Oh my goodness, two chapters posted back-to-back. This is unheard of! Nah, I just wanted to give you guys a little bit more to read instead of making you wait till September for the next chapter.
So now we begin the Return of the King events. I hope this chapter satisfies you all. It was a major beast to write, but I got through it.
Khuzdul.
Disclaimer: I don't own the Hobbit or LOTR.
In the forests that rest just outside of Isengard, a group on horseback are making their way towards the white wizards' refuge. Leading this group is Gandalf riding upon Shadowfax. Behind the wizard is Aragorn, upon a dark brown horse. Thorin and Inara are sharing a ram and following directly behind the ranger. Behind the two of them are Legolas and Kelda, who are sharing a horse together. Riding upon Renika, Shadowfax's gray colored mare, is Kili and Tauriel. Behind them is Gimli, who is sharing a horse with Toril. Théoden, his heir, and a guard are riding near the end of the group with Durin and Frerin, who are both riding a ram each.
"How much longer till we get there?" Frerin sighs with boredom.
"Not much longer, nadad. Be patient." Durin replies as he rolls his eyes at his older sibling.
"I hope the hobbits are okay." Toril says out loud from her spot behind Gimli.
"Those two hobbits will be fine, Lady Toril." Gandalf calls out confidently from the front of the group. He isn't surprised by Toril's worry over Pippin and Merry. For back in the Shire, Gandalf had caught but a glance at the beginning of a bond between the three. Though the bond between Toril and Pippin has become just as strong as the one Pippin has with Merry, which has taken Gandalf by surprise.
Inara, who is sitting behind Thorin on his ram, squeezes her arms around Thorin's chest. "I hope so." She whispers near Thorin's ear. Since leaving Helm's Deep, Inara has told Thorin about everything while they had laid in each other's arms at night. Except about what she had seen in Galadriel's water mirror. That she hasn't told a soul about, for she isn't sure if the last part would come true.
"If Gandalf says they are, then they are." Thorin answers before reaching to take hold of one of Inara's hands. Bringing it to his lips, Thorin places a gentle kiss on her knuckles.
"Ewwww. Must you do that?" Frerin calls out as he witnesses the exchange between his parents. His cheeks has a slight tint of red to them, which shows just how embarrassed his parents are making him.
"Didn't you get enough of each other the other night?" Kili laughs out when he sees Inara blush and hide her face into the back of Thorin's neck. He understands how his younger cousin feels, for you see Kili and Tauriel had been in the tent closest to Thorin and Inara's. And let's just say that neither the dwarf nor the elleth got much sleep that night.
"Kili!" Thorin growls out as the others laugh at the sight of Thorin's cheeks getting a light blush to them.
Exiting the forest, the group heads towards the sound of two jolly voices echoing out from just ahead of them. They come upon Merry and Pippin who are enjoying food, drink and smoking on one of the outer stone walls of Isengard. Pippin shouts out in delight at seeing the group coming out of the forest; while Merry stands up from his seat on the stone wall.
"Welcome, my lords to Isengard!" Merry shouts out to the group with a smile on his face.
"You young rascals!" Gimli shouts from his horse. "A merry chase you have led us on, and now we find you feasting and smoking!"
The others of the group start to chuckle or smile at Gimli's scolding tone of the two hobbits. For all of them are happy to see that Merry and Pippin are safe, and have no wounds upon them.
"We are sitting on a field of victory," Pippin pipes up with a cheeky grin on his face. "enjoying a few well-earned comforts. The salted pork is particularly good."
"Salted pork?" Gimli says, while trying not to salivate at the mention of the meat.
"Hobbits." Gandalf says to himself as he tries to figure out just what all has happened to Isengard.
Toril, however, was excited to see the two young hobbits alive and well. Hopping down from the horse she is sharing with Gimli, Toril rushes over towards the stone wall. Though the water reaches her waist, Toril moves quickly through it to reach the two hobbits.
"Pippin!" Toril shouts out as she gets closer to the stone wall.
