ForeverTeamEdward13 - More cuteness here!
WickedGreene13 - Hehe oh the walnuts! Those damn walnuts! XD
Savage Kill - Yep, she was mad!
ElizabethUndomiel - Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Guest - Thanks!
They found their companions standing before Théoden's empty throne, Gandalf in what appeared to be serious conversation with Aragorn. Two guards lingered nearby, one being the man, Hama.
"Decided to join us?" Gimli called and Aerlaer noted he held a plate of bread he was swiftly stuffing down his throat. Aragorn and Gandalf paused to look toward them and she felt Legolas's hand fall from hers to suddenly adjust his tunic. The Wizard smiled yet Aragorn seemed thoughtful
"What is next?" She stopped before them to gaze at Gandalf as Legolas lingered beside Gimli.
"We are awaiting the preparation of guest chambers which, you will be gladdened to know, will be ready shortly. Then rest and a chance to tidy up before Theodred's funeral at four hours' past noon." She swallowed, nodding mutely.
"Hama… oh." Aerlaer turned to another entering the hall. A young maid, perhaps in her early twenties, had stopped, feet from Hama, but her eyes were wide, staring at Legolas who seemed oblivious as Gandalf now spoke of the funeral proceedings.
"Oletha." Hama bit out warningly and the maid blinked, her cheeks flushing as she turned to the guard. Aragorn held in a smirk, also noticing the maid's reaction to the other Elf. Aerlaer could tell by the way the Ranger's mouth twitched as he casually began talking with Legolas, briefly explaining how Rohirrim laid their royalty to rest. She turned back to the morbid conversation, unease creeping up on her.
Her family had not been laid to rest. Her herd lay upon the Gladden Fields, no one left to give them a proper burial. No-one but her and, she had not. She felt sick, she should have returned, it was her place to. As the last of her kin.
They had fought and died and she had not honored them. She had not spoken sacred words to ensure their fëa journeyed safely across the sea. How could she have forgotten that?
"Aerlaer, are you coming?" She turned, to see Aragorn peering at her. He frowned. "Are you well?" She swallowed the lump in her throat, nodding.
"Yeh look pale, lass." Gimli rumbled and she forced herself to shrug. Legolas too watched her uncertainly.
"I am fine." She assured, lying through her teeth. By the set of Aragorn's mouth, he did not buy it. He gestured Legolas and Gimli to catch up to Gandalf, who walked with Hama. Aerlaer supposed it was to their guest chambers they were going. She'd stopped listening.
"You are upset." Aragorn stated quietly. "What bothers you, that young maid?" She turned to him in confusion.
"Young maid? What do you mean?"
"Nothing, it is just... never mind, why are you upset?"
"All this talk of burials," she sighed. "I have let down my kin, I have not shown them the same respect. I, I left them upon the fields." A shiver rippled through her, remembering how the herd lay dead beneath moonlight, the grasses drenched in their blood. Aragorn grasped her arm, halting her at the foot of a great stair.
"You have let no one down." He spoke with conviction she didn't feel. "Aerlaer, look at me now." She met his gaze. "You followed Aerthor's last command, you survived, you made it to Imladris-"
"Because of Legolas."
"Yes, because of Legolas, but you made it. You survived and, because you survived, your people won."
"How is that winning when they fell? They all fell." She felt her voice shaking.
"Because it was life and freedom they fought for and you survived. You remain free. In you is there legacy."
"That does not mean I should have left them upon the fields."
"You had no choice, Aerlaer, and they were not left upon the fields." She gazed back up at him, confused.
"Elrohir and Elladan led a group into the Wilderlands at dawn, when Elrond held his council. They journeyed to the fields."
"Why didn't anyone tell me?" She whispered, feeling a tug of betrayal.
"Because you had seen and felt enough pain." He murmured, his eyes filled with their own sadness. "It is better to remember those you lost when they were alive." Slowly she nodded, understanding now why the twins had seemed to vanish on an unspecified errand.
This then, was the real reason Glorfindel had kept her mind so filled with training between the council and setting out on the quest. It had worked, she had not figured out where her cousins had gone. If she had, she would have pursued them. "Damn, Glorfindel." She muttered and Aragorn gave her a wry smile.
