Irulan was once again standing before Chemarit's hut. The moment she
realized that, a great fear came over her and turning her back to the hut,
she quickly scanned the surroundings. No one was there. But what she saw
made her swallow with horror anyway. Everything had changed. The trees
other than the great tree by the hut were burned or chopped off. The castle
could under normal circumstances not be seen from this distance because of
the tall forest in between...but now it was very visible. Only it did not
look like a castle any longer. It was a heap of black, burnt ruins, looking
like the remnants of a blackened tooth sticking out of the ground. Most of
the walls or towers were gone...it looked completely destroyed.
Irulan felt nauseous. She felt dizzy. She backed away until her back was resting on the door of the hut and continued looking with teary eyes. Those beautiful trees.....the entire forest, burnt to ashes! Her castle, gone. The city most probably destroyed. A chilly wind blew at her face and Irulan realized that the season was no longer summer, either. It was winter...or fall. There was no snow on the ground but dark clouds overhung the sky and it was bitterly cold. The circle enclosing Chemarit's hut and the tree looked truly absurd in this view, for nothing in the circle had changed. The grass was still green and very much alive, the tree was lusciously beautiful and the hut looked as always.
Irulan hastily looked around once more, expecting Hetaire or someone else to show, but when no one did, she carefully pushed the door of the hut....and it gave in under her touch. She closed her eyes and swallowed softly. What if Hetaire was inside, waiting for her? Anger rose in her. 'That woman has no business in Chemarit's hut! I'll kick her out if she is in there!' she thought suddenly and pushed the door wider and stepped in quickly, closing it behind her.
Irulan was standing in the open and it was springtime. She was so stunned at the effect of that, she remained baffled for a moment before she hastily looked back and yes, there was the old wooden door, behind her, standing alone with no walls around it. She backed away from the view in front her and slightly leaned on it, fearing that the door would disappear, but it seemed as real as the rest of this world. A sharp scent of grass came with the soft, warm breeze and she instantly recognized the place...she was standing in no other place than the valley of grass! The one she had seen as a vision with herself and Legolas in it!
Her mouth dropped open at the realization and she walked slowly away from the door, further into the valley. She looked up at the gigantic blue-white rocks surrounding her as she walked into the soft waist-high grass that caressed her with every step and gently flowed around her like a green river. It looked exactly as she remembered it to be - even the moment was the same, for once more the sun had begun to set and its soft orange glow was melting on everything around her.
She had only walked a few steps and her confusion had already begun to turn into pleasure, when she heard a voice behind her. "Is it not peaceful?" it said. She jumped up at that and turned around, fear gripping her heart. Fear was instantly replaced by astonishment when she saw Boromir. He was standing a small distance away in the grass, as she did, his eyes closed, his head slightly tilted up, as if he was smelling the wind; his hands stretched out, palms down, to feel the touch of the grass as it moved around him.
"Boromir?" whispered Irulan despite herself. She had no doubt that it was Boromir, but he was so unexpected a sight, she did not know what else to say. He looked a little different, too. He was wearing a linen and soft tunic of darker greens and browns with matching leggings. The front of his dark greenish shirt was covered with the white tree of Gondor, and it shone with a misty pearl color. Irulan found herself looking at it with amazement, so beautiful was the work of that image. She then looked up to see that Boromir was looking back at her. He looked..exactly the same age as he was when he had parted from them in Parth Gallen...and yet there was a freshness and youth to him that she could not pinpoint. He smiled and it was so soft, Irulan could not help to smile back.
"This is such a beautiful place, Irulan," he said softly, looking at her with admiration, "I am truly happy to be here."
"Boromir!" she shouted and jumped up to hug him. He laughed and embraced her back. She felt her feet leaving the ground and Boromir patted her back, keeping her in his embrace. "I have missed you so much!" she said and could not help the faltering of her voice. She wanted to cry out of sheer happiness, but fought it down in fear that it might startle him now. He laughed again and embraced her tighter before he gently lowered her down.
"I have missed you too, Irulan," he said, smiling down at her. She could not remember him ever smiling like that. It looked like his entire soul was smiling, so peaceful and happy was his expression. He looked a very different man from the one who had fought all those years for Gondor and who had died fighting for yet a greater cause. They stood like that for a long moment, feeling the sharp happiness of seeing each other again descending on them and Irulan felt more like crying with every moment.
Suddenly another voice boomed from behind Boromir. "Irulan! What is wrong with you, woman! This grass is too tall and too dense! Why not a nice riverbank, I ask you?!" Her eyes widened with the realization even before Boromir smiled and moved aside to reveal the man who had spoken. She clasped her hands on her mouth and this time nothing could keep her from crying.
"Chemarit!" she yelped and threw herself on the old man sitting in the only piece of furniture in the entire valley - his old, dilapidated armchair. He laughed softly and caressed her back while she remained like that, crying with all her heart, as if she was a little girl again. "Now now, Irulan....what's with the crying?" he said softly and she cried even harder at that. She heard both Chemarit and Boromir softly laugh and she hugged Chemarit even harder, trying to feel his presence before something happened and she woke up. He felt so real!
"Irulan, a mighty warrior you are indeed!" Chemarit chuckled after many moments and she finally forced herself to pull back a little, wiping away her tears and laughing along with them.
"I have missed you so much, Master!" she said, crying even harder with those words.
Chemarit patted her shoulder. "If you still miss me, you have found nothing in your life to keep you too busy from missing old, dead men, Irulan!" he said mocking irritation.
She laughed at that, then cried some more, then began to laugh again. She sank back on the grass, leaning towards the armchair and looking up at him. Boromir had moved behind the armchair, standing next to it. She looked from one to the other and giggled as more tears ran down her cheeks. For long minutes neither spoke, and the two men looked back at her with that peaceful smile while she tried to etch every single thing into her memory. Chemarit, too, looked exactly the same, yet much fresher. As if he had been tired in life but was fully rested now. His eyes were shining with pleasure and content.
