A/N; I know, it's been too long since I updated! This story is quickly becoming my favorite to write, though I don't know why. I must admit that I have quickly taken a second love, Eowyn/Faramir! So, expect to see them in this story as well. This chapter is full of fluffy goodness, hurrah for that! Anyway, I've got big plans for this story and the plot has only just begun. Enjoy. And thanks SO MUCH to everyone who has reviewed. You guys rock my socks off. Any comments/questions/flames (don't be afraid to!) can be emailed to me at Elvisheleganceaol.com.

Elegant Couture

Disclaimer; "I wasn't talking to you, Deeds, I was talking to that squirrel over there."

The sun had only just began to set when a soft figure could be spotted in the gardens of the palace, moving between the frost bitten plants with the elven grace that had not left her limbs. The dwindling light gave a shimmer to everything that had been kissed with snow and ice, creating a haven of winter for the Queen and her soon-to-arrive Husband. As she moved, the silken fabric of her gown caught every flake of snow and gracefully wisped it with her, as if she was the queen of nature itself. But the beauty, though not unnoticed, was the furthest from her thoughts.

She had been thinking back to his coronation. To the look in his eyes when first he beheld her.. She had been crying during his speech, crying during his song, and even as she saw him she felt the tears shimmer in her eyes. She had been petrified to move, for she thought her legs would collapse under her. She had been petrified to speak, for no words would come to her pillowed lips. Only vaguely had she heard her father whisper, "go to him." It was then that she moved as if by another's hand, the standard heavy in her grasp as she tried to walk gracefully forward. There were tears in his eyes. She had bowed her head to him, to try and hide her tears of joy and relief and give him the respect and honor that was due, but he pulled her chin back up. Even the calloused touch of his hand sent a hot shiver down her spine. Her shoulders lightly shivered with a sob but the feel of his lips so suddenly possessing hers in a crash caused her body to change, to hum with the very feel of him.

She let a sigh roll from her lips, freezing in mid air, at the thought of the memories that were not so long before.

She stood at the very edge of the garden, right by the secluded alcove that was lit by candles and a soft fire so as to battle away the cold of winter. It had been built ages ago by a Steward for his wife, and was outfitted with all the comforts one could ask for such a private location. She hesitated to move into the alcove, afraid to find either the emptiness or her husband. But instead she found, as she placed a delicate step into the entrance way, a deliciously prepared meal. A small smile reached her lips as she walked further in, touched by his sudden showing of affection again. It had been weeks, nay -- perhaps months now, since they had had a meal together. She missed him desperately, but her ancient elven stubbornness and her newly discovered mortal emotions had caused her to not seek him out. She reached out to touch the silken table cloth, sighing at the thought of Éowyn and the letter. All she desired were answers.

But before she could further contemplate any thing else, she heard the soft crunch of Aragorn's boots upon the snow, and she turned expectantly.

His breath was stolen away by the vision of his wife, with snow in her hair and the warm glow of the candle & fire light basking her figure. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold and he was reminded of an evening long ago when he had thought himself in a dream. He moved slowly into the alcove, the lovers gently gazing at each other while being mindful of the wounds they had inflicted at each others hands. She parted her lips to speak, but he had already begun.

"I am quite glad that you asked me to meet you here.."

Her normal crystal gaze was instantly clouded by confusion as her brows furrowed and she took a step back.

"I asked you to come? I received your letter this morning with my breakfast, asking politely for my company tonight!"

He stared at her for a moment, his mind racing. They both received letters, asking to meet at the same place and time and supposedly from each other's hand. Could it be a trap? No. Of course not, he thought hastily. And so, as they stood apart from each other, a thick silence filled the alcove.

"Arwen.. I care not about the importance of who sent for whom, I am only pleased to find you here with me." He stepped closer to her, gently reaching out to brush his fingers over her hand in an attempt to ease the tension.

And she looked to him, the hurt of his sudden abandonment over the months reflecting strongly back. He could do nothing but wish to hide in shame, or make it up to her.