"It was his idea to have you remain although, Elrond knew if you did, you would undoubtingly, recklessly pledge yourself to a certain quest." This brought a small smile to her lips.
"Elrond did try to persuade me from attending."
"I know. I received the second stern talking from him in so many hours after that council."
"What did he say?" Aerlaer was beginning to feel better, Aragorn having put her worries to rest.
"That I should have discouraged your decision." He smirked, indicating they ascend the stair. "He forgets, we work well together and I enjoy fighting by your side."
"You wound me, Aragorn, I thought I was your favorite." Aerlaer looked up to see Legolas waited for them, a teasing smile upon his face.
"I am gladdened and lucky to have you both here, by my side." Aragorn replied as they reached the other Elf who gestured them through another hall to a wide entrance on their left. "Although, you do not sulk as Legolas does when he loses." The Ranger whispered loudly. She burst into laughter as the other Elf shot him a filthy look but it softened into a smile as his gaze shifted to her.
"Ah, here you all are!" Gandalf called out impatiently and Aerlaer found they had reached an airy corridor with wooden doors spaced along one wall. Gimli and the guard, Hama, stood with him and Hama offered them a warm smile.
"The hospitality of the King's house is at your disposal." Hama tilted his head politely to her. "Lady Aerlaer, your chamber is the one just here." He said, gesturing to the first door. The rest of you may take any of the guest chambers after this one. I must attend to the King now…" His voice trailed sadly away and with another polite bow, he left the corridor.
They stood, gazing at one another until Gandalf abruptly broke the silence. "Well I could do with a rest, meet me at the entrance to the great hall, four hours' past noon." He instructed before turning in a shift of white robes to stroll down the corridor and enter the last chamber.
"I too need to rest." Aragorn said wearily. "It has been a hard few days." Aerlaer nodded as he left, taking the chamber next to Gandalf's, unease beginning to grow within her.
"I'm not going to say no to a hot bath and a soft bed." Gimli declared and followed after Aragorn, entering the room after the Rangers." It left Aerlaer standing only with Legolas. He would leave now too. She'd be alone. Her stomach twisted at the thought. She hadn't been alone since, since….
"Hmm, well it seems I am left with no choice of chambers." Legolas chuckled, tilting his head towards the door between her own and Gimli's. She nodded quietly.
"Are you alright, Aerlaer?" A frown suddenly worried his face.
"Oh yes, I am fine." She quickly replied. "It just seems, well odd, after these past months we now have chambers with beds in them." She flashed him a small grin but he did not seem convinced by her answer. Clearly, she needed to re-master her deceptive skills.
"It is a little." He nodded slowly, still gazing thoughtfully down at her. She hoped the very fact she was a little afraid, was not transparent to him. "We are completely safe here and, you are lucky, you won't even hear Gimli or Aragorn's snores." His tone was soft, reassuring but humorous. She nodded, forcing a smirk.
"But you might still." She teased and he grinned.
"Then I hope there is an abundance of pillows to cover my poor ears!" His jesting caused her to laugh, momentarily forgetting her fears.
"Well we are all right here, if you need any of us. We are safe, don't forget that. Now, let's make the most of this rare luxury!" He moved away from her, towards his own door, pausing after he had opened it to turn to her.
"Just knock if you need or kick the wall, if you do that thunderclap again you'll have all of Edoras in this corridor!" He smirked and she nodded with a smile, feeling more confident as she turned to open the door to enter her own chamber.
…
Softly closing the door behind him, Legolas lent back against it, surveying the chamber before him. As promised by Hama, all his weapons and small pack were present, resting upon a narrow table against a wall. Aerlaer's weapons were there too and he shook his head in slight amusement that the guards truly thought she was harmless. What a surprise they shall receive!
He stared across at them, wondering if he should return them to her? It would give him an excuse to see her again. Oh, he needed to stop this! He'd been apart from her for only a moment and she was safely in the chamber beside his.
