Chapter 8 - A Simple Yes Is All It Takes
Aragorn lead Rei back to his sleeping chambers, which was a large tent, a bed in the centre of it, Rei looked at it longingly, how long had it been since he laid upon a bed? He let go of Aragorn's hand and ran to the bed and collapsed upon it. He moaned at the soft texture, his fingers running over the sheets. Hearing Aragorn's deep laugh causing Rei to shot up, blushing deeply at how childish he had just acted.
"Oh please don't stop on my account" Aragorn stated as he knelt beside the bed, taking a hold of one of Rei's hands whilst looking up at him. Rei looked like a fallen angel, his hair slowly falling out of place, surrounding his face, framing it. His eyes wide and sparkling and Aragorn couldn't help but lean up and capture Rei's lips with his own. Rei blinked his eyes closed as he melted into the kiss, letting Aragorn take control. Rei pulled the ranger up upon the bed so he was on top of Rei, not once breaking the kiss. Rei's heart was thumping at an exhilarating rate as their kiss deepened. One of Aragorn's hands was behind Rei's neck, the over upon the lower of his back, keeping him pinned to Aragorn.
The kiss continued and Rei felt brave enough to slowly undo the rangers tunic. Only one of the clasps when Aragorn quickly pulled back. Rei flushed brightly and started to apologies as he laid there, looking off to the side
"No...no Rei don't feel like you have to be sorry" Aragorn said softly, his finger and thumb grasped Rei's chin gently, forcing him to look up at Aragorn "I would gladly take you right now, it would be an honour, but I would like to do this properly." Aragorn stood up from the bed, pulling Rei up with him "Stay here" He said before he walked over to where his belongings laid upon the ground. Rei was frowning deeply, do which properly? Before he could raise his question Aragorn had turned back and headed towards Rei
"Come on" He took the neko-jinns hand and lead them out of the tent and started to head up some stairs. The fellowship where fast asleep, though Rei noticed Frodo walking off, though he doubt he could get in much trouble. Aragorn lead Rei up higher upon the station the fellowship was upon, there was nothing up there just a floor in which to stand on but Rei wasn't looking down at the floor rather up in the sky where there was an opening in the trees and all he could see where stars. It really was breath taking "Beautiful isn't it?" Aragorn whispered into the neko-jinn's ear causing Rei to turn and look into the rangers eyes, nodding.
Aragorn smiled softly "Then I believe this is the perfect place..." Rei opened his mouth to question the mans motives but it hung open as he watched Aragorn fall down upon one knee "Rei...I know we've not known each other for long, but I can not see a life without you. You make me stronger, make me want to become a King. But I need you. I need you to rule by my side, we might not be able to produce a heir since you are not an elf but I don't care. I love you, I've loved you the moment I laid eyes upon you. Please. Marry me?" Aragorn begged at the end, as he lifted up the ring Elrond had given him "My ada Elrond gave this to me the day he told me of my lineage to my people. Now I give it to you in hopes we will rule together"
Rei stared at the ring, it was made out of silver, two serpents wrapped around a large emerald jewel, a gold crown placed above both serpents. It was beautiful, and Rei had forgotten everything, his friends and family, the fellowship, the one ring that would destroy this world, his own world. He forget everything except this moment "Yes" He whispered out, a smile forming over his lips as he repeated the "Yes" More loudly and confidently. A grin came over Aragorn as he pushed the ring upon his future spouse before standing up, picking Rei up and spinning him around, loving the giggle that escaped Rei. When he put him down Aragorn kissed the neko-jinn deeply
"My love" He whispered against the neko-jinn's lips though frowned when Rei pulled back
"What you said before...about producing heir's, can male elves do that?" Rei questioned, his hands resting upon Aragorn's shoulders.
"Yes, it's rare, but it has happened, it's said that when a Elf finds it's true mate the gods bless them with a child" Aragorn smiled at the thought, and Rei could see how the ranger would love a child
"I suppose I'm more Elf like than we first realise then" Rei smiled secretly up at his now fiancé confused face "When neko-jinn's find there mate, and if its the same sex then they can have a child together...Aragorn, you're my mate" Aragorn's eyes widened before he wrapped his arms around tightly against Rei kissing him once more.
In the morning the Fellowship gathered together by the lake where three small elven boats already rested. The group noticed the closeness of both Aragorn and Rei but no one said nothing, though the dark look in Boromir's eyes had returned, the stiffness in his body was more obvious. Legolas had tried to speak with the man but only received a brutal response causing the elf to storm off.
Rei wandered around the river whilst the Fellowship gather there belongings, packing the boats. The elves where very generous, giving the group food, water, even Galadriel had given each member a gift.
"Rei" The woman spoke making Rei look up and smile at the woman "You look beautiful even in these" She nodded towards the leggins and tunic the neko-jinn now wore "I am so tempted to ask you to stay" She stated sadly
"Why don't you?" He wondered out loud. Because you'll say no. He heard in his head making himself smile, as he looked down at the ring Aragon had gave him the previous night, he couldn't stay here, he belonged at his fiancé side.
