@Ailsa : Thanks for pointing that niece/nephew thing. Stupid mistake I've made there. And I've made the adjustment.
@Alkvingiel : You're correct. I started from small ideas and developed them.
@namrie2Legolas : Thanks for that Quenya bits.
@DiamondD : You won't believe this but I got the ideas for my stories at the strangest times : while sleeping, cooking, reading 'Mastika', and even in a crowded LRT!
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Eomer son of Eomund, glared down at the dwarf. "If I remember correctly, you're Gimli?"
Gimli returned the glare. "The one and only."
They sized each other for quite a few moments more before Eomer turned to Aragorn. They shook hands. "We meet again…Strider. Is that your real name? I find it quite…odd."
The ranger smiled. He already began to like this nephew to King Theoden. "I am called by many names, Eomer. In fact…"
"In fact, his true name is Aragorn, son of Arathorn," Gandalf suddenly interrupted as he strode into the Meduseld hall. "The only heir to the throne of Gondor."
Eomer's eyes went wide. He stared at the scruffy looking ranger before him in disbelief. "You are the lost heir of Gondor? But…you look so messy to me!"
Aragorn rolled his eyes as Gimli beside him broke into a loud guffaw.
"I did not have the time to care for my appearance while we were chasing the orcs and such!" Aragorn grumbled, his hand immediately went to his head to smooth down the damp locks of his sweat-stained hair while the other hand tried to straighten the dirty tunic he was wearing.
Gimli laughed louder. "Don't bother, Aragorn. It's useless. You still look like the orc's meal."
Aragorn frowned at the dwarf. Gandalf shook his head in amusement. "They just let you out of the jail, Eomer?"
The Marshal of the Riddermark nodded. "I came in here right after they released me. I thought the king wanted to see me just now."
Seeing the puzzled expression on Eomer's face, Gandalf started to explain to him everything that had happened since the four companions stepped foot in Meduseld.
Eomer was delighted to know that his uncle had been freed of Saruman's trance. But he immediately got very angry when the wizard told him about Grima's assault on Eowyn, and how Legolas had come just in time before it could go too far.
"Why, that slimy white-faced bastard! Where is he?!" Eomer shouted, his hand already gripped the hilt of his sword. "Bring him to me! WHERE IS HE?!!!"
"Hama and some of your men have gone to toss him out of Rohan," Aragorn said, clasping the younger man's shoulder.
"Toss him out just like that? Why didn't you just let the elf kill him?!!!"
"Eomer?" Suddenly came a soft female voice.
Eomer turned around instantly and his face lifted. "Eowyn!" He rushed towards his sister and hugged her tight. Then he drew back and searched her pale features. "Are you all right?"
Eowyn nodded. "Yes, my brother. I'm fine."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. I owe everything to that elf. He just came from nowhere and…oh, Eomer. If he wasn't there…"
Eomer grabbed her into his arms once more. "I know, sweetheart, I know. I'm very glad you're okay."
Both of them stayed in each other's arms that way for several moments as the others looked on in silent. It was good to know that she didn't suffer terribly after that incident with Grima. Obviously, she was still shaken. But as the shield-maiden of Rohan, Eowyn had a strong resolve and sturdy heart. She was the niece of a king, and her royal blood demanded her to be no less than that.
"Where is the elf?" she then asked when she didn't see her rescuer among them.
Aragorn and Gimli looked at the wizard. "Yes, Gandalf. Where is Legolas?"
"Legolas? Is that his name?" Eowyn asked.
"Yes, Eowyn. That it is." Gandalf sighed softly before continuing, "He needs some time alone by himself. He is a little…distraught."
Eomer frowned a bit, while Eowyn looked quite disappointed. Aragorn and Gimli exchanged looks. They knew exactly what was bothering their friend.
"Tell me, Eowyn, where is the king?" Gandalf asked her.
There was sorrow in her eyes when she answered, "He just found out about Theodred."
"What about him?" Gimli wanted to know.
"Theodred, our cousin, had died by the hands of the orcs," Eomer replied, his face grim. "He and his company were ambushed. We had been looking for him to warn him of the dark upraising. But when we found Theodred, it was already too late. I returned here with his body a day ago only to find the blasted Grima taking control over the king! And if that was not enough, I got thrown into jail."
Eowyn hugged her brother's waist tighter. "Uncle needs us now."
Eomer looked down at her. "Where is he?"
"The chamber where we put Theodred's body. Our cousin is yet to be buried."
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Legolas looked around at the people that surrounded Edoras burial site. He couldn't help releasing a sigh of relief when he saw that they had stopped staring at him; their mind now fully concentrated on the funeral of the king's son.
