Author note: Oh bum, well it's been a while hasn't it? Sorry! New job has been keeping me busy! So many new followers and favs - thanks Dreamseemer77, Ilovefantasyy, Rose1414, Rosilynne, Se acerca el invierno, cintymuero77, katulahof, lem00066, strider03, Fansidar, Hope and love, Kayla deLana, Marianne 16, Oksi0487, QuikChik, Shayde Revelle and midnightandcounting!

Thanks Winter kiss, QuickChik, jshaw0624 and ForeverTeamEdward for your reviews, I hope you guys haven't given up on me after such a long break!

Rachetg - I wouldn't say Legolas is falling for Keren, rather he is just amused/confused that they keep crossing each other's paths. And he is also interested in her as she's a bit of a mystery. But not romantic interest. But give it time... maybe...

WickedGreene13 - Yeah I think they will always be aware of each other, even if just from afar. In my head he is looking out for her a little, and pleased when she is happy, as he usually meets her when she's sad!

I hope you all enjoy this chapter - it's a bit of a filler, BUT important stuff does go down, and there are yet more clues to Keren's connection with her crystal. The next chapter will be big, I mean seriously BIG, in terms of story/character development. I'm excited to write it!

PS yes the chapter title is a blatant steal from The Hobbit, as is all of Tolkien's stuff in this story (obvs). But the rest is my own, my precious.

Chapter fourteen – An unexpected party

The morning after the coronation was a blurred affair for the majority of the people of Minas Tirith. Some had no recollection of getting home. Some did not even make it home and found themselves awakening on a step or in an alley. Some awoke in a bed which they swiftly and worriedly realised was not their own. The taverns which had survived the siege had never done such good business, and ale and wine were at an all-time low. The sun rose and many were still singing, shouting and laughing as the new day began.

The healers were for the most part nursing heavy heads as they returned to work to patch up the inevitable victims of drunken accidents and brawls.

But no matter how tired they felt, or how much their heads were aching, all were still in celebratory mood, and there was far more greeting of strangers in the street, and far more jovial conversation between the healers and their patients.

Keren was still feeling a little emotionally spent after her sighting of Faramir, and she had not drunk enough at the celebrations to warrant feeling as tired as she did. But nevertheless she had managed to have a good time. She was sorry that she had not had a chance to see Beregond in the midst of all the festivities, but he had gone to spend the time alone with his family after too long a separation. She hoped they had passed a peaceful, happy night, although she was still convinced something was not right with him.

That feeling she could not shake as the day passed, despite the warden bringing exciting news to the Houses.

"I am proud to tell you all that our new King has asked us all to be present at the throne room in the White Tower at noon hour tomorrow, for we are all to be publicly thanked for the work we have done," he announced, his voice, usually so strong and severe, sounding a little shaky and overwhelmed at the tidings he had received.

An excited murmur went up and all eagerly awaited what the next day would bring. For most it would be their first chance to see the new King so closely, and for a few of the youngest healers, their first visit to the citadel. Even out of those who had been permitted entry to the seventh level of the city, only a very few had set foot inside the throne room. This was to be an exciting occasion for all.

Keren lay her head down to rest that night with it buzzing. Her main concern was whether Faramir would be there, and if she would have to acknowledge his presence if he saw her. But underneath that worry was the pure excitement of seeing the King face to face, and wondering if perhaps he would recognise her as the one who had run to do his bidding that ultimately saved Faramir's life. She doubted he would, but it was nice to imagine, and just as she was getting lost in a nice little fantasy of both him and Faramir acknowledging her part in it cold dread hit her heart, for another face had come into the vision.

The Lady Éowyn would no doubt be there too if it was a public ceremony of thanks, for she had benefitted from the healers' skills greatly.

All Keren could do was try to sleep and hope that it was a fairly quiet affair beneath their notice, that these nobles that had caused her so much trouble would stay away.

And yet how I long for a sight of him again, was her last thought as she drifted off to sleep.

The event did not pan out quite how Keren expected it.

