thanx to Redone on advise for my terrible paragraphing i will be fixing it ASAP. hopefull got it right in this chapter. enjoy!
Chapter 21: The price of redemption
"Ada, please, don't make him do this!" Dúniel cried, eyes wet. "What if he gets caught?"
"He is not stupid, Dúniel." Eldarion said, still clearly angry. "If he's as smart as he seems, he will wait until Mazid is in a meeting with Ada."
"But, this isn't fair!" She whispered.
"Dúniel, he is only doing what he promised me." Aragorn said sternly. "It is only because of him you are not being punished. He asked me to spare you of my anger. He also said he would do anything to prove his loyalty."
"He never spoke to me of any of this!" She cried, furious.
"Perhaps he knew how you would react, my love." Her father said. Dúniel seemed to shrink.
"He knows how much he means to me! If I lose him...I can't lose him Ada! No man has ever wanted me, no man will ever want me again! I love him so much. I can't lose him, please." Aragorn sighed and moved over to his daughter.
"I can't force him to do anything, Dúniel. He is doing this for you. Take some comfort in that. He's trying to redeem himself, for you." He held her gently. "I know you love him, Dúniel. I know love when I see it." He shook his head at Dúniel's suddenly white face. "Are you so frightened to tell me the truth?"
"I don't know what I'm frightened of anymore." She whispered.
Eldarion's anger died at his sister's grief and confusion, and he came over and squeezed her shoulder. She winced - he'd squeezed her injured shoulder. He pulled back quickly with an apology. Aragorn held her face gently.
"No father likes to see his daughter in love. I know that very well." His face saddened slightly. "But I have not seen you so happy. I would do anything to see you remain so, Dúniel, and if you believe in him so much, I shall try my best to trust him once more." He kissed her forehead gently. "Do you want to see your mother?"
"No. I-I want to be alone." She whispered. Aragorn nodded and looked at his son.
"Will you take her back to her rooms? I need to think of a new way to protect her, it seems, seeing as her life is in danger."
Eldarion nodded and lead Dúniel quietly from the room. They did not speak until they reached her rooms, where Dúniel took his arm.
"Will you come inside?"
Blinking in surprise, he nodded and closed the door behind him, and sank into the couch in front of the fire. Dúniel stood beside him, twisting her hands nervously.
"How do you bare it?" She asked suddenly. "How do you survive knowing you will only see her in the spring?"
This surprised Eldarion completely. He of course knew what she was referring to - Taenwen. He'd known his whole life he would have to marry for politics, not love, and had no true desire to do that to some poor woman. And then...and then he'd met Taenwen not four years ago. She was a sweet, plain girl from a noble family from Dol Amroth, the youngest of five sister, come to visit relatives for the first time. Eldarion had no time for the two sisters who remained unmarried, but found a kindred spirit in Taenwen, discovering a sharp mind and salty sense of humour under her plain appearance.
All knew he was quite taken with her, and Dúniel discovered quite by accident the next spring just how taken with her he was, when she walked into Eldarion's bedroom to find them, well, together. Eldarion was very much in love with the young woman, but knew if either family found out he was sleeping with her...but Dúniel loyally kept his secret. He had every intention of marrying the woman the coming spring, but it always hurt to be apart from her so long. Perhaps that was why she was asking him this.
"She writes to me often, though the year does seem long indeed before I get to see her again." he looked sad for a moment. "You're frightened he'll leave?"
"If he leaves, I'll never see him again." Dúniel said, voice shaking. "Mazid will kill him."
"We'll do our best for you, Dúniel, Ada wants you to be happy." She nodded then looked at her brother.
"Ada will be happy that you are finally proposing to someone." Eldarion laughed.
"Relieved I think is the better word." Dúniel smiled tightly, and sat beside her brother.
"I'm sorry I've been lying so much, but I had to. I love him." Eldarion wrapped his arm around her shoulders and held her gently.
