A/N: I am so sorry it took so long to update! I feel like such a bad author! But i had the most persistent writing block and it still hasn't completely gone. But I managed to get this written, its a little shorter than most of the previous chapters but I hope you enjoy it none-the-less.
Kieanas POV
The following day I wake to the sun streaming in through the window of my room. I stretch lazily pulling the soft blankets up over my head to fend off the light, and attempting to go back to sleep, until the events of the previous evening come flooding back to me and I sit bolt upright in bed. I groan to myself as I recall Eowyn's mistaking Prince Legolas and I for a couple. Deciding I should probably get up and find out what the plan for the day is I push the blankets back, swing my legs out of bed and stand up before quickly changing into a clean set of clothes.
On my way out I check my reflection in the mirror on the back of the door and groan at what I see. My braids are a mess, and certainly not suitable for an audience with the King of Rohan, sighing in resignation I reach up and undo the braids leaving my hair to hang loosely over my shoulders. I am just about to start braiding it when I hear an knock on my door and groan in frustration. "Who is it?" I ask.
"Lady Kieana? May I escort you to breakfast?" Eowyns voice asks from the other side of the door.
"Just Kieana please, none of this Lady business." I say going to the door and opening it to let her in. "Maybe you can help me, I can't decide if I should re-do my braids or leave it loose."
"I'm sure Legolas will like it however you chose to wear it." she says with a knowing smile.
"What has Prince Legolas got to do with how I wear my hair?" I ask trying to hide the blush I can feel creeping into my cheeks.
"Prince? The blonde elf you travel with is a Prince? Why did he not mention it? I am sure my Uncle would have provided him with one of our finest rooms had he known of your companions title." she says sounding slightly flustered.
"He doesn't require special treatment. He is merely here to assist in the fight against Saruman like th rest of us." I say making a mental not to apologize to Legolas later for revealing his identity. "Please don't treat him any different to the rest of us he doesn't what that."
"You seem to know him well are you sure that there is no more than friendship between you?" she asks.
"I am quite sure." I say. "He is a prince and heir to the throne of his kingdom, I am merely a border guard. We come from different worlds, there can only be friendship in our future."
"Why is that? Is he courting someone at home?" she asks.
"I wouldn't know we live in different realms, and only met a few weeks before I joined the fellowship upon their departure from Lothlorien." I say.
"But you seem to know each other so comfortable in each other's company." she says.
"He is a good friend of my brothers. So we have known of each other for centuries. But we only met a few weeks ago when the company came to seek council from the Lady Galadriel." I say.
"Do your brothers always think they know what's best for you?" she asks.
"They used to when we were younger, but they grew out of it about two thousand years ago and now they consider me their equal. They are still protective of me though, especially since Ada and Naneth sailed for Valinor, also I am the youngest and the only female so they see it as their duty to protect me from the evils of the world." I say.
"It puzzles me then that they were ok with you coming on such a dangerous quest or have you come without their blessing?"she asks.
"They know that the ring must be destroyed to prevent the world being plunged into a darkness none will survive. If the quest fails none of us will be safe from Sauron wrath and all the free peoples of Middle Earth will be enslaved and slaughtered. If there is anything I or any of us can do to help prevent that it is our duty to do so. Taking all of that into consideration they gave me their blessing and wished me well on my quest." I say.
"I wish my brother was as supportive, he believes a woman's place is at home looking after the children. But if there is one thing I have learned over the years it is that those who cannot wield swords can still die upon them, so I want to fight and stand against those who would wish to enslave us not just stay at home and wait for the men to return." she says.
"I am sure he is just trying to protect you. I have met your brother, he is a strong and noble warrior who is loyal to his homeland and for that he and those with him are banished." I say.
"You Eomer? How is he? Is he well?" she asks.
"Yes he is quite well. He and his men were riding across the plains when last I saw them." I say.
"I am glad to know he is well, have been worried for his well being ever since he was banished." she says.
"I am sure he and his men will return once word reaches them of Gandalfs triumph over Saruman." I say. "Now tell me this, should I re-do my braids or keep my hair loose the way it is now?"
"Keep it loose for now, you can always re-braid it later." she replies. "Or ask Legolas to help you." she adds with a wink.
"The Prince and I are merely friends!" I say.
"For now." she says with another wink.
"I have seen the way you look at Lord Aragorn." I say in an effort to shift the focus off myself.
"I don't know what you're talking about, now come we must get to the great hall. The meeting to decide our next course of action will begin soon and I am sure you would like to be in attendance." she says.
"Would you like me to braid your hair? I am sure Aragorn would like braids." I say grinning at her.
"Come on, we should get to the great hall, it would not be good form for us to be late." she says ignoring my question.
"Do you think they would mind if I eat during the meeting?"I ask as I follow her out of the room and down the corridor towards the golden hall.
"I am sure they won't." she says glancing back over her shoulder to smile at me.
"Oh good, because I saw some delicious looking fruit on the table near the Kings throne last night and I would love to eat some" I say.
"Help yourself, the men don't really eat much fruit I am sure it is mainly there for decorative purposes, it seems like such a waste to me, so it is nice that someone will appreciate it." she says.
"Legolas will probably eat some of it to, the wood elves eat alot of fruit. My brothers would always come home from their visits there laden with bags full of a vast array of fruits and vegetables." I say.
A/N: Thanks for reading, I am not entirely happy with this chapter, it seems a little boring but I wanted to get something out because I have made you wait so long. Again I am sorry for that, please bear with me I will not abandon this story until the end! Let me know what you think love you all!