A/N: Yet another long update! My apologies. It's hard to be inspired
sometimes what can I say. Well I am working really hard on trying to get
this done. It may take longer than a few more chapters, but hey, with the
release of the Return of the King. I just couldn't help myself! As always.
not one of these character's are mine, with the exception of Tinioniel,
DUH! Geez people. Get with it here. Well, with out further delay. the
next chapter! And as always..
PLEASE REVIEW!
Gandalf remember Tinioniel talking about Legolas explaining the elves to her in more than one instance.
"Jessica is your real name. Do you remember nothing about your life?"
"My life is here Gandalf; as it always has been."
"Oh? And what have you been doing in all your years in Middle Earth?" Tinioniel looked at him apprehensively and answered him.
"You have taught me all I know. Everything I am, I am because of you. You are my teacher. You have taught me all I know." Tinioniel made her eyes and hands glow fiercely with an emerald flame. "Do you not remember all that you have taught me?"
"Aye, Tinioniel, I do remember what I have taught you. Do you remember anything before that?" Tinioniel laughed a melodious laugh as the jaded fire began to wane. "Of course!" Gandalf sighed a small relief. "I ran away from an attack on my village from orcs. You found me and took me to shelter and Helm's Deep."
"Anything before that? What about your village? Do you know anything about it?" Tinioniel's face scrunched as she rummaged around her remaining memories.
"No, actually. Nothing really comes to mind right now." Gandalf frowned at her unsettling confession as he glanced and Gimli, then to Legolas.
"Well we had better go and regroup. We don't want to be left behind now do we?" Gandalf's face forged a fake smile as the four of them took their steps closer to their group.
- ~ * ~ -
Tinioniel walked along with the group, carefree about the conversation that took place earlier concerning her past. She simply stared ahead feeling very at peace with everything, until she saw the very unsettling look that had befallen Aragorn. She quickened her pace slightly as she caught up to Aragorn's horse. She walked beside him for a while, silence laying between them like a light mist.
"Aragorn, what troubles you?" Her voice sounded anew and had an air of mystery and charm.
"There is nothing." Aragorn's eyes deceived him as he feigned a smile.
"I understand. If you do not wish to talk about it then that does not bother me. It does bother me, however, that you feel the need to lie about your troubles. I am deeply wounded Lord Aragorn! I shall go and leave you to your thoughts then" Tinioniel inhaled deeply, trying to express her hurt, as she slowed her pace to fall behind the side of the man. Aragorn laughed slightly and dismounted his horse.
"Excuse my rudeness. Please, accompany me for a while." Tinioniel's face lit up like a child's as she walked beside Aragorn.
"So what's the deal with you and this Arwen chick?" Aragorn's face was perplexed with this reference to a baby chicken. "I mean, it is very obvious that you are in love with her. What confuses me is the fact that you look so down all the time. You have found the love of your life and you know it. Why then do you push it away?" Aragorn felt uncomfortable by diving into a deep conversation so quickly. "Weird weather we are having. Looks as if it might rain." Tinioniel paused. "Yep, it's gonna rain. Can you smell it? I love the smell of rain."
"You confuse me." Tinioniel smiled at his comment.
"I may be confusing but I changed the subject so you wouldn't have to answer my question." Tinioniel winked and fell behind his large pace to go find Eomer. He smiled, realizing that she was both caring and sensitive to others feelings. 'What confuses me, Tinioniel,' Aragorn began to think to himself. 'is why you have not come to terms with the man you know deep inside that you love.' As she searched, Tinioniel heard footsteps approaching her. She recognized the light sound, and slowed her tracks even more. "Yes, Legolas. What is it?" Tinioniel spoke as she turned around.
"How did you know that it was me?"
"Only an elf would tread as soft. Is there something wrong or do you merely wish to walk with me?" Legolas brushed away the fact of her hearing being startling acute, and began to talk with her.
"I have been sensing something from you, a strange force unknown to me, and it disquiets me." Tinioniel laughed lightly.
"Surely an elven prince is not scared of a girl! What about me frightens you?"
