Arwen's POV
I stared across the table at the pale headstrong woman. She loved my Aragorn. Little did she know of his...tastes. Yes, he loves me, and yet. We elves understand love of many at the same time. I love Aragorn more than life itself, but Legolas, Legolas I cannot bear. I walk to our shared room and see them lying there together. Jealousy I do not feel, only an empty feeling, alone.
I could not stand the cold feeling reflected on my face. An impassive mask hid my emotions. I want not to be stone; I want my love to light up my face such as it shone long ago. I slipped unnoticed past the slouching guards, stealing away into the forest. I softly murmured an entreaty as I walked. "Mother Night, embrace me now in your warm darkness, shelter me from the cold certainty of the light."
I felt a presence behind me. I spun my sword from its sheath and brought it against the neck of my pursuer in one fluid movement. Only to find it blocked by cold steel. "Milady", a cool voice said, its owner stepping back a pace.
"Eoywn, why have you come?"
"You are not the only one waking in the small hours. I have as much reason to wander as thee."
A twig snapped in the distance. "We are not the only ones seeking solace in the dark, come let us find a more sheltered viewpoint." She nodded in reply to my suggestion and we moved further into the forest. I glanced over at her fair skin shining in the moonlight, her pale gold hair afire. I watched in awe at her grace as she moved, her footsteps placed with care, elflike.
"What drives thee to wander out from the shelter of your castle?"
"I have my own reasons."
"What are they?"
"You."
I stared at her for a moment, shocked out of my brooding mood.
"What?"
Eoywn look discomfited at my reaction. I was not upset, merely caught off guard. However, what ever she interpreted my response to mean, she turned bright red and mumbled something about safety.
"I saw someone walking.....it was dark...thought best to follow....realized was you....worried"
I had regained my composure and looked at her quizzically. She continued to make excuses until I placed a finger to her lips.
"I want to know why you followed me"
Her eyes blazed.
"I already told you! How dare you accuse me of lying-"
Her indignant protests were cut off as I leaned in towards her and took her face in my hands. She closed her eyes and leaned forward, expectant. I did nothing. Her eyes opened after a time, hurt and angry for being tricked in such a fashion. "I believe I know why you followed." I said slowly. "Am I right in my assumption that Aragorn is not the only one for whom you care?" She seemed to fear a trap for she at once fell back and professed innocence of trying to take Aragorn from me. "I know. You have too much honor for that. And Aragorn loves you too much as a sister, myself too much as a wife, and Legolas too much as a lover to shame us all so."
Eoywn's beautiful face fell and I felt guilt at my harsh words. I would not take them back though; she needed to know. "Legolas?", she questioned, her face so wide an open. I nodded. She moved forward and embraced me as a sister. "I am so sorry. I wish you all of his love, truly." I was shocked. I had expected to comfort her, not to find myself an object of pity. I leaned forward into her arms. God's, it felt so good just to be held; held by someone who cares.
The footsteps in the distance had moved closer. We both took to the trees, I climbing up first, and pulling her into my arms a moment later. We curled up in silence, hardly daring to breathe. I could feel her heartbeat fast, in time with my own. Guards passed underneath. We both let out sighs of relief. "Only the night watch" she whispered in my ear. We looked into each other's eyes and seemed to realize the impropriety of the situation, were we to be found wrapped in each other hiding in a tree.
She inquired where I was to say and I responded that I would stay in the forest for the night, not wanting to return to the dreary crowded solitude of my shared rooms. She offered me a share in her room and after much resistance on my part I agreed. We walked swiftly to her rooms as the night lightened.
Arwen's POV
In her rooms she pulled the sheets back on her bed. I slipped in and was beginning to fall asleep when I observed her setting out a bed for herself on her couch. Balking at her actions, I gently grasped her wrist and pulled her towards me. She came willingly to the bedside, slipping softly under the thick blankets. I shifted closer to her and she stiffened. Whispering elvish sayings softly into her ear I pulled her towards me, my fingers gently caressed her wrist, bringing it to my mouth. I kissed her hand softly, and in the common tongue said "Thank you"
Eoywn's POV