For Disclaimer please view chapter 1.

Author's note: Firstly I'd like to thank Nieriel Raina for the heads up on the chapter heading confusion…I was a bit confused myself, but it is all fixed now.

Secondly: Especially concerning Nieriel Raina but all of my other readers as well. This chapter may seem harsh to you, and many may seem out of character, but I urge you not to give up on the story, there is much more to it than you realize and all will be explained and understood if you stick with the story. Men are different when they are kings, even honourable men have to change and must make decisions on behalf of their entire kingdom not just themselves, decisions that we may not like. I struggled with it as well; in stories I have only ever known Aragorn and Eomer as men, and not kings…at least not kings who had ruled for many years. This is all I can say and hope that you have enough faith in my writing to continue reading, all hope is not lost. With that said, read and enjoy!

Kersi

Chapter 5: A Mockery in the Court of Rohan

Aurel had spent several months in Minas Tirith, being quieter than she normally was and instilling a myth in the kingdom that there was an Elven ghost that haunted the palace at night. She had not heard from anyone outside of Minas Tirith, nor had she received any news on Lasneth's fate. She assumed that if something horrible had happened to him, she would have been notified, but with the way things were between her and Legolas, she was not certain on that anymore. When the news that travellers from Rohan had arrived in the kingdom she found herself curious and went to see who they were, little did she know that they did not bear good news. As she came down the stairs to try and catch a glimpse of the travellers she was stopped by Arwen who seemed out of breath.

"What has happened in Eryn Lasgalen that you have not told us about?" she asked seriously.

So many things had happened and swirled in her mind that Aurel did not know what to say, she just shook her head. "Why do you ask such a question?"

"Those men are here for you."

Shock marked Aurel's face. "What do you mean they are here for me?"

Arwen pulled Aurel by the arm and back up the stairs to a more secluded place. "They have commands from Eomer-king himself to have you taken back to Rohan, as a prisoner."

"This is ridiculous, on what charge?"

Before Arwen could answer, two large knocks came to the door, the door then swung open and two guards appeared. "You are both requested to report to the throne room immediately."

"How dare you, is this how you treat to your queen?" asked Arwen.

"If you do not come down by choice, then by force it shall be, by orders of the King." replied one of the guards.

Arwen and Aurel looked at one another and then at the guards, there was no way they would fight the guards on this matter, their only choice was to do as the guards had asked. They both walked slowly down the stone stairs, with the guards at close watch behind them. When they reached the throne room, Aragorn was standing there with the most serious look that Aurel had ever seen him give.

"Is this her?" asked one on the travellers from Rohan. He was a tall man with a long beard; his clothes marked him as one of the Rohan's elite guards. When no one said anything, the man spoke again, this time his tone of voice grew more annoyed; "I am under orders here to bring her back to Rohan…"

Aurel interrupted him. "And who exactly is it you are looking for?"

The guard frowned, "The wife of Prince Legolas of Eryn Lasgalen, Princess Aurel."

"Then it is I whom you seek, but why?"

The guard did not respond, he only motioned for the other men with him to approach Aurel and tie her hands. Of course, Aragorn immediately stood in front of her, and Arwen held onto her sister tightly. "Do not dare to touch her!" She shouted.

"Move aside. You may be royals of this land, but she is a wanted criminal, if you stop us from taking this Elf then you and your kingdom both shall be under the wrath of King Eomer."

Still, Aragorn had not said a word, he put his hand on the hilt of his sword, and all the guards with him of Minas Tirith prepared themselves for a fight. It was a grievous situation, and Aurel would not allow there to be bloodshed. She pulled herself away from her sister and moved past Aragorn. She did not say a word and lifted both her hands so that they could easily be tied.

"Aurel, no!" cried Arwen.

"I will not allow what little peace you have been granted in this life to be taken away. I will go with these men." She said without looking at either Arwen or Aragorn.

Arwen turned to her husband in the desperation of watching her sister being taken away by these men. "You cannot let them do this! She is our sister!"

"Wait." Said Aragorn, he weighed his options. If he resisted the men taking Aurel, it would lead to unpredictable consequences between Gondor and Rohan and interrupt the peace they had fought for for so long, but if he let them take Aurel, then Arwen would surely never speak to him again and he would not be able to forgive himself if anything ever happened to Aurel. He was a king, he was not just a brother and husband any longer and though it pained him to let them take her, he had to, though he still had some power left to sway the situation. "I want your word as honourable men that no harm will come her way, she is not only a Princess to the kingdom of Eryn Lasgalen but she is my most beloved sister, and she is in a delicate condition."

