Hi guys,

I'm so sorry for the waiting. There were some technical difficulties, but there's also good news! I have found a beta reader! The chapters will be better to read.

I'm currently working on the next chapter, but it's going to take a while I'm afraid. By Monday I will be starting an internship for a year. I'll be only able to update on the weekends...so... I'm sorry but I will try my hardest!

I don't own Lord of the Rings, nor it's characters or places.

XxLostInTheMusicxX, thank you so much for the beta read!

Enjoy!

They had set out for Edoras again a few days after the battle. They had travelled faster than they had on their way to Helm's Deep, before the battle. It seemed the people's spirits were raised, even with the amounts of lives that had fallen.

"We will set up a feast!" the King spoke as he dismounted his horse. It was time for a break during the night. Around them people started fires and rested on the grassy grounds.

"I want to bring honour to the ones that have fallen, and celebrate our victory!" He gave the reigns of his horse to one of his guards.

"Before the feast, we should do another thing first." Gandalf said as he too dismounted, "We need to visit Isengard."

The face of the King started to change, he looked sour at Gandalf.

"Isengard. Home of the wizard Saruman. Traitor I name him! What business do I have with him, now his army has been defeated?" he spat.

Mÿne sighed as she watched them argue. She eyed Aragorn, who pinched the bridge between his nose and eyes. She sat on the grass and picked her pipe from her bag. With disappointment she looked at the remains of her pipe-weed.

"Here, you can smoke from mine." Aragorn said, tossed her a small package before he mingled himself into the discussion between the King and Gandalf. It was funny. Since the battle of Helm's Deep, the King was nicer to Aragorn. Mÿne thought it was good. If Aragorn was ever to pick up the crown of Gondor, he could learn something from King Théoden. Although Mÿne trusted Aragorn would make a good King by himself.

"Ah, there's nothing better than to sit around a fire at night with a pipe after a long journey." Gimli roared as he sat down next to her. He grabbed his own pipe-weed and lightened it. "You held yourself bravely during battle, lassie."

Mÿne smiled. Yes she had. But she did it for the people. They were the one that gave her courage. She felt on her head with her hand. A couple of days ago she had walked around with bandage, to stop the bleeding. Now only a thick crust remained of her 'explosion-wound'. It had healed nicely and it didn't even hurt any more.

"Fine then. We'll visit Isengard!" the King said as he shook his head. "But I trust all of you to come with me. You say Saruman has no more power, but I don't trust it... He's cunning and sly."

"Trust me milord, Isengard itself has been taken care of." said Gandalf mysteriously.

The King nodded shortly. "We will leave after we have reached Edoras. I will first see my people to the safety of their own homes."

"A wise decision, milord."

After that the King retreated himself around his own fire, accompanied by Eowyn and Eomer.

"How do you know so sure that Isengard has been taken care of?" Mÿne asked Gandalf when he was done eating a roasted rabbit.

"There are some things only a wizard knows, my dear. Besides, I think we will meet some familiar faces there."

Mÿne watched him over her piece of meat. "Really?" she asked, "Who?"

"If you don't know by now, let it be a surprise." and Gandalf smiled. He closed the subject after that and Mÿne sat wondering about who they could meet. But she was tired and thinking was too much action for her brain. So she stayed up and talked with her friends while smoking. In the late evening Eowyn came to join them. They shared songs and stories.

"So you named a star after him?" Eowyn asked after Mÿne was done telling about Boromir.

"Yes." Mÿne laid down and pointed at the star that shone almost brighter than the moon. "It's that one."

Eowyn laid beside her and watched. "How do you know it's that one?"

"I'll always know." Mÿne said as she smiled. "I don't know, it stands out from the rest somehow. That's how I know."

"Well, I think it's a great honour to have a star named after you. Even though he's...dead." and Eowyn quickly changed the subject. They remained talking for a while but at some point Mÿne had fallen asleep.