Pippin, surprised to see the female, hops down from his perch and allows himself to be pulled into an embrace by the dark Auburn haired, green eyed lass. Both of them are giggling with joy to see each other as they spin around in the water. Neither of them caring about just how wet their clothes are becoming.
Merry gives the two a knowing smirk before addressing the rest of the group. "We're under orders from Treebeard, who has taken over management of Isengard."
"And where is Treebeard?" Gandalf asks Merry, while ignoring Pippin and Toril's small reunion.
"Why don't we show you." Merry replies before hopping down from the stone wall, and landing on a lower ledge on the stone wall. Gandalf offers Merry a hand to help the hobbit get up onto the back of Shadowfax.
Kili, noticing that Toril and Pippin are talking in whispers, decides to break up the two young ones. Clearing his throat, Kili speaks loudly for the whole group to hear. "If you two are done flirting, we need to get going. Toril, you are to ride with Gimli." Kili smiles when he sees the Toril and Pippin's faces turn a bit red with embarrassment. "Now would be preferable."
"Yes Adad." Toril says before releasing Pippin from their embrace. Slowly she makes her way over to Gimli, who is giving the hobbit a glare, before helping his young, female cousin to get back up onto the horse.
"Come, Pippin." Aragorn says as he moves his horse towards the hobbit. Offering his hand, Aragorn helps Pippin up onto the back of his horse. "You should be weary of open displays of affection with the lass. Especially when most of her dwarven family watches." Aragorn teases the hobbit as he has his horse follow after Shadowfax.
The group travels along the stone wall till they find an opening that allows their horses through. On the other side of the stone wall, there is water that is only a foot or two deep. Slowly the horses make their way through the water as Gandalf, following to where Merry is pointing, leads the group towards several towering trees.
Many of the Ents are curious as the group enters past the stone wall, and many are wondering just who these newcomers are. However, Treebeard sees the group approaching, and turns to address them.
"Young Master Gandalf." Treebeard says graciously. "I'm glad that you have come. Wood and water, stock and stone I can master. But there is a wizard to manage here, locked into his tower."
"Show yourself." Aragorn says softly at the same time that Thorin shouts the same words towards the tall spiral tower.
"Be careful." Gandalf says to both the man and the dwarf. "Even in defeat, Saruman is still dangerous."
"Well, let's just have his head and be done with it." Gimli growls out with Kili agreeing him.
"No. We need him alive." Gandalf says to Gimli. "We need him to talk."
A voice echoes menacingly down from Saruman's tower that causes everyone to jump. "You have fought many wars and slain many men, Théoden King, and made peace afterwards." Saruman's voice echoes out, and then he appears at the top of his tower. "Can we not take counsel together as we once did, my old friend? Can we not have peace, you and I?"
"We shall have peace." Théoden begins to shout, fully confronting Saruman. "We shall have peace, when you have answer for the burning of the Westfold and the children that lay dead there! We shall have peace when the lives of the soldiers, whose bodies were hewn even as they lay dead against the gates of the Hornburg, are avenged. When you hang from a gibbet for the sport of your own crows, we shall have peace!"
"Gibbets and crows. Dotard." Saruman says as his eyes move away from looking down at Théoden. Then his eyes settle upon to the one who he has tried so very hard to capture. "Lady Inara Spiritwalker. I am surprised to see you here. Tell me, do you still remember our time together?"
Inara, who is sits behind Thorin on the ram, shivers slightly as she tries to keep her mind clear. Her arms tighten around Thorin's chest with concern. However, her partner felt her shiver, and he sits up straighter in an attempt to shield her from Saruman's gaze.
"And you will pay for what you have done to her." Thorin bellows out as he pulls out Orcrist from its scabbard at his waist. He points the tip of the sword towards where Saruman is standing.
Kili, seeing Thorin's reaction, takes hold of his bow and notches an arrow at the same time that Tauriel does with her own bow. Both of them are willing to shoot the wizard if he attempts to harm Inara once more. For both of them have made a vow to themselves, and each other, that they would do all that they can to keep Inara from being harmed ever again.
