What Happens Now

Calaren could not stay there. His heart had been shattered into a million pieces and though he felt he needed to show her that he could look at her and keep an even face, he wouldn't want to bet money on that. He packed up his horse and left that next morning at dawn.

Eagan’s heart seemed to heal a little bit each day. The village was coming along nicely and today was the day that they’d be leaving. The king had already rode back with half of his guard but the queen, Narisa, Eagan and the other men stayed until Narisa was well enough to ride. The rains had still delayed the healers but they had finally come and in two days time Narisa’s wound had healed more than it had the week prior. Eagan came into the small house expecting the queen to be there but only Narisa was, sitting up and reading. She looked up at him and he smiled brightly at her. The smile of a man who was in love with the woman his eyes took in right then. She was still pale but that somehow made her skin look even more like white silk.

Rebuilding the village was hard work and Eagan had a bit of dirt and grime on his cheek. Hardly the prize he wanted to give to his wife to be but there was always little time to see her and he came to her when he had time cleanly washed or not.

“Am I...disturbing you Naria?” He asked sweetly as he sauntered over to give her a kiss. His confidence had returned fully since her decision to marry him was made final. He smelled of dust and sweat but also that warm, musky smell that was all his own. His lips were surprisingly soft and cool when they met hers.

Narisa had hated breaking Calaren's heart, but she had had to make a decision. She hadn't expected him to stay and so she wasn't surprised when she learned he had left. She still truly loved him and believed that space was the only thing that was going to help them to heal and move on. She thought Calaren was one of the best men she had ever met and could only pray that he met a woman who could give him the love he truly deserved.

Her wound was healing nicely and her strength was slowly returning day by day. She could now sit up on her own and even walk around a little. Her father had been forced to return to Edoras because of his duties, but Eagan and her mother stayed behind with a few guards who would escort them back when they she was able to ride. Eagan seemed much happier now that they were officially engaged and came to visit her everyday. They had started talking causally about a date for the wedding and plans for the future. He wanted to return to Minas Tirith and so she would go with him. She was not really a city girl, but she loved Eagan and would make it work and find some happiness within the city. She couldn't help but wonder if Calaren would still leave for Gehenna to start working with horses as he had talked to her about. She hoped that he would still pursue that dream, even if she wasn't going with him.

She was currently sitting up in bed reading from a book that had been brought to her. It was difficult for her to just stay in bed all day with little to do and so reading helped to ease the boredom she had begun to feel. She had just reached the end of a chapter when she heard the door open and saw Eagan walk in. She closed the book and smiled at him as he strode over to her. His eyes shone with happiness and love. He had rolled up his sleeves due to the work he had been engaged in and his skin shone with a light sheen of sweat. His hair was somewhat mussed and she thought him incredibly handsome. As he kissed her she closed her eyes and kissed him back.

"No, you are not disturbing me," she replied. "I had just finished the chapter I was on. How is the rebuilding coming along?"

The question had been asked by her several times to several people. Blood had been spilled in defense of this village and though a few of the adults and young ones had been taken, it was a very small number compared to what would have happened if Narisa hadn’t interfered. As a result she was very interested in the recovery efforts and it appeared that they were nearly complete. Their graveyard had gotten larger but the villager’s hearts were still attached to what they had fought, bled and died for.

“Many of the villagers ask for you...I think they intend on giving you a grand send off when you are able to ride,” Eagan said as he nuzzled her cheek and neck. She smelled wonderful and he simply couldn’t get enough of her for his liking. He had waited a very long time to be with her once again and now it was all going to happen as he wanted.

“A couple of the scouts have seen men...raiders watching the village and they have organized sorties to go out and hunt for them. Every day they manage to kill several of them. Soon I think, they will abandon whatever they hoped to accomplish and leave this village alone. At any rate we’ve armed the men and boys with bows and many of them appear to be decent with them. Many had seen your abilities and wish to emulate your skill with the bow,” he added happily as he stood up. He would have preferred to keep loving on her but there would be time enough for that when they got back. Now that that was all out of the way he could continue with what he really wanted to talk to her about...the wedding…

Narisa was glad to hear that the progress on the rebuilding was coming along. She cared for all of her people and wouldn't leave until she knew that they were safe and well taken care of. Many had asked after her and sent her gifts, including baked goods and flowers. She had in turn replied to each gift with a hand written thank you note that was delivered by Eagan on her behalf. While she was glad that she was getting stronger and could soon return home, she was somewhat saddened to think about leaving. She promised herself that she would return often to check on the people of this village.

As Eagan nuzzled her neck, Narisa closed her eyes and let out a soft sigh of pleasure. Old feelings of desire began to bubble up inside of her as she remembered their one and, so far, only night together. Seeing Eagan in uniform was enough to drive her crazy with desire, but she told herself that she would wait until they were married to sleep with him again. She would not risk her father finding out. She could not even imagine what he would do or say.

As Eagan pulled back she opened her eyes and smiled at him. She placed her book off to the side and watched him for a moment.

"I have a strong suspicion that you are not here to talk to me just about the village...."

