Author's note:- Thanks everyone for their reviews it's been really
encouraging. Sorry this chapter took so long I've been hit by the flu bug
but I hope you all enjoy it cause it's the start of something special. I
just want to say a special thanks to Daisy sorry bout the spelling error
and to Rachel Lee. I just need to clear up some points here. It's gonna be
an A/U fiction but I'm trying to follow some book cannon and some of the
cannon form Professor Tolkien's earlier drafts. As you read on you'll
understand what I mean. Anyways have a good read and don't forget to
review. (
Èowyn awoke that night unable to sleep.Her dreams were plagued by voices from her past, turning her peaceful slumber into a nightmare. Although Eomer was relatively safe, she despaired for the peace she had gained in her two year absence was lost. It was however, the presence of Aragorn which haunted as well as subdued her. Even after all this time she could not keep him out of her thoughts and her heart. She was a moth drawn to a burning flame her attraction to him was magnetising, fighting was useless.
But Èowyn was beyond that. She had the inner strength and the fortitude to defy her heart's wishes. She was no mere woman she was Èowyn, Shield maiden of Rohan. She defied all odds in the Battle of Pellenor fields. Fighting the Witch King required every ounce of confidence and defiance and she vanquished the Nazgul King. Then this was a simple task of letting mind rule over heart. Aragorn was a happily married man and she just another maiden to him. It would be better to let her heart heal in secret and let their friendship blossom. That would be the best solution for her. After all, she had promised Gandalf she would no longer fear her destiny and if her life was destined to be without Aragorn then so be it.
Yet deep within her inner core, she had hoped her absence would have changed things between them but it was just fantasy. He was blissfully wedded to Arwen, who according to Merry was the most enchanting beauty he had ever laid eyes upon. She had laughed gaily when he apologized profusely after to her, but at that moment, reality dawned upon her. Aragorn would never choose her over someone like Arwen Undomiel.
"Stop acting like a love sick child Èowyn." She thought crossly. "Aragorn is a lost cause, you must move on. There are many men willing to die for you."
It was true there were numerous suitors before and after Aragorn. Faramir, being the one who touched her life the most. She owed a great debt to him, for he was the one who helped her heal during those long days at the House of Healing. Yet she refused his proposal of matrimony. How could she release her heart and soul to another when all it desired was the unattainable. No there could be no other. It would be unfair to the other person.
At first she thought it was a mere infatuation with him. He being the only other man of stature she had know besides her family. Yet, as their friendship grew she knew he was alike her in many ways. He, above all understood her plight of being caged and empathised with her. That was a first for her. For no man of Rohan had ever though of a woman in that light, Shieldmaiden or not. Yet she had despaired when he refused to take her with him along the perilous Paths of the Dead and she had to admit her faith in his belief of her dwindled at that moment, but was later renewed. Faramir as gentle and noble as he was to her was no Aragorn.He did not understand her and she knew instinctively there would be no other like Aragorn. Even Eomer could not comprehend her actions on many occasions. Therefore she had decided in that moment it would be either Aragorn or nothing at all.
She walked along the illuminated hallways towards the Golden Hall. For some unknown reason she was drawn to it. She opened the door and walked into the silent hall. The throne before her, majestic as always covered in furs and illuminated by the moon beams. She walked towards it gracefully, and stood at the bottom of the steps looking at it as if mesmerised. It was here, she had first met Aragorn as she stood behind King Theoden listening to Grima's poisonous words spinning its web in the King's mind. Those were dark days at Edoras and darker for her. For in Eomer's absence, Grima's incessant pursuit for her had taken a life of its own. There was not a night where she slept in peace, her knife disguised well in her attire during the day and under her bed at nights.
Then the fellowship came to Meduseld like a breath of fresh air and she no longer felt the fear of losing her uncle and her country to the snivelling Wormtongue. At the first sight she was immediately drawn to Aragorn and felt the power he exuded within, eventhough it was concealed.
"My lady why are you awake at such an ungodly hour?" Aragorn's voice filtered from behind her snapping her out of her musings.
Without mirth, she turned and smiled sadly at him. In the moonlight, she looked enchantingly beautiful, golden locks flowing endlessly into a never ending sea of gold. Her soft features,highlighted in the soft light and her crystal blue eyes sparkling with tenderness and full of emotion. He unconsciously exhaled softly at the sight of her beauty.
