3 Halle
-
Éomer stared at Éowyn. "Sister?" he questioned slowly. "Are you sure that you want to do this?"
She took a deep, staggering breath. "I am sure. There is no reason for me to remain unattached, for I can help my home by doing this. Faramir is a good man. He will treat me right. I can be…" Éowyn's voice cracked. "I can be happy with him…"
Her brother looked at her in alarm. Éowyn was not normally so upset. Éomer got up from his chair, and hurried to Éowyn's side. He placed a comforting hand under her elbow. "Éowyn, what ails you? Tell me, sweet sister!"
Éowyn wiped the tears from her eyes. "Nothing, Éomer." Her eyes blazed with passion and anger. "I was a fool to believe in love. I was a fool before, my brother. Something has happened to open my eyes. I realize now where my path lies. I am going to serve my homeland. I must sacrifice for the greater good."
"Dearest, you know that once you give your hand to Lord Faramir, it cannot be taken back. A betrothal cannot be broken. You must go through with the marriage. In most cases, marriages are forever."
Forever. Legolas would be living forever. Éowyn choked back another round of tears. "If anyone loves me enough to challenge this decision, then I believe they will be able. During those years, however, I can accomplish the greater good. I can become a hero to my people."
"Then go, good sister! And I thank you with all my heart!" Éomer hugged Éowyn tightly. "Be wise with your decisions, little one. I do not want you to make the wrong choice."
"I will not make the wrong choice," Éowyn said coldly. "I am right in this."
--
Legolas sped throughout the Houses of Healing with great haste. His exhaustion had faded and the only thing he now knew was that it was imperative for him to find Éowyn. Legolas had never been involved in a "serious" relationship with another being, no matter what their race, in all of his life. He had never experienced anything quite like what he felt when he was with Éowyn, and had never met anyone quite like her before. All he knew now is that he must gain her back.
She was not in her quarters, and not in the surrounding hallways. Legolas ran up and down the stone staircases, searching frantically for the Shield Maiden. She was nowhere to be found.
Finally, Legolas ran to find the Steward of Gondor, Lord Faramir, where he was staying in the Houses of Healing. His rooms were quite near Éowyn's. Legolas ran to the door, and pounded on the thick wood door. There was the sound of voices within, and then footsteps. The door began to creek open, revealing Éowyn to be standing before him.
Legolas was speechless, as was Éowyn. Her mouth hung open, and her eyes were wide open with surprise. She looked beautiful in her bewilderment; hair swept over her shoulders, and a ruby pendant around her neck to compliment the beautiful gown she had worn earlier that evening to meet Faramir. Legolas tried to say something, but found that words could not express his feelings.
"What are you doing here?" Éowyn found her voice first.
"I have come to see you." So his vocal cords did work! "Éowyn, lirimaer, what you saw before was not what it seemed! I was approached on the streets by a wanton woman, I was just pushing her away when you came."
Éowyn's eyes narrowed slightly, and her thin lips pursed. "I was watching you for awhile and it seemed as if you were moving closer, not farther apart."
"I was trying to intimidate her!"
"Do not make excuses, my lord." Éowyn took a deep breath. She rubbed the pendant around her neck. "I would appreciate if you left me and my fiancé alone now."
Time stopped. What could she be speaking of, Legolas thought in bewilderment. She has no fiancé! And then, her words from before dawned on him.
-
'Well, Legolas, I have come to tell you that I do not need you anymore. I have made up my mind to marry someone else. Farewell.'
-
"Éowyn…"
She did not return his urgent gaze. "Please, Legolas," she murmured quietly, "Leave me alone."
He faltered for a moment. "Yes, milady," Legolas finally said. "I bid you farewell. I hope that you are happy." With one last sad glance, Legolas of Mirkwood walked away from Éowyn of Rohan.
--
Ten days later
--
"Legolas mellonamin, you look troubled. What ails you, dearest of friends?" [my friend]
The Mirkwood Prince did not show any sign of recognition. He continued his trot atop his brilliant white steed, frowning, but not speaking. Arwen of Rivendell sighed in anguish. Her dear friend had been silent since he and some of his company had retrieved her and the rest of the Rivendell elves from their home.
"Mani marte, Legolas?" [What happened?]
