Ichigo enjoyed a good movie and he did like his fair share of mythological and/or fantastical movies. Orihime, on the other hand, loved and adored them. Actually, as far as Ichigo could tell, there wasn't a genre of movie Orihime didn't love, it just depended on what mood she was in. On the other hand, Ichigo had also observed that whenever they became indecisive over what to watch together, Orihime would recommend at least one or two fantasy movies.

This particular night, they had both agreed without hesitation to watch The Return of the King. Extended version, of course. It had everything a good movie should have in Ichigo's opinion: engrossing plotline, interesting characters, witty dialogue, awesome action sequences, great special effects (at least for the time period) that enhanced the action and didn't distract from it, great sets, costumes and make-up plus just a hint of romance. The fact that it was a fantasy story just added to its appeal rather than completely defined it.

Sitting on the couch with his around his fiancee who was snuggled up against his side and tasty snacks to munch on, Ichigo allowed himself to relax and focus on the plot of the movie. Apparently, Orihime's mind was otherwise engaged.

"Ichigo?"

Finishing chewing on his bite of cracker with salmon spread, Ichigo swallowed before responding with, "Yes?"

Orihime didn't answer at first, but kept her eyes on the television as she asked, "Do you think Aragorn belongs with Arwen or do you think he should have ended up with Eowyn?"

It took Ichigo a few moments to process that Orihime wasn't just asking him if he'd like more snacks or if he wouldn't mind if she covered them both with a blanket. Coming to the realization that she'd asked him a rather deep question, he picked up the remote and paused the movie.

Looking over at Orihime, he asked with a slight frown, "Pardon?"

Knowing that he was asking her for clarification, Orihime returned his gaze and answered matter-of-factly, "I'm wondering who you would choose if you were Aragorn. The elven princess you've known for years and promised to marry one day, or the shieldmaiden of Rohan who desires to fight alongside you?"

Leaning back, Ichigo squinted inquisitively at his fiancee as he replied, "I'd have to think about that for a bit, but I'm curious right now as to what brought this about."

Gesturing with her hands, Orihime said in what she thought was a careless tone, "Oh nothing, the idea just popped into my head and I wondered how you'd respond."

Crossing his arms, Ichigo quirked an eyebrow at her as he asked, "And what do you think about Aragorn's choice? Who do you think he should end up with?"

Fidgeting with her engagement ring, Orihime said with a bit of hesitation, "Well, I've always liked how Aragorn and Arwen had a long-standing relationship with one another and how they were finally able to get married after Sauron was defeated, but just now...I started wondering..."

Ichigo didn't say anything as Orihime took a moment to collect her thoughts before she said, "I wondered if maybe Eowyn would have made Aragorn a better wife since she was a shieldmaiden and could help him defend Middle Earth if they were ever threatened again. She was powerful enough to defeat the Witch King and Arwen...well, Arwen really didn't do that much, did she?"

"So," asked Ichigo slowly, "you're saying that because Eowyn knows how to wield a sword and shield and can hold her own in battle that she's more deserving of Aragorn's love than Arwen? Is that what we're getting at here?"

"Yes...I mean no...I mean..." replied Orihime in a flustered tone, "I'm glad that Aragorn and Arwen finally fulfilled their promise to each other, but what if they were just like Ivanhoe and Rowena."

Blinking in surprise, Ichigo frowned as he asked, "Wait a minute, what do those two have to do with Lord of the Rings?"

"Nothing really, I suppose," Orihime said with a slight blush, "It just occurred to me that at the end of Ivanhoe, it ended by saying that while Ivanhoe and Rowena had children together and were very happy, there were times when Ivanhoe would wonder after Rebecca and consider what life might have been life if he had chosen her."

Shaking his head, Ichigo held up his fingers as he responded with, "First of all, you're comparing two different stories here with two completely different sets of characters."

"Not really," replied Orihime with a slight pout, "Ivanhoe and Rowena were betrothed to each other for years just like Aragorn and Arwen. Rebecca comes to Ivanhoe's aid when he is in desperate need, just like Eowyn with Aragorn. Then, Ivanhoe saves Rebecca from being burned and Aragorn heals Eowyn when no one else could."

Holding up his hands, Ichigo gave Orihime and half-grin as he said, "I concede the point that there are striking resemblances between the two sets of characters, but aren't you forgetting something very important?"

"Like what?" asked Orihime with wide eyes.

Coughing slightly to cover his desire to chuckle at her adorable expression, Ichigo said, "While I do admit that you are correct when you say that Ivanhoe did wonder about Rebecca now and again," holding up a finger and saying seriously, "a point which has never sat right with me, Aragorn didn't ever second guess his decision. He knew which woman he loved and he married her.

"And besides," said Ichigo as he nodded at the screen, "Aragorn himself tells Eowyn that she is not in love with him as a person. Merely the idea of him. Doesn't matter if she could kill all the ring-wraiths without breaking a sweat, Eowyn and Aragorn weren't compatible with each other and he knew that. Later on, Eowyn was able to find true love and happiness with Faramir."

"I know," Orihime said in a tone that told Ichigo that she wasn't truly convinced yet.

"There's all kinds of love stories out there," said Ichigo as he wrapped his arm around Orihime and drew her back against his side, "Ones like Darcy and Elizabeth where they can't find anything positive in the other, but that dislike is gradually corrected and they find that they are perfectly suited. Or there's..."

Ichigo's voice trailed off as he decided to take a different tact and said instead, "You are my shieldmaiden, Orihime. And you are my Arwen."

Pulling back to look at him quizzically, Orihime asked, "What in the world are you trying to say?"

Grinning at her, Ichigo pressed his forehead against hers as he answered, "Well, you are quite literally the maiden who can and has shielded me with your impressive powers. You are also the one who has been beside me for so long and loved me so faithfully, just like Arwen for Aragorn."

Turning his head to nuzzle her hair, Ichigo whispered, "So it doesn't matter if I'm like Aragorn or Faramir. I want you to be by my side."

Wrapping her arms around his torso, Orihime burrowed her face into his shoulder and stayed like that for a time. Ichigo was fairly certain she was blushing furiously and trying to force herself to calm down before looking at him again. Smirking slightly, he ran his fingers lazily through her hair until she pulled back just enough to look at him with her big, gray eyes shimmering slightly.

While her voice was muffled by his shirt and she barely spoke above a whisper, Ichigo knew Orihime had said, "I promise."

Settling them both against the back of the couch, Ichigo kissed the top of her head and said, "That's all I need," before reaching over to turn the movie back on.

During both scenes with the couples in question, Ichigo felt Orihime tremble slightly and was fairly certain a tear or two dripped onto his shirt. His only response was to squeeze her a little closer to his side and lean his cheek against her hair.