The sounds of birds chirped in her ears. They were no common birds, but ones she had never seen before. Blue birds, red birds with yellow feathers and black ones with an enormous tail. They flew over her while she walked down the open space in the forests she was. She didn't recognize it. Strange pine trees stood from the ground, their tops swaying high in the wind. It was peaceful. Before her an apple tree rose. Big red shiny apples hung from it, on the lower branches. Mÿne felt hungry and she tried to reach for one. No matter how far she stretched, she couldn't grab it.

"Little bit...ugh." she grunted as she lowered her arm. It was no use. With a sudden flash and a swift sound one of the apples hung on an arrow.

"I thought you need help with that." someone said. She turned around and looked at Legolas' face.

"What are you doing here?" she asked before she ripped the apple from the arrow.

"I followed you." he answered as he grabbed for another apple from the lower branches. It looked so easy as he pulled it down and dug his teeth in it.

"You're just small..." he joked and he stroke her cheek.

"I'm not small!" she retorted, feeling heat rush to her head, "Why did you follow me?"

"I like to follow you. To look at you." he said, as simply as that. "Don't you want me to do that?"

She didn't had an answer to that so Legolas just chuckled.

"You're cute when you're blushing."

"I am not-" but as she felt her cheeks she swore she was so warm she could fry the apple on her head. As a protest she dug her teeth in it. The apple was extremely juice and delicious. It's flavour was one she had never tasted before. Soon the whole apple was gone and Mÿne smiled as she tossed the core away. She turned around to ask Legolas why he followed her here again, but he wasn't there any more. And the only thing she heard was the chirping of the birds.

Mÿne woke up, heart raising like an idiot in her throat. She looked around if anyone had noticed her, but they were sleeping or watching the stars. So...It wasn't a nightmare then? She smiled to herself. No, it hadn't been a nightmare. In fact, it had been kind of...pleasant.

They reached Edoras by noon. The people entered their homes eagerly, trying to go to the daily business as fast as possible. The King ordered his guards and servants to set up the feast for when he returned. Since it was a big feast and would last all night, preparations needed to be made immediately.

Mÿne and her friends were a small break granted before they would make for Isengard.

"It's good to be back." Eowyn said as she placed some bread on the table. She turned around to help some servants with other food when Aragorn turned to her. "At least we won't have to eat her stew-on-the-road again." and he grinned. Mÿne almost chuckled in her bread. They smoked a little before the King gestured them to follow him. He led them to the stables.

"We have to ride fast if we want to be back in time in the evening." he said as his stable boy handed him his horse. Mÿne gave a quick kiss on Hasufel's nose and stroke her manes. She pulled herself on her seat and waited for Legolas. When he climbed on Hasufel her stomach started to act weird. As when she had felt when she had that dream last night. She clenched her fist and hoped her face wasn't all red. She led Hasufel out of the stables after the King and waited for Gandalf and Aragorn.

"Safe travels my lords and lady." one of the stable boys said to the as he bowed.

"Thank you my lad, but we won't be gone for long." the King said as he gave his horse the spurs. Mÿne followed him and they rode out of the gate of Edoras.

It was far more quicker to travel by horse now they didn't have to wait for the people who had travelled behind them. They could ride as fast as the wind over the plains of Rohan. It was strange to travel in such a small but royal company. There was the King of Rohan. Eomer, his heir now that his son had passed. Legolas, prince of the elven realm Mirkwood. Aragorn, heir to the throne of Gondor. Gandalf, a powerful wizard. And then there were Gimli and Mÿne. On some point she felt an outsider, but then she remembered they were her friends. She enjoyed Legolas' company while he told her stories about Mirkwood. About the spiders that lived there, Lake Esgaroth and his childhood years.

"It really sounds like a fearsome place." Mÿne said.

"Yes it does, but...when all of this is over...I'd like you to show them to you. You told me you love forests. If you want, of course." he said.

