For Disclaimer please view Chapter one.

Author's Note: Sorry for the delay, had lots of other work to do and kind of had a bit of writer's block, but now things seem to have worked out in my head. Yay for me, and the characters as well. Italics now will represent when Sindarin is spoken. Thank you for all your reviews, they are greatly appreciated. Read and Enjoy- Kersi

Chapter 23: The Ones You Saved

"Aragorn…" said Gimli, spotting Aragorn walking briskly down the hallway. "Aurel is with Legolas."

Aragorn looked surprised and angry at the same time. "She should not be there." He walked past Gimli and towards the room that Legolas had been accommodated.

"She spoke." said Gimli looking at Aragorn's back, and he stopped his brisk walk and turned around to face the dwarf.

Aragorn shook his head and frowned, "Spoke? But how?" Gimli said nothing and Aragorn turned around and continued on his walk, Gimli followed, curious to find out about the return of Aurel's voice.


"You tremble...are you in pain?" asked Legolas.

Aurel shook her head and backed away, "My shoulder still aches." She put her hand up to her shoulder. Legolas was weary and sat down observing her. Why did her hands tremble? "Do not look at me so, lie down, so that I may finish dressing your wounds."

"With hands that tremble?"

"With hands that heal, do not be fooled by their trembling." said Aurel giving a faint smile. Legolas did what she asked of him, lying down with a heavy sigh. She made sure not to step on the glass that still littered the floor; she took in the smell of what the bottle had contained. "What happened here?"

"I startled the woman who was tending to me."

Aurel nodded slightly and began to hold her hands inches above his wounds, chanting words that Legolas did not recognize, closing her eyes and repeating the same words over and over. He began to feel a warmth emanating from her hands, and the when the warmth reached to touch his skin, he flinched. The warmth that she was creating spread throughout his entire body, and the stinging pain he felt from his wounds seemed to be washed away. He felt calm, and relaxed, at peace with himself, and even dared to let himself reveal a smile, though he was still confused and remembered nearly nothing, it did not seem to matter for the moment. She had to stop, once she began to feel as though it was draining too much energy from her. She balanced herself well and managed to sit down next to Legolas without causing any concern. "That is all I can do for now. Tomorrow, I will attempt again." She said. Legolas was on the verge of falling into a deep sleep, for she had cast a sleeping chant on him to help him rest. For a moment before he fell into complete sleep, she thought she could see a flicker of recognition from his eyes, as if he remembered something about her. He raised his hand slightly to touch the tips of her fingers which lay near to him before finally giving into rest. For a long time she sat there staring at him, watching him sleep, how much of his past had he forgotten? How much had he remembered? She began to hear loud footsteps coming her way, and stood quickly and skipped out the door, unfortunately she could not escape those who were looking for her.

"How foolish of you to walk here as if your injuries were not grave." He looked at Aurel. She leaned against the door, she was about to reply but he cut her off. "Poison still flows through your veins, you must be careful."

She nodded her head and looked towards the ground; she could feel herself about to fall. She had used most of her energy on Legolas. She struggled to find something to hold on to. If she fell, she would never hear the end of Aragorn's ranting. "Do not worry for me Estel." She whispered almost. Her voice, though subtle, was still struggling to work in the way it has used to before.

Aragorn stood there with his mouth open, amusing Gimli. The look in his eyes changed, and tenderness appeared. "I have often wondered what your voice would sound like… if it would be like your sister's, or your grandmother's, and now that I have finally heard it…You have left me speechless. How could this be?" She turned away from his gaze finding that she could stand no longer and quickly reached out in front of her for something to hold on to; Aragorn was quick enough to respond to her and caught her before she was to hit the ground. "Your stubbornness never leaves you, you see, you are still weak and should not be here." He helped her stand and put his arm around her waist.

When she was close enough to Aragorn she whispered, "I needed to see him."

He nodded in understanding, "And now that you have, has it put your heart at ease?"

She frowned sensing that something was not quite right.

"There are many things we need to discuss, but not here, you need to lie down and rest."

"I will stay with the Elf, in case he wakes and tries to wander the place looking for you Lady." Gimli snickered to himself, as he opened the door quietly and entered.

