A/N: Hey everyone just wanted to say thanks to all who reviewed, I am soo
happy that you all are enjoying the story, 'cause I'm having a hell of a
time writing it ;-) Just wanted to put in a little note about this
chappie. It's somewhat darker than the rest because of the issues it deals
with but nothing graphic. So hope everyone enjoys the read and do r/r.
Until chapter, twenty-one stay safe and happy.
Disclaimer: - The beautiful quote expressed in this fiction is the creation of the great Thomas Hardy and belongs to the novel "Tess of the d'Ubervilles. Give it a read if you can. I do not intend to make any profit from this so please don't sue.
It had been two days since the healing of Matejé. Both elves and humans were fully rested and in high spirits for their arduous task was nearing its completion. For Èowyn, the past days, were counted as the happiest in her memories. Together with Aragorn, they had seen the beauty of Lothlorien in all its glory despite the absence of the elves who had resided there for centuries. She glowed in the warmth of Aragorn's protection and together they understood the cycle of life through their friendship and blossoming love.
With Matejé at his side, the young Prince of the Silvan elves watched with satisfaction the growing bond between the Nùmenorean King and the Rohirric woman. It had been too long since he saw a genuine smile grace the grave face of his friend and seeing him wit Èowyn, Legolas knew there would many more to come. Observing the young woman, he saw the changes in her demeanour as well. Gone was the morose look, which haunted her beautiful features in the past days. He remembered vividly his first encounter with the Lady of Rohan in the Golden Hall and was struck instantly to see such sorrow in those steel grey eyes, though he detected the sorrow could be misconstrued as weakness. In his mind, Legolas saw a proud flower, though it was wilted by the harsh seasons plaguing its essence.
It was nearly impossible to believe the woman standing before him was the very same Èowyn Èadig the famed warrior woman of Middle Earth. Love was indeed a strange sensation he thought in amusement, able to shatter even the iciest of barriers, a feeling he knew all too well he mused watching Matejé as they stood side-by-side, arms linked.
"It has been too long since I have seen or heard Estel laugh as much." He stated quietly to Matejé.
"I agree. When I first perceived him, I did not desire to be close, for the overwhelming sense of despair, encompassing him was distressing and I feared for his well-being. All my fears have been allayed since the arrival of Lady Èowyn." She replied smiling brightly at Legolas.
"I am contented he has found the arms of love beckoning to him again. I feared he would wither into nothingness. Forced by the people to choose a wife, if only to continue the legacy of the throne." The elf replied darkly.
"And what do you perceive their relationship to be?" she replied in thoughtful observation.
"Meleth nín, they have both endured such struggles in their lives, it would be against the law of nature should they not be bound. Even I in my millennia, have not undergone the anguish these mortals have seen." He replied his blue eyes sparkling dangerously in the sunlight.
"You are not alone in those thoughts dear Legolas." she replied and quickly kissed his cheek. "Shall we leave these two locked in their private world? There are many places I have to show you in the Golden Woods before we leave its wondrous beauty." Matejé whispered seductively in her lover's ear.
He laughed merrily and caught her in his arms with a passionate kiss not caring about the public display of affection. Legolas the elf renowned for his deficiency in matters of the heart was now caught in the snare of this bewitching elf, who made the thought of immortality immensely appealing as long as she was beside him.
"You need not ask twice." He replied deeply as both elves slunk away into the thick woodlands leaving the two humans to their own game of love.
"They have disappeared." Èowyn remarked as both Aragorn and herself stood in the middle of the woods watching the animals and foliage.
"Leave them be. Tomorrow we depart for Fangorn." He replied nonchalantly and continued looking at the foliage.
"There's no need to say it. After what they have both endured in the past days they deserve some privacy." She replied quietly and smiled as Aragorn's arms snaked around her waist pulling her gently to him.
"As do we." He replied huskily into her ear, his breath sending tremors of excitement through her entire body as his mouth captured hers in a sweet, lingering lock.
She sighed deeply as they continued their passionate loving. Never had she imagined the sensation of love would be this uplifting. Aragorn was a magnanimous person and even more magnificent as a lover. She blushed furiously as she thought of their passionate trysts in the past days. He had respected her wishes and thus nothing more than ardent kisses of adoration occurred in the time spent.
"My liege, you grow increasingly bolder with every passing day." She whispered lovingly in his ear as he nipped her earlobe as they embraced in the canopy of trees.
