wow this one was really easy to write. its amazing the things one will do to avoid homework :D how you enjoy this new chapter!

Chapter 2: Sods and stones

Dúniel walked tiredly from the breakfast table, her siblings gentle taunts ringing in her ears.

"Give him a great big smooch!" Minuial called, giggling.

Dúniel blushed furiously and made her way quickly to the White Tree, where Arash already stood. He spun when she tapped his shoulder, clearly surprised.

"You walk like a cat!" he said, holding a hand over his heart. "You should know better than to sneak up on an armed warrior."

"I do know better than to sneak up on warriors." she teased.

"Ouch." he winced. "I must think before I speak around you."

"I agree. You are amusing me far too easily."

"Really? That must be an accomplishment in itself. The servants have been chattering about how you never smile anymore." Dúniel's face saddened, and she looked down.
Arash cursed. "I am sorry. My tongue gets the better of me."

"I guess we are even then." she said, shrugging. "Don't be afraid to tease me. I can take quite a bit. I dole it out enough." Arash laughed, and looked up behind her.

"Father?" he said, frowning slightly.

Dúniel blinked when she saw fear and guilt in the young man's eyes. Mazid nodded at Dúniel, then grabbed Arash's arm and pulled him away slightly.

"What are you doing?" Mazid hissed in his native tongue, tightening his hold on Arash's arm. "This is hardly the purpose I brought you here for!"

"Don't be stupid." Arash said angrily. "I am doing exactly what you want me to do, and I take no pleasure in it. I can hardly do this if you are constantly in my face." Mazid glowered furiously.

"You are lucky that monster is watching, else I'd knock you black and blue for your cheek."

"Go ahead." Arash snarled. "I don't fear you."

"Yes, you do." Mazid laughed nastily. "Why else would you agree to follow my orders?" he pulled Arash forward. "Don't even think about telling anyone. And don't get attached, understand? She has to think you want her. Don't let her find out why." Arash pulled his arm from Mazid's grip.

"I can keep secrets. I've spent my life keeping yours." Arash looked back at Dúniel. "This is wrong." he whispered. "She's not a monster."

"Just go and do your job, if you're so clever." he pushed his son away, and stalked off.

"Are you alright?" Arash turned to see the princess behind him. "He was holding you pretty hard."

"I'm fine." he said shortly. "What do you care, anyway?" Dúniel scowled.

"I don't. And if you're going to talk to me like that, I'm not going anywhere with you."

"It's not like I was expecting you to turn up!" Arash replied angrily.

"Me! You were the one who was supposed to be hiding around a corner laughing at the stupid princess."

"I have never called you stupid!"

"No, but I bet you've been listening to all the rumours about me! They're all lies, by the way!" she had no idea why so was so angry, why she was so intent on being right. But right about what? And he was arguing, with her! The princess! Nobody argued with her! It felt, strangely enough, refreshing.

"Are you just determined to hate me?" he said angrily. "Sure, I hear rumour, but I'm not going to believe them! I don't know what happened to you, princess, but I know that the only person I'll hear any truth out of will be you, and I'm not expecting you to tell me anything, so I'm just going to let you keep your own business, but I don't appreciate that you've known me five seconds and are trying to find every reason to hate me just to prevent yourself from being hurt!" Arash was so furious it took him a few moments to realise the things he'd said, and the shock on Dúniel's face. But he found himself unable to
back off. It was her fault they were arguing, if she hadn't...

...asked if he was alright...

"How do you do that?" Dúniel asked in a small voice.

"What?" he snapped.

"Read me." she was shaking slightly. "You stand there and argue with me, and speak more
sense and truth than I have heard in a long time, and everything you say is...true." she stared up at him, paralysing him with her green gaze. "No one has ever been able to figure out that I fight with people to keep them from getting close." Arash managed to break her gaze and look away.

"My mother believed I have a gift. I can read people, as you put it. I can tell if there worth my time or not." he looked back at her. "You hide under layers of hurt and pain, but I can still sense the real you."

Dúniel couldn't take her eyes off him. This boy - this young man - fascinated her. And she hadn't noticed just how sexy his accent was until that moment.

"Really?" she whispered. "I can do that too. I get it from my mother." she shook her head slightly. "I've never met anyone outside my family who can do it. That's why I came. You have a good heart, I can sense that. But you have pain too. Were you hurt?" Arash looked down.

"I think you and I share a particular loneliness that comes only from betrayal." he said quietly. "Now, if you've finished interrogating and insulting me, are you going to show me around or not?" Dúniel managed to nod, and shook herself.

She was feeling strange. She was allowing herself to want to find out about him, to know more, to be his friend. She couldn't allow that. She was so severely confused, and it wasn't even nine yet.

"We should get some food. It'll take us most of the day, and that's because I'll be giving you the once over. If there's anything in particular you want to go back to, just ask and we'll go tomorrow, alright?" he nodded.

"Will you be giving me the once over in public or privately?" he asked suddenly with a completely straight face.

The look on Dúniel's face was priceless, and he couldn't help but start laughing. He had a lovely laugh, and it was strangely infectious. Dúniel found herself giggling a little.

"Perhaps we should call a bit of a truce. We are finding far to much innuendo in each other's words." she said, half-smiling. Arash grinned.

"And spoil my fun? Oh very well."

"Come on, let's get some food."

