Adult-FanFiction.org : Lord of the Rings

Love's Redemption	By : mthorsta Category: -Multi-Age > Het - Male/Female Views: 7110 -:- 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
- 16
- 17
- 18
A.N.: I wanted to take a moment and thank all my wonderful readers and your kind reviews. It is what keeps me going when I feel like I�ve lost my focus. I want to wish all of you a belated Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. I had hoped to have this chapter out to you before Christmas but a bit of bad luck befell my family and my mother ended up ill in the hopsital. Those of us who accompanyied her to the ER, then contracted terrible colds. Everyone is on their way to recovery now, so here, finally, is the latest chapter. I hope you enjoy it.
- ELoI
Chapter 15 - Tears and Rain
   As Eowyn spied around the room, she noticed Legolas was now gone. Eomer and Jordan had yet to return. She gnashed her teeth in anticipation, waiting for the moment where she could lay into her brother. Eventually, the festivities wound down and the Hall began to empty out. Still, there was no sign of any one of them.

   �Come my sweet, it is time to bid our hosts goodnight.� Faramir told her.

   Reluctantly, she left with her husband, returning to their guest quarters with no news on the outcome of the situation.
   After the dinner, Aragorn and Arwen walked home in relative silence. Ever since his conversation with Legolas, his mind had been troubled. He wished for nothing but happiness for his careworn friend. He knew well what a struggle it was for Legolas to remain in Middle Earth; to resist the call of the sea. If he could at least find someone to share his years here, it would do a measure of good. That someone, though, was supposed to be an elf maiden, not a mortal, so that after his time here was done, they could sail together to the Undying Lands. Unlike Arwen, Legolas could not choose to forsake his immortality.
   Arwen smiled at Aragorn and took his hand in hers as they continued on. Even now, her touch sent a thrill coursing through his body. It still seemed like only days, not years, had passed since their wedding. Each of them had traveled a difficult road to get to this point and Aragorn felt awash with gratitude that the dark times were finally behind them and the long years of their separation over and done. He hoped Legolas would not find his own path to be as difficult, but sadly Aragorn knew that whether now or in the distant future, what his elven friend sought could only result in heartbreak. Aragorn was struck with an almost desperate need to hold Arwen close in reassurance that they were here, that this was real and not an illusion. He wanted to be sheltered by her light and love; that it might drive away these thoughts.

   Once they reached the sanctuary of their private courtyard, they chose to linger in the cool evening rather than retreat indoors. They sat, leaning against each other, on a long cushioned divan when finally Aragorn spoke for the first time since leaving the Great Hall of Feasts.

   �Arwen, I�� He started, his unease expressed only by the furrowing of his brow.

   She did not let him finish, instead pressing a finger to his lips.

