Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

Love's Redemption	By : mthorsta Category: -Multi-Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 7108 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own the Lord of the Rings (and associated) book series, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
Chapter 13 - Reunion
  The city was nothing like Jordan had envisioned. Nothing prepared her for the sheer magnitude of its dizzying height. The masses of towers and dwelling stacked on top of each other like bricks, stretching towards the heavens, were too overwhelming for the eye to take in. To look up at them almost made her ill. So small was she in comparison; she felt as if the great walls would engulf her and swallow her up.
  Sometime between the setting of the sun and the lighting of the lanterns, the shadows began to deepen in the recesses of the alleyways veiling the ghostly white stone. In the growing dusk, they were led upwards through the streets of Minas Tirith, level by level. The fanfare had died off and except for the clattering of horse hooves on the cobblestones, an eerie silence fell over the city as the people closed their shops for the evening and retired to their homes.
  Passing through yet another gate, the group emerged on to the sixth level where the lighting of the lanterns had commenced. The firelight shimmered and licked at the pale walls; bathing them in an orange glow and giving the city a surreal appearance. As they continued their ascent of the sixth level, up ahead on the east side of the street, Jordan noticed a building with arches and columns at its entrance. It was larger than the ones that surrounded it and as they approached, Jordan noticed a garden area behind the building, perched high above the level below. The only reason she could see what it was is that it was lit by tall torches embedded in the ground. However, it was not a typical garden for there was no earth to grow plants in. Instead, raised beds had been created with blocks of carved stone and filled in with soil. The beds formed ornate geometrical patterns with colored pebbles and glass covering the ground in between that shimmered when they caught the torch light. A garden of stone for a city of stone.
  �What is that place?� Jordan asked out loud to no one in particular, pointing towards the building.

  �It is the Houses of Healing.� Legolas answered.

  �It is where Faramir and I first met.� Eowyn added as she gave her husband a loving glance.
  As they passed the Houses of Healing, Jordan looked back and saw that on this side, the garden area extended past the building into a small courtyard with a fountain that was accessible from the street. She decided that tomorrow she would have to take a closer look.
  It was on this level just past the Houses of Healing that they came to the stables. As Jordan dismounted her horse, it quickly became known just how stiff and sore her muscles were from the long ride. She groaned as she finally stood on solid ground again.

  �Agh, I�m never going to walk right again!�

  Legolas gave her a sympathetic smile as he unfastened her bags from the saddle.

  �It may not seem so now, but I assure you, after a night�s rest, you will feel better.�
  After the horses were unburdened of their loads and boarded in the stables, the four were approached by a nondescript middle-aged man with graying hair dressed in the garb of a servant of Minas Tirith.
  �My lords and ladies, if you will follow me, I will show you to your quarters.�

  He led them down an alleyway off the main street, up a long flight of stairs, finally turning down a narrow dead end corridor lined with many identical wooden doors on the left side. The man stopped halfway to the end of the corridor, turned to face the doors and started to count them, mumbling the numbers out loud.

  �Ah, yes, here we are.�

  He opened one door to its fullest, banging it on the stone wall behind it; then the one next to it.

  �Here are your quarters.�

  The four stopped abruptly, looking at each other in confusion.

  �Ah�� Jordan started to speak up.

  �My good sir, these are but two rooms.� Faramir began.

  �Yes?�

  �We require three.�

  �My lord, I was told two couples, two rooms.�

  Jordan�s eyes widened. �No, no, we are not tog�� Jordan started to say, motioning to herself and Legolas, but her voice was drowned out by Faramir�s.

  �Look, we are all very tired; now open another room, so that we may get settled.�

  �But�but my lord, there are no other rooms available!� The man stammered.

  �Sir, this is unacceptable!� Faramir stepped threateningly towards the man and he shrank in fear.

  Legolas quickly stepped in between them and put his hand on Faramir�s shoulder. �Faramir, truly, it is fine. We can make do with what we have. There is naught that can be done about it tonight.�
  Amidst the commotion, a soldier had approached the quarreling group.

  �Prince Faramir?� He interjected, bowing respectfully.

  �Yes, what is it?� Faramir replied crossly.