Another breeze came up and once more the grass around them swished and bowed down. Irulan looked towards the end of the valley and she felt the peace and contentment she had first felt here with Legolas slowly washing over her. Once more the satisfaction and tranquility of the moment overcame her and she felt a deep sense of belonging set in. 'This must be what true happiness feels like,' she thought, smiling to herself. She felt Chemarit's hand on her head, softly stroking her hair as he would do when she was very little and she leaned her head back on the armchair, letting go. She realized that the sun should have set by now, but that the light had not changed at all.
"I wish to stay," she whispered suddenly. She turned around to look back at Boromir and Chemarit who were looking down at her. "I am so tired. I wish to rest."
Chemarit sighed but did not answer. Instead, Boromir talked with his distinctive Gondor accent: "And we wish you to stay....but it is not your time yet, Irulan."
She looked back at the valley and then back at them. Her heart literally hurt with the thought of leaving. She had not felt such bliss and contentment in all her life. "I don't want to leave," she protested with dismay.
Chemarit chuckled at that. "Your greatest weakness prevails, I see, Irulan," he said. "You have grown no more patient in all these years!"
Boromir held out his hand to her and she slowly took it, letting him help her up. "Irulan....would you really desert our friends at this grave time?" He said softly, "That is not the Irulan I have come to know."
She looked at Chemarit, who had stood up as well and he smiled sadly at her. She felt like crying again. "But...but..." She stopped, swallowing softly. Boromir tugged at her hand and she began to follow him, Chemarit walking along with her. "Don't be foolish," Chemarit said softly, "what is the rush? Have you learned nothing I have taught you?"
She threw him a sidelong glance. "I'm afraid I haven't Master," she said finally. "And after you, I have learned even less!"
"Boromir told me otherwise," Chemarit said, grinning. She turned to look to Boromir and he smiled down at her. "I knew you would make me proud, Irulan," Chemarit said then and her surprise faded into embarrassment. She swallowed softly and looked at her feet. Boromir laughed at that.
Suddenly both men halted and pulled her to a stop as well. She looked up and very much as she had expected, the wooden door stood right before her. She felt tears rising up again and the pain of parting burned in her. "I do not want to go," she said softly.
Boromir gently placed his hand underneath her chin and forced her to look up. "Irulan," he said softly and another breeze came up from the valley, combing through their hair, "we are not going anywhere. We will be here when you return. We are here to show you that you have nothing to fear."
She wiped her eyes and looked at Chemarit who was smiling and nodding at her. "Whatever you face out there, the worst that could happen is for you to end up here with us. Therefore, fear nothing, child," he said softly.
She nodded, knowing that she had to leave, even though every part of her wanted to remain here forever. She thought about the world outside the door. She thought about its ugliness and devastation. Then she thought about Hetaire, the Uruk-hai, Sauron and Saruman...Irulan looked over her shoulder towards the valley and taking a deep breath, felt the fear of those things flowing away from her. She opened the door wide and looked up. A very large crowd was looking at her, standing outside the circle that remained of Mirkwood, on the burnt remains of the forest. She smiled at Boromir, then at Chemarit and both smiled back at her. Suddenly she realized that her staff was in her hand. "I shall join you later, then," she said and looking at them one last time, stepped out to meet the countless Irulans, waiting for her with extended staffs.
"Irulan?" said Legolas gently. She stirred and woke up at his voice and turned to look at him.
"Oh..." she stammered. "Oh...I..sorry, I was...thinking...must have fallen asleep." She was lying in one of the very few rooms in Helm's Deep, that had been used for other purposes before, but now stood reserved for the Fellowship, since all three felt uncomfortable remaining parted from each other for too long. Walking back from a very confusing talk with Eomer, she had found her way up here, to think without anyone interrupting, and lying on her mattress, she had given in to the fatigue of the day, completely forgetting that Legolas was waiting for her.
He remained silent for a moment, then said: "I looked everywhere for you. I was worried." He closed the door behind him and crouched next to her, touching her forehead. "Are you well?"
"Sorry Legolas. I am well...but I seem to have fallen asleep."
He smiled and lying down next to her, embraced her. To his surprise Irulan threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down for an intense kiss. She kissed his cheek then and buried her face into his neck. Legolas gently stroked her back. "What is it, my love?" he whispered. Irulan did not answer and remained in his embrace for a while. Then she lay back on her side and Legolas gently pulled her closer, looking down at her, propped up on his elbow. "Tell me," he said softly, very slowly combing through her hair with his fingers. He knew that it had a very relaxing effect on Irulan.
Irulan remained silent for a moment as the dream slowly left her and reality began to return. A reality in which Eomer had proposed her. She thought about telling him about the dream, but decided against it. It might not be a very good thing to say at the dawn of war. Even telling him about Eomer was a better option. Only....Saying it seemed to be a very bad idea. Legolas might react very drastic, saying that Eomer is disrespecting him or her again. But then...not saying it was worse. It would be...a betrayal of some sort. They had built this trust between them...and if she hid something of this sort now, it would truly gnaw at her conscience. Also.....what if he heard it from someone else? What if Eomer told him? Oh no....that would really be awful. She sighed softly.
"It did not go the way I was hoping," she murmured, feeling herself slipping with the touch of his fingers in her hair.
Legolas stopped suddenly and she looked up at him. "Did he hurt you?" he said with a mixture of disbelief and anger on his face.
"No, Legolas," Irulan whined and gave him an annoyed look. Legolas sighed with relief and resumed his combing. Then suddenly he tensed again. What if he talked her into something...she seemed so disturbed. His heart made a flip.
"Tell me what he said," he said, hoping that his anxiety and curiosity would not show too much in his voice.
"Only if you promise you will not react," she said.
