Behold, the latest chapter! People, try to scan through my introductions,
here. I said that I feel no need to stay too true to the story, and added
Eomer in. I know he is supposed to show up later in the movie. But in the
book he was there. So this has become something more like a mixture of
both.
The battle of Helm's Deep is getting very close now. And yes, Haldir will be there. And yes, Irulan will be in trouble. As to the rest...we'll see. Oh, by the way, be prepared for perhaps an upcoming chapter with a bit more passion than the ones before. I don't think I will change the rating to R or anything, and don't worry, I'm not going to write material at the risk of messing up the careful balance of the story here...but I mean, we are talking about adults here. Besides, that's the way I want it, damn it. Let's see some sparks here some time soon!
Eomer was there. Normally Legolas should let go of her right then. But if anything, he actually seemed to hold on stronger. Irulan turned around and gave him a look and he slowly -and very unwillingly- let go of her arms. Aragorn had stepped aside from Eowyn a long time ago.
Eomer dismounted his horse and stepped up to them and was instantly greeted by Eowyn jumping up to embrace him. He slightly staggered back and laughed a deep, beautiful laugh as he embraced her back.
"I knew you would make it!" laughed Eowyn and despite everything, so did Irulan and Aragorn. Even Legolas smiled. Irulan suddenly felt a heaviness lift from her. For a long time now the thought of facing the army of Saruman without any help was gnawing at her. Eomer meant Rohirrim, and Rohirrim meant the hope for survival. She looked behind him to see Gandalf, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is Gandalf?" she said with excitement, unconsciously rubbing her abdomen.
"He is not with us," replied Eomer and Eowyn stepped aside. "I met him with my party of men a day ago. He told us about Helm's Deep and we came as fast as possible." He turned to caress his sister's cheek and smile at her for a moment. They had both feared for each other when Eomer was cast away by orders of Grima. And knowing Eomer, Irulan could guess that the thought of Eowyn alone with that evil creature in Edoras had probably cost him a lot of sleepless nights.
"We were expecting more men," said Aragorn finally. Indeed, the riders seemed only to be a few hundred. That was far from enough. Once more a darkness threatened to sink on her heart, but Irulan shook it off. 'Have faith!' she told herself stubbornly.
"When Gandalf reached us, I had already distributed my men. We had to divide in order to face the orcish attacks that are coming from many fronts now. Gandalf and a band of scouts will be gathering and bringing in the rest." He stopped to sigh with despair, looking away for a moment. Then he looked at Aragorn again. "I can only hope that it will be soon. I have received word that Saruman is gathering a very strong army. Stronger than we thought it would be. He will come for Helm's Deep."
A silence set in on them and Irulan swallowed softly. Legolas looked down at her and held her hand. She squeezed his softly. 'Have faith, Irulan,' she told herself.
"Well......at least you are here now," said Aragorn with a lighter voice. Eomer smiled and nodded curtly, then turned to his men and shouted for dispatch. Right at that moment King Theoden came riding towards them and Eomer, baffled at his sight, left to greet his uncle.
Irulan returned with Aragorn and Legolas to Gimli's side to share the news. The convoy had halted briefly because of the arrival of Eomer's party and everyone seemed to be overjoyed by that. They sat for a long while feeling both glad and disturbed at this new news. Glad that Eomer had joined them with his couple of hundred men. Disturbed because, although it was an improvement, it was a very slight change in their situation, since it still was no guarantee that the rest would arrive in time.
"What are we doing here anyway?" Irulan said suddenly. All three men looked up at her. "I mean," she began, "we were on a completely different quest. We should be with Frodo and Sam."
A short silence set in. Finally Gimli said "To tell the truth, I think those two hobbits have a higher chance at making it to Mordor alone. This company has not been too helpful for them."
Irulan was baffled. "That's not true!" she objected. "They would have never made it that far without us. And now they are out there..alone...I mean..we are talking about two hobbits who had never left the Shire before and MORDOR here!" Another silence. "We came for Merry and Pippin. But they are safe now. Should we not return to the other part of the Fellowship?"
"We'll never find them in Emyn Muil!" said Gimli.
"We can try," said Irulan. "I can still guide you."
"You are willing to leave the Rohirrim and your own friends to their fates?" said Gimli with disbelief.
Irulan sighed and massaged her face. "Of course not." She looked away and scanned the tired and weak people around them. "But how much difference will the four of us make in this war, anyway?"
"Whatever difference it will make, will be a difference worth staying for," said Aragorn with a determined voice.
Irulan shook her head softly. "Aragorn..you of all of us should not be here. You are destined to become something far more important than any of us. You should not risk your life for such a war."
Aragorn looked back at her both angry and baffled. "Are you mad?" he said finally and it came out a little too loud.
Irulan swallowed softly and looked away. "I can not trust myself with that Ring and Frodo, Aragorn, but I can trust you. You at least could go after them. You are a ranger, I know you could find them. And knowing you are with them, would make me feel much more confident about what the hell I am doing here," she said softly. "For it would mean that there is still hope."
Aragorn jumped on his feet and glared her a long time. She knew he meant to say something, but that a part of him refused to break her heart. She stood up and walked over to him. Gimli and Legolas were watching them silently. "Aragorn," she said again, slowly, "forgive me." She took his hands into hers and he looked away in anger, grinding his teeth. "I did not mean to tell you what your path is. I just..have this dark feeling in me....that we can not win this war," she whispered. He turned to look at her then and his eyes were fire itself. "Why waste a life like yours here?"