"Yes." Mÿne said, "I'd love to. Maybe we can even search for that Ent of yours, Finglas."

Legolas admitted that sounded like a good idea. "But I wonder if we will ever find him. It has been so long since I've seen him. Besides I promised Gimli I would visit the Glittering Caves with him too one more time."

"Really?" Mÿne asked, smiling. "Seems you two are quite bonding..."

"Yes," Legolas admitted, "I had never thought to find such a good friend in a Dwarf."

Mÿne still smiled, "Friends can come from the most mysterious places." and they entered Fangorn forest as they had before. The low rumbling sound was still there. They kept their voiced low, as Gandalf had told them, for the trees 'were still in slumber'. Mÿne didn't know what it meant, but Gandalf had told them so, so she lowered her voice to only a whisper.

They entered Isengard from the North. But right when it came into view Mÿne could tell that it was not how the ford used to be. It was flooded and green things were walking around the tower in the middle. No orcs, no people, no machines. The horses stepped through the water and Mÿne could hear voices and laughter that sounded familiar. When they led the horses around the corner of the forest they could see two young ones sitting on a crumbled piece of stone wall. Smoking and drinking. A breeze blew through their curls as they talked.

"MERRY! PIPPIN!" Mÿne exclaimed as she saw them. They looked up and waved. Merry stood up and grinned.

"Welcome, my lords...and lady, pardon me, to Isengard!" and he pointed to the tower behind him. It seemed that was the only thing left in it's original state. It was high and pitch black. Pointy ends stuck from above, like a crown.

"You young rascals!" Gimli started to rage while he looked at them, "A merry chase you've led us on! And now we find you here, feasting...and smoking!"

Pippin, and Mÿne thought he might have had drunken and smoked too much, grinned as he leaned over to Gimli. "We are sitting on the field of victory, enjoying a few well-earned comforts." he told him, while he blew smoke in Gimli's face. "The salted pork is particularly good."

From the sound of it, Gimli started to drool by the thought if it. "Salted pork, eh?" he repeated in a dream state.

Gandalf shook his head, "Hobbits." he muttered.

"We're under the orders of Treebeard, who has taken over management of Isengard." Merry said as he called out to a green thing. Mÿne could now see that it weren't just things...they were trees. Huge, moving trees, with eyes! She gazed at the Ent that made his way over to them.

"Mmm. Young Master Gandalf, I'm glad you've come." the Ent said. Mÿne's mouth fell open as she watched Treebeard. "Wood and water, stock and stone I can master. But there is a wizard to manage here, locked in his tower." and he gestured at the crowned black tower.

"Thank you Treebeard, my friend." Gandalf said as he nodded. He called out to Pippin who climbed onto his horse. Eomer took Merry on his horse. And so they wade the horses to the tower. More Ents appeared in Mÿne's sight and she suddenly got an idea.

"Legolas, maybe Finglas is here! Do you see him?" she said as she looked around. But she could hear Legolas sigh. "No, I don't see him Mÿne. Maybe he's back at Mirkwood. I don't know." Mÿne took a glance at Treebeard before her. Maybe he knew... It was worth asking it, right? But before she got the chance they approached the tower. A silence fell between them and Mÿne noticed some shivers going up her spine. It was the same when she thought about Black Riders.

"Show yourself." Aragorn muttered beside her, feeling uneasy too.

"Be careful." Gandalf warned him. "Even a defeat Saruman is dangerous." and he stared up to the top of the tower.

"Then let's just have his head and be done with it." Gimli muttered roughly.

"No." Gandalf said strictly at him. "We need him alive. We need him to talk."

As if on cue the low voice of Saruman was heard. And although he stood on the top of the tower, it was crystal clear.

"You have fought many wars and slain many men, Théoden King, and made peace after that." he boomed from the tower as he came into view. Mÿne watched as this, once, great wizard looked torn and old. And above all, defeated. He leaned on his staff, looking at them. His voice was overruling every sound. And Mÿne found herself drawn to it some how. The voice was thick and coated her mind. She woke up from the stare she was holding when Legolas placed his hand on her shoulder. So this was the power of this wizard?

