Dear Scene Eleven; I would say that Irulan's dreams have an odd quality to
them...maybe one can take them as some sort of foreboding. After all, if
you check the story (which you don't need to, I know) both the more
pleasant and unpleasant dreams seem to appear before a relevant event comes
upon the company.
Dear Tara, the action is not yet here. I have so much to establish between characters, I can not get enough of these days on the road! Sorry about that. Everyone else...thank you once more for those incredible reviews. I could not do it without them.
And guys...I mean...is there NOTHING I write that makes you feel joy? Ha ha ha..I thought the last chapters were actually elevating and relieving. I have received so much mail saying they were sad and touching! I mean..alright, there is a sadness to it, since the clash of immortality and mortality can only lead to pain...but...is there....not even a LITTLE happiness? Sigh...have keep on trying, then.
Oh....and:
"Do you love me because I am beautiful,
or am I beautiful because you love me?"
Cinderella
What legendary man can answer that question and survive? Lovely.
"Gimli, we have decided to travel through Middle Earth after these darker times are behind us," said Legolas with his beautiful voice. Stars were dancing in his eyes.
Irulan waved her hand in annoyance. "Legolas! I mean........'we'? I truly don't remember agreeing to that!"
"I think you did. You just do not remember," Legolas replied, grinning and continuing with the braid. He was sitting behind Irulan, on a saddle, and softly combing and braiding her hair. Irulan was facing the fire, sitting in Indian style.
Gimli chuckled. "Sounds tempting I'd say!" he mumbled finally.
"Why don't you join us?" Legolas said with childish enthusiasm.
"Indeed, Gimli!" added Irulan. "The company is not strange enough. We need a dwarf!" she laughed. Then suddenly she said "Hold on a minute! I have not agreed yet!" Legolas did not answer but smiled and continued braiding.
"Travel with an elf and a woman? What do you take me for? Insane?!" he boomed, but he seemed oddly excited about it.
"Gimli, I think this is an offer you should not pass," said a grinning Aragorn, not looking up. He was stuffing a pipe and seemed extremely happy to have finally found one.
"Can I come?" said Eowyn and clasped her hands in a childish way.
"Of all people, YOU certainly can NOT," said Irulan, smiling a cruel smile. "Who knows what evil you might inflict on us?!"
"Why, Lady Eowyn would never do such a thing!" said Gimli and the blonde woman smiled at him with her most beautiful smile.
"You don't say!" said Irulan with a low voice and turned to a chuckling Aragorn. "Aragorn, I would ask you to join........but I fear you will be attending to the boring business of being a king!"
Aragorn smiled and shook his head. "I'm not sure, Irulan.......who knows? But I must admit; being with the lot of you this long has become a bit addictive."
"Join us Estel!" said Legolas, "We need your company!"
"Aragorn! You certainly can not leave me alone with this crazy couple! You MUST come along, my friend!" said Gimli
"I still do not remember agreeing," said Irulan but everyone just ignored her.
"If Master Aragorn comes, I should be allowed, too," cut in Eowyn.
"No you can't!" boomed Irulan but Eowyn only replied with a sweet smile. 'That woman is unbelievable!' she thought. "You think Gandalf will come?" she added suddenly, and her eyes shone.
"I would not have too high hopes about that," said Aragorn, "I suspect him to be pretty tired of us by now."
"Ah nonsense!" said Irulan. She was suddenly completely engulfed in the idea of having Gandalf with them. "He was always a little grumpy, but he loves traveling!"
"He is not the same Gandalf any longer, Irulan," said Aragorn. "His desires might have changed, too."
"That, I refuse to believe!" she said in astonishment. A Gandalf who might settle down somewhere......impossible!
"He might be tired of saving us too, of course," mumbled Gimli, and they all laughed at that.
"Master Legolas, that is the most beautiful braid I have ever seen!" said Eowyn suddenly, "Could you braid my hair, too?" There was a sudden silence and everyone looked at her with disbelief. She looked from one to the other.
"He can not!" said Irulan finally and leaned further back towards Legolas. A sly grin broke on Aragorn and Gimli's face and they instinctively turned to each other.
"Why not?" said Eowyn slowly, looking from one to the other.
"Indeed.......why not?" said Aragorn. Irulan shot him a warning look, but he just kept on grinning.
"I don't think that would be proper, Eowyn," Irulan hissed and just because she had objected, Eowyn felt the need to press on, of course.
"Why would it not be proper, then?" she said, pushing her chin up.
