A/N: Sorry for the delay. I know I say I will try to review as soon as possible, but as soon as possible is not quick enough I know. School is winding down and I got a job now so things are kind of hectic. I hope you enjoy this next chapter and as always, please review!
"Has your strength returned somewhat, Tinioniel?" Gandalf asked upon her entering.
"Yes," she replied with a smile on her face. "I feel right at last." Gandalf looked at her, his eye creasing in discernment. Legolas paced around the room when he looked up at Tinioniel with a smile. His smile faded however, and he stared at her in disbelief. He staggered gracefully to her, filled with trepidation. He outstretched his hand and cupped her face in it, looking at her with a sorrowful yet surprised look. His eyebrows arched and his eyes shone like candles struggling to stay lit amidst a heavy wind. Tinioniel stared at him frightened and bemused with his actions, looking around at nothing for some sort of guidance.
"You," Legolas spoke, his voice quivering like a bow string's pulse. Tinioniel raised her hand to her friend's that still framed her face and laced her fingers with his.
"What is the matter? Is something wrong?" She was fearful of his reply, not knowing what to expect and not knowing what it would entail.
"A change," Legolas seemed incapable of forming full sentences. Tinioniel laughed nervously.
"Please. Tell me. What is it?" She averted her eyes to Gandalf who had donned a puzzling face and stared intently at Tinioniel. "What's happening?"
"You are…" Legolas paused again, filling the space with silence.
"Tell us already Legolas." Pippin spoke up. Tinioniel jumped a little, startled since she had forgotten the two hobbits were still in the room. Legolas embraced her, making Tinioniel even more shocked than she was before. Her arms hung down by her sides as she gazed bemused at the ceiling. Legolas buried his face into her shoulder as if he had found a lost object.
"My kindred. You are an elf. I see it within you, the chosen ones of the Valar. You are an elf!" Legolas exclaimed excitedly. "Pedich Edhellon?do you speak elvish?" Tinioniel smiled faintly as her eyes sparkled with love. Each word he spoke, she knew, and a flood of knowledge released itself within her mind.
"Tancavecertainly." He deepened his embrace as Tinioniel finally rest her arms around him, returning his hug, however still bemused. "So, I am an elf? Are you certain?" Gandalf stepped slightly away from the shadow that he was in and said his piece.
"Yes. It is true. I saw signs of it before but stayed silent. However there is no denying it now. Legolas speaks true. You are an elf." Tinioniel stood there with her mouth slightly open, tears forming in her eyes. She moved one hand away from Legolas and covered her mouth tenderly. Sinking to her knees, Tinioniel slid from Legolas' hold and onto the floor. Tears fell like warm rain from her eyes as she looked at the Istari, the little Halflings, and Legolas, her kin? Her blood? His words echoed in her mind. '… the chosen ones of Valar. You are an elf!'
"Finally, I know where I belong. I have been so lost, and I know where I belong at long last!" Legolas knelt down with her and placed a hand on her shoulder. She smiled at him and drew him into a hug.
'Yes, Tinioniel," Gandalf thought to himself. 'you have found your place in this world, but what of your own? Can you not remember the place you truly belong? Have you lost all your memories? If you have, then you can never go home.' Gandalf thoughts ricocheted in his head as he watched the happy Tinioniel embrace her kin in this world.
- -
Eomer awoke in the early morning, slightly before the sun was to begin its ritualistic ascent and gazed once more at the dying stars. He calmly walked over to his dresser. His fingers caressed the once familiar fabric, lacing his fingers with its memories.
'It's been so long since I have seen these. At least, it feels like an eternity since that Grima banished me.' His tone stiffened at Wormtongue's name as he clutched the cloth in his hands tightly and full with anger. He breathed in the fading night air, reminiscent of jasmine that had a touch of morning Simbelmyne. 'Simbelmyne.' Eomer said reverently. 'Because of the deceiving ways of Grima I was not able to see my cousin on his death bed; I was not able to help carry out the wishes of my kindred before he died; I was not there when they sent his body to the depths of the earth; and I was not there to help my family in that hard time.'
His hands turned pasty from his firm grip on the material. He relaxed his tense knuckles and let the shirt slid lazily back into its place in the drawer. He glided across the room in a daze, staring out into the morning that was ripping into the depths of night. Eomer perched his hands upon the window sill, taking in the sight of his home. Even though he had missed so much, he was happy to be back, happy to be in the shadows of night, and the pools of morning.
- -
Eowyn hurried across the yards of Edoras to where Tinioniel had slept. Rumors from Rohirrim had reached her ears, and she was concerned for her friend. She climbed stone steps in a rush but slowed her pace when she heard a noise that startled her. The low grumble traveled to her on the stairs as Eowyn gradually mounted each step. She saw two feet, followed by legs, a waist and chest, and a face she had not expected propped up by the stone railing. A broad smile crossed her face as she bent down to the figure on the landing.
"You were that tired, Lord Aragorn, that you couldn't even reach the door that lays not but three feet from you?" Eowyn asked as she gingerly pushed the strands of hair, wet from morning's dew, away from his waking eyes. Aragorn sucked in a deep breath of the pale, crisp air as he looked up at Eowyn.
