Thank you very much to all the people who reviewed. This story just kind of has a mind of its own, and I have to see where it goes. So sorry about irregular updates! There's also that little thing called school involved, so… well, hope you like this chapter anyways. It's kind of short, and I think I'll update again later tonight. I just wanted to get this up.

The Grace of the Valar

The night was growing old before Arwen signaled to her white horse to slow. Eowyn, who had been riding besides her without tiring did the same. Her hair, which had lain golden about her before that night of riding, was in tangles, and her face was white and her cheeks red from the wind.

"Milady? Why do we slow?" she asked.

Arwen, her hair no less in a state of disarray than that of Eowyn's, answered, "It is a three day ride to Lothlorien, perhaps less if we ride fast and rest little. But you do need rest, and I do not wish to have Faramir after my blood if you arrive late and exhausted for my wedding."

Eowyn nodded, "But what of you, milady? You are with child, do you not need more rest than me?"

Arwen smiled, "Though perhaps my immortality has left me, I am an Elve, and, as such, I require little food and less sleep. I can rest my mind in the realms of my people while I ride."

Eowyn remained silent. Though she counted Arwen as her friend, and only confidant in Minas Tirith, they had never discussed Arwen's elfhood. Their friendship was strong, but it was built on the amusing and terrifying experiences of common-day life, and was perhaps strengthened by the fact that both ladies had left their homes and were living in a strange land. Though Eowyn had heard a rumor that in order to be with the King, Arwen had given up the immortality of her kind, she had never inquired to it. This was the first time that Arwen had concretely mentioned the fact that she was no Daughter of Man, and what the consequences of that might be. Eowyn did not know if she wanted to broach the subject further, for Arwen seemed much more like a legend now than like a friend. Instead, she said, "I see we have passed over the Great River, and now are in the plains of Rohan."

Arwen looked at her, "Yes, we are in the lands of your home. Do you regret not seeing your kin though you are so close to home?"

The Lady of Rohan shook her golden hair, "No. My kin will come to the wedding, and Faramir has promised me that we will come to Rohan often after we are wed. And when I go from my home, it will not be forever."

Arwen simply nodded and did not reply for a time. They rode silently on as the dawn came. Finally, she broke the silence, saying, "Let us ride till midday, and then we can rest awhile and use the coolness of the evening and night to aid us in our journey."

Eowyn nodded, and both ladies urged their horses on again. Arwen's horse was a pure white steed that came of the line of Shadowfax, the lord of horses. Eowyn rode a light grey mount that had been given to her by Faramir. Both horses were light and swift, and tuned well to their riders. They made quick time, both enjoying the beauty of the plains. Not long ago had it been that all this and more might have been lost.

But in the end, everything had been gained. Though there were none that lived that had not lost someone they loved to the great burning fire of the war, the people that still lived were happy. And though the task that lay before her was not a happy one, so was Arwen.