What followed after the return of Theoden's mind was the banishment of Grima. Luin would have loved to watch but the feeling of itchiness at the unwashed state of his skin was still building. Instead, he strode forwards to the young woman in white. She smiled politely at him and bowed her head in greeting. "I am Eowyn, niece of Theoden. You are friends of Gandalf?"

"Yes", Luin nodded. "I am Luin the blue". He gave a half bow. "And this is Legolas". The blonde elf had wandered over and nodded as he was introduced.

Eowyn's face lit up in recognition. "I have heard of your exploits. How May I help you?"

"Would it be a trouble to request a room and bath?" Legolas asked politely. "We have travelled a long way and are in a bit of a state". Eowyn's eyes took in Luin's torn and dirty robes but she didn't to react too much, for which Luin was grateful. He was also glad that the hood hid the state of his hair. It made him flinch just to think about it.

"Of course", Eowyn smiled and waved over a couple of servants. She addressed them quickly and quietly and they disappeared down a corridor. "If you would kindly follow me". She turned with a swish of skirts and Luin and Legolas walked after her.

"Thank you", Luin voiced as she led them through the fort. "You're very kind".

Eowyn stopped at a wooden door and opened it with a creak. "There is no need for gratitude", she smiled warmly. "Rest yourselves. It is the lest I can offer. Would you like a separate room?" The question was addressed to Legolas.

"There is no need", Luin stated. "He is my fiancé". Her eyes widened in surprise as she stared at the both of them. Then she collected herself and nodded.

"Forgive me. It is not often we see elves here, much less a pairing between a wizard and an elf".

"You cause no offence", Legolas smiled. He gestured to the door and Luin wandered through.

"Men will arrive with your bath shortly", Eowyn spoke in parting. "May you be comfortable". Then she was gone back down the way they had come. The door closing behind her.

The room was mostly dominated by a double bed covered in furs. The headboard was beautifully carved to match the chest at the end. There was a small window with a wooden shutter and many candles. Luin walked round the room lighting them with a fire from his palm. The easy magic soothing him. Legolas busied himself with handing up his cloak and opening the chest. Since it was a guest room, the chest was filled with clothing of all shaped and sizes. He began rummaging through it for clothes in Luin's size. His robes officially ruined beyond repair.

Just as Eowyn had said, it didn't take long before there was a knock and men bustle into the room. Instead of a wooden tub, they had a cast metal one which they set down on the rug covering the stone floor. It was already partially filled and more men entered after to fill it with steaming water. A few of them stared in curiosity at them but none spoke. Luin was grateful when they were gone. His shoulders dropped and his sighed deeply. Legolas stacked the clothed he had found on the bed and wandered over. His hands rested lightly on the tops of Luin's arms. "Come", he murmured. The elvish soft and warm. "Let's get you cleaned".

Luin sagged into the touch. Exhaustion and emotion hitting him like a sedge hammer. With Legolas' help, he managed to get the clothes off. Some of it hurt where the mud and grime had stuck the material to his skin. Legolas' hands were gentle and reassuring and soon the cloth was in a pile on the floor out of sight. The water would have been still too hot for a normal human but it didn't bother Luin. He sank into the water with a sigh, barely glancing at his reflection on the surface. He suspected if he saw it he might cry.

"You still have bruises on your chest". Legolas was frowning as he knelt at the bath's side. He had rolled up his sleeves and he handed Luin a block of soap. It was plain and smelt slightly of lavender. Luin scrubbed up a foam with the water but perhaps he had been scrubbing too harshly. Legolas reached out and pressed a hand over his. "Allow me". Luin nodded and handed over the soap. He relaxed in the hot water, resting his chin on his knees as Legolas rubbed the dirt off his back.

For a moment the water stilled and Luin got a glance at his reflection. It was just as he feared. His hair was horrible. All cut at different angles and lengths. It was matted with blood and mud, further emphasising his pale skin and the colourful bruises that had still yet to fade. They painted his skin in various colours like some tragic painting. A sob broke through his lips and Legolas' hands stilled. Luin raised shaking hands to his hair and clutched at the strands tightly. "They took my hair". More sobs made his chest tighten.

"Oh Melethril. Come here". Legolas opened his arms and Luin leaned into his hold. The both of them ignoring the wet spots he was leaving on Legolas' tunic. "I am sorry I wasn't there in time".