"Because it would not!" Irulan hissed back with a growl. Gimli and Aragorn looked at each other with open amusement and both turned to a very stunned Legolas.
"I think Master Legolas should have a say in that," Eowyn said finally and both women, along with the men, ended up staring at him. He looked from one woman to the other and back, unable to come up with an answer.
"Legolas, the Lady of Rohan is asking you this simple thing. Will you turn her down?" said Aragorn, his grin becoming even wider - if such a thing was possible!
"Well.......no........but," stammered Legolas.
"What?!" said Irulan suddenly and jumped to her feet.
Legolas was both amazed and at the same time very nervous at her reaction. "I am sorry," he said finally to Eowyn. "I should not. Perhaps Aragorn would do it?" As soon as he said it, he knew it was the wrong answer. Irulan's eyes lit up like two flames and she took a slow, deep breath. Legolas, unable to take his words back, slowly stood up himself and continued to watch her cautiously. He knew immediately that he was in trouble. And against all their fun, so did Gimli and Aragorn.
"Is that so?" said Irulan with a velvet voice. Legolas swallowed softly and cast swift glances at Gimli and Aragorn, who looked a shade paler than normal, themselves. "Another innocent game, Master Aragorn and Master Gimli?" she said, and they quickly looked down.
"What is going on?" said Eowyn, truly amazed now. None answered her. They just remained exactly as they were.
"Nothing really," said Irulan with that velvet voice again, turning back to Legolas. "The usual foolishness! And honestly, I had enough of it on this trip, so I leave you to it, Eowyn. Perhaps you can find entertainment in it!" With that, she stepped out of the circle and walked off into the darkness.
All three men looked at each other and began massaging their faces. A long silence set in during which Eowyn kept on staring from one to the other. "I think, I should.....go.......to finish the braid," said Legolas finally and he sounded as if he was terrified by the idea.
"Are you insane?" said Gimli, "She will kill you!" Legolas looked at Aragorn, but he, too, looked back at him as if he agreed with the dwarf. Then he looked into the direction Irulan had disappeared to. Whatever the punishment, it could not be worse than remaining apart from her. He sighed and took a deep breath, then strode off. Gimli and Aragorn remained staring at each other.
"Well......he has courage, I must give him that!" said Gimli finally.
"Well Master Aragorn......will you braid my hair then?" said Eowyn and Aragorn suddenly began to cough wildly on his pipe.
***
"Legolas, don't you come near me!" she said and kept walking.
"Irulan, I am truly sorry. Please forgive me!"
"No! No forgiveness tonight! For the last time, STAY AWAY!"
Legolas halted for a moment and debated with himself. Then he kept following her. "You know I would never do it on purpose. I just........I mean.......you said before it meant nothing to you! You said you were mature enough to not be affected by it!"
If anything, that made her even angrier and she reeled around. Thankfully he was a safe distance away at the moment. "Nice!" she yelled, "Very nice! Now you are using my own words against me! Get out of my sight, you elf!"
"Irulan, I truly don't understand your reaction. You most certainly know that I have no feelings for Lady Eowyn!"
Irulan halted suddenly. And so did Legolas, still remaining a safe distance away. 'Why, sweet Irulan is jealous!" chuckled her inner voice. 'I am NOT!' she yelled back at it, baffled. 'Irulan......come on. You are plainly and simply jealous!' Irulan frowned. Indeed.......it felt very much like jealousy. And she had not felt this way towards anyone for such a long time now! And worse, if Legolas discovered it, he would keep on pressing until she would have to admit him her true feelings.
She turned around instantly and thankfully still feeling that fire in her, looked at him. "It is not about Lady Eowyn, you fool!" she said with a trembling voice. "How can you propose........for Aragorn to braid her hair! Knowing what I am trying to do, Legolas! That is downright betrayal!" she said, happy to have found both a logical reason and an escape route.
Legolas looked horrified. He took a small step towards her. "Irulan......I could not apologize enough. I made a terrible mistake."
"You bet you did!" she shot back at him, knowing fully that her intense feelings were due rather to an image of Legolas braiding Eowyn's hair, than anything else.
Legolas sighed softly and looked away for a moment. Then he turned back to her. "Tell me what to do. I will do it. I will do anything."
"Well then," said Irulan with that dangerous soft voice again and approached him. "do as you said you would."
Legolas blinked. "What do you mean?" he asked with a careful tone.
"Braid her hair, Legolas!" she said a little too matter-of-factly.
