It was only a matter of days then before watchers from Amon Dîn came racing to Minas Tirith to tell of a great host of fair folk coming toward the city. At the news Aragorn's smile seemed to glow and of a sudden there was a great flurry of activity. There now seemed so many loose ends needing yet to be tied before evening.

At the blending of night and day Aragorn stood with Faramir and all his friends at a high place in the city. He watched as Elladan and Elrohir rode as vanguard with Glorfindel and Erestor and the house of Elrond, all who he had known since his earliest memory. They were followed by the Lord and Lady of Lothlorien and many of their land. Lastly were the two he most longed to see again, Elrond and Arwen.

Citizens of Minas Tirith crowded together wherever there was a view of the north gate. The majority of them had never seen anything like this, a multitude of Elves riding to their city. Most had only ever heard of Elves in tales and thought it the height of wonder when they saw Elrohir, Elladan, and Legolas about. But this was an entire crowd of the mystical beings. There was rumor among some that their King was to wed the daughter of Master Elrond, but few who did not know Aragorn actually believed it.

Aragorn then went from the city and gave his most gracious and joyful greetings to all his guests. Elrond came before him with the scepter of Annúminas. He looked long and silently and dourly, as was his fashion in times such as these, at Aragorn. The Peredhil sighed and all grimness was washed away by an unmasked bittersweet smile.

"You have done well, my son." Elrond spoke barely above a whisper. He held forth the staff of the North Kingdom. "Take back Elendil's city and rebuild Arnor."

Aragorn embraced he who was the only father he had known, having suddenly realized again, after nearly 70 years, how very important a father's love was.

When at length Elrond stepped back from Aragorn he reached for Arwen's hand. There was the slightest hesitancy, barely noticeable even to Elven eyes, as Elrond placed his daughter's hand with Aragorn's. "My blessing," the Elf Lord said softly, glancing between them. Then his eyes again rested on Aragorn's. "You and i must speak together this night. I will wait for you."

Aragorn nodded and walked hand-in-hand with his beloved up to the Citadel where a private feast was laid for all of Minas Tirith's guests. With Arwen seated at his right and Faramir at his left and as many loyal friends and glad well-wishers as any could have, Aragorn now truly felt as a great King of Men.

That night, after the feast turned into much revelry, Aragorn noticed that Elrond was no longer in the crowd. He then slipped away as well and went to his chambers where he found Elrond waiting.

"I see you've found my Dorwinion stash," Aragorn charged light-heartedly.

Elrond shrugged, setting the glass down, "I suppose i am drawn to it, i sense its presence. You must indeed be greatly respected, King of Gondor, to have acquired even this much from the Elven King."

Aragorn laughed, having thought precisely the same when the stuff was brought to him. "I think i had the help of certain of my companions in that gift."

"It seems that you have put to right much that had been wrong. I see that you have even found the scion you searched for," Elrond said, changing the topic.

Aragorn hesitated, wondering if Elrond's metaphor was intentional. He considered who he was talking with and wondered how it could not be. "My lord, there is -"

Elrond waved a hand, cutting him off. "I am lord of nothing in these days. It is you who have at last claimed what i merely guarded. Estel, as i am sure you have guessed, i already know what you would tell me. Why you thought it would remain unknown to me, i do not know."

"At the time," Aragorn said almost distantly, "i simply did not think. For the past 36 years i have dealt with regret, self-scorn, shame, the desire not to know anything further of him, and yet the desire to return to him. Only now have i realized what i missed."

"No one in this realm is perfect, Estel. Though it would be wise of you to avoid telling that to your people. The future now means more than the past. What i am questioning is why you did not tell me of this. Did you fear i would refuse you or Faramir?"

"I feared it, and more. I feared your anger. I feared to fail you because you brought up me better than to make such poor judgments as i made that night and in the ensuing years."

"Then i fear that it is i who have failed you," Elrond said quietly. "You should never have been afraid to come to me. Did i fail to make it known to you that i love you as my son?"

"No, adar. You never once failed me in anything. I was simply blind to many things in those days. I was far too concerned with what i thought was responsibility. I thought by staying away from here i was doing what was best for Faramir. Yet now i see that, though i wish i would have given him the same chances you gave me, perhaps it was this way for a reason."

Elrond smiled slightly. "Everything happens as it does for a reason. It is well that you not only stayed away from Minas Tirith, but also Imladris. I was livid for years after learning."

"I think you were still fuming last October," Aragorn said plainly.

"In some ways i was, but i had also seen many things by then. I'm sure you know just how little is hidden from me."

