Has it really been a year since I posted an actual chapter of this story?! Dang guys I'm so sorry! I truly didn't mean to be away so long!
Anyway, here's the next chapter! I realize I never actually had Rowena and Arwen officially meet or let Rowena know her OTP, Farawyn, is now canon. XD
I'm gonna fix that. Anyway, there are a few reviews to reply to real quick, so let's get to it!
From Chapter 49:
Jo: I am happy to hear you're on the road to recovery. I can't even imagine what you are going through. Just know I am here if you want to PM me. So sorry it took so long for me to reply.
Guest: I...think you have the wrong story. Um...you're right that it would suck. I'm sorry, I'm just a tad confused. ^.^'
From Chapter 50:
Julsathil: I think I replied to this review in a PM, but in case I didn't, I know that feeling all too well. XD I have stayed up way too late some nights reading stories and ruined my sleep schedule.
Also, to anyone who wants to put a section from my profile into their own profile or just use it in general, please feel free! I tried to give credit to other people with funny stuff in their profile that said we could copy and paste, so I did and hope you all like it, as well.
Fatalromance: Hi there! It's not the end, I swear! I just got swept away by new fandoms and life for a spell. But I am back and I will (hopefully) finish this story. Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Jo: Hi again! Glad you like this bonus scene. :)
Guest: Thank you so much! I try to keep everything in character and realistic. Hope you like this chapter, too!
Okay! There we go! Things do pile up when you've been gone a year. Dang. Anyway, last thing I will say is...I do have a Ko-Fi and a account now, if anyone would like to commission this story or just show support. Please PM me if you're interested.
Good grief this is a long author's note.
Hope y'all like this chapter!
God Bless and Good Day!
~The Lupine Sojourner
It's hard to believe it's been almost a week since the Men of the West returned from their march to Mordor.
It's hard to believe Aragorn, the scruffy Ranger I met when I woke up in Middle Earth, is now a King, and of possibly the most influential Kingdom of Men in all Middle-Earth.
There's a lot I can't believe, but here I am, enjoying every second of it.
I walk out to enjoy the sunrise, as usual, singing softly to myself.
"Black is the color of my true love's hair…" I sing, remembering when my mom would sing this to me when I was younger, as well as Sleepsong to calm me enough that I could sleep. "Her lips are like some roses fair...she has the sweetest face and the gentlest hands. I love the ground whereon she stands…"
As I sing, I notice a woman standing with her back to the Tree of the King, which was still flowering. A few steps closer and I recognize her as the elven woman Aragorn was reunited with during his coronation. I feel bad I haven't had the chance to introduce myself to her, so I stop singing and walk over.
"That was a lovely song." The woman notes, smiling as she turns to look at me.
I find she's even more beautiful up close. The crown she'd worn a few days ago was still on her head and she looked every inch a Queen, even if she and Aragorn weren't wed yet (I assume, through lack of any huge ceremonies, that the two aren't officially married yet).
"Thank you." I mumble, shaking myself to stop staring. "Forgive me for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Rowena."
"Ah. The Lady of Rohan, the Lightningborne." The woman dips her head. "Aragorn has spoken very highly of you." I nod back, frowning in confusion.
"'Lightningborne'?" I ask, chuckling a little. "Where on earth..?" Arwen chuckles.
"I assumed Aragorn had told you. Some have taken to calling you Lightninborne, for how you came to this world." I laugh.
"Well, I didn't know that title. I do kinda like it."
"It does have an intriguing ring about it. Aragorn likely thought it a jest, not telling you. He seems rather fond of you."
I smile, thinking back on how he and I had formed a bond rather quickly. "I couldn't ask for a finer friend. We are almost like siblings, I feel."
"Indeed. He feels the same way about you." She then blinks. "Forgive me. I've neglected to introduce myself. My name is Arwen Undomiel."
"It's a pleasure." We then look to the sunset together contentedly, neither needing to speak.
"Long have I waited for this time of peace, where Aragorn and I may be joined in matrimony," She murmurs with a soft sigh. " though this life I chose comes at a price."
I frown, turning to look at her. "What price?" I ask.
"Mine is the choice of Luthien, and as such I must remain in Middle-Earth. Had I forsaken my love and turned away, I could have lived forever in Valinor, the Grey Havens of my people. But, my heart could not be parted from Aragorn, and so here I will stay and eventually succumb to the mortality of Men."