Legolas literally blanched. Then it WAS something disturbing. His mind raced over the worst possible things Eomer might have said and Irulan might have agreed to. He had been thinking of those for the past couple of hours, anyway and now they all stormed into his mind. He swallowed softly.
"Irulan," he whispered, "tell me now."
She shook her head. "Promise."
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. This could not be good. Damn that man! "I promise I will not react foolishly," he said finally, hoping that she would be satisfied with that.
"Legolas," she sighed and shook her head, "It is nothing to worry about. But I think you and Eomer filled your day's share of fighting."
He nodded softly. That didn't mean that he could not fight tomorrow. "Irulan gave him a suspicious look and said "He asked for my hand in marriage," with a very careful tone. Legolas gasped with disbelief and sat up instantly. She sat up too, softly holding his hand in case he might decide to bolt away to kill Eomer or anything of that sort. "Don't make me regret I told you, Legolas," she said with a serious voice.
He looked away and gritted his teeth. That infamous blue fire once more returned to his eyes. "How dare he!" he hissed and for a moment looked as if he meant actually to get up and find Eomer right then. Irulan grabbed his arm and shook him slightly to make him look down at her. Legolas stirred and did. He looked both very scared and furious.
"Irulan, this can not be right. Do not expect me to sit and wait while he courts you!"
"He does not court me, Legolas!" Irulan said with horror.
"And what would you call that?"
Irulan sighed and looked away. "Look, this is..you have to trust me on this. Eomer is not stalking me or courting me or anything of that sort. He just..asked me. He did not even want me to answer now."
"He can NOT ask you!" he protested and then decided to soften his tone to make her understand: "Irulan, what would you think of me if I walked up to Arwen now and asked for her hand? She is involved, is she not? It may seem innocent, but it would be a highly improper thing to do."
Irulan shook her head. "I know. But the point is, Eomer does not accept the fact that we are involved. And no matter what you do, you won't be able to change that. Neither will I."
"I certainly can try!" he said with that icy tone again.
"Legolas, if Eomer asked you to give up on me, would you do so?"
Legolas looked down at her, baffled. "Of course not!"
"Then you have to understand him," she said softly.
He seemed to relent for a moment, but then shook his head softly again. "Irulan..that is different. I can understand that he loves you. Yet, you have chosen me. You are involved with me. He should never make such an attempt."
Irulan sighed with frustration and sat back a little. She was becoming angry indeed. "Legolas, I'm tired of this whole issue! While you fight over your precious little toy here, I am trying very hard to find solutions for far more important problems! I am beginning to think that you two are very selfish and just so that you know, I will NOT put up with this foolishness any longer."
He remained stunned for a moment, then looked down and slowly reached out for her hand. "Forgive me, Irulan. Once again, I have been foolish, indeed. My feelings are steering me very wrong in this matter. You are right..I am sorry to have troubled you with this issue."
"Legolas, it is not just Eomer," she whined and covered her face with her hands. "We will get this reaction from almost EVERYONE. I feel so tired. How will I fight so many people? I fail to find the strength," she said and felt herself on the threshold of crying once more. Though she resisted this time stubbornly - so much crying for one day was enough indeed!
Legolas sighed softly and pulled her even closer to him, stroking her hair and her back. "I know, my love," he whispered into her ear. "But..you do not have to find the strength. I shall fight for the both of us, if you but only let me." She took a deep breath and leaned in on his chest. "Irulan, do you want to be with me?" he said softly.
She looked up with disbelief. "More than anything, Legolas."
He smiled down at her with pure joy. "Then let go of this burden," he whispered. "Let me fight for you. Let me stand up for you. Lean on me, my love and let me ride." He leaned in to give her a soft kiss.
"But I love these people. I do not want them to get hurt, Legolas."
He looked away for a moment and remained silent, pursing his lips. "However, Irulan," he said softly and stroked her hair again, "you may have to make choices. Being with me might push you away from those you love. And though a part of me pains with that thought, I do not know the remedy or the solution. For another part of me refuses to let go of you....ever." He sighed and caressed her cheek again. "I wish I could spare you this conflict. I wish I could go through it for the both of us. But it is beyond me, my love."
She looked up at Legolas and her love for him truly engulfed her as it had never before. Yes, she wanted to be with him. Yes, it could be forever. And even after that, she wanted to be with him some more. And he was the only man Irulan felt truly giving in to. She felt the urge to lean into his arms and let him handle everything and everyone around her. She trusted him, did she not? As a matter of fact, often she trusted his judgment more than she trusted her own. True, he was jealous and lately a bit possessive of her and no matter how old he was, Legolas was still capable of fury and anger and their due expressions. Yet...who was not? Was she not, herself? Irulan felt tired of conflicts, combats, fights and struggles. She just wanted to rest and be with Legolas and it seemed like this was too much to ask for.
She smiled and pulled him down for a kiss. "It is a price I am more than willing to pay to be with you," she said and Legolas felt his heart making a flip. No matter how many times she showed it to him or told him or he told it himself, the fact that Irulan loved him hit him right at his heart every single time as if it was the first time. "So you will fight off the dragons for me, will you, my valiant knight?" she said with amusement, breaking the kiss.
Legolas gasped with the loss of her touch. "Each and every one," he whispered, intoxicated by her warmth. "I fear neither beast nor man, Irulan. I fear only the loss of you. I fear that they may break us apart. Never before have I wished not to be an elf. But now I wish it. More than anything."
She looked up at him with disbelief. "Don't say that," she said finally. "You are perfect the way you are."
He continued combing her hair with his fingers. "But am I perfect for you?"
Irulan lay back on the mattress and Legolas resumed his former position, looking down at her propped up on his elbow, combing through her hair. "Well, to tell the truth...you have quite many flaws...but..I can deal with that," she said a moment later, unable to keep a slight grin from her face.
