Dunadan Pirates: I must ask you not to review my work again. When you say my work sucks or is stupid, that is neither helpful, not is it appropriate. Thank you.
Ellowyn Tinuviel: Do not fear, Eowyn will be fine. Thanks for the good comments! Btw, it made me feel really good that you seemed so excited about the story! P.S. Update :-)
Nina: I guess I thought it was obvious about the elf. I think this chapter explains a little more, but let me know if it still doesn't make sense. I'm glad you like it!
Rosie26: Thank you for standing up for me. I don't think it is rubbish either. Thank you for the nice review. It is always great to read a good review right after a flamer.
A note to all my reviewers: Please do not mention the name of Natalie. That is her name. I'm not changing it. Don't say that it isn't a name that Tolkien would use either. Normally, I wouldn't think that the name "Tom" would be used by Tolkien either, but he used it for Tom Bombadil. Also, I'm going to state this again. I know that the "new scene" thing is not ideal, but I cannot get my stars to show up or anything. That is the only thing I could come up with to alert a break. Thank you!
Also, this will probably be the last update for a while. I'm about to get really overwhelmed, and I don't know how frequently I'll be able to update. So if there is no update for a month or so, I'm still alive, I just am struggling to get everything done. To make up for it, I have given you something extra.
Chapter Fourteen
When Eowyn woke the next morn, Faramir was gone. All she remembered was that he sang to her when she fell asleep. Try as she might, she could not remember how his song sounded. She remembered but one word: Melnin. What did that mean? She decided to ask.
When Eowyn finally reached the hall, she could already hear Niphredil flirting. Flirting?! With whom? Surely Faramir wasn't flirting with his wife-to-be! Could the plan be already in action?
Eowyn burst into the breakfast hall. She almost didn't recognize her own creation. Niphredil sat at Denethor's left side, flirting with a handsome elf.
"That is Belegthon. He came to visit ere he left for the havens," Arwen, who had come to stand behind her, said in reference to the new elf.
"Ah," Eowyn said, understanding.
"I have to go prepare for the wedding. I'll see you soon," Arwen said with a wink. Eowyn understood the real reason, and turned her attention to Niphredil.
Eowyn could not help but notice that Faramir frowned deeply at the passing events, and he was shooting dark looks at his father, who seemed slightly less easy, himself. Denethor also looked more tired than usually. Good, Eowyn thought to herself, it is working. She smiled grimly.
Eowyn drew nearer to the four people sitting at the high breakfast table.
"My, you are soooo brave!" Niphredil exclaimed, drawing out the 'so.' Eowyn rolled her eyes at the silly woman.
"Ai, thank you Milady. I only wish there were more women like you who will listen to such talk. Most would be repulsed by my stories. You have true spirit," 'Belegthon' responded just as sweetly. Well, at least Lothiriel was playing her part well.
Eowyn sat down next to Faramir.
"Their disgusting, aren't they?" Eowyn asked. Faramir just rolled his eyes.
"And to think she is to be married!" He added. "What should I do, Eowyn?"
Eowyn shook her head. What could she tell him? It's all a trick, don't fear, Things will be better soon? She didn't think that it was a good idea. So all she could do was offer her pity and understanding.
"I'm sorry, Faramir. Really. I don't think there is anything you can do yet, though when you are married you can take her before a judge. There is nothing you can do now. Except persuade your father to do something," she said with a hint of hope in her voice. If she could enlist Faramir's help without him knowing...
"Don't you think I've tried that?" Faramir demanded. So much for enlisting his help. He had already tried and not succeeded. Eowyn could only be glad that she had Arwen on her side.
"Is anyone sitting here?" Someone asked from behind, referring to the seat beside Eowyn.
Eowyn turned to see Aragorn standing there. "No, Milord. There are not occupants of this seat."
"But Milady, you lie, for I now am the occupant," Aragorn jested. Eowyn laughed. She glanced back to Faramir, to find that he had left the table. She turned back to Aragorn.
"Milord, I wanted to know the translation for a word. Could you tell me what 'Melnin' means?" She asked.
"Melnin? That would translate to My Love in Common Speech," Aragorn answered. Eowyn could tell that he was only half listening. He was focusing on something else. So she turned her attention to the room.
Lothiriel was still flirting with the sorceress, Denethor was gaining uneasiness, and Faramir had entirely left the room.
Finally, Aragorn rose. "I will see you later today, I hope. Good by until then." He was just about to leave, when he seemed to remember something. "Oh, Eowyn, could you tell Faramir something? I believe that he will find it quite interesting. Tell him that Natalie was poisoned."
"She was what?" Eowyn demanded.
"It was in her meal. Ironically, the meal was not actually meant for her. It was meant for y...someone else."
