Chapter 17: Secrets
"What was that about?"Eldarion asked.
"He did leave awfully quickly."Aragorn said, eyes on his daughter.
"I don't know why. Perhaps he felt pressured."Dúniel said irritably.
"He's got a terrible guilt in his heart."Arwen said quietly."And I know he didn't believe me when I told him there was nothing more to fear." All eyes turned to Dúniel, who met their gaze angrily.
"I don't believe he'd hurt you."Arwen said gently."But do you think he knows something? Something bad?"
"I don't know."Dúniel said bitterly."If he does, he's not likely to tell me, is he?"
"I doubt that."Eldarion said.
"It is not my place to ask these things of him!"she cried.
"Dúniel, why are you protecting him?"Aragorn asked quietly."I know you value his friendship, but enough to betray your people?"Dúniel went white.
"How can you...I would never...Ada, how can..."she felt tears threatening in her eyes."I've just been attacked! He saved my life, he came to warn us!"
"So you do know something?"her father said, anger glinting in his eyes."I think you should tell me, especially if it's upsetting you this much."
"I will not let you take him from me!"she yelled suddenly."I won't betray him! I'm...I..."she trailed off, realising she'd practically committed purgery."Please don't make me do this, Ada."she begged, sobbing gently."He-he promised me he'd come and speak to you this week. He doesn't want any part of anything. He just wants his family to be safe!"
She sat on a chair and wrapped her arms around herself tightly, ignoring her sore shoulder, weeping silently. Aragorn looked extremely conflicted. His own daughter, keeping possibly dangerous information from him? To keep her friend safe? This was not like her. Dúniel was never backwards in coming forward if she thought there was danger...
"You don't consider Arash a threat?"Aragorn asked, sitting beside her. Dúniel shook her head, shaking.
"He would never hurt me, never hurt us."she whispered."I swere if I thought he was a danger..."Aragorn nodded.
"But how do you know he is genuine?"he asked gently."How do you know he is not pretending? Who better to get information from than my daughter?"Dúniel refused to meet his eye, hating that her face would give away just how close to the mark he had hit."Is there nothing you are willing to tell me? Please, Dúniel, I don't want to see you hurt again. And I don't want to be forced to do something I would never forgive myself for."
"Aragorn!"Arwen whispered, horrified. He looked apologetically at his wife, then turned back to Dúniel, who was staring at him in horror.
"You would send me to jail? Have me killed?"
"No, my darling. If you were involved in a plot to overthrow me, well, perhaps things would be different. But I know you could never..."he shook his head and squeezed her hand."Please, sell vuin. Talk to me."
Dúniel felt completely betrayed. How could he ask this of her? To give up the best thing that had happened to her in such a long time? There was so much they had left to share...
"If I tell you something, will you swere you will not send him away?"she asked slowly."He makes me feel so beautiful, so special...I don't want to lose him!"Aragorn hesitated for a moment.
"But what if I find out he's not the good man you think he is?"Dúniel lifted her chin, cheeks shining with tears.
"Then I will finish him off myself."
"No, no Dúniel, you will not. He will be given a fair trial like everyone else. But I am glad your mind is not yet completely clouded with him."he kissed her fingers."I swere to you, that I will not send Arash away, unless I find some completely convincing evidence to do so."Dúniel swallowed hard, but smiled slightly and relaxed.
"Thank you Ada."she whispered.
"Now, my dear, please, what can you tell me?"Dúniel swallowed.
"I overheard Mazid talking to Canion. He has betrayed us, Ada."Aragorn looked horrified.
"Canion? Are you sure?" she nodded, and he now looked terrified."I let him protect you!"
"It's alright, he's not that stupid."she said quietly."I-I think he may have sent those men today."fear flashed through her eyes."Does that help?"Aragorn was deep in thought, so her mother gently stroked her hair.
"It does, my love. If we can convince Canion to give us information, perhaps we can find out what all this is about. Although, I won't deny it would be a good move for Arash to come and talk to us, if he wishes to be trusted."
