Chapter Fifteen: Love Her Always
Saeorii turned so that she could see the stars in the window that was open above their bed. She could not sleep this night as she had found often since he had parted more than a month ago. The spring coolness was giving way to the warmth of summer as the days grew longer and she waited for his return. She slept on his side of the bed so that she could lay her head on his pillow and be comforted by his lingering scent. She sighed deeply and closed her eyes letting a solitary tear fall as she yearned to feel his arms around her, to hear the soothing sound of him breathing beside her, and feel his warmth. These things that had once caused her to stiffen in fear were now what she longed for as she laid watching the winking stars; her only comfort that the stars he looked at were the same.
There was the muffled sound of familiar footsteps in the outer room and she knew them to Ilterrin's before he spoke to her softly through the door. He had been a comfort to her in Elessar's absence because strangely enough though the very mention of his father's name reduced her to tears, she did not fear him. He had done well, for Elessar had left him in charge of the Council and the doings of Gondor instead of Prince Imrahil. For one so young he seemed wise and the people of Gondor had grown used to his ways although all longed for the return of their king. The city had become quiet in his absence, it seemed they to missed the sound of his voice and laughter as she did. Ilterrin knocked again and this time she rose, wrapping a light robe around her as she pulled open the heavy door to her bedchamber.
He was fully dressed and it was only then that she acknowledged the hurried footsteps of the servants in the corridors and the joyous calling of voices from the city below.
"Ilterrin, what is happening?" she asked quietly and he smiled at her tenderly, obviously carrying some good tiding that he wished her to know.
"He has returned."
Aragorn smiled wearily as he watched those who had ridden out with him embrace their loved ones tightly while he continued to ride towards the palace. The streets of Gondor that should have been silent at this late hour were filled with great rejoicing and much laughter and it did his heart good. However, despite his happiness for his people, he himself was terribly saddened. It had been long since he had last seen her except in his dreams. He missed her terribly and knew now that despite his longings for the wild he would never wish to stray from the White City so long as she was here. He nodded politely to those who had formed a sort of parade and were now following he and the soldiers with him to the tower where he would leave them and search for her.
The tower was well lit with many lamps that shone golden in the silver starlight as they reached Minas Tirith and he dismounted. The few wounded that were with him were immediately left in the care of the healers, but he knelt by the youngest that despite the fact that he would live seemed frightened. He held the young soldier's hand and spoke to him softly in elvish as he had seen his father do many times and the young man smiled weakly at him despite the fact he did not understand what was spoken. As was the way with elven words; they brought comfort to any.
He heard the doors to the palace open and glanced up but then could not turn away as she glided by the guards who bowed as she passed. He felt as if he must have slipped once more into a dream and when he would wake up her beautiful form would be nothing more than a shadow, a memory. She waited atop the palace steps seeming unsure of herself, as he stood enchanted by the very sight of her. Her raven hair fell nearly her knees and he could make out her silhouette plainly beneath the thin white nightgown over which she wore a pale lavender robe. Her eyes were deep and endless as the night sky and she shone brighter than the lamps around her with the light of the night stars. All were silent as the wind whispered around her and she stood motionless, simply staring into his eyes.
He moved around the edge of the stretcher at his feet and his heart soared as he watched her bare feet run down the stairs, each step she took bringing her closer to him. He reached for her and lifted her off her feet, swinging her around and revelling in the sound of her elvish laughter until at last he set her feet upon the white stones once more and held her close against his chest laying his head against hers as he felt a deep peace come over him. He loosened his arms slightly so that he could look into her beautiful face and he cupped the side of her face in his rough palm as he smiled at her.
"I have missed you, Melleth," he whispered softly in Sindarin, calling her by the name he had given her in his dreams.
She wrapped her two small hands around his own and looked unafraid into his eyes and he felt as though she could see the farthest edges of his soul.
"I love you," she whispered so softly that he nearly did not hear her.
Merely three words from her lips and he was unmade. His heart swelled within his chest so that he feared it might burst as he looked into the eyes of the elleth that had so totally and completely captured his heart. He could not fathom that one such as her could ever love him, especially after all that he had done to her. He pulled her close to him and leaned down and kissed her gently as he felt tears in his eyes. What had he done that he might be worthy of her, he wondered as he leaned his forehead against hers and looked into her immortal eyes that stared back at him with a frightening trust that he hoped he would one day have earned.
They had left the courtyard soon after and she had finally found sleep in his arms, content and at ease despite the scent of war that lingered about him. She had fallen asleep, lulled by his warmth and the constant rhythm of his breathing. She had sensed him leave her as the sun lit the morning sky, but she was content to linger between the warm sheets, sensing his presence near her and hearing his small movements in their rooms that had been painfully empty in past weeks as, he began his day. She had not stirred when he leaned over her and kissed her temple tenderly and whispered that he would soon return.
