Warning! Romance alert! Romance alert! By the way... I'm extremely excited right now because... Wait for it... I just got a great deal on three swords! Well... two swords and two knives. Aragorn's sword (Anduril), Gandalf's sword (Glamdring) and Legolas's fighting knives! I have one of the fighting knives sitting beside me right now! HEEHEEHEE! YAY! Sorry... I'll stop hyperventilating and let you get on with the story. I bet now that you got the romance alert, you're really excited! Yeah. You know you are. Don't try to deny it.
Eowyn bowed to her uncle as she handed him a goblet. Alarain was watching from her place near the front as the king took it from her hands and nodded gently. The elf had purposefully stuck her beside Aragorn before dashing off to join Boromir and Gimli, continuing to glance at them occasionally.
Theoden King held his drink high and everyone stood. "Tonight, we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead!"
The voices around her echoed and she joined in. "Hail!" Theoden drank and the crowd followed his example, raising the mugs to their lips.
After that, the feast began and the people began to mingle. Alarain and Aragorn stood beside each other awkwardly before she slipped away, making an excuse of finding Legolas.
She moved through the masses slowly and spotted the elf at a table with Gimli. The dwarf was speedily choking down a drink as Legolas sniffed his carefully before taking a sip. He too began to gulp his down, and Alarain realized they were playing some sort of drinking game. She wandered over and watched. Eomer stood beside her and glanced over, giving her an eye roll at the elf and dwarf before turning away.
Forgetting Aragorn for a while, Alarain laughed along with the other bystanders as Gimli grew more and more drunk. She happened to glance away for a moment and her eyes landed on the ranger. A spark of jealousy flamed inside her when she saw Eowyn handing him a goblet with a smile on her face. He took a drink before handing it back. He nodded and turned away. The flame disappeared.
Looking back to the game, she saw that the dwarf was near ready to faint. Foam was dribbling down his beard and he laughed loudly. It was obvious that he was very drunk. Legolas was still going at a steady pace and hardly appeared tipsy at all.
He paused and looked worriedly at his hands. Gimli let out a loud burp as the elf spoke "I feel something." he said. Eomer raised his eyebrows. "A slight tingle in my fingers. I think it's affecting me." He looked over as Gimli laughed.
"What'd I say." he slurred, waving a finger in the elf's general direction. "He can't hold his liquor." At that, his eyes crossed and he fell over backwards off his chair.
Alarain laughed at his unconscious form as people stepped over him. Legolas watched him as well before looking back to Eomer. "Game over."
Turning about, Alarain heard singing over the sounds of the feast. Merry and Pippin were up on a table, dancing and belting out a tune happily as the people nearby clapped along. She spotted Boromir leaning on a pillar and went to stand with him. He was staring at the two hobbits as they sang, but appeared to not be listening. As she came up to him, she saw the frown on his face.
"Boromir?" she asked, looking up at the man with a worried expression. He snapped out of his trance and glanced over to her. "What's wrong?" She kept her eyes on him and he sighed.
"It was my fault they were captured." he muttered.
Alarain sent him a look that said it all. He shouldn't feel guilty about something he had no control over. "They're safe now Boromir. Don't dwell on the past." she said gently.
He smiled. "I suppose you're right."
"Of course I am." the woman joked, giving him a friendly shove before wandering away.
The hobbits soon finished their song and another started up, though this time from the musicians. A dance floor cleared and was gradually filled with dancers.
"May I have this dance?"
She grinned at the elf's silly voice. "Of course you may, my princely elf."
Legolas laughed and pulled her out to the floor. They danced in silence for a moment before Legolas spoke. "So, Aragorn checked your wounds, did he?" he asked casually.
"Yes." she answered, eying him. His voice told her he was up to something.
"Huh." the elf grunted. The music slowed and he suddenly spun her over to the side, halting. "I'm tired." he announced. Alarain sent him a disbelieving look and he glanced behind her. "Aragorn!" She turned shyly to see the ranger with a suspicious look on his face as he watched the elf. Said elf grinned and spoke. "Why don't you take over." He motioned to the dance floor and gave him a shove towards Alarain before prancing off.
