Disclaimer: Insert usual here. Thank you for lack of summons. Both songs used are by Enya, "Tears On My Heart" and "Exile". Don't own them or the characters except Alvord. SPOILERS for ROTK in chapter one. Spoiler free after that.
Author's Note: Okay yet another E/A fic, I know but I can't seem to stop writing them, as soon as I get and idea I have to write it down or I'll forget. Anyway this is Alternate reality. No Faramir/Eowyn pairing, all seemed a bit 'strange' the sudden change and all that. Well Arwen has 'left' for the Grey Havens and Aragorn is all alone :( This is not a happy story; I feel that I needed a break from the happiness to wallow in the sadness.
Dedication: For RH (1950 - 2003), who always believed in me.
The Tears of Time Heal All Wounds.
Chapter One - A Message.
"She is not coming." Elrond looked at his adopted child and saw pain reflected in his eyes. Aragorn nodded, he had expected it, he knew she was going and a part of him had begun to accept that. "She has left for the Grey Havens, where she belongs, with her people." Aragorn nodded, sadness in his eyes but lessened somewhat than that which Elrond had expected. A man arrived notifying Aragorn of his impending engagements and the coronation. He nodded waving the man away and bowing his head at Elrond.
Eowyn wandered through the streets of Gondor, it had been five days since the crowning of King Elessar and she had been well received amongst many of the Gondorians. They had first stood in awe of her and then they had eventually began to bombard her with questions as to her valiant defeat of the Nazgul King in battle. This had now occurred so many times she was considering printing it all and just handing it out whenever she was asked. It had been even longer since she had received word from Faramir, he had asked for her permission to court her but she could not give it. He had left and she had heard nothing since her refusal. She had no explanation of why she refused but she did not feel a love for him in her heart and to deny her heart was to deny the person she truly was.
Aragorn looked out onto the streets of Gondor, he longed to wander through them, to walk amongst the crowds, to be seen as another citizen. But alas that was not meant to be, his duties kept him bound to the castle and as much as he desired freedom it could never be obtained. He heard a familiar sound echo round him from the street below. An almost musical laughter that seemed to lighten his heart, looking down he caught a glimpse of golden hair, streaming back in the gentle breeze like shafts of sunlight. Eowyn, he recognised her at once, he thought she may have left for Rohan by now but seeing her, she looked at home on the streets of Gondor. He turned and called for a messenger, "Go and seek the Lady Eowyn of Rohan, she wanders in the streets below." The messenger ran off, Aragorn turned back to look down on his people missing the fact that the golden head had disappeared from his sight and was now heading towards the borders of the city, where no one would think to look for her.
Eowyn reached the borders of the city in a few hours, it would take her a while to return but she was sure that no one would miss her. It had been so long since she had seen such unspoiled country; far beyond the battlefield she could see green grass and trees. Such beauty but so far away. A horses hooves pounding on the stone floor made her turn, and on a horse she saw a messenger wearing the royal emblem on his tunic. Darn, she knew this would come eventually, she knew Faramir would not give up without persistence. "Lady Eowyn of Rohan?" She nodded, "King Elessar requests your presence." Aragorn? She puzzled, her face screwing up slightly, the messenger looked confused. "I would be delighted to attend but there is no way that I can attend without delay, I brought no horse with me." The messenger dismounted, and waved his hand "Take my horse, he will speed you to the castle and then return for me." Eowyn smiled, jumping on the horse she nodded thank you to the messenger and sent the horse off at a canter.
Within minutes she had reached the castle walls, a slight flush about her face, and the guard stood to the side immediately when he saw her approach. "My Lady" he bowed his head slightly, Eowyn took a deep breath to try and calm her breathing, never had she rode so fast. "King Elessar has requested my presence, may you tell me where he resides at the present?" The guard nodded, "The king resides in the round room at the present time my lady. I will have someone escort you." He turned to shout for another guard, but she raised her hand to stop him. "Sir, I can find my own way, if you will give me directions." The guard shook his head, "Nah, my lady. You must not wander alone, even within the castle it is dangerous for any lady to wander alone." Eowyn gave him a strained smile, "Sir, I fought the Nazgul King with only a small Hobbit's help, I am sure I can find my way around a castle." She smiled and walked through the gate, the guard powerless to stop her.
