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Chapter 9: A spoonful of sugar
"How is she?"it was the following morning, and Aragorn, Arwen and his children had all come to find out what was wrong with Dúniel. Glíriel smiled slightly.
"She is still sleeping, but has a terrible cold."
"Will she be alright?"Arwen asked.
"Yes, in a few days, Undómiel. She just needs to rest."
"Let's go see her!"Merenwen cried, and hurried ahead.
"Slow down Fred!"Aragorn called, sighing at his daughters strange choice of name."The floor might be wet."
Merenwen entered her sisters room and walked over quietly. A cloth was on her burning forehead, and the room was full of the scent of athelas. Her parents and siblings soon followed, and a strange silence descended. Arwen sat on the bed beside her daughter.
"I don't think you should get too close, we don't want you getting sick so soon after giving birth, Undómiel." Glíriel said respectfully. Arwen sighed and returned to her husbands side.
"What was she doing out in that storm?"Aragorn asked, sliding his arm around Arwen.
"She said she came to see Arash, Tar-Elessar."Aragorn frowned slightly.
"Arash? Whatever for?"
"I do not know."
"Where is he?"
"I'll go and fetch him."she curtsied and left the room.
"Is she dying?"Merenwen asked.
"No, love, she's just got a fever."Aragorn said.
"She doesn't look well at all."Eldarion said. Dúniel groaned softly.
"Nana..."she murmured.
"I'm here, Dúniel."Arwen called gently.
"I'm sorry."she croaked, not opening her eyes."Don't send him away, it is my fault."
"No it isn't."they turned to see Arash standing behind them, looking a little sniffly himself."It is mine."
"Arash, no..."Dúniel cried, and started coughing hard. Glíriel hurried over and helped the young woman drink.
"Calm down, dear."she whispered soothingly. Dúniel tried to push the old woman away.
"I came to see him. I am sorry."she said, looking ready to cry. Her voice sounded terribly stuffed up, and Merenwen was trying hard not to giggle.
"Dúniel, please calm down."Arwen said gently."We only want to speak to him, we're not sending anyone away."Dúniel looked relieved.
"Promise?"
"Promise. Now please go back to sleep."the princess reluctantly lay down, watching her family move from the room.
"She seems determined to keep you in Minas Tirith, Arash."Aragorn said as he, Eldarion and Arwen entered a private room."Can you think of any reason she seems to think you'd be sent away?" Arash reddened under Aragorn's gaze.
"She is covering for me, protecting me."Arash said quietly."I did not ask her to, I swere! I didn't mean for her to become so ill-"
"Arash."Aragorn said, a little harshly."Please, just stay calm and answer me."Arash gave him a frightened look.
"I went to see her."Arash finally admitted."And she knows that if you found out you'd send me away. I know I shouldn't have, but I had to apologise to her and..."he trailed off, looking very guilty and ashamed."Please forgive me, Tar-Elessar."he whispered, falling to his knees."I tried to care for her, I tried to keep her warm-"
"That is not a good choice of words, my friend."Eldarion said suddenly, looking at his fathers expression. Arash looked horrified.
"I didn't mean, I haven't, I wouldn't dare!"Arash babbled.
"You tried to stop her getting ill?"Aragorn interrupted. Arash nodded mournfully.
"She offered to escort me back here. I-I never get to speak with her alone, and she trusts me. That means a lot to me, Tar-Elessar."he added. Aragorn sighed and looked at his wife."I know she's lonely, and I am too. This place is so strange, but when I talk to her, it feels like home. I would never give her the wrong impression, and I would never...take our friendship that far."he added. Aragorn looked over the young man for a long moment.
"What do you think we should do?"Aragorn asked his wife in Elvish. Arwen looked at the young man kneeling before them.
"I think he genuinely cares for Dúniel. I don't believe he'd hurt her."
"I don't like the idea of them being up here alone together."
"There's healers and guards, my love. They can watch them. Besides, Arash should be able to return to his room soon, and you and Mazid can resume your talks."Aragorn gave her a look that clearly said he didn't relish the thought of struggling to reach an agreement with the Harad.
"It is also difficult because I want her to have a friend, I want to see her happy."he said quietly."But what if she wants more? What if he wants more?"