  �My lord, I bring tidings from King Elessar. The king and queen request that you break fast with them in their private chambers at the tolling of the second bell.�

  Faramir sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. �Yes, fine. Inform them we will acquiesce to their request.� He said somewhat irritatedly and waved him off.

  The soldier left in a hurry, eager to be out of the midst of whatever argument was ensuing.

  �Is the situation agreeable to all?�

  �Faramir, it�s fine, really.� Jordan assured him. �Legolas is right. There is nothing that can be done about it tonight.�

  He nodded in acceptance. �Alright then, I will see you in the morning.�
  He entered the quarters closest to him, with Eowyn right behind him, and shut the door.
Legolas took up his and Jordan�s belonging and went into the quarters that they would now have to share. Their plight, however, was temporarily forgotten as Jordan admired her accommodations. It was a rather small, but richly decorated room with a large, soft bed, stone fireplace, and a single chair in the corner, but it was the balcony that was the crown jewel. At the sixth level, it hovered high over the city. Anything beyond the city was shrouded in a curtain of utter darkness but she was certain in the daylight, one could look out over Pelennor fields, if not see all the way to Osgilliath from here.
  Legolas, after setting his bow and quiver in the corner and unpacking a few essential needs, joined Jordan on the balcony.

  �It�s beautiful.� Jordan said turning to him.

  He smiled but said nothing. To have no understanding of events passed was a luxury he did not have. The images his mind conjured as he looked off into the distance were not of beauty but ones of death and destruction. They were burned into his memory, forever tainting whatever beauty this place held.

  �I�m sorry.� Jordan said.

  �What do you have to be sorry for?�

  �You know, the whole room mix-up.�

  �The mistake was not your own. There is no need to be sorry. If anything, it is I who should be asking your forgiveness for encroaching on your privacy.�

  �Oh, Legolas, there is no need to worry.� She chided his chivalrousness. �I do not think of it as such nor does your presence here offend me.�

  She walked back into the room to unpack her sleeping gown and get ready for bed. Legolas followed her in.
  �So, um, where are we each going to sleep?� She asked. She assumed they would have to share the single bed; not that she minded for practicality�s sake, it would be selfish to take the entire bed forcing Legolas to sleep on the hard stone floor, but she wanted to throw the question out and hear his thoughts first.

  Looking around, he said with absolution, �I will take the chair.�

  �You can�t sleep in a chair!�

  �My lady, I assure you I can. I have slept in far worse places.�

  Jordan sat down on the edge of the bed, testing the feel of the mattress.

  �You know�we could just share the bed; just for sleeping. It is big enough. Besides, it is not like we, ah, haven�t already shared, um, a certain level of intimacy.�
  She was somewhat shy about bringing to light their previous interludes; partly because of her modest nature and partly because they were at that awkward stage where one has moved past the boundaries of friendship but not yet to the point of securing a relationship.

  He smiled at her reticence. �Your offer is very generous, but I am afraid I must decline. To lay with another and share one�s bed before marriage is forbidden amongst my people.�

  �Even just to sleep?�

  �Aye. It is considered improper and gives way to possible temptation, so it should be avoided.�

  She bit her lip.
  Oh. Dear. God. If it is forbidden just to simply lie in the same bed with a woman, then he most certainly has never had�Oh. My. God.
  She had, however�with Christian. Premarital sex was just something that was widely accepted and practiced in her world. She gave herself to Christian; it was what men expected; it was what society expected, and look what happened. It bonded her to him physically and emotionally, but without the bond of marriage, it only gave rise to conflict and complication and made it all the more painful when he chose to leave. His people probably faired better holding to a more virtuous custom. The ideation had once been a tradition in her world, but mainstream society had increasingly moved away from it in favor of a more self-indulgent lifestyle. She suddenly felt ashamed of her past; ashamed of her weakness. What would Legolas think of her if he ever found out? She would be tainted in his eyes; unworthy of his purity. Her heart sank as this realization made itself known.
  �Are you alright, my lady?�

  �Yes.� She forced herself to suppress these disquieting thoughts and stood up quickly, her sleeping gown balled up in her fists.
  �I�m sorry; I hope I have not offended you. I know what you must think of me.�

  He stepped close to her, put his arms around her loosely and kissed her forehead. Releasing her, he said, �No, my lady, you were just trying to be helpful. I know your heart is pure.�

  She tightened her grip on her sleeping gown.

