New chapter added! I finetuned it today and thought it was best to leave it was it as is! Thank you so much for the reviews and i appreciate each and everyone of them! EH, cant believe its almost the end!
Anywho, not much more to say... Oh yeah, hopefully there aren't many typos on this chappie... I guess proofreading at 1am is not the best way to do things, heheeh!! Enjoy!

Chapter 35

May 1st

The feast began at sundown. Once the coronation over, the guests were left to wander as they will in the Citadel while servants served food and drinks. This gave a little time for the new crowned King retired to his Tower, probably rejoicing his reunion with his betrothed and the seven remaining companions that had set out from Rivendell.

It was such an amazing sight to see Dwarves and Elves talking peacefully amongst each other, Gondorian guards discussing animatedly with the Rohan King. At one time I thought this would be never possible but as I stood here today, I knew that these were days of peace where new bonds would be created and last for, hopefully, a very long time.

When the Hobbits made their appearance, they attracted the attention of everyone present. Many went to them in order to hear about their journey, their homes in the Shire and even about their unusual large hairy feet! I saw Merry and Pippin talking enthusiastically while Frodo and Sam remained discreet, enjoying the friendly atmosphere.

As Marilla had left to see to the last minute preparations of the feast, Mirima and I had agreed to stay together but it did not last long before she abandoned me in order to search for the Elf Legolas, who she had become infatuated with. As she left me to follow him in the small garden between the Hall and the King's house, she murmured something of having found a potential husband…

Standing near the remains of the White Tree, I wondered what to do. Everyone seemed to be immersed in some discussion and I was not the type of person on bursting in unannounced as someone talked. There were many unfamiliar faces and the thought of talking to an Elf made my skin crawl, they were so… so unlike Men! I have heard they could read minds, why would they speak to someone like me?

Clenching my fists, I walked quietly around, surveying elves, dwarves and men alike before finding myself by the Seat. As I began to look towards the East, I realized the futility of the Seat... How many years it has stood there for Men to overlook the everlasting menace... How many times have we lost hope when the red flames seemed to reach our lands? It was gone now, gone forever... Then why am I standing here, still hoping for something worse to happen? It should not be so…

A dark shadow passed and I felt the sudden envy of jumping off, this would end everything, the pain, the emptiness in my heart... It could end now... if only I leaned over more...

"Ariniel, what are you doing?" A familiar voice called me back to the present.

The shadow left as fast as it had arrived and I could once more see the sun shining gloriously, the blue skies hanging over us. I turned my head and saw Faramir, observing me with his grey eyes, his wavy hair blowing in the air, his hands behind his back. He smiled warmly at me though I could see a hint of worry on his face. Why did he seem more handsome than usual?!

Blinking my eyes hard, I shook my head and met his gaze. "My Lord." I said politely, bowing.

We had not spoken to each other since the day after incident in the Stables. It felt odd to be standing near him, especially now that his betrothal to Éowyn had been announced.

"Good Lady, I thought we knew each other better." He said, frowning. "It is dangerous to stand so near a high edge."

I then realized that one of my hands was resting on the edge of the Seat and my eyes widened at the void below. Growing dizzy, I carefully pulled back, catching my breath. What was I thinking?

Trying to ignore the feeling, I stood straight and held my head up. "Are you well?" Faramir asked again.

"Yes, I'm fine." I retorted defensively. "I was... I was only admiring the view..."

Nodding his head, he remained silent and we stood there, examining one another. I relaxed and another feeling swept my body… He was wrapping me again, in his world. Everything vanished once more, where only he and I mattered... I heard my heart drum in my ears. No! It cannot be! He has chosen his soul mate... I looked away.

"Is something wrong?" He began before lifting his hands, taking a deep breath. "No! Ariniel, I must explain myself... The way we parted was very unfortunate and I do want you to know that even though what happened between us, I shall not forget you." He extended his hand and grabbed mine. They were cold, for once. "You have helped me through so much and the dedication you displayed-"

"Faramir, I only did what I did because of the feelings I had for you..." I finally said in true honesty, trying my best to remain calm. "I thought I made that quite obvious."

He shook his head and stepped closer. "It does not matter... I know you must be hurting right now but do not let it consume your life... There is so much to look forward to... Do not let the sorrow cast a shadow on our friendship" He pleaded.

I wanted to yell at him, tell him that it did not matter that the war ended because he still broke my heart but deep inside... I knew he was right. He would never be mine and my obsession that had begun such a long time ago would be the death of me if I did not let it go. I looked down and sighed. "I've missed our talks." I smiled sheepishly.

Faramir chuckled. "So have I."

Looking up at him, he smiled at me and I knew then that the curse (If I could call it a curse) had left me. There was still a part of me that would always be with him, always... and the times that we shared together could never be erased. I was blind by the darkness for so long that I did not realize that there was a light, a light that I had so cruelly extinguished.

