A/n: I'm so sorry this took so long—work, you know. Anyway, please read and review!
Waves
Selanae stared out over the gentle waves. They lapped at the boat—she could hear the waves each time they rocked the hull. The sky was a brilliant blue. The sun shone as if there was every reason in the world to be cheerful.
Behind her, the captain of the Corsair ship kicked at her hip. He rounded the mast she was tied to, and faced her with the same lifelessness that he always had. His eyes were lazily gazing at her.
She sighed and returned the stare.
"What?" she asked. He grinned at her, not threatening or baring his teeth to scare her. But his eyes were amused.
"Will you hate them if they don't come for you?" he asked. "Gondor, your friends . . . if they give you up, will you haunt them when you're dead?"
Selanae casually raised an eyebrow. "No. But you, yes."
He laughed and shook his head. The captain turned out seaward.
"Well now . . . ."
Selanae looked up. The captain stared off across the ocean, towards shore. She frowned when she saw what held his attention.
It was a woman, with golden hair. A woman of Rohan? The captain grinned, and his men joined him near the ship's side. Excited murmurs rose from the sailors, and the captain himself seemed thrilled.
"Bring us closer to shore."
Selanae rolled her eyes at the men. How stupid they were, and vulgar. She had no doubts as to what they had in mind for the blond maiden on the shore.
What's she doing out here, all alone? Selanae squinted to see her. She seemed to be gathering something from the shore. Food? Wood?
The ship traversed over shallow waters, nearing gigantic boulders that sat beneath the cliffs and in the water itself. The maiden looked up from her gathering, and showed panic. She began running along the coast. The ship followed, with ruckus laughter echoing over the water from the Corsairs.
Selanae pulled at her restraints. She didn't care too much what happened to the woman, but she wouldn't just let the Corsairs have their way. Her wrists stung from the strain she placed on the bindings.
And suddenly, she stilled. Her eyes fixated on the maiden. There was something odd about her . . . .
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The ship drew closer.
Closer.
Just a bit closer. Eomer watched, biting hard on his lip. He grew impatient, but the moment was drawing near.
He watched Legolas saunter about in fake panic on the beach. The dress the elf wore brought a smile to Eomer's face, but he forced it back. He'd promised not to tease the elf for it, not when Legolas was helping with this ruse as a woman.
Legolas made a show of panicking, stumbling purposely over the rocky and sandy beach. He shot a glare at Eomer, but it quickly passed as the shouts from the Corsairs sounded over the water.
Eomer's muscles tensed. His hands grasped the large boulder he hid behind. It sat in water, as did Eomer. All he had to do was wait just a little bit longer . . .
The ship slowed to a stop as the water became too shallow. The crew aboard started to lower a small row boat. Eomer glanced over himself. He shed any armor he'd worn, and was left only in his tunic and pants. He tightened his belt with his sword and scabbard attached. He rolled his ankle slightly as well, feeling his dagger there. Those were the only weapons he had for this.
Eomer drew a deep breath and circled around the boulder. He peeked around it. The small row boat was filled with Corsairs, all shouting at Legolas. The main ship still held at least forty or fifty men, but that was all right. Eomer glanced at the cliffs above, his eyes finding a specific nook in the rocks. He saw his men there, and he gave them a nod before submerging himself in the water.
It stung at his eyes. Eomer grimaced slightly at the discomfort. He swam further beneath the surface and out to sea. The water was very clear, and it wouldn't do to be seen. Even so, Eomer had to come up for air. He made it behind another boulder to do so. The water trickled down his face. He swiped at it and checked everyone's position.
He grinned, and quietly dove beneath the water. The weight of his sword pulled on his left side, but he just stroked harder. His lungs constricted tightly, the air running out. Just a bit further.
He came up in the middle of the water, with no cover. Eomer knew he had to at some point, but he kept his head barely above the water level. The ship was another stretch away. He glanced back at the shore and nodded to his men. With a deep breath, he swam beneath the water to the ship.
