Until the Stars Are All Alight

Chapter 5: News and Past Times

Hurray! Thanks once again for the reviews, they always make my day feel better coughs Being sick isn't fun, which is why it took a bit longer to update this. So, please, enjoy this chapter!

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"Why do you speak of such things?" Merenwen felt faint as she watched her brother's eyes, knowing that she needed to see what was within the heart of her dear brother. All she could see was confusion and sorrow.

He stood there for long moments, as if trying to form an answer together that would make sense. Then, his eyes met hers as he spoke. "A messenger came with ill news today. Do you remember when father would tell us of Sarumon and his tower at Orthanc?" She didn't answer, but nodded in response. He continued onwards. "Sarumon bred many Uruk-hai there to fulfill his dark purposes. But there was something that we had not known until now. Sarumon placed a curse upon these Uruk-hai to live until their bodies deteriorated into the earth. But they didn't get the chance to do what they were supposed to do. They were found...And they still live."

Merenwen caught her breath as she watched her brother. "Are you...sure?" she asked, her tone faint. She couldn't believe...No, she would not believe. Silence settled between the siblings for many long moments as Eldarion avoided his sisters' gaze.

"Yes." His words sounded forced and deliberately slowed. "I am positive..." Their peace that had been forged not so very long ago seemed to be already falling apart in the eyes of Merenwen.

Too emotion-ridden to speak, she leaned against the White Tree, taking paces backwards. Her head resting against the back of it, she seemed to be lost in thought. Her eyes shut tightly, she stayed silent for many long moments before she dared to even breathe. "What are you going to do about it?"

"I fear that I must do as father did- only I shan't be gone as long. I will call for council first and do whatever the council rules. I will lead a small party to try and stop these undead armies."

Merenwen said nothing in reply, digesting this information through her system. The King was going to leave his throne...Her brother would need to go off into danger with the peoples of all races. And she was afraid.

"But Gondor needs a king!" she said, her tone sounding slightly panicked. "How can you leave our people when we need you here? When I need you!" Yes, she sounded selfish and she hated sounding this way. She felt like she was 5 again and Eldarion had taken her favorite doll to play with without asking her first. Eldarion did not answer, for they both had heard soft footfalls.

Elowyn, red faced and looking rather embarrassed was making her way up towards the two. "I am sorry to bother you, but I heard a little bit of what you were saying." She said, her tone softer as she looked between the brother and sister. "But I wish to say that you will have the support of Rohan if you must go off."

In that moment that the Princess from Rohan had spoken those words, Merenwen felt a surge of gratitude towards her. Yet, it was for but a moment. She didn't know why she felt like this towards the Princess, but all she could feel was a slight contempt towards her. It was probably because she hadn't wanted to go out and greet people she hardly knew. Again, she felt childish in these feelings.

Eldarion looked towards the Lady of Rohan before a faint smile flashed across his features. "Thank you, Lady Elowyn." His bowed his head slightly. Seeming relieved that she wasn't in some sort of trouble, the Rohirric Princess bowed her own head in return- to each of them.

"I must bid you goodnight, dear sister." Eldarion had switched into the tongue of their mother and of most elves. "I shall see you in the morn. And I shall be sure to let you know when the council will meet." He turned and started to stride away.

"May your dreams be that of peace and not of impending doom that we still know not if it shall come." She answered in return. Her tone was soft, but she knew he had heard her speak. He had faltered, as if to look back, but he only kept moving. Bowing her head, Merenwen let silence lapsed between the phrases that had vanished into the thick night air.

Though her silence didn't last for long as she heard Elowyn speaking, bringing the Princess out from her trance. "I hope that this doesn't seem to be bothersome Lady Merenwen." She said, watching the Gondorian Princess with her blue-green eyes. "But I was wondering if you could show me the gardens...I know it's late and if you don't wish to than I can see them some other time." Her last part of the sentence seemed to have been rushed out, her cheeks still tinged pink.

And for the first time since Elowyn had arrived, Merenwen smiled towards her. "I was thinking about going there myself...I think I could use the company." Her smile stayed, though it was a faint one. But Elowyn took this as a sign of something other than politeness. It was a smile of gratitude.

"Great!" Her voice came out in an enthusiastic tone, a smile lighting up her own features. "Please, do lead the way." Motioning with her hand, Merenwen started off as Elowyn followed behind her.

The path to the garden was not far from the courtyard of stone. They walked in silence, though Merenwen could hear the excitement of Elowyn from her breathing. Merenwen had been so cold towards the Princess from Rohan. She didn't know that being accepted had been the key to forming a small alliance.

The scent of roses greeted her nose as Merenwen took in a great breath. Elowyn had seemingly kept going from where the Gondorian Princess had stopped, stooping down to look at the plants.

"Do you have a garden in Edoras, Lady Elowyn?" Merenwen asked as she came to where the Rohirric Princess had stooped. Almost sadly, Elowyn shook her head.

"Nay, we do not. Very few flowers survive the harsh environment of Rohan, so few survive. Only those who are strong make it through the seasons." She said and, as if to see her home once again, closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath of her own.

Silence came between the two as each was absorbed into their own thoughts. Finally, Elowyn spoke, in a soft tone that reached Merenwen's ears.

"Did your mother have the gift of foresight?" she asked in a soft tone, not meeting her gaze. "Do you see what is to come of our world?" She sounded frightened.

"I do not know if my mother held the gift." Merenwen answered simply. "My great-grandmother had the gift as did my grandfather. It may or may not be within my blood." And this was true. For she had seen small blips of things when she had been younger. Like Eldarion when he broke his arm while riding.

"I hope this isn't too personal," Elowyn began and Merenwen looked down at her. "But, why are you not married? You are eldest, and it would seem that you would be married off by now. My sister and I are growing close to the time when our father will match us up with others."

"I am not married because I willed not to wed." she said in a soft voice. Bowing her head, she spoke in a soft tone. "When I was 17, I went away for a few weeks. My father and brother were with me and it was a wonderful time. We spent those weeks in Ithilien. But our time was cut short. Two of my sisters had been caught ill and we had to come home. We arrived too late to save them." Her eyes glistened softly, but she did not cry over this memory. "My others sisters, besides myself and the youngest, Estel, married. Most of them live in Ithilien, though I'm sure you've heard of Lady Laurina and Lady Wilwarin, for each married into men from Rohan."

Elowyn stayed silent, unsure of how she was to reply to this. Finally, she spoke again. "What were their names?" she asked, matching Merenwen's tone.

"Harma and Silme." Merenwen brushed her hand against her eyes. "The hour is late. I hope you do not mind, but I wish to turn in." She turned, seeing the swift nod from the Rohirric Princess.

Walking back towards the entrance to the Guest Hall, Merenwen bade the Princess goodnight. Slinking into her own room, she drew the shades away from the windows. There was no sun, but the moon shone brightly in the sky. Watching the stars for a few long moments, she closed her eyes.

I wish for peace.

Shaking her head, she donned her night clothing and, feeling that she had started to make friends with the Princess from Rohan, she fell into sleep.

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