From Middle-earth, to Wyoming

Chap. 2 - The Moonlight Ride

After the wedding reception, I went to visit Arroch. I haven't been on a ride with him in three days, and I felt horrible. I was still in my dress as I started to saddle Arroch up. I felt relieved that the party was over, and extremely happy that I was finally married.

I heard footsteps running down the road, and into the stables. Aragorn's hand appeared on my shoulder, "Where are you going?"

"For a night ride. Arroch hasn't been out in three days. The night calms me," I said. Aragorn let out a breath, "May I accompany you?"

I nodded, and climbed up onto Arroch. I didn't care you were supposed to ride side saddle in a dress, I was still wearing my pants underneath it. I waited for Aragorn to finish saddling Brego, and we left the stables. Our horses' hooves clopped the stone road, and we exited the city. The chill night air bit at my nose. I was glad my dress came with a cloak. I put my hood on, and the white and light blue seemed to glow in the moonlight.

I eased Arroch into a gallop, and Brego easily kept up with us. My dress and cloak seemed to float behind me. The fridgid air made my eyes water, so I let the strange tears flow down my face. We rode in silence, and stopped in front of a small pond. The moonlight reflected on it, creating shapes on the trees around us. I dismounted Arroch, and looked into the pond. Behind me, Aragorn dismounted Brego, and came towards me. It was nice to be alone. Everyday, I had to talk to hundreds of people. And now even more, because I was Queen. Of Gondor. I felt like I graduated. I was a knight of Gondor, and now I was Queen. His hands caressed my shoulders gently, and he kissed my cheek.

A white lily flowers floated on the pond's still surface. The crickets chirped in the background, and a frog jumped into the water, disturbing the calm water.

"It feels nice to be alone," I said at last.

Aragorn nodded, "I agree."

"The fame is too much to handle," I joked, referring to the paparazzi back at home. Home. My heart sunk a little, but I had made the choice to stay here for the rest of my life.

"Fame," he repeated. His eyebrows furrowed, and his gray eyes looked into my eyes, "Do you miss your home?"

I sighed, and thought about his question, "Yes, and no. Sometimes I miss my family, and then I realize I have you and my other friends."

"I think I understand," he said, and hugged me, "You should relax."

I took his advice, and tried to relax. I tried to clear my mind, and I felt better. I heard a lot rustling from deeper in the forest, and Aragorn quickly unsheathed his sword. I reached for mine, and they weren't there. Then I remembered that I couldn't wear my weapons for the wedding. The noise sounded like a lot of people running, perhaps animals.

Aragorn stepped out in front of me, and put his arm around my shoulders. The sound seemed to be getting further away. My body was tensed, my fight or flight sense turned on. Once we couldn't hear the noises anymore, Aragorn relaxed. He sheathed his sword, and turned to me.

"Something seems wrong. We should go," he said. I frowned. I didn't want to go. I felt relaxed. Aragorn sensed that I didn't want to leave, "Alex, I worry about your safety."

I nodded my response, and mounted Arroch. Instead of galloping back, we let the horses walk side by side. We held hands as we made our way through the forest and the grasslands. I saw the dim lights of Minas Tirith ahead, and looked back the way we had come. A slight breeze came up from behind us, and my hair blew into my face. I brushed it out of the way, and blinked. I swear I saw a shadowy figure run into the forest. I blinked again, and turned around. Aragorn's free hand was wound through Brego's reins, and rested on his sword hilt. I really wished I had my bow and sword. We reached the safety of Minas Tirith, and rode up to the stables.

I took the tack off of Arroch, and brushed him off. I yawned, suddenly tired from all the day's events. Aragorn waited for me, and scooped me up into his arms. I could tell he was tired as well, but he carried me up to the Citadel anyways.

"Thanks," I smiled.

"My pleasure," he smiled back. As we walked back to the Citadel, guards looked at me, "My king, is she alright?"

"Yes, she is fine. Just tired," Aragorn replied.

He set me down on my side of the bed. We now shared a room. I shook off my boots, and took off my cloak. I changed into my nightgown, and brushed my hair. The waves bounced back as the brush gently combed through tangles and knots. I climbed into bed, and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

A filler chapter, but it'll get better in the next chapter!