Chapter 5: A lesson of the painful kind
"Dúniel?"Eldarion gently shook his sister."Dúniel, it is nearly lunchtime. You should get up."Dúniel groaned and pushed him away.
"I feel so sick."she said. She sat up suddenly."I am going to be sick."Eldarion quickly grabbed her chamber pot (which was mercifully empty) just in time.
Once Dúniel had finished throwing up, he gave it to a servant who was cleaning her room, who took it away almost cheerfully. Eldarion sat on her bed and handed her a glass of water.
"You're going to have to get up sometime today. I told Ada you ate something that didn't agree with you, so he's not suspicious."
"Thank you."she whispered. She looked up at him, eyes red."Does he hate me?"
"Why would Ada hate you?"Eldarion asked, confused.
"Arash!"she cried, then realised how loudly she'd spoken."Something inside me broke last night, and he saw it. Does he hate me because he found out I'm weak? I am such a fool!"
"He doesn't hate you, Dúniel."he said, pushing her hair out of her face.
"Did you tell him why?"she asked quietly, and when Eldarion hesitated, she groaned."But he knows I didn't sleep with him, and didn't kiss him, doesn't he?"
"Yes, he knows that. I only told him about Gwarth because I didn't want him finding out through some malicious rumour and thinking you're a hussy. But I tell you what, first thing he did this morning was ask after you, to see if you were well."
"Really?" she replied. Eldarion grinned.
"Dúniel, do you fancy him too?"Dúniel blushed bright red.
"Don't be ridicu- wait a minute, what do you mean too?"Eldarion laughed.
"Just about every woman in Gondor want to be his, especially Miniual."
"Miniual? Really?"Dúniel asked, horrified to feel a flash of jealousy race through her.
"Arash fancies you, you know."
"Oh, now that is ridiculous."Dúniel said angrily."What man would fancy me? Only a blind idiot."
"Well, that blind idiot does seem fond of you, at any rate."Eldarion said."Look, I know we should be cautious of him because he's from Harad, but unless he's a really good actor, I think he's a genuinely good man. It wouldn't hurt if you became friends. It would make Ada's job easier."Dúniel looked away, swallowing hard.
"I-I don't know. I don't want to do this alone."
"I'll be there, don't you worry."he said, smiling slightly. His grin faded."Arash told me about your run in with Gwarth."Dúniel paled."He stood up for you, Dúniel. How many people have ever done that for you since you became scarred? That's the other reason I'm going to be your chaperone from now on. I don't want him doing that again. And I don't want you alone with Arash for too long."
"Afraid I might bite him?"she said with a small smile. Eldarion gave her a wicked grin.
"Well maybe not something that affectionate-"
"Eldarion!"she cried, hitting him round the head with her pillow. He laughed and took her hand.
"Come on, get up and have lunch with me. I'm sure Arash will be pleased to see you again."
"I'm not sure I can face him."she admitted."I'm so ashamed of what happened last night."
"I know, Dúniel, I know. If you felt so bad, you should have said something. I will always have time for my little sister."he stood."Now, no more excuses. Get dressed. Perhaps we can find something to ease you illness."Dúniel sighed heavily and stood.
"I do like him."she said quietly."I know I shouldn't, and I know I should be careful, but...he was so kind to me."Eldarion smiled gently.
"Not everyone is bothered by a scar, Dúniel. I am glad he is here to teach you that."he turned and walked out of her room, closing the door behind him.
Dúniel stood for a moment, still feeling quite ill. She was so conflicted and confused. She walked over to her cupboard and pulled out a dress that wouldn't require a servant to help her get into it. It was a lovely shade of green that brought out her eyes. As she brushed her long black hair, she wondered why she was going to all this fuss. Normally, she'd just run her fingers through her hair a few times (and thanks to her mothers genes, her hair would look immaculately brushed) and put on a plain blue dress. Was she trying to prove something? To herself? To Arash? To everyone else? Looking prettier than she felt, she opened the door. Eldarion looked at her in surprise as she finished tying her hair back.
"My, don't we look lovely this morning?"he said, holding out his arm."Are we trying to catch someone's eye?"
"Maybe someone a little more mature than you."she teased.
"Oh, that's just rude."he laughed.
They walked to the hall, passing a lot of people taking advantage of the beautiful day and eating outside. Inside, Merenwen was talking Miniual's ear off, but she was too busy staring at Arash to notice. Arash smiled at Dúniel when he saw her, earning a furious scowl from Miniual and a stunned blush from Dúniel.