   �Shh. I hear your thoughts; I know your needs for they are mine, too.�

   She smoothed his forehead with her fingers lovingly and brought her lips to his, pulling him down with her as she lay back on the divan. Resting atop of her, he kissed her wantonly. Arwen hands roamed up and down Aragorn�s back and through his hair as she gazed up at him; eyes glazed over with her building desire. He moved one hand down to cup her breast and brushed over her nipple with his thumb until it stood at attention. Arwen arched her back and moaned into her husband�s warm mouth. He broke their kiss only to sit up and quickly slip his breeches off. Arwen rolled on to her side and he slid in behind her, covering them both with a light blanket that lay at the foot of the divan. Aragorn untied the laces of her gown and gently kissed the delicate skin of her neck and back that he had exposed. He ran his hand down her side and across her thigh, dipping a finger down to circle the hardened nub between her moistened lips. She moaned and pushed her hips back against him in anticipation. When he finally entered her, and their flesh became one, Aragorn felt such relief and his cares fell away. The hushed tones of their lovemaking mingled with the trickling water of the fountains echoing throughout the courtyard. For them, nothing existed but the love that ebbed and flowed between their fe�r.
~~~~~
   Jordan awoke slowly to the realization of a noise outside her quarters. She groaned and licked her lips. Her mouth was dry and her head hurt.

   �What did I do?� She rubbed her forehead with the palm of her hand. �There�s that noise again.�
Jordan finally realized that the �noise� was someone knocking at the door. She groaned again and forced herself out of bed to see who it was. Her head was swimming and she paused to balance herself against the bedpost. She hoped it wasn�t Legolas. Wait. Legolas. She had gotten into an argument with Legolas. The events of last evening were starting to come back to her. She opened the door to see Eowyn standing there.

   �Are you�� Eowyn was about to ask if Jordan was ready to go have breakfast but stopped mid sentence when she saw the state Jordan was in. �Oh my dear, look at you! Are you ill?�

   �No.� Then she groaned holding her head. �Yes. I think I drank too much wine.�

   �Come here and sit down.� Eowyn took her by the elbow and led her to a chair. �I will go get you some water.�
   Eowyn returned momentarily with a pitcher of water followed by a maidservant who filled the wash basin with fresh water. Eowyn handed Jordan a cup of water and went into the bathing chamber to find a towel. Wetting the towel in the wash basin, she wrung it out and proceeded to gently wipe Jordan�s face with the cool water as a mother would her child. Afterwards, she handed Jordan the towel to hold to her forehead.

   �There. Is that better?�

   �Yes. Thank you.�

   �Last night did not go so well, did it.� Eowyn said sympathetically.

   Jordan sighed heavily. �No. It did not.�

   �Would you like to talk about it?�

   �What all do you know?�

   �Well�I know that you left with Eomer, Legolas was angry, and after that, all of you disappeared and never returned.�

   �All I wanted was to be alone. I went out into the courtyard, but Eomer found me there. He asked me to walk with him in the gardens. I didn�t want to go but I felt I could not deny his request. I didn�t know what to do. He�s a king! How can you deny a king?�

   Eowyn could not help but laugh at this statement. �Oh, my dear, I am sorry. I do not mean to make light of your situation. It�s simply that Eomer is not your king; you have not sworn fealty to him. He has no authority over you nor would he command you as king to keep his company.�

   �You see?� Jordan threw her hands up in frustration. �I don�t know your laws and customs. I don�t know what is appropriate and what is not. I have never dealt with a society ruled by kings and queens before.�

   �No, you are doing fine.� Eowyn insisted. �Have patience. You will learn. What happened with Legolas?�

   �Well, Eomer did not accompany me back to the hall, I returned alone. I thought it best that Legolas not know where I had been; I though he might get angry. Again, I don�t know what obligation I have to him. I don�t know what he expects from me. I don�t even know what we are!� She said, the frustration evident in her voice. �Maybe he wouldn�t have minded, I don�t know. He caught me off guard, asking where I had been, so I lied to him. I told him I had been outside in the courtyard. I had no idea he saw me leave with Eomer! Legolas got really angry with me for lying to him. He said he deserved better. I was mortified. I didn�t know what else to say, so I left.�

   Jordan intentionally left out the part about Legolas grabbing her arm too hard. She knew from the look of horror on his face that it was not his intent to hurt her. It hadn�t truly hurt anyway; it was actually more of a shock, and there was no bruise or mark to show for it.
   Eowyn closed her eyes for a moment and sighed, shaking her head.

   �I know. I shouldn�t have lied to him. I�ve made a mess of things.�

   �Well, it is Eomer I am upset with, not you. I had a feeling there might be trouble when he expressed an interest in you. I warned him not to pursue it; not to get involved. Obviously, he did not listen. Eomer is a good man but when he gets something in his mind, he does not easily let go.�
   �Oh, Eowyn.� She covered her face with her hands. �I�m really floundering. I think I made a mistake by coming here.�

   �To Minas Tirith?�

   �No. To Middle Earth.�

   �Oh, Jordan.� Eowyn put her arms around Jordan and hugged her. �Do not say such things.� She brushed Jordan�s hair away from her face. �I know it has been a difficult transition, but it will get better. There are many here who love you. I know Ioreth is overjoyed to learn your ways of healing. In fact, she considers it a great privilege. She is one of the wisest and most skilled healers in all of Gondor and coming from one in her position, that is the highest compliment. And Legolas�There has always been a touch of sadness that surrounds him, but when he is with you, he comes alive and his eyes shine with joy. I know of no one who has ever evoked that kind of reaction in him. Faramir thinks very highly of you and as for me�well, I have found a new friend now, haven�t I.� Eowyn smiled and covered Jordan�s hand with her own in reassurance. �Talk to Legolas. Tell him of the things you have told me; share with him your fears as well as your hopes. I think you will find him willing to do the same.�
   Jordan had distanced herself from people for so long, she had forgotten what it was like to have a friend and it was a good feeling. It was difficult to walk away from something like that. She knew all too well friends were not easy to come by. Nevertheless, she pressed on with her plan, refusing to let herself be swayed. The idea had taken hold and now finding the book and returning home had become an obsession. It twisted her logic until she could see no other alternative.
   Jordan smiled weakly and nodded. �Thanks for listening, Eowyn.�

   Eowyn smiled back �That is what friends are for. Now, go get dressed and we will get some breakfast.�
~~~~~
   The two women shared a quiet breakfast at the same tea house they had eaten at the previous day. Jordan was rather subdued during the meal and Eowyn did not pressure her to converse knowing she was still a little weak. Once they had finished their breakfast, they walked out into the street which was bustling with the activity of daily city life. Jordan felt her strength returning after getting some food in her stomach and vowed to herself never to drink that much wine again no matter what the occasion.