"My princess is being too modest," he said and smiled with amusement. "Perhaps I can pay compensation for some of those?" he whispered and instantly jumped to his feet, snatching Irulan with him. She shrieked despite herself. "Not again! Let me down Legolas!" she protested, still laughing.
He began walking towards the door and a moment later he was outside, striding purposefully down the hall. "Legolas! Where are you taking me!" she tried saying as serious as she could, but laughed again.
"To wake you up, of course. I remember passing by some very large water barrels this way," he said matter-of-factly.
"Oh no! No!" she protested and tried to break free. "Legolas, please, please, please my love!"
He looked at her with arched eyebrows. "My love?" he said with amusement. "Oh now I know how to treat you, Irulan!" And he began walking even faster.
Irulan shrieked again and although she knew that it was beyond her, she tried breaking free again. Legolas laughed at her attempts. Suddenly an idea occurred to her and she leaned in to kiss his neck. Legolas suddenly slowed down and turned to look down at her. "Please?" Irulan whispered with a sly smile.
He looked at her a moment longer, then said "I don't think that would be enough to persuade me."
Irulan smacked his shoulder and he laughed, striding even faster. She struggled some more, then leaned in to kiss the rim of his sensitive elven ear and this time Legolas did stop. "You're not playing fair," he whispered, not looking down at her.
Irulan laughed softly and kissed his neck again. "I am human, after all," she whispered.
"And I am not," he whispered back, his blue eyes boring into hers, "therefore..far more resistant to your temptations." He began running this time and Irulan was truly shrieking now. "Legolas! Let me down this instant! I will kill you!"
"I liked the begging better," he said in amusement and turned a corner.
"I beg you!" she laughed, utterly giving up on pride now.
"What about my flaws?"
"You have none!" she yelped.
"So I am..?"
"You are perfect! I give in!" laughed Irulan, not caring who would see them in this state. For all she cared, she might be dead tomorrow. Suddenly Legolas stopped and it took a moment to realize that the reason was not the water barrels. She turned to see Eomer standing in the hall with anger flashing out of his face. She instinctively looked up at Legolas and he looked angrier if such a thing was possible. A very long moment passed in utter silence. She slightly shifted in Legolas' arms and braking out of his trance, he slowly lowered her to the ground, but then turned around to lock eyes with Eomer again.
"The Irulan I know would not give in to any man," Eomer said with a low growl. "Unless she is forced to, of course."
"Eomer we were just.."
"I don't think we have to explain ourselves to Master Eomer, Irulan," Legolas said with an icy tone. She swallowed softly and held his hand, hoping that the touch would bring him back to his senses.
"Why won't you let her speak, elf?" Eomer spat and took a step towards them.
"I speak for the both of us," said Legolas dismissively.
"You are forcing yourself on her!" he shouted and Irulan jumped up with the tone of that voice.
Legolas blinked with surprise for a moment, but soon his surprise turned into anger. "I suggest you apologize, Master Eomer," he said with a very dangerous tone.
"For discovering the truth?" the man said coldly, pushing up his chin.
"What are you talking about, Eomer?" said Irulan with urgency. "Legolas would never do that."
"Irulan, you do not have to take this." He held out his hand, "come with me."
Irulan looked at his hand with disbelief.
"Irulan has made her choice," said Legolas.
"It is not the right one."
"I told you before; that is not for you to judge." Legolas looked down at a very frustrated Irulan. He gritted his teeth and looked up again. When he spoke up this time, his voice was softer. "Master Eomer....I do not want to fight you. I understand your feelings for Irulan. Yet, you must understand mine." He remained silent for a moment and pursed his lips. "Under other circumstances I would offer to settle this in the way of the warriors. But I know it would only hurt and disturb Irulan."
Legolas was truly doing his best to remain calm. That arrogant man had said that he was forcing himself on Irulan! That was an unbelievable insult for an Eldar. It was an unthinkable thing to do! But he kept repeating to himself that Eomer was in love with Irulan, that his mind was clouded and that he was a mortal with very few years of experience, after all. He took a deep breath. "I suggest we end this....at least until the battle is behind us. Perhaps we stand at different ends in this, but there is a greater cause that unites us." With that, he took a final step and extended his hand to Eomer.
Eomer remained baffled for a moment. He looked at Irulan, who was looking back at him with true surprise on her face. He looked up at Legolas and the elf had once more an unreadable look on his face. A moment passed. Then another. Finally Eomer took a step himself and very slowly extended his hand.
"I accept that suggestion," Eomer said and for a moment Irulan saw him as the new king of Rohan. He was a man sculpted for that title. She also thought that a look of respect crossed his green eyes, but whatever it was, it was gone the next instant.
Irulan watched with amazement as the two arch enemies stiffly and very carefully shook hands, never looking away from each other. Then another moment passed and Eomer, casting a last glance in her direction that most certainly spoke of confusion, walked passed them and turning the corner, disappeared. Irulan stood looking after him, then slowly looked up at Legolas, who was still frozen in the same stance. He exhaled softly and looked down at her, a soft smile on his lips.
"Legolas!" she whispered and glanced back to where Eomer had disappeared, "If you don't stop acting like this, I will truly and utterly fall for you."
Legolas smiled even wider with amusement. "Have I discovered the weak spot of the mighty dragon?"
She smiled up at him. "I thought I was the princess."
Legolas sighed softly. "I think you are all the characters in the story, Irulan. Sometimes I feel like I have to slay you to save you from yourself."
She laughed softly. "I really, truly love you, Legolas." He looked up at her, his expression changing into that of a little child, with stars in his eyes. She leaned into him, accepting his embrace. "And I beg you to have mercy on my soul," she murmured. "Can we forget about the water barrels?"
Legolas chuckled softly. "Are you still tired?"
"More than you can imagine!"
He gently lifted her up and began to walk back the way they had come. "With all your skills, Irulan, you have no stamina," he said, smiling down at her.