Aragorn looked down at her almost timidly and held out his hand. She took it and he pulled her close. They were silent as they danced and Alarain tried to look anywhere but into his eyes. She could feel his stare like she could feel his touch, and it made her nervous. Aragorn's hand around her waist tightened and she was forced to step even closer to him. His face was right next to hers and she could feel his breath tickling her ear. Slowly, Alarain rested her head on his chest and he squeezed her hand softly.
When the dance ended, Alarain slipped away from him and wandered outside. She had to calm her pounding heart and breathing in the cool night air helped. She yawned sleepily and decided to look for her new horse. She strolled down the stairs and made her way to the stables. The night was cool and she shivered, remembering she had forgotten her cloak. The green dress borrowed from Eowyn did little to keep out the wind.
As she reached the stable door, she stepped through and let her eyes adjust. Strolling along the middle, she peered into each stall, hoping to spot Fayna. A familiar bay mare was munching on some hay and Alarain leaned on her stall door.
"Hello Fayna." she greeted.
The horse looked up from her meal and snorted quietly, blowing cold air on her face.
"Fayna! I'm already cold without you breathing on me!" she whispered loudly.
Alarain suddenly turned at the sound of a moan. A man she had not noticed before was standing from the ground not far away. He swayed slightly and she realized he was drunk. Quickly heading for the door, she gulped at the thought of him stopping her. Sure enough, he stepped in her way.
"You're pretty." he said slowly.
She glared at him and made her voice low. "Excuse me?" she said, pretending to be a man.
He blinked in confusion. "What...?" With that, he passed out and fell to the floor.
Alarain breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't think she would've fooled him had he not fainted. Hurrying out, she made her way back to the Golden Hall.
Unknown to her, Aragorn was standing with Legolas outside and they saw her coming up the stairs. To their eyes, she looked quite frightened and Legolas spoke quietly to his friend. "Go Aragorn." he told him. Pushing him in her direction, he slipped away.
She reached the top and halted when she nearly ran into someone. Looking up, she saw the gray-green eyes awaiting her.
"Alarain? Are you alright?" he asked.
She ducked her head and avoided his gaze. "I'm fine." she lied, still shivering from the cold and from her run in with the drunk man.
Aragorn heard the lie and stepped closer, bringing his hand to her chin and tilting it up to look into her eyes. Alarain tried to look away, but he brought his other hand up as well and held her face so she had no choice but to look at him. Her heart pounded as his eyes flickered in between hers. He continued to stare at her and her heart began to thunder. His warm breath touched her face and she shivered again.
Normally, he would have fussed about her not having put on some warm clothing before coming outside, but he was slightly distracted. He began to lean in and she found herself praying not to be interrupted.
A loud yell for help sounded from inside and they spun around. Alarain felt oddly disappointed, but still exchanged a worried glance with the ranger before he sprinted off. She followed close behind and as they burst into the room where the men were sleeping, Alarain froze.
Pippin was on the floor, writhing in pain with a glowing sphere in his hands. It was the object he had found in the water at Isengard and now, it seemed as if he could not drop it.
Dashing forward, Aragorn grabbed it out of his hands and seemed to lose control of his body. He fell back and Legolas caught him. The flaming ball rolled out of his grasp and across the floor. A blanket flew through the air and covered it as Gandalf swung around.
"Fool of a Took!" the wizard exclaimed.
Alarain's eyes shot back to the hobbit and her heart sank. He was still lying on the floor with eyes wide open and unblinking. Merry was hovering over him and was shoved aside as Gandalf ran over. He knelt by the hobbit and rested his hand on his face. Uttering some words, he moved his arm and Pippin began to breath. He stared around in horror and gasped for breathe.
"Look at me." Gandalf ordered softly.
Pippin moved his eyes up and spoke. "Forgive me." he whispered before attempting to look away.
"Look at me." the wizard repeated, more forcefully this time. The hobbit obeyed and Gandalf spoke again. "What did you see?" he asked.
