Hey everybody, here it is. A sad chapter with lots of twists. I have enough
time so it will be long. . . longer than the last ones at least.
BTW IMPORTANT!!!!! As you all know ff.net has been through some changes. . . . Xing@fanfiction.net: I don't know what happened but your names aren't here if you are not signed in, ff.net changed all the names of people who are not signed in to this xing@fanfiction.net. So please either sign in or write your review with your name, cause this is getting weird. Hope you will let me know who you are so I know who I am thanking
Youkai Ryuu: Wow I inspired you??? Leave me a note when you post so I can review ok.
Kayli: Happy you liked, it was good to hear my fic kept your attention for such a long time, though I apologize for keeping you from your homework ;) The water thing, hmmm don't exactly know how I came up with that. All I can say is that I like water, plus I saw a documentary on the Niagra Falls that day, wow those are so huge and just WOW. Thanks for pointing out I leave out comma's I will try to pay more attention to that. O btw thanks for such a long review, it makes me feel mushy.
Kiku: Sugar hype huh? Hey you can borrow Aragorn anytime. . . if he were mine that is. Whose ass do you need him to kick and why??? Just curious.
LanierShazar: Hihi, you still like it, now I am happy. Lalalala, never mind me, I just ate an entire candy bar and am now on sugar rush.
Xing@fanfiction.net: You wrote this review: Wow, this is great! I'm really liking the story and the fact that it's not like all the other 21st c. girl in Middle Earth stories. I can't wait to read the rest! ( ( ( Let me know who you are!!!! Thank you for the compliment and I hope you will like this chapter.
Musicgrl: Thanks! Happy you like and keep reading and reviewing ok? It makes we feel good and happy when you do.
Xing@fanfiction.net: You wrote this review: Very good chapter! The ends was really funny! But i have a question, the battle that they fot in, was that the ending battle and now they have won the war?
~toodles~ ( ( ( Nope, not the final battle that is still coming up. Please let me know who you are!
Sugar-is-sweet: You read my mind you know that cause Faramir is coming up in this chapter. As for Denethor, you are right he did commit suicide but I don't know how I am gonna fit that in my fic yet.
Passion lover: EEEEEEH you gave me a title, a very nice title. Wow, being called One Of The Best LOTR Fanfiction Writers Ever is such an honor. Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!
Kate (or Sindamellonwen): Phew, you signed your review so I know who you are, one mystery unraveled ;) Still sick, yuck! Hope this chapter will cheer you up.
Shinigami29: Thanks for your review, I'm gonna check my mailbox after I finish writing.
Blahblah: Yay, you put your name under your review as well! Now I have only a few more that I cannot identify. Good luck on your test, though you already took it so good luck with the result.
THEwriter Lioncub: Thanks for the review, I liked it. How was your V-day?
Aurumlupi: Hmmm, I'll think about going to Chicago, thanks for the tip and of course thanks for the review.
Meggers: I can't wait for you to post your fic, drop me a note when you do ok? Sorry but this chapter will be sad. *hands tissues* Just in case you already ran out ;)
DISCLAIMER: All the characters you do not recognize from the LotR books are mine, the rest belong to Tolkien.
You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving.
Rita was walking around with the grin still on her face, she could still see the embarrassed looks on the men's faces, priceless! She noticed she was walking in the direction of the city and decided to check up on Merry, a thing she had forgotten the day before.
Then she remembered hearing that Faramir, Boromir's beloved brother, was also injured and healed by Aragorn and ran back to the tent.
Aragorn, Elladan and Elrohir looked up when she stormed back in and stared at her when she started to empty her pack on a bed, presumably looking for something.
Her pack was already half-empty when she finally found what she was looking for: the letter that she had to give to Faramir.
Rita looked at it and straightened it out, she swallowed a few times and glanced at Aragorn before she left as abruptly as she had entered. She missed the look of sympathy Aragorn sent her.
She started to run until she reached the House of Healing, she entered it in a slower pace, not wanting to disturb the wounded. She carefully placed the letter in one of her pockets.
Walking through small corridors Rita started to search for someone who could point her in the right direction. She sighed when she ran into a woman with her arms full with bandages.
"Excuse me" she said "Do you know where I can find Meriadoc Brandybuck, he was injured in battle yesterday."
The woman smiled at her. "Ah, the brave perian who fought against the witch- king. Yes, yes I know where you can find him. Here follow me." The woman started to walk at a fast pace while chattering non-stop. Rita gave up listening to her after crossing the first corridor.
". . . and then a Lord came in and healed him with kingsfoil. He is truly wise and Gandalf told me that many would remember my words in the future and. . . "
Rita interrupted her before she could continue. "Are we there yet, Lady . . . "
"Ioreth, young one. Call me Ioreth, all who know me do. I am an assistant to the healers in this house. Now here you are your friend lies inside this room."
When Rita saw her turn to leave she grabbed the woman's arm. "I have one more question for you. Do you also know where I can find Lady Éowyn of Rohan and Lord Faramir? I wish to speak with both of them also."
Ioreth was speechless for a whole second. "Now young one, that is very easy. The Lady's room is opposite to that of the perian's and the room of Lord Faramir as at the end of the hall. What do you wish to speak to him about?"
Rita glared at her. "Some thing are not meant for others to hear and this is one of those things."
"I did not mean to offend you, young one. Just asking, I was. Well I have to return to my duties cause you know what they say. A house of healing without. . . "
"No offense taken Ioreth" Rita interrupted her once again. "I understand you have work to do so I will leave you now." Quickly she entered Merry's room and closed the door behind her.
She turned to look at Merry and smiled when she met his eyes, he had been staring at her. Rita neared the bed and sat on the chair beside it.
"You scared me Merry, what happened after you stayed with the Rohirrim?" She brushed the hair out of his face and fluffed his pillows to help him sit up a little.
