Chapter 7: Confessions
Over the next few weeks, Dúniel spent most of her time with Arash, helping him recuperate. Once his fracture had healed, she had him doing exercises to make sure the bone had healed properly.
"Exercises?"Arash said, frowning slightly."Should I be doing something so strenuous with my ribs still healing."
"You are such a complainer!"Dúniel cried in frustration."Sometimes I feel like breaking your arm, just to make you stop!"Arash laughed.
The two had become firm friends in the weeks they spent together. Eldarion too had become good friends with the Harad when he came to guard his sister. They were still cautious of the foreigner, but felt they could trust him a little more.
"You are right."
"I love it when you say that."she said, standing.
"It is not my place to argue with a healer or a princess."he said, watching her walk away."Where are you going?"
"I'll be back in a moment. Don't fuss." she scolded lightly. She soon reappeared with what looked like half a quarterstaff.
"Get out of bed."Dúniel commanded, putting the broken staff on his bed. Arash obeyed, letting her unwrap the bandage from around his right forearm.
"Now, first I want you to carefully raise your arm in front of you. As soon as you feel the slightest pain, stop and tell me. Alright? I'll know if you don't."Arash nodded and slowly started raising his arm. He winced when he tried to lift his hand above his shoulder.
"Alright, so we know your limits at the moment. Keep your arm out but lower it where you're comfortable."Arash obeyed, and Dúniel picked up the staff and put it in his hand."Can you grip this normally?"Arash carefully adjusted his grip to a comfortable one, aware Dúniel's eyes were watching his hand like a hawk."Good. Now slowly turn just your hand to the left, then to the right."she watched him slowly rotated the staff, carefully keeping an eye on his expression.
"You seem a little happier than when we first met."Arash said conversationally. Dúniel half-smiled.
"It's just been so nice to have someone to talk to."she admitted. Arash smiled.
"Princess,"the guard, who's name was Canion, said suddenly."I don't feel comfortable with you arming him like this."
"I could've given him a sword."Dúniel pointed out."Besides, I know he's in absolutely no shape to try anything. Don't worry so much."he nodded and regained his soldier's stance.
"It only hurts my ribs a little."Arash said, spinning the staff suddenly in his fingers.
"Are you always such a showoff?"she asked, rolling her eyes. He suddenly moved forward, sliding the staff behind her, grabbing it with his other hand and pulled her forward.
"Only when around you."he teased as she fell onto his bare chest. Dúniel reddened with anger and embarrassment.
"What are you doing?"she hissed, pulling away from him and breaking his hold."Are you trying to get me into more trouble?"Arash groaned with frustration.
"I just don't understand you!"he said angrily."I thought you trusted me?"
"I still don't know if I can! What is your fascination with getting me in trouble?"
"I don't mean to! I like you, princess, and my father always says if you see something you like, don't let it go."Dúniel grew angrier.
"So I'm just a thing to you, am I? A thing to be used?"Arash now looked furious.
"You know that's not what I meant!"
"I thought you were a good man. I stood up for you when they told me I couldn't trust you and now you've proved me a fool for doing so! You're just an arrogant, lying orc, like every other man I've met!" Arash's face suddenly turned blank, and he took a step forward.
"Put that away!"Dúniel yelled. This was to Canion, who'd been watching the fight warily but with extreme interest, and had thought Arash was about to strike his princess, and drawn his sword.
"But-"
"Do as I say!"he reluctantly did as she ordered, but stayed ready. Dúniel turned back to Arash. "Go ahead and say it."she hissed. There was a crackling tension between them, but it wasn't anger anymore.
"You are a cold hearted frightened little brat whose too afraid to even attempt to trust a good man who's offering you the first friendship you've had in years. I am not a liar!"
"Just arrogant?"Dúniel said sharply.
"Why must you be so difficult?"
"Why must you so persistently-"but whatever Arash was persistent in, he never found out, because he interrupted her by moving forward and kissing her.
It was so sudden and unexpected, Dúniel stood paralysed for the most wonderful few seconds of her life. Recovery came quickly and she pulled away, gasping furiously. Arash seemed just as surprised at his actions as Dúniel.
"Dúniel..."he managed.
The princess spun and raced from the room, slamming the door behind her. Arash's shoulders visibly drooped. She suddenly reappeared and confronted Canion, whose mouth was open.
"If you tell anyone about this, I will see to it you speak soprano for the rest of your life!"the guard nodded, unable to speak. She turned to Arash, who was looking at her with a strange expression in his eyes.
