Title: Two Cities, Two Loves

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters, locations, events, dates, etc that are part of Tolkien's work. I do claim credit to all original characters not mentioned and wish that you respect this. Thanks to Tolkien for creating this world and my SoKers for inspiring this story!

"Mama!" Béowyn cried. "Caliya is being annoying!" Béodan stood next to her nodding. "She is, Mama... and Halden too!" Elanor stared blankly down at her first set of twins for a minute, her brain barely taking in what they were saying. Both stood looking at her with the same pleading look. By chance, the fraternal twins boasted the mixed eyes of their father-one deep blue, the other startling green. "Maammaa!" She was jerked back to reality when Caliya and Halden showed up, pulling on her dress. Caliya's face was stained with tears and she was rubbing her eyes with her pale brown hair. Halden was holding her hand protectively as normal. As always, her heart leapt in her chest looking at Halden's face. It was still beyond her how no one realized how much he looked like his father, even at his young age. Elanor sighed, and put on her "Mama" voice. "Okay, okay... shhh-calm down my loves. Now tell me, what's the matter?" All four of them starting speaking at once and Elanor's temples threatened to burst. She held up her hand, and they stopped gradually. "One at a time—Béowyn?"

Béowyn straightened her frock, tossed back her long brown hair and stood up straight. "They", she said, glaring at the younger twins, "are being annoying. They keep on wanting to play with us, but we told them that we were doing work, not playing. Then they asked to do work with us, and when we told them to go, she started crying." Elanor glanced at Béodan and he nodded his agreement, dark hair swishing. After nearly 10 years of this, she was used to one of them speaking for the other.

"And Cal—Halden?" Elanor asked her son instead-noting that Caliya wasn't paying attention.

"They weren't doing work! They were making towers with their books and we wanted to play too! But they didn't let us and pretended that that was their work... and... and... and... and then they yelled at us and made Cali cry!" Halden finished indignantly, and if on cue Caliya looked up, on the verge of tears again.

The older twins burst out again, yelling indistinguishably at their younger brother and Elanor just shook her head. She couldn't deal with it anymore, she just couldn't. "All of you, shush up!" she said sternly. "Béowyn, Béodan-apologize to your brother and sister for yelling at them. Caliya, Halden—apologize for bothering your siblings when they were working," ("B-b- ut Mama we didn't do anything wrong!" Halden interjected). "And you two", Elanor added, looking at her older children, "please do your work". All four of them looked glum, but they did as Elanor asked. They exchanged 'Sorry's and then left their respective ways.

Elanor sighed and slid into a chair-just to be interrupted by her youngest children. Aurwyn scampered into the room, followed closely by her little brothers. Before they could even say "Ma-ma", Korynne chose that moment to enter. Noticing the exhausted look on Elanor's face, she quickly shuffled the kids out of the room, motioning over the tops of their heads that she would take care of it. At that moment, Elanor felt that she had never loved Korynne more.

Finally, Elanor collapsed-she just couldn't take it anymore... She was tired and she was overwhelmed and she needed to take a break from it all. Elanor flopped back against her pillow and on impulse her fingers flew to her neck. Her forefinger curled around the intertwined horse and swan. Elanor thought back to her wedding day when her mother had given the necklace as a present. As her mind drifted, she heard her mother's voice echoing in her head: "Remember, you are a princess of Dol Amroth as well... If you ever need to get away, you will have a home there as long as you need..."

Elanor bolted upright. That was it; she could take a trip to Dol Amroth. No one could possibly object to her visiting her family there, least of all Béomir. He himself took frequent trips to visit his family in Ithilien. Kirin and Eoden could take charge of her children while she was gone, and she would be free to live as she pleased-no fights, no crying, no "Ma-aa-ma!" every time she sat down to rest... Yes, she could relax and catch her breath, so to speak.

Elanor started to get up to find Korynne and tell her, but decided against it. It was better to take advantage of the quiet in her room for it was seldom now that she got it. Elanor nestled back against her pillows, drawing her knees close to her chest. In minutes, she had dozed off.

When she woke, the light had dimmed, but the room was still silent. Elanor moaned as she rolled over. Realizing suddenly how long she must have slept, she nearly jumped off the bed worry swarming in her chest. Then, Elanor heard a laugh and twirled around to see Korynne lounging and eating some toast and boiled egg.

