SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Disclaimer: The Lord of the Rings and all its characters, races, and creatures, as well as our beloved Middle Earth, belongs to JRR Tolkien.

"Mind the beard, young man!" Gimli said with a chuckle. We were back in the sitting room the following morning, Leofa having risen with the roosters as Aragorn had predicted. He had been fed, and had been introduced to his 'Uncle Gimli', and after an initial bout of fearful shrinking away, had finally warmed up to the Dwarf. I almost thought Gimli might have preferred that the child had retained his reticence, as persistently as Leofa was pursuing his intended prize.

Leofa was mesmerized by the bushy growth surrounding his newfound friend's entire face. He wished to taste it—great handfuls of it—but Gimli was of a mind that a beard was not at its best when covered with slimy baby spit, so he was being kept quite busy trying to keep his glorious facial growth from Leofa's relentless grasp. Aragorn and I were both trying unsuccessfully to keep straight faces. It looked as if Gimli was fighting a losing battle with the baby's hands and would need to sprout at least one more pair himself before the skirmish even stood a ghost of a chance of ending in a draw.

"A bit of help here would not be turned away," Gimli pleaded, most undwarf-like. Having pity on my dear friend, I lifted my child away from his 'uncle'. I gave him instead a large piece of a sticky bun, which had come from a tray that Aragorn had provided for the Dwarf's morning meal, and Leofa was enchanted with the sweet treat.

"He is a delightful child," Gimli said warmly. "As long as he stays well away from my beard—especially after he eats that sweet of his." We all laughed at the Dwarf's good humor in the situation, for he took his beard quite seriously. In a more solemn tone, Gimli continued, "He looks much like you, Aragorn. You will never be able to deny him."

I wondered why Gimli would say such a thing. I thought perhaps it was because he loved me so well; he wanted to be sure that Aragorn always knew he must do right by Leofa and me. Gimli wanted the King to be aware that I had a friend in the Dwarf, who had every intention of seeing to it that the man—King or no—honored his obligations to me and his son.

"Yes, Gimli," Aragorn agreed. "He resembles me much. I will acknowledge him to any who ask, though in deference to Maeren, I will keep his mother's name to myself, until she names herself freely."

"As it should be," Gimli replied, apparently satisfied with Aragorn's answer. "He is indeed a beautiful child, Maeren. Well worth all the sickness you endured?"

"Well worth it, Gimli," I admitted. "Although at the time, I did wonder. I think retching at the banquet was the low point of my life, truth be known." But after considering this for a moment, I had to emend my statement. "No, the little visit with Elrond here at the citadel was very definitely the low point."

"And who would have imagined the love that would grow between the two of you?" Aragorn pointed out.

"Who indeed?" I echoed. "We will soon be parting forever, once again. I feel as if I will have lost two fathers just recently, after I part with Elrond finally. My deepest regret will be that Leofa will not really know him—except from stories we will tell him. He will not know it, but his life will be lacking from not having Elrond to steer him through it."

"Is someone speaking of me behind my back?" Elrond asked with mock suspicion as he entered the room. Leofa squealed and began to fidget in his excitement at seeing his favorite person in the entire world come within his range of vision once again. However, this Elf was certainly no fool, and kept well without the child's grasp—since said child had been chewing on and rending apart a sticky bun, and had it on not only himself, but also anything within a three-foot radius. Aragorn grabbed his son beneath the arms and whisked him from me, holding him out at arm's length. He took him from the room, talking to him the entire time about the perils of eating in such a sloppy manner, while Gimli, Elrond and I laughed at the charming picture the King and his child made as they left the room together.

"Are you certain the Elves in Valinor do not allow human babies to reside there?" I asked Elrond plaintively. "I could almost deal with not having him with me as long as I knew he would be with you, as much as he adores you."

"Of course you could deal with being parted from him," the Elven lord said sarcastically, as he seated himself next to me on the sofa. "I would believe that just as soon as I saw it."

