Disclaimer: I don't own these Characters. I just play in their world.

The Queen of Gondor sat quietly upon the windowsill, watching her husband spar with Faramir below in the garden. She smiled as the muscles in his back flexed and stretched with the exertion of his movements. The two men were truly a sight to behold, each well schooled in the ways of the sword. Long years spent as rangers had seen to that. From her vantage point she could hear their grunting and shouting as they swung their swords above their heads, the harsh 'clink' of metal hitting metal splitting the quiet of the early afternoon calm.

It had been two days since Aragorn had taken her to wife, and with a private smile to acknowledge the slight ache lingering between her thighs, it had been a wonderful forty eight hours. For the first time since entering their chambers two days before, Aragorn had ventured away from their marital bed this morning, having agreed to Faramir's request for a meeting, and though it had originally been a conversation pertaining to the rapid progression of repairs along the outer walls of the citadel, it had quickly become a sparring challenge between the two men.

Arwen glanced at the forgotten book in her hand and glanced once more down at the sight playing out before her. A sudden movement from the rose bushes drew the elf's attention, and she smiled when she noticed Lady Eowyn sitting among the pink blooms. The young woman was set to marry Faramir in two months time, and though she was very quiet and a tad morose, Arwen had immediately taken to the young shieldmaiden. They had shared many laughs two nights before at the wedding feast, and Arwen hoped that she had found a friend in the white lady after such an uncertain start among her husband's court.

She rose to travel down the long stone corridor, straightening the emerald green silk of her gown. She smiled as she passed by curtseying servants and bowing palace officials, feeling a growing sense of confidence as she went. As she rounded a corner with a bounce in her step, she ran right straight into the elegant shoulder of her father.

Elrond rounded immediately to steady his daughter. She smiled sheepishly as she meet his eyes with an apologetic air. "Forgive me, Ada. I was rushing. I did not see you."

His eyes softened and the concern vanished. He studied his daughter's face, the dark raven curls of her hair, and the way her eyes danced and her full lips issued a shy smile. There were times when her mannerisms reminded him so much of his dear wife that it hurt his heart to breathe. Soon, he thought. Soon enough I will see my Celebrian. But for now, I still have my Undomiel.

"How is my daughter this morning? I have not seen you in two days time. Could it be that your husband has allowed you out of his sight after pledging to protect you at all costs?" He grinned mischievously. "It is not wise to let you of all beings roam this palace unsupervised."

Arwen rolled her eyes. "I burn the curtains in the great hall once as a child and you hold it against me forever."

Not forever, my little one, he thought sadly. We no longer have that luxury. He shook the wave of grief away and kissed his daughter on the forehead as he turned to leave. "You were 900 years old, Arwen. Far from a child."

"I was 889!"

His only response was a wave over his shoulder. She smiled tenderly at her father's retreating back and sighed. "It will not be long", she whispered to the air, a twinge of sadness running through her own system as she thoughts of her mother and her father's eagerness. "You will see her soon, Ada."

"Do you concede?"

Faramir stared at the tip of Anduril, the sharp edge flashing in the sunlight. He lay on his back, having been inelegantly tossed over Aragorn's shoulder during their last round.

"I don't really see much of a choice." He propped himself up on his shoulders and bent his head in submission. Aragorn lowered the sword and offered his friend a hand. The Steward accepted the gesture and rose to his feet with the aid of the king, brushing grass and dirt from his white tunic and the two exchanged amused smiles and talk.

"I can accept that you are better than me at swordplay, but could you at least have pretended to be losing in front of my intended? Couldn't you make me look…well, good?" Faramir joked as Eowyn laughed. He lowered himself back down to the ground to rest his head in her lap, and the blonde maiden bent her head to place a kiss upon his sweaty brow.

"I could have, but than my own wife would wonder how a ranger from Ithilien managed to defeat a ranger taught by her own people." Aragorn grinned as he wiped the sweat from his own brow with the blue cotton of his own discarded tunic. His ranger training suddenly alerted him to a pair of eyes upon his own skin, and he turned to see his wife pass under the stone trellis and enter the wide garden. He smiled widely, and dropped his sword and sweat covered tunic. He quickly crossed the distance between himself and Arwen and wrapped his well-muscled arms around her waist.

Arwen giggled the rare giggle he remembered from their earliest days, when their love was uncertain and indulged in during rare moments of secrecy. His heart swelled and he bent to press a soft lingering kiss upon her smooth lips. When they broke apart, Arwen sighed softly as she touched her forehead to his.

"I see you are well this morning, Meleth."

He nodded and grunted a reply before once more seeking her lips with his own. This kiss was deeper, one she was quickly recognizing as a prelude to more pleasurable activities. A warmth began to spread throughout her center, and she felt a tremor of excitement course through her body. She moaned softly into her husband's mouth as she wrapped her arms about his neck and shoulders and deepened the kiss with her tongue.

A muffled cough broke them apart, and the lovers turned to smile apologetically to their friends. Eowyn wore a blushing smile, and Faramir clasped her hand in his own. "We'll leave the two of you be now." They moved to leave but Aragorn raised a hand.

"Please, do not leave on our account. I promise, on my word as King, I shall endeavor to keep my hands to myself. And no more kissing."

