CH X. Moment of truth: two kinds of love
Aregnor was on the brink of collapsing of lack of sleep and nutrition. He stumbled towards his kingdom. Under the moon, he looked up and lifted his sword. He had won. Saron was defeated. He reached his friends, Legalos, Glomli, Frohic, Sen, Pelegg, Marar and Gondalf. Gondir acclaimed their king. He was crowned by Felemir, brother of Belemir, before his strong race of men. The only thought in his mind was his dear Undowen. When would she arrive, he thought. Had she known the news? Of course she would have. Middle-Earth was saved from the traitorous evil. After having waited a few days for her, he left for Havendell.
He galloped through the landscape like an arrow. He stopped at nothing. Aregnor arrived in Havendell and as he slowly reached the path to Narond's home, he jumped of his horse and felt a tingle up his back. Darkness had already started to fall.
'Aregnor!' a man's voice shouted behind him.
Aregnor turned his head and saw Legalos.
'You thought I could let thou go home alone? I too have much anticipation to coming back to my native lands' Legalos said smiling. Aregnor went over and hugged his battle partner like a brother.
-'Come now, we shall seek our beloved.'
The two men walked proudly towards the door without noticing Narond looking down in his courtyard from a balcony. Amaranth was in her bedroom with Eldarim when she felt overwhelmed by the feeling of someone approaching. They walked up the stairway to reach their ladies' rooms. Amaranth picked the baby up and nestled his head on her shoulder and stepped in the hallway. It was as if time stood still when she saw Legalos coming up the stairs. Slowly he came closer, one step at a time as his beautiful long hair floated with his movements. He was in awe at the sight of Amaranth holding the infant. She walked towards him with tears of joy rolling down her cheeks. As he passionately wrapped her in his arms, she felt relieved.
'Is this my son?' he whispered. But she nodded negatively.
She took the baby towards Aregnor and gave it to him. He cautiously held the small life.
-'I feel this is truly a blessing. I can't express the honour.'. He fell into tears as he kissed the baby's forehead. He was merely a few days old but he didn't cry in this stranger's arms.
Legalos and Amaranth held each other condoling themselves with the happiness they felt towards their dear friend. 'Congratulations!' Legalos exclaimed.
At that instant, Narond arrived behind Legolas and welcomed him to his home. He didn't lay eyes on Aregnor but he didn't have to because Aregnor walked towards him and with a knee to the floor he asked to see Undowen. Seeing Aregnor is his royal clothing, Narond placed a hand on his head and said 'There is much that has changed, please stand for what you are about to hear will be difficult.'
Suddenly, she appeared 'Stop!' Undowen shouted.
Aregnor stood up and looked at his promised one.
-' 'Tis best if the news comes from her own mouth' Narond told Aregnor as he took the baby from his arms and brought him to his cradle.
She continued 'I am shocked to see you alive.'
'And I, sorry for having missed our child's birth', said Aregnor. They stood at least two meters apart.
'What must you tell me?' he asked. 'I'd rather not speak of that this instant. I'm so happy to see you, my love.' She hesitated and then, ran and jumped into his arms and he held her legs around his waist. She kissed him languorously.
She stood and grabbed his shirt 'Come my King.' pulling him towards a secluded room. They quietly made their way into the room, carefully avoiding any eyes that may be watching. His heart skipped a beat. In the small room there was a bathtub and a chair. She closed the door behind them and pushed the chair in front of it while telling him to sit.
He laughed and said 'As you please.' He did as told.
Beside her, there was a fire to heat water. She poured warm water in the bath while the cauldron heated. He pulled her towards him and she sat on his lap. She smiled as he traced circles on her steamy skin. Small lanterns outside were the only light along the walkways that spilled light in the small room. She told him to close his eyes. When he did so, she stood up and started undressing herself. He opened an eye and saw her divine body. She was so serious in her task, drawing shaky breaths between pulses. His head was tilted slightly to one side as he watched her, she noted with a small, rebellious surge of triumph the obvious bulge in his trousers. When all she wore was a silk undergarment, she started undressing him. His sharp intake of breath indicated his senses becoming instantly alert.
