AN: Hello, everyone!

This is the first fic I publish here, so I would be more than happy to receive your reviews. (Especially on grammar and spelling, because I'm not a native speaker, and even though I sort of did my best, I'm sure it's not perfect at all. Well, trying is the only way you can improve, right?)

As for the story, I don't own anything it's all J.R.R. Tolkien's.

It would be so great if you told me your thoughts on the story and the upcoming characters, because each and every character I'll be presenting was inspired by a very special friend or acquaintance or family member of mine, or a fictional character who also has a special place in my heart. And here I have to mention that whatever tiny fracture that is not Tolkien's in this story is definitely George R.R. Martin's (usually words or objects, it's not a crossover story), because I love ASOIAF and it was a wonderful inspiration.

Thank you for reading in advance, I hope you like it!

New chapter with a new title. I just thought this was more fit somehow... How damn long this is... Never mind.

BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

She was busy again. She was busy all the time. But it made up for all the years in her youth she spent being bored and wretched. She liked to be busy. She liked helping where she could, she liked making preparations, organizing events. And Aryana was a nice little girl who deserved just the same grand birthday celebration her elder sisters always got. Aryana was like a youngest niece to her. All of Aragorn's children were like nieces and nephews to her and Faramir, just as their children were nieces and nephews to Aragorn and Arwen. And her little almost-niece would deserve the most wonderful eleventh birthday.

Éowyn was in charge of the guest list, everybody Arwen thought fit was to be invited, along with those Aragorn, Eldarion and Sybille saw fit to host. Guestlists were complicated things. And music was even worse. Éowyn had a mind to get the Academy choire to play on Aryana's feast, and now with Lord Erandur's consent and blessing, she set off to see the chiefman of the choire at once to discuss what sort of music she wanted for the feast. Éowyn didn't even remember spending so much time at the Academy than on account of this silly choire. She was more than happy to finally head for the door and get out of the maze of marble corridors.

"Lady Éowyn! It's a pleasure to see you, my lady!" a kind voice called at her from behind. The Lord Barahin's wife was walking up to her turning onto the main hallway.

"Lady Ëlyel, it's my pleasure" Éowyn smiled at the woman. "How are you doing?"

She figured Ëlyel was somewhere halfway with her pregnancy, or already closing to it.

"Very well, thank you. I'm still far away from aching ankles and waist pain" the woman laughed. "Are you on some business here, my lady?"

"Preparations for the Princess's birthday" Éowyn nodded. "And you?"

"I came to arrange a tutor for my daughter, it's time she learnt to read and write" Ëlyel smiled as they descended the stairs. "And the weather is finally getting warm and nice."

"Indeed, I myself can't wait to go for a ride. There's nothing like early spring breeze."

"With babies, riding is out of our options, but I do love a pleasant walk" Ëlyel laughed and laid a hand against her belly. In fact she wasn't so far ahead that she could not ride, but Éowyn kept the thought to herself. And it was good she did so, because in the portal they came upon a heavily pregnant blonde woman who, seemingly waiting for Ëlyel, must have been the reason why the latter didn't ride.

It was Gilraen.

Éowyn's jaw dropped in shock. "Gilraen?!" she stared at the girl dumbstruck.

"Lady Éowyn" she gave Éowyn a shy smile and looked really uncomfortable.

"Oh, my goodness, I had no idea you were with child!" Éowyn just couldn't conceal her surprise, no matter how much she embarrassed Gilraen.

"You did not?" she raised an eyebrow blushing. "But you saw me at Chirstmas. On the market…"

"Yes! And it was cold and you were wearing thick furs! How were we supposed to notice?"

"You didn't? I thought… but then… my parents don't know either? I mean I met them too and they were just staring at me and then walked away and I thought... I thought they were so angry or so hurt… They do know don't they?" Gilraen stammered in desperation.

"I am positive they have no idea!" Éowyn exclaimed. Maybe Arwen would not, but Aragorn would surely have mentioned it. Éowyn was sure that no matter how he hated the idea of Gilraen wedding Torundir, deep in his heart, he would have been too happy for their child not to say anything. Éowyn shook her head. No, surely, neither of them had any idea about Gilraen.

