I awake the next morning to hushed whispers and it takes a few minutes for me to work out where I am and whose voice they are. Opening my eyes slowly and pushing myself to a sitting position as I gaze around at the faces who are staring back at me suddenly quiet.
"Merry… Pippin," I manage at last overwhelmed with joy at seeing them, how had I not noticed them last night when Aragorn brought me here to sleep.
"Peyson," they both screech jumping forward to hug me which causes me to wince slightly but don't let them go.
"I am so glad you are both safe I was so worried," I say eventually as I let them go and look them both over.
"You had us plenty worried yourself lass," Gimli pipes up and I can feel a blush staining my cheeks slightly as I turn to see Gimli and Legolas watching me also.
"Sorry," I say after a second and they both smile,
"Just glad you're okay lass," Gimli grunts before turning to Merry and Pippin, "now young hobbits hows about we go and find ourselves some food so that you have enough energy to tell Peyson all about your adventures later," he says and they both readily agree and rush out leaving me alone with Legolas.
"Where is Aragorn?" I ask and he smiles at me,
"He is with the king and Gandalf do not worry he will be with you soon," he says almost cheekily and I feel my cheeks heat up even further.
"Right well…" I have no idea what I am attempting to say or do I merely want to alleviate my embarrassment slightly. I was very much aware of the fact that since I had grown close with these men and elves and hobbits and dwarf I had become increasingly bad at hiding my thoughts and feelings, Hallebrad would not be pleased with me, rangers are supposed to be almost elf like in their aloofness and I… well I was not!
"Come I will take you to get your dressings changed and then we will take a walk while we wait for the others to be finished," he says and I smile gratefully up at him and take the hand he offers me as we make our way to the healing houses.
"How do you know your way around so well?" I ask in confusion as he leads me without hesitation through a maze of corridors that have me completely lost.
"I scouted around when we arrived last night, I knew that Aragorn would want some time with you and I wanted to get my bearings before resting," he replies and I glance up at him once again surprised by his intelligence and tact.
"You're amazing you know," I say quietly and I hear him chuckle quietly.
"You are quite… amazing yourself my friend," he replies and I laugh too shaking my head but before I can say anything else we have reached the healers and I am led away to have my wounds redressed.
"Sir you cannot be in here," one of the healers fairly shrieks and I clutch my dress to my front as I half turn to see what is going on, relaxing slightly when I see Haldir standing in the doorway being blocked by an angry looking healer.
"What do you need Haldir?" I ask half smiling as he tries but fails once more to get past the woman blocking his path.
"I have elvish medicine for your back my lady, it will speed your healing,"
"Let him in," I say and although she grumbles a lot she eventually lets him through and he shoots me an almost thankful look as he settles behind me and strips off the final piece of bandage.
"It is healing well, you should continue to rest though or you risk tearing it and causing infection to set in," he murmurs as he applies the paste and rewraps my back.
"How long before I can be ready again?" I ask tensing slightly as I wait for his answer.
"Ready for what my lady?" I turn slightly to glare at him he knows very well what for why is he insisting that I spell it out for him I mean he is supposed to be my protector of sorts not a wind up merchant.
"To fight again?" I say in exasperation after a moments hesitation.
"You have not fought enough battles?" he asks in return. Is this going to be his way of supporting me, answering every question with another bloody question because I may have to take back the whole glad I saved his life if that is so.
"You know as well as I Haldir that until this war is over or I am dead I shall continue to fight, I have no choice but to protect those I care for and if they fight, I fight,"
"You are a good match for him,"
"I don't understand,"
"Aragorn has been a friend to me for many years and he is a noble man and fierce warrior he needs someone who is equally as noble and fierce as he is to match him," he smirks at me and I can feel myself blushing for what must be the millionth time in the last few weeks.
"I am neither of those things," I reply and he sighs before moving to stand up.
"If the wounds continue to heal as they are presently you can begin training again in three days," he says before leaving me to get dressed effectively ending the conversation so I can't argue with him about it.
As I leave the room I find Legolas waiting for me and he quickly takes my arm and begins to walk with me.
"You know I am not an invalid, I can walk by myself," I mutter to him as we pass by several people who shoot us curious looks.
"I know but maybe I have missed my good friend and am enjoying having her close by while she is safe and looking much better," he replies not glancing at me and although I know he does not mean me to I feel instantly very guilty.
"I'm sorry," I say immediately and I feel him turn to look at me more than see him.
"What are you sorry for Peyson?"
"For worrying you, for not being stronger, for not being there to finish the battle with you," I reply quietly.
"My friend you have nothing to apologise for, you fought bravely and you saved the life of a good friend of mine. I am just glad you are healing," he says and I squeeze his arm slightly in response his hand finding mine and returning the gesture slightly. We continue on in silence until we reach the outside and I breathe in deeply as the fresh air hits my face smiling as we sit on a small bench overlooking the land of Rohan.
"There you are," a voice says sometime later and I stir a little from where I had apparently fallen asleep against Legolas' shoulder and gaze around blearily for a second before my eyes settle on Aragorn's face as it appears in front of me.
"Hello," I whisper yawning and stretching a little as Legolas moves and Aragorn takes his place beside me.