He sighed with desperation and finally took her hand and led her to her former place. He pulled her down to sit back and not letting go of her hands, knelt before her. Irulan was once more overwhelmed by him. Aragorn was such an amazing man. He was so gentle and yet so strong. He was reserved but then suddenly as close a friend as one could only make in years. "Listen to me, Irulan," he said softly and hesitated a moment. "I do not know if my destiny will lead me to a throne some day. I do not know if my line of ancestry and all the forebodings will be fulfilled. Yet I know one thing - I know that I can not be a true king if I run; even though it means running for a greater cause." Irulan opened her mouth but he cut her off softly: "You are young, Irulan. And you have led a very different life from mine. And we have shared a lot in these past weeks. Yet, when the time of parting comes and you look back one day and think of me, you may forget everything else, but I wish you to remember one thing and one thing alone - that I told you to follow your heart. It is the only true lesson I have learned in life and one I will heed for the rest of my years. My heart is here with these people and my friends." He turned to look at Legolas who smiled and placed his right fist on his heart; then he turned around to Gimli, who smiled and nodded softly.
Irulan sighed softly. "Then you will lead, and I shall follow," she said with a low voice. Aragorn smiled and kissed her hand softly, then got up and returned to sit across her once more. Irulan knew right there and then that we would indeed become the king of kings one day. Suddenly it was not a foreboding anymore. She knew it with the certainty she knew that he was there at that moment, sitting across her. She looked into the distant hills. "I have seen the king of kings," she thought and smiled softly. "I have traveled with him for weeks. I have argued with him, shared with him, fought with him. I have known the strangest and at the same time most adorable elf in Middle Earth. I have fallen in love with him. I have befriended the most unusual and loveable dwarf of his times." She thought about the times she had felt frustrated with her dull life as a princess. "I thought I would go on a big adventure and be happy. I thought I desired excitement and danger. I thought I lacked the thrill of life. Now I know that I lacked friendship. No matter where I go and what I do now, it will never hold the same pleasure without the ones dear to my heart."
Suddenly Gimli cleared his throat and broke her trance. "Well Aragorn!" he boomed, "I think you have added another title to your innumerable ones, you most adorable and astonishing man of all times!"
Irulan moaned and shook her head as both Aragorn and Legolas began to laugh softly. "You men are cruel!" she said with frustration and leaned down to rip off some grass.
"I mean, you must stop being this perfect, Aragorn!" boomed Gimli again. "Me and Legolas can barely keep up with you! You keep stealing all the nice compliments here!"
"Ah be quiet!" yelped Irulan, but she could not help laughing along with them.
"No way! I still have to do better than Legolas! I mean....'most precious gift', Gimli! Both you and me are yet far behind that," said Aragorn.
Gimli cast a look at Legolas, who was beaming with pleasure. "True! Aragorn, we need to fix that! I can not stand that elf bloating much longer!"
"Very funny indeed!" said Irulan bitterly, but she had to laugh anyway.
"Irulan," sounded Eomer's voice suddenly in the camp. He approached her to sit by her side, "how have you been? Gandalf told me you were injured." The men stopped laughing immediately and went on with their business, pretending not to be aware of the conversation. Which of course meant that they were all ears.
"Oh......." said Irulan with surprise, "oh no, I'm fine now." Eomer smiled warmly at her. 'He asked Gandalf about me? I doubt the old Wizard would throw something like that in between a conversation,' she thought with amazement. "Good to know someone cares. Your sister sure does not!" she added bitterly and once more touched her belly. Eomer chuckled at that and just kept looking at her with those fascinating hazel-green eyes of his.
"You kicked me, Irulan! In the belly!" Eowyn said suddenly and broke the silence. She came and joined the circle. And of course, she sat next to Aragorn! Suddenly Irulan realized that Eomer was sitting between her and Legolas and that idea seemed very disturbing to her. Legolas had removed his bow and was cleaning it, not looking at the company. She caught Eowyn grinning at her and fought hard not to roll her eyes.
"I am glad we met again," Eomer said, "we have a lot of catching up to do, Irulan." He smiled the most beautiful smile and slowly stood up to leave. She took a deep breath and glanced at Legolas, but he did not look up from his occupation. Which meant he was trying hard to look unaffected. She sighed softly and looked at Eowyn, who was looking back at her.
"Are you ready for round two, you witch?" she growled and all three men snapped around to look at her.
"I sure am, you coward," the other one hissed back. Aragon and Legolas jumped to their feet.
"Oh no you won't!" said Aragorn.
Irulan and Eowyn's eyes locked, both women slowly stood up. Then at the same instant, they began to laugh with booming laughter. The men literally flinched and Legolas had already taken a step towards Irulan when he realized that they were only laughing. 'Only laughing?' He looked at Aragorn in confusion and the other man looked back at him with a mirror expression.
"Grow up Aragorn," said Irulan and waved her hand as she walked over to Eowyn. The blonde woman offered her arm and she took it. The party of men watched them walking away with agape mouths.
"I.." began Legolas but he was cut off by both dwarf and man at the same instant: "....do not understand."
***
"Don't worry, Irulan, I won't tell," said Eowyn before the other one could even speak up. Irulan sighed in relief. "Are you mad? Things are beginning to get interesting now! I'd never tell!"
Irulan almost grabbed the other woman by her dress again. "That's not funny, Eowyn," she said, unconsciously massaging her belly.
