The Blacksmith

Of course, Galadriel stayed for more than one drink. The three of you remained in the cargo hold until the first glimpses of sun began to pierce through the wood from above. It was a jovial time spent amongst three beings from three different walks of life, each with vastly different experiences and stories to tell. However you couldn't help but notice Halbrand left most of the talking to you and Galadriel, choosing to keep the topic of his life away from you both. This pained you for two reasons, one, because you were concerned he maybe did not trust you enough yet to share that part of him, and two, there was too much sorrow and despair hidden within him that he simply could not confide in anyone. Ultimately though, you worried about him and decided when the time was right, you would see if he was willing to open up. There were many days between now and the arrival in Middle-earth after all.

The three of you did retire though, and you left the cargo hold for the first time since you killed that craftsman. Shrugging off the guilt, you looked out to the horizon, using your forearm to shield the bright sun from your eyes. There was no land in sight in any direction. It was just the ships and the waves, big, blue, and vast. Halbrand took your hand and led you to his cabin, where you both removed your garments and climbed into bed. If either of you had more spirit at that moment there would have been a repeat of your last night in Númenor, but alas, slumber was calling. Your head on his chest, his arm around you, these were the last sensations you felt before your eyes closed.

It was a loud rapping on the door that awoke you both. You were unsure of how much time had passed, as the sun was clearly still lighting up the world. "Lord Halbrand, the Queen Regent requests your presence." spoke an unnamed soldier from behind the door. You noticed he did not wait for a reply, as his footsteps led him away to other duties. Halbrand kissed your forehead, then your lips, and you tried to keep him there as his touch was sparking a fire within. "Later, my love." he promised, his voice coated in lust. "All good things come to those who wait."
"I wouldn't call what we did good." you snickered cheekily.
"Oh it was very good." Halbrand spoke with a laugh. He kissed you quickly again then rose from the bed, dressing himself not in his armour, but in fine Númenórean garments that more closely befitted his station than that of a blacksmith. They had the same burgundy tinge that his armour held, with subtle highlights of gold detailed through out. He tucked his hair behind his ears and presented himself to you. "How do I look?"
"The same as the night I met you."
"What, covered in soot and grime?" he spoke, self deprecating.
"Breathtaking." you said, unable to help yourself from gushing over your man.
The love on his face shone brightly. "Right, best not keep the Queen Regent waiting much longer."
"Hmm but I thought you just said good things come to those who wait?" you seemed to be making a habit of repeating his words back to him now, but you couldn't pass up the opportunity to stir him.
"Who said I was good?" he replied with a wink, a dark gleam in his eye, similar to the one he had when he was gazing up at you as he ravaged you back in the palace. You smirked at him as a chill ran through your body. As he left you laying naked in the bed all you could think about was what he had meant by "Later".

You decided to remain between the sheets, the bed was so comfortable, and Halbrand's lingering scent was all around you. This is my life now you mused, as you let your eyelids close, sleep threatening to creep back in. However reality had other ideas. Another rapping at the door sounded the return of the soldier from only minutes ago. Much to your shock, he called out your name through the door and gave you the same command: the Queen Regent requests your presence. Your stomach dropped. Míriel? Queen Regent Míriel? Wants to see me? You had no idea what this could mean. You knew that your place on the ship was secure. However you wondered if maybe Míriel sided more with Galadriel's perspective on the matter: that you would only be a distraction to Halbrand.

Your mind began to run rampant with thoughts, logical and illogical alike, as you hastily dressed yourself, praying you looked presentable enough for Númenórean royalty, and made your way outside of the cabin. The soldier did not leave like he had earlier, it seems the correct assumption had been made in advance just in case because you had no idea where the Queen Regent was located. "This way, lady." he spoke authoritatively, immediately turning and leading you to your destination. After a short distance and up some more stairs, you had arrived, entering the cabin hesitantly, fearful of what was to come.

Your eyes found Halbrand first of course, and he offered you a warm smile in reassurance. Then there was Galadriel, who bowed her head in greeting you once more. Then your attention turned to the two new faces you had not yet met, but you knew who they were all the same. Standing beside the queen's desk, was Elendil, the man responsible for bringing Halbrand to Númenor. To you. You owed him a great many thanks and hoped you would get the opportunity to do so one day, but you decided that now, sadly, was not the time. Then of course, seated at her post, the picture of sheer elegance, was Queen Regent Míriel. Absolutely resplendent, yet terrifyingly intimidating.