The noise of men's shouts could be heard as he came up by the ship. Eomer grinned. His men were firing arrows from the shore. Legolas discarded the feminine garb to reveal his normal clothing, and already he was firing rapidly.
Eomer swam around to the seaward side of the ship. Short planks of wood were nailed to the side as a makeshift ladder, and Eomer took advantage of it. He climbed quietly,
He peeked over the side. Corsairs were running about, their weapons drawn and returning fire. At least fifteen were dead, their bodies getting in the way of the living. Eomer scanned the rest of the ship. Where is Selanae?
There! At one mast of the ship, Selanae sat on the deck, her arms tied around the wood. She sat up straight, her posture alert and her eyes looking at the shore.
And suddenly she looked away, and around the ship. Her eyes narrowed, moving from the panicking Corsairs to the deck, and then—
Their eyes met. Her eyes lit up. She pulled at her bonds, and for a moment Eomer lost himself. She was glad to see him!
Of course she is—she's been kidnapped by the damn Corsairs!
Eomer glanced away, trying to compose himself. This was a battle, and how he felt for Selanae had no place. There were still too many Corsairs to take on himself. But Selanae looked all right . . . all he had to do was get to her.
Eomer pulled himself aboard. His clothes dripped heavily with seawater, and he was pretty sure his scabbard was water-logged as well, but that didn't matter. A Corsair yelled in alarm. He charged at Eomer, yelling the whole time. Eomer quickly drew his sword and blocked a blow. He pivoted and slashed the man's chest.
Eomer ran towards Selanae. Another Corsair came at him. Eomer didn't slow down, but went to his knees. He slid across the deck and wielded his sword over his head. It caught the Corsair's thigh. The Rohan king stopped right at the mast. Selanae's eyes were wide, and constantly looking behind him.
"Hurry," she said curtly. Eomer frowned. He grabbed his dagger and sliced through the ropes around her wrists.
"A little bit of appreciation would be nice," he muttered. She just grinned at him. Eomer shook his head and tossed her the dagger, which she caught despite her raw wrists.
"What's the plan?" she asked, readying herself for a Corsair's attack. Eomer shrugged.
"Get off the ship," he said. "Preferably alive." He caught her bewildered look and just laughed.
They fought through a mass of Corsairs, with each cut and charge getting closer to the side of the ship. Eomer stabbed through one man, and looked past him at the shore. He could see a few injured of his dozen men, but the Corsairs' casualties were greater by far. Those in the row boat were all killed, and only twenty or so remained on the ship.
But they were still threats. Three charged Eomer at once. He stumbled from their force. He warded off their blows quickly, one after the other, but three on one wasn't the best scenario.
"Eomer!" He glanced at Selanae, who was poised to jump overboard. Eomer kicked at one of the men's feet and swatted away another's blade. Quickly he took three steps to the side and leapt over.
Air rushed by them, rippling his wet clothes. And then a great splash sounded as Selanae and Eomer fell deep below the water. Tiny air bubbles crawled over his skin as he continued to sink, and then slowly buoy to the surface. He broke the water's surface with a deep gasp for air.
Selanae came up a moment after him.
"Hurry!" he said. He swam a bit awkwardly with the sword in his hand, but he wasn't about to part with it either. Behind him, he heard Selanae swim as well. Suddenly a large splash sounded near them.
Eomer turned as someone came to the surface. It was the apparent captain of the ship. He swam madly at Selanae, who raised her dagger in some sort of defense. The water, however, was not a stable fighting ground. Eomer felt his heart drop as the captain reached her and simply dove over her, pushing her down with him as they both submerged.
Eomer swam a few strokes back and dove under. The water seemed darker now, but he could see shapes moving, fighting. Selanae struggled to get free, while the captain held her down. Eomer frantically pulled his body through the water. He grabbed Selanae by the shirt and pulled her away. The captain held on, clawing at her and lashing out at Eomer. Eomer seized the captain by his arms, twisting and pulling, anything to get him to release Selanae. Finally, he saw Selanae get free and swim for the surface. Eomer pushed the captain down and followed to the air.
