The funeral of Theoden and the union of Faramir and Eowyn were both spectacular events and at their end the company began to divide. The Elves and Dunedain had to continue their journey Northwards with the Hobbits and Mithrandir, Legolas and Gimli were off to explore together as they promised before returning to their own Kingdoms. Aragorn and Boromir were to stay in Rohan to draw up treaties with Eomer, but first they were going to journey one last time with the Fellowship. One final journey for the nine walkers.

Ternyo had been entrusted by the King to take two of the best knights and guard the Queen during his absence. Part of him wished that the King had not done that, it gave him the opportunity he needed to kill the Queen. He would much rather kill the King then the Queen who he saw as innocent, Denethor however did have a point, should the unborn child survive the throne would never pass to Boromir. And so Ternyo did as the King asked and chose two knights to remain with him to guard the Queen should anything unforseen happen. If only the King knew where the danger really lay.

The three knights stood by the Queen as she farewelled those who had accompanied her to Minas Tirith for her wedding. Galadriel approached her granddaughter and smiled lovingly, "Naaramie Undomiel," she said in her unearthly voice as she stepped forward and embraced the other Elf. The Elf Queen's blue eyes focused on Ternyo and seemed to pierce his soul and he heard her voice inside his head. "Continue on this path son of Turin and great ruin will come to you," she warned as she pulled away touching Arwen's cheek before stepping aside for Celeborn.

Aragorn was the last to come to Arwen, "Travel safe my love," Arwen said kissing his cheek, "And come back to me swiftly."

Aragorn smiled stroking his wife's cheek, "As my Lady commands. I shall return to you soon," he moved away farewelling Eomer before mounting his horse.

Arwen watched them until they passed into the lower city, escorted by the King's knights she moved up the stairs and to the Golden Hall, there she stood watching the horses ride West towards their first destination. She turned her head as Eowyn approached her side and a smile graced the Queen's lips. She had become fast friends with the Rohirric Shield Maiden. Arwen took her friend's hand in her own, "I hate watching him ride away, even when I know he will soon return to me."

Eowyn smiled at her friend, "Be at ease my Lady. Here in the Golden Hall you will be well taken care of until he returns to you."

-0=0=0-

Aragorn could find no rest at Helms Deep, he wondered the halls of the great fortress under the light of the moon his mind far away as he wondered aimlessly.

"And what darkness troubles your mind?" Aragorn turned to Elrond as the Elf Lord approached the King of men, "You have everything now Estel. Arwen is here to love you and help you in your labours and through her you have my joy, although my heart aches for the fate of my daughter, I know that this was her choice and there is no other man worthy of her."

"Arwen brings me great joy and the promise of a child has only lightened my spirits further, and yet a shadow plagues my mind. I fear that not all is as it seems and many trials yet await me."

Elrond rested a hand on the King's shoulder and was surprised when Aragorn turned into him and embraced the Elf, without hesitation Elrond wrapped his arms around the man, "Oh Estel," he said softly, "Many trials await but already you have survived the hardest of them. I trust the world of men in your safe keeping. Now trust yourself."

"I do not know what I will do without you Adar."

"You will live my son. Often will my mind turn to you and watch over you from Valinor. Forever will I love you."

The company departed at dawn's first light, Gandalf led the company towards Isengard, behind him Aragorn rode with Boromir on one side and Halbarad on the other.

"Your mood has lightened," Boromir observed, "That is good, the men sensed your unease and it made them also uneasy. Now that the shadow is gone will you not tell me what it was?"

"The shadow is gone," Aragorn nodded, "But still I can not tell you where it came from, for I do not know myself," he looked back to the South towards Edoras praying for the safety of his wife.

-0=0=0-

It had been eleven days since Aragorn had departed and Arwen was anxious for her husbands return. She had tried to distract herself by attending Eomer's court as his honoured guest and listening to the Rohirrim converse. The Queen had even made herself useful encouraging the bond rapidly forming between Lothriel of Dol Amroth and Eomer. To see Eomer happy and married would gladden the hearts of all, not to mention it would further strengthen the bonds between Gondor and Rohan although Arwen doubted it was needed now with the friendship between the Kings and the union of Eowyn and Faramir.

"You have a far away look in your eyes my lady, may I know where you wonder?" Arwen turned her head to look upon Faramir who had seated himself beside her at the evening meal.

