thanx for all the reviews :D im sorry if their relationship seems to be moving a bit fast, but ive read fanfics were the OC is bedding a character (usually legolas) within minutes. ick. mines snail pace compared to that lol. always happy to hear reviews :D nice ones plz im fragile
Chapter 6: the Houses of Healing
"My son! Where is my son?"Mazid yelled angrily, storming through the Houses of Healing."Tar-Elessar, this is unforgivable!"Aragorn frowned.
"Please restrain yourself."Aragorn said sharply.
"Restrain myself?"Mazid said."My son is dying!"
"I understand your grief, but you must stay calm."Aragorn said in an irritatingly calm voice."My wife has retained her elvish skill in medicine, and I have taught my children everything I know about healing. Your son is in no danger of dying."
"There will be war over this, Tar-Elessar."Mazid said angrily."Those men who did this must pay!"
"Believe me, Lord Mazid, they will pay the ultimate punishment."Aragorn said."Attempting to kill the son of a visiting ambassador is not a crime that will be waved aside. The penalty is death."Mazid looked slightly more satisfied."I must apologise, I had no idea his life was in danger."Mazid struggled to keep a civil tongue.
"I want to know why he was alone. He's from Harad, a prime target from anyone wanting to create conflict. And it's working."
"I hope we can resolve this."Aragorn said."I have no desire to ride to war."
"Sometimes, war is necessary."Mazid snarled. Aragorn's face darkened.
"There is no excuse for such death and bloodshed."he said angrily. They turned when the door opened, and Arwen looked out.
"Arash?"Mazid asked.
"He is still unconscious."she said quietly."His ribs are broken and his right arm is fractured."
"His sword arm."Mazid groaned.
"Dúniel and I have been working hard. His organs seem intact, luckily, but we have given him some herbs just incase he's bleeding inside that will help. If all goes well, he should recover fully."Mazid seemed to shrink.
"I will make sure he is fully guarded at all times."Aragorn said, nodding his thanks to his wife."And if it's alright with you, perhaps we should postpone our negotiations until your son is well again. I'm sure you won't be wanting to think of states of affair at a time like this."
"Thank you. And I apologise for shouting before."Mazid said quietly."Excuse me, I must go and have a long talk with my guards."
"You will be called when Arash wakes."Arwen said. Bowing, he turned and disappeared.
"I'm surprised he didn't come and have a look at him."Arwen said as Aragorn walked over to her.
"Can I see him?"she nodded and lead him into the large room.
Arash lay on a comfortable bed, his muscular chest and right arm encased in bandages, his face a collection of bruises. Dúniel was gently cleaning the blood off his face. She looked up at her father.
"Ada!"she cried, walking over to him."I'm so sorry, I didn't know they'd do this, I didn't think they'd-"
"Dúniel, my love, calm down."he said gently."What are you talking about?"She hesitated, then told her father about Arash standing up for her against Gwarth.
"I-I didn't know they'd hurt him."she finished, looking deeply upset."This is all my fault!"
"No, dear one, this is not your fault. This is all down to Gwarth, and he will pay for this, I promise you."they turned when the door opened, and Eldarion peered in.
"How is he?"he asked, walking in.
"Alive."Arwen said."he'll be fine."
"I know he'll enjoy being fussed over by Dúniel."he said, winking at her.
"If you don't stop that, I'll give you such a slap-"
"What do you mean?"Aragorn interrupted suddenly. Both Eldarion and Dúniel were suddenly very quiet.
"Eldarion thinks Arash fancies Dúniel."They turned to see Miniual standing in the doorway, her baby sister in her arms and Merenwen peering around from behind her.
"Minuial, take your sisters away."Aragorn said firmly."He's in no shape to be seen by any of you, you'll have nightmares."
"But I want to see him!"Miniual cried.
Arwen walked over and took the girls outside, closing the door behind her. Aragorn then turned to his remaining children, who looked everywhere but each other.
"You think he likes her?"Aragorn said in a quiet voice. Eldarion shrugged.
"I'm just teasing her, Ada."he said quickly.
"Miniual certainly seems to think the world of him,"Dúniel said angrily,"why don't you go lecture her."
"Minuial is not the one I'm worried about."Aragorn said angrily."You may be grown up, but I will not take that tone from you."Dúniel looked away."You've been hurt, badly, and I know you're lonely, but you must be careful. I don't want to-"
"See me stupidly believe any fancy words that come my way again?"she snapped, tears in her eyes. "I'm not sixteen anymore. I'm not as naive."
