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

The day after my confrontation with the Elf lord, the Queen paid me a visit. I was stunned, to say the least. I was in the wards doing my usual morning activities when I heard Ioreth gasp. I looked up and there was the Queen, in all her splendor, walking down the aisle toward me. She greeted a slack-mouthed Ioreth—who dropped a hasty curtsy—and continued forward, stopping when she reached my side.

I gave a small bow to my head, to show my respect. "My Queen, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Houses of Healing." I hoped my anger at the Queen's father was not written on my face as plainly as I feared it was.

"It is my pleasure to be here," she assured me. "Have you time to speak with me?"

"Of course," I said. "One moment, if you please, while I finish with my patient here." I looked back down to the young man in the bed, only to find he was even more slack-mouthed than Ioreth had been. I stifled a chuckle and introduced him to Lady Arwen. "My Queen, may I present to you Darren, Son of Derric of Gondor, a soldier of the guard?" I then glanced back at Darren and did likewise. "Darren, I present to you, the Queen of Gondor."

Darren went all shades of red and finally spoke. "Tis a genuine pleasure to meet you. I would bow to you, but Mistress Maeren promises to have me put in chains if I leave this bed, so I think I should not test her."

"Tis my pleasure to meet you, Darren, to be sure," the Queen said. "I am sorry for your injury. I wish for you a rapid recovery."

"Thank you, my Queen," Darren breathed. From his expression of complete awe, you could tell this would be one of those moments he would relate to his grandchildren, on every occasion he could claim their ears.

I finished securing Darren's bandage and bid him goodbye. The Queen and I then walked back the way she had come. "Ioreth, please take charge," I said over my shoulder without stopping.

Ioreth actually was something other than cold to me for once. "Yes, my lady. I will gladly take over while you are away."

I just smiled and walked on. As we reached the hallway, we had the choice of going either left and out the door into the street, or right, and to my office or room. I stopped and asked, "My lady, had you any particular destination in mind?"

"Actually, yes I do," she replied. "If you would not mind, and the Houses of Healing could spare you for a couple of hours, I would dearly love to ride out of here for awhile and have a lunch outdoors. I have horses for us to ride, if you would—or we could send for the coach if you would prefer."

I was shocked. The Queen, who I had wronged in the most grievous way—although I knew not about her at the time—was being pleasant, and was inviting me on what seemed to be a social outing.

Was she being genuine? Was she playing some sort of elaborate game with me, only to spring the trap when I least expected it? I looked into her face, and all I could see was sweet loveliness. There was no choler of rancor there. All I saw when I looked into her eyes was wisdom and serenity. I could not figure this out.

"Maeren, are you well?" she asked me.

I came out of my puzzled trance, and said, "I am sorry, Your Majesty. I must seem very slow-witted. I would be honored to accompany you. However, I have no appropriate riding clothes, only leggings and such. I would hate to be an embarrassment to you."

"Of course you would not be," she assured me. "I had intended to return to the Citadel first and dress as you plan to. Growing up with two brothers, I refused to dress differently from they when I rode, much to my mother's chagrin."

I smiled and said, "As did I. And for the same reason."

"Why do we not go gather your things and return to the Citadel to change?" she asked.

"Of course. My room is just down this way a bit." I walked ahead of her, stopping at my door. I turned the groaning knob.

She said nothing at the sound, but screwed up her face in a way I had never imagined she could.

She came in, glancing around my humble home as I gathered my things and deposited them in a small valise. I suddenly came to a screeching halt. What was I doing?

"My lady," I said. "I am still very surprised at your attitude toward me. It puzzles me as to why you would even speak to me, much less ask for my company in what seems to be a social outing. All I can imagine is that you have more questions you wish to ask me. Am I correct in my assumption of this, or have you some other reason for inviting me out today?"

"Forgive me," Arwen said, "but I believed I was simply being friendly. I have no ulterior motive, if that is what you mean."

I was mortified at my cheek. How could I have asked her that question? When would I ever learn to curb my curiosity? And how do I get myself out of this one?

I decided that honesty was something that always worked. It did not always work well, but it would be best in the long run.

"My lady," I said, "I meant no disrespect to you. Please forgive me if that is how I sounded. I am merely surprised that you would seek out my company. That is all."

"Maeren, were the circumstances different, and we had not all the entanglements we find ourselves in, I would have taken to you instantly. I sensed in you a kindred spirit the minute I looked into your eyes for the first time. We do find ourselves in a unique position. It is not uncomfortable for me to be around you. If you can say likewise, I can see no reason for us not to be cordial with one another."

