*** Hey guys I know you've been waitin' to see what happens to Zayn. Just a reminder only Shealyn and Zayn belong to me So here you go. Enjoy!
Hanya the Bloody Angel: Hey thanks for the review. Yeah Arwen and Aragorn will feel awful about it but just wait. I promise I will contact you if I decide on a sequel though if I do it could take some time considering college is but a few weeks away. I hope you enjoy!
Aislin2: Hey thanks for the review. I guess its my 'gift' to write without perfect knowledge. Yeah it would help if you knew that you'd be sent to ME. Personally the most I'd want is not to be an elf or fall madly in love with anyone, have no CP, decent with a sword but not MS-like, and maybe a book or two. I can't lie well so I try not to; therefore it causes me to tell the brutal truth sometimes. Sorry about that little disappearing thing with A/A couldn't think of anything. Actually I didn't think about what was 'up Zayn's butt' rest assured she will be punished. Answer: its after the Phoenix thing I think. Honestly I can't remember when they got married. In my family when we had weddings the kids were allowed a very small amount of wine or Champaign so I put it in for Shealyn. Yup I thought it would be cute for Shealyn to dance with the hobbits and actually I got the father-daughter dance from the movie What a Girl Wants. She's still a minor so I thought the best person to adopt her was Aragorn don't ya agreeJ. You'll have to read and find out what happens to Zayn. If I was her I would run. I hope you like!
Saera: Thanks for the review. I wrote more enjoy!
Dara Maeko: Thank you for the review. You know as well as I all good stories need to end somewhere but don't worry I plan on a sequel to be added. Enjoy!
Erenriel the Elven Canuck: Thanks for the review. There has to be pure fluff sometime. I hope you like!
saiyan-girl-cheetah: Thanks for the review. That chapter gave me a warm fuzzy feeling as well. Don't its not over yet. Just wait to read about Zayn's 'demise'. Enjoy!
Betsy: Thank you for the review and compliment. I hope you like this chapter!
Tara6: Thanks for the review. Yup Zayn is evil but just wait. Enjoy!
kurleyhawk2: Thanks for the review. I'm glad you liked. I hope you enjoy!
Lady Death2: Thank you for the review. Hey don't worry about tardy reviews. I know everyone hates the woman's guts. They'll find out soon. I hope you like!
anime princess4: Thank you for the review. Thanks for the compliment. I only wish that I could take Shealyn's place. I would do almost anything to be in her place. I would never be able to write a never ending story, but sequels will come hopefully. Once college starts I won't have a lot of time on my hands. I hope you like!
stellamucca: Hey thanks for the review. I'm glad you enjoyed. Yup Shealyn has a family. I still think there might be a chapter or two left. You'll just hafta see. I hope you enjoy! ***
"Get up Miss Shealyn." Zayn cried roughly shaking my shoulder.
Rolling over out of the irate woman's reach I opened my eyes to study the sun's position guessing it to be around one in the afternoon.
Zayn moved around to the other side of the bed and grabbed hold of my shoulders to shake again. "I'm awake Zayn, quit shaking me." I cried sitting on my bed.
The woman's face was as usual set in a permanent scowl. ~I can only guess what made her this way~ I thought as she moved about the room gathering the clothing that I would be wearing today.
"May I ask you a question Zayn?" I enquired as I watched her.
Zayn didn't answer but I noticed her scowl deepen. "Why are you a handmaiden when you are so cruel?" I asked directly.
"That is none of your concern." She snapped pulling a plain blue dress from my wardrobe and thrusting it into my arms. "Your bath has been drawn and lunch is in an hour." She stated pushing me forcefully into the adjoining bathroom.
I glared at the woman until she closed the door leaving me alone to bathe. Slipping the nightshirt and underwear off I stepped into the warm water sighing. Grabbing the cloth I lathered up the soap before gently rubbing the cloth over my body.
Submerging myself in the soapy water I washed my raven hair quickly. A sharp knock sounded on the door causing me to slip back into the water.
"Get out of that water." Zayn ordered grabbing my bruised left arm bringing me out of the bath.
"Don't do that." I hissed instinctively grabbing her wrist twisting until she cried out in pain.
With her arm painfully twisted behind her back Zayn began to curse me in what I suspected as Gondorian. "Don't underestimate me." I whispered harshly in her ear.
"Unhand me." She commanded struggling against my grasp.