Aragorn stood in the round room, Legolas, Gimli, Merry and Faramir seated on a round table patiently awaiting Aragorn's mysterious guest. At once they heard a commotion outside the door, and a powerful voice demanding entrance. Merry was quick to recognise it, "Eowyn!!" He sprung from his seat, leaping towards the door and flinging it open knocked Gimli to the ground. "Merry!" Eowyn's soft voice carried round the room, and all but one seemed happy at her presence, Faramir made his excuses and left, only nodding to Eowyn as he passed her. She was too excited to notice his disappearance, she had already enveloped Merry into a hug, kneeling down to do so, marking her green dress, but no matter she could easily replace it. Merry was a rare sight indeed, as were Legolas and Gimli, for she had not seen them since the coronation where she had not had time to speak with either of them, her tale had been repeated so many times that night, she had barely been able to speak the next morning.
Aragorn watched the scene from afar glad to have invited Eowyn, as she glowed from the sight of her dear friends. It was not until both Gimli and Merry complained several times that they were hungry that they were left together. She turned to look at him; there was no awkwardness between them, Eowyn had resolved her feelings and had moved onto other things in life. Aragorn had become king and to her surprise she had discovered his Elven love had sailed across the sea to another land. Aragorn smiled "I would have thought you had returned to Rohan by now. Do you not intend to return?" Eowyn laughed, and sat down at the round table. "I did, but things have kept me here. The land is beautiful, although I feel restrained by the lack of sword." Aragorn smiled, he knew that would be one of her main reasons to go. "Well, it is an age old custom that Gondorian women should never fight or be allowed to carry swords. Very ancient custom, but the councillors insist it be upheld." Eowyn crinkled her eyes "And that suits you? Aragorn, are you sure you're in there?" He laughed, and nodded "Well I am..." he paused and his voice dropped an octave "a young king, I must use the council as guidance for such matters." Eowyn burst into giggles, "They really said that? Well your majesty I do not believe you need guidance as to the welfare of your own people. Do the council not know of your colourful history?" This time they both laughed, they seemed to content with gaining each other as friends.
They enjoyed many such 'discussions' over the next few months and gradually Eowyn did not feel so restrained as to the lack of sword around her waist. Aragorn felt his heart begin to heal and he felt himself begin to see the woman hidden behind a shield of ice. They spent much time together and it seemed apparent to all, except Aragorn and Eowyn that they had begun to form an attachment to each other. Legolas was sure that they would eventually become engaged but something happened then that no one could have expected...
Eowyn stood in front of the mirror, her white dress still hung smartly on her slim frame and a small smile graced her face, she had become so fond of Aragorn that she believed that nothing could come between them. She had a feeling; today was going to be one of the most important in her life.
Aragorn smirked at Legolas; he was pacing round the room almost wearing holes in the carpet. Aragorn would not have known he was pacing, had he not looked in the mirror seeing a shock of blonde hair shoot from one end of the room to the other in a matter of seconds. "Relax, you would think it were you who were revealing his heart." Legolas turned and caught Aragorn's gaze, "You are sure? You do not still harbour feelings for another certain woman?" Aragorn turned, a slight grimace showing on his face for just a moment. "No, all that I felt has dispersed, there is another that resides in my heart now." A smile now widened onto his face, Legolas smiled in return and both men left the room a sense of hope filling each of their hearts.
Eowyn stood by the window in the round room, the small breeze blowing through ruffled her dress and sent her hair flying out of the pins she had carefully placed there that morning. A presence in the room startled her from her gaze out of the window; she turned, her hair whipping round and covering her face, preventing her from seeing who had entered. She reached up and pulled it out the way, in front of her did not stand the person she had expected.
Aragorn made his way to the round room, only just being able to stop himself from breaking into a run. Never had he been quite so excited since his first trip to Rivendell. He pushed open the door to the Round Room and there in front of him stood... not Eowyn, but the dark-haired Elven beauty he had long since given up hope of setting eyes on again. Arwen.