His blue eyes flashed, yet the rest of his face did not move. Arwen groaned in protest. "Tell me, Legolas, for I will discover your troubles sooner or later! I want to help you, mellonamin!"
"Kela, Arwen," Legolas finally said, quietly. [Go away.]
He smiled half-heartedly despite himself. "Arwen, I do not wish to upset you. I also do not wish to awaken painful memories inside you. I would rather spare you from the grief…"
"You have intrigued me now," Arwen said, laughing a little. She could see that Legolas was warming up somewhat to her pleads. "Tell me what it is. I am in control of my own heart."
Legolas sighed, and looked off into the sun, towards Gondor. "We ride now to witness Estel in his moments of glory, we are going to witness what he has been born to do." He took a breath. "I have never had the calling that Estel has. I was a Prince, royalty, from birth. I have grown up in luxury, I have never needed to fight for anything. I never had anything important to fight for, like Estel did."
Arwen nodded. "I understand your troubles, Legolas. Elessar is a good man, it is hard to not feel inferior to him. He always knew his destiny would be to lead Gondor, and he fought for his secretly beloved country."
"You do not understand, Arwen," Legolas said, a bit angrily. "Aragorn did not only fight for Gondor. He fought for you. Throughout the recent war, you were always in his thoughts. He did everything to protect you, he fought so that you would be able to live in peace. I could never understand how someone would want to risk everything for another person… I had close friends but I had no true love… I did not have that until recently."
Arwen's eyes opened wide. "Who has claimed your heart, Legolas?"
Legolas' blue eyes clouded over, and he sighed. "A mortal, which makes things even worse for me. My father would never have approved, but it is of no consequence now. She has left me, and betrothed herself to another man."
"Does she love him, like she loved you?"
"I do not know. All I know is that my life was complete with her in it. Now that she is gone, I feel as if I have nothing left to live for."
--
"My Lady Éowyn?"
The White Lady of Rohan looked up quickly. "Pardon my distraction, Lisbeth. I was merely lost in thought."
Lisbeth shook her head minutely, but went about continued about her hemming. She had been called upon to create a gown for the coronation of Lord Aragorn, which Lady Éowyn would be attending as an honored guest. She was the betrothed of the popular Lord Faramir, and therefore among Gondor's elite. Though most of Lisbeth's previous mistresses had been haughty and cold towards her, the Lady Éowyn was a refreshing difference. She was always most kind and polite to all, especially to her betrothed. Lisbeth could tell that Lord Faramir was infatuated with the enchanting Shield Maiden, but she could also see that Lady Éowyn was distracted around him.
"Have you ever been in love, Lisbeth?"
The dressmaker looked up in surprise. "No, milady," she said quickly. "My marriage was arranged for me. My husband died a few years back of disease, and we were very dear friends, but nothing more. I have my children now, though, who I love more than life itself. But that is a different kind of love, I think, than the love you are speaking of."
"Love is a splendid thing, Lisbeth. When you are in love, your world revolves around that person. Your happiness can depend on simply seeing them. When you see them, you cannot concentrate on anything or anyone else. It the most wonderful experience in the universe… But heartbreak, love's constant companion, is the most painful thing I have ever gone through. Lisbeth, I was wounded by the Witch King of Angmar. But that does not compare to the hurt of a broken heart."
Lisbeth frowned. Something told her that Lady Éowyn was not speaking of the love between her and Lord Faramir, but of a different, more wonderful love. She could only imagine who had captured the Lady's heart.
Éowyn cleared her throat. "Forgive me, Lisbeth. I lost control of my thoughts." She smiled weakly. "Please continue with the fitting. It will not do for me to dwell on the past."
--
The morning of the coronation was clear and brilliant. The sunlight reflected sparkling beams off of the pool of water in the courtyard of Ithilien. Éowyn sat beside the pool, dipping her fingers into the water and creating small patterns of droplets along the marble edge of the pool. She was dressed in a soft yellow dress, with a golden braid surrounding her forehead and her flowing hair. Éowyn was the very essence of beauty.
"Why does such a fair maiden sit on the brink of despair in my gardens?"
Éowyn looked up, and saw Lord Aragorn smiling down on her kindly. She inclined her head respectively towards him, and then began to speak. "I am not on the brink of despair, my lord. I am perfectly happy in every way."
