Hey everyone!
So my birthday month has arrived and, with it, brings the first batch of updates. The second ones should be around... if not on my birthday so we shall see how that goes as I will be at my dad's. I hope you're all having a great September so far.
Lots of love,
LSH xxx
A Wild Heart – Part 27:
Éowara and Aragorn made speed through Dunland and Enedwaith. Neither spoke much until they paused for a rest. It was only when they reached the Trollshaws and Éowara turned to Aragorn.
"Why Halbarad? He's head of the Rangers of Esteldín and belongs in there… not watching over me."
"Because he, along with my two Rangers in Evendim, are the only ones who can aid you," Aragorn spoke, "he is second in command to me and his place is with the leader of the Northern Kingdom whilst she is in the old Capital of the North."
"So the whispers are true. I am not a leader Aragorn. Halbarad should be the leader, not me," Éowara spoke as she looked at Aragorn as they rode through the hills of the Trollshaws.
"And that is why I wanted you here. You love exploring and know the lay of Annúminas far better than I," was the reply, "these tasks I have set are because you know these paths Éowara. Help me with the rebuilding and I will find a way to give you what your heart desires."
That reply caught the woman off-guard and he had to grab her arm to stop her from falling off Gléoda.
"You… you want to help me…?"
"I know you want to see the land of your friends and I will find a way to do that but, in Evendim, you will get to see them as well," Aragorn spoke before they rode on in silence.
Night began to arrive and Éowara had fallen asleep. They were near to Rivendell and Aragorn was concerned about trolls but he didn't know what to do.
"What should we do?" one of the soldiers asked.
"Help me to move Éowara onto Roheryn, into my arms and we can ride quicker. I shall wake her up once we arrive in Rivendell," he said before, once again, taking Éowara in his arms and they moved a fair bit faster towards Rivendell. He watched as the sun beginning to set and was finally relieved to see the Gates of Imladris appear before them.
The Elven Sentinels stood to attention as they realised who it was and Aragorn gently woke Éowara as he knew that she'd want to see Rivendell come into view. He spoke to the Sentinels and learned that Halbarad had already arrived.
"I can get back on Gléoda if needed," the woman spoke as she finally regained her senes but Aragorn just shook his head so she moved so she was straddling Roheryn and then they headed through the Gates and headed down the winding path.
"We shall make our way to the stables first and then walk over to the Last Homely Home where Lord Elrond will be waiting to receive us," Aragorn explained as he watched the buildings of the hidden valley come into sight once more, "you will find yourself able to relax and study new material as well."
He fell silent and allowed Éowara to take everything in. He knew that she'd only been to Rivendell once before, despite her endless exploring. He heard her gasp slightly as she saw the beauty and he realised that there may have been a lot of memories resurfacing for her as this was the place where Boromir had proposed to her.
He led Roheryn towards the stables and just casually smiled as he saw Halbarad there and clearly waiting for them. He saw that Éowara had not spotted him yet but soon she would. Then he could see the reaction between the two of them and try to figure out what had happened between the two.
Halbarad was instantly by their side and he looked at Éowara before helping her down. She looked at him but didn't speak as he moved to wrap his cloak around her. The woman just barely looked at him before going to check on Gléoda.
"She doesn't look happy to see me," Halbarad observed before Aragorn chucked softly,
"She's been awake from a nap around ten minutes my friend. Go to her and I will await you over with my Lord Elrond," he said before swiftly making an exit.
Halbarad sighed before he moved to assist Éowara with her saddle.
"I was not expecting to see you here already," the woman spoke as she finally looked directly at the Ranger, "I thought you would be arriving after we did."
"No. I've been here a day already. I wanted to make sure that I was here to await my King's arrival as I should," he said, "allow me to walk you to the Last Homely Home," he said and Éowara just nodded and allowed him to lead her across the Valley.
They'd almost arrived when Éowara saw the falls where she had agreed to Boromir's marriage proposal and she looked at Halbarad before leaving him and heading to the exact spot and just sat down. The Ranger knew the tale and stood quietly, keeping an eye on her. The last thing he needed was something to happen to her. There was safety in Rivendell but that didn't mean nothing would happen.
Halbarad watched Éowara and could see she was struggling with the emotions of being back in Rivendell and he could see her breaking in front of him. He knew in that moment that she had loved Boromir and nothing was going to bring him back.
He thought for a moment before slowly walking over to her and waiting to see how she reacted to him. He wasn't going to get near her if she was going to push him away. Relieved when she didn't move, Halbarad sat down beside her and remained silent. He wanted her to be the first to speak if she was going to say anything. He did notice that she'd wrapped his cloak tighter around herself, the breeze obviously making her feel cold.
"Please know that I am not angry with you being here," Éowara spoke, "I have a lot of memories here… this spot…"
"I know. Aragorn told me. This was the spot where you were betrothed and coming here was something you was not expecting to face. I will serve you as best as I can in Annúminas," Halbarad said as he looked at her, "my duty is to Aragorn but you are to rule in his stead so I will serve you Éowara," he said before he felt something and looked down slightly to see Éowara's head on his shoulder. He moved to wrap an arm around her and just allowed her to figure out her emotions as best as she could.
Éowara was determined not to let the tears fall but she didn't feel so alone with Halbarad there and she moved closer to him, feeling the warmth from both his body and his cloak. The stars finally reached the Hidden Valley.
"I'll take you north to Forochel once we're settled in Annúminas," Halbarad said, "where are you thinking we shall call the base?"
"I'm debating the Keep in the City itself or Tinnudir and make the short ride, stay in the City for a few days and then ride back to the island," Éowara said, "I'd like to see the lights of Forochel and I will be making regular journeys to the borders of the Shire to see my friends," she said before feeling slight movement as Halbarad moved to a better position for him. He smiled softly and kissed her head but there was no reaction.
"Then we will decide when we are there," Halbarad said as he looked up and saw the stars in the sky, "and no risk taking. Your brother and sister and Aragorn, Faramir and Arwen too will be hunting me down if anything should happen to you."
Éowara suddenly found herself laughing as she heard that line all over again. The sounds was something Halbarad had not been expecting to hear and he looked confused for a minute.
"You are not the first person to say that my dear Halbarad," Éowara said as she rushed to correct the confused Ranger, "you are missing Fríthild, Reeve of the Broadacres as well."
"Who?" Halbarad asked and Éowara began to tell him about Fríthild and the Broadacres and Edhild and Fríthbert and how the Reeve had become like a mother to her and taught her everything she knew. Halbarad listened to every word she was saying and nodded at the correct moments, happy that she was able to tell him a little more about herself. As soon as he'd known she was going to survive he'd gone to Aragorn's side for the Battle of the Morannon.
Aragorn had been waiting for the two to arrive and, when they hadn't, he and Elrond had begun to walk around looking for the pair before catching sight of the two.
"Are you attempting to heal Éowara through Halbarad?" the Lord of Rivendell asked.
"They were close in the Houses of Healing so I want to see what happens but, yes, I do have a few plans surrounding Éowara," Aragorn replied before a bell rang out and the two watched as Halbarad rose and extended his arm to Éowara and she accepted the arm and an escort to the dinner that was about to take place.