"I'm sorry I hit you there," said Eowyn suddenly. "I really was not thinking. Does it hurt too much?"
"No........I'm alright. I'm sorry I kicked you, too."
Eowyn grinned. I know you did not kick me for real. It would have truly broken a few bones if you did."
Irulan sighed. "What will I do?" she said in frustration. "I am running out of options, Eowyn. And I mean, fast."
"If you were smart, Irulan, you would just go ahead and tell him. That would solve everything. But you are too much of a coward to do that." Irulan shot her a bleak look. "You are, Irulan. Prove me wrong and I'll shut up. Forever." Irulan gave her this time a look of disbelief. "Well alright.....maybe not forever......but for a LONG time anyway."
"How do you say something like that anyway?"
"Well......how did he tell you?"
Irulan went on to retell their conversation to Eowyn, whose eyes widened with disbelief and shock as she went on and on. When she finally came to the 'wind and grass' part, Eowyn actually stopped and stared at her, agape. "That's how he told me," Irulan said finally, looking in the distance and remembering those moments once more. She sighed deeply. 'I am truly blessed,' she thought. 'How many people in Middle Earth are lucky enough to ever hear that?' She thought about her years as a princess and the dull lords and princes. All empty shells, all feeling only one thing - the greed for power. She thought about Hasmir and all the other husbands of the Darma Druids........kind, good, but utterly shallow. She thought about the soldiers of Gondor she had fought along. All engulfed in the rage and desperation of war. Legolas was so different from any other man in her life. Suddenly she realized that Eowyn was still looking at her with pure astonishment. "Well.....say something!" said Irulan finally.
Eowyn raised her eyebrows and closing her mouth, shook her head gently. "I have changed my mind. I shall do anything in my power to snatch him from you!" she said in amazement.
Irulan laughed softly. "That was a fast transformation!"
Eowyn grinned back at her. "That was the most amazing thing I have ever heard! I mean......amazing.......that's all I can come up with right now."
"Eowyn how will I tell him, woman?!"
"Oh.......well.....I think you should do it the same way."
Irulan looked at her stunned. "The same way? Are you crazy.......That is completely beyond me!"
Eowyn laughed and waved her hand. "After I heard his part, I can tell you right now that you will make a complete fool of yourself. But......I think it is the only way to make him understand. It's the way he is thinking, Irulan. You have to revert to his way of thinking."
"I am doomed!" murmured Irulan.
***
"I can not let you fight!" Eomer said with disbelief.
"Eomer, I mean.........did I ASK you?"
Eomer pushed his chin up slightly. "Irulan......I have no doubt you have perfected your abilities. You were lethal even when I last saw you. But I can NOT let you fight!"
"What makes you think that I will listen to you? You are not my father. You are not my commander. And you most certainly are not my........" she stopped instantly, knowing that saying the word 'husband' would be most improper. True, she used to make that kind of jokes to him all the time before........but he seemed different now. And after what Eowyn had told her about his feelings for her, it seemed..........VERY improper.
"I'm not what?" Eomer said with an amused smile creeping up his lips.
'When did he become this damn handsome?!' Irulan thought with desperation. "The point is; I will fight. A wise commander would know that you need me in this. You need every extra man. I can certainly do much better than the fourteen year old kids that will probably take a part in this. Grow up, Eomer!"
"Irulan is as good as any of us. As a matter of fact, she is even better," Aragorn said from behind them. Irulan bit her lip to keep from grinning. That was the second visit from Aragorn ever since she and Eomer had begun talking. If they were taking turns, Gimli would be next.
"I do not doubt that," said Eomer, turning slightly to him. The fire was playing on his handsome features. Aragorn walked up to his bag and removed his pipe and his leaves for stuffing. Irulan mercilessly suppressed the need for a giggle. The three men had been encircling the fire like wolves for hours now. They had somehow come to believe that Irulan was THEIRS (Irulan firmly believed that men had a possessive streak and she was pretty sure that this was their line of thinking) and that Eomer was -for some yet unknown reason- a threat. Eomer stared at him for so long, Aragorn had to give in and pursing his lips, cast a last glance at Irulan, then left.
Eomer turned back to her and sighed. Irulan grinned slowly. "Your friends have taken quite a liking to you," he said finally, with a tinge of anger. He looked around if their conversation was yet to be broken again, but no one was in sight. "In a way, I understand of course," he said softly and again, that look in his eyes!
Irulan shrugged lightly and cleared her throat. "I am bound to them. They are bound to me. We have become very close," she said matter-of-factly.
Eomer nodded softly and throwing a last glance over his shoulder, he moved to sit closer to her. Irulan tensed when their bodies touched and when he threw an arm around her back. 'Stop it! It's only normal! You slept with him and Eowyn in the same bed countless times!' she scolded herself. And yet........that seemed like a very different Eomer.
"Too close, perhaps," he said softly and looked at her.
Irulan swallowed softly and tried to pretend hard that she was unaffected. She knew though that she was doing a bad job. "Wh-what do you mean?" she managed finally.
"Irulan," Eomer said and looked away for a moment, "we have always been.......friends......have we not?"
"Of course."
"And we have shared long years," he said, stressing the 'years' part. Irulan nodded softly.
"And you know I would never do or say anything to hurt you, my little thorn?" he said softly and Irulan almost jumped up at that. She remained frozen for an instant, then hastily nodded.
