Aftermath
The darkness inside you subsided as you watched on intently to see if Theo would survive. The men who had stood guard at the hall's entrance parted, urging those inside the doors to tear down the barricade. Moving quickly inside, blood dripping profusely from Theo's back as Arondir carried him, he laid him down on the nearest table, Bronwyn screaming for supplies. A man you did not know handed Bronwyn a rag, which she used to apply pressure on the wound and hopefully stop the bleeding.
Galadriel knelt down beside Theo then, her blonde hair damp with sweat from the fight, and she gazed upon him with calm eyes, a reassuring smile blooming on her face. Running her hand through Theo's hair softly, tucking it behind his ear, you took in his pallid complexion. "You're going to be alright, I am certain." the she-elf spoke defiantly to the boy, who struggled to manage a smile in response, his lips trembling, eyes wincing from the pain. Galadriel whispered words in Quenya to him, but you could not make out what they were or their meaning. You imagined it to be a prayer of some kind, beseeching The One to secure Theo's health.
It was then you noticed Halbrand was not with you. Your eyes searched the hall for his crown, and after a few moments you found him. To your surprise, he was helping the rest of the survivors get the assistance they needed, walking between his people to ensure they were being cared for. It surprised you only because you expected Sauron was still present. But just as your own darkness had receded, so too had his. You locked eyes with him from where you stood, and took in his hazel orbs looking back at you. A small smile aimed at you before he turned back to his people in need.
You also turned back to the harrowing scene before you, placing a tender arm on Bronwyn's back, but she shirked it off, rejecting your comfort. This took you aback a moment, but you considered her reaction to be understandable, given her only child might be dying. She needed her full focus on the task at hand. "Arondir, can you retrieve the athelas from my pouch?" The elf did so without response, and you watched as Bronwyn moved fast to crush it within her fist, before lifting up the rag momentarily and placing the herb on the wound before returning the pressure again. Blood had trickled down Theo's back in that brief moment, and even though he was still bleeding, you were pleased it was no longer gushing from him. Bronwyn's treatment was working. But had he lost too much blood already?
Galadriel was still lightly brushing a hand through Theo's hair, the other one gripping his left hand tightly. Theo's eyes were closed as consciousness appeared to have fled from him, though he was still alive, as his torso rose and fell with the lungs that still took air into them. "Bronwyn… will he live?" you dared to ask, unable to shake your fears for the boy.
She responded quietly without looking at you. "Yes. I believe he will."
At that moment you felt Halbrand at your side, his hand immediately in yours, his kiss atop your head. "Come my love, give them some space to care for him. There's nothing you can do."
Suddenly, your stomach dropped. "Where are my brothers?!" you cried out, scanning the room frantically. Unable to make them out anywhere in the crowd, you let go of Halbrand and began to search for any sign of them. You hadn't seen them at any point during the fighting, so you assumed they had remained inside the hall where it was safest. Although, it would not shock you if Târikun had found a way out into the battle. He loved a good fight, no matter the opponent. Their names passed your lips, as loud as you could muster, your eyes stinging with the mixture of tears and sweat on your face.
Eventually, a broad smile entered your expression, as you saw Târikun hailing you over to where he stood. Reaching him, the two of your shared an immediate embrace, relief washing over you. However, that relief was short lived. Azrahin spoke your name from where he lay on the bench at your feet. His right thigh was covered in blood, a tourniquet wrapped around it. "Azrahin!" you cried, dropping to the floor. "What happened? Are you going to be okay?"
"He'll live." spoke Târikun confidently.
"I was outside the hall when the orcs first attacked. One of them got me before I could retreat to find a weapon."
You inspected his wound more closely, and noticed his blood was beginning to dry, the red liquid spilling from him no longer. "You're a lucky man, Azrahin." Halbrand declared to his brother-in-law.
"Lucky that orc had terrible aim, more like." he countered. "What about you, sister?" You saw his eyes dart first up to your bloody head then down to the partly red and black skirt of your wedding gown. It was the first time you had even thought of your leg wound since it happened, as the pain from your head had taken over. Widening the slit of fabric, you saw the gash that ran down your right shin. The bleeding had ceased, the only consequence you might suffer would be a lengthy scar upon your skin. "I hope you ended the bastards that did that." Azrahin stared up at Halbrand, his voice indicating a tip towards anger.
"Oh don't you worry. I did." your love confirmed with a smirk. In that moment, with your darkness now back in the depths of its cage, your mind locked onto one person. Garion. Halbrand had murdered Garion. Olwenna's smiling face appeared to you then, in memories of your joyous time travelling on the road together. You remembered how kind Garion was, to everyone, no matter if they were kin or stranger. You remembered that playful nature he had with the children, teasing them about their dessert back at the inn. You remembered the way he and Olwenna had gazed at each other adoringly. You remembered his blank stare as he lay unmoving, the last expression he would wear now forever in death.