Far from a grand procession into the throne room, there was instead what felt like a queue to see the King, and a very mixed group of folk it was. For Elessar had not only a whole kingdom to rule, but he also had to liaise with countries both near and far, to meet with their embassies and ambassadors. Then there were the groups on whom he needed to bestow thanks and praise, soldiers who had shown especial bravery and courage. Then there were those who had served the enemy, who needed to be judged. All these and more he had ordered to the throne room during the days after his coronation and there was a constant stream of people passing by as he dealt out his judgement.

The healers found themselves waiting for most of the day to be seen, but the time eventually came when all were assembled in a line awaiting a personal token from the King, who stood in front of his throne. At his side, sat in the smaller chair below the throne, was Faramir in his role as steward, witness to proceedings. Keren shut herself off from his presence, and became blind to him to protect herself. She did not look at him once, and so was unaware of whether he looked at her or not.

Into each hand was pressed a large coin, with a murmured blessing from Elessar. A few of the healers thought of what they could buy with it, but most – Keren and Palen included – intended to keep it as a memento of such a proud day. When Keren knelt before her King she kept her head bowed as instructed, but as she rose she caught a glimpse of his face and grey eyes, and she thought a flicker of recognition went through them as he quickly met her eyes. She had the impression that this man would never forget a face, of friend or enemy, and she quickly looked away from the strength of his gaze.

Slowly the healers filtered past, and all were kept moving as they moved away from the throne alongside the walls back towards the door. No one spoke, although there were a few excited whispers as they drew near to the exit. Just as Keren and Palen turned to each other to giggle with delight they heard something which froze their blood.

"At your request, my King," a loud voice called, "here is Beregond of the Guard of the Citadel, brought to face your judgement."

As one the girls turned to see Beregond, his hands bound by chains, brought down the central aisle of the throne room by the Captain of the Guard. His face was grim and sad, and he was pale.

"Beregond?" Keren whispered. "What…"

"Come." Palen's voice whispered in her ear, as she grabbed her sisters hand and quietly ran closer to the front of the room, staying close to the wall. They came to a stop behind a column of marble, hoping that the warden would not notice their absence in such a large crowd. From there they could see and hear well. Kerens' heart was pounding in her chest.

"Beregond." The King's voice echoed proudly in the hall. "By your sword blood was spilled in the Hallows, where that is forbidden. Also you left your post without leave of Lord or Captain."

Keren at once knew what had been haunting her friend ever since that day when he had brought Faramir to her near dead. She had not thought to ask how he had managed to get Faramir away. For him to fight in the Hallows, for him to draw blood in Rath Dinen – did that mean he killed someone, Keren wondered – was a truly disrespectful action to all the Kings and Stewards that lay there.

"For these things," Elessar went on, "of old, death was the penalty. Now therefore I must pronounce your doom."

"No!" Keren whispered, as Palen gasped. Surely the new King would be merciful, he seemed an honourable and good man. But it could not be denied that Beregond had committed a crime. She watched her friend close his eyes. She knew he was thinking of his wife and boys, and how they would cope without him. The King's voice cut through the silence.

"All penalty is remitted for your valour in battle," he proclaimed, "and still more because all that you did was for the love of the Lord Faramir."

Tears Keren was not aware had been gathering in her eyes spilled as she closed her eyes in relief and smiled. Beregond was spared.

"Nonetheless," Elessar continued, and Keren's eyes snapped open, "you must leave the Guard of the Citadel, and you must go forth from the City of Minas Tirith."

Beregond bowed his head in despair. Keren knew that he loved his home, and her heart ached for him. It was a fair punishment, but nevertheless she was surprised that Elessar had even gone that far, and not forgiven him entirely for his part in saving Faramir's life.

"So it must be," the King said, "for you are appointed to the White Company, the Guard of Faramir, Prince of Ithilien, and you shall be its captain and dwell in Emyn Arnen in honour and peace, and in the service of him for whom you risked all, to save him from death."

At this a murmur went up around the hall, and there was sudden movement near to the throne as Faramir rose to his feet. Keren's eyes went straight to him, and her heart constricted at the sight of his handsome face frowning with confusion.

"My King?" His rich voice was hidden by the mumbling around the room, but Keren read his lips.

Elessar raised his hand, and silence gradually descended through the hall. Beregond fell to his knees and kissed the King's hand, and Elessar rose him to his feet with a smile. He gestured for him to stand to one side, and then beckoned Faramir to stand beside him.