He gasped as he reached the surface. Selanae floated on her back, taking in the air.
"Keep going," he said between breaths. He waved his hand forward, as if that would be clearer. He started to swim after her.
Suddenly something pulled at his legs. Eomer opened his mouth to yell, but it filled with water.
The captain hit Eomer in the stomach. How he managed such a hit in the water, Eomer didn't know, but it hurt. It made him lose what little air he had in his lungs. Eomer stroked for the surface. The captain grabbed at his tunic, pulling him down further. Eomer kicked hard. The captain's grip weakened, but Eomer still was prisoner under the water.
End this before you drown. Eomer pushed at the man. They struggled for control, or for freedom from the other's grasp. A hand clawed at Eomer's faced, and somehow he was hit again in the chest.
Eomer started to swallow more water. He gagged and only succeeded in taking in more seawater. His limbs felt heavy, and the captain's fighting seemed overwhelming. Black ink started to fill his vision.
With one last effort, Eomer kicked out. Suddenly, he wasn't held down anymore, and his body floated to the top.
A breeze chilled his face. He knew he could breath, but water filled his mouth and his lungs. He choked on it, and then finally managed to cough it out.
"Eomer!" he heard. Eomer let himself buoy in the water on his side. He rested for a moment before looking to shore. Selanae sat in the water and half on the shore. She looked worried as she waved to him.
Eomer smiled.
"At least she cares," he whispered to himself. He coughed again and glanced behind him. Something was rising to the surface, something limp and unmoving. Eomer's body tensed.
It was the captain. Eomer wasn't sure where he'd kicked the man, but evidently it worked.
Suddenly the seemingly lifeless body moved, splashing about and lunging at Eomer. Eomer raised his arms in defense as the captain brought a dagger at him. Eomer caught the downward blow, but the men struggled against each other. The captain yelled out something unintelligible, and pushed all his weight onto Eomer. The dagger shook in the man's grasp. It touched Eomer's hands, then started to cut into them. Blood spilled, dripping down his arms and into the water.
"Eomer!" he heard Legolas call in panic. "Down!" Eomer frowned, not sure of what he meant.
And then he knew. Eomer gave a burst of energy, pushing the man and the blade up away from him, and Eomer plunged in the water. Through the water's movement, he heard something hiss above him, and then slam into the captain. Eomer saw the captain fall through the water, his eyes wide open and an arrow protruding from his neck.
Eomer kicked up to the surface. His hands stung, but it was a trivial thing right now. He wanted nothing more than to get to shore.
By the time he reached it, the Corsairs, or what was left of them, sailed away as quickly as they could, and without their captain. The soldiers of Rohan cheered and greeted Eomer as he came out of the water, sopping wet and smelling of the sea.
"Sir!" one shouted, running to his side. He glanced around and suddenly a bandage was before him, being wrapped around his hands. His men circled him, a bit protectively.
"Are you well, sire?" one asked. He felt like he was a child being tended by a group of mothers.
"Yes, yes," he said, pushing past them. Selanae stood by Legolas, her face alight as she watched the scene.
"Still getting used to being king?" she asked. He shot a glare at her.
"I rescue you, and you mock me?" he replied. Despite it though, he was glad she was so friendly. Their last meeting hadn't been cheerful by any means.
She grinned at him, and Eomer felt his heart flutter.
"Better than me torturing you," she said. But it wasn't blaming this time, as she was keen to do to herself before. She gave a short nod to him and then turned to Legolas. "By the way . . . Legolas, was that you dressed as a woman?"
Eomer lost it. He roared with laughter, his men joining in and the elf turning red right to the point of his ears. Selanae laughed along with them.
"Come," Legolas said with a slight huff. "Aragorn will be worried."
It would be a long journey back for the elf.