Aragorn nodded, rather guiltily reflecting on his childhood. "How exactly did you know how often it was Elladan and Elrohir who put me up to those things?"

Elrond sighed deeply. "That, Estel, required absolutely no foresight on my part. I still wonder that i managed to raise them and did not come out looking like Gandalf." Elrond glanced around furtively, wondering if the elusive old wizard hadn't heard that remark. He then returned to the original subject. "You have made right with Faramir now. The future outshines the past. I am very proud of you for it, Estel-nín, for you have now proven yourself truly worthy of your crown, and of my gift to you."

Aragorn embraced Elrond as he had before the city gates. "Hannon le, adar," he said simply and sincerely.

"There is but one further responsibility you bear, ion-nín."

"You did not tell her?" Aragorn asked in surprise.

"No, it was not my place to do so, though i wanted to several times. Besides," Elrond said, his smile turning almost sadistically fey, "I would never deprive you of the... joy."

Aragorn laughed to match Elrond's sarcasm. "You would not be grinning like that if you had any doubts. You know that the decision of the Peredhil, once made, can not be retracted."

"No, i have no doubts. But that does not mean you do not." Elrond's grin widened. It was a disconcerting sight to Aragorn, but still better than his death-stare. "Go, then, and make your amends. And do so with haste, you have no idea just what every moment of time means to a young elleth. But i am confident that over the next few years you will learn well enough. I did."

---

On the way to the fairest rooms in Minas Tirith, those overlooking the healing garden, Aragorn told himself over and over that he had already been through this once before with Faramir. The second time around would have to be easier, he thought. And further, his thoughts becoming more resolute, he would neither deceive Arwen nor deny Faramir. The walk seemed to take longer than the march to the Black Gate.

When Aragorn approached her door he hesitated to knock, wondering how Elrond could have left him with this task. 'Very simply,' he told himself, 'he trusts you.' Naturally, Aragorn had not counted on the fact that he had no need to knock, Arwen had heard his approach and let him in.

Aragorn was suddenly speechless when he gazed into her eyes. He had to force himself to say something, anything, to stop just standing there like a fool. "Do you like it here?" he asked, immediately regretting such an idiotic opening. "Before you say anything, know that i have already promised Legolas that i would have more trees here." He thought it best not to bother to mention his promise to Gimli.

"Minas Tirith is a beautiful city, Aragorn. And she will grow all the more beautiful in your rule," Arwen said taking his hand in hers. Again he was at a loss for words. "Im last a corm le," she whispered, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Arwen...," Aragorn began. "Arwen, i must speak with you."

She raised her head and looked searchingly into his eyes. "It is concerning Faramir? He is the child who is yours?"

Aragorn felt his throat constrict and his eyes widen. "How did you know?" he asked softly in a kind of stunned fear.

Arwen's gentle smile calmed him. "My father is not the only one who can see that which is hidden, Estel."

"You have known all the time?"

She nodded.

"But then why did you come to me?"

Arwen touched her hand to the jewel Aragorn wore about his neck. "I have come to be your bride, to fulfill our years of waiting."

Aragorn sighed, her words only making him feel more guilty. "I know you must be angry with me...."

"No, Estel, i am not. I love you more than you know. Never have i seen anything in you that would make me feel otherwise. I know your heart."

"Arwen, i am more sorry than you know. To know that you would come willingly, knowning what you know...."

"Be not sorry to me, my love. Many things happened in the past that we may be sorry for. But the future has now arrived, and with it we are all given new opportunities. Come, accept my forgiveness and grant that i may see again your smile."

Aragorn accepted and granted his lady's wish with exuberance, feeling it must be too good to be true. He embraced her tightly and kissed her. His eyes shone with happiness as hers did with contentment. He held her hands in his and said, "Rest now, sweet Arwen. When i see you on the morrow we shall wed, at long last." He departed then and went to his sleep and when morning dawned it was the dawning of a new age of the world, and a joyful one for all.

---

a few things:

Hannon le, adar = (we know this by now right?) Thank you, father

Im last a corm le = I hear your heart - Now that is a rough approximation. If anyone can refine that, please let me know.

This would have all been up saturday night, but i had the strangest fever and ended up falling asleep at 5 in the afternoon after giving up writing to lay down for a minute. I passed out and the next thing i knew it was going on 8. I was back in bed by 9, after forcing myself to eat a few breadcrumbs so i could have some manner of strength in the morning. Sunday i finished this... but Doc Manager was offline. Yeah, right.

I think this is one of the best chapters so far. Reviews?

More to come. We are drawing near the end now.