Hidden Secrets
Disclaimer: I only own Aranwen, Beran, Star, and the plot!
Chapter Thirty-one: Chat
T.A. 3019
Much to her displeasure, Aranwen was left behind while Aragorn, Gandalf, Legolas, Gimli, Theoden and others rode to Isengard. She had pleaded with her father to come with them, insisting that she was well enough to travel. She wanted to face the wizard Saruman, who had ruined her life.
But Aragorn would not yield and she was left to travel back to Edoras with Eowyn and women. The trip to Edoras gave Aranwen a chance to get to know the White Lady of Rohan better.
"How come you were able to fight?" Eowyn asked Aranwen as they rode across the plains.
"Legolas urged me not to fight, but he has no control over me. No one does, not even my father," Aranwen admitted.
"Yet you are here," Eowyn pointed out.
"Yes, I am. If I were better, I would argue, but for once, I understand."
"Women like us want to fight, not be left behind. We have a warrior's heart and spirit, yet men do not understand," Eowyn said with a sigh.
"Men," said Aranwen disgusted, thinking of Beran.
"If you do not mind my asking, how did you end up traveling with such a strange group?" Eowyn implored.
"I ran away from my great-grandmother's after they passed through. I followed them along the Great River and joined the Fellowship at the battle at Amon Hen, where Boromir of Gondor fell. Ada was angered, but had no choice but to bring me along," Aranwen said with a smile, remembering the past.
"I wish it were so easy for me," Eowyn sighed.
Aranwen looked down, lost in thought. Eowyn did not like to be left out of battle anymore than Aranwen did. But things were different between them. Aranwen had been running and fighting for her life since a young age. Eowyn had not. Eowyn knew nothing of battle and the toll it took upon those engaged in it. She knew not of the heartbreak that a battle could bring.
As much as she wanted Eowyn to understand, she knew that the older woman would never understand. They were too different. Eowyn was it for the glory and Aranwen because it was her life. She was a Ranger and she would never stop running. She could not.
And Beren would never leave her alone. It had hurt to send him away and she knew he would not stay away. He would always be there, in the shadows, waiting, watching.
He would return and no battle skills would help her.
Battle did not solve everything, as much she liked to believe it would. She knew Eowyn believed that fighting in battle would make her a better person or something akin to it, but it would not.
"It's not easy. Battle never is. Neither is life," Aranwen told her.
"You speak as if you know all the secrets of life."
"I know most of them. I am Ranger and I have experienced more in a few years than most experience in their lives. Love, loss, death, battle…" she said, shaking her head.
"What happened to you in the Wild?" asked Eowyn, eager for stories of a life she knew naught about.
"Where do I begin?" Aranwen said with a smile and before she knew it, she told Eowyn about joining a Ranger camp and meeting Beran. She never mentioned that he was her husband nor the fact that she was carrying a child.
It was nice to be able to share even that small portion of her story.
Author's Notes:
Sorry about the long wait. This chapter doesn't do much other than start a friendship between Eowyn and Aranwen. It also keeps her away from Isengard, so we don't know what happens with Saruman. Thanks to everyone who has reviewed, I now have over 100 reviews! Thank you! Enjoy this chapter! Its weirdness will be explained next chapter, I promise.
Reviewers!
IwishChan – That's a good question! But Aragorn is still alive.
ElvenRyder – I'm trying to write fast! Don't drown the country!
Fae Black – Thank you! It's a shame that this chapter is so far from the last one. But I promise that there is a reason for it.
ArwenFairTinuviel – Thank you! Beran has his reasons for leaving quickly. And Aragorn thinks that there is something going on. What it is, he's not yet sure.
Ainariella – Thank you so much! I passed 100 reviews! Yay!