A/N) I hope that you see my characterisation of Aragorn and Arwen's children okay. I'm still working on them to improve who they are as an OC. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 3

Good News

Nearly 2 Months Later

74th day since returning to Minas Tirith

Gandalf entered the palace of the King looking round at the intricate design that had been in the halls since the days of Elendil. The hall was magnificent in stature and anyone who entered marvelled upon the beauty of the craftsmen who had laboured many thousands of years ago to build this place.

Ahead he saw Faramir sitting in the Steward's chair beside the throne. Aragorn did not occupy the seat. Beside Faramir stood Eldarion who had just held court. The two took it in turns to rule.

"My dear friends," Gandalf began, "I come back from many perils to bring word. The Knights have been destroyed. I saw them wither and die myself."

"That is good news!" Eldarion smiled. "Father has been more active. He's started speaking again and has even joined us for breakfast once! I think he's gradually recovering."

"I hope so." Gandalf said. "I believe the Knight's existence had an effect on his recovery. Hopefully their death will lead Aragorn away from the darkness trapping his mind."

Faramir stepped forward from the side crossing his arms. He looked doubtful. "How did you do it? How were the Knights destroyed?"

Gandalf frowned. "They vanished when I chanted a spell of light using the power of Ilúvatar that he granted me. As I said, they withered and died. They live no more."

"I find it hard to believe," Faramir said. "If they were that easy to defeat why couldn't you do it before?"

"Morgoth's power protected them. Without it they cannot survive."

"Then why did they not perish when Eldarion made that fatal blow?"

Eldarion flinched as Faramir mentioned it. He could still see his father's stricken face as he stabbed him, ending his life. It had pained him so much when that had occurred. Yet hope had found its way to him. The choices given to him had brightened his future. The Prince was glad that he had been able to bring Aragorn back. If he hadn't…Eldarion didn't know what he would be doing now. Would the Kingdom have fallen?

"Morgoth's power had not yet broken at that point," Gandalf answered Faramir's question. "He was at the peak of his power. It would take time for his power to dwindle and the Knight's were feeding upon it to keep them alive."

"Where did you find them?" Eldarion asked.

"Mordor. The evil from Sauron's days kept them alive. The right spell took their life and power from them. They have no energy source left."

Faramir waved his hand in mid-air dismissing the question. He still had doubts.


"Eldarion tells me something is troubling you my lady." Gandalf said as he approached the Lady Arwen in the nursery who held the six-month old Eowulia in her arms, singing quietly to her.

Arwen looked up. "Kind of. It's a vision I'm wary of."

"A vision?"

"Concerning Estel."

"Oh," Gandalf said, "May I ask what troubles you about it?"

"I'll tell you. Just don't tell anyone else."

"I won't."

Arwen told Gandalf everything about the vision and her suspicion that everything was pointing towards it.

"It can't be. The Knight's are gone; Aragorn has improved. It could be just a recurring dream." The wizard suggested.

"No," Arwen shook her head, not fully convinced. "The Knight's are still out there. Something warns me in my heart of this."

"I'll look into it."

"Hannon le." Arwen said. Thank you

"Your father misses you," Gandalf said. "I spoke to him in battle. He wishes you the best."

"I miss him as well," Arwen murmured. "Gandalf, is it possible for Frodo to come to Minas Tirith? I know he's in Valinor but he's come to Middle-Earth before. I would like him to speak to Estel."

Gandalf nodded. "I believe that Frodo and Aragorn are still connected in some way. And, yes, Frodo is in Middle-Earth now. He decided to remain in Middle-Earth for a while: see if he could help Aragorn. He's coming to Minas Tirith with Merry and Pippin. Sam remains in the Shire."

"When will they arrive?"

"Last I knew they were near to Rivendell. They're taking a slow journey here remembering the old days. That was about a month ago when I was hunting the Knights. They should be within the city in about two weeks."