"No need to be nasty," I replied with a laugh. "He is going to miss you immensely. I am going to miss you as well. We were just sitting here remembering the meeting between the two of us, when you were so mean to me, and how it seems impossible to believe that we grew to love each other so much, given our rocky start."

"I prefer not to remember that meeting, if you do not mind," Elrond said sheepishly. "I did not do myself proud at all. It was not one of my better moments."

"If it is any consolation," I told him, as I reached for his hand, "you have made up for it a thousand times over. You have helped me in so many ways, I cannot count them all—and recently too. The talk we had yesterday has already borne fruit, and I thank you for your counsel."

Gimli cleared his throat, as if to remind me of his presence. I turned to him and offered him more of the sweet rolls for breaking his fast.

"I seem to have lost my appetite," he said with a mild grimace, "after having witnessed the massacre of an innocent roll at the hands of a terrifying baby just moments ago, I find myself a bit squeamish."

We all laughed at that, and our attention was drawn towards the door as it opened to admit another person of the Elven persuasion. This time it was the Elf of whom I had reason to fear—Legolas. However, I was well protected this morning, with Elrond sitting directly beside me, so the Prince had no chance of accosting me now, to my great relief. I smiled widely at him with this knowledge. He smiled back, wrinkling his nose mischievously.

"If you think I have forgotten your slight of me, you are sadly mistaken," he said, aimed at me. "I will get you, lady, one way or another."

"Forget not that I saved your life in the wilderness," I remembered for him.

"You did no such thing," he remembered for me. "Made me more comfortable, perhaps. Saved me long convalescence, maybe. Saved my life, no—I do not think so. Remember, you dealt with an Elf, not a man."

"Would someone please enlighten me as to what subject we are speaking about?" Elrond almost pleaded.

"The Elf was bitten behind the knee by an adder after we were well into the trip to Imladris," the Dwarf explained. "Maeren tended to him—expertly, I might add—and still he was very sick with it for a day."

"Truly, Legolas?" Elrond said with a frown. "You were taken ill with an adder bite? It must have been severe to have rendered you sick." Turning to me, he asked, "How did you treat it?"

"The usual way; cuts along the fang marks, drawing out the poison with the mouth, binding it with poultices. Still the swelling grew so bad I had to drain it that night. But you Elves are remarkable. The swelling continued to go down, and by the next morning, he could wear his boot, and was up and not only walking around, but was making up for his idleness of the day before. I have never seen so much energy in one person, I do not believe."

"That is a side effect of adder venom in Elves, also," Elrond said, filling in a missing piece of information that had baffled me for some time. "If it makes them that sick, it repays them by giving them bountiful energy for a few days afterward."

"I was wondering what was wrong with me," Legolas admitted. I felt almost jittery with unspent energy."

"I would but think of a task to be done, and it was done before I could lift a finger," I declared. "However, that turned out to be a good thing, for while Legolas was bursting with energy, I was completely drained of it."

"And I believe it is you who owe me your life," Legolas said wickedly, "not the other way around—if you will recall the wolf incident."

I shuddered. "I would prefer to not recall the wolf incident, if you would not mind."

"As I would not like to recall it," Gimli agreed. "A harrowing event that was, to be sure."

"Again," Elrond prodded, "I seem to be in the dark. Someone, please fill me in?"

"Maeren was taking a—shall we say 'nature call'—when a mother wolf that was near the camp began stalking her," Legolas began the story. "She was aware of the wolf right away. I have to give her credit for being alert to her surroundings, for she was very still. She did just the right thing in the situation. However, it was fortunate that Estel had us watch the lady at all times, for in this instance, had one of us not been there, the good healer would not be here, I would venture to say. The wolf attacked, and I killed it. I hesitated for several minutes, for the wolf had a litter somewhere near; she was hanging low to the ground. I kept hoping she would pass the tempting morsel of human woman by, but she must have been too alluring. The wolf was very lean, and obviously hungry. Desperation must have driven her on. I felt contrite for waiting so long, for Maeren was terrified, but I truly wanted to give the wolf a chance to back off."

