A/N: An unexpected surprise, and I'm totally skipping the journey because it would be extremely BORING, as in 'They travelled on, stopped for a quick rest, got back 'on the road again' and blah blah blah' And as I'm sure you don't want to read that, I'm picking up this chapter the first morning in their house in Emyn Arnen...And I wasn't sure if they would've used any type of wagon or anything, because, lets face it, I'm no expert, so I have them all riding...And I'm not an expert on Emyn Arnen or Ithilien, no one can claim that, I wasn't sure if there were any streams, since there is NOT a lot of info on it, so I added some.

Disclaimer: I do so tire of these. Why do I even bother? If I did own Lord of the Rings, I'd be in the ground and would be unable to type this. But here we go: I DON'T OWN LORD OF THE RINGS.

It had not even taken us a day to get to our house, and still the journey had seemed to last a year. My father had insisted I ride next to my mother the entire way, while the men rode up ahead of us. And I had found out a most surprising bit of news while we chatted.

"Ah, my girl, we are almost home." Home. The word meant the house in Ithilien, where I had grown up, spent all my days there. But soon it would mean somewhere else, a strange building in a large city. I remembered the room in the enormous building built for the King and his kin, the gardens, the White Tower, the Hall of Feasts, the linen closet.

"Aralen, I have something to tell you," My mother's voice cut in on my thoughts. "I haven't told your father because I'm not sure, and I'm also not sure what he would think about it," She paused and looked down at the ground, as if searching for what to say next. "About what?" I prompted. She looked up at me, then ahead and around us, to make sure no one could hear us.

"Aralen, you might be an older sister soon," She finally let out. That was a shocker. I didn't know what to say. "You mean a baby?" I sputtered out. She nodded and smiled. "Can you believe it? A woman my age?" My mother seemed the tiniest bit worried. "A baby," I breathed. "That's wonderful! Oh, don't worry, Mama, Father will be happy about it too,"

We rode the rest of the way in silence, each lost in our own thoughts.

I woke that morning in my own bed and room, and an incredible peace swept over me. I was home, for however short a time that may be. I was content to lay there for several minutes, thinking of the last month and the month to come. The wedding. A few weeks left with my family. Then I would be bound to the future King of Gondor, for all of my days.

I finally dressed and went down familiar hallways and stairs until I reached the dining room, where I found my parents and Eldarion sitting patiently and talking-waiting for me, without a doubt.

I took my seat quickly as servants filled our plates and glasses. The meal was taken in silence, the only noise the occasional touch of silverware against glass.

Eldarion and I left my parents alone finishing their breakfast after half an hour had passed. Eldarion had asked me to show him around. There was not a lot to see: there was the stables, the house, and the garden where flowers were in full bloom. I looked out at the hills of Emyn Arnen and the few streams surrounding our home.

One stream in particular held the promise of happiness and joy, one I had splashed in when I was younger. "Come, Eldarion, I want to show you something."

"It's a stream, Aralen." He said plainly when we reached it. I nodded. "Yes, it is. I used to play in it all the time when I was younger." I smiled as memories flashed through my mind, visions of carefree days when nothing worried me at all, when I was free to do almost anything I wanted.

"Should we bring back those days?" He asked me. I looked at him curiously, wondering what he meant, but I didn't have time to respond.

With a mischievious grin he took my arm and leapt into the water, taking me with him. We landed with a loud-and wet-splash, the cool spring water quickly drenching both of us.

Eldarion was laughing outright, and soon he had me laughing as well as we splashed each other.

We finally climbed out, water dripping from both of us and my soaked gown clinging to my body. "That really wasn't funny," I said with mock anger, sitting down on a rock and wringing out my hair. "Perhaps not," he answered, grey eyes twinkling. "But it was fun." He sat down next to me, smiling.

"I have to admit that I haven't had much fun since we went to Minas Tirith," I said, smiling. "Not that being locked in a closet wasn't an adventure," I added with a grin. "Oh, yes, the old tradition. Perhaps we shall promise one of our children in marriage and then lock them in a closet," he teased. I quickly shook my head.

"Never. And if we did, your reaction to their payback would most likely be very similar to my father's," I added. Eldarion seemed to consider this for a moment.

Then he kissed me. It was a real kiss, full of feeling, not one meant to tease my parents and repay them for locking us in a closet. I broke away after a moment and stood. "We should get back," I said.

Eldarion stood as well. "Race you!" He cried, and began running off. I gathered a handful of my wet gown and ran after him, our laughter mixing together as we raced back.

Afterwards, when I was upstairs changing, a smile still on my face, I reflected on what had happened that morning. I also considered my feelings for Eldarion. Was I really growing to love him? He was playful and yet serious, and he loved his country and family deeply. And he would take care of me.

A/N: I hope you liked it, I figured we needed a little more playful fun.

Answers to Reviewers:(Though not many have reviewed the past few chapters)

Haldir's Heart and Soul: I hope this will suffice for humour at present.

thayzel: I'm glad you reviewed again and that you enjoyed the closet trick. I spent a lot of time on that, trying to make it as unique as possible.

Carefreequill: Thanks for your support and for your reviews!