"Forgive me my Lady; your presence has overwhelmed my senses. All day I dream of capturing you in my arms." He replied lowly, his warm breath creating a burning desire upon her fair skin as he wrapped his muscular arms around her lithe waist pulling the Shieldmaiden closer to his body and to his soul.
To the naked eye, it seemed as though they were merely two statues, entwined and hidden among the falling leaves of the Golden Wood. It was however, a spiritual joining of two mortals destined for great deeds in times to come. Small woodland creatures, ventured from their habitats to watch the couple, adulation in their innocent eyes as the magnificent sun warmed the turquoise sky with its brilliant flames.
"Èowyn...." He murmured into her fair locks as they stood bathed in golden sunlight. It was strange he though that the woodland had always been the setting for his confessions of love. It was in the forest of Neldoreth, he had first sighted Arwen pledged troth and now, it was the Golden Woods of Lothlórien with the Fair Lady of Rohan. He could not help but wonder if there would be a repeat of history with Èowyn, but instantly berated himself for thinking such foreboding thoughts.
"What bothers you Aragorn?" she asked quietly as he absently twirled her locks with his fingers.
"It is not my welfare which concerns me but yours." He replied thoughtfully
"Mine?" she replied and glanced quizzically at him, her blue eyes dancing with apprehension.
"Yes. You have spoken aloud in your dreams at night....." He said softly and cringed how she stiffened beneath him. "I know you are plagued with nightmares as we all are, but you needlessly secret them within yourself." He stated holding her firmly to him. "I desire to help your affliction." He said softly, lifting her face towards him.
"Surely you are mistaken my lord." She replied coolly, her eyes betraying none of the emotions swirling within her. She could not tell him, it was too painful to relive those dark days. "Forgive me, I must leave." She replied and turned to walk away.
"I know you dream of the Worm." He said forcefully as he grabbed her arm, refusing to wilt to her icy glare. His own blue eyes locked in a steely battle. A battle he could not lose for her sake.
"Do not speak of that name." she hissed. "He is nothing but a corpse who has plagued my steps."
"Tell me what he did." He replied firmly holding her still.
"There is nothing to say. He is gone, and so are his memories. Do not venture upon a path you do not know of my lord." She warned lowly.
"You lie!" he stated grimly. "Though he may be nothing more in this world, his treachery continues to torment your soul." Aragorn said passionately and he held the struggling Èowyn in his arms, despite the pummelling he received. "Let me help you my love. That is my desire." He said his gaze softening visibly as they struggled with each other.
"I cannot." She replied stubbornly, yet her façade was fading with each strike. "I cannot...... Cannot..." she said as she weakened with each passing moment.
"Let me help you." He pleaded as she broke into a barrage of tears, streaming into his tunic. His heart cried out at the sight.
"I was fourteen." She stated in a muffled tone as Aragorn led her to a shady spot to sit. "Èomer and Theodred had left in search of another Orc party which had been sighted. I recall pleading with them to take me along but it was but naught, for they both refused." She said a small smile encroaching upon her pale face, concealing the fear, pent within her.
"Had you been as persuasive as now, I am certain you would have been riding Windfola along with the men." He said gently and earned a small smile from the woman.
"That may be true, but at that period my goal was not to prove my valour but escape from the cold hallways of Medusled." She stated softly. "Uncle had succumbed to the wiles of Grima and I would willingly traverse the Paths of the Dead rather than have his presence around me." She said softly as drops of tears escaped from her blue pools of light.
Aragorn stroked her back gently soothing her, encouraging her with the tale of terror. He had speculated there was more between Grima and herself than she spoke of, but he had never ventured into the territory. It was not his tale to tell.
"I was in the library, looking at the books of Middle Earth. The foreign lands had always fascinated me, it was my refuge from his clutches and I would visit there daily." She said wistfully, her face dreamlike. "He soiled it. That beautiful room. Soiled it, with his revolting stench of hatred and lust." She stated her expression hardened as she began to relive the pain.
"I was watching out for Èomer's arrival when I felt his presence near mine." She whispered and shivered unconsciously as her stare became vacant. "I tried to break away from his touch.... His hands all over my body, violating my sanctity, but he was too strong. I hated my weakness at that moment. I cried out, begged him to stop his yearning but he paid no heed to my words. He ripped my childhood innocence from my very soul." She ended hoarsely as tears fell freely upon his tunic. "Never had I felt such abuse before. There are occasions where I can still feel his cold hands upon my shoulders." She said weeping.
