Thank you for your reviews, and also thank you to Moriah and Angela for finally reading and reviewing my story. I know that the last chapter was, intense and the first thing that my sister, and many of my friends, said to me after she read it was 'So, she's just dead?' I must remind everyone that I only implied that she had died; I never actually said it. Please continue to read and review.
Chapter 11. Decisions and Star Gazing
Legolas was beside himself with grief. Aníron couldn't be dead; it was unthinkable, impossible. His blue eyes were filled with tears as he looked up to face Éomer and the rest of the company. He started to say something, but then broke down in tears once more. Aragorn took over, 'Éomer,' he said softly, 'Where is her body?' The horse lord looked at him, coming out of a daze. 'I will lead you to her,' he said, his voice choked with emotion. Éomer led the company to the caves followed by Gandalf, then Aragorn with Legolas and Gimli.
They came to the cave where a temporary infirmary had been established. Many men lay on cots upon the floor and nurses were tending to some of them. One of the nurses recognized Éomer and led them to a small corner where the figure of a maiden lay on a cot as if sleeping. She had been bandaged around her chest and her left shoulder, but blood no longer stained the garments. Her face was grey; light no longer radiated from her skin. Legolas cast himself down by her side and grasped her hand, weeping and whispering in Sindarin.
Aragorn crouched down next to his friend, who was now softly calling her name, trying to wake her. 'Legolas,' he said softly, 'Legolas, there is nothing that we can do...' Gandalf stepped forward, and bent down over Aníron, placing his hands on her shoulders and closing his eyes. After about five minutes he opened them again, 'She can be saved, she is not entirely dead' The company looked at him in shock. 'Aragorn,' Gandalf said suddenly, 'Do you have Athelas?' The Ranger searched his pack, and came up with a small sprig of leaves, which Gandalf promptly seized and ordered for some boiling water.
When the water had been brought, Gandalf crushed the leaves and threw them in the boiling water. A sweet scent filled the small room, and the inhabitants felt refreshed by the tingling smell of the plant. Aragorn helped to remove the bandages that covered her chest, revealing a large slash that cut almost to the bone. Gandalf bathed the wound with the water, and then covered it again with clean bandages. He did the same with her shoulder, and then placed his hands on her forehead, muttering in some forgotten tongue. Then they waited.
All was dark, Aníron felt that she was drowning in the darkness, but then a light came, and she could hear a voice stronger than the darkness pulling her up into the light. A sweet smell was all around her and her lungs ached horribly. Breathe! All of her senses screamed at her to breathe. She took a small breath and there was pain! The pain was overwhelming, but it felt so good. She took a deeper breath and the pain was almost gone. Light was all around her, and she opened her eyes to see a room of people all around her.
Aníron opened her eyes at last, and looked around inquisitively. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but before she could; Legolas has flung himself at her, tears running down his face. He held her in his arms for what seemed like an eternity, but only lasted a couple of seconds. It was not long before Aníron noticed that she was crying as well. Legolas released her and looked into her eyes, 'I thought I had lost you,' he whispered, not noticing the astounded group of people around them. 'By Ilúvatar,' Aníron whispered, 'I love you, Legolas.' He pulled her closer and kissed her brow softly, stroking her long silken hair. Gandalf smiled at the elves and turned to the small group that had gathered around her bed. 'Come,' he said, placing his hand on Aragorn's shoulder, 'We must let them be for a short time, they have been through much in this past day.' The company walked out of the room, but Éomer turned and looked back at Aníron, who was now resting her head on Legolas' shoulder as he wrapped his arms around her.
Éomer felt a hand on his shoulder, and turned to find Aragorn's grey eyes looking at him. Not a word passed between the two men as they walked out of the cavern, but Aragorn could sense that the horse lord was jealous of Legolas. He stopped Éomer just before they joined the rest of the group. 'Éomer,' he said quietly, 'are you alright? You seem tense.' The horse lord looked up at him, his eyes cold, but his voice was choked with emotion. 'What can I do, Aragorn,' he asked, 'I cannot resist Aníron. She is a flame, and I am a moth, drawn to her beauty and to my doom.' Éomer sighed and cast his eyes down and walked away, leaving Aragorn at the cave's entrance.
Several hours later, Aníron was well enough to leave the infirmary and she walked out, her head held high with pride and dignity. Legolas walked behind her, even though she had protested, not wishing to lose sight of her again. Aníron saw Éomer, Aragorn, Gimli, and Gandalf standing around a small fire and ran towards them, calling out their names. All of their heads turned at once, and they rose to meet the lady. She embraced them all, even Gimli, and laughed in pure joy of seeing them all again.
