that she would stay with us. I thought that we would help her. Besides, Hirion is apparently trying to kill Aragorn, so, shouldn't we stay here anyway."

Legolas nodded, "I suppose, but I thought that Hirion would probably be sending in someone else to kill Aragorn."

"That's what Ahlinniel said."

"And the only way to stop him or anyone he is controlling is by killing him, right?"

I nodded.

"Then, if we are to help her, shouldn't we be spending our time looking for Hirion?"

Again I nodded, "I don't think that she is prepared to kill her son." I spoke without thinking.

Legolas unwrapped his arm from around me and took my hand in his, lacing our fingers together. "Would anyone ever be prepared to kill their own child?"

For a brief moment I ponder Legolas' question. If it came down to protecting someone, would I kill my own child? Or would I protect my child?

I don't know the answer. I don't have my own child and I don't know what that bond feels like. I don't know how Ahlinniel feels.

"She wants to save her son. She believes that somewhere inside his evil thoughts still remains her son."

Legolas nodded, "As a real mother would." He sighed, "I think you are right."

I turned and looked at him, "Right about what?"

"About Ahlinniel needing our help, I don't think that she could kill her own son. She's going to need help." He kissed the back of my hand.

I yawned and leaned on Legolas' shoulder.

He kissed the top of my head. "You should get some rest. There is a huge celebration tonight and don't want you to be too tired."

"But Ahlinniel is in my bed."

"Then you shall sleep in my bed."

Legolas stood up and pulled me gently by my hand. "I'll make sure that you don't sleep the day away."

"I need to find a gown for Ahlinniel and make sure that she eats—"

"You need sleep."

I looked up as Eowyn walked into the Great Hall. "If there is something that I can do to help, please let me know."

"Ahh, perfect! Lady Eowyn, do you think that you might be able to us? Daniyel has a friend staying in her room, her name is Ahlinniel. She needs a gown for the festivities tonight and food and drink brought to her later this morning."

"I would be happy to help." Eowyn smiled at me.

"Thank you, Eowyn." I said as Legolas wrapped his arm around my shoulder.

Eowyn bowed her head. "You're welcome."

"If Ahlinniel asks for me—" I started to say.

"Send her to me!" Legolas interrupted me.

Eowyn giggled. "Of course."

"Thank you." Legolas replied as he led me away toward his room.

A few minutes later Legolas had me tucked into his bed with the curtains drawn closed blocking out the bright sunlight.

"Now get some rest, my love." He kissed my cheek.

I closed my eyes, "I love you, Legolas." I whispered.

"And I love you." He brushed my hair off my face and over my shoulder. "More than you will ever know."

I'm certain that he spoke to me further, but I fell asleep. Fully at ease with him near me.