Author's Note: Okay yet another E/A fic, I know but I can't seem to stop writing them, as soon as I get and idea I have to write it down or I'll forget. Anyway this is Alternate reality. No Faramir/Eowyn pairing, all seemed a bit 'strange' the sudden change and all that. Well Arwen has 'left' for the Grey Havens and Aragorn is all alone :( This is not a happy story; I feel that I needed a break from the happiness to wallow in the sadness.
Dedication: For RH (1950 - 2003), who always believed in me.
The Tears of Time Heal All Wounds.
Chapter One - A Message.
"She is not coming." Elrond looked at his adopted child and saw pain reflected in his eyes. Aragorn nodded, he had expected it, he knew she was going and a part of him had begun to accept that. "She has left for the Grey Havens, where she belongs, with her people." Aragorn nodded, sadness in his eyes but lessened somewhat than that which Elrond had expected. A man arrived notifying Aragorn of his impending engagements and the coronation. He nodded waving the man away and bowing his head at Elrond.
Eowyn wandered through the streets of Gondor, it had been five days since the crowning of King Elessar and she had been well received amongst many of the Gondorians. They had first stood in awe of her and then they had eventually began to bombard her with questions as to her valiant defeat of the Nazgul King in battle. This had now occurred so many times she was considering printing it all and just handing it out whenever she was asked. It had been even longer since she had received word from Faramir, he had asked for her permission to court her but she could not give it. He had left and she had heard nothing since her refusal. She had no explanation of why she refused but she did not feel a love for him in her heart and to deny her heart was to deny the person she truly was.
Aragorn looked out onto the streets of Gondor, he longed to wander through them, to walk amongst the crowds, to be seen as another citizen. But alas that was not meant to be, his duties kept him bound to the castle and as much as he desired freedom it could never be obtained. He heard a familiar sound echo round him from the street below. An almost musical laughter that seemed to lighten his heart, looking down he caught a glimpse of golden hair, streaming back in the gentle breeze like shafts of sunlight. Eowyn, he recognised her at once, he thought she may have left for Rohan by now but seeing her, she looked at home on the streets of Gondor. He turned and called for a messenger, "Go and seek the Lady Eowyn of Rohan, she wanders in the streets below." The messenger ran off, Aragorn turned back to look down on his people missing the fact that the golden head had disappeared from his sight and was now heading towards the borders of the city, where no one would think to look for her.
Eowyn reached the borders of the city in a few hours, it would take her a while to return but she was sure that no one would miss her. It had been so long since she had seen such unspoiled country; far beyond the battlefield she could see green grass and trees. Such beauty but so far away. A horses hooves pounding on the stone floor made her turn, and on a horse she saw a messenger wearing the royal emblem on his tunic. Darn, she knew this would come eventually, she knew Faramir would not give up without persistence. "Lady Eowyn of Rohan?" She nodded, "King Elessar requests your presence." Aragorn? She puzzled, her face screwing up slightly, the messenger looked confused. "I would be delighted to attend but there is no way that I can attend without delay, I brought no horse with me." The messenger dismounted, and waved his hand "Take my horse, he will speed you to the castle and then return for me." Eowyn smiled, jumping on the horse she nodded thank you to the messenger and sent the horse off at a canter.
Within minutes she had reached the castle walls, a slight flush about her face, and the guard stood to the side immediately when he saw her approach. "My Lady" he bowed his head slightly, Eowyn took a deep breath to try and calm her breathing, never had she rode so fast. "King Elessar has requested my presence, may you tell me where he resides at the present?" The guard nodded, "The king resides in the round room at the present time my lady. I will have someone escort you." He turned to shout for another guard, but she raised her hand to stop him. "Sir, I can find my own way, if you will give me directions." The guard shook his head, "Nah, my lady. You must not wander alone, even within the castle it is dangerous for any lady to wander alone." Eowyn gave him a strained smile, "Sir, I fought the Nazgul King with only a small Hobbit's help, I am sure I can find my way around a castle." She smiled and walked through the gate, the guard powerless to stop her.
