Chapter 13: A Clash of Swords
The occurrences of the night remained between the two confidants the next day. There was a day's worth of riding before Edoras and Serena feared arousing suspicions among the Men over Pegasus. Now she was riding on the same horse as Aragorn while Gimli was sharing a horse with Legolas. Even with the stamina of his kind, the constant riding and the prospects of the journey had gained its tow on the Elf. He would prepare a peaceful rest with the comfort of the one who had soothing presence upon his soul.
--oo--
As they reaches the boundaries of Edoras, they were met with an image marred of black smokes and war cries. At the gates leading into the city, a guard stopped them with orders to disarm all who desired passage into the city. The name Gandalf and the White Rider were known to the people of the city and the sound of Aragorn's name sent a ripple of emotions. However, the visitors were disarmed nonetheless. Serena kept her presence timid but she did sacrifice her Uranian blade along with the rest.
They were brought upon not to the King, but a broken man sitting at the steps in front of the throne. Gandalf leading the way spotted a lowly creature near the King and with the raise of his staff, he commanded, "Wormtongue, be gone from my sight for this is the only time I will show mercy upon your soul!"
With that, a flash of lightning struck mere feet from the creature who snarled at the Wizard before escaping from the castle. As the presence of Wormtongue wore off, King of the Mark seemed to rise to his full height, the air of nobility surrounding him heightened. He starred at the company assembled before him, and broke into laughter, "Gandalf, I see that my guard had not thoroughly disarmed you of your staff before entering my court."
"Theoden, shame on you. You would deprived an old man the support of his staff?"
The group chuckled softly for none knew the true age of the Istari. At the sound of laughter, the doors adjacent to the throne burst open. "Eomer, Marshal of the Mark, what is the matter?" Theoden addressed the soldier to his left.
"My Lord, it is good to see you well but I fear that even as we speak war is raging."
"Then we must call into arms of our Army." In the ancient tongue of Rohan, Theoden, son of Thengel, King of the Mark, called forth his subjects and ordered for preparations to be made for their departure tomorrow.
"Are you well enough, My Lord?" asked the woman to his right who came in with Eomer.
"I am fine, sister-daughter without the presence of Wormtongue."
It was then that the company realized that she was in fact Lady Eowyn, daughter of Eomund, Lady of Rohan. Fair she was in her gown of white and hair of setting sun. Her eyes held a strength enhancing her beauty. Theoden turned his attention once more and fell upon the solitary figure behind the group. "Perhaps your servant will be obliged to a resting quarter before we continue with our preparations."
Serena's identity was of course concealed and so she complied without protest and all along sensing the silent pleadings from Aragorn and Gandalf. Lady Eowyn led her away and showed her to a room and with a single nod, she was gone. Serena had sensed Lady Eowyn's confusion when she gazed upon Aragorn. Just now, The White Lady emitted an aura of dire need to get away.
--oo--
Serena removed her cloak as her eyes fell upon the welcoming bed before her. However, in the adjourning room, a bath had been drawn. Unraveling her hair from its braided confines and it felt heavenly to wash herself after ridding herself of her travelling tunic. She lost track of time while indulging in her bath but she paid no heed to that. Afterwards, she slipped herself in a dress that she found in the closet, the pale green material caressed her skin. So relaxed she was that she failed to hear the soft clicks of her chamber door opening and closing.
A figure slowly made his way to the lady whose back was turned at the moment. He wrapped his arms around her waist and giggled softly into her hair when she let out a yelp. She struggled in his hold but he was stubborn and rather enjoyed his present position. Eventually, she admitted
defeat and slowly turned her head slowly to face him. She began to place soft kisses upon him. One after another, gentle and slow, he began to loosen his hold. She advanced him backwards toward the wall. All this time, she managed to avoid kissing his lips fully and though he began to feel desperate, each kiss she made promised him more. He felt himself surrendering to her touch. As he felt himself hitting the wall of the room, his eyes were closed without his realization and in anticipation. He felt her lips softly upon his and her tongue running along them. He parted his mouth slightly but was shocked when he felt the loss of her body upon him.
"That is for scaring me, Legolas."