   �Remember Arwen is hosting an afternoon tea social. Are you going to go?�

   Jordan was reluctant to answer.

   �What is it? Do you dislike Arwen?�

   �No. I really like Arwen. She seems like a wonderful person�err�I mean elf. It�s just that I was hoping to finish searching the archives today. I suppose if we hurry, we can finish it; that is if the servants are cooperative.� Jordan grimaced thinking of the boorish servants from yesterday. She sighed and waved her hands. �Nevermind. I�ll go, regardless. I don�t want to risk being impolite.�

   Eowyn smiled with satisfaction. �Good. I�ll send someone for you when it is nearing time. Good luck with your search.�

   �Thanks.�

   Eowyn watched as her friend hobbled down the road, cane in hand. She felt sorry for her and wished her body as well as her spirit would heal soon.
~~~~~
   Today was the day Jordan�s fate would be decided. Only a small section of the shelves had yet to be searched and at the rate they had been going, she guessed they would get through it by sometime this afternoon. When she arrived, the archives were empty. She hoped at least one servant would show up to search the higher shelves as she couldn�t climb the ladder. She looked around the dusty, dimly lit room with disdain. She hated this place. Its forbidding stone walls seemed to mock her. They stood for centuries silently bearing witness to the secrets contained within; secrets they were not willing to part with.
   Jordan threw herself into the task with renewed determination. She picked a section and began pulling the books out one by one in a frenzied pace. Within the hour, the servants trickled in to join her. They, too, worked with a sense of urgency but for a different reason - they wanted to be done with this tedious duty and the end was now in sight.
~~~~~

   Late that afternoon, dark, ominous clouds gathered on the horizon and a strong breeze blew in from the Bay of Belfalas. After three days of talks, the council had finally put together a workable trade agreement with the Easterlings which was ratified by Aragorn and would be presented to their emissaries at the end of the month.
   Legolas stood outside the citadel observing the sky. He closed his eyes for a moment, inhaling the scent of the sea that was carried on the wind.

   �If only I could be on a ship to Valinor right now.� He mourned. He imagined himself standing at the bow, arms outstretched, feeling the sea air rush past his face and whip through his hair; a feeling of utter freedom and release as he raced towards the Undying Lands. To be welcomed by her shores and feel the gentle embrace of peace and to find rest from the troubles and worries of this world. It was times like this that Legolas felt torn in two. He did not wish to be parted from his friends nor would he break his vow to remain in Middle Earth until the last member of the Fellowship had passed on, but the desire to answer the call of the sea was strong in him and sometimes there were moments when he wanted to give in to it.
   Aragorn joined him, silently puffing on his pipe.

   �A storm is coming.� Legolas said nodding towards the horizon.

   �It is indeed. Quite unusual for this time of year, although it does seem to match your disposition.�

   It was partly meant in jest to lighten the mood, but there was some seriousness to Aragorn�s statement as well. Legolas, who was usually quick to throw a witty response back at the man, said nothing and continued his solemn contemplation of the sky.