"Can we not take council together, my old friend, like we once did? Can we not have peace, you and I?" and Saruman grinned at King Théoden.

She took a quick look at the King, afraid that he might consent. The King stared to the tower for a minute before he knitted his brows together.

"We shall have peace..." he started and Mÿne's jaw fell open. She quickly closed it as the King continued. "We shall have peace...when you answer for the burning of the Westfold, and the children that lie dead there! We shall have peace, when the lives of the soldiers, whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornburg are avenged!" and the King looked up to Saruman, in his eyes burnt a fire of hatred. "When you hang form the gibbet, for the sport of your own crows...we shall have peace."

Mÿne looked first at Aragorn and then back at Saruman to see their reactions.

"Gibbets and crows. Fool!" Saruman boomed and he turned his attention to Gandalf.

"What do you want Gandalf Greyhame? Let me guess: the key of Orthanc, or perhaps Barad-Dûr itself? Along with the crowns of the seven Kings and the Rods of the Five Wizards?!" and now Saruman really seemed mad. But Gandalf remained calm.

"Your treachery has already cost many lives, Saruman. Thousand more at now at risk, but you can save them. You were deep in the enemy's council."

Maybe because Saruman knew he had an advantage now, or maybe it was because he now could buy out his freedom with information, Saruman started to grin. And it was one Mÿne didn't like at all.

"So you have come here for information. I have some for you." and he pulled something from under his robes. It was an orb, glowing red and orange as Saruman held it before him.

"A palantír..." Mÿne muttered while she squinted her eyes. Long ago Aragorn had told her about the seeing stones that Elendil had brought with him when he had set foot upon these lands. It was a dangerous object that no mere men should handle any more.

"Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth. Something you have failed to see. But the Great Eye has seen it. Even now he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon." Saruman said as he hid the orb back into his robes. "You are all going to die..."

Mÿne swallowed as she looked at her friends. Merry and Pippin looked pale as they too swallowed. Aragorn just kept on looking at Saruman, doubt and anger in his eyes. Gandalf, who seem to have already enough of him, led Shadowfax forward.

"But you know this, don't you Gandalf?" and Saruman gestured to Aragorn. "You cannot think this Ranger will ever sit upon the throne of Gondor. This exile, crept from the shadows, will never be crowned King!" and Saruman spat.

Mÿne felt herself getting angry. She gazed at Saruman and hoped that when they'd leave this place he would either be dead, or that he would suffer greatly.

"Gandalf does not hesitate to sacrifice those who are closest to him," Saruman continued, mocking Gandalf. "Those he professes to love. Tell me...what words of comfort did you gave the halfling before you send him to his doom? The path, you have set him on, can only lead to death."

Gandalf sighed, sad and sorrowful. Mÿne hated Saruman even more now. She looked at Gimli, who caught her gaze. He pointed with his thick head to Legolas and it took a while before Mÿne got the clue. But before she could even warn him he was already speaking.

"I've heard enough." Gimli roared and he called out to Legolas, "Shoot him. Stick an arrow in his gob."

Legolas tried to reach one of his arrows, but Gandalf stopped him.

"No." he said, while he glanced at Gimli sternly before continuing. "Come down Saruman, and your life will be spared."

Mÿne bit her bottom lip. So much for punishment. But Saruman was only angered more by Gandalf's offer.

"Save your pity and your mercy, I have no use for it!" and he lifted his staff. A huge fireball came shot out of the end of it, coming down on Gandalf with great speed. Gandalf didn't even tried to block it. Hasufel neighed and pranced when the fireball engulfed Gandalf. Mÿne held a hand before her eyes, but to her surprise the fire didn't even gave of warmth. A moment later Gandalf was still there, unharmed.