Still, he felt a pang of loss which made entirely no sense to him. Aerlaer had been correct, it was strange to now have a chamber, a bed, to be alone. He was not quite sure what to do with himself. He pushed off from the wooden door, moving further into his guest quarters, taking in its details.
It was airy with a high, raftered ceiling and accommodating. There was a small study desk, a chaise lounge and the table his weapons lay upon towards the entrance. Further in, there was a deep robe and an elegant dresser. Sunlight shone down from a wide, open window onto a large bed, structured similarly to the oak robe and dresser. A round, side table rested on the left side of the bedhead.
A long and tall, silk partition, depicting a scene of a herd of horses galloping across rolling plains, under blue skies, sectioned off a wash area. Legolas was pleased to see a large tub, filled with hot water for the steam which swirled upon its surface. Sighting towels and soaps, he began removing his vambraces as he kicked off his boots.
An hour later, Legolas felt impeccably clean. What appeared to be new garments, he'd realized after bathing, had been kindly supplied, left upon the bed. Feeling he should accept this gift, he'd donned the charcoal trousers and soft, metal-grey tunic. The clothing was surprisingly to an Elf's tastes and fit his tall frame well. The colour choice did not pass his notice, he was now dressed to attend a funeral, a sobering thought that war was still out there, danger still present.
He made his way to the dresser to re-braid his now dry hair. It had been many weeks since he had seen his reflection and he gazed back at himself once he'd twisted his hair back from his face in the same fashion, Aerlaer had in Lorien.
What does she see when she looks at me? He sighed, turning away from his reflection, not fond of dwelling on his appearance. His own father had not been fond of dwelling upon it either, only seeing what he had lost in Legolas on a day he still remembered vividly, as if it were but a day ago, not many centuries past. Shaking himself, needing to escape his own company, Legolas retrieved his boots to pull on before pulling his chamber door open to leave.
He stopped before Aerlaer's door. He still needed to return her weapons. Should he knock? To see her, even for a short moment would be nice. No, he best not. She likely rested and he did not wish to disturb her. Besides, his whole plan was to try and stay away from her. He was meant to be stopping these silly, foolish feelings, not giving in to them. "Easier said than done." He muttered under his breath, forcibly leaving their guest corridor to catch some fresh air.
Meduseld was quiet and he slipped, noticed only by two guards, outside the hall which joined the corridor to their guest chambers. From here, he could see far over the plains and, the goings on in the city itself.
Intrigued by the folk who dwelt here, he ventured along the three lines of wide stone pillars which supported what he imagined to be the private halls of the King and his family above. Leaning against one of these pillars, hidden in its long afternoon shadow, he quietly observed the goings on of the many people below. It seemed they too were preparing for the Prince's funeral and he detected very few smiles among them.
The breeze shifted, blowing lightly towards him from the opposite direction and he inhaled the scent of wild violets and… he thought briefly… vanilla orchid. He turned into the breeze, instantly catching sight of the other Elf.
She too was clad in the colour of mourning, her dress falling and rippling about her bare feet like swaths of shadows yet, she was bathed in light, standing in a sun's ray, her hair a brilliant contrast of golds, chestnuts and browns against the dark material. He could just glimpse her face and, to his dismay, she appeared sad.
Something had been amiss with her earlier. He knew Aragorn had spoken to her and he knew he should not have, but he had gone back to wait for them and to listen. It had been about her kin and he wondered if that was why she was still sad. Knowing she was hurting caused his heart to twist and automatically, he began walking towards her, intent on seeing her smile, her eyes light up.
Midway, he paused, realizing she still had not noticed him. She was surely deep in some thought and he expected it was not pleasant. He would fix that, besides, she was a trained warrior, just like he, she should not have her guard down as she did. He'd rectify that too, he decided, deftly changing his approach, ensuring he moved silently so as not to give himself away.
...
Aerlaer stood against a pillar and surveyed the plains, enjoying the light breeze. She had explored the King's house a little, hoping to see one of her companions but it seemed they were still sleeping. The maids she had seen seemed skeptical of her and the guards, wary and so, she had retreated outside, hoping the sun would be of some comfort in this strange place.