I smirked before pushing her away. I walked to the dresser picking out a pair of underwear. I slipped them on and opened the wardrobe and grabbed black leggings and a white shirt. Quickly dressing I pulled on my boots.
Before I could open the door Zayn grabbed hold of my wrist. "You know Zayn." I whispered. "When Aragorn finds out you are so dead." I said matter-of-factly.
Her face screwed into an intense glare and her grip tightened on my wrist. Lightning flickered in my eyes dangerously but my conscious told me not to hurt the woman that way.
Unconsciously I whimpered from the pain the grip caused me. Zayn's gaze softened as well as her grip tears welling up in her eyes. "What have I done?" She whispered backing away from me sinking into a nearby chair.
"Zayn?" I asked uncertainly as I approached the woman. "What's wrong?" I enquired resting my hand on her knee.
Lifting her head from her hands Zayn looked up at me with confusion written on her face. "Why do you want to know?" She asked heatedly anger and resentment returning to her voice as she rubbed at her eyes fiercely.
Ignoring her anger I moved to the door glancing back at the spiteful woman. "Lunch starts soon I should go." I said quickly leaving the room.
The halls were quiet most everyone were probably already in the dining hall. My gaze was fixed on the flagstones beneath my feet I didn't notice where I was going until I ran right into someone.
"Are you alright miss?" The person asked as strong hands grasped my forearms keeping me from falling.
"Yeah I'm alright." I responded quickly sidestepping the man and sprinting down the hall.
Nearing the dining hall I paused to regain my breath and straighten my clothes and hair before I entered.
"Good afternoon Shealyn sleep well?" Arwen asked as I approached the table and slipped into my chair next to Aragorn.
"I slept well Arwen." I replied as a servant set a plate of food in front of me.
Poking my food with a fork I never took my eyes from my plate. "Shealyn are you feeling well?" Aragorn asked resting a concerned hand on my shoulder.
I glanced up at him and smiled. "I'm ok Aragorn." I responded. "Not hungry. May I be excused?" I added.
"Yes of course Shealyn." He answered patting my arm.
"Thank you." I whispered rising from my chair and quickly leaving the room.
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Aragorn watched Shealyn's retreating back worry entering his thoughts. "She will be alright my love." Arwen whispered to her husband slipping her arm through his.
"I hope you are right Arwen." He whispered wishing he had the freedom to go after her.
"My lord there is a party wishing to have council with you in the throne room." An advisor announced quietly behind the king's seat.
Nodding Aragorn kissed Arwen on the cheek and rose quickly following his advisor out the door.
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July 16, 3019 of the Third Age
It's the day after the wedding and life has already gone back to normal. Sadly the ring bearers are departing for Valinor in a couple of years. Bilbo will be accompanying them as well. We'll miss them but I have a feeling that their burdens will finally disappear as they enter that place. The best thing I can think of is that Elrond will finally be reunited with his wife Celebrian daughter of Celeborn and Galadriel. The twins will take care of Rivendell for awhile before they too leave Middle-Earth.
Zayn bruised my wrist this morning. Thank the Valar no one noticed it. Part of me wants to tell Aragorn about what happened but on the other hand I want to deal with this on my own.
I've got to stop worrying them. I am their daughter now. My title, which I will never get used to is; Shealyn daughter of Aragorn king of Gondor. I'm a princess can you believe it. I only pray that their first child will be a son. I may have been a leader on the battlefield but I couldn't lead a kingdom if my life depended on it.
The sun streamed down through the tree branches that I sat in. Journal on my lap I looked up absently thinking about all that had happened. ~I bet Aragorn is worried about me now~ I thought as I looked down at the leather bound book in my lap.
Legolas and Gimli will also be leaving soon to 'see the world' as they put it. I feel that I will be lost in this great place. Aragorn and Arwen's responsibilities to the kingdom will take much of their time and I haven't met anyone my age yet, but I'll wait it out. I must go now.
Shealyn
"Where are you Shealyn?" I heard a familiar voice enquire quietly below me.
Leaning forward I saw Legolas and Gimli standing beneath the tree. Legolas sighed defeated as he leaned against the trunk.
"How should I know Master elf. I do not keep track of the girl." Gimli replied following the elf's example leaning against the trunk too.
Securing the journal and writing tools in a branch I silently made my way along the branch until I was right above them. I then proceeded to jump from the branch and gracefully landing on my feet to face two very startled beings.
