to love someone else

Chapter 44: drunk

When Aerin danced, it sloshed in her cup and flew onto the clothing of many—including Legolas.

It was not long until most of the fellowship had stopped drinking. Gandalf, Theoden and Eowyn had retired early for they were exhausted and had no interest in getting drunk. Merry, Pippin, and Gimli however had started a drinking contest while the two human men observed with laughter. Legolas only had two pints, after his competition, which did absolutely nothing for him. Aerin on the other hand was on her 6th? 7th? She had lost track a long time ago and was completely utterly waisted.

Currently, the female elleth was on the top of the table dancing and laughing with the two hobbits (who were slightly less drunk). The three beings' arms were locked and they were swinging around and around giggling uncontrollably. Merry and Pippin sung tavern songs terribly while accidentally kicking the bowls of peanuts to the floor with their large hairy feet. It was quite a sight, amusing to all onlookers. Pippin nodded in Legolas's direction. The elf was sitting at the bar talking to the barkeep for he was the quiet type and preferred calm company.

"Aerin, what do you think of Legolas?" She stumbled and let out a loud belch before slurring out, "He's ssuper talll." Pippin grinned, "I agree with you there as I am quite short as well! But he's considered average if you compare him to Strider and Boromir." A confused look crossed the elf's face for a moment before she giggled again. "Oh....right...." She then called out to Gimli sitting below her, "PASS ME ANOTHER PINT!" The Dwarf immediately handed her another and she took a big swig from it.

With his slightly elf hearing, Aragorn listened in on the conversion. He couldn't help but smirk at the drunken stupidity of Aerin. He observed that she had always been a carefree spirit and it seemed that alcohol brought that aspect out further. However, as soon as he heard her call for another pint he knew he needed to interfere. She was incredibly intoxicated and adding another drink to that would not be smart. Aragorn left his stool and briskly walked towards the table of his friends. Aerin's grin widened when she saw the human prince, "Aragorn!"

Merry then insisted that he join their dancing  again and Aerin released another giggle, but the moment was interrupted as the female elf lost her footing and fell forward—off the table. She felt her body smack against the floor and Gimli fell into hysterics. 

Far on the other side, a pretty blonde maiden of Rohan that looked far too young to even be allowed to the feast was speaking to Legolas. She dropped an apple, then picked it up, cleaned it against her dress and then offered it to Legolas with the most shy blush on her face. Why Aerin felt jealous was beyond her - girls during events such as these always had an eye for the Elf, and they always tried to start up conversations with him. It never bothered her. But maybe it was because he always somehow wiggled out of those situations and found his way to her. Maybe Aerin was jealous because he was not doing so now, but smiling as kindly at her as possible. Aerin gulped down some more mead and pulled Éomer by his arm. She was sure she wouldn't have done that in a million years, hadn't she had something to drink. But she did not care. ''Come! Let us dance!''

And dance they did, and it took Aerin some more laughter and just a bit more mead to forget all about Legolas. She was growing tired and sweaty. ''I'm thirsty. For water, I mean,'' Aerin said, not wanting to sound like a person with a drinking-problem. She could barely catch her breath. Éomer chuckled, but they couldn't find any water around them so they made their way to the kitchen quarters in search for it.

The kitchen chambers were completely empty. Éomer filled a cup of water for Aerin and handed it to her, before he leaned against the wall and waited. He looked so handsome. Aerin was sure it was all the mead messing up my mind but he looked more handsome than ever. She thanked him politely before she gulped down the entire thing. "Thirsty indeed," he chuckled, ''More?''

''Yes, please.''

''Here.''

''How are you not thirsty after all that ale?'' Aerin asked, amused. ''That would be because I am not a girl who can't hold her liquor,'' he grinned as he sat next to me. ''Hey!'' Aerin protested, feigning to punch him and he only laughed. ''Ah I must be honest. No more drinking for me this night. My judgement is already as clouded as it gets.''

''Well, not everyone is Legolas.'' Éomer joked. ''We need to get Elvish wine for him the next time, he cannot keep beating us all. Though I'm not good with Elvish wine." Aerin plotted. ''Absolutely, I'll go to Esgaroth to fetch it myself if need be. We'll go together and make sure that it is extra strong.'' Éomer added. ''Deal,'' Aerin chuckled. ''You dance very well.''

''I know, it's... one of my talents since I can remember.'' She boasted throwing her hands around. ''You should teach me some. While I'm still drunk enough not to care of the embarrassment.'' Aerin laughed. ''You? Oh I could hardly teach you. I'm jesting! Alright, let me show you a few steps. This one is easy. Here. You have to put your arm around my waist.'' It was a battle Aerin had with her own self not to laugh at the man before her as he clumsily tried to do everything as he was told. After a few tries, however, he didn't look so silly anymore. He managed to learn the steps and the next thing Aerin knew he was twirling her around, leading the dance. ''Well, would you believe that,'' Aerin laughed. ''Soon I will be better than you.''

''Oh will you now?'' He twirled her out and pulled her back into him. ''I believe I will.''

Aerin grew flustered, and she would have probably blushed in a normal situation, for he was now close enough for her to feel his warm breath against her lips. She shouldn't have drunk so much, and he shouldn't have either. But she did not blink. For one moment - just one fleeting moment - she found herself wishing he would kiss her.

He looked so handsome, and with mead giving Aerin courage and setting her desires on fire, she felt something stirring inside her. It was nothing but physical attraction, and none of it would have happened had she listened to her reason about the whole drinking affair. Her mind was in a haze, and she did not think much - it all happened in barely a long moment: he leaned in towards her and placed his lips on hers, cupping her cheek with one hand. His lips were soft, but also firm in a sense, and he seemed to be a rally good kisser and it took all the strength of Aerin's will to pull away and stop it right on time. She knew it was a mistake. ''I'm sorry,'' Aerin said, her breathing uneven, ''I cannot.''

''No, I am sorry,'' he said, looking absolutely guilty, ''I meant no disrespect.''

''I know you did not,'' Aerin insisted, and she put her hand on his arm and looked him right in the eyes hoping to reassure him, ''You are a good man, Éomer, a very good man, and you are my friend, and I could never hold against you something we're both equally guilty of,'' She smiled. ''My moment of weakness,'' he smiled weakly. ''And mine too.''

''Lucky is the man who has your heart,'' he said with a smile, and at that Aerin felt she could break into two. ''How do you know there is someone who has my heart?'' Aerin asked. ''I simply know,'' he shrugged. ''Well, he is not very lucky for it.''

 ''He doesn't know,'' he concluded, though it was more of a question than needed confirmation, ''You wouldn't be here with me if he knew.''

''Oh it is not like that. He's dead." There was a pause, "That's why I made a scene that night.." Aerin fiddled with her hands. "But there is someone else on my mind now.. though he wouldn't do anything about it. Let us hope he never knows.''

''Then he is a fool,'' he smiled. ''I- It is complicated. I wish to forget about him altogether. I- I wish it were you, but I cannot- I-'' He interrupted her. ''I know,'' he smiled, brushing off a stray strand of hair off her face, ''Do not worry. I will hate the man you choose because he is not me. Still, I will love him if he makes you smile. Come, let us dance some more before it is over.''