"I will admit I'm not very happy about the things he said this morning, but...I think he loves you." Dúniel smiled slightly.
"Do...do you think one day we could marry?" she asked hesitantly. Eldarion was obviously shocked.
"Marry?" He managed weakly. "Dúniel, I have no idea. It will depend on Arash's actions, and Mazid's. The next few days will be interesting, that's for sure." Dúniel sighed heavily.
"I hope he's alright."
Arash knew his father was meeting with Aragorn before lunch, so patiently waited for Mazid to leave. He waited five minutes, incase he forgot something and had to come back, then walked to his balcony. He glanced around carefully, making sure no one was watching, then leapt from his balcony into the snow. He walked to Mazid's and climbed with a little difficulty over the edge. He stood stock still for a moment, making sure the guards had not heard him, then crept carefully into Mazid's room.
He thoroughly searched both rooms, carefully holding onto any papers that looked interesting. He was searching the desk when he hit the jackpot. He smiled to himself. This was perfect. He stiffened when the door started to open. He had not realised the time! He quickly shoved the papers into his jacket and turned as Mazid walked into the room.
"Arash?" Mazid exclaimed. "What in Arda are you in here?" Arash turned and held up Mazid's whetstone.
"I can't find mine, I was going to bring it back." he said smoothly. Mazid frowned slightly.
"Make sure you do."
Arash calmly walked past him and dropped off the stone in his room, then started to make his way to lunch. He didn't dare glance back or start running. He was deeply relieved when he saw Eldarion ahead, walking deep in thought.
"Eldarion?" Arash called.
The prince jumped slightly, then frowned.
"Oh, it's you." he said.
Arash wasn't sure if he was still angry, so took care with his words.
"I need to speak to your father as soon as I can. Can you ask him please?" Eldarion glanced at the younger man.
"You found something?" Arash nodded. Eldarion let the ghost of a smile flicker over his face. "Very well."
"Where's Dúniel? Is she angry with me?"
"Oh yes, she is." Eldarion said, laughing a little. "But more terrified that you are going to get caught."
"Is she coming to lunch?"
"No. I'm taking some to her. She's not had the best morning."
"That makes two of us. Mazid nearly caught me." He was surprised when Eldarion looked concerned.
"Did he suspect something?"
"Probably. He's not stupid."
"Then I'll get you to my father straight away. We need to make sure he doesn't go after my sister. Follow me."
Arash followed the young prince to the table where his father sat. Eldarion asked Miniual to take some food to her sister and keep her company, then walked to his father and whispered in Sindarin. Aragorn looked sharply at Arash, then nodded and stood. Arwen looked up, having overheard her son's whispers. She'd only just recovered from her husband's retelling of that morning's events, but smiled a little at Arash, who smiled back. Aragorn kissed her forehead and led the two young men away to a private room quickly.
"Are you certain Mazid didn't see you take anything?" Aragorn asked as soon as the door was closed.
"Fairly certain, but he will notice what I took is missing very quickly." Arash answered, pulling the documents from his jacket.
Most of the papers contained vague ideas and plans, and information about the city and it's structure. Aragorn sighed.
"This is good, but not the best." He said as he shuffled though the pages.
He then noticed the prize of Arash's frustrating search. He picked up a letter, recognising his own handwriting. It was the letter had sent to Harad agreeing for ambassadors. For someone other than the leaders of Harad to have this letter in their possession was a heinous crime. Aragorn's eyes lit up.
"Oh I shall love to see him talk his way out of having this!" Aragorn laughed. "This was for the Prince's eyes only! He would not have seen this if Mazid is here. Ah, well done, young man, very well done."
It was the first time Arash had been heartily congratulated by another man, let alone a man who was a loving father, and because of Aragorn's station, he felt his ego rising slightly.
"I shall have to write again to the Prince and let him know the situation. I shall have my guards take it to Harad personally. It will take a long time for any response, but that is not important right now..."
