Chapter 6

Year 3037, October 25

Eryn returned to the garden, finding that Eldarion had left. She sat on the stones that lined her favorite fountain. She didn't look up when she heard the dull thuds of foot steps draw near.

"Lassie, I have been sent to tell you that Merry and Pippin are arriving soon. I haven't been sent to tell you, but I am, that you should come inside- your beauty is fading with the lack of food and rest." Gimli's deep voice told her. When she made no reply he continued, " Is it really that bad? So terrible that you won't talk to your old Uncle Gimli again?" Eryn's face broke into a small smile.

"Not that bad, I guess." Eryn looked up at Gimli from where she sat, even though he was at eye level. By the redness in her eyes, Gimli could tell she'd been crying.

" You look almost as upset as Legolas did when I saw him a few hours ago," Gimli muttered. Eryn sighed.

" Gimli?"

" Yes, m'dear?" Gimli answered in his warm gruff tone.

" Have you ever been in love?"

" I have looked upon that which is fairest," Gimli said with a smile. " I wouldn't call it love though, more of a deep fancy," he chuckled.

" Deep? Why do you say deep?" Eryn said catching his smile. Gimli turned a little red and pulled a small box out of is belt. He opened it; three solitary hairs lay inside. Eryn smiled broader. " Are those hers?"

" They belong to The Lady of the Golden Wood. If I hear so much as a mockery out of your lips I will hang you by your toes from the dungeons!" Eryn tried to bite back her smile. Gimli used to threaten her as a child with that phrase. She now knew that it was completely empty.

" Deep isn't the word I would have used," she said trying her hardest to keep a straight face. " More of an obsession, really…" Gimli chortled as Eryn giggled.

" Aye, that is the sound I like to hear from my favorite niece," he said lifting her chin up with a finger.

" Uncle, I am your only niece," Eryn told him, as she had many times before. Gimli looked remotely interested as she continued, "Therefore I am your least favorite also,"

" Oh! You're right, I guess more of the second now that you mention it." Gimli told smirking.

" Uncle!" Eryn slapped his shoulder playfully. Gimli shut the case and put it away.

From their window over looking the courtyard, Faramir and Eowyn smiled seeing Eryn happy again.

" So, little missy." Gimli paused. "If I may ask, what did happen that caused you and Legolas to be oh so upset last night?" Eryn's smiled faltered.

" I do not feel that I should be the one to tell you that," Eryn said quietly. " Please go speak with Legolas. If he will tell you then I will tell you," Eryn told him. Gimli nodded.

" Will you come inside then and have something to eat?" he told her, knowing not to press the subject.

"Perhaps in a while," Eryn answered with a weak attempt at a smile. Gimli nodded and left without a word.

Eryn sat huddled a bit lower then before. As a cool wind breezed by she shivered. A warm hand pressed against her shoulder. She looked up into Eldarion's grey eyes.

" What is it my lord?" Eryn asked.

" Will you walk with me?" Eryn hesitated. He had done her no wrong.

" If it pleases you, my lord" Eryn answered. He extended hand semi-gloved hand. She noted how the fingers were torn of at the middle joint in each hand as she took it and stood.

'Why is she so changed?' Eldarion pondered to himself. She was addressing him properly and acting very oddly. She refrained from any of his touches except to take his hand as she stood.

They walked silent for a long while along an outer wall of the garden. Eryn couldn't help stealing glances at him. He stood tall and proud, yet dark and mysterious. It seemed the Prince and the Ranger had split themselves into one person.

" There has been talk of Orcs again, even Uruks have been spotted," Eldarion said worriedly. " They say that they are going to come almost any day now,"

" If what you say is true, then why are you leading me out here where if we fell under attack, no one could help us?" Eryn answered him. Eldarion stopped and turned to her.

" Because I needed to tell you," He paused, Eryn looked up into his eyes. " I understand that you probably love Legolas, but…" he looked down at the ground. When his eyes met hers again, they were red rimmed and a tear rolled down his cheek.