Legolas' eyes widened at that and he looked at her with pure disbelief on his features. "You ask me to......" he said, but could not finish. Irulan stood very close to him now and crossing her arms, pushed her chin up to look at him. Legolas swallowed softly, then looked at her again and finally turned to look into the distance. "If that is what you ask of me......" he said with obvious pain in his voice.
"What?!" boomed Irulan and he literally flinched.
They looked at each other for what seemed like ages. "I said......I will yield to your wish," he said softly, his eyes never leaving hers and utter confusion on his beautiful features.
"You......you......." began Irulan and Legolas gracefully stepped back while she approached him. Her anger was truly taking a hold of her now, she would kill Eowyn. She would kill Legolas. And she most definitely would kill Aragorn and Gimli. She would. No, seriously. She would KILL ALL OF THEM! Suddenly she stopped her approach. Her eyes were so intense, Legolas felt literally a heat emanating from them, but he remained glued to his spot, unable to move away. "In that case, you can go and sleep next to Lady Eowyn tonight, Legolas" she said in the sharpest and coldest voice he had ever heard before, and turning around, disappeared stomping towards the camp.
***
Legolas appeared by the fire again. There were no words to describe the degree of confusion and distress on his face. Aragorn and Gimli did not look better. Lady Eowyn was not there. He sat by the fire, staring into it. None spoke for a while and a suffocating silence pressed upon the company mercilessly. Finally, unable to take the silence any longer, Gimli rumbled: "Well.......at least you are still alive!"
Legolas shot him a look that made the mighty warrior dwarf flinch and then continued looking into the fire. Another long silence set in and this time not even Gimli felt capable of disturbing it. "I asked her what she would want me to do for forgiveness," the elf said suddenly and even his soft voice sounded too loud and disquieting at the moment. "She told me to braid Lady Eowyn's hair," said Legolas, not looking away from the flames.
Both man and dwarf gasped and looked at each other. That was definitely NOT good! They swallowed softly.
"What.......what did you say?" said Aragorn with a careful tone.
Legolas this time shot him that rueful look and the king of kings hastily looked away. "I accepted of course!" he hissed.
Man and dwarf gasped again. "You accepted?" said Gimli with disbelief.
"What was I supposed to say? Turn her wish down?" said Legolas with exasperation and never did he sound more mortal as he did at that moment. Another silence set in. Aragorn and Gimli cast each other very careful glances.
"And?" said Aragorn finally.
"And...........and she told me to go and lie with Lady Eowyn tonight!" said the elf and he sounded completely lost.
Both man and dwarf gasped.
"Is it possible for you to stop doing that?" said Legolas with suppressed anger.
After a final glance at each other Aragorn and Gimli shifted uncomfortably and, taking a deep breath, Aragorn finally found his voice: "Welcome amongst men, my friend," he mumbled.
"I do not understand!" Legolas protested, once more sounding more mortal than elf. "Should I have said no?"
"Of course not! Are you mad! She would have killed you on the spot!" said Gimli, looking uneasily around as if Irulan could appear any moment and actually try doing it anyway.
"Legolas, do not blame yourself, my friend. There was no way for you to answer that question and win. You were bound to lose, believe me." He looked into the flames and said "Believe me.....I should know," with a sigh.
"I have to admit........we were guilty in this matter. We owe you an apology," growled Gimli finally. He hated the fact that he should apologize to an elf, but at this moment, it was only too obvious that he had played a role in this. Although Lady Eowyn of course had started it......but nevertheless.......Aragorn nodded in agreement.
"What must I do?" said Legolas finally looking from one to the other.
Aragorn and Gimli looked into the fire, deep frowns on their faces. "What you are asking to deal with, my friend," said Aragorn finally with a low voice, "is the mystery of all mysteries. It is called a 'woman'. No man, and I mean NO MAN -no elf, human, dwarf or hobbit- knows the answer to that." He sighed and continued: "Perhaps she will be more merciful tomorrow."
With that, they each lay down by the fire and tried to find sleep, although it very obviously evaded them. Legolas felt like crying. Crying, like a little child! In his mind, he went over and over the memory, failing to come up with a solution. 'My accursed tongue!' he thought bitterly. 'If I had not said that part with Aragorn!.......' But maybe Irulan would have found another reason to be angry with him.......such as.......and he thought about the various possibilities and the countless answers to those options. He remained awake throughout the whole night, aching for her warmth and feeling completely lost and helpless. This was torture! It was beyond punishment! How could she be so cruel as to punish him like this, by keeping him away from her! But nevertheless, he failed to feel anger to her. So he turned restlessly once more and tried to feel anger towards Lady Eowyn. Then Aragorn and Gimli. Finally himself. All options vibrated with a tinge of annoyance, yet failed to reach the heat of anger. Once again he thought about Irulan and how he could be lying with her now. What if she dreamt about those druids again? He certainly had to be there in case she did! But even Legolas had enough sense in him to know that going there against her wish was out of the question. He could not force himself onto her like that. And now that the nightmare issue had occurred to him, he felt even more anxious. He sighed with frustration and, turning once more, hoped the hours to pass faster, so that he could see her sooner by the morning. And in his entire life of three millennia, no night had been longer than that night in the open plains in Rohan.