"Looking for me?" I questioned a smirk playing on my lips.
"Lass why do you do that?" Gimli countered one hand clutching his chest.
"I felt like it." I replied easily.
Legolas chuckled with a knowing look in his eye as he clapped me on the shoulder. "We were looking for you yes." He said.
"Why what's up?" I asked glancing at each of them.
Gimli straightened up and placed a hand on my shoulder. "What the elf wants to say lass………" He began gruffly. "Is that he noticed you didn't eat your lunch. Is everything alright?"
"Yup everything is cool." I whispered brushing passed them and walked away.
Moments later Legolas was at my side worry evident on his face. Silently he studied me as we walked through the gardens. "Where's Gimli?" I asked trying to fill the uncomfortable silence between us.
"He went to visit the hobbits." Legolas responded placing a guiding hand on my back.
Quietly he led me to a stone bench sitting me down looking me directly in the eye with the 'talk to me' look.
"Something is obviously troubling you little one." Legolas stated lightly touching my left arm.
"You want to know how I got this bruise don't you." I said quietly rolling my sleeve up showing the bruise on my upper arm.
Legolas smiled slightly gently touching the bruise again. "Yes that has crossed my mind a couple of times since Aragorn told me about it." He replied concern lacing every word.
"I don't want to talk about it." I whispered looking away from the crystal blue eyes.
A gentle, but firm hand grasped my chin forcing to look back at him. "Why won't you tell me Shealyn?" He asked not even trying to hide the hurt and disappointment in his voice.
"I'm sorry Legolas I can't." I whispered rising to my feet. "You are my brother, but I am the only one that can deal with this." I added before walking away.
Feelings of guilt washed through me as I walked away from Legolas. I hated keeping things from him, but I knew they would overreact when they found out the truth.
I wandered awhile lost in thought before I came back to the tree that I had left my writing tools in. With great ease I climbed the tree and grabbed the journal and tools.
Lost in thought once more I went to my room placing my things on the bookshelf. Turning I made my way to the bed. Leaping onto the bed I lay sprawled on my back staring at the ceiling. ~I hate lying to them~ I thought. ~They're my family why can't I just tell them~
My mind grew foggy and my eyelids drooped, a yawn escaped my lips. ~A nap sounds good right about now~ I sleepily thought before drifting off.
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Legolas wished to follow the girl, but something in her posture told him not to. Instead he rose from the bench heading towards the palace in search for Aragorn.
He walked down the quiet halls until he reached the private study where he knew his friend would be.
'knock, knock'
"Enter." He heard from the other side.
Silently Legolas opened the door and slipped into the room. Aragorn sat at a desk placed near the balcony surround by ceiling to floor bookcases filled with a variety of leather bound books on every topic.
"Ah Legolas my friend what might be the pleasure of this visit?" Aragorn enquired looking up from the documents laying on his desk in front of him.
"Aragorn I came to seek your council on a matter that has come to both of our intentions." Legolas responded taking a seat in front of the king.
"This concerns Shealyn does it not?" Aragorn asked sitting back in his chair wearily rubbing his eyes.
Nodding Legolas leaned forward. "I've seen the bruise on her left arm and questioned her." He said. "She would not answer me." He added sadly.
"What is she hiding from us?" Aragorn sighed quietly.
"I know not Aragorn, but I saw something that disturbed me when I spoke with her earlier." Legolas responded.
Aragorn's eyes widened as he looked at his friend silently pleading for him to continue.
"On her right wrist I saw a bruise." Legolas whispered. "It was recent. If I had to guess I would believe Shealyn received it this morning."
"We must get to the bottom of this." Aragorn stated firmly pounding the desk with his fist in frustration.
Legolas stood and walked around the desk resting a hand on the distraught king's shoulder. "We will mellon nin." Legolas responded patting Aragorn's shoulder before moving to leave.
"Thank you Legolas for coming to me with this new information." Aragorn said.
Legolas nodded closing the door behind him.
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"MISS SHEALYN WAKE UP!" Zayn yelled in exasperation as I felt a hard stinging slap on my cheek.
"I'm up Zayn, you didn't have to hit me good lord." I cried pushing myself off the bed.
Making my way to the bathroom I sat at the vanity and brushed my hair before plaiting it skillfully. Zayn stood in the doorway holding a midnight blue dress out for me.