"It did scare me to death," I admitted, "and I could not for the life of me determine why someone was not killing the dratted animal, because I knew one of these two was around watching me. I began thanking the Valar for all the good fortune I had had in my life, and about that time the wolf sprang and I screamed—at the top of my lungs." I laughed. I could laugh now. At the time, it was anything but funny.

"She was not the only one who was scared," Gimli admitted. "When they were gone so long, I surmised there must be trouble, so went to investigate. I found Legolas, and when I saw what he was seeing, my heart almost stopped. And when the wolf sprang—well, had I not known how good a shot he was, my heart would have stopped, without a doubt."

"The journey was much more adventurous than I had known," Elrond said, frowning at me. "Why did you not tell me all of this?"

"I do not know," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "I suppose the subject never came up."

Legolas, Gimli and I looked at each other and all laughed at the same time. Elrond simply shook his head and smiled at our foolishness.

We could hear Aragorn and Leofa returning before we could actually see them. Aragorn was chanting a little nursery rhyme, the one about 'patting a cake' and he was nearing the end, where he was going to mark the cake with an 'L' for 'Leofa' and him. All within the room broke out into grins—not grins of teasing, but smiles of pure bliss for Aragorn, who finally had a flesh and blood member of family, once again right in the house with him.

We knew father and son had stopped just outside the door to the sitting room, and we waited for the end of the rhyme and were rewarded with the squeal of delight from Leofa when Aragorn tickled him at the end of the rhyme. We laughed and tried to be natural when the couple entered the room. I do not think the King noticed anything amiss when he came in, but knowing Aragorn, he probably knew we'd been listening, he just didn't care.

Of course the moment Leofa spied Elrond, he was excited to play with his Grandfather. You could see the Elf lord's grimace at not wanting to interrupt the father and son moment, but the son was determined to play with his favorite Elf.

"No, sweetheart," Elrond said, holding his hands palms outward, "stay with your Ada. He wants to play with you now."

"I will have plenty of opportunities to play with my son, Father," Aragorn said kindly. "Go ahead. Take him. You will be leaving soon."

You could see Elrond's eyes glow with love as he took the baby into his large Elven hands. The smile on his face was priceless. I feared he would weep, he looked so happy and sad and completely emotional all at once. Leofa's outstretched hands touched the Elf lord's face sweetly, and Elrond responded by lifting the baby up into the air once more above his head, to the child's squealing delight. They both appeared to be the happiest they could ever be.

Legolas scowled with his best 'angry eagle' look. "What smells so putrid?" he wanted to know.

"Leofa," Elrond accused. "You didn't! Did you? And after your Ada just changed your clothes!"

Aragorn rolled his eyes and rose from his chair to take his son back and change the dirty nappy, but Elrond rose at the same time.

"No, Estel," Elrond declared. "I will take the bad with the good. If I have the privilege to play with the child, I will clean up his mess. We shall return when he is again fit for proper company."

Smiling somewhat sourly, Elrond left the room with the reeking child.

"Gimli," Aragorn said. "Have you had a chance to think about plans for the new gates of the city? I don't expect you to have anything decided, of course; I only wondered if you had any general ideas."

"Of course, Aragorn," Gimli told him. "I have given it much thought. What do you think I do while on watch of a night by a campfire? I make plans is what I do! No idle mind does a Dwarf possess!"

"Then come now," Aragorn directed him. "Let us go to my study. I will supply you with parchment and quill, and you can sketch me some of those plans. Will you do this, or are the plans not to that point in your Dwarven mind?" The King was smiling widely.

"Let's go then!" Gimli replied as he rose. "I can sketch you several plans from several different angles, if you so desire. I have no problem with that!"

I started to rise to go with them, for I would be left alone with my nemesis did I not. A hand on my arm stayed me, for Legolas had seated himself on the sofa where Elrond had vacated the space beside me. My time was finally at hand, it seems.