How cruel! The woman had been teasing him and robbing him of kisses and now she had the nerve to run off. Legolas' eyes snapped opened to see the retreating figure of one Lady Serena. Being an Elf with keen sight and speed, he would surely catch up with her and he swear ...
--oo--
Serena knew that Legolas would not be far behind even with her head start and immense training in running. Suddenly, she felt herself hitting a large body and landed in the arms of Aragorn. "Lady Serena, what is the matter? Has something happened?"
"No, it is Legolas. I believe that he will be quite upset since I got away after teasing him slightly."
Strider once more, he could not help but laugh at the Elf's current predicament. He immediately came up with a plan which he whispered into the Lady's ear. It was just in time for Legolas came up from behind, he shot a glare at Serena hiding behind Aragorn.
"Lady Serena, I suggest that you follow my plan this instant before I set Legolas after you."
She did not need to be told twice. Legolas sighed at the sight of the golden haired maiden running off ... again. "Aragorn, let me go after her."
Strider had stood in the way but he had a smile on his face when he said, "No fear, my friend. I had merely told her one of the longer ways of getting back to her chambers. If you turned around in the ways in which you came, you will surely catch your lady."
Strider's smile grew wider as he saw that recognition had sank in to the Elf and the Prince immediately ran off once more towards the chambers.
Serena kept running following Strider's instructions which he insisted would confuse the Elf. Suddenly, she realized that she was nearing her chambers and nobody was there. She entered cautiously and as she closed the door behind her, a body was smacked on top of hers. A husky yet familiar voice whispered into her ear, "That is for running away and making me weary after
our long journey. Now is the daunting task for you to apologize."
She knew that she could not get away this time and in the back of the mind, she had to 'thank' Strider for this. Now, an apology was in order and she was about to make it interesting. She had prior instructions on this from her friends of old: Mina and her Venusian flirtations, Lita and constant 'old boyfriend' antics and even the occasion from Michelle with her grace and beauty.
She matched the weight of his body with that of her. Her leg was touching his and her chest fell upon his. Ever so slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and in an equally hushed voice, she said, "I promise this runaway rabbit will make it up to you."
That was the last straw for the Elf as he plunged his mouth upon hers to silence her before any more words could be said. Then he swept her in his arm and cradled her such that she could not get away from him again. Their lips locked, he made the way over to the velvet bed. She was straddling beneath him as they were in a heated wave of passion. All necessary clothing was shed and he was in full control for the most part. They enjoyed every moment of it as their bodies radiated the satiety that they held for each other. As she laid full length on top of him, she kissed his chest to his shoulder blade and up his neck and then kissed his lips until both had to pull away from the lack of air. Both were breathing heavily.
Then a slight cough could be heard from the door, and Serena let out a cry. Legolas drew the sheets closer to them before both glared at their intruder. It was none other than Aragorn. "I am merely here to inform you that your presence is required at the dining hall. Though, I had only opened the door just now, I recommend clothing for the both of you."
--oo--
The two lovers in bed were rather embarrassed for having been seen by Aragorn and his last comment. Still, they were needed for the feast hosted by Theoden. They dressed in proper attires and Serena let her hair down and adorned in a dress of soft orange with a shade of pink. The dress was similar to her princess dress but this was long sleeved and it was V-shaped neckline showing a modest cleavage. Legolas was dressed in royal attire of soft browns and greens similar to his Elven tunic.
They entered the banquet hall and everybody present was surprised to see the lady in the arms of the Elf except for those who knew Serena of course. Serena curtseyed in front of Theoden, "My Lord, I am Lady Serenity, one who was concealed by the cloak upon our first meeting. I am blessed to be in your hospitality."
Theoden was still shock and Gandalf stepped forward, "Yes, Lady Serenity is here in good terms with the company and her presence is not unknown to us."
After he was over his initial shock, Theoden welcomed the Lady to his table seeing her grace and manners. Lady Eowyn was surprised as well, for she did not realize that the 'servant' she had seen hours before was a woman and it was then she had even greater respect for her.
--oo--
That night, Serena fell asleep in the arms of Legolas after hours of love making and whisperings of endearment into the night. She was more tired than usual probably from the teleportation into Frodo's dreams from night before. Whatever the cause, she slept soundly that night. She did not
realize that the figure beside her woke up at the break of dawn and left with the other soldiers to Helm's Deep for war.
