Thanks to all of the people who reviewed both this story and Nightingale's Song. I am glad to announce that I will finish this story before posting any more chapters on Nightingale's Song. My writer's block has disappeared and I can write this story freely once more. I recently had an honors band audition, and I got in to the band, so I was also delayed by the rehearsing for that and the concert that followed it. There is also schoolwork to be done, so I will take pretty long in finishing this story. I am sorry to keep you waiting so long, but patience is a virtue people! This chapter alters the book somewhat, so don't flame me about it. A special happy birthday goes out to Sean Bean, who plays Boromir for all of you novices who haven't seen the film, which is a serious crime. Please continue to read and review.
Chapter 16. Happenings at Edoras
Aníron remained with Éowyn in the Golden Hall as the riders separated and walked to the housing that had been given them for the night. Éowyn turned away bitterly when Aragorn had at last left the hall, tears filling her grey eyes. 'Why will he not bid me to follow him? Surely I am a shieldmaiden and not a dry nurse,' the young woman asked Aníron, who had turned to gaze out of one of the stone windows along the wall. The elf maid turned, 'I have asked myself the same question for many nights, and I know not.' Éowyn's fair features were contorted in anguish 'Does he not love me?' Aníron moved to comfort her, embracing the lady, and suddenly realizing something that surprised her.
'Aragorn does not make you remain here because he does not love you,' she said, looking at Éowyn's tear stained face, meeting the lady's stormy grey eyes with her own pale green. 'Aragorn is making you stay behind because he loves you,' the lady of Rohan looked up in hope, but Aníron shook her fair head. 'He does not love you in the way that you wish for him to, for he has given his heart to another.' Éowyn's eyes grew dark and accusing as she regarded the elf standing before her. 'You...' she started, anger growing in her voice, but Aníron stopped her, equally angry at the accusations she was receiving. 'Do not accuse me of that which I am not guilty! My heart is given to one of my own people, for I do not wish to suffer the doom of men. Though one of my kin may be willing, I am not!'
Aníron stormed out of the hall, leaving Éowyn to dwell on her harsh words. As she walked, she resented what she had said in her anger. Arwen was half-elven and she was not, how could she think that she would suffer the doom of men? Aníron ran a pale hand through her star-bright hair as she stood on a balcony facing the mountains. 'Aníron?' Legolas' voice startled her and she turned so that she was sitting on the ledge of the balcony.
The elven prince stood at the foot of the stairs leading down to the balcony, and moonlight seemed to radiate around him. 'Are you alright? You seem troubled,' he asked, worry evident in his soft voice. 'I could not sleep, and it pains me that I will remain here while you ride into danger alone,' she answered, gazing into his blue eyes with longing. Éowyn was walking past the open door to the balcony, but stopped when she saw the two elves standing together in the night air. Legolas slid his arms around Aníron's narrow waist, and softly kissed her neck, comforting her. 'Come,' he whispered as softly as the summer wind, 'you will bed with me tonight.' Aníron was startled by his words, 'Gimli is in the chamber beside yours, as is Aragorn.' Legolas smiled mischievously, 'I care not what they think, tonight is ours.'
Éowyn walked away from the door as the elves shared a passionate kiss. How could she have accused Aníron of being Aragorn's lover? It pained the lady of Rohan to think of the pain and heartache that Aníron would feel as the riders left the following morning. She sunk into a chair at the end of the hall, shaking herself mentally, how could she have been so foolishly inconsiderate?
Aníron stifled a giggle as Legolas led her to his small chamber. Pressing her ear to the wall, she could hear barely hear Gimli's snores through one wall, and Aragorn's steady, calm breathing through the other. Legolas' touch on her shoulder was gentle, but commanding, and she rose from her crouching position to look at him in the candlelight. Legolas had removed his cloak, and his long fingers traced the sliver lining of the brooch on Aníron's cloak, before removing her cloak entirely.
Candlelight danced on the exposed skin on Aníron's back and arms, for she had been wearing a light grey gown, which she had changed into earlier that day after they had arrived. Legolas was drawn to her beauty like a moth to flame, and he came to her, gently kissing her rosy lips, his hands exploring the silken skin of her exposed back. His kisses descended lower, moving down her neck to her collarbone, and back up her neck again. Aníron was softly kissing Legolas' neck and ears, smiling at his shivers of anticipation that were caused by single gentle touch of his sensitive ear. Legolas' hands went to her back as he kissed her, unfastening the clasps that held the gown tightly to her body until a single button was all that held the dress in place. Aníron toyed with the ivory fastening on the elf prince's tunic, sliding this soft silk shirt easily over his head, throwing it carelessly in to a corner.