"Yes Faramir," he said. "Steward of Gondor you remain, but the Princedom of Ithilien I grant you also. In Emyn Arnen you shall dwell, within site of the city, for Minas Ithil in Morgul Vale shall be utterly destroyed, and though it may in time to come be made clean, no man may dwell there for many long years. But perchance one day your descendants shall, for the land of Ithilien shall be yours and your heirs for as long as your line endures."

Faramir knelt in gratitude, and a cheer went up throughout the hall as folk rejoiced to see the good man they all loved be rewarded. Keren was silent. She was pleased, and proud. But she knew that once he left for Ithilien she would not see him again, and was unsure whether to feel grief or relief. She decided for the time being to allow herself to feel both.

Gone were the days when Keren knew the plans of the nobility, for no longer did she spend her time with them. Her life became quickly mundane once more as she settled back into her usual hours at the Houses. She was unaware of the anxious parting of Faramir and Eowyn as she and her brother left for Rohan to make preparations for the funeral of Theoden. Keren could not witness their departure as she was busy with her work, and so she missed another sight of the two elven sons of Elrond as they left with them. She knew not that Theoden rested in a tomb within the Hallows until such time as he could return to the home of the horse lords with his niece and nephew.

She had little time to think of elves or wizards or hobbits now, although she knew that they were all somewhere within the city walls. She missed her lively conversations with the hobbits, and hoped they were well and happy as they recovered from their trials. Occasionally her mind would flit to the elf and all that he had said, and sometimes wondered if she would ever encounter such a strange being again, or whether she had had her taste of excitement and was now destined for a life of monotony.

The month of May was more than half passed when one afternoon there was a gentle tapping on the door to her and Palen's room. Keren was most surprised, when she told whoever it was to come in, to see Merry and Pippin pop their heads round the door.

"Oh hello!" she said. "I thought you would have forgotten about me."

"Never," Merry said with a smile as they came bundling into the room. "We hoped we would catch you on an afternoon off. Do you want to hear all that's been happening?"

Keren very much did, and so settled down to an afternoon of the two hobbits sharing stories of all that occurred since she had last seen them. They had been staying with the rest of the fellowship in a house within the fifth level of the city, and making frequent trips with them all up to the citadel to see their good friend the King. She was intrigued to hear that Elessar, or, as she was beginning to get used to hearing them call him, Aragorn, had begun hinting at some great event which was to come, one which he would have all his friends attend.

"Do you know what he means?" she asked.

"Not a clue," Pippin said. "Unless perhaps it is his birthday, for he never told us when it is. Are Kings allowed to have normal birthday parties, or do they have to have a great national celebration?"

Keren's own upcoming birthday was brought to her mind with that sentence. It had quite left her head with all the events of the past couple of months.

It's not even a week away, she realised.

"Keren?" Pippin nudged her to get her attention. "I said do you think Kings can have normal birthday parties."

Keren smiled.

"Sorry Pip," she said. "You've just reminded me that it's my own birthday soon. Not that I was planning to do anything for it."

Merry and Pippin looked at each other.

"When is it?" Merry asked.

"On Thursday," she replied.

"And you are to be how old?"

"Merry!"

"Seventeen, eighteen?"

Keren sighed.

"Twenty-one if you must know."

"But that's an important age for you isn't it?" Pippin said. "Like us coming out of our tweens."

"Your what?" Keren asked.

"Our tweens," Merry repeated. "We come of age when we're thirty-three, when our tweens end. Pip's not there yet."

"Oh. Well I suppose you could say it is a coming of age, yes. But I'm not going to make anything of it, I'm too busy."

She got up to close the window, and missed the decidedly sly look the hobbits gave each other behind her back.

Thursday morning rolled around like any other day, and when Keren awoke Palen was not there to wish her a happy birthday. She was, if she was honest with herself, a little annoyed at that, but rushed to get dressed so that she could get to work on time, and started walking down the corridor to the wards. She had told no one it was her birthday, although she was sure they all knew by now as she had been at the Houses so many years. She wondered if perhaps there would be a cake waiting in the refectory as there had been when she turned sixteen. But then she assumed that folk were still swept up in all the exciting events of the past few weeks, and that her birthday would quietly go unnoticed. She did not mind over much.