"I am only human!" she protested, laying her head on his shoulder.
Legolas laughed out loud. "Only when you feel like it."
She kissed his neck warmly and smiled when he gasped. "And I am a woman."
"Indeed," he whispered and strode faster through the deserted corridors that led to their room.
Irulan felt nauseous. She felt dizzy. She backed away until her back was resting on the door of the hut and continued looking with teary eyes. Those beautiful trees.....the entire forest, burnt to ashes! Her castle, gone. The city most probably destroyed. A chilly wind blew at her face and Irulan realized that the season was no longer summer, either. It was winter...or fall. There was no snow on the ground but dark clouds overhung the sky and it was bitterly cold. The circle enclosing Chemarit's hut and the tree looked truly absurd in this view, for nothing in the circle had changed. The grass was still green and very much alive, the tree was lusciously beautiful and the hut looked as always.
Irulan hastily looked around once more, expecting Hetaire or someone else to show, but when no one did, she carefully pushed the door of the hut....and it gave in under her touch. She closed her eyes and swallowed softly. What if Hetaire was inside, waiting for her? Anger rose in her. 'That woman has no business in Chemarit's hut! I'll kick her out if she is in there!' she thought suddenly and pushed the door wider and stepped in quickly, closing it behind her.
Irulan was standing in the open and it was springtime. She was so stunned at the effect of that, she remained baffled for a moment before she hastily looked back and yes, there was the old wooden door, behind her, standing alone with no walls around it. She backed away from the view in front her and slightly leaned on it, fearing that the door would disappear, but it seemed as real as the rest of this world. A sharp scent of grass came with the soft, warm breeze and she instantly recognized the place...she was standing in no other place than the valley of grass! The one she had seen as a vision with herself and Legolas in it!
Her mouth dropped open at the realization and she walked slowly away from the door, further into the valley. She looked up at the gigantic blue-white rocks surrounding her as she walked into the soft waist-high grass that caressed her with every step and gently flowed around her like a green river. It looked exactly as she remembered it to be - even the moment was the same, for once more the sun had begun to set and its soft orange glow was melting on everything around her.
She had only walked a few steps and her confusion had already begun to turn into pleasure, when she heard a voice behind her. "Is it not peaceful?" it said. She jumped up at that and turned around, fear gripping her heart. Fear was instantly replaced by astonishment when she saw Boromir. He was standing a small distance away in the grass, as she did, his eyes closed, his head slightly tilted up, as if he was smelling the wind; his hands stretched out, palms down, to feel the touch of the grass as it moved around him.
"Boromir?" whispered Irulan despite herself. She had no doubt that it was Boromir, but he was so unexpected a sight, she did not know what else to say. He looked a little different, too. He was wearing a linen and soft tunic of darker greens and browns with matching leggings. The front of his dark greenish shirt was covered with the white tree of Gondor, and it shone with a misty pearl color. Irulan found herself looking at it with amazement, so beautiful was the work of that image. She then looked up to see that Boromir was looking back at her. He looked..exactly the same age as he was when he had parted from them in Parth Gallen...and yet there was a freshness and youth to him that she could not pinpoint. He smiled and it was so soft, Irulan could not help to smile back.
"This is such a beautiful place, Irulan," he said softly, looking at her with admiration, "I am truly happy to be here."
"Boromir!" she shouted and jumped up to hug him. He laughed and embraced her back. She felt her feet leaving the ground and Boromir patted her back, keeping her in his embrace. "I have missed you so much!" she said and could not help the faltering of her voice. She wanted to cry out of sheer happiness, but fought it down in fear that it might startle him now. He laughed again and embraced her tighter before he gently lowered her down.
"I have missed you too, Irulan," he said, smiling down at her. She could not remember him ever smiling like that. It looked like his entire soul was smiling, so peaceful and happy was his expression. He looked a very different man from the one who had fought all those years for Gondor and who had died fighting for yet a greater cause. They stood like that for a long moment, feeling the sharp happiness of seeing each other again descending on them and Irulan felt more like crying with every moment.
Suddenly another voice boomed from behind Boromir. "Irulan! What is wrong with you, woman! This grass is too tall and too dense! Why not a nice riverbank, I ask you?!" Her eyes widened with the realization even before Boromir smiled and moved aside to reveal the man who had spoken. She clasped her hands on her mouth and this time nothing could keep her from crying.
"Chemarit!" she yelped and threw herself on the old man sitting in the only piece of furniture in the entire valley - his old, dilapidated armchair. He laughed softly and caressed her back while she remained like that, crying with all her heart, as if she was a little girl again. "Now now, Irulan....what's with the crying?" he said softly and she cried even harder at that. She heard both Chemarit and Boromir softly laugh and she hugged Chemarit even harder, trying to feel his presence before something happened and she woke up. He felt so real!
"Irulan, a mighty warrior you are indeed!" Chemarit chuckled after many moments and she finally forced herself to pull back a little, wiping away her tears and laughing along with them.
"I have missed you so much, Master!" she said, crying even harder with those words.
Chemarit patted her shoulder. "If you still miss me, you have found nothing in your life to keep you too busy from missing old, dead men, Irulan!" he said mocking irritation.
She laughed at that, then cried some more, then began to laugh again. She sank back on the grass, leaning towards the armchair and looking up at him. Boromir had moved behind the armchair, standing next to it. She looked from one to the other and giggled as more tears ran down her cheeks. For long minutes neither spoke, and the two men looked back at her with that peaceful smile while she tried to etch every single thing into her memory. Chemarit, too, looked exactly the same, yet much fresher. As if he had been tired in life but was fully rested now. His eyes were shining with pleasure and content.