She sighed in frustration, wishing sleep had come to her but after she had bathed and then fallen comfortably upon the soft bed's blankets, sleep had evaded her as she feared it would.
Gazing at the flags below, flapping in the breeze, she watched as the white horse symbol upon each appeared as if they galloped upon their emerald backgrounds. Her mother had been such a pale grey, she appeared white. She would have once galloped upon those green plains alongside her father… She drew in a shaky breath, wrapping her arms about her. Now she too had run across those plains, but she had run across them alone, she had…
Someone grasped her shoulder and she instinctively leapt forward, spinning to face her foe on the defensive. "Legolas!" She gaped up at him, quickly lowering her raised hands. "You-"
"Scared you, didn't I?" She realized he was smirking, looking incredibly pleased with himself.
"Perhaps. Hardly." She replied airily. He only laughed, his eyes dancing.
"Well, I consider that a successful hunt." He leant against the pillar she had been standing near, still smirking. She could only stare at him. How in Arda had he snuck up on her? Had she been so oblivious to what went on around her, he could have been anyone.
No, if he were just anyone, I would have heard him. He was an Elf, just like her and he knew just how to catch his own kin unawares except, he hadn't caught her. A smirk of her own began to form.
"Oh really?" She murmured and he nodded, eyes glinting mischievously. "Aren't hunters meant to catch what they hunt?" His expression shifted to confusion, but she didn't wait for him to comprehend her words; swiftly dashing away to hide behind a pillar, many paces away.
Biting down on her bottom lip to keep from laughing, she focused on listening intently. Legolas had not come running after her which could only mean he was stalking up on her again. She darted her eyes back and forth searching for any hint and caught a glimpse of the fleetest of shadows.
Quietly, she slipped around the pillar, knowing Legolas crept around to where she had been. Noiseless, she sprinted to hide behind another pillar, trying not to laugh again. She listened intently but only heard the breeze. She was now facing the wrong way to rely on shadows and she knew he'd be prepared for her last elusive trick.
A faint hint of what smelt like the cool, freshness of trees beneath moonlight caused her to leap forward but a hand grabbed her arm and then, the other one. Before she could twist away, she found herself pinned by the shoulders, against the stone of the pillar behind her. Annoyed at having been bested, she narrowed her eyes up at him. He only grinned wolfishly down at her.
"I win." He declared and she laughed at the absurdness of it all and his eyes lit up. "Definitely win."
"How do you, 'definitely win'?" She gazed up quizzically and his features softened.
"Because you are smiling and laughing again." He'd known she had been upset? How? Did it really matter? He'd sought her out just to cheer her up, when she had felt the most alone. Perhaps she wasn't alone at all. She found herself grinning back at him and another smirk graced his lips.
"Well, what does one do once they have caught one of the elusive, Edhelroch?" He asked playfully.
"I don't know." She laughed again. "Aren't you the hunter?" She teased back and his eyes, which had been warm like cinnamon, darkened to something different, something mysterious, something she couldn't look away from.
"I think I know." He spoke quietly and slightly released his gentle grip upon her shoulders. She felt as if her skin shivered as he let his hands run loosely down her arms yet she did not shiver. Against the pillar, he now rested his hands over her wrists, at her sides and she could feel her own pulse beating against his palm, almost feeling his own lifeforce.
"Set them free." He whispered softly and his hands fell away, to his sides. She could dash away again now if she wished, but she didn't, she couldn't. She couldn't look away from him. He did not move either, as if he waited to see if she would indeed flee. If she did, would this absurd yet exciting game continue? Was it a game? Of course, it was a game, he'd set out to cheer her up and she almost considered hugging him for it. Instead, she smirked.
"That was a dangerous decision. For now, the prey can become the hunter." She whispered teasingly and her breath caught as he looked at her with possibly even darker eyes which seemed to now smolder. He stepped swiftly forward, this time resting his hands against the pillar, on either side of her. Aerlaer didn't move, barely breathed, waiting for his next move. His gaze was intense, searching and in its darkened depths, it was as if there was a flicker of quicksilver.
"Legolas?" She heard Aragorn's voice calling from within the hall and for a moment, the Elf's gaze flickered in his direction and then back to her. It was not quite so intense now.