But still, she thought, Pal could have made the effort.

"Now!" Just as she thought of her, she heard her sister's voice shout from somewhere behind her, and two small figures came out of nowhere. Catching her unawares, they pinned her laughingly to the wall, whilst a blindfold came down over her eyes.

"Pal!" she shouted with alarm, but just got laughter as a reply, as a knot was tied behind her head. "What's going on?"

"A surprise," was the reply from all three voices – Palen, Merry and Pippin.

She was led out of the Houses, and as far as she could tell, out into the city and down one level. She thought she had some idea now of where they were headed. If she could have seen the strange looks she received being led blindfolded through the city streets by two hobbits, despite them being more familiar sights to the folk of Minas Tirith now, she would have crumpled with embarrassment. She tried not to think about what she must look like, her sister pulling at her arm.

She wondered what on earth they had planned for her as they pushed their way through an old wooden door and brought her to a stop a few paces in. The light breeze blowing on her face told her that they were still outside, but the closing of the door behind her indicated it was a private place.

"Where are we?" she said laughingly. "You bunch of idiots, what are you up to?"

All was silent, except for a deep rumbling, amused cough that resonated around the space. She had never heard anyone cough like that before – it sounded like two boulders crashing together. Before she had time to question who it could be the blindfold was quickly removed and all was revealed.

She was stood in a fairly small courtyard of stone, with a fine house surrounding it on all four sides. In the centre was a large table, entirely covered with food and drink. Around the table were stood four hobbits, a dwarf – the owner of the cough – an elf and a wizard. Two of the hobbits were positively beaming with pride and excitement.

"Welcome to your traditional day of eating," said Pippin. "It's how we hobbits like to begin the celebrations. Oh, and we thought it was high time you met our friends. Properly."

Keren blinked, and internally cringed. She could not believe that the hobbits had expected their famous friends to turn up to her birthday party. But there they all were, even Mithrandir, although he looked a little stern smoking his pipe at the end of the table.

She turned to face Palen, who shrugged her shoulders with a smile.

"Surprise?" she said. "Although none of it was really down to me. But I have prepared some of the food. Come and eat."

The dwarf sat down hastily and immediately began piling his plate, but in-between tasting each dish before him, he introduced himself to Keren.

"Your sister I have met, mistress Keren," he said, "but much have I heard of you from our young friends here." He nodded over at Merry and Pippin, who were also occupied in selecting food.

"It is an honour to meet you, I also have heard much of you," she replied with a dry mouth. She was suddenly extremely nervous to be in the presence of such a famous group, and was very glad Palen was there to bring some normality to the proceedings.

She hesitatingly walked forward and took a plate. Mithrandir nodded at her as she did so, but did not say anything, although he did smile at her briefly. He was not unfriendly, she decided, but did not seem the kind for small talk with strangers. She had not shared one word with him, and doubted he remembered her from the time he came to the Houses.

There was an empty chair in a place of honour at the end of the table, which Sam came forward and offered to her. She felt most uncomfortable accepting it, for she felt decidedly the lowest in status, not the highest. To her right was Palen, sat next to Merry and Pippin. On her left were Frodo and Sam. Beyond them was the elf, who had gently smiled at her when she sat, and raised a hand to his breast in greeting. He then raised his eyebrow, and she practically read his mind.

We meet again, she imagined he thought.

The dwarf and Mithrandir sat at the other end of the table. There was an empty seat next to the wizard, which she assumed was for Dannor when he finished his duties.

As the food was digested and the wine and beer began to disappear, the company passed a merry afternoon. Nothing of much import was mentioned, for the tone was one of merriment and light, with jokes and stories being shared. Keren was silent for the most part, in shock that her coming of age should be celebrated with such folk. She often talked quietly with Frodo however, of books and learning, which made a nice balance with her sides splitting from listening to some of Merry and Pippin's escapades.

A couple of pleasant hours passed, and the food was all but gone, when a knocking came at the courtyard door. A look was passed around the table which Keren could not read, and Pippin sprung up to open the door.

Keren nearly cried 'what?!' aloud when she saw who was there. Flanked by two of his guards, wearing simple robes with no armour this time, was the King.