Saruman, from his spot at the top of his tower, starts to chuckle until Gandalf places himself in front of Thorin and Inara's ram. Seeing Gandalf placing himself in front of the former dwarf king and Inara, Saruman becomes livid. Not only has Gandalf returned stronger than ever, but now he is protecting the woman who could change everything in favor of Sauron's will.
"What do you want, Gandalf Greyhame?" Saruman icily says to the new white wizard. "Let me guess. The Key of Orthanc. Or perhaps the Keys of Barad-dúr itself, along with the crowns of the seven kings and the rods of the five wizards!"
Gandalf stares up at Saruman before speaking, allowing his voice to get a hard tone to it. "Your treachery has already cost many lives. Thousands more are now at risk. But you could save them, Saruman. You were deep in the enemy's counsel."
Saruman now realizes what it is that Gandalf wants; however, he wants something as well. "So you have come here for information." Saruman says with a small smirk on his face. If they want information, then he wants something or someone in return. "I have something for you." Saruman pulls out an orb from inside his robes and holds it out to show Gandalf. He knows that this is something that Gandalf will want. Especially if he wants to know what Sauron is planning.
"Something festers in the heart of Middle-Earth. Something that you have failed to see. But the great eye has seen it. Even know he presses his advantage. His attack will come soon. All but one of you is going to die. But you know this, don't you, Gandalf? This ranger will never sit on the throne of Gondor. An exile out of the shadows, will never be king. Nor will the dwarves be able to protect their human queen. She will be Sauron's in the end." Saruman prattles off with too much confidence in his voice.
"Enough!" Thorin bellows out, allowing his temper to flare. The grip of his one hand that is holding on to the reigns of his ram tightens, which causes the ram to bleat out in protest.
"Shall I shoot him with an arrow? In his blaspheming gob, perhaps?" Kili asks Thorin as he draws the arrow back even more. His brown eyes locked-in on Saruman's chest to guarantee a direct hit.
"No." Gandalf shouts to Kili. "Come down, Saruman. And your life will be spared."
"Shouldn't let him live." Thorin growls out softly so only Inara could hear him.
"Save your pity and your mercy!" Saruman shouts back at Gandalf, while keeping his eyes trained on Inara. "I have no use for it." With that said, Saruman uses his staff and sends a fireball towards the group.
The fireball hits where Gandalf and Shadowfax are, which causes everyone else's rides to rear up with some fright. As the fire flares around Gandalf, the wizard is not affected by the fire and the flames soon disappear.
"Saruman, your staff is broken." Gandalf shouts out once the flames have gone.
At the top of the tower, Saruman's staff explodes into many pieces which shocks the old wizard. Never before has he felt powerless, but he refuses to allow this setback keep him from what he desires. His attention is still on Inara till he hears Théoden calling out to Grima, who has appeared behind him. Yet during the exchange between Théoden and Grima, Saruman's mind begins to attack Inara's.
The queen of the dwarves lets out a scream, and she lets go of Thorin to grab her head in pain. The intensity of the mental attack has Inara's head in such pain that she closes her eyes and begins to breathe erratically. Her pendant is flickering a pale pink light from it as it tries to suppress Saruman's attempt of a mental attack.
"Inara!" Thorin shouts as he looks over his shoulder to see his yâsith starting to slide off of the ram.
Aragorn, who was the closest to Thorin and Inara, jumps down from his horse to catch Inara before she lands into the water. He holds her underneath her armpits, and tries to get a better grip on the queen. A splash in the water lets Aragorn know that Thorin has just gotten down from his ram. He helps the dwarf king take hold of Inara as she continues to scream in agony.
"Enough!" Gandalf shouts up at Saruman before a pulse from his staff rips through the air. This breaks whatever attack Saruman was committing on Inara, and releases Inara from the pain of the attack. "Saruman, you were deep in the enemy's counsel. Tell us what you know!"
"Inara?" Aragorn asks softly, as he watches Inara's eyes open to reveal that they are dilated and not focusing properly.