   �Have you spoken with her?�

   �No. I awoke with the sun. I did not want to disturb her sleep. By the time I returned to her quarters, she was gone.�

   �Have you checked the archives? That would be my best guess as to her whereabouts.�

   �Mine as well but I have no desire to interrupt her search. I will wait.�

   �Is there something else wrong, my friend?�

   Legolas shook his head. �It is nothing.�

   Aragorn scrutinized the elf gazing at the sky. �The sea. I can smell it in the air. It is calling you home.�

   �Aye.� Legolas answered in a strange, far-away voice, refusing to look Aragorn.
~~~~~
   As each servant finished their last section, they began to congregate off to the side of the room. Finally, only the servant who had the highest section had yet to reach the end. Moving the ladder every few feet had slowed his progress. Everyone watched and waited as the last few books were pulled off the shelf. He climbed back down the ladder, turned to Jordan, and shook his head. Every book within the archives had been picked up or in some way touched by human hands. The linking book was not among them.

   �That�s it then.� He said. �We�ve searched the entire archives. The book, it ain�t here my lady.�

   Jordan stared in disbelief. She staggered back a few steps, bumped into a bench, and sat down with a thud. Without the linking book, she was trapped. Her plan to take herself out of the equation of Legolas� life, forcing him to move on and find someone else, had failed. She would have to remain, she would have to pretend she no longer cared for him, and she would have to bear witness to his suffering. Jordan always knew there was a chance the book would not be found in the archives. Perhaps it had been here at one time but it had been taken, moved to another location, or could have even been destroyed. If it was still intact, it could be anywhere in Middle Earth. Finding it would be next to impossible.
   None of them could understand why a book would be so important to Jordan, but she wore a look of such devastation, even the servants that had spoken ill of her the day before took pity on her. With their task now complete, the servants slowly filed past Jordan towards the door, some mumbling their condolences, leaving her alone in the archives.
   She couldn�t cry. She could only stare at the rows of dusty books, frozen; her body numb. She didn�t know how long she stayed like that. Even when she heard footsteps, she did not turn her gaze until someone�s form cast a shadow over her.

   �I came to tell you Arwen�s tea social has been held off until tomorrow because of the coming storm.� Eowyn said.

   Jordan responded with a nod of her head and returned to staring at the shelves.

   �Are you alright?�

   Jordan did not answer. She couldn�t form the words. What would she say anyway? Eowyn looked around the empty archives then back at Jordan, coming to the conclusion that the linking book had not been found. She thought back to the reasoning Jordan gave for her quest to find it and was puzzled by her reaction. It would be disappointing, yes, but not devastating. There was something Jordan was not telling her. Their conversation from this morning came to mind; then it hit her and her eyes widened. Eowyn pointed her finger at her as if she were accusing her of some crime.

   �You were going to use it! You were going go back home!� Eowyn said incredulously.

   �Yes.� Jordan said flatly. She kept her gaze fixed on the shelves; she could not look Eowyn in the eyes. �I was going to use it.�

   �Why?� Eowyn asked, her voice strained with the shock.

   �What difference does it make?� She snapped back. �The book�s not here to use!�

   �What about Legolas?�

   The thought of someone deliberately hurting Legolas made Eowyn�s blood boil. Although he projected the hard exterior of a fierce warrior, underneath, his true nature was loving, kind, and gentle and Eowyn felt protective over him especially when it came to matters of the heart.

   Jordan stood up with her fists clenched. �What about Legolas?�

   �Do you care so little about him?�

   �No! I care too much about him!�

   �You say you care about him and yet you would leave him without uttering a word? Did you even discuss it with him or were you just going to disappear and let him - let all of us - wonder what happened?!�

   �It would never work between us, Eowyn. He needs to find someone else. I cannot give him what he deserves.�

   Eowyn�s eyes narrowed and her gaze turned icy cold. �So it would seem.� She spun around tossing her long golden hair behind her and walked out the door.
   Jordan sat back down heavily on the bench and put her head in her hands. Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes and dripped between her fingertips. She hid in the archives for a long time, reluctant to leave. She felt that to walk out that door was to resign herself to her fate and she was not ready, but she knew she couldn�t stay much longer. The walk back to her quarters was long and arduous and Eowyn had said a storm was coming. When she heard the roar of a downpour outside, she realized it was too late. The storm had already descended upon the city bringing with it a deluge of rain and wind. Thunder cracked and rumbled angrily and lightning lit up the blackened sky.
~~~~~
   Jordan was drenched to the bone by the time she reached her quarters. Her hair stuck to her face in stringy rivulets dripping water in her eyes. The waterlogged fabric of her gown clung to her legs uncomfortably and made walking difficult. She was grateful, at least, that the rain disguised the tears that continued to fall. She flung open the door and rushed in throwing it closed behind her. When she looked up and saw Legolas reclined on the couch reading a book, she gasped loudly she was so startled. It was only a few seconds, but it was long enough for her eyes to have caught every detail and record it to memory. He wore no tunic; only loose pants made of some silken material held at his waist with a drawstring. She could see clearly the well-defined muscles of his arms, chest and abdomen underneath his smooth, flawless skin. His hair was wet as if he had just bathed or, like her, had been caught in the storm. It hung loose about his shoulders and down his chest, free from the braids he normally wore.
   She quickly spun around and covered her eyes even though there was no need to with her back towards him. She was so accustomed to seeing people completely clothed at all times, the sight of Legolas� bare skin took her by surprise, and she assumed it was probably considered improper to see him in such a state.