Aragorn began to walk Aurel back to her room, only to find Eomer and Eowyn walking very quickly towards them. Aurel looked at Eomer with despise and turned her head away, not wanting any confrontation with him.

"So it is true that you have woken! For many nights we feared that you would not wake." He said, genuinely happy that Aurel was standing before him.

Aragorn, sensing that Aurel did not want to speak to Eomer, spoke for her, "She needs her rest still, greetings will have to come at a later time."

"Yes of course." replied Eomer, whose tone of voice now lowered. "I only wanted to give my thanks."

Aurel's head snapped to look straight at Eomer with a frown; she did not understand why he had the need to give thanks.

"For the children that were saved." said Eowyn noticing that Aurel had not understood what Eomer was speaking about.

Aurel's eyes focused on Eomer's. "If I remember correctly, that was the only condition in which we would have been allowed to return." Her voice was soft, but firm.

Eomer was surprised to hear her voice and stared at those around him; no one else was surprised, he did not understand, "Ah! I have finally been granted the gift of being able to hear your voice, and it is only to scold me! Why am I not surprised?" He continued on in jest.

"You would not go out to save your own people, why am I not surprised?" replied Aurel in a sly tone.

Eomer's eyes lit up with a flame of excitement, "You forget whose house you dwell in."

"You forget who aided you during battle." replied Aurel.

"That's quite enough!" said Aragorn, but it did not stop their bickering.

"I do not forget how idly those of your race have stood by while our lands have burned."

"Eomer, you will stop this." Said Eowyn.

"Why should we have come to the aid of those who cannot help themselves?" asked Aurel.

"The arrogance of the Elves in true light!" He replied

Eowyn was alarmed at the way Aurel was speaking to Eomer, she had not thought that Aurel held such feelings or thoughts against the race of Men, but then Eomer had not been kind, and neither had Theoden, what other conclusion could she come to but the one that formed in her mind.

Aurel was becoming more and more weak, the longer she stood there bickering with Eomer, but it did not seem to affect her temper or the effectiveness of her words. What interested her was the way Eomer did not seem to be affected at all by her comments, not in a negative way anyway, he seemed to enjoy the bantering, and the flame he held in his eyes was one enjoyment, and never of anger. He seemed to hold a less cold demeanour that he had held for her before, and if he was willing to argue with one such as her, why should she deny him the right? She held on more tightly to Aragorn, and he knew that she was struggling to keep standing.

"She needs her rest." Interrupted Aragorn, pushing her along.

Eomer smirked, "Of course." He had noticed how tired she was, but had not concerned himself about it until he watched how closely she held on to Aragorn as they walked away.

"You should not have bickered with her in that manner. Do not forget all that she and master Legolas have done here, despite what you think of them." said Eowyn.

"I do not think ill of her or Master Legolas" Said Eomer.

"You cannot fool me brother!" said Eowyn.

"I speak the truth, I do not think ill of them." He looked down at his sister, and she looked at him suspiciously. He smiled at her and placed his arm around her shoulder, "Let us go and find something to eat."


"Did you not think it childish to bicker with Eomer?" asked Aragorn, helping Aurel sit on the bed that she had been in before.

She shrugged her shoulders not really caring what she had appeared to be while having confronted Eomer. She began to lie down and Aragorn made she was comfortable by supporting her head. As her head touched the pillow their eyes interlocked with one another for the first time since she had woken. His gaze held much courage, wisdom, concern, sadness, confusion, a doorway to his soul, he had not the skills of the Elves to block the emotions that poured from a simple stare, and Aurel took everything in. He, in turn, also tried to read her eyes, but there was nothing there that he could see besides the wall that she used to block her emotions, there was only a look of tiredness. He had so many questions he wanted to ask her, but there was no time. There had been no time to care for all those who were still injured, or to care for Legolas or Aurel properly. There was a war to worry about. He only hoped that he would be able to speak to her properly when she next woke, for there was much that he needed to tell her before they continued on their journey. He left the room, though she was still awake. He did not want to infringe on her solitary thoughts, and sighed as he closed the door and walked away to try and find Eomer.

