A Half Elf's Love

An Ambush

Sheets were pulled around my body when I opened my eyes. I hadn't returned to the dream, like I'd wished. I was still in Rohan, in Edoras, in Meduseld. All alone.

"Deliadis? Are you alright?" Rúmil stood at the edge of my bed, a phial of medicine on the palm of his hand. He looked worried. I didn't say a word. My heart was aching. I needed Elladan. Rúmil sat beside me, taking my hand. "Deliadis you cannot live in a dream. It will kill you. Elladan very much wants you alive, as does your brother and everyone else here. Please do not wander where no one can find you again." Tears ran along my face. He was right. He was absolutely right. It was killing me. Rúmil hugged me, placing the phial in my hands. "It is for headaches, in case you have any."

"Thank you, Rúmil. Thank you." He smiled and left, presumably going back to Elrohir. I shoved the phial into my bag, which was beside the bed. Walking down the halls, Aragorn turned a corner, carrying swords. He dropped them when he saw me, and quickly threw his arms around me. He wasn't crying but he was close.

"Delia...please just speak to me when you're hurting. I can't lose you sister. I can't lose you." I returned the hug, until someone cleared their throat. It was Legolas. He smiled and walked away. Aragorn kissed my forehead, giving me one last hug before explaining what was going on. "Gandalf has left. We must flee to Helms Deep, as Saruman may attack Edoras." I nodded and stepped into action, trying to push the more depressing thoughts about Elladan away from my mind. I told myself constantly that he would be alright. An hour later, everyone who could ride and owned a horse was on one, even Gimli had his own. We all followed behind Théoden, who eventually called me forward.

"I know your face. You have visited my kingdom before." I nodded.

"Your Majesty you may know me as Spitfire, a ranger of the North." Théoden's eyes twinkled as he remembered the last time I was in Rohan. Nearly ten years ago I had journeyed to Rohan to find out why orcs were roaming the plains. They had simply been scatter brained rabble, but I had worked with Éomer, and spoken with Théoden on many occasions. After the orc issue was solved, I stayed for a few days and messed around the kingdom, having fun with Éomer. I had a small crush on him at the time, but I never truly followed through with it and let it die out. Théoden and I talked quietly, that was until Gimli started shouting loud enough to Éomer's younger sister, Éowyn. I didn't know the woman very well, but she seemed like a very kind soul. I had heard of Théodred, but I never met the man, as he was busy doing something else while I was after orcs. My thoughts were interrupted once more with Gimli shouting again.

"It's true you don't see many dwarf women. And in fact, they are so alike in voice and appearance, they are often mistaken for dwarf men." My brother, who was off his horse whispered to Éowyn.

"It's the beards." Gimli didn't hear and continued to speak loudly.

"And this in turn has given rise to the belief that there are no dwarf women. And the dwarves just spring out of holes in the ground!" Éowyn laughed, as did Gimli, and he finished his story. "Which is of course ridiculous. Whoa!" Gimli's horse bolted forward, causing him to fall. I started to laugh, and rode forward to grab the horse. Gimli continued shouting from his position on the ground. "It's all right! It's all right. Nobody panic. That was deliberate. It was deliberate."

"I'm sure it was Gimli!" He grumbled at my comment as Éowyn helped him up. Aragorn rode back to talk to Théoden, and I stayed with Éowyn. I saw her look at my brother with some sort of adoration. I dismounted, holding my horses reigns and walking beside her.

"You are Lord Aragorn's sister? What is your name? Mine is Éowyn." I made a face, and answered the question.

"I am his half sister. We share a mother, but my father was an elf. My name is Deliadis, or Delia." Éowyn looked a little surprise.

"So you are an elf?" I nodded, not wanting to explain the complexities of half elves. "Does he...Lord Aragorn does...um he..." Éowyn looked rather embarrassed as she finally managed to find the words. "Does he have a lover?" I blinked for a moment, surprised at the question. "Delia?" I snapped back to reality, answering her question.

"Yes. My brother is engaged to an elf maiden." Éowyn's face fell. She looked crushed at the information. "I'm sorry. I'm sure you'll find someone Éowyn. We all have that someone."

"Do you?" I nodded, once again pushing away the painful thoughts and memories about Elladan. I couldn't afford to fall off a cliff that I couldn't climb back up. Eventually we all stopped for a rest and then resumed walking. A shout echoed through the valley.

"A scout!" It was Legolas. We were being attacked. Éowyn hurried to speak to her uncle and I rode up beside me brother. I drew my sword, ready to kill the vile creatures. We charged into battle, and I watched as Legolas swung onto his and Gimli's horse.

"Show off!" Legolas rolled his eyes at my comment and we clashed with the warg riders. The riders weren't terribly skilled, but neither were the remaining soldiers. It was a harsh battle and we lost a few men, but we survived. I dismounted my horse, looking for my brother. I called out for him, until I heard a cough. It was a dying orc. He was laughing. Gimli appeared beside me, gripping the orc's vest. He shouted at the vile thing.

"Tell me what happened and I will ease your passing!" There was something nestled in the orc's hand. It spoke, clearly dying quickly. Elrohir and Rúmil appeared behind us with Legolas.

"He's...dead. He took a little tumble off the cliff." I slapped the orc's face, shouting at the thing.

"You lie!" The orc laughed and died. Its hand opened. The Evenstar was in its hand. I started shaking. I pulled the necklace from the orc's hand, and tears began to run along my face. My brother was dead. Elrohir placed a hand on my shoulder. My brother was dead. I hadn't expected this. My brother wasn't supposed to die at eighty seven. He said he'd be my side as long as he could be. This wasn't what was supposed to happen. My hands kept shaking as I held the necklace. My brother couldn't be dead. He just couldn't. That wasn't right. It wasn't right.