When Osgiliath was reached, Lómëmir was shocked at the destruction that had been done. The last time she looked upon the stronghold, though only briefly, she was struck by it's boldness, standing alone by the river, protecting the City of the King, or Steward as situations warrant. She saw too Minas Tirith in the distance and saw that much of it had suffered the same fate as Osgiliath.
She turned to Gandalf for understanding as so many often did. "What has happened here? What manner of leaguer caused this?"
"It is no different now than it ever was, Lómëmir. Orcs, Nazgul... they are what happened here. Only now their weaponry is advanced enough to bring down these cities not stone by stone, but wall by wall and tower by tower. Those days have ended though, we have seen to that much," the wizard said, offering to assist Lómëmir down from her steed. "It is my suggestion that you get some sleep tonight. You need it as much as any of us here do. Aragorn included," he said, purposely raising his voice slightly as he saw the ranger coming toward them.
"Gandalf, i was going to be a gentleman and offer the lady the respite of my tent for the night," Aragorn replied matter-of-factly.
Lómëmir looked about the vast field surrounding them. There was not a tree in sight that she might comfortably rest under, and so she accepted the invitation, though almost more because she did not wish to refuse his generosity to a stranger.
As tents were erected all over the former battlefield for the captains of the many companies, Legolas and Gimli sat with Aragorn, Elladan, Elrohir, Prince Imrahil of Dol Amroth, Eomer, and Gandalf, and together about a small fire they counseled and discussed the morning's imminent proceedings. Aragorn had asked that the captains go to the fore with him as he went to accept his crown and enter his city. Imrahil, Eomer, Gandalf, accepted his request, but Legolas and Gimli and the twins declined.
"In our place, have the halflings stand, Aragorn," said Gimli.
"Never before have these words been uttered by myself, but i must speak in truth: the Dwarf is right. We will be behind you, Aragorn, but our time has ended. With morning begins formally the Fourth Age, an age of Men."
"Many times have you heard me say, gwador-nin, Legolas is right," said Elladan with a slightly sad smile. "It is for you to go forth, and though we will remain in your surroundings, we shall not stand forth, but the halflings shall."
"It would be so no matter your decision, muindyr." Elrohir said, reading his adopted brother's thoughts. "Our time is ending, you know that well. Now it is you who must strengthen arda and restore the glory of Numenor."
Aragorn was silent and looked upward to the stars for some while before he responded. "Very well," he said slowly, and with much thought. "Prince Imrahil, King Eomer, Gandalf, the four Hobbits, and i shall go forth in the morning. But do not forget, i wholly expect you all to remain in Minas Tirith as long as you may wish."
Aragorn rose then and went away separately from all the others gathered there. Before he had gone far, though, Elrohir halted him, giving to him a small slip of paper with elvish Tengwar inscribed on it.
"That is from adar. He said i should give it to you the night before you accepted the crown. I am unbelievably proud of you."
Aragorn read the message in a soft voice, "Et Eärello Endorenna utulien, sinome maruvan ar Hildinyar, tenn' Ambar-metta." He looked up and locked eyes with his brother, seeing in them Elrond's meaning and he and Elrohir silently embraced as brothers. Then Aragorn went to find the four Hobbits to ask them if they would indeed stand forth with him come morning. Their voices were heard from inside his tent.
"How did you know that we are Hobbits?" he overheard Merry inquire. "Everyone we've met so far seems to be under the impression that we are children of Men."
"Or Orcs," Pippin cut in in his usual jovial manner causing Lómëmir to laugh at the thought.
"Any who would mistake a Hobbit for an Orc must certainly be rather secluded from the happenings of the world," said she, rather surprised that they were serious.
Merry and Pippin exchanged knowing glances. "Well, they were, before we got there," said Merry mysteriously and not with a little air of pride.
"Ah... Enyd?" Lómëmir said, guessing Merry's reference.
Merry only returned a puzzled look, and was even more so puzzled at Frodo's sudden laughter.
"That's elvish for Ents, i think. Is it Lómëmir?" said Frodo.
