The Princess chose a dark blue satin gown that rested off the shoulders and was lined with silver. She delicately pinned some of her hair up, and then returned to the Great Hall. When she issued in, Hamir approached her and offered her his arm leading her to their places at the center of the table. She sighed and looked at the floor when she took her seat and tried her best to ignore the official's stares. Her mind drifted away as they laughed and talked of political affairs.

Finally the officials took their leave, but as the last one exited, another guest was announced. Araiel would have recognized him anywhere. He was only slightly taller than Hamir, and the only things that seemed different about the brothers were the notorious and serious expression on the elder's, and his eyes were a dark hazel and not deep brown like Hamir's. The Prince stood and approached his brother and extended his hand.
"Welcome, Tairan, welcome."
Tairan glanced at his brother's hand for a moment and then slowly took it in his own. He looked around at the state of affairs and then spoke.
"You seem to be prospering," Tairan replied as they approached the table.
"The land always prospers when we are at peace."
Tairan threw back his cloak as he began to sit. "Peace never lasts." He added with a furtive grin.
Hamir stopped his older brother and motioned a hand to Araiel. "May I introduce my wife, Araiel Alya of Minas Tirith."

Araiel curtsied politely and took Tairan's extended hand as his lips brushed across her knuckles. She felt his eyes linger upon her for several moments.
"Yes…I understood that she was heir to the throne of Gondor. Why would you give up your right to power to come here and be the foreign queen of Hamir?"
"His alliance with my father was…of great necessity."
"Gondor is weakening during this time?" Tairan asked as they took their seats.
Hamir replied, "Minas Tirith is already now thriving. We have formed a supply chain of trade leading to that of Minas Tirith. We buy and sell with them and will give them protection if they ever have the need. They will do the same with us. King Elessar pardoned the Easterlings many years ago. We should do everything in our power to repay that debt of kindness."

Ariael smiled pleased with the answer, but Tairan took a swift draft of wine. "What do you intend to do now, brother that your country is thriving and peace has come?"
Hamir's eyes fell upon Araiel's. "I intend to enjoy the time I have with my wife and possibly raise a child soon."
The statement caused Araiel's eyes to widen, and she choked on her food. He smiled, "Oh not yet my love? Do not worry. You have only just turned eighteen. We have time to wait."
"She is indeed even more beautiful than any of the songs tell. You have done well, Hamir," Tairan replied, but Araiel felt discomfited by those hard-set eyes watching her every move. Even now she could see that Tairan was forming some scheme. Her half elven senses aided her in these dilemmas.

"What land do you come from, my lord?" she asked Tairan.
"I have risen to an important state in the Herima tribe, my lady. It is the most powerful tribe in South Harad."
"And the most deadly and gruesome," Hamir grunted. "I do not see why you must associate yourself with them, Tairan. It gives our family a bad name."
Tairan instantly stood his eyes filled with flame and rage. "A bad name! And what kind of name has fallen upon this city when the rights of the older are passed onto the younger! A weak old father who changes his mind at the last moment and gives the country to someone barely young enough to be a king."

"Tairan calm yourself!"

The two brothers stood eyes enflamed as their rage began to overcome them particularly Tairan. Araiel instantly stood and grasped Hamir's arm and drew him away.
"Hamir, please…come away."
Tairan glared at his brother. "And yes…a simple-minded weak fool who surrenders to the will of women. If I have a wife, she will learn her place in respecting those above her."
"Above me?" she looked up in revulsion. "Kindly remember Tairan that I have enough bloodline in me to trace back to that of the great King Elessar. My blood is of the elves which I believe is far above than that of a simple man. Mind your words with me. I am not of this country."

This time it was Hamir's turn to grip Araiel and lead her away. He faced his brother. "Why must these situations come up, Tairan? Why can we not have peace?"
"Peace…" he pondered the word for a moment and then looked up in scorn. "Peace ends all things. Peace causes men to be lazy and dull-witted. The only great triumphs are made through war, and you have never even seen a war little Prince. You were not meant for this throne, and someday that crown that sits on your head shall be mine. But for now, I shall drink to your health when someday I will drink to your bones," he raised the wine chalice and took a firm draft and then set it on the table. "And when I drink to your bones, I shall teach your wife a lesson about honoring her men."

