Chapter Nine~
When I wake up I find myself in a small bedroom with a figure's shadow over me. I recognize the room as the same room Roger had been put in within the halls of Edoras and the figure over me as Haldir. When he notices me his shots upright to take my hand into his own. No longer is he in his armor, instead he's in a dark brown tunic and dark gray cape, his sword ever at his side.
"I thought I lost you." he said to me in a whisper his free hand reaching up to cup my cheek. I laugh despite the fact it hurts and manage to say,
"Yeah well, so did I when I meet Eru." his eyebrows shoot up at that but I hush him by putting one finger on his lips. Smiling I cough before sitting up with his help, his hand going to my back to support me.
"When did we get back to Edoras?" I ask him trying to make conversation with him.
"Last night, you missed an amusing happening between Legolas and Gimli." trying to think I suddenly remember the drinking game and laugh once more though it hurts still. He smiles and sits by my side rubbing my back.
"Are you in any pain?" he asks but I shake my head and instead ask,
"Where's Roger?"
"Shall I fetch him for you?" he asks and when I nod furiously he smiles and kisses my cheek before standing up and leaving the room. As he makes his way out the others come in, Aragon, Gandalf, Gimli and Legolas along with Eowyn.
"Worried were you?" I ask my normal bite still in place. They chuckle as Gandalf comes over to stand before me to say,
"You were out the whole ride here. I also happen to know you fought alongside the others and saved Haldir from death."
"Yeah it was easy, though being stabbed twice in the same spot is a pain." I say rolling my eyes and scoffing. At that moment in rushes Roger who hugs me so fierce I cry out in pain.
"Sorry! I'm sorry!" he says over and over reaching back away but I stop him to say,
"Don't worry about it kiddo." he smiles and hugs me again, this time I am able to return it. As everyone laughs I can't help but notice that Haldir has gone MIA. Releasing Roger from my hold, I try to stand but Aragon pushes me down gentle saying,
"You need your rest."
"Yeah right and I need to learn how to fly as well." I say before I manage to stand with Roger's help. Looking down at him I smile before saying,
"Come on kiddo let's get some sunshine." he nods and we make our way out of the room with everyone left stunned behind us. As we make our way through the halls out to find some sunlight Roger says to me,
"So, you like Haldir don't you?" I almost fall at this but am able to stand straight.
"What makes you say that?" I ask him looking down at his small form. He shrugs before saying,
"I just do." I laugh at this as we finally make it outside. Taking a seat, I scan over the scene before me; the people have returned little less for the wear back to their daily lives. I wonder where Haldir is lurking though.
"Want to know how I got out?" Roger asks me. Surprised by this I turn and nod enthusiastically.
"Well, I got help by Morgan Freedman! He took my hand and just like that we went from being in the dungeons of Isengard to out in the fields near here. He told me you'd be close by and to make for the mountain in the distance and I did and found you." when he said Morgan Freedman I internally smiled and thanked Eru for helping my dear brother. Leaning in to him, I kissed his forehead and said,
"I love you pipsqueak."
"And I you bratty sister." we both laugh and sit there a bit longer before returning inside the Hall. Roger helps me into a chair as everyone else mills around, Théoden at his throne talking to Gandalf and Aragon. It's then I notice Haldir in the corner and motioning with my hand for him to come over he does and sits beside me. Intertwining our hands, he looks at me and asks,
"How old are you?" to say the question surprised me is the understatement of the decade, it shocked me to my core but I knew why he asked.
"I'm twenty two." he nods and says nothing more as I lean my head on his shoulder.
"I have to return to Lothlorien tonight." he says after a while and I sit upright and look at him.
"So soon?" I ask but he chuckles before saying,
"Unfortunately yes, though you and your brother are free to join me." I know the real meaning of his words are 'I want you to come with me despite your brother' and know he's just too stubborn to say it aloud in front of people who may think him weak. I lean back in my chair and think about it for a while before saying,
"It might be nice not to get stabbed at for once." he instantly brightens and leans in to kiss my cheek whispering as he does,
"I am glad." it's then that Théoden comes over to us and thinking I'm in a huge amount of trouble shrink backwards.
"I understand you didn't follow my orders." he says rocking on his heels, hands behind his back. I can only nod as my fear has gotten the better of me.
"Well, for once, I am glad someone defied me." he says clapping a hand on my bad shoulder and causing me to hiss in pain.
"Sorry." he laughs before taking his hand off my shoulder. When he steps back he says,
"You were brave to have stayed and fought alongside those who would die." I smile before saying,
"I did it because I knew it was the right thing to do, in the end." he nods with understanding before turning to Haldir to say,
"I understand you are to leave tonight." Haldir stands and nods saying as he does,
"I am to return as fast as I can to my home."
"And I understand too you wish to take this fine woman with you." I laugh at what I see, Haldir is actually blushing! He nods and Théoden laughs outright before clapping a hand on his shoulder saying in the most honest voice,
"I am glad for you then." Roger comes over then as Théoden leaves still laughing and tugging on my sleeve says,
"Are we really leaving?" turning to him I notice Aragon, Gimli and Legolas standing behind him and sighing deeply say,
"Yeah, were not needed anymore." this causes the others to begin to protest but I raise my hand to say,
"I know, I know, you want my help but really truly I just want some time away from the battle field. I hate being stabbed, jabbed at and almost killed and to be truthful? I already know you're going to win so why get in the way?"
"But you won't be in the way." Aragon says and laughing lightly I stand to put my hand on his shoulder saying,
"It's ok Aragon, I know you really hate my guts." at that he can't help but laugh outright and everyone joins in. When the laughter subsides Aragon puts his hand on my good shoulder to say,
"I may hate your so called 'guts' but I will miss you." giving him a smile I said,
"I'll be there when you're crowned." he's stunned but smiles before letting go. Roger comes to stand beside me and looking up at them says,
"Thanks for helping my sister guys."
"It was an honor." Legolas says bowing to him getting a laugh out of Roger. Aragon bends down to see him and says to him,
"You have an amazing sister there boy. Keep her safe."
"I will." Roger replies smiling wide at him before bowing and saying,
"You're Majesty." Aragon laughs again before standing to say to Haldir who was still by my side,
"Be well my friend." Haldir nods and wrapping an arm around my waist says,
"We shall meet again." we leave then to the stables with Roger getting his own horse since I would be riding with Haldir. As we get to the stables Théoden, Eowyn, Gandalf, Aragon, Gimli and Legolas follow to say goodbye to us. After mounting our horses we were met with cheering from the crowds and I couldn't help but hold back tears. I would really miss those guys. The gates to the city opened and we cantered out, Roger in front with Haldir behind and as I gave one final look to the city I managed to make out,
"See you later guys. Really soon."