"Ai!" I said, "You have me at last. Drat it all anyway!"

"Ai?" he replied, somewhat surprised by my choice of words. "Do you even know what it is you are saying?"

"I believe it is an Elvish word," I told him, "and I believe it means somewhat 'Sweet Eru!' Am I close?"

"I suppose I can let it slide," he said, shaking his golden head, "but it does not really mean 'Sweet Eru, although I know what you are getting at." He started to laugh.

"Legolas," I said with a resigned ring to my voice. "What are you going to do to me?"

"Oh, tis not what I am going to do 'to' you so much as 'with' you that you need worry about."

The look I gave him must have been hilarious, for he laughed as if tickled beyond endurance.

"Legolas!" I whined in anguish, trying to reach his more benevolent side.

"Just a kiss," he said while laughing. "Just one small kiss. Is that too terrible a burden for you to bear?"

"Oh," I said with a sigh. "Is that all? You had me frightened there for a minute." I closed my eyes and leaned toward him, ready to take my punishment.

He dropped his hand from my arm, and I could feel the sofa shake as he leaned back, and he laughed so loud I figured he'd have people coming into the room to hear the jests we'd been telling that were so frightfully funny. I opened my eyes and glared at the Elf. What was this oaf's problem now?

I decided to ask him. "What is your problem, Legolas?"

I tried very hard not to laugh, but the Elf's face was so red, and he was laying back on the sofa with his arms hugging his ribs, and he was such a picture of hilarity himself that I couldn't help a chuckle or two. He finally took a couple of hiccupping breaths, wiped his eyes and chuckled a few last times.

"Oh no, my lady," he said, emitting a few residual laughs, "not here and not now, unless you wish to practice, in which case I will oblige you willingly. No no. Glorfindel must be present."

"Oh," I said facetiously, "then you must catch me again, when Glorindel is present. Very well, that seems fair." I jumped from the sofa before he could move. Living with Elves this past year had not been without learning a thing or two about how to outwit them—at least once in awhile.

I admit it—I ran. My mature self deserted me, and the child in me ran out the door and down the bleak hallway to wherever this dragon's neck may take me. I hoped it was to the outside, for I wished to go to the small garden where the wishing tree was, and I hoped that Legolas was tired of this game and did not follow me. After several twists and turns, making sure there were no stealthy Elven footsteps dogging my path, I slowed to a swift walk. Luck was with me, and I caught a glimpse of the outside through some windows, and I finally found a door. It wasn't long before I was outside, thanks be, and on my way to my secret garden to see the wishing tree once more, before I left for home.

It was still quite early of the morning, so there were few people about in the city. The walk did not take long, and I was soon entering the refuge, making my way through the maze of the wall surrounding the little garden I had called my own once upon a time, which seemed like years ago now. As the wall opened out into the yard, I stopped, briefly overcome by memories, mostly sad ones. My little family—wounded children, dressed up like soldiers—a sorrowful man, expected to be strong for tomorrow's battles. I stood up straight and continued walking until I got to the wishing tree; then I sat down in the grass.

The little garden did not look much changed; perhaps the lawn was more verdant, and the tree certainly looked healthier, with more and greener leaves. Whether it had acquired a new caretaker, I could not be certain. I ran my fingers through the coolness of the blades of grass, simply remembering times gone past. It suddenly occurred to me that I always came here alone and left here alone. Aside from my child, I was alone in this world. Certainly I had my brothers, but it wasn't the same as having my husband—a mate, someone to share things with. Here I was, in a city surrounded by hundreds upon hundreds of people, but I didn't have anyone.

"Surrounded by many, yet ever alone," I meant to say to no one.

"You are never alone any more," Aragorn said. "You have me and Arwen, Legolas and Gimli and Faramir. The twins, until they return to Imladris. You need never be alone again."

I jumped and held my hand to my heart to slow its fearsome beating. The King had scared me literally unto death! I had not known he was given to Elven stealth, but to be fair, perhaps I simply had been lost in my own thoughts.