She nodded, an astonished smile on her lips. "I didn't know Hobbits were practiced in Sindarin."
"Most aren't, but you see, my uncle was no ordinary Hobbit and I've learnt a great deal from him." In Frodo's voice a certain longing could be heard for home and older days that he knew would never be the same.
"You didnt tell us how you knew we were Hobbits though," Merry said again, sensing his cousin's sadness and trying to change the subject.
"I saw one before, some years ago. He was traveling through Mirkwood, where i dwelt at the time. But what i found most strange was that he was with a pack of naugrim. That still could not have prepared me for seeing here an elf and a dwarf travel together in companionship. And though i was very interested in learning more about this new being, i think King Thranduil was more interested in keeping him and his company... preoccupied."
"You're talkin' about Mr. Bilbo!" Sam exclaimed, speaking up for the first time since they'd gathered in the King's tent.
Lómëmir's smile seemed to light their small space as she had taken quite an liking for the halflings. "Yes, Sam, that was the name Gandalf told to me when i asked him later. Then you know him? But he must be very old by now."
"Know him?! He's Mr. Frodo's own uncle who he spoke about just then." Sam said, very proud of his connection to Bilbo's tale.
"Incredible," Lómëmir said in wonder. "Gandalf was certainly correct, Hobbits are indeed amazing creatures!"
"Amazing, valiant, and worthy of all honor, for it is because of halflings that we are here still this day and the shadow dispelled," spoke Aragorn in a earnest tone, entering the tent. "And it is for those reasons that i would request that you four stand forth with me tomorrow when i accept my... destiny," he said, choosing his words carefully.
Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin all agreed that they would be more than honored to stand with him and there was a noticeable contentedness that filled the man who would King. He was finally accepting that no matter what his status in the world, his friends would always be there for him.
When the smallest four of the six in the tent had exited, Lómëmir beheld Aragorn differently. Aragorn seemed to notice and wanted to deflect the question he could feel coming and so turned to leave. "I will go forth come morning, híril-nin, but know that you have my leave to stay here as long..." he trailed off, rethinking what he was about to invite her to. "Now that i give it second thought, that would not be much of an offering to a wood elf. Know instead that you have the welcome of Minas Tirith always. I know that you are keen to meet with Steward Faramir as soon as possible, you do not have to wait for me to enter the gates before you do so. I understand that one must go where their needs drive them."
"Thank you for your compassionate hospitality, but i have waited this long and i think it best that i take some rest before speaking with him," Lómëmir said truthfully.
"I appreciate that entirely. I, myself, had better get some of that rest every one is speaking of." The former ranger smiled, forcing himself to stifle a yawn. "I only want to be certain that you know you have my leave to speak with the Steward when you may."
She nodded. "I am impressed that you have yet to ask me what my urgency is. Most i have encountered seem very impatient with my hesitancy to let on."
"I understand a thing or two about secret quests, hiril Lómëmir," Aragorn said matter-of-factly.
"And i understand a thing or two about secret lineages, aran Aragorn," she replied after a moment, having realized that their secrets were not wholly different.
Aragorn only smirked. "So you found me out," he said with a sigh.
Lómëmir grinned. "It would have been impossible to hide with the coming of day. Why did you not simply tell me?"
Aragorn shook his head, feeling slightly guilty. "It is rare anymore that i meet someone who doesnt drop to their knees upon meeting me. I guess you were the last person i felt my old self around."
"And why do you feel that your self will change when you take up the Crown of Gondor?" Lómëmir questioned.
Aragorn was still mildly discomfited, but still he was relieved that she did not beg his pardon for something immediately. "Now that it comes to it, i am not sure that there will be any change. I was afraid for nearly 70 years of just that, and i have run from my inheritance for that reason. But now it is my hope that i will not only remain myself but that i will be able to use this position to the greater good." Aragorn wondered just what she herself knew of "secret lineages", but decided to save his questions for later. It was true that he did need sleep, soon. He departed from the tent and Lómëmir herself fell quickly into a restful sleep.