A/N: Ok, this is the long-awaited Chapter 7. I finally finished it. I'm not quite sure why I did it now, considering it is 3 days from my first HSC exam. PANIC! So, no more updates for 3 weeks at least. Here it is, after several months in progress...

Disclaimer: It's 1:30am and I have 'Return of the King' sitting beside me... does that answer your question.

Chapter 7: Arrivals

The sunlight poured over Minas Tirith with the rising morn. It glistened like a diamond, pearly white and crystal. Out over the Pelennor Fields, a rider came fast towards the city and passed through the gates with little more than a nod. He headed for the main hall on the seventh level of the citadel. Aragorn had only just risen from his bed, when a messenger knocked on his chamber doors.

"My lord, you have a visitor."

As he entered the hall, Aragorn saw, to his astonishment, an old friend, standing in the centre of the room. He was robed in white, holding his staff firmly. It was Gandalf.

"Hail, King Elessar, King of Gondor," he said.

Aragorn smiled.

"My friend," he said approaching the old man and embracing him warmly. "It has been too long."

"So it has," said Gandalf. "I have news."

"What news?" asked Aragorn. "I pray you, speak."

Gandalf chuckled.

"News of a hobbit who follow in my stead, accompanied by two friends, with a will to see the King of Gondor and pay his respects. They shall arrive later today."

"I long to see them again," said Aragorn. "Tell me, has there been any news of Faramir?"

"I do, my lord," said Gandalf gravely. "The rangers informed me that he had taken a small contingency of men south, to Harad, seeking out the last of the foes."

"How long?"

"Not four days passed. They are not expected for yet another ten days at the least."

Aragorn was silent. He needed Faramir here. Éowyn would not wait so long to see him. She was growing impatient.

"Do you intend to stay long, Gandalf?" he asked the wizard.

"As long as is needed or desired," said Gandalf, with a smile.

"Then come," said Aragorn. "We must get you settled."

He led the wizard through one of the side doors, down a long hallway to the guest rooms, before stopping in front of one.

"I hope this will be comfortable," said Aragorn, opening the door.

"Quite, quite," said Gandalf, looking around. "Yes this will do nicely."

He turned back to face Aragorn.

"I have business to attend to in the city now," he said.

"Of course," said Aragorn, nodding.

Gandalf bowed and took his leave, making his way to the Houses of Healing.

Éowyn had not expected any visitors this morning, least of all, Gandalf. However, she could not have been happier to see him.

"Gandalf," she said, smiling warmly at the wizard.

"My dear Éowyn," he replied. "How do you fare?"

Éowyn's looked at Gandalf; an expression of mixed anger and sorrow crossing her face.

"I am held prisoner," she said bitterly. "There is no joy without freedom, even in so beautiful a place as this."

"I know he has done you wrong," said Gandalf. "But you cannot allow it to consume you. You must give him a chance."

"I gave him many chances," said Éowyn angrily, storming away.

She stopped near the bench and closed her eyes, head bowed.

"But every time, he robbed me of my hope," she said quietly. "There is little left of me to persist."

"Éowyn," said Gandalf. "Put aside past slanders and hurts. You must confront him."

"I have already done so," she said. "He would not heed me."

Gandalf moved up beside Éowyn and laid a firm hand on her shoulder. She did not sway, but continued to stare out into nothingness.

"Some hurts go too deep," she murmured.

"I know," replied Gandalf.

Neither figure moved for several minutes. They stood in silence, until a sound of footsteps could be heard, approaching from the Houses.

"My lady Éowyn," came a voice.

Éowyn and Gandalf turned around toward the sound of the voice. It was Merry.

"Éowyn. Gandalf," he said, as he approached. "My friends have arrived. Frodo, Sam and Pippin are here."

Gandalf's face brightened. Éowyn's remained steely, and merely nodded curtly to Merry, smiling politely. Merry was somewhat surprised with this reaction from the usually cheerful shieldmaiden, but bowed and left her and Gandalf in peace.

"He will call for you," said Gandalf quietly, after Merry had gone. "You are expected to attend the feast."

"I know," whispered Éowyn, reluctantly.

Gandalf bowed his head and made his way to the entrance of the Houses of Healing. He looked back at the figure of Éowyn, standing, defeated, and battling her own conscience. Now was the time for her to decide, to act, before it was too late.

Frodo, Sam and Pippin stared around the massive halls of the court. The white throne of Gondor sat atop a large platform, high up from the ground. They waited only to greet the king. Aragorn. He arrived to see them, three small hobbits; little changed from the last time he had seen them. That had been not more than a year ago. He, Aragorn, had changed however. The once scruffy ranger had been transformed into the commanding figure of a king, regal and proud, but kind and humble as ever he was.

"My friends," he said, advancing with open arms. "It has been too long."

"Indeed it has," said Gandalf, who had entered the hall.

Frodo hurried over to both, embracing each. Sam and Pippin stood a little way back.

"Come now," said Aragorn. "This is a reunion of the fellowship."

He motioned for Sam and Pippin to approach. He glanced beside him at Gandalf, a grave face, his eyes questioning. Gandalf shook his head. Aragorn sighed.

Legolas and Gimli had joined them now, Merry in tow. They gathered around laughing happily. Aragorn glanced anxiously around the hall. Would she come? Time passed, and the room slowly transformed into a banquet hall. Aragorn listened to the tales of his friends, but his mind wandered, all the time waiting for Éowyn to arrive. He noted, with some surprise, that Legolas was no longer present.

Legolas was, at that point, making his way to Éowyn's chambers. He reached the door and knocked gently at it. No sound came from within. He slowly turned the handle and entered the room. Éowyn was seated on her bed, head in her hands. Legolas swept in and took a seat beside her.

"Éowyn, what troubles you?" he asked.

"I cannot – I cannot face him," she answered quietly. "Not after all that has happened."

"He is anxious to see you," said Legolas. "You must speak with him."

Éowyn stood up from the bed abruptly and began to pace the room frantically.

"How can he not know why I ran?" she demanded. "After all the pain, how can he still fail to see it?"

"Have you given him a chance to explain himself?" asked Legolas.

"Surely you know?" said Éowyn, staring hard at Legolas. "You are his friend. Has he not told you why he burdens me so?"

Legolas shook his head.

"He will not speak of it," he said. "Calm yourself, and speak with him alone after dinner this evening."

"I do not wish to attend," said Éowyn, lowering her head.

"You cannot avoid him forever," said Legolas.

Legolas rose, turning to leave her.

"I hope you will come," he said, before closing the door behind him.

"We shall see," said Éowyn to herself.

A/N: Well what else can I say, except... HA HA! This is more of a cliffhanger than the last one! Laughs evilly Well, I'm off for more study. Everyone, just hang in there.

Lisa