I WROTE ANOTHER FIC WITH ARAGORN
The battle had been a success despite the heavy casualties.
The torches in the throne room of Rohan were lit to honor all its warriors, both those fallen in battle and those who sat there eating, drinking, and laughing since their return from the battlefield.
The crown prince of Gondor was in good company with Legolas and Gimli, who were having a drinking contest—a game Legolas was clearly going to win, since, due to his immortality, alcohol had no effect on him.
A few meters away, you were watching him.
Your gaze rarely left the future king of Gondor, who suddenly felt your stare and turned his head in your direction to look at you.
But when he did, you had already turned your head away, afraid he'd catch you watching him.
Your friend, who had been with you since you were little, watched your every move, and a huge smile spread across her face.
"Enjoying your favorite activity again?" she asked, glancing at you sideways.
"Shhh! Keep your voice down, they're going to hear you," you complained, her smile widening.
"Honey, I'm sorry to tell you, but it's no secret that you're in love with the prince," you whispered, making her blush furiously. "It's written all over your face."
"I know!" you complained, letting out a soft huff. "I'm trying not to."
"You know I love you very much, and because I love you so much, I always tell you the truth," your friend whispered. "So far, you're not succeeding." But I'll tell you something – she added, giving a lopsided smile – I think the prince likes you too.
Your eyes widened in surprise, since it was practically impossible for someone like him to like someone like you.
Or at least that's how you saw it.
"It's not true, he doesn't…" You shook your head, somewhat flustered. "It just can't be."
"Well, if you say so…" she murmured, "but I'd risk finding out what he can become, instead of regretting it thinking about what could have been."
She gestured to the bard, who was shaking his head from side to side, watching Gimli try to stay on his feet after all the alcohol he'd consumed.
"Alright, I'll see what I do," you conceded.
At that moment, Faramir passed by you and bowed his head in greeting.
"Ladies" he said, accompanied by a kind smile.
You watched as your friend's mouth practically agape as she watched him walk towards one of the tables, where several warriors were gathered, talking loudly.
"Looks like I'm not the only one with heart problems," you teased, making her click her fingers. Your tongue, agreeing with you
“Let’s make a deal,” you proposed. “I’ll talk to the prince if you talk to the warrior,” you blurted out. “What do you say?”
She thought for a few seconds before answering.
“It’s a fair deal,” she thought aloud. “I accept.”
You said goodbye to her and went to the bar to order a pitcher of beer.
You needed to clear your mind and calm your nerves, and the only way you could think of at that moment was to order a beer, whose glass was probably bigger than your head.
You took two sips, and that was enough to quell your anxiety.
You watched the table of the three friends, whose drinking challenge had attracted an audience.
Warriors from all the tables had positioned themselves around them to see who would win the impromptu contest.
You took a couple of deep breaths and slowly approached their table, staying slightly to the side of where the prince was sitting.
He saw you out of the corner of his eye and gave a lopsided smile when one of the warriors offered you another beer, which you politely declined, as you were already full.
"The dwarf's going to fall," a man beside you muttered. "Elves can hold their liquor much longer."
"I agree," said another man near the prince, who was immediately drawn into the conversation. "You'd better get the bedchamber ready for your little friend, Aragorn," he joked. "I don't think he'll last much longer."
"You certainly have little faith in Gimli, my friend," replied the crown prince, his deep voice cutting through the air like a sharp knife. "Dwarves are known for their exceptional skill with weapons and their ingenuity in battle," he explained. "Both require composure."
"And patience," you added, unable to resist, making Aragorn look directly at you. "Forgive me, I didn't mean to interrupt."
“You haven’t,” he offered a kind smile, several strands of dark hair falling across his face. “Tell me what you meant when you mentioned patience.”
“Well,” you began, “patience isn’t exactly an inherent virtue in dwarves,” you explained. “Rather, they have a reputation for the opposite, just as elves have a sharper sense of sight than any other species.”"Of all species, dwarves are not known for that virtue."
"I agree with you," Aragorn smiled, tilting his head toward his friend, "but of all the dwarves, THIS one is different," he murmured. "I really think he can win the game," he said. "What do you think?"
"I think Prince Legolas will emerge victorious," you murmured, nodding toward the glasses stacked on your side of the table. "He's drunk the same number of glasses as Gimli, and yet he doesn't falter an inch, as is only natural."
"Join us then" he offered. "I have a feeling the outcome of this little battle is about to be known."
Aragorn offered you the empty seat beside him, and while Legolas drank a little more and Gimli tried to stay upright, you glanced sideways every now and then to see the profile of Aragorn's almost angelic face.
As you did so, you realized that you had never met a man as good, kind, and brave as him.
You also thought that, when he was crowned king, Gondor would have the best ruler in all of Middle-earth.