A.N., ok, apparently just hates web addresses. Let's try again: www (dot) geocities (dot) com /fuschiafairytale/images/CGs/sketches/yuna2.jpg And again, www (dot) geocities (dot) com/fuschiafairytale/images/CGs/sketches/yuna3.jpg These are just rough sketches, but they just give an idea. Expect more soon :D.

'…I had no choice but to hear you,

You've stated your case time and again,

I've thought about it,

You treat me like I'm a princess,

I'm not used to lying in bed,

You ask how my day was,

You've already won me over,

In spite of me,

And don't be surprised if I fall,

Head over feet,

And don't be surprised if I love you,

For all that you are,

I couldn't help it,

It's all your fault…'

'You've Already Won Me Over' – Alanis Morissette

Chapter 36: Surrender

---------------------------------------------Interlude------------------------------------------------

The blinding white of Minas Tirith grew closer as we galloped ever nearer. Barely a few days had passed since I had awakened before we were on our way again, saying our goodbyes to Imrahil and Arandir, thanking them for their help. So much had happened in the past week. She was back, it didn't matter for how long, and there was no pressing threat to the continued existence of Arda. Everything was the same again, and yet everything had somehow changed. And not all of it for the better.

The fate of the world around us had hung in the balance, and barely a handful were aware of it. But that was often the way with the true heroes. Or heroines, as the case may be. Of course she would have none of it. As she said, were it up to her she would never have gone. The only reason she did what she did was to fulfil some glorious plan the Valar had in store for her in the hopes that she die with a purpose. But she also commented that it can't have been all that glorious, as she was still alive.

I glanced to my left. She was there, just as she had been a few minutes ago, her stallion's stride matching that of Arod, her gaze clear and focussed on the walls before her. The wind played with the strands of hair that had worked themselves free of her tight, practical braid, the one she always wore while riding or fighting, which was, ironically, the way she spent a perplexing amount of her time. To the left of her, Cer rode, as silent and focused as ever. To my right was Firowen, who rode slightly ahead of the twins, whose horses competed for position playfully.

The gates loomed above us as we slowed to a trot. The City's strange layout was one I was still vaguely familiar with. At least, I knew the route to the palatial structure at its summit well enough. As we wound through the cobbled streets, we endured the usual reception. People stared, some pointed, others gave us no notice. Children commented loudly and unashamedly at the strange pointy-eared people, though the brighter realised we were of Elven descent. Apparently, Queen Arwen didn't walk around the city too often. Firowen rode in front of us, Cer at his side, as he smiled politely at the citizens. I realised the horse that was flanking mine was Yuna's. He clearly enjoyed the attention, and rolled his head majestically so his mane swung back in what would have been a shiny curtain of silver had he not been travelling for a few days. I saw the barest hint of a smirk on Yuna's face, which, I belatedly realised, was half covered by her blue-grey hood. Did she still hate to be recognised? I decided to add it to the list of questions I wanted to ask her once I was absolutely sure she wasn't about to bite my head off at the slightest inquiry into her life.

So we were back at this point again. Sardonic yet witty comments and playful insults thrown at each other, the occasional glance filled with, of course, pure indifference. Me not knowing where on Arda in her eyes I stood, and neither of us having the courage or foolery to ask. We were both too old for this, but perhaps that was the problem. Both too proud, though I would never admit that to her, and I know she would not to me. Of all the women, in all of Arda…

We dismounted at the bidding of a citadel stablehand, Yuna giving a firm look and command of 'be good' to Amroth. It drew more than a few stares, but she didn't notice, or if she did then she didn't seem to care. She never really did.

---------------------------------------------End Interlude-------------------------------------------

The King's house had changed more than I'd believed possible in the few years I'd been away. Well, ten or so. The Steward Denethor hadn't been the homiest of people, and the coldness of the plain, ashen marble had penetrated to the very soul of every servant that walked the place with expressions of impending doom at every corner. Memories flooded back as we approached the great hall that seated Aragorn and his Queen. The last time I'd been here was a journey of necessity that concluded as a short social visit to the now Prince of Ithilien. Then, the place was swathed in white and lifeless shades of grey as the creature that haunted it skulked around what was left of his country. Now, a new life had entered these halls. The servant that walked a few paces before us to guide the way performed his task with renewed vigour. Even the candles fastened to the walls blazed with a new energy. I felt a smile tug at my lips.

