They spent the entire day within the practice ring. Aerin taught her form and footwork within sword play while she instructed him on relaxing and quieting himself when using the bow. For without concentration and much patience, the arrow would fix itself in the ground.

When they finally ended, night was beginning to fall. Araiel and Aerin made their way back to the Citadel when her sister Aure suddenly came running to her side.

"Araiel, Araiel! You will not believe it!" she exclaimed.

"Aure, calm down, what is it?" Araiel asked.

"You must come to the great hall immediately."
"Aure, I am not really dressed for an important occasion," Araiel looked down at her leggings and long waist shirt. "Not to mention my hair's a mess and I am still covered in sweat."

"Oh it doesn't matter. Come," she grabbed her sister's hand and pulled her along.

Aerin chuckled as Aure dragged her through the halls until they reached the great marble doors. They were open, and Araiel gaped when she saw who stood there dressed in entire regal form conversing with her father. Her eyes widened as Hamir turned to her and grinned. He instantly turned quickening his step. She was completely amazed as he picked her up with ease and swung her into the air. Aerin stood behind his back against one of the pillars as he watched them in silence.

"Hamir!" she smiled looking into his eyes. "What on earth are you doing here?"

"Oh Araiel, I was so lonesome without you," he cupped her face within his hands. "I rushed to finish up my state affairs. I also desired to meet your family." He added in a whisper, "You were right about your sister."

She laughed. "It's so good to see you. Will you be staying until we leave again or do you have to rush off early?"

"No, I will escort you home myself."
"Home…" her words trailed off.

His expression softened as she murmured the word 'home' once again. He looked around at the setting which must have been so familiar to her. This place was her true home the place she had grown up in since she was a little girl. He did feel some regret at tearing her away from it. And from these people. He then noticed Aerin standing in the doorway. He turned and nodded at the young man.

"Have you been keeping company with pirates these days?" he turned to her with a grin.

"No, Hamir," she turned. "This is Aerin, a friend."

He raised his eyebrows at the name remembering her mention her former lover. He turned to the young man and nodded.

Aerin made a polite bow. "Your highness."

Hamir rolled his eyes. "I grow so tired of people continually calling me highness, my lord, or your majesty. Hamir will do fine."

Aerin merely nodded in response. Hamir finally turned back to his wife and kissed her lips softly. The unexpected touch sent a flutter through her.

"Well, my darling, shall we retire?"

She opened her mouth, her eyes still on Aerin, almost about to object, but she closed it and simply allowed Hamir to lead her out of the throne room.

"I bid you all goodnight and look forward to meeting you further," Hamir said once more before exiting.

Araiel turned once more to look at Aerin before leaving. He sighed and shifted his head against the pillar. Aure broke the silence first.

"Oh, he is such a handsome prince. I am almost jealous of my sister."

With that said, she bounced out of the great hall leaving Aerin alone with Araron. The King walked toward him, slowly eyeing him all the while.

"I warned you, Aerin," he replied firmly.

"Nothing will change my love for your daughter sir," he said in a tone just as firm. "I loved her first, and my love is greater than his!"

Araron watched the boy go and sighed wondering what to do about him.

When they reached the room that was prepared for Hamir, he turned to his wife and stared at her before entering the room.

"Something seems to be troubling you, my love. Is something wrong?"
"No, no…" she began. "I was just so incredulous at your coming. It took me completely off guard."

"He is a handsome young lad, Araiel. I noticed that."

She looked up wide eyed, but he set a hand gently over her mouth. "No need for reflections on the past. It is over. Will you come to bed now?"
"I cannot believe you sometimes. You have only just arrived to find me in men's clothing, with a quiver upon my back, and probably smelling worse than an orc, and still…"

"And yes, still I love you more than words can say, and I believe you are more beautiful than ever. The smell I can deal with. There is a bath in the room."
"Hamir," she started. "I have only just come to Minas Tirith. Please do not take this the wrong way, but this was not my old room. I-I want to sleep in it my old room. I want to be around my life that once was for just one night. Please I-I-"

He set his hands upon her shoulders stopping her with that one move. "You do not need to explain any further, my love," he kissed her forehead softly. "I also can see you are very fatigued. I will come to you in the morning. Go…Only but wait one more moment."

Before allowing her to escape, Hamir's arms encircled her waist possessively. She closed her eyes letting the familiar sensations sweep through her once again as he kissed her mouth. She remembered his noble passion and the way he had first kissed her. When he had finished, they bid their goodnights, and Araiel raced to her old room. She quickly closed the door behind her and sighed in the darkness. She then realized she was not alone.

"Aerin," she murmured at the shadow beside the window.

"Ye should have known I'd be waiting. Ye were right too," he stepped out of the shadows to face her. "He is a good man. And he loves you very much. I can see it."

"You love me very much too, Rin."
"I loved you first, angel. But now I want something that is not mine."
"What are you talking about?"
He sighed running his fingers through his hair again as he always did when nervous or agitated. "You are not mine, luv. We spent one beautiful night together. I won't ever forget that. I won't forget you, Ari. But you can't be torn in two. You cannot be both mine and his. And rightfully, ye are his."
"Why must you do the sensible thing at a time like this?"
"One of us has to be sensible now. You were before. Now it's my turn."
"I don't want you to be."
"I know ye don't. But we've come to that point where we can't turn back now. We crossed the bridge. But it's time for me to go."
Tears formed in her eyes. "I don't know if I can go back to what once was, Rin. I love you."

"Please, angel, don't make this any harder than it has to be."

He slowly walked up to her side and brushed a hand across her cheek. He slowly lifted up her hand and pressed it to his heart.

"I will always have you here. That is where you will always be mine. And I will never forget you, my beautiful wonderful Araiel."

They flowed freely now. She wanted nothing more than to fall into his arms and kiss him all over once again. But he held up her hand, kissed the back of it gently, and soundlessly exited through the window leaving her alone and weeping.

She slowly went to her bed and fell against it burying her face in the pillow. Her long dark curls covered her damp face as she looked up once again at her old room. She wished she could return to the day her father received the message. She wished she could turn back time and run away with Aerin like it should have been.

She looked around at her room, the familiar paintings, the chest of dolls she played with as a girl. The white silk curtains at the window. But as she narrowed her eyes, she saw a large shadowlike figure standing there. She instantly stood up and ran to meet him once again.

"Aerin, please take me with you. I don't care what happens."

"I know. I'll take you with me."

But the voice was not Aerin's.

She instantly shrunk back but not in time. The man's large bulky arms formed a tight knot around her waist. She widened her eyes and inhaled to release a blood curdling scream. But before she could get any noise out, he plunged a smelly cloth onto her face. She tried to plug her nose to keep from breathing the scent in which she knew well. It was a desensitizer. Everything began to fade. She felt herself being slung over the man's wide shoulders before everything drifted into unconsciousness.