Another breeze came up and once more the grass around them swished and bowed down. Irulan looked towards the end of the valley and she felt the peace and contentment she had first felt here with Legolas slowly washing over her. Once more the satisfaction and tranquility of the moment overcame her and she felt a deep sense of belonging set in. 'This must be what true happiness feels like,' she thought, smiling to herself. She felt Chemarit's hand on her head, softly stroking her hair as he would do when she was very little and she leaned her head back on the armchair, letting go. She realized that the sun should have set by now, but that the light had not changed at all.
"I wish to stay," she whispered suddenly. She turned around to look back at Boromir and Chemarit who were looking down at her. "I am so tired. I wish to rest."
Chemarit sighed but did not answer. Instead, Boromir talked with his distinctive Gondor accent: "And we wish you to stay....but it is not your time yet, Irulan."
She looked back at the valley and then back at them. Her heart literally hurt with the thought of leaving. She had not felt such bliss and contentment in all her life. "I don't want to leave," she protested with dismay.
Chemarit chuckled at that. "Your greatest weakness prevails, I see, Irulan," he said. "You have grown no more patient in all these years!"
Boromir held out his hand to her and she slowly took it, letting him help her up. "Irulan....would you really desert our friends at this grave time?" He said softly, "That is not the Irulan I have come to know."
She looked at Chemarit, who had stood up as well and he smiled sadly at her. She felt like crying again. "But...but..." She stopped, swallowing softly. Boromir tugged at her hand and she began to follow him, Chemarit walking along with her. "Don't be foolish," Chemarit said softly, "what is the rush? Have you learned nothing I have taught you?"
She threw him a sidelong glance. "I'm afraid I haven't Master," she said finally. "And after you, I have learned even less!"
"Boromir told me otherwise," Chemarit said, grinning. She turned to look to Boromir and he smiled down at her. "I knew you would make me proud, Irulan," Chemarit said then and her surprise faded into embarrassment. She swallowed softly and looked at her feet. Boromir laughed at that.
Suddenly both men halted and pulled her to a stop as well. She looked up and very much as she had expected, the wooden door stood right before her. She felt tears rising up again and the pain of parting burned in her. "I do not want to go," she said softly.
Boromir gently placed his hand underneath her chin and forced her to look up. "Irulan," he said softly and another breeze came up from the valley, combing through their hair, "we are not going anywhere. We will be here when you return. We are here to show you that you have nothing to fear."
She wiped her eyes and looked at Chemarit who was smiling and nodding at her. "Whatever you face out there, the worst that could happen is for you to end up here with us. Therefore, fear nothing, child," he said softly.
She nodded, knowing that she had to leave, even though every part of her wanted to remain here forever. She thought about the world outside the door. She thought about its ugliness and devastation. Then she thought about Hetaire, the Uruk-hai, Sauron and Saruman...Irulan looked over her shoulder towards the valley and taking a deep breath, felt the fear of those things flowing away from her. She opened the door wide and looked up. A very large crowd was looking at her, standing outside the circle that remained of Mirkwood, on the burnt remains of the forest. She smiled at Boromir, then at Chemarit and both smiled back at her. Suddenly she realized that her staff was in her hand. "I shall join you later, then," she said and looking at them one last time, stepped out to meet the countless Irulans, waiting for her with extended staffs.
"Irulan?" said Legolas gently. She stirred and woke up at his voice and turned to look at him.
"Oh..." she stammered. "Oh...I..sorry, I was...thinking...must have fallen asleep." She was lying in one of the very few rooms in Helm's Deep, that had been used for other purposes before, but now stood reserved for the Fellowship, since all three felt uncomfortable remaining parted from each other for too long. Walking back from a very confusing talk with Eomer, she had found her way up here, to think without anyone interrupting, and lying on her mattress, she had given in to the fatigue of the day, completely forgetting that Legolas was waiting for her.
He remained silent for a moment, then said: "I looked everywhere for you. I was worried." He closed the door behind him and crouched next to her, touching her forehead. "Are you well?"
"Sorry Legolas. I am well...but I seem to have fallen asleep."
He smiled and lying down next to her, embraced her. To his surprise Irulan threw her arms around his neck and pulled him down for an intense kiss. She kissed his cheek then and buried her face into his neck. Legolas gently stroked her back. "What is it, my love?" he whispered. Irulan did not answer and remained in his embrace for a while. Then she lay back on her side and Legolas gently pulled her closer, looking down at her, propped up on his elbow. "Tell me," he said softly, very slowly combing through her hair with his fingers. He knew that it had a very relaxing effect on Irulan.
Irulan remained silent for a moment as the dream slowly left her and reality began to return. A reality in which Eomer had proposed her. She thought about telling him about the dream, but decided against it. It might not be a very good thing to say at the dawn of war. Even telling him about Eomer was a better option. Only....Saying it seemed to be a very bad idea. Legolas might react very drastic, saying that Eomer is disrespecting him or her again. But then...not saying it was worse. It would be...a betrayal of some sort. They had built this trust between them...and if she hid something of this sort now, it would truly gnaw at her conscience. Also.....what if he heard it from someone else? What if Eomer told him? Oh no....that would really be awful. She sighed softly.
"It did not go the way I was hoping," she murmured, feeling herself slipping with the touch of his fingers in her hair.
Legolas stopped suddenly and she looked up at him. "Did he hurt you?" he said with a mixture of disbelief and anger on his face.
"No, Legolas," Irulan whined and gave him an annoyed look. Legolas sighed with relief and resumed his combing. Then suddenly he tensed again. What if he talked her into something...she seemed so disturbed. His heart made a flip.
"Tell me what he said," he said, hoping that his anxiety and curiosity would not show too much in his voice.
"Only if you promise you will not react," she said.
Legolas literally blanched. Then it WAS something disturbing. His mind raced over the worst possible things Eomer might have said and Irulan might have agreed to. He had been thinking of those for the past couple of hours, anyway and now they all stormed into his mind. He swallowed softly.
"Irulan," he whispered, "tell me now."
She shook her head. "Promise."
