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Annuminas

Being away from her parents for so long, Gilraen felt that there was something missing between her and them. She did not tell them of Radagast and of her visions as she felt it was a part of her world they did not belong in. Lord Celeborn, on the other hand, was whom she felt most comfortable with in discussing these matters. He had an understanding that was beyond what Gilraen considered were her parent's abilities. Besides, she felt that the King and Queen had enough to worry over without the added burden of Gilraen's visions.

As the travelers came closer to Annuminas, they also would occasionally come across groups of wandering elves who always came to greet Lord Celeborn when they made camp. Lord Celeborn knew many of them and introduced them to Gilraen.

"Why do they wander?" Gilraen asked her grandfather one evening. "Why do they not live at a haven?"

"They prefer it that way. They do stay at havens at times, visiting kin, but they make no where their permanent home. They travel undetected by other races most times. If there had been no elves in our numbers, then they would not have made themselves known."

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Hidden among the trees on a hillside, a man watched the royal procession approaching Annuminas in the afternoon sun. His eyes studied the King, the one who ruled this land from afar. He knew the king was coming. They all were expecting him. Annuminas had been preparing for weeks for this day. They hung bright banners and beautiful garlands of flowers along the main gate to the city. All the streets were swept and all made clean and clear for the arrival of the King and Queen. This would be the first time they had seen the rebuilt capital and the Dunedain the King had put in charge were very proud of their accomplishments.

The man now scanned the rest of the party arriving. There were so many of them. He saw that the King had brought along a large number of guards, but he also noticed a number of elves. Elves! The man spat on the ground. The elves always thought they were so much better than men, he thought. "Look at them," he grumbled, "sitting like they rule the earth!"

As he scanned the crowd, his eyes caught on someone familiar. "That girl!" he thought, surprise widening his eyes. So perhaps she wasn't a nobody after all, he reasoned. He thought back to that day when he had her pinned underneath his body, how soft she was, how good she had smelled. He stood there now, hidden in the trees, thinking of her and he felt his body fill with desire.

"I will have you, my flower, just you wait," he promised himself.

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Trumpets blared and people cheered as they made their first entrance into the gates of Annuminas. The King was pleased to see so many happy faces. He knew the seat of his Kingdom was in Gondor, but his heart had always been here, in the northern lands of his youth. Old friends, Dunedain rangers he had ridden with in the past waited for him on the main courtyard. When the King dismounted, they embraced warmly and greeted the Queen.

Lord Raynard stood before the King now, proud to show his accomplishments. Aragorn had put him in charge of the rebuilding of Annuminas as he was one of his oldest friends. Now he would serve as the Steward of the North Kingdom and he was pleased to see the Dunedain had a kingdom once again. All the Dunedain felt the same. Before he was King, Aragorn had been their Chieftain, though he did not really want that title either. The Dunedain were proud that one of their own, a northerner, now ruled such a vast land.

"We have much festivities planned tonight in welcome," Lord Raynard announced. "After the feast tonight, there shall be a ball in honor of your majesties."

Gilraen and Teslan looked at each other in excitement. A ball! Immediately their minds flew to what they could wear. The two girls put their heads together, whispering in excitement as they followed the parade of people into the main tower of the new city. Fireal walked behind them looking around. She had never been to a city of men. It seemed very grand to her elven eyes but it seemed all manmade and lacked the flow of nature she was used to.

Elfwine had decided to follow the grooms who had come to take the horses to the stables. He wanted to make sure the horse accommodations were good enough and he did not trust strangers with his stallion. He made sure his wishes were known to the grooms in regards to the care of his horse. When all seemed tolerable, he made his way back towards the tower, looking around at the marvel of a new city. The cobbled streets were freshly set and the buildings were not more than two stories high in all directions, except for the King's tower. It sat shining in it's white marble glory, colorful flags fluttering in the wind and banners unfurled from it's windows.

"How do you like it?" a servant said next to him. Elfwine looked over at the young man next to him.

"It is glorious indeed," Elfwine replied.

"I'm Hals by the way," the servant said, making a small nod in greeting.

"Elfwine of Rohan," the prince replied.

The eyes of Hals grew wide and he took a deeper bow, "Pardon me my Lord, I did not realize whom I was speaking to. I would not have greeted you so lightly if I'd known."

Elfwine gave a small smile, "Do not worry so much. I realize my travel robes have become tattered. I hardly recognize myself sometimes." Elfwine saw that Hals was still upset with himself. "Please Hals, I would prefer you as before. I do not care for such bowing and scraping."

Hals still was not quite consoled. "Yes my Lord."

"Would you happen to know where I would be housed? It would be nice to have a wash and change," Elfwine asked.

Hals brightened up at the request. "Yes my Lord, I mean, I do not know exactly myself, but I can take you to the Steward's wife. She has made all the living arrangements."

"Very well, good Hals, led the way," Elfwine replied and followed the servant inside.

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Gilraen had rested in her room for about an hour at the insistence of Fireal. "If you are to stay up late for this ball, you must have your rest," Fireal had told her. It was now late afternoon and the festivities were not due to start for another two hours. Gilraen was beside herself with excitement and she did not feel like resting anymore. Her feet wanted to move and dance! She decided she would have a look around the city for an hour or so to fill the time before.

Fireal told her before she left, "Do not be gone too long, my Lady. We will need time to prepare you for tonight." Gilraen promised to be back soon and left her room, feeling light as air as she practically skipped down the tower stairs and through the main hall. There was no one about except for servants and Gilraen wondered where everyone had gone. Probably looking at the new city as well, she told herself.