I blink. "So, because you chose Aragorn over immortality, you're a human?" I ask. Arwen smiles at me patiently.
"Not quite. I merely meant that I am now mortal. Though death will be long coming, it will eventually take me."
"I'm sorry." I murmur, unsure what to say. "I can't imagine how hard a choice that was."
"It was my choice and I do not regret it." Arwen replies and I can tell she means it. "While the end will be bitter and dark, the light of the day before that night will be bright and full of life and memory. I could not abandon the chance at a life with the one my heart loves."
I smile. "I'm sure Aragorn feels the same way."
Arwen nods and a comfortable silence falls between us once more.
"Do you often watch the sunrise?" Arwen asks softly, eyes not leaving the small section of the sun visible.
"Yes, especially since coming here, to Arda." I reply. "It's relaxing." Arwen hums in agreement and finally I hear footsteps behind me.
Half-expecting Eomer, I turn and find Aragorn approaching, smiling at us.
"Good morning, ladies." He greets, side-hugging Arwen and kissing her temple.
"Morning, Your Majesty." I reply, smiling at him.
"Breakfast is being prepared." Aragorn announces after a few moments.
"Good to know." I then smirk. "By the way, why didn't you tell me people started calling me Lightningborne?" I meant it to sound irritated, but my smile betrayed me.
"It was not I that started the title, my friend. That right is Eothain's."
"Figures." I say with a bemused sigh. "But that doesn't answer my question."
Aragorn laughs. "You seem uneasy with titles and I was loath to add more to the list."
"No, you just wanted to see how long it would take for me to catch on." I retort, seeing right through his white lie.
"Perhaps."
I roll my eyes, but before the conversation could continue, I hear giggling that can only be from my sister, and what sounds like Merry joining in.
I smirk at Aragorn and turn to find them sneaking out, hand in hand, giggling like schoolchildren and oblivious to anyone else. I creep nearer.
"What did I say about a ring before any funny business, Master Meriadoc?" I call, poking Merry's back.
The couple scream and whirl on me.
"Winnie, don't do that!" Willow barks, hand over her heart, smacking me with the other hand.
"Yeh gave us a heart attack!" Merry adds. I am laughing too hard for a moment to reply.
"Oh, that was too good!" I cheer, wiping happy tears from my eyes.
"No it wasn't!" Will grumbles, smacking me again. I stop laughing and put my hands on my hips.
"Alright, alright. I'll stop jumping out at you." I concede. "But in all seriousness, Merry, I've been meaning to talk to you."
"I know."
"Can we talk in private?" I ask, gesturing to a side alley a little ways away from Aspen.
Aspen's face darkens. "Sis, I don't think- -"
"Willow, please. I'm not gonna scare him off, I promise. I just want to talk to him. It's been so busy lately, I haven't had time." Penny huffs, crosses her arms, and pouts, but nods us over to the alley. I walk over, hearing Merry's nervous footsteps behind me. Once we were a decent ways into the alley, I turn. "Look, I'm not gonna say you can't court her," I begin, "but I will say I don't want my sister hurt. So, as her big sister, I have to ask; while I trust you as a friend, what are your intentions with my sister?" I tried to phrase the question in a way that let Merry know I was only asking out of curiosity and an elder sister's worry.
"I have spoken to your mother, Winnie. She and I had a long talk about your father, and how he left you all alone. I can't ask him for permission to court Willow, or marry her, so I asked her brother, Aspen, and Lady Meredith for permission to pursue Willow." I blink. I was still so used to the modern way of dating; where there weren't many customs and lots of hearts get broken. I'd forgotten things are different here.
"I'm sorry. I just...I had to ask. As her older sister, and something of a parental figure in lieu of our father, I've grown protective of her and Aspen." Merry nods.
"I'd feel the same, if my siblings were being courted and my father was absent." He says. "Please know I have grown very fond of Willow, and would like to see if one day we could be married. I will wait a while before asking, though, since I know humans like to take relationships a little slower than other races."
I nod. "Thank you, Merry. I'm sorry I acted like that."
Merry smiles as we walk back to Willow. "Not at all, Majesty."
I nudge him playfully. "Easy on the Majesty, Merry. You were my friend before I was Queen, remember."
Meery nods, then his face turns nervous again and he fiddles with his fingers. "So...I have your blessing, then, to continue courting Willow?"