"Dúniel is an intelligent young woman, Aragorn. She knows the consequences if she chooses those actions. It wouldn't hurt for her to have hope that there are people in this world who aren't scared by her scar."
"Besides,"Eldarion put in,"he has done wonders for her confidence. I haven't seen her so happy in years." Aragorn nodded with a sigh.
"Arash, please stand up."he obeyed."I will give you a warning this time, because your friendship means the world to my daughter. Do not return to the royal bedrooms, especially without an escort. We do not want you getting half-killed again for starters. I must also ask you to resist the temptation to be..."he turned to Arwen, who smiled and came to the rescue.
"You will not be here forever, and it would destroy Dúniel if she had the impression you though of her as more than a friend. It'll hurt her enough as it is. You are a kind and honourable young man, and I am deeply grateful that you have so readily accepted her, but it is important you remain friends."
"Of course."Arash said, bowing."I had no intention of being anything else. I'm sorry if you got that impression. Thank you for letting me explain myself."he sneezed suddenly, and pulled a cloth from his pocket and blew his nose."Excuse me."he groaned. He straightened and glanced at the door."How is she?"he asked.
"She's got a bad fever and cold."Aragorn said angrily. Arwen lay a soothing hand on his arm.
"I am so sorry."Arash said, looking as miserable as he felt.
"You should go back to bed, you don't look much better."Arwen said, opening the door. Arash nodded and slowly made his way back to his room.
"He didn't force her into that storm, love."Arwen said gently."It's her own fault she's sick. Don't be angry with him."
"He shouldn't have been near their rooms."
"No, he shouldn't, and he knows that. I don't think he'll go back."Aragorn rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"Let's go see her again, then I have to see Mazid." they walked back into Dúniel's room to find her sisters all sitting on her bed, Merenwen combing Dúniel's hair while Miniual brooded at her feet, gently rocking Lothuial.
"Girls, what am I to do if you all become ill!"Aragorn cried, smiling.
"Ada, what about Arash?"Dúniel asked, eyes burning with fear.
"I gave him a warning, that's all. And you should know better than to be alone with him."he said angrily."He could've killed you, Dúniel! Or worse! Have my warnings meant nothing to you?"Dúniel looked shocked. It was so rare for her father to be angry, and she seemed to be doing nothing but infuriating him since Arash had arrived. But...
"I trust him."Dúniel said defiantly, ignoring the tears in her eyes."He makes me feel alive again."Her parents looked horrified for a moment, then Arwen stepped forward.
"Children, leave us please."
"But Nana-"
"Now!"she snapped. With much grumbling, Eldarion herded the girls out and closed the door behind him. Dúniel was alone with her mother and father.
"I have spoken to you before about getting too close to him."Aragorn said gently.
"I know." Dúniel said, eyes looking suspiciously wet."I really like him Ada! But I have not become more than friends, I promise. I came up here with him because I didn't want him to get hurt again, or ill. He's become dear to me, and I didn't want him to-to-"she sneezed several times then blew her nose.
"I know you will not disobey me, love."Aragorn said.
"And we know that we don't need to warn you again."Arwen said."It is alright to be fond of him. But your father will be resuming his talks with Mazid tomorrow. He could be leaving by the end of the month, or even after winter. Do not get too attached, Dúniel."their daughter nodded miserably.
"Get your rest, dear."Aragorn said, opening the door and almost getting crushed by his daughters falling on the floor. He raised an eyebrow at their guilty expressions."And I do not approve of eavesdropping either."he said, helping the girls to their feet."You can return to your room tomorrow, as will Arash. But I expect you to stay abed for a few days."Dúniel nodded and lay back, letting sleep take her body.
Dúniel woke the next morning feeling considerably better, but her head still felt like it was full of snot. Groaning, she sat up, a wave of used hankies flying off her bed.
"Good morning."she looked up in horror to see Arash leaning against her doorframe, grinning at her."You look dreadful."
Dúniel was suddenly aware of the low neck line of her nightdress.
"Don't make me sneeze on you."she growled, pulling her sheets up to her neck."How long have you been standing there?"
"Not long. I was wondering if you were going to get up today, so I could say my goodbyes." Dúniel stared at him, cold terror running through her body.
"Goodbye? You're leaving?"
"Yes."