"I'm sorry."he said, sitting."I shouldn't have kissed you."Dúniel picked up the bandage from beside him and quickly wrapped his arm. It was difficult because she was shaking. "Dúniel, please-"
"Your arm is healing well."she said quietly."I have to go now."
"Please don't go."Arash whispered, taking her arm gently."I didn't mean to frighten you so much."
"Just let me go. Please."she said, looking at her feet. Arash reluctantly released her, and watched her leave the room.
Dúniel didn't return the next day. Arash looked up in surprise at the wrinkled old woman who came in instead.
"Mornin', Lord Arash."she said brightly."My name is Glíriel."
"Good morning."he said, clearly confused."I don't wish to sound rude, but where's the princess?"
"She has asked me to take over for the rest of your stay. You are no longer in any serious danger, so you no longer require her skills."
"Oh."Arash looked down.
Glíriel fussed over him for an hour, checking his wrist and ribs, wrapping him with clean bandages, then bustled off. Arash lay back in his bed, wondering how on earth he'd be able to talk with Dúniel. He sat up, pulled on his shirt and made his way out of the building.
"Arash!"he looked up to see Miniual, who was walking with Eldarion towards the Houses, hurrying towards him.
"Oh no."he muttered to himself.
The young princess had developed something of an infatuation with the young Harad, often visiting him with the excuse of seeing her sister. He slowed and smiled politely at her as she stopped in front of him.
"Have they said you can leave, then?"she asked, bouncing on her toes.
"No. I actually snuck out."he looked down at the smiling teenager."I need to speak with Dúniel, have you seen her?"Miniual's smile faded.
"Do you not like me?"she asked quietly.
"Of course I like you."he sighed. "But it is important I see your sister. Please? Would you take me to her?"he nodded as Eldarion reached them.
"Stop harassing the poor man, Miniual."Eldarion laughed, ruffling her hair.
"Stop treating me like a child!"she said angrily.
"I see princess Dúniel is not the only one with a temper."Arash muttered almost under his breath. Miniual glared at him.
"Fine. I won't help you then."she turned and stalked away.
"Don't go wandering off alone!"Eldarion cried after her."Wait for me!"Miniual walked a few more steps then stopped, huffing."What are you doing out here?"he asked Arash.
"I need to talk to Dúniel."he said quietly. Eldarion folded his arms.
"What happened yesterday? She's barely said two words since."Arash blushed.
"That's not important, I just need to talk to her. Please." Eldarion frowned.
"Did you two have a fight?"Arash nodded, not trusting himself to speak.
"I just want to explain myself to her. Besides, my father will kill me if he finds out I hurt her feelings."
"I should right now."
"I didn't mean too!"Arash said angrily."She started it!"Eldarion snickered.
"That doesn't surprise me."
"Please, I just want to talk to her."Arash said quietly. Eldarion sighed deeply.
"Come on then. I'd bring her here, but I know she'd never come. Are you coming, Miniual?"the girl grinned shyly at Arash as they grew closer.
"Alright then."she said, taking Arash's hand and blushing. Arash looked terrified, and glanced at Eldarion, who looked like he was trying to stop from laughing.
"Miniual."he managed finally. She scowled and pulled away. They lead Arash to Dúniel's room, where Eldarion knocked on her door.
Dúniel was pacing furiously over her floor, still debating with herself over what had happened. The shock of actually being kissed still clung to her.
"What do I do?"she whispered to herself."Why did he do that? He knows we can't have anything together, why did he do that? Why would he kiss me?"she stared at herself in her mirror, hating what she saw.
She wanted to talk to her mother, but knew she was too busy at the moment. She had no idea what to do. Dúniel did know what she shouldn't do, and that was let Arash think he could get away with kissing her. But she couldn't tell her father, he'd be furious. She groaned and collapsed onto her bed.
"Tell me what to do!"she whispered angrily. She jumped at a knock on her door.
"Dúniel?"Eldarion's voice called."Are you in there?"she stood and opened the door, and paled when she saw Arash standing beside her sister.
"I don't want to see him."she said quickly, trying to close the door. Eldarion stopped her, frowning slightly.
"Please, I just want to talk to you."Arash pleaded.
"I-I can't, you don't understand!"she cried, looking away. Eldarion looked at Arash quite angrily.
"Look, why don't you go wait by the wall while I talk to her."Arash sighed and walked out of earshot to the wall, where he was nearby and in sight.
There was a lovely view of Osgiliath and the Anduin from there, which he gazed at, his eyes occasionally taking in Mordor.
"Dúniel, what's wrong with you?"Miniual asked.
"Did he hurt you?"Eldarion asked."What happened?"Dúniel hid her face in her hands, groaning.
