Chapter 15
I HATE Èowyn, personally. But because of the fact that not everyone hates her, I decided to portray her nicely. God does it KILL me to have to do that. Haha.
Everyone in Edoras was gathered for Théodred's funeral. A sad silence swooped in over the hillside, filling out hearts with grief as the prince's body was carried through the crowds and towards his tomb.
I had changed into my burgundy colored tunic, thinking it nicer for the service. My head was bowed in respect as the body passed by me, and I closed my eyes as I heard Èowyn being to sing. Her words only went on to sadden me further.
"Bealocwealm hafað fréone frecan forth onsended giedd sculon singan gléomenn sorgiende, on Meduselde þæt he ma no wære, Þæt he ma nowere is, þurh niedig rest, and mægen deorost, bealo."
(An evil death has set forth the noble warrior a song shall sing sorrowing minstrels. In Meduselde that he is no more, that he is nowhere anymore, for his necessary rest. And that he is the dearest kinsmen. Killing took him.)
I slowly lifted my head, opening my eyes to look at Èowyn. She was but a young girl, beautiful and alone. I could feel it in her heart and see it in her eyes. I needed no one to tell me of her past for I knew somehow that she was alone in the world. Tears streaked her pale cheeks as she lifted her head. Her hair was pulled back into a very tidy bun, a headdress around her forehead to keep the strands back.
When the funeral had finished, everyone slowly paid their respects and left quietly. Théoden stayed in front of his son's tomb, twirling white flowers in his fingers. Gandalf also stayed behind, I knew it was to console him.
A hand was on my shoulder, and I turned to see Legolas. He seemed as solemn as everyone else, his face showing no emotion.
"Are you ready?" He asked quietly, hesitantly moving his hand to my cheek instead. I looked into his eyes and knew that he was worried for me because of the funeral. He thought me fragile when it came to those kinds of things.
I spied Èowyn standing alone above the tomb, standing with her back to me. Her hands were folded behind her back, her head bowed towards the ground. When I saw her shoulders quivering, I knew my place was with her. She needed someone to comfort her just as Théoden needed Gandalf.
"I'd like to stay a little while longer." I nodded towards the girl and Legolas looked towards her and then back to me.
"Do you want me to wait for you?"
"No, go and get some food and sleep. I will be back later."
He nodded and leaned down to kiss me quickly, his hand lingering on my face a moment more before following after Aragorn and Gimli. When they had gone I headed up another hill, making my way to Èowyn's side.
"Èowyn?" I spoke her name softly, not wanting to frighten her. She lifted her eyes to acknowledge me. More tears were cascading down her cheeks and falling onto her dress and onto the ground. She offered no smile, but spoke.
"You are Adette, Aragorn's sister."
"I am." I came closer, being mindful that she probably felt uncomfortable alone in my presence. I halted a few inches from in front of her, allowing a moment to pass before speaking again. "Èowyn, I am so sorry for your loss. I know that it must feel horribly for you to lose someone you love, and believe me when I say that I know how you feel.
You are feeling as though nobody understands the feelings in your heart and in your soul. You feel as though somehow, it's your fault for the loss of your loved one, that you could have done more to prevent their death.
Please just know that you must continue living because if you don't then you're only letting things like death and misfortune, evil and darkness win. You cannot let that happen."
I realized that tears were forming in my own eyes, and blinked furiously so that they would disappear. Without considering her feelings, I went forward more and put my hands on her shoulders. She lifted her head and I saw that no more tears were rolling down her cheeks.
"You can always talk to me if you need to." I offered gently, squeezing her shoulders. She smiled sadly, raised a hand to wipe her damp face.
"Thank you Adette. I appreciate your words." Her voice cracked a bit, but she made a good effort to control it.
We stood like that for a few more moments before the sounds of Théoden's sobs caused her to turn suddenly. My hands dropped limply to my sides, and she turned to me again.
"I must go to him."
"Yes, you should go to him."
She nodded, smiling again before making her way down the hill and to the front of the tomb. Gandalf had started on his way back to the castle and I decided to keep him company. But suddenly my eyes came upon a horse in the distance. Upon it were two children, and I watched in horror as the child in the back of the saddle fell from the horse and onto the ground.