"Oh why do I always hafta where a dress?" I whined rolling my head back until I was looking at the ceiling.
"It is only proper Miss Shealyn." Zayn responded in a scolding tone.
"Why do you hate me so much?" I asked bluntly turning to face the woman.
Zayn bristled stepping closer to me. "I dislike you Miss Shealyn………" she began in a low deadly whisper. "because you were nothing before you came here and now……… now you are a princess."
"So?" I questioned not seeing the reason of her hostility towards me.
"I never have and never will know what its like to be royal." Zayn cried in frustration.
Anger rose inside of me. ~She doesn't even know what I've been through~ I thought angrily as I stood face to face with the woman.
"You know nothing about me Zayn." I spat. "I have lived through hell for four and a half years. I was a captive of an evil man. Day after day, night after night I was their little experiment. They performed unspeakable things to me until the day I was rescued."
Silence filled the room as we both glared at each other. The expression on Zayn's face told me she didn't believe me.
"What I tell you Zayn is no lie." I whispered. "This is only my second year of freedom. In fact up until a couple of months ago all I knew about my past was my name." I stated matter-of-factly. "If you would allow yourself to be loved by others then you will find your life more……… more filled." I added.
"You lie Miss Shealyn you lie." Zayn retorted lifting her hand up ready to slap me again.
Boldly I stood my ground defiance set on my face. Mentally I prepared myself for the slap but her hand did go a few centimeters before a hand firmly grasped her wrist.
Startled Zayn looked up at the owner of the hand and became very pale while her eyes grew wide. Confused I looked to my left and found a livid Aragorn grasping Zayn's wrist.
"Your……… your majesty." She stammered. "I………uh……… I………"
"Save your breath." Aragorn ordered coldly. "Never have I ever seen a handmaiden act so cruelly to their charge." His voice was calm but steely.
A hand rested on my shoulder gently pulling me backwards until I was embraced by two pairs of arms. "Did she harm you?" Legolas asked quietly as he and Arwen held me close.
I was shocked. I had never seen Aragorn this angry. Not even when I disobeyed him. I numbly shook my head as I watched the scene before me.
"You are to collect all of your belongings and leave Gondor. If you do not comply to my wish I will have you thrown into prison for assaulting my daughter." Aragorn hissed stepping away from the frightened woman. "Escort her to the servants' quarters so that she may collect any of her belongings. Guard her until morning then escort her to the city gates." He commanded the Royal guards.
Immediately the guards moved to comply roughly escorting Zayn out of the room. Aragorn then turned to me and opened up his arms. "Shealyn come." He ordered his voice soft and gentle instead of steely and cold.
I went to him burying my head within his robes as the tears came crashing through the dam. "I'm sorry Aragorn for not telling anyone about this." I sobbed as Aragorn held me gently rubbing my back.
"Shh………" He whispered softly.
Vaguely I heard Arwen, Legolas, and Gimli who had just arrived crowd around us comforting me in their own way.
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Quietly so as not to disturb the now peacefully sleeping girl, Gimli rose from his seat bidding goodnight to everyone he left the room.
After Shealyn had tired herself out Aragorn had helped Arwen change her clothing, laying her in the bed. He then proceeded to rub a healing salve into the bruises.
Arwen sat quietly next to the bed staring down at the sleeping girl with a look of guilt. ~If I hadn't insisted that Shealyn have a handmaiden the poor girl would not have had to deal with this awful thing~ She thought leaning forward and brushing hair away from Shealyn's face.
Legolas, Haldir, his brothers, the twins, Lord Elrond, the Lord and Lady of Lorien, and Gandalf all stood back watching. Once everyone found out what had happened they had come at once. The hobbits had been by earlier but Legolas had convinced them to retire.
"Come let us leave Shealyn to sleep." Aragorn said as he stood bending to kiss Shealyn gently on the forehead and heading to the door.
The others agreed following the king and queen out the door shutting it quietly behind them.
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I woke feeling Aragorn's gentle kiss as I play acted sleep. After they had gone I opened my eyes and stared at the door for the longest time before a smile crept across my face.
~Aragorn called me his daughter~
*** Hey guys not the longest chapter but I had the need to update. I'm moving up to college on Wednesday so I'm not sure how much time I'll have on my hands. Class starts Monday and I'll try to fit in the next chapter into my busy schedule it could be awhile before you see an update. It's not over yet. I hope you liked! ***