***
"Irulan, are you awake?"
Irulan had been drifting in a restless sleep and woke up with a start. She rose to sit and remained still for a moment, then she looked around. "Eowyn?"
"Yes," said the other woman. "Did I wake you?"
"Don't worry about it," said Irulan, "I am glad you did, actually. I don't sleep too well these days." Then she remembered suddenly the whole incident from a short time ago and annoyance glowed in her. Yet, the flare of the anger was gone. 'Damn! She thought. Why can't I keep a grudge for once?!'
"I meant to talk to you," Eowyn whispered and swiftly sat by Irulan. Irulan took a look at her grinning beautiful face and rolled her eyes. Then she looked back and shook her head. "I should kill you, really" she shot at her.
Eowyn smiled innocently. "I STILL don't know what happened! I tried to ask Aragorn, but he almost choked on his pipe. I decided to spare his life."
Try as she might, Irulan could not help exploding with soft laughter at that. She instantly clasped her hand on her mouth and tried to be more silent. But the confused expression on Eowyn's face was not of much help. It took her minutes to overcome the laughter boiling up in her and to mercilessly drive it down. Tears rolled down her face from the very effort. Finally she calmed down and began to explain the funny tale of braiding to her dear friend.
Soon both women were giggling like crazy, silently thrashing on the floor, trying to make as little noise as possible. Irulan felt so good! She had not felt this good for years! To be with Eowyn again! To talk about men and to laugh like this, brought back old and very fond memories. Oh how she had missed this! 'There is something really sick about laughing like this in the middle of a frustrating situation with weak people around us and a war before us!' she thought, but for some odd reason, that made her laugh even harder. A long time later both women lay there spent with laughter, blinking tears from their eyes. "I think I was a bit cruel," giggled Irulan, looking up to the stars.
"You sure are devious when you are angry," giggled Eowyn back, her blonde hair spread around her on the floor like a halo. "Even I could not have come up with something like that, Irulan."
"Well.....I didn't know what I was saying, really. I just didn't want him to find out about my jealousy. Saving my pride and all........." she said, waving her hand.
"Oh, the expression on their faces was just too much!" said Eowyn and clasped her hands on her mouth again, refusing to give in to another fit.
"They deserved that, alright. Those men are plain cruel, I tell you!"
"Well I'm glad it turned out to be this way," said Eowyn suddenly, turning to her. "It has been long since we were alone and had such good time together!"
Irulan turned to look back at her. "Indeed, Eowyn. These men have been distracting us far too long!"
Eowyn sighed and rolled on her stomach, moving up on her elbows. "Do you remember how often we would do this in the past to all those nobles?"
"I would never forget!"
"It seems like another lifetime, Irulan. It has become so much.....darker," Eowyn sighed softly.
Irulan propped herself up on her elbows, too. "Yes, it has," she said. "But that does not mean it won't be as it was before, once more."
"You really think so?"
Irulan nodded with a determined look on her face. A silence came between them. "Strange indeed," she whispered finally. "Who would have thought I would fall for an elf when I grow up?"
"Honestly, I would. I mean........it was either that or the Dark Lord himself," she said and beamed to an annoyed Irulan. "You always had this.......outstanding.......taste in men, Irulan! I'm just glad that it is Legolas."
Irulan shook her head. "You know, I hope one day you will meet a man and he will treat you exactly as you deserve, Eowyn. Meaning, he will be charmingly mean to you! I truly hope so. I will be there, laughing as you walk down in your wedding gown, your eyes blind with love to this immensely fine man who knows how to shut you up, my friend! Oh no......even better......he has to be a tough hero from Gondor!"
"You must kill me if that happens!" said Eowyn with a grin. "I'd rather die!"
"Not at all. I'll be on HIS side!"
Eowyn continued grinning. "Well.......until those terrible days, we still have time for some fun, don't we?"
Irulan grinned back. This felt so much like the old times. "What do you have in mind, partner?"