"Gandalf!" I screamed, already running as fast as I could down the hill. He had seen them as well, and rushed behind me to where the horse was. The little girl on the horse was in tears, calling for her mom.
I knelt down beside the boy, placing two fingers against his neck for a pulse. It fluttered beneath my fingertips thankfully, and I then pulled the boy into my arms and turned back to the girl. She looked frightened as I carefully slid him back onto the saddle.
"Don't worry young one, I'm here to help." I said comfortingly, placing my hand over hers. By this time, Gandalf had reached us. "I will ride the children to the castle Gandalf."
"Make haste, that boy needs help." He helped me onto the saddle, and I wrapped an arm around the two children. It was a tight squeeze, but I would be damned if either of them fell off. I kicked the horse and we were off.
The boy's head rested against my shoulder in his unconsciousness. I looked down at his face. How innocent he looked with his light freckles and bouncy hair. His sister turned and saw me looking, and I smiled at her.
When we reached the castle I halted the horse and jumped down from the saddle, helping the girl down first. I then pulled the boy into my arms, cradling him close to my chest.
"Follow me young one." I said softly to the girl. She grabbed a hold of my tunic and I rushed inside of the castle doors. The guards were quick to assist me, but when the girl cowered in fear behind me, I stopped them. "Stay back please."
Aragorn and Legolas, who had been eating at the table, saw me and quickly rushed to my side. Aragorn reached for the boy, taking him from my arms and turning to the guards to ask where he should be taken. While they did this, I bent down before the girl.
"Where…are they taking him?" She asked through her tears, shaking with sobs and with fear. I pulled her close into a hug, stroking her hair and rubbing her back.
"Shh, young one, do not worry. We are going to help you and your brother." I whispered in her ear. I turned my head to look up at Legolas, who was standing over the two of us. "Please ask the remaining guards where I should take her."
He nodded his head and went to the rest of the guards. I released the girl from the hug and stood with her. When Legolas returned, she grabbed a hold of my leg and I placed my arm around her, drawing her close.
"You need not be afraid of me little one," Legolas kneeled down before her, "I am here to help."
"Where is my brother?" She asked in a small voice, still holding tightly to me.
"He is resting, and you should too. We will take you to where he is." He smiled and stood back up, motioning for me to follow. I reached down and picked the little girl up, carrying her easily in my arms behind Legolas. I looked down at her, seeing that she had freckles as well.
Legolas led me down a corridor and turned the corner, heading for the first door on the right. He opened it for me and let me pass by him. The little girl's brother was in the bed already, still out.
I looked down again to see that the girl had fallen asleep. I carried her to the opposite side of the bed and laid her beneath the covers, tucking them around her. As I went to pull back she reached for my hand, holding it in her own. Her eyes were still closed. I gently pried my hand from hers and turned to see Legolas watching me.
"Shh. Dúlinn, shh."
"Help me Legolas please!" I screamed, my voice hoarse. I realized then that I was in bed in the room that had been provided to Legolas and me by Théoden. I felt arms around me, cradling me close. I could hear the gentle thump of someone's heart near my ear.
"Dúlinn, please wake up." Legolas's broken voice begged.
"Legolas." I whimpered, my eyes fluttering up to meet his. He leaned down and brushed his lips against my forehead, and then against my eyes. As his lips touched them, I realized that they were wet.
"You were dreaming." He told me softly, holding me closer. I was being held in his lap, my head lolled against his chest. My legs were lying off of Legolas's crossed legs, his arms wrapped around me.
"I can't keep having these." I gasped, trying to steady my breathing. He allowed me a great deal of time to do this, keeping his forehead against mine the whole time. When I had finally calmed down considerably, he pulled back.
"What was it about Adette?"
Before I could stop myself, I placed a hand over my flat stomach. Legolas saw my actions and his face became sad and incredibly pained. One of his arms left from around me, and he placed his hand over mine.
"The children upset you." He sighed, rubbing my hand.
