Araiel soon drew out her fan when they passed the southern border line. She tried her best to accustom herself to the searing heat and the golden sun pouring upon her dark head. She also learned they were traveling to the most fertile and large of the oases. When they passed the first, it seemed very poor. Slaves were being sold at the side of the road, and she nearly threw up in disgust at the sight of children and women being treated as chattel.

The scenery shifted to miles of desert and mountain land. Araiel's discomfort grew, and sweat spilled down her head. Finally, the night ensued granting her some merciful sleep and relief from the extreme heat. She did not awake until the carriage finally stopped.

Her eyes popped wide as the carriage door opened. She widened her eyes and stepped out in shock. A long carpet of crimson velvet was spread upon the ground before her. Maidens dressed in foreign garments danced before her spreading flowers upon the velvet carpet. They were dressed in a style that would be considered immodest anywhere else in Middle Earth. Their entire midriff was exposed but for the chest portion and they wore a sort of skirt which was slit up the sides revealing the side of their dark skinned legs. Wardens stood on each side of the Princess holding lanterns and between them, Easterling soldiers raising their swords crossed to the opposite side. The Princess suddenly stopped as a beautiful white horse charged into the darkness in the distance at the end of the carpet. It reared up on its hind legs and neighed. The man riding it calmed the horse with an easy word of command and then dismounted. He wore a simple tunic of silken material that left much of his bronzed chest bare. He wore a long gleaming sword at his side and a golden tiara on his head. His hair was shiny brown, and his face was handsome. His skin was tan nearly glowing to Araiel.

He had high set cheekbones, full lips with the under larger than the upper, a well defined jaw, and deep brown eyes, which were warm and inviting as they looked upon Araiel. They finally stopped inches apart, and slowly and deeply Araiel began to curtsy. She was glad of the veil as it hid the enormous blush in her cheeks. The Prince placed a gentle but firm hand beneath her chin and raised her up. Then, he removed the veil. She noticed the smile instantly come to his face, and the color rose in her cheeks even more. Finally, he broke the silence.

"Lady Araiel of Minas Tirith," he had a foreign accent of the Easterlings but spoke well and in a firm voice between boyhood and manhood, which she well liked. He continued, "Long have I awaited your presence since I first received your letter of acceptance."

She curtsied slightly with a bowed head. "My lord honors me with his kindness." She wondered if her voice cracked.

"My lady honors me with her beauty," he replied. Then he offered her his arm and lifted his chin.

she took it with trembling fingers, but he took her delicate hand in his large firm one and guided her down the carpet.

"Your room has been prepared. You must be fatigued after a long journey."

Ariael was about to say she wasn't since she slept most of the time, but she kept silent as he continued.

"There will be a number of feasts celebrating your arrival. My people are eager to meet their new queen. But come first, I will show you my city."

He led her up a golden hillside, and when they reached the slope, she could see the great golden tower of the city of Elendriel rising in the distance. Lanterns were lit about the city, and she thought it the most beautiful sight she had seen other than the mountains within Rohan. It was nestled directly in front of an oases, and she could see a silver river trickling by its side. The vivid green trees stretched out beyond the city and caused it to shine out even more. He searched her face for her expressions, but she broke the silence.
"I am awed, my lord. Your city is quite exquisite."

"Hamir made a gesture behind him and someone took his horse's reins. "It is not a long walk, Araiel, but would you rather ride?" he asked her, smiling.

It is my lord's country. I am a new stranger to this land, but I am not fatigued from the journey."

He nodded a little. "As you wish," he said, making another gesture. The person who had grabbed the reins on Hamir's horse jumped up onto the saddle and took off towards the kingdom to stable the horse and alert the other's of Araiel's arrival.

Hamir smiled. "Future queens never walk," he told her, and gestured to another, equally beautiful mount.

She mounted up herself sitting sidesaddle and awaited for him to make the first move. He jumped up into the saddle of his horse after seeing Araiel properly mounted, then moved the animal beside her own

" It is time you met your people," he said to her and spurred his horse forward into a quick walk, and she followed in nervous anticipation.

