THANKS TO ALL MY REVIEWERS FOR CHAPTER ONE WHO TOLD CAME TO ME WITH THEIR SNIFFLES AND COMMENTS! I LOVE YOU ALL!!
ALSO.................reviewers of Shadows of the HEart......be patient. I am trying to finish up school. Finals are coming up. The next chapter should be out within a few weeks *winces as tomatoes are thrown* Sorry! But I have to make good gradeS! *flees*
WARNING: Nothing long term, but attempted suicide is the better term for it.
DISCLAIMER: Don't own, don't sue.....don't care? Good. That's the way it should be. I'm a writer, nothing more, nothing less........don't understand? That's your problem. I said my disclaimer. That doesn't mean you have to understand it.
"If only tears could bring you back to me
If only love could find a way
What I would do
What I would give if you'd
Return to me someday
Somehow, someway..............
If my tears could bring you back...........to me...."
(I don't know who it's by.....but I don't own)
Ch. 2
The sun rose from day to day, the world moving onward.
But, that was not all so for one young widow.
Widow....the word echoed in Liniel's mind as she wandered the hillside outside of Edoras. Indeed, she was a widow.
That thought sparked a soft, cynical laugh from the woman's lips. That was not a title she was supposed to claim at this age.
She was *supposed* to be happily married to the Prince of Rohan, the heir to the Golden Hall, Theodred son of Theoden, but sadly, that was not so anymore.
Liniel pulled the shawl around her shoulders tighter as a sudden chill ran up her spine. Whether that shiver was from the whipping wind, or the dismal coldness of her thoughts, she could not be sure.
All she knew was that she was going to the grave of her beloved husband yet again, but this time, it was to say her final goodbye......
Her final goodbye to Theodred.....
Her final goodbye to the Golden Hall.....
Her final goodbye to Edoras.
Liniel no longer had a reason to stay in Edoras, for the memories were far too painful to face. Theoden King, who she had grown to love as a father before his mind had been poisoned, had been awakened by Gandalf after Theodred's death.
But, that did not change the anger that Liniel harbored deep in her heart for the King.
When Theodred had been in agony and dying, where was the King of Rohan?
He had been on his throne, senility eating away at him. That, in Liniel's mind was no excuse. In her mind, love should have overpowered the early-coming old age that had wracked the King's mind and body.
Liniel stopped in her tracks as she reached the tomb of her late husband.
Her dark brown eyes filled with hot, salty tears of emotion as it sank in as to what she was there to do.
This was it. No more.
"Theodred, my beloved......I have come to—"Liniel's voice broke, but she swallowed hard against the lump in her throat.
She began again. "Theodred, no longer will I live in this place, which used to hold such joy. No longer does it hold that happiness....no longer does it hold you."
"Theodred, I am angry. I know not as to what I am angry at, but this anger that burns within me is not going away, even as I try to comfort myself with the thought that you are in a better place now."
Liniel paused, gathering her thoughts. As she did so, a realization struck her, her quivering jaw dropping.
"M-my beloved, I now realize who I am angry at.....I am angry at *you*. I am angry at you for leaving me here. You told me you would return to me. You told me we had forever! You, Theodred Prince, made a promise to love and protect me til the end of my days! Where are you now!? Well, protect me from myself!"
In an emotional frenzy, Liniel withdrew a small dagger from her boot and raised it to slice a long, painful gash across her left forearm.
The pain drew a hollow gasp from Liniel's lips. She looked down at the blood flowing from her arm and more tears filled her eyes. She looked over at the stone tomb.
A sob escaped her throat. "Theodred, my love, I'm sorry! I meant nothing I said.............I'm sorry......you wanted me to be strong, but I-I just can't.....I'm scared.....I'm alone.....and I don't want to be here alone anymore."
Liniel threw the dagger to the ground bitterly.
"I just don't want to be strong anymore,"she whispered heartbrokenly.
Liniel then slowly sank to her knees, resting her face in her hands, one of which was soaked with her own blood.
Hard, broken, silent sobs wracked Liniel's slender figure.
There, the young woman, who the world had been far too hard on, wept on the hill, oblivious to the world around her and to the chill that had crept into the wind, as well as the approaching figure.
Theoden King of Rohan walked slowly over to his son's tomb and froze at what he saw there.
Liniel, the young maiden to whom his son was supposed to be wed to, knelt there, shaking with silent sobs. Her back was turned to him, and for that, Theoden was glad.
He was not sure he could handle seeing the look on the young woman's face before he had a chance to prepare himself.
Theoden steeled himself, swallowing the lump that rose in his throat. He began to turn, but froze as his eye caught the red staining the ground next to Liniel.