Aníron's green eyes shone brightly in the darkness, gazing up at her lover, daring him to come closer as she slid onto the small bed. 'Amin mela lle,' Legolas breathed, before bending over Aníron and planting a crushing kiss on her lips. The elf maid ran her hands through his long golden hair, returning the kiss with equal passion and intensity. Legolas reached a hand over to the brightly burning candle, and snuffed the flame with his pale fingers, returning to the business at hand. In the pale moonlight that shone through the window, their bodies intertwined, pale hair mingling with golden hair on the soft down pillows.
Aragorn awoke early the next morning, just as the sun began to rise over the hills, bathing the world in a pale blue light. He stepped out of his chamber and walked past Legolas' chamber, half expecting the elven prince to already be awake, but to his surprise, the sound of soft, even breathing came from inside the room. Aragorn ventured to open the door, slowly, making sure that no noise betrayed his presence as Legolas slept. The sight that greeted him as he entered the room was surprising, and he could hardly keep himself from laughing out loud. Legolas was sleeping peacefully, his eyes half open, gazing at the ceiling with a smile on his face. Aníron was sleeping as well, head resting on Legolas' bare chest, her bright hair framing her smiling face perfectly as she slept. Both of the elves were wrapped in sheets, but Aragorn could guess what had been going on.
Aragorn smirked, and quietly walked to Gimli's room, waking him and bringing the dwarf into Legolas' chamber to await the time when he awoke. Aníron woke at the same time Legolas did, blinking, and then turning to receive a gentle kiss from her love. 'Ahem!' The sound of Aragorn clearing his throat caused both elves to jerk up to see Aragorn and Gimli standing in the room with crossed arms and smirks on their lips. Gimli snickered as blue and green eyes grew wide, and pale cheeks turned a brilliant shade of magenta. Aníron scrambled for sheets to cover herself as she hissed loudly, 'What in the name of Eru are you doing here? I'm not wearing anything!' Legolas did the same, whispering, 'Nor am I, get out!'
Aragorn and Gimli exchanged mischievous looks and they closed the door, still remaining in the room with two very embarrassed elves. Aníron grabbed for a robe, quickly wrapping herself in it and standing. Before the dwarf or man could move, Aníron had walked over to them and slapped them both across the face, hard. 'What did I tell you about spying on me?' She scolded angrily, grabbing one of Gimli's ears and pulling him up to her eye level before dropping him on the hard stone floor. 'But...' Aragorn whimpered as the wrathful elf maiden turned on him. 'But what?' she said in an sweet, but deadly voice. 'Legolas...' a pleading Aragorn turned to his friend who was standing just behind Aníron wearing a smug expression and a green robe. 'I suggest you run, Aragorn,' Legolas said in a cool tone that suggested he was commenting on the weather. The man's eyes grew large, and he grabbed Gimli, unbolting the door and running out as if all of the hosts of Mordor were on his tail.
Aníron smiled sweetly and turned to face Legolas, realizing that today was the day that Aragorn and his company were leaving for the Paths of the Dead. 'Must you go, love?' she asked, blinking up into his eyes. Legolas' smile faded somewhat, 'Yes, I must go. There is nothing you can do to prevent me from going...' Aníron looked up at him, tears filling her pale green eyes, and Legolas almost rethought leaving until he looked out the window, seeing dark clouds gathering in the distance. 'You must stay here Aníron, you will be safer under the protection that Rohan offers.'
The elf lady looked away, 'You are right, Legolas. I will be safer here under the protection of Théoden and Éomer.' Legolas' eyes darkened as Éomer's name was mentioned, he had not considered the fact that the horse lord would be alone with Aníron while he was away. Aníron could read the trouble in the elf prince's eyes, and reached a hand to touch his face. 'Do not fret, my love. You hold my heart in your hands, and I would have no other claim it.' With that, she kissed him softly and walked out of the room, heading in the direction of her own chamber.