Dúniel was amazed at how much she enjoyed showing the young Harad her home. He was clearly fascinated and excited by everything he saw, and listened to everything she said. He asked sensible questions, and showed her the kind of acceptance and respect she'd thought no one would show her again. They spent longer than expected in the library and armoury, but Dúniel loved these areas of Minas Tirith, and reveled in her chance to show off her knowledge. Arash himself was deeply impressed by how much she knew, especially when it came to weaponry. They were thoroughly enjoying their time together, occasionally stopping to eat from the bag the servants had prepared for them. But Dúniel felt later she should've known the pleasantries were too good to last. They were on the second level and heading for the first when a hand suddenly landed on her shoulder.

"Good morning, little princess." a low voice whispered in her ear. She stiffened and tore from his grip, glaring furiously to mask her grief.

"Gwarth." she hissed. "I told you to stay away from me." Gwarth, a tall and bulky Gordorian, sneered at his mates, two brothers named Dírum and Dírfaeg, both of whom were larger than Gwarth.

"Who's your new friend, little princess?" Gwarth asked, moving forward. "Does he know we were lovers?" Dúniel slapped him hard across the face.

"How dare you!" she cried. "We were not!" Gwarth smirked at Arash, who was looking rather red.

"She's just shy. Why don't you give us a kiss?" he went to grab her but narrowly missed having his hand cut off. He pulled back, glowering furiously at Arash, who stood in front of Dúniel, curved sword glinting in the sun.

"How dare you treat your princess with such contempt and disrespect!" he snarled. Dúniel, trying to recover from the shock of someone standing up for her, was stunned at the anger in his voice. "She told you to leave her alone." Dírum and Dírfaeg moved forward, the three young men creating a wall of muscle.

"This is not your business, Harad!" Gwarth said, cracking his knuckles. "You don't belong here. Step aside now and you'll escape a much needed lesson."

"Leave now and I'll let you live."

"Arash, no, if you kill them there will be a war!" Dúniel cried, grabbing his arm. "Please, put your sword down." Arash stood stock still for a moment then lowered his sword. Gwarth laughed.

"How pathetic, taking orders from a monster." Arash looked close to attacking them again, but managed to turn and gently pull Dúniel away, sheathing his sword.

"How dare you turn your back on me, coward!" Gwarth yelled. Arash stopped very suddenly.

"Don't listen to him." Dúniel whispered desperately."Please, you're not a coward."

"But they can't get away with this." he said angrily. He unbuckled his sword belt and handed it to her. "I will not touch them, I promise you." he turned and walked straight at Gwarth, who grinned triumphantly, believing in the advantage of his size and numbers.

Dírum swung first, aiming for Arash's head. He ducked suddenly, and Dírum, continuing his momentum, hit Dírfaeg instead, knocking him cold. As Dírfaeg collapsed under Dírum's horrified gaze, Gwarth tried to hit Arash, who once again managed to avoid being hit by moving faster than he looked. Dírum joined Gwarth in attempting to hit Arash, but ended up hitting each other, while Arash continued to avoid being scathed. Dúniel watched in amazement as Arash tired the two young men into almost collapse, feeling as thought she should probably step in and help but deciding to watch instead. It was far more fascinating. Gwarth and Dírum stood panting heavily while Arash stood in front of them, not even sweating. Dírum fell to his knees, too exhausted to stand. Arash caught Gwarth's eye, then gestured him to look around. Gwarth suddenly noticed the crowd of servants and commoners watching the display with interest.

"They watched you not even lay a finger on me." Arash said lightly. "I think your lesson for today is complete. Next time we meet, you will treat me and the princess with respect and courtesy. Unless you want to be shamed in front of everyone again." Arash turned and walked back to Dúniel, who stared at him with deep respect in her eyes.

"You didn't touch them." she said as he took his sword back. He grinned slightly as he wrapped the belt around his waist.

"I did promise you. I'm a man of my word." Dúniel seemed to still be in shock.

"Thank you." she said quietly. "But why did you stand up for me?"

"Why shouldn't I?" he replied lightly. "It's the least I can do to repay you for this little outing."

"I could've handled them, you know." she said, her voice sounding strained. "I didn't need your help." Arash frowned slightly.

"I don't doubt it, princess." he said, not sure whether to be angry or confused.

Dúniel felt confusion and shock overwhelming her, feelings she was unused to were springing up in her mind. It was upsetting that she was having such a reaction to someone wanting to help her, which just made her feel even worse.

"Princess, are you well?" Arash asked, looking concerned. "You look very pale." Dúniel stared up at him, breathing hard.

"Y-you don't understand, you couldn't. I-I need the see Amel." she turned suddenly and headed for the stables on the first level, Arash rushing after her.

"Amel? Who is that?" he asked, trying to keep up. Dúniel was walking as fast as most people jog, and trying hard to keep the tears from her eyes.

"My friend. The only friend I have left." Dúniel stormed into the stables and headed down the path. Arash frowned slightly.

"Is Amel a stable hand?" Dúniel shook her head, and reached towards a beautiful brown mare with a white star on her forehead. The horse whinnied happily, nudging Dúniel gently with her muzzle.

"This is Amel." Dúniel said quietly, wrapping her arms around the horses neck."She's always been there for me, when everyone else left me." she turned her face into Amel's mane, hiding her tears.

Arash felt a terrible feeling of pity and grief flood his body. Her only friend was a horse, a creature that could listen to her troubles, even comfort her, but couldn't talk back, or hold her and wipe her tears. How lonely would a person be to search for comfort in a creature that didn't understand the concept of betrayal and loneliness, who couldn't understand the words she spoke or the tears she wept? He let his gaze flicker over the scar on her face when she pulled away, wiping her cheeks. Clearly, that wound had scarred more than just her face.

Author's note: translations

Gwarth (betrayer)

Dírum (evil man)

Dírfaeg (bad man)

Amel (powerful gift)