"Humph," was the sound that Eowyn voiced. Who was it meant for? She knew. It was meant for her. Someone wanted to kill her.
"Tell him that the poisoning wasn't strong. Either the killer used the wrong kind of poison, or he was running a test to see if he could do this. She should be fine by tomorrow. Good day, Eowyn."
Eowyn just nodded in acknowledgement, and then began to ponder the new information.
Could it be Niphredil? Maybe she didn't want Eowyn getting to close to Faramir. Could it be? Or was it someone else?
(new scene)
Eowyn walked down the halls with the two other women who had become attached to her. One, she liked very much now that all issues were solved about Aragorn. The other, She disliked as much as she liked the first. Eowyn, Arwen, and Niphredil were headed out to the market to buy something. Eowyn had forgotten what.
Just as they reached the courtyard, two people came running up to them from different directions.
"Eowyn!" One shouted.
"Niphredil!" The other called.
The two people reached the trio at exactly the same time. Eowyn noticed first whom it was who called to her.
"Eomer?!" She said in shock.
The one who was calling to Niphredil looked up at Eomer. He gulped almost inaudibly, but Eowyn still heard it. She knew who was behind her.
She jumped in before Eomer could ask his lover why she was dressed as an elf man from Rivendell.
"Brother! It is so good to see you! I believe you have already met the queen-to-be, but have you met Belegthon, or Niphredil?" She asked, stressing the name Belegthon.
Eomer looked strangely at 'Belegthon,' and Eowyn knew that he recognized Lothiriel. But he just shrugged in the end. Apparently, he decided to play along with his sister.
"'Tis a pleasure to meet you, Milord, Milady," he said with a bow. Then he turned to his sister.
"Eowyn, do you know where I can find Aragorn? I need to talk to him about some issues. Also, is the Prince here?" He asked.
"What prince, dear brother?" Eowyn asked.
"Prince Imrahil, The only prince I have such respect for?" Eomer asked, becoming exasperated.
"Oh, well, dear brother, perhaps you should be more clear next time, I did not realize the lack of possibility that you might want to talk to another prince," Eowyn responded, enjoying her brother's irritation.
"Well, dear sister, I am terribly sorry about my lack of clarification. Now, however, dear sister, I believe you to be quite capable to answer where Prince Imrahil and Lord Aragorn are," Eomer declared, frustrated.
"Of course I can," Eowyn said in her sweetest voice. "Aragorn should be in his study, and Imrahil has just taken his daughter, you know, Lothiriel, back to Dol Amroth." Eomer looked to 'Belegthon,' at this, but he did not blush as Eowyn had hoped he would. Rats.
Eomer bowed and left the ladies. Eowyn turned to Arwen and winked. Arwen almost burst out giggling, but suppressed herself.
"Did you want something, Belegthon?" Niphredil cooed. Eowyn was shocked. Did the woman actually use Belegthon's first name? Surely not!
"Ah...erm, yes. I just wanted to wish you all a safe journey in the village, and I also wanted to offer myself as an escort. I would hate for such lovely ladies to be harmed," Belegthon said, looking at Niphredil.
"Oh, but surely you are much to busy," Niphredil murmured.
"Not at all, Milady, I would be quite honored to walk along side of you," Belegthon said graciously.
Niphredil giggled in response. "Oh, well, in that case, I suppose you could come along," she said sweetly.
Belegthon bowed and offered her his arm, winking secretly at Eowyn and Arwen.
When she turned around, Eowyn rolled her eyes. This was going to be the most sickening walk she would ever take in her life. Fortunately, if she stayed in front of the couple, she could avoid seeing Niphredil fluttering her eyelashes at Belegthon, or smiling secretly at him. But she still would have to hear the two flirting. Eowyn finally came to the conclusion that this was the worst idea that Arwen had come up with.
(new scene)
"By the way, Aragorn, could you tell me about this new elf?" Eomer asked, as he prepared himself to exit the room.
"Ah, Belegthon, you mean. Yes, he is a friend of Arwen's, and he came to visit her ere he sailed. Apparently, he has really hit it off with Niphredil. If she wasn't to be married, I think he would remain in Gondor," Aragorn answered with a chuckle.
Eomer nodded. "I was just wondering. You see, the man takes a curious liking to the princess of Dol Amroth, Lothiriel. I found it odd, and I wanted to ask if you knew about it," he said in explanation.
Aragorn frowned. "Interesting, Eomer, that was very interesting," he said, almost to himself. Eomer just nodded and retreated from the room.
Aragorn pondered this for a long time, heavily. Finally, he understood the issue. It all made sudden sense. He smiled. There was a conversation he was going to have to have... soon.