"I hope that Frodo can help Estel. I don't like seeing him like this."

"Neither do I," Gandalf replied, placing his hands on the Queen's shoulders. "If he does not heal he has the option of crossing the sea with you. You'll be granted a lifespan in Valinor to live out the years you should have, if Aragorn so chooses."

"Does he know this?"

"I don't think so, but I believe he has a suspicion about it," Gandalf explained "We'll have to wait and see what befalls him in the coming days, weeks, months, years. It will be a long journey for all of us Arwen."


Anawiel and Tiniwiel, the twin daughters of Aragorn and Arwen, led their younger sister Eleclya through the halls to their father's chambers. In Tiniwiel's hands arms sat, curled up, was Eowulia, the youngest Princess of the Telcontar house. Aragorn had made a request to see his youngest daughters. The past few months he had been deprived of them and he wished to speak to them.

Eldarion was to be present at the meeting, just in case Aragorn had one of his fits. Since Gandalf's return nothing like that had happened. He now believed that the threat of the Knights were gone, even Faramir thought so because of Aragorn's improved health.

The King of Gondor had made several attempts to come down for breakfast but when he had heard voices and laughter he'd asked to be taken back to his room. At least he had made an attempt to be with his family. He just needed time, and asking to see his daughters showed that he was accepting what had happened to him.

Eldarion waited for them outside the King's room. "He's a bit nervous at the moment. Be careful with what you say." He cautioned them.

Aragorn lay in the bed the covers wrapped around him tightly but he was awake and he watched – half-anxious, half-afraid – as Eleclya and Eowulia entered. Anawiel, Tiniwiel and Eldarion waited outside, the door kept open ajar, their breath bated, waiting to see what would transpire.

"Ada?" Eleclya asked. She was cautious of her father. She had only seen him once in the past months and that had been when he had brought Arwen back from the darkness of death.

"Eleclya," Aragorn said, quietly. His voice was soft and weak. "And Eowulia. Come here my darlings."

Eleclya climbed onto the bed beside her father, passing Eowulia to him. The baby girl looked around at her surroundings. She moved her arms as Aragorn held her. Her small, flaying hands clamped onto his tunic. He stiffened.

Eldarion stepped into the room watching, but Aragorn relaxed and just held his daughter. Eleclya curled up hugging her father. The Prince smiled. His father was reacting as he should. Quietly he slipped out the room.

"Ada? Are you better?" Eleclya asked.

"My world has brightened now that I've seen the both of you. Too long has it been since I've seen both of you. I've missed you."

Eleclya laughed. She was too young to really understand what her father was saying to her but she understood he meant what he said by the way his voice sounded.

"So, tell me what you've been doing these past few weeks." Aragorn said.

The next few hours were spent with Eleclya chatting away, brightening up Aragorn's world with her little jokes and miss-adventures with the nanny in the nursery.

Arwen joined them and smiled contently as she watched her husband. He was feeling better. Perhaps now everything was all right. Her vision had not come true.

TBC

See, no cliffy this time! But not for long….

Review Responses:

Got-Lotr: Yes, the cliffy's are now starting. I don't think this was a cliffy though.

Celebdil-galad and Tinlaure: Yes, unfortunately I've hurt Aragorn a bit more then I intended to with the last story, I'm hoping that this story doesn't take the same turn. I did cry when I wrote the beginning, as I know I've got to find a way to finish it on a happy note, though I can't see how at the moment. And your nearly finished 'Reflection'! I can't wait! And to be really kind to you Legolas lovers I am diverting myself in this story from hurting Aragorn to do a bit of 'Lego bashing'. It goes well with the plot! But it won't happen until Chapter 6 and Chapter 7. And being cruel to Legolas is not like me! Thanks for the review!

Grumpy: I'm glad that you've got the grisp of what I'm aiming to achieve with the Knights and Aragorn's illness.

Chapter 4 up on Wednesday!