I was really happy about getting reviews… seriously, was dancing around the room. But that's just me. Sorry about the people that I haven't mentioned… please review again! I wrote this without checking my email, so I don't know if there're more reviews in there (please, please). I'm a bit scared about posting the next chapter, as I've had no flamers yet. I really need to write my stupid AP essay now… homework sucks.

ME132: Eowyn and Arwen just seem like they'd be good friends. They're so different, but they have a lot in common. Thanks for the review! * points to favorite author list *

Galandria: thank you!

Mata: Here you go! Hope it's not disappointing.

Voldie: Sorry to dissapoint, but there's no incest in this.

The Grace of the Valar

"Milady," Eowyn said in a seemingly shocked voice, "I'm not sure pregnancy is at all suiting you."

Arwen was about to respond, and then suddenly, she heard a voice in her head.

"Undomiel…"  the voice spoke. It was not unfamiliar to her.

"Naneth…" (a/n I don't know how to say "grandmother")  It was indeed the Lady of the Wood.

"Undomiel… come to us. Our time has come, we will journey to Valinor.  Your Ada is here. Come bid us farewell."

"Yes…" said Arwen softly, gently. She rose slowly from the banquet table. 

"Arwen?" asked Aragorn, concern bright in his eyes.

"My love," whispered Arwen in Elvish, "I have to leave you for a time."

Aragorn's brow furrowed. "Why?"

"The Lady of the Wood has bid me come. It is time for me to say goodbye to my family. My grandmother told me to waste no time, I must go now."

"Of course," said Aragorn, though he didn't quite seem happy with the idea, "But I will come with you."

"No," said Arwen, gently shaking her head, "You know that you cannot. You have a duty to your people; they need you now."

"I have a duty to my wife!" Aragon's exclamation was perhaps louder than he had meant it to be, the rest of the table turned to look at the two. "Arwen, in your condition, you should not ride out alone."

The Queen's eyes flashed. "I am pregnant, not incapacitated! If you intend to lock me up for the next moons…"

"Arwen…" Aragorn said worriedly, "Arwen, I'm worried about you. I love you, and I do not wish to see you hurt."

His wife's eyes softened, and she said in a low, mild voice, "I know you do. But trust me. I will not be long," she flashed him a smile, "And I am the faster rider. You would just slow me down."

"Undomiel!" the King protested, though much of his anxiety had disappeared, "But I still don't like this idea of you being on your own."

"She won't be!" interjected another voice, "If milady will let me accompany her, that is."

Incredulous stares turned towards the end of the table. Eowyn said firmly, "I will come along."

Arwen considered for a moment, then slowly nodded. "I will be glad for your company. A shieldmaiden and an Elve could hold their own in any situation, I am sure."

Aragorn seemed satisfied with the situation. "Then I will not worry for your safety, love; I know you both to be formidable fighters, should it come to that. But what of Faramir?"

Eowyn blushed, as did her betrothed, "It is perhaps because of him that I wish to leave the city. Our wedding is not a fortnight away, and yet I would fear for my honor should I chose to stay. And," speaking less hurriedly and sitting up straight, "these walls of stone are becoming oppressive. I wish for just a few days of freedom before I consign myself to being the prim and proper wife of the Steward."

Faramir laughed, pulled his betrothed to a standing position, and spun her around, her hair fanning out in a circle of gold. As Eowyn's laughter rang out, he pulled her close, and whispered, "Milady, you will never be prim and proper. And if you should one day dare to become so, I will send you to Edoras to cure you of the affliction." Then he kissed her.

The people in the hall, who had remained remarkably unconscious of the events taking place at the head of the, all turned, cheered, and clapped. Aragorn quietly called a servant over, and asked him to ready the horses of Queen Arwen and the Lady Eowyn. The young boy quickly hurried away, stumbling in his excitement to do the King's bidding.

The King and Queen chose that moment to quietly slip away from the gathering.

Aragorn and Arwen walked side by side, the material of Arwen's royal robe dragging quietly on the floor, their steps echoing in the moonlit corridor. They walked in silence until they reached a small balcony that overlooked the fields of Pelennor.  Arwen stood, her hands resting on the balustrade, and Aragorn looked at her. He silently wondered how skin could be so pale, and lips so red. His wife fit in perfectly with the flowers that were growing all around them. He covered her small perfect hands with his battle-worn ones, and joined her in looking out into the night, over his city.  A small sigh escaped his lips.

Arwen gently looked up to him, and he was frightened by how small and breakable she looked. "Your people love you so," she whispered.

"I know," Aragorn said helplessly, "I keep fearing that I will lead them to their doom. They trust me so – that little boy – they think that I will always keep them safe. What if I fail?"

"You will not fail," Arwen said, "I know you, and I trust you. This life trusts you," she placed Aragorn's hand over her womb.

Estel stood silent for a moment, staring in wonder as he felt the first stirrings of life from his child.  He whispered, in amazement, "Et Eärello Endorenna utúlien. Sinome maruvan at Hildinyar tenn' Ambar-metta."

"Yes…" whispered Arwen. "I know that you will love and protect your people and your son with every ounce of strength within you, because I know how you love me. And I know that your people can love and trust you because of how I love and trust you."

Aragorn's answer was not in words, but in the kiss he gently placed upon her lips. Arwen drew his head down towards her and returned it fully, throwing into it all the desperation resulting from her departure, and all the love for him that dwelt deep in her heart.

They where interrupted by a young groom, who respectfully cleared his throat, and, once he was certain that he had the attention of the royal couple, hurriedly announced, "Milady, your horse is ready," and departed.

Aragorn cupped his wife's face gently in his hands. "Undomiel, come back to me soon."

Arwen smiled back at him. "Estel, I gave up my immortality for you." She traced the Evenstar that hung around her husband's neck, "Do you think that I will be separated from you one moment longer than I must be?" A tear lingered on her eyelash.

"No," whispered Aragorn. Arwen gently kissed him one more time, and then quickly turned to walk away, her dress billowing behind her.

Aragorn stood and looked silently out into the night. He saw a small ray of light, accompanied by what he thought must be the sound of horses' hooves. Arwen's white horse and Eowyn's gray one raced out into the deep night. Arwen's deep purple riding clock billowed out behind her, and it seemed to Aragorn that there was a steady, dim glow about her. "I love you," he whispered out to her.

"I love you too," her voice rang back to him, accompanied by a sweet breeze that carried her scent. It smelled of sweet roses and milk and ages of wisdom and hope. Aragorn sighed wistfully, and turned to go back into the bright and noisy hall. Back to his people.

New chapter coming soon, I hope.