Just then, he heard someone entering the library next door and locking the door behind himself or herself. Aragorn smiled. The thing that this person did not know was that there was a door into the library from his office, so he could go into the room, even with the door locked. And go in he would, for he knew who was in there. After all, there was only one person who had a key to lock herself in the library. Ok, well there were two, but Aragorn didn't think it was Faramir in there. He usually encouraged people to go into the library. Well, there was one other person, but that was Aragorn himself.
Leaving Arwen, exactly the person with whom Aragorn need to talk. He walked over to his secret door, and opened it quietly. Sure enough, the elf sat in an armchair, resting her head in her hands. She looked physically exhausted.
Aragorn approached her, softening his footsteps so that they would be hard for even an elf to hear. He knew that Arwen would not hear them. She was too tired to listen.
"Este, Mellevanin?" tired, my love? Aragorn asked gently, as he reached her side.
"I should have known you would find me here, Estel," Arwen responded with a tired grin. "Oh well, I suppose I've run from you enough. I might as well talk to you now."
"Ah, and just when I don't need you to explain yourself, you are willing to do so," Aragorn said, also grinning.
"How did you find out?" Arwen demanded.
"Eomer helped, he got me started on a thought. Then, the rest was simple, I suppose. All I had to do was piece it all together. I will pay for it tomorrow though, no doubt. I have been thinking on that rather than my paperwork all morn,
"Well, tell me what you know, so I know what to not speak of," Arwen demanded.
"As you wish. I know that you took Lothiriel and dressed her like a male elf, and then you told her to go out and flirt with Niphredil, under the name of Belegthon. I also believe you had some part in Niphredil's sudden complaining fest, but I cannot prove it," Aragorn said.
"The one thing I can say about you, Estel, is that at least I am to marry an intelligent man," Arwen sighed.
Aragorn laughed. "That is all you can say, Milady?"
"That is all I feel like saying at the moment, Estel," Arwen snapped, playfully. Aragorn bowed his head in submission.
"Then that is all you shall say, Milady," he said humbly. "Now, though, you shall go downstairs and eat. You need your strength," he commanded.
"Why do I need such strength?" Arwen asked.
"Why, because the wedding is to be in two months, and you haven't finished the preparations! And, of course, you must finish this ordeal with Niphredil," Aragorn answered, surprised that she didn't already know.
"You mean you are going to let me continue playing this game?" Arwen asked.
Aragorn nodded. "I have to get back to work. Namarie, Melevanin," he said gently. Then he kissed her forehead in left the room.
(new scene)
Father! She is being ridiculous! Is this really who you want as your daughter-in-law? Faramir's words kept coming back to me. Was this who I wanted as my daughter-in-law? What was I thinking? She was a silly girl!
But then again, she has the potential to make a good wife for Faramir. She could change, maybe. I was surprised to find that Faramir hadn't even once asked if she knew any good Elvish stories! Which I knew she did. She had many nieces and nephews, and she had learned to tell wonderful stories.
I didn't really know what I wanted, or what Faramir wanted. I had tried to understand it, but the moment I tried to give him something that he wanted, someone whom he could love, that would also help our country, what does he do but go to me and say, "She is being ridiculous!" Has he any gratitude in that heart of his? I was trying to give him what he wants! Someone who would care about him!
Faramir. He was always too spoiled. He wouldn't tell me exactly what he wanted, but then he would complain about what he ended up getting. He never completed any of his responsibilities. He never did anything helpful. What was I to do about that boy?
I must admit that I had hoped that Niphredil would change Faramir. Make him work harder. But I had hoped in vain. I knew this now. Niphredil was lazier than my useless son! Ere I met her, I didn't think that there was a possibility of someone being worse than Faramir. But now I saw. Niphredil was worse than Faramir.
I truly hated her. But, then again, I wouldn't really have to deal with her. Aragorn said that he would give Faramir the land of Ithilien. If Niphredil and Faramir moved to Emyn Arnen, then I would only have to see them when they come to visit.
But then again, I would have to see them every single time that Aragorn needed to hold a council.
However, on the other hand, why would Niphredil complain here, if this wasn't her house? Perhaps that was the best thing to do. I would let the two marry, and then I would send them off to Ithilien.
Then I remembered something. Niphredil had been present one time when Aragorn was talking about Faramir becoming Prince of Ithilien. She had been delighted to know that her husband was to be a prince, but when she found out that she was going to have to move, she started complaining. AGAIN! Eru! Is that all the girl does?
I didn't know what to do. I had a headache again. What was I to do about Faramir? All he did was give me headaches. I was fed up with him. The couple was going to Ithilien the instant they were married, and they weren't coming back unless it was most vital. That was that, whether they liked it or not.
Then again, I didn't know if I could put up with Niphredil for the next seven days.