Aragorn sat in disbelief; never had he expected this to be the woeful tale of his Shieldmaiden. Knowing the woman before him, he had always assumed Grima's amorous advances towards her were dealt appropriately but never had he imagined that bastard would resort to such heinous acts. She was but a mere child when he stole her innocence. His blood boiled at the thought of that slimy snake touching Èowyn. Poor child what she endured in those years of terror, he could not fathom.
"I should not have stayed Theoden's hand at Medusled." He said grimly. "I should have ended his pitiful life in my own hands." Aragorn said passionately as he held Èowyn to him rocking her in his arms.
"It was then; I realized it was a sham to be called Shieldmaiden of Rohan when I could not defend myself. Helm has been my faithful companion ever after." She said calmly as the tears dispersed her voice stern and cold.
"What of Èomer and Theodred? Could they not help you?" he asked knowing what her answer would be.
"They could not. I would never reveal the tale to them, for there was nothing they could do. Any action against Grima would surely result in death. You have experienced Èomer's rash thinking. Had he known, Uncle would have executed him." She replied softly as he nodded in agreement.
"Does this change your ideal of me?" she asked cautiously and his eyes narrowed harshly as he regarded her.
"Do not even think of that. *You were more sinned against than sinning*" he said earnestly and she smiled gratefully, pressing her fingers to his.
"I am relieved." She replied as he removed her drying tears with a calloused yet gentle movement.
"My rage against Grima, cannot be expressed at the moment. My only wish is he should not have died from the hobbits arrows but at my hands." Elessar said darkly and she looked up at his face and shivered at the anger she saw upon his brow.
"The past cannot be changed, but to learn from its memories." She said holding his face between her soft hands. "I have been released from my cage which has been my folly. I am pleased that it has been with you I can remove these confinements chained around my heart." She said quietly to him, her eyes shining with light and love and instantly he was ensnared with her quiet strength.
"Never have you ceased to amaze me with your wisdom. You have changed greatly my love. No longer, does my heart wrench at the sight of your pain and my helplessness in aiding you before, does not gnaw away at my core, for the love and mercy you have shown is beyond all that is good." He whispered to her, his face breaking into a smile of joy. "And it is there, I shall remain in contentment for the rest of my days." He said and kissed her gently, in hopes of removing the pain she had suffered and his vow of commitment to her and their bond.
"Thank you Aragorn. Your words fill me with hope." She said softly, as they remained interlocked under the canopy of trees. Their words of love filtered upwards to the clouds, as the gentle breeze carried the news of their union to the heavens and beyond.
Disclaimer: - The beautiful quote expressed in this fiction is the creation of the great Thomas Hardy and belongs to the novel "Tess of the d'Ubervilles. Give it a read if you can. I do not intend to make any profit from this so please don't sue.
It had been two days since the healing of Matejé. Both elves and humans were fully rested and in high spirits for their arduous task was nearing its completion. For Èowyn, the past days, were counted as the happiest in her memories. Together with Aragorn, they had seen the beauty of Lothlorien in all its glory despite the absence of the elves who had resided there for centuries. She glowed in the warmth of Aragorn's protection and together they understood the cycle of life through their friendship and blossoming love.
With Matejé at his side, the young Prince of the Silvan elves watched with satisfaction the growing bond between the Nùmenorean King and the Rohirric woman. It had been too long since he saw a genuine smile grace the grave face of his friend and seeing him wit Èowyn, Legolas knew there would many more to come. Observing the young woman, he saw the changes in her demeanour as well. Gone was the morose look, which haunted her beautiful features in the past days. He remembered vividly his first encounter with the Lady of Rohan in the Golden Hall and was struck instantly to see such sorrow in those steel grey eyes, though he detected the sorrow could be misconstrued as weakness. In his mind, Legolas saw a proud flower, though it was wilted by the harsh seasons plaguing its essence.
It was nearly impossible to believe the woman standing before him was the very same Èowyn Èadig the famed warrior woman of Middle Earth. Love was indeed a strange sensation he thought in amusement, able to shatter even the iciest of barriers, a feeling he knew all too well he mused watching Matejé as they stood side-by-side, arms linked.
"It has been too long since I have seen or heard Estel laugh as much." He stated quietly to Matejé.
"I agree. When I first perceived him, I did not desire to be close, for the overwhelming sense of despair, encompassing him was distressing and I feared for his well-being. All my fears have been allayed since the arrival of Lady Èowyn." She replied smiling brightly at Legolas.
"I am contented he has found the arms of love beckoning to him again. I feared he would wither into nothingness. Forced by the people to choose a wife, if only to continue the legacy of the throne." The elf replied darkly.
