A/N: Hey people! I'm back! I finally got Word working again so I'm writing again. I am proud to present Chapter 29 to all here present. We have an appearance by special guest, though perhaps not welcome. Thanks to all my reviewers, the regulars: Rosa Cotton and anfieldgyul, thanks for your support and praise through all this time; yagirl-123 and demon horse 900, so happy you guys like it; to one of my faves TheOneAndOnlyElbereth, I hope you like the final instalments and that they are up to your standards, lol; to Malinda, Marina and Jessica, hey, you guys have reviewed more than once, hooray! To Corinne, I promised a mention in the next chapter if you reviewed so here we go, thanks so much and keep reading, and finally, to my new reviewer minny2000, I know my chapters are getting repetitive, I feel that repeatedly, there we go again, more repeating, lol. Don't be put off, the best is yet to come and I promise, this is the last conversation between Aragorn and Éowyn that ends with one walking away. It won't happen as much in the sequel and I hope not at all. When I finish this story, I will be posting two chapters, the first one from each of the sequels I have prepared. I will ask all reviewers to decide which of the chapters sounds the best sequel. Mind you, both end very differently. I have them all planned. Choose wisely, or I won't be happy! OMG, LONG AUTHOR'S NOTE! Ok, on to the story now!
Chapter 29: Flying On Broken Wings
Over the next few days, Elves and Dwarves came to Minas Tirith to honour King Elessar and help to rebuild the city after the war. One evening, a party of Elves rode into the city on horses of white. So beautiful were these folk from afar.
Thus came the Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel Lothlórien, and Lord Elrond of Rivendell and the Lady of Imladris. With them followed a large party from both Rivendell and Lothlórien. Aragorn was surprised to see them as they rode up towards the city.
They arrived on horseback, making their way across the Pelennor Fields and passing through the gates of the city. The people of Minas Tirith stared at them, for so beautiful were their kind. They came through the streets and up to the High Court, where Aragorn greeted them on the steps.
"I am honoured by your presence," he said. "Rarely do the Lord and Lady of Lothlórien come to the city of Men." He turned to Lord Elrond, bowing before him. Elrond smiled and brought him up again.
"It is I who should be honouring you, King Elessar," he said.
Aragorn looked now to the other guest and bowed.
"Long has it been since last I saw you," he said.
Arwen nodded in silence, staring at Aragorn. She did not smile or speak; only stared at Aragorn.
Aragorn led them inside the Hall of Kings. Legolas and Gimli greeted Lord Celeborn, Lady Galadriel, Lord Elrond and the Lady of Imladris, Arwen Undómiel, daughter of Elrond. King Éomer was there also, with Prince Imrahil and Lady Éowyn. Aragorn bid them step forward.
"May I introduce to you all," he said addressing the Elves, "to Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth, King Éomer of Rohan, and his sister the Lady Éowyn, shieldmaiden of Rohan."
Éomer, Imrahil and Éowyn each bowed to the four Elves. The encounter between Éowyn and Arwen was awkward. Éowyn knew of the history between Aragorn and Arwen. Gandalf had told her of them in the past. She had heard about the Lady of Imladris and how her beauty matched that of Varda, Queen of the Valar and Lúthien Tinúviel, most beautiful of the Elves. But Arwen knew very little about the Lady of Rohan. She had heard of her feat of the Witch-King but nothing else.
Now, as she looked upon her, she smiled to herself. 'Surely Aragorn would show no interest on her' she thought. 'She is but a child, not a lady. She fights with men and wields a sword. She is wild and untamed, no beauty is she.' She stood tall and dark, with all the grace of the Elves in her appearance and the wisdom of centuries in her eyes, her head held high, as Éowyn bowed before her, but not smile.
Éowyn did not speak, only watched Arwen. Arwen said nothing, but her eyes said everything. They were cold as they gazed upon her. 'She seems so proud,' thought Éowyn. 'She looks down at me. She disbelieves me to be as great as she.'
"I have heard much of your great deeds," said Galadriel kindly to Éowyn.
"I am honoured by such praise from so great a woman," said Éowyn. "I do not know what to say."
"There is no need for words," said Galadriel smiling.