"Good morning, princess."he said, walking away from his father, who was talking to some important lords of Gondor."Or perhaps good afternoon is more appropriate?"Dúniel opened her mouth irritably and received an elbow in the ribs. Arash laughed."Forgive me, I know I'm a pain."
"Really?"Dúniel said sourly, turning and picking up a plain cake.
"Might I have a word with you both? Somewhere less public?"Arash asked quietly. Eldarion nodded.
"Let's bring some food and sit by the battlements."Eldarion took three goblets and a pitcher of fruit juice, while Arash and Dúniel gathered some fruit and bread.
"May I say you look particularly beautiful this morning?"Arash whispered, so only she would hear. Dúniel dropped the apple she was holding. Arash reached down and picked it up, cleaning it on his jacket.
"These are very clean halls."he said conversationally, taking a huge bite out of the apple."Excuse me a moment, I must tell my father where I'm going."
"Dúniel, you're red as a tomato."Eldarion whispered."And look at the look Miniual is giving you."Dúniel turned to see a livid scowl being sent her direction."Now that's jealousy at it's finest."
"Perhaps she needs to show a little more caution about who she fancies."
"At least she's too afraid to do anything about it."Arash soon returned, and they headed out into the sun. They sat on the cool white stones, and Eldarion poured them a drink.
"Are you feeling well, princess?"Arash asked cautiously. Dúniel bite into a roll.
"Better than when I woke, thank you."she said eventually."I'm not myself today."
"I'll take you to the Houses of Healing later."Eldarion said, munching his cake.
"You didn't take me there."Arash said.
"I don't like to go there. It reminds me of when..."she trailed off, but raised her hand to her scar. She shook her head."But that's not important right now."
"You still haven't held Lothuial."Eldarion said."We should go and say hello, let Nana know we haven't forgotten her."
"Yes."she turned and looked at Arash, who was staring at the Tower of Ecthelion. "Arash?"he started a little, then smiled."You have spoken little of you family. What are they like?"Arash looked suddenly deeply grieved.
"My family?"he said quietly, looking away."I don't have much of a family left anymore. My sister died in childbirth, and her husband was killed by renegades who still believe that Sauron will keep his promises. As for my mother..."he suddenly quietened."But my niece lives, and she is being cared for by my fathers new wife."Both Dúniel and Eldarion could see the pain in his face, and he seemed to be struggling to keep his composure.
"I'm sorry."Dúniel whispered."You did not have to tell us such things that cause you pain."he shook his head.
"It is alright."he said, his voice slightly strained."Everyone suffers loss and death in their lives, and I must learn to deal with it."
"Perhaps you will meet them again."Dúniel said gently.
Eldarion was watching his sister, stunned by her sudden gentleness and compassion. It appeared he was right in thinking that Arash had suffered much pain, and that Dúniel would see this as a chance to mend both their hurts.
"Dúniel, do not get to close."Eldarion said in Elvish. She looked up at him."Remember, he is Harad, no matter what. You don't know if you can trust him. I don't want you getting hurt again."
"I can take care of myself."she replied defensively."I don't need you watching over me at every waking moment."Arash looked between them, not understanding the words but finding the angry tone.
"Have I done something?"he asked.
"No, no."Eldarion said quickly."Just reminding Dúniel of something."Arash saw Dúniel scowl angrily and look away.
"Is Sindarin hard to learn?"he asked suddenly. The siblings looked at him.
"It can be."Eldarion said."However, we grew up with it, so we can't really give any indication. Why?"
"I was going to ask a favour, if your sister would kindly teach me what she said to my horse. It would make my life easier, let alone many injured stable hands."
"What did you say?"Eldarion asked. Dúniel shrugged.
"Avo 'osto nad."she replied quietly."Uir ce vellon nîn."
"Is Sindarin always so beautiful, or just when you say it?"Arash asked, giving her a strange smile.
"You should hear our mother speak it, or sing it!"Dúniel said.
"What does it mean? A-vo..."he tried, and grinned in embarrassment as the siblings laughed.
"It means 'Don't be afraid. Forever, you are my friend.'."she giggled again, earning a shocked look from her brother."And you're accent is terrible."
"I must practice."Arash said."Tell me again, and save me from horse bites."
"Unless I'm mistaken, which I'm sure is possible, you will be the first Harad to learn a little Sindarin in who knows how long."
"And I am deeply honoured."They spent a rather enjoyable hour teaching Arash the two sentences. Eldarion then stood slowly.