Thorin's grip on Inara's upper body tightens when he hears the man say his yâsith's name. He knows of who this man is descended from, but he still isn't sure if he can trust the man. Nor does he know if this man has some kind of affection for Inara. Placing his focus back on Inara, Thorin gently places a kiss to Inara's forehead and begins to whisper to her in Khuzdul. He will just have to show this man that he isn't willing to give up his Inara.
A loud thud pulls Thorin's attention from Inara, and he sees a now dead body of Saruman lying upon a water wheel. He is not surprised that the traitor is dead, and that he has a knife still stuck in his body. Yet a slight whimper from the woman in his arms lets Thorin know that Inara's eyes have now focused, and have seen the dead wizard.
"Send word to all of our allies," Gandalf says as he keeps looking at Saruman's dead body. "and to every corner of Middle Earth that still stands free. The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike."
"I will send word to Erebor. Fili must be told to be on guard." Kili says as he withdraws his arrow and places it back into the quiver.
"I shall send word to my father as well. The Greenwood must be warned as well." Legolas looks at Gandalf with concern.
"What about the Iron Hills? Should we warn our cousins there as well?" Frerin asks as he looks towards where his adad is holding his amad in the water.
"They will be warned." Thorin growls out while trying to ease his anger down. He has much that concerns him, but Inara's well-being is his number one concern for now. However, he knows that Osiris waits in the trees of the forest for Thorin to return. The raven will carry the warning back to Erebor for him.
"The filth of Saruman is washing away." Treebeard says as he looks down at the group. "Trees will come back to live here. Young trees. Wild trees."
Pippin, who was left upon Aragorns' horse, climbs down as something catches his eye in the water. He hurries over to the item with haste to see just what it is.
"Pippin!" Aragorn calls out as he leaves Thorin and Inara's side to reach the hobbit.
The curious hobbit lifts a black orb out of the water and gazes at it with wonder. However, he doesn't get a good enough look at it when Gandalf comes over and asks for the orb.
"Peregrin Took." Gandalf says to the hobbit cautiously. "I'll take that my lad. Quickly now."
Pippin hands the orb to Gandalf, and the wizard wraps the orb with some of his white robes. Gandalf keeps a close eye on Pippin as he wraps the orb. The wizard knows what kind of trouble Pippin can cause if he isn't watched.
"We best be going now." Aragorn says as he approaches Pippin. "Come. We still have a ways to travel before returning to Edoras."
Treebeard watches as Thorin helps Inara to stand up on her jelly-feeling legs, and lets out a gasp as he can now see Inara's face better.
"Bless my bark. They have returned!" Treebeard says before kneeling down to one knee before Thorin and Inara. It was at this point that Treebeard took notice of Inara.
This causes everyone, including Inara, to give looks of surprise to the Ent. Yet, Treebeard leans more towards Inara with a reverent look upon his face. Thorin draws his sword, but Inara places a hand upon it and shakes her head at Thorin. Turning to face the Ent, Inara moves towards the giant tree on wobbly legs. "You know of me?"
"I know of your people. Those who converse with the spirits of the world. You are a descendant of them, for the wind spirits spoke of you to us." Treebeard says as more Ents move closer towards the group.
"How can you know my people, when they are not of this world?" Inara asks, wondering just how her ancestors would be known in this place.
Treebeard and the other Ents chuckle softly before an answer is given. "Your people came from this world. They were of men, not elves, and they learned to open themselves more than any elf could to the spirits of Middle Earth. They were a peaceful people, but fought bravely to defend what was theirs when the need arose. It was before the rise of evil in the last age, that your people vanished from our forests. Where they went, we did not know. But we missed having them to speak with. Now here is the last one, standing before us. We asks, that when your task is done, that you return to our forest and speak with us, Beshwaji."
"I will come to visit you when I can." Inara smiles at Treebeard as all of the Ents bow their heads to her. "I promise you."
"How does she do that?" Théoden asks Kili with wonder at just how Inara is so well-known by the Ents. When he first met Inara, he could tell that there was just something about her that seemed different. But as he learned more about her, he has come to respect Inara.
