thanx so much for all the revies! hug

Chapter 3: Beers, tears and fears

"Princess, I don't understand what I've done to upset you."Arash said, moving forward and gently stroking Amel's forehead. Dúniel shook her head.

"No, you don't. You don't understand, no one does."

"Can you tell me?"he asked gently.

"Why? So you can tell everyone what the pathetic princess cried to you!"she said angrily.
Amel snorted, pulling her head away from Dúniel's loud voice. Dúniel looked like she'd been slapped, and looked down."I'm sorry, I just...I can't trust anyone."

"Gwarth betrayed you, didn't he?"Arash said gently. Dúniel refused to make any movement. Arash sighed."Come on, you must meet my stallion, Truenos."he reached out and took her hand.

This itself was such a massive shock that she allowed him numbly to pull her deeper into the stables. A magnificent black stallion stood in the third to last stall, stamping his foot impatiently.

"He's beautiful." Dúniel whispered, moving forward. Arash tightened his grip on her hand.

"Just be careful. He tends to bite new people. He even bites me if he's in a mood." Dúniel smiled. Arash blinked. He had never seen her smile, even if there was no humour in it. He felt a strange stirring in his belly.

"We'll see." she cautiously reached out with her free hand.

Truenos drew his lip back warningly, his ears flattening. Dúniel suddenly started whispering in Elvish. Arash watched in astonishment as Truenos's ears pricked and flicked towards her, and his lip lowered. The princess gently pressed her hand on the stallions nose. After a moment, he lowered his head, allowing her to stroke his silky mane. Arash knew his mouth was hanging open, but was too amazed to close it.

"That's incredible."he managed.

"You just have to know the right thing to say."she said, pulling his hand over to rest it on Truenos's velvet nose. He snuffled gently.

"No one's ever gotten him this calm. He was born in the wild."Arash said, rubbing his horses nose gently. "Seems you have more than one gift." Dúniel shrugged.

"I love horses."she said quietly."They show such loyalty and love, more than any human has ever-"she cut herself off quickly, cursing."Why are you so easy to talk too?"she said, almost angrily.

"I don't mean to be."he said, moving closer to her, sliding his hand down Truenos's neck. Dúniel seemed not to notice.

"I suppose it's just nice to have someone to talk to. Someone who can talk back."she looked up at him, and was startled at how close he was standing.

"I know what loneliness is like."he said quietly, looking away. Dúniel started breathing again."Perhaps that is why I've enjoyed today so much."

"You certainly have a way with words. You must be quite the ladies man back home."

"You'd think so, wouldn't you?"he laughed.

"Oh, surely you have someone waiting for you?"Arash smiled gently.

"Well, there is one lovely maiden." Dúniel looked up, waiting for him to continue.

"Is she beautiful?"

"Very. Not that beauty is all important."he said quickly."I do love her. She'll be four soon."Dúniel blinked, and for a moment, confusion overtook her mind.

"Four? You love a four year old?"she managed. Arash laughed suddenly.

"She is my niece."he grinned. Dúniel half-smiled, shaking her head."Have you enjoyed today?"he asked suddenly.

"It has been a relatively good day."she agreed. She jumped when his fingers brushed hers, then wrapped around hers and gently pulled her hand away from Truenos.

"If your had friends that left you just because of a scar, then they are not worth the air they breathe."he said harshly. Dúniel could feel her heart racing in fear and anticipation."You may not believe you are beautiful, but I think you are. You're smart and have the filthiest sense of humour I've ever encountered,"he grinned handsomely,"and you deserve better than whatever it was that hurt you so." Dúniel was breathing heavily, emotions racing through her body as he gently pulled her forward.

"You don't mean that." she managed as he moved closer.

"Would you think it too forward and inappropriate if I did something very bold?" he whispered, making her shiver.

Completely paralysed, Dúniel watched in amazement as he leaned forward to kiss her. He was bare centimeters from her lips when a shrill giggle pierced the air, followed by a brief shower of hay and the sound of the giggle being smothered. Arash and Dúniel looked at one another for a moment, then looked up at the same movement to see two black haired heads ducking out of sight in the rafters, creating another hay fall.

