Author's Note; Hi folks! I've settled back from Spain very nicely – cheers to everyone who wished me a nice break, as your wish materialised! Things are still as mad as ever around, but in a better way now – that's my excuse for the long time it's taken me to update! (though I do have chapt. 4 of 'The Birthday Boy', so I haven't been TOO lazy:-) At this point, I'd like to say that I will continue to publish my responses to the reviewers, as they often point out important aspects to my fic and gives me a chance to answers some questions and clear up mistakes.

Lemar2RedFox; It am so thrilled you are still with me on this, and hope that will continue to be the case! My apologies for it taking so long to update- my 'excuse' is above! LOL!

TeZukAb0ch0u; Well, hold on to your seat 'cos it's about to get more interesting! YAY! I am delighted that you too are still reading!

Lindahoyland; Well hun, it's you I must thank for all the info you've been so generous with – on Ioreth and all! You've been so helpful (and inspiring!) I am chuffed that you found the characters to be realistic :-) I promise Faramir will feature somewhere soon! Hope your chapt. will be up today! x

Sarahbarr17; What a thoughtful, sweet review! Firstly let me thank you for your sympathy and all! Again, I'm so glad that you too are finding aspects to be realistic. It's something I'm very conscious of….and the dialogue….though stuff! But seeing that it's appreciated is so encouraging! Again, you've hit a few important spots , regarding Aragorn's healing (that is much of what Arwen was referring to!) and secrecy with Eldarion's dreams. It's a joy replying to you dear, let us Ireland islanders stick together, right? LOL! Thanks for all your reviews thus far (and for venturing on to 'The Birthday Boy') x

RS; Hun, would you believe, I've finally got round to mailin' you:-) I am delighted that you liked my description of the Houses of Healing – it was hard to do without my ROTK EE DVD to reference! sniff And you also loved Ioreth….yay! As I'm not a Mom, I find it hard writing the children's characters, but you cannot imagine my relief and pride when you related to Eldarion's refusing to go the the Houses of Healing, for fear of medicine. (Hee hee – I can imagine your lil LOTR buddy's objecting – I'll bet he's a lively lil mite!) And yep, it looks like Aragorn and Arwen are now forced to realise the seriousness of the past few weeks!... Thanks for your ever-faithful reviews sweetie xx

Grumpy123; Well, poor lil Eldarion is about to be done with any luck he has had! Moohahahahahaaaaa ahem – sorry :-) And nope, it really seems that Aragorn and Arwen might as well stay awake forever! And thanks for your very inspiring review for 'The Birthday Boy' – hope you get a chance to pop down to read chapter 4! LOL!

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Chapter 6 – The final coincidence

The guards' calls echoed in his drowsy ears and as soon their alarm registered, Aragorn jolted upright. Beside him, Arwen made a similar gesture and without haste, they leapt out from the blankets, eager to find what exactly was taking place.

After grabbing their nightgowns, Aragorn quickly pulled the large chamber door open, and he and his wife were greeted by ready-armed guards.

"Your Majesty, someone has been in Prince Eldarion's chamber," Telion informed swiftly. His impetuous, nervous manner was mirrored by those accompanying him, causing the King and Queen's panic to increase. As Aragorn bid to speak, he was stopped by the sound of loose mail and running soldiers which echoed along the hall.

"We have found no one……" a group of three reported, arriving briskly from the left.

Another few approached the doorway from the right, also in a state of excitement, "We can see none roaming the corridors," one remarked.

Scarcely able to make sense of the situation, Aragorn fought to hold his composure. In order to obtain some calm amongst the chaos, he half raised his hands gently. "Tell me what has happened, Telion."

Still apprehensive, the tall, slim man stood rigid, "Sire, Cerran and Agrad were on duty outside the children's chambers. There was nothing to lead them to suspect an intruder had entered these quarters, but moments ago - at approximately three and thirty - they heard some commotion within the Prince's room…."

"What sort of commotion?"

"As if one were searching for something inside," Cerran said, stepping forward, "whoever entered searched through the bed, and came and left through the window."

Too often, the guards were dramatic, but taken aback with the serious notification, Aragorn was desperate to investigate the matter. "How can you be sure?"

"After you informed us, Sire, that the Prince would not be here tonight, both Agrad and I thought it odd when we heard noise in the Prince's chamber. Upon opening the door, we saw that the bed was mussed and the top of the right window was open."

"Are Elraen and Sadriel alright?" Arwen asked in alarm.

"Yes my Lady, Luca is with them……"

Unable to deny worry any longer, Aragorn began to act. Whilst making his way to his children's chambers, he reviewed the situation. "Have the other guards in the Palace yet been informed of the disturbance?"

"Yes, Your Majesty, I have sent word," Telion replied, nearly running as he tried to keep up with the King's furious pace.

"What of the men outside?"

"Yes Sire, they are scouting the grounds as we speak."

"Are the City gates now closed?"

"They will be momentarily, my Lord."

Once he felt proper security was in motion, Aragorn went to see his daughters. With Arwen by his side, they entered the girls' dwelling, and were relieved to see that they were both safe under Luca's guard.

