Daylight came swiftly upon them, biting yet bright. Legolas had forgotten
about his watch and slept peacefully with his Lady love clutched tightly to
him. He stirred lightly and groggily awoke, gently covering Matejé's
peaceful figure with her cloak. He spied Aragorn still asleep in his corner
and laughed silently. It seemed Aragorn had a bit too much to drink last
night. Falling asleep at his post would have never occurred during the
older days.
He sat up and looked towards the sleeping spot where Èowyn had occupied. It was now empty save for the cloth she had used to sleep upon. He sprang up and walked outside quietly into the warm sunlight. Before him stood all the horses save one. Èowyn's mount. A tiny flicker of fear erupted in the pit of his stomach as he searched the immediate surroundings hoping to glimpse something of her but to no avail. Had something happen last night to the Shieldmaiden? There was no sign of struggle and surely they would have all known if some intruder had entered the cave.
He racked his brain, thinking of an answer to this strange disappearance and remembered faintly seeing her rousing in the middle of the night and approaching Aragorn. After that he had fallen asleep once again. Did something occur between the two? It still would not explain this rash act from the Lady. Then to his relief he spied her galloping towards the cave, the steed going at an amazing speed dangerous for some amateur and yet she seemed comfortable.
Her face was flushed and she was breathing heavily as she halted before him. Her golden locks flying wildly in the chilly morning dew. Yet Legolas sensed some discomfort in the mortal. She dismounted and headed directly for him, bearing fresh fruit and water. Where she had found them was a miracle but he did not question her.
"My Lady. I was worried when I did not see you when I awoke." He said facing her. "I see my fear was needless." He laughed.
She faced him and offered a small smile. Yet it seemed her movements were strained. He looked at her carefully and detected there were changes in her disposition and face from the day before. Her eyes were swollen as though she was weeping, yet they were not red. Even after all this time, it still unnerved him to see her sad.
"Èowyn? Are you all right? Has something happened?" he asked quizzically and she shook her golden head.
"I am in perfect health Legolas. I was missing Èomer last night that is all." She replied curtly. "I could not sleep so I went in search of fresh food and water with Mafusa." she stated. "I am sorry. I did not wish for any one to worry." She said softly and gave him a small smile of reassurance.
"I understand." He replied returning her smile. Yet he did not believe her for one moment. Something had happened between Aragorn and herself, and he would get to the bottom of the problem before the day's end.
"Let me help you with those supplies." He offered as they made their way back into the cave.
The others had awoken and were talking silently as they entered. Matejé rose at once and embraced him tightly while Aragorn proffered a seat beside him for Èowyn. Legolas watched with interest her response and was becoming more assured; the woman was estranged from the man. She declined politely and offered him a small but strained smile much to Aragorn's chagrin.
Matejé observed the interaction with thoughtfulness and looked at her lover quizzically at the change in the Rohirric woman's spirit. Something was amiss here. Nevertheless she offered Èowyn her seat and was surprised when she accepted.
"I am sorry I did not relieve you last night Aragorn. It seems I was wearier than I thought I was." Legolas apologized to the silent man.
"There is no need for apology my friend. We were all tired. I fear I fell asleep at my post as well." He said colouring lightly as they ate around the inviting blaze.
"Did you sleep well Èowyn?" Mateje asked softly.
"Very well." She replied fumbling with her food and quickly glanced across the fire to meet Aragorn's eyes. "I could not sleep for long though so I went for a short ride." She said with hopes of dissuading them from asking her any more questions. "So where do we travel today Aragorn?" she asked hoping to change the topic. "Are we continuing up West Emnet until we reach the River Entwash?"
"That seems to be the most logical choice." Aragorn replied thoughtfully.
"But how are we to cross? We have no boats of any kind which can bear our party." She asked.
"Do not fret Èowyn. Where there is a will, there is a way." Matejé stated confidently and coaxed a small smile from the woman.
"Then I shall not." She replied smiling at her friend. "When are we to begin?" she asked eagerly.
"We will leave as soon as my stomach is sated." Legolas replied grinning at the others.
"When did you develop such a voracious appetite meldiramin?" Aragorn asked quizzically.
"You'll have to ask Matejé that. Living in Evanrone has released my passion for the finer things in life." He replied wittily causing Aragorn to spill his drink.
The sun was bright in the sky when they set off. Gone were all the remnants of last evening's harsh weather. Gone to all, with the exception of Èowyn. Last night had been an awakening to her. She had exposed her vulnerability and had allowed her heart to win the constant battle within her. It had failed her. Hearing those words from Aragorn, she knew he had not forgotten Arwen and unconsciously she agreed with him. To love someone for such a long period of time and then have them disappear forever was an arrow through the heart. One could not ever forget their loved one in such a short span of time. She was naïve to believe he would be the exception to the rule. In a person like Aragorn, loyalty was given a new meaning.
