Okay, so this story is being written by both me and Breggo13. I didn't write this first chapter, so if you like it, be sure to tell me so I can pass on the message. The next chapter will be ALL MINE! Yeah...anyway...

This story is a bit AU. For one thing, Eldarion is an only child. (I think...hehehe) More AU will come in later chapters.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Oh, my Lord! What have you done now?" cried the old servant when he saw the young prince of Gondor come in with a bleeding nose. Eldarion ignored the blood and flopped down into his armchair.

"Nothing my father should know about!" he said with a glint in his eye. Then, unable to stop himself, he burst out laughing. The old Gondorian shook his head and signaled to a young page to bring his Lord a handkerchief or something. The boy bowed and raced out of the room.

"My lord, may I be so bold, as to dare ask what happened to you?" the servant asked when finally Eldarion had laughed to the fullest. In the process, the prince's white shirt and leather vest were covered in blood. The page at last returned and bowing to Eldarion handed his Highness a handkerchief, which was gratefully accepted.

"Oh Findus, you will never believe it but there was actually a fight," Eldarion's nose stopped bleeding, and rising, the prince started undoing the buttons on his vest. The page stood there, helping his young master. "Well, not a real one, but there was this one proud man. He was laughing at the Dunedains and, to tell you the truth, I agree with him, but the young Dunedains, the rangers, they called him for a duel. He was outnumbered and I had to join him. So, in the end we won, but he now has a broken arm, and as you see, my nose got hit with the hilt."

"My lord, as your friend and someone who has watched you grow from infantry I beg you, do not go into such street fights. It is bad for the heir of Elessar to be out and fighting with Dunedains from whom, I may be daring enough to mention, you originated. Have you any idea what that does for your reputation?" Findus passed Eldarion a fresh white tunic, which the prince gratefully slipped on.

"Don't even go there old man!" the prince cautioned with a smile. Usually he wouldn't think about taking a suggestion from a commoner but Findus was to Eldarion like a best friend. The old servant knew everything, even who the prince was in love with.

"I would also like to remind your highness that you are to have dinner today with the Steward's family in the great hall. Your mother asked for you to look, ah… how did she put it? Presentable." Findus was rummaging in an old chest where Eldarion's best tunics were. Finally he pulled out something that was made from navy blue material. Shaking it out, Findus proudly revealed a beautiful velvet tunic, with the white tree engraved in silver threads on the front. "I took the liberty to propose this particular tunic, Mon senior, because it goes so well with your eyes and I am positive that Lady Feowyn…"

"No! Not another word," Eldarion said laughing as he pulled the tunic over his head. Findus grinned in return and helped Eldarion fasten a dark blue cape behind him. "Oh Findus, you are my savior," Eldarion said as he quickly dusted off his boots, gave his friend a pat on the back and walked out of the room.

****

As soon as Eldarion walked into the family room where the whole party was assembled, he was immediately rounded up into a hug by Steward Faramir's wife Eowyn. Lady Eowyn was a beautiful woman, tall and fair with eyes that have seen pain and more. She was a free spirit that was usually out of doors, riding and practicing fencing. Actually, it was Lady Eowyn who first introduced Eldarion to the sword.

"My dear, I believe you shouldn't choke our dear prince to death," the Steward cautioned while his wife turned towards him and stuck out her tongue. Faramir, son of Denethor, was in his late forties but that didn't matter because he still was as young and cheerful as before. His russet hair was streaked with gray lines, but his eyes still sparkled with youth and strength. Eldarion smiled and bowed his head. Since his childhood the Prince had spent a lot of time with Faramir and Eowyn as well as their daughter. To him they were family.

"Faramir let her be. He's a strong boy, there is no harm in that," Arwen smiled meaningfully exchanging glances with Eowyn. Aragorn laughed and started talking to Faramir about what happened to him in Rivendell. The whole family just returned from their trip. Arwen and Eowyn soon joined them, letting the two young people greet each other.

"Feowyn!" Eldarion exclaimed with joy when he finally was near his friend. Well, friend really was an understatement since Eldarion and Feowyn were frequently seen together and (this was their secret) hoping to get married later, were already discussing the different plans. And actually, it came as no surprise to the parents of these two. Fea and Eldarion had grown up together, finding comfort in each other's company. Eldarion, being only two years older, had fallen in love earlier and that was also no surprise. The two have seen each other since he was fourteen and she twelve before the Steward's family went to Grey Havens for three years. Coming back, it was shocking for Eldarion to see the change that occurred. Fea turned from a small girl with freckles and braids into a beautiful young woman.