"No. The children haven't upset me." I argued, freeing myself from his hold. I went to the wardrobe and spilled the jug of water into a small basin. I placed my hands into the water and placed them against my face and neck. Arms circled around my waist.
"Adette," he breathed in my ear, "you cannot run from this."
I spun around, his arms not leaving from around me.
"I can run from anything."
"You have to cry about this sometime Adette. I can see the tears in your eyes, don't hold them back!" He raised his hands to touch my face but I slapped them away.
"Don't patronize me Legolas!" I exclaimed angrily, angering more when I realized that there were tears in my eyes. He took a half step towards me but I flew to the door and rushed out before he could stop me.
I found myself outside the children's room's door. I reached for the knob and slowly turned it, opening it a crack to peek in. The boy and the girl were cuddled up to each other, the boy holding the girl close. It reminded me of Aragorn and me, sleeping in like that whenever I had a nightmare or when Aragorn had broken his leg.
When I heard another door open, I closed the door and turned, expecting to see Legolas. I instead saw Aragorn, and he in turn saw me. He smiled, but it froze when he saw the single tear running down my face.
"Adette-"
"Leave me alone!" I hissed, turning on my heel and running down the corridor. I heard his footsteps chasing me, and headed for the castle doors. Everything was quiet and dark. I nearly tripped several times but finally made it into the night air. Soon after I had escaped, Aragorn's hands grabbed my arms and I fell to my knees.
"Sister, I'm here." He whispered, coming around to my front. He hugged me to him, rocking me gently as I let silent tears roll down my cheeks. I refused to cry out or speak, and Aragorn soon gave up on encouraging me to let it out. Soon I fell asleep.
"They had no warning. They were unarmed. Now the Wildmen are moving through westfold, burning as they go, every rick, cot and tree." Èowyn stood from kneeling beside Freda and went to the middle of the room.
I had been standing away from everyone, hoping to go unnoticed. Théoden was sitting on his throne, watching the two children feast hungrily. Gandalf stood by his side, offering council and advice, as did Aragorn. Legolas stood nearby as well, while Gimli sat at the table with the children. Suddenly, Freda lifted her head and saw me.
"Milady!" She called happily. Legolas immediately jerked his head in my direction as I slowly entered. I went to Freda's side, smiling.
"How are you feeling young one?" I asked, pushing back her hair.
"Much better." She assured me before continuing to eat. It was sad the way that she shoveled the food into her mouth, as though she hadn't eaten in years.
"This is but a taste of the terror that Saruman will unleash. All the more potent for he is driven mad by the fear of Sauron." Gandalf told Théoden. "Ride out and meet him head on. Draw him away from your women and children. You must fight."
"You have two thousand good men riding north as we speak. Èomer is loyal to you. His men will return and fight for their king." Aragorn spoke up as Théoden got up from his throne and began to pace.
"They will be three hundred leagues from here by now! Èomer cannot help us. I know what is that you want of me. But I would not bring further death to my people. I will not risk open war." He argued.
"Open war is upon you, whether would risk it or not."
"When last I looked, Théoden, not Aragorn, was king of Rohan." Théoden said coldly, turning to stare at Aragorn.
"Come young ones," I went in between the two and patted their backs, "you need not here this talk of war."
They had finished eating and so they stood without complaint, and headed out of the room. I felt a hand upon my arm and turned to see Legolas following me.
"Milady!" Freda called to me. I turned back to her, smiling.
"Go on, I'll join you two in a moment."
"Adette, I'm sorry about the way things got last night." Legolas's eyes looked deeply into mine, his apology sincere. His love seeped through his calm, blue eyes and into my heart.
"You shouldn't apologize Legolas, I should. I'm sorry for the things I did and what I said." I latched myself onto him. I could tell that he was surprised, but his arms went around me in a second.
"I just want you to be happy dúlinn." He muttered, kissing the top of my head.
"I know." I sighed, and tilted my head back so that he could bend down and kiss me deeply. I tasted him and allowed him to taste me, our love so tender and real that it nearly burst my heart.
When he pulled away, he took my hand and smiled.
"Let's go keep the children company."