This is a short piece to tie up my story and as a way to say thank you to my generous reviewers.
Epilogue.
Eowyn and Aragorn stood in the great hall, smiling. Their son, Arathorn, was kneeling before them, accepting the sword of state. She looked around and saw Boromir standing over her son's shoulder. Pride shone in his eyes and he winked at her. It was all she could do to keep a straight face at the sight of his obvious amusement.
The newly appointed regent prince stood up and turned to face the assembled guests. Arathorn spoke to them with a deep reverence and great humility. He stood tall and proud like his father, his dark hair worn long around his shoulders. Though people mostly saw the Gondorian side to him, there were hints of his Rohrrim herritage. He was a favorite with the counsel except for one point. Unlike his father's people, he held the Sheild Maidens in high regard and would often be heard suggesting that the women of Gondor be trained as warriors.
Eowyn blinked back the tears that clouded her eyes. Even though he was all grown up, all she could see was her little baby boy. It seemed like only moments before that she held Arathorn in her arms, marveling at his tiny body and its resiliency to childhood blows. She could hear the first words he spoke-dada, clearly see the first time he tottered on his short legs from her to Aragorn. Merry had been there and laughed at the way she tried to let him go and yet keep him back.
"Eowyn?" The king asked. "Are you all right?"
"Just remembering." She murmured, reaching out to hold his hand.
Tugging her hand, the king resolutely pulled her away. She almost protested, but he silenced her with a kiss. "I've shared you with the world long enough. Now it is time for this man to get reacquainted with his wife."
She was torn. It had been so long since it had been just the two of them, what with preparing their son to take over the kingdom and running the kingdom, she missed him. But this was their son's big moment. They should be with him. "Aragorn, we can't."
"Why not?"
"Because our son needs us."
Leaning close, he whispered in her ear. "Our son told me to take you away. He said something about you and me leaving so that he could spread his wings. Sound familiar?" He left out his son's saying that Eowyn looked like she was suffocating and needed out for a bit. She wouldn't thank them for it-though it was obviously true.
A reluctant smile curved her lips at his words. "Vaguely." She teased, evading his arms and moving towards the door.
"Should I remind you?" He asked, following slowly.
With a laugh, she was out the door and gone. For a moment Aragorn stood and stared at the empty doorway, shocked. Shaking his head, he dashed out the hallway after her. It was in the practice room that he saw her, unmoving, staring at the sword on the wall. He watched her shake her head, a smile curving her lips before she reached up and pulled it down.
Closing the door behind him, he made a decision. Moving ever so softly-an ability he never truly lost-he picked up a short sword resting among others. Suddenly she turned and their blades clashed. This time he pushed, ever so slightly and she gave a little ground before pushing back. The two blades flashed in the light as they parried and danced around each other, neither willing to give ground. In a move of sublime subtlety, she forced his sword to drop.
"You've lost your touch, my lord." She mocked.
"Depends upon the touch you refer to, my lady." He winked, rolled and picked the sword up. Quickly, he disarmed her-sending her sword sliding across the floor.
Kneeling down to acknowledge his victory, she ruefully looked up at him. "I constantly underestimate you, don't I?"
The king pulled her to her feet, shaking his head. "As I do you. And now, I demand my spoils of war."
Eowyn tried not to smile but it was hopeless. Aragorn knew just how to say something offensive like that and make it inoffensive. "That's bad."
"But you like it." Lifting her up, he strode out of the room and outside. In the courtyard was Legolas and Gimli, holding the horses for them.
"About time, I was beginning to think you were not going to show up."
With a grin, Aragorn put Eowyn in the saddle and mounted behind her. "My wife needed a little persuading."
"Wife? I thought I was your war prize."
"You were sword fighting again?" Gimli asked, shaking his head. "I don't think I will ever understand your ways."
"Call it a courting ritual." Though it sounded like a joke, it wasn't and they shared a smile.
Eowyn leaned down and whispered, though she knew he could hear her. "Only I let him win this time."