"I thought they knew! Oh, what you must think, what they must think…! I wanted to let them know! I was going to write them, but then we met them on the market and I was so sure that it was the baby why they just turned away like that, why they were so angry all over again. And Sybille said that when she mentioned me to Mother she said she didn't want to talk of me, so we figured that writing them would only be adding oil to the fire to rub it into their face" Gilraen spluttered helplessly.

"It's alright, don't worry about it, we'll figure out something" Éowyn assured her placating. "Wait, Sybille knows you are pregnant? And how comes she didn't tell the whole city yet?"

Éowyn eyes swept over Gilraen then. Over her rosy cheeks, her full cleavage, her eyes sparkling with love, her large belly. "Oh, darling, congratulations!" Éowyn smiled happily and drew her into her arms.

The girl was utterly lost. And even that was lovely about her.

"Aw, you are so beautiful. I wish you all the best, Gilraen. All the best for you and your sweet baby! Congratulations, dear!" Éowyn laughed giving her a squeeze.

"Thank you so much, my lady" Gilraen replied completely touched, choking on the words.

"Oh, now! We got over this 'my lady' thing when you were four, don't start again!" Éowyn warned her playfully. "You came with Ëlyel?" She turned back to the other woman then.

"Yes, she was so kind to accompany me" Ëlyel nodded smiling.

"I'm preparing Aryana's birthday, you know, it's on—"

"Friday, I know" Gilraen nodded. "I'll write her. I'd go and see her too, but Mother wouldn't allow. Sybille promised she would give her my letter, though."

"No, no! You must come to her birthday!" Éowyn shook her head impatiently.

"I'm not sure Mother and Father would want me there and even if they did, I would really not go alone like this either…"

"Aryana would be so happy to see you, and Sybille too, I know. I'll take all responsibility. Nobody will be angry with you. And your husband must come too! Is that even a question?"

"Well… really, I would love to, if I won't cause trouble" Gilraen nodded.

"Then it is settled" Éowyn nodded leaving no room for arguing. "I must be going now, I'll write to you about the details. It was a pleasure to meet you, Lady Ëlyel!" She smiled at Ëlyel before taking her leave.

Gilraen would be the first of the next generation to have a child. Sooner or later her son would marry and have children too. Then her daughter, then her younger son. She was growing old. Lifetime seemed no more than a day. And what a beautiful day it was.

Éowyn found Sybille in Arwen's parlor sharing a tea with her mother and the queen's ladies in waiting. The girl needed to be informed at once that her parents did not know of her twin sister's pregnancy, a situation that needed immediate assistance.

Sybille excused herself: it was feast preparations, anything was allowed, and followed Éowyn to the hallway.

"Dearest Princess Sybille, going to have any nieces or nephews in the very near future?" she raised an eyebrow at her and Sybille blinked.

"Ah! You met Gilraen!" It finally came down to her. "Is she all right? I haven't been able to visit her for more than a fortnight now… She is so cute!" Sybille giggled. "Her belly is so big and so cute! I can't wait to see her baby!"

"She is just gorgeous, she is" Éowyn nodded. "And I believe it is high time that your parents finally learned about their future grandchild too" she added.

"They know" Sybille dropped her head sadly. "They met Gilraen on the market. Won't even talk of it. How can they hate a cute little baby?"

"No, Sybille, I met Gilraen on the market too and I had no idea she was pregnant. Everybody looks twice their usual size in furs, how was I or your parents supposed to notice it? Maybe to such a slender girl like Gilraen it's obvious that she looks three inches thicker, but it's really not something you can tell only by looking at her while she is wearing a winter coat" Éowyn reasoned as she watched Sybille pale while she talked. "Your parents would have mentioned it if they knew about her baby, I'm sure."

"No… Oh no. You can't tell me they don't know about it… Ah, Gilraen should have written that letter. We so agreed it would be oil to the fire, because we were just sure they already knew. I can't believe this…" Sybille sighed and shook her head. "Now they'll think she didn't tell them on purpose and ah…" the girl bit her lips in frustration.

"You need to tell them" Éowyn told her. "As soon as possible."

"Me? No way! What do you even think I would dare do that!" Sybille's head snaped back up.

