The Elf and Future King

Thanks to my beta Viv
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JRR Tolkien owes everything except Amrun.

Chapter Four
Riding to War


The next day, Amrun was sitting at a table with Merry and Éowyn in the great hall when she saw Aragorn run inside yelling excitedly.

“The beacons of Minas Tirith are lit. Gondor calls for aid.”

All eyes turned to King Theoden. He was quiet for few moments, leaving everyone with bated breath.

“And Rohan will answer,” Theoden-king pronounced at last.

As the men began to prepare, Éowyn reached across the table to take Amrun’s hand and squeezed it reassuringly. The next few hours were spent getting ready for the long journey to Minas Tirith the following day. Amrun tried to assist Éowyn in the preparations as much as she could. Finally, Éowyn insisted that Amrun return to her room to have a few minutes of rest. As Amrun lay on the bed, she heard a knock on the door.

Amrun sat up and said, “Yes?”

Éomer came into the room quietly. He looked troubled so she waited to hear what was wrong.

“Are you sure it is wise for you to go to the encampment with us? Would it not be best for you to go to Rivendell from here?” Éomer asked.

Amrun was silent a moment. Finally, she said, “Do you wish to be free of me sooner?”

Éomer chuckled. When she looked up at him, he smiled.

“Amrun, you know that is not the case, nor has it ever been the case.”

“I need to do this Éomer. I need to say goodbye to the few friends I now have before I leave and they ride off to war. This will give me time to do so,” Amrun explained.

Walking over to where she was seated on the bed, Éomer gently stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. Her breath caught in her throat and her thoughts swirled with images of him kissing her again.

“I am sure every one will be glad to spend a few more days with you,” Éomer said quietly.

Trying to sound calm, Amrun simply asked, “And you?”

Éomer pulled back his hand and watched her. Confusion and anger coursed through him. Did she not understand how he felt? When she cast her eyes down, he felt ashamed for his anger for he knew she was confused as well. Crouching down beside her, he took her hand.

“I would rather spend one hour with you than spend a lifetime with anyone else.”

The room was quiet; neither of them knew what to say.

“Éomer, I…” Amrun started.

Éomer turned his eyes to her as he put his finger over her lips.

“Do not say it. Please. I know what you would say but I cannot bear to hear the words from you again,” he whispered.

Squeezing her hand, Éomer got up and left the room quietly. Falling back on the bed, Amrun wanted to scream. Why was this so difficult? She never knew what to say or how to say it. Everything she did say hurt him, and that was the last thing she wanted to do. She did not know what she wanted anymore, she thought. After a few minutes, she realized she was lying to herself. She knew what she wanted, but if she spoke it or thought it, it would be real. And if it were real then she would have betrayed Theodred and invited a broken heart for loving yet another mortal.

Rising, she finished getting prepared for the next day. She packed the few belongings she had, all given to her from Éowyn. When she had finished, she lay down for the night and she prayed that she would not lose the people she had come to love.

The next day they were prepared to leave by dawn. Éowyn was preparing her horse as Aragorn and Amrun came upon her.

Amrun did not miss the low conversation shared between Aragorn and Éowyn as they prepared to depart. Nor did she mistake the sword hilt hidden beneath Éowyn’s saddle blanket. Amrun suspected Éowyn’s intentions, and she thought Aragorn probably did as well.

Aragorn mounted Brego and then offered his hand to pull Amrun onto the horse so she could ride with him.

“Are you sure you want to come with us? We have a hard three days ride ahead of us,” Aragorn asked her, concerned.

“I have no other place to be.” As Amrun said it out loud, it hurt to realize how true her statement was. Aragorn rubbed her hand reassuringly.

Amrun looked around at all of the soldiers. Even Merry was to come with them, riding a pony beside the King with Éowyn on Theoden’s other side. As she looked towards the back of the men assembled, she saw a few other women with them as well and assumed they were women of the court. She looked for Éomer and realized he was to take his company a different path so he could gather more men. He smiled at her, and then held up his spear to address the men.

“Now is the hour, Riders of Rohan! Oaths you have taken! Now fulfill them all. To Lord and Land,“ Éomer shouted, looking every bit the fierce warrior that she knew he must be.

Amrun felt a flutter in her stomach as she watched him. She rationalized her feelings to be anticipation for the upcoming days.

They began their trip to the encampment where they would gather before the ride to Minas Tirith. As Aragorn had warned her, it was a long hard journey. Each night when they stopped to camp, she spent time with Aragorn, Gimli, Legolas, Merry, and Éowyn hearing the stories of their recent adventures. Gimli spoke to her in reverent tones of the Lady of the Wood and she smiled at the wistful tone of the dwarf’s usually gruff voice. After hearing about Imladris, Mirkwood, and Lothlorien, she decided it best to go to Imladris, home of Lord Elrond, and the place where her mother once lived.