"Eager to see the King Elessar, Yunalesca?" Celoril had appeared at my side with barely a sound. Damn Elves. I nodded my response.

"It has been too long, I think. Our last parting was of the few favourable between us. Old grudges are not so easily put to rest, but this is. A stupid quarrel between children. I could not be happier for his success."

"And…the Queen Undómiel?" There was a hint of laughter in his tone that I neither appreciated nor was surprised by. I couldn't stop my smile widening with a twist of irony.

"Anyone that claims to be the epitome of beauty in physical form must have some other hideous flaw. Like an atrocious singing voice, for instance. Maybe she has some secret chains and manacle perversion." Satisfied that I had him on the verge of spluttering with what was either laughter or shock, I added: "Perhaps she's just simply no good in bed. Pretty women never are." A snort from behind us notified me to the fact that Nólad had been listening. Celoril had no chance to respond, however. We were there.

The throne loomed before us, but not in the same way it once had. Now, the room was filled with the decadence that only an Elven mind could conjure up. The gleam and majesty that occupied the hall radiated from somewhere around the couple seated at the end of the room. The Queen sat regally with her hands in her lap, her face a vision of serene magnificence as always. Aragorn rose as we approached, his hair looking far too well taken care of for my liking, a smile firmly on his face. Legolas was flanked by Firowen and Cer a way behind, with the Twins and myself trailing behind like naughty children. The Prince and King embraced as brothers, then greeted each of us in turn until he came to me.

"Yuna." A smile beamed at me that was so genuine it erased any bitterness I had buried for him. "Your presence is unexpected, yet in no way unwelcome. I did not realise you travelled with Legolas." There was a hint of suggestion in his voice. My eyebrows narrowed just enough for the smile to become a rakish grin.

"Well, I have to eat sometimes, you know." I said in a voice I half hoped only he could hear. He laughed in a way I had not seen in too many years.

"Of course, of course. Anyway, I am sure you are all tired from the journey. I will not keep you here longer than is necessary. He gestured towards a pair of chambermaids huddled by the door. It was a mystery to me how chambermaids always appeared to huddle, even if there was only one, but I dismissed it as one of the many mysteries of the universe that I didn't care about. "Please."

"A moment, Elessar," said Legolas in a jovial tone, "Won't you tell us why we have been so particularly summoned here?" A corner of Aragorn's mouth curved upwards in a gesture of secrecy.

"Oh, certainly. In due time, of course. Get settled in first. I trust you will stay no less than…say a week?" Ooh, goody, a holiday in the middle of the largest human city in Arda with Him thrown in just to make it even more enjoyable. I wanted to get to my allocated quarters and collapse somewhere. Preferably somewhere soft. There was a general murmur of conformity from the small collection of Elves in front of me before Legolas agreed and we were led away by the forever bobbing chambermaids.

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As I lay on the impossibly spongy eiderdown that gave in like a pond, it occurred to me that I still had not returned to Entwood. And that I was still here. With Him. For no apparent reason other than I didn't really want to leave. Something inside me strained behind a floodgate, but I restrained it still. I wasn't sure I wanted to know what it was that threatened to take me over. I wasn't sure I could handle it. What a stupid, stupid thought. Me, a warrior that had seen thousands to their deaths, afraid of something as harmless as that. But of course, a warrior was the only identity I had. Once I gave up the part of me that was a fighter until the end, the part that never gave up and always found some way to win…what was I?

Aragorn was not yet a hundred and yet had his destiny laid out for him like a road paved with torches, and it was that path he walked. It was fine for some. I had tried for so long to find a purpose to my seemingly endless existence, and I had not yet succeeded. I couldn't just be alive to carry on fighting; it didn't make sense when there wasn't a war. Alright, yes, it was true that I'd just foiled one of the many attempts to enslave and probably destroy the known world, but nowadays, who hadn't? There had to be something more. Something bigger than what was already behind me.

