Chapter 18
A/N: So I finally got a chapter out! It's kinda fillerish and not the best in my opinion but I wanted to get something out. Thankyou all so much for sticking with me!
Aragorns POV
"I think the elf is quite fond of the newest member of the Fellowship." Gimli muses some hours after our arrival at Edoras. He and I are in the room we are to share with Gandalf and Legolas for the duration of our stay in Rohan.
"What makes you say that?" I ask.
"The way he looks at her and orients himself in front of her whenever he deems a situation to be potentially dangerous." the dwarf explains.
"He is a Prince of Woodland realm, woodelves are raised to be chivalrous and to protect those who may be less able to protect themselves." I counter.
"There is more to it than that I am sure." Gimli says.
"Her brothers asked him to look out for her, could that be it?" I enquire.
"Aragorn you know as well as I do that the elf is showing more than an obligatory concern for Kieana." Gimli says.
"Perhaps he does, and perhaps he doesn't. Either way it is not our place to interfere. If there is more than friendship between them that is their business and until such a time as they share that with us we should respect their privacy." I say.
"So you do think that there is more between the two of them than merely friendship?" the dwarf questions.
"Aye, that I do." I agree. "However I also believe that neither of them would take kindly to anyone poking their nose into things that do not concern them."
"How does it not concern us? They are our friends and companions, if they are falling in love with one another we should encourage it." he says.
"Elves are very private with their relationships. They would not take kindly to interference from other no matter how good their intentions may be." I explain.
"So we are just supposed to stand back and pretend that we know nothing of their growing feelings for one another?" he demands.
"Yes. That is exactly what we are supposed to do." I answer.
"How am I supposed to do that when I spend much of my free time with either one or both of them?" he asks.
"Before long I fear we will not have time for such things as wondering about our friends romantic interests. The darkness of Mordor is spreading every day, and Saruman will not take the loss of control over King Theoden lightly."I say. "I fear that he will unleash the full might of his army on a city that is already crippled by war, it is going to get worse before it gets better."
"All the more reason for us to encourage them to pursue a relationship." he says. "With all the evil in the world surely encouraging a little love wouldn't be a bad thing."
"No it wouldn't be a bad thing, however interfering in relationships never ends well. Legolas may be friendly and easy going most of the time, but he is his Thranduil's son, and inherited his father's temper. He will not take kindly to anyone poking their noses into matters that do not concern them and his relationship with Kieana will be at the top of that list, they will tell us when they are ready, until then we need to stay out of it." I say.
Legolas's POV
"Don't these people eat fruit? I haven't seen one piece of fruit since I arrived here." I say taking a seat beside Aragorn at the large wooden table in the Golden Hall.
"Who wants fruit when there's meat and bread and ale?" Gimli demands from behind a plate piled high with food.
"Elves love their fruit, nuts and vegetables Gimli. They are also quite partial to wine." Aragorn replies with a grin.
"Psh bread, meat and ale are far more satisfying than fruit, nuts and vegetables." Gimli says.
"Perhaps for you dwarves who live in caves, but for we elves who live surrounded by nature fruit and nuts are better." Legolas says.
"Well my dear Elf I do not believe there is any fruit on offer so you will have to make do with the bread and meat. I assure you it is quite delicious." Gimli says.
"I am sure it is. However I would prefer some fruit, so I think I will ask where the kitchen is and see if I can get some fruit." I say.
"No need for that." Aragorn says.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"Well unless my eyes are deceiving me I believe Kieana is coming this way with what appears to be a basket of fruit." he says.
"Your eyes do not deceive you Estel. Lady Eowyn and I took a detour past the kitchen and collected this from the cooks." Kieana says setting the basket down on the table before taking a seat beside Gandalf. "I too found myself craving fresh fruit and thought that you may appreciate some as well so I took the liberty of bringing enough to share." she adds glancing over at me and giving me a nervous smile.
"Thank-you." I reply smiling back at her.
"You're welcome." she replies "There's nothing like fresh fruit in the morning."
"No there isn't. My father and I eat breakfast together every morning when I'm home." I say.
"That's nice, I usually eat alone." she says.
"You don't eat with your brothers?" I ask.'
"When I can but we all have busy schedules and are out and about in the forest training or patrolling the borders." she explains. "Do you happen to know when this meeting is going to start?"she asks.
"Not an exact time no, but I believe it will be soon." Aragorn says. "why do you ask?"
"I wanted to go down to the stables to check on my horse." she says.
"The Rohirrim are very good with horses, I am sure he is being well looked after." Aragorn says.
"I know that, but he's my horse and I would like to check on his well being." she says.
"There is still time for a quick visit to the stables before the meeting. Theoden has some matters to attend to before he can discuss the best course of action to take against Saruman." Gandalf says. "I must go and assist him, so I will bid you farewell for now. If you decide to go down to the stables could you check on Shadowfax?"
"Of course Mithrandir. He is a noble steed and it would be my pleasure to attend to his needs should he have any." she replies.
"Thank-you my dear. I am sure he will be very happy to see you." Gandalf says standing up from the table and smiling round at us all one last time before disappearing through a side door.
"Would you like me to accompany you to the stables?" I ask meeting Kieanas gaze.
"Only if you want to, I wouldn't want to drag you away from anything important." she says.
"It would be my pleasure to escort you to the stables." I say standing up and offering her my arm.
"Well then by all means, lead the ways." she responds blushing slightly as she stand up and places her hand on my arm allowing me to lead her from the room. "You really don't have to come with me if you would prefer to stay in the hall." she adds softly.
"I assure you Kieana it is no trouble, I too would like to check on the wellbeing of my horse." I say.
"Do you have a horse at home?" she asks.
"I do, I rode him to Imladris for the council and sent him back with the guard when I elected to join Frodo in his quest to destroy the Ring." I explain.
"You must miss him." she comments.
"I do miss him, but I also know that he will be well looked after until I return." I say.
"I've never spent much time around horses, but I have always loved them when I have had the opportunity to work with them. They are so graceful and strong and loyal, I always loved visiting Lord Elrond and his family in Imladris as an elfling because it meant I could play with the horses." she says. "Times were simpler back then, before the darkness started to spread."
A/N: Here's the next chapter finally! I know it took me forever to get this out so thanks for your patience! Please FFR and let me know what you think.