Disclaimer: Don't own it.

A/N: Thanks to Runa Quill, LiL Pippin Padfoot, and Anonymous for their reviews. Runa, I don't know anything about the real ages that Gondorians are allowed to court, but I can see where you're coming from with the whole elven blood thing. Anonymous, not sure about Elvish, because I've seen it put both ways, but I do know that in Spanish the possessive pronoun is put before the noun, but the adjective is put after it. For example, 'white hat' would be 'sombrero blanco' but 'my hat' would be 'mi sombrero.' I can see how you could get that mixed up because I had to make sure before I corrected you.

Children of Men

Chapter Seven

"Pardon me, my lords," Lothiriel said, walking into the room where her husband, her cousin, and the King of Gondor were seated with Arwen and Éowyn.

"Be afraid, gentlemen, they are using formalities," Éomer cautioned.

"Be quiet, brother, wit is not a quality you possess," Éowyn informed.

"We would talk to you about your treatment of our daughters," Lothiriel said.

"Our daughters, madam?" Faramir asked, confused. "I don't recall you or your husband, my dear cousin, being involved in their conception."

"I think we would remember something like that," Aragorn agreed.

"Now, love, you know you shouldn't think, you might hurt yourself," Arwen stated. "But that's completely besides the point. Do you know what you are doing with your daughters?"

"What do you mean? We have done everything we could to protect them!" Faramir exclaimed, indignant that anyone would dare accuse him of mistreating his daughter.

"We give them everything they could ever want! We would do anything for them!" Aragorn put in.

"A gilded cage is still a cage," Lothiriel stated.

"We should know," Arwen said. "Why do you think I left Imladris for Lothlórien?"

"And why do you think I rode into battle?" Éowyn asked. "If you don't stop smothering them, you're going to lose them."

"One way or another," Arwen agreed.

"And if you were wise, you'd tell your sons the same thing," Lothiriel stated. The three gentlewomen then bowed gracefully, if a little sardonically, and walked out.

"I hate it when they're right," Éomer said in defeat.

"The sorry thing is, they usually are," Faramir remarked.

Aragorn nodded silently in agreement.

OoooOoooOoooOoooO

Aragorn stood outside his elder daughter's room, knowing both his furious daughters were in there. He took a deep breath, and summoned the courage to knock. "Elwing, Elenwë, I know you're in there. We need to talk."

"We don't want to talk to you!" an angry voice called out.

"I know I betrayed your trust, and I am sorry, but, please, don't make me talk to the door."

The door was reluctantly opened to reveal two surly, identical faces. The owners of said faces promptly turned and walked back into the room, leaving the door open for the apologetic father to follow them in.

"I am sorry, daughters," the contrite king said. "I know I was wrong in sending Legolas and Gimli after you, but in my defense, I was just trying to keep you safe."

"Ada, why can't you let us make our own mistakes?" Elenwë asked. "I know I've already made some, and I know that the lessons learned can come at a very high price, but they are ours to make."

"I know, but being your father, it's hard for me to just stand back…"

"You stood back for Eldarion," Elwing pointed out. "You shouldn't treat us differently just because we are girls. You and others have taught us to protect ourselves, and if we need help, we will not hesitate to ask for it. You must trust us."

"So I've been told. I won't promise you that I won't try to protect you, but I will promise that I will try to let you make your own mistakes, as long as the price isn't too high."

"That is all we ask, Ada," Elenwë said.

OoooOoooOoooOoooO

As the time approached for those who were not permanent residents of Minas Tirith to leave, the younger generation tried to make the most of their time together. They did not know when it would be that they would meet again. Hopefully, it would not be too long in coming…

Tbc…

I know, short, but I'm going to skip ahead a couple years, and I can't do that in one chapter! Things are about to get juicier. ;) But, alas, not for all of our couples. Next will be up soon!