Once in the late hours of the night when they were alone, Aragorn told her about Arwen.

“She will come to you when the danger is over,” Amrun said, reaching over to squeeze his hand gently.

“No, she has left to go to the undying lands. Only her father and brothers stayed behind until Sauron is defeated,” Aragorn replied quietly.

For a moment, Amrun said nothing. She was reminded of her reluctance to love a mortal and once again, here was sad an example of such love turning to tragedy. Looking over at Aragorn, who looked so sad, she felt the need to give him comfort even though she had none for herself.

“You cannot give up hope. One day, you will be together again. I feel it in my heart.”

Aragorn smiled and held out his hand to her while he stood up.

“Good night, little one. You need your rest tomorrow. We will be at the encampment soon,” Aragorn said with a smile.

They both walked to their tents. He shared his with Gimli, Merry, and Legolas, and she shared hers with Éowyn. When she had expressed surprise that she and Éowyn did not have to share their tent with the other women following the warriors, Éowyn had laughed.

“No, those are not women of the court. They are here to provide, umm, comfort at night to the men. Some men want the company of a woman before a battle from which they might not return,” Éowyn had said.

Amrun had blushed realizing what Éowyn was saying. She had felt so naïve and lost among all of these new people. In her whole adult life, she had only been around her mother until she met Éomer and Theodred. Even then she had only been with the two men, a nice farmer, and his family still secluded from many of the ways of the world. Now she was thrust in with this group of people who had been exposed to the world and she was reminded of how sheltered she had been.

When she came into the tent that night, Éowyn was still awake.

“Amrun, are you well? It is late,” Éowyn asked.

“Yes, I am well. I was by the fire speaking with Aragorn and his friends. Everyone has retired now.”

“Aragorn is a honorable and caring man,” Éowyn said, then her eyes narrowed as she looked at Amrun. “Do you feel comfortable with Legolas?”

“Yes, why do you ask?”

“Legolas is the only elf you have been around other than your mother. Plus he is an elf male, which you have not known as an adult. Did you know he is the Prince of Mirkwood?”

“No, I did not. He is quiet and does not say much. When he speaks, he is wise and caring. Sometimes he says things to me in Elvish and it is like we are the only ones around, for no one knows what we are saying except Aragorn. He is a true friend to Aragorn, and I know he would die to protect his friends.”

“As he would you. Many men watch over you now, Amrun. No harm will come to you now. You need not be afraid.”

“I am not afraid of death. I am afraid of living while those I care about die.”

Éowyn smiled with understanding, for she felt the same way. Amrun lay down and after some time fell asleep. In the morning after they had eaten, everyone mounted up for the ride to the encampment. When they arrived there were many men from all parts of Rohan. Éomer came and embraced her tightly when he saw her. It seemed so natural to be in his arms and she felt safe. Once again, his simplest touch caused a flutter in her stomach followed quickly by a heat burning within her. When he smiled down at her gently, she blushed crimson, feeling guilty for so enjoying being in his arms and for the stirrings of desire he had caused.

Éomer left her, as Theoden was to meet with Aragorn, Éomer, and his advisors about the upcoming days and the number of men. Amrun helped Éowyn with the tents and getting food prepared for the men. After the sunset, she saw Aragorn leave his tent to go into Theoden’s tent. Curious, she was surprised when Theoden departed the tent, leaving Aragorn inside. After a while, Aragorn came out of the tent and walked to Amrun.

“Please come with me, Amrun. We have something to discuss.”

Aragorn took her back to Theoden’s tent, where there was a man sitting in a cloak. She realized he was an elf as he smiled at her.

“So this is the one named for the sunrise. Amrun, Ah, you look much like your mother, my child. I am Elrond of Imladris, and Aragorn has asked me to take you there for safekeeping.”

Amrun studied him and felt he was very wise and honorable. Softly she asked, “Will it ever be safe, Lord Elrond? What if the world falls into darkness? What do you see of Aragorn’s destiny?”

“Aragorn must walk the Paths of the Dead if he is to succeed. If the battle in Gondor goes well then the world of men will see the return of the king. Only King Elessar can restore peace to this land. He must become the man he was meant to be,” he said, looking over at Aragorn. Then he smiled at Amrun, asking, “Will you accompany me to Imladris, Lady Amrun?”

Amrun nodded quietly. She looked at Aragorn affectionately.

“Do what must be done and do not worry about me.” Amrun rose and walked over and embraced Aragorn. “You have been a good friend. I am grateful for all you have done. You will be a good king, and you will bring back hope to this land at last.”

Aragorn smiled and kissed her on the cheek.

Nodding to Lord Elrond, Aragorn said, “I will leave now. Please leave first thing in the morning and ride swiftly to Imladris. When Sauron has finally been defeated, I will send word.”