Kili just chuckles as he watches Thorin help Inara up onto their shared ram after saying her goodbyes to the Ents. He follows the others, who are following Gandalf away from Isengard. Kili and Tauriel keep their eyes open as they enter the forest. And it isn't long till the squawk of a close by raven is heard.
"Osiris!" Kelda says happily as the raven flies down towards the group. She holds up an arm, but the raven passes by her and lands upon the horns of Thorin's ram. "Well that explains a lot."
"What does?" Legolas asks Kelda. He too had heard, and seen, the raven flying towards the group. Seeing it now on the former dwarf king's ram, Legolas tries to listen in to see if he can figure out what is being said.
"Osiris is one of the few ravens that is used to send messages between Erebor and a select few." Kelda answers Legolas's question honestly.
Thorin speaks quickly with the raven, before sending the bird away. However, what Thorin doesn't know is that Gandalf calls the bird back later on that evening after they have set up camp for the night. In the cover of darkness, Gandalf attaches a piece of parchment, rolled up, to the raven's leg before sending it back on its way to Erebor. He hopes that Erebor receives the missive with enough time to send aid for the coming battle.
The next morning, the group is riding hard to reach Edoras. As the city atop a hill comes into view, everyone can see that Thorin's army is camped outside of the main gates of the city. Thorin had sent his troops with the people of Edoras to help keep them safe during their journey from Helm's Deep to Edoras.
After the battle at Helm's Deep, the dwarves had helped the men of Rohan with burying the dead. Théoden, in response to the help from the dwarves, had given permission for the dwarves to bury their dead inside of the caverns beneath Helm's Deep. He also decreed that any kin of the fallen dwarves were free to visit their dead loved ones at any time. Yet there were a few bodies that were taken back to Edoras and buried with honor. One of those who were buried in the small mounds of land outside of Edoras's walls was Haldir. And in another small mound, Dori and Bifur were buried as well. Théoden was insistent on doing so to prove that Rohan was still an ally of Erebor.
As the group entered the city they find Éowyn waiting for them upon the stairs that lead into the King's Hall. She greets her uncle, and the two of them speak softly to each other.
While they speak, Inara watches as Thorin prepares to head out to speak with the small army outside of Edoras's gate. Frerin and Durin unpack their rams and move to stand with their parents.
"I shall speak with our troops. Gandalf asked if I would be willing to lead them to Gondor if the white city needs aid against the armies of Mordor. So I will only ask for volunteers and send those who refuse to go back to Erebor." Thorin says as he climbs back up onto his ram.
"King Thorin." Théoden says as he breaks away from his discussion with Éowyn. "Your men are welcome to enter the city and set up their tents within the safety of the city walls."
Thorin gives Théoden a nod of his head to show the Rohan King that he is willing to accept his hospitality. "Your offer is very much appreciated. I will let my army know of the offer."
"There is to be a feast tonight, my lord." Éowyn pipes up as she comes to stand next to Théoden. "You are welcome to come, and there will be plenty of smaller feasts throughout the city if your army wishes to partake."
"Thank you for the offer. I am sure that Thorin will pass it along to the troops." Inara says graciously to Éowyn. "Dwarves are never ones to turn down an offer of food." She turns to face Thorin and gives him a hard look as if to say, 'Don't argue. Just go with it.'
"I will let them know of the feasts." Thorin says to Éowyn before turning to look at Kili. "Kili. Come with me."
Kili lets out a sigh before giving Tauriel a slight kiss on her lips. He then proceeds to walk over to where Toril is holding the reigns to Frerin and Durin's rams. He takes hold of Frerin's ram's reigns and climbs up onto the ram.
"And here I thought I would be bathing after a hard ride." Kili mumbles to himself as he takes the reigns of Durin's ram from Toril. "I'll be back as quick as I can. Keep an eye on your amad for me."
"We will, Adad." Toril replies as she steps away from the rams.
Thorin, not willing to wait any longer, begins to steer his ram down the path they just had come up. He plans to speak with his men and he wants Kili at his side in case of anything that could go amiss. Thorin really doesn't want to leave Inara's side, but he commands the small army and they need their leader.