"Who else will? I invited Gilraen to Aryana's birthday which is the day after tomorrow. You need to tell them now. It's best if you tell them" Éowyn insisted.

"Why can't you tell them?" Sybille whined pouting. "Éowyn please! I have no idea what to say to them!"

"I know this is a gross idea, but how about the truth this time?" Éowyn raised an amused eyebrow at the princess who gave a knowing eye-roll. "I'll go with you if you want, but you need to tell them. They are your parents, they don't bite."

Sybille's inner battle was written all over her face. Half of her was about to start a pouty whiny puppy eyed pleading session to make Éowyn talk to her parents instead of her, while her other half was ready to do something grown-up like this for her sister.

"Fine. Fine, but you'll come with me!" She gave in with a warning grin and Éowyn laughed.

Four hours later she, Sybille and Arwen were waiting for Aragorn in Arwen's parlor. Sybille had the right of it, Éowyn realized, being in one room with Arwen, waiting for Aragorn, about to tell them something they will really not like was a pretty unnerving experience.

"I still don't understand what this is all about" Arwen looked at them amused. "You want to tell us something, but why did you drag the poor Lady Éowyn along?"

Éowyn could feel that typical edge of jealousy in Arwen's voice. The Queen still had a slight mistrust concerning everything that required Éowyn's personal interaction with Aragorn. She was about to answer when the door opened and Aragorn finally arrived.

"Well…" Sybille started nervously. She looked at Éowyn.

"This charming daughter of yours wishes to clear some misunderstandings, assure the poor thing you won't bite off her head" Éowyn helped her out smiling at Aragorn and Arwen.

"I do not believe we have ever done that before" Aragorn nodded at Sybille encouragingly.

"You still have your head, you see" Arwen added with a smile.

"Well, it's about Christmas" Sybille managed.

"You want to talk with us about Christmas on March 8th?" Arwen raised an eyebrow.

"No, she actually wants to talk to you about Aryana's birthday party" Éowyn corrected. "That we thought it would be nice to invite Gilraen, since Aryana is so close to her."

Aragorn and Arwen looked at each other.

"I don't see why not" Aragorn finally said.

"In fact, we thought you saw at Christmas why not" Éowyn blurted and looked at Sybille to continue.

"So you remember that you met Gilraen on the market?"

"We do" Aragorn nodded again, his eyes shining intensely, sensing he was about to hear something he was not sure he wished to.

"And… you didn't think she looked… different?" Sybille asked and Éowyn could hear her heart pounding even from one yard distance.

"Different?" Arwen raised an utter confused eyebrow.

Sybille exhaled and looked at Éowyn helplessly. "Gilraen was going to write you a letter after the holidays, but then you met her on the festive market and you were just staring at her, you didn't go to her and she didn't go to you, because it was so shocking and emotional and all. And then you turned and walked away."

"That is what happened. Please get to the point" Aragorn told Sybille, stiff with rapt attention. Éowyn watched Sybille, all nerves on edge and prayed she would be able to continue.

"And she figured that the reason why you walked away like, all angry and hurt, was seeing for yourself what she was going to write you in a letter…" Sybille took a deep breath. "That she is expecting a baby."

Éowyn closed her eyes. It was done. When she opened it, she saw Arwen covering her mouth with one hand, clutching the arm of her chair with the other, horror frozen onto her beautiful face while Aragorn's jaw dropped to the ground.

Seeing her parents' reaction Sybille gave Éowyn a nervous side glance and decided it was best to keep on talking.

"So, and this is my fault mostly, she didn't write you, because we figured it would only hurt you more to rub it into your face. And when I asked you about having met her, you said you didn't even want to talk of it, and that just made me more sure you knew of it… So please don't be angry with her for not telling you, because she wanted to, it was just a misunderstanding…" Sybille finished almost whispering.

Éowyn was about to ask Aragorn and Arwen to say something, but then Arwen spoke up.

"Please tell me this is not true" her voice was shaking as she looked at her daughter in utter desperation. Éowyn felt an urge to roll her eyes at the Queen, the woman acted as though they just told her her daughter was dead. But then… could she, herself not overexaggerate if a man like Torundir got her daughter with child?