Merry took a deep breath and began to tell her all that had happened after they had left. Rita smiled when she heard how he insisted on coming to battle with the men and squeezed his hand when he told her about the king's death.
Finally he fell silent after he explained how Pippin had found him and brought him here. Rita just kept stroking his head and forced herself not to think about all that could have happened to her friend.
"You were very brave Merry, I don't think there are a lot of people who would stand up to the lord of the Nazgul like you did."
He shook his head. "I merely wounded him Rita, it was Lady Éowyn who killed him." His eyes were starting to droop and Rita noticed this so she stood up.
"Sleep now, brave Merry. I am gonna visit you later ok?" She smiled when she saw he had already fallen asleep. She tucked him in and kissed his brow before she left the room.
Rita closed the door softly behind her and walked to the room on the other side of the hall and knocked on the door before slipping in.
She was met by two pair of blue eyes when she looked at the figures in the room. One pair belonged to Éowyn who was looking at her with a tired expression and a small smile upon her lips. The other pair belonged to none other than Éomer, and the look he gave her at that moment was not all that friendly.
"Sorry, I'll come back later." she said and turned to leave again but was stopped by Éowyn.
"No you can stay, please. I would like to speak to you." She gave her brother a stern look and Rita fought against a grin when Éomer actually uncomfortably shifted on his seat, which was placed on the right side of the bed.
Taking the seat on the left Rita sat down and stared at the White Lady of Rohan, who now looked weak and tired.
Rita broke the silence that now hung in the air. "Thank you Éowyn." When she saw the astonished looks she as being sent she added a few more words. "For taking Merry with you I mean. Gandalf always said that the hobbits would find their own destiny during this quest and I think this was his."
Éowyn smiled. "It is I who should be thanking you. Without your words at Dunharrow I would still be caged in the prison I created for myself and give everything up for an illusion." The women smiled at each other when Éomer shot them a confused look.
"What are you speaking of sister, I do not understand."
Shaking her head Éowyn answered him. "It is none of your business brother, just talk between women. Now I have to ask for your leave, Rita and I have many things to discuss."
He stood up and left the room after shooting a worried and confused look at her. Rita couldn't help but giggle when the sound of his footsteps faded.
This made Éowyn giggle as well but she started to cough and this sobered the both of them. Rita fluffed the pillow as she had done for Merry and fetched a glass of water and made Éowyn drink it.
"Now Lady of Rohan, tell me what on earth you were thinking when you joined the battle."
Once again Rita took the role as listener as Éowyn started to explain her reason's for going to battle. The White Lady told her about how Rita's words had made an impression on her and that was why she decided to fight.
"You said that I should fight for what I believe in Rita and I took those words to heart. I believe in Rohan and what it stands for, it is my home and though I was unable to fight at Helm's Deep or do heroic things on the Path of the Dead, I just knew this was worth fighting for."
Rita smiled when she had remembered her words. "Yeah, I was trying to keep you from joining Aragorn on his path. It never came to mind that I might have encouraged you to do something like this but I am actually glad I did. Who knows what would have happened if you were not there to kill the witch- king?"
She saw Éowyn shudder at the mention of that demon so she quickly continued. "A friend of mine once told me that the Valar work in mysterious ways and I believe you were meant to fight in this battle. There is a reason for everything."
"Yes, but now I am wounded and no longer able to fight, what will I do now? I cannot deny that my heart still longs for Lord Aragorn, yet I know this is impossible because of what you said. He is bound to another. Fighting filled the gap this information left in my heart and now this is also taken from me."
Rita was silent for a while, thinking of what to say to the distraught woman before her.
"I don't know what to say to ease your pain Éowyn, for I can see you are in great pain. All the advice I can give you is to take it one day at the time. It hurts to loose something dear to you, I know this better than one might think. Yet time heals all wounds and new joy and friendships will start to fill the gap that you speak of. You just wait and see."
She stood up after giving Éowyn a long look. "I can see you have to think about what I said so I'll leave you for now. Is it alright if I visit you again later?"
"Of course Rita. You are one of the few, if not the only one, with whom I can discuss the matters that burden me so freely."
The two smiled at each other before Rita closed the door and started to walk to the direction of the room of Faramir.
She stopped at the door and stared at it while taking deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves. Finally she gathered all her courage and knocked on the door.
"Enter" said a male voice. It sounded weak yet not too weak.
Rita opened the door and what she saw made her freeze to her spot. In the bed sat the brother of Boromir, this she could say without any doubt for Faramir looked a lot like him.
She didn't notice she had been staring until she snapped out of her daze when she saw his lips move. "Can you repeat that?" she asked.
"I said, what can I do for you Milady?"
Closing her eyes she tried to gather herself. *God even his voice sounds the same* she thought. She had to force herself to open her eyes again and approached the bed in which Faramir was lying.
"I have come here to deliver a message to you Lord Faramir, yet I am not certain if I should do so right now. You have not healed completely yet and I would feel responsible if I were to cause for you to have a set-back."
He stared at her with a question in his eyes and Rita watched as they widened when she produced Boromir's letter and he recognized the handwriting.
His voice was hoarse when he spoke to her. "How did you acquire this letter? What news do you bring me of my brother?"
Rita bit her lip and sat at the end of his bed as she started to tell him the entire story like she had told Lillian and her family.
Only this time she left nothing out, not even Boromir's attempt to take the ring from Frodo when the ring's power had proved too much for the man.
Faramir was silent during the entire time that Rita spoke and he gave no reaction at anything. Rita even song the lament to Boromir again, and only then a few tears streamed down his face.
She swallowed to get rid of the lump in her throat and finished her tale. "I wish I could bring you better news but I am sorry to say that I do not. I have fulfilled Boromir's last wish and I know he is smiling down upon us right now, guiding us in everything we do." Abruptly she jumped up and left, leaving a grieving Faramir behind.
