yay, finally got time to write this next bit :D enjoy!
Chapter 13: Ice-capades
"Dúniel, Dúniel!"she looked up to see Miniual rushing through the snow towards them, grinning from ear to ear. "You'll never guess what's happened!"
"Elboron kissed you?"Dúniel teased, and was rewarded with a blush. She shook her head.
"No."
"He proposed?"
"I'm not sixteen yet!"
"You're pregnant?"
"Dúniel!"Miniual cried, her blush deepening as Arash snickered.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry."Dúniel laughed."What's happening then."
"Elboron and Eldarion are taking us ice skating today!"she cried, bouncing on her toes.
"Skating? Surely the river isn't frozen yet?"
"No, but Elboron said that he and his father found a water catchment not two miles from here, in the foot of the mountains! They think some rocks must have fallen and the rain gathered like a lake and it was frozen when they got there and they said it's strong enough an-"
"Miniual, breathe!"Dúniel cried, taking her sisters arms gently as Arash laughed hard.
Miniual had hardly drawn breath through the whole rant, and was looking a little light headed, but she grinned.
"It's an early birthday present."she gasped, glowing.
"I think she's excited."Arash said.
"Just a bit."Dúniel laughed.
"Ada says it's alright for Arash to come too, because Eldarion and Elboron will be there."
"Oh, but I can't skate."Arash said, holding up his hands and looking nervous."I don't even own skates!"
"You can borrow Eldarion's, he's got heaps! He kept growing."Dúniel said, and the sister snorted with laughter."Besides, we can teach you to skate, it's not hard."
"I must ask my father first."
"Well, come anyway."Miniual said, pulling them towards the Hall."Now come and eat so we can get going!"
"Are you sure you want me there? It sounds like family, and I don't want to be in the way-"
"Oh, hush."Miniual ordered, grinning at him."The amount of time you and Dúniel spend arguing, you're practically adopted."Arash blushed but grinned."Besides, you've become a good friend to all of us. I wouldn't like to leave you here bored, anyways."
"Ah, you pity me!"he cried dramatically. Dúniel elbowed him in the ribs and he laughed again. "I guess we'll have to put of your game until the day after tomorrow then. I know you'll want to be with your sister for her birthday tomorrow."
"It will give you time to think of questions."she teased.
They were gone within the hour, rugged up tightly against the cold, supplies on their saddles and grins on their faces. Arash was stunned that his father had agreed to his going. Something about it being a good opportunity to do the job he was brought there for. It was easy to ignore that parting shot, and he rode quietly along with the royal children and Elboron, who he found was as easy to get along with as Eldarion.
They reached the promised lake, which was indeed solidly frozen. The men set up a large tent for them to huddle in if the cold got to much while the girls lit a large fire away from the lake so the ice wouldn't melt, then put on their skates. Merenwen was almost bouncing out of her skin, and Miniual was no better. Dúniel sighed and wondered how she was related to them. She went to step onto the ice when Eldarion took her arm.
"Let me go. I don't want you stepping on unsafe ice."
"And I'm not going to let the King's only son risk his life like that."she said."Besides, I'm lighter than you, and less likely to break the ice."she suddenly pulled out of his grip and cautiously stepped onto the ice.
It completely failed to collapse under her. All present breathed a sigh of relief as Dúniel skated carefully to the other side. She turned with a spray of ice.
"Come on then, it's fine!"she called, returning to them and helping Merenwen onto the ice.
Arash was looking terrified, but Eldarion and Dúniel grabbed a hand each and pulled him onto the ice, laughing as his feet tried to splay.
"Watch the girls, will you? Both of them!"Eldarion called to Elboron, who nodded and joined Merenwen and Miniual on the other side.
Arash soon found his feet, but didn't dare go too fast, clearly frightened of falling. Dúniel did not help, skating around him quickly and laughing as he scowled darkly at her.
"Come on, Harad!"Dúniel called, skating backwards.
"Leave me be!"he said angrily.
She smiled broadly and turned, heading to her brother. He glanced ahead to see Merenwen skating slowly while Elboron and Miniual talked excitedly. None of them where prepared when the ice suddenly collapsed beneath the sisters. Elboron grabbed Miniual around the waist and pulled her back, both falling heavily on the ice. Only her feet had gotten wet.
Arash had reached forward and grabbed Merenwen as she'd fallen, managing to stop her as the water reached her waist and tore her out of the water, falling forward. The ice groaned horribly, and he felt Merenwen shivering beside him as Dúniel and Eldarion shrieked at them to stay still. Elboron was pulling Miniual to the snow and told her to get the skates off quickly and put on her boots.
"Get a rope!"Eldarion cried, watching cracks appear in the ice around the Harad and his sister. Dúniel watched in terror as Arash put his fingers to the ice then carefully licked his fingertips, frowning as he did so.
"Are you alright!"she cried, wanting to go forward but not daring to add her weight.
"Yes."he called. He turned to look at Merenwen, who was crying hard and shaking furiously.
"I'm scared."she whispered.
"I know. So am I."he whispered back."But stay still. I won't let anything happen to you."she nodded.
