AN:- I've returned after an extremely long hiatus. Hope everyone missed me
as I did them, I see the È/A fictions have grown quite a bit on ff.net and
that's fantastic. To all my faithful reviewers the good news is that I've
sat and written at least two chapters so they should be updated soon. The
bad news, it's almost finished. ;-). Anyways here's the latest instalment
to the ever growing fiction and though it's somewhat slower the actions
really begins in the next one. So go ahead and review, flames or not
everyone means a lot to me.
Èowyn groaned inwardly as a bright streak of sunshine, slapped her fully across her face as she lay in the talan of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celebron.
"Come my lady awake. A long day is before us." Aragorn's gentle voice whispered to her as she felt calloused hands gently sweep away the rebel tendrils that covered her face.
"Must we leave so soon? Can we not spend another day at Lothlorien? I am loathe to leave its wonder." She grumbled pulling her cloak further up her shoulders, hiding her face from his caresses, though she secretly enjoyed the light touches.
"Though I cannot refuse any of your requests, we cannot stay idly. Èomer asked that we return before the waning of the moon. We have but two weeks before that day." He rebuked gently and attempted to pry the green cloak away from her though to no avail.
"You have refused me many times in the past my King." She replied wittily peering at him from the small space she made for herself, laughing inwardly as he cringed at his words. "But I concur with your words. We did assure my brother and I do know of his ways, should another day pass before the agreed time, I am convinced the first eored of the Mark would be saddled to find us." She said as he nodded in affirmation, a smile gracing his serious features.
"Though I do not mind we stay another day, if only to be under the stars with you meleth nin." Aragorn said deeply and attempted to snatch the cloak away, but Èowyn was quicker than he anticipated and rolled away, clutching the cloth firmly to her.
"Did you not say my lord that we should be leaving?" she said smiling and pushed him out gently. "After all, it is not my will to leave the realm of Middle Earth without their liege for such a long period." She stated calmly.
"None can be better at simmering the ever turbulent politics of Gondor than Faramir." He replied as he allowed himself to be thrust unto the ledge. "Had it not been for my responsibility to the people, I would earnestly surrender the throne and spend the rest of my days as a ranger." Aragorn replied softly to the advancing woman and claimed her lips in a chaste kiss, ignoring the desire for more.
"Then my liege lord, is it your yearning to relinquish the throne of Gondor? I fear the people may rebel against that thought. For too long has the seat been empty of its rightful heir." She said wisely, as they stood together glancing at the morning sun, tracing her way across the blue sky.
"I must confess, there are days I wish to merely feel the sun kissed wind upon my cheeks, to disappear into the wilderness for days, to be with the woodland creatures, however my allegiances now lay elsewhere." He said softly and she detected a tinge of regret in his words.
Turning gracefully, she faced him, cupping his cheek with a soft hand. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, for his sacrifice to his people. Kingship was no easy demand on a person and knowing Aragorn he would suffer in silence. How beautiful he seemed to her, and at moment she saw him, the short years had aged him since they last met, yet there in his eyes lay the ranger she had once seen and loved.
"Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed my love, though it may seem to be naught in your eyes. Your love and devotion for the people of Gondor and Anor will be remembered for ages to come." She said softly and kissed his cheek.
"We should depart." He said leading her down. "Legolas and Matejé are awaiting us." He reminded her gently as another groan escaped from her lips, but she followed him nevertheless.
It would be with fondness in her heart, she would remember the days in Lothlórien and even more Caras Galadhon. Èowyn thought with fondness as they small group made their way past the golden trees, looking backwards one last for one moment to memorize the beauty she was leaving.
Legolas and Matejé rode quietly ahead leaving the mortal couple to their own ministrations. It seemed to her that the elves had withdrawn within themselves for the latter days spent and it had grieved her as well as Aragorn. There was something amiss and yet she did not know whether to press Matejé. The elf had healed quickly in the aftermath of the battle, yet Èowyn wondered the true extent of the encounter to the elf maiden.
"Our companions seem distracted." She said softly to the man beside her, who nodded thoughtfully. "Has Legolas spoken with you?"
"No, though it somewhat surprises me." The king replied quietly. "Legolas has confided in me for many years. I shall speak with him." He said as she nodded vigorously.
"I concur." She replied as they urged their mounts to the canter of the elves.