   �Oh my gosh! I am so sorry!� She gasped. �Wait, what are you doing in my quarters?�

   Legolas stood up. �You can turn around. There is no need to avert your eyes.� He slipped on the robe that lay on the couch beside him so she would not feel uncomfortable.
   Slowly, she turned around to face Legolas. She saw he now wore a long robe in the same silken material as his pants but he hadn�t tied the sash and it hung open, still showing a sliver of his bare chest. Jordan glanced around the room. She didn�t remember having a couch in her quarters. She groaned and closed her eyes.

   �These are your quarters aren�t they.� She stated dismayingly; her reddening cheeks a testament to her embarrassment.

   Legolas smiled. Although he knew she must feel awkward, he couldn�t help but find her reaction endearing. �Yes, my lady, they are.�

   Jordan stumbled over her words. �The doors�they all look alike and um�I wasn�t paying attention�I mean I didn�t�It was raining. I was in a hurry and�oh, I�m sorry. I should go. Goodnight.� She blurted out and turned to leave.

   He realized the timing was poor. She probably wanted nothing more than to get out of her dripping wet clothes but it was imperative that he talk to her, and now that they were in the same room together this was his chance.

   �Wait, please do not leave yet.� Quickly tying the sash of his robe, he reached out for her. �There is something I would like to speak to you about.�

   Jordan panicked. She stopped and took a half turn to look back at Legolas. She wasn�t in any condition to discuss last night or anything else with him. At that moment she wished to be anywhere but in that room. She looked down at herself, once again aware of her sodden dress dripping on the stone tiles. Tears were welling up in her eyes; tears she didn�t want Legolas to see.

   �I can�t. Now is not a good time. I�m sorry.�

   She turned again, rushed out the door, and flung it closed behind her.
   (Music queue - Same Mistake

      To listen, visit this chapter at Elvenladyofithilien dot com)
   Legolas� hand fell to his side and he stood in the middle of the room staring at the door. He heard the heavy thud as the door in Jordan�s quarters closed. Closing his eyes for a moment, he took a deep breath and then sat back down on the couch. Was it that she couldn�t wait to get dried off or was she still so angry about the incident at dinner last night that she couldn�t speak to him? A part of him wanted to burst into her quarters and demand she listen to what he had to say but he knew it would only make matters worse.
~~~~~
   Jordan peeled off her soggy gown, wrung it out, and hung it over the edge of the bathing tub to dry. Leaning over the tub, she squeezed the water out of her hair and dried it with a towel. She put on her sleeping gown, wrapped the small throw blanket that was laid out on the bed around her shoulders, and flopped down in the chair. The storm had brought a chill to the air and she wondered if possibly fall was nearing. She would ask Turgon to teach her the months and seasons when she returned home. Home? Had she really referred to Emyn Arnen as home? She sighed. Now that she was trapped in Middle Earth, it was the only one she had.
   The rain was still pounding the stone walls of the city outside. She closed her eyes and listened to the sound remembering how she used to love to listen to the rain falling on the roof. The image of Legolas dressed in his silk sleeping pants came to mind. How wonderful it would be to be laying in bed cuddled up to him right now while the storm raged overhead. The bitter truth, though, was it would not be her who lay next to him, but another woman, or she-elf, touching him; kissing him. It pained her to think of him with someone else but that was essentially what she was asking of him by pushing him away. Her thoughts turned to herself. She had lied, deceived, manipulated. She had now become everything she hated.
- 16
- 17
- 18
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Love's Redemption