Theoden looked harder over at the young woman on the hillside. Upon closer inspection, he could see that a crimson stain spread across the side of her dress, where her arm was.
Without further hesitation, the king of Rohan rushed over to where Liniel knelt.
He slowed his pace to a creeping walk as he neared her. "Liniel........child, what has happened?"he asked softly.
Liniel's head jerked up upon hearing the familiar voice.
She slowly shook her head. "'Tis nothing that should concern you, my lord."
Theoden arched an eyebrow at the coldness of Liniel's tone. "My dear, I care for you as a daughter, Theodred loved you, therefore, I love you as well. I wish—"
"*You* care for me?"Liniel inquired, her voice barely a whisper, turning to face the King of Rohan. "You come to me speaking of love—"
Liniel stopped herself, taking a deep breath. No....she was not going to blow up at Theoden, no matter how much she wanted to.
Theoden gently put a hand on Liniel's shoulder. "Go on......tell me what you feel. Undoubtedly, you harbor more than just grief in that heart of yours to push yourself to this." Theoden then gestured down to Liniel's bloody forearm.
Liniel glared up at the King of Rohan, twisting away from his tender hand.
"Very well then, you wish to know what I think of you? You speak of love, where was that love when it was needed most? Your son, Theodred was *dying*, my lord. I know not as to where your love was then. Though that snake, Wormtongue, had poisoned your mind, had he truly poisoned your heart, as well?"
The calm, coldness of Liniel's words twisted the knife that had been placed in Theoden's heart when he had heard the news of Theodred's death.
Theoden stood there mutely, hoping that Liniel's mind had been eased, but she was not done.
"Theoden King, do you remember what Theodred and I would say to one another?"Liniel paused, as if waiting for an answer she knew she would not receive.
She then continued her softly spoken tirade. "Of course not. We spoke this to only one another, to no one else. He told me that our life was a fairy tale.....and that we would have forever."
A cynical chuckle escaped her lips to dissolve into tears.
"But...we don't have forever, any longer, lord. No longer.....Do you even realize how wonderful your son was? Do you even remember how great of a man he was? He was more than a warrior and a Prince. He was my husband and your son............but no longer..............even in his final moments, he was an inspiration to all...all he cared about was how *I* was feeling and that *I* would continue to live.................if you had been there, he would have spoken to you with just as much love, if not more. He would have told you what you needed to hear, but you were *not* there........"
With that said, Liniel's control broke once again, tears flowing silently down her face.
Tears of remorse and anguish filled Theoden's eyes as well. He walked over to where Liniel knelt and slowly sank to his knees beside her to kneel facing her.
Liniel turned her gaze upward to look into the King's blue eyes—so much like Theodred's— to see them filled with tears. The young widow's heart nearly stopped at what she saw.
Complete and utter agony, filled with guilt and sorrow filled the King of Rohan's eyes.
"My lord I will leave you now—"she began, but was hushed by Theoden raising a finger to her lips.
Shaking lips formed the words as Theoden spoke. "Hush now, my child. Know this: Before my mind went astray, I was told something by my dear son. He told me that he loved you more than anything in the world and wished for me to give you comfort and shelter should the need ever arise.....and to that promise, I keep."
Theoden gently drew Liniel into his arms, hugging her tightly.
Liniel clutched the King's robes, finally letting loose the sobs, which were no longer silent.
And there, the King and the widow—far too young to have to claim that title—knelt there, weeping for the son and husband that they had lost.
* * * * * * * * *
The dawn arose over the land of Rohan.
With it, it's citizens rose, as well.
But, the rising was not for happy deeds. The order that the city must be evacuated had been given. They were fleeing to Helm's Deep.
Liniel woke to slip on her riding clothes and secure her sword at her side. She, along with Eowyn, were prepared to fight if needed as they journeyed to the fortress that would hopefully protect them from harm.
She walked over to stand by the King of Rohan, who had proclaimed Liniel to be of his family the evening before.
"The sun rises to a dangerous road, my lord."
"Aye, but this road will not be traveled alone,"Theoden replied, looking meaningfully down at his would-be daughter in law.
Liniel smiled faintly and nodded. Indeed......the long journey ahead would be hard and possibly lonely at times, but, one thing was for sure.
They were not alone.
*******
NOTE: No, Liniel's not insane. She is merely grieving harshly. Think hard......but not hard enough to get depressed.........on a possible thing you would do if your reason for living died...................k? Review with your sniffles, death threats, and whatever else, please!
Also, I will be writing a prequel to this of when Theodred met Liniel! More angst and sweet romance. For those of you who wonder how they met and where the "Fairy tale love" saying (Chapter 1) came from, you'll find out! Aight?! Just be patient! Summer's almost here!
