Disclaimer: I do not own anything that belongs to Tolkien's estate. I do own the Sea Hawk/Lady Eirien, and would like to be asked if you want to use her in a story. Evendim, however, has permanent permission to use any of my characters that she would like to in any story she wishes to write. Cerris, Ancir, and a few others belong to Evendim and you should ask her before you use them. Thanks, ED!

Author's note: This story takes place a few weeks after the events in The Sea Hawk, which is set in Evendim's wonderful AU. I recommend that you read her stories and then the Sea Hawk before you tackle this one. It'll save time and answer a lot of the most commonly asked questions, like how Boromir survived Amon Hen. LOL

Dedications: To Evendim, who created this wonderful AU where Boromir didn't get the short end of the stick and who has graciously allowed me to play in her playground. You go, girl! Love your stuff, always! And to my darling AJ, without whom I would never have had the courage to post even one chapter of any of my stories. Love you, babe, don't ever change. J

And to all my loyal reviewers, thank you! I've been a bit shoddy about responses for a while, and for that I apologize. You guys keep me going, honestly! I wouldn't have a clue whether it was good or horrible without you! MWAH!

Chapter Three: Despair

Eirien lay flat on her bed, her eyes red-rimmed and swollen. She had wept more in the past hour than she had in all her life, it seemed.

Why, why must she be the sacrificial lamb? Dalos… her father she corrected herself firmly. He was widowed, he could quite well strengthen this alliance by taking a wife himself. Why must she bear the burden? For that matter, why Cerris? Why not Boromir? He had no wife, though he had a daughter he adored. Why could this not be settled by her marriage to him? She would gladly have accepted her fate if that had been the case, but it was not to be.

And guards set on her like she was the smallest child, prone to running from what frightened her. That was the biggest injustice of all, she thought. She had agreed to this, this mockery of what marriage was supposed to be. She had given her sworn word. Why then were the guards necessary? She was well and truly caught in the trap, with no way to escape.

A knock at the door brought her upright and she scrubbed hastily at her eyes, trying to erase the ravages of her grief. "Who's there?" she managed to call, pleased that her voice had been steady. It would be just her luck to find her future husband waiting for her.

"It's Aran, Eirien, can I come in?" The voice was soft and uncertain and she fairly flew to the door.

"Oh, my little one, my brother, oh I have missed you so!" she cried gladly as she swept him into her arms. "Look at you! Oh, you've grown so much! I hardly recognize you!" Abruptly her mood switched and she gave him a gentle cuff on the shoulder. "Did you forget everything I taught you? Letting them catch you with the gull, Aran, honestly!"

He grinned back at her, playfully blocking her swing. "It all worked out, anyway, and my lord Faramir trusts me even more. Oh, Eirien, I love it here! And I'm learning so much!"

The weight of her despair came crashing down on her again and she sank to a chair, barely restraining the sobs that threatened once more. "I am so glad you like it here, Aran, but wouldn't you like it better if we finally had a real home, a real place we could call our own?" She gave him a watery smile. "Everything we've worked for is coming to pass. Our King has been found, and he has negotiated a true home for us." How was she to tell him he was a Prince? He was also of an age to wed. Sweet Eru, how could she consign him to her fate?

She turned away for a moment but his fingers turned her face back to him and she found acceptance in his clear gaze. "Whatever it is, Eirien, we will weather it together as always. Talk to me. Tell me what distresses you so." His face grew angry as he considered who could bring his beloved sister to this pass. "Has Boromir distressed you so? The truth, Eir."

She was shaking her head before he even finished speaking. "No, tis not Bori who pains me, Aran, though it would be easier handled if it were. No, the King, our King, has decreed a match for me. He and Elessar have agreed that to strengthen ties between our lands, I should be wed to Lord Cerris."

"Who is a kind and just man, from all I've heard. Eir, I thought… you and lord Boromir… you…"

"That was very astute of you, brother, since no one else knew." Eirien smiled again, a little more sincerely. Her tears were held back by sheer strength of will now. "And yes, it if was Boromir, this would be endurable. At least with Bori, I would know where I stand. But this Cerris… Valar, Aran, I've never even seen the man!"

He drew her close to him as she wept, holding her tightly and caressing her hair as she had done with him when he was small. He was certain she was keeping something from him, but there would be time enough to seek that out later. Right now, she needed the comfort.