Aragorn left the tent and went to prepare Brego. Amrun took Elrond to Aragorn’s tent so he could sleep tonight after his long journey. She saw the men talking by the fire and saw Legolas, Gimli, and Aragorn walking away toward the mountain. The men cried out to him asking why he was leaving them now.

“He leaves because there is no hope,” Gamling said

“He leaves because he must,” Theoden said, walking up behind the men.

“Too few have come. We cannot defeat the armies of Mordor,” Gamling argued

“No, we cannot. But we will meet them in battle nonetheless.”

The riders nodded. Éomer looked at Amrun seriously as she walked to her tent. Soon he came to her and they talked outside the tent.

“I have heard you leave for Rivendell tomorrow with Lord Elrond,” Éomer said.

“Yes,” Amrun replied unsure what to say.

“You will be safe there. When this is over, perhaps, you should come back to Rohan or ….” Éomer stopped. “No, you probably will want to stay in Rivendell. It will be your new home. You must begin a new life and must put this one behind you.”

Amrun said nothing, for she could not say what she wanted to say.

Éomer took her silence as her confirmation that what he said was true. Taking her in his arms in a gentle embrace, he held her.

“Be careful Amrun. I wish you nothing but the best life can bring you.” Kissing her head, he whispered, “Do not forget me.” He let her go, turned, and walked back to the men. Amrun bit back her tears and her desire to run after him.

At some point during the night, the men began drinking before the upcoming battle. Amrun could hear their laughter and shouts. When she came to observe them from the opening in her tent, she saw the women that had come from Edoras drinking with the men. Some of the women were sitting on the laps of the riders and laughing with the men.

Amrun watched as one of the women approached Éomer, who was sitting away from the other men. The woman sat down beside him and placed her hand on his thigh, moving it seductively higher up. A rush of anger swept through Amrun, which she tried to ignore. Éomer stopped the woman’s hand as he stood up. The woman looked up as if she were expecting him to take her to his tent. Amrun’s breath caught in her throat and her chest felt tight at the thought of him being with that woman. Éomer drank the rest of his ale and walked away. The woman went back to the crowd of men by the fire.

Amrun watched Éomer walk to his tent. He did not see her nor did he look up. Éowyn came back to the tent and Amrun could see the tears on her cheeks, but Éowyn would not speak of it and went straight to sleep. Amrun knew it was because of Aragorn’s departure. She had watched Éowyn fall in love with him and could do nothing to stop the other girl from getting hurt. Amrun knew that Aragorn’s heart belonged to another.

As she lay down on her cot, Amrun’s heart raced with fear. Fear for Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli who walked the Paths of the Dead. Fear for the riders that must ride to battle tomorrow. Fear of what would happen if they all failed. Fear for Éomer.

As she lay there listening to the men outside, her thoughts were mostly of Éomer. Why had he not taken that woman to his tent with him? She was very beautiful. He could have any women he desired. He was the future king of Rohan and women like those women would never resist him. The thought of him being alone before this battle was killing her. Her own loneliness was making her heart ache as well. Tomorrow she left for Imladris and would likely never see him again. Her thoughts were so confused, but one thing was certain: she must go to him tonight.

Amrun jumped up, grabbing her cloak, then realized that she was only half dressed. She remembered the look on his face the first time he saw her walking out of the water and she smiled. Boldly, she removed the rest of her clothes and grabbed a longer fuller cloak that hid her completely. It had openings on the side for her arms and she wrapped her bare arms around herself to keep the cloak closed. As she slipped from the tent, she felt a guilt that took her breath away.

Amrun’s thoughts were tortured. What was she doing? How could she do this to Theodred? She went back into the tent. After a moment of indecision, she realized that while Theodred was dead, she was still alive and had to go on living. She did not love Theodred any less. Éomer needed her tonight, and she needed him as well. She left the tent again and slipped through the night, avoiding the notice of others.

Amrun took a deep breath and walked quietly into Éomer’s tent. He was standing at the table in the middle of the room looking over what appeared to be a map. Before she could say his name, he picked up his sword from the table and whirled around with it drawn. As he pointed it at her, she boldly stood her ground and stared him in the eyes.

“Forgive me, Amrun. You startled me. Why are you not asleep? It is late and you will be leaving for Rivendell early tomorrow.”

“There is something I must do before I leave.”

Walking over, she reached up and put her hand on the back of his head and pulled him down to her. She kissed him deep and explored his mouth with her tongue, feeling a burning in her body that was almost overwhelming. When she pulled away slightly and caught his tongue between her lips, she sucked it lightly into her open mouth.

Éomer gently moved her away from him.

“Amrun, you know not what you do. A man cannot receive a goodbye kiss like that and be expected to let it end there. What are you thinking?”
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