"Not that I'm not enjoying this, I must take Dúniel to the Houses of Healing."he reached down and pulled his sister to her feet."I won't be joining you for dinner, I have guard duty tonight. Perhaps I'll ask Miniual to be your chaperone?"Arash looked slightly frightened.
"It's alright."Dúniel said."It's not like I'll be going anywhere with him. I'll see you at dinner, Arash. We'll send some servants to clean this up."
"Farewell."Arash said, standing and bowing. Eldarion and Dúniel walked away, and once out of earshot, Eldarion laughed.
"Oh, Dúniel, I have not seen you smile like that for years!"he said, beaming."I certainly don't remember the last time you laughed."
"Clearly he brings out the worst in me."
"Princess!"they stopped and turned to see Arash running up behind them. He slowed down as he close the gap and held out a hand."You dropped this."frowning slightly, she saw a ring in his hand.
"Where did you find that?" she whispered, taking it from him."I lost that three years ago!"
"Really?"he said, looking surprised."You were sitting on it."Dúniel went deep red, and slid the ring onto her finger.
"Thank you."she said."I appreciate you returning it."
"Lucky it was yours."Eldarion laughed."Could you imagine his face if it hadn't been?"Arash grinned.
"See you at dinner, princess."he said, and turned and walked back the way he'd run. Dúniel watched him for a moment, her thoughts racing, then realised she was staring and quickly turned, very aware Eldarion had noticed.
"You do fancy him!"he said, amazed.
"I do not!"she cried. "Just because he's handsome and charming and funny and sweet, that doesn't mean I have to fancy him!"Eldarion raised an eyebrow."Besides, he's only going to be here a few months. And he's from Harad. How would that work?"Eldarion shrugged, glancing back down the road.
"Where'd he go?"Dúniel turned and looked down the street. There was no sign of him.
"No one can walk or run that fast."she whispered. They exchanged glances."It couldn't hurt to check."she said finally. They turned and headed in the direction they'd last seen Arash.
Arash had been walking back from returning Dúniel's ring when hands had reached from a small alleyway and grabbed him without warning. Arash found himself being pinned to a wall, and stared up into Gwarth's face.
"No one makes me look like a fool."he hissed."You will pay."
"You are a fool if you kill me!"Arash said angrily."You will bring war to your country."
"Good."he said, making a fist."You people would've brought war anyway. This will just make it sooner." then the fists rained down.
Dúniel hesitated when she heard a strange sound.
"What's that?"she asked Eldarion."It sounds...meaty."they suddenly heard a soft cry of pain from a nearby alley mouth.
"Someone's trying to kill him."Eldarion said."Guards! Come quickly!"he commanded, drawing his sword."Stay behind me, you'll need to take care of him."
"If he's still alive."Dúniel whispered, surprised at the fear that gripped her heart.
Several guards raced up and stood at the alleyway entrance. Eldarion scowled as he recognised the figures brutally beating the Harad. Arash had tried to put up a fight, but with the immense size of the gang members and a wall to his back, there was only so much he could do.
"Gwarth! You can't escape punishment this time!"Eldarion said angrily. He and several guards ran into the dark alleyway, and there was soon the sound of furious fighting and yelling.
"Dúniel?"she turned to see Lord Faramir walking over, looking worried. He had just come from meeting Aragorn, and had heard the commotion."What is happening?"
"They tried to kill Arash!"she managed.
"Oh no."he whispered. As they watched, Gwarth and Dírum where dragged out of the alley. Dírfaeg, however, was carried, a wound in his belly. Eldarion emerged a moment later, and saw Faramir standing beside his sister.
"Please go find my father."he said to the older man."And tell him of this. Lord Mazid will need to be informed. We have to get Arash to the Houses of Healing quickly."
"Of course."Faramir said quickly and headed off at a run.
Dúniel gasped in horror as Arash was carried from the alleyway. In the short minutes he'd been in there, he'd been clearly beaten and kicked half to death. She now not only felt sick from her monster hangover, but from the horror of what Gwarth and his friends had done.
"Dúniel, they'll need your help."Eldarion said as they hurried after the guards."We are lucky we are not to far from the Houses. He's in bad shape, and your good with healing. I know Ada and Nana will come and help once they know..."
"This is going to end in war."she whispered.
Author's Note:
things aint going so well at the moment for them, eh?
Avo 'osto nad: don't be afraid
Uir ce vellon nîn: Forever you are my friend