"Faramir..." I began more confident. "I am glad that you have found joy with Éowyn...

I've seen you together and I would have been a fool to have taken you from her."

He blushed. "Thank you. She is an extraordinary woman I can assure you. We shall be quite happy once we build our home in Emyn Arnen, it shall take time as the enemy ravaged the forest and cut down most of the trees but we look forward to it."

My face turned white. "You... are leaving Minas Tirith?" I stammered.

He took a deep breath and nodded his head. "I do not consider it as leaving because I will always call Minas Tirith my home. The King named me the Prince of Ithilien therefore it is only just that I have a residence there."

A lump formed in my throat. "So we might not see each other before long?"

He smiled. "Do not fear, our paths will cross again... more often that you would imagine. I am sure King Elessar will need my council and I sense that we shall have a close bond throughout his reign. Besides, what of you Ariniel? I trust you will not wait for my visits?"

"I doubt it." I smiled, relaxing. "It must be an honor for you to receive your own piece of land... But as for me...I do not know what the future holds."

"I have heard that you have given up aiding the Healers, why is that?" He inquired.

I shrugged. "I do not know..." I blushed. "I simply do not find the comfort and security that I once found in the House..." I shrugged. "It haunts me and the sight of blood and opened wounds, the wails from the injured... I could not continue."

Faramir nodded his head in understanding. "Tis a shame... I knew how clever you were during my stay..."

"Faramir, the King has asked for our presence in the Tower."

I looked sideways and saw Éowyn, walking slowly towards us. She looked so beautiful with that white dress and her golden hair... like a princess. Noticing how close we stood to one another, she stopped midway, raising an eyebrow. "Am I interrupting something?" She asked uncertainly.

Faramir immediately went to her side and smiled brightly. "You were not interrupting anything, Éowyn." He said calmly. "I was only talking to Ariniel, the healer that spent her energy on me while I was recovering."

Eowyn's gaze immediately changed and she smiled warmly. Not knowing what to do, I bowed politely. "Faramir has mentioned you so many times; I feel it is an honor to have met such a dedicated person." She said, while looking up her beloved.

"I only did my duty, my lady." I answered shyly, lowering my head.

"I've heard about your Mother, it is sad to hear that many families were broken during the Siege." She said sadly.

Faramir cleared his throat and turned to her. "So the King has asked for us?"

Éowyn smiled brightly and nodded her head. "Shall we go?"

"You go on ahead, I will join you shortly." He took her hand and placed a kiss. They stared at each other and the love they had was clearly visible.

"It was a pleasure, Ariniel." She said before walking towards the White Tower.

Faramir watched her disappear and a faint glimmer in his eyes. He then turned to me and sighed. "I fear this is when we say farewell..."

I looked down and sighed. So it was. "Faramir...I...I do sincerely hope that you will be happy with Éowyn and know that I will not remain bitter on our parting. This has gone too far and it is better that I put it in the past and enjoy the happier times we shared."

"That is well. I would fear that you remain in the darkness-"

"It is gone now. You do not need to worry." I interrupted, no longer wishing to mention it again – ever.

He stared at me and quietly pulled a little white box from one of his pockets. He extended his hand. "This if for you. A token of our friendship."

I smiled brightly and felt my cheeks reddened. "Faramir, you should not have. Thank you." I opened it and found a small silver chain with a yellow dried flower placed between two thin sheets of glass. My eyes widened, it could not be. "Is this..." I stared at him in disbelief.

"Yes, the very same flower that I took from you last summer..." He chuckled. "It took me some time to realize that you were the same woman... That day, when I looked at you, I could clearly see a strange aura surrounding you binding us together somehow. From then on, the feeling did not leave me. It only grew stronger when I found you by my side and then I realized that you were there."

A lump formed in my throat and I quickly brushed away the tear from my eye. "I do not know what to say..." Unable to stop, I leaned over and wrapped my arms around him, squeezing tight.

He delicately passed a hand in my back. "Do not say anything, just be happy."

When I pulled away, we received odd glances from guests nearby. I laughed eagerly. "I should not have done so."

Looking around him, Faramir shrugged. "Let them think what they want, Ariniel." He grabbed my hand. "Be well, friend." He stepped back and bowed in the Gondorian fashion.

"Farewell, Faramir." I whispered.

Now, isn't it the best way to finally end things between those two?? he he he!
Now, i know some of you out there hoped for Faramir and Ari to get together but i simply couldn't have Faramir with anyone else than Éowyn... Those two are sacred! eheheheh!!
As for the legolas part... Well, that's just more bashing, really... think i'm being a bit cruel now! And Elrond, welll... I know he's married but i ain't seeing his wife around anywhere! heheeh!!

Only two more chappies to go...

Please read and review! until next time!

Isilmé.