It took real effort for Eagan to hold back his mirth at her words. God she was beautiful, he thought. “Indeed I did not...I wanted to...discuss ‘where’ our wedding would take place,” he said then hurried on in hopes she did not interject. He was afraid that if she did that she’d derail his thought process and he’d not be able to get out what he felt he needed to. “My...parents really want us to have it in Minas Tirith, you know how my mother is,” he said as he rolled his eyes. Eagan’s mother was very traditional and was very concerned about image and social status. To have the event in the white city was very likely to have the King and Queen attending and she wasn’t speaking of Eomer and Lindariel, who she considered to be beneath Elessar and Nauriel. Eagan hated this about his mother but he wanted to make her happy nonetheless.

It wasn’t that Narissa’s happiness or that of her mother, Queen Lindariel was any less important in his mind for it definitely was not. It was just that he had promised that he would discuss it and so here he was...discussing it with his wife to be. “Please, tell me what you really want my love,” he asked sweetly and his face grew into a very warm smile that was just for her. He was thinking of being with her...after the wedding and the thought made his cheeks color.

Narisa listened to what Eagan had to say quietly. She knew his mother and knew what she thought of Rohan. The woman hated traveling to Rohan and the only reason she had let her daughter engage with Theodred was because Theodred would one day be King, which would have made her daughter a Queen. Once that dream disappeared so did she.

"Eagan, my father would never allow it and you know that. I am the daughter of this country's King. To be married anywhere else would be an insult. It will take place in Edoras," she said with a finality to her voice.

Eagan only smiled and nodded. He knew what her response would be but he had promised that he'd ask. Now that he had done so they could put this business of 'where' the wedding would be aside. "As you wish," he said simply. "Shall I expect such a temper from you often? Or only when my mother is involved?" He smirked then laid his hand on her thigh. It was very warm through the sheets and it was placed quite high up and suggested that he had such rights to her already. He did it intentionally ofcourse to let her know that he wanted her and found her very beautiful right then.

Narisa smiled and rolled her eyes playfully at his teasing. However, she did wonder if she and his mother would get along. His mother had always shown respect towards her as a noble, but she could tell that she didn't necessarily think highly of her because she came from Rohan. His mother was rather stuck up in that regard, but Narisa was determined not to allow it to get to her. She was about to say something when she suddenly felt Eagan's hand on her upper high. It was a very bold move but she didn't stop him. She just hoped her mother wouldn't walk in.

"Well...I suppose that just leaves us deciding on a date then..." she said more softly.

"Aye, it does," he said also in a much softer voice. Their eyes were looking at one another's and that familiar heat came to his cheeks. And the memory of being with her. "We will be the most perfect couple in the city Narisa...I know it in my heart," he said in little more than a whisper. Right then the door creaked as if someone was turning the handle. His hand moved so fast off of her leg the door barely cracked enough to let light in before it was back at his side. Queen Lindariel came in with a basket of food and a crockery pitcher. As she closed the door behind her Eagan moved to relieve her of her burdens.

"Thank you Eagan," she said plainly and noticed immediately the flushness in both of their faces. "My queen," he said in rreply and brought them over to the table and set them down. Lindariel moved to Narisa then sat on the side of the bed. She touched her cheek with the back of her hand and smiled down at her. "A little color has come back into your face...that is...good I think," she said and smiled a knowing smile. She didn't know what exactly had gone on but it didn't exactly upset her either. Having Eomer fawn all over her when she had been hurt made her want to heal faster and so it would be with Narisa as well. She checked the wound. Being of Elven blood sped up healing and reduced the amount of scarring.

"It looks as if you might have a pale mark where the arrow went in and a thin, long one where..." She paused when she was about to mention Calaren. That would not due to say his name she thought. "Where you were cut," she amended. "The healers did well, remind me to commend them when we return home," she added then began to redress it. Eagan had began to set out plates and prepare the food she brought. Slices of meat, cheese, a hearty bread, plump red grapes and berries.

Narisa looked deeply into Eagan's eyes as she felt her cheeks flush with desire. However, she knew that they could do nothing and thus was somewhat relieved when her mother entered and broke the moment between them. Eagan moved his hand away quickly, but she could tell from the slight look in her mother's eyes that she could tell something had been going on. Her comment about the color in her cheeks made them flush even more and she glanced at Eagan with a little smile when her mother wasn't looking. She allowed her mother to check her wound, which was healing quickly. As her mother nearly mentioned Calaren, Narisa felt her breath catch in her throat. She had tried to force him from her mind, but little things kept reminding her of him...such as that scar, which would be a permanent part of her.

Two days later Narisa was finally strong enough to head back to Edoras. While Onyx was being saddled, Narisa walked the village and spoke to as many of the villagers as she could. There was still some rebuilding to do, but the villagers seemed positive about the future. Narisa promised them she would return before moving to Minas Tirith with Eagan following their wedding.

Once they were ready to go, Narisa was helped into her saddle. She would have to ride more slowly than she would have liked, but at least she was going home. With Eagan at her side, she looked back one more at the village before the small group started their journey back to Edoras.

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