"Arash, grab this!"Arash saw a rope fall over his wrist, and quickly twined it around his arm, gripping it tightly. He cautiously reached out with his other hand and grabbed the back of Merenwen's coat.
"When I say, grab my jacket and don't let go."she nodded, fear in her eyes.
"Pull!"Eldarion cried, and the four pulled hard.
"Now!"he pulled her close as they were tugged quickly over the ice, and she clutched tightly at his jacket. They heard the ice breaking behind them.
"Miniual, heat the water skins, now!"Dúniel cried as they pulled the two onto the snow.
"Already done!"she cried, taking them away from the fire.
"Don't sit her up!"Dúniel said, and scooped her sister into her arms. They hurried to the tent and she carefully lay Merenwen down and started pulling off her clothes.
"Make sure Arash didn't get wet too!"she said as Eldarion closed the tent flaps to hide Dúniel as she pulled off her own clothes.
"I'm fine."Arash said, looking horrified at what had happened."I'm just a bit cold."
"Go stand by the fire then."Eldarion said, letting Miniual into the tent.
"Eldarion."they turned to look at a guilt stricken Elboron."I am so sorry, I thought the ice was fine, I will never forgive myself for this."
"You are not to blame."Arash said suddenly. When they turned to him, he pointed back at the hole in the ice."I tasted salt when I fell."Eldarion paled.
"Salt melts ice so fast. Someone knew we were coming here."
"Assassination."Elboron whispered, looking furious and none too relieved.
"Arash is right, this is not your fault. All that matters now is Merenwen. Arash, you pulled her out very fast so she should be fine."Eldarion put a hand on Arash's shoulder."You saved her life. Thank you, so much. And thank you for saving Miniual."he said to Elboron, who grinned slightly.
In the tent, Dúniel had stripped to her under dress, pulled off Merenwen's clothes and held her tightly, letting her body heat keep the little girl warm. Miniual had put the heated water skins in her armpits, and already her shivers were dying. It was lucky that she hadn't been in the water too long, else it could've been much worse...
"Dúniel, can I come in?"Eldarion called.
"Yes, but I'm in my under dress."she called warningly. He poked his head through, worry obvious in his eyes.
"How is she?"Dúniel smiled at her sister, who still looked frightened, but had stopped shivering.
"She'll be alright. Thanks to Arash, she won't get much more than a bad cold if we're lucky."
"Well, tell us when she's up for the ride home. I need to tell Ada someone's after us again."
"What do you mean?"Miniual asked, looking frightened.
"Arash tasted salt on the ice."the girls all paled.
"We may never know who did this." Dúniel said quietly."A lot of people would have overheard us talking about it."Eldarion nodded angrily.
"Are you alright?"he asked Miniual, who nodded.
"I'm fine."
"Not the best birthday gift."Dúniel said with a smile."Would you take her clothes out and dry them please?"Miniual nodded and gathered Merenwen's wet clothes, then pushed past Eldarion.
"Can I use your swords?"she called as she headed to the bonfire.
Arash and Elboron handed her their swords, which she thrust into the ground. On Elboron's she hung Merenwen's dress, and on Arash's she hung her coat. Arash rejoined Eldarion by the tent opening but Elboron edged closer, taking advantage of the flames hiding them.
"Are you alright?"he asked quietly."Did I hurt you?"Miniual reddened slightly and shook her head.
"No, you saved me."she said, smiling gently and nervously straightening the sleeves of the wet dress."Thank you. I am indebted to you."
"No, just knowing you are alright is enough for me."
"My father will give you a fine reward."she said, straightening.
"Yes, but the reward I want I can't have for another few years."he said, taking her hand.
Miniual went red, but didn't move when he leaned forward impulsively and kissed her gently. He pulled away just as suddenly, red as a tomato. Miniual surprised him by smiling slightly.
"Elboron..."she breathed."You kept your promise."he grinned slightly.
"It was better than I could've imagined."Miniual looked away, giggling and felt the clothes to see if they were drying. Eldarion wandered over suddenly, casting a suspicious eye over their red faces.
"I'm going back to Minas Tirith to tell Ada what's going on and to get the healers prepared. Do you want to come, Miniual?"
"No, Dúniel needs my help."she said quickly.
"Keep an eye on Arash."he said to Elboron."I don't think he's any danger, but...I don't want to take any chances. I'll be back as soon as I can, I promise. If I'm not back before it starts to get dark, bring them home."he nodded.
Eldarion kissed Miniual's forehead then entered the tent. A few moments later he was riding away. Arash sighed and huddled near the fire, watching Elboron and Miniual out the corner of his eyes. They were holding hands. He turned his attention to the shattered ice, wondering if his father had gotten impatient and was behind it.
"Arash."he turned and grinned at Dúniel, who emerged fully dressed from the tent.
"How is she?"
"Sleeping. She should be fine, I've put some blankets and one of Eldarion's coats over her."she suddenly rushed at him and kissed him hard, then pulled away, tears in her eyes.
"You saved her."she whispered, holding his face in her hands."You saved my sister, thank you. Thank you so much."he grinned weakly.