"Then you must trust me now when I seek only to protect you once more," he said softly and cupped chin her gently to make her look at him. Irulan pursed her lips and tried to make her heart beat slower. Eomer waited another moment, then removed his hand. "I can see why you are taken with him," he said with a very careful tone. "But......he is not meant for you," he said finally and softly caressed her cheek.
Irulan could not help it any longer. She jumped to her feet and walked away a little before she turned back to him. Eomer of course knew that she was nowhere that easy to be persuaded and he had expected her reaction. He took a deep breath and crossing his arms on his chest, remained seated, looking at her. "Eomer, I know you wish to protect me. And yes, I always trusted you and loved you. But.......I am not a little helpless princess any longer."
"You never were, Irulan. My wish to protect you does not mean you are helpless. But often we have a better view at things when we are not sentimentally involved with them."
Irulan smiled at him. 'Behold, a smart man,' she thought. Eomer always knew what to say and how to say it. "Eomer, you will have to trust me with this decision. I know you feel mistrust to him........because he is an Eldar. But if you could see beyond that, you would know that he is a perfect man."
"Only I can not, Irulan. He may be perfect, but he certainly is not a man."
"You know what I mean," she said and waved the argument away. "And spare me the part about elves and humans. I have listened to that from Eowyn far too many times already."
"You may have heard it, and yet obviously you have not been listening, Irulan."
Irulan shook her head. "I stand firm on this," she said finally.
"As do I," said suddenly the voice of Legolas behind her. She could not help to jump at that. Eomer slowly rose to his feet. He looked unbelievable threatening at the moment, as he was gazing over her shoulder to the approaching form of Legolas. The elf slowly walked up to them, leaving the darkness behind him, and stood behind Irulan, gently encircling his arm around her waist. Irulan almost laughed out loud. 'Men DO have a problem with possession!' she thought and then decided that it was not that funny after all. At least at not this moment. She softly swallowed and looked back at Eomer who was glancing at them with open disapproval.
"Does your kind always pry on private conversations?" he said finally with a dangerous voice.
Irulan felt Legolas stiffen behind her, but he remained silent for a moment. "This is no private matter to me. And I have come to believe that many things that I find improper are deemed to be very much proper in the world of Man."
Eomer glanced at his arm around her and took a step towards them. Irulan would love to see Legolas' expression, but of course that would mean little. He remained still, though. "If you treasure her, you will let her go, elf."
"She is free to go any moment she wishes. I do not entrap women. Nor do I tell them what to do." He could have added "like you" but he really did not need to. The message was clear enough. Irulan gulped. Legolas was clearly not in the mood of giving in tonight.
"She is not meant for you," hissed Eomer, "stick to your own kind."
Irulan opened her mouth to put an end to this right then. Only Legolas embraced her a trifle harder and intervened with her attempt. "You must think truly highly of yourself, Master Eomer, if you mean to say that you know who is meant for whom."
"I thought Eldar were smarter," Eomer said and took another step. He stood very close now. Irulan felt like some toy between two very stubborn boys. "She is young and naive. You are many times her age, yet I see you no wiser."
Legolas smiled softly. "I think we are all fools in the face of love, would you not agree?" he said with a hint that was hard to miss.
Eomer remained rooted. He looked at Irulan, then back at Legolas, then back at her. Irulan finally stepped away from Legolas and stood between them. "Enough you two! I can only take so much foolishness!" She looked from one to the other and the two men kept glaring at each other.
"Irulan," said Eomer and turned to her. His voice softened instantly, as did his eyes, "you have known me for years, but him only a few months. Please, listen to me." Irulan felt sorry for him. She really did and the last thing she wanted to do was to hurt Eomer in any fashion. He was beyond precious as a person. And it was obvious that he had feelings for her. She never wanted to be a means for his pain.
"I thought your kind wiser than to judge these things by time," said Legolas from behind her. "The concept of time truly holds no sway when an Eldar is in question."
Eomer glanced up at him again and for an instant Irulan thought he would dash ahead or do some other foolish thing. She swiftly held on to his arm and threw Legolas an angry look. But the elf did not see her. His eyes were locked with the eyes of the other man. Eomer suddenly realized her touch and looked down at her. "Eomer......please," she said softly. He swallowed and casting a little glance at Legolas, turned back to her. He put his hand on hers and looked into the fire. "I know you are doing it with the best of intentions," she said softly and touched his cheek. Eomer instantly looked up at her touch. Irulan smiled. 'Precious little Eomer,' she thought, 'I hope you will find someone worthy of you.' "But please do not continue, for you will only hurt me," she finished. He clenched his jaws and looked towards the ground.
Irulan glanced at Legolas who was watching them with an expressionless face, but two burning eyes. He slowly extended his hand to her, but remained still other than that. She turned back to Eomer who had been watching Legolas as well and likewise turned back now to look at her. A tense moment prevailed and to Irulan, it felt as if it went on forever. Finally she smiled at Eomer and kissing him gently on his cheek, slowly backed away from him, not looking away until her hand found Legolas' hand and he softly enclosed it in his long fingers. Eomer looked at her in pain for a moment, then slowly stood upright again and locked eyes with Legolas once more. The pain in his face melted away and his features became almost as blank as those of an elf. It was obvious that this issue was far from over. Irulan knew Eomer too well to fool herself into believing anything else. He was not captain of his armies for nothing. He had chased Eowyn and herself around for years; it would be naïve to think that he would give up on her this easily. Legolas softly drew her closer to him, and glancing one final time at Eomer, left the circle, pulling Irulan behind him.
