Ariel opened her eyes to find herself lying in a warm bed with the sunlight streaming into the room. "Where am I?" She asked as she propped herself up on her elbows and looked around the room. Eldarion was sitting beside her bed and Legolas was there also. "You are in the house of Faramir," Eldarion told her, happy to see her awake, indicating an older man who stood at the end of the bed.

"Welcome to Ithilien Ariel, daughter of Aragorn," The man smiled kindly at her and Ariel frowned. "How did I get here?" She asked her brother. "You were exhausted when Mardon found you, we carried you back here on horseback and you did not wake once. We were worried about you," He told her.
"So this is the other woman who rode disguised with men to fight." An older woman said as she came into the room and sat down on the end of the bed. "You are the Lady Éowyn!" Ariel said in amazement and Éowyn nodded. "And I know who you are, you are the daughter of Aragorn," She smiled, reflecting briefly on the past. "From what I have heard you are very alike to your father," Éowyn told her.

They talked for a while before Éowyn left with Eldarion and Legolas so Ariel could rest some more. "I hope that you will be well enough to join us for dinner tonight," Éowyn said as she left and Ariel nodded. "I hope I will be too," She said as her eyes began to close involuntary.
Ariel slept peacefully for a while before waking again to find Mardon standing in the doorway, just watching her. "I was wondering when you were going to come by," She said as she sat up and Mardon came into the room. "It is good to see you awake," He said as he sat down beside her bed and looked at her for a moment in silence before speaking.

"Like the Lady Éowyn you rode disguised with your men and like the Lady Éowyn you defeated a powerful enemy," He paused. "But is it also like the Lady Éowyn that you love another?" He asked softly. "There is one that I love," Ariel answered. "He is a tall, handsome Ranger who I hope feels the same way about me," She said, smiling at him.

Ariel felt her eyes closing again and Mardon could see that she was still tired. "I should let you get your rest," He said as he stood up. He lent over and kissed her brow and left the room after casting one more glance back at her. Ariel smiled as she slipped back into dreams that were in no way shadowed.