Hey guys, just a super short chapter to keep you going, I know that it has been a while since I updated I've been super busy with work and have been suffering a bit of writers block which has just led to new stories popping up in my head which means even more to keep writing. Anyway hopefully this will tide you over for a while and I'll update soon and make sure that it is a slightly longer and much better quality chapter too. Oh and I just wanted to say thanks for all of the amazing reviews, your response has been awesome! :)
Peyson's POV
The first thing I am aware of is warmth. An all encompassing beautiful warmth that seems to embrace me, a feeling I had thought I would never feel again. For a long moment I believe I am dreaming so often had my thoughts turned to moments like this when I was being held but gradually I begin to remember things I had heard, being moved Aragorn'v voice, horses running.
"Aragorn," I whisper my voice so hoarse I barely recognise it at all and the arms around me instantly tighten but there is no answer it is only when I turn over in his arms that I realise he is shaking and looking up into his face I see the tears making little rivers as they flow down his cheeks. "What is wrong?" I ask in fright and he lets out a small whimpering sound.
"My little one…" he begins, "oh my little one I have never been more scared,"
"Please don't be upset Aragorn I am home now, I'm safe, you came for me just like I knew you would,"
"I should never have left you alone," he sobs clinging to me more tightly than ever, so tightly that it hurts as he squeezes my wounds but I didn't want him to let go.
"Hush Aragorn, please do not distress yourself," I whisper and he nods slowly, taking a few moments to get control over himself.
"I am sorry my love, how are you feeling?" he asks eventually his own voice hoarse and gravelly.
"I am… I feel… I am not sure," I say after a moments pause letting out a tiny sigh as I do so. "I had thought that being here, that the war ending meant that we were to be happy but everything is going wrong," I stutter now and his hands are gently stroking the hair from my face as he listens.
"I had hoped the same little one,"
"Do you think we are cursed?" I ask then and he pulls me back to him in a crushing hug again.
"Nay little one this…" he breaks off breathing heavily again as he fights to control his wavering emotions. "Oh how I have wanted to keep you safe, since the moment I met you all I have wanted is for you to be safe and happy and I continue to fail,"
"You have not failed, every second I am with you I am happy and I am safe," I say earnestly pulling away to hold his face in my hands and force him to look me in the eye, to see how sincere I was in what I said. Moving forward slightly he presses his lips to mine and I feel like I am truly safe for the first time since I had the vision. It is a strange feeling, one I struggle to comprehend let alone describe and I smile as he moves away taking one of my wrists gently in his hand and kissing the bandages softly.
"I love you, so much," he whispers and I smile.
"I love you more," I say and he chuckles softly kissing me again.
"Not possible," he responds.
We lay like that for a while in each others arms before sleep claims me again and I drift away knowing that his arms are around me. I know I am safe, I know that I am home and I know that I am dreaming but it is so real that I can barely control my terror. The smell of the hut, the pain ripping through me as they try to torture visions out of me. Waking up it takes me a minute to realise that I am screaming and that Aragorn is not there.
"Peyson," the voice is panicked and although I recognise it in my blind panic I can't focus. My breath coming in short sharp gasps and my limbs shaking uncontrollably.
"Peyson you must breathe child here," another voice and a hand at my back rubbing soothing circles and murmuring calming words to me. Eventually, I manage to control my breathing and I sink back into the pillows in exhaustion, my entire body aching and sore.
"Marrianna," I whisper offering her a smile which she returns instantly.
"Hello Peyson, it is good to have you home, you do know how to keep us on our toes don't you?And to think I thought you would be a nice break after Boromir and Faramir," she chuckles and I try to laugh too but break off as it pulls on my sore and bruised chest and ribs.
"Thank you for looking after Aragorn while I was away," I say instead, knowing that it must have been her that had kept him fed and forced him to sleep.
"It is not just me you have to thank," she says with a significant glance to the corner of the room, I follow her gaze and see Legolas standing there awkwardly. The sight nearly makes me laugh, I had never seen an elf look awkward, to be honest I hadn't thought it possible. "Now you get some rest I am going to get you some food and water and I shall fetch your husband for you too," she says preempting my next question and I smile at her again as she turns and leaves.
"Legolas what is wrong?" I say after a moment when he still hasn't moved.
"I failed you," he says in almost a whisper and I stare at him in surprise.
"What are you talking about?" I ask trying to sit up and failing at which point he makes his way to my side and helps me to sit up straighter.
"I should have guarded you, I should never have let you be taken,"
"This is not your fault Legolas, it is nobodies fault but that of the people who took me," I say gently resting my hand on his forearm.
"But…" he seems to be struggling for words and I am once again stunned into silence, never had I seen the great warrior elf, my friend so… so upset.
"Legolas, Henriq was my maid we all trusted her you weren't to know," I say and he bows his head but before he can speak the door crashes open and Aragorn flies in looking around wildly.
"Oh thank the Valar, I thought…" he trails off as he takes in Legolas and I and makes a visible attempt to calm himself.
"I'm sorry," I whisper feeling my face flush, "it was just a dream," I explain and he is on the bed beside me in a second.
"I shouldn't have left," he mutters and I shake my head tensing as Legolas moves to leave.
"Please, don't leave Legolas, I need… I need you all here right now," I stutter and he nods slightly and moves to sit back in the chair by the bed.
"What happened little one?" Aragorn asks after a moments pause and I shake my head unable to face dealing with those thoughts, unable to deal with even the nightmare.
"What happened to Henriq and the man?" I ask instead and Aragorn sighs but does not push the matter.
"He is dead Peyson, she…" Legolas pauses and exchanges a look with Aragorn before continuing, "Henriq is being held in the dungeons here until she stands trial," I nod at this news unable to suppress the shudder that rolls through me.
"I do not know if I am strong enough to do this," I whisper and I can feel their worried gazes fall on me as a wave of guilt for the anxiety I have caused them washes over me.