Eomer remained behind, not knowing which fire was more searing - the one he was staring at, or the one burning in his heart.
The battle of Helm's Deep is getting very close now. And yes, Haldir will be there. And yes, Irulan will be in trouble. As to the rest...we'll see. Oh, by the way, be prepared for perhaps an upcoming chapter with a bit more passion than the ones before. I don't think I will change the rating to R or anything, and don't worry, I'm not going to write material at the risk of messing up the careful balance of the story here...but I mean, we are talking about adults here. Besides, that's the way I want it, damn it. Let's see some sparks here some time soon!
Eomer was there. Normally Legolas should let go of her right then. But if anything, he actually seemed to hold on stronger. Irulan turned around and gave him a look and he slowly -and very unwillingly- let go of her arms. Aragorn had stepped aside from Eowyn a long time ago.
Eomer dismounted his horse and stepped up to them and was instantly greeted by Eowyn jumping up to embrace him. He slightly staggered back and laughed a deep, beautiful laugh as he embraced her back.
"I knew you would make it!" laughed Eowyn and despite everything, so did Irulan and Aragorn. Even Legolas smiled. Irulan suddenly felt a heaviness lift from her. For a long time now the thought of facing the army of Saruman without any help was gnawing at her. Eomer meant Rohirrim, and Rohirrim meant the hope for survival. She looked behind him to see Gandalf, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"Where is Gandalf?" she said with excitement, unconsciously rubbing her abdomen.
"He is not with us," replied Eomer and Eowyn stepped aside. "I met him with my party of men a day ago. He told us about Helm's Deep and we came as fast as possible." He turned to caress his sister's cheek and smile at her for a moment. They had both feared for each other when Eomer was cast away by orders of Grima. And knowing Eomer, Irulan could guess that the thought of Eowyn alone with that evil creature in Edoras had probably cost him a lot of sleepless nights.
"We were expecting more men," said Aragorn finally. Indeed, the riders seemed only to be a few hundred. That was far from enough. Once more a darkness threatened to sink on her heart, but Irulan shook it off. 'Have faith!' she told herself stubbornly.
"When Gandalf reached us, I had already distributed my men. We had to divide in order to face the orcish attacks that are coming from many fronts now. Gandalf and a band of scouts will be gathering and bringing in the rest." He stopped to sigh with despair, looking away for a moment. Then he looked at Aragorn again. "I can only hope that it will be soon. I have received word that Saruman is gathering a very strong army. Stronger than we thought it would be. He will come for Helm's Deep."
A silence set in on them and Irulan swallowed softly. Legolas looked down at her and held her hand. She squeezed his softly. 'Have faith, Irulan,' she told herself.
"Well......at least you are here now," said Aragorn with a lighter voice. Eomer smiled and nodded curtly, then turned to his men and shouted for dispatch. Right at that moment King Theoden came riding towards them and Eomer, baffled at his sight, left to greet his uncle.
Irulan returned with Aragorn and Legolas to Gimli's side to share the news. The convoy had halted briefly because of the arrival of Eomer's party and everyone seemed to be overjoyed by that. They sat for a long while feeling both glad and disturbed at this new news. Glad that Eomer had joined them with his couple of hundred men. Disturbed because, although it was an improvement, it was a very slight change in their situation, since it still was no guarantee that the rest would arrive in time.
"What are we doing here anyway?" Irulan said suddenly. All three men looked up at her. "I mean," she began, "we were on a completely different quest. We should be with Frodo and Sam."
A short silence set in. Finally Gimli said "To tell the truth, I think those two hobbits have a higher chance at making it to Mordor alone. This company has not been too helpful for them."
Irulan was baffled. "That's not true!" she objected. "They would have never made it that far without us. And now they are out there..alone...I mean..we are talking about two hobbits who had never left the Shire before and MORDOR here!" Another silence. "We came for Merry and Pippin. But they are safe now. Should we not return to the other part of the Fellowship?"
"We'll never find them in Emyn Muil!" said Gimli.
"We can try," said Irulan. "I can still guide you."
"You are willing to leave the Rohirrim and your own friends to their fates?" said Gimli with disbelief.
Irulan sighed and massaged her face. "Of course not." She looked away and scanned the tired and weak people around them. "But how much difference will the four of us make in this war, anyway?"
"Whatever difference it will make, will be a difference worth staying for," said Aragorn with a determined voice.
Irulan shook her head softly. "Aragorn..you of all of us should not be here. You are destined to become something far more important than any of us. You should not risk your life for such a war."
Aragorn looked back at her both angry and baffled. "Are you mad?" he said finally and it came out a little too loud.
Irulan swallowed softly and looked away. "I can not trust myself with that Ring and Frodo, Aragorn, but I can trust you. You at least could go after them. You are a ranger, I know you could find them. And knowing you are with them, would make me feel much more confident about what the hell I am doing here," she said softly. "For it would mean that there is still hope."
Aragorn jumped on his feet and glared her a long time. She knew he meant to say something, but that a part of him refused to break her heart. She stood up and walked over to him. Gimli and Legolas were watching them silently. "Aragorn," she said again, slowly, "forgive me." She took his hands into hers and he looked away in anger, grinding his teeth. "I did not mean to tell you what your path is. I just..have this dark feeling in me....that we can not win this war," she whispered. He turned to look at her then and his eyes were fire itself. "Why waste a life like yours here?"
