A Woman's Heart

Gift from a King

Alright, so whenever I have a picture of something or someone who doesn't belong to the canon universe, I will be adding a little author's note at the beginning of the chapter, to explain to you lovelies, what the picture is supposed to represent. Kay? :3

So for this chapter I added a picture of Leeya's necklace. In a way it's supposed to symbolize Arwen's jewel, however I wanted it to be different and remind Aragorn not only of Leeya herself, but also of his (and her) Dúnedain roots. More about the jewel itself and what it really means to Leeya will be revealed throughout the story ;)

Also, just so no one will be confused at the various types of writing I'll be using in the story, here's a little legend for ya:

This is Elvish

'This'  is transcription of thoughts

"This"  is what I like to call "special speech" such as dreams, flashbacks etc.

But enough ranting outta me. Enjoy, lovelies~ ( ˘ ³˘)❤

= oOo =

Within minutes since they had passed through the gates, Elrond and Gilraen approached them, the woman embracing her son.

"I did not expect you back so soon." she smiled, placing a kiss onto his forehead.

"I would not have returned yet, mother, if I did not have good reason to stray."

Having pinned her gaze onto the Noble Elf standing a few steps behind, Leeya was startled when Aragorn placed his hands onto her waist, getting her off the stallion's back.

"My Lord Elrond, I would be forever grateful if you would have this child here, as you had me all these years."

Silently watching the girl for a few moments, the Elf then lightly nodded.

"Is she of your race?" he asked, his stern but melodious tone again startling her.

"Yes... her name is Leeya."

Slightly widening her eyes at the unexpected news, Gilraen stepped closer and set her gentle gaze onto the child.

"Where did you find her?"

"I fished her out of the sea a week past... the ship carrying her and her family sank into the storm."

When Leeya raised her gaze to her, Gilraen offered the girl a warm smile. Placing a hand onto her cheek afterwards, the elder woman's expression now took on a sorrowful shade.

"Poor child..."

Moving onto her knees, the woman then gingerly grasped Leeya's hands.

"I know I will never replace your parents... but if you would let me, I will raise you as I raised my own son." she said with a loving smile.

Lowering her gaze when she felt tears in her eyes, the child nodded and returned Gilraen's grasp; how could she refuse such kindness? Where else could she go and hope to survive?

"Thank you..." she whispered.

Releasing her hands, the woman now reached out and embraced the girl, slightly startled when Leeya seemed to give in to the mixture of emotions within her heart and returned her gesture in the act of clinging to her; it was that act which served to remind Aragorn that – no matter how well she had handled herself on the road – she was still a child who had barely lost her parents. Thus even he felt compelled to briefly set a hand onto the girl's head, earning a warm smile from Gilraen.

"Everything will be alright, you will see." she said while soothingly stroking the child's hair.

Standing once the girl seemed to have settled down a bit, she led Leeya inside so as to bathe her and give her some clean clothes. She had always wanted a daughter as well after she had birthed Aragorn, but with her husband's death it had remained only a dream; and now, it seemed, fate had decided to heed her wish.