Disclaimer: My very presence here excludes the posibility of ownership.

Author's Note: To the Cretin: Of course you can. Go view.

To all: This might be the shortest one yet (she said BEFORE she re-read and got the word count above 1000). I'm trying to get the last five (you heard right) five chapters to my beta, but she's attending Roskilde festival. Everyone who knows what Roskilde is, raise your hands and go 'wooooo'! For the rest of you, looking at the people around you going 'wooooo', that's a pretty accurate embodyment of what Roskilde looks like, only with more beer and mud.


Chapter 50 – Silent Hall

Susan awoke as predicted, two days later, in a fit of screams and heartbreaking cries. Frodo and Sam had been returned unconscious, and only just awoken the day before. They were still healing from their ordeal and Gandalf and Pippin never left their sides. The people of Minas Tirith had begun cleaning the city and burning their dead. Aragorn had been acknowledged as future king of Gondor, and was scheduled for his coronation the very next day. With that acknowledgement came a slew of responsibilities. That left the remainder of the Fellowship, along with Eomer and Eowyn, who were waiting outside the doors.

Edmund had joined in guarding his suffering sister along with Lucy and Peter, though he was being guarded as well. He had sustained a nasty injury during the battle, and had not even felt the pain until they were almost home at the castle.

Everyone heard the screams from the other side of the door when Susan first awoke. Everyone heard the weeping and almost wept as well. For three days the silent guardians never left her their place in the hall.

On the fourth day they received two visitors. Aragorn accompanied Faramir to see the boys who had saved his city. The fellow rangers had spoken with each other about the death of Denethor, the fall of Mordor, and the true identities of the siblings. Faramir learned about Queen Lucy and her sister's plight. He learned the proper titles of the kings.

Days passed where Faramir spent long, silent hours outside Susan's door along with the others. Everyone waited patiently until one afternoon when King Peter entered the hall. This was the first time in three days he been out of the room. When he entered the hall he stopped in surprise. Legolas was the first to look up and meet his eyes. Peter stood a few seconds in shock as he recognized the faces that greeted him. Eomer was holding his sister. Merry was sitting on the floor beside Gimli and the elf. He took a deep breath when a tear dislodged from his eye, and smiled. "Hullo." He was so tired and the simple greeting was all he could muster.

A few of them smiled back. He distantly recognized Faramir and nodded at him in greeting. The former heir to the throne returned it reverently. "I heard what you did for my city," he said slowly. He looked pale, and far from healed. And yet he was sitting with the others, waiting for someone he had never met to wake up. "Thank you." he whispered.

Peter's smile widened as two more tears rolled from his eyes. Suddenly pretenses felt so insignificant. They had all seen each other tired. They had all seen each other hurt. So with a deep sigh the high king relinquished his pride and fell back against the closed door. He leaned against it only in the sense that it helped him sink to the floor. When his bottom hit the cold tiles Merry, Aslan bless him, jumped out of his seat and embraced the king. Peter had never felt as grateful for anyone as he did the hobbit at that moment. Someone so small with such big hearts. A tear rolled down his cheek. He was so tired.

"Is she better?" the hobbit asked in a whisper.

Peter let out a quick sob and nodded. His arms circled the tiny back and refused to let go. "Better." he choked out. Merry let him hang on until Peter could again calm himself. He took a few deep breaths and gained strenuous control over his emotions. It wouldn't last he knew, but for now it would have to be enough.

Legolas and Eomer rose as he gathered himself, and offered him a hand. He was helped back to his feet and saw to his relief that his friends also had tears in their eyes. It was a relief to know he wasn't alone in his worry and love. Once again he thanked Aslan for letting him meet these strong and loyal people. Some he knew well. Some he hardly knew at all and others would forever remain a mystery to him. People who had blessed him in ways he never could have imagined.

"Much better."

The door opened behind them to Edmund. He saw the tears in Peter's eyes and in their friends'. His back was slightly hunched from the recent injury, but he carried himself well despite that. He looked up at his brother with those brown, almost black, eyes. Eyes that could see into the soul of a man. Never before had Peter felt so grateful for those eyes.

Without a word the Just King surged forward and pulled his brother into a hug. It felt so familiar. The complete absence of words. Only the knowledge of what the other needed and the joy that he could offer it. "She's speaking again." he said when he released his brother. He looked up to see love beaming from the faces all around him, and smiled. "She's speaking again." he repeated, just to ensure himself. Peter's smile was brilliant in the dusty light of day.

"And Queen Lucy?" Gimli asked in that gruff way of his.

Edmund smiled. "She's helping her dress." He nodded, to once again reassure himself. "They'll be out for supper. I thought it would be nice if we ate together?" He looked at his brother for confirmation.

Peter smiled and nodded. "We shall."

"I'll ask Aragorn." Eomer said with a stiff nod. Peter looked at him as he left and saw him lift an arm. No doubt to wipe away a tear. It struck him how easily these hardened warriors had taken to his sister, all his siblings, and his heart broke all over again.


AN: A lot of love and elizabethan, romatic, overflowing emotions in this one. Can't really say the next one will be any different. :)