Review responses:
Kittyfantastico: thanks for your review, but you should know that my updates are not 'regular'; sometimes I will update several times in one week and sometimes I will run out of ideas and not update for months.
Mirax: Thanks for your review.
Hermionelily: Legolas isn't in the story much because it isn't his story! He is a very minor character in this, as he is shown so well in the movies and I doubt the altering of events in this story would change him much. Most people know Legolas reasonably well, so I'd rather use the space developing the characters of my OC's or focusing on Aragorn and Arwen, the two main characters in this story. Thanks for the review, keep it up!
Bubble-Sheep: I can't even remember what I said I wasn'tr giving away… oh yeah, it was an idea for the next fic I do… well, if I told you I'd be giving it away, wouldn't I? It's not all that exciting, although some might think it is…
BregoBeauty: Thanks for the review.
Mafer: Thanks for the review. I will do a reasonable amount of description about Arwen in her 'non-elvish' dress next chap, unless you'd rather it be left for you to imagine.
I realise my updates have slowed a little, but I have been on work experience recently and have found it quite tiring (although great fun!)
Not my best ever chap, but please review!I hope the next one will be better, but I need your feedback to inspire me!
Two days later, Rochwen collapsed into her guest-room in Edoras. The company had only got back an hour earlier, and it was late. Despite her exhaustion, Rochwen could not sleep. Her mind would not slow down; it just seemed to be spinning, covering the same things over and over again.
Rochwen was worried about her cousin. He seemed distracted now, but not in a good way. Arwen had told her about Aragorn's brooding, and she could not understand it any more than the elf. Normally, her cousin kept in good humour, and although she imagined he often felt sadness and pain, he rarely expressed it.
The timing also seemed strange. Estel was with the love of his life now, and yet he did not seem cheered by it. Indeed, he was saddened. Perhaps he was just worried about what my have happened to her, but she was safe now, and Rochwen could not understand why he was still so concerned.
Had it been worry about his visit to Isengard? This made some sense, Rochwen decided, but he rarely showed fear of anything that might happen to him. He had faced up to ten thousand Uruk-Hai and had been strong and given strength to those under his command. Eventually, Rochwen had had enough of lying there brooding. She swung her legs out from the bed, and quietly padded across the cold stone floor. She opened the heavy oak door as quietly as she could. She was heading to Miriel's room.
When Rochwen was orphaned, Miriel's family had taken her into their care. Miriel was, in Rochwen's mind, her elder sister. Of course, Rochwen knew that Miriel was not her actual sister, but she still felt that way.
Rochwen tapped gently on the door. If her 'sister' was awake, she would hear the knock, but if asleep, it should not wake her. Rochwen hoped it was the former.
"Who is it?" Came the gentle whisper from inside.
"Me," Rochwen answered simply.
"Rochwen?" Miriel opened the door and looked around it, surprise evident in her eyes. "What are you doing up at this hour?"
"I could not sleep."
Miriel sighed and stepped back, opening the door wider. "Come in then," she invited uncertainly.
"Thank you."
Miriel shut the door quietly, and Rochwen sat on the bed. Miriel pulled a chair opposite and sat in it, looking Rochwen in the eyes and waiting for her explanation.
"What's wrong with Estel?" Rochwen asked, unable to hide the worry and confusion she felt.
Miriel's brows furrowed. "What do you mean? He's coming back tomorrow. He's only gone with Gandalf to Isengard."
"I know! But Arwen said he was… well, not what he's usually like."
"Look, Rochwen, I don't understand what you mean, but you mustn't worry yourself. Arwen may just be over-concerned."
"Maybe, but…"
"Just go back to bed, Rochwen."
Rochwen sighed as she walked back towards her own room. That had been a total waste of time; she was no nearer to understanding her cousin than she had been when she was walking towards Miriel's room.
The next day, those who had gone to Isengard galloped back to Edoras. Aragorn could not wait to see Arwen again.