The rest of the family watches as Thorin and Kili make their way back through the city towards the gates. They are all weary from their hard journey and want nothing more than to get clean and sleep. Their hosts seem to understand this, and bade the group to come inside to get freshened up before the festivities for the evening.
Several hours later...
With the sun beginning to set, the feast and festivities within Edoras are now starting to swing into full gear. With many places within the city hosting many other smaller feasts, the dwarves are able to spread out and join in as well. Earlier in the afternoon, the dwarves had moved their tents within the walls of the city, but still within range to reach the walls if the city should fall under attack.
In the King's Halls, many have come to join in the festivities there as well.
After having bathed and dressed appropriately Thorin, Inara, and their family are among the honored guests in Théoden's halls. Inara and Thorin are both wearing matching colored outfits of dark blue with silver embroidered emblems of the House of Durin along the edges of the sleeves, collars, and the bottom of Inara's dress. How Thorin was able to pack the matching set of clothes within his saddle bag, Inara will never know. Thorin's hair had been combed, his braids redone and embellished with some silver and sapphire beads. At the end of each of his four braids rests golden clasps with the royal emblems on them. Thorin had placed an immaculate braided design with Inara's hair. He had made several small braids, embellishing them with beads to that matched his own. Then he wove the small braids so that it made a net like design to hold the rest of her loose flowing hair within the braids. Yet the former dwarf king made sure to leave Inara's four royal braids free of the design. That way everyone would be aware as to just who her mate was.
Frerin and Durin both are wearing the royal dark blue outfits that befit of their station as royal princes. And both sons had their hair braided and embellished with the beads befitting their positions. However, Frerin has one extra braid than Durin, which denotes Frerin as Fili's heir and the next King of Erebor. Durin, like his older cousin Kili, has as few braids as possible in his hair. As with the normal royal custom of Erebor, they are flanking their parents with Frerin next to Thorin and Durin next to Inara.
Kili and his family are also in attendance, but haven't dressed as fine as Thorin and his family. Knowing that his family isn't really in the running for the throne of Erebor, Kili has them all wearing understated, but nice looking outfits. As usual, Tauriel has her hair in the same braided elven design that she normally does when on the road. Kili's hair is the same as it always has been, a braid or two and half of the top of his hair is pulled back for a half-ponytail style. However, Kelda's hair and Toril's hair is more elaborately styled with many braids and a few beaded embellishments woven into them. All four of them stand directly behind Thorin and Inara while waiting for the festivities to begin.
Gimli, however, has decided to stick with normal looking, plain clothes. Unlike the others, he has currying favor to do, nor image to keep. Yes he is the cousin of the King of Erebor, but he is so far down the line, Gimli doesn't give getting dressed up much thought.
Finally, after waiting a while, Éowyn starts the ceremonial handing out of the first cup of wine to Théoden. Both are dressed in their finery as well, though compared to the royals of Erebor, their finery may not shine as brightly to their guests. However, the people of Rohan know that their king is a humble king who care for his people and not fine things.
Taking the golden chalice from his niece, Théoden begins to address the crowded hall with Éomer by his side. He holds out the chalice and everyone who was sitting stand with their own mugs or cups held out. Even Thorin, who is holding a mug of ale holds it outwards in the silent gesture of respect.
"Tonight we remember who gave their blood to defend this country. Whether it was dwarf, elf, or man. Hail the victorious dead." Théoden projects loud enough for those in the back to hear his words.
"Hail!" The crowds answer in reply, lifting their mugs or cups higher into the air before taking a drink from them.
Inara, who had holds a cup of wine, doesn't partake in the drink. However, she notices that Aragorn hesitates to partake in his drink as well. She catches his eye and gives him a quizzical look. Not wanting to offend the people of Rohan, both Aragorn and Inara proceed to take a drink from their own cups a few seconds after everyone else. And this is heavily noticed by Thorin who is starting to wonder if there is something between Inara and Aragorn.