"It is nothing of you. You are fair and pleasant enough," Legolas smiled but it faded quickly. "there is something beneath that I have never seen before. Nothing I have ever felt inside of someone; a raw, untamed power dwelling within you like a shadow." Tinioniel looked deeply into his elven face and saw that there was in fact an uncertainty concerning her. Legolas' smile reappeared as he playfully nudged her shoulder. "I will be leaving soon, along with Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, Gamling, King Theoden," Tinioniel looked down at the ground at his statement. "and Eomer shall be leaving as well." She quickly looked up into Legolas' eyes, whom\ was expecting some sort of displeased action, and quickly switched her gaze back to the dirt. "The rest of the people shall return to Edoras. It is the capitol of Rohan, a beautiful city set high on the peak of a mountain. Eowyn is going to Edoras as well." A white horse with a brown and gold saddle pulled up beside Legolas. He mounted the horse and looked down at Tinioniel.
"What are you riding for? Where are you going?"
"We ride for a dark place overthrown. You will see." He galloped through the crowd, reaching down and pulling up a fussing creature that could only be Gimli. Tinioniel felt a slight grin grow on her face, but the despondency that set within her heart was heavier than any grin could outweigh. She sighed softly, as her breath melded with the sight breeze that gently brushed her hair. 'Eowyn will be there. I will not be alone.' Her thoughts escaped her as she started to speak softly.
"But I do not wish to leave behind those whom I have grown so close to." She took in a sharp breath as and hand was gently shoved into view and a deep voice began to speak.
"Then do not leave them at all." Tinioniel turned around and saw Eomer gazing at her, his arm outstretched. "Ride with me." Eomer's voice, but a mere whisper traveled to her ears on light words.
"You mean I can come with you? Instead of going to Edoras?"
"If it be your wish not to go to the Golden Hall, then I will gladly take you were I am going. I think wise if you stay close to Gandalf. Are you going to take my hand, or would you like me to just keep in this position?"
"What will you do if I take your hand?" Tinioniel asked, a distrusting look upon her face as she tentatively reached for his hand. Eomer lunged forward and grabbed her hand.
"Nothing!" He replied with a big smile. He started to pull her closer to him and replaced his hand around her waist. Tinioniel began to put things together.
"No, Eomer! Do not put me on that horse! I don't want to ride! You have made me so deathly afraid of the creatures!" Eomer laughed but did not stop drawing her closer. "Eomer, please don't!" He ignored her constant protesting and pulled her up to his side, not quite on the horse. His laughter resounded above Tinioniel's objections.
"There is nothing to be afraid of! Listen to me, I will teach you how to ride. You can sit here in front of me and take the reigns." Tinioniel glanced at the saddle as she was clutched close to Eomer's body. She looked down at the ground below her, from which her feet no longer touched. She groaned at her defeat and finally gave in.
"Fine! Fine! Just promise you will take over when I don't want to do this anymore."
"But of course my lady." Eomer finished helping her on the horse with little effort of his strong form. Tinioniel looked very displease with herself for giving up so easily. Eomer was seated behind her, and put his arms around her, handing over the reigns. "Alright, to get started, make sure you have a firm grip around the reigns.
"You didn't have to tell me that. It is out of fear that my hands are bound so tight."
"Just relax. The horses can tell when you are nervous. You must be at ease. Ok. To get going, give the horse a little kick."
"You want me to kick it?" Tinioniel exclaimed, surprised and upset.
"You will not hurt it, believe me. Just a little kick. Not too hard, but be forceful enough to let it know who is in control."
"But I don't know what I am doing! Wouldn't it be better if you just directed it where to go?"
"If I did that, then you would never learn." Tinioniel glanced at him then back at the reigns in her sheet white hands. Tinioniel closed her eyes tightly and winced as she kicked the horse, a little too rough then was meant to be. The horse let out a surprised yelp and reared up on its hind legs. Eomer, stunned, slid off the back of the horse, landing fiercely on the dirty ground. Eomer laid in shock as time slowly swept by, but as soon as his breath was returned to him, he bolted up and saw Tinioniel looking back at him with a horrid look on her face. Eomer laughed as he swiftly got to his feet and started to chase down the horse.