She realized that she must have fallen asleep because next she knew Maeve was bustling about the room, talking like a brook during spring flood and insisting that she must get up, that Elessar was waiting for her. She turned and looked at Maeve strangely and saw the joy in her eyes as she held up a riding dress for her approval and Saeorii wondered what in Arda was going on. Meave explained it to her hurriedly as she helped her dress and wove her hair into a simple braid. The king was waiting for her in the stables, he had a surprise for her that Maeve seemed sure she would like as she fastened the simple light cloak about her shoulders and tightened her doeskin boots.
One of the guards said that he would take her to the stables as she had never been there before and so she followed him through the streets of Gondor to the King's Stables. He left her at the doors and she paused a moment, unsure of what she would find before pulling one of the large wooden doors open to find an entire different world full of bustling stable hands and grooms, squires and pages; each glanced at her wondering for a moment who she was and then returned to their duties.
She paused again as the door closed behind her but this time it was not from fear but sheer joy to hear the wonderful soothing sounds of stallions and mares and smell the sweet hay and feel the warmth of their sweet breath as it was still early and they had not yet been taken outside to graze. Then for a moment she felt a wave of apprehension as she stood alone and unsure of herself until she noticed him quickly weaving his way towards her through the moving bodies. She felt wondrous relief when he took her arm in his and began to lead her down one of the alleyways and with each step they took the jostling of bodies and shouting of voices grew less until they were only a faint murmur and they were alone.
"I trust you did not have any trouble getting here?" he asked as he kindly led her to sit on a bale of hay while he himself moved to where a saddlebag rested against one of the walls.
"Nay, I did not. One of the guards brought me here, although as yet, no one has told me why I was to come," she reminded him.
He merely smiled and winked at her.
"All things in time, Melleth," he told her as he slid a blanket in the bag and then fastened it tightly. "Now, I have a gift for you, but I wish for you to close your eyes first."
The unsure tone of his voice told her that he was aware what a great thing it was he asked her but she realized that she felt no fear knowing well that he would never harm her. So, she stood without a word and covered her eyes with one hand and held the other out that he might lead her where he wished. She felt him take not one, but both of her hands in his and she smiled as he began to lead her further down the corridor. Her ears were aware of his every step and the fact that the voices behind them were growing softer still. She heard the familiar click of a latch being lifted and felt the moving air as a door was swung open before her. He led her even further and she felt sawdust and hay beneath her feet and felt the warmth of a large animal beside her.
"Now," he instructed, "open your eyes."
When she did she found herself in large stall standing next to a beautiful black filly that bore a white blaze upon her dark brow. She reached out to touch the creature's velvet nose.
"She is beautiful, Elessar," she breathed, having forgotten the magnificence of such creatures and watched as he smiled widely; obviously happy he had pleased her.
"She is yours," he told her and she looked at him unsure of what to say he continued, "She has never been ridden, nor has a saddle ever weighed her light feet with its burden. She will only ever be yours."
She looked at Elessar who stood smiling hopefully at her, unsure of his gesture as she felt a single tear slide down her cheek. He had chosen a horse that had never been touched by a saddle; never been ridden by man. He knew what it meant for an elf to be the first to ride a horse. They were untainted and free; wild of spirit and yet calm and obliging beneath an elven hand.
"Hannon le, Elessar," she murmured as she hugged him tightly but then a thought struck her suddenly and she pulled away slightly. "The morning wanes, your council will be looking for you," and she could not keep the disappointment from creeping into her voice as she spoke.
"Nay, they look not for me this day. I have missed you terribly these past weeks and I am going to be selfish and keep you to myself," he told her as she moved in his arms to reach out and stroke the elegant neck of Anduril and he kissed her head tenderly as she lay it against his chest. "Today you shall ride Anduril across the Field of Pelennor and from there, to anywhere your heart desires."
Both jumped at the shrill whiney that came from behind them and Saeorii turned to see the great head of a Rohirric horse watching them intently from the next stall.
"Who is this?" she asked as she walked towards the stallion and reached out to touch his chestnut coloured face.
"That is Brego," Elessar answered as he followed her and reached above her head to scratch the horse's ears fondly. "It is he who bore me as I rode with Theoden in the Battle for Helms Deep, and into the Paths of the Dead. It is he who bore me to the Black Gates of Mordor and not once did he falter."
"Great is he indeed," she whispered as Brego rubbed his head against her and suddenly knocked her backwards into Elessar's waiting arms.
Neither moved and for a moment as he held her. It seemed time around them stilled as she looked into his striking silver eyes. Slowly she reached up and tucked a lock of his unruly hair behind his ear, brushing her hand against his cheek. She knew he was slightly startled when it was she who pulled him close and touched her lips to his and she felt her cheeks grow warm against his. They parted and neither spoke until suddenly Brego nudged her and whinnied rather indignantly.