He chuckled, but said apologetically, "I am sorry, I meant not to scare you. I thought you heard me approach; truly I did." He walked toward the tree and sat down across from me. "I hope I am not intruding. I still come to this place when I have need of solitude or a problem that needs deep thought. Mind if I sit with you?"

"No indeed," I replied, "be my guest. I was only remembering other times I had spent here in the garden. To be truthful, most of my remembrances were not so pleasant."

"No, I don't imagine they would have been." He placed his hand in the grass, and began pulling at the blades, tearing some out as he did that night, lifting them up and watching them waft back down to the ground.

"It must be you that keeps the lawn short," I told him with a sly look as he continued his abuse of the grass. He stopped in mid pull and laughed, then ruffled the grass in front of him with both hands, pounded it once and placed his hands on his knees.

"A nervous habit I suppose," he admitted.

"And what would the King of Gondor have to be nervous about?" I asked cheekily.

"Would you not like to know," he said evasively, as he narrowed his eyes and put a mask of intrigue on his face.

I thought about this for a moment. The King of Gondor would be nervous about nothing in regards to running the country, I did not believe. Confidence oozed from the man when anything concerning the state was discussed. No, it had nothing to do with his position, I did not think. Then it must be about family. He'd gained Leofa's trust weeks ago, so it was not our son concerning him, unless he was wondering about when I may take Leofa from him. Yet I did not think that was it. Arwen? They were as loving toward one another as they ever had been. There seemed to be no trouble in their marriage that could be detected from the outside at least. I decided to subtly inquire about the Queen.

"How is Arwen these days, Aragorn?" I asked him vaguely.

"She is fine," he replied casually. "Why do you ask?"

"She simply seems tired—especially of a morning," I answered. "Has she any particular complaint that would cause her to be?"

The good King began to blush! I was getting somewhere! And this was starting to excite me.

"Come to think on it," I added, "her appetite has been down. And she has been a little more pale than is usual. Aragorn, I am a healer, remember. Perhaps I could help if something is ailing Arwen."

"Nothing is ailing her that will not be put to rights—given time," he told me. Then he looked me directly in the eyes, and a smile began to bloom over his face.

"No!" I said. "She is with child, isn't she?" I laughed and leaned forward, hugging the King in my excitement, knowing how much a child meant to them both—especially to Arwen. I suddenly remembered myself, and what I was doing, and dropped away from him suddenly.

"I am sorry, Aragorn," I said quickly. "Please forgive me."

"There is naught to forgive," he said benignly. "We have told no one, so please keep our secret. Arwen was waiting to make completely sure, and since she has now visited with her father and Haldan, and they have laid their hands on her, she is satisfied. We will be making an announcement to all our friends and family very soon."

"I know you are thrilled," I said with genuine warmth. "And Arwen must be ecstatic."

"She is very happy about it," Aragorn admitted. "And I— I am speechless most of the time."

I laughed. "Well this time you can literally shout the announcement from the rooftops for all to hear."

"And I plan to," he said with a huge smile on his face.

We fell into an easy silence for a few moments. The garden was still that peaceful place that I remembered. It may be full of sad memories, but it still had the air about it that calmed and healed my tortured mind.

"Aragorn," I said, breaking the quiet at last, "after all that has happened this past year or so, I wonder; would you still have stayed that night, had you to do it over again? I know not why I ask, but for some reason your answer is important to me."

The King began playing with the grass once again, and after a few moments he began to speak.

"The first answer that comes to mind is 'yes, of course I would', because had I not, then Leofa would not be here," he answered right away. "But there are many things to contemplate when answering that question. When the sun rose that next morning, I had renewed purpose. The night before, I knew not how or why I would accomplish that which I needed to do. But the following morning, after our night together, I suddenly had found my faith—blind faith, that what would be, would be—and good would prevail. I knew it, as surely as I stand before you now. Had we not been together that night, I can say with certainty, that I would have gone from the White City with a heavy heart, ready to accept my doom, and the doom of all. And that perhaps would have sealed the fate of Middle Earth. Sealed it to the torture of Sauron's rule.