"Eldarion," she answered back as she curtsied. He bowed and with joy took her hand to kiss it. Two years had passed since the first time Eldarion understood that he loved her. Today, she was looking wonderful. Her golden hair was today braided back, which opened her heart-shaped face. Her eyes, a deep hazel color, almost brown, were sparkling with joy and kindness. Dressed in a deep green dress that suited her perfectly, she was bliss to look upon.

"How was your journey?" Eldarion asked as he led Fea to an armchair near the fire.

"Quite pleasant, thank you," she replied sitting down. The light coming from the fire played on Feowyn's face, changing her ever so slightly every time the flames took a different direction. "But to tell you the truth sire, I do find the elves a bit too peaceful. They certainly don't have the air that you have."

"Oh Feowyn, you shouldn't talk like that. I find the elves a race from which we can learn a lot about." Eldarion answered back as he sat down across from her in an identical chair.

"Oh yes, if you are referring to the fact that we, the people of Gondor can't sing or play the harp as well," Feowyn laughed as Eldarion, smiling bowed his head in submission. That was true. Right now in Gondor, most of the people, even warriors from the War of the Ring were forgetting the call of the battle horn. The era of Peace was upon the city, which for so long withstood the ambush of Mordor.

"Feowyn, may I be bold enough to ask you to accompany me to a walk in the garden?" Eldarion offered his love his hand, which she accepted with a sweet smile. The adults wouldn't miss them if they left.

****

"Eldarion, why in the world did you drag me out here?" laughed Feowyn as she knelt to pick a beautiful white flower. He smiled and continued walking. Skipping, Fea caught up to him. Though she was a lady, Feowyn let herself be childish around Eldarion. "Come now, do tell me why you wanted to talk to me."

"How did you know I wanted to talk to you?" Eldarion raised an eyebrow.

"It is obvious. Now, speak up. Why all the secrets?" Fea stood on her tippy toes and gave Eldarion a kiss on the cheek. He blushed with pleasure and turning to face her took her hands in his.

"I love you, Fea," he whispered. Now it was her turn to raise a delicate eyebrow.

"Well, that's no secret. Everyone knows we have feelings for each other. That is old news," Feowyn was now looking at him with some concern sketched into her beautiful face.

"No, you don't understand," with that Eldarion knelt to one knee and pulled out a small velvet box. "Open it," he asked Fea as she took it. With shaking hands the young lady opened the box. Inside, sitting on a pillow of blue velvet sat a ring, plain from the first look but with small diamonds on the outside.

"What is this?" Feowyn asked in a whisper. "Is this some bad joke?"

"Never, my love," Eldarion took a deep breath and looking into Feowyn's eyes said, "Feowyn, will you marry me?"

"Eldarion…I…I don't know what to say, except…Yes," Feowyn smiled with joy and blushed scarlet. Eldarion stood up and taking the ring from the box, slipped it onto her finger.

"A perfect fit," he commented with a smile.

"Never mind that! I love you Eldarion," Feowyn flung her arm around her, well now to say fiancée and buried her face in his shoulder. Surprised but happy nonetheless, Eldarion lifted Feowyn off her feet and spun her round and round. She laughed with joy. Stopping, Eldarion leaned in to kiss her. The kiss was long and passionate, the pain of waiting over and the joy of finally uniting filled both young people.

After that long moment, Eldarion finally pulled away, his face beaming.

"I love you too Fea. I can't live without you anymore. If anything should ever happen, I will always come back. Now come, we should tell our elders," Eldarion said as he put his future wife down on her feet again.

"Should we really tell them?" teased Feowyn intertwining her fingers with Eldarion's. Chuckling, Eldarion kissed her again.

"We should, and besides, dinner will be soon. I don't know about you, but I was so nervous that I'm starving," Eldarion said as Feowyn tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"Oh Eldarion, you'll never be a romantic," she laughed as the new couple made their way back towards the dining room.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Did you like it? Or did you hate it? Either way. Let us know what you think. And Breggo13 deserves the credit for everything in this chapter. I was just the proofreader. =) The next chapter will be all mine....

Jason