"It is true" she replied to Arwen a little more dryly then she meant to. "I met her today too."

Arwen closed her eyes in horror and looked as though she was going to cry. Empathy or not, that was beyond ridiculous, Gilraen was happy.

"Gilraen couldn't have been pregnant at Chirstmas. Or couldn't have known it yet" Aragorn looked up suddenly. "Torundir only got back a fortnight before the holidays."

"Gilraen has been pregnant since July" Sybille answered.

Aragorn's mouth slowly opened as he sank back in his seat, realization clouding his eyes and he slowly, painfully closed them.

"And why in Valar's name" he straightened up with an anguished face "haven't you told this to me before— why hasn't Torundir told this to me before I sent him to mortal peril?"

"I only learned about it after he left, around October or so" Sybille said silently. "And according to Gilraen they didn't tell you before, because her husband didn't want you to think he was trying to skip his duty on account of Gilraen's baby."

Aragorn ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

"How could we not notice?" he broke out turning to Arwen.

"Seeing my daughter for the first time after half a year it wasn't exactly her waist size I was paying attention to!" Arwen snapped hysterically.

Éowyn sighed. In fact she didn't really need to hear all this…

"Well, I think I can already go, can't I, Sybille?" Éowyn put in glancing at Sybille. "Erm… don't tell this to Aryana, that Gilraen will be attending her party, let it be a surprise…" with that she fled the room, not really willing to face what Aragorn would have to say to that comment.

Éowyn was very careful to evade both Aragorn and Arwen on the following morning, instead she shared the news of Gilraen with her husband and sons and daughter who were all but shocked too. Éoreth reached the conclusion that the baby will be cute and that was as far as she was concerned, while Elboron and Theomer agreed babies were creepy. At that Éowyn just exchanged an incredulous look with Faramir, agreeing that they seriously messed up something bringing up the boys.

On the following day Aryana's birthday party was held in the Small Hall; it was already filled with guests by the time Éowyn arrived. First she wanted to check if Gilraen and her husband had arrived as she promised. A groom showed Éowyn to their table on the right side of the hall, in the middle of the back row, just as Éowyn arranged. They were arriving at the table just then. The sight of this large, hard man supporting the small fragile girl heavy with child was one of the most heart-warming sights Éowyn had ever seen, in spite of all its weirdness.

The love in Torundir's eyes and movements as he helped Gilraen to her seat left no doubt in Éowyn that no matter what Aragorn and Arwen thought of the man, Gilraen was just in the best place she could be by his side. They thanked her for inviting them and she gave her best wishes to Torundir too. That was funny, she always felt funny in the company of those lords who shared the not so uncommon belief that she should have been Queen instead of Arwen. She and Aragorn were an old story and Éowyn loved Faramir; Aragorn was nothing but a good friend for more than two decades now. Still the thought that a good part of Gondor's nobility would choose her as their queen over Arwen always warmed her.

Éowyn checked on last time if Gilraen was really unable to spot from the dais so Aryana could have her surprise and finally took her seat beside Faramir. With the arrival of the royal family, the celebration began.

Aragorn toasted Aryana for her birthday and after a bunch of more important guests did the same, the whole hall drank to the princess's health, well-being and happiness. Music started and Arwen announced the birthday presents for Aryana. After the last present, Éowyn got to her feet to announce one last last-present from Sybille. At that Sybille hissed across the table at her to shift the responsibility before she got to her feet and descended to take Florian's hand, who waited for her at the bottom of the dais.

"All right, all right" Éowyn laughed. "Actually it was my idea. I do hope our beloved Princess Aryana will like this one birthday surprise even if she generally hates surprises." People clapped and Éowyn sat back down.

Sybille wringed her hands nervously as she started talking to Aryana and the hall.

"And so I would like to offer a song to my dearest sister Aryana for her 11th birthday!"

Éowyn saw Aryana banging her head into her empty plate, a song from Sybille for her birthday was something that did not exceed even her lowest expectations. Arwen and Aragorn though were beaming at Sybille and Éowyn wondered actually how long that was going to last in the next few minutes. Sybille waved off Florian who disappeared among the tables. Sybille waved at the musicians and the gentle melody of the song If I had two lives filled the small hall. Ten century long secods passed and Sybille started singing.