"Saruman," he announced, "Your staff is broken."

From within his hands Saruman's staff splintered, falling in little pieces of wood on the top of the tower. Mÿne could see even Saruman didn't see that coming. A sound of rumbling thunder was heard in the distant, as if the magic in the staff was released. Behind Saruman a figure looked over the edge of the tower. To her surprise it was Gríma Wormetongue, the one that advised the King when Saruman had taken him over. His breaths were rasping and he looked paler than he usually did.

"Gríma!" the King called out when he caught sight of him. "You need not follow him. You were not always as you are now. You were once a man of Rohan. Come down." the King said and on the top of the tower Gríma bowed deep. Mÿne understood that even Gríma might have fallen under Saruman's spell. He could redeem himself somehow. Even now, next to Saruman, he still bowed for the King. His King.

"A man of Rohan?" Saruman spat angry. "What is the house of Rohan but a thatched barn where brigands reek and drink, and where their brats roll on the ground with the dogs?! The victory of Helm's Deep does not belong to you, Théoden Horsemaster! You are a lesser son of greater sires."

Mÿne couldn't believe her ears. Rohan was somehow her home. It was a great insult to her. She glanced at the King who seemed to be greatly hurt by that comment and he caught his breath before he called Gríma again.

"Come down. Be free of him."

"Free?" Saruman laughed loudly, "He will never be free!"

Mÿne saw Gríma doubting between betraying Saruman and face his wrath, and to stay safely by his side.

"Get down, fool!" Saruman sneered at him before he slapped him across his face. Gríma disappeared from sight but Mÿne could hear him squirm. Gandalf sighed and tried again.

"Saruman! You are deep in the enemy's council, tell us what you know!" he pressured.

"You withdraw your guard and I'll tell you where your doom will be decided." Saruman said as he pointed at them. "I will not be held prisoner here!"

And then something happened that even Gandalf could not foresee. Gríma stabbed Saruman in the back, literally. Saruman grunted loudly when the knife came into his back for the second time.

"Stop him." Gandalf ordered to Legolas. He grabbed and arrow and shot Gríma who fell back out of sight again. Mÿne had to blink her eyes to process what had happened. Saruman started to sway back and forth and eventually fell off the tower. They watched as he gained speed and came down on a spiked wheel near the tower. Mÿne closed her eyes for a second when the impact came.

Gandalf turned around and looked at them. Mostly to the King.

"Send word to all our allies, and every corner of Middle-Earth that still stands free. The enemy moves fast. We need to know where he will strike." he said, and soon his voice was overruled by the spiked wheel that started to turn. Mÿne watched as Saruman disappeared under the water and she assumed he would be crushed by his own inventions. A smug smile crept on her face. So much for punishment, she thought with secret delight.

"The filth of Saruman is washing away." Treebeard said and Mÿne could ignore the small grin he also had on his tree-like face. Suddenly Pippin climbed of Gandalfs horse, into the water. He picked something up from it. The palantír.

"Bless my bark!" Treebeard exclaimed.

Pippin looked at it intensively and turned the orb in his hands.

"Peregrin Took. I'll take that my lad. Quickly now." Gandalf said as he reached for the orb. With reluctance Pippin handed it over to him and Gandalf coated the orb with his own garb.

"We need to ride for Edoras." the King spoke as he gazed away from the tower.

"I left my bag in the storage room!" Merry spoke and he, Pippin, Eomer and Gandalf wade away.

Mÿne took a glance at Treebeard and Legolas. She led her horse to the Ent.

"Eeh.. Mister Treebeard?" she asked and he squatted down to look at her face. She took that as permission.

"You wouldn't happen to know an Ent called Finglas, would you?" she asked. The Ent rumbled and thought for a minute.