'If your father-' Slim fingers pressed quickly to his lips. 'He is asleep, as is the rest of Havendell. We are quite alone.' When he was completely undressed, she brought him towards her and helped him climb in the bath. The water hit his flesh like a thousand kisses. It cleansed as well as purified. She slipped on top of him in the tub keeping her silk dress on.
'Open your eyes,' she told him. He looked tenderly at her and found himself closing out all other ambient sounds in the room and concentrate on just listening to her breathing.
'Is this a dream?' he asked.
'Yes, a very good dream,' she replied.
He breathed in the dense, moisture-rich air and it propelled his eyes to shut against reality, willing himself to be overwhelmed by his desires. She filled her small palm with a substance before working it into a bubbly lather and smoothing it into his hair. The steam from inside of the bathroom began to float and her scent filled his nostrils. A mischievous grin tugged at the corners of her mouth. His breath caught. His head lulled, as she remained speechless watching him.
She rinsed his hair gently pouring water that dibbled down his toned upper body. She asked 'What were you thinking of?', laying her head on his bare chest.
'When we first met,' he answered, meeting her gaze as she looked up at him from her casual spot on his body.
'Forgive me Undowen, for I did not see the true passion of my love for you. When I left for Mirdor, I told you to leave for Valinor and if you had left, I would have regretted it the rest of my life. You are my one, my only. The reason I kept on living, fighting.' He entwined his fingers into her hair.
-'It was difficult to be without you, more than I could ever explain with words. I.' She wanted to tell him the truth about Aldaron but she bit her lip. 'I love you' she simply finished. Gradually he became aware of trembling, but whether it came from her or him, he couldn't tell. Possibly both of them.
The next morning, light filled Undowen's bedroom. Narond walked towards the room and pushed the door and noticed two pairs of feet tangled, sticking out from under the sheets. He was enraged to see the dark clothes on the floor. He approached carefully hands clasped behind his back, robe trailing like a shadow, wondering if it was Aldaron or Aregnor. He saw what aghast him the most, a glimmering object as pure as a ray of light and as sumptuous as a flower, Undowen's pendant around Aregnor's neck. Undowen heard her baby crying. Narond left the room, shunning her, and she heard only a breeze flowing out of the room as she folded the covers to her side. She shifted in the bed and sat up looking at Aregnor sleeping beside her. He lay still upon the bed. She stared at the peaceful look on his face for a long time.
When she moved to get out of bed, he grabbed her wrist. 'I will go, my love.' She nodded sinking back into the bed as he kissed her. He reached for his clothes and left the room.
In the next room lay the beautiful golden cradle. Aregnor reached in and took the small boy in his arms. He spoke silently to the infant before walking towards Undowen's room. Standing in the doorway, Aregnor froze as he saw a stranger with Undowen. She had put Aregnor's shirt over her nude body. He stayed silent, listening. They were arguing. Aldaron was holding her hands in his. All he heard was 'he's not yours, Aldaron. I am certain of this.' Undowen saw Aregnor standing before them. She rushed to him and took Eldarim.
'Please excuse me, Aldaron. I must feed my son,' she said with a severe tone. Aldaron looked at her for a moment, opened his mouth to speak but decided to walk towards the door. As he got to the door, Aregnor stopped him with a firm grip.
'Who are you?' he asked.
'Her husband' he replied retrieving his arm in one motion.
Anger and confusion rushed into Aregnor's eyes as his fist clenched.
-'Is this true?'
-'No' Undowen whispered sitting in the red velvet chair near the window breastfeeding her child. 'I must tell you my secret before it destroys me completely.'
He kneeled at her lap and kissing her hand, he asked -'What is it?'
-'Please do not make this more difficult.'
-'I am only trying to help, Undowen.'