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. This could not be good. Damn that man! "I promise I will not react foolishly," he said finally, hoping that she would be satisfied with that.
"Legolas," she sighed and shook her head, "It is nothing to worry about. But I think you and Eomer filled your day's share of fighting."
He nodded softly. That didn't mean that he could not fight tomorrow. "Irulan gave him a suspicious look and said "He asked for my hand in marriage," with a very careful tone. Legolas gasped with disbelief and sat up instantly. She sat up too, softly holding his hand in case he might decide to bolt away to kill Eomer or anything of that sort. "Don't make me regret I told you, Legolas," she said with a serious voice.
He looked away and gritted his teeth. That infamous blue fire once more returned to his eyes. "How dare he!" he hissed and for a moment looked as if he meant actually to get up and find Eomer right then. Irulan grabbed his arm and shook him slightly to make him look down at her. Legolas stirred and did. He looked both very scared and furious.
"Irulan, this can not be right. Do not expect me to sit and wait while he courts you!"
"He does not court me, Legolas!" Irulan said with horror.
"And what would you call that?"
Irulan sighed and looked away. "Look, this is..you have to trust me on this. Eomer is not stalking me or courting me or anything of that sort. He just..asked me. He did not even want me to answer now."
"He can NOT ask you!" he protested and then decided to soften his tone to make her understand: "Irulan, what would you think of me if I walked up to Arwen now and asked for her hand? She is involved, is she not? It may seem innocent, but it would be a highly improper thing to do."
Irulan shook her head. "I know. But the point is, Eomer does not accept the fact that we are involved. And no matter what you do, you won't be able to change that. Neither will I."
"I certainly can try!" he said with that icy tone again.
"Legolas, if Eomer asked you to give up on me, would you do so?"
Legolas looked down at her, baffled. "Of course not!"
"Then you have to understand him," she said softly.
He seemed to relent for a moment, but then shook his head softly again. "Irulan..that is different. I can understand that he loves you. Yet, you have chosen me. You are involved with me. He should never make such an attempt."
Irulan sighed with frustration and sat back a little. She was becoming angry indeed. "Legolas, I'm tired of this whole issue! While you fight over your precious little toy here, I am trying very hard to find solutions for far more important problems! I am beginning to think that you two are very selfish and just so that you know, I will NOT put up with this foolishness any longer."
He remained stunned for a moment, then looked down and slowly reached out for her hand. "Forgive me, Irulan. Once again, I have been foolish, indeed. My feelings are steering me very wrong in this matter. You are right..I am sorry to have troubled you with this issue."
"Legolas, it is not just Eomer," she whined and covered her face with her hands. "We will get this reaction from almost EVERYONE. I feel so tired. How will I fight so many people? I fail to find the strength," she said and felt herself on the threshold of crying once more. Though she resisted this time stubbornly - so much crying for one day was enough indeed!
Legolas sighed softly and pulled her even closer to him, stroking her hair and her back. "I know, my love," he whispered into her ear. "But..you do not have to find the strength. I shall fight for the both of us, if you but only let me." She took a deep breath and leaned in on his chest. "Irulan, do you want to be with me?" he said softly.
She looked up with disbelief. "More than anything, Legolas."
He smiled down at her with pure joy. "Then let go of this burden," he whispered. "Let me fight for you. Let me stand up for you. Lean on me, my love and let me ride." He leaned in to give her a soft kiss.
"But I love these people. I do not want them to get hurt, Legolas."
He looked away for a moment and remained silent, pursing his lips. "However, Irulan," he said softly and stroked her hair again, "you may have to make choices. Being with me might push you away from those you love. And though a part of me pains with that thought, I do not know the remedy or the solution. For another part of me refuses to let go of you....ever." He sighed and caressed her cheek again. "I wish I could spare you this conflict. I wish I could go through it for the both of us. But it is beyond me, my love."
She looked up at Legolas and her love for him truly engulfed her as it had never before. Yes, she wanted to be with him. Yes, it could be forever. And even after that, she wanted to be with him some more. And he was the only man Irulan felt truly giving in to. She felt the urge to lean into his arms and let him handle everything and everyone around her. She trusted him, did she not? As a matter of fact, often she trusted his judgment more than she trusted her own. True, he was jealous and lately a bit possessive of her and no matter how old he was, Legolas was still capable of fury and anger and their due expressions. Yet...who was not? Was she not, herself? Irulan felt tired of conflicts, combats, fights and struggles. She just wanted to rest and be with Legolas and it seemed like this was too much to ask for.
She smiled and pulled him down for a kiss. "It is a price I am more than willing to pay to be with you," she said and Legolas felt his heart making a flip. No matter how many times she showed it to him or told him or he told it himself, the fact that Irulan loved him hit him right at his heart every single time as if it was the first time. "So you will fight off the dragons for me, will you, my valiant knight?" she said with amusement, breaking the kiss.
Legolas gasped with the loss of her touch. "Each and every one," he whispered, intoxicated by her warmth. "I fear neither beast nor man, Irulan. I fear only the loss of you. I fear that they may break us apart. Never before have I wished not to be an elf. But now I wish it. More than anything."
She looked up at him with disbelief. "Don't say that," she said finally. "You are perfect the way you are."
He continued combing her hair with his fingers. "But am I perfect for you?"
Irulan lay back on the mattress and Legolas resumed his former position, looking down at her propped up on his elbow, combing through her hair. "Well, to tell the truth...you have quite many flaws...but..I can deal with that," she said a moment later, unable to keep a slight grin from her face.
"My princess is being too modest," he said and smiled with amusement. "Perhaps I can pay compensation for some of those?" he whispered and instantly jumped to his feet, snatching Irulan with him. She shrieked despite herself. "Not again! Let me down Legolas!" she protested, still laughing.
