Eowyn sat at her dressing table and looked into the mirror. She was now clothed in an ivory night gown and her hair was unpinned and flowing over her shoulders like golden ribbons. Her reflection was bathed with the orange glow of firelight, as was the rest of the bedroom. As she sat there, memories of the evening flooded her mind: Aragorn’s smile, their first kiss, his eyes…..
A smile formed on her lips and she exhaled in a quiet sigh. She then began to brush through her light-colored tresses. The soft brush glided through the locks of her hair. Eowyn closed her green eyes. Her thoughts began to drift off again…to….him……
She was startled out of her memories when a knock was heard on the bedroom door. Her heart leapt. “Could it be Aragorn?” She wondered and quickly stood up. She cast her hair back behind her shoulders and smoothed her night gown.
“C-come in.” she stammered. She was nervous in anticipation. The door opened with a small creak and to Eowyn’s delight, it was Aragorn.
“Hello.” The tall man said simply, as he walked toward her. He was smiling.
“Hello.” Eowyn replied, returning his grin.
“Oh, I hope I didn’t interrupt anything. I mean, I know ladies always must do their ‘beautifying’ or whatever you call it.” Aragorn said.
“Do you have a problem with that, sir?” She replied sarcastically.
“No. I just didn’t want to be disturbing you during the long hours of study and preparation for your beauty sleep.” Aragorn said with a glint in his blue eyes.
“Well, thank you very much for your consideration.” Eowyn replied.
“My pleasure.” Aragorn said, bowing. “Besides, that’s what makes me a gentleman.” He smiled proudly.
“Oh really? I may have to disagree.” Eowyn teased. “A true gentleman would never have disturbed a lady so late in the evening in the first place.”
“Well, I uh…um… .” Aragorn couldn’t argue with her. “Oh alright. I give up. You win.”
“Don’t I always?” Eowyn said smiling.
“Hey, not always” He said, moving closer to her. He tenderly placed his warm hand upon the side of her face. His bronzed skin seemed especially dark against her fair complexion. Aragorn began to softly stroke his fingers over Eowyn’s blushing cheek. She closed her eyes as he gently pushed a strand of her flaxen hair behind her ear. He slowly moved his hand down her slender neck and over her shoulder. Eowyn felt him move even closer to her. She could feel his chest rising and falling against hers. Aragorn closed his eyes and leaned in: Their lips met in a perfect kiss. They pulled back slowly and looked into each other’s eyes. Eowyn placed her hands upon Aragorn’s firm chest, and slid them up over his shoulders to clasp them behind his neck. Aragorn placed his arms tenderly around Eowyn’s slim waist. He gently pulled her close to him again and they shared another kiss. It began as a simple affectionate kiss, but it developed into one full of passion. Mindlessly, they began to let their desires control them and they soon found themselves progressing further than they ever expected.
Aragorn’s fingers found their way to the small fasteners on the back of Eowyn’s night gown. He slowly unfastened them one at a time, exposing her back. Suddenly, a thought came to Aragorn and he realized what he was truly doing: He was defiling her honor.
Aragorn pulled himself away from her and she looked at him in question.
“I am….so sorry.” He said slowly, shaking his head. He could not even look at her.
“For what? What’s wrong?” Eowyn asked him, confused, as she tried to look into his eyes.
“I should never have been so forward with you.” Aragorn said, “I just…I don’t know what came over me.”
Aragorn finally looked at her, but his eyes seemed full of pain.
“Please forgive me.” He said desperately. Eowyn didn’t know what to say. Aragorn couldn’t bear it any longer to look upon her beautiful face. He turned away and began to walk towards the door. Eowyn went after him and grabbed his arm. “Wait.” She said. Aragorn turned to look at her.
“I don’t want you to go.” Eowyn said quietly. Her eyes were pleading him to stay. “I’m ready for this.” She whispered, moving closer to him.
“Eowyn,” Aragorn replied, “I know you are ready. We both are. I mean, I can’t tell you how much I want this.” Aragorn said, placing his hand upon her cheek. “But just because we feel ready to do something, that doesn’t make it right.” They were both silent for a moment as Eowyn pondered his words.
“I understand.” Eowyn said softly. Aragorn could see the disappointment in her eyes, but he knew that she realized he was right.
“Thank you for understanding me, Eowyn.” He said, stroking the side of her face. “I love you.” He whispered. Eowyn began to smile.
“I love you too.” She said. They both stood there for a long moment, looking into each other’s eyes.
“Well,” Aragorn said, breaking the silence, “I don’t want to delay you any longer. I know you have some beauty sleep awaiting you.”
He smiled brightly and the glint in his eyes returned. The smile on Eowyn’s face broadened and she laughed a little.
“I suppose you’re right.” She said, beaming. “In that case, I had better show you to the door. I have already wasted a great deal of my time on you tonight.”
“Well, fine.” Aragorn replied, still smiling. “I’ll just leave then.”
He started towards the door.
“Wait.” Eowyn said, going after him. “You can’t leave yet.”
“And why not?” Aragorn asked.
“Because…..well, you forgot something.” Eowyn said.
“I did, didn’t I.” Aragorn replied. He leaned down and kissed her lips gently. “Was that it?” He asked, smiling.
“Yes.” Eowyn said.
“I thought so.” He said, and looked at her lovingly. “Good night, dearest Eowyn.”
“Good night.” She replied and held his gaze. Aragorn then opened the door to go out. And before he shut the door behind him, he turned to look into her eyes once more. The door closed silently, separating them for the night.
Eowyn sighed quietly and crossed the room. She lay herself upon her bed and closed her eyes. Her head swam with many memories and her restless mind was stirring, but the soft crackle of the dwindling fire calmed her, and she soon fell into a restful sleep.