"Minuial! Merenwen!" Dúniel cried, backing away from Arash."How dare you!" Minuial looked guilty for a moment, then turned to Arash, who was burning red.

"Well? Are you going to kiss her or not?"she demanded. Arash opened his mouth but no sound emerged. Dúniel was still backing away, looking close to tears again

"Princess, wait a moment..."Arash managed, but Dúniel paled magnificently.

"I have to go."she whispered, and turned and sprinted from the stables. Arash glared furiously at the two sisters, who were now looking thoroughly guilty.

"Do you always spy on your sister?"Arash said angrily.

"No!"Minuial said, standing."Help us down, would you?"Arash held the ladder steady to allow Merenwen to climb down, followed closely by Minuial."Eldarion asked us to accompany you two, but we decided to hang back a little. Dúniel is more than capable of fighting off any attempts, although, I don't think she was expecting the one you gave her."Minuial smiled gently."Besides, you seemed to be having enough fun without us. We just followed to make sure nothing happened."

"I fear we may have all upset her."Arash said, sighing.

"Dúniel's never been kissed."Merenwen said, swinging her skirts."She's sad because she's lonely."

"And you know this and you're all of seven?"Arash said lightly.

"Eight!" she said indignantly.

"She's right though."Miniual said, picking hay from her sisters hair."Poor Dúniel's been abandoned by everyone she thought she could trust."

"Why are you telling me this?"Arash asked curiously."It is not my business."Miniual smiled slightly.

"I know my sister. You fascinate her. You asked her to show you around, you showed up, you protected her. And I can see that you like my sister for who she is. Her scar doesn't seem to bother you as much as it does everyone else, unless you're hiding it really well."she sighed."I just wanted to see her relax and have a good time, and be happy. She hasn't been happy for such a long time, and she enjoys teasing you, and likes that you tease her back."

"So you're saying..."Arash trailed off, hoping for a rope as he was drowning in the ocean of confusing information.

"I'm saying, be careful. She finds it so hard to trust people. If she's let you get close enough to try and kiss her, you've really impressed her. She likes you."Arash found that, in spite of his fathers orders not to become attached, this fact pleased him.

"Really?"he said with a grin, then shook his head."Look, I think both I and your sister would appreciate it if you didn't spy. Whatever she may feel for me, and vice versa, is our business, not yours. Besides, we've only known each other a day. You're putting me under an awful lot of pressure." Miniual smiled wryly.

"I'm not expecting miracles, Arash. You're a young man, and it can only be expected that you will chase after a woman that looks pretty. My sister may be scarred, but she is still pretty, and she is still my sister. You hurt her, and I'll break your legs."Arash blinked in surprise.

"Oh. Alright then. You don't need to worry. I won't give her the wrong impression. I'm not a chaser of women either, by the way."he added, frowning slightly. Miniual smiled.

"I didn't think so. Don't tell her we had this little chat, alright?" he nodded. "Come on, Fred." Merenwen waved goodbye as they turned, and they all stared as Dúniel raced back into the stables, panting, a servant on her heels.

"Nana's gone into labour!"she gasped, leaning against a nearby wall.

Her sisters immediately raced forward, gathered up Dúniel and hurried away with the servant, leaving Arash behind, feeling encumbered by confusion and grief. He'd felt very strange when Dúniel had reappeared. He remembered the feelings that had raced through him when he'd tried to kiss her. He'd realised he wasn't going to kiss her because of his fathers sadistic orders, but because he found himself genuinely attracted to the princess. She intrigued him in a way no other woman ever had. Perhaps it was because she was such a mystery. Sighing, he slowly made his way back up to his rooms.

The following night there was a huge celebration, welcoming Lothuial, the newest daughter of Aragorn and Arwen, into the world. Aragorn seemed to be gliding everywhere on a cloud of pride, a broad smile never leaving his face. Arwen brought their new daughter to the dinner, appearing tired but otherwise healthy. She was soon taken to her room by her husband, insisting she get her rest.