The lead guard looked at back at Aurel who stood with the other guards, her head high. He stared at her glowing face and its graceful features and then trailed down to the small bulge in front of her waist, of which he had not been informed. Why would they not tell him that the Elf they were taking prisoner was with child? He looked back at Aragorn, "We know who she is King Aragorn, and we give you our word that she will not come to see harm."

Aragorn looked at Aurel, and she looked at him with understanding, yet questioned had their roles been reversed if she would have let him been taken away so easily. She could not bear to look at Arwen whom she could feel was full of fear for her. Aurel did not know why she was being taken to Rohan, nor did she believe the word of these men, who seemed no more honourable than the treacherous deserters of men during the War of Ring. The lead guard came up to her and gently placed his hand on her back, leading her out and away. To her surprise she was placed on a horse of her own, she had half expected to have to walk all the way to Rohan. Her hands were tied too tightly for her own liking, but she uttered not a word as the guards began to ride out. The pace they went at was fast, and she was uncomfortable, needless to say the last time she had been on a horse was before she had grown at the waist. She knew that with hard riding they were at least five days away from Rohan. They would stop at night to catch some rest, but Aurel could not sleep. She kept it hidden how afraid she was, and she usually had two guards watching her at every moment. Most times they would fall asleep, and she could easily escape; but where to? There was no where to go and she was not in the best condition, in all honesty it would fare her better to stay where she was despite the uncertainty of her fate. She thought long and hard of why Eomer-king would take such drastic measures against her, what had happened in the months that she had been away from Eryn Lasgalen? Were she and Eomer not old friends? Or at the very least old allies? Why not just ask to meet with her instead of such a dramatic capture and how had they known that she was in Minas Tirith? These questions plagued her mind as they rode day after day without much rest or food. The lead guard had kept his word to a certain extent, he was aware of her most basic of needs and always brought her water, but it did not matter to him what condition she was in. If she were to fall and injure herself it would not bother him in the least. She was exhausted by the time they reached Medusheld in Rohan and was grateful to see the old familiar wooden structure where she had been many times before. Her wrists were sore from the rope and she could feel the broken skin underneath, the life inside her had been quiet since she had left Minas Tirith, but it did not worry her, he had been quiet before. The lead guard helped her down from her horse and she leaned into him from weariness. He quickly made sure she could balance on her own two feet as he pulled her by the arms in front of the large wooden doors that lead to the main hall. People were giving her dreadful looks as she entered and there, sitting in the king's throne was Eomer.

"I have brought her as you wished my lord." said the guard.

Eomer nodded, "You have done well."

Aurel had hoped that she would be able to decipher what was going on by this point, but Eomer only gave her a cold stare. When he did not speak to her, she spoke. "Eomer King, I do not understand why I am here and under what conditions I am a prisoner of yours."

He smiled but not a smile from pleasure, a smile of disdain. "You know very well why you are here Elf."

Surprised at his tone she replied. "I have a name."

"So you do." Was all he said and then turned back to look at his faithful guard, "Take her to her cell."

Discouraged by his actions she spoke once more, "I have been courteous long enough, I complied with coming here. I will not withstand this treatment any longer, whatever it is you think that I have done, speak it so that I may know by what convictions you have brought me here!"

Eomer only ignored her, as the guard dragged her away.

She was stunned at how Eomer had treated her, and now she was in full fear of what her fate might be. She reluctantly was led to her cell. It smelled foul, as if animals had been butchered there long ago. It was a small stone cell, no windows except on the wooden door, and that was just a small hole with iron bars lining it. The guard cut her lose from her ties, and it was then she saw the entire extent of what the rope had done to the skin around her wrists, it was worse than she had believed it to be. As the door closed behind her she leaned her head against the cold stonewall and hoped that Legolas might be able to help her. She spent the rest of the night and the following day in the cell, without food or water, or reason as to why she was there in the first place. She sat there waiting patiently for there was nothing else for her to do. The following night, someone came to visit her, under disguise. A figure in a dark cloak, and it brought with it something to eat and drink. Aurel tried to get a glimpse of who it could be.

"Who are you?" she asked.

The figure pulled back its hood to reveal long golden hair, a pale face, and two blue eyes that stared at her deeply.

"Eowyn?" asked Aurel in surprise.

"I came as soon as I heard they had you in here. Please eat something…" Eowyn sighed and shook her head. "My brother is stubborn, he will not let you go, it was the only way to get Master Legolas to come to Rohan."

"I do not understand what is happening."

Eowyn suddenly looked nervous as she placed her hands on Aurel's abdomen. "Your child grows well, do not neglect it nourishment. Aragorn tells me that you are in your ninth month?"

Aurel pushed Eowyn's hands away. "Why am I here?" asked Aurel sternly.