"Sit down, sit down, Elanor! Everything's under control." Korynne took a bite of her toast before continuing. "Éoran, Théomod and Aurwyn are all sleeping. The older twins are in their room-doing what, I don't know but at least they're quiet." Korynne smirked, and Elanor smiled appreciatively. "Oh yes, and Mothwyn is reading to the little twins to get them to fall asleep." Korynne bit again into her toast, the egg oozing. Elanor watched her still smiling.

"Ya-wan-some?" Korynne offered, her mouth still full. Elanor shook her head. "No... I'm not really hungry..." Elanor hesitated-should she tell Korynne now? Well it was as good a time as any, Elanor decided.

"Korynne?" "Yup", the red-haired maiden answered, finishing her snack. "I'm going to Dol Amroth." "When?" Korynne asked, practically. "Um... day after 'morrow?" Elanor said, unsure. "Sounds good", Korynne agreed. "I'm sure Momma and Éoden will take care of the kids for us," she added. "You want me to go get our stuff ready?"

"Us? Our?" Elanor asked confused.

Korynne just laughed. "Of course! You think I'm going to let you go traipsing off to the ocean and leave me with the pack? Heck no!" Elanor realized that there was no protesting Korynne coming along, and also that she didn't want too. She enjoyed the young maiden's company and knew that it would be more fun with her around.

"So I'll go pack and 'muster the Rohirrim'", Korynne added, imitating the late King of Rohan. "Do we really need an escourt, Korynne?" Elanor asked, as she plopped back down on her bed. "You know Lord Béomir would not let you go if you were not properly protected-even in this time of peace. You are Lady Elanor of Westfold, are you not?"

Elanor shrugged and rolled her eyes. "Sometimes I wish that I weren't..." she trailed off but Korynne quickly interjected, hoping to ward off the melancholy that settled on Elanor lately. "It'll be like old times! Riding across the plains with a dozen admirers chasing after you!" Korynne sighed silently in relief for Elanor had laughed. "It is an esteem-booster to have an entire éored at your feet" she agreed.

"So, you go and ask Hildamir to get some of his better men together-they'll probably be as glad to get out of here as I am", Elanor instructed Korynne and she moved toward her dresser to ready clothes.

"Get out of here for where?" a small voice wafted towards the busy women.

Elanor and Korynne both turned silently and looked towards the doorway.

Standing between the sides of the wooden frame was Mothwyn. Her long blond hair was knotted at the base of her neck and her arms were crossed over her slim body. At twelve, she looked older than she was and already was attracting the glances of many a young man-just as Elanor had at her age. "Mama? Where are you going?" she asked again, this time stronger.

Elanor felt Korynne look at her and knew that she would get no help from her friend. She would have to tell her daughter. "I'm going to Dol Amroth for a little while, sweetie. Visit my cousins, relax, see the ocean...Don't worry Mothwyn-Uncle Eoden and Auntie Kirin will take care of all of you while I'm gone."

"What about Korynne?" Mothwyn asked apprehensively, walking lightly across the room to sit down on the edge of her mother's bed. "I'll be going as well," Korynne said, saving Elanor from answering. "Oh," Mothwyn said simply and looked down. "When will you be coming back?" "I don't know right now, sweetie-"Elanor broke off. Her oldest daughter looked so glum sitting there that her heart nearly broke. On the spur of the moment, Elanor spoke again, knowing the answer. "Would you like to come with us?"

There was silence for a moment as Mothwyn comprehended the offer and then she jumped up, a bright smile on her face. "Really? I can come! Of course Mama!! Oh thank you, thank you! I love you Mama!" Mothwyn ran and threw her arms around Elanor in a big hug. Elanor laughed to see her daughter so happy. "Remember though-you have to listen to me and Korynne and anyone else who I say... and its important you keep up with your lessons..." Elanor stopped though because she could tell Mothwyn wasn't listening-her mind was already racing with thoughts of adventures.

Elanor shrugged. "Well, go then and start getting your things together- we're leaving day after tomorrow." Mothwyn shrieked with joy and with another hug for her mother, she tore out of the room shouting out over her shoulder "You're the best Mama!"

After her pattering footsteps had died away, Korynne turned to Elanor and spoke. "That was a really nice thing you did for Mothwyn... I know you wanted to get away from everyone." Elanor shook her head though. "No... I want to get away from the screaming and the complaining and the constant nonsense-Mothwyn isn't a part of that." Elanor looked reflectful for a moment and then tossed her hair back.

"No time for thinking now... too much to do!" Elanor declared and set back to getting some dresses together. Korynne and nodded and set off to find Hildamir and start on her other tasks. Elanor knew she had her own ahead- such as telling Béomir that she was going away and didn't have a date set for returning...