Legolas smacked the horse and sent them off, the second one following them. As much as he liked to see his friends having a good time, he feared that if they didn't leave now, they never would. Together he and Gimli waved at them, before turning to go inside.
Arathorn was waiting for them. "Did they finally go?"
"Aye."
"Good. I love my parents but they really have caged me-and themselves. I wonder why father didn't notice before."
"You'll find, young prince, that sometimes the affairs of state take up a lot of attention." Legolas answered. "Your father has much on his mind and, at times, forgets the important things."
"I guess."
Legolas wisely remained silent.
Outside Gondor:
Eowyn reached up and pulled the pins from her hair, letting it blow freely in the breeze. "So, where are we going?"
"Anywhere that's not here."
"Lost your ranger sense at last or haven't you figured it out?" She teased him gently, trusting his abilities implicitly.
Resting his chin on her shoulder (not an easy thing to do when riding a horse but this is a man raised by elves), he spoke, sending shivers down her back. "Give me a moment to fingure out how far our cage extends, then I'll let you know."
She rested her hands on his, squeezing. "You've felt it to?"
Aragorn knew what she meant. "You lived you whole life like this. How did-and do- you stand it?"
"I can stand anything with you by my side." The words came easily, without a stutter.
They were silent for a long moment, needing no words to speak. Finally, Aragorn pulled their horses to a halt and dismounted. They made camp and ate, talking quietly. After a while, they went to bed and slept. Sometime during the night, Eowyn sat up and looked around, confused. Slowly memory returned to her and she lay back down with a smile, thinking.
Years before this same thing had happened to her. Scared by the enormous changes in her life, she had spent many sleepless nights staring at the moon, trying to think of anything but her life. But the changes remained and had changed to include others. The biggest change centered around the man sleeping peacefully by her side. Now, she couldn't bear to think of her life without him. Somehow, he had become her everything.
It wasn't like I meant to fall in love, she mused. It just crept over me naturally, quieting my fears and cushioning my fall, until I just accepted its presence.
Aragorn shifted and drew her closer, nuzzling her ear. She couldn't stop the giggle that escaped. Bleary gray eyes opened, looking at her curiously. "What are you thinking about, my queen?"
"Odds and ends." She snuggled into his arms, yawning a little bit.
His hand trailed down her arm until it reached her hand and raised it enfolded in his own. "Anything you would care to share with your poor husband?"
"Depends." She hedged.
"On what?"
"What this poor husband plans to give his wife in exchange for her less than intelligent thoughts?"
"Oh, I can think of a few things." He hinted, with a smile. "And I think you should let me be the judge of your thoughts."
"Why? They are my thoughts."
"Very true, but they will be more insightful than the ones I am forced to entertain and debate about in counsel."
She laughed. "I cannot argue with you on that one. Very well, husband, I was thinking about how different my life is from what I had dreamed."
He suddenly tensed, unsure of himself. There was no doubt that Eowyn had grown to love him-the real him. The one behind the mask of king, but he hadn't really given her a chance to experience others. He had been selfish and wanted her for himself. Would what she had to say hurt him? "And?" Soft.
Eowyn turned to face him, stroking his face with gentle fingers. "My life has been happier and fuller than I feel that I deserve. I have a wonderful son. I live in a land of peace and beauty. Most important, I know the love of a good man-one who is more that I thought I could ever have."
There were no words to express the relief and love that flooded his heart at her words, he thought. And to think, I almost let this go. I almost let her go in search of a dream that could never really fill me. "You shame me with your generosity of spirit."
"I?"
"Yes. The peace exists because I truly heard your words about living in a cage, I wanted it for you. I was never really comfortable in my crown, though there were those who encouraged me, until I met you. You inspired me. I became a king, a true king, for you. You have said that I am a good man. If I am, it is because of you. Never doubt that I am the person I am today because of you. Let us hope our son finds a woman who is your equal."
Looking at him, she found it easy to read his soul. Even easier to say the words that rarely crossed her lips. "I love you."
"I love you." Aragorn whispered, drawing her close to his heart.
There was no too at the end. And for some reason, it made a difference in the words.
