Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings, and all its characters, races, and creatures, as well as our beloved Middle Earth, belongs to JRR Tolkien.

I was so shaken by my confession to Aragorn that Faramir took me straight from his office to my home and put me to bed. I could not have managed it on my own had my life depended on it. As he pulled the quilt over my fully clad body, sans my shoes, he sat on the bed at my side and took one of my hands in his. He kissed it and laid it within his hands upon his knee. Then he gave me that look of 'pity' again, which he swears is only a sympathetic look, and said, "There now. Feeling any better?"

"Faramir," I said, "you should be watching after your reputation." My breathing was tending to hitch, due to all the weeping I had been doing. Swallowing, I tried to strengthen my voice. "Walking with me clinging to you through the halls of the citadel and through the streets of Minas Tirith is bound to make gossip fly furiously."

"I care nothing about it," he said with a smile.

"Well, you should! What will Eowyn think?" I asked.

"She already knows," he said, but paused when I interrupted without any words, fear showing clearly on my face. He continued, ignoring my startled expression, "that I have business with the Houses of Healing. I told her that I had been neglectful in my duty toward the wards, and she well understands that I must spend time with you to get things here back in order."

I started crying silently again. "Not only do I monopolize your time, I am now causing you to be dishonest with your betrothed." My nose was so stuffy, I could hardly breathe through it, and I now had hiccups, making it much harder to speak and be understood. "I am worse than a common harlot where the dignitaries of this city are concerned."

Faramir attempted to straighten a smile that threatened to break across his lips, and then he tried to look stern. "What am I going to do with you and your irreverent remarks, my lady?

He chuckled. Letting go of my hand and rising from the bed, he said, "I must get going for now. I will check in on you as I leave my office for the day." I started to protest, but he continued, talking over me, "And I do not want to find you in the wards! Is that clear? I am going to speak to Ioreth on my way out, and will tell her you are not to be disturbed because you feel unwell."

I sighed and said, "I understand, my lord. Anything else, my lord?"

He laughed then. "No, nothing else. Just this—stay in that bed, do not get up for any reason and sleep. You need sleep, badly."

He patted my shoulder and just before he left the room, he turned back to me once more and said, "I still cannot be unhappy about the child, Maeren. After all the strife which beset Middle Earth for so long, welcoming a new life into the world is such a miracle." And then he was gone. I snuggled down in my bed, and closed my eyes. Sleep, blissful sleep. Sounds wonderful—

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I awoke a few hours later, but the warmth and coziness of the bed made it impossible for me to rise. I began to think about having another baby. Faramir did have a point. New life was to be welcomed, especially after the heartache Middle Earth had endured for so long. All this time the only thought I had given to the child was of how it would affect our lives negatively. I had not yet thought about being a mother again.

I smiled to myself as I daydreamed of tiny fingers and toes; a baby's skin that was soft as rose petals—and smelled as sweet to its mother—most of the time. The first little tooth that emerges from a poor swollen gum. That first real belly laugh—there is nothing like that in this world. The struggle to rise onto two chubby legs to take that first tottering step.

Yes, once I allowed myself to stop the worry for a while, the thought of another child was wonderful. Another child. Such a gift. Would it be a boy or a girl? It would be nice to have another boy. I loved my Tristin with all my heart and I knew that this child would never be a replacement for him. I had so enjoyed mothering a boy. But if it was indeed a girl, I am sure that would be fulfilling also. Whatever the gender of the child, I would cherish the opportunity to be a mother again—even under these circumstances.

I was brought back to the reality of my room when a gentle knock sounded at my door. "Who is it?" I called.

When Faramir answered, I called back to him, bidding him to enter.

He came into the room, frowning at my groaning doorknob. He gave it an extended jiggle. "Must need some oil."