"Ada, Naneth, what is the matter?" Elraen sleepily asked, lifting herself as she wiped her eyes. In the bed across from hers, Sadriel lay still in a peaceful asleep.

"Do not worry darling, we are just taking some precautionary measures," Arwen softly whispered, sitting at her eldest daughter's bedside.

"Did you happen to hear anything strange tonight?" Aragorn spoke lightly, taking special care not cause her any fright.

Elraen answered to having heard nothing. They had been sleeping soundly until some guards had come into their room, chattering excitedly and woke her. "Tell me what has happened…." Elraen begged, unconvinced that the tension was due to simple 'precautionary measures'.

The King looked to Arwen before deciding to answer. "We are just wondering if someone has heard of your brother staying in the Houses of Healing. Tell us, have you told anyone of it? Or maybe Sadriel let it slip? We will not be cross……."

"No Ada," came the reply, "we had promised not to."

Feeling weight lift from his shoulders, Aragorn released a heavy breath. "I take your words. I wish you now to rest, my princess. Sleep well….." he whispered, kissing her and Sadriel's brow before motioning to leave.

As he stepped outside the chamber, Arwen came to follow him. The worry returned to her delicate face as she began to speak. "Do you think someone could have gone to the Houses of Healing…..that they could have entered his room there?"

Taking her tightened hands in his, Aragorn answered his wife with comfort. "I do not think so. We have told no one of his staying there, save our carriage rider. This tonight may still be a mere breech of security or a simple mishap," he said, preferring to believe that was the case. "there are many beggars and thieves yet in the city. Let us not worry, for it will do no good. I will go seek our son and you must remain with the girls. The guards will stand outside here and throughout the halls in my stead, so that you may sleep easy."

Finding herself eased with his words, Arwen returned to rest with their daughters. Aragorn made for his carriage and the Houses of Healing, but not before looking into Eldarion's room. Indeed, someone had disturbed there.

As he travelled from the Palace to the seventh tier of the city, the King kept a mindful watch whilst riding along the near-empty streets. He did not encounter anyone suspicious in the dim moonlight, though it was perhaps easy for one to hide should they want to. It was better not to become so worried and agitated over the night's occurrence, he thought, reassuring himself that little was the matter.

The gentle glow of the candles welcomed Aragorn into the Houses of Healing upon reaching his destination. He stepped inside and was met by healers who instantly recognised him. Taking his olive cloak, one young lady led him to his son's residence. As expected, there he saw Ioreth, but he had not presumed his son to be awake!

"Ada!" the child cried at the sight of his father. It had become a familiar call.

"Lord Elessar! What a wonderful blessing – come," the old woman kindly greeted, "sit with us. Findel has gone to fetch some water. Eldarion here has not long woken."

Aragorn looked to his son with a small smile, most thankful that he was at least unharmed. The Prince was sitting up against a propped pillow, with reddened eyes and a torn tissue in his hands. The King made an easy guess as to why he was awake. "Have you been dreaming again, ion nin?" he asked, taking the chair beside Ioreth.

"Yes Ada," the boy replied slowly, "but tonight I had a different dream."

"Have you told Ioreth of it? Know that we are here with you, do not fret….."

"Oh he has told me, my Lord," Ioreth affirmed, giving the King a certain look.

Unsure of what was expected of him, Aragorn returned his focus to his son. "Well, was it any better than those previous?" He could not imagine them becoming any worse.

Eldarion simply shook his head.

"He dreamt someone was in his room….." Ioreth began to explain, but said no more as she noticed Aragorn suddenly freeze beside her. Before she could question him, Findel returned to the room with a heavy jug. He bowed upon sight of the King, and offered him a cup.

Aragorn refused politely, but turned to the lady beside him, "May we speak?"

"I would that you keep watch of the Prince for a moment," Ioreth said to her student, rising from her seat, "King Elessar and I will be just outside the door."

"Ada, please do not leave….." Eldarion quipped suddenly.

Aragorn leant to his son with assurance, though he equally felt himself not want to part from him. "I will not go farther than the hall outside."

Once the child was settled back into the blankets, the King followed Ioreth out of the room. "My Lord," she began, looking up at his tall stature, "tell me the reason why you have come….." The elderly lady's eyes were small, and somewhat squinted, but her gaze pierced through any guise, be it that of a King or a peasant.

"I came to my son. There was a disturbance in the Palace tonight, and I came to seek his safety," Aragorn spoke, noticing Ioreth stiffen now.

"Was there someone in the Prince's chamber?"

Taken aback with Ioreth's correct assumption, Aragorn found himself nodding. "Tell me of Eldarion's dream……"

"He dreamt that a person searched in his room. He could not make out the figure, as there was no light."

As he felt a hollow gulp in this dry throat, Aragorn wondered at the connection, "That was our disturbance in the palace……..," he whispered in shock, "What time did he wake?"

"It must have been three and thirty….." Ioreth approximated. Though she too found the situation to be more than a mere coincidence, she did not appear so surprised.

"Yes – that was the time we were given……" was all he managed to say, letting the events be realised.

The old lady gently left a frail hand upon the King's arm, "My Lord, I do not think the Prince has been suffering from simple nightmares. It would be more likely that he possesses the gift of foresight."