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Éowyn is folding a blanket; the man she fell in love with is dead. When she was told that Lord Aragorn died, her heart broke. She never got to tell him that he stole her heart, that she loves him. She mourns what they could have had.
Aragorn is making his way towards Legolas. He sees him, and a smile crosses his face. He throws himself into his elf’s arms. Legolas murmurs, “I knew you weren’t dead. I could still feel you.” Aragorn places a kiss on his neck, “I saw Arwen, she saved me, told me to get back to you.”
Legolas takes a good look at his husband, “You look terrible.” Aragorn laughs and kisses him, “I love you too.” Legolas smiles, “I love you, even if you look like a drowned rat.” Aragorn laughs again.
Éowyn heard him laugh, and now she is lying eyes on him; he is alive. Aragorn is alive. Her heart rejoices. She wants to go to him, hug him and kiss him. She sees the elf hand him the necklace he lost. He told her that his sister gave it to him, and she could see the look of gratitude on his face. Someone calls her attention, and she looks away.
Aragorn kisses him again, “Thank you. Arwen would kill me if I had lost this.” Legolas runs a hand through his hair. Aragorn sighs and kisses him again, “I need to see the King.”
Éowyn looks back, she could have sworn she saw them kiss. But that must have been a trick of her mind.
-
Aragorn is talking to Théoden, Éowyn and Éomer. The Lady of Rohan looks at him with a smile on her face, “Tell us about your time with the elves. You told me you were raised by them.” Aragorn chuckles, “I imagine it was like any other family. My brothers liked to play pranks on me. They stole my clothes, snuck up on me to scare me. Got me into trouble, as all siblings do.”
The King laughs, “Aye, children get up to all kinds of mischief, my son and them were always up to no good.” Éomer nods, “We had fun times. Did you get revenge?” Aragorn laughs; it warms her heart. She hopes to hear more of it in the future. He has a nice laugh. He nods, “I did. I dyed their clothes pink or replaced them with women’s dresses. I put mud in their boots. I even had help from my father. My sister, when she was there, was in my corner. They always got up to mischief. They still do now. My sister came up with the most ingenious pranks. She once made them think they could talk to cats.”
Legolas makes his way towards Aragorn, the ranger sees him, and his face lights up. “Gimli all taken care of?” Legolas nods, “It took four of us to pick him up and carry him to bed. That should teach him to challenge me to a drinking contest.” Aragorn pulls Legolas into his lap, his arms going around the elf’s waist. Legolas puts his arms around the ranger’s neck. Aragorn places a soft kiss on Legolas’ lips, “He will want a rematch.” Legolas kisses him back and hums, “And I will beat him again.” Aragorn laughs and kisses him again, longer this time.
The other three stare at such an open display of affection.
Éomer is no stranger to this; he has witnessed this between his soldiers. But never this openly since not everyone tolerates such displays.
Théoden is shocked; he did not think the heir to the throne of Gondor would prefer the company of males. But he would not be the first from a royal line to do so. As long as he is happy, that is all that should matter.
Éowyn’s heart breaks; the man who has stolen her heart is kissing an elf, and a male one at that. She thought they could have a future together. She was fooling herself; he never indicated he was interested in her. It was just in her mind.
Théoden is the first to speak, “How long have you been together?”
Aragorn has a soft smile on his face, “70 years, married for 66. It was love at first sight.” Legolas blushes, “It was. I met him when I visited Rivendell. We spent hours just talking, and I knew he was it for me. After more than 2000 years, I finally found my love.” Aragorn kisses the corner of his mouth, “And I found mine.”
Éowyn watches them tall quietly in Elvish. She watches Legolas get, pulling Aragorn up. She sees Aragorn take his hand and interlace their fingers together. She has to bear witness to them dancing and laughing together. She watches them kiss before they leave. By the look in their eyes, they will try to find some privacy. She excuses herself to nurse her broken heart. She didn’t imagine their kiss at Helm’s Deep after all.