Eowyn threw a look towards the direction in which the fire with the three men would be. "Oh.........the usual, really," she said with slight amusement.
Dear Tara, the action is not yet here. I have so much to establish between characters, I can not get enough of these days on the road! Sorry about that. Everyone else...thank you once more for those incredible reviews. I could not do it without them.
And guys...I mean...is there NOTHING I write that makes you feel joy? Ha ha ha..I thought the last chapters were actually elevating and relieving. I have received so much mail saying they were sad and touching! I mean..alright, there is a sadness to it, since the clash of immortality and mortality can only lead to pain...but...is there....not even a LITTLE happiness? Sigh...have keep on trying, then.
Oh....and:
"Do you love me because I am beautiful,
or am I beautiful because you love me?"
Cinderella
What legendary man can answer that question and survive? Lovely.
"Gimli, we have decided to travel through Middle Earth after these darker times are behind us," said Legolas with his beautiful voice. Stars were dancing in his eyes.
Irulan waved her hand in annoyance. "Legolas! I mean........'we'? I truly don't remember agreeing to that!"
"I think you did. You just do not remember," Legolas replied, grinning and continuing with the braid. He was sitting behind Irulan, on a saddle, and softly combing and braiding her hair. Irulan was facing the fire, sitting in Indian style.
Gimli chuckled. "Sounds tempting I'd say!" he mumbled finally.
"Why don't you join us?" Legolas said with childish enthusiasm.
"Indeed, Gimli!" added Irulan. "The company is not strange enough. We need a dwarf!" she laughed. Then suddenly she said "Hold on a minute! I have not agreed yet!" Legolas did not answer but smiled and continued braiding.
"Travel with an elf and a woman? What do you take me for? Insane?!" he boomed, but he seemed oddly excited about it.
"Gimli, I think this is an offer you should not pass," said a grinning Aragorn, not looking up. He was stuffing a pipe and seemed extremely happy to have finally found one.
"Can I come?" said Eowyn and clasped her hands in a childish way.
"Of all people, YOU certainly can NOT," said Irulan, smiling a cruel smile. "Who knows what evil you might inflict on us?!"
"Why, Lady Eowyn would never do such a thing!" said Gimli and the blonde woman smiled at him with her most beautiful smile.
"You don't say!" said Irulan with a low voice and turned to a chuckling Aragorn. "Aragorn, I would ask you to join........but I fear you will be attending to the boring business of being a king!"
Aragorn smiled and shook his head. "I'm not sure, Irulan.......who knows? But I must admit; being with the lot of you this long has become a bit addictive."
"Join us Estel!" said Legolas, "We need your company!"
"Aragorn! You certainly can not leave me alone with this crazy couple! You MUST come along, my friend!" said Gimli
"I still do not remember agreeing," said Irulan but everyone just ignored her.
"If Master Aragorn comes, I should be allowed, too," cut in Eowyn.
"No you can't!" boomed Irulan but Eowyn only replied with a sweet smile. 'That woman is unbelievable!' she thought. "You think Gandalf will come?" she added suddenly, and her eyes shone.
"I would not have too high hopes about that," said Aragorn, "I suspect him to be pretty tired of us by now."
"Ah nonsense!" said Irulan. She was suddenly completely engulfed in the idea of having Gandalf with them. "He was always a little grumpy, but he loves traveling!"
"He is not the same Gandalf any longer, Irulan," said Aragorn. "His desires might have changed, too."
"That, I refuse to believe!" she said in astonishment. A Gandalf who might settle down somewhere......impossible!
"He might be tired of saving us too, of course," mumbled Gimli, and they all laughed at that.
"Master Legolas, that is the most beautiful braid I have ever seen!" said Eowyn suddenly, "Could you braid my hair, too?" There was a sudden silence and everyone looked at her with disbelief. She looked from one to the other.
"He can not!" said Irulan finally and leaned further back towards Legolas. A sly grin broke on Aragorn and Gimli's face and they instinctively turned to each other.
"Why not?" said Eowyn slowly, looking from one to the other.
"Indeed.......why not?" said Aragorn. Irulan shot him a warning look, but he just kept on grinning.
"I don't think that would be proper, Eowyn," Irulan hissed and just because she had objected, Eowyn felt the need to press on, of course.
"Why would it not be proper, then?" she said, pushing her chin up.
"Because it would not!" Irulan hissed back with a growl. Gimli and Aragorn looked at each other with open amusement and both turned to a very stunned Legolas.