"But you are lonely."he said, taking her cheek in his palm."I know you'd love a friend, someone who knows what it's like to experience a deep pain like betrayal. I would be glad if you and Arash became friends. But-"
"But he is Harad, and is still our enemy. He can't be trusted or believed."she whispered."Even though he really sounds like he's a genuinely honest man."Aragorn gently kissed her forehead. Dúniel suddenly started sobbing gently."I-I just want someone t-to talk to-"
"I know, love, I know."he murmured, hugging her close.
"Can I keep taking care of him?"she whispered."Please?"Aragorn looked less than happy with this idea, but he couldn't say no to the pleading look in her eyes.
"Very well. But you are to be accompanied by your brother or a guard at all times while you're in here."Dúniel smiled slightly.
"Thank you, Ada."she whispered."I'll make him better, you'll see. I won't let you down again."
"You never have."he said quietly.
Dúniel poured a bowl full of hot water the next morning, and picked up the athelas leaves that had been brought to her.
"Let's try and wake you up."she said, crushing the leaves and dropping them in the water.
Immediately, a refreshingly wonderful smell filled the room, clearing her tired head. She dipped a cloth into the bowl, squeezed it then carefully lay it on Arash's forehead. His head turned to the bowl.
"Echuio."she whispered, looking up at the guard who stood by the window. He nodded to her politely. She looked down to see Arash struggling to open his swollen eyes.
"Arash?"she said quietly, pulling the cloth off his head and waving it beneath his nose, letting the athelas scent waft into his nose. To her surprise, he sneezed. He then groaned heavily, murmuring in his native tongue.
"Echuio. Avo 'osto nad."she said gently. He opened an eye and looked at her.
"You're just ... showing off now."he croaked. Dúniel looked up at the guard.
"Will you tell the guard outside to get our fathers?"he nodded and walked to the door to do so.
"I must say...yours is a lovely face...to wake up too."he managed, and started coughing. Dúniel quickly helped him drink some water.
"Well, you're still cheeky, so we can assume your mind is alright. Although, I think I'm using the word 'alright' loosely."Arash half-smiled.
"Thank you for caring for me." Dúniel reddened slightly.
"It was no trouble-"she stopped when he took her hand gently.
"You saved my life."he said seriously."I can never repay you for that."
"Actually, Eldarion saved you, I just patched you up-"
"Dúniel, please."she looked up in shock. He'd never said her name before."Will you not accept my gratitude? There is as much honour in healing as in fighting."Dúniel suddenly smiled, a real smile, something she hadn't done for a very long time. Arash was struck by her beauty rather heavily.
"I will accept your gratitude, though I'm not worthy of it."he sighed heavily and squeezed her hand. She pulled her hand from his when the guard returned, casting a suspicious glance at her red face.
"So what's going to happen now?"Arash asked quietly, poking his arm and wincing.
"Well, firstly, you should lie still, your ribs need to heal."she said, reaching out and gently pressing her hand against his chest to hold him still.
They both seemed to realise at the same moment that she was touching his almost bare chest, and she drew her arm back quickly as though he'd burnt her, both blushing furiously.
"This was so much easier when you were asleep."she groaned.
"I couldn't enjoy it when I was asleep, though."he teased. Dúniel looked close to fleeing when he took her hand again.
"Avo 'osto nad."he said quietly.
His accent was terrible, and he mispronounced some words, but all the same she knew what he'd said. They both jumped when the door opened suddenly, quickly pulling away from each other. Aragorn and Mazid entered and Dúniel stood, walking over to her father.
"Would you mind if I have a word with my son?"Mazid said, taking Dúniel's chair.
Aragorn nodded, gestured for the guard to follow and lead his daughter out. He saw her glance back as the door closed behind them. She was furious with herself. In spite of all the warnings, and her own fears and caution, she couldn't help but find herself growing more and more attracted to Arash.
"Dúniel?" how could you not fancy someone who speaks faulty Sindarin to calm you?
"Dúniel?"she jumped and turned to her father, who raised an eyebrow at her.
"I am sorry Ada."she whispered.
"You've done well with the young man."Aragorn said, still looking a little worried. She smiled slightly.
"Thank you."
"Mazid wants to take him home."this was clearly unexpected to her. She stared at her father for a long time.
"...what?"she managed, feeling like a cold vice was gripping her heart.
"He was attacked in broad daylight, Dúniel. It was a terrible thing to happen."he sighed."I had so hoped this would work. If they return to Harad, there will be war over this."Dúniel looked close to tears.