"Have you ever heard the tale of Celebrian?" he asked as they journeyed on.
"Some. Gandalf in our younger days would tell us stories of foreign lands. I was fascinated with the lore of Gondor and the elves but I have never heard of hers." Èowyn replied quietly.
"She is the mother of Arwen, one of the first elves to journey to Valinor. Journeying to Lorien she was attacked by orcs and received a wound. Though healed, she lost pleasure in the world and chose the path of the ships." Aragorn related as his companion listened with interest.
"It is a sad tale. To be parted from kin, I cannot imagine. There were days I wished for nothing, but to ride among the plains of Rohan with Èomer at my side. Yet, Celebrian chose her path, she is reunited with her family." Èowyn said.
"She is, but Lord Elrond still resides in Rivendell for the moment." Aragorn replied thoughtfully. "I do not know for how much longer." He added and sank into silence. It had been far too long, since he thought of Ada and even stranger it was with Èowyn he shared his past with, but within he felt the woman beside him would share his future and his past for years to come. Lady Galadriel's foresight was renowned and though he had not shared the meaning of her message with the Shieldmaiden, it would come in time.
"I have seen the beauty of Lorien, but not Rivendell. Is it as enchanting?" she asked.
"They are both wonders in their right, yet living in Rivendell, my heart shall always reside there." He said a wistful look upon his face and she looked at him strangely. She knew Arwen would claim part of his love forever. Yet it would be in secret he would think of the elf maiden who had departed. To not understand the bond they shared would be folly, yet within her, she knew their love would be as true and beautiful as his first.
"I have seen paintings of Celebrian, and the first time I beheld you, it was as though she had returned. Lord Elrond though he said nothing at your first meeting, was indeed surprised at the likeliness." Aragorn chuckled at her dismay.
"I fear, I was enjoying the drunken antics of Merry and Pippin and the last moments with my brother, than Lord Elrond's attentions." She confessed as a dull colour came to her face.
"Ada is very wise. He confided after your departure, it was as though Celebrian had returned in flesh and even Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel concurred with him. It was bitter- sweet to behold you." He said softly as she nodded.
"They are reunited, that matters the most." She said quietly.
"Yes it does."
As the sun drew to its end, they had traversed for many leagues, their mounts though exhausted, enjoyed the long journey, for too long had they been waiting idly in the forests of Lorien. Legolas and Aragorn had swiftly assembled a campsite and had built a small fire to keep the wild animals away. They sat in silence eating and through lidded eyes, Èowyn observed Matejé, the elf though in better spirits seemed in pain. Her hand touching her injured shoulder ever so often was unnerving.
Aragorn had veered Legolas away for sometime to speak and she ventured closer to her friend, offering her cloak as added warmth and a peace offering, elated as Matejé accepted gratefully.
"You seem distracted my friend." She said softly as they stared into the burning light for some moments, watching as the fire crackled before them. "Have Aragorn and I offended you in anyway?" she asked.
"By Valar, you have not." Matejé replied forcefully and chuckled at the mortal's surprise and her sigh of relief. "It is a personal matter between Legolas and I." she explained as her friend squeezed her hand tightly.
"My ear is always here for you Matejé." Èowyn replied smiling lightly.
"He wishes to remain on Middle Earth for sometime and though I would care for nothing more, the voice of my people call out for me. I have ignored their cries but I do not know for how much longer."
"Does Legolas know of this?"
"For the moment, he does not. He will sacrifice his happiness for mine once I reveal the truth and he deserves more." Matejé replied as a single tear streamed to the ground.
"He is worthy to you as you are to him. You must speak of it to him and together the choice will be made." Èowyn said softly embracing the elf.
"Your words are true, I shall tell...." she said as the horses began to whine and canter restlessly and in a fit of terror all four broke into a wild gallop across the darkened grounds. "Something approaches!" Matejé whispered fiercely and reached for her bow as Èowyn doused the fire Helm already in hand glowing brightly in the shadows.
"We are at a terrible disadvantage in the open." Èowyn remarked quietly trying to conceal the light of her weapon. "And the sword does not help us." she fumed.
