From Wyoming, to Middle-earth

Chap. 31 - The Celebration and the Palantir

The whole village was practically in the great hall, with mugs of ale. King Théoden stood up, and led a speech, "Tonight we remember those who gave their blood to defend this country. Hail the victorious dead!"

"Hail!" everyone cheered, and took a swig of their drink. Music started to play, and people started to dance, drink, laugh, and talk. I saw the man who kidnapped me approach me.

"My lady," he said, and bowed his head, "I'm afraid I never caught your name."

"I am Alex, of uhh, Wyoming. I never caught yours either," I stuttered. I saw Aragorn watching me out of the corner of my eye.

"I am Èomer, son of Èomund. It is a pleasure to meet you at last. I am sorry that I kidnapped you, it was a safety precaution," Èomer said, and smiled.

"Oh, it's alright," I said awkwardly, and looked around me. People danced as couples around me. Èomer watched me, and he asked shyly, "May I have this dance?"

He offered me his hand, and I took it, "I'm just warning you though, I have no idea how to dance!"

Èomer laughed, "It's alright. I don't really know how either. Just follow the people around us."

I giggled, and blushed. I looked at a couple next to us. They were sliding across the floor, and their hands were around eachother's waists. Èomer gently placed his hands on mine, and I placed mine on his shoulders. The man next to us twirled the lady. I laughed, and spun around as Èomer twirled me. We both laughed, and continued to 'dance'. I saw Aragorn leaning against a wooden pillar, seeming to be hurt. He stood up, ready to intervene when the music slowed. Èomer and I kept dancing, and talked. I saw Eowyn come up to Aragorn with a glass of alcohol. I watched as she talked to him. He took a sip of the liquid and handed her back to cup. Èomer leaned down to my face, about to kiss me. Aragorn quickly stepped in, and pulled me away from Èomer's grasp.

"Excuse me?" Èomer asked, and grabbed my shoulder gently, "We were dancing."

Aragorn's eyes narrowed, and he pulled me away from him. I couldn't hear what Aragorn said to Èomer, but it seemed rude. Èomer's eyes seemed to shoot daggers at Aragorn. I tried to listen, but I was interrupted by a drunk Gimli's laugh. I turned a walked towards him. Legolas was drinking as well.

"Legolas! You are the last one I would suspect to do this," I chuckled. Gimli burped, and yelled, "Here, here. It's the Dwarves that go swimming with little, hairy women."

"I feel something. A slight tingle in my fingers. I think it's affecting me," Legolas said, seeming a bit to concerned.

"What did he say? He can't hold his liquor in? Hah!" Gimli said, and went crossed eyed. He fell backwards off his chair.

"Game over," Legolas said, and put his mug down. I laughed, and turned to Aragorn and Èomer who seemed to be fighting. I walked closer to them, and I leaned up against a pillar. Aragorn seemed to yell something, and he turned to me. He had a glare on his face.

"What was that about?" I spat, and looked at Èomer who was standing by a table, looking at me. I looked at Aragorn who seemed angry, "Well? I can't dance with one other person?"

"He was going to kiss you. I- I.. You are right. I'm sorry," Aragorn said, and sadly looked at the floor. I put my hand on his cheek, "I wouldn't have let that happen."

He put his hand on top of mine, and looked back up at me and smiled softly, "May I have this dance, Lady Alex?"

"Yes, my Lord Aragorn," I laughed. I held out my hand and he kissed it. He led me to the clearing in the floor where other people were dancing. He put his arms around my waist, and I put my arms around his neck. We danced slowly, even though the song was fast.