Araiel held onto Hamir's shoulders as she watched him leave. The Prince turned and looked her in the eye. He smiled and noticed her frightened expression. Hamir slowly lifted her chin.
"Do not worry, my love. I do not wish to see tears in your eyes. Let us enjoy this night."

Araiel crawled under the soft sheets and rested her head on the pillow. She closed her eyes and prayed to the Valar to keep them safe until morning. Hamir slowly crept under the sheets with her and slipped and arm around her waist and softly kissed her lips.
"Will your brother do anything, Hamir?" she asked.
"I would not put it past him, but Araiel…I have the finest arsenal in the Harad. I am at the top of my peak. My soldiers are the best trained. And we have an alliance with Gondor. If he did try anything, he would not win."

"I trust you," she huddled up next to him.
Hamir looked into her eyes and sifted his fingers into her hair. "You are so beautiful, my Araiel. I hope you have come to love me as I love you…everything about you, your soul, your spirit, you are patient yet you are determined. You know what needs be said at times and what not. You are truly unique."
She smiled and rested her head against his shoulder as he did with on her hair. They slowly drifted off to sleep wrapped in each other's arms. Yet, during the middle of the night, Araiel looked up at her husband and softly uttered the words, "I love you, Hamir."
"I know," he squeezed her gently. "I just wanted to be sure I would hear it."

More months passed. The time for Araiel went swiftly since she discovered plenty was arranged for her to do. She learned political affairs well since the Prince requested she be trained for becoming queen. She found it simple to negotiate trade between peoples, and often she would settle small disputes that came about in the village. She also learned how to fence during her time there though she was as yet the best archer in the kingdom. She learned to fence and fight in the day, and Hamir showed her how to love further during the night. Their hearts and souls were opened up to each other, and though Araiel at times longed for home, she still could not imagine a life without her husband. Her thoughts did shift at times to Aerin, and she wondered if he had moved on…if he had forgotten her or if he was still clinging onto her.

It was on the sixth month and fourteenth night of her arrival, and Araiel sat cozily by the fire as Hamir wrapped his arms around her waist and breathed in the scent of her hair.

"Ariel," he had come to nickname her this.

"Yes?" she replied.
"You will be nineteen soon," he took her hand softly within his own.
"That is right."
"Do you think we should try for a child?"

She looked back at him raising her eyebrows a bit. "What has caused this question to arise, Hamir?"

He sighed. "Never you mind, Araiel. I was still just dreaming away as normal."
"Hamir," she turned around and took his hands within her own and kissed them. "You cannot hide anything from me. What has happened?"
"My brother is arousing the armies in the east. He has grown more powerful than the last time he was here. He intends to wage war against me for this throne…this kingdom. I felt you should know."
"Hamir, I understand how you feel. You wish for an heir…a child to continue in your place, but I feel you are strong enough for this task. And if you were to go into battle, I would accompany you for I know you and your men will be even stronger for my presence there."
"I could never allow you to do-" he began but she touched his lips.

"My lord, you? The ruler and King of this land cannot do? I highly doubt that. But Hamir, I am not yet old enough to bear a child. Eighteen, yes, is an age which many girls I think would…but not I. I could not do such a thing yet. To stand in the lines of battle is far easier than to bear a child. I do not yet know if I am strong enough to bear such a thing. I could not be a good mother now, Hamir. I am still learning how to be a good wife and a good queen. I love you Hamir, and I will someday grant your request, and we shall have children…sons and daughters all strong. We have many years ahead of us. Can we not enjoy them now together?"
He smiled and brushed a hand across her cheek. "You are so wise about many things, my Ariel. And I will respect your views. In fact I welcome them. Yes, let us enjoy this time now…"