A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers! Instead of writing responses after I give you the next chapter, I'd like to do them now...
Alia. G. L.- You are my first reviewer! Glad you liked it!
Jazzcat- Glad you had time to read it, my friend. My Faramir story(the title of which haunts my memory, simply can't think of anything else) is one I'm not sure I'll ever finish. I just don't know what to write next...
thayzel- You are extremely tough! Some things you said are true. I assure you Aralen is not a Mary Sue, but since I am telling this from a first person view, its hard to describe her. There is a description of Eldarion in here, though I cannot go into any extensive details, I will later for him and other characters. As for why there should be a bitter silence-first impressions were not taken well. Perhaps she does seem slightly spoilt at the time being, as she is not entirely developed yet(I wrote this on a whim. I figure that with time, everyone will soon find out who Eldarion is, and then they will flock and write all sorts of stories about him) but there is something beyond the first impression you get of her. Perhaps things were a bit rushed, but I have seen far, far worse stories than this. Hopefully this next chapter will suit your tastes better? And it did not cause the day to be miserable, she reflected on the day with misery... A bit flamy, I suppose. Try to express what you disliked or thought was written wrong and also compliment things that you thought were well written. It makes the Author feel better.
Haldir's Heart and Soul- Ah, so it is proven that parents were evil, and still occasionally are. Betrothals were common, and this is just my version.
The Great White Emu- Umm, alright, I'll take that as meaning you liked it?
The next morning I awoke with the feeling that I had just had a horrible nightmare. Dread coursed through my body and forced me into sedateness. "I am betrothed to Eldarion," I said. The words were felt foreign on my tongue. And today, I reminded myself with bitter discomfort, it would be announced to the whole city.
I hardly noticed when my mother entered my room, talking in a cheery voice. She helped me pick out a gorgeous gown of white and gold. My mother kept talking while I dressed and brushed my hair. I had not yet met her gaze, knowing I could not bear it.
Suddenly, silence reigned. She had stopped talking, and, despite myself, I turned to look at her.
"Aralen, you are so quiet this morning. Are you upset with the arrangement?" I could not believe what she was saying.
"Mama, you tell me I am to marry a man I have only known for a day, and then you come and ask me if it makes me unhappy?" My voice was even and I struggled not to start crying again, as I had the night before.
I sat down on my bed, staring out the window, into the sky. I felt my mother sitting down next to me. She turned my face with a gentle hand, making me look at her.
"Aralen, you must understand. This is what your father and I believe to be best for you." Her voice was low, nearly apologetic. The motherly face looked sad and concerned.
"I'm sure that with time, you two will grow fond of each other." The suggestion made me look at her, questioning and unbelieving.
"Do you truly dislike him?" The next question made me look away, remembering an embarassing scene in the garden. "He laughed at me. No doubt he finds me selfish and conceited. I probably am." I glanced at her and saw she was smiling.
Suddenly merry laughter rang out across the room. I stared at her, mouth agape at this sudden outburst.
"I'm sorry, Aralen. I was just remembering the day you told me you would love to be a Queen." At this she burst out laughing again, trying to contain it.
After several minutes, she looked at me seriously once again. "Aralen, you will at least tolerate him." I nodded, resolving to try.
"When are we to be married?" I asked, hating to say it but knowing that I needed to ask. "We are giving you and Eldarion two month's time to become better acquainted." She smiled at me, but I could not smile back. I would be leaving my family, forever. Two months.
"Come. King Elessar wishes to make the announcement directly after breakfast." My mother took my hand and led me from the safety of my chambers.
I could not eat anything. I simply stared at my plate the whole time, trying to calm nervous butterflies in my stomach. I looked around the table. The King and my father were laughing about something, and my mother and the Queen were talking. Eldarion was not present, and for this I was extremely grateful.
He appeared just as we were leaving. I accepted the arm he offered and looked up at him. I now saw him not as the Prince who had laughed at me that day in the garden, but my husband-to-be. Eldarion resembled his father. He had a noble brow, and blue-grey eyes. His hair was a dark brown, nearly black and hung an inch or so above his broad shoulders. He was clearly a warrior.
My observations were cut short as he started talking. "Are you pleased with the arrangement?" He asked me. "Should I be?" I asked him, looking ahead.
"I thought you were infatuated with the idea of becoming a Queen," he said mockingly. This made me stop walking and glare up at him. His eyes were twinkling with a mixture of amusement and curiosity. "Who told you that?" I demanded, trying to remember anybody I had ever told.
I had told my mother, who had proceeded to tell my father. Then I had told Aunt Lothiriel on our visit to Edoras. Had my father told the King?
"Just a little something the King mentioned to me." He explained briefly, taking my arm and leading me the rest of the way. I was now quite certain that my father had told King Elessar, and my face burned with shock and embarassment.
We joined the King, Queen, and my parents in front of the White Tower. Before us, many nobles of Minas Tirith grouped, waiting to hear what tidings the King brought.
"Good people of the White City! Today is a day of celebration! My son, Prince Eldarion..." Here I could listen no more. I fell into my mind, figuring out thoughts and feelings. I don't want to marry him. I don't want to marry him! The thought became a chant in my mind, drumming in my ears.
"...and now, let us feast!" I was shaken out of my deep thinking and a soft hand came down upon my shoulder. I turned around and saw my mother and Queen Arwen. I curtsied to her and joined them as they followed their husbands to Merethrond, the Hall of Feasts.
A/N: Hope you all like this one as well!