Not noticing anything around her, not the people nor the fact that night had started to present itself, Rita started to run back to the camp.
She couldn't think straight anymore, the look of uttermost pain and grief Faramir had given her as she gave him the news haunted her. All she wanted now was feel safe from pain and in her mind there was only one refuge: Aragorn.
Sure Elladan was dear to her and she loved him with all her heart, but Aragorn had shared so much with her on this journey.
More than once he calmed her fears and gave her support when she needed it. Truth be told, in the matter of Boromir and her pain of loosing him, she trusted none more than Aragorn.
She ran past Legolas and Gimli, whom she didn't notice, and also past Elrohir and Elladan, who were in a conversation with Halbarad. She didn't notice when they followed her. Finally she found Aragorn, who was staring to the east, and she ran even faster to catch up with him.
Aragorn heard somebody run to him and turned around. He looked at Rita for merely a second before he opened his arms wide and Rita let herself fall into them.
While she was clinging to his shirt, the tears she had suppressed during her talk to Faramir started to make their way down her face. She cried soundlessly in his chest and when her legs started to give away beneath her, she could feel Aragorn's strong arms keep her up.
The future king held her tight and sighed as he could feel the shaking of her body from all the sobbing she was doing. He exchanged a look with the men who had followed her and mouthed the words 'letter' and 'Faramir' to them.
Legolas immediately knew what it meant since he had heard Boromir's last wish and Gimli figured it out as well. The two of them started to lead the others away, they knew Rita didn't need them at that moment. She only needed Aragorn.
When he was being led away Elladan struggled a bit against Legolas's grip, but the other elf gave him an angry glance and gripped his arm even harder. Eventually Elladan gave up and left with the others while shooting worried glances at Rita.
Rita didn't notice anything of this, she only knew she was safe from all evil as Aragorn held her and slowly rocked her back and forth. He didn't speak any words of consolation for he knew words could offer her none.
He started to slide down to the ground so he could sit against the boulder behind him and Rita just followed him to stay close.
His steady heartbeat and the feeling of being rocked started to calm Rita down. Her sobs started to die away and her breathing started to even out. Still sniveling she pulled back a bit to look at Aragorn.
Fresh tears sprang in her eyes when she looked into his. His eyes were full of compassion and understanding, two things she knew she could rely on.
"I'm sorry for breaking down again Aragorn" her voice sounded raspy "I seem to be using you as my crying point a lot. And now I made your shirt all wet."
He brushed her hair from her face and pulled her back into his embrace before he answered her. "There is nothing to apologize for Rita and I feel honored that you come to me when you need a shoulder to cry on."
"You make me feel safe." she told him "When I am near you I know nothing will be able to hurt me cause you will chase all bad things away. Am I making sense here?" Aragorn didn't respond but just held her a bit closer.
From his position Elladan was staring at the two figures in the distance, they were to far away for him to see or hear what was being said and he gave a frustrated sigh.
"I still do not see why I had to leave Legolas" he said, frustration evident in his voice "She was hurting and I wanted to help her."
Legolas shook his head at the elf's behavior, he was acting like a boy whose toy had been taken away. "You could have done nothing to ease her pain my friend, only Aragorn can do that with this matter."
"What matter, I do not understand. What has upset her so?"
It was Gimli who explained it in his own gruff manner. "Well elf if you were silent and stopped yammering for a second we might tell you. But the way that you are acting as you are I would be very happy to keep this from you."
This silenced Elladan and Gimli continued. "She has just fulfilled Boromir's last wish; handing a letter to Faramir. Now I bet the man asked what happened and how she knew Boromir and I bet she told him everything that happened. It opened up the wounds that had started to heal."
Legolas took over the explanation at this point. "Of all of the fellowship, the only ones she has allowed to comfort her after a nightmare or when she was in pain were Boromir and Aragorn. Since Boromir is gone, Aragorn is the one she turns to in times of pain."
The elf could see that Elladan was hurt that she hadn't come. "Do not feel offended she didn't turn to you with her pain. She loves you, this has become more than clear to all of us, yet you weren't there during the quest. You wouldn't understand her pain at Boromir's loss for you didn't see how much they grew to like each other."
Gimli took over again. "The lad gave her a new name and made her open up to all of us with his friendship towards her. Their bond was that of brother and sister, she is now called Rita of Gondor. A name free of her past."
A long silence followed and all stared at the two figures in the distance, contemplating all that had been said.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Darkness surrounded them when Rita pulled back again, this time with no more tears in her eyes. "Thanks Aragorn, I really needed that."
He smiled at her and stood up while pulling her up with him. "You can always come to me if you need me, you know this."
Rita nodded and hugged him tight. "You know" she whispered "I wish my dad would have been more like you. Cause besides being held by Elladan, nothing makes feel as safe as you can. I could have used that while growing up."
Aragorn felt a wave of emotion come over him as she said this, he was deeply touched by her words. "And if I were to have a daughter, I wish she were as brave and strong as you."
This made her hug him even tighter and after a while she let him go while looking deep in his eyes. Suddenly she started to chuckle. "You would not believe how hungry I am." Her stomach made a sound at that exact moment, confirming her statement.
He laughed at this as well and together they made their way to the others, his arm was around her shoulders and she leaned into him.
"Aragorn" she said.
"Yes"
"I'm glad you're here. I don't know what I would do without you."
He sighed. "Nor would I know what to do without you Rita, so that makes us even."
Finally they reached the others and Rita snatched the piece of bread Gimli was about to put in his mouth out of his hand. Gimli protested against this of course but stopped doing that when Rita grinned at him, a twinkle in her eye.
He refrained himself to shaking his finger at her and generously handed her another piece that she eagerly accepted.