  �I�m going to go change.�

  She rushed off to the bathing chamber and shut the door. Thankfully, it had a door. She hugged her sleeping gown to her chest and leaned her forehead against the door while a tear slipped down her cheek, splashing onto the cold stone floor below.
  My heart is pure, but my body is not.
  She had just come to the point where she was beginning to acknowledge and accept her own feelings for Legolas. It had been a difficult emotional and mental struggle to loosen her hold on the old convictions she clung to and now it had been for nothing. If she was to allow their relationship to grow, she would have to, at some point, tell him about her past. It would be unconscionable not to do so; but what was the point when afterwards he would certainly cast her aside? This just confirmed the fact that she had been right all along; it was better to remain alone and not get involved with anyone. She would have to end it between her and Legolas, now, before things went any further, and the best way to do that was to find the linking book and leave Middle Earth.
  She numbly changed into her sleeping gown and left her dress crumpled on the floor of the bathing chamber without thought or care.
  Legolas looked up when she emerged from the bathing chamber. He had begun to worry; she had been in there much longer that the time it took to change clothing. The expression she wore was like a mask; a painted-on emotion, but did little to hide the truth and only confirmed his suspicions.

  �I sense a change within you. Has something happened?�

  �No, Legolas.� She managed a weak smile. �I�m just tired. I�m really tired. I�m going to go to sleep now, if you don�t mind.�

  �Nay, my lady, I do not mind.�

  She did not wait for Legolas to even finish his sentence; but immediately slipped underneath the covers, lying on her side with her back towards him, so that he could not see the tears that escaped her corners of her eyes, wetting the pillow.

  �You do as your�needs suit you.� His voice trailed off for it appeared she was no longer listening.
  Legolas blew out all but one candle and sat in the chair by the empty, darkened fireplace. By the faint candlelight he watched her as she slept; wondering what could have possibly happened to account for this change in her demeanor. Did she really think that she had offended him with her offer to share the bed? It was at that moment, he pinpointed, that the change had occurred. Somehow, though, he felt it was more than that. He sensed that she had become entangled and pulled down into her own darkness again for reasons he could not understand.
  It was an hour or so before dawn. Legolas checked one last time to make sure Jordan was still asleep, and slipped out the door. He made his way silently through the corridor and out on to the main street, taking the tunnel to the seventh level gate. After identifying himself to the guards, he was allowed passage. He continued on down the battlement to the Seat. It sat high atop the rock outcropping that bisected the city and formed the easternmost tip of the seventh level. From here, one could look out over Pelennor fields, Osgilliath, even as far as the border of Mordor, but right now, all Legolas could see were stars.
  To look upon Mordor and see nothing was a comfort. There was no fiery eruption from Mt. Doom; there were no clouds that veiled it in a blackness darker than night; no evil emanating from its lands. It was dead; and the white tree lived. For all his troubled thoughts tonight, it brought him a sense of peace. He stood there gazing out over the land until the sky had begun to lighten and the stars fade. It was then that Legolas heard footsteps approaching from behind. He stole a quick and subtle glance over his shoulder. The person was a man, still a ways off, wearing a hooded cloak, but walking down the battlement right in Legolas� direction. Legolas was unarmed but he readied himself to fight should the need arise. He kept his back to the man, appearing unaware of his presence, but his keen hearing allowed him to track the movements and distance of the man. The man was about fifteen feet away now; Legolas was just about to turn around and face the man when he heard him stop abruptly.

  �Legolas?�

  Legolas turned around and the man removed his hood.

  �Aragorn!�

  �It is good to see you, old friend.� Aragorn said with a wide grin.

  They grasped each other�s shoulder in greeting and Aragorn grabbed up his long lost comrade roughly and squeezed him, slapping him on the back.

  �You are the last person I expected to see here. What are you doing out here?� Aragorn asked.

  �I could ask the same of you.� Legolas answered, grinning back.

  Aragorn held up his pipe. �I come out here to smoke; I do not wish to subject Arwen to it. As well, it is peaceful and the view is not bad.� He quipped.

  �How is Arwen?�

  �She is well. She is eager to see you. Well, eager to see any elf. It is hard on her sometimes, being away from her people.�

  �Oh, I see. So it does not matter who I am, just that I am an elf.� Legolas teased.