The King is at my birthday party, the King is at my birthday party, was all that went through Keren's mind as he walked in and took his place humbly at the empty wooden seat next to Mithrandir. She stood awkwardly and curtsied low, as did Palen, as his guards retreated and vanished behind the closed door.

"Rise, daughters of Maleron," he said simply. "For when I am alone with these folk I am not a King, but a companion."

Then he looked around the table.

"My friends, you could have left some of the venison."

There was that quiet voice she remembered from before, but now it was not stern but kind and mildly amused. She was aware she was gaping like a fish, and she heard a quiet huff of amusement. She looked over to the direction it had come from, and was surprised that her eyes fell upon the elf. She had not had a chance to speak to him yet, as none had moved from their seats, but she oddly felt again as if she knew what he would have said had they been next to each other.

"And now Aragorn is here, we can have a royal celebration," Merry shouted, already drunk. "Although there is to be a real one soon if I have it right."

Aragorn rolled his eyes and smiled.

"Soon my friend, I am sure of it."

"You are still being very reluctant in telling us what it is," Pippin said. "I take it we are all invited?"

"I wish for all the fellowship to be by my side, as I've said many times before Master Took," the King said, sounding to Keren to be a little tired of this subject.

"Ah but what of new friends?" Pippin went on, gesturing over to Keren and Palen. "The finest healers in Gondor, do they not deserve a place there?"

"Pippin!" Keren whispered quickly, embarrassed.

There was an awkward silence around the table.

"My King, I have no wish to – I mean I do not desire – I mean I know it would not be acceptable for me to… It is not my place…" Keren's voice faded into mortified silence.

Palen glared at Pippin for causing such a scene.

But then the King surprised them all – except Gandalf, who knew the heart and read the mind of Aragorn well, and had a better memory than most – with his words.

"Mistress Keren," he began, "Well I remember your face. It was your haste and diligence that helped me to save the life of Faramir. And do not attempt to say that all you did was fetch water, for I have heard from others just how much of your energy you sacrificed to see him on the path to wellness. On the merit of your courage and your skill, you have earned a place by the side of your new friends, when the time comes. Your sister also, for all she did for the Lady Eowyn."

Keren was not entirely sure if she fully believed those words, or whether Pippin had previously begged for them to be allowed to go, but either way she felt she could not accept the invitation, by royal decree or no. She did not see herself mixing in such grand circles – for a start she had nothing to wear. She absolutely refused to wear the dratted green dress again that had started the whole trouble.

"Well," a gruff voice said from the end of the table. "A merry time we shall all have together, eh, master elf?"

Gandalf was looking at Keren with piercing grey eyes, but speaking to Legolas. No one else seemed to notice anything was amiss, but Keren felt most uncomfortable under his gaze.

"Merry indeed," she heard Legolas' voice through a kind of haze, as she felt the wizard was trying to tell her something with his mind, or test her in some way. She was suddenly aware of her crystal in her pocket and had a strange urge to show it to him, to give it to him even. She felt under intense scrutiny, but she knew not what she was supposed to say or do, if anything.

Merry laughed suddenly and Mithrandir's eyes peeled away from hers and went back to his drink and his pipe.

Four days later and a buzz was spreading around the city. A new age must indeed be dawning, for suddenly gone was the old, dead white tree, and in its place by the fountain was planted a strong young sapling. Rumours spread that the King had been taken up to the mountains on an eagle to fetch it, that it had miraculously appeared the day that Sauron was defeated, that it was from the line of Nimloth itself. Whether any, all or none of these were true Keren did not know, but she was one of many who waited in line reverently to see it.

Only three feet high, it could not have been much more than five years old. The long leaves were of such a dark green they appeared almost black, until you came a little closer and saw that the underside of all the leaves were a shining silver. Magnificent it would look when it achieved maturity, but for now it was fair and beautiful, with one small cluster of white flowers crowning it.

The week passed, and in that time the young tree flourished, so that by the first day of June it was laden with pure white blossoms, and the folk of the city were puzzled when the next day a watch was set on the walls, looking to the North.

Author note: I would love to know people's theories on the crystal btw. Hopefully next update won't be so long! x