"How are you feeling?" he asks and I smile up at him,
"Haldir says I can start training again in two days time," I reply and he smiles back at me a little shaking his head.
"I wish that you would not have to fight,"
"I wish the same for you but we both know that until this war is over neither of us can avoid it so it is best that I am prepared is it not?" he shakes his head at this again and pulls me to him gently.
"You are right my love though I wish you weren't," he sighs before shaking his head a little as if to clear his thoughts and continuing, "lady Eowyn has a dress for you,"
"For me? Why?" I ask in shock turning to face him.
"Tonight we celebrate as I told you last night and Lady Eowyn thought that you should wear a dress befitting your title,"
"Title. What Title? I have no title," my brow furrows in confusion at his words as I stare at him awaiting his answer.
"You are the future queen of Gondor my love,"
"I am a village girl," I retort in a mixture of fear and embarrassment.
"You are a warrior," he shoots back knowing that I would not argue too much with this and so I just glower at him a bit while he kisses my temple which surprises me as he… well we are usually so careful about being so affectionate in public. Okay so he is more than me but then I guess I didn't have much teaching as a child about the way I should behave around men, or more specifically a lover, as I have said before there weren't many options for me growing up and I was always for too focused on honing my fighting, language and tracking skills.
"So I should go and see her," I say quietly not really wanting to leave him and partly to change the subject too.
"I do not want you to, I want to have you with me for every second I can but I must meet with the King and Gandalf and you must prepare for the celebrations but I promise you that when this war is over I will be with you always," he tells me earnestly turning to face me fully.
"Aragorn you cannot promise such things you are to be the king of Gondor you will have too many responsibilities," I laugh.
"I have turned from that path as you well know," he argues and I laugh even more at that.
"You know as well as I that whatever happens you will do the right thing, that is why I love you," I say and he shakes his head again.
"Being with you is the right thing,"
"I wish it was and maybe it will be and I will do all I can to make sure that it can be but your duty comes first," I say stubbornly causing him to let out a huff of breath.
"My duty means nothing without you," he retorts and I laugh again,
"Do you remember when we were in Rivendell and we first told each other of our fears?" I ask changing tact slightly.
"Yes of course I do," he replies looking mildly confused,
"You walked me to my room telling me to rest and I complained you told me I was like a child sulking to stay up longer. I think my Lord that the tables have turned slightly and it is now I scolding the child who wants his own way," I finish with a smirk and he mock scowls at me before squeezing my hand tightly in his.
"Come my wise and beautiful warrior it is time you found Lady Eowyn and begin your preparations," he exclaims pulling me to my feet.
"I'd rather discuss logistics with you and the king," I say now choosing to sulk he knew I hated the girly stuff and would much rather just wear a tunic and breeches to the celebrations tonight but he just laughs at me and pulls me forwards towards the main hall.
It is several hours later when I am finally released from Eowyn and her maids looking completely ridiculous in my opinion in a long tightly fitted dress which is pulling slightly on my wounded back although I was too afraid to complain too much, my hair pulled this way and that until it is resting in long loose waves across my back and shoulders and they have even put powder on my face.
"Thank you for all you have done for me," I say in want I think is a gracious voice to Eowyn as we walk towards the hall where I can already hear the noises of festivities.
"You are most welcome my lady I have you to thank for helping to save the lives of many of my people," she replies and I smile tightly back at her not sure how to respond the the slight edge I hear in her voice. I'm not sure why but I feel like even though we are similar she does not like me.
"It sounds as if there is a lot of celebrating happening in there," I say instead feeling nervous suddenly as we get closer. I have never been good with bog crowds and lots of people, men specifically around ale and wine made me unfeasibly nervous for some reason.
"Indeed," she says before being interrupted as the doors are opened and suddenly she is gone and I am standing alone and feeling incredibly self conscious until a voice beside me relaxes me.
"My friend you look radiant," I turn to see Legolas and Haldir smiling at me and I beam back at them in relief.
"I feel ridiculous," I laugh and they smile wider at me,
"You look almost elf like how could that be ridiculous?" Haldir responds and I stare at him for a while trying to work out if he is joking. I have been known for nor cared about being beautiful or elf like, unless it was in skill with bow or blade and it makes me uncomfortable.
"I would feel better in my tunic with my bow strapped to my back," I say instead which makes them both laugh before they lead me to a table where I sit with Haldir while Legolas disappears with Gimli. I spend some time staring around the room trying to get to grips with the noise and crowd but I am finding it difficult until my eyes fix on the only person I really wanted to see.
He looks so handsome, and clean, I think to myself with a small smile his eyes sparkling as he looks up and for a second I think he is looking for me until I see Eowyn appear in front of him and his gaze fixed on her and his fingers brushing against hers as he accepts a drink, lingering for too long as his gaze does and my heart aches. It is worse than the time I saw him kissing Arwen when we first met because now… I thought… my chest hurt and I was barely aware of Haldir's hand on my arm as my entire body stiffens. I know he has seen what I have but I cannot bring myself to voice it.
"I feel sick, I think I shall get an early night," I gasp instead as I pull myself shakily to my feet.