Aleana and Aragorn

Chapter 9

***Aleana POV***

I sit by the window next to Strider, looking at the inn across from us where we would have rested. The Black Riders enter, stabbing down on the beds in a slashing, hacking frenzy. The other are asleep, but they wake at the noise, looking out the window as well. Suddenly they pull back the blankets to reveal the pillows we had placed strategically. They shriek with rage and I place my hand on my head, closing my eyes tight, hoping for the pain to pass. 

A hand on my shoulder has me opening my eyes and meeting Strider's blue orbs. He looks concerned as he leans in to see if I'm well in the dark room.

"Are you alright my lady?" My eyes stay glued to his and my heart hammers against my chest at his closeness. He looks at me and I realize I hadn't answered him, my eyes dropping as I gently pull away. He leans away as well, still looking to me.

"Yes, just a headache. They are quite frequent at the moment. And please do not call me my lady. I am just Aleana."

He shoots a smile towards me and I can't help the blush that rises to my cheeks, glad for the darkness of the room. I turn and see Sam, Merry and Pippin sitting awake on Strider's bed. Frodo comes to stand by me and I gently take his hand, hoping to relax him. He squeezes my hand in gratitude and does not let go as he peers out nervously as the furious riders gallop away. 

"What are they," Frodo asks. 

"They were once men," Strider glances quickly at Frodo, then at me, perhaps to make sure if he should continue. I nod and he does starts speaking again.

"Great Kings of men. Then Sauron the deceiver gave to them Nine Rings of Power. Blinded by their greed they took them without question, one by one falling into darkness and now they are slaves to his will."

I pick up from there, "they are the Nazgul, Ringwraiths, neither living or dead. At all times they feel the presence of the ring...drawn to the power of the one...they will never stop hunting you. That is why father told you not to put on the ring, for when you do so, it calls to them and they will know exactly where you are. You must be careful from now forth Frodo."

Frodo nods and I send the four hobbits back to bed, and although it takes time, they finally fall asleep.

"Would you like to sleep Strider," I ask and he turns to look at me.

"No and my name is Aragorn, you may use it," he replies.

"Thank you for trusting me with your name. I know as a Ranger, you only tell your name to few trusted. Can I ask a question," he nods and I continue, "how is it like, to be a Ranger of the North? Not many regard you in good words, mostly because they fear you. Does it trouble you?"

"Being a Ranger allows me to see my strengths, it gives me purpose in this life, one that I had long looked for. Perhaps it is good others fear me for they know the things I can do. Why should the truth trouble me?"

"Because you may be dangerous, but as long as you use your strengths for good, only the enemy should fear you not others. When I saw you sitting in the corner and our eyes met, I didn't feel in danger, quite the opposite. At that moment I felt like no harm could come to me, it was quite strange the feeling."

I smile at him and he smiles back, looking at me curiously.

"Go to sleep Aleana, we have a long journey ahead of us tomorrow." 

I nod before curling up on the chair beside the fire, exhausted from everything that had already passed. The last thing I remember as I was pulled into the depths of sleep was the soft pressure of something being placed over me, warming my body. 

***Aragorn POV***

I place my cloak over her body as she fell asleep on the chair. I would have given her the bed, but the hobbits had taken over and though they asked her to take it, she refused. My eyes are drawn to her as I sit beside her sleeping form. 

She was strange in the sense that she was kind, beautiful, and caring in a way that rivaled even the elves. Elves were respectful, but not to everyone, yet here this girl was who wore her heart on her sleeve, who trusted unconditionally and who cared far too much. And what astonished me the most was this I was able to tell after my first meeting with her, though I did hear a lot about her from Gandalf. She was everything to him and I knew he was everything to her. 

There was something about her that attracted me beside her physical attributes. Perhaps it was the way her eyes twinkled when she spoke in riddles, just like her father. Or maybe her smile that could light up the whole world. But most of all I thought it was her genuine personality that pulled me to her. 

I had loved Arwen for a long time, but I had noticed our love failing. It is not that we didn't try, for we did, but I couldn't bring myself to let Arwen give up her immortality or family for me, not when we had only spent a year together at the most. We had only been through happy times together, how could I be so sure we would survive the hard times? I know I had to part with her once we got to Rivendell, for she must move on as will I. 

With one last glance at Aleana, I turn back towards the window, keeping watch as they all slept around me, waiting for the first light to rouse them and make our way to Rivendell. 

A/n: Hope you enjoyed it! They're already attracted to each other! But don't worry I am not going to rush this! Keep tuned for the next chapter!

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