Wow, I finally got in a LOTR mood. Go me!!!

Chapter Five

Outside of the hall, Jèanna began to run, but a hand grabbed her left arm. She swung around and was stopped jerkily by a harsh grip that would not lessen. The man holding her was Aragorn.

"Jèanna," he said sternly. His blue eyes were gazing into hers. She looked at the floor. "Man ti raika mehtnes?" (What is wrong with you?)

She did not respond. A large lump formed in her throat, denying her speech; tears filled her eyes. Jèanna did not wish to say what was bothering her. She knew very well what would happen. I wish I could melt through the floor, she thought. Then I wouldn't be standing here, waiting to look up into his eyes. But Jèanna didn't need to look up.

Aragorn gently lifted Jèanna's chin so he could clearly see her face. Tears began spilling down her cheeks. Words failed them both. Jèanna finally put her hands over her face, and Aragorn let Jèanna cry. He put his arms around her in comfort.

They remained motionless. Many elves began heading out of the Hall. Most of them paid no heed to Aragorn and Jèanna. Finally, The four hobbits emerged. Pippin, unaware of how sad both Jèanna and Aragorn were, opened his mouth to say something. But Frodo clasped his hand to stop Pippin and motioned them to continue.

After what seemed like an eternity, Aragorn gently kissed Jèanna on the forehead. "It would—it," but Aragorn couldn't bear to finish his sentence. "Jèanna," he began. Jèanna, her face still wet with tears, looked up, meeting Aragorn's gaze. His eyes were searching for an answer. "It is but a—"

She did not want to hear the rest. She pushed away from Aragorn, still keeping her gaze, fresh tears running down her already wet face. "Don't finish," Jèanna pleaded with him. "I already knew what the answer would be." The tears had stopped, her voice stopped quivering. "If you were to finish, I would die of heartbreak."

"Don't say that," Legolas said from behind Jèanna. She whipped around and faced him. "You would not die of heartbreak." Legolas looked at her sternly, but his eyes were soft with care. Kristal and Glortari exited the hall, looking thunderstruck at the scene in the foyer.

Legolas walked over to Aragorn and began talking to him in Elvish, while Jèanna walked away, Kristal and Glortari trailing behind her.

"Stay," Jèanna said. "I have no need for company." Glortari and Kristal watched as Jèanna ran down into the flower-filled field, her robe billowing behind her. Kristal headed back to her room, while Glortari walked over to where the two men were chattering away, speaking in the common tongue now.

"You have no reason to—"Legolas said.

"And tell me why I don't have a reason!" Aragorn snapped at him.

"You have no reason because that elf maiden loves you with all her heart and soul!" Glortari said to Aragorn who turned to face her. Legolas was smirking behind Aragorn, glad to have someone to help him win his losing battle. "She would give up her immortality just to be with you! And you shut her down! Why would you deny her your love in return? Why—"

"Would it be of use to know that I might love someone else?!" Aragorn fumed. "DIDN'T YOU THINK OF—"

"STOP!" Legolas yelled. "Stop it! You have no reason to be yelling at each other. There's an elf maiden who would do anything just to be with you. And you just tell her off?!"

"You do not understand—"Aragorn began.

"No, I understand completely," Glortari said. "You don't care about her or her feelings. You have no respect for anyone! I don't even know why she bothered to fall in love with a man like you!" Glortari's last words she put an emphasis on, leaving a stunned Aragorn. She turned on her heel and followed Jèanna.

"She is right, you know, Aragorn," A light voice said behind him. It was Galadriel.

"My Lady, why would—"Aragorn began, but she held up a hand to silence him.

"Those who are all-knowing do not know the minds of others," Galadriel replied. Remember, keep your enemies closer than your friends. If you believe that Jèannalay is your foe, keep her close... Galadriel thought to Aragorn. A smile crept upon her face and she turned to exit.

"You must sort out your feelings for Jèanna," Legolas said as he followed Lady Galadriel.

Aragorn headed towards Jèanna's room, his mind in a buzz.

Following Jèanna

The tears had dried, leaving her eyes bloodshot and her face tearstained. She did not know where she was going. She ignored her heart, but her heart wanted to run back to Aragorn. She just walked aimlessly. Her mind seemed to have died. She had no thoughts.

Finally, she found herself at her usual place to think; at the edge of a crystal-blue lake. She sat down and put her face on her knees, staring fixedly at the shimmering lake.

It was a day Jèanna loved. The sky was clear and blue; a gentle summer breeze blowing through the trees; the sun shining through the tree branches, making the trees look like golden spider webs.

After what seemed like a few moments, Glortari came and sat next to her; Jèanna remained motionless.

She sat there for what seemed like hours until she put a sympathetic arm around Jèanna. Glortari began explaining the conversation to Jèanna, who's eyes remained transfixed on the water's surface.

"I thought you might want to hear what I had to say," Glortari said, standing up.

Jèanna turned her head to face Glortari, and smiled at her. "Thank you," she said. She returned the smile and headed back for the castle.

"You have some courageous friends," said a voice from behind Jèanna. She turned around to see who it was; Aragorn. Before she could say anything, he had placed a blanket around her shoulders and sat down next to her.

"Glad you noticed something about me," Jèanna said, her eyes once again fixed on the water.

He sighed. "I know why you're angry and resentful towards me," Aragorn said, taking one of Jèanna's hands in his. She glanced at his hand. A beautiful ring with the pattern of two snakes about to swallow an emerald was on his finger. "But—"

"But what?" Jèanna said, her anger subsiding a little.

Silence followed. Aragorn had not expected her to ask him any questions. He had no answer, and Jèanna sensed it.

The sun began to rise higher in the sky. Day was passing by swiftly, although time was dragging for Jèanna and Aragorn. After much thinking, Jèanna began to talk.

"If I do not leave today, I won't see my father before he leaves," Jèanna said, "But I don't want to leave this safe-haven. It has been like a home to me. I never used to visit when I was younger. I missed it so much. My father—what can I say? He never liked Lothlorien. He never trusted Galadriel. I don't know why—she's so caring towards me. I just—I don't know what I should do." She simply sat there, staring at the glimmering shore.

A warm arm wrapped around her shoulder and pulled her into Aragorn's embrace. "You should go," he whispered into her ear. Tears formed in her eyes. How could she ignore the voice of the man she loved? Jèanna nodded in response.

"I'll go." She replied, brushing away her tears. "But—will you...will you come too?" His blue eyes widened in surprise.

"Yes," Aragorn replied. "I'll come with you...and I'll bring the Fellowship!" she gasped.

"No you won't! You've made it this far already, you don't need to go back to Rivendell!"

"There are ways of getting them back swiftly and unharmed." A voice said from behind them. Jèanna turned around, coming face to face with Lady Galadriel. "I will accompany them on their trip."

Jèanna smiled, happy that she had some company going with her. "Now, go get ready, you do not have as much time as you thought you would." Galadriel said. She nodded in response, standing up and heading back to the Golden Hall...

(Bored) I really don't have a LOTR muse at the moment...more of a slash muse...but that's okay...for all you who read Dakishimete, it will be getting very lemony soon...