"I will talk to him tomorrow."Dúniel said quietly. Aragorn moved suddenly, startling them. He swiftly kissed Dúniel's forehead as he stood.
"Thank you, Dúniel. This may be a good start. I have a lot of contacts in this city, I will gather more evidence. But for now...I think we need to bring Canion in as soon as possible. Tomorrow afternoon I should have everything I need."
"May I go?"Dúniel asked quietly. He smiled and helped her to her feet, then carefully hugged her."Forgive me, Ada."Dúniel whispered."I let you down again."
"Defending a friend is very important. I can understand that. I would like you to stay in your rooms today, please. It would make your terrified father much happier."
"I will go with her."Arwen said."Come Dúniel, we will pick up your sisters on the way."
"Eldarion, come with me."Aragorn said, and they quickly left the room. Arwen cast a glance at her distressed daughter.
"You seem set on protecting an enemy, dearest."
"He is not our enemy."she said angrily. Arwen smiled.
"I hope not. Come, my love."
Arash paced furiously in his room for hours, not noticing when the dinner bell was tolled. He had to do something! But what? He would talk to the King, that much he was positive about. But then...
But then his fathers acid words entered his thoughts.
Did you see how she looked at you?
Yes. He had seen how she'd looked so adoringly at him. And it had made him feel like he was on fire, like he wanted to scoop her off her feet and make mad passionate love to her. He had become attached, it was why he'd told her why he was sent. He was becoming far more than attached...when he'd heard her screaming, something inside him had stirred. Not just absolute terror of losing her...
"Arash!"the young man jumped when Mazid yelled through the door."If you want dinner, hurry up."
Glaring furiously at the door, Arash silently pulled his coat on and followed the party up the snow covered path, ignoring the soft flakes falling on his nose. His mind buzzed as he considered a possibility he'd never thought of, or at least, wouldn't admit he'd thought of. Could it be possible? Could he really be falling for her? Not just a foreigner, but a princess? He wished he knew what she'd said in the stables...he was sure she was confessing her feelings to him, but was frightened he might reject her. If anything, she would reject him when she found out about his past. He sighed heavily.
"Arash!"he looked up and found himself looking at the princess as though he'd never seen her before.
Oh my. he thought to himself. I am falling for her.
Dúniel smiled broadly as she hurried over to him, making his stomach tingle. Dúniel found herself admiring him as she drew closer, and her heart sped when he smiled most handsomely at her.
"Arash, are you alright? You went off awfully quickly."
Arash's eyes darted to his father, who sat nearby and was trying to be discreet about listening to their conversation. Nodding slightly, she took his hand and pulled him away by the fire, where she doubted even her mothers elven ears could pick up their words. She released his hand and Arash quickly pocketed the slip of parchment she'd palmed to him.
"My parents know something's not right."she whispered, looking fearful."They know you know something, and they know I know something. They wanted me to tell them why you are really here!"Arash went white, and it took all his strength to keep his eyes on her.
"What did you say?"
"I would never betray you! You said you'd talk to my father, and I believed you. I still do."
"I still intend to."he said quietly.
"I had to tell them about Canion, otherwise I am a traitor!"she whispered, looking close to tears.
"I never meant to put you in a situation like that, Dúniel. I am truly sorry."he sighed."At least when they arrest Canion they can perhaps get my father before he goes after you."
"My father will not be happy about this."she groaned.
"No, I don't doubt it. But I still want to meet with you tomorrow. We can have a long talk, and perhaps if you know a little more about me, perhaps that will help."Dúniel smiled.
"Perhaps. But be careful Arash. My father said he would only send you away if he found incriminating evidence against you. Don't let him find any."
"You're betraying your father for me?"
"No, maethor veren vuin. I am protecting my dear friend."their eyes met for a long moment, but Dúniel soon looked away."Do you want to join us?"