"I owe you my life. Had you not shared yourself, body and soul, with me that night, I know not how I would have been able to go on. Even though I still have doubt that I was the catalyst that brought all the fates together, it is believed by most that it is so. And if it is so, then you are owed by all. The question you ask is a hard one to answer. But to answer you truthfully, I would have stayed that night. I needed—you. I felt myself dying by degrees, and your spirit brought mine back to me. So, yes, I would do it again, had I to do it over."

"Ask for a simple answer, and you give me an declamation. A simple 'yes' or 'no' would have done," I said with one eyebrow raised. I gave a small chuckle. "I never knew you felt this way. I am stunned that you have even pondered all these thoughts."

"In light of what I just said, I suppose I could take offense at that," he replied. "Think you that I was simply having a toss in the hay? I suppose I should not be surprised, if you did. We certainly did not know each other—we still do not." He stood and took a few steps toward the tree and placed one hand on the bole of it. He ran his hand over the trunk, feeling the smoothness of the wood. "It is a birch, did you know that?"

"No," I said, smiling. "I never knew it was a birch. I only knew its leaves were ears, and it listened to me when I needed to rail against the unfairness of my life."

After a few more moments of silence, Aragorn turned the question back on me.

"What about you, Maeren?" Aragorn asked, facing me once again. "Would you have stayed that night had you known what would have been the result?"

I should have expected this, but I was still unprepared. I knew not what to answer. I just started speaking, saying what came to mind. I hoped it would not be too abrasive or sappy. It could go either way, for I felt both emotions when I examined my mind.

"I would have stayed, also, Aragorn," I finally replied. "I was lost and alone—so very alone—and I, too, felt as if I was sinking into oblivion. The youngest soldiers, who were just children in disguise, were dying in my arms. My soul was ripping asunder. I felt as if I had lost everything a person could lose and still live. My mind was screaming in agony, and it was as if you heard me, and appeared in the garden by design—not by chance at all.

"I could have turned you away, and I did not. I am fully adult, and should have thought of the consequences, but I did not. And as Elrond said to me so graciously once, 'things always happen for a reason. We may not be apprised of the reason, but the reason exists nonetheless.' You were reborn, as was I that night, and together, we bore fruit—Leofa. Being a mother again, has been a wondrous thing for me. In some ways, it is exactly what I needed in my life. Of course according to social norms, I did things a bit backwards, so the situation is not ideal to say the least, but I love our son fiercely, and I would not give him up for anything! Yes, and a thousand times yes! Had I to do it again—even with all the complications and heartaches—I would." My voice had taken on the tone of one making a declaration, and in a way, I suppose that I was. I was declaring my complete love and adoration for my son. I was also weeping again. Would the tears never cease?

Aragorn came back to me, reseated himself on the grass in front of me, and despite my trying to fight him off, he insisted on putting his arms around me and giving me comfort. Men. But then, how was he to know I needed no comfort?

I may have been weeping, but they were tears of joy. I was praising the Valar for knowing what I needed those long months ago and giving it to me anyway, despite all my protestations.

I did not weep for long, and I finally managed to extricate myself from the King's embrace. He handed me a hanky he took from his pocket, which I gratefully accepted.

"I am sorry for becoming so emotional, Aragorn," I insisted. "I love Leofa so much it brings me to tears sometimes, that is all."

"I understand that completely," he said. His smile was beautiful, and I knew he was thinking of our child and how much he, too, loved him.

