Chapter 3

Arwen took a deep breath as she lifted the fruit bowl and tried to imagine what mischief her husband could possibly have in store for her next. She had been all round the city that morning on his bidding, though the day was turning out to be full of surprises.

Firstly she had visited the market stand where he had asked her to go, where a man gave her a tiny silver key, and a piece of parchment detailing the next place the king wanted her to go. On her way, a kind-faced lady had asked her for her opinion on some dress materials, and then her preference on colours for some beautiful silks. When she reached the next market stall, a young woman sprayed her with different scents, asking for her comments, then instructed her to go to the palace garden where someone would be waiting for her (and she didn't need three guesses as to whom that was). However on the way home, Éowyn 'accidentally' ran into her and they ended up talking for the best part of half an hour about how Faramir had got drunk at his birthday celebration and embarrassed his wife with talk of- well, things that should remain strictly between a couple. The Shieldmaiden of Rohan asked a lot of questions about Arwen's day that made it seem to the Elf that she knew more about it that she was letting on.

So finally, two hours after she got up, Arwen arrived at the palace gardens confused, tired and in need of her husband's embrace. But he was nowhere to be seen. She walked through the archways of climbing plants, her Elven senses picking up sweet smell of bread and fruit not too far away. When she arrived at the smaller, more secluded section of their gardens, she saw a sight that melted her heart.

Aragorn watched his wife walk towards him, surprise lighting her beautiful face. He smiled and motionned her over, taking her into his arms as soon as he could. "Good afternoon," he said, watching her eyes widen as she took in the meal he had prepared.

She met his gaze, her eyes sparkling. "It just got better," she smiled, pressing a kiss to his lips.

He grinned at her and indicated her seat at the stone table, sitting down opposite her. "Wine?"

She nodded, unable to take her eyes off him. She could already feel her heart beginning to race a little, her body becoming less and less immune to the tanned skin of his chest, his dark eyes and beautiful smile. "Estel?"

"Yes?" He asked as he put fruit, bread and meat onto their plates.

"Have you been running?"

He looked at her, eyebrows raised. "Running?"

She shook her head, silently laughing to herself - this was going to sound ridiculous. "Maybe I'm just imagining it, but all day I've had the feeling you've been watching me, as if to learn something from what I did. And I've had the strangest day: people asking me my opinion on certain things, a man handing me a key, strange messages leading me around the city." She allowed him to feed her a grape. "You can't tell me you weren't behind those."

He just smiled and slipped another grape between her sweet lips, wishing suddenly it could be his tongue instead. He stood and held out his hand for hers, which she accepted without a word, their meal forgotten. She followed him across to the rose garden, where the red flowers climbed high along the walls, leading to a secluded area which overlooked the city. Aragorn wrapped his arms around his wife's waist and a mischievous glint came to his eye.

Everything was going to plan: she had, unknowingly, completed all the tasks he had set and, apart from thinking she'd imagined something, hadn't come anywhere close to guessing what he was up to. Now it was time for the final part, the part that ensured she'd never again question where his sense of romance was.

He nuzzled his nose against hers as she questionned him about his day, mesmirised so completely by her that he was hardly able to listen, even if he'd wanted to. "Oh, I didn't do much really," he said, feeling her hands burn his chest as she sneaked them under his shirt and gathering all his strength to do what he had to do next.

When her lips brushed his, he knew there was no way he could pull away from her just then, and instead let her kiss him with the passion that lay deep in her heart. Eventually they broke apart for breath, and he kissed her softly before drawing away from her. His mind protested every step he took, but what he had in store next would never let her question him again.

"I've got something to sort out in court," he lied, trying not to let her hurt look change his mind about going. "I won't be long." As he turned to leave he said, "Look under the fruit bowl," before disappearing through the roses.

Arwen picked up the piece of parchment that had been lying under the bowl and sighed. Less than ten minutes ago she had been happily wrapped up in the arms of the man she loved, and now he was sending her off on another mystery trail. For what else could it be when the only clue read, "Lilac flowers"?

To Be Continued

sorry it's short but at least its here! I wrote this whole chapter, then decided it wasn't very good and deleted it and started again...

This morning I got an Anonymous review for one of my stories which I thought was very rude and it upset me a bit. I deleted it cause it was anonymous, and if someone's going to be rude about my fics I'd rather they would give me the oppurtunity to contact them and reply, but this individual didn't so that's what happened. Basically I want to say I write fanfiction for fun because I enjoy it, and if you don't that's fair enough, but please don't slag me off about it. thank you.

Anyways, sorry about that, here are the thanks:

cerridwen: ok, so I completely changed the ideas around, but I wrote that other idea and it just wasn't right.... did you have fun in Hawaii?? ::bitch:: joke! I'm just jealous cause I was stuck here and you get to go to the cool hot places! :D

Valia-Elf: 16 pairs of socks? I can't beat that, I only got 6... never mind, I shall put on a brave face! you think I find 'bloody' offensive? Claire, have you or have you not spoken to me for months and witnessed the full extent of my so-foul-an-orc-would-be-proud mouth?! lol! hehe! one other thing - WE HAVE THE SAME JIGSAWS!!!

viviana: its ok, I got your email eventually!! I'm so glad you like all my new fic ideas! I hope you like this... Aragorn and Arwen forever!

FireOpal: consequences.... woooo!!! oh yes, Hanana Banana all the way... even her dad calls me it!!!

ME132: I don't think anyone could replace you... though I did notice the distinct lack of capital letters in that review.... and it's freakin me out..... ::shivers:: lol! Its about to get a whole lot more exciting and, lets just say steamy soon... in more ways than one!

ArwenElfstone: heylo stranger, long time no speak! its ok, dont worry about it! glad you're liking it so far!!

NghtOwl113: thank you!!! I read your lorien fic, v good!!! ;)

Loony Daidouji: aw no, 3 weeks?! poor you! ok let me know and we'll talk about it!!

Voldie On Varsity track: I'm not even gonna ask what that was all about!! And what's wrong with the Queen of England's right foot I wonder...??!

HUGE thanks aswell to: Aebbook, Aragorn waits for Arwen, lindahoyland, Liregon, Strider's Girl, Dark Lady Arantraneth and Silmarwen Elensar - I'm glad you like it!!