Aravan {A Lord of the Rings Story}

T•W•E•N•T•Y • T•H•R•E•E

A/N: Only 2 more chapters to go! I'm so sad that it's almost over! :( But I have loved every moment of writing it and hearing all of your feedback! Seriously, I know I say it all the time, but thank you guys so so so much for your support; it means the entire world to me <3

Anyway, here's chapter 23! Hope you enjoy! :)

T•W•E•N•T•Y • T•H•R•E•E

            The whole of Minas Tirith was celebrating the return of their king-to-be.  White flower petals littered the streets and seemed to rain endlessly from above. The white tree was displayed across banners that hung through the city. People shared goods and laughter. Children ran through the streets, squealing and giggling and shoving through the hanging sheets of white. There was ubiquitous dancing and singing and jubilee.

            Aravan had joined the festivities with Éowyn and Faramir. She was dressed in a midnight blue gown outlined with silver trim that flowed loosesly beneath her torso. Éowyn had pulled her hair into an intricate updo: all the hair had been pulled back from her face, but hung down her back. Small loops dotted the top of her head, giving the appearance of black roses, and in the center of those roses were tiny silver beads. Éowyn wore her hair down, but upon her head sat a circlet of gold. She was dressed in a snowy white gown that swished around her with every move that she made.

            While she and Faramir weaved through the crowds, mingling with those around them, fingers interlaced, Aravan hung back and played with the children. She chased them as they ran from her, giggling. When she caught them, she would pick them up and twirl them around while they squealed in surprise and delight. Once they tuckered out, she braided the girls’ hair and helped the boys in their stance as they fought each other with sticks for swords. As she ran her fingers through yet another little girl’s hair, Aravan looked up noticed a familiar pair of dark eyes.

            Accompanying these eyes was an amused smirk and tousled blonde hair.

            ‘Hello,’ Hallas said, approaching her.

‘Hello,’ she replied blankly.

‘It is wonderful to see you again under less dire circumstances.’

She smiled. ‘It is wonderful to see you as well.’

He motioned to the open seat next to her. ‘May I?’

‘Please,’ she said, scooting over a little so as to give him more room to sit.

He took his place next to her. Unsure of what else to say, Aravan continued on the little girl’s hair, carefully weaving her cherry red tendrils together. Hallas watched intently as her nimble fingers turned this way and that.

‘You’re very skilled with hair,’ he commented.

‘Thank you,’ she said with a laugh, blushing and tying the last of the hair off. She smoothed down the curls that had escaped from their hold with her hand and patted the child’s head, indicating that it was time for her to get down. After she slid down from atop her knees, no more children came to her. Instead, they all played with each other nearby.

‘Where were you for the rest of the battle?’ she asked after a while.

‘Down by the front gates,’ he answered. ‘Where were you?’

‘Gandalf sent me back up to the top to “keep watch”,’ she sighed. ‘I wish I could have fought. I felt so useless sitting up there and doing nothing to help.’

‘I am actually quite relieved that you didn’t.’

‘And why is that?’

‘That fight was brutal. You could have been seriously injured.’