I smiled, feeling lighter in mood than I had in weeks, and much more rested than I had earlier today. "That is another thing on my list of 'things to do' which has been shoved aside lately for larger concerns," I said. "I followed your orders to the letter. I did not budge from this bed once and I did indeed sleep—soundly."

Pushing the quilt aside, I rose from the bed and put on my shoes. I noticed Faramir was looking at me—apprehensively. I licked my lips, trying to swallow some of the impending doom I felt was about to descend upon me.

"The King and Queen have requested my presence, have they not?" I asked quietly. I am sure I must have sounded scared—I was.

He raised his eyebrows. "I am afraid so. They wish you to join them for their evening meal tonight."

"For their evening meal?" I practically screamed. "How could any of us possibly think of eating with what will be discussed?"

"Do not kill the messenger for delivering the message," he scolded me quietly. "I only tell you what I was instructed to tell you."

I had been much louder than I had planned to be. And the words had been aimed at Faramir. He was being so good to me and this is how I repay him? "I am sorry, Faramir. I meant not to take it out on you. I just do not think I will be able to face the Queen tonight."

"You will have to face her sooner or later, Maeren," he said seriously. "It may as well be sooner, do you not think so? You have spent too much time as it is worrying about this."

"Yes, it may as well be sooner," I agreed. I wandered over to my washstand and filled a glass with water. I turned around and held the glass aloft, in silent invitation for Faramir to join me in a drink, but he declined with a shake of his head. I turned back toward the mirror and took a sip from the glass. I studied the Steward's reflection for a moment and thought about all he had done for me. I turned around to face him again, deciding that he had been too good a friend to me to have to endure my shouting at him.

"Faramir, I wish for you to go home, see your wonderful bride-to-be, and think not about me or this problem any more tonight. You have been very good to me and I feel as though I may be taking your friendship for granted. I wish not to do that." I went to stand in front of him.

"I will be glad to escort you to the citadel this evening, if you would wish it," he said.

"I do not wish it, Faramir. I wish for you to have a pleasant evening away from all of this. Starting right now." I began ushering him toward the door.

"All right," he said, laughing. "I will honor your wishes now, as you honored my wishes this afternoon."

"Your wishes, my lord?" I asked, skeptically. "They sounded decidedly like orders to me."

He laughed. "I suppose they were Maeren and I am supremely happy that you did follow them."

He turned to leave, but stopped and faced me again. "I wish I could bolster you for what you must face tonight, but there is nothing I can really do to accomplish that. So I will give you my best wish that things go well. I will not even try to guess what the Queen's reaction may be. I honestly do not know." He bent and kissed my cheek, gazing at me for a moment. He smiled at me, then left. I shut the door and leaned against it. I decided I should get dressed and go face the Queen's wrath.

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I again dressed as I normally would. I almost felt as if I should be dressed in mourning, so my regular clothes seemed at least an improvement on that. I checked my reflection in the mirror and shook my head at my paleness, and what would most assuredly be seen as an expression of stark terror on my face.

I should have been expecting the knock upon the door, but I was not. The caller identified himself as my escort to the royal quarters, so I opened the door and stepped out, taking the young man's arm. We walked silently to the citadel, he politely opening doors and holding my elbow as we ascended or descended steps. Much too soon we arrived at the door to the King's personal quarters. My escort rapped lightly and as the door opened I was immediately handed off to another servant of the King. He showed me into the large drawing room, where the King stood, and the Queen sat, looking out a window into the darkness.

My presence was announced. Neither of them moved. I was having difficulty discerning if I was this nervous at the banquet last week, but decided the contest would be a draw. I was literally shaking where I stood.

Just when I was beginning to feel as if I were intruding, Arwen rose and came toward me. She extended her hand, inviting me further into the room. She had no expression on her face, but her eyes had redness to them that I suspected had been caused by tears. I felt so awkward. Was I expected to speak or would one of them begin the conversation?

The decision was taken from me when Aragorn turned around and said, "Welcome, Maeren. I thank you for attending us on such short notice."