  Aragorn laughed heartily.
  �So, Legolas, word has reached my ears that you travel with a mortal woman. I must say I am quite surprised. Has the mighty elf warrior found love at last and ready to settle into family life?�

  �That did not take long. You are as bad as a gossip-mongering old crone. Is not ruling a kingdom enough to fill your time?� Legolas joked.

  �Yet you do not deny it.�

  �I am sorry to disappoint you. You have drawn the wrong conclusion.� Legolas said with a smile, happy to smite his friend.

  �Truly? So, you have not found love?�

  �Nay.� It wasn�t a lie necessarily. What Aragorn alluded to, assumed both parties to be equally in love. He did desire and care for Jordan, but love? Legolas could not be certain if love would ever exist between them.

  �But you do travel here with a woman.�

  �Aye.�

  �Is that all you have to say on it, then?�

  �Aye.� Legolas smirked. He knew curiosity was getting the best of the man.
  �I could have you strung up and dragged through the streets of Minas Tirith. Perhaps that would loosen your tongue.�

  �And incur the wrath of an Elven King for the ill treatment of his son?� Legolas threw his head back and laughed. �I think not. T�would be a very unwise move on the part of a new king. Besides, I have seen his wrath firsthand. I tell you truly, it is not a mistake you will make again.� He jabbed his fingers into Aragorn�s chest and pushed him backwards.
  �It sounds like an Elven Princeling was once on the receiving end of said wrath! Do tell.� Aragorn kicked at Legolas but he quickly moved to the side and out of range.

  �How do you think it came to be that I was made to represent Mirkwood at the counsel after Gollum�s escape?� Legolas retorted with a devious grin. The two began to circle each other.
  �Ha! Do not play me for a fool! Your father�s guards would have had to hold you down kicking and screaming to keep you from the chance to prove your valor!� Aragorn threw a punch at Legolas catching him in the chest. In turn, Legolas swept his leg out knocking Aragorn off his feet and he landed on his back with a heavy thud. Aragorn groaned, his chest heaving, but it quickly dissolved into laughter. Legolas stood at Aragorn�s feet, hovering over him; gloating in his victory. Finally, he held his hand out.

  �Do you yield?�
  Aragorn said nothing but grasped Legolas� outstretched hand. With a mighty tug, he sent Legolas flying head-over-heels onto the hard stones that paved the battlement. Now both man and elf lay upon their backs, laughing at their adolescent behavior.
  They each got up on their own recognizance, neither trusting the other�s assistance, and brushed the dust off their garments. Legolas clapped Aragorn on the back as they walked towards the low wall near the Seat. Legolas sat down with a heavy sigh and stared out across Pelennor fields. Morning was near. The sun had not yet risen over the White Mountains but the countryside was awash with a faint light. He hoped that it would find the Lady Jordan renewed in body and spirit and that whatever ailed her last night would not linger.
  Aragorn took out his pipe and pouch, put a pinch of pipeweed in the chamber, and lit it; inhaling deeply. After a few slow draws off his pipe, Aragorn spoke.

  �You are troubled, my old friend.�

  �I care about her greatly, Aragorn.� Legolas began.

  �I gathered as much.� He said understandingly. �I had a feeling there was more to the story than you were previously willing to impart.�

  �But, by the Valar, she confounds me!�

  �Such is the nature of a female, Legolas.� Aragorn mused.

  �One moment she is eager for my company and the next she withdraws from me, closing herself off completely. And yet it is in these times, I feel drawn to her like a moth to a flame.�

  �They will set your head spinning and cause your heart to burn, all at the same time.�

  Aragorn knew better than to prod the elf for information when he did not offer it freely. Legolas would make it known when he was ready, so he simply listened and shared his observations. Although his choosing of a mortal woman concerned Aragorn, he was certainly not in a position to judge.

  �I do not know what I am doing, Aragorn. I have no experience in such matters.� He threw his hands in the air in frustration.