Aragorn said he had some matters to attend to and Halbarad and Elrohir followed him towards the tent that was being used for planning.
Rita sat between Legolas and Gimli as she wolfed down as much bread as possible. Then she noticed the stares she was been given.
"What? I haven't eaten since the last meal on the ship. After that I had a glass of water and that's it. Ooh talking about water. . . "
There was no need to finish her sentence since Legolas already handed her his water skin. She drained all the water from it before she handed it back to him.
Suddenly she noticed Elladan and she went to sit next to him, laying her head on his shoulder. Automatically he wrapped his arm around his waist and she snuggled closer to him. Rita sighed, she felt perfectly content like that. Being among friends and being held by the man she loved. She didn't see Legolas and Gimli get up to leave them alone.
"Are you alright?" he asked her and she smiled a bit.
"I've been better but I guess I'm ok. Haven't broken down like that since the ride to Helm's Deep. Lucky for me Aragorn doesn't mind me crying on his shoulder every time."
He caressed her cheek. "You could always come to me if you needed to cry."
"I know. . . it's just. . . Aragorn understands exactly why I'm crying and what to say to calm me down. We've been through a lot together." She didn't know how to explain herself and Elladan saw she was struggling with this.
"It is alright melamin, I understand. You do not have to explain yourself to me."
Rita sighed and moved around until she was facing him and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She closed her eyes as he embraced her back.
Her grip loosened a bit and with her hands she started to comb through his hair. When she felt all the knots in it she changed position until she was behind him. Elladan reluctantly let her go when she moved away but uttered a soft sigh when she sat behind him.
With her fingers she started to untangle his hair as gently as she could, not wanting to hurt him. He closed his eyes at the sensation. "You know how long it has been since anybody has done my hair for me?" he asked.
"How long?"
He had to think about that for a minute and gave up when he couldn't remember. "I forgot how long ago." he said with a chuckle "All I remember is that I was merely a young elf at the time. No older than 300 years old."
Rita scoffed at this. "Oh no that's not old at all."
"Not for an elf Rita, I had the appearance of an eleven year old at the time."
She kept on combing through his hair as he kept talking. "My mother would come in every morning to our room and help me and Elrohir get ready for that day. She would pick out our clothing and brush our hair and braid it."
"What was your mother like? Arwen told me a bit about her but it seemed to hurt her so I dropped the matter quickly. She left for Valinor didn't she?"
When he remained silent Rita feared she had upset him so she stopped brushing and softly turned his face in her direction so she could look into his eyes.
Relief flooded through her mind when she saw the loving look he gave her, only a shimmer of pain in his eyes. She squeezed his hand a bit and Elladan answered that by pulling her onto his lap and hold her tight.
Rita lay her head on his chest and waited for what was to come. She didn't have to wait very long until Elladan began to speak again, his voice soft.
"My mother was, well to describe her with one word, she was wonderful. She was as tall as Arwen is and was just as beautiful. Her skin was soft and pale, which is common amongst the elves as you may have noticed"
She nodded and he continued. "Her hair was lighter than mine or Arwen's hair. It was a shade of blond yet not exactly blond. It had a silvery glance like grandmother Galadriel has, you know what I mean?"
Once again she nodded and waited for him to speak again. "She had the perfect features but the most incredible thing about her were her eyes. They sparkled with life and joy and her feelings could be read from them if she allowed you to."
"She loved life and all the beautiful things around her. Often she and father would go out riding through Rivendell and they would sit while enjoying all the wondrous surroundings. She would play with us and cared for us, showing her love with everything we did."
He grinned. "Never did she betray me us when Elrohir and I played our pranks. There was the time when we were supposed to study and we climbed out of the window. She saw us go down and never said a word. She even finished our homework for us so we wouldn't be caught."
Rita sighed. "She sounds perfect."
"She was, aye she was." He seemed to thinking about the past and Rita stayed silent, letting him collect his thoughts. She knew what happened to his mother, she was attacked by orcs on her way to Lothlorien, but she wanted to know what this did to Elladan, she wanted to know what he was feeling. He knew so much about her and she so little about him.
"Mother decided to visit Lothlorien, her homeland. On her way there she and her escort were attacked by orcs. She was poisoned, she suffered and was in pain for a long time while father healed her. When she recovered she had changed, no longer enjoy life and where joy once had its place in her eyes pain had taken over."
Rita hugged him tight, she could feel this was hard for him.
"Then she took the decision to leave to Valinor, so her soul could heal like her body had. With great pain did father let her go. I can still remember the crying of Arwen and Elrohir as they begged her to stay, yet I cannot recall if I did the same. It happened so fast."
Rita mentioned something that expressed what he had been feeling at the time. "One minute she was there and the other she had disappeared."
He nodded and sighed deeply. "Watching her leave was one of the hardest things I had to do in my lifetime but it ranks second on my list of worst things ever."
"What's number one?" she asked.
"Knowing you are in danger or pain and realizing there is nothing I can do against it."
"Elladan. . . " Rita didn't know what to say about that so she did something else. She kissed him to let him know what she was feeling.
Slowly he started to react to the kiss and he cupped her face so he had a better angle. He opened his mouth when he felt her tongue touch his lips. Once opened her tongue darted in and met his own, slowly the two tongues moved together.
It was no passionate kiss but one full of feeling. After minutes the two untangled themselves and started to walk back to camp.
They entered the tent Elladan shared with his brothers and went to lay on the small bed. They fell asleep immediately and when Aragorn and Elrohir walked in they were confronted with the sight of the two tangled together on the small space.
Elrohir snorted and went to sleep but Aragorn covered them with a blanket before he went to sleep as well.
A/N: Well, what did you think? Bad or good or something in between. Do not hesitate to send me criticism, I can take it and I wanna learn from my mistakes.