"I-I can't say. You'll tell Ada and he'll be so angry-"
"Dúniel!"Eldarion said firmly, sounding terrifyingly like Aragorn.
"He kissed me!"Dúniel cried. There was a long silence in which Miniual looked close to tears.
"What?"she whispered. Dúniel turned to her brother, who looked quite prepared to push the Harad off the wall.
"He kissed me."she whispered.
"He should know better than that!"Eldarion said finally, anger in his eyes. He suddenly saw the deep confusion in her eyes."But why are you so upset?"
"It was my first kiss!"she wailed."It wasn't much, but I really liked it."her green eyes flicked to Arash."I really like him."she admitted."I know I shouldn't, but...what do I do?"she finished. Eldarion seemed a little lost himself, and looked at Miniual.
"You should stay away from him!"Miniual yelled suddenly."If you don't want him, then I can!"
"Miniual!"Eldarion said in surprise."You should not speak like that at your age-"
"What would you know!"she yelled, and turned and raced into her room, slamming the door behind her.
"Oh dear."Dúniel whispered."I didn't realise she liked him so much."
"I didn't realise you did too."he sighed."I think you should go and sort this out now. You two have a good friendship, and I don't want to see that ruined. I'll stay here where I can't hear anything if you like."Dúniel looked terrified, but straightened bravely.
"Thank you."she whispered, and forced herself to walk over to Arash. He turned and looked relieved when she approached him.
"Princess-"
"You can't just go around kissing me!"she hissed, blushing furiously."It's not fair on either of us!"
"I know, I know, and I'm so sorry!"he said, moving forward."I just...I really like you, Dúniel. Enough to want to kiss you."
"But you can't!"she cried."We can't possibly have anything more than friendship, and I'm amazed you even want that with me. I don't understand what you see in me."
"Why are you so frightened?"Dúnielcovered her face for a moment, then dragged her hands down her face.
"Isn't it obvious? I've been so lonely for such a long time, I don't know how to handle friendship, let alone a kiss! I don't know what to do! And I'm so frightened I'll ruin everything, just like I always do. I just don't know what to do."
"Do you hate me?"he asked suddenly. Dúniel looked surprised.
"No. Why would I hate you? I know what it's like to be kissed now."she said with a small smile.
"That was not a real kiss, trust me. If you'd held still long enough, I'd have given you a kiss you'd never forget."Dúniel giggled a little.
"Have you always had such a high opinion of yourself?"
"Why not? No one else does."he added bitterly.
"I think very highly of you."Dúniel said quietly. Arash smiled broadly.
"Really? Excellent."
"Arash..."
"Yes, princess?"
"If you ever try to kiss me again-"
"You'll hurt me?"he guessed. Dúniel smiled suddenly.
"No. Try giving me some warning so I can enjoy it more."Arash looked absolutely shocked."But you mustn't kiss me again, alright?"he nodded, still trying to recover. She shyly reached out and took his hand, which he gently squeezed.
"I think you should join us for dinner tonight."Dúniel said, pulling away."I can sit you next to Miniual if you like."Arash paled slightly.
"Thank you, but I'd much prefer your company."Dúniel reddened slightly and looked down.
"You're ridiculously sweet when you want to be."she said quietly. She looked up at Eldarion standing by her door then back to the Harad."I must ask you something, and it will probably make you very angry, so for that I am sorry."
"It must be terrible then. Ask away."she hesitated.
"Did you really fall out of bed after I woke you?"Arash blinked."It's just, your ribs were a little worse when I checked them than they had been, and a fall doesn't make injuries worse in specific spots..."
"Are you asking me if my father pushed me out of bed?"Arash asked quietly.
"Er...punched, actually."she said, looking frightened. Arash frowned.
"I will see you at dinner, princess."he said suddenly, and started to turn, but Dúniel grabbed his arm.
"Arash, I'm sorry-"he turned angrily, pulling his arm from her grip.
"What do you want me to say, Dúniel?"he said angrily."That my father and I are at each other's throats? That he hit me deliberately, knowing it would make my injuries worse? What do you want from me?"Dúniel took a step back, shaking slightly.
"I just want to protect you."she whispered."You're my friend, I just..."Arash deflated, seeing the hurt in her eyes.
"What would you do if he had?"Arash asked gently. Dúniel shrugged."Look, Dúniel, don't take my troubles on your shoulders, you seem to have more than enough already. We each have parts of our lives we are not happy about. We just have to find a way to get through it together."Dúniel smiled up at him.
"Together?"he nodded.
"Yes, my friend. Together."