edit: just fixed a mistake lol

Chapter 25: How the worm feels

Eldarion was right. It was a bloody long day. Dúniel and Arash hung around impatiently for Kahlen to finish interrogating Mazid, then were called in separately to answer the Prince's questions. The only high point was the unexpected early arrival of Taenwen and her family. Eldarion completely lost his nerve and decided to propose that night when they had some privacy. By the time night fell the princess and Arash were emotionally and mentally exhausted.

"How do you think it went?" Dúniel asked as she stroked the fire in Arash's room.

He sighed as he got into bed, leaning back against the wall.

"I think it went alright. Kahlen knows I wouldn't try to start a war with Gondor, but Mazid makes some convincing arguments when he has to. He might be a rebel, but he's still a lord, and they're used to getting out of situations like this."

Dúniel smiled and crawled over the sheets, sitting on his lap and stroking his hair tenderly.

"I told him that you are a good man, and that I know you'd never hurt anyone." She said, smiling gently.

Arash smiled and drew her forward, kissing her then letting her lean against him and rest her head on his chest, sighing happily.

"You're a good woman, Dúniel." He said, wrapping his arms around her protectively.

"Don't you forget it." She smiled as he laughed.

"Would you punish me if I did?" He asked in a seductive whisper.

"Arash!" Dúniel cried, looking up in shock. "Why do I get the feeling you'd enjoy that?" He merely smiled cheekily. "You wicked man!" She laughed, kissing his neck.

"Ah, already this night is becoming interesting." He said, and lifted her nightdress off, watching her hair fall over her white shoulders. Dúniel giggled as he gazed lovingly at her.

"Why do you even wear clothes, my meril en forod?You are so beautiful without them."

Dúniel smiled cheekily and straightened.

"So you would not object to me walking around like this during the day? Perhaps we should test that." To his horror, Dúniel stood and walked towards the door.

"What are you doing?" He hissed.

She grinned over her shoulder.

"What? Are you worried I might get cold?"

"Come back here! I'm not letting you outside where men can look at you!" She poked her tongue out and reached for the doorknob.

"Are you jealous of them?" She teased. Before she knew what was happening, Arash had leapt from the bed and slid between her and the door.

"I'm not going to let other men look at my lover! Only I am allowed to see you naked!" He said angrily.

Dúniel covered her mouth to try and stop her giggles.

"Am I just a possession to you now?" She asked, sliding her arms around his neck and kissing his neck gently. She gasped as he lifted wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground easily.

"You are my most treasured possession." He said, anger gone and a teasing tone in his voice.

"Then perhaps I should wear clothes sometimes?" Arash lay her gently on the bed.

"Just sometimes." He laughed.

Kahlen walked down the hallway to Arash's door, running over his last meeting with the King. He had to tell Arash what was going to happen. He raised his fist then stopped when he heard Arash talking. He then heard a muffled giggle and raised his eyebrows.

"Perhaps this can wait until tomorrow." He said to himself quietly, and headed to bed. Let them be happy tonight. It could very well be their last time together.

Arash woke when there was a knock on his door. He instinctively looked beside him, but Dúniel was gone. Sighing, he dressed and opened the door. Kahlen nodded to him.

"Are you free to speak?" He asked quietly. "I came to talk to you last night, but I heard you had company." Arash went a remarkable shade of red.

"I was alone last night. Perhaps you went to the wrong room, my lord." He managed in a surprisingly steady voice. Kahlen smiled.

"I must have. May I come in?" Arash nodded and allowed the Prince to enter, rubbing his eyes tiredly.

"I'm sorry to come so early, but you need to know what's going on." Kahlen said, turning to face the young man. "Mazid is not admitting to anything, in spite of the evidence, and he is now claiming that his honour has been tarnished. He said he wants his honour restored, and he has laid out a challenge." Kahlen sighed heavily."You know what this means, Arash, in our country and this one." Arash swallowed and nodded, feeling frightened but trying hard not to show it.

"An honour duel?" He said quietly. "He intends to kill me."

"There will be no death in this duel. Tar-Elessar and I have spoken long, and we both have come to a reluctant agreement. Both you and Mazid could have planned these crimes. The winner of the duel will have his honour restored and be cleared of any charges. The loser will be arrested and mostly likely executed." Arash looked horrified.

"But that is no way to prove who is right and wrong!" he said angrily. "You know that I wouldn't hurt these people!"

"I know that, Arash, and neither the King or I are happy with this, but it is a very old tradition, and honour is very important to a man. We do not intend to release Mazid if he wins. We are only doing this because perhaps, if he thinks he has the upper hand, his tongue may feel inclined to loosen. And you have no choice but to accept his challenge, because you are a proud young man who does what is right."

Arash shook his head.

"I can't believe this...you're using me as bait?"

Kahlen looked uncomfortable.

"You will not be killed Arash. Tar-Elessar said he doesn't want to see his daughter destroyed because of you're death. But try to win, Arash. It would be best for all concerned."

"I...I've never beaten Mazid in a duel." Arash admitted, shame and fear flooding him.

Kahlen smiled sadly.

"There is no better time to start then, is there? I think Tar-Elessar will have told Princess Dúniel by now. I suggest you go to her."

"When is the duel?" Arash asked, mind already with his doubtless distraught lover.

"After lunch, on the Pelannor. Only royalty are allowed to watch."

"After lunch?" Arash cried, and raced from the room, leaving the sad Prince behind.

"How can you possibly allow this!" Dúniel cried furiously at her father. "How dare you! Do you think so little of him that you are using him as bait?"

"I don't think little of him at all." Aragorn said testily. "Don't think I want this, but at the moment I see no other option. Mazid will not crack. We all need this, Dúniel. Arash will be safe, I promise you."

