Aravan {A Lord of the Rings Story}

E•I•G•H•T

A/N: Okay, I have a couple things to say before you begin:

1. Sorry it's taken so long to update, I've been out of town for the past three days, and I didn't have a chance to finish this chapter before I left :P But hey, I'm back now! :)

2. This is just a filler chapter, so it's much much MUCH shorter than any of the previous chapters, so just saying now, there's not much plot development, but there is character development :)

3. I realize that my timeline is a tad bit off. When Artanis arrives in Edoras, it's supposed to be right after Grima Wormtongue has been sent away. When she bursts in, they are discussing what to do about the oncoming attack, and soon after, it is announced that the city is to be evacuated, which is seen shortly after. So, I would like to point out that they did not say WHEN they would evacute, so this all has taken place in that little imaginary time space that I have just made up for you all ;) Just to clear things up.

And now, here is chapter eight! Please enjoy! :)

E•I•G•H•T

            Artanis woke in the evening of the following day. Her head was still stuck in a fog of trauma and shock. She groaned and sat up, lightly rubbing her side. She winced at the pain that still lingered there. The bed that she was lying in was large and covered in clean, white blankets. The walls were made of thick planks of wood and the floors were laid with slabs of stone. Warm light shone from torches bolted near the door.

            Artanis’s dark locks fell around the frame of her face as she leaned forward more, observing the room. As sad as she was, the room made her feel safe and comfortable, and she was thankful for that.

‘You’re awake!’ someone cried happily.

Artanis turned to see Éowyn standing in the doorway. Her blonde hair fell to her waist in a tight, intricate braid. Little white flowers were weaved into it in random places. She wore a simple red dress with a scoop neck and sleeves that reached her elbows. A silver belt rested on her hips.

‘I was worried about you,’ she said, coming forward and taking a seat on the edge of the bed. ‘How are you feeling?’

‘Still sore,’ Artanis replied. ‘Still sad. But, much better.’

‘I am very glad to hear it,’ Éowyn said, smiling. ‘Are you hungry?’

Artanis nodded. ‘I suppose I could eat something.’

‘Wonderful. They’re serving dinner upstairs right now. Shall I help you get ready?’

Artanis smiled and nodded. She got out of bed and allowed Éowyn to help her look a little more presentable. Éowyn led her to a basin where she could wash her tear stained face. The water was cool and refreshing. When she finished washing up, Éowyn gave her a long, forest green gown with thin gold trim to wear. Artanis went to slip it on. She was shocked when she looked in the mirror. She looked so frail and pallid it was almost frightening. When she returned from dressing, Éowyn smiled at her.

‘You look lovely,’ she said.

Artanis smiled. ‘Thank you.’

Éowyn had her sit down of the bed in front of her as she got to work on her hair. She gently combed through it, working all the knots out of it and leaving it shiny and slightly curly. She pulled the hair into a large ball that she pinned near her neck, tucking a white flower much like the ones in her hair into it when she finished.