"You know Aragorn," I pondered, "it occurs to me that I have come full circle in my life. Somewhat over a year ago, here I sat, feeling lost and alone and wanting to go home. And here I am somewhat a year later, sitting here again. I was feeling lost and alone, but I do no longer. You have helped me realize that I am not alone. I have wonderful friends, all I need do is reach out for them. They are here to help me, if I but tell them I am in need of them. But the best part of it all is everything that I have learned; about myself and about other people. No one is perfect, and I cannot expect myself nor anyone else to be so. And I need not hold every man in contempt for fear he may get too close, and I may fall in love with him and betray my Dustin. I have also learned that I may fall in love again someday, and I will not be failing in my vows to my husband. He would not have me be alone and bereft of love or passion, as I would not expect it of him had the situation been reversed and tragedy had befallen me and not him. I have traversed this circle of my life, and I have finally broken free from its never-ending ring. I think I have pulled away from it stronger and wiser—at least I hope I have. And now I can finally get on with my life, and that is just what I plan to do.

"I am going home very soon. I do so miss my brothers, Aragorn, and my home in Rohan. I hope you understand that I cannot stay here. I do it not to spite you or for any unkindness in my heart—I hope you believe that." I chuckled. "I meant not to go on and on, but then we all know my penchant for talking, do we not?"

Aragorn smiled. "Yes, we certainly know that about you." We both laughed, for I could tell he was teasing me most kindly. "So you have decided against the Directorship?"

"Yes I have," I replied. "I always thought it would be something I would want, but when I really thought about what the position would entail, I realized it would take me away from what I loved most about the healing profession: the patients. I want to be among the people, Aragorn, not the papers. Let someone who is good with paperwork be with the papers; I want to be with the people who are sick and injured. It is what I do best, and what I enjoy most. I would be fired from the position of Director so fast both of our heads would spin, were I to take it. I would be found down in the Houses of Healing constantly, instead of in my office and behind my desk where I belonged. No; I could never be the Director. I am simply glad I thought it completely through before I made a big mistake."

"It is the city's loss, I assure you," he said in his most regal tone. "When do you think to leave?"

"I know you want time with Leofa," I said sadly, "but I have been away from home for over four years now. I haven't seen my brothers in all that time. I want to go as soon as it can be arranged. I am truly sorry, Aragorn. I hope you understand."

"I do understand, Maeren," he said, smiling. "I have family, foster though most of it is. Your travel plans will be arranged as soon as possible."

"Thank you," I said gratefully. "I know how hard it is for you to let our son go like this. I know how I love him and how hard it would be for me—how hard it will be for me when it comes to be my turn for him to visit you for an extended time." Aragorn started to protest, but I would have none of it. "No. I insist that once Leofa is older—say six or seven—and well old enough to be away from behind his mother's skirts, he will be coming to Gondor for extended stays. He needs the influence of his father. I have always felt strongly about that, when it came to raising my children, and I have not changed my mind on that matter." I felt a fleeting stab of coldness in my heart, along with a thought that had Tristin not been raised that way, perhaps he may not have followed his father into a burning stable. I quickly banished the traitorous thought from my mind.

"There is still plenty of time to debate that point," Aragorn mused. "Now," he said as he rose, "I must be about my business." He stood and looked down upon me for a moment, and then he added, "I am glad you feel better about your life, Maeren. Many were the times, over the past months that I sorrowed over my part in altering your life so severely. You were forced to leave your work, go to a strange place and live with a strange people you knew nothing about, and bear a child alone. My only comfort was knowing what good hands you were in, and in what a beautiful place you were residing. It is with great relief that I hear you say that your life has come full circle, and you are getting off the wheel and going your own way. I am glad you have our son as comfort to you now—someone to love and someone to love you in return. I know exactly how it feels to be alone."

I rose then, and embraced the King one last time; truly embraced him. I no longer feared being near him. He was my friend who just happened to be the father of my child.

"Thank you for everything, Aragorn," I told him sincerely. "You know not how much your friendship means to me." I released him, and gave him a little nudge. "Now, get you to work before the advisors come looking for you. Eru knows, I would not relish speaking with that reptilian Glosten again!"