  �Do you love her?�

  �Love? I do not know. How does one know for certain?�

  Aragorn laughed. �You will know, Legolas, you will know. When the spark is kindled, you will see it plainly as if there was never a time it did not exist.�
  Legolas wished he could share with Aragorn the circumstances in which they met and the mystery of her origins because it would certainly shed new light on the issues he was facing, but he could not. There were already too many people with whom the knowledge had been given and should it be made known to the wrong person, it could prove ill for Jordan.
  The tolling of the first bell commenced marking the beginning of the day. Aragorn stood up, tapped the ashes out of his pipe, and tucked it under his belt.

  �We will have to continue this conversation at a later time. I must return home. Arwen will be waking soon, if she is not already. You are joining us for breakfast are you not?�

  The two walked back towards the Citadel as they talked.

  �Aye.�

  �Will your �mystery woman� be accompanying you?�

  �Her name is Jordan and I cannot say. She was not well last night.�

  �Well, I hope the morning finds her recovered. I would very much like to meet her.�

  �We shall see. Farewell, Aragorn.�

  �Farewell.�
~~~~~~
  Jordan woke to a sound similar to an old church bell echoing throughout the city. Looking around the room in the faint light, she saw that it was empty. She threw the covers back, slipped out of bed, and looked around the room before wandering out to the balcony. She half expected to see Legolas standing there; always preferring the outdoors to the in, but it too was vacant; Legolas was gone. She flopped down on one of the cold stone benches, pulled her sleeping gown over her legs, and looked down over the city. It was just barely dawn, and although Mount Mindolluin cast a heavy shadow, it was light enough to see out across the Pelennor fields. Today could be the last day spent in Middle Earth. The thought sent a wave of nausea coursing through her body. For so long had she struggled with the choice of remaining in Middle Earth; rationalizing it; repudiating it; cursing her indecisiveness.
  It was the day spent at the waterfall with Legolas which solidified her decision in that she would stay. Something happened with Legolas that she never thought she would experience - she was beginning to trust again. Maybe it was because he was so different from the men of her world in his way of life and belief system; she could not say for sure, but something in her heart told her that it was okay to trust him; that his motives were pure and not self-serving. So she started to open her heart to him and the wall she had surrounded herself with for so long began to buckle and with his gentle and kind manner; his loving and sensuous touch, he began to deconstruct it piece by piece. The result was something remarkable. She began to feel again. She felt alive for the first time in many years and although Legolas and she were very different, her eyes were opened to the possibility that they could build a future together. Now that future, and in fact, any future in Middle Earth was gone. She was not who or what Legolas thought she was. She would have a very difficult life ahead of her unless she eventually found a spouse and whether man or elf, they would expect that she be pure and unspoiled.
  She had to leave; she was left with little choice. After finding the courage to finally let someone in, and after allowing herself to feel and to care for someone, she could not face Legolas� inevitable rejection. But how would she go about it? Should she be allowed to search the archives today, she could potentially have the book in her hand by this evening; possibly even this very afternoon! Should she disappear without a word, without a trace? Should she confide in one to share the news once she had gone? Who would that be, perhaps Eowyn? One fact was certain - she could not say goodbye to Legolas and this was the worst part of all. He would try and convince her to stay�and by what reasoning could she justify her decision in his eyes?
~~~~~~
  Legolas slipped in through the door of the guest quarters quietly so as not to wake Jordan. After closing the door behind him, he turned and found the bed to be empty and unmade. Panic welled up within him but was quickly dowsed as he spotted a small figure on the balcony. She was sitting on one of the stone benches, knees hugged to her chest and her sleeping gown pulled over her legs. Her chin rested upon her knees as she stared out over the city.
He came up behind her and laid his hand on her shoulder.

  �Good morning.� Legolas said quietly.

  The city below still held her gaze, but she reached up, covered his hand with hers, and rested her cheek on it.

  �Good morning, Legolas.�
  One more day. We can pretend for one more day that everything is okay, can�t we?
  �How long have you been awake?�

  �Not long.� She released his hand and turned to look up at him. �Where did you go?�

  �Oh. I did not feel like sleeping, so I took a walk up to the seventh level to sit for a while.�

  �See? I told you, you couldn�t sleep in that chair.�

  �It was not that I could not, I simply chose not to. I did not require rest.�

  �How could you not be tired after that long journey?�

  �Elves do not tire as easily as mortals, my lady,� he said with a smile, �but if it will satisfy you, I will speak with Aragorn about procuring an additional room before nightfall so that I will have a proper bed.�

  He was teasing her now. It did not matter to him whether or not he had a proper bed to sleep in if he so needed to, but mortals were so peculiar about such things.