She was over the first choir by the time Florian finally appeared with Gilraen on her arms and Sybille took her sister's hand with a giddy grin as Gilraen shook her head at her scowling.

Éowyn watched the crowd. Cheers and applause erupted as they finally processed the sight of the twin princesses reunited, hand in hand. Then she watched Aragorn and Arwen while the girls walked up to Aryana who just stared at them, eyes wide, jaw dropped in surprise. Arwen looked like the most beautiful, exquisitely carved ice statue of the world with all its splendour and stiffness. Aragorn went pale when he saw Gilraen, and his eyes, overflowed with emotion, burned with something Éowyn thought to be between guilt and hurt and anger. His gaze was fixed on Gilraen's belly, the living bulging proof that Torundir soiled his precious innocent daughter.

After the second verse and long moments of tugging at her hand, Sybille finally managed to get her sister to sing the last choir with her and Aryana was laughing so hard Éowyn was sure it was worth all the trouble to have Gilraen there.

When the music stopped, Aryana, as befit a young lady of her teen years, ducked and climbed down from the dais through under the table to throw herself into Gilraen's embrace, who whispered something to her and kissed both her cheeks. Faramir and Elboron descended to give their congratulations to Gilraen who felt clearly uncomfortable in the center of attention even for these few moments. Éowyn caught Aragorn's eyes browsing the crowd for Torundir, but he didn't seem to find the man as his glance finally fell upon Éowyn and he gave her a half amused, half scowling We will talk look. Éowyn shook her head at him chuckling and walked down to her husband talking to the twins. Aryana was arming Gilraen and grinning giddily.

"I hope you are not very angry with us" Éowyn told Gilraen who gave a small grimace.

The girl opened her mouth to reply, but instead something very strange crossed her face. Eldarion was walking down to them with long strides. Éowyn looked back at Gilraen who instinctively backed off two steps at her brother's approach. It was the weirdest thing Éowyn had ever seen. Eldarion looked paler than the walls of the hall.

"You are pregnant" he croaked at his sister who gave a slow, misgiving nod. "And… by the look of it you were pregnant back at the end of August too…" Gilraen nodded again watching her brother's every move but Eldarion didn't move anywhere. He just stood petrified.

"Gilraen… I… I had no idea… I… You are my sister, I would never ever mean harm to you. Nor to your child. Goodness, you have no idea how sorry I am…"

Éowyn looked at her son, but Elboron seemed just as lost as she was, and as everybody else around, apart from Gilraen and Eldarion.

"Gilraen… if you can ever find it in your heart to forgive me, please do so and be sure I would never ever mean harm to you or your child. You, of all people always knew what a hot headed idiot I always was… I am so sorry, Gilraen… Please, sister, forgive me, if you can." Eldarion's eyes finally left Gilraen and were lost in the crowd for a moment, before Éowyn saw them lock with Torundir's burning gaze fixed warily on the pair of his wife and her brother. Éowyn looked at Elboron again who was now frowning with interest.

"It's fine." Gilraen finally spoke up and Eldarion's eyes found her again. "It's… over, really. I'm… not going to dwell on it."

"That means you will forgive me?" Eldarion reached for Gilraen's hand, and with misgiving reluctance she gave it to him.

"I will… forgive you… if it's my place to forgive the Prince of Gondor."

"Thank you, sister" Eldarion kissed her hand. "Thank you, Gilraen."

With that Eldarion turned and left them heading straight into Torundir's direction. Servants arrived with plates of food and Éowyn thought it best to return to her seat and interrogate Gilraen about her affair with Eldarion later. After Aryana let go of her, Gilraen returned to her table too to eat with her husband. For the rest of the night Éowyn stayed with Faramir on the dais and they talked. Time for talking was rare and treasured; at times Éowyn felt it was too rare.

Éowyn only looked around for Gilraen the next time when she finished her fifth dance with Faramir, a pleased smile spread across her face when she caught sight of the girl talking with Aragorn by the edge of the hall.