He knew he had worried her by showing his depressed mood, and silently vowed to himself that he would relax and enjoy spending time with her whilst she was there. She would be gone soon, too soon. Yet Aragorn already felt that seeing her had greatly strengthened his resolve to win the fight against Sauron.
When they arrived, Aragorn put Brego away in the stables, and swiftly marched up the stone steps to the golden hall. He saw Rochwen and Éowyn sat together on the top step. Éowyn seemed to be explaining something while Rochwen listened intently. They broke off when they heard his rapid footsteps approaching them.
"I don't know where Arwen is, before you can ask, Estel," Rochwen said. "Last tiem I saw her she was sat talking to Nimwen in the hall."
"Thank you." Aragorn then turned to Éowyn. "I apologise if my cousin is bothering you, my lady."
"Not at all. It is nice to have someone to talk to."
Aragorn nodded to them and walked through the large oak doors to the hall. He had no trouble finding Arwen; he could clearly see her and Nimwen sat on a bench at the side of the hall, having a small midday meal.
He came up behind the women and cleared his throat. Neither jumped at the sound; they had both heard him approach. He reached down and gently wrapped his arms around Arwen's shoulders, nuzzling his face into her neck.
Arwen blushed at the public display of affection, but she did not really mind. Aragorn sat down next to her, still keeping an arm around her shoulders.
"What happened with Saruman?" Nimwen asked.
"Well, we didn't get anything useful out of him, but… well, let's just say that he and Grima are no longer alive."
"Dead?" Arwen asked. "I thought you wanted…"
"Information, yes. It was Grima who stabbed Saruman. But I'm sure you don't want to know all the details while you are eating."
"Definitely not," Nimwen agreed.
They talked for a while before Nimwen discreetly left, giving them some time to themselves.
Aragorn and Arwen sat in silence for a while, having nothing much to say, yet both content in each other's presence.
It was Aragorn who broke the silence. "I trust you are looking forward to the banquet tonight?"
"Indeed, although I believe my father is less keen."
Aragorn raised an eyebrow playfully. "Perhaps he worries that some lord may exhaust his only daughter with too much dancing." Aragorn paused, then continued jokingly; "Although I cannot think who might do such a thing."
Arwen laughed quietly and Aragorn looked at her adoringly. He loved to hear her laugh. Arwen was normally quite reserved, as were most elves, in keeping with their noble and graceful image. Aragorn felt great pride in being one of the few people with whom she would often show mirth.
"He said something about drunk men and wild behaviour not appealing to his tastes." Arwen smiled. "I think it may have been a very discreet warning to me to be careful."
Aragorn looked slightly pained. When he spoke, the previous mirth was missing from his voice. "He does not trust me to take good care of you."
"I did not say that. I believe it is a warning for me not to be walking around on my own." Arwen sighed. "I believe he is far too over-protective."
"I cannot agree with you on that, for I am just the same when it comes to you."
Arwen smiled and blushed very slightly. "Yes, but with you it flatters me."
Aragorn leant over and kissed Arwen's lips gently. Her eyelids fluttered shut for several seconds after he had pulled away. She sighed happily and opened her eyes.
They sat in silence for a while, before something suddenly occurred to Arwen.
"What?" Aragorn asked, feeling her tense up suddenly.
"I've just realised- you wish to dance with me, yet I do not know any Rohirric dances!"
Aragorn laughed heartily, but stopped when he saw the insulted look on Arwen's face.
He smiled sheepishly. "I am sorry, meleth. It just does not seem like you should be so bothered. After the battle you've been through, I would think something like that would seem trivial."
"It is humiliating."
"I shan't ask you to do any that are difficult Arwen. Besides, I don't know all their dances, just the more popular ones. They may have changed since I was last here, but we shall see."
The two sat together for a long time, before Arwen regretfully rose to leave.
"I must prepare for this evening," she explained.
Aragorn smiled. "I await your return with much anticipation as always, meleth nin."
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