"I believe he is jealous of you, Melleth," Elessar stated before both burst into laughter and Brego turned his head away, seeming to know it was at his expense.
Aragorn breathed deeply the scent of the forest. They had ridden all morning and were now many leagues from the White City, its intimidating form a mere dot on the horizon. His thoughts however were not of his city but of his wife for in last hours it seemed he had watched her come alive as one might watch a flower slowly unfurling its silk petals. Now longer did she watch over her shoulder or tense in fear at the sounds around her. No longer did tears darken her eyes or her face pale in fear. Instead she rejoiced at all around them and listened to voices that he could not hear, of the wind, earth and trees. Her eyes were lit with laughter and her cheeks were coloured the pale rose of sunset.
She was now humming softly as she sat comfortably in one of the low hanging branches of the trees that allowed her to dangle her bare feet mere inches above the cool stream below her. Wisps of her dark hair had been undone by the caress of the wind as they galloped across the flat lands surrounding Gondor and her eyes were vibrant with life that he had never before seen in her. There was an impish playfulness that edged her breathtaking smile as she turned and watched him spread their light meal out on the grass beneath the trees that shone like emeralds in their new foliage. He could not resist the opportunity to enfold her slight form in his arms and walked towards her with light footsteps, nimbly pulling himself up beside her and drawing her close.
He listened as she sighed contentedly and leaned against him. It was still surprising to him, her comfort with him where once there had been fear. Her smile and laughter where there had been cries and pain. Her elven light that had been dimmed. Her jubilant spirit that brought a great deal of joy and peace to his own weary heart.
"The wind no longer whispers of war and darkness," she murmured languidly and he realized that she was falling asleep here in his arms and smiled.
"Of what does it speak, my lady," he asked lightly as he brushed his lips against her cheek.
"It speaks of peace and of the great age of men that is to come and of the sad parting of many elves," she paused, "but perhaps some will be drawn to remain."
He sat up straighter as a strange thought struck him and she stirred against him. He moved her so that he could look into her face, unsure if he should ask her what had been brought to his mind.
"Could you teach me?"
She turned and looked at him closely as he had obviously gained her interest.
"Teach you what?" she questioned curiously.
"To know the whisperings of the wind," he finished softly; knowing that if she should laugh his face would turn crimson.
"Few men have ever learned," she answered, "but it is only because they do not listen. They do not wish to hear what tidings it might bring whereas the elves have learned to accept them whether they be good or ill," she told him and he was suddenly struck by her immense wisdom. "It is not hard," she told him as she gently placed her hand over his heart and closed her eyes and he did the same without being told. "Now listen," she whispered.
He felt the beating of his heart more strongly with her hand upon it and as he sat close to her in silence he listened to the soft rise and fall of her breathing. Soon he heard her heart beating, not in time with his but to the time of all elves, in time with the earth itself. Then slowly he heard the slow, deep, voice of the earth beneath them and he felt a tremor of awe shake his body for never before had he felt such a strange sensation. Then the hurried whisperings of the trees that spoke of the two who sat in the clearing now, a strange pair, an elleth and a man. Then softly above them all came the many voices of the wind, clear and pure as they joined and spoke of all things that were endless and also all that must change; of life and of death, of elves and men, hobbits and dwarves, of all that had ever begun and of all that would someday end. It told of the one who sat beside him and whispered softly in his ear.
Love her always for she is dear to us.
"I promise," he answered silently, unaware of how, just knowing that it somehow felt right as he opened his eyes and smiled at her knowing she had heard as well.
"I promise."
She smiled sadly, and he touched her cheek softly before dropping to the stream below them. He raised his arms and she moved easily towards him and he lifted her gently onto the shore. They ate the simple meal that he had brought them, sitting beneath a mighty maple and leaning against its sturdy trunk. She pulled her bare feet beneath the hem of her dress and settled against him as he leaned his head against the tree and felt wondrous sleep taking him now that he had eaten. He sighed and stilled as she moved so that her lay in his lap and she lay curled on the grass beside him. He smiled as he closed his eyes and stroked her smooth hair; letting her presence lull him to sleep as the wind blew gently round them.
He woke to the feeling of soft summer rain tracing patterns on his war-worn face. He tried not to move so he would not wake her but realized with a start that she was not where she had been when he had last been in this world and opened his eyes frantically searching for her. She stood, face upturned to the sky, eyes closed, hands at her side and at first he feared there was something wrong but noticed as he rose to his feet the look of eternal serenity that it seemed the rain wished to etch forever into her lovely features. She was soaked to the skin and he knew then it had been raining for some time but she did not seem to notice. He walked towards her soundlessly as his brothers had taught him many years ago. She was so beautiful, he was reminded once more as he watched her through the sky's tears.