Eowyn stood up quickly. "I cannot tell you, I am not even supposed to be here. I came out of concern for you and your child."

Angry Aurel looked away, "I do not need your concern."

"You most certainly do, no one else cares for you here, it is dangerous for you to be left alone in this place."

Aurel did not say another word, the very presence of Eowyn standing there was filling her with such a rage that she thought she might hit her.

Eowyn stood there for a while not know what to say, after a while of just standing there staring at Aurel, she gave a sigh, and had the guards open the door for her. "Farewell." Was all she said before leaving.

The next morning, Aurel could hear a large commotion coming from outside her cell door. Two guards came storming in and demanded for her to stand up. Aurel took her time to stand, knowing that it would annoy the guards. Halfway up, one of the guards grabbed her by the arm and pulled her the rest of the way up; squeezing her arm tightly. Aurel pulled her arm away immediately, her strength was still obvious, she was stronger than any man would ever be. The guard was embarrassed that she had been able to free herself from his grasp so easily and he grabbed her arm once more.

"Give us a reason Elf!" shouted the guard.

Aurel did not know what he meant by that, and she pulled her arm away again; adding insult to injury for the guard. He went by his gut reaction, lifted his hand and slapped her as hard as he could.

She almost cried out, but instead she just stumbled awkwardly away and hit the wall. The other guard took advantage of her state and grabbed her hands, quickly tying them as tight as possible and then pulling her out of the cell. She wanted to cry out, how was it that she was there? And by what manner was she being treated so lowly? She knew where she was being taken, and it was back to the great hall to make audience with Eomer, there would be no other reason otherwise to ever let her out.

The hall was dark, but Aurel could feel it was morning; she was pulled roughly out into it. She wanted to scream, but the sting on her face was still near and she could not risk the welfare of the child. As she walked out there, an overwhelming sensation took control of her, and she knew why, standing there as she walked out into the hall was Legolas.

When he saw the state that she was in, he immediately went to go towards her, but Eomer then decided to speak. "Go any nearer and she will be taken away, Prince Legolas."

"What is the meaning of this?" demanded Legolas as he kept walking towards her.

"Take her back!" shouted Eomer.

The guards pulled harshly on the rope that tied Aurel's hands.

"No! Wait." said Legolas, stopping. "I will stay where I am." He turned to face the king. "Eomer-King, what is the meaning of this? Why have you tied Aurel's hands, why is she here at all?"

"For many months now have I been trying to seek counsel with you, and you have hid in your stone palace." Said Eomer. "She was the only way of getting you to come here."

"You never sought to seek counsel with me; your messengers only demanded that I hand over my brother, without reason, to Rohan. Is this how you tend to seek counsel?"

"Your brother has committed a crime, and through that so have you both." Said Eomer coolly.

At the mention of the word crime, both Aurel and Legolas stood in there in bewilderment.

"What supposed crime to you speak of Eomer?" asked Aurel.

"You will address me by the title which I now hold." Said Eomer.

"I will only do so when I deem you deserve that title!" she replied.

"Ah yes, your sharp tongue, how could I forget that? Sharper still now that he is here." Said Eomer looking at Legolas, he then quickly looked at her again, "You forget what place you are in and that you are a prisoner here."

She smirked. "It would be in your best interest to tell us what mockery of the royal court of Rohan you make now Eomer. I am also of a noble title, yet the rules have not been applied to me, I have not been given food or water since I arrived, and your guards have been less than courteous with me."

Legolas's pupils dilated as he heard her speak, he did not know what, "less than courteous" meant, but if he was to find out that they had hurt her in any way, he would have them punished.

The hall was now in silence as Eomer stared at Aurel, not knowing exactly what to say.

"Come now Eomer, have we not been friends you and I, despite all the troubles between us? I had believed things to be better." Said Aurel gently.

Eomer's face softened as he heard Aurel speak, what she was saying was true. "They were." He looked around his court, "Depart this hall immediately, only when I call you are you to return." He said to his guards and the audience of nobles and counsellors. All obeyed without question and left Aurel standing there, feet away from Legolas still.

When all had departed and it was only the three of them in the hall, Eomer stepped down from his wooden throne. He went firstly to Aurel and untied her hands slowly. "There are things I must do that I wish I did not have to do." He said looking at her, he looked down at the state of her wrists; they were badly bruised. "I did not mean to be so harsh, but as King I cannot be lenient…" He looked over to Legolas now, "As Eomer, I can. I can tell you have no idea of what is happening here which only confirms my worst fears." Eomer walked back to his throne and sat down. "Your brother is wanted here, Legolas, for a crime against Ene."

"Ene?" asked Aurel.

Eomer only nodded.