BTW IMPORTANT!!!!! As you all know ff.net has been through some changes. . . . Xing@fanfiction.net: I don't know what happened but your names aren't here if you are not signed in, ff.net changed all the names of people who are not signed in to this xing@fanfiction.net. So please either sign in or write your review with your name, cause this is getting weird. Hope you will let me know who you are so I know who I am thanking
Youkai Ryuu: Wow I inspired you??? Leave me a note when you post so I can review ok.
Kayli: Happy you liked, it was good to hear my fic kept your attention for such a long time, though I apologize for keeping you from your homework ;) The water thing, hmmm don't exactly know how I came up with that. All I can say is that I like water, plus I saw a documentary on the Niagra Falls that day, wow those are so huge and just WOW. Thanks for pointing out I leave out comma's I will try to pay more attention to that. O btw thanks for such a long review, it makes me feel mushy.
Kiku: Sugar hype huh? Hey you can borrow Aragorn anytime. . . if he were mine that is. Whose ass do you need him to kick and why??? Just curious.
LanierShazar: Hihi, you still like it, now I am happy. Lalalala, never mind me, I just ate an entire candy bar and am now on sugar rush.
Xing@fanfiction.net: You wrote this review: Wow, this is great! I'm really liking the story and the fact that it's not like all the other 21st c. girl in Middle Earth stories. I can't wait to read the rest! ( ( ( Let me know who you are!!!! Thank you for the compliment and I hope you will like this chapter.
Musicgrl: Thanks! Happy you like and keep reading and reviewing ok? It makes we feel good and happy when you do.
Xing@fanfiction.net: You wrote this review: Very good chapter! The ends was really funny! But i have a question, the battle that they fot in, was that the ending battle and now they have won the war?
~toodles~ ( ( ( Nope, not the final battle that is still coming up. Please let me know who you are!
Sugar-is-sweet: You read my mind you know that cause Faramir is coming up in this chapter. As for Denethor, you are right he did commit suicide but I don't know how I am gonna fit that in my fic yet.
Passion lover: EEEEEEH you gave me a title, a very nice title. Wow, being called One Of The Best LOTR Fanfiction Writers Ever is such an honor. Thank you thank you thank you thank you!!!!!!!!!!
Kate (or Sindamellonwen): Phew, you signed your review so I know who you are, one mystery unraveled ;) Still sick, yuck! Hope this chapter will cheer you up.
Shinigami29: Thanks for your review, I'm gonna check my mailbox after I finish writing.
Blahblah: Yay, you put your name under your review as well! Now I have only a few more that I cannot identify. Good luck on your test, though you already took it so good luck with the result.
THEwriter Lioncub: Thanks for the review, I liked it. How was your V-day?
Aurumlupi: Hmmm, I'll think about going to Chicago, thanks for the tip and of course thanks for the review.
Meggers: I can't wait for you to post your fic, drop me a note when you do ok? Sorry but this chapter will be sad. *hands tissues* Just in case you already ran out ;)
DISCLAIMER: All the characters you do not recognize from the LotR books are mine, the rest belong to Tolkien.
You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving.
Rita was walking around with the grin still on her face, she could still see the embarrassed looks on the men's faces, priceless! She noticed she was walking in the direction of the city and decided to check up on Merry, a thing she had forgotten the day before.
Then she remembered hearing that Faramir, Boromir's beloved brother, was also injured and healed by Aragorn and ran back to the tent.
Aragorn, Elladan and Elrohir looked up when she stormed back in and stared at her when she started to empty her pack on a bed, presumably looking for something.
Her pack was already half-empty when she finally found what she was looking for: the letter that she had to give to Faramir.
Rita looked at it and straightened it out, she swallowed a few times and glanced at Aragorn before she left as abruptly as she had entered. She missed the look of sympathy Aragorn sent her.
She started to run until she reached the House of Healing, she entered it in a slower pace, not wanting to disturb the wounded. She carefully placed the letter in one of her pockets.
Walking through small corridors Rita started to search for someone who could point her in the right direction. She sighed when she ran into a woman with her arms full with bandages.
"Excuse me" she said "Do you know where I can find Meriadoc Brandybuck, he was injured in battle yesterday."
The woman smiled at her. "Ah, the brave perian who fought against the witch- king. Yes, yes I know where you can find him. Here follow me." The woman started to walk at a fast pace while chattering non-stop. Rita gave up listening to her after crossing the first corridor.
". . . and then a Lord came in and healed him with kingsfoil. He is truly wise and Gandalf told me that many would remember my words in the future and. . . "
Rita interrupted her before she could continue. "Are we there yet, Lady . . . "
"Ioreth, young one. Call me Ioreth, all who know me do. I am an assistant to the healers in this house. Now here you are your friend lies inside this room."
When Rita saw her turn to leave she grabbed the woman's arm. "I have one more question for you. Do you also know where I can find Lady Éowyn of Rohan and Lord Faramir? I wish to speak with both of them also."
Ioreth was speechless for a whole second. "Now young one, that is very easy. The Lady's room is opposite to that of the perian's and the room of Lord Faramir as at the end of the hall. What do you wish to speak to him about?"
Rita glared at her. "Some thing are not meant for others to hear and this is one of those things."
"I did not mean to offend you, young one. Just asking, I was. Well I have to return to my duties cause you know what they say. A house of healing without. . . "
"No offense taken Ioreth" Rita interrupted her once again. "I understand you have work to do so I will leave you now." Quickly she entered Merry's room and closed the door behind her.
She turned to look at Merry and smiled when she met his eyes, he had been staring at her. Rita neared the bed and sat on the chair beside it.
"You scared me Merry, what happened after you stayed with the Rohirrim?" She brushed the hair out of his face and fluffed his pillows to help him sit up a little.
