A/N: So sorry for not updating in forever! I also have a few things to say. 1.) I'm sorry I didn't think more on the story before I posted it, because I would change a lot of things. I know its unrealistic that Eldarion and Aralen haven't met before, and that a betrothal for either one of them is very AU, but the whole premise is just a 'what if' story, so please don't bug me about that in reviews. Also, thanks to all my reviewers!

Disclaimer: I don't own Lord of the Rings. Never have, never will.

After our incident in the closet, things were pretty normal. It seemed that every day was to be spent either alone or in the company of Eldarion, and, occasionally, his younger sister Larien. My mother seemed to be busy planning the wedding, which inched closer every day. My father was occupied with matters of city and country, and I saw very little of either of them.

Eldarion and I had become friends, and had begun to open up to one another. I about my fears of becoming Queen, and, ironically, he about his worries of becoming King, and taking on the responsibility of the country and its people. He spoke with such passion when the conversation turned to Gondor;it was easy to see he loved his country.

I had found out, to my great relief, that all conflict perhaps rising in the West of Gondor had been settled. I didn't want anyone-especially my father-going where danger lurked.

I now spent a great deal of time in the gardens, which I had come to love. The rest of my day was spent reading in the small library and conversing with Eldarion, and often with Larien as well.

The only part of my day which did not seem routine was my talks with the Prince. We seemed to speak of nothing and everything all at once.

It was May 2nd. In a few short weeks I would be married. I could hardly believe we had been in Minas Tirith a month. At least the thought of marriage no longer made me sick. I liked Eldarion to be sure, but love, well, love was another matter.

I didn't love him. I would have known if I did. Love was a passion you felt renewed each day, never wilting like a flower without water. Love was this incredible sensation, and I could tell that my parents truly loved each other. By the same token, it was very plain that King Elessar and Queen Arwen loved each other.

I had just dressed and was about to leave for breakfast when my mother entered. It was strange having her around, as sight of her had been scarce the past few weeks. We talked a bit about what we had been doing, when she suddenly asked, "Do you know what tomorrow is?" I feared for a quick moment that I had forgotten some important occasion, but then I remembered. May 3rd was my birthday.

She answered the question before I had time to voice my reply. "Your birthday. 19 years. Such an occasion calls for celebration!" Now I knew where she was taking this.

I put a hand on her arm and we both stopped walking. "Mother, instead of some grand feast or some such thing, could we go back home? Just for a few days? I miss Ithilien so." It was a very chancy question, but I ached to see my home.

To my surprise, my mother agreed with me. "There's an idea. I'll go talk with your father. We shall most likely leave by dawn." And away she went, muttering to herself.

I grinned. Knowing my mother, there would be no "most likely". We would be leaving by dawn, and that was now plain fact.

The plans were finalized before the noon meal. My father said he had busiess he needed to attend to anyway, so there would be no problem. And, to my surprise, Eldarion announced that he would like to come as well. "If it is alright with Lady Aralen, of course."

I nodded my approval. It was strange to hear 'Lady Aralen'. Eldarion and I no longer used such formalities in each other's company. But it was proper, and I should've been used to being called "Lady" by now.

A/N: Oh, a trip! What shall happen now? They leave, obviously, the next day, on Aralen's 19th birthday. BTW, she and Eldarion are only some month's apart, he turns 20 soon.