Arwen spoke at last. Her voice was low and soft.
"Aragorn," she said.
Aragorn turned to Arwen and nodded, following her outside to the gardens. Éowyn watched them go. Aragorn looked back at her briefly as he passed through the doorway.
Arwen stood in the garden, her dark hair fluttering in the breeze as it blew through the trees. Aragorn approached her slowly. Arwen spoke:
"I waited long in Imladris for your return," she said gently. "But never you came. What happened to us, Aragorn?"
Aragorn's face remained stern. He stared into Arwen's crystal blue eyes.
"When I left Rivendell to go with Frodo," he began. "I explained my reasons. I am mortal; you are elf-kind. Your father wishes you to go with your people to the Undying Lands. You are their Evenstar, not mine."
"But you are my Estel," retorted Arwen. "I will not go if you do not come with me."
"I go with you," said Aragorn. "But only in your heart. Know that I still care for you, but I must stay here with my people."
"These fools of men will follow any who stand before them," scoffed Arwen.
"These men are my people, my family, my life, as yours are to you," said Aragorn. "I will not desert them now when they need me most. It is my destiny to rebuild Gondor to its former glory. The time of Men is come."
"Does our love mean nothing to you now?" sobbed Arwen. "Do you not care for me?"
"It was a dream, Arwen; nothing more," he said. "Your place is with your people, and my place is here with mine."
Arwen's eyes filled with tears as she stared at Aragorn in disbelief.
"Then, another holds your heart now?" she asked.
"You will always remain in my heart," said Aragorn.
"But have I lost my place in it to another?"
Aragorn thought about this. He did not know the answer to this. Did he love Éowyn? He could not tell. He had seen her with Faramir and felt the twinge of jealousy in his heart each time he watched her smile at him. Could he call it love? He had not yet professed it to Éowyn. She still held on to the hope that he did carry feelings for her. But what they were not even he knew. Aragorn remained silent as Arwen re-entered the hall. Aragorn followed slowly.
Éowyn watched as Aragorn and Arwen entered the hall silently. Arwen passed Éowyn swiftly without speaking. Aragorn wandered over to Éowyn. He looked slightly bemused but faced her and spoke.
"I bid Arwen go with her people, for that is where she belongs," he said. "I told her that her place was with them and not beside me. Our love has faded from the flame that burned brightly when we were young to naught but a glimmer in the shadows. It is now a dream."
A realisation dawned on Éowyn, something she had not seen before. Her expression changed suddenly. It was graver than before, less light of heart. There was, in this speech, a message that applied to her also.
Éowyn knew that if Aragorn cared not for her now, he never would. This was the truth she had battled all this time. The hope she held within her heart still pined for his love. But his heart pined not for her love; and may never. She turned her face away from him.
"Lady Éowyn," enquired Aragorn. "Does something trouble you?"
Éowyn faced him again, smiling bravely.
"No, my liege," she replied. "Nothing troubles the maiden of the Rohirrim. She is fearless."
She laughed bitterly but Aragorn did not smile.
"There is no need to be always valiant, my lady," said Aragorn.
"But I must," she replied gravely.
"You have no need around me," said Aragorn, smiling. "I have seen you both at your strongest, and your weakest."
"Forgive me, my liege," replied Éowyn. "But at neither you have seen me."
"My opinion of strong may differ to yours, my lady," said Aragorn. "You bear so strong a will and a heart as I have seen in none other, and for that, I commend you."
"What cares the King of Gondor for the heart of a shieldmaiden?" asked Éowyn. "I am not worthy of you."
Aragorn's face saddened.
"Do not think that I do not care for you, Éowyn," he said.
"I am not sure of your feelings," said Éowyn. "And I do not think you are sure of your own."
"You, also, must find where your heart lies," said Aragorn.
Éowyn did not speak. Presently, a voice came from the other side of the hall. Aragorn turned his head.
"I must leave you now," he said. "I give to you this as a gift. My blessing to go and do what you will with your life. I pray also that you uncover the secrets of your heart."
He walked away to where the voice had called. A sadness fell over Aragorn as he left Éowyn standing there, still watching him. But he did not turn back. Éowyn understood now. She knew where she stood, and what she must do next.