Aníron stood at the base of the stairs with Éowyn, watching the riders assemble, prepared to leave at any moment. Aragorn stood at the side of his horse with Legolas and Gimli at his sides. The proud man approached the two women, bowing to them both, kissing Aníron's hand first before turning to Éowyn. 'Farewell, Lady of Rohan, I bid thee good fortune upon your house and people.' Éowyn looked up at him sorrowfully, 'Aragorn, wilt thou go?' The lord looked into her grey eyes, 'I will.' She bowed her head, looking up yet again, 'Then wilt thou allow me to ride with your company as I have asked?' Aragorn met her grey eyes with his own, 'I will not lady, farewell!' Éowyn fell down to her knees in front of Aragorn, 'I beg thee!' The chief of the Dunédain took her hand, pulling her up from the ground gently, and kissing her hand in farewell.
Legolas turned to face Aníron, taking her hand in his, and she looked up at him hopefully. 'Just one farewell kiss?' she breathed softly. He obliged her, caressing her lips with his own, savoring the taste of her lips on his. Aragorn cleared his throat, and Legolas pulled back, 'I have to go, love. Namárië.' Aníron stepped back from him, whispering 'Namárië' before he mounted Arod and sped off into the distance. She stood with Éowyn until all trace of the riders had left the horizon, and then bowed her fair head and wept for the loss of her love.
As the sun set over the mountains, the Riders of Rohan approached Edoras. A cry of joy sprang up from the company, and many of the riders began singing as they approached their homes. Aníron was standing on a balcony overlooking the mountains, and she turned when she heard far off singing on the wind. 'Éowyn!' she called, 'Your brother has returned!' The Lady of Rohan rushed out onto the balcony, gazing over the hills to see the small host approach the city with raised banners and spears. 'The riders have returned!' she cried out happily, and ran into the hall to prepare it for her king.
Théoden walked into the golden hall to find Éowyn waiting for him at the side of his large gilded chair. 'Welcome back, my Lord,' she said, bowing formally before meeting her uncle's eyes. 'Are you troubled, Éowyn?' the king asked her and she bowed her head. 'Sir Aragorn left for the Paths of the Dead early this morn. I grieve for his safety.' The old king placed a comforting hand on the lady's shoulder, smiling but not saying a word. Merry stood by Éomer's side, gazing about the golden hall in wonder, but finding someone missing. 'Where is Aníron?' he asked the lady before him timidly, and it seemed to Éomer that this Halfling had voiced the concerns of his heart as well.
'Lady Aníron is on the balcony just outside, if you wish to see her Master...' Éowyn stumbled, not knowing Merry's name. 'Brandybuck,' the hobbit answered, 'But I only wished to know where she was because it seemed strange that she should not be here.' The lady smiled, then addressed Théoden warmly, 'I will escort you and your riders to your appropriate chambers, please follow me.' The Riders of Rohan and Merry followed their king and Éowyn from the hall, but Éomer lingered in the hall, turning towards the balcony where Aníron stood in silence, gazing at the stars.
As the horse lord walked onto the balcony, he was taken aback by the beauty that radiated from the elven lady like starlight. Aníron was standing facing westward and Éomer walked up to her, asking, 'What is wrong, lady?' The elf maid sighed, 'I am longing for my home in Lórien, I doubt I will ever see it again.' The horse lord followed her gaze, 'Where is Lórien?' Aníron turned him to face northwest, just over the mountains. He turned to look at her once more, and saw that something else was troubling her, for her eyes were not as bright and full of light as they had been when he had left her. 'Aníron,' he whispered, startling her once more with the use of her name. 'Something else is bothering you, I can see it in your eyes. Surely you can tell me of your troubles?'
Aníron turned to face Éomer, surprised at the worry written on his kind face. 'It is nothing,' she said, trying to turn away, but the horse lord caught her hand in his, turning her to face him. 'Do not hide from your feelings, Aníron. It will lead to your ruin eventually.' Aníron looked up at Éomer, her pale green eyes meeting his light grey, flickers of various emotions reflecting in his eyes. Suddenly, Éomer leaned forward, and gently kissed Aníron's lips, finally revealing the love for her that he had been keeping hidden for so long.
Aníron received the kiss, feeling the raw emotion seep into her being. As Éomer pulled back the realization of what she had just done overwhelmed her. Shame filled her mind as she realized what this meant, she had betrayed Legolas.