"Of course. If you got past Aspen and Mom, I have no qualms about your courtship." By now, we were out of the alley and approaching my sister.
I smile at Willow, who lightens up immensely, seeing how at ease Merry and I were.
"What'd she tell you?" Will asks, taking Merry's hand again.
"That's fer us to know, and you not to worry about, dear. Just know she's given us her blessing." Merry replies. Willow leaves Merry to hug me and kiss my cheek.
"Thank you, Winn." She says softly. I hug her back.
"I would never deny you happiness, Will." I assure her, patting her back before letting her return to Merry and leaving to check on Eomer. He usually woke around now.
Sure enough, he was wandering the courtyard, walking up to Aragorn and Arwen to ask where I was when I hugged him from behind. "Good morning!" I cheer. He squirms around in my arms and scoops me up for a kiss.
"Good morning, healsgebedda." He greets when we break apart. I'd grown to very much enjoy being greeted like this every morning and kept my arm around his hips as we joined Aragorn and Arwen. "Good morning, my liege." Eomer says, dipping his head in respect.
"Good morning. Arwen and I were about to head to breakfast. Care to join us?" Aragorn asks.
"Of course!" I chirp before Eomer could reply, following the royal couple and leading Eomer after me by the hand. I then stop briefly to resume my side-hug. "Sorry. Got ahead of myself." I confess, chuckling.
"No need, Rowena. I like seeing your passion." Eomer replies. I smile and lean my head on his shoulder.
"Hmm." I hum in contentment as we continued our stroll to a hall where many in the upper levels came for meals.
=#=#=#=#=
I do not envy Aragorn's position.
At all. I know I have a similar position, as a Queen, but still.
Aragorn has to deal with upholding the laws of the land. Laws that, apparently, Beregrond broke.
"Beregrond, by your sword blood was spilled in the Hallows, where that is forbidden." Aragorn begins. I pale a little, but stay on the sidelines. Before, I'd been with Eomer preparing the people of the Mark to return to our kingdom, but today there was not much to be done, so Eomer and I decided to attend the kind of city hall meeting Aragorn was holding, where problems were brought forward and resolved. "Also, you left your post without leave of Lord or of Captain. For these things, of old, death was the penalty. Now, therefore, I must pronounce your doom." I pale, only Eomer's grip on my forearm holding me from running to Beregrond's defense.
I was told that in this room, Aragorn had pardoned the Harradrim that had given themselves up, making peace with the tribes that had been pardoned and sending the Harradrim back to their country. Many embassies from other countries had come to congratulate and offer tribute to the new king.
How could it now spell the doom of a man who had saved my friend?
Poor Beregrond's face was pale, but he stood tall, accepting his sentence.
"Rowena, stay here." Eomer whispers.
"But I was there, too. I can- -"
"Since you are not a Gondorian, you are excused." Eomer whispers in my ear. "And Aragorn will not slay Beregrond. Be still and watch." I bit my lip, but settle again at Eomer's side. Eomer's arm goes around my shoulders and he rubs my arm comfortingly.
Sure enough, Aragorn continues. "All penalty is remitted for your valor in battle, and still more because all that did was for the love of the Lord Faramir." Faramir, I note, was sitting in the Steward's throne, looking a bit uneasy, hand hovering over the arrow wounds that were almost healed now. Poor guy must be as distraught as i was. "Nevertheless, you must leave the Guard of the Citadel, and you must go forth from the City of Minas Tirith."
I pale again and barely refrain from trying to go forward again. How was banishment remitting all penalty?
And why is Aragorn smiling?! "So it must be, for you are appointed to be the White Company, the Guard of Faramir, Prince of Ithilien, and you shall be its captain and dwell in Emyn Arnen in honor and peace, and in the service of him for whom you risked all, to save him from death." I give a long exhale of relief, hand over my racing heart.
"Aragorn, you ass." I grumble even as I chuckle a little. Eomer leans over a little.
"Perhaps it is best not to describe the King of Gondor as an ass in his own throne room, my love." He teases. I smile.
"Oh, please. He didn't hear me." I retort.
Then, Beregrond came a few steps forward, almost crying in delight, kneeling and kissing Aragorn's hand before departing to prepare for his new role.