"Eomer!" Tinioniel yelled out, afraid and without reason. She tried talking to the horse. "Please stop! Slow down?" Even tugging on the reigns did not end the horse's urgency. "Eomer get up here now!" Tinioniel yelled commanded, upset that he left her on the horse. Eomer was catching up, laughing at the situation with ever step.
"It's alright! Just hold on!" Eomer spoke in between his laughter. He saw a tree up ahead whose branches were hanging low. His pace quickened as he called out to Tinioniel. "Tree!" Tinioniel glanced at the oncoming branch and ducked, barely missing it. She picked her head back up and saw how close the escape had been, only to find another branch ahead. She tried to avoid it, but she did not react quickly enough. The branch met her head, causing Tinioniel to see black for a short time before the world returned to her. Her head ached as she saw yet another branch, low enough to hit the horse.
"Turn! Please Turn!" She tugged on the reigns, as the horse finally obeyed her will, turning and narrowly evaded the branch. Eomer finally caught up to the horse and jumped on its back, resuming his place behind her on the saddle. His laughter continued as he took the reigns from her shocked and limp hands.
"You did well turning the horse. That is something to proud of. You did considerably well for your first time." There was silence. "Sorry I left you alone. I did not expect the horse to be so fickle. Once we get to Edoras, I will find you a better horse that you may use. Will that please you?"
"Humm very much. This one seems too warrior like for me." Her words seemed a little slurred and strung together.
"Are you feeling ill? You do not sound well."
"Oh no. I feel fine. Just a certain branch and myself had a little, disagreement you could say. I got closer than I would have liked." She smiled up at Eomer and he returned one.
"So what is this disagreement? And who won?"
"The branch had one up on me, but I got back at him by missing his friend that was trying to get your horse."
"So you got hit?" Eomer asked with an exclamation.
"More of a bump, but I am fine! It takes more than bark to get me down."
"If you are sure you are alright then I shall not worry." As he finished his statement, Tinioniel leaned back against his armor, almost falling off the horse. Eomer caught her in surprise. Tinioniel let out a small giggle as she continued to try and reassure Eomer.
"Really, I am perfectly fine. There is nothing wrong. I am just a little dizzy."
"Disagreement indeed. Well look at me so I can see what damage was done, please." Tinioniel looked up at him with admiration.
"You said please." A smile crossed her face like a new dawn as blood trickled very slowly from her temple. "I believe that is the first time you have ever asked me with out really commanding it." Eomer smiled gently like a breeze as he tore a shred of his garment.
"I do not want to start a fight with you, so I might as well have said please to begin with and save time." He dabbed at her scrape with his cloth. Tinioniel winced under the pressure of the fabric on her cut. "I am sorry. Rider's hands; they are rough and calloused and do not know the right time to be gentle."
"Do not apologize. It is nothing to worry about, I do no understand why you fret over such a thing. It is a little scratch!"
"Aye a scratch but it is on your fair head." Eomer replied. Tinioniel looked up at him, deep into his stormy eyes. Her cheeks were brushed with a rose as she felt his gaze bore into her soul. She turned her gaze from him and smiled. Trying to change the subject, Tinioniel stared aheadhat
"I am tired, would it be alright if I take a short rest?"
"Of course, Tinioniel." She sat side saddled and stared up at Eomer once again.
"Promise that I will go with you and you won't just pass me off to someone to go to Edoras?" Eomer looked at her shocked.
"I am greatly wounded! You think that even after I told you I would look after you and take you with me, that I would leave you in someone else's care? I think not." Tinioniel sighed as she stared off into the distance during his drama queen moment.
"Just making sure. I didn't wish to wake up in this Golden Hall I hear about instead of with you." Tinioniel caught her words in her throat, wishing she had not added the 'with you' part. "and with Aragorn, and Legolas, Gandalf, and all my other friends." She tried a quick cover up, hoping it would not be too noticeable.
"It is understandable. Do not worry your injured little head. I will keep watch over you."
"Then you are right, I have nothing to fear." Tinioniel bent her head down and fell asleep propped against nothing. After a short while, she curled up next to Eomer, her arms around his waist and her head lying gently on his chest. Eomer looked surprised, and in all his years of fighting and facing the terrible evils of this world, was at a loss of what to do with the fluttering he felt in his heart. His lips curled upwards forming a small smile, as his hand released the reigns and encircled her petite frame, like the night holding on to the most precious of stars.