Halbrand had smirked at Azrahin as he spoke of committing this act. Was he glad for the man's demise? Did he feel no remorse? Or was Sauron speaking for him now, the dark lord who had saved his dark queen? You supposed you should be thankful for the knowledge that no more innocent lives were lost at your hands. Besides, Halbrand was only defending you, protecting you. You had done the same for him in the past. Your scales were balanced.
You could hear mournful cries coming from near the entrance to the hall. People had started to do the noble thing and bring inside the bodies of the dead so their loved ones could begin to grieve. It was only a matter of time now before Olwenna discovered the love of her life was gone. And the shameful thing was, you couldn't move an inch to be the one to tell her. You didn't want to risk planting any seeds in her mind that either you or Halbrand had been behind the killing. 'Orcs' had taken Garion's life, and it needed to remain that way. You felt sick.
"Azrahin, can you walk?" you asked him, hopeful.
"I might be able to, with some assistance." he nodded at Târikun, who just rolled his eyes.
"Good. Let us go."
"Go?" spoke Halbrand, unsure of your decision.
"I do not feel well, my love. I must retire for the night."
"Do you want me to come with you?" he asked, gently cupping your face, and you noticed the ring against your skin once more.
"No, our people need their king, now more than ever. We may not have the wedding night we desire…" you clasped his face in your hands, his stubble brushing against them as you pulled him closer to you. "…but there is always tomorrow night."
"And the next night…"
"And the next…"
Just as your lips finally met, Târikun interjected. "Yes okay we get it, you're in love, you're married. Can we go?" You felt Halbrand smile against you as the kiss ended. Releasing each other from your touch, you moved to help Târikun get Azrahin to his feet.
"I'll be back at the same inn, Halbrand, if you wish to come find me."
"I thought you didn't want to stay there?" spoke up Azrahin, wincing a little with the slight pressure on his leg.
You glanced at your big brother, smiling. "I want to be close to mother. Besides, we've been making new memories there now." Halbrand gazed at you lovingly as you bid him farewell, and you began to wander slowly with your brothers through the masses. People stopped you here and there, wanting to make sure their queen was well. Soon you came upon Theo, Bronwyn, and Arondir once more, and noticed that the young boy seemed to be stable. The elf stood holding his love wordlessly. You bowed your head at him, and he responded in kind just as your mind drifted to the other elf in the hall. Stopping your brothers a moment, you turned around and scanned the room for Galadriel. When your eyes found her, only a few metres away, you saw her tending to other injured parties, offering whatever aid she could. She didn't see you watching her. Smiling, you placed Azrahin's arm across your shoulder once more, and resumed your journey back to the inn, looking forward to rest. Garion and Olwenna's faces followed your every step.
When next the sunshine found your face, you were surrounded by the warmth and comfort of your sheets, and your love. Eyes opening slowly, you took in Halbrand's sleeping form beside you, watching his immaculate chest rise and fall peacefully. The rest you had gotten must have been sorely needed, for you had no recollection of Halbrand joining you in bed. All you remembered was saying goodnight to your brothers before washing the dry blood from your head, face, and leg, and lying down finally, desperately begging the ghost of Garion to leave you be.
You had relived the moment of his demise as you slept, remaining torn, but filled mostly with sorrow for his loss. Thinking of him again now as you gazed at the man who crushed his neck, reality began to set in that he was truly gone forever, and that Olwenna was now a widow. Would you even be able to face her? She had given you her friendship and her loyalty, to you and to Halbrand. She did not care if he was Sauron or not. And not for the same reasons as Bronwyn. But because she felt she knew him, and knew you too. Yet now… you had committed the ultimate crime against her, betraying her. Perhaps Galadriel was right, there was no light left in you.
Galadriel… your heart ached for her. You hoped against all hope that she was beginning to see the truth. And given the fact that you and Halbrand were presently still alive and intact, that had to mean something good. Considering the she-elf had been allowed to roam free, at your own behest. You knew you had made the right decision, regardless of Halbrand disagreeing. She had been an essential ally to have during the battle last night, with many lives still breathing today thanks to her actions, thanks to yours. Hopefully Galadriel witnessing you and Halbrand fighting against the orcs had been enough to sway her to reason. For now… you did not think you would be able to convince her again.
Desperate for distraction, you let your hand gently wander along Halbrand's torso, your touch feather light as it moved over his warm skin. Only a few seconds of this passed before your love stirred from his slumber, breathing deeply through his nose a moment as he turned to face you, his hazel eyes opening. You nuzzled up into him without any hesitation, and he enveloped you with his body, comforting heat radiating out from within him. Kissing the skin your lips were met with, he sighed and gave you a squeeze. "How did you sleep?"
