"Dearest Siri—"

            "Don't 'dearest Siri' me, Boromir," Lady Ivy Sirithwingwen scolded, her arms folded across her chest.  "You're quite late."

            "King Elessar ran into a trade dispute right at the last moment of our meeting, and begged for me and the rest of the advisors to stay and help him," Boromir explained.  "Then, seeing how late I was, I tried to find some little thing to make up for it."  His hands, which had been held behind his back in a gesture of shame, moved forward to reveal a small but beautiful bouquet of flowers.

            Ivy looked at the bouquet, then at Boromir's smiling face, and couldn't help but squeal and throw herself at him.  Boromir barely had time to set the flowers on a nearby table before catching Ivy in a hug and smiling as she covered him in kisses.  "I take it I'm forgiven," he laughed as he held her close.

            "Quite," agreed Ivy.  "Besides, you know I can't resist when you call me Siri."   She grinned and took him by the hand to lead him to the table where she had food waiting.  "It's a little cold by now, but that can't be helped," she said, a little apologetically.  "Next time I see Avi, I'll have her talk with Aragorn about keeping people late.  No one appreciates it very much."

            "Least of all my Siri, it seems," Boromir said, smiling.

            "Very least of all," concurred Ivy.

            They dug into their tepid fare then, talking of their days and whatnot.  Ivy spoke of some of the broadsword instructions she was giving to the novices of the palace guard, and Boromir updated Ivy on the latest news coming to the royal court.  After a bit of this, however, Boromir leaned back in his chair and looked critically at his beloved.  "Are you troubled, Ivy?"

            "A little.  How did you guess?" Ivy asked.

            "You changed the colour of your hair," Boromir replied.  "Only when you are bothered by something do you streak your hair blues or purples, or even just leave it dark black altogether.  To see blue in your hair causes me some worry."

            "It may prove to be nothing," said Ivy, sighing and standing to leave the table.  Boromir followed suit, and the two left to go sit together in Ivy's sitting room that adjoined their bedroom, while a few servants hurried to clear the table.  Ivy flopped onto her divan, and looked up at Boromir, who was staring curiously at her.  "I can't explain it, dear—I've just got this bad feeling about things.  I don't even know what things, exactly."

            Boromir sat next to her, and she snuggled close to him in his arms.  "Well, I don't know exactly what to say, Siri, dear.  Let's just hope that you're off on your feelings this time.  I don't want anything to happen to you."

            "Nor do I want anything to happen to you, or anyone," Ivy said, a small pout forming on her lips.  She looked into his eyes, and said softly, "I love you too much to even imagine you hurt or in danger."

            "And I love you just as much, and always will," said Boromir deeply.  He then took her face gently in his hands and kissed her tenderly.  They remained like this, close and kissing, for quite some time afterward, but naturally, neither one minded quite so much.

                              *                   *                   *                   *                   *

            "You didn't have to keep Boromir and the other advisors for a trade dispute," Avi said to Aragorn after the abovementioned had departed from the conference room.  "Either one of us could have easily handled it, no da."

            "I simply wanted more opinions, is all," Aragorn said.  "We can't have any dissention amongst the ranks right now, as you well know.  Things have been up in the air for so long now.  I just want people to start feeling safe and stable again, all over Middle Earth."

            "I know, love," sighed Avi.  She smoothed out her skirt and laid her hands in her lap, staring at her fingers.  Her eyes rested on the ring given to her by Aragorn when they were wed, and on the elven ring worn before by Cara, the Green Wizard, and by Gandalf the Grey before her, both of which reminded her of her responsibility to the people of Middle Earth.  "Our arrival here certainly caused an uproar."

            "Only because it was concurrent with an uprising of problems from Mordor," Aragorn said.  He knelt down in front of Avi, and took her hands in his.  "My love, this is not your fault, nor any of your companions.  If nothing else, all of Middle Earth holds you in all in awe, from the way you all fought against the resurgence of evil.  You yourself took great risk to infiltrate Barad-dur with us, and took even greater risk at stealing the Palantir back for us.  The people of Gondor love their new queen, I assure you."

            "Ah yes, they love their new queen," Avi said.  "But what of the old queen?"

