"Quel re, híril Lómëmir," Aragorn said graciously when he saw her stirring. "I hope my sindarin friend did not wake you," he continued with a leering expression at Legolas. Yes, Aragorn was determined to make the most of this very rare chink in his dear friend's emotional armor.

Legolas just shook his head, knowing full well what the ranger was playing at.

Lómëmir smiled at the two and their silent game. Never before had she watched an elf and a mortal man get along as they did. It gave her a great deal of hope.

"My lady," said Aragorn, finally turning at least somewhat serious, "when day dawns we shall begin our return to Minas Tirith. You are most welcome to join us, if you will, and you have the welcome of my... my home." It was only in that moment that the full weight of Aragorn's own words settled into him.

"Your home is within Minas Tirith?" asked Lómëmir.

"Yes. Well, it is now," replied Aragorn.

"Of course it is. I beg your pardon, i only just realized that you too must be of Captain Faramir's company. It was just that you put me in mind so much of the Dúnedain rangers i had scarcely taken into account your emblem."

Aragorn's eyes betrayed a twinkle of relief. This lady did not know anything about him being King of Gondor and Arnor. Legolas very nearly mentioned just that, but when Aragorn made no attempt to tell her, he decided against it, thinking it little harm to allow his friend at least a little time longer to enjoy the one person in all of Middle-earth that did not know.

"You said before that if Captain Faramir was sufficiently recovered that i have your blessing to meet with him. Certainly you are high in ranks indeed," said Lómëmir thoughtfully.

"It looks as if I am the Captain of the Host, my lady. It is my greatest hope that Steward Faramir will be well recovered, for that is a title i can not bear much longer."

"Your healing hand is powerful, yet you are also a powerful warrior. It is a strange thing that the hand the heals also wields a sword."

Aragorn smiled, having heard the same remark many, many times.

"But why you do say 'Steward' Faramir? He is Denethor's youngest son, and unless great tragedy has befallen the House of the Stewards...." Lómëmir's words trailed off as the situation became clear in the eyes of Legolas and Aragorn.

There was some moment of quiet before any spoke again, each taking in just how many had been lost to the violent will of the Ring.

With the first glow of sunlight in the east also came Elladan and Elrohir to find Aragorn.

"Wood elves and rangers... i told you they could only be found here, gwador-nin," Elrohir said grinningly.

Elladan's expression, as ever, mirrored his twin's. "And i told you our brother would come to this. There he has a fine tent, a comfortable bed and all, but he is more content to be at peace under the trees. I am proud of you, nibin-gwador. We have taught you well."

"Not well enough!" retorted Elrohir. "He has yet to introduce us to this entrancing lady."

Aragorn shook his head. "I thought well with all your prattle you might have found a word or two of introduction yourselves. It is my opinion that the two of you speak much, even for Noldor."

"Only partly Noldor, brother!"

Aragorn nodded. "Partly is enough. Elladan, Elrohir, this is the lady Lómëmir. My fine lady, these two characters are Elladan and Elrohir, sons of Elrond, if you can believe that. Please do not ask me which is which, i still do not know. And if you ask them you had best do so with a discerning eye."

Lómëmir's laugh took Aragorn aback slightly. He was really only trying to get a rise out of the two twins but her appreciative laughter told him that she already knew quite a lot about them. Lómëmir had to wonder herself just how Aragorn and the twins were on such familiar terms.

"It is surely the most pleasant surprise i have had in a long time to see you again, híril Lómëmir," said Elladan with a reverential bow.

Elrohir, naturally, mirrored his brother's motion. "Oio na elealla alasse', my lady." {Ever is thy sight a joy}

"We would be happy to escort the lady back to camp, brother, but what we came to find you for was to give you word that the hosts are prepared to return to the city," said Elladan.

"Then we shall return, all of us. You do wish to join us, do you not Lómëmir?" Aragorn asked, knowing that once they entered his city he would be setting aside with finality his exile and wandering, and possibly the simplicity of a newly encountered friendship. From then on, he feared, it would be all pomp and circumstance, low bows and begging pardons and general formalities that he rather despised.

Lómëmir nodded simply. "I shall join you, but only with your promise that my doing so will not inconvenience anyone in returning with you."

Legolas smiled and, taking Lómëmir's hand before Aragorn could say anything, said to her, "If such is your concern, ride with Gimli and I. If a dwarf is no inconvenience, then certainly an enchanting lady could not possibly be. There are enough horses to carry many times such a beautiful burden. Though no palfreys are to be had, i am sorry to say, but any war charger would be honored to bear you."

nibin-gwador - little brother

Oio na elealla alasse - Ever is thy sight a joy