I nodded my head. I could not have spoken—my tongue was clinging to the roof of my mouth, making speech impossible. Again, Arwen took the initiative, directing me to a chair. She then went to a sideboard, poured a glass of what looked like water and handed it to me. She said, "I am regretful that our second meeting should be under circumstances such as these. I want you to feel at ease. We must be civil and relaxed if we are to make progress in discussing this problem with the dignity it deserves."

I sipped the liquid, which I realized was not water, but some other beverage. I did not think it appropriate to inquire as to what it may be. I suppose I should be grateful that it did not seem to be poison.

Aragorn joined the Queen and me, they taking seats opposite mine. Again, the awkward silence. Finally Aragorn said, "I spoke to Arwen this afternoon about your condition—and my part in it—and we have discussed possible solutions to our problem. It is obvious that to preserve your honor, you must leave Minas Tirith. The question of where you should go is yet to be decided. Have you any preference as to where you would wish to live during this time?"

"The only place I am familiar with besides Minas Tirith is Edoras, and I do not wish to return there as I told you this afternoon," I said quietly. "If you and the Queen would be so gracious as to put forth suggestions to me, I would be most grateful."

Aragorn and Arwen exchanged looks, then Aragorn stood. "Arwen and I have discussed alternatives for you to think over. Arwen has family in both of the Elven sanctuaries of Imladris and Lothlorien. You remember meeting her father and brothers and grandparents at the banquet a week or so ago, do you not?" At my nod of affirmation, he continued, "Her father and brothers live in Imladris and her grandparents rule over the Golden Wood of Lothlorien. They are both beautiful, serene places where you would be well-taken care of and the child would be given the utmost consideration."

I squirmed in my seat. These suggestions were all well and good, but live with the Queen's family? It sounded most inappropriate.

"Not to question your judgment, but do you really believe I would be welcomed in either place, given my—relationship with you?"

Arwen spoke up then. "Of course we have not approached either my father or my grandparents with this request. We wished to see what you thought of the notion first. However, I am sure if it is my wish that you be received into either sanctuary, you would be most welcomed."

I closed my eyes, wondering just what exactly I should say. 'Are you out of your minds?' seemed decidedly out of the question. I nodded then, and said, resignedly, "If it is your wish that I do this, then I am very amenable to it. I have no better ideas, to be sure, unless you would lock me in the White Tower and bring me food and books."

Arwen smiled and her eyebrows rose. They both chuckled at that. I was hugely surprised. I saw nothing funny about this whole affair. I suppose I must have indeed looked offended. Arwen then said, "Please forgive us our laughter. It is just that Estel was telling me earlier today that you have a wonderful sense of humor and you have just exhibited it to me in a most delightful fashion."

I do not know what exactly I expected the Queen's demeanor to be, but this was certainly not what I had in mind. I expected coldness and pure venom from her. I believe that would be my reaction, were the situation reversed.

I vaguely wondered who this Estel character was. I had never met anyone by that name. For them to be assuring the Queen that I had this particular attribute—and behind my back—seemed quite rude, in my opinion.

At my confused look, Arwen added, "Oh, Maeren, I am sorry. Aragorn was raised in Imladris by my father and the Elven name given him is Estel."

Well, that explained who Estel was. However, it did not explain exactly how their conversation had turned from, 'darling, I have been unfaithful to you' to 'the woman with whom I had a tryst has a delightful sense of humor.' I certainly would not ask how that little piece of information had come to be discussed. I truly did not want to know.

My mind finally got past this inanity and suddenly took hold of the fact that this couple had lived in the same household as children. I must have gone even paler than I was before and they both gave me concerned looks. My curiosity was greater than my sense, it seems, for I finally asked, although I know not where I found the audacity to do so, "You grew up together as brother and sister and are now married?"

Arwen laughed again. Quite literally, I had not meant for anything I had said thus far to be taken in jest.