"I'd better not. Your father looks ready to kill me."Dúniel glanced up at the table to see Aragorn discreetly watching them, but she could feel his anger. She sighed heavily.
"I have let him down to often. He will never trust me again."
"I'm so sorry."
"It's alright. It's worth it if you get to stay a little longer. See you in the morning."
"What did you call me just now?"he said, taking her arm to stop her moving away. She smiled shyly and blushed.
"Dear brave warrior."Arash reddened, but grinned back and laughed a little.
"I'm glad you think so highly of me."She nodded and he released her. Arash watched sadly as she returned subdued to her seat. Aragorn leaned over to her.
"Dúniel, what was that about?"
"I am going to talk to him tomorrow Ada, that is all. I'm doing this for you, because I want you to be safe. I want you to trust me again."she answered quietly."And, I really care for him Ada. A lot." he nodded.
"I never stopped trustng you, Dúniel, I never could. And I know you care for him, love. I can see he's completely besotted with you."
"He is?"she whispered, trying not to sound to hopeful or surprised. He smiled gently.
"I still owe him my darling. I'm sure he will be able to stay somehow."Dúniel leapt from her seat and hugged her father tightly, sobbing her thanks into his shoulder. He grinned and patted her back gently, then prised her off him.
"Goodness Dúniel, anyone would think you're in love with him."he laughed. Dúniel blinked and looked at Arash.
"I'm sorry Ada."she said quietly, sitting once more."I got a little overexcited."he smiled and drank deeply from his goblet. Dúniel sighed, hating that she could lie so easily to her father.
Back in his room, Arash pulled out the slip of parchment that had been burning a hole in his pocket and opened it. It didn't say much:
Fifth circle gate. 9 bells. Hide behind boxes. Burn this NOW.
He felt excitement growing inside him. They were finally going to spend some time together, alone. Somewhere they could talk, really talk, where they could kiss, where...where so much could happen between them. He carefully burnt the note and went to bed, trying valiantly to calm.
"Dúniel! Dúniel, wake up!"
Dúniel sat bolt upright with a shriek, shaking furiously. Miniual stood over her, a hand on her shoulder. Merenwen, still a little sniffly, held a candle and looked terrified. Dúniel glanced around her, and the shadows drew back, the terrible faces vanished. But she could hear the laughs, feel their hands grabbing her-
"Dúniel!"Miniual crawled onto the bed and held her terrified sister tightly while she completely broke down."Merenwen, put that on the dresser and come here." in a strange role reversal, Dúniel was held by her younger sisters, barely aware of them.
"I'm so sorry."she whispered after a while.
"Don't blame yourself, Dúniel. It is understandable that you would have nightmares after what happened."
"I have nightmares about the lake."Merenwen said quietly."I'm so afraid of water now."
"You will be swimming like a duck in the summer, I know it."Miniual teased.
"What time is it?"Dúniel asked.
"It will be dawn soon."she groaned and rubbed her eyes."Aren't you meeting with Arash today."Dúniel nodded.
"I will look dreadful..."both her sisters gazed at her, stunned.
"Dúniel, since when have you ever thought tired eyes matter?"Miniual asked, shocked."Ever since you've been scarred, you've never wanted to put on make up or draw attention to yourself at all."
"Well, maybe I want him to notice me."she said defensively.
"I think you've accomplished that."Dúniel sniffed miserably.
"Thank you."she whispered, holding them tightly."I don't deserve sisters like you."
"Well, it is almost morning, so we are going to stay here with you until then."Merenwen immediately dove under the sheets, giggling. Dúniel smiled slightly.
"Dúniel?"she turned to look at Miniual, who wiped a tear off her scarred cheek."It's alright to love him."
"No it isn't."she said quietly."Not if I can't be with him. Not if I keep betraying my family for him."
"But don't forget, you are not the first person who fell for someone they shouldn't have."Miniual said, smiling."We would not be here if Ada hadn't survived the war. Now shut up and let's get some sleep."the three sisters easily fit in the large bed, Dúniel still crying silently.