I was trying to think of a suitable reply to her, when she said, "If you like, I could command you to accompany me." Her smile was sweet.

"I find your company very pleasant, when I forget the nature of our relationship," I said. "You have been making it possible for me to forget what I have done to you, and I feel undeserving of that. I feel as if I deserve your scorn and not your company at all."

"I can see you are leaving me with no choice, then," she said somberly. "I command you to not only endure my presence, but to enjoy it as well."

I could not help but laugh at that. She smiled and said, "Get you busy so we may be riding soon!" As an afterthought, she added, "Please—please—cease calling me 'my lady' or 'my queen' or, worse yet, 'your majesty'! My given name I now give to you, to use as you see fit."

Smiling, I nodded my understanding. I finished gathering my things and we left for our impromptu outing.

I cannot for the life of me understand the Queen. How she can possibly endure—even invite—my company is beyond my comprehension.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

We rode a bit beyond what used to be the gates of the city, before the minions of Sauron demolished them, and found a likely spot to drop our blanket and have a bite to eat. We had skirted the battlefield. It made the Queen uncomfortable. It seemed to bother Arwen very much. When I asked her about her discomfiture, she told me that Elves had heightened senses, and the battlefield almost cried with the blood of the fallen warriors of Middle Earth. Not wishing to put a damper on our afternoon, I quickly changed the subject to something very neutral—the weather. That is always safe, is it not?

She had certainly brought enough food! There was cold chicken, biscuits with plenty of butter and honey to go along with them, and two kinds of fruit—apples and pears. "If I continue eating such huge meals," I said, holding my stomach, "I shall grow too big for my leggings!"

She smiled and said, "Forget not that you are eating for two."

My smile faded. How could I forget, although it would be nice to, if only for one afternoon?

She noticed that my reserve had again locked into place. "I'm sorry, Maeren. If the child is too difficult for you to speak of to me, I will desist in speaking of it. Despite the circumstances, I find a new life coming into the world very exciting! You see, the Elves are diminishing here in Middle Earth; they are leaving for the Gray Havens, crossing the sea never to return here. I was of the last of the Elves born, so babies—even children among Elves—are more than rare. They are for the most part, nonexistent."

Forgetting my unease, I let curiosity take over my mind once more. "Truly? There are no more Elven babies?" I know I must have looked aghast, but I could not help it. "How sad!"

"Yes," she agreed. "It is quite sad." Her demeanor changed to one of excited anticipation. "However, I shall have babies and welcome them with open arms!"

This puzzled me. "Why will you be different from other Elves? After I learned about your immortality, I simply surmised that you and Aragorn would live together until his death, and then you would join your family again, wherever they may be. And I knew not of Elves having no children, so, why then, will you? Oh dear, the king would need heirs— "

She smiled as she followed my train of thought on its twisted path. "That is the only sad thing for me about my marriage to Estel," she said. "You see my father is what is called by my people a Peredhil. It means that he is half-Elven. As such, he was given the choice of whether to live as a Human or to live his life as an Elf—he chose to live as an Elf. As one of his children, I, too, was given the same choice. My life was in turmoil before I made my final decision. I had many reasons to live as an Elf. I would have eventually sailed to the Gray Havens, to reunite with my mother. Yet I also had many reasons to remain here in Middle Earth. It breaks my father's heart that I chose to marry Estel and live a mortal life. He wishes desperately to go across the sea and join my mother. That means he will leave me behind. So, you see, it is a bittersweet love I have at times for Estel. I love him with all my heart, but I also love my father and mother, and I am bereft at the thought of never seeing them again. I know not when my father will finally sail, and mayhap I will see him before that time, but our parting will be bitter for us both."

I started weeping again. Arwen had a look of alarm on her face. "Maeren, what did I say to distress you so?"

"I am sorry," I gasped. "It seems that is all I ever say to you, and it is never going to be enough! What you just told me makes my transgression all the more abhorrent. To think of what you have given up to marry Aragorn, and this is what you are dealt. I am unfit to even tread the ground you walk upon."

"Maeren, do not weep over this any more," Arwen scolded gently. "I have been thinking about my relationship with Estel for the past few days, since you told us this news. Remember I told you I did not know if I would have wed him anyway? Well, I know now. I would have. This makes no difference. What he had with you was mere physical union, brought on by tragic events. I am secure in the knowledge that he loves me. That I am his only love. That is really all that matters."

