This was by far the hardest farewell before her. She remembered the wonderful time Aerin and she had grown up from children. She remembered the time when he rescued her from drowning within the woods. She had never been a good swimmer, and she could have died that day if it weren't for Aerin. He was young and handsome with a noble brow and dark hair. She remembered the one night he had kissed her on top of a hill when they were looking up at the stars. He said he would wait for her to run away with him. He would marry her within an instant and love her till the day she died. However, he was not noble or even of royal blood, and their friendship and beyond was kept a secret for many years

Araiel approached the hut with a steady composure, but inside, she was trembling at the thought of what he would say. Slowly, she turned the knob and entered making her way to the sitting room where he was in his usual place pouring over a new book. Aerin was such a scholar but a true outdoors man. He worked hard, and his well formed hands showed the scars of long labor. Araiel softly touched his shoulder, and he instantly stood up a startled look on his face.
"You're still quiet as a mouse, angel." He always called her by pet names.
Though he had grown in the few months they had been apart, she still thought he looked handsome as the day he had rescued her when she was drowning. A soft lock of dark hair fell over his deep brown eyes. A crooked smile slid across his face and suddenly he lifted Araiel into his arms and kissed her firmly on the mouth. She could not say that she was not stunned by the gesture. After all, he had kissed her before, but since they had been apart so long, it seemed…all new to her. She still remembered his scent; the smell of the evergreens, the smell of the fresh wind in his clothes, the smell of berries. He was so natural. He finally put Araiel down.
"It's about time ye came to see me," he pushed away the lock and suddenly noticed the tears in her eyes. "What is it, lass?" he pressed his thumbs to her cheek wiping away the tears.
"I-I'm to be married, Aerin."
He stepped back. "Married? What are you talking about? When? To whom?"

"The fate of the country rests in my hands. I'm to be married to Prince Hamir of the Northern tribe of the Easterlings."
"Easterlings! Araiel, are you out of your mind!"

"No, my father is in need of finances. They have sworn to be allies if my father will offer them something in return. All he has to give is me, and a poor dowry. But if he does not they will not aid us in our struggle against the eastern tribe which is very hostile. We do not have the strength to stand against them."
"But why you?"
"Because I was never suited to the court life. My sister will be queen, and I will become an Easterling wife."
"This is madness, Araiel! Ye can't leave."
"Why? I must."
"No, you don't have to. I'll take ye away. We'll run away and elope. We'll go to Rivendell, Lorien, all the places ye've wanted to see. I was going to ask ye the next time you came," he fished for something in his pocket and withdrew a silver band with a sapphire in the middle. "It's all I've to give you."
She wanted it so badly. She had loved Aerin for many years, and his words were true, and she knew he would love her truly in return, but she knew she could not accept.

"No, Aerin," she closed his palm around. "I will not risk the demise of my country for anything. It would not be right."
Aerin closed his hand around the ring and bowed his head. "You are right. It wouldn't. But it's not fair."
"Nothing seems fair when you're in love. But Aerin…" she looked into his eyes. "Don't pity me. I am content."
"Did ye ever love me, Araiel?"
"We had a wonderful childhood together, Aerin. I can remember every day I spent picking wildflowers and climbing trees with you. You are a great friend, and I hope we will still be friends. I am certain I could have grown to indeed love you, but we had naught the time."
"I love you, Araiel. And I know you do not love this foreign prince."
"I will grow to love him just as I would grow to love you were you in his position. Please do not make this more difficult than it already is."
"Then this decision is difficult for you. Why else would you come here if you did not feel as I do!" he took her hands in his.
"Aerin..I-" Araiel stopped finding no words to say. Instead, tears came, and Aerin quickly gathered her into his arms and embraced her.

"I shall always love you even if it be as a friend, my Araiel." He looked into her eyes. "Kiss me once again…for old time's sake."
Araiel nodded and instantly felt Aerin's lips upon her own once again. It lasted longer this time, and she could feel the hurt within the kiss but also the desperation at wishing to hold onto her. Araiel felt overwhelmed as his mouth was pressed to hers. That sweet familiar smell would fade away and be left behind. Suddenly, Araiel broke away and opened the door.
"Namaarie, Aerin," she waved behind her as he watched her run away.
"Namaarie, melamin," he waved back, and she did not see the tears within his eyes.

It was the night before the journey and Araiel sat upon her window ledge to look out upon her city for the last time. For days, she had been powdered, washed, and pinched far more than she ever had for any ball. Her 18th birthday should have been a happy occasion, but Araiel was downtrodden. The Princess could very well runaway as Aerin suggested, but sooner or later she would be found, and she could not bear the thought of angering her parents in that way. Araiel also knew she could not survive on her own. A star danced across the sky and fell behind the hills. What lay beyond those hills? What kind of land was she going to? What kind of man was her betrothed? Could she possibly grow to love him as she had Aerin? She would soon find out…

The Princess was awoken early in the morning. Her scented bath was prepared, and the maids washed her skin with soap and oils till it glowed like silver. They scrubbed her long ebony hair until it shone, but could not contain the luxurious curls from spilling out. Finally the part she dreaded was at hand; the corset. That abominable piece of clothing worked around her already perfect delicate waist and threatened to suck the life from her body as it wrenched ever tighter. Finally, the exquisite white dress was placed over her head. It rested beneath her shoulders giving her some relief. The trims were of lace and silver, and flowers covered every inch of the train. Elanor was interweaved into her glossy dark hair, and then a heavy veil was placed over her head and hung over her face. Everyone gathered to bid farewell to the Princess. Her mother and sister embraced her.

"You are more beautiful than Luthien herself," Aure kissed Araiel's cheek. "I'll miss you very much, Ariel."

"You will be a good queen. I love you, my sister. And I will write every day I can," Araiel replied.

Finally, the Princess faced her father, and he slowly lifted the veil from her face and kissed her forehead. Then he lifted her hand. "I pass the Ring of Barahir to my eldest as is tradition. After one thousand years, it will finally leave Minas Tirith. Bear it well, daughter. I send all my blessings with thee."

"My father, thank you," she looked down at the ring for a moment and then placed it on her right hand. "Namaarie, Ata," she smiled.

"Namaarie."

As Araiel climbed into the carriage (already laden with gold and silver relics for her dowry), King Araron watched her with unsteady eyes, and a single tear fell down his cheek as his beauty waved at him. The carriage left Minas Tirith, and when the beautiful city was gone from view, Araiel finally turned to her lady in waiting; Lendia.

"Dear Princess, tears are in your eyes. Is this not an exciting experience?"

The Princess smiled. "It is, but I cannot bring myself to feel the joy that you do."

"It is understandable. You leave your entire world behind whereas I have been to the southern lands many a time, my lady. And you go to a betrothed you have never even seen."

"What is it like, Lendia? I am ignorant of such matters."

"It is…different, your highness. Not in a bad way…but different. It is very hot I shall inform you. Many of the girls there dress differently. It is a very wealthy place because of the many goldmines there. The palaces are truly works of art, and rich silks are everywhere. The land is very dry and sandy, but there are giant oases' which cover the desert, and they are filled with more beauties than you can imagine."

"When will we reach it?"

"This evening, my lady."

Araiel prayed to Varda and hoped to endure the remainder of the journey.