"Much is on my mind," she informed the Steward, her eyes flicked to Eomer and Lothriel who were talking, "For the most part I am taking joy in love. With any luck there will be another wedding soon," she explained.

Faramir chuckled, "You and Elessar bring much joy, your own union, your…" he nodded to her still flat belly, "And now you pushing for another royal wedding. Great times are ahead of us with you two upon the throne."

Arwen laughed musically, "We can not claim all the joy of the world. It belongs to many," the Queen said, "But a joy it will be when the day comes."

The Queen and Steward spoke for awhile but eventually Arwen rose from her seat, "King Eomer," she approached the King of Rohan, "I bid you good night, for the hour grows late and I must rest."

Eomer bowed his head, "Sleep well my Lady."

Ternyo and Herdin escorted Arwen and her maid to the Queen's chambers, arriving at the door she smiled kindly, "Thank you, but you need not stand guard by my door," she said, "I am quite safe here and it must be awfully boring when you stand here all night."

Ternyo smiled at the Queen, "Your husband, our liege asked us to look after you and protect you. It is an honour for us to stand guard."

The Queen smiled, "Very well, if it pleases you," she entered the room closing the door behind her.

Ternyo and Herdin were silent for awhile, they waited until the maid left and was long gone before speaking, "It must be done tonight," Ternyo whispered to Herdin.

Herdin nodded, he did not have the scruples that slowed Ternyo down, for the honour of the Stewards he would do anything, "Go then. I will complete this task."

Herdin waited outside the Queen's room until the night was silent and all had retired. The knight slowly grasped the door handle pushing down on it and easing the door open. Arwen was truly a sight to behold the moon and stars shone their light through the window and onto her bathing her in a haunting light. Her hair flowed around her face as she seemed to glow. Herdin approached the bed drawing a dagger from his belt, standing over the Queen he moved to plunge the knife into her chest.

Arwen moved fast rolling aside and drawing the dagger from under her pillow and slashing, "Guards!" she cried, "Gaurds!" she cut Herdin across the wrist forcing him to drop the dagger, "Guards!"

Rohirric guards raced into the room restraining Herdin, Faramir who resided with Eowyn in the next room had come in with his wife. He froze looking at the scene before him, "What is this?" he cried moving over to the Queen, "My Lady are you alright?"

Arwen leant in to the Steward, "I am unhurt," she assured him staring at Herdin, "My husband will deal with him upon his return," she said, "I can only hope that is soon."

"Come Lady," Faramir said Eowyn going to Arwen's other side, "You may spend the rest of the night in our chambers and I will guard you."

"Thank you Faramir," Arwen said pulling a robe around her body.

Faramir turned to one of the Rohirrim, "Rouse Eomer, he must know of this and find Ternyo he was charged with the Queen's safety and the knights who protect her."

The Steward and his wife took Arwen to their chambers and sat her down wrapping a blanket around her and offering her water while they waited for Eomer. It was not long before the King of the Rohirrim entered, "What happened?"

"Herdin, one of the King's knights tried to kill the Queen," Faramir said in a grave voice, "Ternyo has been sent for."

Eomer approached the Queen, "My Lady," he knelt before her taking the Elf's hands in his own, "Allow me to send some of my own men to guard you until your husband's return. They love Aragorn, he earned their respect and they will guard you with their lives."

Arwen shook her head, "The Knights swore themselves to my husband and they have betrayed me. I can not trust knights of another realm if I can not trust knights from my own."

"These knights are known to me," Eomer assured Arwen, "They are friends of myself and your husband. You will be safe."

Arwen touched Eomer's cheek, "Thank you Eomer."

Ternyo entered the room bowing, "My Lady, forgive me. I did not know that Herdin was a traitor."

Arwen looked at Ternyo with caution, "It will be my husband who deals with this issue until then I trust Lord Eomer with my protection. You are relieved of your duties until my Lord returns."

"My Lady, your husband charged me with your protection a-"

"And what a fine job you have done," Eomer rose, "The Queen has made her decision. Be gone Ternyo and await your Lord's return."

Ternyo bowed, anger and shame boiled inside him as he walked away. Herdin had failed and now it would be much harder to get close to the Queen. Denethor would not be pleased and this could easily bring all their plans to ruin.

Arwen and Eowyn retired to the bed together while Eomer and Faramir stayed awake ready to protect Arwen should another threat rise.