"It is pack of Uruk Hai, about thirty at my count." Matejé said softly. "Can you hear them?" she asked
"Hear them? As well, as smell them. Brace yourself, they know we are here. If this is to be the end, then it shall be a glorious one!" Èowyn replied stoutly as the grunts and shouts of the foul creatures veered ever closer. Both warriors ready to meet their opponents with open arms.
Èowyn groaned inwardly as a bright streak of sunshine, slapped her fully across her face as she lay in the talan of Lady Galadriel and Lord Celebron.
"Come my lady awake. A long day is before us." Aragorn's gentle voice whispered to her as she felt calloused hands gently sweep away the rebel tendrils that covered her face.
"Must we leave so soon? Can we not spend another day at Lothlorien? I am loathe to leave its wonder." She grumbled pulling her cloak further up her shoulders, hiding her face from his caresses, though she secretly enjoyed the light touches.
"Though I cannot refuse any of your requests, we cannot stay idly. Èomer asked that we return before the waning of the moon. We have but two weeks before that day." He rebuked gently and attempted to pry the green cloak away from her though to no avail.
"You have refused me many times in the past my King." She replied wittily peering at him from the small space she made for herself, laughing inwardly as he cringed at his words. "But I concur with your words. We did assure my brother and I do know of his ways, should another day pass before the agreed time, I am convinced the first eored of the Mark would be saddled to find us." She said as he nodded in affirmation, a smile gracing his serious features.
"Though I do not mind we stay another day, if only to be under the stars with you meleth nin." Aragorn said deeply and attempted to snatch the cloak away, but Èowyn was quicker than he anticipated and rolled away, clutching the cloth firmly to her.
"Did you not say my lord that we should be leaving?" she said smiling and pushed him out gently. "After all, it is not my will to leave the realm of Middle Earth without their liege for such a long period." She stated calmly.
"None can be better at simmering the ever turbulent politics of Gondor than Faramir." He replied as he allowed himself to be thrust unto the ledge. "Had it not been for my responsibility to the people, I would earnestly surrender the throne and spend the rest of my days as a ranger." Aragorn replied softly to the advancing woman and claimed her lips in a chaste kiss, ignoring the desire for more.
"Then my liege lord, is it your yearning to relinquish the throne of Gondor? I fear the people may rebel against that thought. For too long has the seat been empty of its rightful heir." She said wisely, as they stood together glancing at the morning sun, tracing her way across the blue sky.
"I must confess, there are days I wish to merely feel the sun kissed wind upon my cheeks, to disappear into the wilderness for days, to be with the woodland creatures, however my allegiances now lay elsewhere." He said softly and she detected a tinge of regret in his words.
Turning gracefully, she faced him, cupping his cheek with a soft hand. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears, for his sacrifice to his people. Kingship was no easy demand on a person and knowing Aragorn he would suffer in silence. How beautiful he seemed to her, and at moment she saw him, the short years had aged him since they last met, yet there in his eyes lay the ranger she had once seen and loved.
"Your sacrifices have not gone unnoticed my love, though it may seem to be naught in your eyes. Your love and devotion for the people of Gondor and Anor will be remembered for ages to come." She said softly and kissed his cheek.
"We should depart." He said leading her down. "Legolas and Matejé are awaiting us." He reminded her gently as another groan escaped from her lips, but she followed him nevertheless.
It would be with fondness in her heart, she would remember the days in Lothlórien and even more Caras Galadhon. Èowyn thought with fondness as they small group made their way past the golden trees, looking backwards one last for one moment to memorize the beauty she was leaving.
Legolas and Matejé rode quietly ahead leaving the mortal couple to their own ministrations. It seemed to her that the elves had withdrawn within themselves for the latter days spent and it had grieved her as well as Aragorn. There was something amiss and yet she did not know whether to press Matejé. The elf had healed quickly in the aftermath of the battle, yet Èowyn wondered the true extent of the encounter to the elf maiden.
"Our companions seem distracted." She said softly to the man beside her, who nodded thoughtfully. "Has Legolas spoken with you?"
"No, though it somewhat surprises me." The king replied quietly. "Legolas has confided in me for many years. I shall speak with him." He said as she nodded vigorously.
"I concur." She replied as they urged their mounts to the canter of the elves.
"Have you ever heard the tale of Celebrian?" he asked as they journeyed on.
"Some. Gandalf in our younger days would tell us stories of foreign lands. I was fascinated with the lore of Gondor and the elves but I have never heard of hers." Èowyn replied quietly.