When he finally did find Eomer, it was in a large dining hall filled with much noise. He sat himself down next to Eomer, Eomer who was surrounded by his own companions. Eomer only side-glanced at the image of Aragorn, before speaking, "Will she be well on her own?"

A woman came around and handed Aragorn a mug of ale and a plate with some meat and vegetables scattered across it. He smiled in thanks as he set the food and drink down. He took a sip of his drink and knew that Eomer was awaiting a response to the question he had asked. "What condition was set upon the Elves that night? What condition was Aurel speaking of?"

"It was a trap, Aragorn, though we did not know at the time. Had we gone out, many men would have died for a pointless cause."

"But the lives of my companions were worth to let go?"

"It was of their own will, they knew no aid was to be given to them, it was not safe, though they were not deterred by any of that. It is true I gave the condition, I told them they were not to return without those children in their keeping. I spoke rashly and you must know that had they returned without the children I would have let them inside."

"One would hope, but that was not the case."

"No it was not." said Eomer.

They both continued to eat and drink for a while, and the subject was left. Eomer felt that something had been lost between them because of what he had said to the Elves and now regretted his actions. He could not go back in time and change what he had done. The woman, who had yelled for her children to be saved, was actually one of the enemy. She had hoped that more would go out for her supposed children and into the trap that had been set. Those children, whose entire lives had been destroyed by her, children who now had no family, she had used them, and in the frenzy of that night a fortnight ago, no one had seemed to notice she was a stranger. Not until it was too late. It was then that Eomer had alerted the ranger beside him and the dwarf that usually accompanied him. Guilt spread throughout his being, and not being in favour with the Elves or those of the fellowship would be difficult. He would have to prove himself worthy of their trust, which meant no more foul exchange of words with Aurel.

"Do not take it to heart Eomer." said Aragorn, "I am protective of those close to me, your actions, though I do not agree with them, are forgivable. There are no hard feelings."

Eomer nodded his head absentmindedly, though he was relieved with Aragorn's words, he knew Aragorn was a better man than he, and had only spoken those words to ease the tension that had begun to grow between them.

That was the end of the matter as far as Aragorn was concerned, not so for Eomer.


Legolas opened his eyes and as soon as he did so, he heard Gimli's voice.

"You are sleeping strangely these days…"

Disoriented at first with the unfamiliarity of the Dwarf's voice, he blinked his eyes rapidly. "Was it often then that you watched me while I slept?" said Legolas sarcastically.

Gimli eyed him cautiously. "Hungry?

Legolas sat up feeling refreshed, and looked at the Dwarf. "It is late in the day, have you stayed by my side for the entirety of my sleep?"

"Someone had to." Gimli replied.

"Tell me, what was the nature of our relationship? For you seem to watch over me like a cautious lover."

Gimli leaped out of his chair in surprise. "Your tongue is not as guarded as before, watch it princeling, or I will chop it off." He threatened.

Legolas smirked. "You have no patience Master Dwarf."

"Master, eh?" He contemplated not telling Legolas his name; he liked being called master by the Elf. "My name is Gimli, that is what you used to call me when you weren't insulting me, as for patience, my race is not known for that."

"So I see…you spoke of food?"

"No, I asked if you were hungry."

"Well, I am."

"Then go and feed yourself!" exclaimed Gimli.

Legolas looked at him curiously before shaking his head and deciding to try and get up. "The pains from my wounds are gone." He was amazed, as he touched his chest.

"Lady Aurel will be pleased then, I didn't doubt she would take care of you before herself." He sat back down in the chair.

"What do you mean?"

"Aragorn had a good scolding in hand for her, especially after the way she stumbled out of your room. Funny to watch a human scold an Elf, it just doesn't seem right, does it?" He smiled to himself, replaying the words that Aragorn had said to Aurel before, and it almost made him chuckle.

"Aragorn. That name is familiar."

"It should be."

"What place does a human have to speak to an Elf in such a manner?"

"It's too bad that losing some of your memory has not wiped away your arrogance." said Gimli, starting to get annoyed, he sighed, "I do not understand nor have I asked about how they come to speak to one another in such a comfortable manner, it is none of my concern, all I know is that Aragorn spent some time in Rivendell. He refers to her sometimes as his sister. That is all I care to know."

"That is rare."