"And what do you perceive their relationship to be?" she replied in thoughtful observation.
"Meleth nín, they have both endured such struggles in their lives, it would be against the law of nature should they not be bound. Even I in my millennia, have not undergone the anguish these mortals have seen." He replied his blue eyes sparkling dangerously in the sunlight.
"You are not alone in those thoughts dear Legolas." she replied and quickly kissed his cheek. "Shall we leave these two locked in their private world? There are many places I have to show you in the Golden Woods before we leave its wondrous beauty." Matejé whispered seductively in her lover's ear.
He laughed merrily and caught her in his arms with a passionate kiss not caring about the public display of affection. Legolas the elf renowned for his deficiency in matters of the heart was now caught in the snare of this bewitching elf, who made the thought of immortality immensely appealing as long as she was beside him.
"You need not ask twice." He replied deeply as both elves slunk away into the thick woodlands leaving the two humans to their own game of love.
"They have disappeared." Èowyn remarked as both Aragorn and herself stood in the middle of the woods watching the animals and foliage.
"Leave them be. Tomorrow we depart for Fangorn." He replied nonchalantly and continued looking at the foliage.
"There's no need to say it. After what they have both endured in the past days they deserve some privacy." She replied quietly and smiled as Aragorn's arms snaked around her waist pulling her gently to him.
"As do we." He replied huskily into her ear, his breath sending tremors of excitement through her entire body as his mouth captured hers in a sweet, lingering lock.
She sighed deeply as they continued their passionate loving. Never had she imagined the sensation of love would be this uplifting. Aragorn was a magnanimous person and even more magnificent as a lover. She blushed furiously as she thought of their passionate trysts in the past days. He had respected her wishes and thus nothing more than ardent kisses of adoration occurred in the time spent.
"My liege, you grow increasingly bolder with every passing day." She whispered lovingly in his ear as he nipped her earlobe as they embraced in the canopy of trees.
"Forgive me my Lady; your presence has overwhelmed my senses. All day I dream of capturing you in my arms." He replied lowly, his warm breath creating a burning desire upon her fair skin as he wrapped his muscular arms around her lithe waist pulling the Shieldmaiden closer to his body and to his soul.
To the naked eye, it seemed as though they were merely two statues, entwined and hidden among the falling leaves of the Golden Wood. It was however, a spiritual joining of two mortals destined for great deeds in times to come. Small woodland creatures, ventured from their habitats to watch the couple, adulation in their innocent eyes as the magnificent sun warmed the turquoise sky with its brilliant flames.
"Èowyn...." He murmured into her fair locks as they stood bathed in golden sunlight. It was strange he though that the woodland had always been the setting for his confessions of love. It was in the forest of Neldoreth, he had first sighted Arwen pledged troth and now, it was the Golden Woods of Lothlórien with the Fair Lady of Rohan. He could not help but wonder if there would be a repeat of history with Èowyn, but instantly berated himself for thinking such foreboding thoughts.
"What bothers you Aragorn?" she asked quietly as he absently twirled her locks with his fingers.
"It is not my welfare which concerns me but yours." He replied thoughtfully
"Mine?" she replied and glanced quizzically at him, her blue eyes dancing with apprehension.
"Yes. You have spoken aloud in your dreams at night....." He said softly and cringed how she stiffened beneath him. "I know you are plagued with nightmares as we all are, but you needlessly secret them within yourself." He stated holding her firmly to him. "I desire to help your affliction." He said softly, lifting her face towards him.
"Surely you are mistaken my lord." She replied coolly, her eyes betraying none of the emotions swirling within her. She could not tell him, it was too painful to relive those dark days. "Forgive me, I must leave." She replied and turned to walk away.
"I know you dream of the Worm." He said forcefully as he grabbed her arm, refusing to wilt to her icy glare. His own blue eyes locked in a steely battle. A battle he could not lose for her sake.
"Do not speak of that name." she hissed. "He is nothing but a corpse who has plagued my steps."
"Tell me what he did." He replied firmly holding her still.
"There is nothing to say. He is gone, and so are his memories. Do not venture upon a path you do not know of my lord." She warned lowly.
"You lie!" he stated grimly. "Though he may be nothing more in this world, his treachery continues to torment your soul." Aragorn said passionately and he held the struggling Èowyn in his arms, despite the pummelling he received. "Let me help you my love. That is my desire." He said his gaze softening visibly as they struggled with each other.
