Author: Oosh, so good to be back. I feel terrible about all the time wasted for you, the readers, waiting for my posts. Well, if there are readers or people applying for being my editor……..Anyway, Arfea is back and a little different, but don't worry I am still here and writing stories, a little different style (hopefully more mature) but same story.

Disclaimer: Enough Arfea, people have probably been waiting, well, not really, they probably gave up but still, babbling is not good.

Author: Right, well, I own none of Master Tolkien's great works but I do own Ellen and Anne, Andrimir, Lina and any other characters you haven't seen in the books, movies or other stories.

Disclaimer: --''' My job………

Added note: Italics denote elvish, as Arfea is not fluent in the language and cannot type the speeches in actual elvish.

Counsel and Confrontations

"What do you think Mithrandir?" Théoden turned a questioning glance to the white clad wizard. Gandalf shook his head, "To that I have no answer, for both choices offer great risk. We should have time to consider both options. What say you, son of Arathorn?" Aragorn pondered for a minute then replied,

"The Uruks close in quickly, we haven't much time to sit and think Gandalf."

"Aye, the lad's right it's a tough decision to make under such short notice. But my advice would be to,"

But before Gimli could finish, the doors burst open and Eowyn rushed through the door with a rustle of her skirts. (hee hee, repetitiongood)

"Uncle, Uncle!" All four occupants turned to face Eowyn, and she blushed slightly before turning to face King Théoden, "My Lord, I have heard recently that the people are uneasy. They need to you stand up and give them comfort, and knowledge that you are still here, for they have not seen you for a long time." (Remember, he never chased out Grima because Grima never left, he's in a dungeon.) Eowyn finished her speech with a small curtsey. Her announcement met with silence. Finally Gandalf nodded quietly,

"She is right. You must reassure your people, our decision can wait." Théoden nodded too, "I will, but tell me, when did my niece become so wise, surely I have not been under the spell that long!" Théoden winked at Eowyn as he said this.

"It was not I, my lord, first came to this conclusion. I was given this counsel by another." Eowyn said, bowing her head.

"And from whom did this wisdom come my lady, if not from yourself?" Gandalf inquired.

"From your companion Mithrandir, I think his name was, Legolas?" Théoden lifted his eyebrows, "Wise words from one his age." He commented.

"Of course, all words seem wise from one who has seen over two thousand years but, he is young at heart and understands the ways of the human world. Thanks, in part to a young man called Strider." Gandalf said with a twinkle. Aragorn merely gave a slight cough and excused himself from the council. Gimli's eyes followed Aragorn as he walked.

"I shall go then, and reassure my people. If you would come with me, Eowyn?" Eowyn nodded in agreement and both walked out of the small chamber, "We will discuss this later, White Wizard."

This left Gimli and Gandalf alone who, upon turning once to face each other, repeated the same question,

"Will he find Legolas?"

Aragorn had rushed from the council room so fast he ran into several maids and even managed to bump into one so much as to spill warm mead on him. The red haired maid glared at him, though he ignored her frosty gaze. Even then, his sole focus was upon Legolas. "Mellon nin, please, be where I may find you so that this mess can be fixed." He turned his head even as he ran, glancing quickly into open doorways. He spotted many a fair haired being, but none with pointed ears or clothing befitting that of an elf of Mirkwood. Aragorn began to hurry in his haste, abandoned caution and…..

WHAM! Aragorn collided with another at such a strong speed that he fell over on top of the other and smashed his nose upon the hard floor. He groaned and clutched his nose as a small trickle of blood appeared.

"My apologies, I was not looking where I was…Legolas?" Indeed, the face that looked back at him was none other than his good friend Legolas who had been wandering since his encounter with Eowyn's less than friendly maids. Legolas gave a small sympathetic smile and pulled out a spare cloth, handing it to Aragorn,

"Estel, weren't you cautioned about running in a king's halls? I seem to remember a similar instance involving a certain elven servant and a rather irate elven king…"

Aragorn grimaced at the memory, "Legolas, I apologized profusely to your father and Andrimir and cleaned up that mess, but do you remember what happened in Imraldis, several years ago? Wasn't it a young prince who single-handedly broke every single vase in Lord Elrond's hallway?" He smiled at that memory, much to the annoyance of his friend, who was by now blushing slightly,

"They were ugly vases anyway, but pray tell, what were you looking for in such a hurry? And is it done bleeding?" Aragorn frowned as he remembered his errand, and tenderly touched his nose, nodding as the blood flow died down. "Actually, I was searching for you. I had to ask you a question," he glanced around, "privately." Legolas nodded and after extracting himself from underneath his friend, helped Aragorn up.

"I'm afraid most of the rooms are filled, perhaps it will be a private enough for you on the balcony?" Legolas motioned to a door to their left.

"Yes, that's fine." Aragorn smiled and nodded as they exited.

On the balcony, Legolas leaned out over the edge to watch the people interact in the square, and Aragorn paced back and forth in front of the doorway. Finally, Legolas turned to Aragorn.

"Now what was it you wished to inquire of me mellon nin?"

"Good day Milady, what brings you to Edoras?"

"Urgent business, I have news for the king." A cloaked figure informed the gate guard, her long ebony hair spilling out of her hood.

"I'm sorry Milady, but under the current circumstances, I cannot allow just anyone into the city." He nodded once at her, "Perhaps I can relay the news to the king for you?" The cloaked figure shook her head and finally pulled her hood back.

"I am an emissary from Rivendell, and I have a message only Théoden king make hear." The man blushed as he caught site of her, then nodded again and opened the gate. "Very well milady, the king is about to make a speech, you may meet with him after."

"I thank you." Arwen inclined her head and trotted her horse through the gates.

"Estel, I have come here for you as well. I hope you are well." She added to herself. After dismounting her horse and gingerly turning her over to the stable lad, she walked around the city. It was bustling, so full of life, unlike her home, which was now near empty. Noting a woman who carried both a child and a basket of vegetables that seemed perilously close to spilling, Arwen walked over and offered her assistance. The woman gladly accepted, and Arwen took the little girl into her arms.

"Hello little one, what is your name?" Arwen smiled at the child.

"Lina. What's yours?" Lina beamed back up at Arwen, winding her small arms around Arwen's neck.

"What a pretty name, I am Arwen."

"That's a pretty name too."

"Thank you Lina." Arwen smiled wistfully, she had always wanted a child. Lina snuggled her head into Arwen's hair. "Hair smells pretty, like flowers." Arwen laughed as Lina's mother blushed.

"Children." She said with an apologetic smile, "They always speak before thinking." Arwen smiled back and held Lina tighter. These people were in danger and Arwen hoped that her information would help to save most of their lives.

Author's Note: I'd still love a beta reader, if anyone is interested, and sorry again for the wait, but please review so I know people are still reading my silly little stories.