"If that is my reward, then I am glad."Dúniel grinned, then hurried to Elboron, who she kissed on the cheek and thanked him profusely.
He laughed and spoke words Arash couldn't hear. He was so sunk in confusion and self-hatred he wouldn't have heard if they were talking beside him. The emotions that had stormed through him when Dúniel had kissed him were so powerful, and he wanted to feel them again. She made him feel alive, like no other woman ever had. He jumped at a hand on his arm, and Dúniel laughed at him.
"Arash, you were a million miles away. Thinking of warmer places?"he shook his head.
"Just concerned about what happened."
"Well, we're all alive, thank goodness, and that's all that matters."she smiled fondly at him."My father will be at a loss for your reward. I know what he will give Elboron."she smiled at her sister, who was once again completely distracted by Faramir's son."But what could he offer an enemy?"
"Perhaps the opportunity to no longer be an enemy."Arash snapped. Dúniel blinked and looked hurt.
"I-I'm sorry. I-I thought that was our joke."he sighed and nodded.
"No, I'm sorry. It's just, there are things I can think of, but I could have none of them. It's frustrating."she smiled, still obviously stung.
"I'm sure he'll just tell you to think on it and ask him later. He will be so happy! Harad saving a princess of Gondor! This is such a good step forward for his talks!"she smiled happily, squeezing his hand. Arash smiled weakly.
"At least it will be one good thing to have come of our being here."
"I can think of another."Dúniel purred, smiling seductively. Arash almost lost complete control but managed to contain himself, only because Miniual and Elboron appeared from the other side of the fire.
"Dúniel, Merenwen's cl..."she trailed off, sensing the crackling attraction."Am I interrupting something?"Dúniel was silent for a moment, then turned away from the Harad.
"No."she said quietly."What about her clothes?"
"They won't be dry for ages."Dúniel nodded.
"I'll just wrap her in Eldarion's coat then if it comes to it."she sighed heavily."I'll make us a hot drink. Miniual, will you get Merenwen relatively decent so we can go in there."her sister nodded and disappeared into the tent with Dúniel.
Soon, there was the sound of boiling water, and all five of them had a hot, steaming cup of tea with honey in it.
"Should one of us be keeping watch?"Arash asked as he enjoyed the warmth of the mug on his cold fingers.
"Probably."Dúniel admitted."I'll let you boys fight it out, shall I?"the two young men exchanged glances, then Elboron stood.
"Perhaps we should both go."Arash nodded and the two walked outside, talking quietly.
Dúniel sighed as she collapsed in front of one of the many fireplaces in the Healing houses, sinking into the soft couch cushions. She grinned at Miniual, who say beside her. Eldarion had arrived a few hours after departing, Aragorn at his side. The King had dropped all pretense of calm and hugged his daughters tightly for a long time, asking constantly if they were sure they were alright. Merenwen had clung to him tightly, sobbing, while Miniual laughed that she was fine. They had just returned to Minas Tirith, and her parents were now fussing over Merenwen, making sure she was alright. They discovered that she no longer cared for the name 'Fred', preferring her own. This relieved them considerably.
"Your father loves you all very deeply."Arash said, standing by the fire.
"He's our father, he has no choice."Dúniel laughed.
He smiled tightly, obviously nervous of what Aragorn would say. Elboron still looked a little guilty at what had happened, glancing constantly at the door. After a while, Aragorn entered, smiling broadly.
"Well, it seems I have bred a family of troublemakers!"he said, kissing his daughters foreheads. "Arash, Elboron, do not look so troubled. We will find who's responsible for this, don't blame yourselves. You will each be rewarded for your honourable
actions."Arash looked away, sure that Aragorn wouldn't find any trace of the assassin."Elboron, come with me first, before your father explodes with pride."grinning slightly, they left the room.
"What is wrong, Arash?"Dúniel exclaimed."If your face was any longer, you'd be a horse!"
"I don't deserve your gratitude, nor any reward."he said quietly.
"You saved my sister, Arash. Do you regret that?"she said sharply.
"No!"he said quickly."No, not at all. I suppose I am just unused to being..."
"Appreciated? Rewarded?"she supplied.
"You should not think you are unworthy of anything, Arash."Miniual said quietly."You have done a great deed today, and it will never be forgotten."he didn't answer, but smiled slightly. After a while, Elboron returned, almost glowing.
"What did you get?"Dúniel asked.
"You will see in three years."he said mysteriously.
"He's making you wait three years to propose my sister?"she asked, amazed. Elboron blinked in astonishment.
"How-"
"Oh, please, we all know your completely besotted with each other."Dúniel teased as Miniual and Elboron blushed furiously.
"I am leaving tomorrow."he said quickly. "But I will see you at breakfast. Arash, he asked me to send you in."
Arash hesitated, then headed towards the young man, who ushered in into a small room, where Aragorn stood staring out the window.
Authors note -
i actually did reseach on hypothermia, so this is the best i could fathom as what people in middle ages time would do. and doncha ustlove me play on words title ;P i am such a wit. XD