When she reached Éomer, she saw the happiness and pain in his eyes, and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. 'Thank you,' she whispered in his ear, 'you saved my life and I am grateful.' She kissed his cheek and he smiled in pleasure, taking her hand and kissing it, not noticing the scowl he was receiving from Legolas. Gandalf was looking on thoughtfully, his hand on his chin stroking his beard. 'Legolas,' he said to the elf at his side, 'May I have a word with you?'
The wizard led Legolas away from the camp, to a more secluded area, where they would not be seen or overheard. 'You wanted to speak with me?' Legolas asked in a soft voice. Gandalf responded in a serious tone, 'Aníron is a wonderful woman, but I fear for her safety in the travels ahead.' Legolas began to speak, but Gandalf silenced him, 'I know that she can fight well in battle, but it is not only in the battles that I fear for her life. The sea grows nearer with every step that she takes, if the longing is awakened in her, there is no telling what will happen.' The elf was watching him intently with an icy blue gaze.
'Also, the words of Galadriel have been long in my mind,' Gandalf continued with a sigh, 'Do you know that her heart will always be with you? She will long for her home soon enough, and there is another obstacle in your love.' Legolas' eyes widened, 'Surely, she would not choose Éomer over me...' He stuttered, but Gandalf only bowed his head, 'Aníron has long been in Éomer's mind and eyes, and many other men are bound to feel the same way about her, she is in constant danger from them.' Legolas looked down at his feet, he had never thought of that before. Gandalf forced his chin up, 'You cannot keep her here, Legolas,' he said, and Legolas slowly shook his head, turning away from the wizard.
Legolas made his way slowly back to camp just as the stars came into the sky. Aníron came up to him, she was clothed all in silver and shining white, and he forgot his troubles as soon as he saw her. 'Follow me,' she said with a smile, her eyes shining green in the starlight. They came to a grassy secluded hill that had a clear view of the stars and moon, but also the small camp below them. He turned to face her, brushing a stray strand of hair off of her delicate face. Her face shone in the moonlight, and her could not help but stare at her in awe. 'Why did you bring me here?' he whispered, touching his forehead to hers.
Aníron looked at him with bliss written on her face and in her eyes. 'It brought back memories of the first time I met you,' she replied softly. He kissed her, and they sank down to their knees in the grass. She returned the kiss then pulled back, her fingers unhooking the brooch of his cloak, removing the soft material and laying it on the ground. Legolas looked at Aníron, somewhat shocked at what she had just done. He kissed her and laid her down on his cloak with a smile, 'Are you sure you want to do this?' She laughed and pulled him down, kissing his neck softly.
They lay together on the hill, watching the stars fade as dawn approached over the mountains. Legolas turned to Aníron, and kissed her cheek, waking her from her dreams. 'Come, they will have worried about us,' He said softly, handing her most of her clothes and her boots. She smiled at him, and pulled her vest and lace up corset on over her white tunic. When both of them were fully dressed, they walked down to camp in high spirits.
Aragorn watched them come back into camp from the shadows of a nearby tree. 'Where have you two been all night?' He asked with a smile and his arms crossed. 'We were watching the stars,' Aníron replied innocently and Legolas smiled, obviously trying to suppress a laugh. Aragorn shook his head muttering 'Elves' under his breath and going back to smoking his pipe. Aníron walked by him and looked at him with a smirk. 'I would like to remind you that Arwen is an elf, Master Aragorn,' she smiled and walked away, hearing Aragorn's laughter.
When Éomer and Gandalf came into their camp, They was surprised to see that everyone was in high spirits, laughing and joking with one another. 'What has gotten into them, I wonder,' Éomer asked Gandalf, but the wizard did not reply, clearly seeing the twinkles in Aníron and Legolas' eyes. Gandalf's voice boomed over the camp, 'Come my friends; we are riding to Isengard today. Pack your belongings quickly for we must leave soon after the sun rises.' The company got to work, packing and gathering all that they needed, and soon, they were mounted on horseback, heading towards the place where Théoden and his riders were waiting.
'Come! We ride to Isengard!' Théoden called to them all, and the company rode into the forest to Isengard as the sun rose over the hills.
Author's Note: Did you like it? I was not expecting to write the 'star-gazing' incident between Legolas and Aníron, but the interaction just felt so right between them that I had to do it. Please tell me what you think!