Aerin really did not expect her hair to look so pretty. Éowyn was a miracle-worker; though Aerin was highborn at least partially, she'd never felt like it until that day. The way she braided her hair up in a beautiful bun was a work of art, and the dress she gave Aerin was nothing less either. She felt like a princess, and Aerin genuinely enjoyed the feeling. She could not help twirling around and watching the soft dress twirl around her. It was a dark green and golden dress with intricate details all over. It was long and reached the floor even with her heels on. It was the most beautiful thing she'd ever worn. ''Well, Éowyn, if I ever get married, I will make sure to go through your wardrobe.'' She laughed. ''Oh, Aerin, you look beautiful!''
The only thing Aerin did not like was the fact that the small patch of cloth covering her wound was visible now that she'd put her hair up. She was never in the mood for Aragorn's questions. Legolas would be no better either. Aerin took a deep breath as she looked out of the window. "I'll meet you downstairs in a minute.." Éowyn nodded.
The Hall was already filled with people when Aerin got there. As she slowly entered the door she felt all eyes on her. Her eyes fixed on Legolas who she had given the cold shoulder to earlier that same day. She gave him a weak smile. "Á tulë, á matë ar á sucë merendo!" (Come, eat and drink of the feast!) Aragorn whispered so only she could hear and she smiled. The first smile in a while. Aerin was most amused, and most embarrassed by the reactions of her companions to the way she looked. Gimli gaped, Aragorn made a joke only she understood, and Legolas... she dared not assume what his reaction was. ''You look... very pretty,'' he said, and for the first time since she'd met him he seemed almost nervous. She knew her foolish heart would jump at that opportunity to make something more of it, so she thanked them and joked and brushed them off quickly. Aerin was both ecstatic and disappointed by Legolas's reaction. It was terrible; her heart was stupid. It was exhausting and she did not want to be thinking about it at all.
When she turned around and noticed some of the Rohirrim soldiers were looking in her direction. She fiddled with her elbows, as Éowyn snook up behind her. "Most of them thought you were dead, remember..?" Aerin chuckled lightly. "How could I forget when everyone's looking my way.." She replied.
There was chatter and laughter and smiles everywhere she turned; but soon it all died down for a few moments, long enough for the King to raise a cup for our victory and say a few words. ''Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead!'' The entire crowd responded in unision - ''Hail!'' - and they all drank in the honour of those who fell. With every sip Aerin remembered a face, and the last one was Haldir. She dedicated a silent prayer to him only, as she finished her cup, not wanting to cry and make a scene again. The King's speech wasn't long, but it was wonderful and they all silently listened. Éomer stood by his side, and he looked very handsome, very proud and kingly, Aerin thought.
It didn't take long for the celebration to turn into a raucous party, with music and everyone dancing and drinking and laughing and hugging. Aerin grinned like a fool just watching the people around her; everyone was so happy. It made her want to feel happier than she ever thought it could. But she couldn't. ''Come on, lass, we don't celebrate every day! Here!'' Gimli tried to help Aerin let loose and have a few more drinks. But she knew how that could turn out; she knew it would not take her too much for the spirits to get to her head. ''Oh god no, Gimli, I'm a horrible drinker!''
''Who cares, lassie! Have fun, tomorrow's a new day... For all we know, we might not even get a tomorrow!'' Gimli said as he gulped down another mug of the beverage. Aerin saw his point. She hated that she agreed completely. ''Alright, Master Dwarf. Fill it up,'' she said, trying not to laugh at her own foolish self. ''Yes! Hahaha, that's what I like to hear!''
So Aerin took some mead instead, hoping it wouldn't drunken her as quickly as wine did. She tried to sip slowly, but Gimli insisted she should just gulp it down for the fun of it. Even as she drank, she knew it was a bad idea, but she did not care. Gimli seemed to be drunk already. By the time he gulped down another mug, he was already talking battle and bravado. Several times Aerin laughed to tears. ''And did you see the lassie here? Did I not tell ye? Better to have one woman on your side than ten men! Eh? Hehehehe!"
''Oh, Gimli. You flatter me,'' Aerin laughed, ''You taught me the Shield Wall, you're the Master.''
''Eh? It may be that I am, young lass,'' he took another large sip, ''But it may also be that I'm just a crazy old Dwarf. Either way, you're a better warrior than any of these men will ever be!'' he exclaimed, pointing everywhere at once in his drunkenness, his ale almost spilling over. ''Shhhh. Gimli!'' Aerin hissed. ''Aragorn!''