"I think Master Legolas should have a say in that," Eowyn said finally and both women, along with the men, ended up staring at him. He looked from one woman to the other and back, unable to come up with an answer.
"Legolas, the Lady of Rohan is asking you this simple thing. Will you turn her down?" said Aragorn, his grin becoming even wider - if such a thing was possible!
"Well.......no........but," stammered Legolas.
"What?!" said Irulan suddenly and jumped to her feet.
Legolas was both amazed and at the same time very nervous at her reaction. "I am sorry," he said finally to Eowyn. "I should not. Perhaps Aragorn would do it?" As soon as he said it, he knew it was the wrong answer. Irulan's eyes lit up like two flames and she took a slow, deep breath. Legolas, unable to take his words back, slowly stood up himself and continued to watch her cautiously. He knew immediately that he was in trouble. And against all their fun, so did Gimli and Aragorn.
"Is that so?" said Irulan with a velvet voice. Legolas swallowed softly and cast swift glances at Gimli and Aragorn, who looked a shade paler than normal, themselves. "Another innocent game, Master Aragorn and Master Gimli?" she said, and they quickly looked down.
"What is going on?" said Eowyn, truly amazed now. None answered her. They just remained exactly as they were.
"Nothing really," said Irulan with that velvet voice again, turning back to Legolas. "The usual foolishness! And honestly, I had enough of it on this trip, so I leave you to it, Eowyn. Perhaps you can find entertainment in it!" With that, she stepped out of the circle and walked off into the darkness.
All three men looked at each other and began massaging their faces. A long silence set in during which Eowyn kept on staring from one to the other. "I think, I should.....go.......to finish the braid," said Legolas finally and he sounded as if he was terrified by the idea.
"Are you insane?" said Gimli, "She will kill you!" Legolas looked at Aragorn, but he, too, looked back at him as if he agreed with the dwarf. Then he looked into the direction Irulan had disappeared to. Whatever the punishment, it could not be worse than remaining apart from her. He sighed and took a deep breath, then strode off. Gimli and Aragorn remained staring at each other.
"Well......he has courage, I must give him that!" said Gimli finally.
"Well Master Aragorn......will you braid my hair then?" said Eowyn and Aragorn suddenly began to cough wildly on his pipe.
***
"Legolas, don't you come near me!" she said and kept walking.
"Irulan, I am truly sorry. Please forgive me!"
"No! No forgiveness tonight! For the last time, STAY AWAY!"
Legolas halted for a moment and debated with himself. Then he kept following her. "You know I would never do it on purpose. I just........I mean.......you said before it meant nothing to you! You said you were mature enough to not be affected by it!"
If anything, that made her even angrier and she reeled around. Thankfully he was a safe distance away at the moment. "Nice!" she yelled, "Very nice! Now you are using my own words against me! Get out of my sight, you elf!"
"Irulan, I truly don't understand your reaction. You most certainly know that I have no feelings for Lady Eowyn!"
Irulan halted suddenly. And so did Legolas, still remaining a safe distance away. 'Why, sweet Irulan is jealous!" chuckled her inner voice. 'I am NOT!' she yelled back at it, baffled. 'Irulan......come on. You are plainly and simply jealous!' Irulan frowned. Indeed.......it felt very much like jealousy. And she had not felt this way towards anyone for such a long time now! And worse, if Legolas discovered it, he would keep on pressing until she would have to admit him her true feelings.
She turned around instantly and thankfully still feeling that fire in her, looked at him. "It is not about Lady Eowyn, you fool!" she said with a trembling voice. "How can you propose........for Aragorn to braid her hair! Knowing what I am trying to do, Legolas! That is downright betrayal!" she said, happy to have found both a logical reason and an escape route.
Legolas looked horrified. He took a small step towards her. "Irulan......I could not apologize enough. I made a terrible mistake."
"You bet you did!" she shot back at him, knowing fully that her intense feelings were due rather to an image of Legolas braiding Eowyn's hair, than anything else.
Legolas sighed softly and looked away for a moment. Then he turned back to her. "Tell me what to do. I will do it. I will do anything."
"Well then," said Irulan with that dangerous soft voice again and approached him. "do as you said you would."
Legolas blinked. "What do you mean?" he asked with a careful tone.
"Braid her hair, Legolas!" she said a little too matter-of-factly.
Legolas' eyes widened at that and he looked at her with pure disbelief on his features. "You ask me to......" he said, but could not finish. Irulan stood very close to him now and crossing her arms, pushed her chin up to look at him. Legolas swallowed softly, then looked at her again and finally turned to look into the distance. "If that is what you ask of me......" he said with obvious pain in his voice.