            Aragorn sighed sadly.  "Arwen was never happy here.  She hated being so far from her people, and she rather disliked the pains caused by being mortal.  We began to grow apart, and when you came along, I realized who I had been destined for all along.  Arwen returned to Rivendell and regained her immortality, and is beginning to feel better now that she's back with her people.  And I am here with you, my true love, and that's all that matters to me."

            Avi smiled at him and squeezed his hand.  "And it's all that matters to me as well."

            "Wonderful," Aragorn said.  He stood and helped his queen to her feet, and the pair left to take a turn in the gardens.  As they settled on the edge of a fountain to watch the sunset, Aragorn said, "Avi, in two days hence, I leave for the Shire."

            "That's right—for your yearly gathering with all the gents from before," Avi said.  "I wonder if Gandalf will make a surprise appearance again."

            "We can only hope," Aragorn said, smiling.  "You do not mind staying behind, truly?  We need someone here to keep an eye on things, and I trust you with my life."

            "I don't mind at all," replied Avi.  "A few members of the harem said they may visit, and Cara promised she'd be on call for everything.  Besides, it would be good practice for me to take some of the administrative duties on full force."

            "Know you'll be in my every thought while I'm gone" Aragorn declared, kissing Avi gently.

            "Just as you'll be in mine," said Avi, returning his kiss.

            They sat, taking in the gorgeous sunset over the magnificent city of Minas Tirith, just enjoying each other's company for a while.  As things grew dark, Avi said, "I'd better warn Lily and Primrose of your arrival.  You know they like to be prepared for everything."
            "Of course," agreed Aragorn.  "Then, I think we should take time to make every moment we're together last, since we've never been separated for so long before."

            "That sounds wonderful, Aragorn," Avi said, smiling brightly.  Hands clasped, the King and Queen of Gondor left to do just that.

                              *                   *                   *                   *                   *

            Primrose Gardener, very newly Primrose Baggins, was cleaning up after Frodo's breakfast when she heard a knock at her door.  A small frown crossed her face, for she wasn't expecting anyone, and her house was certainly in no state for visitors.  She sighed, wiped her soapy hands on her apron and went to answer the door.  When she opened it, her frown changed to a grin.  "Lily Bunce!  Come right in and don't mind the mess."

            "Please, Prim, this is immaculate compared to the state my home is in," laughed Lily as she hugged Primrose and then followed her in.  "And what with Pippin staying the night more and more frequently…"

            "Lily!  What will people say if they find out!" gasped Primrose.  "This is Hobbiton, not back home.  People—or, rather, Hobbits—talk."

            "It's not as if we're being improper, as it were," Lily said defensively.  "And, if they say anything, I'll just show them this."  She smiled smugly, and held out a hand, and Primrose squealed happily upon seeing a plain but pretty ring on Lily's finger.

            "Lily Took!" Primrose said, grinning.  "How wonderful!"

            "That's right about what I said," Lily giggled.  "There's still some time until the wedding, naturally, but it's official. I can't wait!"

            "So is this what brought you here so early, before either of us got the breakfast dishes done?" Primrose asked, returning to hers as she spoke.

            "Partially," Lily admitted.  "But there's more to it than that.  Avi called me last night, via Palantir."

            "Really?  Is anything wrong?" said Primrose, sounding worried.

            "No, actually.  She just wanted to warn us that Aragorn is leaving Minas Tirith to come here for the meeting two days from now."

            "Well, that's good news then, despite the fact that it means we have to get down to work preparing for this thing soon," Primrose said, smiling.  "And how is our queen, anyway?"

            Lily snickered.  "Queen Avi is doing fine.  She was acting very queenly when we talked."

            "That's our Queen Avi," laughed Primrose.

            "At least we're used to addressing her as such, as she told us to after she became the queen," Lily said.  "Now, we'll just have to knock her down a notch or two when we next see her."

            "That we will," agreed Primrose.

            That taken care of, the two hobbit women began taking part in one of a hobbit's favourite past times—gossiping.  Lily proved her title as the gossip queen of the Shire by filling Primrose in on every tiny detail of every little thing she could think of.  Then, they started making preliminary plans for both the reunion and the wedding, with Primrose already jotting down a guest list, having given up on cleaning altogether.  It was in this state that Frodo and Pippin found them.