Aragorn sighed, and sat down beside her. "I may not be your betrothed, Éowyn, and I may not be your brother but I know you well enough to see that you are unhappy. And I am not the only one who notices. Faramir frets constantly over the state of your health, mental and physical. He knows that you are unwell, and he wishes to cure your pain. But he knows also that he is not the one to cure it. Faramir is no fool, Éowyn, do not ever mistake him for one."
"He is a good man," Éowyn agreed. "Smart, handsome, kind, polite, loving… He is everything a woman could ask for in a man. I am very fortunate to be his betrothed."
"He is everything a woman could ask for in a man, yes. But he does not compare, at least in your heart, to the qualities of an elf."
Éowyn looked up sharply. "I do not know what you speak of, my lord," she said icily.
"Do not lie to me, Éowyn. You know what I speak of, I can see it in your eyes, and in your heart."
"Aragorn… I have to put the past behind me. You must understand. I was dreadfully mistaken when I saw Legolas that night, I realize this now. But that night I was already upset because of my brother's words, I was not thinking clearly. I betrothed myself to Faramir, a betrothal that cannot be broken. It is too late for love now. I must make the best of this situation; I must respect and adore Faramir with an open heart. This is the only way."
--
Legolas stood near the back of the crowd that had turned out in the thousands to witness the crowning of their first true King in many, many years. He was beside Arwen. He could feel her shaking. Legolas felt a sudden swell of empathy and affection for the she-elf. He too felt her nervousness, for he would be meeting his love again. However, Legolas was sure that Arwen had a better chance of a welcome reunion than he did. Éowyn was not likely to want to see him.
He looked towards the steps, where Aragorn stood before Mithrandir, his head held high and proud. His dark eyes were alive with anticipation and wonder, for Aragorn had been born for this moment. There was no question that it was his destiny. Legolas wished fervently that he could have uncovered his own destiny at a time like this.
Though he could not hear the words of Gandalf over the unceasing murmurings of the crowd, Legolas knew when the ceremony was over, and Aragorn the King. The throngs of common folk around him burst into thunderous applause. The lines of elves began to move forward to greet the new king, and Legolas and Arwen found that they were pushed to the front, for they were the best friend and beloved of the King. Legolas moved to the very front of the rows of his kin, desperate to show his admiration for his friend, and to see the one he loved.
Aragorn moved towards the Elves, his smile wide and his eyes glistening. Legolas walked straight up to him, and beamed his widest smile. His man-friend smiled even wider, right back at him. Legolas did not know quite what to say. Words in any tongue could not express the love, gratitude, and affection that he had for the man who had led him through countless dangers, who was more like a brother to him than any other being he had ever known.
"Ng'olwe ar alasse, mellonamin," Legolas said. [Wisdom and joy, my friend] Aragorn smiled appreciatively at Legolas. The two stood there, looking at each other, for several moments, until Aragorn broke the awkwardness and enfolded Legolas in a warm embrace. The Elf smiled into Aragorn's shoulder, and hugged back.
They released each other after awhile. Aragorn's eyes immediately moved from Legolas' smiling face to the beautiful woman standing behind him, enshrouded in the silver and gold flag of her people. Arwen stood there, tentative and unsure of herself. Aragorn looked at her for a long while, as if memorizing every contour of her porcelain face. She had enchanted him yet again.
The pair stared at each other, as if no one else in the world mattered. Finally, Aragorn moved forward, and caught Arwen up in a passionate kiss and embrace. Their arms became tangled, as they relished in the taste and feel of one so long gone. Legolas felt a sense of sadness and foreboding as he watched this interaction. After awhile, he turned away, scanning the crowd for a familiar face
Éowyn caught his eye. She was standing next to Faramir, one of her seasoned hands entangled in his. Legolas' heart gave a sudden lurch, but he kept his emotions in check. He nodded solemnly at the Shield Maiden. Éowyn stared at him quietly for a moment. Legolas was about to turn away, when she flashed him a wide smile of welcome. Legolas smiled softly back at her. Éowyn's free hand gave a tiny wave, and Legolas felt incredibly joyous, for he knew then that all was forgiven.