AN: Hey! This is my first LOTR fan fiction and I just want to thank Sauron Gorthaur for beta-ing my raw materials. I don't know where I'd be without the help with Elvish, names and just common issues. So THANKS!

Just to recap... this is MOVIE A/U. Hope you all enjoy it.

Chapter 1

Ten years have passed since the elves departed from the shores of Middle-earth. I have not been back to Minas Tirith in almost four years. Eldarion has never seen the realm he will one day rule. Gondor is in the safe hands of Faramir for now and Eldarionis now old enough to make the journey from Rivendell to Minas Tirith, so why does Arwen make me wait? I was glad to hear that Legolas had not left this land, as I feared I would one day require his companionship.

Aragorn mused quietly to himself on the balcony just outside the room he and Arwen were occupying at that time. He thought over everything that had happened since the Fellowship was formed -after all it's not every day you meet eight others who share the same goal and the same ferocity to see it achieved as yourself. He found his mind wandering to a time just weeks after his coronation when he learned that Faramir and also, of course, Boromir, were in fact his cousins; their father was his mother's half-brother. This made his sadness at Boromir's death greater, for he had not known earlier.

Ahh,and then comes Éomer and his beautiful sister Éowyn. The last time I saw them was at my coronation.

There was a gentle knock on the door and Aragorn looked up from his hands and smiled as Legolas entered his chambers, Arwen following closely behind him. His best friend and his wife wore looks of distress as they approached him.

"Legolas, my friend, what troubles you?" he asked, slightly unwillingly. For something to trouble his friend, it must be very severe.

Legolas could not answer so Arwen stepped closer to her husband and placed a hand on his cheek, caressing him gently as though he might break at any second.

"Your presence is requested in Minas Tirith, my King." One of her famous witty smiles graced her face for a fleeting moment at the title of power she bestowed upon him. "Faramir has called for all princes and has sent word to us begging for your return to the White City." She held something back, Aragorn could tell, but he said nothing to her as he placed his book on the couch beside him and stood slowly. Both Legolas and Arwen instantly lowered their heads.

A proud man Aragorn was, but he hated seeing his best friend and his wife bowing to him. He smiled brightly as he touched Arwen's cheek, and chuckled as he placed his other hand on Legolas' shoulder. The three of them left the room and walked down to the stables. Asfaloth nickered quietly and poked his head over the door of his stall at the same time Brego and Arod did. The three of them left Rivendell and, followed by four guards set out for Minas Tirith.

The ride was long and hard, and Aragorn found himself becoming more frustrated as one thing mounted on the other. The guard's horses losing shoes and pulling up lame made his blood boil and by the time they reached Minas Tirith, he found himself agitated and anxious. Legolas had tried to reason with him and after a short argument decided it was best to leave him be. Arwen, on the other hand, sensed her husband's frustration but remained silent.

...

Arwen's friendly smile changed as Faramir brushed past, ignoring her and Aragorn. She glanced at her husband just as he cleared his throat, loudly. When Faramir turned and feigned surprise at the King's appearance, Aragorn raised an eyebrow and continued to stare at the still upright steward. Someone coughed behind Faramir, and he suddenly remembered not only his rightful place, but his manners. He stepped back slowly and gave a grand sweeping bow, a little too theatrically for Arwen's taste. Aragorn ignored her glance as he nodded to Faramir and proceeded to walk up the stairs into the great hall inside which, sat his throne.

When he entered the hall, there was a soft shuffling as the princes of Middle Earth hurried from their seats to kneel and as he walked past, they dipped their heads lower still. He finally made it to his throne and turned to face the men before him, Arwen and Legolas standing on either side of him, and he raised his hands, signalling for them all to take their seats. When he had seated himself, Faramir stood and addressed the hall. His words were poisoned by those of the nobles sitting around him, and Aragorn instantly knew something was wrong. His friend, and cousin, was not usually cruel and vindictive, but his speech had the tiny hairs on the back of Aragorn's neck raised.

Legolas scoffed at something, making Aragorn realize he was not exactly paying attention to his cousin. Again he was too busy noticing the changes this situation made happen: Legolas showing emotion in any presence of royal confrontation, Arwen's silence, Faramir's failure to acknowledge him earlier, and now his own lack of interest in what his cousin was saying.

When Faramir had finished, Éomer stood and addressed Aragorn personally before turning to the court. "My Lord Aragorn, times have indeed been rather difficult. The people of Rohan have suffered greatly since the war, with disease and plagues, and I am sure that the other realms of Middle-earth have noticed this as well. However," he glanced at Faramir, and Aragorn swore he saw a glare cross the face of the young king of Rohan, "we remain one hundred percent behind you and your rule."

Aragorn's confusion must have been clear on his face, because Arwen stepped forward and addressed the council, causing the other men to scoff and jeer at her. They were under the impression that he was mocking them by letting a woman speak at the council, and their distaste caused them to forget their company. The king stood and glanced at each of his princes as they knelt once again. He was fast getting annoyed with the banter of the power-hungry men before him.

"Your queen has something she wishes to say, and I suggest you listen to her or you can be easily replaced," He said, slightly menacingly as he raised his brows and swept a glance over the men. Arwen glanced back at him and smiled slightly, grateful to him for intervening. Very quietly she spoke to each of them separately and as a unity.

"The king is not going anywhere, and for those of you who would like to see him overthrown, leave now." None of them stood up, so Arwen returned to her place. She placed a hand on Aragorn's shoulder and smiled at him once again, her eyes twinkling.

...

At last there was silence, and Aragorn opened his eyes to find himself staring at the large expanse of the white city. The white stars above shone brightly in their velvet sea and not a cloud stirred the vast expanse of sky. Arwen's face filled his vision as she stood before him and grinned. As her lips pressed to his, there was a slight knock on their door. Aragorn growled softly as he stood and went to open the door to their room. There was naught but a piece of folded parchment sitting on the ground. He picked it up and opened it.

A/N: I wonder what the letter says, and who is it from? Why is Faramir acting like this? All will be revealed, keep reading. Oh and R+R please?

Eowyniel-Elessar