Aragorn fell silent, his eyes flashing from the letter to the other papers excitedly, seeming half his age. Eldarion coughed politely and Aragorn came back from his thoughts.
"Right, first things first. I will issue an order to place Mazid and the guards under arrest."
"And...me?" Arash asked, trying valiantly to hide his fear.
Aragorn straightened and looked at Arash for a long moment, as though trying to read him.
"You did as I asked. You returned with some very good evidence at the risk of your life, to help me protect my daughter and country. But..."
"But one act cannot possibly prove my loyalty." Arash finished, looking very downcast.
"Time, lad, give it time. I will not place you under arrest. I am giving you the chance to prove yourself trustworthy and loyal. This is...let's call it a probationary period. I will decide what to do with you once I know what I am doing with Mazid. Until then, I suggest you don't do anything that would force me to break my daughter's heart. Is that understood?"
"Very much so." Arash said a little breathlessly. It may only be for a short period, but for now, he could stay! He had to tell Dúniel. She was probably waiting for him...
"I suggest you stay close to company until we have Mazid and the guards under arrest." Aragorn said. "I shall send my son to let you know. Where will you be?"
"I'll stay here, or go and have some lunch. I won't go far, I promise." Aragorn nodded, and gestured for Eldarion to follow him.
"Thank you for this Arash. It pleases me that you are so willing to help me, to help us." Aragorn said. Arash smiled and bowed.
"It pleases me that I may be able to stay, and prove myself worthy of your trust." Aragorn smiled slightly.
"Go and eat something, lad. We'll be back before long."
Arash was quietly eating with Merenwen and Arwen, who'd invited him to join them when the whispers spread throughout the hall - Mazid and his guards had been placed under arrest, not without a fight or nasty word. Arash could feel the gaze of a hundred pairs of eyes on him, all suspicious and angry. He turned when Arwen lay her hand on his arm.
"Ignore them, Arash. You have no reason to feel guilt."
"Yes I do." He said quietly. She smiled, making him feel very lightheaded.
"Let go of the tasks he wanted you to do, my dear. You have a new and much better one, and I know my daughter appreciates it." Arash smiled slightly.
"Thank you." He said quietly. "I wish I could go see her. I promised her I would." Arwen smiled.
"You shouldn't be telling me things like that! A courting couple does not want parents involved."
"Courting?" Merenwen asked, looking up at Arash and grinning. "Are you going to marry my sister?"
"We'll see." He said cautiously, not wanting to promise what might not happen.
"I hope you do. Ada will not kill you too much." She giggled madly, and Arwen covered her mouth, clearly trying to hide a laugh. She then looked up and smiled.
"Eldarion, is everything alright?" Eldarion sighed as he drew near his mother.
"Mazid is just being...difficult. He's claiming Arash is behind all the plans."
"Does he really think I'm capable of thinking up things like that?" Arash asked, annoyance clear on his face.
"Oh, you'd be surprised what the young think they can get away with." Arwen said mysteriously.
"Arash, we may need to search your room and belongings. I'm sorry-"
"No, I understand. I just hope he hasn't planted anything in there I don't know about. Go ahead, I've nothing to hide." Eldarion nodded.
"Thank you for trying to make things better." He said a little stiffly. "I can understand why you did what you did. I'm sorry if your niece...sorry. But Mazid and the Haradrim guards are locked away. You are free to leave the halls, but I suggest you stay in crowded areas." He nodded again and left. Merenwen was laughing her head off at Eldarion.
Arash sighed heavily, and turned to Arwen.
"I just wish I knew." He said sadly.
"You will find out one day." Arwen said, smiling sadly. "Things that bad never stay secret for very long." Arash stood.
"If I may take my leave, I need to go and think for a bit."
"If you see Dúniel, please tell her to come and see me if she can bare to be parted from you." Arwen said. Arash went bright red.
"I-I assure you that-"
"I was teasing you, Arash." Arwen said, smiling slightly. "But do pass on the message if you see her."