"But...they can't! We didn't know he was going to be hurt! I took care of him-"
"But in the end, love, that won't matter. The only appreciation they'll show is that they have an extra warrior."It had never occurred to Dúniel that Arash was a warrior, let alone that he would fight in a war. It was like trying to imagine her loving father doing the same thing. "I know this is hard, but in the end, they must show loyalty to their country. I gave them my word they would come to no harm."Aragorn sighed, suddenly looking very old. They both turned when they heard furious arguing from within the room.
"Goodness."Aragorn said.
"Haradrim is a good language to be angry in."Dúniel muttered."But he shouldn't be yelling at Arash, he's still not well."the arguing suddenly halted with a loud thudding noise. For a long moment, there was a terrible silence.
"Ada..."Dúniel said fearfully. Aragorn was about to knock on the door when Mazid opened it, looking very red in the face.
"Is everything alright?"Aragorn asked, letting Mazid walk out.
"My...son has asked me to not report this."Mazid said in a frighteningly quiet voice."He said it is his fault they caught him, and he doesn't want to bring war to the country of the people who saved his life."
"Is this so?"Aragorn said, looking pleased."I'm glad."
"Yes." Dúniel darted into the room to see Arash sitting on the floor beside his bed, holding his ribs and wincing.
"Are you alright?"she asked quietly, walking over to him."What was that banging noise?"Arash looked up at her and smiled.
"Me falling out of bed in a rage."he admitted.
"He shouldn't have yelled at you like that, you're not well!"she said angrily, then paled."I'm sorry, I shouldn't judge, let me help you-"she held out her hand.
"It's alright."he said, taking her outstretched hand.
She helped him to his feet, and suddenly realised just how close he was. Arash saw this in her eyes and gave her a horribly seductive smile.
"You'd better sit down."she said quickly, pushing him onto the sheets. He touched his swollen face gently, wincing slightly."It will go down soon."she added, reaching over without thinking and pushing his hair from his eyes.
"I know. I've been in a fair few fights."he grinned.
"Why doesn't that surprise me?"she said. His face was close, closer than normal thanks to the swelling. She'd never noticed how lovely his eyes were-
"Dúniel!"she jumped and spun, almost tripping when her father snapped. Aragorn's eyes were sparking with anger."I told you not to come in here alone!"
"But, I'm not!"she said, moving away from Arash."He's here."
"That's the point, princess."Arash said, laying back to lie on his bed, groaning.
"Ada, I just wanted to make sure he was alright!"
"Be that as it may, you disobeyed me."he said."Come with me, Dúniel."glancing back at Arash, she followed her father into another room, an empty one.
"Ada-"
"Perhaps I should forbid you from being around that boy, because you seem to forget who and what he is every time you see him."Aragorn snarled.
"That's not fair, just because he's from Harad doesn't mean he's bad-"
"And just because I'm king doesn't mean I can do what I like! Dúniel, what am I going to
do with you?"his tone was suddenly gentle."You're too frightened to let anyone close to you, yet this boy seems to be making remarkable progress."
"I don't understand."
"The guard told me you held hands. Several times."
"What does that have to-"
"He flirts with you."
"He teases me-"
"You nearly let him kiss you."Dúniel stared open-mouthed at her father.
"Excuse me?"Aragorn smiled sadly.
"Merenwen told me. You know she can't keep secrets."
"He...I...he apologised for it later!"she said lamely.
"Dúniel, you know I just want to keep you safe. I'd be so happy if you could overcome your fears and become friends with him, but this other behaviour has got to stop. Even if I could see something more..."he shook his head."He's going to return to Harad sooner or later. Most likely never to return. I need to know you understand what I'm saying Dúniel."
"You're saying I can be his friend, but not trust him, and not become anything more."she said angrily."But friendship is based on trust, Ada!"
"I'm not saying don't trust him indefinitely. Use your instincts. You will know when he can be trusted."he shook his head."I don't know, Dúniel. Maybe this whole idea was-"
"No, Ada."Dúniel said, taking her father's hand."It is a good idea. But nobody knows what tomorrow holds."Aragorn laughed.
"You sound far too much like Lord Elrond."he kissed her forehead.
"Can I still care for him?"
"Yes. But if I hear you're alone with him again..."Dúniel nodded.
"I'm sorry, Ada."she sighed deeply as he left, tugging her plait distractedly, then turned to make sure Arash's bandages were still fine.
Authors note: ah, an angsty teenager...you never quite grow out of it
Echuio: Wake up
Avo 'osto nad: don't be afraid