You smiled at her, "My Queen... this... is an honour." You hoped your words would strike positively, but they seemed to have no effect, for the Queen's steely gaze did not alter. She greeted you by name, and addressed you kindly. "Our stowaway." she called you, and you weren't sure if this was supposed to be endearing or not. She was a very hard woman to read. "I could have you arrested for what you've done." she spoke plainly. What I've done? Surely she does not know about... the man...? you wondered, your panic beginning to rise. Nowhere to run. It's either the brig or the ocean for me. You started to accept whatever fate was coming your way, for as it stood, this did not seem to be heading anywhere positive. Your eyes darted back to your love, but Halbrand gave nothing away, seeming to know his place. He wouldn't let anything happen to me you told yourself without a doubt. Not a chance.

"Sneaking aboard the royal ship?" she scoffed at you. "If Lord Halbrand and Commander Galadriel were not here to vouch for your character then you would already be locked away below deck." The relief washed over you as swiftly as the waves against the vessel you rode. But you were not out of the woods yet. "Who knows what would have happened if one of my men had discovered you first? You should consider yourself extremely fortunate for this outcome." she spoke with a heated temperament but remained collected.
"I am, my Queen. I am. Truly." you said, again locking eyes with Halbrand, who gazed back at you intensely. The Queen Regent noticed this and continued, "That brings me to the second matter at hand regarding your appearance on my ship. I have listened to both the counsel of Lord Halbrand and Commander Galadriel in relation to whether or not you should remain."
Your eyes went wide as the moon. Míriel continued, "I don't mean to send you back to Númenor of course. I mean whether or not you should remain on this ship in particular. We could, if we choose, have you board one of the other two. And put you to work in the stables."

These words made Halbrand step forward, on the verge of saying something he might regret, and Galadriel put out her hand and stopped him. Míriel's eyes remained fixed on you, showing you just how good she was at dealing with distractions. Without missing a beat, she continued on, "As Queen Regent, I have the authority to hand out such a punishment, of course. A punishment that would be better than you deserve."

Your stomach dropped again, fear churning it, making you feel uneasy. He wouldn't let anything happen to me you repeated your earlier thought in your mind, making it your mantra as you waited for Míriel's final decision. "But, clearly I am no one to stand in the way of love." Her words surprised you completely, almost blowing you away where you stood. "Especially where royalty is concerned. It seems no time nor tide can keep you from each other, and perhaps it is best for it to be allowed rather than torn asunder. Besides, your king has made it quite clear that if I passed judgment on you in this way that he would make life aboard this ship unbearable until we made landfall."

That last statement made you chuckle slightly, which you quickly stifled with a cough, catching Halbrand's cheeky snicker at you as you did so. "Then it is decided." Míriel announced, "You will remain with us. But I will be keeping a watchful eye upon you. Be wary." An ominous threat reminding you of your place. You may be Halbrand's love, but you are also a stowaway on the ship of the Queen Regent of Númenor. "Thank you for your attendance. Soldier, please see the lady returns to her cabin promptly." The soldier acknowledged his command, and gestured for you to exit. "Thank you, my Queen." you spoke, hoping to communicate just how grateful you were feeling at this moment. Míriel gave no reply. Taking one last look at the occupants of the room, saving Halbrand for last, you took your leave of them, returning to the safety of the king's bed.

You didn't see your love again for some time that day, the sun had slipped below the horizon before he returned, bringing food and drink for you both. "No ale this time, only water. I had my fill of it last night for a while."
"Thank you, my love." you rose to greet him with a kiss.
"Sorry I was gone so long. It was not my intent."
"I know, ‘duty greater than your desires’, remember?" He smiled at your words as he began to eat, and you did the same, washing down the tasty meat and bread with the water that was sadly not ale. "You are here now though."
"You are here." he gasped, remembering his shock from the previous night. "You are here. I still cannot believe it. When I left you I didn't expect to see you again until the docks. But then you weren't there and my heart began to break. 'What had I done?' I wondered, 'Had I been cruel to give myself to you in the palace? When I knew then that much time would pass before we would see each other again?' What if things were to change in my absence. Things I could not control. All because I caused you pain." The idea of hurting you was torment for him, that much was clear. Especially in the way his voice trembled as he talked of his supposed cruelty towards you. However this was far from the truth, and you had to let him see that.

You placed down your bowl of food on the bed side table, and turned to your love. "Halbrand. No. It was not cruel. I would not have let it happen if I had felt that way. We gave ourselves to each other because we love each other, and for no other reason than that.” you paused for a moment and smiled at him. “I love you, Halbrand."
"And I love you." he confessed happily, without hesitation, your name the last thing passing his lips. You quickly caught those same lips in a kiss, tasting the flavour of the food you shared, letting his bowl fall to the floor. No doubt making a mess, but neither of you really seemed to care. All you truly cared about at that moment, was giving yourselves to each other once more.

And that's exactly what you did.