-'Yes, I know. Listen.' she took a deep breath, 'He made love to me, before, when you had already left several days before for Mirdor.'
-'The man who just left?'
-'Aldaron, yes.'
Aregnor was tense. -'Against your will or.'
-'No.'
Aregnor stood up slowly and stopped in the doorway only to say: -'Hear me this, since you, to non-regardance, cast my fate...' he pointed outside 'this man whom I know you must love and, by heaven, where he sits at your side as my despised and your husband, I shall add that Narond and he, have won.' He walked out with his heart on his sleeve.
Amaranth and Legalos were awake and were walking in the hallway to go eat downstairs. When they passed Undowen's room and heard her crying, they entered.
-'You told him,' Amaranth said. She nodded. -'It was the best thing to do,' Amaranth condoled her. Legalos stated-'I will go find him. Don't worry, dear Undowen.'He left the two women.
Aregnor was sitting on a stone bench, clenching his small dagger and sliding his other hand across the blade. The blood from the narrow cut trickled to the ground. It was then that a gentle hand fell on his shoulder, a touch like that of summer rain lightly glazing the ground it touches. Aregnor pushed back his elbow to make Legalos retrieve his hand. Legalos stayed at a distance and told him:
'You are furious my king but, do not let your only desire drown in tears for you.'
Aregnor stayed a moment silent and then, spoke -'All of this time. why? While I fought for her. Does she care not? I will never forget how I feel.'
Legalos replied -'I will try to make this moment last only a few hours and not until such a time as eternity.'
-'I carry only heavy thoughts now.'
-'You will not find relief in thy thoughts, but in thy heart.'
-'But I shall wake with the dark wings of sadness overshadowing my joy in the day, I know too well that time does not pass easily.'
-'Those are the things, which plague your mind? You must talk to her. I am certain the feelings she has for him have never been and those same feelings for you have never left. If that is not enough to make your days happy, than I don't know you at all.'
Legalos noticed Aregnor slicing his hand and he grabbed his dagger only to be pushed aside and to be threatened by Aregnor pushing him to the ground and holding the weapon to his throat.
'Aregnor, I am only of help, please let go,' Legalos asked him.
Aregnor backed away and, realizing his act, he dropped his knife in shame. 'Forgive me, Legalos.'
Legalos lifted himself from the ground and helped Aregnor up who took him in his arms. Aregnor said 'Everything has changed now and the only person I can rely on is you, dear friend. I am not angry with anyone except Aldaron but my emotions cannot be contained. I am afraid that if I go to her, had I the heart to do it, I should kill what I love with a savage jealousy at hand.'
-'Know this, the more time you spend telling me your thoughts, will permit her to detach herself from you as she thinks you have left. To my eyes she regrets deeply.'
Aregnor came in Undowen's room and saw her looking out the window. She had given the baby to Amaranth and was alone. She glanced at him and a single tear rolled down her cheek. He walked over to her and wiped the tear 'I shall not make you cry. I only want you to be happy, with or without me.' She saw his hand wrapped in a cloth stained with blood and enveloped it with her own hands.
-''Tis with you that I would be happy. Forgive me for I was weak and in despair with my father's wishes, I gave in. 'Tis now that I realize the chance I took of losing that which I love.'
-'I hath but a question, Aregnor continued 'is the child mine?'
-'The truth I do not truly know.'
He knew the worries of her heart. His gaze fell to the floor. She continued 'Galadria would know.'
-'Where is Aldaron now?' Aregnor asked.
-'Does it matter?'
Aregnor brought her hands to his chest, protectively covering them with his own.
-'If it does.' he trailed off.
-'I care not.'
-'I want him to be as far away from you as possible.'
-'Do not think of him as a threat,' she hesitated and then added 'You have a good heart, Aregnor.'
-'If I encounter him, I fear I will not hold back to revenge his deed'
She smiled, a sad understanding smile.
-'He told me, he does not wish to quarrel.' She brushed a strand of hair behind his ear.
