Chapter 12: Hidden Treasures

A/N: If you haven't noticed yes this is a spoiler for Return of the King. Yippee, for half days and the time provided for writing and typing! R&R I promise action is to coming!

It was mid-afternoon of the next day when the Company arrived in Edoras. The Lady Éowyn greeted them, and invited them to come eat in the hall, then sleep. She expected them to stay for many a day. Aragorn told her of their haste, but thanked her for the food and rest. Éowyn nodded, but one could see the disappointment on her face.

Once the clamor of the arrival had receded, Arway went in pursuit of the Lady of Rohan. It was an easy search for Arway; Éowyn was not far from the Grey Company. "Good it is to see you well Lady Éowyn, but I must ask for the belongings I left in your hold. Though it is a mystery to me why you do not use them."

Éowyn looked upon the girl before her-that is how she saw Arway. She was a friend of her brother, a wanderer he found, young in appearance. Éowyn did not know why Arway rode with the Grey Company, but jealousy was upon her. Much, she did not yet know but her desires had hold over her. (Also, the Lady did not know Arway was of Elven-kind and that her accompaniment of the group was essential for the future.)

Éowyn produced a key from the folds of her dress. Then she answered Arway. "I would much rather die an honorable death in war, then be kept safe by pretty protection to see a bitter end."

"Much still you have in your future, so be not too hasty to sacrifice your life in a battle which you are not suppose to die in. Good exists in this world, even if your musings and desires do not come true. Too long you have desired for the unattainable, look more to what is in front of you, and not above." Then Arway walked away form Éowyn, knowing a change in her heart would come soon.

~~~ And as she retreated, Éowyn saw the splendor of the being of whom she had long forgotten about. Éowyn saw the race of the being and a tear slipped from her eyes. ~~~

Arway carefully went through the halls of Medusled, disturbing only the shadows. She slipped into a room and lit the lantern in the room. From under the dusty stacks, she uncovered a chest. With the acquired key, she opened it. And what was revealed under the lid shown softly in the lantern light.

"So, you've been avoiding the bustle in this dank spot!" Gimli bellowed.

"No Master Dwarf. Rather I am collecting a few belongings of my own. Here lies a sword and dagger of Rivendell, also, strong leather to cover the body. Lastly, a dagger of Mirkwood, along with a strong shirt."

Also, from the chest, she produced a shirt to go under the leather. It was of the softest material that Legolas and Gimli had ever felt.

"Then it is true. Wondrous gifts were given from each realm." Legolas muttered unsheathing the sword.

"Long have these been away from the eye of any. But again they shall be seen in war."

Then, Arway ushered them from the room. She changed into the gear that, for a long while, would not be separate from her persons.

When again the two entered, Legolas watched as Arway put a long dagger on her right side. Next, she picked up the sword and the other dagger, now was not the time for them to be worn. When she walked over to the lantern, he saw her clothing, clearly, for the first time.

On herself, she had placed the strong shirt of nameless material. As he looked upon it, Legolas noticed that he had seen material similar to it in Mirkwood once or twice. Over this, she placed the leather shirt, which was tied loosely in the front. For pants, she had on the same type that he wore. And their boots were similar as well. Then, the light was extinguished and the three left to join the others in meal.

That night was long for Arway, preparing her mind for the path before her. All around her was the sound of the breathing of sleeping men. But not even the rhythm of sleep could comfort her. There was shadow growing in her mind, it had been for a few days now.

Legolas felt through his sleep the actions of his fellow Elf. And when he awoke in the night, he did not question what he was roused for. To his right lay Gimli, snoring, sending a smirk on Legolas's face. But to his left there was empty space. No being lay there, only bow, quiver, knife, and dagger. Without noise, he left the sleeping men and followed the sound of soft body movements.

There he found Arway in the main hall, practicing with her sword. As he entered the room, she stopped and turned towards him. And the two communicated as Elves can without speech. As communication continued the looks upon each face changed, sometimes becoming graver, others a confused sorrow, until all communications stopped with a single action. Legolas advanced towards Arway, took her face in his hands and kissed her brow. With this action finished, he returned to the sleeping area, where the men began to rise.