"Finglas?" he muttered deeply. It stayed silence for awhile. Legolas patted her shoulder.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm helping you." she said back as she looked at the tree, who still remained silent. "Mister Treebeard?" she asked again. Treebeard shook awake it seemed. "Ahhh yes, Finglas. The last time I had seen him was decades ago... We were great friends. The oldest Ents on earth. I'm sorry little lady and Master Elf, but I don't know where he might be..."

Mÿne sighed and turned around in her seat to look at Legolas. He looked at the Ent as it walked away.

"It was worth a try." he said, shrugging.

They returned to Edoras at sunset. The moment they stepped into the hall Eowyn marched up to them.

"Mÿne, would you come with me? I have something to show you." she said and without another word she grabbed her wrist and dragged her away. She led her up to the room they had shared before they went to Helm's Deep. It seemed so long ago already. She opened the door and closed it after them.

"Now, you may think you're a warrior-"

"I don't-" Mÿne tried to interrupt her, but it was no use.

"...but you're also a lady. So I've picked out a dress for you."

"No. Not a dress. Eowyn, please! I hate dresses!" Mÿne said as she watched Eowyn pull one out of the closet.

"I don't care. This is an honourable feast and you're going to look like a lady." Eowyn said stubborn and she held out a dress to Mÿne. It was actually quite nice. It was made of a green thick fabric, with golden lines across the waist, sleeves and neck.

"I thought green would go nice with your eyes." Eowyn admitted as she shrugged.

Mÿne was pushed into a small room, where she could wash herself. A bucket of cold water waited for her, so she washed herself with a piece of soap that smelled like flowers. She dried herself and looked at the dress. She sighed and tried to put it on. She was stuck halfway.

"Eowyn, help!" she could manage to say. Eowyn started to laugh when she saw Mÿne struggle with her dress.

"Oh dear. Come here." she said as she helped Mÿne into it. She laced the ribbons in the back and looked at you. "It actually fits you." she said as she smiled. Mÿne was placed before a mirror and was forced to look at herself. Eowyn grabbed a brush and started to do her hair. She only tied two strains to the back, leaving the rest of it loose. Mÿne was afraid it would look like it was exploded or something, but it didn't. Luckily.

"You look nice." Eowyn said softly as she put away the brush. Mÿne turned around in her dress and smiled softly. "You're actually right." she said and she chuckled.

Eowyn laughed while she stood next to her, in a blue dress.

"Look at us. Like fools, aren't we?" Mÿne said as she grinned.

"Not at all. In fact, maybe you succeed in impressing that Elf tonight." Eowyn said as a playful smile spread across her lips.

"I would no-" Mÿne tried as her head started to redden.

"No need to thank me, just have fun." Eowyn said as she pushed her out of the door.

In the Hall preparations were all done. Benches and tables were set. A roaring fire with something that looked like a huge pig stood in the middle of the Hall. Mÿne walked over to Aragorn, trying to not embarrass herself. When Aragorn caught sight of her he started to laugh.

"Look at you." he said as he tried to stop laughing. "You're wearing a dress!"

"Stop it!" Mÿne said, "Thanks to Eowyn, yes I am." she smacked him on his head. Aragorn snorted for a while before saying: "No, it actually looks good on you."

"Thank you." she said as she crossed her arms.

They were soon joined by Legolas and Gimli who seemed to have refreshed themselves too. Legolas wore a light blue shirt and Gimli was wearing his usual outfit, but with a nice clean shirt under it.

"You look pretty." Legolas said as he looked at her dress.

"Thanks." Mÿne managed to choke out. She wound a lock of her hair around her finger as she looked at him.

"You look nice too." she admitted with a blush. Quickly she sat down on one of the benches and remained silent. Slowly the whole Hall seemed to be filled with people. Everyone was given a mug of ale and they sat down as the King showed up. Eowyn gave him his cup and he raised it. The Hall fell silent.

"Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend our country." he spoke and he remained silent for a minute. The Hall seemed to do the same, respecting the silence and praying for their loved ones.

"Hail the victorious dead!" Théoden said after a minute and he raised his cup. Everybody stood up and raised their mugs too.
"HAIL!"