PLEASE REVIEW!
Gandalf remember Tinioniel talking about Legolas explaining the elves to her in more than one instance.
"Jessica is your real name. Do you remember nothing about your life?"
"My life is here Gandalf; as it always has been."
"Oh? And what have you been doing in all your years in Middle Earth?" Tinioniel looked at him apprehensively and answered him.
"You have taught me all I know. Everything I am, I am because of you. You are my teacher. You have taught me all I know." Tinioniel made her eyes and hands glow fiercely with an emerald flame. "Do you not remember all that you have taught me?"
"Aye, Tinioniel, I do remember what I have taught you. Do you remember anything before that?" Tinioniel laughed a melodious laugh as the jaded fire began to wane. "Of course!" Gandalf sighed a small relief. "I ran away from an attack on my village from orcs. You found me and took me to shelter and Helm's Deep."
"Anything before that? What about your village? Do you know anything about it?" Tinioniel's face scrunched as she rummaged around her remaining memories.
"No, actually. Nothing really comes to mind right now." Gandalf frowned at her unsettling confession as he glanced and Gimli, then to Legolas.
"Well we had better go and regroup. We don't want to be left behind now do we?" Gandalf's face forged a fake smile as the four of them took their steps closer to their group.
- ~ * ~ -
Tinioniel walked along with the group, carefree about the conversation that took place earlier concerning her past. She simply stared ahead feeling very at peace with everything, until she saw the very unsettling look that had befallen Aragorn. She quickened her pace slightly as she caught up to Aragorn's horse. She walked beside him for a while, silence laying between them like a light mist.
"Aragorn, what troubles you?" Her voice sounded anew and had an air of mystery and charm.
"There is nothing." Aragorn's eyes deceived him as he feigned a smile.
"I understand. If you do not wish to talk about it then that does not bother me. It does bother me, however, that you feel the need to lie about your troubles. I am deeply wounded Lord Aragorn! I shall go and leave you to your thoughts then" Tinioniel inhaled deeply, trying to express her hurt, as she slowed her pace to fall behind the side of the man. Aragorn laughed slightly and dismounted his horse.
"Excuse my rudeness. Please, accompany me for a while." Tinioniel's face lit up like a child's as she walked beside Aragorn.
"So what's the deal with you and this Arwen chick?" Aragorn's face was perplexed with this reference to a baby chicken. "I mean, it is very obvious that you are in love with her. What confuses me is the fact that you look so down all the time. You have found the love of your life and you know it. Why then do you push it away?" Aragorn felt uncomfortable by diving into a deep conversation so quickly. "Weird weather we are having. Looks as if it might rain." Tinioniel paused. "Yep, it's gonna rain. Can you smell it? I love the smell of rain."
"You confuse me." Tinioniel smiled at his comment.
"I may be confusing but I changed the subject so you wouldn't have to answer my question." Tinioniel winked and fell behind his large pace to go find Eomer. He smiled, realizing that she was both caring and sensitive to others feelings. 'What confuses me, Tinioniel,' Aragorn began to think to himself. 'is why you have not come to terms with the man you know deep inside that you love.' As she searched, Tinioniel heard footsteps approaching her. She recognized the light sound, and slowed her tracks even more. "Yes, Legolas. What is it?" Tinioniel spoke as she turned around.
"How did you know that it was me?"
"Only an elf would tread as soft. Is there something wrong or do you merely wish to walk with me?" Legolas brushed away the fact of her hearing being startling acute, and began to talk with her.
"I have been sensing something from you, a strange force unknown to me, and it disquiets me." Tinioniel laughed lightly.
"Surely an elven prince is not scared of a girl! What about me frightens you?"