"You are fortunate" She says suddenly "So fortunate, in fact, that I am at lost. I have bestowed gifts to the other members of the fellowship, but I can think of no greater gift than the one you already have" Galadriel smiled as she touched the ring upon Rei's hand "He truly loves you" She spokes softly
Rei nodded "I know, and I him" Galadriel smiled as she witnessed the neko-jinn looking over to the man he loved, how it was such a pure love she had never witnessed before
"Well, I do in fact, have a gift for you, two in fact" She smiled brightly seeing Rei's eyes sparkle with excitement "I gave one exactly like this to Legolas, he mentioned your skill with a bow" She handed him a large white wooded bow that had deep curves within it. It was extremely light and Rei held it up to test it out. She then handed him a small vile, no bigger than the palm of his hand, it was made out of pure crystal but inside there was a light blue liquid "This...this is a precious thing Rei, it is only to be used once and once only, it is a rare gift and one to be used very wisely" the elf stated seriously.
"W-what is it?" Rei asked nervous, the lady didn't suit being so serious
"You'll know when the time is right, just remember we all make mistakes Rei, and some of us deserve a second chance" Rei nodded as he pocketed the vile somewhere safe. "Here" She handed over Drigger "He will also keep you safe, he is a wise guardian" They both smiled when the blade flashed green at the compliment. Galadriel dried her eyes before pulling the neko-jinn close, kissing the top of his head "Please...please uuma ma' ten' rashwe" She whispered into his raven hair, causing Rei to laugh lightly
"Don't look for trouble? I'll remember that"
"Your learning fast Rei...now go" She gently pushed him away, watching him return to the Fellowship "Namaarie Rei. Cormamin niuve tenna' ta elea lle au' poikaer" (Farewell Rei. My heart shall weep until it sees thee again pure one) She whispered gently.
Rei quickly made it to the boats just as they finished packing, everyone seemed in high spirits. Rei's smile brightened when Aragorn came over, kissing the top of his head. Aragorn eyed his new bow "It was a gift from Lady Galadriel...what gift did she give you?" He asked curiously
Aragorn smiled warmly at his precious creature. "She is a wise woman" He stated softly "So wise that she knew that there was no gift that could compete with the gift of your love" Seeing Rei's eyes brightened he couldn't help but lean down and kiss him, ignoring the cat calls the four hobbits and one dwarf where making.
After that, they rowed away from the beautiful city. Rei turned , just as the the boats where turning around a bend, just in time to see Lady Galadriel and Lord Celeborn raise a single hand up in the air. A farewell to the Fellowship.
The Three Elven boats drift slowly through a steep rocky gorge in the pre-dawn light. Rei was alone in a boat with Aragorn. Boromir had Merry and Pipin in his boat, whilst Legolas had Sam, Frodo and Gimli. The stream soon turned into a river. Soon the Fellowship came across two enormous rock statues, towering over 300 foot pinnacles on either side of the river, each carved images of Gondorian kings of old. They loom over the boats with power and majesty.
"The Argonath..." Aragorn whispered gently, causing Rei to turn to face him. Aragorn looked, strangely moved by the beauty of the silent sentinels. He speaks, almost as if to himself. "Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old, my kin." Rei couldn't help but smile
"Perhaps one day you will have your own statue" He said causing a grin to come over Aragorn
"My dear beloved, only great kings get there own statues" Aragorn said softly before he laughed hearing Rei huffed
"And you my dearest husband to be will be such a great king" the neko-jinn smiled cheekily "Especially if I will be ruling beside you" The two then fell into a comfortable silence. They traveled for a further mile before coming ashore, The Fellowship leapt out of their boats and dragged them upon the shore. Aragorn already started to collect wood to start a fire
"We cross the lake at nightfall, hide the boats and continue on foot. We then approach Mordor from the North." and airy silence followed Aragorn's words, no one spoke for several moments before Gimli spoke up, his voice loud yet full of gloom
"Oh, yes, just a simple matter of finding our way through Emyn Muil, an impassable labyrinth of razor sharp rocks. And after that gets even better" The dwarf says sarcastically "A festering, stinking marshland, far as the eye can see." Rei held in his laugh as he saw Legolas in the far corner rolled his eyes. He knew the Elf and Dwarf had called a truce back at Lothlórien but they still seemed to have a long way to go.
Rei didn't listen to the reply as his eyes glazed over, the sudden flashes of the firery eye was all he could. Rei's feet began to move on there own, quietly into the woods, no one noticing his departure. The final thing he heard was Legolas's warning
"A shadow and a threat has been growing in my mind. Something draws near, I can feel it." He whispered harshly into Aragorn's ears, he then tensed upon hearing Merry question Frodo's whereabouts. The elf looked around and noticed Boromir gone. His eyes widened "Wheres Rei?" He asked in fear causing Aragorn to tense and quickly look around