The Mordorien - LOTR/Aragorn Fanfic

VI. Battle Wounds

"Miss. If you could start me a bath, I'd be thankful."
"Yes madam." She said and ran to get the buckets.
I slowly nodded and sighed to myself. My hand hovered over my wound and I shrugged my shoulders to readjust my cloak.
I slowly walked into the bathroom where two women were filling the bath, and I began lighting some candles. The glow of the flame filled the room and the bath was ready.
I shrugged off my cloak and it fell to my feet. I kicked off my boots the best I could and took off my skirt before I took off my braies. I then felt a presence at the door and shook my head.
"What is it Thorongil. Came to boast?" I asked and looked over at him.
He was standing in the doorway with his arms crossed and his face hidden from the light. He then took a step forwards and looked at the women.
"Would you leave us alone for a second?" He asked.
The women nodded without saying a word, and squeezed past Thorongil, who closed the door behind them.
"You're hurt." He said.
"I'm fine." I replied.
"I told you not to get hurt." He said as he walked forwards.
"No, you told me not to get killed." I said. "There's a difference."
"It all means the same." Thorongil muttered.
"So what's it to you?" I asked, and Thorongil now stood in front of me.
"Show it to me." He said.
"What?" I said and shook my head. "There's no need."
Thorongil then grabbed my corset and pulled it apart, completely letting my breasts bounce free. I gasped and slapped at his hands, and then covered my own body. I then groaned and bent over in pain.
"Agh... damn you Thorongil." I muttered.
I then stood back up straight and looked down at my wound. It was a deep gash from the pirates sword, right through the corset and across the ribs. No wonder it hurt to breathe.
Thorongil then gently grabbed my arms and lowered them to my sides. I couldn't help but get flustered and bowed my head.
"No need to be ashamed." He whispered. "Come."
We walked over to the bath together and he sat me down on the stool. He then grabbed a rag and got it damp from the bath water. He began cleaning my wound attentively, his gaze serious as he wiped away the blood. I clenched my teeth and tried not to move as he patted the wound.
"Why must you help me?" I asked, canceling out the silence in the room.
Thorongil was silent. "You're hurt." Was all he said.
I asked him another question. "Why do you care if I am hurt or not?"
Silence. And then I finally caught on.
"You're upset?" I said.
Thorongil paused what he was doing. He just stared at my wound, glanced at my breasts, and then looked up at me.
"I feel guilty." He said and continued cleaning my wound.
"Guilty?" I asked.
"You should've never had gone. I never should have put you in harms way." Thorongil said. "I'll never put you in harms way again..."
"This is my battle too." I quietly said, but there was no response.
I was now quiet as he finished cleaning my wound, and he even wrapped my chest with a bandage for me. I stood up to grab my cloak, but he grabbed it for me. I wrapped it around myself, but Thorongil grabbed something before I could completely cover myself.
"What's this?" He asked.
I peered down at his hand, and in it was my necklace that I wear all the time. It was a sliver chain with a simple pearl attached.
"It was my mother's." I whispered.
I then pulled back, making him drop his hand, and crossed my arms over my chest. Thorongil was silent now, deep into his own thoughts. I couldn't help but stare into his eyes and know a similar face.
"Aragorn..." I said.
He raised his head and stared at me emotionless. I take a step forwards and raise my hand.
"I see Ilsildur in your eyes... his courage. His strength." I said and cupped his face with my hands.
"His weakness." Aragorn whispered.
I just sighed and caressed his cheeks, and shook my head. I leaned in and closed my eyes.
"But you are not the man he once was." I whispered.
Aragorn stood there motionless, until he quickly stepped out of my grasp. I gasped quietly and opened my eyes, and saw him staring at me with glossed eyes. Without another word, he turned around and fled from the room.

~~~~~~~

It has dawned a new day, but Thorongil was no where to be seen. Ecthelion got word of our success and for the first time I actually saw him smile. Though our success will be short lived, for Mordor still moves.
I asked the guards and the city folk if they've seen Thorongil, and turns out he left during the night. He gave his leave to Ecthelion and officially left Minas Tirith. By now he's probably out of the lands of Gondor. I don't know where he went, but he's gone.