  �Good.� She said folding her arms across her chest; certain she had won some battle.

  �It pleases me to see that you are feeling better.�

  �What do you mean?�

  �Last night. You acted strangely. I thought perhaps you were unwell.�
  You see too much.
  �No, Legolas. I told you, I was just tired.�

  �Perhaps I was mistaken, then.�
  I am lost... drowning.
  �I do not mean to rush you, my lady, but Aragorn and Arwen will be expecting us to join them for breakfast soon. You must get yourself ready. The first bell has already rung.�
  It suddenly came back to her; the soldier and his message; meeting the king and queen for breakfast at the second bell. With all of the turmoil last night, she had forgotten.

  �Oh my, I had forgotten!�

  She grabbed her cane and rushed inside. Her stomach was churning as she rummaged through her bags to find an appropriate gown. She finally decided on the sapphire velvet gown Eowyn had given her and shook it out, inspecting it for wrinkles.

  �Legolas! What am I going to do?� She asked frantically.

  �What do you mean? Have you forgotten how to dress yourself?�

  �No, about meeting Aragorn and Arwen, the king and queen! What am I going to say? What am I going to do? What if they ask me questions I cannot answer?� She lamented.

  Legolas came over and put his hands on her shoulders.

  �Do not worry so, my lady. Everything will be fine. You will see. Perhaps it would help if you did not think of them as a king and queen, but just as old friends.� He offered. �And as for your history, we will simply tell them that you came from South Ithilien, because that is where I found you, and that you have come looking for a book that belonged to your family.�

  �Will they be satisfied with that?�

  �For now. Now go get dressed.�

  He turned her around and shooed her off to the bathing chamber.
  When she came out, she had her arms contorted behind her back almost comically, struggling with the laces.

  �Legolas! I have no attendants and I can�t reach the ties. You�re going to have to help me!� She said in a frenzy.

  He chuckled. �Such a fuss you are making! Turn around.�

  He gathered her hair, moved it in front of her shoulder, and with strong fingers he cinched up the crisscrossing laces, eliciting a gasp as the fabric constricted her lungs. He tied the laces at the base of her neck and swept her hair back.
  He pulled the seat at the vanity table out. �Now sit.� He commanded. �Breathe.�

She took a few deep breaths. Legolas picked up the silver brush laying on the vanity, gathered her hair in one hand and began to brush it; gently working out the tangles. She closed her eyes. His touch was so soothing; so calming. His nimble fingers worked the top half into a braid which he secured with a knot of her own hair.

  �There. You are beautiful.�

  He leaned over and placed a kiss on the tip of her ear.
  I�m going to leave you.
  �Thank you, Legolas.� She said gratefully.

  �Shall we?� He said offering his arm.
  Just as they opened the door and stepped out into the corridor, Faramir was exiting his quarters.

  �Ah, Legolas! Good morning. I was just coming to see if you were ready. I now have my answer. Eowyn,� he called back into the room, �they are ready.�

  Eowyn joined them in the corridor and together they walked in twos; Faramir and Legolas at the head and the women behind, to the seventh level gate, and then on to Aragorn and Arwen�s private dwellings behind the Citadel.
  The guards at the door were expecting them and opened the heavy wooden double doors to let them through. It was not a house that they entered but a small courtyard. The ground was covered with alternating patches of soft green grass and stone. Lush green plants and fragrant flowers grew abundantly out of stone beds, containers, even out of the cracks in the wall that surrounded the courtyard. Several prominent water features and many smaller fountains were strategically placed, echoing the sound of the soothing water to the furthest reaches of the courtyard. As they looked around, Jordan took notice of a man standing near one of the fountains with his back towards the group.
  Upon hearing people approaching, he turned around. He was ruggedly handsome dressed in a high-collared velvet tunic the color of rich emerald, with a matching cloak draped loosely about his broad shoulders. The collar and edges of the cloak were adorned with fine embroidery of gold and silver thread. Light blond shoulder-length hair, similar in color to Eowyn�s, complimented his strong-featured face.

