Hello there, I'm back!
First, I have to say thanks to tommyginger, Rosa Cotton, Eileena and ApprenticeMagic for all kind words. Thank you!
I'll try to update the story every month, because my english will get better, I'm studing in a college of English language and literature :)
I think about this story almost every night, so, again I ask you to do forgive my mistakes, English is not my mother language and I have no beta.
Tolkien owns everything!
The Shieldmaiden and the King
Cap. 2
"I am not a coward, Éowyn! I was just…" he stopped and looking at her, silently pleading her to not push him or he could finally fall. He was tired and sad when should be full of joy and relief. There's no relief in being the King of Gondor and Arnor. There's no relief in being a great lord, the work was hard and he felt caged. And then…
And then, he found himself daydreaming about the old life, of wandering, walking, running, of battles, of freedom and all these things remind her, the fair white lady of Rohan.
Another great silence passed between them, but this time, something deep and sad came over the young shieldmaiden and the grim ranger.
"I could not undo things and promises that was done even before you were born." he continued, heavy breathing. He was trying to convince her and himself of that.
"Éowyn, what's done is done. I can not change. There is my honor, my word, my heritage and Kingdom."
"I'm not asking you to undo anything, Aragorn." she said in a whisper.
She knew he would not say the words she wanted to hear, especially now that she was engaged and him married, but there was no consolation in what she was seeing in his eyes. Oh, that terrible kind gaze, always lulling her to a dream land where every desire was possible.
"You are a king of men, a great warrior and I admire you for that, but with me, you acted like a coward and I do not withdraw my words." she said with the rest of courage that was fighting with the desire of hold him close.
With this, he took her hands upon his chest, caressing like a lover do, like Faramir do or even more passionate. She began to tremble.
"You are amazing, Éowyn. I think I never had a chance to tell you how much I admire you, even if to your eyes, I am a coward. You never cease of amaze me. You never cease of surprise me with actions and words of courage and imprudence. I'm not reprimanding you, I cannot do that." she forced a little smile as he continued to praise her:
"You are a great woman, you make almost everything that was said about any other fair lady of Arda look like a child tale. Will you forgive this coward?" he forced a smile, but was not asking for real forgiveness, he just wanted keep their friendship until he decide what to do with all the feelings. He knew her well enough to know that if they could not be friends, she would ignore him and it would be like death without honor.
"Someday I think I can forgive you about the Grey Company." the warm caresses of his hands on hers were making her nervous. She was beginning to doubt everything but her damned love for the Dúnedain and that it was mutual. It cannot be!
Aragorn closed the distance between them, almost hugging her. A cold chill blew and her hair covered her beautiful face in the wind. He touched her hair and a strange look was exchanged, a look of wanting, of hunger, of lust and fear.
"And about the other things?" he said in a moan, not of lament, but with the intimacy he should share only with Arwen.
Blinking and trying to keep herself on her feet, Éowyn said an audibly "No!" and took her hands abruptly from his grip before run up the hill without looking back.
TBC...