Chapter Nineteen

The house of Eowyn and Faramir (Katya finally figured out that they were married) was very nice. It lay in the heart of the forest about a quarter mile away from the main village of Ithilien. It looked like a rather small house on the outside but it was really not at all too small for the large number of people there. Right now, up to Aragorn's knowledge; there were six people staying there. But he also knew that there were four more unknown people walking with him. What he didn't know was that there were five more people awaiting their return.

The porch light was nearly burnt out by the time they got there. Making it another several minutes before they all could properly see one another.

When Aragorn could finally see the extra five people he cried out in surprise. "Oh dear Valar! What is it that brings you to Ithilien Davanha? And Magha, who only comes here if she has a reason. And Tinuviel, who doesn't go anywhere without a reason. And Althelea" If Aragorn was intending on saying something else he decided against it probably because of the look that the girl was giving him

Katya was taking this whole time to study each of these people one at a time. First she watch the woman that Aragorn had called Eowyn. She had long blond hair that fell almost to her waist. She looked strong and lithe.

Faramir looked like a typical man of Middle-Earth. His raven hair just lightly brushing his shoulders. But there was something different about him. He seemed almost to be able to read her mind, feel her heart, and look right on into her soul. But yet his eyes were filled with compassion, understanding, and pity.

There was a woman standing next to Aragorn whispering to him in a rushed sort of way. It occurred to Katya that since Aragorn had a son, he probably had a wife. And this very well could be her.

Then came the girl who had glared at Aragorn so harshly. She was a beautiful girl when she wasn't glaring. Having long brown hair that was cut just below her shoulders. She gave the implication that she loved mischief. She looked to be the oldest of the three girls.

The second looked to be her sister. This girl also had dark hair, but hers was much darker. Nearly black it hung almost to her knees when it was down. Like it was now. Katya could tell that she typically had to bind it up.

Finally the third girl of the three apparent sisters. This girl was clearly the youngest. Katya guessed about six. She had dark brown hair that came just below her earlobes. She had a very sweet face but as Katya continued to watch her she began to notice that this girl was probably even more destructive than both of her sisters put together.

Finally the only one left was the boy. Aragorn's son. She didn't look at him for very long because as soon as she glanced at him she realized that he had already been watching her. He had so much curiosity in those eyes. In Aragorn's eyes.

Katya couldn't take it any longer. She had to get outside. She cleared her throat. And began to talk so softly that no one hear her except Eldarion. "I'm...I'm sorry...but I think I just need some fresh air. D...Do you mind?" Eldarion whispered to her. "It's okay. I'll tell them. You can go. Just be careful. You can easily get lost in the woods if you do not know your way." Katya forced herself to smile. "Thank you." She muttered under her breath. He smiled back at her. He had a very calm and sweet smile.

Katya wandered over to the fence. She leaned on it and sighed. It was not like she was jealous, just...surprised. That was all. She had never liked Aragorn in that way, but still to think of him married and with a son that could not be much younger than her!

She didn't know how long she stood there but it must have been long enough that people began to worry. And unfortunately they decided that Eldarion would be a good person to send for company.

She heard someone clear his throat. She started. "Oh I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." He said. She turned and saw Eldarion standing there. "I...I know that you...you wanted to be alone but father said that I should come find you. He says...he says that you are not from here. I mean you...you aren't from Middle-Earth. I'm sorry I didn't mean to gab." Katya couldn't help but laugh. He might be Aragorn's son, but he was much more merry. "It's okay. I guess I am not from here but I like this a lot better than were I come from." She wasn't just being polite she realized. She truly did like the Middle-Earth better.

"So. Um...Tell Me about your family." Katya said struggling for something to say. "Well you know my father. And you probably heard of my mother from him" "No I didn't." Katya interrupted. "Then what did he tell you that you were doing?" "Going to find Elladan's sister." Eldarion laughed at that. "Yes you were doing that but you see, Elladan is my uncle. He and Father are brothers-in-law." Katya gaped at him. "Um...anyway...go ahead." She mumbled. "Well she is an elf. Daughter of Elrond, the former Lord of Rivendell. Except now it is Elladan because Elrond went to the Gray Havens... have they told you about the Gray Havens?" Katya nodded. "Well Celebrian -that's mom's mom- well she went to the Gray Havens and so Elrond- that is mom's dad- he stayed in Middle-Earth for a while. But then he left with my uncle Elrohir. But Elladan and mom stayed. Mom married dad and Elladan became the Lord of Rivendell." What about your dad's family?" Katya asked. "Oh them, well I don't know much because they died a long time ago. You see his dad died when he was two and though his mother lived very long she died thirty years ago." Katya looked up startled. "Then your father must have been very young." "No actually he was seventy-six." Eldarion said thoughtfully. Then he caught Katya's disbelieving look and laughed. "Father is one of the Dúnedain." He said simply as if it explained everything. Then noticing that she still hadn't gotten it he explained more carefully." I'm sorry. I forgot that you are not from here. A Dùnadan is a mortal who has been favored by the Valar and is given an especially long life. For an example, my dad is one-hundred-and-five. And he has quite a life left ahead of him." Katya stared at him in shock. "Okay...um...so does that mean that you will live for a long time?" Eldarion shrugged. "I guess. I might live forever but it isn't likely since I've turned out more Man than Elf...I don't want to.' "Why? Wouldn't everybody?" Katya asked. Eldarion shrugged again. "Probably. It's just...do you want to live long after your mother?" Apparently this was the wrong thing to say. Katya stiffened immediately. "For your information," she said coldly. "Not everyone is as lucky as you to have such long lived parents. My mother died when I was four." And with that she got up and went inside. Eldarion stayed for a few minutes before also getting up and following Katya inside.

When he got in he found that everyone had already gone to bed. He wondered where Katya was staying and how she found it. But he decided to worry about that in the morning.

He set foot on the first step and sighed. He knew this house so well that he didn't need a lantern, but now he was thinking about going back for one. But by the time he decided he'd better he was over halfway up the steps.

"It isn't wise to go without light. Who knows? You might fall down the stairs and we wouldn't know until tomorrow. A voice whispered. "Are you saying that I can't take care of myself Father?" Eldarion asked angrily. "No of course not." Aragorn hesitated to light a lantern and took the chance to pose his question. "So what happened? With Katya?" He said once the light was lit. Eldarion looked at his father puzzled. Aragorn sighed exasperated. "don't give me that look. What happened with Katya?" "Well um..." Eldarion said trying to remember everything. "Well...she asked me about my family and so I told her that it was mom who we were trying to find. She seemed to have missed that fact in the past. Didn't remember you telling her..." Aragorn rolled his eyes. "Eldarion. Your greatest talent is turning the conversation from what you did to someone else. Yes I know I didn't tell her that. It just didn't seem important. Now back to you and her." Eldarion didn't like the implication that came when his father worded it that way, but there really wasn't much he could do so he let it go. "Okay well um...let's see...um...I think that she" He fake yawned. "I don't know I can't think straight right now. Yawn can I talk to you in the morning? It's just so late. I'm so tiredYawn" "Well, even though it is only nine and you usually refuse to go to bed at one, yes you may." Aragorn shook his head and blew out the Lantern in order to hide his grin. This could be bad and that was why Eldarion didn't want to tell him, but it could also be good. It could be very good.