The elf turned his ears once more to Lady Eowyn's beautiful voice as she sang a lament to her cousin. There was deep sadness reflected on her lovely face and in her mesmerizing pale blue eyes. Yet, she never faltered in her singing as Eomer lend her his strength by firmly holding her cold hand. As her long flaxen hair danced softly in the morning breeze, Eowyn continued on singing words of grief, cherish and hope for the soul of the demised. Those words brought tears to many eyes, the king included.
After spending the whole night in the stable with Arod, Legolas finally came out to seek for his companions. His heart was still troubled and the unwanted fear still surrounded his mind, but he knew he could not hide forever. Besides, he didn't want his friends to worry about him. He detested being such a weakling and becoming a bother, so he came out…only to find them all at the old cemetery, paying their last respect to the only son, the only heir, to the King of Rohan.
Listening to Eowyn's voice, Legolas suddenly felt angry at the unjust fate. A lament again! Twice I've sung them, now I'm listening to another! When will these unnecessary losses stop! Who will be next?
Involuntarily, his eyes went to Aragorn and Gimli who stood silently near Gandalf and Theoden.
From his clean and fresh looking face, the elf realized that Aragorn had taken a bath. All the dirt and grime that had clung to him for days had been rid off. His remarkable handsome features were clearly shown and his shiny ebony hair settled gently about his shoulders. The ranger even had put on a fresh pair of clothing.
Standing tall that way with Anduril strapped to his waist, Aragorn emitted an aura of great nobility and power. He was the rightful heir to Gondor throne; of that there was no doubt. And Aragorn was also his best friend, the one that he had sacrificed his soul to protect. Legolas did not want to sing a lament to him. Legolas did not want to lose the man. I have vowed to protect him, so protect him I shall, even if it is the last thing I do.
Sensing the elf's eyes on him, Aragorn looked up and sent Legolas a small smile. The ranger was very relieved when Legolas finally appeared that morning. His face was quite drawn and paler than usual, but at least the elf was not secluding himself any more. Aragorn wanted so badly to talk to his friend to assure himself that the elf was all right, but it could wait until the funeral was over.
Legolas nodded in return at the ranger, then his gaze fell on Gimli next. The elf was startled to find out that the dwarf was grinning back at him. His lips unconsciously tilted upward into a smile. Trust that dwarf to find something merry in all this heavy gloom! Oh Gimli, dear Gimli. I don't want to lose you too. Even with all your gruffness and annoying insults, you've become so dear and mean a lot to me.
And then, there was Gandalf, his oldest friend that he had thought had died in the fall into Moria's deepest chasm. To have him returned to them once more was like being given a second chance or simply a blessing, like cold water for a dry and parched throat. Legolas treasured the wizard's wise and thoughtful words. He might still not be completely whole and his terrible past never left him, but Legolas was feeling a lot better now after their long talk in the stable. Not yet fully healed, but better at least.
It took him a few moments to realize that Eowyn had stopped singing. She was gazing back at him with those deep and serene eyes. There was a longing in her face that bespoke her wish to speak to him.
Legolas quickly lowered down his own gaze when he also saw something else in her pale blue orbs. Strangely may it seem, but his betrothed, Narasene, had been looking at him the same way when they first met.
Oh, Nara! How I miss you so! Legolas' heart nearly broke thinking of the love of his life. They had not seen each other for many weeks now. It was not their longest separation, but surely it was the hardest. Both did not know if they would ever see each other again. He never stopped wondering how she fared while waiting for his return.
Lady Narasene, the one an only niece to Lord Glorfindel of Rivendell, had become the center of his heart right after that fateful tragedy. He was immediately entranced by her beauty, understanding and gentleness. During his darkest days, she had become his light besides his brother and father. He couldn't imagine his life without her.
He also couldn't imagine his life with someone else.
Legolas reluctantly looked up and was oddly relieved to see Eowyn being led away by Eomer, following after Theoden and Gandalf back into Meduseld. The rest of the people of Rohan also dispersed to get back to their daily business. Aragorn and Gimli were instantly at his side.
"You are well, elf?" the dwarf asked.
"As well as can be expected," Legolas replied.
"I don't like that answer. Do you like that answer, Aragorn?"
But the ranger just smiled. "To see him out of his shell is good enough for me."
Legolas frowned at the man. "I don't have a shell."
Aragorn chuckled. He clasped the elf's rigid shoulder. "Come. I'm sure you haven't eaten anything. You must be hungry. We also haven't had our breakfast yet."
Gimli and Aragorn flanked the elf as they steered him inside. Legolas was still grumbling, "I don't have a shell!!"
TBC…