Gimli shrugged his shoulders not really caring to understand if the relationship between Aurel and Aragorn was rare or not. He only ever thought of them as friends, and part of the Fellowship, he had never delved too deeply into any personal aspect of their lives. "I will see if there is any food that can be brought to you, and perhaps clothing. Yours was too damaged to repair." Gimli hopped off his chair and left the room and Legolas alone.


She rested only when he rested, at least for the time being, and she could sense that he was awake. She wanted to go to him, but found herself preferring the quiet of the room she was in, perhaps she would be able to think about things. She had never asked how long she had been in a healing sleep, or how she had come to Meduseld. She had found out from Eomer that the children had been saved, but how were Aragorn and Gimli alerted that they had gone out and why? And in the back of her mind, she thought of before then, the conversation she had had with Legolas, the arguing, the resolve. Lothluin, Lothluin had been on the edge of life when she had last set eyes upon her, where was she now? Was she being taken care of? As if sensing her uneasiness, Aragorn entered her room, without knocking, and smiled at seeing her still in bed. He sat next to her. "How are you feeling?"

She pulled herself up and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I am better, but something is amiss and I cannot place what it is. I have many questions for you."

"Go on."

"How long did I sleep for?"

"Almost a fortnight."

"Why are we back in Meduseld?"

"We could not stay at Helm's Deep in the state that it was in. It was not safe there anymore."

"But the injured, some could not be moved, what of them? And Lothluin, how does she fare?"

Aragorn straightened his back at her mention of Lothluin and she lifted her head up to look at him. "Some of the injured were well enough to travel, and some stayed behind with carers to look after them, there was nothing more we could do. Aurel… Lothluin, she…with the attack on both you and Legolas…the only life she was dependant on was Legolas, when his light nearly faded it took a toll on her. I am afraid she faded to the point of no return; I tried all that I could. She is gone. I am sorry."

"That cannot be." She shook her head in denial. "She was not meant to fade and die, so alone."

"I know that this news is difficult for you Aurel. I expected you to act differently towards her, being that she was Legolas's betrothed."

She looked at him in surprise. "You knew?"

He nodded his head. "Yes. I knew."

"He will never forgive himself."

"Her fading was not his doing, he knew that."

"I do not think that he did. When he remembers all that has happened he will suffer." She put the dreadful news into the back of her mind.

"I have some questions for you as well, things that I would like explained before I continue speaking. How is it that your voice has returned?"

"I do not know." She said, trying to conceal the lie she had just told.

A knock came to the door and Aurel silently thanked Elebereth for the interruption. It was Eowyn. "I have come with some that would like to thank you."

Aurel was confused at the statement that Eowyn had just said. Aragorn stood from the bed, also in question. "I do not think that this would be an appropriate time."

Eowyn frowned in disappointment.

"No, please. It is alright Estel." said Aurel hiding her fears and sadness, and Eowyn smiled.

"It's alright now, you may come in." said Eowyn to someone outside the door.

Tiny, light footsteps could be heard shuffling outside, and in moments, there appeared two children, one small boy and girl, who stood closely to Eowyn, looking shy with their gaze towards the ground. Aurel cocked her head to the side and then looked at Eowyn. "Go on children, she is the one you have been waiting to see."

The girl was the first to lift her gaze from the ground and ignoring Aragorn, she was walked up to the bed that Aurel sat in. She hesitated for a moment and looked back at Eowyn, who encouraged her and pushed the little boy to join the girl at the edge of the bed.

"Thank you." said the little girl to Aurel.

Aurel smiled.

The little boy nodded in agreement.

"This is Ene." Said Eowyn speaking to Aurel and pointing at the girl, "And her younger brother, Ethaen."

"They are very sweet children, but why are they thanking me?" asked Aurel.

Aragorn smiled in his knowledge.

"Lady Aurel, do you not recognize these children? They are they ones you saved."

Aurel looked upon the children once more and noticed tiny scars and scratches on their arms and faces. Instantly she knew Eowyn was telling the truth, her smile became brighter and she felt like she would explode in a joyous laughter, and so she did, she laughed. The children, who at first had been alarmed by her laughter which somehow sounded different than any they had ever heard before, joined her in little giggles.