"They should have had this conversation months ago" Faramir told her with a smile and they returned to the dais for a drink. They watched Elboron dance with his ginger haired love for a while, before Éowyn decided she couldn't control her curiosity anymore. Gilraen just dropped onto the bench and poured herself a drink when Éowyn reached her.

"I saw you talking with your father" she sat down beside Gilraen.

"Oh yes. He was… fair. He said we should have let him know; that he would not have sent Torundir to Nen Falastir if he knew I was with child. He asked if I was healthy, gave best wishes. Said it was good to see me."

"And your mother?" Éowyn asked.

Gilraen dropped her eyes. "She won't even take up eye-contact…" she said sadly.

"She'll come round with time" Éowyn assured Gilraen, cursing Arwen in her mind for being so stubborn. "And how are you coping with the feast? Tired?"

"So tired" Gilraen laughed. "I sat down because I was starting to get a pain in the waist too."

"You don't have much time left" Éowyn nodded studying her belly.

"I think it should be about one more moon, little less…"

"Didn't you count?" she giggled eying Gilraen.

"Count? How could you count it?"

"Obviously there's a chance the child will come a little sooner or later, but with Elboron I calculated ten moons after conception and he came about a week earlier."

"Oh… well… I'm not sure of the day I should start counting with" Gilraen blushed scarlet red and Éowyn burst out laughing. "I guess it was around the end of June, beginning of July… some time while we were staying at Maeregard…"

"Lord Turgon would be pleased to hear that" Éowyn shook her head smiling and this time Gilraen broke into a chuckle. "And how do you feel about the approaching day? Aren't you scared? I remember I was scared, couldn't imagine how I'd squeeze a baby out of myself."

"I'm not… scared… just sort of concerned. I mean others have done it before me, so it shouldn't be impossible" Gilraen giggled at her own words. "I'm just concerned if everything's going to be all right, if… I'll make a mother good enough."

"Oh, darling, you will make a wonderful mother" Éowyn smiled at her. "Can I ask you something? What was going on between you and your brother previously?"

"My father asked the same" Gilraen nodded. "But the answer is still the same, Eldarion will tell you if he wants to. I guess we are a little too old to run to the grown-ups to tell on each other, aren't we?" she shrugged and Éowyn inclined her head in impressed agreement.

Torundir returned and she left them to each other musing whether her daughter would turn out a Sybille or a Gilraen in five years. In fact, in its own way, both were just perfectly fine options, but strangely her heart was pulling towards the Gilraen end now, not like she'd like to see Éoreth carrying the child of a Torundir sort of man in five years. Then she also reminded herself of the not very carefree months Gilraen had been through in the past year and decided she preferred Sybille's path for Éoreth.

Elboron asked her for a dance on her way back to the dais and eventually she ended up dancing three more dances with Faramir. By the time she found her seat on the dais again, guests already started making their goodbyes and the Small Hall was getting empty again. She looked around for Aryana, but not so surprisingly, the birthday girl found a way to skip her own party. That was probably the reason why Arwen was making some fuss at the other end of the table. Éowyn shuddered at the thought, she herself would also take it rather badly if her daughter kept disappearing on an utterly unpredictable basis.

"Tired?" Faramir called at her with a smile.

"Much more than I thought I would be" Éowyn nodded and leaned against her husband. "You think he actually likes that girl or is he just playing around again?" she mused eying their son on the dance floor with the ginger haired girl.

"I'd say he is playing around, but you should ask Eldarion if you want to be sure. He's young, let him enjoy it. Sooner or later he'll fall for someone just like everybody does" Faramir chuckled. "And actually, I'm younger than Aragorn, I can do a couple more years without becoming a grandfather."

All Éowyn could do was kiss her husband as they laughed.

So please let me know what you thought, there's one more chapter left (Chapter 35 - The Kingly Way) and the Epilogue, hopefully I can get both along during the weekend, if not, obviously the Epilogue will only come next week.

And I've decided to write a set of one-shots so I can get to show more details and misty of uncleared parts of this story, I was really sorry I could not fit certain scenes in, I so wanted to write them. If there's any detail or scene you would like to see, write me a PM or include it in a review if you'd like, and I'll consider writing a one-shot of it.