Hey there peeps! Thank you to everyone who reviewed!! You guys are amazing!! :)
Malethwen: Neighbourhood!!! I'll give you neighbourhood!! Hey there thanks for reviewing hun! Keep updating!!
Viviana: ok ok ok! Will do. Thank you for reviewing!
Ciel-Undomiel: read and you will find out. Thanks for review!
Cerridwen-Evereven: I don't care how long you took to write them as they are just unbelievable!! I mean seriously-like a book that you can't put down, except there on a computer so you know... Thanks for reviewing!
The True Evenstar: Thanks. Sorry I cant do fluff. I luv reading it but I just can't write it. I will be trying in later chapters though...
The clippity clop of horses' hooves echoed on the mountain sides as Arwen and Aragorn came round to Minas Tirith. They could now see the magnificent city, gleaming bright white, a jewel embedded in the White Mountains.
Aragorn grinned to himself when he finally knew he was home and Arwen felt just the same. She looked sideways to see a brilliant grin grace her husbands face, and couldn't help but smile.
She quietly bent down to her horses ears and whispered "Noro Lim". She straightened as her horse swiftly started running, much to Aragorn's surprise. He kicked his horse sharply and followed urging his horse on and on, and ever faster. Arwen glanced behind to see her husband gaining on her quickly, but she simply leaned forward and repeated herself. Her horse (and Aragorns)-filled with elven grace and stability, burst into speed once again and soon the gap between her and Aragorn was greater than before, and the gap between her and the White City decreased. Aragorn saw that Arwen was pulling away with great speed, and so told his horse to run like he had never run before. He knew Arwen's little game, and wasn't going to let her win again.
Guards at the gate looked out in wonder at the two figures racing to get to the gate first, but their amazement became complete and utter shock when they realized it was their King and Queen! Aragorn gained on Arwen in a matter of seconds, but couldn't close the gap soon enough. The gates of Minas Tirith were hauled open and Arwen flew in, closely followed by a disgruntled Aragorn. The guards stared in disbelief as the Queen gave a triumphant smile and headed towards the Citadel. Aragorn shook his head, but smiled, and accompanied his wife to the stables.
Once the horses were safely in the stables, and had been fed and cared for, Aragorn and Arwen made their way up to the Citadel.
They were greeted by many nobles and servants who excitedly told them all of the latest news and events. Aragorn listened intently, wanting to get every available piece of information as possible, especially about the movements to the North.
They eventually entered the Citadel after many tales, and were surprised when Éowyn and Faramir appeared at the entrance. "Welcome home-at long last" Faramir teased as he bowed. Aragorn grinned and pulled him and Éowyn to their feet. He still hadn't adjusted to all of the formalities of being royalty, and to be perfectly honest wasn't too keen on them, but he put up with it when he had to, but pushed them aside any other time. "Good to see you to. I see you've kept the place in order."
"Oh yes. Although I will be glad to just sit and listen in Council now, I've had enough of making decisions!"
"Oh thanks, that's just what I want to come back to!"
"No, its been ok, but I much prefer it with you here. How was your trip anyway? You were away longer than expected."
"Yes we ran into a bit of trouble. We stopped in Lorien for a time."
Éowyn spoke up at this. "Lorien. Isn't that where the Lady of Light dwells?"
Arwen smiled. "Yes that is indeed the place. But the elves are leaving. Soon the Lady of Light herself will diminish." Éowyn frowned and looked saddened by this. "Then that is a pity. From hearing about her as a child, I have always wanted to meet her. But everyone said that she was just a legend that elves made up long ago."
"Nay, that is far from the truth Éowyn. I know she is real. She is my Grandmother." Éowyn's eyes widened. Arwen took her arm and led her down one of the many corridors and told her of grandmother. Arwen headed to the library to find a book on Elves (not that she needed one) to show to Éowyn, as she was much too tired to tell her everything at this moment. She sat down with Éowyn with a pile of books in front of her, and passed her anything that could be of use. She particularly looked for areas surrounding Galadriel's mirror, as Arwen knew she could talk to Éowyn, and if she understood about the mirror, then maybe Arwen could tell her about her vision. Things always felt better if you shared them with a friend.
Meanwhile Aragorn had left Faramir and went to his chambers. He slumped down on his bed-glad to be back. He put his hand in his pocket and pulled out the box that Celeborn had given him. He hadn't looked at it since he left Lorien, and it hadn't passed his mind all the way home. The box glistened in the candlelight, and as the sun set a golden glow reflected from it. He opened it carefully and peered inside. A piece of paper lay over something. He took it out, only to find it was a note, addressed to Arwen. He looked down into the little box once more and saw a phial of liquid-much like the one Frodo had received from Galadriel, but this time silver. He took it and held it into the air, looking for any marks or symbols as to decipher what it was. But he found none and put it back in the box. He took the letter again and opened it out.
Dear Arwen, it read,
Hello my dear daughter. I know when you read this I will be gone, but no doubt I will see you when you too pass over the sea-
Aragorn stopped at this. This was from Celebrian, written before she left for the Grey Havens and then Valinor. She had expected her daughter to follow with her father. But she hadn't. Aragorn suddenly felt a pang of guilt. It was because of him that Celebrian would never see her daughter again. Arwen had given up her life for him, her family, and her immortality. And her whole family had to live with that.
He wanted to read on, but he knew he shouldn't as it was Arwen's letter, and therefore should be read by her only. He carefully folded the paper and put it back in the box. He stood and looked for a place to hide it, until Arwen needed it. He wondered what help it would provide, but he knew better than to question elves, especially one such as Celeborn.
He looked around but couldn't find anywhere to put it where he knew Arwen wouldn't find it. Cupboards-no, they were no use, and if Arwen didn't find them somebody else would. Drawers-no, she would find it easily. Then he looked in the wardrobe. He pushed all the clothes aside, and at the back found his old ranger clothes. He found a pocket and put the box in. He knew she wouldn't find it there, and as he only wore his ranger clothes if he had a battle or extremely long journey to go on, then he would have no reason to get them out.
He smiled to himself, proud of his quick thinking. He closed the chamber door behind him as he left to find Arwen. He wanted her to be thoroughly checked by Ioreth, just to make sure that everything was alright.
He wondered through the many corridors until he came to the library where he heard a faint giggle, which quickly turned into full blown laughter. He walked in to find his wife and Éowyn surrounded by books, laughing their hearts out, tears streaming down their faces. He leaned on the door frame, completely content at watching his wife's delight.