All she wanted was Aragorn to see her as she was. Not the graceful elf he had troth plighted his love to many moons ago. She did not wish to replace Arwen for that was unfair to him, what she wanted was him to accept her for what she represented. All her ideals and her aspirations to be understood by one of the few she deeply cared about. That had changed last night. The kiss she had shared with him was bitter- sweet. It was the moment she had thought about for a long time. She had opened herself to him and had been mistaken. True it seemed he was in a trance but that did not prevent her feelings from being hurt.
She had made her decision as she rode with Mafusa. She would build her shield again to avert anyone from penetrating it. This quest she had willingly accepted would be completed for the people of Middle Earth and her duty to them and her brother. Then she would return to the Shire. Elanor and Merry had pleaded for her to return to them and she would disappoint the young child and her friend. Her love for Aragorn, would have to be nothing but a fantasy and the friendship they shared would be cherished forever, but she could not endure the heartbreak once again. She had to be strong for everyone and most important of all for herself.
"Why are you so pensive Èowyn?" Matejé asks quietly beside her. "You said nothing was amiss earlier, yet it seems to be the opposite." The elf probed wisely.
"Legolas asked the same question as well." She laughed quietly
"We are merely concerned." She replied.
"I know." The woman replied curtly and seemed to contemplate her situation. "Promise me you shall not breathe a word of this to anyone. Not even Legolas." She whispered fiercely to the elf maiden.
"You have my word Èowyn. This shall remain between us." She replied earnestly.
Èowyn gazed at her and softened visibly, when she discovered the truth of the elf's words. It seemed to Mateje, whatever had occurred last night had released repressed feeling within the mortal and she was afraid for her friend.
"Last night, I...." she began gathering her strength to relive the memory.
"What meldiramin?" Mateje asked quizzically placing a gentle hand on the other woman.
"Aragorn and I shared something special or so I thought, it seems he thought it was Arwen instead." She finished quietly, yet there was no pain in her voice.
"I am sorry. Èowyn. At this moment, there are not any words I can say to comfort you." Matejé
"I need no comfort Lady Matejé. This occurred for a reason my path forward is clear." Èowyn said determinedly. There was a sense of coldness about her, it seemed to Matejé she was witnessing the Èowyn of old. A white flower, proud and beautiful yet covered in frost. She had rebuilt the wall surrounding her heart. Watching the complete transformation of the woman Mateje paled, this was the Shield Maiden of Rohan untouchable and feared.
"You have promised your word Mateje." She said coldly and smiled briefly as the elf nodded wordlessly. "Good. Then let us rejoin the men. They have gone much farther than I thought." She said and urged Mafusa to a brisk dash, leaving Mateje to contemplate what could be done to remedy the situation.
He sat up and looked towards the sleeping spot where Èowyn had occupied. It was now empty save for the cloth she had used to sleep upon. He sprang up and walked outside quietly into the warm sunlight. Before him stood all the horses save one. Èowyn's mount. A tiny flicker of fear erupted in the pit of his stomach as he searched the immediate surroundings hoping to glimpse something of her but to no avail. Had something happen last night to the Shieldmaiden? There was no sign of struggle and surely they would have all known if some intruder had entered the cave.
He racked his brain, thinking of an answer to this strange disappearance and remembered faintly seeing her rousing in the middle of the night and approaching Aragorn. After that he had fallen asleep once again. Did something occur between the two? It still would not explain this rash act from the Lady. Then to his relief he spied her galloping towards the cave, the steed going at an amazing speed dangerous for some amateur and yet she seemed comfortable.
Her face was flushed and she was breathing heavily as she halted before him. Her golden locks flying wildly in the chilly morning dew. Yet Legolas sensed some discomfort in the mortal. She dismounted and headed directly for him, bearing fresh fruit and water. Where she had found them was a miracle but he did not question her.
"My Lady. I was worried when I did not see you when I awoke." He said facing her. "I see my fear was needless." He laughed.
She faced him and offered a small smile. Yet it seemed her movements were strained. He looked at her carefully and detected there were changes in her disposition and face from the day before. Her eyes were swollen as though she was weeping, yet they were not red. Even after all this time, it still unnerved him to see her sad.
"Èowyn? Are you all right? Has something happened?" he asked quizzically and she shook her golden head.
"I am in perfect health Legolas. I was missing Èomer last night that is all." She replied curtly. "I could not sleep so I went in search of fresh food and water with Mafusa." she stated. "I am sorry. I did not wish for any one to worry." She said softly and gave him a small smile of reassurance.
"I understand." He replied returning her smile. Yet he did not believe her for one moment. Something had happened between Aragorn and herself, and he would get to the bottom of the problem before the day's end.
"Let me help you with those supplies." He offered as they made their way back into the cave.
The others had awoken and were talking silently as they entered. Matejé rose at once and embraced him tightly while Aragorn proffered a seat beside him for Èowyn. Legolas watched with interest her response and was becoming more assured; the woman was estranged from the man. She declined politely and offered him a small but strained smile much to Aragorn's chagrin.