"Time has slipped from me it seems."
"Oh no, my Lord. The sun has just risen from the depths of the earth. Very few people have stirred from the former night's activities." A puzzled look crossed her face. "Why did you sleep outside my lord?" Aragorn took his time answering her. He would stare off at the door then look back at Eowyn. She did not wait for an answer but continued to question Aragorn. "I have heard stories from restless and frightened Rohirrim in these early hours. How does she fair?" Aragorn sighed, not surprised that the Rohirrim told people of the late events of the previous night.
"She seems to be fine. However," He paused as his face deepened. "Never mind. Even I do not understand all that went on last night." Eowyn looked at Aragorn's face and saw it lined with concern. She gazed at him sympathetically and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"The day is still very young. You should try to find some rest. The rest of the city shall not wake for another good hours. And after all the wine my Uncle had last night," Eowyn laughed a little. "We shall be lucky if he rises before midday. If it would be tolerable, I wish to see Tinioniel. She rests in here?" Aragorn nodded. A smile flashed upon her face, revealing sparkling white teeth and shimmering eyes.
The wind picked up her long hair woven from straw of gold and caressed the material of her emerald dress, causing the wrinkles to dance to the wind's music. Eowyn gracefully stood, looking down at Aragorn in his drained state. "Remember what I said about getting rest. You, among the rest, deserve it the most." She smiled once again, this time pink shades rising to her cheeks, and entered the door to the chamber. Aragorn breathed deep, taking her words into consideration. He leaned his head against the chilling stone, pulled his cape further upon his chest, and closed his eyes.
- -
Eowyn closed the door as quietly as she could when she heard the deep snores of two certain little hobbits. She winced when she heard the melodic rhythm interrupted by a deep sigh, but the little hobbit continued his sleep pattern. Eowyn turned around and took in the scene with her rested eyes. The two hobbits lay sprawled out on different beds deeply snoring and occasionally tossing about in their bed. Gandalf was supported by a dark corner, but Eowyn could still see the whites of his eyes, sleeping. She shivered at the thought of sleeping with one's eyes wide, but continued her survey of the room. Legolas lay upon a bed that was pushed against a wall, another half wall rising from the foot of his bed. Part of him was construed by a wall, so Eowyn took tiny steps closer. He rested on his back, one delicate hand resting on his chest which rose and fell in steady rhythm like an ocean. His eyes were open like Gandalf's, but not in sleep she saw. His other hand was lovingly stroking a pair of feet that were placed beside his chest. Eowyn moved closer as the full scene came into view. Tinioniel sat in a corner made by the walls that surround Legolas' bed. She stared out a slit in the wall while Legolas continued to caress her feet. Tinioniel turned to face Eowyn and grinned.
"Good morning, Eowyn! I was not expecting you." Eowyn blushed as she nervously tucked a piece of flaxen hair behind her ear. Legolas turned his head slightly to face her.
"The sun has barely risen, yet the songbird of Rohan has been up for hours. With worry?" Eowyn blushed at Legolas' statment and stared at them.
"I did not mean to intrude. I heard of some things that happened last night and, I was concerned is all." Tinioniel leaned forward in Legolas' bed, her eyes drained and dull.
"You were worried about me?" Tinioniel got up from the bed and walked over to Eowyn. "You worried about me?"
"Well of course! The things I heard were disturbing to say the least. Are you alright?" Tinioniel smiled a smile that rejuvenated her face.
"Wonderful! I am just," Tinioniel paused. "Well, I can not really say what I am. Words can not describe what I am feeling. Elated? Eager?" Tinioniel shrugged her shoulders. "I do not know. I guess I am happy. Happier than I have ever been." Eowyn grinned with relief and puzzlement.
"What has put such a fine mood into your head? Even your eyes, amidst your weariness, sparkle like a child receiving its first horse." Tinioniel's smile faded quickly at her sentence.
"Horse!" Tinioniel gasped as she sprang gracefully from Eowyn's sight and ran from the room. Eowyn was left astounded and looked over to Legolas. Legolas stretched and supported himself on his elbow.
"Who knows? With her it could be anything. I myself thought she was deathly afraid of horses. Oh well." He lay back down and looked at Eowyn who was still standing. "The night was long and merry while the morning is still young. After last night's glee, I think I shall try to find sleep once again," He yawned and continued to look at Eowyn. "although it should not be that hard to find. No use in being up at this hour. There are plenty beds my lady. Choose one to your liking and rest your head, for it has been a long time since we have rested peacefully." Eowyn looked at him, then at the door.
"That is a wise thought, but I wonder if you would help me with one small thing before you retire." Legolas hummed and arched his eyebrows in question. "It seems a certain Ranger is sleeping outside on the hard cold stone. Will you aid me in bringing him to a more comfortable place?" Legolas smiled and sluggishly but sophisticatedly climbed to his feet.
"Anything for a friend and their drinking problems." Eowyn laughed as light as a summer's breeze and they made their way towards the door.
A/N: I hope you enjoyed it. Please review!