"I could ask the same of you sire." She replied wittily
He laughed merrily, his voice filling the room with the genuine warmth of its laugh. "I hope I am not disturbing you my lady?" he enquired politely and she shook her head.
"Of course not sire. I was unable to sleep and I was thinking of my uncle so I came here for a moment to reminisce." She replied as he smiled at her.
"So was I." he replied. "Unable to sleep" he added. "When I received the news of Eomer, I rushed off leaving Faramir behind to look after the affairs of state." He stated as they stood transfixed before the throne. "I must admit it was a surprise to see you as well my Lady. A pleasant one may I add." He said smiling at her.
She looked up at him in surprise and a dull colour came to her cheeks. She looked like a spring rose in bloom. He was the only person to make her feel as though she was a naïve sixteen year old maiden again.
"I was thinking of the Shire" she said quickly attempting to change the topic.
"Ah...how are my dear hobbit friends? All in good health I presume." He asked
"They are all in excellent health but I do fear for Master Frodo. I believe he tires of this place and seeks another path where he can find reprieve. His journey to Mordor has cost him dearly." She said softly as Aragorn nodded in thoughtful agreement.
"Did you enjoy your stay at the Shire?" he asked.
"Very much. There were times when I longed for Eomer but the hobbits were very accommodating and helped me in my lonely periods and Gandalf came often to see how we fared." She replied.
"That is good to know." He said and paused to look at her. "Forgive me my lady if this may sound improper, but I cannot believe how much you have changed since we last met." He said sheepishly and she looked intently at him a small crinkle at the lines of her mouth.
"So have you sire." She replied smiling. It was true though. He had aged since she had last saw him, yet he still looked forty rather than his eighty two years. There were spots of grey showing above his temples, but other wise nothing much had changed except for the disappearance of the grime he had loved so much she though with amusement. He still bore nobility and gentleness with every movement.
Then she stood frozen to the spot as she looked at him. The pendant he wore faithfully around his neck was no longer there. Gone was the Evenstar, the symbol of the everlasting love between a mortal and an immortal. A thousand thoughts flowed through her brain in that split second. Had something happened between Arwen and himself?
"Are you staying in Rohan or returning to the Shire?" he asked.
"For the moment I shall remain here until Eomer returns to full health, and then, honestly I do not know what comes after." She admitted.
"Then I hope you grace Gondor with your presence." He stated.
She laughed merrily and faced him, he too had a twinkle in his eyes. "Of course sire. It would be an honour to look upon fair Gondor and to pay my respects to Faramir and Queen Arwen." She stated masking all her emotions.
His eyes clouded and a dark look mingled with utter sadness came across his face for a fleeting moment and turned away from her.
"Have I said something inappropriate sire?" she asked quizzically holding her breath for the answer.
"Nay my lady. I had forgotten you had already left for the Shire before my wedding." He said facing her once more sorrow embedded deep in his blue grey orbs.
"My lord....?"
"Lady Arwen and I never wedded. She chose the Undying Lands and I let her go fore it was her choice and only hers to make in the matter." He said softly.
For Èowyn it was a bitter sweet moment if she reached out to him now he would not be there. No let nature take its own course if it was meant to be it would happen on its own accord.
"However, life goes on... people move on though the heart may never heal. If the Lady Arwen and I were meant to be it would have happened. It just occurred to me the message of Lady Galadriel was wrong which is strange... Very strange." He said.
"What message is that sire?" she asked curiously.
"What was it.... ahh I remember..." He said
"Elfstone, Elfstone, bearer of my green stone In the south under snow a green stone thou shalt see. Look well, Elfstone! In the shadow of the dark throne Then the hour is at hand that long hath awaited thee." He said and then looked upon the huge throne before him their shadows illuminating next to it and he was lost in thought.
"How beautiful it is but very mysterious. Do you know what it means sire?" she asked as he continued staring at the throne.
"I have no idea my Lady." he replied forcing his voice to remain calm. "But enough of my sad story. Come let us retreat for some sustenance. I wish to hear everything that has happened to you while in the Shire and I believe you have many amusing tales to tell." He said leading her out of the hall.