Dúniel felt depression growing by the moment as she gazed around the room. Her intense moment in the stables with Arash had frightened her deeply. She was cursing herself furiously. He was a Harad! They were still considered enemies, and she had been stupid enough to let him get so close. If only Eldarion hadn't been on guard duty, he would've come. Gwarth might not have been so bold. Arash might not have made her feel like her knees were melting...she groaned angrily.

"Stop it."she muttered to herself.

"Princess?"she stiffened and turned, paling when she saw Arash behind her."I must apologise for my behavior yesterday, especially in the stables. I was far too forward and should never..."he looked up at her nervously."I just found it so easy to talk to you, and I enjoyed spending time with you. I feel I have let you down."

"I must ask for forgiveness too."Dúniel managed."I haven't had anyone to talk to for a while and I fear my tongue waggled a bit more than it should have. My behaviour was inappropriate as well. I am not angry with you for being so kind. I thank you for that, and for your acceptance."

"My, we're being awfully formal this evening."he said, grinning."I don't feel you have done anything that needs an apology, but if you feel the need, I will accept it. What happened in the stables, stays in the stables."he could see a silent 'thank you' in her relieved eyes.

"I accept your apology."she said, looking down.

"I do hope this won't ruin a chance for friendship."he said quietly. Dúniel looked up in surprise, and he simply smiled gently.

"What do you-"

"Arash, there you are."Mazid came up behind his son, smiling broadly."I trust you are enjoying the occasion."

"Yes, Father."

"Good, good." Dúniel couldn't have been more surprised if Mazid had whipped off his head to reveal an orc underneath. He was being so...polite, well mannered. He was smiling.

"Princess Dúniel, I must apologise for my behaviour yesterday and the day I arrived. I'm afraid the stress of riding makes me a little, what's the word, irritable. And my son here failed to tell me where he was going, and I must know at all times where he is incase something...bad happens. I got a little to angry with him, and I am most sorry."Dúniel was seriously considering asking if this man was Mazid's twin, but managed to nod graciously.

"I thank you for your apology, and accept it. I do hope you have informed my father of this situation."a flicker of irritation appeared in his eyes, but disappeared quickly.

"Once he has returned I will be."he said smoothly. As though by magic, Aragorn re-entered the Hall, and Mazid headed over to him.

"What just happened?"Dúniel asked. Arash shrugged.

"He is polite enough, when surrounded by the right people."he said bitterly. Dúniel glanced at him.

"Do not waste your night standing here and talking to me. Go and flirt with the ladies of Gondor."she said, gesturing to a group of women who were admiring Arash from afar.

"I thought I was."he said, winking at Dúniel.

When she flushed and looked away, Arash picked up a wine goblet, nodded to her, then headed over to the women. Dúniel was surprised to feel a streak of jealousy flash through her body before loneliness overwhelmed her again. She hated the way she felt, wanting to be close to someone, yet to afraid to do so and wanting to be left alone. She glanced up to see her father and Mazid talking to each other. Eldarion was deep in conversation with Lord Faramir and Lady Eowyn, who had come for the celebration. Her sisters were amongst the group of women now shamelessly flirting with Arash, who seemed quite frightened by all the attention. He managed to shake them off when Merenwen begged him for a dance, and, smiling broadly, he took her hand and let her drag him away, oblivious to the scowls of the other women. He took Merenwen's hand, let her put her small feet on his and began shuffling gently, occasionally lifting her high into the air as the dance progressed. Watching her little sister laugh happily, Dúniel suddenly hated them all. They all had someone to be with, someone to talk to and even flirt with. And she stood by the table, completely alone, a small space around herself as the chattering people around her discreetly kept their distance. Unable to handle the strain of loneliness, she grabbed the nearest wine bottle and left the hall, completely unseen.

Authors note- translations:

Truenos: thunder (spanish)

Nana: mum

Lothuial: Twilight Blossom