"She is the mother of Arwen, one of the first elves to journey to Valinor. Journeying to Lorien she was attacked by orcs and received a wound. Though healed, she lost pleasure in the world and chose the path of the ships." Aragorn related as his companion listened with interest.
"It is a sad tale. To be parted from kin, I cannot imagine. There were days I wished for nothing, but to ride among the plains of Rohan with Èomer at my side. Yet, Celebrian chose her path, she is reunited with her family." Èowyn said.
"She is, but Lord Elrond still resides in Rivendell for the moment." Aragorn replied thoughtfully. "I do not know for how much longer." He added and sank into silence. It had been far too long, since he thought of Ada and even stranger it was with Èowyn he shared his past with, but within he felt the woman beside him would share his future and his past for years to come. Lady Galadriel's foresight was renowned and though he had not shared the meaning of her message with the Shieldmaiden, it would come in time.
"I have seen the beauty of Lorien, but not Rivendell. Is it as enchanting?" she asked.
"They are both wonders in their right, yet living in Rivendell, my heart shall always reside there." He said a wistful look upon his face and she looked at him strangely. She knew Arwen would claim part of his love forever. Yet it would be in secret he would think of the elf maiden who had departed. To not understand the bond they shared would be folly, yet within her, she knew their love would be as true and beautiful as his first.
"I have seen paintings of Celebrian, and the first time I beheld you, it was as though she had returned. Lord Elrond though he said nothing at your first meeting, was indeed surprised at the likeliness." Aragorn chuckled at her dismay.
"I fear, I was enjoying the drunken antics of Merry and Pippin and the last moments with my brother, than Lord Elrond's attentions." She confessed as a dull colour came to her face.
"Ada is very wise. He confided after your departure, it was as though Celebrian had returned in flesh and even Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel concurred with him. It was bitter- sweet to behold you." He said softly as she nodded.
"They are reunited, that matters the most." She said quietly.
"Yes it does."
As the sun drew to its end, they had traversed for many leagues, their mounts though exhausted, enjoyed the long journey, for too long had they been waiting idly in the forests of Lorien. Legolas and Aragorn had swiftly assembled a campsite and had built a small fire to keep the wild animals away. They sat in silence eating and through lidded eyes, Èowyn observed Matejé, the elf though in better spirits seemed in pain. Her hand touching her injured shoulder ever so often was unnerving.
Aragorn had veered Legolas away for sometime to speak and she ventured closer to her friend, offering her cloak as added warmth and a peace offering, elated as Matejé accepted gratefully.
"You seem distracted my friend." She said softly as they stared into the burning light for some moments, watching as the fire crackled before them. "Have Aragorn and I offended you in anyway?" she asked.
"By Valar, you have not." Matejé replied forcefully and chuckled at the mortal's surprise and her sigh of relief. "It is a personal matter between Legolas and I." she explained as her friend squeezed her hand tightly.
"My ear is always here for you Matejé." Èowyn replied smiling lightly.
"He wishes to remain on Middle Earth for sometime and though I would care for nothing more, the voice of my people call out for me. I have ignored their cries but I do not know for how much longer."
"Does Legolas know of this?"
"For the moment, he does not. He will sacrifice his happiness for mine once I reveal the truth and he deserves more." Matejé replied as a single tear streamed to the ground.
"He is worthy to you as you are to him. You must speak of it to him and together the choice will be made." Èowyn said softly embracing the elf.
"Your words are true, I shall tell...." she said as the horses began to whine and canter restlessly and in a fit of terror all four broke into a wild gallop across the darkened grounds. "Something approaches!" Matejé whispered fiercely and reached for her bow as Èowyn doused the fire Helm already in hand glowing brightly in the shadows.
"We are at a terrible disadvantage in the open." Èowyn remarked quietly trying to conceal the light of her weapon. "And the sword does not help us." she fumed.
"It is pack of Uruk Hai, about thirty at my count." Matejé said softly. "Can you hear them?" she asked
"Hear them? As well, as smell them. Brace yourself, they know we are here. If this is to be the end, then it shall be a glorious one!" Èowyn replied stoutly as the grunts and shouts of the foul creatures veered ever closer. Both warriors ready to meet their opponents with open arms.