Farmir shook his head. "You are married. You two need some time alone." He smiled a small evil grin at Aragorn as he nodded towards Arwen. "After all, you can't plant an heir in her belly if you've got constant company." Eowyn's jaw dropped and a delicate hand flew to her mouth to stifle the gasp and following laugh while her betrothed led her away. As quick as could be, the two were gone.

Aragorn turned back to his wife, and drew her more tightly against his chest. Arwen jokingly pushed against his sweaty chest with her hands.

"Estel, you're filthy! The sweat is running down you!"

A sly glint flashed in his eyes as he leaned in to nibble on her pointed ear. "You did not mind the sweat last night, my love" he whispered teasingly. She closed her eyes in a move of surrender and ran her fingers through his dark hair. She leaned into his embrace and sighed against the skin of his neck. When her husband's hands began to roam the soft curve of her hip and buttocks, she pulled away in an excited flush.

"Should we perhaps venture somewhere a bit more private, Melda?" She cast anxious eyes about, the sapphire orbs dark with arousal and desire. Aragorn followed her gaze to the outer walls and their position, open to all who might pass by and peer into the garden. He smiled. "I think that would be wise, wife." He took her hand and led her to a small clearing beneath low hanging willows. Arwen found herself pressed against a thick tree trunk, her husband's incessant hands lifting her to settle himself between her thighs.

She leaned away from his seeking mouth. "We'll be caught by the guards."

He bent his head again to whisper before kissing her, "How fun for them."

Lady Celrinn and her daughter Belrinn sat among the other noblewomen in the library of the palace. They spoke of the king's wedding and the beauty of the queen. Celrinn listened dispassionately as even her own daughter joined the conversation.

"But it is romantic, isn't it? Giving up your very life for the man you love? Lady Arwen must have a very pure heart, to be so willing to sacrifice all for his majesty."

Some of the older women laughed. Lady Tylirn chuckled, the skin beneath her chin wobbling as she did so.

"Perhaps she does have a pure heart, Belrinn dear, or perhaps she knows something about the king that we do not. Such a masculine man, that one is. I would wager he's a lover of prolific heights." She winked saucily, and soon the women were discussing men in a manner quite unknown to the young Belrinn.

"Enough of this! Why are you placing that elf on a pedestal when you should be angry with her?" Celrinn cracked her knuckles, the massive rings on her thin fingers catching the light in the deep red and green stones.

"Celrinn, please. When are you going to stop cursing that lovely creature? Have you spoken to her. The queen is a most agreeable person."

"Truly. She has made the effort to know all members of the court. And she's so wise."

"It is apparent that she makes the king happy. I think she will be a marvelous queen."

Celrinn stared at her opposition, her hazel eyes hardening and her mouth set in a pursed line of aggravation. She quickly pushed herself up from her seat. She favored her friends and daughter with a hard look of betrayal.

"I am saddened to see that she has ensnared you all son easily in her web of deceit. I do not wish to be a part of this. Good day, madams." With that she swung about and headed for the door.

"Mother, please! Don't go."

"Let her go, child. It is not right for her to be so obstinate."

The sounds faded as Celrinn continued down the corridor. She walked with a determined stride, frustrated that Arwen had somehow managed to win the ladies and men of the court over so well. She wrung her hands, turning the skin red with her vigorous rubbing.

So imbedded in her thoughts was she, that she did not notice the king and queen walking towards her. Her head down and her fists clenched, she ran smack into the king's wide chest. She toppled backwards and fell to the ground, landing roughly with a grunt.

She looked up, her eyes angry, but when she stared into the concerned eyes of the king, she softened slightly and smiled. "Forgive me, my Lord. I must not have been paying attention." Aragorn leaned down and wrapped his hand around her upper arm to help her to her feet. She straightened and ran a smoothing hand down the front of her dress.

Aragorn helped her to steady herself before removing his hand. "Are you alright, Lady Celrinn?"

She nodded, finally setting her eyes upon the queen. She nodded in a brief allusion to respect, and drew herself up to her full height. Arwen smiled at the older woman, reaching out to lay a cool slender hand upon her shoulder.

"How are you this day, Celrinn? I trust you are well?"

Celrinn smiled tightly as she answered., a steely coldness to her voice. " I am well, my lady. How are you faring? Is our fair city to your liking?"

Arwen's smile faltered at the unfriendly tone, but she nodded her head as Aragorn took her hand in his own. "I am enjoying myself very much, thank you. How is your family? I did not get to see your lovely daughter and husband at the feast. They too, are well?"

"Yes, majesty. All are well." Celrinn's voice held a noticeable tinge of annoyance, and Arwen forced down her feelings of hurt and wounded pride.

Celrinn turned back to Aragorn. "I'm afraid I must leave now. I wish you a pleasant day." With that she turned on her heel and continued down the corridor.

"Meleth-", Aragorn began.

Arwen's eyes settled on Celrinn's distant back. "I believe I have found the source of the rumors, Estel." She turned back to her husband, a sad expression painting her beautiful features. "She hates me."

Aragorn raised her hand to his lips and kissed the velvety skin. "Arwen, one can never make everyone happy. Lady Celrinn has a heart somewhere beneath that iron façade, I am sure. Perhaps she will simply need to know you better than she thinks she does." He kissed his wife's nose lightly. "No one can know you for very long before falling hopelessly in love with you."

She smiled and kissed her husband.