Sorry i haven't replied to reviews again but life is still hectic. Incidently, does anyone know anything about theories of Metaphor (particularly Davidson and Searle)? I got an essay due friday and i'm still a bit clueless on the subject but unfortunately that was the easiest essay title on the list (i understood it at all that is).

Anyway, shall go back to paying attention to my Philosophy of Language lecture... Cough...

Wrath's Recompense 5

Eönwë passed on Estë's reassurance that there was nothing to worry about Riona – though he forgot to mention large chunks of the conversation, or paraphrased them, simply telling them that the Vala had said that Riona was extremely competent and added that in areas of Healing she should be trusted implicitly. Estë hadn't stated that exactly, but her comments about Riona's level of knowledge implied that she knew better than any other about the art of Healing.

The blessing of a Vala made Riona instantly trusted, one of the main reasons Eönwë had passed on what Estë had said. All the same, he still had to think about the other things that Estë had also said.

A few evenings later, he noticed Riona rubbing her arms as if she was cold. With a slight smile, he moved over to her and wrapped an arm round her like he'd seen some of the Men do when their ladies had been cold. Much to his pleasure, she curled into the embrace and wrapped an arm round his waist.

It didn't take the exhausted woman long to fall asleep against his chest and he gently pulled his cloak round her to ensure her continuing warmth. When he looked up again he noticed his generals grinning at him, like he'd just done something really amusing. He raised an eyebrow at them questioningly. Finarfin, the ultimate leader of the elven forces, was the one who answered.

"There are some things, my Lord, which need no words to be understood and her feelings for you are one of them. We are just pleased to see that those feelings are seemingly returned, we would not like to see her hurt. She has a way of worming herself into your heart." Eönwë smiled slightly at the last comment; that was true enough. Then the first statement came back to him. He frowned, that comment sounded familiar. What did they mean about returned feelings? His confusion must have shown on his face, for Finarfin smiled at him.

"And that, my Lord, is what we find so amusing." Eönwë raised an eyebrow at the Elf-king. "You clearly have no clue, my Lord; she might have worked out what she is feeling, but you really have no idea what is happening, possibly haven't even realised that something is happening." He laughed at the blank look on Eönwë's face. "You'll understand in time, my Lord, it is not something which can be explained, but has to be experienced. We have all done so; you are only beginning to do so. I wish you both joy, however."

The King pointed at the woman now sound asleep in his arms.

"Maybe you should put her and Daffyd to bed. They obviously need the rest." Eönwë glared at the King, recognising a polite dismissal when he heard one. Obviously neither he, nor any of his other generals were inclined to say more just now.

XXX

The next morning, he received a surprisingly shy smile from Riona. He returned her smile like usual and hid his frown at the way she blushed slightly and looked down at the floor. The desire to frown increased at the amused glances he got from his generals, as well as Finarfin shaking his head.

It went on like that, with Riona seeming to have become both very shy and very inclined to blush. The generals seemed to find it vastly amusing while Eönwë was absolutely baffled. Daffyd went on completely oblivious to it all.

XXX

Eönwë's hand shot to the knife he kept beside him as he felt a small hand tugging at his clothing. As consciousness came back to him, he realised that such a small hand could only belong to one person and he blinked a few times and relaxed as his vision proved him right that it was indeed Daffyd who was pulling at his clothing.

Blinking in surprise, he sat up. Daffyd continued pulling his clothing and tried to pull him in the direction of the exit. Quickly, he pulled on his boots and picked up his sword and then followed the little boy.

As he left the tent, he began to get a palpable sense of distress from the tent Daffyd and Riona shared and rushed to enter. On her bed roll, Riona lay, clearly asleep, curled up in a ball and whimpering. She was obviously having a nightmare and Daffyd had got the only person he knew to help her. Eönwë quickly hugged the little boy before going over to Riona to try to help her.

Not being an expert in dealing with distressed women, he pulled her against him in a hug. She continued to shake against him for a while before slowly relaxing and as he looked down at her to make sure she was okay, he was met with wide, scared green eyes reminiscent of the day he'd first found her. Her arms made it round him as she clung on to him for dear life – as if he was the only thing protecting her from untold fears.

Cautiously, he tightened his grip on her and began rubbing her back as soothingly as he could manage. Eventually, he felt her lift her head from where it had been buried in the crook of his neck and felt her soft skin caress his neck then face as she lifted her head.

Then he was looking into her eyes, closer than they'd ever been and before he knew it, she had tilted her head slightly and her lips were pressed against his. He stiffened with shock at the kiss, one that definitely wasn't simply affectionate. He pulled back and looked back into her eyes before placing her back on her bed roll and fleeing the tent.

XXX

The next morning he found he had to summon up some courage to leave his tent to go to the campfire – a large part of him didn't want to face Riona yet. He had no idea how to deal with her kissing him; he still didn't know what in Arda had happened.

Once at the campfire he found only Daffyd and not Riona. The little boy looked up at him almost accusingly before going back to playing with the little carvings a couple of the generals had made for him. Absently, Eönwë remembered how obviously touched Riona had been when they'd given the little wood animals to Daffyd, and how delighted both had been.

He shook his head and asked if they knew where Riona was, curious as to her lack of presence, even if he wasn't all that upset about it right now.

One of them had seen her up very early and she'd already gone off to the healing tent. He wasn't sure if she'd already eaten or had went without breakfast. Eönwë wondered whether she'd got up so early because she'd continued to have nightmares. He shrugged. Speculating wouldn't get him anywhere –he'd just have to leave it. Maybe by the time he saw her again the little interlude last night would be forgotten.

With that thought, he got up and went to work, determined to forget the pleasant (he had not thought that) feeling of her lips on his. One kiss didn't mean anything.