  �Eomer!� Eowyn cried. She rushed to him and threw her arms around him.

  �My dear sister! It has been too long!� He hugged her tightly. �Faramir! Legolas!� Eomer exclaimed. They each greeted him in the customary manner, clasping each other�s shoulder.
  Jordan stood to the side and watched their little reunion; feeling oddly out of place while they made their reacquaintances. Finally, Eowyn beckoned Jordan over to where her brother stood, so that she might introduce the two.

  �Jordan, this is my brother, Eomer. Eomer, the Lady Jordan.�

  He moved past his sister to stand before Jordan.

  �Pleased to meet you, Eomer.�

  Bowing, he took her hand and kissed it; his lips lingering on her skin.

  �The pleasure is mine.� He said.

  Looking up into her eyes, his mesmerizing gaze held hers captive. His deep voice was sultry and soft, yet held an edge of authority. The whole scene made Legolas feel uneasy and he looked away.
  A servant approached the group, informing them that Aragorn and Arwen would come shortly to greet them.
  Their understated appearance took Jordan by surprise as they entered the courtyard. Neither one wore a crown. Aragorn looked rather plainly for a king wearing only breeches and a silk tunic in muted colors of gray and black. In contrast, Arwen was exquisitely beautiful, needing no adornment. Her long, dark hair hung loose in cascading waves and her pale lavender gown was simple but elegant. When she smiled, she seemed to radiate light from within. Jordan was in awe. She wondered if all female elves were as beautiful. She suddenly felt a sense of inadequacy comparatively.

  �Legolas!� Arwen cried joyfully. She embraced him and touched his cheek.
  As the king and queen greeted their friends of old, Jordan remained in the background, standing quietly; watching and waiting. When they were finished, Legolas took Jordan by the arm and led her to the front of the group.

  �Aragorn, Arwen, may I present to you the Lady Jordan.�

  They all stood staring at each other for what seemed like minutes and no one uttered a word. Arwen smiled and took a few slow steps towards her, put her arms around her, and hugged her lightly. Jordan couldn�t understand why, but Arwen�s embrace comforted her; surrounding her with warmth and light. Her inner anguish was temporarily forgotten. All of the tension she harbored seemed to dissolve and scatter, leaving only calmness. It startled her and she let a quiet sob escape her lips.

  �Mae govannen and well met.� Arwen said as she released her.

  Arwen stepped to the side and Aragorn came forward, took her hand, but did not kiss it out of respect for Legolas. Jordan bowed slightly with a nod of her head.

  �I am pleased to finally meet you, Lady Jordan.�

  �As well am I.�

  To Jordan�s relief, no one questioned or even seemed to notice the fact that she held a cane or walked with a lame leg.
  With his arms outstretched, Aragorn addressed the group.

  �I am glad you all have come. Let us make our way inside so that we may break fast this morning and share in each other�s company.�
  Aragorn and Arwen�s dining hall was exquisite. Tapestries depicting heroic acts of battle were displayed on the walls as well as a large collection of swords and knives. Against another wall sat a rustic wooden sideboard and a hutch with rare glass doors. Underfoot, a soft, thickly piled rug in deep shades of greens, reds, and blues covered the stone floor almost the entire length of the hall. The main focal point, however, was the long, formal dining table that occupied the middle of the room. The entire piece was stained a dark, rich brown and could accommodate fourteen people; six on each side and one at each end. The top was made of wide, roughly hewn planks smoothed to a satin finish and held together by two large strips of hammered silver towards each end. Hand carved reliefs of dragons, hounds, and ravens encircled by runic scrollwork in a manner similar to Old Norse decorated the edges of the table top and the legs which consisted of tree trunks stripped of their bark and smoothed down but with the branches left intact to serve as extra support for the heavy top. The high backs of the wooden chairs also bore the same carvings. The table was set and laden with many silver platters, serving dishes and pitchers; a veritable feast that could easily serve thrice their number.
  Faramir laughed as he approached the table.

  �Are you expecting more guests?� He asked Aragorn.