The End. Mainly because I ran out of fluffy thoughts.
Epilogue.
Eowyn and Aragorn stood in the great hall, smiling. Their son, Arathorn, was kneeling before them, accepting the sword of state. She looked around and saw Boromir standing over her son's shoulder. Pride shone in his eyes and he winked at her. It was all she could do to keep a straight face at the sight of his obvious amusement.
The newly appointed regent prince stood up and turned to face the assembled guests. Arathorn spoke to them with a deep reverence and great humility. He stood tall and proud like his father, his dark hair worn long around his shoulders. Though people mostly saw the Gondorian side to him, there were hints of his Rohrrim herritage. He was a favorite with the counsel except for one point. Unlike his father's people, he held the Sheild Maidens in high regard and would often be heard suggesting that the women of Gondor be trained as warriors.
Eowyn blinked back the tears that clouded her eyes. Even though he was all grown up, all she could see was her little baby boy. It seemed like only moments before that she held Arathorn in her arms, marveling at his tiny body and its resiliency to childhood blows. She could hear the first words he spoke-dada, clearly see the first time he tottered on his short legs from her to Aragorn. Merry had been there and laughed at the way she tried to let him go and yet keep him back.
"Eowyn?" The king asked. "Are you all right?"
"Just remembering." She murmured, reaching out to hold his hand.
Tugging her hand, the king resolutely pulled her away. She almost protested, but he silenced her with a kiss. "I've shared you with the world long enough. Now it is time for this man to get reacquainted with his wife."
She was torn. It had been so long since it had been just the two of them, what with preparing their son to take over the kingdom and running the kingdom, she missed him. But this was their son's big moment. They should be with him. "Aragorn, we can't."
"Why not?"
"Because our son needs us."
Leaning close, he whispered in her ear. "Our son told me to take you away. He said something about you and me leaving so that he could spread his wings. Sound familiar?" He left out his son's saying that Eowyn looked like she was suffocating and needed out for a bit. She wouldn't thank them for it-though it was obviously true.
A reluctant smile curved her lips at his words. "Vaguely." She teased, evading his arms and moving towards the door.
"Should I remind you?" He asked, following slowly.
With a laugh, she was out the door and gone. For a moment Aragorn stood and stared at the empty doorway, shocked. Shaking his head, he dashed out the hallway after her. It was in the practice room that he saw her, unmoving, staring at the sword on the wall. He watched her shake her head, a smile curving her lips before she reached up and pulled it down.
Closing the door behind him, he made a decision. Moving ever so softly-an ability he never truly lost-he picked up a short sword resting among others. Suddenly she turned and their blades clashed. This time he pushed, ever so slightly and she gave a little ground before pushing back. The two blades flashed in the light as they parried and danced around each other, neither willing to give ground. In a move of sublime subtlety, she forced his sword to drop.
"You've lost your touch, my lord." She mocked.
"Depends upon the touch you refer to, my lady." He winked, rolled and picked the sword up. Quickly, he disarmed her-sending her sword sliding across the floor.
Kneeling down to acknowledge his victory, she ruefully looked up at him. "I constantly underestimate you, don't I?"
The king pulled her to her feet, shaking his head. "As I do you. And now, I demand my spoils of war."
Eowyn tried not to smile but it was hopeless. Aragorn knew just how to say something offensive like that and make it inoffensive. "That's bad."
"But you like it." Lifting her up, he strode out of the room and outside. In the courtyard was Legolas and Gimli, holding the horses for them.
"About time, I was beginning to think you were not going to show up."
With a grin, Aragorn put Eowyn in the saddle and mounted behind her. "My wife needed a little persuading."
"Wife? I thought I was your war prize."
"You were sword fighting again?" Gimli asked, shaking his head. "I don't think I will ever understand your ways."
"Call it a courting ritual." Though it sounded like a joke, it wasn't and they shared a smile.
Eowyn leaned down and whispered, though she knew he could hear her. "Only I let him win this time."
Legolas smacked the horse and sent them off, the second one following them. As much as he liked to see his friends having a good time, he feared that if they didn't leave now, they never would. Together he and Gimli waved at them, before turning to go inside.
