Chapter Five

Suspicion

Aragorn could feel despair threatening to catch him in its deadly grip any minute, as he stood in the deserted corridor. He watched the blond servant girl walking away, unable to think about what had just happened. He'd never felt more alone, and he'd been in worse situations then this.

But in those times, he'd always had Arwen to think about, to give him hope. When ever he'd been fighting to survive, it hadn't only been for himself, but with the hope that he would see her again. And now, suddenly it was over. A whole lifetime shattered so completely….

How could he tell everyone that Gondor was without a queen? Because no doubt he would be the one telling people. By the valar, he wanted to escape from all of this. To run out into the wild, and become the ranger once more. How could a person's life and future change so much in one day?

With a sudden clarity, he knew what he had to do. He couldn't tell people yet, not like this. Not tonight. So things would go on as they should do, as normal, like nothing had happened. Then, hopefully, he would find a way to deal with things, find a way to change Arwens mind.

In other words, Aragorn had entered into the comfortable world of denial.

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Buffy lay the drinks out on the vast table quickly and quietly with the other girls, as the fellowship continued to talk in light hearted tones. As she did, she kept glancing at Aragorn and Arwen. Aragorn looked tired, with shadows in his eyes and she could tell he was still in shock. But he hid it well. He was ignoring Arwen completely, talking to Lego something. These names were all so complicated. Arwen looked hurt at the king's actions, and Buffy felt a rush of anger towards her, but pushed it away hastily. No good would come of that.

So she tried to distract herself. Back to thinking about people's names.

Then, something Thranduil was saying caught her attention. "And even after Saurons fall, they still haunt the woods like a plague. Even with all our abilities, we have yet to find a way to cast them out."

"The spiders still trouble you father?" asked Legolas.

Pippin grimaced. "I've heard about them from Bilbo's stories when he went to Mirkwood. Must we talk of such horrible things while we eat?"

"I agree," said Sam, looking at Frodo. They both well remembered Shelob.

Thranduil gave a short laugh. "I do what I can. I'm sorry, but it is a pressing matter, and I can't wait for a more formal setting, since the king of Gondor is sitting right here, when who knows when I will be seeing him again so close to the wedding!"

Only Buffy sensed the tension in the silence that followed.

"Speak your mind, you're among friends," said Aragorn. "We'll do what we can for you, although if the power of the elves can be of no help…"

"We fought those beasts when we were younger, Estel, do you remember? When you visited our forest?" asked Legolas.

Aragorn smiled slightly at the memories.

"I also remember son," saidGreenleaf's father. "You all made me panic constantly! After all, if anything had ever happened to the heir of Isildur during my watch, Valar only knows what your father would have done to me Arwen?"

Arwen smiled and looked mischievously at her own father, sitting beside her. "I'm sure he would have forgiven you in time Lord," she answered innocently.

"You say that so casually daughter, because Estel sits comfortably by your side! Thranduil is right. I would have been…..mad is one word for it." Buffy thought that Aragorn didn't look too comfortable sitting by Arwen.

"Is it just spiders now? Since the dak lords fall, I'd imagine the orcs are no longer a problem?" Aragorn continued.

"Have you tried fire?" the question slipped out of Buffy's mouth with ease and so naturally. But she had forgotten her place, and soon found the whole hall in silence, with everyone staring at her.

"Step forward," king Thranduil said softly, regarding her suspiciously. She did as she was asked, at once looking down and acting the meek, shy servant she was supposed to be.

"I'm sorry," she stammered. "I didn't mean to interrupt you…"

"Don't be sorry," said Thranduil. "But answer this question. How would you possibly know of such dark things lady, or how to defeat them?"

Wouldn't you like to know? She inwardly smirked at the king in front of her. But she had to think about this carefully, unless she wanted to be thrown out of the city.

"After the war, people have begun to talk more openly of these things," she lied easily. "I've just picked up a few things that's all. Besides, isn't it general knowledge that the bad guys…or anything really, doesn't react well to being burned?"

Thranduil nodded reluctantly, giving her leave to step back.

Not liking the awkwardness that still filled the room, she smiled innocently and picked up Arwen's now empty plate. "I'd better take this back to the kitchens," she said. "Would you like anything else Lady Arwen?"

Arwen tried unsuccessfully to hide her laughter, and shook her head. Buffy hurried out of the room, without looking back.

Thranduil still didn't look happy. "I'd watch her carefully, Lord Aragorn," he said, surprisingly serious, catching the king of Gondor by surprise.

"Would you?" he asked.

"There is something about her. She has a strange accent and has knowledge of battle. I wouldn't let your guard down while she is around."

Aragorn listened to the advice, but he wasn't sure what to make of it. He had recognised the girl from earlier in the day, when she'd overheard him talking to Arwen. He hadn't felt or sensed anything about her to cause concern.

"You think that I don't check my staff thoroughly?" asked Arwen, defending Buffy, as she had taken a liking to her.

Aragorn sat still listening to his friends debate, thinking that maybe he should have a talk with the blonde stranger, who so resembled the shield maidens of Rohan, before any of the others took more drastic measures to reveal her secrets.

TBC.

Sorry about the short chapter, I will try to make the next one longer!