"That woman poisoned by brother and left him to his death." Said Legolas.

At hearing those words Aurel panicked, but before the words could be formed Legolas responded. He looked at her, feeling the emotion that came forth. "He is alive, do not worry." He said softly.

Eomer observed their behaviour now, it seemed distant, and he wondered why Aurel had not known about what had happened to Lasneth. "She is claiming that he took physical advantage of her, and that he has been for years, without her consent. She claims that she has told of you this and that neither of you offered sympathy and have done nothing to punish it."

Aurel exploded with anger. "That is lie! That is a despicable lie! Were we to have done that we would have to have the blackest of hearts, and to accuse Prince Lasneth of such a crime!? How could she ever say something like that?"

"Calm down Aurel, obviously it's a lie." Said Legolas closing the distance between them and taking hold of her hand.

"I will not calm down, she has harmed this family long enough, and now to claim such a horrible crime, something that would break a good Elf was he to have done such a thing…which he has not. After everything we have done! She would harm us even more!?"

"Your brother must appear before my court." Said Eomer to Legolas.

"He will not." Said Legolas.

"If he is to prove he is innocent, he must come here and convince me of it."

"That will not happen." Said Aurel. "He is already guilty in the minds of your people, no doubt Ene has spread her ill news…he will be punished for a crime he has not committed, there will be no mercy spared on him. That is why you have us here. If you do not take justice on him, your people will…" Aurel looked at him, "And if your people cannot take out justice on him, you will on us."

"Not on both of you." Said Eomer. "I cannot risk war."

"You already risk it!" Legolas was angry now, "You have imprisoned a royal member of Eryn Lasgalen, without reason!"

"With Reason!" shouted Eomer. "What would you have me do?!"

"Convince your people of what you know is the truth!" said Legolas. "Ene lies, and you know it…her behaviour in Rohan proves it."

"It is not only Ene who says this is true…" said Eomer.

"Who else would say such a thing?" asked Aurel.

"Ethaen confirms his sister's telling." He replied.

All thought ceased for Aurel at that moment, and the blankness that it left Legolas with nearly knocked him to the ground. "Aurel?" He asked, and then a wave of pain hit him, but it was not coming from Aurel, it was coming from their child. The child was calling out for help, Aurel had ceased the connection between them as well and the child was panicking.

Her eyes were blank; there was nothing there. Eomer slowly stood from his throne not understanding what was happening to Aurel. He watched as Legolas spoke to Aurel in their native tongue, and when she finally collapsed in his arms, Eomer went to their aid. "What has happened?"

"She is weak from days without nourishment…did you not know she was in a delicate state?" He asked Eomer harshly without looking at him.

Eomer was still confused, it was then that he noticed what he had failed to notice all along, and that which none had mentioned to him. Aurel was pregnant, and visibly so, but with all the clothing she wore for the wintertime, he had not thought it strange or given it a second thought. "What does she need?"

"Proper care Eomer!"

Eomer only looked at him in frustration. "I had not known…had I…I would not have…"

Legolas gave out a small grunt and Eomer quickly called for his guards to bring Eowyn. When Eowyn entered the hall she had expected to be scolded, but instead she found herself rushing to the aid of Aurel. "What has happened to her?"

"She needs to be in an open space, she is suffocating…"

"And the child? Is she in labour?"

Legolas shook his head, "No, it is not that. She just needs a place that is open."

"I cannot allow her or you to be unguarded." Said Eomer, his voice hardened.

"Do what you wish! What do you take us for Eomer? All I care about is Aurel… post a hundred guards if you think us that devious…. can you provide us a room at least? Out of courtesy for our past dealings together?" Legolas was loosing all patience.

"I will have to keep the two of your separated." He said harshly and then went back to sit on his throne, he was no longer Eomer, he was now King of Rohan again, and he had realized the opportunity before him.

"No, she needs me."

Eomer called the guards. "Take the prince to his cell, tell his guards what we wish in exchange for him, if they resist tell them harm will come to the royal couple…"

The guards grabbed Legolas immediately by the shoulders, and Legolas fought back.

"Eomer!" said Eowyn in disgust, "Why do you do this?!"

"Concern yourself with Aurel and nothing else." He replied to his sister.

"Prince Legolas…if you wish for Aurel to be taken care of, then I suggest you behave." Said Eomer.

Legolas still struggled against the four guards that held on to him and they began to drag him away. "This will not be forgotten Eomer…you are making a grave mistake!" Legolas looked over to Eowyn who had called servants to help her carry Aurel to a room. The child was still calling out to him for help. Legolas continued to struggle against the guards, but they soon calmed him as he was hit harshly against the head and fell unconscious.