"It is nothing of you. You are fair and pleasant enough," Legolas smiled but it faded quickly. "there is something beneath that I have never seen before. Nothing I have ever felt inside of someone; a raw, untamed power dwelling within you like a shadow." Tinioniel looked deeply into his elven face and saw that there was in fact an uncertainty concerning her. Legolas' smile reappeared as he playfully nudged her shoulder. "I will be leaving soon, along with Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, Gamling, King Theoden," Tinioniel looked down at the ground at his statement. "and Eomer shall be leaving as well." She quickly looked up into Legolas' eyes, whom\ was expecting some sort of displeased action, and quickly switched her gaze back to the dirt. "The rest of the people shall return to Edoras. It is the capitol of Rohan, a beautiful city set high on the peak of a mountain. Eowyn is going to Edoras as well." A white horse with a brown and gold saddle pulled up beside Legolas. He mounted the horse and looked down at Tinioniel.
"What are you riding for? Where are you going?"
"We ride for a dark place overthrown. You will see." He galloped through the crowd, reaching down and pulling up a fussing creature that could only be Gimli. Tinioniel felt a slight grin grow on her face, but the despondency that set within her heart was heavier than any grin could outweigh. She sighed softly, as her breath melded with the sight breeze that gently brushed her hair. 'Eowyn will be there. I will not be alone.' Her thoughts escaped her as she started to speak softly.
"But I do not wish to leave behind those whom I have grown so close to." She took in a sharp breath as and hand was gently shoved into view and a deep voice began to speak.
"Then do not leave them at all." Tinioniel turned around and saw Eomer gazing at her, his arm outstretched. "Ride with me." Eomer's voice, but a mere whisper traveled to her ears on light words.
"You mean I can come with you? Instead of going to Edoras?"
"If it be your wish not to go to the Golden Hall, then I will gladly take you were I am going. I think wise if you stay close to Gandalf. Are you going to take my hand, or would you like me to just keep in this position?"
"What will you do if I take your hand?" Tinioniel asked, a distrusting look upon her face as she tentatively reached for his hand. Eomer lunged forward and grabbed her hand.
"Nothing!" He replied with a big smile. He started to pull her closer to him and replaced his hand around her waist. Tinioniel began to put things together.
"No, Eomer! Do not put me on that horse! I don't want to ride! You have made me so deathly afraid of the creatures!" Eomer laughed but did not stop drawing her closer. "Eomer, please don't!" He ignored her constant protesting and pulled her up to his side, not quite on the horse. His laughter resounded above Tinioniel's objections.
"There is nothing to be afraid of! Listen to me, I will teach you how to ride. You can sit here in front of me and take the reigns." Tinioniel glanced at the saddle as she was clutched close to Eomer's body. She looked down at the ground below her, from which her feet no longer touched. She groaned at her defeat and finally gave in.
"Fine! Fine! Just promise you will take over when I don't want to do this anymore."
"But of course my lady." Eomer finished helping her on the horse with little effort of his strong form. Tinioniel looked very displease with herself for giving up so easily. Eomer was seated behind her, and put his arms around her, handing over the reigns. "Alright, to get started, make sure you have a firm grip around the reigns.
"You didn't have to tell me that. It is out of fear that my hands are bound so tight."
"Just relax. The horses can tell when you are nervous. You must be at ease. Ok. To get going, give the horse a little kick."
"You want me to kick it?" Tinioniel exclaimed, surprised and upset.
"You will not hurt it, believe me. Just a little kick. Not too hard, but be forceful enough to let it know who is in control."
"But I don't know what I am doing! Wouldn't it be better if you just directed it where to go?"
"If I did that, then you would never learn." Tinioniel glanced at him then back at the reigns in her sheet white hands. Tinioniel closed her eyes tightly and winced as she kicked the horse, a little too rough then was meant to be. The horse let out a surprised yelp and reared up on its hind legs. Eomer, stunned, slid off the back of the horse, landing fiercely on the dirty ground. Eomer laid in shock as time slowly swept by, but as soon as his breath was returned to him, he bolted up and saw Tinioniel looking back at him with a horrid look on her face. Eomer laughed as he swiftly got to his feet and started to chase down the horse.
"Eomer!" Tinioniel yelled out, afraid and without reason. She tried talking to the horse. "Please stop! Slow down?" Even tugging on the reigns did not end the horse's urgency. "Eomer get up here now!" Tinioniel yelled commanded, upset that he left her on the horse. Eomer was catching up, laughing at the situation with ever step.