Aregnor was on the brink of collapsing of lack of sleep and nutrition. He stumbled towards his kingdom. Under the moon, he looked up and lifted his sword. He had won. Saron was defeated. He reached his friends, Legalos, Glomli, Frohic, Sen, Pelegg, Marar and Gondalf. Gondir acclaimed their king. He was crowned by Felemir, brother of Belemir, before his strong race of men. The only thought in his mind was his dear Undowen. When would she arrive, he thought. Had she known the news? Of course she would have. Middle-Earth was saved from the traitorous evil. After having waited a few days for her, he left for Havendell.
He galloped through the landscape like an arrow. He stopped at nothing. Aregnor arrived in Havendell and as he slowly reached the path to Narond's home, he jumped of his horse and felt a tingle up his back. Darkness had already started to fall.
'Aregnor!' a man's voice shouted behind him.
Aregnor turned his head and saw Legalos.
'You thought I could let thou go home alone? I too have much anticipation to coming back to my native lands' Legalos said smiling. Aregnor went over and hugged his battle partner like a brother.
-'Come now, we shall seek our beloved.'
The two men walked proudly towards the door without noticing Narond looking down in his courtyard from a balcony. Amaranth was in her bedroom with Eldarim when she felt overwhelmed by the feeling of someone approaching. They walked up the stairway to reach their ladies' rooms. Amaranth picked the baby up and nestled his head on her shoulder and stepped in the hallway. It was as if time stood still when she saw Legalos coming up the stairs. Slowly he came closer, one step at a time as his beautiful long hair floated with his movements. He was in awe at the sight of Amaranth holding the infant. She walked towards him with tears of joy rolling down her cheeks. As he passionately wrapped her in his arms, she felt relieved.
'Is this my son?' he whispered. But she nodded negatively.
She took the baby towards Aregnor and gave it to him. He cautiously held the small life.
-'I feel this is truly a blessing. I can't express the honour.'. He fell into tears as he kissed the baby's forehead. He was merely a few days old but he didn't cry in this stranger's arms.
Legalos and Amaranth held each other condoling themselves with the happiness they felt towards their dear friend. 'Congratulations!' Legalos exclaimed.
At that instant, Narond arrived behind Legolas and welcomed him to his home. He didn't lay eyes on Aregnor but he didn't have to because Aregnor walked towards him and with a knee to the floor he asked to see Undowen. Seeing Aregnor is his royal clothing, Narond placed a hand on his head and said 'There is much that has changed, please stand for what you are about to hear will be difficult.'
Suddenly, she appeared 'Stop!' Undowen shouted.
Aregnor stood up and looked at his promised one.
-' 'Tis best if the news comes from her own mouth' Narond told Aregnor as he took the baby from his arms and brought him to his cradle.
She continued 'I am shocked to see you alive.'
'And I, sorry for having missed our child's birth', said Aregnor. They stood at least two meters apart.
'What must you tell me?' he asked. 'I'd rather not speak of that this instant. I'm so happy to see you, my love.' She hesitated and then, ran and jumped into his arms and he held her legs around his waist. She kissed him languorously.
She stood and grabbed his shirt 'Come my King.' pulling him towards a secluded room. They quietly made their way into the room, carefully avoiding any eyes that may be watching. His heart skipped a beat. In the small room there was a bathtub and a chair. She closed the door behind them and pushed the chair in front of it while telling him to sit.
He laughed and said 'As you please.' He did as told.
Beside her, there was a fire to heat water. She poured warm water in the bath while the cauldron heated. He pulled her towards him and she sat on his lap. She smiled as he traced circles on her steamy skin. Small lanterns outside were the only light along the walkways that spilled light in the small room. She told him to close his eyes. When he did so, she stood up and started undressing herself. He opened an eye and saw her divine body. She was so serious in her task, drawing shaky breaths between pulses. His head was tilted slightly to one side as he watched her, she noted with a small, rebellious surge of triumph the obvious bulge in his trousers. When all she wore was a silk undergarment, she started undressing him. His sharp intake of breath indicated his senses becoming instantly alert.