He began walking towards the door and a moment later he was outside, striding purposefully down the hall. "Legolas! Where are you taking me!" she tried saying as serious as she could, but laughed again.
"To wake you up, of course. I remember passing by some very large water barrels this way," he said matter-of-factly.
"Oh no! No!" she protested and tried to break free. "Legolas, please, please, please my love!"
He looked at her with arched eyebrows. "My love?" he said with amusement. "Oh now I know how to treat you, Irulan!" And he began walking even faster.
Irulan shrieked again and although she knew that it was beyond her, she tried breaking free again. Legolas laughed at her attempts. Suddenly an idea occurred to her and she leaned in to kiss his neck. Legolas suddenly slowed down and turned to look down at her. "Please?" Irulan whispered with a sly smile.
He looked at her a moment longer, then said "I don't think that would be enough to persuade me."
Irulan smacked his shoulder and he laughed, striding even faster. She struggled some more, then leaned in to kiss the rim of his sensitive elven ear and this time Legolas did stop. "You're not playing fair," he whispered, not looking down at her.
Irulan laughed softly and kissed his neck again. "I am human, after all," she whispered.
"And I am not," he whispered back, his blue eyes boring into hers, "therefore..far more resistant to your temptations." He began running this time and Irulan was truly shrieking now. "Legolas! Let me down this instant! I will kill you!"
"I liked the begging better," he said in amusement and turned a corner.
"I beg you!" she laughed, utterly giving up on pride now.
"What about my flaws?"
"You have none!" she yelped.
"So I am..?"
"You are perfect! I give in!" laughed Irulan, not caring who would see them in this state. For all she cared, she might be dead tomorrow. Suddenly Legolas stopped and it took a moment to realize that the reason was not the water barrels. She turned to see Eomer standing in the hall with anger flashing out of his face. She instinctively looked up at Legolas and he looked angrier if such a thing was possible. A very long moment passed in utter silence. She slightly shifted in Legolas' arms and braking out of his trance, he slowly lowered her to the ground, but then turned around to lock eyes with Eomer again.
"The Irulan I know would not give in to any man," Eomer said with a low growl. "Unless she is forced to, of course."
"Eomer we were just.."
"I don't think we have to explain ourselves to Master Eomer, Irulan," Legolas said with an icy tone. She swallowed softly and held his hand, hoping that the touch would bring him back to his senses.
"Why won't you let her speak, elf?" Eomer spat and took a step towards them.
"I speak for the both of us," said Legolas dismissively.
"You are forcing yourself on her!" he shouted and Irulan jumped up with the tone of that voice.
Legolas blinked with surprise for a moment, but soon his surprise turned into anger. "I suggest you apologize, Master Eomer," he said with a very dangerous tone.
"For discovering the truth?" the man said coldly, pushing up his chin.
"What are you talking about, Eomer?" said Irulan with urgency. "Legolas would never do that."
"Irulan, you do not have to take this." He held out his hand, "come with me."
Irulan looked at his hand with disbelief.
"Irulan has made her choice," said Legolas.
"It is not the right one."
"I told you before; that is not for you to judge." Legolas looked down at a very frustrated Irulan. He gritted his teeth and looked up again. When he spoke up this time, his voice was softer. "Master Eomer....I do not want to fight you. I understand your feelings for Irulan. Yet, you must understand mine." He remained silent for a moment and pursed his lips. "Under other circumstances I would offer to settle this in the way of the warriors. But I know it would only hurt and disturb Irulan."
Legolas was truly doing his best to remain calm. That arrogant man had said that he was forcing himself on Irulan! That was an unbelievable insult for an Eldar. It was an unthinkable thing to do! But he kept repeating to himself that Eomer was in love with Irulan, that his mind was clouded and that he was a mortal with very few years of experience, after all. He took a deep breath. "I suggest we end this....at least until the battle is behind us. Perhaps we stand at different ends in this, but there is a greater cause that unites us." With that, he took a final step and extended his hand to Eomer.
Eomer remained baffled for a moment. He looked at Irulan, who was looking back at him with true surprise on her face. He looked up at Legolas and the elf had once more an unreadable look on his face. A moment passed. Then another. Finally Eomer took a step himself and very slowly extended his hand.
"I accept that suggestion," Eomer said and for a moment Irulan saw him as the new king of Rohan. He was a man sculpted for that title. She also thought that a look of respect crossed his green eyes, but whatever it was, it was gone the next instant.
Irulan watched with amazement as the two arch enemies stiffly and very carefully shook hands, never looking away from each other. Then another moment passed and Eomer, casting a last glance in her direction that most certainly spoke of confusion, walked passed them and turning the corner, disappeared. Irulan stood looking after him, then slowly looked up at Legolas, who was still frozen in the same stance. He exhaled softly and looked down at her, a soft smile on his lips.
"Legolas!" she whispered and glanced back to where Eomer had disappeared, "If you don't stop acting like this, I will truly and utterly fall for you."
Legolas smiled even wider with amusement. "Have I discovered the weak spot of the mighty dragon?"
She smiled up at him. "I thought I was the princess."
Legolas sighed softly. "I think you are all the characters in the story, Irulan. Sometimes I feel like I have to slay you to save you from yourself."
She laughed softly. "I really, truly love you, Legolas." He looked up at her, his expression changing into that of a little child, with stars in his eyes. She leaned into him, accepting his embrace. "And I beg you to have mercy on my soul," she murmured. "Can we forget about the water barrels?"
Legolas chuckled softly. "Are you still tired?"
"More than you can imagine!"
He gently lifted her up and began to walk back the way they had come. "With all your skills, Irulan, you have no stamina," he said, smiling down at her.
"I am only human!" she protested, laying her head on his shoulder.
Legolas laughed out loud. "Only when you feel like it."
She kissed his neck warmly and smiled when he gasped. "And I am a woman."
"Indeed," he whispered and strode faster through the deserted corridors that led to their room.