He sighed with desperation and finally took her hand and led her to her former place. He pulled her down to sit back and not letting go of her hands, knelt before her. Irulan was once more overwhelmed by him. Aragorn was such an amazing man. He was so gentle and yet so strong. He was reserved but then suddenly as close a friend as one could only make in years. "Listen to me, Irulan," he said softly and hesitated a moment. "I do not know if my destiny will lead me to a throne some day. I do not know if my line of ancestry and all the forebodings will be fulfilled. Yet I know one thing - I know that I can not be a true king if I run; even though it means running for a greater cause." Irulan opened her mouth but he cut her off softly: "You are young, Irulan. And you have led a very different life from mine. And we have shared a lot in these past weeks. Yet, when the time of parting comes and you look back one day and think of me, you may forget everything else, but I wish you to remember one thing and one thing alone - that I told you to follow your heart. It is the only true lesson I have learned in life and one I will heed for the rest of my years. My heart is here with these people and my friends." He turned to look at Legolas who smiled and placed his right fist on his heart; then he turned around to Gimli, who smiled and nodded softly.
Irulan sighed softly. "Then you will lead, and I shall follow," she said with a low voice. Aragorn smiled and kissed her hand softly, then got up and returned to sit across her once more. Irulan knew right there and then that we would indeed become the king of kings one day. Suddenly it was not a foreboding anymore. She knew it with the certainty she knew that he was there at that moment, sitting across her. She looked into the distant hills. "I have seen the king of kings," she thought and smiled softly. "I have traveled with him for weeks. I have argued with him, shared with him, fought with him. I have known the strangest and at the same time most adorable elf in Middle Earth. I have fallen in love with him. I have befriended the most unusual and loveable dwarf of his times." She thought about the times she had felt frustrated with her dull life as a princess. "I thought I would go on a big adventure and be happy. I thought I desired excitement and danger. I thought I lacked the thrill of life. Now I know that I lacked friendship. No matter where I go and what I do now, it will never hold the same pleasure without the ones dear to my heart."
Suddenly Gimli cleared his throat and broke her trance. "Well Aragorn!" he boomed, "I think you have added another title to your innumerable ones, you most adorable and astonishing man of all times!"
Irulan moaned and shook her head as both Aragorn and Legolas began to laugh softly. "You men are cruel!" she said with frustration and leaned down to rip off some grass.
"I mean, you must stop being this perfect, Aragorn!" boomed Gimli again. "Me and Legolas can barely keep up with you! You keep stealing all the nice compliments here!"
"Ah be quiet!" yelped Irulan, but she could not help laughing along with them.
"No way! I still have to do better than Legolas! I mean....'most precious gift', Gimli! Both you and me are yet far behind that," said Aragorn.
Gimli cast a look at Legolas, who was beaming with pleasure. "True! Aragorn, we need to fix that! I can not stand that elf bloating much longer!"
"Very funny indeed!" said Irulan bitterly, but she had to laugh anyway.
"Irulan," sounded Eomer's voice suddenly in the camp. He approached her to sit by her side, "how have you been? Gandalf told me you were injured." The men stopped laughing immediately and went on with their business, pretending not to be aware of the conversation. Which of course meant that they were all ears.
"Oh......." said Irulan with surprise, "oh no, I'm fine now." Eomer smiled warmly at her. 'He asked Gandalf about me? I doubt the old Wizard would throw something like that in between a conversation,' she thought with amazement. "Good to know someone cares. Your sister sure does not!" she added bitterly and once more touched her belly. Eomer chuckled at that and just kept looking at her with those fascinating hazel-green eyes of his.
"You kicked me, Irulan! In the belly!" Eowyn said suddenly and broke the silence. She came and joined the circle. And of course, she sat next to Aragorn! Suddenly Irulan realized that Eomer was sitting between her and Legolas and that idea seemed very disturbing to her. Legolas had removed his bow and was cleaning it, not looking at the company. She caught Eowyn grinning at her and fought hard not to roll her eyes.
"I am glad we met again," Eomer said, "we have a lot of catching up to do, Irulan." He smiled the most beautiful smile and slowly stood up to leave. She took a deep breath and glanced at Legolas, but he did not look up from his occupation. Which meant he was trying hard to look unaffected. She sighed softly and looked at Eowyn, who was looking back at her.
"Are you ready for round two, you witch?" she growled and all three men snapped around to look at her.
"I sure am, you coward," the other one hissed back. Aragon and Legolas jumped to their feet.
"Oh no you won't!" said Aragorn.
Irulan and Eowyn's eyes locked, both women slowly stood up. Then at the same instant, they began to laugh with booming laughter. The men literally flinched and Legolas had already taken a step towards Irulan when he realized that they were only laughing. 'Only laughing?' He looked at Aragorn in confusion and the other man looked back at him with a mirror expression.
"Grow up Aragorn," said Irulan and waved her hand as she walked over to Eowyn. The blonde woman offered her arm and she took it. The party of men watched them walking away with agape mouths.
"I.." began Legolas but he was cut off by both dwarf and man at the same instant: "....do not understand."
***
"Don't worry, Irulan, I won't tell," said Eowyn before the other one could even speak up. Irulan sighed in relief. "Are you mad? Things are beginning to get interesting now! I'd never tell!"
Irulan almost grabbed the other woman by her dress again. "That's not funny, Eowyn," she said, unconsciously massaging her belly.
"I'm sorry I hit you there," said Eowyn suddenly. "I really was not thinking. Does it hurt too much?"