Closing his eyes, Pippin was quiet and scared as he told the wizard what happened. "A... a tree. There was a white tree in a courtyard of stone." Alarain looked over to Boromir and he had visibly stiffened. "It was dead." he continued. "The city was burning."
"Minas Tirith? Is that what you saw?" Gandalf asked and Boromir leaned forward to hear the answer.
Pippin however, ignored the question and his eyes grew wide. "I saw... I saw HIM!." he said, face growing terrified. "I could hear his voice inside my head."
"And what did you tell him?" Gandalf whispered, and shook the hobbit. "Speak!"
"He asked me my name. I didn't answer. He hurt me."
Gandalf looked at him with growing worry. "What did you tell him about Frodo and the Ring?"
Pippin stared up and the look in his eyes was completely honest as he answered. Things seemed to settle and Alarain slowly backed up, not wanting to draw attention to herself, especially from a certain ranger. She quietly slipped out and headed back to her room.
As she lay in her bed with Brenir at her feet, Alarain couldn't help but wonder what it would have been like had she and Aragorn not been interrupted again. Blushing, she pushed the thought away and her eyes closed.
It was dark when she was suddenly woken. A hand was over her mouth and she nearly screamed until she saw the handsome eyes above her.
"Shhh. It's only me." Aragorn whispered.
He removed his hand and she stared up at him. "Aragorn? What are you doing in my..."
She was cut off as he leaned down and kissed her forcefully, but at the same time, very gently. Her heart flipped and she stiffened at his move before relaxing and returning the kiss. His lips were warm on hers and as his arms snaked around her waist, she felt herself bringing her hands up to his neck. They were breathing heavily when he pulled back slightly, lips still brushing hers.
He sat back further and looked down at her with an almost worried expression on his face. "Sorry." he said, eyes still boring into hers. "I could not wait until tomorrow to try that."
Alarain felt her face burn and she smiled shyly. As Aragorn watched her different fazes of excitement, nervousness, and embarrassment, his smile grew.
"Stop that." she said, shoving him off and sitting up.
He laughed. "Stop what?"
"Stop giving me that look." Alarain pouted.
Aragorn rolled his eyes and crawled over beside her. He lay down and pulled her to him. With face just inches from hers, he looked deep into her eyes and sighed.
Brenir suddenly gave a loud snore and they laughed. He woke and looked around sleepily before plopping his head back down and groaning. Alarain rested her head down as well with a shaky sigh.
"I didn't know you cared for me in this way." Aragorn whispered in her ear.
Alarain's heart skipped. "I hardly knew either."
He laughed quietly and spoke again. "I think Legolas knew even before I did."
"Legolas knows everything, remember?" Alarain giggled.
"I believe Gimli and Boromir knew as well."
"Don't forget Theoden King." she added.
Aragorn looked back down at her. "He knew?"
Blushing, she nodded. "I've seen him giving us funny looks."
"Now that you mention it, so have I." he chuckled. Absently, Aragorn brushed a strand of hair out of her face and his touch sent chills up her back causing her to tremble slightly. He looked down again with a worried look. "Are you cold?"
"No." Alarain answered, cheeks heating yet again.
She glanced up to see his the corners of his lips twitching up. "You're blushing." he teased. Alarain hid her face in his tunic and he laughed. "Why?"
"You." she mumbled into his chest.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" he grinned. The darn ranger had obviously heard her loud and clear.
Alarain raised her head to look into his eyes. "You." she repeated, heart flipping at his closeness.
He continued grinning as he spoke. "You're blushing because of me?" Alarain nodded. "I'm honoured." he snickered, trying not to laugh. He didn't succeed and she buried her face in his chest again, heart pounding and cheeks colouring. He soon stopped and rubbed her arm slowly and softly. "I'm sorry Alarain." he whispered. "I shouldn't tease you. Especially not when it's about your... love for me."
She felt another chill run up her spine at his words. Peeking up, she saw he was watching her with interest. "Was Saruman telling the truth?" he asked quietly. Alarain nodded, gazing into his eyes and letting them glide across his ruggedly handsome face. The ranger leaned down and kissed her hair. "I'm glad." he whispered, arms tightening their grip on her.