ALSO.................reviewers of Shadows of the HEart......be patient. I am trying to finish up school. Finals are coming up. The next chapter should be out within a few weeks *winces as tomatoes are thrown* Sorry! But I have to make good gradeS! *flees*
WARNING: Nothing long term, but attempted suicide is the better term for it.
DISCLAIMER: Don't own, don't sue.....don't care? Good. That's the way it should be. I'm a writer, nothing more, nothing less........don't understand? That's your problem. I said my disclaimer. That doesn't mean you have to understand it.
"If only tears could bring you back to me
If only love could find a way
What I would do
What I would give if you'd
Return to me someday
Somehow, someway..............
If my tears could bring you back...........to me...."
(I don't know who it's by.....but I don't own)
Ch. 2
The sun rose from day to day, the world moving onward.
But, that was not all so for one young widow.
Widow....the word echoed in Liniel's mind as she wandered the hillside outside of Edoras. Indeed, she was a widow.
That thought sparked a soft, cynical laugh from the woman's lips. That was not a title she was supposed to claim at this age.
She was *supposed* to be happily married to the Prince of Rohan, the heir to the Golden Hall, Theodred son of Theoden, but sadly, that was not so anymore.
Liniel pulled the shawl around her shoulders tighter as a sudden chill ran up her spine. Whether that shiver was from the whipping wind, or the dismal coldness of her thoughts, she could not be sure.
All she knew was that she was going to the grave of her beloved husband yet again, but this time, it was to say her final goodbye......
Her final goodbye to Theodred.....
Her final goodbye to the Golden Hall.....
Her final goodbye to Edoras.
Liniel no longer had a reason to stay in Edoras, for the memories were far too painful to face. Theoden King, who she had grown to love as a father before his mind had been poisoned, had been awakened by Gandalf after Theodred's death.
But, that did not change the anger that Liniel harbored deep in her heart for the King.
When Theodred had been in agony and dying, where was the King of Rohan?
He had been on his throne, senility eating away at him. That, in Liniel's mind was no excuse. In her mind, love should have overpowered the early-coming old age that had wracked the King's mind and body.
Liniel stopped in her tracks as she reached the tomb of her late husband.
Her dark brown eyes filled with hot, salty tears of emotion as it sank in as to what she was there to do.
This was it. No more.
"Theodred, my beloved......I have come to—"Liniel's voice broke, but she swallowed hard against the lump in her throat.
She began again. "Theodred, no longer will I live in this place, which used to hold such joy. No longer does it hold that happiness....no longer does it hold you."
"Theodred, I am angry. I know not as to what I am angry at, but this anger that burns within me is not going away, even as I try to comfort myself with the thought that you are in a better place now."
Liniel paused, gathering her thoughts. As she did so, a realization struck her, her quivering jaw dropping.
"M-my beloved, I now realize who I am angry at.....I am angry at *you*. I am angry at you for leaving me here. You told me you would return to me. You told me we had forever! You, Theodred Prince, made a promise to love and protect me til the end of my days! Where are you now!? Well, protect me from myself!"
In an emotional frenzy, Liniel withdrew a small dagger from her boot and raised it to slice a long, painful gash across her left forearm.
The pain drew a hollow gasp from Liniel's lips. She looked down at the blood flowing from her arm and more tears filled her eyes. She looked over at the stone tomb.
A sob escaped her throat. "Theodred, my love, I'm sorry! I meant nothing I said.............I'm sorry......you wanted me to be strong, but I-I just can't.....I'm scared.....I'm alone.....and I don't want to be here alone anymore."
Liniel threw the dagger to the ground bitterly.
"I just don't want to be strong anymore,"she whispered heartbrokenly.
Liniel then slowly sank to her knees, resting her face in her hands, one of which was soaked with her own blood.
Hard, broken, silent sobs wracked Liniel's slender figure.
There, the young woman, who the world had been far too hard on, wept on the hill, oblivious to the world around her and to the chill that had crept into the wind, as well as the approaching figure.
Theoden King of Rohan walked slowly over to his son's tomb and froze at what he saw there.
Liniel, the young maiden to whom his son was supposed to be wed to, knelt there, shaking with silent sobs. Her back was turned to him, and for that, Theoden was glad.
He was not sure he could handle seeing the look on the young woman's face before he had a chance to prepare himself.
Theoden steeled himself, swallowing the lump that rose in his throat. He began to turn, but froze as his eye caught the red staining the ground next to Liniel.
Theoden looked harder over at the young woman on the hillside. Upon closer inspection, he could see that a crimson stain spread across the side of her dress, where her arm was.