"I shall look forward to you trying to hunt me down." He spoke quietly but his voice was unusually rough. He stepped away and turning, swiftly left to enter the hall. Aerlaer gazed after him, drawing in a shaky breath of air. Exactly what sort of game was that?
…
Aragorn turned, seeing Legolas approach from outside. As the Elf walked towards him, he noted immediately their was a dark look about him. Even his eyes, usually a warm yet dark brown, were near as dark as the tunic he wore. "You are looking very…" He thought carefully, observing the Elf. "Predatory." He finished, noting a brief smile play upon the Elf's lips.
"Maybe." Legolas replied, sounding altogether to mysterious or perhaps mischievous. Aragorn was unsure, his friend seemed out of character. He'd not seen the Elf like this. He seemed both sublime and yet, tormented.
"Why do you call?" He raised a brow curiously yet, his tone suggested he was not altogether pleased to have been called.
"We are to attend the Prince's funeral now. We will walk with Gandalf, he waits at the entrance to the grand hall. Do you know the whereabouts of Aerlaer? She is not in her chamber." The Elf nodded, tilting his head the way he had entered the hall.
"Aerlaer!" He called, his tone soft yet loud enough for another Elf to easily hear. Aragorn gazed at him carefully. Legolas had clearly been with Aerlaer before he had called out to him. Just what had he been doing to act so strangely?
"Yes?" Legolas looked at him, expressionlessly yet one brow was raised in question. His tone was almost a drawl, sounding more like Thranduil. A tone Aragorn knew he only took on when he was trying to hide something.
"Nothing, we shall speak plainly later."
Legolas nodded and as Aerlaer appeared, he strode purposely off to the stairs without waiting. Something was going on. Aragorn turned to face the elleth, watching her carefully as she approached. She seemed her usual, composed self.
"We are to attend the funeral now, walk with me." She nodded and he set off slowly although it seemed Legolas had vanished. "Been up to anything interesting?" He asked conversationally. "You were with Legolas, yes?" he glanced at her, rewarded with the flicker of a dark, wild look in her eyes and he caught the action of her front teeth slightly grazing her bottom lip. Something she only did when unsure over something.
"Oh no, not really, a game with Legolas which I did not win." She murmured quietly and then grinned. "I will win next time, I will make sure of it." There was determination in her voice and nothing more still, there had been more to Legolas's attitude, so much more, he was certain.
"A game of?" He pressed with a friendly grin.
"Umm, hunting." She laughed lightly, as if brushing some other thought away. Something was going on.
"Indeed." He replied, understanding now why Legolas had looked as he had. He decided to speak of the funeral at hand, Aerlaer had been bothered by it earlier.
"Will you be able to handle this?" He asked quietly and she turned to him.
"Of course, it would be disrespectful not to attend." He searched her face carefully as they descended into the hall below. "I am fine Aragorn, I feel much better." He nodded, taking her word for it as they entered the great hall. There were guards and again, some courtiers within the hall and Aragorn felt their stares as they passed by, towards the entrance. They were curious, that was natural. Their small group was rather an odd one, a Wizard, a Ranger, a Dwarf a wood-Elf and an Elfhorse. They only needed the Hobbits now.
It seemed Legolas was back to normal although, he noticed the Elf's gaze went first to Aerlaer. The elleth did not notice, instead gazing down to the gathering of an entire city, bellow.
"Théoden has asked that we walk among those in front who will follow the procession after he and his niece, the Lady Éowyn." Aragorn nodded, feeling strange at such a request. Gandalf led them down the stair to the end of the road below and ushered them to stand to the side. Gimli looked downcast as, at the top of the stair, the King appeared with the young lady Aragorn had intercepted when they had arrived. Slowly, they descended, two guards, one being Hama, behind him.
Carefully, behind the King, came six guards, carrying a bier, framed by spears and laid with shields and the emerald green of Rohan. Silently, the King and Lady passed, her gaze distant yet filled with grief. The King's jaw was set but Aragorn could see his heart was broken. No man should lose his child and yet, in a war, many never returned to their families alive. The six men now passed, carrying the Prince and for the first time, Aragorn looked upon the man who would have been the next King of Rohan.