Merry took a deep breath and began to tell her all that had happened after they had left. Rita smiled when she heard how he insisted on coming to battle with the men and squeezed his hand when he told her about the king's death.
Finally he fell silent after he explained how Pippin had found him and brought him here. Rita just kept stroking his head and forced herself not to think about all that could have happened to her friend.
"You were very brave Merry, I don't think there are a lot of people who would stand up to the lord of the Nazgul like you did."
He shook his head. "I merely wounded him Rita, it was Lady Éowyn who killed him." His eyes were starting to droop and Rita noticed this so she stood up.
"Sleep now, brave Merry. I am gonna visit you later ok?" She smiled when she saw he had already fallen asleep. She tucked him in and kissed his brow before she left the room.
Rita closed the door softly behind her and walked to the room on the other side of the hall and knocked on the door before slipping in.
She was met by two pair of blue eyes when she looked at the figures in the room. One pair belonged to Éowyn who was looking at her with a tired expression and a small smile upon her lips. The other pair belonged to none other than Éomer, and the look he gave her at that moment was not all that friendly.
"Sorry, I'll come back later." she said and turned to leave again but was stopped by Éowyn.
"No you can stay, please. I would like to speak to you." She gave her brother a stern look and Rita fought against a grin when Éomer actually uncomfortably shifted on his seat, which was placed on the right side of the bed.
Taking the seat on the left Rita sat down and stared at the White Lady of Rohan, who now looked weak and tired.
Rita broke the silence that now hung in the air. "Thank you Éowyn." When she saw the astonished looks she as being sent she added a few more words. "For taking Merry with you I mean. Gandalf always said that the hobbits would find their own destiny during this quest and I think this was his."
Éowyn smiled. "It is I who should be thanking you. Without your words at Dunharrow I would still be caged in the prison I created for myself and give everything up for an illusion." The women smiled at each other when Éomer shot them a confused look.
"What are you speaking of sister, I do not understand."
Shaking her head Éowyn answered him. "It is none of your business brother, just talk between women. Now I have to ask for your leave, Rita and I have many things to discuss."
He stood up and left the room after shooting a worried and confused look at her. Rita couldn't help but giggle when the sound of his footsteps faded.
This made Éowyn giggle as well but she started to cough and this sobered the both of them. Rita fluffed the pillow as she had done for Merry and fetched a glass of water and made Éowyn drink it.
"Now Lady of Rohan, tell me what on earth you were thinking when you joined the battle."
Once again Rita took the role as listener as Éowyn started to explain her reason's for going to battle. The White Lady told her about how Rita's words had made an impression on her and that was why she decided to fight.
"You said that I should fight for what I believe in Rita and I took those words to heart. I believe in Rohan and what it stands for, it is my home and though I was unable to fight at Helm's Deep or do heroic things on the Path of the Dead, I just knew this was worth fighting for."
Rita smiled when she had remembered her words. "Yeah, I was trying to keep you from joining Aragorn on his path. It never came to mind that I might have encouraged you to do something like this but I am actually glad I did. Who knows what would have happened if you were not there to kill the witch- king?"
She saw Éowyn shudder at the mention of that demon so she quickly continued. "A friend of mine once told me that the Valar work in mysterious ways and I believe you were meant to fight in this battle. There is a reason for everything."
"Yes, but now I am wounded and no longer able to fight, what will I do now? I cannot deny that my heart still longs for Lord Aragorn, yet I know this is impossible because of what you said. He is bound to another. Fighting filled the gap this information left in my heart and now this is also taken from me."
Rita was silent for a while, thinking of what to say to the distraught woman before her.
"I don't know what to say to ease your pain Éowyn, for I can see you are in great pain. All the advice I can give you is to take it one day at the time. It hurts to loose something dear to you, I know this better than one might think. Yet time heals all wounds and new joy and friendships will start to fill the gap that you speak of. You just wait and see."
She stood up after giving Éowyn a long look. "I can see you have to think about what I said so I'll leave you for now. Is it alright if I visit you again later?"
"Of course Rita. You are one of the few, if not the only one, with whom I can discuss the matters that burden me so freely."
The two smiled at each other before Rita closed the door and started to walk to the direction of the room of Faramir.
She stopped at the door and stared at it while taking deep breaths, trying to calm her nerves. Finally she gathered all her courage and knocked on the door.
"Enter" said a male voice. It sounded weak yet not too weak.
Rita opened the door and what she saw made her freeze to her spot. In the bed sat the brother of Boromir, this she could say without any doubt for Faramir looked a lot like him.
She didn't notice she had been staring until she snapped out of her daze when she saw his lips move. "Can you repeat that?" she asked.
"I said, what can I do for you Milady?"
Closing her eyes she tried to gather herself. *God even his voice sounds the same* she thought. She had to force herself to open her eyes again and approached the bed in which Faramir was lying.
"I have come here to deliver a message to you Lord Faramir, yet I am not certain if I should do so right now. You have not healed completely yet and I would feel responsible if I were to cause for you to have a set-back."
He stared at her with a question in his eyes and Rita watched as they widened when she produced Boromir's letter and he recognized the handwriting.
His voice was hoarse when he spoke to her. "How did you acquire this letter? What news do you bring me of my brother?"
Rita bit her lip and sat at the end of his bed as she started to tell him the entire story like she had told Lillian and her family.
Only this time she left nothing out, not even Boromir's attempt to take the ring from Frodo when the ring's power had proved too much for the man.
Faramir was silent during the entire time that Rita spoke and he gave no reaction at anything. Rita even song the lament to Boromir again, and only then a few tears streamed down his face.
She swallowed to get rid of the lump in her throat and finished her tale. "I wish I could bring you better news but I am sorry to say that I do not. I have fulfilled Boromir's last wish and I know he is smiling down upon us right now, guiding us in everything we do." Abruptly she jumped up and left, leaving a grieving Faramir behind.