"They disgraced me", Luin's voice cracked. "Only traitors and those who have been cast out have their hair cut. Those who have nothing"- His voice cut off and he pressed a hand over his mouth to cover his wail. Legolas pressed a hand to the back of his head and he began rocking them slowly. His voice humming a soothing tune.

"They pushed me down and one had his fingers in my hair. They took it from me", once the words were out Luin found that he couldn't stop. "My mother loved my hair. My father too. They said that all cultivators wore their hair long as a sign of honour and respect. To have their hair cut off was a sign of disgrace. And they took it. Held me down and took it"-

"Hush", Legolas soothed. Luin was sobbing senselessly now. Whole frame shaking as he trembled despite the warmth. Legolas held him. Continuously rocking in slow motions as his hands held him with a comforting tightness. It could have been for hours that they sat there, but it was mostly in reality minutes. The bath had barely cooled by the time Luin raised his head. Eyes puffy from crying and emotionally exhausted. He leaned back and Legolas moved one hand to cup his cheek, thumb stroking away tears.

"Come. Let's get you cleaned up. Just let me do this for you". Luin nodded in assent and let Legolas lower him back into the water. One hand rested tightly on the back of his neck to keep him grounded as the other hand gently began running through his hair. The hand on his neck directly over the long slash where the orc had cut him. The hand covered it, as if willing it away through mere touch. Luin looked up at him in the dim lights. Candles giving his face a orange tone which emphasised his black eyes. He peered up at the blonde elf, water lapping at the edges of his cheeks. Then he closed his eyes and leaned back into the hold. The sign of trust more than mere words could convey. His life literally being held in Legolas' hands.

The blonde worked quietly. No words needed now between them. His fingers slowly untangled the dirt from the black hair. The strands slowly loosing their grime and becoming soft again in the water. Luin stayed so still and quiet throughout it that Legolas almost thought him asleep, if it wasn't for his occasionally sighs whenever a particular knot came undone. Once he had finished, he helped Luin sit up and began washing the dirt from his skin. The water was a grey tinge when they were done.

"Do you want it trimmed?" Legolas asked hesitantly. "So that it is all the same length and will grow evenly". Luin was silent for a moment then he nodded. Legolas stood up and went to the door. It clicked as he slipped out. Luin sat there in silence until he returned.

"Eowyn offered me this", he held up a pair of iron scissors. Luin blinked as the elf approached. The metal making his eyes widen in half shock before he relaxed again. Legolas sat down at his side again. "Are you sure? We don't have to do this now".

"No", Luin murmured back. "But I can't stand to look like a this anymore".

Legolas leaned forwards and pressed his lips to Luin's. They kissed deeply and slowly. A reassurance, a conversation without words. When they parted, Luin sighed softly. "Nin Ithil. What did I do to deserve you?"

"You did nothing to deserve me. Merely you being here is enough".

Luin smiled slightly. "Why do you always know what to say?"

Legolas grinned back, glad to finally see a smile on his lovers lips. "It is because I know you".

"Nin Ithil", Luin breathed as Legolas stood and ran his fingers through the short strands. Luin closing his eyes as the scissors cut and black floated onto the water.

Unedited

Note (may 2023):
After coming back and reading the comments on this, I find it interesting the responses people have to reading this.
Even though it is just hair, it is a body part that is culturally and emotionally important and I wrote this with that in mind. Hair is surprising when it comes to how much it relates to someone's identity and how they see themselves. I really wanted the loss of Luin's hair to be a metaphor for attacks and assaults that may leave no scars but still leave trauma. In some ways, it is almost a metaphor for things like sexual assault or abuse. Not that I am saying it is the same thing. It is designed to be a traumatic event that triggers a loss of self and changes how one views themselves.

I wanted to represent how events that are emotionally traumatic, but leave no physical scars can affect a person. As someone who has had more emotional trauma than physical, I wanted to explore that through the metaphor of his hair since long hair was so important in many cultures, both in middle earth and the history of ours. Luin's hair, though it's visibly short now, is seen as still lesser than physical scarring but to him it is the same.

Sorry to go on a rant about it. I just wanted to explain my thought process when writing this. Also, anyone who relates to or finds what I've written triggering, please know that there is support out there for you and that you are not alone. Everyone else, please respect other people's trauma. It comes in many different forms and emotional can be just as bad as physical in the after effects.

Wish you all well.