"Ada owes him two rewards now, Dúniel. I think it would be very cruel of him if Arash wants to stay and Ada didn't allow him too."
"I hope you're right."
Arash tapped his fork impatiently through breakfast.
"What is wrong with you, boy?"Mazid snarled."Stop that, it's irritating me!"
Arash scowled and dropped the fork. He was wondering where Dúniel was. It was not like her to be late for breakfast. When she did enter, a shocked silence crept over the hall. Dúniel had been introduced to the new fangled "corsets" the year before, and had politely said she had no desire for her insides to be squeezed into her legs. She clearly looked uncomfortable in the contraption as she stalked to her table, unused to revealing so much cleavage. Eldarion stared at his sister, completely dumbfounded. Arash felt his mouth drying up. She had her mothers womanly curves...but this dress accentuated them considerably. While the effect was stunning, and she pulled it off easily, it looked so...strange. The vision was ruined slightly by the bandage on her shoulder.
"Dúniel."Eldarion managed."What are you wearing?"
"Ada bought this for me. I thought I should give it a try."Dúniel said defensively.
She was already considering going back and changing. She felt like she was being crushed, and her maid's strong fingers had entrapped her tightly, leaving her barely able to breathe. And she really wasn't sure about the amount of breast she was flashing...she felt like a prostitute, and was sure she'd have a wardrobe malfunction at any moment. But...
But the look Arash was giving her told her to leave it on. She'd worn it for him, to make sure he'd notice her...she was determined that something good would happen that day, just to make up for the dreadful previous day.
"Dúniel, promise me you'll burn that tonight."Eldarion said weakly."You look lovely, but it is not you."
"You can help if you like."she said, eating as much as she could fit in her crushed stomach.
She waited impatiently as she watched the Haradrim party leave, then five minutes before the bells would toll she left, wrapping her coat around her tightly. She moved to the fifth circle gate quickly, using her instincts and her fathers survival lessons to keep out of sight. The alleyways she avoided completely. Finally, she reached the gate and ducked behind the boxes.
"Arash?"she hissed. She stiffened when there was movement behind her, but relaxed when she saw him emerging through the gate.
"Sorry."he said, and took full advantage of their hiding spot by holding her tightly. She shook hard in his grip, heart racing."I didn't mean to frighten you. Are you sure you want to do this?"she nodded and swallowed.
"Come on."she went to pull him down the nearest side street, but he stopped her.
"Dúniel, your dress..."
"I know, it's not me. I know I shouldn't have worn it."
"No, no. You look beautiful."he said quietly, eyes exploring her curves. Dúniel blushed and hit him gently.
"You should not be so bold."she said, but grinned, pleased her plan had worked.
"But I will agree that it is not you. Not the Dúniel I care for."he smiled gently."But I don't mind at all."
"I'll bet you don't. Now come, before some guards turn up. It's not far."
She lead him down several small streets that looked strangely deserted. Her grip on his hand tightened considerably as they headed towards a much darker alley.
"Come on. I'll take care of you."he said quietly, leading the way in.
The alley ended around a corner, and Arash saw nothing but some old crates stack up neatly. Dúniel grabbed the crates and slid them aside, and Arash saw a gap in the stone wall, leading into one of the deserted houses. They would have to crawl through it.
"Let me go first."he said as she went to kneel."Just in case."Dúniel looked frightened, but nodded and watched him crawl in. There was a thumping sound, and he swore suddenly.
"Arash!"she hissed.
"I'm alright. I ran into a bed. Come on, it's safe."Dúniel sighed and crawled through, then turned and pulled the crates back over the hole.
Well guys, im back to uni on monday! ill still be writing, but it may be a bit longer breaks. Or it may not...i dont know how full on my course is. but the show must go on! thanx for reading & reviews :D
Sell vuin - beloved daughter
Maethor veren vuin- My/Dear brave warrior