"Please," he murmured as he grasped her light hand and kissed each elegant digit, "I have much to apologize for." She gently raised her chin, not defiantly but more out of curiosity at his next words. At her silence, he took it as an invitation to continue.

"Éowyn's letter.. It was written before the battle of Helm's Deep, and though I did believe that you had sailed to the Havens, I would never think of another. Éowyn looked to me as an escape from the misery of her life, but I think she shall find that in Faramir. I never once thought of the Shield maiden of Rohan, only of you. Always of you." At his last words, he could feel her soften. But her eyes held a flash that almost warned him of her ready wit.

"And yet you would leave me here in this new land, with these new people, to completely abandon me to your new duties." She nearly regretted the words as she saw the pained look upon his fine features. Unable to face him any longer and her fear that he would now quickly leave forced her to turn from him, her shoulders lightly slumped. But he shocked her with his response, and instead of leaving as she feared, he stepped towards her and wrapped his arms about her waist. Her stiffened figure relaxed in his embrace, the feeling having been so absent in the months before that the very touch was enough to intoxicate her.

"Forgive me, Indonya. Will you not look at me?" He whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

"Why should I, Aragorn?" She was harsh as she turned her head down, tears gathering against her will. "You have not looked at me for many a month now."

Aragorn winced. Hardly did she ever call him by his birth name. He sighed gently into her hair, the scent gently soothing him some.

"I love you, my Evenstar. I realize I have been foolish, too immersed in anything but my work to pay attention to what is really important to me."

She turned to face him, his arms remaining about her waist. "No.. rebuilding the city is important to you. I know that. It should be. I had just hoped that it would not mean that I would be left alone. I want to help you, Elessar! I want to help rebuild this city as much as you.. You just never asked me. Did you think that the position of Queen was merely ceremonial?"

He leaned his forehead against hers, gently staring into her crystalline gaze. "You are right. It shall not happen again."

"Estel," she softened as she leaned her head upon his shoulder, "swear to me that you shall never leave me again and I will be happy."

He tipped her head back and suddenly as he gazed into her eyes he realized that though not completely mended, the pains they had suffered were beginning to repair. "You had such an oath before you could ever request it," he whispered before gently leaning down to capture her ever soft lips with his.

Éowyn had been searching for him. It had taken all of her courage and might to seek out her betrothed, but the haunting image of him in her chambers with tears was enough to drive her on. Finally, thankfully, a guard allowed her into the Steward's chambers, where she found him sternly standing upon his balcony. He turned not at her entrance, but instead whispered harshly, "Why have you come?"

"Because," she steeled herself against his anger, "I love you."

She saw him falter, saw his rigid stance lessen. He turned, and she found that his face was a mask of emotions. "How cruel of you.. to use my love for you as a shield."

"Nay!" She was fast to rebut him, and she approached him carefully, "I use it not at all, I wield it proudly. My heart loves only you, Faramir! What must I do to prove this to you?"

The silence that stretched on grated on her and she stepped closer to him, willing herself to break his anger and hurt. "I was foolish," she whispered as she let her hand gently rest upon his arm, the muscles tightening under her digits. "It was a silly infatuation that now, as I see him with his Queen, I realize I had no right in ever looking upon him. But I have seen the truth of the situation and I want no position as queen, or the heart of Aragorn Elessar Telcontar. All I ask for, all I hope for, is your heart." She moved so that she stood before him, and she gently took his hands into hers. She was relieved to find that he did not resist her. "You saved me, Faramir. Had it not been for you I surely would have done something foolish enough to end my life. Misery was all I knew before I met you.. and when I met you, I was so unfamiliar with happiness and joy that I did not realize I had found it in you. Not till now." She held her breath as she finished speaking the most tender words she believed she had ever said. She could only hope it was enough. She gazed earnestly into Faramir's eyes, her lips pursing together as she waited for his response.

He relented his stern stance and wrapped her securely in his arms. His mouth hung open to speak poetic words to her to silence her emotional speech, but nothing came out except, "I love you."

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