With the ceremony done, Théoden calls forth for the food and so begins the merrymaking of the feast.
With the feast and celebrations in full swing, everyone is laughing, joking, telling tales, or having drinking competitions with each other. Inara and Thorin having disappeared after taking their fill of the food, are not missed by anyone in the hall save for Théoden.
"Where did King Thorin go?" He asks one of the two princes. Even though he knows their names, he is having a hard time remembering which name belongs to which prince.
"If you were go a few months without your queen, and having met up with her again, where would you be?" Durin replies with a cheeky grin on his face and a slight blush on his cheeks from having drank a few mugs of ale.
"Oh." Théoden says in surprise once the lads' words make sense.
"I apologize on my nadadith's behalf." Frerin slurs out, having had several more drinks than Durin. "Our parents are not the most patient people, and have been known to disappear for long stints of time. How else did we get so many younger siblings."
Several of the men nearby, who overheard the conversation, start laughing in earnest at hearing the princes bandy words about the King and Queen of Erebor.
Elsewhere in the hall, Éomer is standing near the tables that hold the kegs of ale and wine. Legolas, with Kelda next to him, have found themselves near the table. The blonde heir of Rohan decides to tease the elf over his lack of partaking in drink. He hands Legolas a mug and gives Kelda a smile.
"No spills." Éomer chuckles to Legolas.
"And no regurgitations." Gimli says from his spot at the end of the table with several empty mugs on the table in front of him.
The men and Éomer start laughing as the red-haired dwarf takes hold of another full cup of ale and begins drinking it in earnest.
"So it's a drinking game?" Legolas asks, while faking innocence.
Kelda, who knows that Legolas has drank before, giggles at the elf's play at innocence. For she has seen him drink on several occasions in Rivendell, and bore witness to Haldir and Elrond's twin sons trying to goad Legolas into a drinking game of their own design.
"My lady?" Éomer hands out a cup of ale to Kelda with a smirk on his face.
"I'll pass. I find the ale of men is not as strong as the ale of the master brewers of Erebor. If I want a drink, I want it strong." Kelda banters at Éomer, which causes all of the men surrounding the table to laugh heartily at her jest.
"Last one standing wins." Gimli shouts out to Legolas, not having heard his young cousin jesting with Éomer. With the drunken men cheering, Gimli starts to guzzle down another mug of ale in earnest.
Legolas is hesitant to start drinking; however, seeing that Kelda is watching him closely he decides to take a mouthful of the bitter ale. He is still playing up his facade for the men and Gimli, but he knows that Kelda is onto his game.
Éowyn, lets a smile appear on her face as she passes the table. She knows that her brother is one to talk people into drinking matches, yet never participates himself. Holding cup with both hands, she makes her way towards Aragorn. Taking Aragorn by surprise, Éowyn speaks in Sindarin while offering him the cup. Earlier in the day, she had Tauriel teach her how to say the words till she got them right.
Aragorn, takes the cup from her hands with some trepidation showing in his body posture, but his face remains neutral. He takes a sip from the offered cup, and slowly lowers the cup from his lips before handing it back to Éowyn.
In the distance, both Tauriel and Kili are watching the exchange carefully. Kili had stumbled upon Tauriel teaching Éowyn the words earlier, and had been wondering as to why. Now he knows. Keeping his eyes on the scene, Kili whispers to Tauriel.
"He seems to stiff. Almost as if he didn't want to participate."
"His heart longs for Arwen even though he set her free of their promise." Tauriel replies with a hint of sadness in her voice. Unknown to Kili, and even Aragorn, Tauriel had witnessed the scene back in Rivendell, and she was the one who Arwen sought comfort from. For Arwen knew that Tauriel and Kili's relationship is similar to hers and Aragorns. And it was Tauriel who told Arwen to not give up and to fight for it if necessary.
"Elrond's daughter?" Kili asks in surprise. "Well I surely didn't see that one coming."
"Arwen knows of Aragorn's duty and his history." Tauriel says softly to Kili. "But it is Aragorn's sense of honor that holds them back from finding happiness. He doesn't want Arwen to be fated alone to this world should he perish."
