Disclaimer: I do not own LOTR, or the characters.

Hello! Thanks for the wonderful reviews! I won't keep you from reading the next chapter... so here it is!

Song of Evenstar

Chapter 4: The World of Men

Arwen

They were drunk, singing gruesome songs of blood and death... but yet more songs of women and of seduction and many other things Arwen blushed just hearing.

Drunkards, all of them. Each man swaying and stumbling and saying many things they would regret saying.

Leaning to Eowyn, who stood beside her, the queen whispered, "Are all men like this?"

"I hope not..." replied the shield-maiden. "If Faramir acted this way..." she shuddered, and Arwen smiled slightly. If Aragorn was drunk and singing of naked women, she'd go berserk with anger. He'd never know what hit him.

It was two per tent. Eowyn and Arwen were in luck. They shared their tent without fear of being found out. No one knew of their hidden identities as of yet, and they had even invented names... Arwen was Elarn son of Aornes, and Eowyn was Kalnger son of Kaligener.

They undressed in silence, each thinking of their husband, each wondering just how long their lies would hold.

Eowyn was asleep in a matter of minutes, but Arwen couldn't fall into slumber. She was still deep in thought, some solemn and some very girlish and giddy.

She didn't know when she fell asleep, only when she awoke.

Eowyn and Arwen were dressed and ready outside before the sun's first rays stroked the sky. Aragorn and Faramir rode through the ranks, glancing over each man's steed and checking to see that each man had his belongings secured. They only rode past swiftly, taking no more than a quick glance at the man and his steed, but Arwen and Eowyn hid their faces still, hoping luck would find them.

Luck was hopelessly lost.

As Aragorn rode past Arwen, he stopped. Gazing at her strangely, the king approached her.

"Your name, good sir?" he asked softly.

"Elarn, son of Aornes, milord." She replied, toning her voice several octaves lower.

Aragorn gazed into her eyes awhile, then whispered so that only she could hear, "You shall come to my tent 'ere we stop for the night, Elarn."

And then he rode on.

When the army began to trot on its way to Mordor, Eowyn rode up to Arwen.

"What did he say?" she whispered softly.

Arwen didn't reply directly. Her expression was solemn, her eyes staring at Aragorn, who led the troops far, far ahead.

"He knows..."

Arwen – in the evening

The tents were set up; the men drunk. Arwen put on her helmet and armor, hoping to hide her identity as long as possible. She opened the tent flap and stepped outside, turning to the direction of Aragorn's tent.

"Wait!"

Eowyn was behind her, and trotted up to her friend swiftly.

"I'm coming with you."

"But - "

"If they find you, they'll find me sooner or later, Arwen. We might as well go through this together."

Arwen smiled and nodded, reassured if but a little.

The king's tent was bigger than the common soldiers'. He had it all to himself, as did Faramir. It was the size of a room, but everything within took but an hour to pack up again.

Arwen opened the flap nervously, and found Aragorn sitting on a chair, gazing right at her. Faramir was pacing nervously about.

"Come." He said as soon as Arwen peeked in, and she stepped within the tent slowly, Eowyn following her.

The moment the tent flap was closed, Aragorn stood and walked to Arwen.

"It is warm, master Elarn." He said, "Will you not remove your helm?"

Frantically thinking of a way out, Arwen replied.

"I thank milord for your kindness, but my helm must remain on my head."

Aragorn was amused. "How so?"

"Because, milord..." her tongue froze. Aragorn was laughing.

Laughing, not at her, but with her, laughing at himself, almost. His head was thrown back, and a deep, hearty chuckle escaped his lips. Oh, how she loved his laugh...

"You needn't fear your king, master Elarn." He said when he was done. Aragorn approached her and took off Arwen's helmet slowly, gently caressing her ears. His face showed no sign of surprise, no sign of anger. Only of deep wonder and love.

"Not when he is your servant..." he whispered. He was so good...

Aragorn brought his lips to hers, but Arwen placed her index finger upon them. Her eyes watered, and she stifled a sigh.

"I couldn't leave you, Aragorn." She said, smiling weakly. "I couldn't stay behind again, not knowing, but hoping... Are you angry, mela?"

The king smiled at her, and took away her hand. Gently, he pressed his lips to hers, kissing her softly. When he pulled back, Aragorn stroked her cheek.

"I was, Arwen. But I will let you come." His face was suddenly solemn. "As long as you are not hurt."

Arwen nodded, and kissed him again. "I won't, mela. I promise..."

Some one from behind them cleared his throat. They turned to a very embarrassed and red-faced Faramir.

"I'm... sorry... to interrupt, milord, milady..." he said, before turning his gaze to Eowyn. "But who is this?"

Arwen chuckled and looked to her friend, nodding. Eowyn took off her helm, and smiled at Faramir sweetly.

"Sorry, love..." she said.

Faramir stood in shock, gazing at his wife before rushing to enclose her in a warm embrace and a loving kiss.

Aragorn grasped Arwen's hand and looked into her eyes.

"Just... tell me next time you plan to do this..."

"I will, mela... I will."

Arwen's belongings were brought to Aragorn's tent, and Eowyn's to Faramir's. The soldiers were informed of the two women's doings, and Arwen blushed deeply at the reactions of some drunken men.

"Oi, 'at's not fair!" the shouted, "Take 'em pretty women to 'emselves, and not leave a'y for us!"

Aragorn ignored that comment and led his wife back to their tent, to prepare for the next day's travel and for the grave battle that lay undoubtedly ahead.

Both slept easier that night, having each other's warmth to cuddle, and their love to hold to.

Yeah, I know... bad. And they were found out quickly... too quickly. But I'm not planning for this to be long. I just wrote this for fun, so... yeah. Mordor's ahead... They still need to pass the Anduin though.

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