Matejé observed the interaction with thoughtfulness and looked at her lover quizzically at the change in the Rohirric woman's spirit. Something was amiss here. Nevertheless she offered Èowyn her seat and was surprised when she accepted.
"I am sorry I did not relieve you last night Aragorn. It seems I was wearier than I thought I was." Legolas apologized to the silent man.
"There is no need for apology my friend. We were all tired. I fear I fell asleep at my post as well." He said colouring lightly as they ate around the inviting blaze.
"Did you sleep well Èowyn?" Mateje asked softly.
"Very well." She replied fumbling with her food and quickly glanced across the fire to meet Aragorn's eyes. "I could not sleep for long though so I went for a short ride." She said with hopes of dissuading them from asking her any more questions. "So where do we travel today Aragorn?" she asked hoping to change the topic. "Are we continuing up West Emnet until we reach the River Entwash?"
"That seems to be the most logical choice." Aragorn replied thoughtfully.
"But how are we to cross? We have no boats of any kind which can bear our party." She asked.
"Do not fret Èowyn. Where there is a will, there is a way." Matejé stated confidently and coaxed a small smile from the woman.
"Then I shall not." She replied smiling at her friend. "When are we to begin?" she asked eagerly.
"We will leave as soon as my stomach is sated." Legolas replied grinning at the others.
"When did you develop such a voracious appetite meldiramin?" Aragorn asked quizzically.
"You'll have to ask Matejé that. Living in Evanrone has released my passion for the finer things in life." He replied wittily causing Aragorn to spill his drink.
The sun was bright in the sky when they set off. Gone were all the remnants of last evening's harsh weather. Gone to all, with the exception of Èowyn. Last night had been an awakening to her. She had exposed her vulnerability and had allowed her heart to win the constant battle within her. It had failed her. Hearing those words from Aragorn, she knew he had not forgotten Arwen and unconsciously she agreed with him. To love someone for such a long period of time and then have them disappear forever was an arrow through the heart. One could not ever forget their loved one in such a short span of time. She was naïve to believe he would be the exception to the rule. In a person like Aragorn, loyalty was given a new meaning.
All she wanted was Aragorn to see her as she was. Not the graceful elf he had troth plighted his love to many moons ago. She did not wish to replace Arwen for that was unfair to him, what she wanted was him to accept her for what she represented. All her ideals and her aspirations to be understood by one of the few she deeply cared about. That had changed last night. The kiss she had shared with him was bitter- sweet. It was the moment she had thought about for a long time. She had opened herself to him and had been mistaken. True it seemed he was in a trance but that did not prevent her feelings from being hurt.
She had made her decision as she rode with Mafusa. She would build her shield again to avert anyone from penetrating it. This quest she had willingly accepted would be completed for the people of Middle Earth and her duty to them and her brother. Then she would return to the Shire. Elanor and Merry had pleaded for her to return to them and she would disappoint the young child and her friend. Her love for Aragorn, would have to be nothing but a fantasy and the friendship they shared would be cherished forever, but she could not endure the heartbreak once again. She had to be strong for everyone and most important of all for herself.
"Why are you so pensive Èowyn?" Matejé asks quietly beside her. "You said nothing was amiss earlier, yet it seems to be the opposite." The elf probed wisely.
"Legolas asked the same question as well." She laughed quietly
"We are merely concerned." She replied.
"I know." The woman replied curtly and seemed to contemplate her situation. "Promise me you shall not breathe a word of this to anyone. Not even Legolas." She whispered fiercely to the elf maiden.
"You have my word Èowyn. This shall remain between us." She replied earnestly.
Èowyn gazed at her and softened visibly, when she discovered the truth of the elf's words. It seemed to Mateje, whatever had occurred last night had released repressed feeling within the mortal and she was afraid for her friend.
"Last night, I...." she began gathering her strength to relive the memory.
"What meldiramin?" Mateje asked quizzically placing a gentle hand on the other woman.
"Aragorn and I shared something special or so I thought, it seems he thought it was Arwen instead." She finished quietly, yet there was no pain in her voice.
"I am sorry. Èowyn. At this moment, there are not any words I can say to comfort you." Matejé
"I need no comfort Lady Matejé. This occurred for a reason my path forward is clear." Èowyn said determinedly. There was a sense of coldness about her, it seemed to Matejé she was witnessing the Èowyn of old. A white flower, proud and beautiful yet covered in frost. She had rebuilt the wall surrounding her heart. Watching the complete transformation of the woman Mateje paled, this was the Shield Maiden of Rohan untouchable and feared.
"You have promised your word Mateje." She said coldly and smiled briefly as the elf nodded wordlessly. "Good. Then let us rejoin the men. They have gone much farther than I thought." She said and urged Mafusa to a brisk dash, leaving Mateje to contemplate what could be done to remedy the situation.