Aragorn laughed, kissed my cheek, and turned and left the little garden. It felt very good to have finally made peace with Aragorn, after all the bitterness and fear I had felt towards him before. It may not always be easy, but we would work out between us the rearing of our child, and Leofa would be a fine man for our efforts. I had no doubt of that.

I sat back down by the tree, and after several minutes had passed, I heard a great commotion going on outside the wall of the garden, out in the street. I strained my ears to catch what was occurring, but with the horses' hooves against the stones of the street, it was hard to discern much of any of the men's voices speaking. Through it all, I could tell it was Rhorric in which they were conversing. These were men were from Rohan riding into the city! I exited the garden to see if perhaps I knew these men, and if so, to hear if they had any news I may find of interest.

I approached the group of about twenty riders, which made me think that perhaps the King was among them, making an escort necessary for there to be so many in the company. They had all dismounted by the time I got near enough to hail them, and by then, I could see their faces. I recognized some of the men, for some I had known all my life—friends I had grown up with. And then I saw him—Haedren—my oldest brother! And beside him was Haeleth and Dirhael—two of my other brothers! And in their midst was Eomer! I ran the rest of the way and flung myself at the heart of the crowd that was my brothers, already weeping with the joy of seeing them.

We stood there together, all of us embracing each other, for quite a long while. The other riders encircled us, facing outwards, hiding us from prying eyes, but giving us space for a somewhat private reunion. I could not believe I had ever felt alone. Not only did I have four brothers, but look at the friends I had, and just see what they would do for me and my family. They were standing guard around us while we wept and rejoiced at seeing each other again after more than four years. Aragorn was right. I had friends all around me. And I had learned on my own that all I had to do was call to them, and let them know I had need of them, and they would be there for me.

At last I found my voice, and drew back from my brothers, looking at each one in turn, making sure they were truly real. It then dawned on me that one of them was missing.

"And what has become of Small Saelden?" I asked with worry.

Haedren's face took on a look of disgust. "Ever since the King saw fit to decorate the rat for bravery, there's been no living with him. Since he fancies himself the rooster, we left him to guard the henhouse, so to speak." We all laughed at Haedren's silliness.

Eomer broke from the outside circle and the remaining riders began dispersing.

"Come now," he boomed as he grabbed me for a hug, "the king demands an embrace from this feminine subject!" We all laughed once again, and I hugged the King of Rohan for all I was worth. "I have need to see this new addition to your family, my dear Maeren, and I am sure his uncles feel the need as well."

"Well, get you walking up these circles then, my liege, and you will be seeing him as soon as may be," I retorted saucily. We began walking up through the circles of the city, arms around waists. I could not believe my family was here. It was as if I was dreaming.

"How did you know I was here?" I finally had the presence of mind to ask.

"Elessar sent word the day you arrived," Eomer replied. "I informed your brothers, we all tied up our loose ends and here we are. What seems to be the problem?"

I laughed. "There's no problem at all," I said. "None at all."

So what if Aragorn had gone behind my back to arrange my life again? Last year that would have made me exceedingly angry. This year, I didn't give a mouse's behind! I had my brothers here with me, good friends all around me, my new son to love—what was to be angry about?

And besides—perhaps there could be a tumble arranged with a certain Elf sometime. Perhaps sometime soon. Maybe very soon—who knows?

~The End~

A/N:   I want to thank all of you who have stuck with me through the thick and thin of this story.  It hasn't been easy for you, I know; what with all my rambling and reiterating and repeating myself, making the story much longer than it needed to be.  To all of you who wished to see a romance between the Elf and Maeren I apologize, but to be truthful, she wasn't supposed to have a love interest at all in this story!  She and Elladan pretty much took matters into their own hands, and got away from me about half way through this silly thing!  So, I had to reign them in so this would end the way I had meant for it to end.  Didn't I?  And anyway, as Maeren said at the end, who knows?  I just may have to write a little shorty sometime about a tumble between a Rhorric Healer and an Elf from Imladris....

Who knows?

Puxinette