''Are you finally having fun?'' Aragorn asked Aerin with a grin. Aerin rolled her eyes, but doing so she spilt her beer all over her dress. ''Are you drunk?'' Aragorn laughed. ''Aragorn! No, I'm not drunk!'' Gimli butted in, ''Maybe just a little bit, lassie.''
''Gimli!'' Aerin shouted glaring at the drunk Dwarf. ''What?'' Aerin sighed. ''Even if I were drunk, it'd be all your fault, so-''Someone interrupted her. ''What is Gimli's fault?'' They heard a voice question. ''Aye, Legolas!'' Gimli cheered. ''Are you drunk?'' Legolas asked Aerin with the most amused grin on his face. ''Why does everyone find this so funny?! Where did you all start appearing from?'' Aerin said as she looked around. ''She's drunk,'' Aragorn feigned to whisper to Legolas who chuckled. ''Aragorn! I will kill you!'' Aerin shouted. And she wasn't drunk. Not entirely, but she was just silly enough to start chasing him around the pillars ready to punch him. He only laughed, and played along with her like he was child again himself.
Soon, more people gathered around to drink with them. Éomer came up with the stupid idea of a drinking game. Gimli insisted on playing, and he insisted on challenging Legolas, because what would a victory be if not over an Elf? And an Elvish princeling at that. So Éomer handed them both mugs of ale with a smile telling Aerin he half knew what was going to happen, and he handed a few mugs to the Rohirrim around them as well. Then he proceeded with the instructions.''No pauses, no spills. And no regurgitation.''
''If I even dared to try this, I'd die in no time,'' Aerin said, leaning safely against the table. ''So it's a drinking game? Alright,'' nodded Legolas. ''Aye, last one standing wins,'' Gimli excitedly said loudly, and laughed, all too confident about his impending victory.
It was just too amusing to watch. Mug after mug, the Rohirrim around started slowly giving up. Éomer and Aerin watched Gimli and Legolas in disbelief. Gimli looked like he would pass out any moment, whereas Legolas looked completely unaffected by the beverage. Aerin laughed every time she realised how eager Gimli was to win that game, and it was absolutely impossible. ''You can do it, Gimli!'' Aerin shouted. ''Here, here. It's the dwarves that go swimming with little hairy women,'' Gimli mumbled as he drank another mug. By that time he no longer knew what he was talking about, nor how to sit straight in his chair. Éomer and Aerin laughed like mad. ''I feel something!'' Legolas said suddenly, feeling up his own fingers, ''A slight tingling in my fingers. I think it's affecting me!''
''What did I say? He can't hold his liquor!'' Gimli finally said before he passed out and fell off his chair and at that moment Éomer and Aerin burst into laughter to tears and it took them a while before they were sensible enough to help their Dwarf friend up off the floor. ''This is hardly fair,'' Aerin said, ''Do we have Elvish wine? Legolas might as well have been drinking water!''
''Too late, game over,'' Legolas smiled with satisfaction and Aerin gave him a look. ''I believe you owe me a dance, my lady.'' Aerin heard a voice behind her. ''Merry!'' Aerin did not even see him approach her, tiny as he was, and now he was extending his hand towards Aerin, bowing his head a little, asking her all too formally for a dance. ''That would be me, Merry,'' Pippin squeezed in next to him. ''And why do I owe either of you a dance?''
''You promised!'' The hobbits smiled at Aerin who looked confused. ''In Rivendell! Remember?'' And then it dawned on Aerin. ''Ah, yes. That, too, would be Aragorn's fault, I believe.''
''So?'' Merry nudged his hand forward. ''Would you care to dance with me, fair lady?''
''Oh, Merry,'' Aerin chuckled, ''Alright. One dance with each. But under one condition - you have to teach me that dance from the Shire.'' And so they taught Aerin their little stepping dance and she danced with them each as she promised. She couldn't remember the last time she'd laughed so much. She'd missed dancing, to be truthful.
YOU ARE READING
to love someone else
Fanfic''My heart doesn't matter, does it? Even if it is true, and he feels something for me too, it is still doomed to fail, isn't it? Elves can only love once. I am doomed to die of heartbreak, it's my fate as I know Haldir was the one... I'd never want...