Three thousand years, and I hadn't yet figured it out. Truly, a brilliant and fulfilling life I had led…

The thought was laughable. But I realised, with new and probably foolish conviction, that I was still alive, and, thus, still had a chance. I would find something. Something that gave me a purpose, a reason to stay on this earth.

It occurred to me that I was getting far, far too old for this. I should be living out my final years in the Grey Havens by now, finding solace in the tranquillity there like so many before me. It was time to let go. A year, I decided finally, then I would leave. If the Valar decided to hurl something in front of my path before then, that was their choice. If not, I would go, and if I was lucky I would fade away into stories and legend like so many others.

I laughed, humourlessly and silently. A year. It was barely enough time to say goodbye to the hundreds of contacts I'd accumulated. No matter. I had little else to lose. I'd kept my dignity intact for so many years, and now that was all but gone too. I suppose it was his fault, but that was just the indignant old woman inside me insisting I was blameless. I was the one that let my guard down, and now here I was, trailing after a man like a lost puppy, and I was sure he knew it. Well, no longer. It would be rude of me to leave before we'd even found out why we were here, but it was the only time I could slip away quietly.

I gathered up the sparse belongings I carried and made for the door. As I passed what was probably a desk, I considered leaving a note of some kind. But no, that was too common. Too sentimental. He'd figure things out eventually. And hopefully this time he'd figure out that he wasn't to follow me. My eyes closed in thought. But he would anyway. The stubbornness of that elf rivalled my own. But what was he looking for? He'd had his fun already. He knew I had come to genuinely…care for him. I suppose so, anyway. He was probably laughing at how girlish and childlike I'd been. Falling for a few choice words and stolen kisses. It was pretty pathetic, I had to admit. But the way he'd captivated me, it was so…so right. Or so I had thought. There was no war, and so less chance of him being snatched away from me by death, but I knew somehow that he would never be mine to begin with. He was toying with me. I gritted my teeth. He didn't deserve a goodbye.

"Again?" Those two syllables, spoken so calmly and soothingly, divided the turbulent river of my fate in two distinct paths. On the path where there was nothing but silence, I opened my eyes, sighed and left, the stableboy the only witness to my departure. I disappeared, and if he followed me, he never found me. In this life, however, I jerked my eyes open and dropped the makeshift bag of my possessions on the wooden floor. He was there, looking as collected as ever, though I realised later the turmoil that danced behind his eyes.

"I…what do you mean?" I was suddenly flustered. I hated him more for doing this to me.

"You're leaving. Again. Why?" Why? Why couldn't he just stay out of it all?

"I'm not leaving. I've just not unpacked yet." It was a terrible, terrible lie, but he went along with it.

"Not unpacked yet?" There was a playful smirk that insinuated itself into his voice. "We've been here a good while already, Yuna."

"Yes, well…I've been tired lately. Obviously staying at Eryn Lasgalen has made me lazy. And you're forgetting that we of mortal blood like to sleep occasionally." He let out a chuckle, and in my mind he remembered my closing comment the last time we had talked. I felt the heat rising to my neck as the embarrassment at being caught out surfaced.

"Indeed? Well now is a chance to rest, we have leave to remain as long as we wish. And there is no real hurry to get back to Eryn Lasgalen, so we may as well make use of the invitation." I couldn't stop myself. I had to say it.

"We? I am here because it has been more convenient to travel with you. It doesn't mean I am obliged to remain with you, let alone return with you." I tried to sound as indifferent as I could so he wouldn't see. His eyes turned to a spot just to the right of my feet.

"Be that as it may, Elessar would be crushed to learn that you won't be attending the event being planned." My face fell. Event? These people were obsessed with parties and celebrations and any excuse to get the man in a dress and pretend she's a queen.

"What event?" My voice must have been tinged with desperation and anxiety, for he looked at me once more, with a smile in his eyes.

"I'd love to tell you, but if you're going to leave there wouldn't be much point, would there?"

"I'm not going to leave."

"Really?" I remained resolute. "Yuna, you're an amazing fighter, a brilliant conversationalist, but a terrible liar. Please, if it's the last thing you say to me, make it the truth." He was right. He was always right.

