A/N: Hey guys! Thanks for reviewing! Sorry it took so long for an update.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the original characters. I own the plot, as of now, though it will soon be used over and over...Oh well.

"I know the idea of marrying Prince Eldarion displeases you, Aralen, but you have to give yourself a chance to get to know him." My mother said as we walked back to my quarters. I sighed. I knew it was the truth, but though I was becoming resigned to the fact that I had to marry Eldarion, it was more the idea of an arranged marriage that seemed to hit me the wrong way.

My mother left me at my door as she hurried to help with feast preparations. I wondered why King Elessar had said 'Let us feast' iof it was not prepared, but it was no more than a thought in my mind and I truly did not care.

Knowing I could snatch a few hours to myself while everyone was busy preparing, I went down the hall silently. I could hear voices behind me and hurried on, lest I be spotted and dragged into come conversation I couldn't care less about.

I soon found myself in a small room, sunlight flooding in from the windows, casting rays of light on every wall, which were lined with shelves. I guessed that I was in a small library, no doubt where all the records of the city were kept. Taking down a volume that looked fairly new, I settled down in a chair and opened it.

After reading for a few moments I realized it was an account of the War of the Ring, which my parents rarely spoke of. Soon I was engrossed in the tale, of a Ring of Power and the Fellowship, which had set out from Rivendell to destroy it. The Fellowship had included my late uncle, Boromir, whom I had never met.

"I have read that many times," I jumped out of my chair and dropped the book, looking at the door to see Eldarion. I glared at him for disrupting me, though habit made me curtsy.

He came into the room and picked up the book, putting it back on the shelf. "Do you enjoy it?" Eldarion asked me. So shocked was I to find that we had something in common, that it took me a moment to reply. "Yes, my lord, I do. I've never actually heard the tale, my parents do not speak of it."

He nodded and I shifted uncomfortably, wanting to leave and be by myself again, as the sting of being laughed at remained fresh in my mind. I knew it was unlike me to hold a grudge, but it seemed easy, in this case.

We stood in silence for a while; Eldarion looking at me and my eyes staring at the floor. "May I ask you something, Lady Aralen?" Eldarion questioned. "Of course, my lord," I replied, forcing the words while wondering what he could possibly ask me.

"Would you like to walk in the gardens with me?" My face reddened as I remembered myself, tripping and falling onto the ground.

Dare I refuse? The thought came to my mind, but I pushed it aside, knowing that it was not a possible route.

"If you please, my lord, I would, if only I had your promise you wouldn't laugh at me again," I said slowly.

He looked at me curiously for a moment, then it dawned on him, and he looked apologetic. "It was inappropriate of me, my lady. I apologize. I'm sure I was not thinking." His voice seemed sincere, but I wasn't sure if I wanted to forgive him.

I took the arm he offered and he led me from the room, my mind buzzing with thoughts. Surely one of his parents told him he must get to know me, just as my mother told me I must get to know him, was the main one, and by the time I reached the gardens, I was quite sure of it.

We weaved our way among the paths, both of us remaining silent. The idea of marrying this man-though perhaps he was not as arrogant as I had once thought him- had not yet become familiar, and I struggled with thinking that I would be bound to him; I would be Queen of Gondor, and would produce heirs.

I realized that the feast would not start for several hours yet, and wondered what I would do to fill in this unexpected extra time.

I heard Eldarion take a deep breath, as if he was going to say something, but silence reigned for the next few moments, until, finally, he spoke.

"Do you like horses?" It was possibly the most unexpected question, but I smiled, glad that the awkward silence had been broken.

"Yes, I do, very much. Why do you ask?" I replied, looking up at him. He shrugged. "I just suspected you might, as your mother is from Rohan." I nodded. "Well, my mother does love horses, but my Uncle Eomer cares the most about them." This launched a conversation about my Uncle Eomer, Aunt Lothiriel, and my cousin, Elfwine. I found it easy to talk with Eldarion, even though I barely knew him.

The conversation took a sudden turn to our betrothal, beginning with Eldarion asking me how I felt about it.

I took a deep breath. "Well, I had not expected a betrothal, seeing as how my mother values freedom so much, and the fact that my parents married because they loved each other, . So did King Elessar and Queen Arwen," I pointed out. "I suppose I have always had a girlish dream that I would marry for love as well."

"I had not expected it either. Little hints here and there made me suspicious, but I thought that I would be betrothed to someone I had at least seen before," Eldarion said.

The thought came to me like a sudden wave hitting me. Eldarion and I are in the exact same position.

We talked of many things after that, until I was called by my mother to get ready for the feast. Eldarion took my hand and kissed it, and the contact made my stomach flutter. I smiled at him and made my way back to my room, thoughts dwelling on Eldarion and the coming feast.

A/N: This chapter took me FOREVER to write, so reward my hard work! Please review!