Aragorn stood in the round room, Legolas, Gimli, Merry and Faramir seated on a round table patiently awaiting Aragorn's mysterious guest. At once they heard a commotion outside the door, and a powerful voice demanding entrance. Merry was quick to recognise it, "Eowyn!!" He sprung from his seat, leaping towards the door and flinging it open knocked Gimli to the ground. "Merry!" Eowyn's soft voice carried round the room, and all but one seemed happy at her presence, Faramir made his excuses and left, only nodding to Eowyn as he passed her. She was too excited to notice his disappearance, she had already enveloped Merry into a hug, kneeling down to do so, marking her green dress, but no matter she could easily replace it. Merry was a rare sight indeed, as were Legolas and Gimli, for she had not seen them since the coronation where she had not had time to speak with either of them, her tale had been repeated so many times that night, she had barely been able to speak the next morning.
Aragorn watched the scene from afar glad to have invited Eowyn, as she glowed from the sight of her dear friends. It was not until both Gimli and Merry complained several times that they were hungry that they were left together. She turned to look at him; there was no awkwardness between them, Eowyn had resolved her feelings and had moved onto other things in life. Aragorn had become king and to her surprise she had discovered his Elven love had sailed across the sea to another land. Aragorn smiled "I would have thought you had returned to Rohan by now. Do you not intend to return?" Eowyn laughed, and sat down at the round table. "I did, but things have kept me here. The land is beautiful, although I feel restrained by the lack of sword." Aragorn smiled, he knew that would be one of her main reasons to go. "Well, it is an age old custom that Gondorian women should never fight or be allowed to carry swords. Very ancient custom, but the councillors insist it be upheld." Eowyn crinkled her eyes "And that suits you? Aragorn, are you sure you're in there?" He laughed, and nodded "Well I am..." he paused and his voice dropped an octave "a young king, I must use the council as guidance for such matters." Eowyn burst into giggles, "They really said that? Well your majesty I do not believe you need guidance as to the welfare of your own people. Do the council not know of your colourful history?" This time they both laughed, they seemed to content with gaining each other as friends.
They enjoyed many such 'discussions' over the next few months and gradually Eowyn did not feel so restrained as to the lack of sword around her waist. Aragorn felt his heart begin to heal and he felt himself begin to see the woman hidden behind a shield of ice. They spent much time together and it seemed apparent to all, except Aragorn and Eowyn that they had begun to form an attachment to each other. Legolas was sure that they would eventually become engaged but something happened then that no one could have expected...
Eowyn stood in front of the mirror, her white dress still hung smartly on her slim frame and a small smile graced her face, she had become so fond of Aragorn that she believed that nothing could come between them. She had a feeling; today was going to be one of the most important in her life.
Aragorn smirked at Legolas; he was pacing round the room almost wearing holes in the carpet. Aragorn would not have known he was pacing, had he not looked in the mirror seeing a shock of blonde hair shoot from one end of the room to the other in a matter of seconds. "Relax, you would think it were you who were revealing his heart." Legolas turned and caught Aragorn's gaze, "You are sure? You do not still harbour feelings for another certain woman?" Aragorn turned, a slight grimace showing on his face for just a moment. "No, all that I felt has dispersed, there is another that resides in my heart now." A smile now widened onto his face, Legolas smiled in return and both men left the room a sense of hope filling each of their hearts.
Eowyn stood by the window in the round room, the small breeze blowing through ruffled her dress and sent her hair flying out of the pins she had carefully placed there that morning. A presence in the room startled her from her gaze out of the window; she turned, her hair whipping round and covering her face, preventing her from seeing who had entered. She reached up and pulled it out the way, in front of her did not stand the person she had expected.
Aragorn made his way to the round room, only just being able to stop himself from breaking into a run. Never had he been quite so excited since his first trip to Rivendell. He pushed open the door to the Round Room and there in front of him stood... not Eowyn, but the dark-haired Elven beauty he had long since given up hope of setting eyes on again. Arwen.