Aragorn explained, "That is not how it occurred. You see Arwen is much older than I am. She grew up long before I or my distant ancestors were even thought of." I am sure my eyes grew even wider. Arwen laughed again.

"Surely you meant to say that you are much her senior, and it was you who grew up first in Imladris."

"No I spoke aright the first time," Aragorn said. "Arwen has seen untold years pass. She is an Elf."

He said that as if it would explain everything to me. But I had news for him—it most certainly explained nothing. But I was not of a mind for any lessons from him tonight, so I decided to remain silent.

Aragorn smiled, seemingly stifling a laugh, and hastened to explain more. "Elves are immortal—they do not die natural deaths as we do. As I was growing up in Imladris, Arwen was living in Lothlorien with her grandparents. We did not even meet until I was into adulthood."

I had gotten a lesson, whether I'd wanted it or not and I appeared to be grossly undereducated when it came to Elves. "I am sorry, my lady," I said in earnest to the Queen. "I meant not to offend you in any way. Please pardon my ignorance."

She just smiled that beautiful smile of hers and said, "You did not offend me! Quite the contrary. You have given me a reason to smile and Valar knows I have needed one today! It is I who should apologize for seeming to laugh at you. I am sorry for that, but the expressions on your face have been priceless."

"You have no reason to apologize to me for anything, given the circumstances," I replied. "I am ashamed for asking such personal questions of you in the first place."

"Think nothing of it, Maeren," Arwen replied. She was being so sweet to me. Did she perhaps have a dagger hidden somewhere on her person?

Arwen rose then and helped me up from my chair. I felt no cold steel against my ribs.

"Let us repair to the dining room and have our meal," she said. "I was afraid none of us would feel much appetite, but I find that I am feeling much better about this whole turn of events."

The table was so long, I believe whoever would be placed at either end would have to send messages by royal courier to each other instead of conversing in the normal way. Thankfully, the places had been set together at one end. Aragorn seated Arwen and me opposite each other. He then took the seat at the head of the table. From somewhere, servants began to wait on us, bringing covered platters and carafes of wine, and adding soups and removing plates. It was a lavish repast, and, I admit, I ate as if I hadn't eaten in weeks. Nervousness often has that effect on me. I either could not eat at all or I could not get enough. I just hoped that what I had eaten would decide to be cooperative and remain in my stomach, at least until I returned home.

We had all finished the meal and were enjoying tea at the cleared table. We had lapsed again into silence. I bowed my head, looking at my hands in my lap, and said, "My lady, I most appreciate your kindness to me. I do not deserve it to be sure, but I do welcome it and I thank you."

She smiled at me again. "I will not deny the fact that when Estel told me the news this afternoon, I was most angry. However, after the initial shock was overcome, I remembered something my father always told me. 'When a situation is a fact of life, and you are helpless to change it, what good does it do anyone to be angry and resentful over it? What is done is done. You must move forward.' I believe that to be good advice, do you not think so?"

"Yes, it is very good advice, but it is not always an easy thing to do. You seem to do it quite well," I said.

"I have had much time—and occasion—to if not perfect the taking of this advice, then at least the acceptance that it is true."

I do not always use prudence when my curiosity is aroused, and it certainly was at this point. I needed to know how could she endure my company at all. "I am sorry. I cannot understand how you can bear to look at me, much less be kind to me, after what I have done to you."

"Maeren, think you that I have lived these three thousand years in a bubble?" she asked quietly. "I have seen similar situations to the one in which you and Estel found yourselves on the night the child was conceived. I could not very well condemn someone for reacting to grave events in a way that I, myself, might have reacted, can I? Estel was about to undertake what all thought might be his last and final mission—I'm sure he tried to keep his spirits up, but let us face facts—the Black Gates are truly daunting. His confession to me, about that night, was both heartfelt and sorrowful. And, though we were betrothed, we had not yet wed. I am certain in my heart that had we been, Estel would never have shared his body with another. I have faith in him."

