Back up at the Palace, Arwen sat in the room talking with Éowyn. "Milady," Éowyn asked leaning over and taking Arwen's hands gently. "Please, tell me what troubles you."

Arwen inhaled sharply at Éowyn's touch but clasped her hands when she started to withdraw. "It's Aragorn," she whispered as her tears began to fall. She lowered her head and sniffed before continuing with a sob. "He doesn't love me anymore."

"Oh Lady," Éowyn cried as she moved closer and wrapped Arwen in her arms to comfort her. "I'm sure he does, he's probably just under a lot of stress right now. When I spoke to him o the way to Helm's Deep from Edoras, he spoke of nothing but you."

"No, Lady Éowyn," Arwen said looking up. "He told me himself not but two days ago, and he seemed different at the coronation when he was crowned King. I think he is in love with someone else, but I don't know who."

Éowyn held Arwen close, gently stroking her back as the Elf-maiden cried. He loves someone else? she thought and smiled faintly. "Milady," she whispered with a smile as Arwen sobbed. "Tell me," she said softly as she smiled at her own thoughts coming to fruition. Arwen's sobs quieted as if listening. "Isn't it true that Elves fade when their love has left them and no one loves them anymore?"

The woman's question stilled Arwen's tears and she slowly raised her head and gazed into the woman's crystal blue eyes. "Y-yes, that is true," she said softly as the woman smiled at her faintly.

"Then fear not that Elessar holds no love for you and desires you not as his queen, but rather as a friend," Éowyn whispered, bringing her hands up to gently cradle Arwen's face and dried her tears with her thumbs as she gazed deeply into the sea-blue eyes before her. "For there must be someone here that loves you for you are still here. Elessar's feelings have changed, but it is not the end of the world. He must be rather melancholy to not see you but for the evenings, mayhap he has not made known his feelings to the one who holds his heart. Be happy, Lady, for you are still here, and find the strength to wish him happiness once more."

Arwen looked at Éowyn long as her words sunk in and a faint smile graced her lips, the suddenly her eyes began to dance and she laughed merrily. "You're right, but who?" she asked, her eyes still dancing.

Here it is, Éowyn thought as her breath caught. The moment of truth. Slowly, Éowyn ducked her head slightly and swallowed hard before gazing back into Arwen's eyes that were now slightly clouded with curious concern. "I do," Éowyn whispered softly. Silence reigned for a moment, and Éowyn could stand it no longer. Leaning forward, slow at first so that Arwen could escape should she want to, Éowyn's eyes closed slowly as she placed a gentle kiss upon her lips.

Startled at first, Arwen's breath caught at Éowyn's confession, then even more so as the woman's lips brushed hers gently, and it was a moment before she responded. Sighing softly against the Shield-Maiden's lips, Arwen gently wrapped her arms about her neck as her eyes drifted close, and parted her lips tentatively.

Surprised by the reception she received, Éowyn opened her eyes for a moment then let them fall slowly shut once more as she cradled Arwen's head in her hands and deepened their kiss.