"I cannot." She replied stubbornly, yet her façade was fading with each strike. "I cannot...... Cannot..." she said as she weakened with each passing moment.
"Let me help you." He pleaded as she broke into a barrage of tears, streaming into his tunic. His heart cried out at the sight.
"I was fourteen." She stated in a muffled tone as Aragorn led her to a shady spot to sit. "Èomer and Theodred had left in search of another Orc party which had been sighted. I recall pleading with them to take me along but it was but naught, for they both refused." She said a small smile encroaching upon her pale face, concealing the fear, pent within her.
"Had you been as persuasive as now, I am certain you would have been riding Windfola along with the men." He said gently and earned a small smile from the woman.
"That may be true, but at that period my goal was not to prove my valour but escape from the cold hallways of Medusled." She stated softly. "Uncle had succumbed to the wiles of Grima and I would willingly traverse the Paths of the Dead rather than have his presence around me." She said softly as drops of tears escaped from her blue pools of light.
Aragorn stroked her back gently soothing her, encouraging her with the tale of terror. He had speculated there was more between Grima and herself than she spoke of, but he had never ventured into the territory. It was not his tale to tell.
"I was in the library, looking at the books of Middle Earth. The foreign lands had always fascinated me, it was my refuge from his clutches and I would visit there daily." She said wistfully, her face dreamlike. "He soiled it. That beautiful room. Soiled it, with his revolting stench of hatred and lust." She stated her expression hardened as she began to relive the pain.
"I was watching out for Èomer's arrival when I felt his presence near mine." She whispered and shivered unconsciously as her stare became vacant. "I tried to break away from his touch.... His hands all over my body, violating my sanctity, but he was too strong. I hated my weakness at that moment. I cried out, begged him to stop his yearning but he paid no heed to my words. He ripped my childhood innocence from my very soul." She ended hoarsely as tears fell freely upon his tunic. "Never had I felt such abuse before. There are occasions where I can still feel his cold hands upon my shoulders." She said weeping.
Aragorn sat in disbelief; never had he expected this to be the woeful tale of his Shieldmaiden. Knowing the woman before him, he had always assumed Grima's amorous advances towards her were dealt appropriately but never had he imagined that bastard would resort to such heinous acts. She was but a mere child when he stole her innocence. His blood boiled at the thought of that slimy snake touching Èowyn. Poor child what she endured in those years of terror, he could not fathom.
"I should not have stayed Theoden's hand at Medusled." He said grimly. "I should have ended his pitiful life in my own hands." Aragorn said passionately as he held Èowyn to him rocking her in his arms.
"It was then; I realized it was a sham to be called Shieldmaiden of Rohan when I could not defend myself. Helm has been my faithful companion ever after." She said calmly as the tears dispersed her voice stern and cold.
"What of Èomer and Theodred? Could they not help you?" he asked knowing what her answer would be.
"They could not. I would never reveal the tale to them, for there was nothing they could do. Any action against Grima would surely result in death. You have experienced Èomer's rash thinking. Had he known, Uncle would have executed him." She replied softly as he nodded in agreement.
"Does this change your ideal of me?" she asked cautiously and his eyes narrowed harshly as he regarded her.
"Do not even think of that. *You were more sinned against than sinning*" he said earnestly and she smiled gratefully, pressing her fingers to his.
"I am relieved." She replied as he removed her drying tears with a calloused yet gentle movement.
"My rage against Grima, cannot be expressed at the moment. My only wish is he should not have died from the hobbits arrows but at my hands." Elessar said darkly and she looked up at his face and shivered at the anger she saw upon his brow.
"The past cannot be changed, but to learn from its memories." She said holding his face between her soft hands. "I have been released from my cage which has been my folly. I am pleased that it has been with you I can remove these confinements chained around my heart." She said quietly to him, her eyes shining with light and love and instantly he was ensnared with her quiet strength.
"Never have you ceased to amaze me with your wisdom. You have changed greatly my love. No longer, does my heart wrench at the sight of your pain and my helplessness in aiding you before, does not gnaw away at my core, for the love and mercy you have shown is beyond all that is good." He whispered to her, his face breaking into a smile of joy. "And it is there, I shall remain in contentment for the rest of my days." He said and kissed her gently, in hopes of removing the pain she had suffered and his vow of commitment to her and their bond.
"Thank you Aragorn. Your words fill me with hope." She said softly, as they remained interlocked under the canopy of trees. Their words of love filtered upwards to the clouds, as the gentle breeze carried the news of their union to the heavens and beyond.