I was speechless. I cast a glance at Aragorn and his expression was laughable—somewhere between relief and mortification. This whole idea of immortality addled me in the first place. To think that a beautiful, refined being such as Arwen had lived for almost three thousand years, and had the same base instincts as a common Human like me, was unbelievable. I tried to hide my shock.

"You are a very gracious person, nonetheless," I said. "If there is ever anything I may do for you—anything at all—please do not hesitate to tell me. I quite deserve your wrath and if you feel the need to visit it upon me, I will welcome it."

"In light of what I said before, do not think for one minute that I did not give my husband quite a tongue lashing over this matter. This news was very hurtful, especially since I knew nothing of it until after we were wed." She gave Aragorn a scornful look.

I was quick to come to his defense. "I am afraid he waited, not out of fear of your reaction, but out of ignorance. I did not make my condition known to him until this afternoon. 'Tis completely my fault. I selfishly did not think of how this affected anyone but me. Again, I ask forgiveness." I looked at Aragorn, and his return glance was one of thanks.

"This is perhaps the one thing that gives me pause," she said. "I know not how it feels to know a baby is on the way. But if I knew it was indeed a fact, and I was all alone with no one to help me through it all, I cannot say I would not have done likewise. And I know not how I would have reacted had I known of this before we exchanged vows. I know I would have had the same emotions that I did this afternoon. Whether it would have caused me to halt the rites, I really cannot say. However, it is all water beneath the bridge now. We will do as my father advises. Continue on from this point."

We rose from the table and I was ushered toward the door. Before calling for someone to escort me back to my home, Arwen and Aragorn both stopped to stand beside me. Aragorn spoke first. "We will discuss this with Arwen's family tonight and ask about your being secluded in either Lothlorien or Imladris throughout your confinement. They leave for their respective homes on the morrow, so we cannot wait to discuss this with them. Do you agree with this?"

I had completely forgotten the presence of the other Elves of Arwen's family in Minas Tirith. Of course they were still here—the wedding was only four days passed. However, the news that they would be told so soon made me very uneasy. The misconception I had been under, that they were far removed and it would take weeks for a messenger to reach them, had shielded me from the reality that I would indeed be living in one of their households, probably sooner than I had thought.

I felt completely panicked. "My lord, I could not possibly be ready for departure on the morrow. Please tell me I am not expected to go on such short notice," I said. I added so they did not think me presumptuous, "That is, supposing that the Queen's family agrees to this arrangement at all."

Arwen smiled, and said, "Oh no, Maeren. Worry not about that. If my family consents—and I have no doubt that they will—we will not expect you to leave this soon. I am sure you have many things to see to, as well as friends to whom you wish to bid farewell. We will send you by another escort, when the time comes."

I breathed a sigh of relief. "In that case, I agree. However, I must still voice my concerns of how I will be received in either place." Turning to Arwen I said, "I am scared to death of the thought of facing, let alone dwelling with, your family, after what I have done."

Arwen smiled and said, "Fear not, Maeren. When we explain the situation to them, we will make it quite clear that you are not to blame. Estel is to blame."

She kept her deadpan face, but I could see the corner of her mouth twitch. I glanced at Aragorn. His skin had a strange pallor to it. I wondered if he were about to faint. Arwen smiled again. Aragorn heaved a sigh of relief.

My escort arrived and I departed their company. They promised they would send for me again, as soon as they had a definite answer from Arwen's family.

I arrived home and kicked my shoes off, and collapsed onto one of the chairs at my table. For once in a very long time, I was actually smiling.

The Queen is certainly an exceptional person. She seemed genuinely calm and serene about this whole situation. And her sense of humor was comparable to my own, thanks be. I wonder what is being said between Arwen and Aragorn and her family, now that I am gone? Oh to be a fly on the wall...

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