"Oh there are so many."she replied laughing and took his arm as they walked out her heart though in turmoil was ready for anything thrown at her. Aragorn's however was in total chaos. Did he truly love Arwen or was she preparation for the real love of his life as told in the prophecy.
Èowyn awoke that night unable to sleep.Her dreams were plagued by voices from her past, turning her peaceful slumber into a nightmare. Although Eomer was relatively safe, she despaired for the peace she had gained in her two year absence was lost. It was however, the presence of Aragorn which haunted as well as subdued her. Even after all this time she could not keep him out of her thoughts and her heart. She was a moth drawn to a burning flame her attraction to him was magnetising, fighting was useless.
But Èowyn was beyond that. She had the inner strength and the fortitude to defy her heart's wishes. She was no mere woman she was Èowyn, Shield maiden of Rohan. She defied all odds in the Battle of Pellenor fields. Fighting the Witch King required every ounce of confidence and defiance and she vanquished the Nazgul King. Then this was a simple task of letting mind rule over heart. Aragorn was a happily married man and she just another maiden to him. It would be better to let her heart heal in secret and let their friendship blossom. That would be the best solution for her. After all, she had promised Gandalf she would no longer fear her destiny and if her life was destined to be without Aragorn then so be it.
Yet deep within her inner core, she had hoped her absence would have changed things between them but it was just fantasy. He was blissfully wedded to Arwen, who according to Merry was the most enchanting beauty he had ever laid eyes upon. She had laughed gaily when he apologized profusely after to her, but at that moment, reality dawned upon her. Aragorn would never choose her over someone like Arwen Undomiel.
"Stop acting like a love sick child Èowyn." She thought crossly. "Aragorn is a lost cause, you must move on. There are many men willing to die for you."
It was true there were numerous suitors before and after Aragorn. Faramir, being the one who touched her life the most. She owed a great debt to him, for he was the one who helped her heal during those long days at the House of Healing. Yet she refused his proposal of matrimony. How could she release her heart and soul to another when all it desired was the unattainable. No there could be no other. It would be unfair to the other person.
At first she thought it was a mere infatuation with him. He being the only other man of stature she had know besides her family. Yet, as their friendship grew she knew he was alike her in many ways. He, above all understood her plight of being caged and empathised with her. That was a first for her. For no man of Rohan had ever though of a woman in that light, Shieldmaiden or not. Yet she had despaired when he refused to take her with him along the perilous Paths of the Dead and she had to admit her faith in his belief of her dwindled at that moment, but was later renewed. Faramir as gentle and noble as he was to her was no Aragorn.He did not understand her and she knew instinctively there would be no other like Aragorn. Even Eomer could not comprehend her actions on many occasions. Therefore she had decided in that moment it would be either Aragorn or nothing at all.
She walked along the illuminated hallways towards the Golden Hall. For some unknown reason she was drawn to it. She opened the door and walked into the silent hall. The throne before her, majestic as always covered in furs and illuminated by the moon beams. She walked towards it gracefully, and stood at the bottom of the steps looking at it as if mesmerised. It was here, she had first met Aragorn as she stood behind King Theoden listening to Grima's poisonous words spinning its web in the King's mind. Those were dark days at Edoras and darker for her. For in Eomer's absence, Grima's incessant pursuit for her had taken a life of its own. There was not a night where she slept in peace, her knife disguised well in her attire during the day and under her bed at nights.
Then the fellowship came to Meduseld like a breath of fresh air and she no longer felt the fear of losing her uncle and her country to the snivelling Wormtongue. At the first sight she was immediately drawn to Aragorn and felt the power he exuded within, eventhough it was concealed.
"My lady why are you awake at such an ungodly hour?" Aragorn's voice filtered from behind her snapping her out of her musings.
Without mirth, she turned and smiled sadly at him. In the moonlight, she looked enchantingly beautiful, golden locks flowing endlessly into a never ending sea of gold. Her soft features,highlighted in the soft light and her crystal blue eyes sparkling with tenderness and full of emotion. He unconsciously exhaled softly at the sight of her beauty.
"I could ask the same of you sire." She replied wittily
He laughed merrily, his voice filling the room with the genuine warmth of its laugh. "I hope I am not disturbing you my lady?" he enquired politely and she shook her head.