Without further hesitation, the king of Rohan rushed over to where Liniel knelt.
He slowed his pace to a creeping walk as he neared her. "Liniel........child, what has happened?"he asked softly.
Liniel's head jerked up upon hearing the familiar voice.
She slowly shook her head. "'Tis nothing that should concern you, my lord."
Theoden arched an eyebrow at the coldness of Liniel's tone. "My dear, I care for you as a daughter, Theodred loved you, therefore, I love you as well. I wish—"
"*You* care for me?"Liniel inquired, her voice barely a whisper, turning to face the King of Rohan. "You come to me speaking of love—"
Liniel stopped herself, taking a deep breath. No....she was not going to blow up at Theoden, no matter how much she wanted to.
Theoden gently put a hand on Liniel's shoulder. "Go on......tell me what you feel. Undoubtedly, you harbor more than just grief in that heart of yours to push yourself to this." Theoden then gestured down to Liniel's bloody forearm.
Liniel glared up at the King of Rohan, twisting away from his tender hand.
"Very well then, you wish to know what I think of you? You speak of love, where was that love when it was needed most? Your son, Theodred was *dying*, my lord. I know not as to where your love was then. Though that snake, Wormtongue, had poisoned your mind, had he truly poisoned your heart, as well?"
The calm, coldness of Liniel's words twisted the knife that had been placed in Theoden's heart when he had heard the news of Theodred's death.
Theoden stood there mutely, hoping that Liniel's mind had been eased, but she was not done.
"Theoden King, do you remember what Theodred and I would say to one another?"Liniel paused, as if waiting for an answer she knew she would not receive.
She then continued her softly spoken tirade. "Of course not. We spoke this to only one another, to no one else. He told me that our life was a fairy tale.....and that we would have forever."
A cynical chuckle escaped her lips to dissolve into tears.
"But...we don't have forever, any longer, lord. No longer.....Do you even realize how wonderful your son was? Do you even remember how great of a man he was? He was more than a warrior and a Prince. He was my husband and your son............but no longer..............even in his final moments, he was an inspiration to all...all he cared about was how *I* was feeling and that *I* would continue to live.................if you had been there, he would have spoken to you with just as much love, if not more. He would have told you what you needed to hear, but you were *not* there........"
With that said, Liniel's control broke once again, tears flowing silently down her face.
Tears of remorse and anguish filled Theoden's eyes as well. He walked over to where Liniel knelt and slowly sank to his knees beside her to kneel facing her.
Liniel turned her gaze upward to look into the King's blue eyes—so much like Theodred's— to see them filled with tears. The young widow's heart nearly stopped at what she saw.
Complete and utter agony, filled with guilt and sorrow filled the King of Rohan's eyes.
"My lord I will leave you now—"she began, but was hushed by Theoden raising a finger to her lips.
Shaking lips formed the words as Theoden spoke. "Hush now, my child. Know this: Before my mind went astray, I was told something by my dear son. He told me that he loved you more than anything in the world and wished for me to give you comfort and shelter should the need ever arise.....and to that promise, I keep."
Theoden gently drew Liniel into his arms, hugging her tightly.
Liniel clutched the King's robes, finally letting loose the sobs, which were no longer silent.
And there, the King and the widow—far too young to have to claim that title—knelt there, weeping for the son and husband that they had lost.
* * * * * * * * *
The dawn arose over the land of Rohan.
With it, it's citizens rose, as well.
But, the rising was not for happy deeds. The order that the city must be evacuated had been given. They were fleeing to Helm's Deep.
Liniel woke to slip on her riding clothes and secure her sword at her side. She, along with Eowyn, were prepared to fight if needed as they journeyed to the fortress that would hopefully protect them from harm.
She walked over to stand by the King of Rohan, who had proclaimed Liniel to be of his family the evening before.
"The sun rises to a dangerous road, my lord."
"Aye, but this road will not be traveled alone,"Theoden replied, looking meaningfully down at his would-be daughter in law.
Liniel smiled faintly and nodded. Indeed......the long journey ahead would be hard and possibly lonely at times, but, one thing was for sure.
They were not alone.
*******
NOTE: No, Liniel's not insane. She is merely grieving harshly. Think hard......but not hard enough to get depressed.........on a possible thing you would do if your reason for living died...................k? Review with your sniffles, death threats, and whatever else, please!
Also, I will be writing a prequel to this of when Theodred met Liniel! More angst and sweet romance. For those of you who wonder how they met and where the "Fairy tale love" saying (Chapter 1) came from, you'll find out! Aight?! Just be patient! Summer's almost here!