            "What are you two up to?" Frodo asked, kissing his wife on the cheek.

            "Planning," replied Primrose.  "You heard Pippin and Lily's good news, of course?"

            "That I did.  I can't wait to see how extravagant an affair you plan.  Just keep in mind, you won't outdo a Baggins wedding."  Frodo laughed and winked at Lily and Pippin.

            "We'll just see, Frodo Baggins," replied Pippin, grinning.  "Now, what about second breakfast?"

            "I'll second breakfast you," threatened Lily.

                              *                   *                   *                   *                   *

            "What did Avi want?" Elrond asked as Luint returned from the Palantir.

            "She just likes to hear herself talk," Luint replied jokingly as she rejoined Elrond in bed.  "She reminded me that the reunion for you all is soon, and while Aragorn is away, she's in charge."

            "Heaven help us," laughed Elrond.

            "My sentiments exactly," Luint said, snickering.  She moved close to Elrond, feeling the muscles in his chest, and sighed.  "Will you be going this year?"

            "Only if you do as Avi is doing and stand in my place," Elrond said seriously, although he allowed one of his hands to play through Luint's hair.  "Elledan and Elohir (I know these names are probably wrong—I'll look them up later) are in Gondor at present, and Arwen isn't exactly in the best state of mind to act as a princess."

            "Truly," Luint agreed.  "Maybe you should send her to visit Galadriel in Lothlorien?  That might help."

            "I may just.  But I think we'll see if she starts feeling better on her own," Elrond said.

            "Let's just hope she does.  She won't admit it, but our permanence in this world really does rankle her.  But I'd be happy to look after things.  Lord knows I could use the practice in being something of a queen myself," said Luint thoughtfully.

            "You'll do fine, Luint," Elrond assured her.  Then, a glint came into his eyes.  "Now, where were we before Avi interrupted us?"

            "Somewhere around here," Luint replied, smiling and kissing Elrond deeply.

                              *                   *                   *                   *                   *

            "Sure, we'll come and visit you," Lady Jade Greenleaf said. "I'll bring Lewen with, if not more of them.  We'll have a party or something."

            "Wonderful," came Avi's voice through the Palantir, sounding relieved.  "I'm going to be so lost here alone.  Aragorn and I have grown rather attached, no da."

            "Yeah, I noticed," Jade said, rolling her eyes and thanking the stars her friend couldn't see her.  "Well, Lady Greenleaf herself is here, so I'll tell her and save you a call.  She'll be back in Lothlorien soon, though.  Good luck until we get there."

            "Thanks, Jade.  See you then," Avi said.

            Jade felt the connection break, and sighed deeply.  The Ladies Jessica and Telepavriel Greenleaf stood nearby, waiting to hear the news from Gondor.  "Anything special?" inquired Telepavriel.

            "Just a warning that Aragorn's leaving and an invitation to Gondor to anyone our little husband-type leaves here in Mirkwood," Jade said indifferently, leading her harem sisters away from the Palantir.

            "Oh, I'll definitely go," said Jessica eagerly.  "It's been so long since we've seen Gondor or Avi, and I know she'll be missing Aragorn as much as I'll be missing Legolas."

            Jade blanched.  "Oh, puke!  You'll both be fine!"  She was one of the older members of Legolas' harem, and had never had any patience with the overly romantic types of things many women lived for.  The other girls in the harem had quickly gotten used to it, but secretly wondered if Jade simply said things like that to cover up for a desire to have a bit of romance in her life herself.

            "We all will be fine," Telepavriel said, trying to smooth things over nonetheless.  "I think we should just let Legloas go to the Shire alone.  We all went with when the reunion was in Gondor, and it was such a hassle for everyone.  Let's just give everybody some breathing room."

            "Good idea.  We'll bring it up at our group meeting tonight.  But after we revise the schedule," said Jade, narrowing her eyes.  "I haven't had my alone time with Legolas in ages, because I traded with Lewen to get her to shut up.  Then, Lady Greenleaf showed up, and I had to wait more.  I'm sick of getting screwed over."

            "Sure, we'll fix it—so long as you never call it 'alone time' again," shuddered Telepavriel.