He bowed and left and quickly as he dared, Merenwen's continuous giggles ringing in his ears.
Dúniel had finally managed to convince Miniual to leave her be (as politely as possible) and hurried to her Secret Place as soon as she was sure it was safe. She had been nervously waiting and pacing for over an hour now, running over and over in her mind what she was going to yell the moment Arash showed his face.
She jumped and nearly cried out when the crates started to shift, and hid herself behind the bed incase it was someone else. But she sighed with relief when, after the crates where pulled back, she heard a muffled cursing in Haradric. He'd caught his fingers in the gap between wood and stone. Shaking his hand, he called softly for Dúniel, who stood quickly. All fury and anger died when she saw him, washed away by overwhelming relief that he was alright. He smiled guiltily as she moved forward, and was more than surprised when she threw her arms around him and kissed him hard. They kissed for a long moment before Dúniel pulled away and held him close, loving the sensation of his strong arms around her body.
"Why did you have to scare me like that?" She whispered, pulling back and slapping his arm. " I was worried sick! You risked your life to prove yourself you stupid man! What if he'd caught you, he'd have killed you and I'd never have known for ages-"
"Are you done?" Arash asked, looking slightly angry, but mostly guilty. Dúniel deflated.
"Why didn't you tell me?" She whispered. "We're supposed to be lovers, we're supposed to tell each other things." Arash shook his head slightly.
"Dúniel, my dear one, how could I tell you? I knew how you'd react. I didn't want to worry you. And besides, this is the only way I can gain your fathers trust. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I just wanted to protect you from worrying." He pulled her close again, stroking her back gently.
"So what happened?" Dúniel asked quietly.
Arash explained, not without several gasps and angry looks. But this made him feel a little better. She was angry because she was frightened, scared for him.
"Forgive me?" He asked, smiling gently at her.
Dúniel sighed heavily, resting her forehead on his.
"There is nothing to forgive. I just didn't want to lose you. And now Mazid is locked up, hopefully things will be a little easier."
"Hopefully." Dúniel smiled as he kissed her nose.
"This isn't fair. You know I'll forgive you because I'm sweet on you."
"A man has to take whatever advantages he can out of life." Arash said, grinning broadly. "And the many perks." Dúniel laughed as he started hungrily kissing her neck and face.
"Don't think we can solve all our problems with lovemaking." Dúniel warned. He smiled devilishly as he pulled off his jacket.
"But we can solve a lot of them." Dúniel laughed. "Besides, it will make them a lot more fun to have."
"You have a strange logic."
"But a good one."
Dúniel sighed happily as they lay naked together under the sheets of the bed.
This is why people fall in love. Dúniel thought to herself, her head on Arash's shoulder as he played with her hair. To lie warm and safe with the person you love, and know that no one can possibly ruin this for you.
"This is nice." Arash said quietly. "You're a beautiful bed warmer, dear Dúniel, and it looks like it's snowing out there. If only we could stay here."
Dúniel twisted her head to look at him, a half-smile on her face.
"So I'm just a bed warmer to you then?" She teased.
"Of course. You don't think you mean anything to me, do you?" He exclaimed in mock horror.
Dúniel raised her hand to slap his chest but he grabbed it and kissed her fingers gently. Dúniel laughed happily, squeezing his hand.
"Don't ever leave, Arash."
"Please, why would I when I have you to keep me here?" He loved the way her face glowed when he complimented her. He stroked her cheek gently. "I would do anything to be with you, anything." He said quietly. "You've given me life."
"Keep up this talk and I might have to make love to you again."
"What sort of a deterrent was that?" He asked, raising his eyebrow.
Dúniel pulled herself onto her elbow and kissed him.
"It wasn't."
Author's note: ah busy busy busy, sorry for the long wait. again, thanx to all who read and review! hopefully will be getting the next part done a bit sooner
Taenwen- Slender Maiden