His face was strong and proud and it was as if he slept. He looked a warrior but there was a youthfulness about him. Aragorn turned to Aerlaer, knowing that if he saw a resemblance in the young man passing before them, she too would also think of her fallen brother. The elleth's face was pale as she gazed at Théodred. His sword lay upon his chest along with a small posy of white flowers which appeared stark against the grey and black of those who looked on. Even the sun had left the sky, casting the world in grey.
Gandalf indicated them to follow among higher ranked guards and courtiers and Aragorn made to check Aerlaer's wellbeing but Legolas was by her side, walking closely, murmuring something quietly Aragorn could not hear. The elleth seemed well enough and it seemed Legolas too knew her unease. He walked behind them, Gimli at his side as they wound their way down the wide road.
The slow procession took them beyond the walls of Rohan and to white flowered, green mounds which overlooked the plains still further below. Here, Aragorn knew, all Royalty of Rohan were laid to rest. They halted and around the entrance to an open tomb, a mourning city gathered to farewell their Prince.
The Lady, hooded in black, began to sing in the deep, rich words of the Rohirrim. Her words were raw and, as the six men finally carried Prince Théodred into the darkness of the tomb, she faltered, a sorrowful sob escaping and an older lady, standing by her side, took her shaking hand. The guards left the tomb and then, the King entered alone.
When he returned, Aragorn wondered how he still stood so proudly for his face was ashen and drawn, his eyes glistening although he kept them averted. With a finality, the entrance into the tomb was sealed by a stone door.
The mourning city folk slowly dispersed from the flower laden mounds yet the King remained. Gandalf gestured them to leave and return to Meduseld. Ahead, he noticed, the Lady Eowyn walked, accompanied by both Hama and the older lady.
"Look." He turned at Legolas's voice, to find the Elf gazing intently down to the plains. There was a single horse with a rider, no, there were two riders. The creature staggered slowly and then the larger of the two riders fell sideways, to the ground.
"They are children!" Aerlaer exclaimed as the Lady Éowyn appeared suddenly beside them.
"Hama, we need horses!" She ordered hurriedly, blue eyes wide. Aerlaer appeared to have other ideas and shifted suddenly and he heard the tear of material and then she cursed in Elvish, kicking the remnants of the dress away before plunging down the road.
"Is she going to be uh, without garments when she shifts back?" The Lady Éowyn asked in slight shock as they watched Aerlaer reach the fallen child.
"Indeed, let us hope she remembers that predicament." Aragorn murmured, not missing how Legolas went rigid beside him.
"Lass didn't think that through, can't very well do much without shifting back." Gimli pointed out.
"There is not much she does think through before acting." He murmured as Hama arrived with another guard, both upon their own horses.
"Bring them back to the great hall." Éowyn instructed as the two men set their horses into a gallop towards the plains. Aragorn watched as did the others as the guards spoke with Aerlaer before pulling the fallen child onto Hama's chestnut and the smaller child was carried by the other guard. They cantered back as Aerlaer followed more slowly, with the exhausted, black horse.
When they reached the gate, a stable-boy appeared and likely Aerlaer said something to the trembling horse for he docilly followed the boy without fuss. The children had been taken to the Hall and Éowyn had rushed after them, Gimli kindly offering to go with her and Aragorn had waited with Legolas for Aerlaer.
"Don't shift." He warned her, holding her tattered dress.
"I forgot to imprint that." She muttered, walking swiftly beside them, back towards the King's halls.
"The boy?" Legolas hedged.
"Unconscious from exhaustion and hunger and he has a wound. I will heal him shortly, it looks infected. The girl is in better condition but frightened." Aragorn nodded, she had been crying when the guards had galloped past to Meduseld.
"Remember you cannot shift until you have found another dress." Aragorn warned again and she shook out her mane.
"I know." She bit out and galloped off ahead of them, reaching the hall outer entrance and taking the stairs, four at a time.
"Reckless elleth." He muttered under his breath, receiving a quizzical look from Legolas but he merely shook his head as they too reached Meduseld.
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