"No........I'm alright. I'm sorry I kicked you, too."
Eowyn grinned. I know you did not kick me for real. It would have truly broken a few bones if you did."
Irulan sighed. "What will I do?" she said in frustration. "I am running out of options, Eowyn. And I mean, fast."
"If you were smart, Irulan, you would just go ahead and tell him. That would solve everything. But you are too much of a coward to do that." Irulan shot her a bleak look. "You are, Irulan. Prove me wrong and I'll shut up. Forever." Irulan gave her this time a look of disbelief. "Well alright.....maybe not forever......but for a LONG time anyway."
"How do you say something like that anyway?"
"Well......how did he tell you?"
Irulan went on to retell their conversation to Eowyn, whose eyes widened with disbelief and shock as she went on and on. When she finally came to the 'wind and grass' part, Eowyn actually stopped and stared at her, agape. "That's how he told me," Irulan said finally, looking in the distance and remembering those moments once more. She sighed deeply. 'I am truly blessed,' she thought. 'How many people in Middle Earth are lucky enough to ever hear that?' She thought about her years as a princess and the dull lords and princes. All empty shells, all feeling only one thing - the greed for power. She thought about Hasmir and all the other husbands of the Darma Druids........kind, good, but utterly shallow. She thought about the soldiers of Gondor she had fought along. All engulfed in the rage and desperation of war. Legolas was so different from any other man in her life. Suddenly she realized that Eowyn was still looking at her with pure astonishment. "Well.....say something!" said Irulan finally.
Eowyn raised her eyebrows and closing her mouth, shook her head gently. "I have changed my mind. I shall do anything in my power to snatch him from you!" she said in amazement.
Irulan laughed softly. "That was a fast transformation!"
Eowyn grinned back at her. "That was the most amazing thing I have ever heard! I mean......amazing.......that's all I can come up with right now."
"Eowyn how will I tell him, woman?!"
"Oh.......well.....I think you should do it the same way."
Irulan looked at her stunned. "The same way? Are you crazy.......That is completely beyond me!"
Eowyn laughed and waved her hand. "After I heard his part, I can tell you right now that you will make a complete fool of yourself. But......I think it is the only way to make him understand. It's the way he is thinking, Irulan. You have to revert to his way of thinking."
"I am doomed!" murmured Irulan.
***
"I can not let you fight!" Eomer said with disbelief.
"Eomer, I mean.........did I ASK you?"
Eomer pushed his chin up slightly. "Irulan......I have no doubt you have perfected your abilities. You were lethal even when I last saw you. But I can NOT let you fight!"
"What makes you think that I will listen to you? You are not my father. You are not my commander. And you most certainly are not my........" she stopped instantly, knowing that saying the word 'husband' would be most improper. True, she used to make that kind of jokes to him all the time before........but he seemed different now. And after what Eowyn had told her about his feelings for her, it seemed..........VERY improper.
"I'm not what?" Eomer said with an amused smile creeping up his lips.
'When did he become this damn handsome?!' Irulan thought with desperation. "The point is; I will fight. A wise commander would know that you need me in this. You need every extra man. I can certainly do much better than the fourteen year old kids that will probably take a part in this. Grow up, Eomer!"
"Irulan is as good as any of us. As a matter of fact, she is even better," Aragorn said from behind them. Irulan bit her lip to keep from grinning. That was the second visit from Aragorn ever since she and Eomer had begun talking. If they were taking turns, Gimli would be next.
"I do not doubt that," said Eomer, turning slightly to him. The fire was playing on his handsome features. Aragorn walked up to his bag and removed his pipe and his leaves for stuffing. Irulan mercilessly suppressed the need for a giggle. The three men had been encircling the fire like wolves for hours now. They had somehow come to believe that Irulan was THEIRS (Irulan firmly believed that men had a possessive streak and she was pretty sure that this was their line of thinking) and that Eomer was -for some yet unknown reason- a threat. Eomer stared at him for so long, Aragorn had to give in and pursing his lips, cast a last glance at Irulan, then left.
Eomer turned back to her and sighed. Irulan grinned slowly. "Your friends have taken quite a liking to you," he said finally, with a tinge of anger. He looked around if their conversation was yet to be broken again, but no one was in sight. "In a way, I understand of course," he said softly and again, that look in his eyes!
Irulan shrugged lightly and cleared her throat. "I am bound to them. They are bound to me. We have become very close," she said matter-of-factly.
Eomer nodded softly and throwing a last glance over his shoulder, he moved to sit closer to her. Irulan tensed when their bodies touched and when he threw an arm around her back. 'Stop it! It's only normal! You slept with him and Eowyn in the same bed countless times!' she scolded herself. And yet........that seemed like a very different Eomer.
"Too close, perhaps," he said softly and looked at her.
Irulan swallowed softly and tried to pretend hard that she was unaffected. She knew though that she was doing a bad job. "Wh-what do you mean?" she managed finally.
"Irulan," Eomer said and looked away for a moment, "we have always been.......friends......have we not?"
"Of course."
"And we have shared long years," he said, stressing the 'years' part. Irulan nodded softly.
"And you know I would never do or say anything to hurt you, my little thorn?" he said softly and Irulan almost jumped up at that. She remained frozen for an instant, then hastily nodded.
"Then you must trust me now when I seek only to protect you once more," he said softly and cupped chin her gently to make her look at him. Irulan pursed her lips and tried to make her heart beat slower. Eomer waited another moment, then removed his hand. "I can see why you are taken with him," he said with a very careful tone. "But......he is not meant for you," he said finally and softly caressed her cheek.