"Don't promise me that! You can't stop him killing Arash if he really wants to!" she screamed. "If he dies I will never forgive you!" Aragorn blinked and looked like she'd punched him.

"Dúniel-"

"Leave me alone!" She shrieked, raced to her bed and flung herself onto it, sobbing loudly.

Aragorn went to move towards her, but hesitated when he saw a shadow at the door. He turned to see Arash, hand raised as though about to knock. Aragorn gestured for the young man to enter, and Arash obeyed, bowing silently. Aragorn moved forward and placed a hand on the Harad's shoulder.

"I am truly sorry." He said quietly.

"May I see her?" Arash asked monotonously.

Aragorn hesitated and drew the young man outside.

"In a moment. There's something I need to ask you." Arash immediately thought of all the horrible scenarios that could happen.

"Alright." He managed. Aragorn gave Arash a hard look.

"Do you intend on marrying my daughter?" He asked in a hard voice.

Arash blinked. This was not the question he'd expected.

"I do. I was going to speak to you about it after this mess was sorted out, but seeing as Mazid is going to be killing me today..."

"Have you talked to Dúniel about this?"

"A little." Arash admitted. "I know she will say yes if I asked her."

Aragorn nodded, more to himself than anything.

"Surely that should give you the incentive to win? The opportunity to marry my daughter?" Arash stared at the King, not daring to hope.

"Are...are you saying-"

"Win this battle, and you and I will talk. Now go and talk to her. I know I will not hear her voice for a while." Aragorn shook his head slightly. "I truly am sorry. I don't like using you as bait..."

"I will do what I can. I just want to put all this behind me." Arash said quietly.

The king watched as the young man entered her room and gently put a hand on her shoulder, then turned away, knowing he wouldn't want to hear the argument they would have.

"Ada!" Aragorn turned to see his son emerge from his room, cheeks red. "What are you doing here?"

"Good morning to you too." Eldarion blushed.

"I-I didn't mean, I'm sorry-"

"Have you asked her?"Aragorn interrupted, smiling slightly.

Eldarion went redder, but nodded and smiled broadly.

"She said yes!" He said happily. "I must speak to her father this morning, but she said yes!" Aragorn hugged his son tightly.

"I'm proud of you, my son. You have chosen well, politically and emotionally. Bring her out, let us go speak with her parents." Eldarion hesitated, then returned to his room, emerging with a blushing fiance a few minutes later. Aragorn kissed her hand gently and smiled.

"Welcome to the family, my daughter." Taenwen smiled and bowed shyly. "Now come, both of you."

"Dúniel?" Arash whispered, sitting on the bed beside her.

Dúniel sat up and threw her arms around his neck, sobbing hard. Arash simply held her, running his hand down her back in gentle circles as she cried, letting her fingers run through his pitch black hair.

"Y-you can't, I-I won't l-let you, you c-can't-"

"Shh, calm down, my love, calm down. Take a breath." He whispered gently.

Dúniel struggled to take some deep breaths and calmed down enough to form coherent sentences.

"You can't do this!" She sobbed, stroking his cheek gently. "Please, don't!"

"I must." He said simply. "If it means getting rid of Mazid, I must fight."

"No! I can't lose you, he'll kill you! You must not fight, you must run away!"

Arash glared furiously at her and pulled from her grip.

"How dare you suggest I would do anything so cowardice!" He hissed furiously, stunning his lover. "I will not run away! I refuse to lose my honour! I will fight him, and I have much better incentive to win than he does!"

"But Arash -"

"If I run away, I will be seen as a coward in the eyes of your country, and mine!" He continued angrily. "I would be ashamed of myself until the day I died. No, Dúniel, I will not run away. I can't. You must understand." She shook her head.

"Damn you men and your damned honour!" She cried furiously, slamming her fist against her mattress.

"Do you have so little confidence in my ability to fight?" He asked sharply.

Dúniel's eyes widened.

"No! Never."

"Then believe in me, Dúniel! I need you to believe in me because I don't believe in myself!" He cried exasperatedly.

Dúniel stared at the man she loved, then reached forward and took his hand cautiously. He didn't pull away.

"Win, Arash. If you die, it'll destroy me. I love you so much, and maybe it's very selfish of me, but I refuse to lose you like this." He looked up and met her green eyes.

"I'll do my best for you." He kissed her fingers, then looked down. "Dúniel."

"Mmm?"

"You...you know I love you. You know that, right?" He lifted his head again, eyes pleading.

She smiled and kissed him gently.

"I know that." He seemed a little relieved, which worried her. "What's wrong?"

"I...I'm afraid." He admitted in a barely audible voice. "I...I know this probably isn't the best time to ask, but if I don't do this now, I might not get the chance later."

"What's wrong Arash?" She whispered, moving forward. Arash pulled her into his lap and kissed her gently.

"If I win, will you marry me?" He whispered.

Dúniel stared at Arash, shocked. Though she knew they loved each other, and had briefly spoken of this, part of her still hadn't expected him to ask. This shamed her deeply now, and she burst into happy tears. Arash looked horrified at her reaction, thinking she was going to reject him until she leaned forward and kissed him hard.

"You don't have to win a stupid fight for me to say yes to that." She wailed, thumping his chest gently with her fist and kissing him again.

Arash pushed her away gently, smiling broadly.

"You will?" She nodded, smiling through her tears.

"Of course I will." He laughed happily and held her tightly.

"How I wish I had a ring to give to you." He said quietly.

"It doesn't matter, Arash. Just win this fight." She whispered.

mwahahaha yes you must wait until i have time to write the fight scene lol yes i am evil :D sorry for this btw, but i need my cruelty dose again :D once more, apologies for the wait, uni's almost over, just exams to go. not much longer to go with this story either! hope you like! once again, thanx for R&R.