Without speaking he took her hands in his own and massaged her palms with his thumbs and watched as a smile played on her lips and she looked up at him. In that moment he was overwhelmed with a desire for her in a way he had not felt before and it frightened him because he did not wish to force her or to frighten her but he was unable to keep himself from pressing his lips against hers, tracing her lips and going deeper until all he knew was her sweet taste as the rain streamed down their faces. Finally he forced himself to pull away and he stared into her lively eyes and watched the rain tracing the wondrous contours of her face. She smiled and he leaned forward and kissed her again, ever aware of even the slightest tremor or sign of fear as he tasted her and felt astounding pleasure as she timidly responded. They parted and his lips brushed hers once more before he spoke.
"I love you, Melleth," he whispered quietly, but his voice sounded loud compared to the falling rain.
"I love you," she returned as she laid her head against his chest and sighed contentedly while the rain continued to fall, its voice steady and never quiet as they stood together beneath the bows of the whispering trees.
Kar stood at his post above the City Gates and felt his worry deepen, as the sky grew dark early behind the steely clouds that brought the summer rains. He had watched as the King and Queen had ridden across the fields beneath the morning sun, neither saddle or bridle upon their mounts, each rode as if they were a part of the earth itself and it had left him speechless. However, it had been long since their leaving and he now worried for their safety although he knew his King was strong in battle he also knew that even the strong could fall. He decided then that if they were not back when the last light dimmed that he would send the guards to search for them. He had been head of the King's guard since he had ascended to the throne and had made it his personal task to ensure the safety of Elessar and now of his Queen as well.
He heard the sound of hooves below and heard one call for the raising of the gate and turned and ran the stairs that would take him to the gate where he would see that the King and Queen were both well and safe within the palace before he would go home to his wife and children. Both were soaked and he noticed with pride that cloaks were immediately brought for them as he walked towards the king. He turned however at the cries of the three guards at the gate as a horse raced through just as it closed.
Elessar drew his sword and stood in front of the Queen as he spoke to her in the tongue he now knew well enough to know that it was elvish and no more. The rider rode in the manner of the King and Queen and his mount bore no saddle, as he swung easily down. He did not raise his hands as the guards commanded but Kar could feel him staring at the king even though he could not see his eyes beneath the grey cloak he wore. He watched the tension in the Kings jaw vanish suddenly as he sheathed his sword and embraced the intruder during which time the rider's hood fell back and even Kar could see that he was elven kind, and a formidable looking elf at that.
There you have it. Next chapter should be up in about three weeks if I'm on my toes and not too swamped with my English essay. Can't wait to hear from you all! Hope you like it.
Onyx-worrystone: Welcome and I am glad that you like the story. Sorry that you had to wait so long but I should be faithful and update about every three weeks as I have two others stories to get out as well. Hope to hear from you again and I hope that you will continue to enjoy this! Thanks
Tadriendra of Mirkwood: Thanks, although I'm not sure it's a good thing I made you cry. No that is not the end and I think that your other questions were answered by this chapter. I'm glad you're liking it and think that it is a good story. I most definitely had fun while I was away but I'm glad to be back and writing again as well. Hope to hear from you again and thanks so much!
Estel-Ara: Thanks, some people think I am too long winded and get bored with my stories but I think that it's all in the details. Anyway, I didn't make them stay apart too long and we'll see if everyone will forgive him.. Spoiler: he will see them all within the next two or three chapters! Will update as soon as I can. Love hearing from you and glad to know you've stuck with me from the beginning. Thanks!
Ainariella: He's back and I'm glad that you are enjoying my story. I agree, I think they deserve each other but that would make sense since I'm the one writing it. Lol. Hope to hear from you again! Thnx
Moony June: Yes, this is your first review and I am glad to hear from you. Happy to know that I was missed and I hope that you will continue with my story until the end. Thanks so much for your review and I hope to hear from you again.
Telecontar: Glad to see that you missed me. You are one of my long time reviewers and I watched for your review after I posted. I am glad that you did not disappoint me and hope that I live up to your expectations. Totally planning to finish this story as it won't be as long as my other one, but rest assured we've still got some ground to cover before we're finished. Hope too hear from you again!
Lady Arian: Glad to hear from you! And Aragorn has definitely changed, and for the better I would say. Hope that you enjoyed this chapter. How is your story idea coming? I haven't heard from you again. When you get it posted e-mail me and let me know, I'm anxious to see how it turns out! Til next timeā¦.
Karone Evertree: That's alright, a random review that's a little late just makes my day. Hope that you are feeling better and have to say that I am flattered that I was awe inspiring. Hope this next update is as enjoyable for you. Can't wait to hear from you again! Thanks so much!
Blistered Avalon: Glad you're patient and that you found it was worth it. Hope that the story continued to get better for you. Thanks!
Shary: Not much to say except thank you so much and that I hope that I continue to hear from you and that you continue to enjoy my story!