Not noticing anything around her, not the people nor the fact that night had started to present itself, Rita started to run back to the camp.
She couldn't think straight anymore, the look of uttermost pain and grief Faramir had given her as she gave him the news haunted her. All she wanted now was feel safe from pain and in her mind there was only one refuge: Aragorn.
Sure Elladan was dear to her and she loved him with all her heart, but Aragorn had shared so much with her on this journey.
More than once he calmed her fears and gave her support when she needed it. Truth be told, in the matter of Boromir and her pain of loosing him, she trusted none more than Aragorn.
She ran past Legolas and Gimli, whom she didn't notice, and also past Elrohir and Elladan, who were in a conversation with Halbarad. She didn't notice when they followed her. Finally she found Aragorn, who was staring to the east, and she ran even faster to catch up with him.
Aragorn heard somebody run to him and turned around. He looked at Rita for merely a second before he opened his arms wide and Rita let herself fall into them.
While she was clinging to his shirt, the tears she had suppressed during her talk to Faramir started to make their way down her face. She cried soundlessly in his chest and when her legs started to give away beneath her, she could feel Aragorn's strong arms keep her up.
The future king held her tight and sighed as he could feel the shaking of her body from all the sobbing she was doing. He exchanged a look with the men who had followed her and mouthed the words 'letter' and 'Faramir' to them.
Legolas immediately knew what it meant since he had heard Boromir's last wish and Gimli figured it out as well. The two of them started to lead the others away, they knew Rita didn't need them at that moment. She only needed Aragorn.
When he was being led away Elladan struggled a bit against Legolas's grip, but the other elf gave him an angry glance and gripped his arm even harder. Eventually Elladan gave up and left with the others while shooting worried glances at Rita.
Rita didn't notice anything of this, she only knew she was safe from all evil as Aragorn held her and slowly rocked her back and forth. He didn't speak any words of consolation for he knew words could offer her none.
He started to slide down to the ground so he could sit against the boulder behind him and Rita just followed him to stay close.
His steady heartbeat and the feeling of being rocked started to calm Rita down. Her sobs started to die away and her breathing started to even out. Still sniveling she pulled back a bit to look at Aragorn.
Fresh tears sprang in her eyes when she looked into his. His eyes were full of compassion and understanding, two things she knew she could rely on.
"I'm sorry for breaking down again Aragorn" her voice sounded raspy "I seem to be using you as my crying point a lot. And now I made your shirt all wet."
He brushed her hair from her face and pulled her back into his embrace before he answered her. "There is nothing to apologize for Rita and I feel honored that you come to me when you need a shoulder to cry on."
"You make me feel safe." she told him "When I am near you I know nothing will be able to hurt me cause you will chase all bad things away. Am I making sense here?" Aragorn didn't respond but just held her a bit closer.
From his position Elladan was staring at the two figures in the distance, they were to far away for him to see or hear what was being said and he gave a frustrated sigh.
"I still do not see why I had to leave Legolas" he said, frustration evident in his voice "She was hurting and I wanted to help her."
Legolas shook his head at the elf's behavior, he was acting like a boy whose toy had been taken away. "You could have done nothing to ease her pain my friend, only Aragorn can do that with this matter."
"What matter, I do not understand. What has upset her so?"
It was Gimli who explained it in his own gruff manner. "Well elf if you were silent and stopped yammering for a second we might tell you. But the way that you are acting as you are I would be very happy to keep this from you."
This silenced Elladan and Gimli continued. "She has just fulfilled Boromir's last wish; handing a letter to Faramir. Now I bet the man asked what happened and how she knew Boromir and I bet she told him everything that happened. It opened up the wounds that had started to heal."
Legolas took over the explanation at this point. "Of all of the fellowship, the only ones she has allowed to comfort her after a nightmare or when she was in pain were Boromir and Aragorn. Since Boromir is gone, Aragorn is the one she turns to in times of pain."
The elf could see that Elladan was hurt that she hadn't come. "Do not feel offended she didn't turn to you with her pain. She loves you, this has become more than clear to all of us, yet you weren't there during the quest. You wouldn't understand her pain at Boromir's loss for you didn't see how much they grew to like each other."
Gimli took over again. "The lad gave her a new name and made her open up to all of us with his friendship towards her. Their bond was that of brother and sister, she is now called Rita of Gondor. A name free of her past."
A long silence followed and all stared at the two figures in the distance, contemplating all that had been said.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Darkness surrounded them when Rita pulled back again, this time with no more tears in her eyes. "Thanks Aragorn, I really needed that."
He smiled at her and stood up while pulling her up with him. "You can always come to me if you need me, you know this."
Rita nodded and hugged him tight. "You know" she whispered "I wish my dad would have been more like you. Cause besides being held by Elladan, nothing makes feel as safe as you can. I could have used that while growing up."
Aragorn felt a wave of emotion come over him as she said this, he was deeply touched by her words. "And if I were to have a daughter, I wish she were as brave and strong as you."
This made her hug him even tighter and after a while she let him go while looking deep in his eyes. Suddenly she started to chuckle. "You would not believe how hungry I am." Her stomach made a sound at that exact moment, confirming her statement.
He laughed at this as well and together they made their way to the others, his arm was around her shoulders and she leaned into him.
"Aragorn" she said.
"Yes"
"I'm glad you're here. I don't know what I would do without you."
He sighed. "Nor would I know what to do without you Rita, so that makes us even."
Finally they reached the others and Rita snatched the piece of bread Gimli was about to put in his mouth out of his hand. Gimli protested against this of course but stopped doing that when Rita grinned at him, a twinkle in her eye.
He refrained himself to shaking his finger at her and generously handed her another piece that she eagerly accepted.