Hamir noticed her nervousness but said nothing of it. The only way for her to accustom herself to meeting people was to do it. So, they rode on, through the city gates where his people were waiting for her with roses and other welcome gifts. She was showered with flower petals from the street windows. People all over the city had gathered to welcome the new princess. Children chased the horses, men bowed, and women knelt. Araiel smiled in return and the prince noticed her uneasiness melting away as she waved greetings. It delighted him to see her adjusting well to the first meeting.

The people shouted praises upon the Prince and his fiancé and threw ribbons and sparkling confetti as they approached the Citadel. It was larger than Minas Tirith's Citadel, and once they reached the courtyard, they dismounted and allowed the stable boys to take their horses. Hamir showed Araiel the great hall first. It was far more ornate than Minas Tirith filled with tapestries and gold filigree on the walls. He then took her to her room, and she was surprised by the elegance awarded to her. White, transparent silk sheets encased the bed, and a window was open allowing the fresh desert night air in. A nightstand stood to the left of the bed, a dressing screen to the right, and a wardrobe with a full set of clothes to be added to the ones she brought with her.

"Is the room satisfactory?" he asked as she walked around taking it in.

"Indeed," she smiled. "It is very beautiful."

"Befitting a Princess. It should be."

. "Usually, an engaged couple may share a room," he said and stretched his shoulders. Her eyes widened, "but, as you are not of my land, I will not enforce it."

"Thank you. When is the wedding?"

He smiled at the question. "Two days."

"So soon," she murmured.
"Yes, but my father is at the end of his life. He wished to see me settled before he passed. Araiel, would you do me the honor of accompanying me to his bedside? He wished to see my new bride."

She glanced around briefly but then nodded. She was growing somewhat tired, but the light within the prince's eyes told her this was important to him. And she did wish to meet her father in law before he died, and yet, she felt incredibly nervous at greeting the King of the Easterlings.

The Prince took her through a network of hallways and up two flights of stairs before they reached the king's room which she was told was the largest of the rooms within the palace. Priests were gathered around his bed praying prayers, and a few ladies in waiting remained there should he desire anything to make him more at ease. His eyes were closed, but Araiel's elven senses told her he was fully alert. When Hamir approached the bedside, the king raised a thin withered hand to the young man's face. The prince knelt before his father's bedside, and she noticed a tear run down his cheek.
"My boy," the king said in a hoarse old voice.
"Father, I wish you to meet my bride to be, Araiel Alya Princess of Gondor."

Hamir took her hand gently, and she approached. The king looked up at her with aged dark eyes and a fatigued face. But she could tell from his expression that he was pleased.
"Yes, my boy," he let out a cough. "Brains and beauty. Patience, strength I see in her. I am pleased, Hamir. My son, I am full now. I go to rest with my ancestors. I have desired to see your mother for many years now."
"Go in peace, father."

With his son's last words drifting within the king's ears, he breathed his last. Hamir gripped his father's hand for few long moments and laid his head upon his body. Finally, the priests covered the king's body with sheets. Araiel had never seen a man die before, and she could not imagine the sorrow Hamir must have felt at the moment. He stood up and approached her taking her hand gently.
"Come, I will escort you back to your room."

The journey back was spent in silence until they finally reached the inside of her room.

"My room is just down the hall from yours if you require anything."

"Thank you," she merely said, but then she allowed her words to come out, "My lord, is there naught that I can do? Elves are practiced in the art of sensing. Your heart is full of grief."

"Your presence brings me happiness, and fills my heart, Araiel. I could not wish for anything more."

He looked into her eyes and saw a sparkle of light appear. The reflection of the moon from the window, but he thought not. Elves were born with the light of the stars in their eyes, and Araiel was no different. He raised her hands to his lips and bowed.
"Goodnight, Araiel Alya."
"Goodnight, my lord."