"What?!" boomed Irulan and he literally flinched.
They looked at each other for what seemed like ages. "I said......I will yield to your wish," he said softly, his eyes never leaving hers and utter confusion on his beautiful features.
"You......you......." began Irulan and Legolas gracefully stepped back while she approached him. Her anger was truly taking a hold of her now, she would kill Eowyn. She would kill Legolas. And she most definitely would kill Aragorn and Gimli. She would. No, seriously. She would KILL ALL OF THEM! Suddenly she stopped her approach. Her eyes were so intense, Legolas felt literally a heat emanating from them, but he remained glued to his spot, unable to move away. "In that case, you can go and sleep next to Lady Eowyn tonight, Legolas" she said in the sharpest and coldest voice he had ever heard before, and turning around, disappeared stomping towards the camp.
***
Legolas appeared by the fire again. There were no words to describe the degree of confusion and distress on his face. Aragorn and Gimli did not look better. Lady Eowyn was not there. He sat by the fire, staring into it. None spoke for a while and a suffocating silence pressed upon the company mercilessly. Finally, unable to take the silence any longer, Gimli rumbled: "Well.......at least you are still alive!"
Legolas shot him a look that made the mighty warrior dwarf flinch and then continued looking into the fire. Another long silence set in and this time not even Gimli felt capable of disturbing it. "I asked her what she would want me to do for forgiveness," the elf said suddenly and even his soft voice sounded too loud and disquieting at the moment. "She told me to braid Lady Eowyn's hair," said Legolas, not looking away from the flames.
Both man and dwarf gasped and looked at each other. That was definitely NOT good! They swallowed softly.
"What.......what did you say?" said Aragorn with a careful tone.
Legolas this time shot him that rueful look and the king of kings hastily looked away. "I accepted of course!" he hissed.
Man and dwarf gasped again. "You accepted?" said Gimli with disbelief.
"What was I supposed to say? Turn her wish down?" said Legolas with exasperation and never did he sound more mortal as he did at that moment. Another silence set in. Aragorn and Gimli cast each other very careful glances.
"And?" said Aragorn finally.
"And...........and she told me to go and lie with Lady Eowyn tonight!" said the elf and he sounded completely lost.
Both man and dwarf gasped.
"Is it possible for you to stop doing that?" said Legolas with suppressed anger.
After a final glance at each other Aragorn and Gimli shifted uncomfortably and, taking a deep breath, Aragorn finally found his voice: "Welcome amongst men, my friend," he mumbled.
"I do not understand!" Legolas protested, once more sounding more mortal than elf. "Should I have said no?"
"Of course not! Are you mad! She would have killed you on the spot!" said Gimli, looking uneasily around as if Irulan could appear any moment and actually try doing it anyway.
"Legolas, do not blame yourself, my friend. There was no way for you to answer that question and win. You were bound to lose, believe me." He looked into the flames and said "Believe me.....I should know," with a sigh.
"I have to admit........we were guilty in this matter. We owe you an apology," growled Gimli finally. He hated the fact that he should apologize to an elf, but at this moment, it was only too obvious that he had played a role in this. Although Lady Eowyn of course had started it......but nevertheless.......Aragorn nodded in agreement.
"What must I do?" said Legolas finally looking from one to the other.
Aragorn and Gimli looked into the fire, deep frowns on their faces. "What you are asking to deal with, my friend," said Aragorn finally with a low voice, "is the mystery of all mysteries. It is called a 'woman'. No man, and I mean NO MAN -no elf, human, dwarf or hobbit- knows the answer to that." He sighed and continued: "Perhaps she will be more merciful tomorrow."
With that, they each lay down by the fire and tried to find sleep, although it very obviously evaded them. Legolas felt like crying. Crying, like a little child! In his mind, he went over and over the memory, failing to come up with a solution. 'My accursed tongue!' he thought bitterly. 'If I had not said that part with Aragorn!.......' But maybe Irulan would have found another reason to be angry with him.......such as.......and he thought about the various possibilities and the countless answers to those options. He remained awake throughout the whole night, aching for her warmth and feeling completely lost and helpless. This was torture! It was beyond punishment! How could she be so cruel as to punish him like this, by keeping him away from her! But nevertheless, he failed to feel anger to her. So he turned restlessly once more and tried to feel anger towards Lady Eowyn. Then Aragorn and Gimli. Finally himself. All options vibrated with a tinge of annoyance, yet failed to reach the heat of anger. Once again he thought about Irulan and how he could be lying with her now. What if she dreamt about those druids again? He certainly had to be there in case she did! But even Legolas had enough sense in him to know that going there against her wish was out of the question. He could not force himself onto her like that. And now that the nightmare issue had occurred to him, he felt even more anxious. He sighed with frustration and, turning once more, hoped the hours to pass faster, so that he could see her sooner by the morning. And in his entire life of three millennia, no night had been longer than that night in the open plains in Rohan.