Arwen reached out and lifted my chin with her fingers. "Forget not that I am an Elf. As you know, I am thousands of years old. Think you I spent all this time without lovers? I can assure you that is not the case. My looks may deceive. I am not nearly as pure as some would deem me. I was hardly virginal when I wed Estel. Grant you, I no longer shared myself with others after I met and grew to love him. I knew he was the one I wished to bond with for all time."

She gave a small shake of her head, as if not quite believing what she was about to say. Her smile was that of someone who was bewildered, but not in an unhappy way. "I have surprised myself by my reaction to this as well. I know not what calms my spirit. I suppose it was the situation in which your union occurred. I wish not to embarrass you, but Estel told me everything. That is another thing I love about him—he shares his mind with me. He told me you were grief-stricken over the death of a young soldier, and even though you needed comfort yourself, it was you who made to comfort him. He told you his woes, he wept, and you promised to watch over him while he slept. I cried when he told me that, for even though he shared himself with you, it was because of the heartbreak you were both enduring. Had I been there to give comfort to Estel myself, he would have not needed to find it elsewhere. And this may sound strange, but I love him with my soul; a tiny part of me is glad you were there for him."

I smiled at her as my tears dried. When I thought of all the facets being an Elf must include - unlimited time to think things through, having untold experience on which to base opinions and feelings - it all boggled my mind.

"Your understanding is the most wonderful of gifts, Arwen," I said. My voice was trembling, from all the crying I had done. "I have despaired over hurting you. That has been my deepest regret from the very beginning of this. I met Aragorn for the first time only a few hours before we—you know—and I knew nothing about him. That alone is a cause of much shame for me. I did not know if he was married, or betrothed, and quite frankly, I didn't even think about those things. It seems I did not think about a great many things." My gaze fell to the blanket, my shame evident. "Aragorn told you I was bereaved about a child soldier who had died in my arms. What made that more grievous to me was that my Tristin would have been about the same age as the dying child I held in my arms. As I sat there holding the young soldier, I saw my son's face instead of the one who was actually there. All the sorrow and loss I felt at Tristin's death, was brought forth from deep in my heart, and I could hardly breathe. As I sat there in the garden, all I could think of was my son and my empty arms. I was in such excruciating pain. I tell you this not as an excuse, but simply as an explanation. When Aragorn wandered into the garden, it in some way saved me. I had felt as if I were dying."

We fell into silence. Arwen took my hands in hers and continued to gaze at me, looking into my eyes. I somehow felt her presence in my heart, calming me. I knew that was impossible, but even so, just for a moment, I felt such peace. She smiled and released me.

"Maeren," she began, "I did not know you had lost a child. That alone is reason enough for you to seek comfort in a way you normally would not have. You have been in the thick of this war with the Dark One, seeing sights and tending wounds I would cringe from. You have worked in impossible conditions, with the sounds of battle ringing in your ears. You fought in this war just as any soldier of Middle Earth did. You continue fighting, tending still the worst of the wounds suffered by some of the soldiers. I will not lie to you. The knowledge of your union with Estel sometimes anguishes my mind. Of course, that is natural for any wife who finds herself in this situation. But the pain you must have felt—I know not if I could have withstood it alone. Why should I expect for you to?"

I smiled weakly. "Thank you, Arwen, for trying to justify my actions. It will be long before the guilt of this will leave me. Perhaps it never will. Hearing that you don't despise me—but more importantly, that you don't despise Aragorn, calms my heart more than I thought it could be calmed again. I so feared that you may reject Aragorn and that filled me with trepidation. I knew not about you at the time, but when I was made aware of your impending marriage, I was filled with fear and dread that you would not accept him, since his - dalliance with me."

"Is that why you waited to tell him?" she asked. "You were afraid I would reject him?"

"I truly did not give it a thought, Arwen," I said as honestly as I could. "I was so wrapped up in misery and fear - that was all I could think about. Very selfish of me."

"Very understandable of you," Arwen said, "considering the circumstances you found yourself in - and all alone in dealing with them. Now all is out in the open and plans will be made. We must go on from here. All will be well."

You would have thought that by now, I would have made it a habit to grab a hankie before I left my home, as often as I seemed to cry. With nothing better to use, I grabbed a corner of the blanket we had just lunched upon and began dabbing at my eyes. I do not know why, but it seemed to strike the Queen as something laughable, and before we both knew it we were in hysterics laughing. I had no idea what we were laughing at, but it felt very good. I wished not to end it, even to find out the cause.

"This is so impossible, Maeren," Arwen said at last. "We should be bitter enemies, but we are friends after only three meetings. At least I feel we are friends."