" Shh, don't say anything more," Eryn told him firmly.

" I love you,"

" Please don't say that," Eryn pleaded, tears taking her also.

" Why not?" he whispered, putting a hand on her hip.

" It's not fair, my heart is torn" her lip trembled.

" Love is never fair, no matter what the stories tell us it will always have it's flaws." Eldarion told her brushing a tear from her eye.

" This is all happening so fast," Eryn told him as he leaned in a little closer.

" There is more," Eldarion told her, "My father is planning to finally go to war against the Uruks and try and finish the last of them before they attack the city. He wants to lead them away from the children and the women, before they come and kill us all. Their army is greater then he lets most know, he cannot trust many to undertake this task as he must stay behind with the city," Eldarion had a voice like his father, deep and coarse were his words. " I offered myself to go as the general…I am leaving tomorrow at dawn."

Eryn looked deep into his eyes. "You will risk your life for Gondor?"

" Yes," he breathed.

" Eldarion…"

" Yes?" he drew a little closer.

" I…I do not love Legolas," she paused, knowing once her decision could not be taken back once said into words. " I love you,"

"But, we can't. Your stewardship…"

" Will be left with Faramir,"

"You would turn it down for me?" Eldarion asked her, hardly believing her words.

" I will," Eldarion stopped for a few moments. He bent his head down so it was barely inches from hers. As their lips lingered almost touching each other, Eldarion looked up into her Green-grey eyes and kissed her.

Eryn put her hand on the side of his face and kissed him back. He held her tightly, knowing that this closeness may never come again. He wrapped his arms around her waist and almost lifted her off her feet.

He let her down and cleared his throat trying to hold back more tears.

" And I will wait for your return," Eryn whispered to him. She pulled him close and hugged him strongly and leaned her head against his chest.

Gimli went inside and wandered around for a bit searching for Legolas. After over an hour of searching, Gimli leaned against the wall in a huff.

" Searching for someone, friend Gimli?" Gimli heard Legolas' voice from somewhere above him. He looked up and saw Legolas sitting on a sill to a large window almost thirty feet in the air.

" How long have you been up there?" Gimli asked, infuriated.

" I have watched you pass by at least thirteen times," Legolas told him in his mischievous elflike way. Gimli hated the way Legolas talked to him in that way, it always seemed daunting and like Legolas thought he was better. It made him furious. Usually the voice caused him to chuckle though.

" I have a important question," Gimli said cautiously. " And I wish to speak with you in private." Legolas eyed him strangely.

" Very well," Legolas climbed down. They walked until they got to a quieter more secluded area in the palace.

"Why are you feeling so troubled my friend?" Gimli said warily, hoping not to anger or further upset his elven friend. Legolas sighed and looked out the window over the plains that surrounded Minas Tirith.

" I have fallen in love with Eryn," Legolas turned and told him. Gimli's mouth dropped.

" And you told her?!" he exclaimed. " Now? After all that has happened?"

" I guess it was an ill time to tell her," Legolas said faintly. " I didn't want to wait, I have made the mistake of loving many in the mortal world. It's so hard," Legolas paused thinking deeply. "I'm stuck, my friend, as all the world and my friends around me age- I remain unchanged. Even you my friend are beginning to turn grey. If I did not tell her now, then when would you have me tell her? In twenty years when we come next here and she is aged into a steward? I was frightened to loose her, as I have lost before."

" You can't change what's happened Legolas," Gimli told him quietly.

" I am sorry, I have been acting foolish. It just woke old pains, like salt in an open wound," Legolas looked down sadly. " I hope I haven't hurt her too dearly,"

" Well, if you do did, you have three other angry uncles you shall have to deal with," Gimli chuckled. Legolas' face broke into a smile.

A/N: Please review. That was a bit random on my account. I just decided as I wrote this the rest of the plot and what happens when Eldarion goes to war. (wink wink)

I'm not too sure who gets her. I'm also planning a prequel when this is done- about what Leggy is talking about and Boromir and Kitola…