Arathorn was waiting for them. "Did they finally go?"
"Aye."
"Good. I love my parents but they really have caged me-and themselves. I wonder why father didn't notice before."
"You'll find, young prince, that sometimes the affairs of state take up a lot of attention." Legolas answered. "Your father has much on his mind and, at times, forgets the important things."
"I guess."
Legolas wisely remained silent.
Outside Gondor:
Eowyn reached up and pulled the pins from her hair, letting it blow freely in the breeze. "So, where are we going?"
"Anywhere that's not here."
"Lost your ranger sense at last or haven't you figured it out?" She teased him gently, trusting his abilities implicitly.
Resting his chin on her shoulder (not an easy thing to do when riding a horse but this is a man raised by elves), he spoke, sending shivers down her back. "Give me a moment to fingure out how far our cage extends, then I'll let you know."
She rested her hands on his, squeezing. "You've felt it to?"
Aragorn knew what she meant. "You lived you whole life like this. How did-and do- you stand it?"
"I can stand anything with you by my side." The words came easily, without a stutter.
They were silent for a long moment, needing no words to speak. Finally, Aragorn pulled their horses to a halt and dismounted. They made camp and ate, talking quietly. After a while, they went to bed and slept. Sometime during the night, Eowyn sat up and looked around, confused. Slowly memory returned to her and she lay back down with a smile, thinking.
Years before this same thing had happened to her. Scared by the enormous changes in her life, she had spent many sleepless nights staring at the moon, trying to think of anything but her life. But the changes remained and had changed to include others. The biggest change centered around the man sleeping peacefully by her side. Now, she couldn't bear to think of her life without him. Somehow, he had become her everything.
It wasn't like I meant to fall in love, she mused. It just crept over me naturally, quieting my fears and cushioning my fall, until I just accepted its presence.
Aragorn shifted and drew her closer, nuzzling her ear. She couldn't stop the giggle that escaped. Bleary gray eyes opened, looking at her curiously. "What are you thinking about, my queen?"
"Odds and ends." She snuggled into his arms, yawning a little bit.
His hand trailed down her arm until it reached her hand and raised it enfolded in his own. "Anything you would care to share with your poor husband?"
"Depends." She hedged.
"On what?"
"What this poor husband plans to give his wife in exchange for her less than intelligent thoughts?"
"Oh, I can think of a few things." He hinted, with a smile. "And I think you should let me be the judge of your thoughts."
"Why? They are my thoughts."
"Very true, but they will be more insightful than the ones I am forced to entertain and debate about in counsel."
She laughed. "I cannot argue with you on that one. Very well, husband, I was thinking about how different my life is from what I had dreamed."
He suddenly tensed, unsure of himself. There was no doubt that Eowyn had grown to love him-the real him. The one behind the mask of king, but he hadn't really given her a chance to experience others. He had been selfish and wanted her for himself. Would what she had to say hurt him? "And?" Soft.
Eowyn turned to face him, stroking his face with gentle fingers. "My life has been happier and fuller than I feel that I deserve. I have a wonderful son. I live in a land of peace and beauty. Most important, I know the love of a good man-one who is more that I thought I could ever have."
There were no words to express the relief and love that flooded his heart at her words, he thought. And to think, I almost let this go. I almost let her go in search of a dream that could never really fill me. "You shame me with your generosity of spirit."
"I?"
"Yes. The peace exists because I truly heard your words about living in a cage, I wanted it for you. I was never really comfortable in my crown, though there were those who encouraged me, until I met you. You inspired me. I became a king, a true king, for you. You have said that I am a good man. If I am, it is because of you. Never doubt that I am the person I am today because of you. Let us hope our son finds a woman who is your equal."
Looking at him, she found it easy to read his soul. Even easier to say the words that rarely crossed her lips. "I love you."
"I love you." Aragorn whispered, drawing her close to his heart.
There was no too at the end. And for some reason, it made a difference in the words.
The End. Mainly because I ran out of fluffy thoughts.