"Perhaps, someday, I will feel deserving of your friendship, but you certainly may count me as a friend of yours right now," I replied. "I have said it before, and I will probably repeat it until you would wish me to hush, but if there is anything I might do for you—anything, no matter how large or small—please allow me to help you. Anything at all."

"You are right, my friend," Arwen said solemnly, "I wish you to hush!"

That started us laughing again. After just a few moments, we fell into easy quietness.

Finally, Arwen broke the silence. "Maeren, tell me of your home in Rohan. About your family. I wish to know all about it."

I began by telling her about the land. How the golden grass of the plain rolled for miles in the breeze that always seemed to be present. How there probably was not one square league anywhere in the Riddermark that did not have at least one horse grazing there. I told her of my father and my brothers. Of Lord Keodwen and the Houses of Healing in Edoras, and how I studied the healing arts there. How I met and fell in love with my Dustin. Of delivering my Tristin into the world. Of how my small family perished in the fires of a stable.

My tears began to fall again.

"You lost your husband as well as your son, at the same time? It is truly such a tragedy. My heart cries for you, Maeren."

I dabbed at my eyes with the blanket again. "Thank your for your sympathies, Arwen. But it does feel good to tell someone of them. Of before they were killed. We had a grand life. Oh, do not get me wrong we did not live grandly. But when one lives with an excess of love, one tends to not feel the starkness of one's surroundings as much."

She considered my words for a moment, and then said, "Even though it seems that excess comes with my station, I do hope to one day have an excess of love in my life. Right now it feels as an excess—my love for Estel. But when we have children, my cup will truly be full." Her smile was radiant.

I looked down at the grass beside me, just off the blanket upon which we sat. I began pulling blades of it, and letting the pieces fall in the breeze, just as Aragorn had done that night not so long ago in my garden. I felt a pang of I know not what emotion. Longing for my husband? Jealousy, that Arwen had what I did not? I do not know. And I was not going to wallow in it.

"Let us be up and packed. I must get back to the wards," I said. I stood and began packing up. "That young soldier you met before we left—Darren?—I fear he may yet lose his leg. It was a terrible break. The bone broke through the skin, and he was brought in filthy and unbandaged. The infection has been stubborn, and while it has not worsened, it has not truly improved. Every day I pray as I remove the wrappings, that I will see improvement, but I have so far had to settle for giving thanks that he is no worse."

"I shall pray for him also," Arwen said. "I should tell my father. Perhaps he could help." I looked down, sure she could not have missed the hurt that crossed my face.

"I am sorry for the way he treated you, Maeren," she stated. "He was not himself. I have never known him to be so monstrous. I apologize for him."

"I certainly admire your father, Arwen," I said, as I strapped the food basket closed. "At least as far as his being a renown healer goes. I would gladly swallow my pride, were he to consider helping Darren. If you think there is a chance your father could heal him, or at least turn him more toward healing, then I would implore you to ask for his assistance with Darren's injury."

"Then I will ask him," she replied. "Worry not. If it is within his power to help the soldier, he will do all he can."

After we had gathered and packed all of our belongings, we loaded them on the horses and mounted. We urged our mounts into a lazy walk. I again picked up our conversation. "It was very reassuring meeting you and your kin. I had begun to despair that all Elves may be as Legolas is. Do you find him abrasive?"

She looked at me, seemingly astonished, and I feared I had angered her. Then her face dissolved into laughter. She laughed so hard I feared she would fall from the saddle. As soon as she could breathe again, she said, "Oh Maeren, are you telling me you do not find Legolas attractive?"

I smiled somewhat and retorted, "Well, yes, I suppose a woman could find him attractive. He's certainly pretty enough— "

My ears were assaulted once again by her uncontrollable laughter, so I continued to amuse her. "If he were not such a pig about being a virile male, I suppose I may be able to stomach him somewhat."

I was not disappointed. Arwen was having trouble catching her breath. She finally succeeded long enough to unintentionally egg me on some more. "I shall have an interesting conversation with the Prince, and soon." She was wiping her eyes on her sleeve, her breathing hitched with residual giggles.

I had a momentary pause for concern, that someone else should let the Elf know exactly what I thought of him, but I could not resist this opening. "A Prince? You do not say! Well, even that will not save him. He needs lessons in tact as far as I am concerned!"

"Maeren, stop! Please!" she begged. "I am close to disgracing myself by wetting my leggings!"

"All right," I said. "I will stop. I just have one more question. Are you sure he is male?"

She kicked her horse into a canter and left me behind. I quickly caught up and we rode on quietly together, but we both had smiles on our faces.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o