"It's alright! Just hold on!" Eomer spoke in between his laughter. He saw a tree up ahead whose branches were hanging low. His pace quickened as he called out to Tinioniel. "Tree!" Tinioniel glanced at the oncoming branch and ducked, barely missing it. She picked her head back up and saw how close the escape had been, only to find another branch ahead. She tried to avoid it, but she did not react quickly enough. The branch met her head, causing Tinioniel to see black for a short time before the world returned to her. Her head ached as she saw yet another branch, low enough to hit the horse.
"Turn! Please Turn!" She tugged on the reigns, as the horse finally obeyed her will, turning and narrowly evaded the branch. Eomer finally caught up to the horse and jumped on its back, resuming his place behind her on the saddle. His laughter continued as he took the reigns from her shocked and limp hands.
"You did well turning the horse. That is something to proud of. You did considerably well for your first time." There was silence. "Sorry I left you alone. I did not expect the horse to be so fickle. Once we get to Edoras, I will find you a better horse that you may use. Will that please you?"
"Humm very much. This one seems too warrior like for me." Her words seemed a little slurred and strung together.
"Are you feeling ill? You do not sound well."
"Oh no. I feel fine. Just a certain branch and myself had a little, disagreement you could say. I got closer than I would have liked." She smiled up at Eomer and he returned one.
"So what is this disagreement? And who won?"
"The branch had one up on me, but I got back at him by missing his friend that was trying to get your horse."
"So you got hit?" Eomer asked with an exclamation.
"More of a bump, but I am fine! It takes more than bark to get me down."
"If you are sure you are alright then I shall not worry." As he finished his statement, Tinioniel leaned back against his armor, almost falling off the horse. Eomer caught her in surprise. Tinioniel let out a small giggle as she continued to try and reassure Eomer.
"Really, I am perfectly fine. There is nothing wrong. I am just a little dizzy."
"Disagreement indeed. Well look at me so I can see what damage was done, please." Tinioniel looked up at him with admiration.
"You said please." A smile crossed her face like a new dawn as blood trickled very slowly from her temple. "I believe that is the first time you have ever asked me with out really commanding it." Eomer smiled gently like a breeze as he tore a shred of his garment.
"I do not want to start a fight with you, so I might as well have said please to begin with and save time." He dabbed at her scrape with his cloth. Tinioniel winced under the pressure of the fabric on her cut. "I am sorry. Rider's hands; they are rough and calloused and do not know the right time to be gentle."
"Do not apologize. It is nothing to worry about, I do no understand why you fret over such a thing. It is a little scratch!"
"Aye a scratch but it is on your fair head." Eomer replied. Tinioniel looked up at him, deep into his stormy eyes. Her cheeks were brushed with a rose as she felt his gaze bore into her soul. She turned her gaze from him and smiled. Trying to change the subject, Tinioniel stared aheadhat
"I am tired, would it be alright if I take a short rest?"
"Of course, Tinioniel." She sat side saddled and stared up at Eomer once again.
"Promise that I will go with you and you won't just pass me off to someone to go to Edoras?" Eomer looked at her shocked.
"I am greatly wounded! You think that even after I told you I would look after you and take you with me, that I would leave you in someone else's care? I think not." Tinioniel sighed as she stared off into the distance during his drama queen moment.
"Just making sure. I didn't wish to wake up in this Golden Hall I hear about instead of with you." Tinioniel caught her words in her throat, wishing she had not added the 'with you' part. "and with Aragorn, and Legolas, Gandalf, and all my other friends." She tried a quick cover up, hoping it would not be too noticeable.
"It is understandable. Do not worry your injured little head. I will keep watch over you."
"Then you are right, I have nothing to fear." Tinioniel bent her head down and fell asleep propped against nothing. After a short while, she curled up next to Eomer, her arms around his waist and her head lying gently on his chest. Eomer looked surprised, and in all his years of fighting and facing the terrible evils of this world, was at a loss of what to do with the fluttering he felt in his heart. His lips curled upwards forming a small smile, as his hand released the reigns and encircled her petite frame, like the night holding on to the most precious of stars.