***
"Irulan, are you awake?"
Irulan had been drifting in a restless sleep and woke up with a start. She rose to sit and remained still for a moment, then she looked around. "Eowyn?"
"Yes," said the other woman. "Did I wake you?"
"Don't worry about it," said Irulan, "I am glad you did, actually. I don't sleep too well these days." Then she remembered suddenly the whole incident from a short time ago and annoyance glowed in her. Yet, the flare of the anger was gone. 'Damn! She thought. Why can't I keep a grudge for once?!'
"I meant to talk to you," Eowyn whispered and swiftly sat by Irulan. Irulan took a look at her grinning beautiful face and rolled her eyes. Then she looked back and shook her head. "I should kill you, really" she shot at her.
Eowyn smiled innocently. "I STILL don't know what happened! I tried to ask Aragorn, but he almost choked on his pipe. I decided to spare his life."
Try as she might, Irulan could not help exploding with soft laughter at that. She instantly clasped her hand on her mouth and tried to be more silent. But the confused expression on Eowyn's face was not of much help. It took her minutes to overcome the laughter boiling up in her and to mercilessly drive it down. Tears rolled down her face from the very effort. Finally she calmed down and began to explain the funny tale of braiding to her dear friend.
Soon both women were giggling like crazy, silently thrashing on the floor, trying to make as little noise as possible. Irulan felt so good! She had not felt this good for years! To be with Eowyn again! To talk about men and to laugh like this, brought back old and very fond memories. Oh how she had missed this! 'There is something really sick about laughing like this in the middle of a frustrating situation with weak people around us and a war before us!' she thought, but for some odd reason, that made her laugh even harder. A long time later both women lay there spent with laughter, blinking tears from their eyes. "I think I was a bit cruel," giggled Irulan, looking up to the stars.
"You sure are devious when you are angry," giggled Eowyn back, her blonde hair spread around her on the floor like a halo. "Even I could not have come up with something like that, Irulan."
"Well.....I didn't know what I was saying, really. I just didn't want him to find out about my jealousy. Saving my pride and all........." she said, waving her hand.
"Oh, the expression on their faces was just too much!" said Eowyn and clasped her hands on her mouth again, refusing to give in to another fit.
"They deserved that, alright. Those men are plain cruel, I tell you!"
"Well I'm glad it turned out to be this way," said Eowyn suddenly, turning to her. "It has been long since we were alone and had such good time together!"
Irulan turned to look back at her. "Indeed, Eowyn. These men have been distracting us far too long!"
Eowyn sighed and rolled on her stomach, moving up on her elbows. "Do you remember how often we would do this in the past to all those nobles?"
"I would never forget!"
"It seems like another lifetime, Irulan. It has become so much.....darker," Eowyn sighed softly.
Irulan propped herself up on her elbows, too. "Yes, it has," she said. "But that does not mean it won't be as it was before, once more."
"You really think so?"
Irulan nodded with a determined look on her face. A silence came between them. "Strange indeed," she whispered finally. "Who would have thought I would fall for an elf when I grow up?"
"Honestly, I would. I mean........it was either that or the Dark Lord himself," she said and beamed to an annoyed Irulan. "You always had this.......outstanding.......taste in men, Irulan! I'm just glad that it is Legolas."
Irulan shook her head. "You know, I hope one day you will meet a man and he will treat you exactly as you deserve, Eowyn. Meaning, he will be charmingly mean to you! I truly hope so. I will be there, laughing as you walk down in your wedding gown, your eyes blind with love to this immensely fine man who knows how to shut you up, my friend! Oh no......even better......he has to be a tough hero from Gondor!"
"You must kill me if that happens!" said Eowyn with a grin. "I'd rather die!"
"Not at all. I'll be on HIS side!"
Eowyn continued grinning. "Well.......until those terrible days, we still have time for some fun, don't we?"
Irulan grinned back. This felt so much like the old times. "What do you have in mind, partner?"
Eowyn threw a look towards the direction in which the fire with the three men would be. "Oh.........the usual, really," she said with slight amusement.