rosa_cotton | Late...again. *sigh*

taz_stenning, two awesome Slayers, celebrated their birthdays a couple weeks ago. And, again, I come with a late b-day gift. I love you both! *hugs and kisses* Sorry this is so short.

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Precious Still

Aragorn half-reluctantly turns his gaze away from the sky afire with reds and oranges and purples from the setting sun as something is placed in his hand. He looks down to discover a small package wrapped in brown paper. He glances at Eowyn seated beside him on the stone bench; she smiles with a hint of uncertainty.

“Happy birthday,” she says, tucking strands of her hair behind her ear.

Surprise fills her husband’s face, and he slowly opens the gift. Putting the torn paper aside, Aragorn gently brushes his thumbs over the neatly folded handkerchief. Uneven crocked stitches decorate the corner. Aragorn traces the green initials: LT.

“It was my first try at embroidering,” Eowyn’s quiet voice breaks the silence. “Iris was insistent that I learn.” Her lips turn upwards a little. “You had given me a present for my birthday, and I decided I would give you one. But…you did not return.”

“LT, Lord Thorongil,” he says softly, understanding.

She shivers, and Aragorn draws her closer to him, wrapping an arm around her. Resting his cheek against her golden head, he swallows thickly.

Her eyes still clouded, Eowyn bites her bottom lip as she glances between the handkerchief and Aragorn’s face. “Perhaps I should have found something else; this is—”

He shakes his head swiftly. “No, Eowyn. You could not have given me a more meaningful present.” For a moment the picture of a little girl with golden curls brushes his memory. “I shall always treasure this.”

Eowyn’s eyes brighten, and she smiles as Aragorn kisses her forehead.

THE END