"But, but what about the talks! You can't leave!"she cried, eyes shining suspiciously. Arash laughed.
"Oh, Dúniel you must be ill. I am only leaving the Houses, dear princess."she blushed furiously, though whether from embarrassment or him calling her 'dear' he couldn't decide.
"Don't frighten me like that!"she cried, gesturing for him to turn so she could pull on one of the Houses nightgowns and get up.
"You were frightened? Whatever for?"he said, talking lightly to the hall. She stormed up to him and spun him around, pointing a finger in his face.
"What do you think!"she said angrily."I thought you were going to leave me! I thought..."Arash blinked as a tear streaked down her cheek.
"I'm sorry."he said quietly, digging in his pockets and pulling out a handful of hankies. He retrieved a clean one and handed it to her.
"Thank you."she whispered, wiping her eyes."I'm leaving today too."
"If you get dressed, you can accompany me back to our rooms."he said, smiling gently."Canion is returning me to my father, so you need not fear trouble."Dúniel shook her head.
"I let my father down."she whispered. The princess looked up at him."Why did you kiss me?"she said quietly.
"I could ask you the same thing. You kissed me first."he grinned.
"You didn't tell Ada, did you?"
"No. But your father was quite annoyed with me for being alone with you. I know it's hard to resist me, but we must try to stop snogging."she looked shocked as he winked, then smiled shyly.
"I know. But thank you for kissing me back. It truly was a kiss to remember."
"But I shouldn't have let myself get so distracted."he said almost angrily."I should've gotten you to Glíriel sooner."
"It's alright."she said, surprising him by touching his cheek."A little cold never hurt anyone. Besides, it will be snowing soon, so I have to get rid of it quickly, else I can't go ice skating."
"Snow?"he said in surprise."I have never seen snow."
"I hope you brought good warm clothes."she said, backing away to close her door."Wait for me."
Arash sighed and returned to his room, sitting on his bed and burying his face in his hands. He became lost in his own guilty thoughts, and didn't hear Dúniel until she touched his arm. He jumped and pulled back, surprising both of them.
"Are you alright?"she asked, looking a little hurt. He smiled and stood.
"Yes, princess."he said, nodding to Canion curtly as the guard appeared in his doorway."Just daydreaming."she grinned.
"Come. The servants have returned all our clothes, so we only need to walk carefully. It rained again last night."they thanked the healers profusely, who mearly grinned, then left the Houses, feeling strangely liberated.
They walked in a comfortable silence, occasionally catching each other as their feet slipped on the stones, Canion walking a careful distance so they could speak privately but so he could come to the rescue quickly.
"Why did you come in winter?"Dúniel asked, walking around a puddle.
"Not sure."Arash admitted."Perhaps they forgot seasons are different in the north. The stars certainly are."
"Really?"she said, looking excited in spite of her puffy eyes and red runny nose."Ada went to Harad once, long ago, but I would love to see it for myself. A place where even the stars are different."
"I shall have to invite you down some time."he said, nudging her gently with his elbow. She grinned.
"I'd like that."
"Although, I must admit I am rather taken with this place."he said, gazing around him."Such beauty wherever you look."he looked at Dúniel as he said this, and she blushed furiously.
"You speak too kindly of me."she said quietly."I hope you stay until spring, Ithilien is so beautiful. But I shall have to convince Eldarion to take us all ice skating soon."
"Excellent."he said, stopping. Dúniel realised they where near the entrance of the royal quarters. Arash took her hand and kissed it gently.
"I hope you have not made my cold worse."he teased, standing."Will you be at dinner?"
"Probably not."she admitted."I promised my father I'd stay in bed for a few days."
"Well, if you need a way to entertain yourself, or even warm your bed for you..."he whispered, winking at her horrified face. She grinned.
"You cheeky little -"she tried to hit him but he danced back, laughing.
"Until we next meet."he called, returning to Canion. Dúniel shook her head, stunned at his playful yet strangely enticing suggestion. She knew he was joking, of course, but still...
"Oh no."she whispered, watching him go."I care for him. But I can't...no I mustn't."
She turned and walked quickly to her room and dove under the sheets, trying to keep the intoxicating visions of half-naked Arash (which she'd found lingering in her dreams a lot, much her her combined pleasure and horror) lying beside her out of her head.