Irulan could not help it any longer. She jumped to her feet and walked away a little before she turned back to him. Eomer of course knew that she was nowhere that easy to be persuaded and he had expected her reaction. He took a deep breath and crossing his arms on his chest, remained seated, looking at her. "Eomer, I know you wish to protect me. And yes, I always trusted you and loved you. But.......I am not a little helpless princess any longer."
"You never were, Irulan. My wish to protect you does not mean you are helpless. But often we have a better view at things when we are not sentimentally involved with them."
Irulan smiled at him. 'Behold, a smart man,' she thought. Eomer always knew what to say and how to say it. "Eomer, you will have to trust me with this decision. I know you feel mistrust to him........because he is an Eldar. But if you could see beyond that, you would know that he is a perfect man."
"Only I can not, Irulan. He may be perfect, but he certainly is not a man."
"You know what I mean," she said and waved the argument away. "And spare me the part about elves and humans. I have listened to that from Eowyn far too many times already."
"You may have heard it, and yet obviously you have not been listening, Irulan."
Irulan shook her head. "I stand firm on this," she said finally.
"As do I," said suddenly the voice of Legolas behind her. She could not help to jump at that. Eomer slowly rose to his feet. He looked unbelievable threatening at the moment, as he was gazing over her shoulder to the approaching form of Legolas. The elf slowly walked up to them, leaving the darkness behind him, and stood behind Irulan, gently encircling his arm around her waist. Irulan almost laughed out loud. 'Men DO have a problem with possession!' she thought and then decided that it was not that funny after all. At least at not this moment. She softly swallowed and looked back at Eomer who was glancing at them with open disapproval.
"Does your kind always pry on private conversations?" he said finally with a dangerous voice.
Irulan felt Legolas stiffen behind her, but he remained silent for a moment. "This is no private matter to me. And I have come to believe that many things that I find improper are deemed to be very much proper in the world of Man."
Eomer glanced at his arm around her and took a step towards them. Irulan would love to see Legolas' expression, but of course that would mean little. He remained still, though. "If you treasure her, you will let her go, elf."
"She is free to go any moment she wishes. I do not entrap women. Nor do I tell them what to do." He could have added "like you" but he really did not need to. The message was clear enough. Irulan gulped. Legolas was clearly not in the mood of giving in tonight.
"She is not meant for you," hissed Eomer, "stick to your own kind."
Irulan opened her mouth to put an end to this right then. Only Legolas embraced her a trifle harder and intervened with her attempt. "You must think truly highly of yourself, Master Eomer, if you mean to say that you know who is meant for whom."
"I thought Eldar were smarter," Eomer said and took another step. He stood very close now. Irulan felt like some toy between two very stubborn boys. "She is young and naive. You are many times her age, yet I see you no wiser."
Legolas smiled softly. "I think we are all fools in the face of love, would you not agree?" he said with a hint that was hard to miss.
Eomer remained rooted. He looked at Irulan, then back at Legolas, then back at her. Irulan finally stepped away from Legolas and stood between them. "Enough you two! I can only take so much foolishness!" She looked from one to the other and the two men kept glaring at each other.
"Irulan," said Eomer and turned to her. His voice softened instantly, as did his eyes, "you have known me for years, but him only a few months. Please, listen to me." Irulan felt sorry for him. She really did and the last thing she wanted to do was to hurt Eomer in any fashion. He was beyond precious as a person. And it was obvious that he had feelings for her. She never wanted to be a means for his pain.
"I thought your kind wiser than to judge these things by time," said Legolas from behind her. "The concept of time truly holds no sway when an Eldar is in question."
Eomer glanced up at him again and for an instant Irulan thought he would dash ahead or do some other foolish thing. She swiftly held on to his arm and threw Legolas an angry look. But the elf did not see her. His eyes were locked with the eyes of the other man. Eomer suddenly realized her touch and looked down at her. "Eomer......please," she said softly. He swallowed and casting a little glance at Legolas, turned back to her. He put his hand on hers and looked into the fire. "I know you are doing it with the best of intentions," she said softly and touched his cheek. Eomer instantly looked up at her touch. Irulan smiled. 'Precious little Eomer,' she thought, 'I hope you will find someone worthy of you.' "But please do not continue, for you will only hurt me," she finished. He clenched his jaws and looked towards the ground.
Irulan glanced at Legolas who was watching them with an expressionless face, but two burning eyes. He slowly extended his hand to her, but remained still other than that. She turned back to Eomer who had been watching Legolas as well and likewise turned back now to look at her. A tense moment prevailed and to Irulan, it felt as if it went on forever. Finally she smiled at Eomer and kissing him gently on his cheek, slowly backed away from him, not looking away until her hand found Legolas' hand and he softly enclosed it in his long fingers. Eomer looked at her in pain for a moment, then slowly stood upright again and locked eyes with Legolas once more. The pain in his face melted away and his features became almost as blank as those of an elf. It was obvious that this issue was far from over. Irulan knew Eomer too well to fool herself into believing anything else. He was not captain of his armies for nothing. He had chased Eowyn and herself around for years; it would be naïve to think that he would give up on her this easily. Legolas softly drew her closer to him, and glancing one final time at Eomer, left the circle, pulling Irulan behind him.
Eomer remained behind, not knowing which fire was more searing - the one he was staring at, or the one burning in his heart.