He did not want to leave her but he was under the strict orders of the King, Gandalf and a very reluctant Aragorn to leave at dawn without Lady Serena to war. It was part of their preparations when Theoden sent the 'servant' away. Legolas did not dare to kiss Serena goodbye for he feared that he could not leave her afterwards or wake her up. Instead, he blew a kiss to her before closing the door to their chambers.
Aragorn saw the look of discontent on the Elf's face. Though he was personally in opposition to the decision, it was Theoden's orders to leave at the brink of dawn without Lady Serena. Lady Eowyn would be left in charge of Edoras during the King's absence.
--oo--
Serena woke up to an empty bed and an unusual quietness that left a feeling at the pit of stomach. She got dressed and braided her hair into a series of intricate ties. As she wandered around the unfamiliar castle, she came upon a war room of sorts. A lone figure was inside and Serena could hear war cries and the slash of a blade. Serena could not see the figure clearly. However, from the motion of the blade and the swiftness in which the weapon was handled, Serena knew the wielder of the sword was an expert in the art.
As the figure sensed the other presence in the room, Serena realized that it was Lady Eowyn. "They left at the brink of dawn leaving you and me here where we can do nothing in the real war out there."
Serena was speechless for she could not believe that even Legolas would leave her to fight on his own. She walked into the war room and fingered one of the swords there. It was similar to her own used in her Cosmetic form. "Would you like to spar, Lady Eowyn?"
Surprised, the Shieldmaiden of Rohan accepted the challenge, with the raise of the sword in front of her. The two women began to duel, fuelled by determination, anger, ambition and strength. Metal met metal, stroke for stroke. Serena added in speed into her moves and Eowyn met the increased intensity with ones of her own. Both did not want to give up as sweat formed on their foreheads. Suddenly, both decided to add in the remaining energy into their next strike as a loud crash resulted. Two broken hilts and blade led on opposite sides of the room and two figures were breathing heavily.
"You fight well, Lady Eowyn. It has been a long time since I had met a more worthy opponent."
"Yet, I felt that you are holding back that there is more to you than meets the eye. With that, I am honoured to have you as an opponent."
Two women grew a deeper respect for each other that day. Serena then asked, "Do you know where they had gone for their battle?"
"Yes, but how are you going to catch you with them?"
"You were right when you said that I was holding back because there is more than meets the eye. For you see," she said as she turned holding out her jewel to face the Lady of Rohan, "I am more than just Lady Serenity. I am the Princess of White Moon, a descendent of Serenity of the Silver
Millennium, Carrier and Protector of the Imperium Silver Crystal." With that, Lady Eowyn was subjected into a series of flashbacks with Serena narrating her pasts to her.
When she was finished, Lady Eowyn was speechless but she knew that in her heart, there was a fighter's soul inside of Lady Serenity that was raging to be cut loose. With a nod, she told Serena where they were going. Afterwards, Serena gave the other woman a hug. "Thank you, Lady Eowyn. Come and you shall see the means by which I am going to travel."
Leading the way to the top of the castle, Serena summoned Pegasus once more. With her supernatural speed and grace, she jumped onto of the white stallion. As Pegasus jumped from the roof of the castle carrying them to the ground, Lady Eowyn stood on top of the pillars with her dress flowing in the wind and a sword clutched at her in her goodbye.
--oo--
Back to Company, there were holding off on their own with Legolas and Gimli holding a small contests of one many Orcs the other could slay. Currently, the two friends were separated in the midst of the war. Legolas fighting along side Aragorn with Auduril flashing its deathly gleam to all who dared to challenge it. Legolas shot off one arrow after the other with each one meeting its mark. However, there seemed to be a sudden wave of Orcs when they were overpowered. One came from behind Aragorn who would rarely be caught off guard and as Legolas shouted in fury to defend, a suspecting Orc was shot at the Elf.
Everything was in slow motion as blood, gore, arrows, swords and the sounds of war cries mingled as one. One distinct cry was hard from the immortal prince as he fell forward clutching the wound ...
End of Chapter 13