"What have I to stay for? The sights and smells of this bleached city? The inevitable parade of women with their bosoms pushed to the ceilings and half a whale skeleton holding together their dresses? Or what about the thrilling company?" I paused. He didn't deserve a goodbye, but perhaps he deserved the truth. "Or what about you? Shall I stay for you? If so, give me a reason, please, anything. Give me something to tell me that I'm more than a joke or a private conquest to you, because I'm just dying, dying to humiliate myself even more." The exchange had gone from jovial to bitter in a matter of moments. Before I had a chance to react, my face was cupped in his hands and his lips pressed against mine, tasting of desperation and passion and foolishness.

All at once I had pushed him back, my teeth bared in anger at him for his presumptuousness and gall, and myself for wanting more. "What was that?" I barked. "You think you can just do what you like with me and have me just accept it? I went along with you because it was more convenient for me, and I had fun knowing I was kissing the prince when most dreamt of eye contact! I didn't care that you were using me, it was even pretty interesting having you pretend you cared for me as more than some kind of temporary appeasement, but now it's getting old. I told you the truth. Yes, I am leaving, and this time you won't follow me. If you want me to stay enough, give me a reason, but I tell you it had better be a good one because I'm all out of patience." Alright, so it wasn't entirely the truth, but he had lied to me for longer than I had lied to him. I just wanted to know the reality of things. If he felt as I knew he did, I could leave. But I had to know for sure.

"Temporary? You think I see you as a plaything?" Either he had far too much practice at this sort of thing, or that was genuine bewilderment I saw. And sorrow, mingled with something I'd never seen before. "Yuna…I…if I have made you feel like a joke then I don't deserve to have you stay, but I beg you to just hear me out if you are so determined to go." I was crumbling again. It couldn't be. I had to be right, I couldn't have made such a fundamental error of judgement. "I…I have never said anything to you I didn't mean. I said you were beautiful, that was never a lie. Every time I kissed you I meant it with everything I had, why can't you just accept that?" I wasn't even sure myself. "And…to hear you say that I was a convenience…perhaps I just don't want to face whatever facts I refused to see, but I don't believe you." I let out a trembling breath that I wasn't even aware I'd been holding. I couldn't see a deception in his eyes, or hear it in his voice that shook me with its sincerity.

It was now or never.

"Answer me this, and I will tell you the truth, for I seem to no longer care for dignity." I could barely look at him. "Darkness took me, and I remember nothing but twisted thoughts and confused dreams, perhaps visions. I fought you, I know that much, but I almost killed you. As the light flooded in, you spoke to me. If you would tell me again what you said, speak now, else say nothing and let me go." It was a bold move. Bolder than I'd thought myself capable of. But it was out in the open. It was his move now, and I would act according to his response.

His response, however, was not something I could have predicted with much certainty.

"I love you." His face hadn't changed. Again, I saw no deception. Something inside me screamed that this was a joke and couldn't possibly be happening in any kind of logical universe, and yet it was. I tried to remain impassive. "That was what I said. It was intended for shock value, and yet I realised as I said it that it was entirely true, and still is." A bucketful of ice emptied itself onto my head and turned to a warm haze as it continued to my toes. I still couldn't speak. Once again his hands cupped my face, but this time I didn't push him away. I didn't think I could even if I had wanted to. His thumb brushed over the tip of my ear, following a braid that tucked behind until it rested on the back of my neck. The other branded a path across my cheek and eyelids, which I realised I had closed at some point. My breathing failed to come steadily.

And then finally he kissed me, and my troubles and doubt melted with my defences as I surrendered to the delicious inferno building up in my stomach. After a thousand years my eyes opened and there he was still, just as a moment ago. "I love you." He said again. "I'm not sure for how long I've known, but I know now, and that seems to be the only thing I'm certain of anymore. Please—" he let out a sound that was between a pained laugh and a sigh, "please, tell me if this is completely futile because I'm tired of wanting you more than anything and not being able to have you." This was happening, and it was happening to me. The absurdity and unlikelihood of this event bemused me, and still I could say nothing. I couldn't speak, but I had somehow regained control of my motor functions, and I pulled him towards me once again as my answer.

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Rai: Sorry this was so short and took so long . ! Again, stupid comp problems, and this was a hard scene to write. Next chappie will be super long to compensate, so wait with bated breath because it'll turn things nicely on their head and definitely is not one to be missed.