"Of course not sire. I was unable to sleep and I was thinking of my uncle so I came here for a moment to reminisce." She replied as he smiled at her.
"So was I." he replied. "Unable to sleep" he added. "When I received the news of Eomer, I rushed off leaving Faramir behind to look after the affairs of state." He stated as they stood transfixed before the throne. "I must admit it was a surprise to see you as well my Lady. A pleasant one may I add." He said smiling at her.
She looked up at him in surprise and a dull colour came to her cheeks. She looked like a spring rose in bloom. He was the only person to make her feel as though she was a naïve sixteen year old maiden again.
"I was thinking of the Shire" she said quickly attempting to change the topic.
"Ah...how are my dear hobbit friends? All in good health I presume." He asked
"They are all in excellent health but I do fear for Master Frodo. I believe he tires of this place and seeks another path where he can find reprieve. His journey to Mordor has cost him dearly." She said softly as Aragorn nodded in thoughtful agreement.
"Did you enjoy your stay at the Shire?" he asked.
"Very much. There were times when I longed for Eomer but the hobbits were very accommodating and helped me in my lonely periods and Gandalf came often to see how we fared." She replied.
"That is good to know." He said and paused to look at her. "Forgive me my lady if this may sound improper, but I cannot believe how much you have changed since we last met." He said sheepishly and she looked intently at him a small crinkle at the lines of her mouth.
"So have you sire." She replied smiling. It was true though. He had aged since she had last saw him, yet he still looked forty rather than his eighty two years. There were spots of grey showing above his temples, but other wise nothing much had changed except for the disappearance of the grime he had loved so much she though with amusement. He still bore nobility and gentleness with every movement.
Then she stood frozen to the spot as she looked at him. The pendant he wore faithfully around his neck was no longer there. Gone was the Evenstar, the symbol of the everlasting love between a mortal and an immortal. A thousand thoughts flowed through her brain in that split second. Had something happened between Arwen and himself?
"Are you staying in Rohan or returning to the Shire?" he asked.
"For the moment I shall remain here until Eomer returns to full health, and then, honestly I do not know what comes after." She admitted.
"Then I hope you grace Gondor with your presence." He stated.
She laughed merrily and faced him, he too had a twinkle in his eyes. "Of course sire. It would be an honour to look upon fair Gondor and to pay my respects to Faramir and Queen Arwen." She stated masking all her emotions.
His eyes clouded and a dark look mingled with utter sadness came across his face for a fleeting moment and turned away from her.
"Have I said something inappropriate sire?" she asked quizzically holding her breath for the answer.
"Nay my lady. I had forgotten you had already left for the Shire before my wedding." He said facing her once more sorrow embedded deep in his blue grey orbs.
"My lord....?"
"Lady Arwen and I never wedded. She chose the Undying Lands and I let her go fore it was her choice and only hers to make in the matter." He said softly.
For Èowyn it was a bitter sweet moment if she reached out to him now he would not be there. No let nature take its own course if it was meant to be it would happen on its own accord.
"However, life goes on... people move on though the heart may never heal. If the Lady Arwen and I were meant to be it would have happened. It just occurred to me the message of Lady Galadriel was wrong which is strange... Very strange." He said.
"What message is that sire?" she asked curiously.
"What was it.... ahh I remember..." He said
"Elfstone, Elfstone, bearer of my green stone In the south under snow a green stone thou shalt see. Look well, Elfstone! In the shadow of the dark throne Then the hour is at hand that long hath awaited thee." He said and then looked upon the huge throne before him their shadows illuminating next to it and he was lost in thought.
"How beautiful it is but very mysterious. Do you know what it means sire?" she asked as he continued staring at the throne.
"I have no idea my Lady." he replied forcing his voice to remain calm. "But enough of my sad story. Come let us retreat for some sustenance. I wish to hear everything that has happened to you while in the Shire and I believe you have many amusing tales to tell." He said leading her out of the hall.
"Oh there are so many."she replied laughing and took his arm as they walked out her heart though in turmoil was ready for anything thrown at her. Aragorn's however was in total chaos. Did he truly love Arwen or was she preparation for the real love of his life as told in the prophecy.