            Jade laughed.  "No problem."

            It was then that they ran into Lewen.  She was an absolute dear, but her utter devotion stepped over into obsession, and it sometimes drove the others crazy—especially Jade, who could only take so much of such things.  "Oh, girls, I'm so glad I found you.  Who's presiding today's meeting?"

            "I am," Jade said warily.

            "Great.  I had something I wanted to address, but I thought I'd run it past you all first," Lewen said, her eyes glowing.

            "Go for it," Jessica said, wondering amusedly what it could be this time.

            "I know I changed my name to Aeryn and then to Lewen when I first got here, but while I was admiring Legolas' gorgeous hair at breakfast this morning, I thought of the perfect name for me.  He'll be flattered, I'm sure," gushed Lewen, absolutely enraptured with her idea.

            "Oh, I'm sure," Telepavriel said, trying to hide a smile.

            "So what is it?" asked Jessica.

            "Legolust Greenleaf," said Lewen proudly.

            The three elven girls stared at their harem sister in something like awe for a moment.  "That's …nice, Lewen," said Telepavriel cautiously.

            "Very original," added Jessica, coughing to cover a giggle.

            "Oh, god!" groaned Jade, throwing her hands in the air.  "I'm outta here.  We'll talk at the meeting about all this."

            Jade stalked off, muttering under her breath.  Telepavriel was not far behind, mumbling something about going to practice some archery while trying desperately to stifle her giggles.  Lewen, looking crestfallen, turned to Jessica.  "Is it really that bad?" she asked, sounding near tears.
            "Of course not," Jessica said assuredly.  She put her arm around her sister's shoulder and fixed a smile on her face as she listened yet again to how amazingly beautiful their Legolas was.

                   *                   *                   *                   *                    *

            Lady V, the beautiful wife of Faramir, sat and watched her friend, Lady Georgina, ride her horse hard towards a jousting dummy.  V flinched as Georgina's lance struck the dummy, and gasped as she barely avoided getting unhorsed.  Georgina swung her horse around as if she were readying for another charge, but instead headed for the sword targets set up on the field.  Lady V's eyes widened when she saw how swiftly Georgina drew her sword, and the subsequently knocked the targets away with remarkable force.  After taking out all the targets, Georgina reined in her horse, dismounted, and sent it with a stablehand for grooming and water before making her way over to V.

            "Nice work," Lady V commented, giving the Rider her own water.

            "Thanks," Georgina replied, taking the water gratefully.  "Ivy will be impressed with the sword work, I think.  I'll show her when we get to Gondor."

            "You'll be sorely missed around here if you go, Lady Georgina," a voice said from behind them.  She and Lady V turned to see Eomer, the speaker, and Faramir along with him.  "The Lady Ivy isn't the only one you'd impress."

            "Indeed, you've already impressed us," Faramir said, moving to sit with V.  We'd certainly appreciate it if you would forgo your visit to Gondor and its city and join us in the pleasures of the Shire instead."

            "We've already told you, Faramir, we don't want to hinder you or Prim or Lily or any of the girls there," V said patiently.

            "Besides, this is your reunion, not ours," Georgina reminded them.  "One of the reasons why we want to go to Minas Tirith is to talk with Ivy, Avi, and whoever else shows up about a Sisterhood reunion, anyway.  We can't hardly do that from the Shire."

            "We know.  We just thought we'd try one last time to convince you," sighed Faramir.

            "It'll make our returns to Rohan even sweeter, then," V said, smiling.

            "Exactly.  Now, you gentlemen had better go finish preparing yourselves, just as we should do the same.  I, for one, need to get this chain mail cleaned before setting out, and we need to arm Lady V here with something a little more substantial for our journety.  Those Dunlendings are still out there," Georgina said.

            Eomer laughed.  "They're really not anything to worry about, Lady Georgie.  There's just a few annoying ones out there.  They shouldn't give you any trouble."

            I remember that one, though," said V, frowning.  "Now, she was really annoying.  Maybe I will bring a knife or something, just in case."

            "Well, then, let us all retire to the armory," Faramir said, taking his lady by the hand.  "I guess it's time to prepare for some long journeys."