To escape Eowyn, who would love to tease her about her dress, Mÿne agreed to follow Gimli and Legolas across the Hall. They chatted for a bit and laughed at stories the Rohan men told them.

"Legolas, Gimli!" someone called. They looked up to see Eomer making his way over to them.

"I was about to hold a drinking game with my Rohirrim, maybe you would like to join?" Eomer asked.

"Laddie, I'll show you what drinking is!" Gimli said, laughing loudly.

"That sounds fun!" Mÿne said as she got up from the bench. Eomer looked at her funny.

"You're a woman." he stated, "Women don't do drinking games."

"Well, women don't fight wars, do they now?" she retorted and crossed her arms. Eomer smiled, defeated. "Very well then. Follow my lead, milady. What about you, Legolas?"

"Elves don't-" Legolas tried but Gimli pulled him from the bench.

"I don't want to hear about it!" he snorted. "You're going to feast with me, whether you like it or not!"

They gathered around a barrel with ale and a table. Mÿne sat down as Eomer drew the ales from it.

"No pauzes," he said, giving Legolas one, "No spills." and he handed Mÿne a mug.

"And no regurgitation!" Gimli laughed as he snatched his own mug from Eomer's hand.

"So, it's a real drinking game?" Legolas asked while looking suspicious at his mug.

"Aye, last one standing wins." Gimli said and he lifted his mug.

"What will we drink on?" one of the Rohirrim asked his friends behind Mÿne. "Let's drink to victory." one answered. "To victory!" the rest cheered and Mÿne drank her ale. Over the rim of her mug she could Legolas hesitatingly sniff the liquid. He took a little sip and shrugged. Mÿne chuckled and asked for a second ale.

Maybe it was the ale, or maybe the vibe through the whole Hall, but Mÿne felt warmth creep through her body. She laughed at jokes that were made, listened to stories and sang songs with the Rohirrim. She placed her seventh emptied mug on the table and received another. Next to her Gimli was chugging his down and threw his mug at the rest of his emptied ones. He was on sixteen already. As for Legolas, who claimed at first he didn't drink, he was on eight. But he still stood against the pillar, watching and drinking. Still sober it seemed. Mÿne decided it was an Elf-thing. Gimli started to laugh out of nowhere. "Yes, it's the dwarves that go swimming with little hairy women!" and he started to chug down his next ale.

"I feel something." Legolas said, across her. He looked at his hand, alarmed. "A slight tingle in my fingers. I think it's affecting me."

Mÿne started to laugh really loud, until her breaths came in high pitches. Gimli joined her.

"What did I tell you?! He can't hold his liquor!" but Gimli's eyes were askew somehow and within seconds they rolled back it their sockets. He fell backwards on the ground and started to snore really loud.

"Game over?" Legolas asked Eomer. He nodded.

"I guess so, the barrel is empty too... so..."

From across the room Mÿne could hear music. She stood up and pulled Legolas with her. They crept to their friends who were watching men play violins and guitars. Eowyn smiled at her.

"You're as drunk as a man." she laughed.

"Am not!" Mÿne retorted, although it was a bit hazy. They laughed together and Eowyn pulled her with her.

"What are you doing?" she asked, alarmed.

"Dancing! Come on!"

"I don't dance!" Mÿne said as she was twirled around. But soon, and Mÿne blamed the ale for it, she was actually dancing with Eowyn. They hopped around the tables and swung their arms in the air.

"Come on, dance with him!" Eowyn said as she nodded to Legolas who was looking at them.

"No, I'm not doing that." Mÿne objected.

"Yes you are!" and Eowyn pushed her towards Legolas. Mÿne bumped against his chest and looked at his blue eyes.

"Dance with me?" she managed to ask.

"I don't da-"

"Well, I don't too." and she grabbed his hands and dragged him with her. It was the ale, she was sure now. She'd never do this sober. At the same time Merry and Pippin made an appearance on the table they danced around and started a song.