"Sounds like he needs a good right hook in the face." Kili says before taking a large gulp of ale from the mug in his hand.
Tauriel chuckles at Kili's response. In all her years of living with dwarves, she has come to understand that some violence between dwarves can be seen as caring. However, that doesn't condone the abuse of one's spouse or children.
Back at the drinking table, Gimli is yet again drinking another mug of ale. How many drinks, Kelda doesn't know, but she does know that her older cousin is starting to waver. Legolas however, finishes up his twelfth cup and Éomer is handing him another mug of ale. With her cousin letting out a large release of gas after reaching for another mug of ale, Éomer gives her a questioning look.
"It's the Dwarves that go swimming," Gimli slurs out with glee. "with little, hairy women."
Kelda lets a sigh before answering Éomer's questioning look. "He is a distant cousin. On adad's side of the family, of course."
Éomer chuckles at the young female's attempt to try and verbally distance herself from her cousin. However, Legolas's belch catches his attention as well as Kelda's.
"I think I feel something." Legolas says in fake wonder as he looks at his hand with fake awe.
"Really?" Éomer says in surprise.
"A slight tingle in my fingers." Before turning to Kelda with a fake look of horror on his face. "I think it's affecting me."
Gimli, who has downed yet another ale, looks up at Kelda and Legolas. "What did I say." He slurs out with some glee. "He can't hold his liquor." Then the dwarf proceeds to fall backwards off of his stool and onto the floor.
"Game over." Legolas says with a knowing smirk on his face.
"You did that on purpose." Kelda giggles accusingly at Legolas as she gently swats the elf's arm. "Lord Éomer, elves are barely ever affected by strong drink. Legolas was only joking when he stated that he was being affected. Now can I get a little help on carrying my distantly related cousin back to his room?"
On the other side of the hall, there are two hobbits dancing, singing, and drinking on one of the tables. As the two hobbits sing a bandy song from the Shire, Gandalf and Toril watch with smiles on their faces at Merry and Pippin's antics. However, as Pippin turns to face towards the wizard and lass, he stops singing and dancing as he sees the pair of them watching.
Gandalf glances downwards to see that Toril's cheeks and the tips of her elven ears are bright red in a blush. The wizard wonders for just a second as to what might be going on between the two young ones, but he dismisses it as Merry breaks the spell by calling out for Pippin.
Pippin, with his attention now drawn back to Merry, continues the song and dance with Merry till they finish. Loud cheers are given by the men as well as several other spectators. Gandalf and Toril clap with the wizard softly chuckling.
"They remind me so much of Fili and Kili when they were younger." Gandalf muses out loud, not realizing that Toril had heard him.
"You mean my adad and his nadad behaved something like this?" Toril asks, wondering just at what point someone had witnessed such an event.
"If you want to know, I suggest you ask Bilbo Baggins what happened during the dinner party he hosted for Thorin and his company before setting out to reclaim the mountain." Gandalf says with a knowing smirk on his face.
Toril smiles at the idea of her adad getting into trouble, and turns to look back at Pippin. With her interest too invested in Pippin, she doesn't notice when Aragorn arrives next to Gandalf. The wizard knows of the newcomer, but keeps his eyes focused on the two hobbits.
"No news of Frodo?" Aragorn asks Gandalf quietly over the ruckus of the celebrating crowds of men.
"No word. Nothing." Gandalf answers with worry showing on his face.
"We have time. Every day, Frodo moves closer to Mordor." Aragorn states to Gandalf.
"Do we know that?" Toril says as she had overheard Aragorns words to Gandalf.
Both Toril and Gandalf look at Aragorn with worried looks. So he tries to give them some kind of comfort. "What does your heart tell you?"
"That Frodo is alive." Gandalf answers with a shimmer of hope gleaming in his eyes. "Yes. He is alive."
So there it is, folks. I hope you all enjoyed it. I had to really take my time with this chapter. The next chapter will be posted sometime in September. So please be patient for it.
Reviews are welcomed, cherished, and loved.
Selene.