Aragorn went on to explain for the confused faces around the room that Faramir was going to Emyn Arnen and would dwell there as its Prince. "For Minas Ithil in Morgul Vale shall be utterly destroyed, and though it may in time come to be made clean, no man may dwell there for many long years." With the business concluded, Aragorn dismisses the crowd. As they filter away, Aragorn spots us and strides over, embracing Eomer heartily before kissing my hand. "Between us there can be no word of giving or taking, nor of reward, for we are brethren." He says.
I nod, happy my husband and brother figure were such close friends. "Indeed."
"In happy hour did Eorl ride from the North, and never has any league of peoples been more blessed, so that neither has ever failed the other, nor shall fail. Now, as you know, we have laid Theoden the Renowned in a tomb in the Hallows, and there he will lie forever among the Kings of Gondor, if you will." My heart clenches at the mention of that particular topic. It was the first day after Aragorn's coronation that Theoden had been moved so the throne room may be used for other purposes.
I pick at my dress, but leave the decision to Eomer. We'd talked about it, and I chose to agree with whatever Eomer would decide.
Eomer, swallowing, answers. "Since the day your rose before me out of the green grass of the downs I have loved you," I chuckle here, knowing full well that Eomer meant it in friendship only, the ring on my finger a constant assurance of his affections, "and that love shall not fail. But now I must depart for a while to Rowena and I's realm, where there is much to heal and set in order. But as for the fallen, when all is made ready we will return for him. But here let him sleep for a while." I put my hand on Eomer's forearm in support.
Eowyn, appearing from the drastically thinning crowd, walked straight to Faramir. I smile. Those two had obviously discussed a lot, and there's something unspoken between them. I make a note to ask as Eowyn addresses the Steward.
"Now I must go back to my own land and look upon it once again, and help my brother in his labor; but when one whom I long loved as a father is at last laid to rest, I will return."
I step toward the pair. "Are you sure, sweoster?" I ask. Eowyn turns, smiling, and takes my hand.
"I am certain. For I would not miss my own wedding." I look between the pair and the look in their eyes confirms it. I squeeze Eowyn's hand.
"I am so happy for you two." I tell them, happy tears brimming in my eyes. Eowyn deserved love as much as Faramir and they made an excellent couple.
"We owe you thanks, milady." Faramir says, taking one hand of Eowyn's and one of mine. "For it was you who encouraged us to strike out into the unknown, facing our emerging affections and come to terms with them."
"Honestly, I didn't do much, but thank you." I reply, squeezing their hands again.
"Of course, you and my brother will be in attendance." Eowyn says. I laugh.
"Wouldn't miss it for the world." I reply.
Halwyn approaches, and I let go of Eowyn and Faramir to hug her. "I just heard the news. Are we to leave soon?" She asks.
"Whenever Eomer wants. I don't want to rush him." I reply. "Far as I know, we're staying a little longer so the wounded can fully recover."
"So perhaps a week or more, then?"
"Perhaps."
Halwyn nods. "Good. Now, lunch is being readied." I blink. How long had that town hall gone on?
"Already?" I ask.
"Yes. 'tis already past noon, Rowena."
I laugh. "Time flies when there's business to decide."
Eomer then comes over from talking to Aragorn and takes my hand. "Shall we head to lunch, milady?"
I nod. "We shall."
=#=#=#=#=
During lunch, Bergil found me just as I was finishing the last of my food. "Father says you're going back to Rohan and we're moving to Ithilien." He mumbles sadly.
I smile at him. "Well, I am Queen of Rohan, Bergil, and your father was given a great honor. He is to be the captain of Faramir's guard. It's a high office." Bergil's eyes go wide.
"Really? Did King Aragorn really say that?"
I nod. "Yes, he did. The move's not so bad now, is it?" I tease.
"No, but I will miss you, and your siblings."
I nod. "I know. Perhaps we can visit sometimes. Who knows?"
"Oh, I'd like that very much!"
Eomer finally pipes in. "We shall see what can be done, but it may not be for a while. Rowena and I have much work to do in Rohan."
Bergil's face saddens.
"I'll keep in touch. There's a postal service for these things." I point out and that cheers him up as his father calls him away.
"Charming lad, Bergil." Eomer comments, finishing his own food.
"Yes, he is. Willow and Aspen will miss him dearly."
"Much will change in the coming days." Eomer muses.
I sigh. "It's not all bad, though." I point out, eager to hold to hope.
"No, not at all." Eomer replies, kissing my temple.
We both had much to look forward to.