"Not as bad as expected. My body was completely drained enough to bypass the persistent thoughts of… what happened last night." Halbrand kissed the top of your head before letting you slide up to face him, your noses barely inches apart as you laid on the same downy pillow. "Garion tried to kill you, my love." he spoke adamantly. "If I had not arrived when I did, or acted how I did…" You watched as his face began to twist in anger a moment, before returning to its previous state. "I know," you started, fearful for the discussion to follow. "But aren't you concerned for us? We let the darkness take hold again, Halbrand. For the first time in a long time yes, but it happened."
You searched his eyes, watching as he considered your words and their meaning. "And for the first time… no innocent lives were lost." he countered you. "That is progress, is it not? We fought together, side by side as king and queen, our darkness under our control. Only using it to destroy our enemies." Listening to Halbrand reconciling Garion's murder in this way was actually convincing you that progress had been made. He was right. No innocent lives had been lost at your hands. Garion had attacked you, whatever innocence remained in him forfeited by his actions. "But… Olwenna…" you reminded him.
"We will comfort her, give her whatever she needs. Assure her that her husband made a noble sacrifice in saving your life. There is nothing we can do to change what has happened. We can only support those that grieve now, as we move forward."
Tears couldn't help but form in your eyes. "Why did he have to do that? Why couldn't he listen to me?"
Halbrand stroked your cheek gently, comforting you. "Vengeance is a force that can rarely be reckoned with."
"Speaking of vengeance… what of Galadriel? What did you say to her in the jail?" Your subject change keeping your grief from falling down your face.
"Oh we reminisced about old times, yelled at each other, glared at each other. The usual."
"Halbrand." you chastised him.
He smirked at you, "I'm telling you the truth. It was not pleasant. Although, one vital point I made amongst it all she found incredibly difficult to deny."
"Which was?"
"That she is not without darkness herself." Your eyes widened at his words. "I reminded her of something she once said to me: 'sometimes to find the light, we must first touch the darkness.' No one being on this Middle-earth is either one or the other, not even the Lady Galadriel herself. The shadow cannot exist without the sun."
"And the dawn must always follow the night."
"Precisely. I'm beginning to understand our purpose even more, my love. We can remain in the light, yes, but we can also use our darkness to our advantage. We can control it, and make it a force for good. Last night is proof of that possibility. And with Galadriel by our side once more… her destiny is intertwined with our own. She will serve us well. Strengthen us like we could only imagine."
You smiled then, a feeling of relief washing over you. Hope was flowing through you now, truly. With the two of you coronated, and Galadriel all but swayed, there were no loose ends hanging over you. The truth of Halbrand's identity was even out in the open now, his people knew him to be Sauron, and it seemed they did not care. You and your love were allowed to lay here, legs wrapped around each other in this comfortable bed, as husband and wife, king and queen, with only a bright future ahead of you.
Though there was one thing missing. Not taking your eyes off your love, you let your hand wander slowly down his body, beneath the sheets, beneath his waist, taking his manhood in your grip. Halbrand let out a small gasp at the sensation of you stroking him, and it wasn't long until he was completely aroused. "We still haven't consummated this marriage…" you breathed seductively. Halbrand grinned at you before closing the gap between your lips. He kissed you ravenously and deeply, causing you to moan as his tongue moved over your own. Your movements on him never stopped, only increasing with the kiss you were losing yourself to.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
You heard Târikun calling your name from behind the wooden door. Halbrand broke the kiss. "It seems the world wants to keep us apart, my love."
"Just ignore him, he'll go away." you uttered quickly before crashing your lips into his once more.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Silly sister!" you heard Târikun bellow, unwavering.
Sighing, you reluctantly released Halbrand's length as he released your lips from his. He smiled at you, brushing your hair behind your ear. "Sorry. I shall have to see what he wants."
"Don't be. We'll have tonight, my love." He kissed you quickly on your forehead as you rose up out of the bed, clothing your body in your nightgown. You glared at Târikun as you opened the door to him. "Sorry to disturb, your highnesses,"
"No you're not." you retorted.
Târikun couldn't help but snicker. "No I'm really not. But as it turns out, it seems a lot of the townspeople are asking for their king and queen. There's talk of a feast this afternoon to celebrate the victory over the orcs." Your brother's words caused Halbrand to sit upright as you turned to smile at him. "I thought it would be best to let you both know."
You placed your hand on Târikun's arm. "Thank you, brother. We'll be down shortly."
"Will you though?" he jested, winking. You just rolled your eyes and closed the door on his giggling face. "I should go check on Azrahin. Then I suppose it's off to the hall?"
Halbrand was up and dressing himself in a deep red tunic, and dark walnut coloured trousers. "Before that," he spoke, striding towards you, taking your face in his hands, "There is a place we have to see."
"What's that, my love?"
"Our home." Pride filled his voice as he let his lips graze yours again, the sweetest of flavours, the taste of royalty.