Aragorn said he had some matters to attend to and Halbarad and Elrohir followed him towards the tent that was being used for planning.
Rita sat between Legolas and Gimli as she wolfed down as much bread as possible. Then she noticed the stares she was been given.
"What? I haven't eaten since the last meal on the ship. After that I had a glass of water and that's it. Ooh talking about water. . . "
There was no need to finish her sentence since Legolas already handed her his water skin. She drained all the water from it before she handed it back to him.
Suddenly she noticed Elladan and she went to sit next to him, laying her head on his shoulder. Automatically he wrapped his arm around his waist and she snuggled closer to him. Rita sighed, she felt perfectly content like that. Being among friends and being held by the man she loved. She didn't see Legolas and Gimli get up to leave them alone.
"Are you alright?" he asked her and she smiled a bit.
"I've been better but I guess I'm ok. Haven't broken down like that since the ride to Helm's Deep. Lucky for me Aragorn doesn't mind me crying on his shoulder every time."
He caressed her cheek. "You could always come to me if you needed to cry."
"I know. . . it's just. . . Aragorn understands exactly why I'm crying and what to say to calm me down. We've been through a lot together." She didn't know how to explain herself and Elladan saw she was struggling with this.
"It is alright melamin, I understand. You do not have to explain yourself to me."
Rita sighed and moved around until she was facing him and she wrapped her arms around his neck. She closed her eyes as he embraced her back.
Her grip loosened a bit and with her hands she started to comb through his hair. When she felt all the knots in it she changed position until she was behind him. Elladan reluctantly let her go when she moved away but uttered a soft sigh when she sat behind him.
With her fingers she started to untangle his hair as gently as she could, not wanting to hurt him. He closed his eyes at the sensation. "You know how long it has been since anybody has done my hair for me?" he asked.
"How long?"
He had to think about that for a minute and gave up when he couldn't remember. "I forgot how long ago." he said with a chuckle "All I remember is that I was merely a young elf at the time. No older than 300 years old."
Rita scoffed at this. "Oh no that's not old at all."
"Not for an elf Rita, I had the appearance of an eleven year old at the time."
She kept on combing through his hair as he kept talking. "My mother would come in every morning to our room and help me and Elrohir get ready for that day. She would pick out our clothing and brush our hair and braid it."
"What was your mother like? Arwen told me a bit about her but it seemed to hurt her so I dropped the matter quickly. She left for Valinor didn't she?"
When he remained silent Rita feared she had upset him so she stopped brushing and softly turned his face in her direction so she could look into his eyes.
Relief flooded through her mind when she saw the loving look he gave her, only a shimmer of pain in his eyes. She squeezed his hand a bit and Elladan answered that by pulling her onto his lap and hold her tight.
Rita lay her head on his chest and waited for what was to come. She didn't have to wait very long until Elladan began to speak again, his voice soft.
"My mother was, well to describe her with one word, she was wonderful. She was as tall as Arwen is and was just as beautiful. Her skin was soft and pale, which is common amongst the elves as you may have noticed"
She nodded and he continued. "Her hair was lighter than mine or Arwen's hair. It was a shade of blond yet not exactly blond. It had a silvery glance like grandmother Galadriel has, you know what I mean?"
Once again she nodded and waited for him to speak again. "She had the perfect features but the most incredible thing about her were her eyes. They sparkled with life and joy and her feelings could be read from them if she allowed you to."
"She loved life and all the beautiful things around her. Often she and father would go out riding through Rivendell and they would sit while enjoying all the wondrous surroundings. She would play with us and cared for us, showing her love with everything we did."
He grinned. "Never did she betray me us when Elrohir and I played our pranks. There was the time when we were supposed to study and we climbed out of the window. She saw us go down and never said a word. She even finished our homework for us so we wouldn't be caught."
Rita sighed. "She sounds perfect."
"She was, aye she was." He seemed to thinking about the past and Rita stayed silent, letting him collect his thoughts. She knew what happened to his mother, she was attacked by orcs on her way to Lothlorien, but she wanted to know what this did to Elladan, she wanted to know what he was feeling. He knew so much about her and she so little about him.
"Mother decided to visit Lothlorien, her homeland. On her way there she and her escort were attacked by orcs. She was poisoned, she suffered and was in pain for a long time while father healed her. When she recovered she had changed, no longer enjoy life and where joy once had its place in her eyes pain had taken over."
Rita hugged him tight, she could feel this was hard for him.
"Then she took the decision to leave to Valinor, so her soul could heal like her body had. With great pain did father let her go. I can still remember the crying of Arwen and Elrohir as they begged her to stay, yet I cannot recall if I did the same. It happened so fast."
Rita mentioned something that expressed what he had been feeling at the time. "One minute she was there and the other she had disappeared."
He nodded and sighed deeply. "Watching her leave was one of the hardest things I had to do in my lifetime but it ranks second on my list of worst things ever."
"What's number one?" she asked.
"Knowing you are in danger or pain and realizing there is nothing I can do against it."
"Elladan. . . " Rita didn't know what to say about that so she did something else. She kissed him to let him know what she was feeling.
Slowly he started to react to the kiss and he cupped her face so he had a better angle. He opened his mouth when he felt her tongue touch his lips. Once opened her tongue darted in and met his own, slowly the two tongues moved together.
It was no passionate kiss but one full of feeling. After minutes the two untangled themselves and started to walk back to camp.
They entered the tent Elladan shared with his brothers and went to lay on the small bed. They fell asleep immediately and when Aragorn and Elrohir walked in they were confronted with the sight of the two tangled together on the small space.
Elrohir snorted and went to sleep but Aragorn covered them with a blanket before he went to sleep as well.
A/N: Well, what did you think? Bad or good or something in between. Do not hesitate to send me criticism, I can take it and I wanna learn from my mistakes.