'If your father-' Slim fingers pressed quickly to his lips. 'He is asleep, as is the rest of Havendell. We are quite alone.' When he was completely undressed, she brought him towards her and helped him climb in the bath. The water hit his flesh like a thousand kisses. It cleansed as well as purified. She slipped on top of him in the tub keeping her silk dress on.
'Open your eyes,' she told him. He looked tenderly at her and found himself closing out all other ambient sounds in the room and concentrate on just listening to her breathing.
'Is this a dream?' he asked.
'Yes, a very good dream,' she replied.
He breathed in the dense, moisture-rich air and it propelled his eyes to shut against reality, willing himself to be overwhelmed by his desires. She filled her small palm with a substance before working it into a bubbly lather and smoothing it into his hair. The steam from inside of the bathroom began to float and her scent filled his nostrils. A mischievous grin tugged at the corners of her mouth. His breath caught. His head lulled, as she remained speechless watching him.
She rinsed his hair gently pouring water that dibbled down his toned upper body. She asked 'What were you thinking of?', laying her head on his bare chest.
'When we first met,' he answered, meeting her gaze as she looked up at him from her casual spot on his body.
'Forgive me Undowen, for I did not see the true passion of my love for you. When I left for Mirdor, I told you to leave for Valinor and if you had left, I would have regretted it the rest of my life. You are my one, my only. The reason I kept on living, fighting.' He entwined his fingers into her hair.
-'It was difficult to be without you, more than I could ever explain with words. I.' She wanted to tell him the truth about Aldaron but she bit her lip. 'I love you' she simply finished. Gradually he became aware of trembling, but whether it came from her or him, he couldn't tell. Possibly both of them.
The next morning, light filled Undowen's bedroom. Narond walked towards the room and pushed the door and noticed two pairs of feet tangled, sticking out from under the sheets. He was enraged to see the dark clothes on the floor. He approached carefully hands clasped behind his back, robe trailing like a shadow, wondering if it was Aldaron or Aregnor. He saw what aghast him the most, a glimmering object as pure as a ray of light and as sumptuous as a flower, Undowen's pendant around Aregnor's neck. Undowen heard her baby crying. Narond left the room, shunning her, and she heard only a breeze flowing out of the room as she folded the covers to her side. She shifted in the bed and sat up looking at Aregnor sleeping beside her. He lay still upon the bed. She stared at the peaceful look on his face for a long time.
When she moved to get out of bed, he grabbed her wrist. 'I will go, my love.' She nodded sinking back into the bed as he kissed her. He reached for his clothes and left the room.
In the next room lay the beautiful golden cradle. Aregnor reached in and took the small boy in his arms. He spoke silently to the infant before walking towards Undowen's room. Standing in the doorway, Aregnor froze as he saw a stranger with Undowen. She had put Aregnor's shirt over her nude body. He stayed silent, listening. They were arguing. Aldaron was holding her hands in his. All he heard was 'he's not yours, Aldaron. I am certain of this.' Undowen saw Aregnor standing before them. She rushed to him and took Eldarim.
'Please excuse me, Aldaron. I must feed my son,' she said with a severe tone. Aldaron looked at her for a moment, opened his mouth to speak but decided to walk towards the door. As he got to the door, Aregnor stopped him with a firm grip.
'Who are you?' he asked.
'Her husband' he replied retrieving his arm in one motion.
Anger and confusion rushed into Aregnor's eyes as his fist clenched.
-'Is this true?'
-'No' Undowen whispered sitting in the red velvet chair near the window breastfeeding her child. 'I must tell you my secret before it destroys me completely.'
He kneeled at her lap and kissing her hand, he asked -'What is it?'
-'Please do not make this more difficult.'
-'I am only trying to help, Undowen.'