The atmosphere seemed so different here than it did at the elf havens. Life seemed more dynamic and time moved faster. Gilraen felt the excitement of this change and tried to remember if Minas Tirith ever felt this way.

Out the large oaken double doors she walked and into the sunlight gleaming brightly against the white tower. She shielded her eyes for a moment while they adjusted to the brightness and looked around at the courtyard. She tried to decide which direction she should be off to first. The path to the left led off towards the new stables and the one to the right led to Lake Evendim. Straight ahead lay the city, bustling with activity.

"Where are you off to?" a voice behind her asked.

Gilraen jumped in surprise and turned to see a smiling Elfwine behind her.

"I can't decide," she answered. "Where are you going?"

"To check on the horses again," he laughed. "I know it seems I worry overmuch over them, but horses are in my blood." He looked at her face. She seemed so light hearted and happy today. "Would you like to come with me? You can see the new stables that way."

She smiled up at him. "Alright, left it is then." They made their way over to the stalls and Gilraen noticed that her mare had been placed in the stall next to Elfwine's horse. The two horses seemed very happy about the situation as they were twining their necks together in what seemed like a hug. Gilraen let out a small laugh. "I think romance is in the air."

Elfwine looked at her and said, "I think so too." Gilraen looked at him now, his intense stare boring into her. She moved her gaze quickly away.

"I would like to see the lake next, I think," she said nervously.

"Then why don't we take …. Will you ride him with me Gilrean?" Elfwine asked her now.

Gilrean was amazed. Elfwine had never let anyone on his horse before, so protective of it was he. "Alright," she replied, excited to finally get to sit atop that magnificent stallion.

Elfwine fastened the saddle and climbed atop holding out his hand for Gilraen. Gilraen took his hand, put her foot in the stirrup and climbed on in front of Elfwine. She realized now that perhaps she shouldn't have agreed to this. Her backside was now pressed against the front of Elfwine and his arms were extended on both sides of her as he held the reigns. The heat of his body seeped into her and she could no longer enjoy the scenery they were passing along the pathway. All she could think about was how Elfwine felt and how he smelled. It was a pleasant smell of leather and pipe and something else that she couldn't figure out.

Elfwine had trouble concentrating himself. Having Gilraen pressed so close, smelling the sweet floral scent of her soft hair right under his nose. He was glad his horse was so intelligent and stayed on the path despite it's rider's questionable steering. He closed his eyes and took deep breathes of her scent, wanting desperately to be able to bury his face in her beautiful tresses and find that soft neck to kiss. He did not know how much longer his control could hold, he knew he was so in love with her.

Gilraen could sense the thick tension between them and when they passed a lovely strand of trees near the lakeside she said, "Let's stop here for a moment. It's so nice." She quickly slid off the horse and took some steps towards the lake, glimmering in the setting sun. She could feel that Elfwine had gotten off the horse as well and was now standing directly behind her, his heat once again penetrating her space.

"Gilraen?" Elfwine said in a gruff voice. She felt his hands on the sides of her arms as he lightly caressed her.

Gilraen felt the touch of his hands like a hot bath on a cold day. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the wonderful sensation of being touched in such a way, warming her inside and making her heart flutter faster. But then he turned her around to look right into his face.

One of his hands came up to her chin, his thumb lifting her jaw gently upwards while his fingers caressed her cheek.

"Gilraen," he whispered her name reverently as he lowered his face to hers, kissing her soft, sweet lips for the first time.

Gilraen felt that she would fall on the ground, so powerful was the feeling of his lips on hers, her legs felt without strength. Elfwine seemed to sense this and he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her even closer while he deepened their kiss.

Alarms went off in her head when she felt the strength of Elfwine's body pressed against hers and she knew that she had to end this kiss because he never would. Yet, something inside her did not want the kiss to end, a part of her that enjoyed very much the feel of Elfwine and the marvel of his lips on hers.

She placed her hands on his arms and pushed lightly away. He let her go easily, knowing that he would not want to push her past her limits. His heart was satisfied enough that at last he had kissed the one girl in the world that he ever loved. He was breathing heavily and a smile formed on his lips as he noticed the same flushed expression on her face as well. He reached up a hand to stroke a strand of her hair that had fallen forward and put it back into it's place.

"We should return now," Gilraen said, looking shyly at the ground.

Elfwine got back on his horse, once again holding out his hand to Gilraen. She mounted once again in front of him. This time, however, she did not feel so nervous. This time she sighed and relaxed, leaning a little more back into Elfwine. He smiled, feeling on top of the world, reveling in having Gilraen in his arms. This time he did put his face into her hair and kissed the back of her neck gently. Gilraen turned her face towards him afterwards, looking into his eyes which were shining with happiness towards hers.

When they reached the door of the tower, he stopped the horse to let Gilraen off. "Will you save me some dances at the ball?" he asked.

Gilraen looked back at him before she entered the hall, "Of course." She turned and left him outside. Stopping when she was out of his view, she clasped her hands together, moving them nervously. Now what? She wondered. Could she love Elfwine? But she loved Legolas as well. She reached up to touch her lips where the feel of Elfwine still lingered. Never had anything felt so wonderful as that kiss!

Just then Fireal was coming down the stairs towards her. "My Lady, you must come and get prepared. There is much to do."

The maid's words startled her out of her thoughts and she nodded distractedly. What would the evening bring? She wondered.

What indeed? LOL Please review this chapter. Thanks!