"Oh, you can search far and wide,

You can drink the whole town dry.

But you'll never find a beer so brown,

as they're made in our home town.

You can keep your fancy ales,

you can drink them by the flagon.

But the only brew for the brave and true,

comes from the Green Dragon!"

And as they slammed their mugs together Mÿne and Legolas were done dancing. Mÿne caught her breath while she stood next to Aragorn, who had appeared from nowhere suddenly. He clapped and petted Mÿne on her head.

"It seems you have a good time, don't you?" he asked. But the only thing Mÿne could do was hiccough. Aragorn started to laugh really loud and shook his head.

"Maybe you should go outside for a minute." he said, holding his stomach from laughter.

"I'll come with you. I could use some fresh air myself." Legolas said and he walked away to get his cloak. Mÿne walked to the stairs on the opposite side and started to climb them. She felt a little dizzy when she opened the door to hers and Eowyn's room. She could see her cloak hanging over a chair and she quickly grabbed it. Her heart started to raise in her throat. She was going outside. With Legolas. Alone. She couldn't suppress a sudden girl-like squeal. She quickly fastened her cloak and went downstairs. She saw Legolas waiting for her at the heavy wooden doors and together they stepped into the cold night's air.

"These feasts are really different from the ones at Mirkwood. Or Rivendell." Legolas said as he stared to the far distant.

"I can imagine." Mÿne said as she sat down at the edge of the stone platform the Masion of Meduseld was build on. She let her feet dangle and she smiled. "But it is fun, isn't it?"

"I didn't say it wasn't." Legolas said, smiling when he looked down on her. "But don't ask me to dance ever again." and he chuckled a little bit.

"I'm a horrible dancer too you know?" Mÿne said as she laughed with him. He sat down with her and smiled. An awkward silence fell between them and Mÿne started to wrap herself in her cloak. She didn't know what to see. Occasionally she would steal a glance at the Elf, who seemed to be lost in thoughts.

"Do you know what you called me when we first met?" she asked and she wound a strain of hair around her finger again. Legolas needed to think about that for a moment.

"You called me an orc." Mÿne giggled.

"Oh, I remember." he said then, quite embarrassed. "Yes, I had expected one when I heard someone there." he leaned on his knees and looked at her. "But I don't think you're an orc. Not at all..."

Mÿne felt a brush creeping up her cheeks and she hid her face in her cloak.

"Then what am I?" the words slipped over her lips before she knew it. Legolas seemed as surprised at her question as she was.

"You're...You're Mÿne. You're a woman...a beautiful woman with strength." he said softly. Was it just her or did his cheeks gave off a pinkish glow? She smiled as she looked at the stone platform where they sat on.

"It's strange...My heart's desire has always been to be in the woods. To grow old there, undisturbed and free." she looked at Legolas who glanced at her. "But then I met you and slowly my heart's desire changed." She inched closer to him and saw how he looked at her hands. She gazed back at his eyes, which looked like icy blue ponds in winter. He remained silent as she struggled with the words to tell him what she felt. Why was it so hard? Why couldn't she just say it? Say it! But nothing came out of her mouth and she trembled.

"Then, what is it you want?" Legolas asked as he cupped her chin, forcing her to look at him. She felt hot, the heat was waving of her and she felt her face redden. Her attention was drawn to his lips, those perfect Elven lips. Maybe...If she couldn't say it...she could show him? She inched a bit closer and placed her warm hand on his chilled cheek. She placed her lips on his and waited for him to pull back. But he didn't. Instead he held her even tighter. Mÿne wrapped her arms around his neck softly and smelled his scent. He smelled like the forests she loved so much. They parted and she stared in his eyes.

"I wanted...that." she managed to say, red as a sun rising. "I want you."

I hope you enjoyed it, let me know what you think!

I will continue working on the next chapter, so until then!

Stay tuned!