-'Yes, I know. Listen.' she took a deep breath, 'He made love to me, before, when you had already left several days before for Mirdor.'
-'The man who just left?'
-'Aldaron, yes.'
Aregnor was tense. -'Against your will or.'
-'No.'
Aregnor stood up slowly and stopped in the doorway only to say: -'Hear me this, since you, to non-regardance, cast my fate...' he pointed outside 'this man whom I know you must love and, by heaven, where he sits at your side as my despised and your husband, I shall add that Narond and he, have won.' He walked out with his heart on his sleeve.
Amaranth and Legalos were awake and were walking in the hallway to go eat downstairs. When they passed Undowen's room and heard her crying, they entered.
-'You told him,' Amaranth said. She nodded. -'It was the best thing to do,' Amaranth condoled her. Legalos stated-'I will go find him. Don't worry, dear Undowen.'He left the two women.
Aregnor was sitting on a stone bench, clenching his small dagger and sliding his other hand across the blade. The blood from the narrow cut trickled to the ground. It was then that a gentle hand fell on his shoulder, a touch like that of summer rain lightly glazing the ground it touches. Aregnor pushed back his elbow to make Legalos retrieve his hand. Legalos stayed at a distance and told him:
'You are furious my king but, do not let your only desire drown in tears for you.'
Aregnor stayed a moment silent and then, spoke -'All of this time. why? While I fought for her. Does she care not? I will never forget how I feel.'
Legalos replied -'I will try to make this moment last only a few hours and not until such a time as eternity.'
-'I carry only heavy thoughts now.'
-'You will not find relief in thy thoughts, but in thy heart.'
-'But I shall wake with the dark wings of sadness overshadowing my joy in the day, I know too well that time does not pass easily.'
-'Those are the things, which plague your mind? You must talk to her. I am certain the feelings she has for him have never been and those same feelings for you have never left. If that is not enough to make your days happy, than I don't know you at all.'
Legalos noticed Aregnor slicing his hand and he grabbed his dagger only to be pushed aside and to be threatened by Aregnor pushing him to the ground and holding the weapon to his throat.
'Aregnor, I am only of help, please let go,' Legalos asked him.
Aregnor backed away and, realizing his act, he dropped his knife in shame. 'Forgive me, Legalos.'
Legalos lifted himself from the ground and helped Aregnor up who took him in his arms. Aregnor said 'Everything has changed now and the only person I can rely on is you, dear friend. I am not angry with anyone except Aldaron but my emotions cannot be contained. I am afraid that if I go to her, had I the heart to do it, I should kill what I love with a savage jealousy at hand.'
-'Know this, the more time you spend telling me your thoughts, will permit her to detach herself from you as she thinks you have left. To my eyes she regrets deeply.'
Aregnor came in Undowen's room and saw her looking out the window. She had given the baby to Amaranth and was alone. She glanced at him and a single tear rolled down her cheek. He walked over to her and wiped the tear 'I shall not make you cry. I only want you to be happy, with or without me.' She saw his hand wrapped in a cloth stained with blood and enveloped it with her own hands.
-''Tis with you that I would be happy. Forgive me for I was weak and in despair with my father's wishes, I gave in. 'Tis now that I realize the chance I took of losing that which I love.'
-'I hath but a question, Aregnor continued 'is the child mine?'
-'The truth I do not truly know.'
He knew the worries of her heart. His gaze fell to the floor. She continued 'Galadria would know.'
-'Where is Aldaron now?' Aregnor asked.
-'Does it matter?'
Aregnor brought her hands to his chest, protectively covering them with his own.
-'If it does.' he trailed off.
-'I care not.'
-'I want him to be as far away from you as possible.'
-'Do not think of him as a threat,' she hesitated and then added 'You have a good heart, Aregnor.'
-'If I encounter him, I fear I will not hold back to revenge his deed'
She smiled, a sad understanding smile.
-'He told me, he does not wish to quarrel.' She brushed a strand of hair behind his ear.