Aragorn's little sister

22

Diana closed her eyes, not wanting to see the sight of Saruman's body. Legolas, noticing this, placed his hand on top of hers in comfort.

She threw him a thankful look, squeezing his hand as Merry sent a grin her way. She smiled at him, ruffling his hair with her other hand.

"Send word to all our allies and to every corner of Middle-Earth that still stands free." Gandalf turned to Theoden. "The enemy moves against us. We need to know where he will strike."

As the water wheel turned and Saruman's body was dragged into the water, the black crystal ball fell from his robes and into the water with a splash.

"The filth of Saruman is washing away." Treebeard states as he watched the White Wizard disappear. "Trees will come back to live here. Young trees. Wild trees."

Pippin slipped out of Aragron's saddle, striding through the water and towards the wheel.

"Pippin!" Aragorn called, but he ignored him, leaning down and picking up the mysterious crystal ball, which was nearly the size of his head.

"Bless my bark!" Treebeard exclaimed.

"Peregrin Took!" Gandalf came up besides the Hobbit. "I'll take that my lad. Quickly now."

Pippin hesitantly gave the crystal ball to Gandalf who snatched it away and quickly folded it in his robes, away from anyone's view.

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At last, the group finally reached Edoras, the women and children had already returned and the Rohirrim soldiers were reunited with their loved ones. Those who had lost loved ones, were grateful for their sacrifice in keeping them safe.

Diana was taken to Eowyn's room to get ready for the celebration, which was a tradition to celebrate a great victorious battle.

She had a heated bath, Eowyn washing her hair. "Thank you, my lady." Diana smiled up at her.

"Of course. Please call me Eowyn." there was a beat of silence. "You must've never gotten this treatment before."

"No, I haven't. My mother had died giving birth to me. I never had a mother to do girl things with. The two closest people I have known in my life are my brother and Legolas. And another elf woman named Tauriel."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring up those memories." Eowyn spoke up quickly as she watched the young girl grow quiet.

"It's okay. I've lived a happy life. I want others to be able to share in that happiness."

Eowyn smiled softly at her words. "Now, you must have a dress. You may go to my closet to pick out anything you would like."

"Anything? Really?"

"Of course."

After minutes of looking through the dresses, rifling them around, she spotted one she liked, trying it on.

"Oh, Lady Diana, it fits perfectly."

"Thank you! And please, call me Diana." Diana giggled and Eowyn smiled fondly at her. "You look beautiful too."

"Please. Let me do your hair. I've already done mine."

"Really?"

"Of course! Sit down here." she patted the chair next to a desk and began doing her hair as soon as Diana sat down.

There was a knock on the door and Eowyn left to open it. She came back a few seconds later. "It's for you." she told her.

Diana looked at her, confused but went to the door nevertheless. "Legolas? What are you doing here?"

"I came to escort you to the feast." he replied, holding out his arm to her. Diana smiled, putting her hand in Legolas' instead.

They walked the halls, until they met up with Aragorn, Gimli, Merry, and Pippin. Aragorn's eyes trailing to their linked hands before snapping back up before anyone could notice.

Diana went red in the face, not being comfortable wearing a dress in front of anybody.

"Sister, you look-" Aragorn got cut off.

"Exquisite." Legolas cut in, making Diana go even redder.

"Thank you." she whispered, wishing her hair would fall in front of her face.

They took their seats in the filling hall, watching as Eowyn walked up bowing to the king, a chalice in her hands. The king grabbed the cup, Eowyn looking up at him before going to the side.

The King held the cup out, everyone standing up with their pints.

"Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country." Theoden announced. "Hail the victorious dead!"

"Hail!" the hall repeated before drinking.

As Diana took her drink, Legolas watched from the corner of his eyes as she made a face, the bitter substance going down her throat.

It wasn't long after the toast that barrels upon barrels of mead and ale were brought out, the servants bringing out food.

It wasn't long before everyone was mingling, eating and drinking.

Legolas held Diana's hand the entire time, the two staying by each other's side, Gimli across from the two.

"No pauses, no spills." Eomer announced handing an ale to Legolas who looked confused.

"And no regurgitation." Gimli adds. 

The men start laughing, already getting drunk. "So, it's a drinking game?" Legolas catches on.

"Last one standing wins." Gimli confirms beginning to chug his drink as the soldiers around them cheered.

"What shall we drink to?"

"Let's drink to victory!"

"To victory!"

Legolas took his tankard gingerly, sniffing at it before taking a cautious sip. 

The tankards kept piling up, Gimli chugging at his ales, Eomer keeping the ales coming. Gimli stood up, checking the pile that Legolas had before sitting back down.

"It's the dwarves that go swimming with little hairy women!" he laughed as he took another tankard. Diana giggled as she watched the two drink.

"I feel something." Legolas said, looking down at his hands, a worried tone. "A slight tingle in my fingers. I think it's affecting me."

Gimli slammed his tankard down, laughing. "What did I say? He can't hold his liquor." he managed to say before going cross-eyed, falling backwards.

Diana went silent, as Legolas looked at Eomer. "Game over." he announced before Diana fell into even more giggles.

Legolas looked over at her giggling self, the light in the hall seeming to reflect her as she giggled, bringing a smile to Legolas' lips.

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I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Feel free to vote and comment and remember to take care of yourselves. Have a great day!

Dress: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/744149538431877627/

Hairstyle: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/744149538444205477/