  With a grin, he replied, �No. Far too seldom do we have guests here; I thought a little indulgence was in order.�

  After Aragorn seated himself at the head with Arwen at his right, the rest of the guests took their seats. Eomer took the seat to Aragorn�s left; then Eowyn, and beside her, Faramir. Legolas pulled the chair out for Jordan adjacent to Arwen and seated himself next to her. Legolas intended Jordan to sit next to Arwen so they could get acquainted but realized his folly when he sat down. Jordan was now directly diagonal to Eomer who watched her with interest; his eyes roaming her body as if she were one of the dishes to be consumed. Legolas put his hand on Jordan�s forearm protectively and as a gesture to the fact that they were more than acquaintances; making sure it was in plain view of Eomer. Jordan turned to Legolas and smiled thinking his touch was in reassurance. It seemed to work Eomer turned his attention elsewhere; for the time being.
  The talk was lively as everyone helped themselves to the food and poured the wine. Much of it was talk of old times and people she did not know, so Jordan kept to herself, mostly just listening, and ate her breakfast. She found herself completely fascinated by Arwen, though, and had to stop herself several times from staring at her; the look of her dress, her hair, her delicately pointed ears. She wanted to strike up a conversation with her, but she didn�t know quite what to say or how to begin.

  Finally, Aragorn asked, �Lady Jordan, how did you and Legolas meet?�

  Looking around the table, all eyes were on her. She smiled nervously. �Um, I was traveling here, to Minas Tirith, and during the journey, I became injured and could not continue.� She turned to Legolas while she spoke and he gave her a smile. �Legolas was the one who found me. He took me to Emyn Arnen where I could be treated by a healer,� she turned to look at Aragorn once more, �and, by the charitable generosity of Faramir and Eowyn, have I remained there ever since.�

  �Well, Legolas, should we add rescuing maidens in distress to your list of accomplishments?� Aragorn said with a good-natured laugh. �I speak in jest. Really, it is a lovely story.�

  �Do you have family here?� Arwen asked.

  �No. All of my family has since past on. I have come looking for a book that belonged to them and I have reason to believe it is being kept in your archives. If I may,� she said hesitantly, �I would ask that I be given leave to search them.�

  �You may indeed. I shall see that you have every resource available to you in your search.�

  �Thank you, my lord. That is most gracious.�

  Faramir paled. He had received no word yet on whether or not Turgon had been successful in disposing the book.
  After everyone had sated themselves on food and wine; taking advantage of all Aragorn had to offer, the group moved out en mass to the courtyard. The deliberations were about to begin and the men and elf would need to depart. Aragorn asked one of his guards to gather every available man and escort Jordan to the archives where they would assist her in her search. Jordan thanked Aragorn again for his help and thanked Arwen for her hospitality. Before she left with Aragorn�s guard, she went to Legolas.

  �Goodbye, Legolas.�

  He looked at her with softened eyes that held a touch of sadness.

  �Goodbye my lady.� He said reaching up with one hand to caress her cheek.

  �Will I see you later?�

  �For certain. It may not be until evening, but I will find you.�
  The archives were a dark and dusty place buried deep in the roots of Mount Mindolluin. It did not appear that there was any system of organization as there were books and old parchment scrolls and papers littering the shelves in every which way. This was going to be a long day!
  About ten to twelve soldiers filed into the archives shortly after Jordan and her escort had arrived.

  �What manner of book are we looking for, my lady?� One of the soldiers asked.

  She held out the pendant she wore around her neck for all to see, as the Gondorian soldiers gathered around her.

  �It is written in a language you would not be familiar with; the same language inscribed on this pendant.

  �A fruitless task indeed!� Huffed one of the soldiers under his breath. �For there are many languages here not understood by men.�

  His commanding officer walked up to the grumbling soldier and pointed his finger in his face.

  �But that is the task you were given nonetheless and you will perform it to the best of your ability.� He said sharply.

  Each soldier present systematically took a section of shelves and began to pull the books out one by one; inspecting the cover and opening the book to reveal the first few pages for seldom was there anything imprinted on the outside.
  Although many people were involved in the search, the archives were large and their progress was slow. Several hours had passed and still no one had turned up anything of value. Jordan took a break and poured herself some water from a pitcher the serving staff had brought in, trying to wash the dust from her throat. She was half sitting, half leaning on the edge of one of the large tables; her eyes closed; her mind recalling times spent with Legolas, when one of the soldiers called out, �I have found it!�
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Love's Redemption