Disclaimer: Don't own it, never did.

A/N: Don't kill me! I've never given this story up! I just hadn't wrote in a while. My life has been a little hectic lately. You may thank Evendim for me writing on this story again. Her stories have renewed my interest in LotR, not that it ever really diminished, it just was put on a back-burner compared to other fandoms. Oh, and someone pointed out a couple of mistakes to me, I can't remember who because I have a terrible memory and I'm not online at the moment, but they said that Elenwë was Quenya and at the time, Quenya couldn't be used as names or whatnot. Well, the same thing with what I said about Turgon, I'm not gonna change it now because I've already been writing with it, but I thank you anyway for the information. Also, they said that I was wrong in my use of the term Crown Prince. That information is incorrect. Although I appreciate it, I believe the term your thinking of is Prince Consort, who would be someone who marries a queen. A Crown Prince is the first in line for the throne. For example, in Ever After, the Cinderella-like movie that I know most of you have probably seen, the queen yells after Henry and says that he is the "Crown Prince of France." Same basic principle. BTW, I was disappointed that nobody commented on the two figures following the royal children. Oh well, on with the story!

Children of Men

Chapter Six

Eldarion smiled softly as he looked around at those he considered family as they chatted and laughed while eating. He would do anything to protect any of them. There was Elwing, his strong, steady sister, and then her twin, Elenwë, the unpredictable free spirit. His shield brothers came next— Turgon, mild, intelligent, but fierce, determine, and strong when the occasion called for it, and Elfwine, wild and strong, like the horses of his land, somewhat impulsive, but not to an unforgivable degree. And then there was Lauriel…

They had both agreed that it was best to keep the details of their relationship hidden, especially from their families. They weren't doing anything dishonorable; Eldarion would never forgive himself if he brought any kind of dishonor upon that angel's glorious head. However, Lord Faramir did edict that none may court his daughter until she came of age at eighteen, and although they weren't technically courting, the Steward of Gondor would certainly not think about technicalities when it came to his little girl. Come to think of it, neither would Turgon and Elfwine, which is why they had both decided to keep it secret…

Flashback - Lauriel's Sixteenth Birthday Ball

Eldarion waited for the perfect opportunity to steal Lauriel away from the crowd. He couldn't be too obvious about it; there was no way he was going to explain his intentions to her father, or his father, for that matter.

At last, the perfect chance came, and he managed to steer her into an abandoned hallway shielded quite well from any onlookers.

"My prince," she said coyly, dipping her head in respect.

The little imp was teasing him. Since when had she concerned herself with formalities when in private? Or had she? When thinking back, he realized that there had always been a barrier of decorum between them, her calling him lord and him calling her lady. Her brother and cousin had no such reserve, and she had it not with his sisters. Why then was it between them?

"My lady," he whispered, tilting her head back up with two fingers, "there should be no such formalities between those who have been friends since birth such as us. It is Eldarion."

She smiled. "If that is how you please, Eldarion, it is Lauriel to you."

"That it is, my dear Lauriel."

"Now," she said mischievously, "what is it you bring me out to speak about, Eldarion?"

'Don't lose your nerve now, you foolish boy!' his mind screamed at him. He smiled somewhat nervously and began, "Lauriel, these past years I have thought of you as a third younger sister, the missing triplet of my own dear sisters. Lately, however, that has changed. My heart has changed things, making me feel things for you that are certainly not brotherly. What I am trying to say is that I am in love with you, Lauriel, daughter of the House of Hurin."

At the end of his speech, Lauriel's eyes were threatening to overflow. She found her voice and whispered, "I have always be in love with you, Eldarion Telcontar, and I always shall be."

With that said, they shared their first and, as they agreed later, last kiss. For although they pledged themselves to each other, they would honor the decree set by her father and wait until she was eighteen.

End of Flashback

And what a long wait it promised to be.

OoOoOoOoO

Two figures watched on as the unaware group ate their meal. The shorter of the two looked on hungrily.

"Why are we just sitting here?" he asked grumpily.

"Because those are our orders," the other said exasperated.

"Since when does he give us orders?"

"Weren't you the one who initially agreed with him?"

"Yes, but I had no idea it would get this dull this soon, and that it would last this long…" he said, again eying the group with hunger.

"Patience, my friend, patience."

Just then a loud rumble was heard…

OoOoOoOoO

"Did you hear that?" Elenwë asked the others, looking toward the bushes where it came from.

"Yeah," Eldarion said, rising to his feet and unsheathing his sword. Turgon and Elfwine also rose— Turgon with an arrow notched and Elfwine with his sword out as well.

"Turgon," Eldarion whispered. "Fire."

Turgon released his arrow, which then shot straight into the bush.

"Arrrrrrghh!" Gimli shouted. "What are you trying to do boy? Kill me?"

"It's your own fault," Legolas said, stepping out of the bushes as well. "It was your stomach."

"I can't believe him!" Elenwë shouted. "I can't believe Ada sent you two to look after us!"

"After he promised to let us go without guards!" Elwing agreed.

"He's just looking out for your well-being," Legolas argued.

"He is smothering us! Eldarion is no better!" Elwing accused.

"Why am I being put into this?" Eldarion asked but was paid no mind.

"My ladies, you have to understand that it wasn't just you that we were looking after and that…" Gimli tried to say.

"My father sent you too, then," Lauriel stated.

"Why do all of you who claim to care for us wish to suppress us so?" Elwing asked.

"We are not children," Elenwë stated. "We can take care of ourselves."

"Which you demonstrated quite clearly the other night!" Eldarion put in, and instantly regretted it when her eyes filled with tears. She turned and ran to her horse. In one quick move, she was astride and riding away. Elwing and Lauriel both glared daggers at the men, and followed after her.

They all looked after the three girls, each knowing that he should have done something differently.

"Well," Legolas deadpanned. "That went well."